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Camellia
Annual Report 2015

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FY2015 Annual Report · Camellia
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Camellia Plc

2015

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Camellia Plc

Report and accounts 2015

Contents

page

Camellia at a glance

Directors and advisers

Chairman’s statement

Chief Executive’s report

Chief Financial Officer’s report

Strategic report

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

2

4

5

6

13

15

22

25

29

30

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

49

96

98

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Camellia Plc

Camellia at a glance

Camellia Plc is an international Group – a global family of diverse companies with a 128-year heritage employing
approximately 76,000 people worldwide. Our operating divisions include Agriculture, Banking and Financial
Services, Engineering, Food Service and Investments. From the start, Camellia’s ethos has been based on the
highest moral and professional integrity, and a commitment to doing the right thing – ethically and commercially,
globally and locally. Profits are our lifeblood but not our soul.

Our business is built on two fundamental principles:
(cid:129)

Long-termism. We see ourselves as custodians, holding our businesses in trust for future generations. We
believe we have a responsibility to ensure the stability, security and continuity of all our businesses, so they can
be passed on to the next generation as enduring operations. We recognise that people and businesses take time
to establish and grow to their full potential and we are happy to wait for that to happen. We are deeply
committed to improving the long-term stability and well-being of our businesses, the communities and the
environments in which we are involved.

(cid:129)

Sustainability. We are committed not only to the ultimate welfare of our employees but also to the
communities in which they live. We believe our businesses can and should grow with respect and care for the
environment rather than at the cost of it. We proactively invest in ensuring that the environments where we do
business are continually protected and improved, and seek to minimise any damage our activities may cause.

Our business is made up of five divisions:

AGRICULTURE

2015: Turnover – £186.5 million, Trading profit – £26.3 million, Return on capital – 9.9%

Locations

India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi
Kenya, South Africa, Malawi
Kenya

Bangladesh
USA
Brazil
Kenya
South Africa
USA
USA
Kenya, Malawi, Brazil

Mature
area
Ha.

31,991
2,165
412

1,622
169
3,374
55
62
131
–
2,972

Kenya
Kenya

1,299
4,500 head

Immature
area
Ha.

2,626
1,173
39

346
8
–
–
11
–
56
3,279

–

Core crops

Tea
Macadamia
Avocados

Speciality crops

Rubber
Citrus
Arable
Pineapples
Wine grapes
Pistachios
Almonds
Forestry

Other

Joint Projects
Cattle

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Camellia at a glance

BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

2015: Subsidiaries Turnover – £13.1 million, Trading loss – £3.6 million
2015: Associates Share of results after taxation – £4.2 million (including 6 months results for BF&M)

Subsidiary

Locations

Activity

Duncan Lawrie 

UK, Isle of Man

Private banking and wealth management

Associates

BF&M 
United Finance 
United Insurance

ENGINEERING

Location

Bermuda
Bangladesh
Bangladesh

Activity

Non life insurance
Banking
Non life insurance

Holding
%
36.1
38.4
37.0

2015: Turnover – £18.6 million, Trading loss – £1.2 million*

Subsidiary

Abbey Metal Finishing
AJT Engineering
British Metal Treatments
GU Cutting and Grinding

Locations

UK, Germany
UK
UK
UK

* adjusted to exclude AKD Engineering and Loddon Engineering as they are no longer part of the Group.

FOOD SERVICE

2015: Turnover – £31.9 million, Trading profit – £0.7 million, Return on capital – 4.0%

Subsidiary

ACS&T
Affish
Wylax

INVESTMENTS

Locations

UK
The Netherlands
The Netherlands

Investment type

Locations

Investment Portfolio
Investment Property
Collections

Global
UK, Malawi, Isle of Man, Brazil
UK, India

* Collections are stated at cost

Market value at
31/12/15
£’m

30.6
21.4
9.0*

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Camellia Plc

Directors and advisers

Directors

Malcolm Perkins, FCA
Chris Relleen, FCA

Tom Franks, FCA
Graham Mclean, MSc
Susan Walker, FCCA
Frédéric Vuilleumier
William Gibson

Chairman (iii)
Deputy chairman, independent non-executive 
director and senior independent director (i) (ii) (iii)
Chief executive
Managing director of agriculture
Chief financial officer
Independent 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

Julia Morton, ACIS

Registered office

Nominated adviser and 
broker

Registrars

Linton Park
Linton
Maidstone
Kent ME17 4AB
Registered Number 29559

Panmure Gordon & Co
One New Change
London EC4M 9AF

Capita Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4ZF

Independent auditors

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

Website

www.camellia.plc.uk

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Chairman’s statement

Our results for the year reflect once again the diversity of our operations and the unpredictability of global
markets. Excluding the adjustment for the revaluation of biological assets, which I am pleased to report will have a
much reduced impact on our accounts going forward, and the significant provision for post-employment benefits
that we have been required to make in Bangladesh, headline profits were £23.9 million compared to £17.2 million
in 2014. This result reflects the difficulties that our subsidiaries in the oil services sector have been facing; but also
reflects the improved tea prices in Kenya and the improved profitability of our agricultural operations more
generally.

2015 was a transitional year for your Group, with the appointment of Tom Franks as the Chief Executive, Graham
Mclean as Managing Director of Agriculture and Susan Walker as the Chief Financial Officer and the retirement
of a number of longstanding executive directors. As a result there have been consequential changes to both roles
and responsibilities and also the organisation of the Group which are set out in the Chief Executive’s and corporate
governance reports. A detailed statement which shareholders will hopefully find interesting and informative is
included as the Chief Executive’s report and we have also included substantially more information in the annual
accounts to assist shareholders with getting a better understanding of our Group.

Notwithstanding these changes, I am pleased to report that the overriding principles of the Group remain
constant. We are committed to the development of the business over the long term and to the sustainability of our
businesses, the environments and communities in which we operate.

As announced previously we took the step during the year of closing one of our subsidiaries, AKD Engineering,
following many years of substantial losses. This was not a decision that your Board took lightly, being well aware of
the social and other implications of this move, but was unfortunately unavoidable given the trading conditions.
We sold the Loddon Engineering business towards the end of the year to the De Swart Group, an owner in a
better position to ensure the long term future of that business. Despite these changes, the Group has continued its
policy of organic growth and development, further details of which are contained in the Chief Executive’s report. 

Dividend
Your Board is recommending a final dividend of 95p per share which, together with the interim dividend already paid
of 34p per share, brings the total distribution for the year to 129p per share compared with 126p per share in 2014.

Directors
During the year Anil Mathur, Chris Ames and Peter Field resigned as directors of the company. I would like to
thank them all again for their contribution to the Group, and I am pleased that Peter Field will continue to
contribute as Chairman of our operations in India and Bangladesh.

Outlook
The outlook for 2016 is challenging. Climate change, and in particular erratic rainfall patterns, makes predicting
crop volumes difficult. The start of 2016 has seen record tea production in Kenya which has resulted in a
significant fall in the market price. The continuing low oil price provides a challenge to our engineering businesses
and low interest rates restrict returns in banking. However, the strength and diversity of our operations, the success
we have had in bringing in new management where appropriate, and the ongoing turnaround, sale or closure of
our loss making companies, all point to a more successful future.

Staff
As always, my thanks go out to all our staff for their efforts in 2015.

Malcolm Perkins
Chairman

27 April 2016

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Camellia Plc

Chief Executive’s Report

I am delighted to present to you my first report as Chief Executive. This year we are making significant additional
disclosures, which I hope will enhance shareholders understanding of the Group and its strategy. As is inevitable in
a Group of this size and diversity, there have been many performance highlights this year but also some areas of the
business which have found markets more challenging. 

Of particular note was the success of our operations in Kenya where a combination of good yields and improved
prices delivered significant additional profit. However, the introduction of new post-employment benefits
legislation in Bangladesh has meant that we have made a significant provision of £6.4 million this year against this
liability and the fall in the oil price hit our subsidiaries (AKD Engineering and AJT Engineering) in that sector
very hard. Unfortunately, the continuing weakness in the oil price and the resulting lack of orders for major capital
equipment from AKD Engineering meant that we had to close the company in July 2015. We also sold our
interest in Loddon Engineering, a Norfolk based stable manufacturer, to a subsidiary of the De Swart Group.

MANAGEMENT 
During the year we reviewed the management of the business. Camellia is diverse and complex in both its markets
and geographies and therefore having the right management in place is fundamental to driving performance. We
have made a number of changes to management and to reporting lines in order to increase skills, create clarity and
ensure proper accountability in the trading businesses. As a result the Group is now managed on a divisional rather
than geographic basis. A summary of the new structure together with the revised remit and membership of the
executive committees is set out in the corporate governance report.

BUSINESS STRATEGY
Whilst the overall Group strategy, which is set out on page 15, remains unchanged, each division is now expected to
perform against an agreed divisional strategy which sets out the goals and targets for the short and medium term.

The divisional strategies may be summarised as follows:

Agriculture. The Agriculture division has an exceptional collection of high quality assets spread across a variety of
geographies and crops.  There are however certain crops where we have scale and geographic spread and therefore
the opportunity to build a significant market presence. These are tea, macadamia and avocados. Here we will
continue to expand the planted area, enlarge our geographic spread and where appropriate move up the value
chain to protect future margins. For the remaining crops, where developing a significant market presence is not
practicable but where there are opportunities for profitable investment, we will continue to acquire assets in line
with the broader Group strategy.

Banking and Financial Services. During the year, the Group performed a strategic review of Duncan Lawrie to
establish the best future path for the business. As a result of that review, the Group has approved a new growth
strategy to invest in, and expand, Duncan Lawrie. Key components of the new strategy include building the
banking operations by increasing both lending and deposits; growing the wealth management business by
substantially increasing the assets under management and investing in people and infrastructure to ensure a market
leading suite of products and services for our clients. This strategy will require, inter alia, further investment in the
business and we have relaxed certain lending restrictions previously imposed by the Group. 

I anticipate that the strategy will take a number of years to execute and I am pleased to report the appointment of Sally
Tennant as the new Chair of Duncan Lawrie, subject to the appropriate regulatory approval, to assist the management
team in implementing that strategy.

The Group also has three associated companies in the financial services sector, one of which, BF&M, is included
as an associate from 1 July 2015 following a purchase of additional shares by the Group and a reassessment of our
relationship with BF&M. The Group will continue to monitor its investments in these companies and may
increase or decrease its holdings as appropriate.

Engineering 
Engineering North. AJT Engineering has been a strongly profitable business for the Group in the past but is
currently impacted by the low oil price and its effect on investment in the North Sea oil industry. As a result, AJT
Engineering has had to amend its strategy so as to react to the new environment. This has included taking steps to
reduce costs and diversify its customer base. AJT Engineering remains committed to providing a full service to its
customers and anticipates emerging from the current hiatus strongly positioned for the future.

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Chief Executive’s Report

Engineering South. The principal driver of growth in Engineering South will be Abbey Metal Finishing (Amfin)
and its joint venture in Germany, Atfin. Under its new management team, Amfin has taken significant steps in the
last 12 months to focus its customer base, improve its delivery performance and return to profitability. The plan is
to complete these steps during 2016 and for Amfin to provide the Group with a return on the significant
investments made since the fire in 2010. Atfin is taking steps to diversify its customer base and is now moving
towards profitability. 

The remaining businesses in Engineering South are expected to grow organically over the coming years.

Food Service 
UK. ACS&T will continue to operate as a niche high quality operator in the storage and distribution of frozen
foods together with some ambient food service provision as demand and space allows. The business will expand
and invest where appropriate to continue to serve the needs of its customers.

Netherlands. Affish and Wylax, our fish trading and distribution businesses in the Netherlands, have struggled to
grow in tough economic conditions. However, following the recent appointment of a new managing director and
sales director, these businesses are now looking to expand both their product offering and customer base.

Investments 
Investment Portfolio. The Group has a portfolio, principally of listed investments, under the management of a full
time investment manager. The strategy remains to invest for the long term in high quality companies where we
believe that there is hidden value.

Investment Property. The Group is disclosing for the first time this year the current market value of the investment
property portfolio (page 59). The strategy is to continue to invest in quality assets where an appropriate yield may
be realised.

Collections. The Group has collections of art, philately and manuscripts under the management of a curating team.
These assets are regularly reviewed and are added to or sold as appropriate in order to enhance the collections.

PERFORMANCE
Agriculture
Tea Production

India
Bangladesh
Kenya
Malawi

Total

Mature
area
Ha.

14,242
7,927
4,157
5,665
––––––––
31,991
––––––––

Immature
area
Ha.

1,481
1,110
–
35
––––––––
2,626
––––––––

Volume
2015*
mkg

25.8
10.3
12.9
14.4
––––––––
63.4
––––––––

Volume
2014* 
mkg

25.9
10.5
14.3
16.9
––––––––
67.6
––––––––

*Estate volumes only, in addition 14.7 million kg of tea was produced for smallholders (2014 – 15.5 million kg)
Tea pricing and operations
India
Average tea prices in 2015 were up 3.8% in Rupees against 2014 levels, reflecting particularly good performances
from our Assam teas, but costs of production were also up, reflecting labour rate increases which impacted
margins. A new blending and packing facility for export teas was commissioned in Kolkata during the year with an
annual capacity of approximately 4 million kgs per annum.

Packet tea sale volumes were up 13.6% on 2014 in this competitive but growing sector of the Indian local tea
market. Instant Tea production was down 25% on 2014 with prices also slightly down. During the year, a solar
water heating unit was installed at the plant in order to reduce energy costs.

Rainforest Alliance Certification was achieved on all Assam and Darjeeling estates along with FSSC 22000
certification in the factories; ISO 22000 certification was achieved for the Dooars’ factories.

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Camellia Plc

Chief Executive’s Report

Bangladesh
Pricing was up 11% on the previous year due to improved demand at auction and a resumption of high duty
tariffs on imported tea. 

A project to create capacity for irrigation on two gardens commenced during the second quarter having been
delayed as a result of political disturbances. Total replanting achieved in the year was 115 Ha leaving a total of 385
Ha under rehabilitation at the end of the year in preparation for future replanting.

Kenya
As a result of lower production volumes across Kenya as a whole, tea prices were up 35.7% from the previous
year’s levels. The market for Kenya teas is largely an export one and prices are subject to significant volatility linked
to production volumes. Fluctuations in the tea price have a major impact on Group profitability.

We continue to produce good quality hand plucked tea, and mechanical harvesting continues on a trial basis.
During 2015, we established our first large-scale solar project. Significant reductions in carbon emissions have
been achieved as well as a reduction in power costs. 

All the estates and smallholders remain Rainforest Alliance certified and all factories are ISO 22000 compliant. 

Malawi
In Malawi we experienced highly erratic weather conditions which had a significant adverse effect on crop
volumes. The operations experienced serious flooding following drought conditions at the start of the year and
then drought conditions re-emerged for most of the year thereafter.

Pricing in 2015 was up 3% on 2014 levels but costs per kg increased significantly due to the lower crop,
inflationary pressure through substantial currency devaluation and significant wage increases. These circumstances
contributed to a substantial decline in the profitability of the tea operations in 2015. 

The Tea Association of Malawi, of which we are a leading member, in conjunction with the Ethical Tea
Partnership, signed up to an extensive five-year revitalisation programme for the industry aimed at addressing
workers’ wages, smallholder sustainability, product quality and replanting. 

All estates and smallholders are Rainforest Alliance certified. All factories are Fairtrade certified and two factories
continued with UTZ certification.

Mature
area
Ha.

1,202
778
185
––––––––
2,165
––––––––

Immature
area
Ha.

230
271
672
––––––––
1,173
––––––––

Volume
2015 
Tonnes

530
574
52
––––––––
1,156
––––––––

Volume
2014 
Tonnes

583
474
28
––––––––
1,085
––––––––

Macadamia Production

Malawi
South Africa
Kenya

Total

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Chief Executive’s Report

Macadamia Pricing
Pricing for macadamia in 2015 was up 15.3% on 2014 levels and set a record level for the global macadamia
kernel market due to continuing demand from China. 

Macadamia Operations
Malawi
Production of macadamia nuts was down 9.0% on the previous year due to the impact of dry weather conditions.
The processing facility once again achieved ISO 22000 certification.

South Africa
Volumes in 2015 were significantly ahead of last year. The development of Mambedi Estate to macadamia
orchards continues with 98 Ha planted in 2015. A further 80 Ha has been prepared for planting. The processing
factory successfully completed the first phase of upgrading to a modern state-of-the-art cracking facility. The plant
was also recertified under ISO 22000 for the 2015 season.

Kenya
New plantings continued with 158 Ha being planted in the year. Construction of a new cracking facility began in
April and good progress has been made to date. The facility is expected to open in June 2016.

Avocado Production

Mature
area
Ha.

Immature
area
Ha.

Volume
2015*
mkg

Volume
2014*
mkg

Kenya 

412

39

7.1

6.3

* Estate volumes only. In addition 2.3 million kg of smallholder fruit was packed (2014 – 2.7 million kg)

Avocado Pricing and Operations
A record volume of 1.9 million cartons were exported: 17% up on 2014. The smallholder fruit volumes were
slightly lower than last year as a result of tight quality controls and lower availability of acceptably sized fruit.
Despite this, excellent returns were generated for growers from the fruit exported. The smallholder initiative
continues to gain momentum with the number of registered growers increasing each year. Pricing in 2015 was at
record levels (up 64% on 2014) as a result of demand from the European market. 

Speciality Crops Production

Rubber (Bangladesh)
Citrus (USA)
Arable (Brazil)
Pineapples (Kenya)
Wine grapes (South Africa)
Pistachio (USA)
Almonds (USA)

Forestry

Mature
area
Ha.

Immature
area
Ha.

1,622
169
3,374
55
62
131
–

346
8
–
–
11
–
56

2,972 

3,279

Volume
2015 
Tonnes

629
4,844
25,888
1,752
625
31*
47
m3
17,042**

Volume
2014 
Tonnes

601
5,618
17,234
1,552
718
621
–
m3
13,766**

* 2015 was an ‘off year’ for Pistachios 
** Volumes quoted are for conversion to value addition products rather than own use as fuel wood 

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Camellia Plc

Chief Executive’s Report

Speciality Crops Pricing and Operations
Pricing for rubber in 2015 was 24.4% below 2014 due to the drop in oil prices making synthetic rubber more
price competitive than natural latex. There are also significant inventories of natural rubber building in South East
Asia which are contributing to the downward pressure on price.

Prices for California citrus were slightly up in the year. Reduced volumes in the year reflect the effect of the
decision to replace an area of mandarins with a different variety of citrus.

Both the maize and soya crops in Brazil sold at higher levels than anticipated.

Prices for fresh pineapple production in Kenya were marginally up.

Wine grape production in the Western Cape, South Africa was down 13% on last year but bottled wine
production and sale volumes were up. Results were in line with expectation although slightly down on the
previous year.

Pricing for pistachios in 2015 was 28% up on 2014 levels due to demand in the global market. 

Almond prices were also high but no contribution was attributed to Group profit in 2015 given the immature
nature of the trees. Revenues from almonds will be attributed to Group profit for 2016.

Forestry operations continued to produce satisfactory volumes for fuel wood and value addition products.

We continue to raise cattle on those areas of the Kakuzi Estate in Kenya unsuitable for crop development.

In total, the Agriculture division made a trading profit of £26.3 million (2014: £27.2 million) on turnover of
£186.5 million (2014: £164.2 million).

Banking and Financial Services
The low interest rate environment together with restrictions on lending imposed by the Group and costs
associated with adjusting to new regulatory requirements, have led to several years of losses at Duncan Lawrie. As a
result, the Group undertook a strategic review of the bank during the year, the result of which is the
implementation of the growth strategy described above. In 2015 the bank made losses which were significantly
above those incurred in 2014, reinforcing the need to execute the new strategy. These losses are likely to continue
into 2016 as the bank invests in clients, staff and systems.

Our two associated companies in Bangladesh, United Insurance and United Finance, both had a reasonable year
with profits marginally ahead of 2014.  

From 1 July 2015 we are accounting for BF&M, a Bermuda based insurance company, as an associate. BF&M had
a strong year in 2015 reporting a profit before tax of Bermudian Dollar 30.1 million (2014: Bermudian Dollar
26.7 million).

In total, the Banking and Financial Services division’s subsidiaries made a trading loss of £3.6m (2014: trading loss
£2.5m) on turnover of £13.1 million (2014: £12.4 million). In addition, our share of the results of associates
amounted to £4.2 million (2014: £1.1 million).

Engineering
Engineering North 
Engineering North had a difficult year with the fall in the oil price resulting in AJT Engineering in Aberdeen
struggling to fill its order book. Turnover at AJT Engineering fell from £12.0 million in 2014 to £9.6 million in
2015. In the current climate it is hard to predict the oil price and the impact that it may have on the industry in
Aberdeen and therefore the company is braced for another difficult year. 

Engineering South 
Engineering South had a transitional year with the sale and closure of Loddon Engineering and AKD Engineering
respectively, and new management teams appointed at Abbey Metal Finishing, Atfin and GU Cutting and
Grinding. The continuing turnaround at Abbey Metal Finishing and the disposal of the other loss making
businesses means that we anticipate a significantly improved performance in the coming year.

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Chief Executive’s Report

In total, the Engineering division made a trading loss of £5.5 million (2014: trading loss £8.4 million) on turnover
of £24.1 million (£28.9 million). £4.3 million of the trading loss in 2015 related to AKD Engineering and
Loddon Engineering.

In addition, during the year we sold three properties and certain assets which were surplus to the requirements of
the Engineering division generating a net profit on sale of £3.7million (2014: nil).

Food Service
ACS&T had a better year than 2014 with turnover increasing by 7.5%, although the market remains competitive
in both the storage and distribution areas and as a result profits were marginally down. During the year we also
took possession of a new office building in Wolverhampton and implemented a new IT system at all our facilities
to manage logistics. In the Netherlands, both Affish and Wylax experienced challenging trading conditions. 

In total the Food Service division made a trading profit of £0.7 million (2014: £0.9 million) on turnover of
£31.9 million (2014: £30.9 million).

Investments
Investment Portfolio. Despite the significant fluctuations in both global equity and currency markets there was little
change in the value of the portfolio. The total value of the portfolio is £30.6 million (2014: £63.5 million)
reflecting the reclassification of our holding in BF&M as an associate.

Investment Property. The Group is disclosing for the first time this year the current market value of the investment
property portfolio (page 59). The Group took the opportunity during the year to acquire further land and
buildings at Linton Park. 

Collections.  The value of the collections is held at cost. A number of minor additions and disposals were made
during the year. 

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
The Group is present in many jurisdictions, and is subject to local legislation. The following two issues either have
had, or are likely to have, a material impact on the Group.

(cid:129) During 2015, a post-employment benefits law was introduced in Bangladesh entitling workers to a lump sum

payment on retirement or termination of employment based upon earnings and length of service. As a result
we have made a provision of £6.4 million to cover the potential liability of which £6.1 million relates to past
service costs.

(cid:129)

At the start of 2016, the Government of Malawi put forward new legislation which proposes, inter alia, the
conversion of all freehold property into 50 year leaseholds. The proposed legislation is under discussion and
has yet to be passed into law and many of the key provisions such as the costs of the leaseholds and the right
to renew leases are as yet unclear. The impact on the Group is therefore hard to assess at this time. 

DEVELOPMENT
During 2015 we continued to invest in the development of our assets and £19.4 million was spent on property,
plant and equipment and investment property (2014: £19.0 million) including the following key projects:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Extension of the macadamia dehusking facility and the commencement of the building of the new macadamia
cracking plant in Kenya

Phase 1 of the upgrading of the macadamia cracking facility in South Africa

Improvements at four of our tea factories and to the packet tea and instant tea facilities

Solar energy facilities in Kenya and India

Significant irrigation projects across all of the agricultural operations 

(cid:129) Construction of a new office building for ACS&T and an IT upgrade

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Chief Executive’s Report

(cid:129) Continuing improvement of our labour housing and facilities for our staff

(cid:129) The acquisition of investment properties in the UK adjacent to our head office at Linton Park.

In addition to our continuous programme of replanting our tea areas, a programme to extend our planted areas
has been underway for a number of years and in 2015:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

36 Ha of new avocado plantings were carried out in Kenya

158 Ha of new macadamia plantings were carried out in Kenya and 81 Ha in South Africa.

SUSTAINABILITY AND CSR
The Group has always had a strong focus on social and environmental responsibility and this is something we
intend to maintain and grow. The key aspects of that policy are set out on page 17.

The Group strives to develop the workforce through training and to improve housing, healthcare, and education
across the Group and in the communities that we work in.

This year we have been involved in the tea revitalisation project in Malawi, solar projects in India and Kenya, and have
embarked on major housing renewal projects in Malawi, Kenya and India. In addition, I am pleased to report that
every operating company in the UK has now been accredited by the Living Wage Foundation as a Living Wage
Employer.

Tom Franks
Chief Executive

27 April 2016

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Chief Financial Officer’s report

Overview of results
After taking account of the provision for past service costs relating to changes in Bangladesh to post-employment
benefit entitlements of £6.1 million, gains arising from changes in the fair value of biological assets of
£20.6 million (2014: £8.8 million), exceptional and other one off items, the profit before tax for the year to
31 December 2015 amounted to £40.5 million compared with £22.0 million in the previous year. 

The Group has net assets of £372.8 million (2014: £364.4 million) and net cash and cash equivalents of
£65.6 million (2014: £54.1 million), excluding balances relating to our banking operations.

Headline profit
The headline profit before tax for the year to 31 December 2015 was 39.0% higher than previous year at
£23.9 million (2014: £17.2 million). Headline profit is a measure of underlying performance which is not
impacted by exceptional and other items considered non-operational in nature and is designed to make clear the
underlying trading performance of the Group.

Accounting policies and practices
We increased our holding in BF&M to 36.1% during the year and, having reassessed our relationship, consider
that it is now appropriate to account for it as an associate company rather than as an available for sale financial
asset. This has resulted in our proportionate share of BF&M’s profit after tax for the period from 1 July 2015 of
£2.9 million being included in our results for the year instead of the dividends we received. 

Following further acquisition of property in the UK during 2015, our investment property holdings are now
shown as a separate asset class which continues to be carried at cost. In the interests of providing further clarity for
shareholders, the estimated market value is disclosed in note 18 to the financial statements.

Impact of changes to the accounting treatment of biological assets (IAS 41 amendments) 
This is the last year in which IAS 41 will be relevant to the majority of our agricultural operations and from
1 January 2016 our permanent plantings will be classified under IAS 16 as property, plant and equipment to be
depreciated over their expected useful life. If the new standard had applied to our 2015 results it would have had
the following estimated effect on our reported profits:

Reported profit before tax
Exclude gain arising from changes in fair value of biological assets reclassified as bearer crops
Depreciation of bearer plants
Fair value adjustments for growing crop

Restated 2015 profit before tax

2015
£’m

40.5
(18.7)
(4.4)
2.6
––––––––
20.0
––––––––

Currencies
The Group’s operations in Africa and Brazil have seen significant devaluation of their functional currencies during
the year. This together with the high rates of inflation in these countries places substantial pressure on our cost
base, particularly in Malawi. However, our operations in Africa benefit from the fact that the majority of their sales
are in hard currencies, typically US dollars or Euros, which provides some protection. Over the course of the year
to 31 December 2015, the Malawi Kwacha weakened by 35.7%, the Kenya Shilling by 6.5%, the South African
Rand by 26.5% and the Brazilian Real by 41.3% against Sterling.

Cashflow
The Group’s net cash position increased to £65.6 million at 31 December 2015 (2014: £54.1 million) (excluding
net cash balances held within our banking subsidiaries) reflecting strong net cash inflows from operations of £33.7
million (2014: inflow £7.9 million).

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Chief Financial Officer’s report

Taxation
The Group’s effective tax rate of 45.9% (2014: 62.2%) reflects the continuing losses incurred in the UK which we
are currently unable to relieve against profits elsewhere in the Group. It also reflects a provision for taxation in
Malawi arising from assessments raised by the Malawi Revenue Authority for unpaid taxes from prior years. We
continue to be of the view that the claim is without technical merit. 

Pensions and post-employment benefits
The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension schemes, the largest of which is in the UK. The overseas
schemes are located in Bangladesh, India and the Netherlands. The UK scheme has been closed to new entrants
for a number of years and of our UK based work force, approximately 15% are members of this scheme. Our
businesses in Kenya, India and Bangladesh also have obligations to pay terminal gratuities, based on years of
service and, in some cases based on salaries.

Our employee benefit schemes currently show net deficits of £38.6 million (2014: £41.6 million net deficit).
Accounting for defined benefit schemes is prescribed by IAS 19 and the quantum of the deficit continues to be
volatile and sensitive to small changes in assumptions as regards inflation and gilt yields in the relevant
jurisdictions. This year a net actuarial gain of £9.1 million (net actuarial loss in 2014 of £20.3 million) is reflected
in the Statement of comprehensive income.

In addition, £8.4 million (2014: £1.0 million) has been charged to our income statement in respect of employee
benefit obligations. £6.4 million of the increase in cost relates to obligations for post-employment benefits arising
from recently enacted legislation in Bangladesh, of which £6.1 million relates to relevant employees service with
the Group in years prior to the current financial year. The cash flow impact of this legislation will arise over a
number of years as staff retire or otherwise leave the business. 

Contributions to the externally funded defined benefit schemes are determined after consultation with the
respective trustees and actuaries. In the UK, additional annual contributions of £0.9 million are being made to
reduce the scheme’s funding deficit.

Shareholders’ funds
Equity attributable to Camellia’s shareholders at the 2015 year end was £330.4 million (2014: £321.7 million).
A reconciliation is set out in the Group statement of changes in equity.

Susan Walker
Chief Financial Officer

27 April 2016

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Strategic report

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 2015 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 and the Chief Executive’s report on pages 5
to 12. The Chairman’s statement and the Chief Executive’s report, 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:

Group strategy
The Board has adopted the following strategy for the Group:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

to develop a worldwide group of businesses requiring management to take a long term view

the achievement of long-term shareholder returns through sustained and targeted investment

investing in the environment and sustainability of the communities in which we do business

ensuring that the quality and safety of our products and services meet the highest international standards

the continuous refinement and improvement of the Group’s existing businesses using our internal expertise
and financial strength. 

The progress against this strategy during the year is set out in further detail in the Chief Executive’s report shown
on pages 6 to 12 and within the report of the directors.

Business model
The Group consists of businesses engaged in Agriculture, Banking and Financial Services, Engineering, Food
Service and Investment. Businesses are managed on a divisional basis with regular reports made to the Board on
performance against the annual budget.

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
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, controlling plant disease,
the cost of labour and the market price. We export a considerable amount of produce through the port of
Mombasa in Kenya. Such exports can be seriously delayed by inefficiencies in the operation of the port. In
addition, exports from these businesses are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as products, particularly those
from Africa, are normally priced in US dollars or Euros.

In Kenya, Malawi and South Africa there are long-term political issues concerning land ownership over which the
Group has little control or influence. The Board continues to work with local management and with the assistance
of lawyers to monitor land ownership issues that may impact the Group’s operations. In Kenya, the length of the
leases owned by non-Kenyan citizens and corporations has been reduced from 999 years to 99 years in accordance
with the new constitution. In South Africa, on land where ownership claims have been made, any substantiated
claim is required to be resolved on a willing buyer willing seller basis and crops are generally only planted
following notification to the Land Claims Commission. In Malawi, a bill is currently being debated in the
parliament on the foreign ownership of land which could see the freehold land interest being converted to 50 year
leasehold.

In India, violence from separatist Groups which has been a problem for some years has reduced in Assam, Darjeeling
and the Dooars. In Bangladesh, there have been instances of civil unrest and political instability. The situation
continues to be monitored and the Group’s operations in these regions have generally been able to trade normally.

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Strategic report

A fourth consecutive year of drought in California brought about a state imposed 25% reduction in water usage
by urban consumers. Ground and surface water resources remain scarce and continue to decline, imposing a
challenge to management to ensure sufficient water resources are made available for the crops. This was achieved
in 2015 because of our investment in irrigation infrastructure over several years, but remains a concern for the
future.

Engineering
A number of the engineering companies are dependent for a significant part of their revenue on the aerospace and
the oil and gas industries. As we saw in 2015, a downturn in either of these sectors would have and has had 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.

Food Service
Food Service is a highly competitive industry with low operating margins 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.

ACS&T 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 Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation
Authority (PRA) and has a well-developed compliance process. The following risks have been identified:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

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

credit risk – the lending of money gives rise to a credit risk. Duncan Lawrie lends money to customers and
places money with other banks and holds interest bearing securities. This credit risk is managed by strict
internal procedures

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

Bank failures in the jurisdictions 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 39 of the accounts.

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 is one final salary scheme in the UK which is closed to new entrants and permits an element of future
accrual for existing members in the defined benefit section. A material proportion of the assets of the scheme are
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 scheme.

The Group’s overseas subsidiaries make pension provision for certain employees in accordance with relevant local
legislation. Some risk remains if there are changes to the governing legislation, requiring the companies to make
larger contributions to these schemes. Some of these pension plans are final salary based and not fully funded. 

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Strategic report

Credit Risk
Credit control procedures are in place throughout the Group but the 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 appropriately 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 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 businesses
meet the standards expected by the Group, local legislation and by our customers.

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

Child labour: the use of child labour is prohibited by all of our businesses. 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 European 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 however improvements have been achieved
during the year.

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 our 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
related illnesses. We provide, as a minimum, basic medical services including where appropriate antiretroviral
drugs. We also give support to schools that are either run locally or by our companies.

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 the requirements of
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. Our agricultural businesses carry out activities that could impact the environment. These businesses
have adopted rigorous procedures to reduce the environmental impact of the operations.

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Strategic report

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Our emissions have been calculated based on the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Emissions reported
correspond with our financial year.

 per annum  
Tonnes of CO
2

CO

 ouput per £’m Turnover 
2

s
e
n
n
o
T

16000

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0

Agriculture

Engineering

Food Service

Banking and
Financial Services

Segment

2015

2014

s
e
n
n
o
T

450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

2015

2014

Agriculture

Engineering

Food Service

Banking and
Financial Services

Segment

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 necessary resources to improve continually
our performance in these areas.

The Group has a corporate social responsibility policy which is available on the company’s website.

The Board has adopted an anti-bribery policy which complies with the requirements of the Bribery Act 2010. The
policy has been introduced across the Group and its implementation is being monitored. The Board does not
permit bribery as part of its business practices.

The Board is currently devising a policy to comply with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 which
will be in place by the end of 2016.

Performance
There are no current employment or environmental issues that prejudice the continuing development of the
Group. None of the Group’s businesses were prosecuted for any significant breach of employment legislation
during the year. The Board has established a process for ensuring that the corporate social responsibility policy is
enforced across the Group.

18

 
 
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Strategic report

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 net assets achieved in the main segments of the business which are then
compared against budget. The returns achieved in the current and prior year were as follows:

Agriculture

Banking and
Financial Services

Engineering

Food Service

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Return on segmental net assets (%)

9.9

10.4

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

4.0

5.5

Group borrowings ratio
The Board’s objective is to ensure that gross borrowings as a percentage of tangible net assets do not exceed 50 per
cent. The ratio at 31 December 2015 was 3.3% (2014: 0.9%).

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

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Strategic report

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

1 Compliance
a) Prosecutions

b)Formal

warnings

2 Child Labour
a) Minimum age

b)Access to
education

3 Accidents
a) Injury

4 Health
a) Sickness
absence
b)Sickness
claims

2015(ii)

2014

2013

The number of prosecutions brought in the financial year 
by the official regulatory bodies responsible for enforcing 
regulations in the areas of:
Employment
Worker health and safety
Environmental protection
The number of written warnings during the financial year
year by the official regulatory bodies responsible for enforcing 
regulations in the areas of:
Employment
Worker health and safety
Environmental protection

The number of employees who 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

–
–
–

–
3
–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

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

317

308

1
1
2

–
1
–

–

–

8

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

238,160(i) 243,094(i) 227,917(i)

20

167

406

(i) This excludes tea garden workers in India who have a contractual entitlement to fourteen days sickness absence. In Malawi there is high level of sickness due to

HIV/AIDS related conditions and malaria.

(ii) This excludes figures from AKD Engineering due to its closure during the year and Loddon Engineering which was sold at the end of year.

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Strategic report

Employees
The Group keeps 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.

The table below provides a breakdown of the gender of the directors and employees at 31 December 2015:

Company directors (i)
Other senior managers (ii)
All employees

Men

Women

6
7
42,259

1
2
34,124

(i) Company directors consists of the company’s Board as detailed on page 4. 

(ii) “Other senior managers” is as defined in The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic report and directors report)

Regulations 2013, and includes persons responsible for planning, directing or controlling the activities of the
company, or a strategically significant part of the company, other than company directors. 

By order of the Board

Julia Morton
Secretary

27 April 2016

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Report of the directors

The directors present their report together with the audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Principal activities
The company is a public limited company, which is quoted on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange
and incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The principal activities of its subsidiary and associated
undertakings comprise:-

Agriculture
Banking and Financial Services
Engineering
Food Service
Investments

Further details of the Group’s activities are included in the Chairman’s statement and the Chief Executive’s report
on pages 5 to 12.

Results and dividends
The profit after taxation for the year amounted to £21.9 million (2014: £8.3 million). The Board has proposed a
final dividend for the year of 95p per share payable on 1 July 2016 to holders of the ordinary shares registered at
the close of business on 10 June 2016. The total dividend for 2016 is therefore 129p per share (126p per share).
Details are shown in note 12.

Directors and Secretary
The directors are listed on page 4. The following directors had beneficial interests in the shares of the company.

Camellia Plc ordinary shares of 10p each:

Malcolm Perkins

31 December 
2015

1 January 
2015

1,673

1,573

Under the company’s articles of association all the directors are required to retire annually. Accordingly, Malcolm
Perkins, Tom Franks, Susan Walker, Graham Mclean, Chris Relleen, Frédéric Vuilleumier and William Gibson will
retire and, being eligible will seek re-election at the AGM on 2 June 2016.

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

Executive directors
Malcolm 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 and Chairman of the Nomination
Committee.

Tom Franks was appointed as Chief Executive with effect from 1 September 2015. He joined Camellia as Deputy
Chief Executive in October 2014. He is chairman and a non-executive director of Duncan Lawrie Limited and
Duncan Lawrie Asset Management Limited.

Graham Mclean, a qualified agriculturalist, was appointed as Managing Director of Agriculture in October 2014.
He was previously regional director of the Group’s operations in Africa and has worked for the Group for 22 years.
He is a non-executive director of Kakuzi Limited.

Susan Walker was appointed Chief Financial Officer for the Group on 4 June 2015 having joined Camellia in
2014 as Finance Director Designate and was appointed as an executive director on 2 April 2015. She is a chartered
certified accountant and a non-executive director of Goodricke Group Limited, United Finance Limited and
Duncan Lawrie Limited.

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Report of the directors

Non-Executive directors
Chris Relleen was formerly a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was appointed as independent non-executive
director and deputy chairman in January 2006 having previously been a non-executive director of Linton Park Plc.
He is a non-executive director and chairman of the Audit Committee of Duncan Lawrie Limited. He is senior
independent director, chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination and
Remuneration committees. 

William Gibson was appointed as an independent non-executive director in September 2014. He was previously
chairman and managing director of Westminster Press and an executive director of the Financial Times Group. He
is chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Nomination committees.

Frédéric Vuilleumier was appointed as an independent non-executive director in March 2013. He is partner of
Oberson Abels SA, a law office based in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a member of the Audit Committee.

Secretary
Julia Morton has been company secretary since September 2011.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 27 April 2016 the company has been advised of the following interests in the share capital of the company:

Beneficial shareholder

Shareholder

No of Shares

Camellia Private Trust Company Limited
Alcatel Bell Pensioenfonds VZW 
Fide Holding NV
Quaero Capital SA

Camellia Holding AG
Lynchwood Nominees Limited 
Lynchwood Nominees Limited 
HSBC Global Custody 
Nominee (UK) Limited 

1,427,000
153,600
150,000

92,800

% of total 
voting rights

51.67
5.56
5.43

3.36

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 34 to the accounts.

At the annual general meeting in 2015, shareholders gave authority for the company to purchase up to 276,200 of
its own shares. This authority expires at the conclusion of this year’s annual general meeting. A resolution
proposing renewal of the authority will be submitted to shareholders at the next annual general meeting.

Disclosure of information to 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.

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Camellia Plc

Report of the directors

Future development
Details of future development are set out in the Chief Executive’s report.

Going concern
After reviewing the Group’s budget for 2016 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.

Corporate governance
The company’s statement on corporate governance can be found in the corporate governance report on pages 25
to 28.

By order of the Board

Julia Morton
Secretary

27 April 2016

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Corporate governance

Statement of compliance
This statement describes how the company applies the main principles of UK Corporate Governance Code 2014
(“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. At the time of the company’s delisting from the Main Market of the
London Stock Exchange and admission to trading on AIM in September 2014, it was stated that the Board did
not envisage that there would be any significant alteration to the standards of reporting and governance which the
company maintained at that time. AIM companies are not required to comply with the requirements of the Code.
However, the Board has chosen to follow the Code for the year to 31 December 2015.

The Group consists of a portfolio of businesses which are grouped into independently managed divisions. These
divisions report into the Board by function against a variety of metrics including budgets and business plans.

The Board
The Board currently comprises seven directors, three of whom are independent non-executive directors. The
remaining directors are executive directors, including the executive Chairman. Chris Relleen, the Deputy
Chairman, has been designated as the senior independent director. The names and brief biographical details of
each director appear on pages 22 and 23.

There is on-going dialogue between the Chairman and the majority shareholder whose views are reported to the
Board. The company is also in contact with other significant shareholders.

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

The Board undertook a performance evaluation during the year by way of an internal review.

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:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

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.

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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 judgments on matters referred to the Board. The
Board met eleven times in 2015.

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

Director

Malcolm Perkins
Chris Relleen
Tom Franks
Graham Mclean
Susan Walker
William Gibson
Frédéric Vuillieumer
Anil Mathur
Chris Ames
Peter Field

Board

11/11
10/11
11/11
11/11
9/9
10/11
10/11
4/4
5/5
11/11

Audit

Remuneration

–
3/3
–
–
2/2
3/3
3/3
1/1
–
–

–
3/3
–
–
–
3/3
–
–
–
–

Anil Mathur attended meetings of the audit committee by invitation in his capacity as finance director until his retirement as a director on 4 June 2015. 

(i)
(ii) Chris Ames resigned from the Board on 10 July 2015. 
(iii)

Susan Walker was appointed as a director on 2 April 2015 and attends meetings of the audit committee by invitation in her capacity as Chief Financial Officer. 

Executive committees
The Board has established the Strategy Group, consisting of the Chairman and the executive directors of the
Board, and two Executive Committees. The Agriculture Executive Committee is chaired by the Managing
Director of Agriculture and includes the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and heads of all the key
agricultural operations. The Engineering and Food Service Executive Committee is chaired by the Chief Executive
and includes the Chief Financial Officer, the divisional heads of Engineering North, Engineering South and Food
Service, the Company Secretary and the Group Head of HR. 

Banking and Financial Services (being primarily Duncan Lawrie) and Investments report direct to the Chief Executive.

Nomination committee
The nomination committee is chaired by Malcolm Perkins. Its other members are William Gibson and Chris
Relleen.

The principal responsibilities of the nomination committee are set out below:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

review the balance and composition (including gender and diversity) of the Board, ensuring that they remain
appropriate 

be responsible for overseeing the Board’s succession planning requirements including the identification and
assessment of potential Board candidates and making recommendations to the Board for its approval 

keep under review the leadership needs of, and succession planning for, the Group in relation to both its
executive and non-executive directors and other senior executives.

The committee did not meet during the year.

Audit committee
The audit committee is chaired by Chris Relleen. The other members of the committee are Frédéric Vuilleumier
and William Gibson. During 2015, the committee met on three occasions.

26

240068 Camellia R&A pp15-pp32  27/04/2016  11:05  Page 27

Corporate governance

Principal responsibilities
The principal responsibilities of the audit committee are set out below and were undertaken during the year:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

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.

Significant issues in relation to financial statements
The audit committee assesses whether suitable accounting policies have been adopted and whether management
has made appropriate estimates and judgements. In the year under review, the audit committee considered the
following significant matters in relation to the financial statements:

Biological assets – One of the key areas of judgment that the committee considered in reviewing the financial
statements was the valuation of biological assets in accordance with IAS 41. Valuations are carried out by external
professional valuers or are based on discounted cash flows. These were agreed for consistency of approach and
assumptions agreed as reasonable. For more details see note 19 to the accounts.

Pensions – A key area of judgment is in relation to the value of the pension scheme obligation. Whilst this is
conducted by independent expert actuaries, the size of the obligation means that a relatively minor difference in
the assumptions could result in a material change in the obligation. The committee considered the competence of
the actuaries and the assumptions adopted and concluded that the work performed is sufficient to support the
value.

Goodwill and intangibles – The value of goodwill and intangibles is inherently complex and relies on judgment
and estimation. The committee consider the performance of the underlying assets and their ability to continue to
support the carrying value. As a result, the committee is satisfied that the carrying value is supported.

External auditors
To assess the effectiveness of the external audit process, the external auditor is required to report to the audit
committee and confirm their independence in accordance with ethical standards and that they had maintained
appropriate internal safeguards to ensure their independence and objectivity. In addition to the steps taken by the
Board to safeguard auditor objectivity, PricewaterhouseCoopers operates a five year rotation policy for audit
partners for a listed entity.

The company’s external audit was last tendered in 2009, which resulted in a change to PricewaterhouseCoopers at
that point. The audit committee is currently undertaking a review of the Group’s external audit requirements
following a change in the rules on audit rotation in India. The outcome of the review will be announced in due
course.

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 external auditors objectivity and independence were safeguarded.

The committee confirms that the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and
understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the company’s performance,
business model and strategy.

27

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Camellia Plc

Corporate governance

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee is chaired by William Gibson and the other member is Chris Relleen.

The responsibilities of the committee include:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

the review of the Group’s policy relating to remuneration of the chairman, executive directors and the
company secretary

to determine the terms of employment and remuneration of the chairman, executive directors and company
secretary 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.

The remuneration report appears on pages 30 to 32.

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.

Share capital structure
The share capital of the Group is set out in note 34.

Internal control and risk management systems
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, 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, assurance against material mis-statement or loss.

By order of the Board

Julia Morton
Secretary

27 April 2016

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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:

(cid:129)

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently 

(cid:129) make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent 

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

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.

In addition, each of the directors considers that the annual report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and
understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the company’s performance,
business model and strategy.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information
included on the company’s website.

On behalf of the Board

Malcolm Perkins
Chairman

27 April 2016

29

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Camellia Plc

Remuneration report

This report is drawn up in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the AIM Rules for Companies.

Remuneration committee
Details of the remuneration committee (“the committee”) are set out on page 28.

Policy on directors’ remuneration
In determining remuneration policy and the remuneration of directors, full consideration has been given to the
relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2014. The committee seeks to provide remuneration
packages that will attract, retain and motivate the best possible person for each position. The committee also
wishes to align the interests of executives with shareholders. The Group’s activities are based largely on agriculture,
which is highly dependent on factors outside management control (e.g. weather and market prices for our
produce), and this is a significant consideration as to why the company does not operate profit related bonus,
share option or share incentive schemes for directors.
The remuneration policy for executives reflects the overriding remuneration philosophy and principles of the
wider Group. When determining the remuneration policy and arrangements for directors, the committee
considers pay and employment conditions elsewhere in the Group to ensure that pay structures are appropriately
aligned and that levels of remuneration remain appropriate in this context. The remuneration policy, approved by
shareholders at the AGM held on 5 June 2014, took effect from the date of that AGM and will be applied for a
period of three years until the AGM in 2017. This policy takes into account any views of the shareholders
expressed to the committee on directors’ remuneration.
At the AGM on 4 June 2015, the remuneration report for the year to 31 December 2014 was approved by
shareholders with 99.97% of the votes cast in favour, 0.02% of the votes cast against and 0.01% of the votes withheld.

Service contracts
Malcolm Perkins, Tom Franks, Graham Mclean and Susan Walker are each employed on rolling service contracts. 

Director

Malcolm Perkins
Tom Franks
Graham Mclean
Susan Walker

Date of Service Contract

25 April 2002
8 April 2015
10 April 2015
14 April 2015

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.

30

240068 Camellia R&A pp15-pp32  27/04/2016  11:05  Page 31

Remuneration report

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

Directors’ remuneration

Executive
Malcolm Perkins
Tom Franks
Susan Walker
Graham Mclean
Chris Ames
Peter Field
Anil Mathur

Non–executive
Martin Dünki
William Gibson
Chris Relleen
Charles Vaughan–Johnson
Frederic Vuilleumier

Totals

Basic Remuneration
2014
£

2015
£

Benefits in Kind
2014
2015
£
£

Loss of Office
2014
£

2015
£

Employer
Pension Contribution
2015
£

2014
£

Total

2015
£

2014
£

442,344  433,671
96,250
426,800 
–
175,963 
255,000 
65,500
161,890 281,007
271,006  265,692
109,671  248,860

32,680 
49,112 
80,153
26,074 
13,962 
26,231 
26,285 

32,519
6,974
–
89,111
26,161
26,113
42,268

–
–
–   
–
368,896 
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
14,077
20,400 
–   
–
–

475,024  466,190
–    475,912  103,224
–
–
270,193
301,474  159,611
5,000
544,748 310,755
3,587
297,237  291,805
–
135,956 291,128
–

42,500 
62,500 

–    35,795
14,167
62,500
–    18,362
40,000

35,795
–
14,167
–
62,500
–
18,362
–
40,000
–
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
1,987,674 1,561,804
8,587 2,645,544 1,793,537
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––

–
42,500 
62,500 
–
40,000 

368,896 

40,000 

223,146

254,497

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

34,477

–

Notes
1. The Executive directors' benefits in kind include the value attributed to medical insurance, permanent health insurance, spouse/partner travel
and cash alternatives to company cars. Susan Walker received a payment of £50,000 for relocation expenses. She was appointed as a director
on 2 April 2015.

2.  Anil Mathur retired as a director on 4 June 2015.
3. Chris Ames resigned from the board on 10 July 2015 and received a payment of £368,896 for loss of office. This included a payment in lieu

of notice equivalent to 12 months of base salary and benefits in kind.

4. Chris Relleen receives an additional annual fee for his chairmanship of the Audit Committee and for his non–executive directorship of

Duncan Lawrie Limited.

5. William Gibson receives an additional annual fee for his chairmanship of the Remuneration Committee.
6. Martin Dünki resigned as a director on 24 November 2014.
7. Charles Vaughan-Johnson retired as director on 5 June 2014.

Directors’ pensions
UK employees, including executive directors, are eligible to join pension schemes operated within the Group.
Malcolm Perkins was a member of The Linton Park Group Pension Scheme up until 28 February 2010. Peter
Field and Anil Mathur were members of the Linton Park Pension Scheme 2011 until 5 April 2012. 
There was no pensionable service for Malcolm Perkins, Peter Field and Anil Mathur during 2015.
Tom Franks receives an excess non-pensionable salary supplement equivalent to 10% of base salary. Chris Ames received
an excess non-pensionable salary supplement equivalent to 25% of base salary. Graham Mclean and Susan Walker are
members of the Linton Park Group Personal Pension Scheme which is a defined contribution based scheme.
In addition to the above, an unfunded pension of US$200,000 per annum is paid to Gordon Fox, a former
director of the company.

31

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Camellia Plc

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 2015 compared with the return achieved by the FTSE AIM 100 Index. This index has been selected as
there is no specific index that is comparable to the activities of the company.

Camellia Share Price

FTSE AIM 100 (rebased to Camellia)

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0
Dec
2010

Jun
2011

Dec
2011

Jun
2012

Dec
2012

Jun
2013

Dec
2013

Jun
2014

Dec
2014

Jun
2015

Dec
2015

By order of the Board
Julia Morton
Secretary
27 April 2016

32

240068 Camellia R&A pp33-pp39  27/04/2016  10:52  Page 33

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2015

Headline 
profit 
(note 4)
£’000 

Notes 

2015 
Separately
disclosed 
items 

£’000 

Total

£’000 

Headline 
profit 
(note 4)
£’000 

2014 
Separately
disclosed 
items 

£’000 

Total

£’000 

2 
3

3 

5 

6

7

8

19

9 
9 
9 
9 

9 

10 

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Other operating 
income
Distribution costs
Administrative 
expenses

Trading profit
Share of associates’ 
results
Impairment of 
available-for-sale 
financial assets
Impairment of property, 
plant and equipment 
and provisions
Profit on disposal of 
non-current assets
Profit on disposal of 
available-for-sale 
investments
Gain arising from 
changes in fair value of 
biological assets:

Excluding Malawi 
Kwacha exceptional gain
Malawi Kwacha
exceptional gain

Profit from operations
Investment income
Finance income
Finance costs
Net exchange gain
Employee benefit expense

Net finance income

Profit before tax
Taxation

Profit for the year

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

Earnings per share –
basic and diluted

13 

257,800 
(173,606)
–––––––––
84,194

–
(6,056)
–––––––––
(6,056)

257,800 
(179,662)
–––––––––
78,138

238,868 
(163,728)
–––––––––
75,140 

–
–
–––––––––
–

238,868 
(163,728)
–––––––––
75,140 

1,872 
(12,954)

–
–

1,872 
(12,954)

2,179 
(12,700)

–
–

2,179 
(12,700)

(58,004)
–––––––––
15,108 

–
–––––––––
(6,056)

(58,004)
–––––––––
9,052 

(53,507)
–––––––––
11,112

–
–––––––––
– 

(53,507)
–––––––––
11,112

4,182

–

4,182

1,092 

–

1,092 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(516)

(516)

230 

3,687 

230

3,687

353 

353

– 

– 

–

– 

(2,334)

(2,334)

(1,134)

(1,134)

–

–

447 

447 

– 
–––––––––
19,290
1,440

20,639 
–––––––––
18,337 
– 

3,156 
–––––––––
23,886

(1,699)
–––––––––
16,638 

– 
–––––––––
12,204 
2,161

8,820 
–––––––––
5,799 
– 

2,863 
–––––––––
17,228 

(1,044)
–––––––––
4,755 

4,419 

16,220 

20,639
–––––––––
37,627
1,440 
3,045 
(687)
798 
(1,699)

1,457 
–––––––––
40,524
(18,590)
–––––––––
21,934
–––––––––

12,449
9,485 
–––––––––
21,934
–––––––––

450.7p

7,842 

978

8,820
–––––––––
18,003
2,161 
2,864
(608)
607
(1,044)

1,819
–––––––––
21,983 
(13,673)
–––––––––
8,310
–––––––––

2,836
5,474
–––––––––
8,310
–––––––––

102.7p

33

240068 Camellia R&A pp33-pp39  27/04/2016  10:52  Page 34

Camellia Plc

Statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2015

Group
Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Remeasurements of post employment benefit obligations
Deferred tax movement in relation to post employment benefit obligations

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Foreign exchange translation differences
Available-for-sale investments:

Valuation gains taken to equity 
Transferred to income statement on sale 

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

Total comprehensive income for the year

Notes

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

21,934
–––––––––––

8,310
–––––––––––

33
32

23
23

9,115 
619 
–––––––––––
9,734 
–––––––––––

(20,341)
698
–––––––––––
(19,643)
–––––––––––

(15,535)

7,533

211 
(161)
(51)
(29)
–––––––––––
(15,565)
–––––––––––
(5,831)
–––––––––––
16,103
–––––––––––

12,157
3,946
–––––––––––
16,103
–––––––––––

2,822
(364)
–
72
–––––––––––
10,063
–––––––––––
(9,580)
–––––––––––
(1,270)
–––––––––––

(6,801)
5,531
–––––––––––
(1,270)
–––––––––––

4,095 
–––––––––––
4,095 
–––––––––––

3,610
–––––––––––
3,610
–––––––––––

34

240068 Camellia R&A pp33-pp39  27/04/2016  10:52  Page 35

Consolidated balance sheet
at 31 December 2015

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment properties
Biological assets
Prepaid operating leases
Investments in associates
Deferred tax assets
Available-for-sale financial assets
Held-to-maturity financial assets
Other investments – heritage assets
Retirement benefit surplus
Trade and other receivables

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Held-to-maturity financial assets
Current income tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

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

Total non-current liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Reserves

Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Notes

2015
£’000

16
17
18
19
20
22
32
23
24
25
33
27

26
27
24

28

30
29

33
31

30
29
32
33

34

7,915 
92,894
15,751
144,821 
840 
48,882
2,534 
30,594 
27,661
9,020 
176 
22,734 
–––––––––––
403,822
–––––––––––

37,749 
55,554 
1,849
772 
237,772 
–––––––––––
333,696 
–––––––––––

(5,366)
(258,894)
(9,346)
(1,017)
(267)
–––––––––––
(274,890)
–––––––––––
58,806
–––––––––––
462,628
–––––––––––

(5,131)
(4,392)
(42,481)
(37,793)
–  

–––––––––––
(89,797)
–––––––––––
372,831
–––––––––––

282 
15,298 
314,850
–––––––––––
330,430
42,401 
–––––––––––
372,831
–––––––––––

2014 
£’000

7,072
104,923

–  

139,999
900
8,664
184
63,488

–  

8,864
805
23,303
–––––––––––
358,202
–––––––––––

41,841
63,292

–  

548
257,164
–––––––––––
362,845
–––––––––––

(2,855)
(258,292)
(5,609)
(527)
(636)
–––––––––––
(267,919)
–––––––––––
94,926
–––––––––––
453,128
–––––––––––

(42)
(5,130)
(41,618)
(41,885)
(98)
–––––––––––
(88,773)
–––––––––––
364,355
–––––––––––

282
15,298
306,124
–––––––––––
321,704
42,651
–––––––––––
364,355
–––––––––––

35

Camellia Plc

Company balance sheet
at 31 December 2015

Non-current assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Available-for-sale financial assets
Other investments - heritage assets 

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Amounts due from group undertakings
Current income tax asset
Cash and cash equivalents

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 equity

Notes

2015
£’000

2014 
£’000

21
23
25

28

29

32

34

73,508 
170 
10,213 
–––––––––––
83,891 
–––––––––––

10,535 
74 
2,202
–––––––––––
12,811 
–––––––––––

(133)
(30,168)
–––––––––––
(30,301)
–––––––––––
(17,490)
–––––––––––
66,401 
–––––––––––

(216)
–––––––––––
(216)
–––––––––––
66,185 
–––––––––––

282 
15,298 
50,605 
–––––––––––
66,185 
–––––––––––

73,508
170
8,869
–––––––––––
82,547
–––––––––––

4,885
74

–  
–––––––––––
4,959
–––––––––––

(134)
(21,483)
–––––––––––
(21,617)
–––––––––––
(16,658)
–––––––––––
65,889 
–––––––––––

(240)
–––––––––––
(240)
–––––––––––
65,649
–––––––––––

282
15,298
50,069
–––––––––––
65,649
–––––––––––

The notes on pages 40 to 95 form part of the financial statements.

The financial statements on pages 33 to 95 were approved on 27 April 2016 by the board of directors and signed on their
behalf by:

M C Perkins
Chairman

Registered Number 29559

36

240068 Camellia R&A pp33-pp39  27/04/2016  10:52  Page 37

Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2015

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
Proceeds from sale of non-current assets
Purchase of investment property
Biological asset - new planting
Part disposal of subsidiaries
Non-controlling interest subscription
Purchase of own shares
Purchase of available-for-sale financial assets
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale financial assets
Income from investments
Purchase of other investments - heritage assets
Proceeds from sale of other investments - heritage assets

Net cash flow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
New loans
Loans repaid
Finance lease payments

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

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

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Notes

35

2015
£’000

2014 
£’000

39,384
(614)
(9,368)
3,081 
1,185 
–––––––––––
33,668
–––––––––––

17,080
(655)
(11,595)
2,871
244
–––––––––––
7,945
–––––––––––

(1,362)
(10,686)
6,542 
(8,700)
(5,612)
299 
–  
–  
(2,288)
1,677 
1,440 
(164)
12 
–––––––––––
(18,842)
–––––––––––

(3,480)
(4,495)
6,000 
(397)
(4)
–––––––––––
(2,376)
–––––––––––
12,450

(66)
(19,019)
264
–
(5,072)
251
88
(471)
(308)
1,935
2,161
(126)
5
–––––––––––
(20,358)
–––––––––––

(3,452)
(3,990)
157
(202)
(15)
–––––––––––
(7,502)
–––––––––––
(19,915)

28

28

54,122 
(966)
–––––––––––
65,606 
–––––––––––

72,900
1,137
–––––––––––
54,122
–––––––––––

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.

Cash and cash equivalents held by the group’s banking subsidiaries are excluded.

37

240068 Camellia R&A pp33-pp39  27/04/2016  10:52  Page 38

Camellia Plc

Company cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2015

Cash generated from operations
Profit before tax
Adjustments for:
(Profit)/loss 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 other investments – heritage assets
Purchase of own shares
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 of year
Exchange gain on cash

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

38

Notes

2015
£’000

2014 
£’000

4,071 

3,592

(21)
(315)
(5,500)
(1)
3,035 
–––––––––––
1,269 
315 
–––––––––––
1,584 
–––––––––––

2
(308)
(5,000)
(4)
532
–––––––––––
(1,186)
308
–––––––––––
(878)
–––––––––––

32 
(1,355)
–  
5,500 
–––––––––––
4,177 
–––––––––––

5 
(126)
(471)
5,000
–––––––––––
4,408
–––––––––––

(3,559)
–––––––––––
(3,559)
–––––––––––
2,202

(3,530)
–––––––––––
(3,530)
–––––––––––
–  

28

28

– 
– 
–––––––––––
2,202
–––––––––––

–  
–  
–––––––––––
–  
–––––––––––

240068 Camellia R&A pp33-pp39  27/04/2016  10:52  Page 39

Statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2015

Group
At 1 January 2014
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for 
the year
Dividends
Non-controlling interest subscription
Purchase of own shares

At 31 December 2014
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for 
the year
Dividends
Non-controlling interest subscription
Share of associate’s other equity movements
Loss on dilution of interest in associate

At 31 December 2015

Company 
At 1 January 2014
Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends
Purchase of own shares

At 31 December 2014
Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends

At 31 December 2015

Share 
capital premium
£’000
£’000

Share Treasury Retained
earnings
shares
£’000
£’000

Other
reserves
£’000

Non-
controlling
interests
£’000

Total
£’000

Total
equity
£’000

283 

15,298 

(400) 323,680 

(6,395) 332,466 

40,788  373,254 

– 
– 
– 
(1)

(1,270)
(7,442)
284 
(471)
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
42,651  364,355 

–   (16,458)
(3,452)
–  
(38)
–  
(471)
–  

5,531 
(3,990)
322 
–  

(6,801)
(3,452)
(38)
(471)

9,657 
–  
–  
1 

3,263  321,704 

(400) 303,261 

– 
– 
– 
– 

15,298 

282 

– 
– 
– 
–
–

– 
– 
– 
–
–

16,103
(7,975)
264
101
(17)
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
42,401 372,831
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––

–   22,160
(3,480)
–  
(35)
–  
101
–
(17)
–

(10,003)
–  
–
–
–

12,157
(3,480)
(35)
101
(17)

3,946
(4,495)
299
–
–

(6,740) 330,430

(400) 321,990

15,298 

282 

283 
– 
– 
(1)

15,298
– 
– 
– 

66,040
3,610
(3,530)
(471)

12,133 
–  
–  
1 

–   38,326 
3,610
–  
(3,530)
–  
(471)
–  

–   66,040 
3,610 
–  
(3,530)
–  
(471)
–  
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
–   65,649 
4,095 
–  
(3,559)
–  
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
–   66,185 
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––

–   37,935 
4,095
–  
(3,559)
–  

12,134 
–  
–  

65,649
4,095
(3,559)

15,298
– 
– 

282 
– 
– 

–   38,471 

12,134 

15,298

66,185

282 

Other reserves of the group and company includes a £33,000 (2014: £33,000) capital redemption reserve and, in respect of the
group, net exchange differences of £49,298,000 deficit (2014: £39,021,000 deficit).

Group retained earnings includes £140,684,000 (2014: £143,122,000) which would require exchange control permission for
remittance as dividends.

39

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Camellia Plc

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, IFRS IC 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
biological assets, available-for-sale investments, financial assets and financial liabilities.

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 group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-
acquisition basis, at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the recognised amounts of acquiree's identifiable net assets. 

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.

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.

40

240068 Camellia R&A pp40-pp48  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 41

Accounting policies

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. 

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all the following conditions are satisfied: 

(i) 

the group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods:

(ii)  the group retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective

control over the goods sold;

(iii)  the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

(iv)  it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and

(v)  the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

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

In respect of food storage and distribution services, revenue for handling is recognised at the point that the goods are
actually handled.

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

In respect of banking and financial services, fees and commissions are generally recognised on an accrual basis when the service
has been provided.

Investment income
Investment income is recognised when the right to receive payment of a dividend is established.

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
Strategy Group led by the CEO. 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 6, 7 and 8.

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, liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary or associate at the date of acquisition.

Goodwill is recognised as an asset and reviewed for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in
circumstances indicate a potential impairment. Any impairment is recognised immediately in the income statement and is not
subsequently reversed.

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

41

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Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

(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 initially recognised at cost and 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 property, plant and equipment 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.

Investment properties
Properties held to earn rental income rather than for the purpose of the group’s principal activities are classified as Investment
properties. Investment properties are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss. The
depreciation policy is consistent with those described for other group properties.

Income from investment properties is disclosed in ‘Revenue’. The related operating costs are immaterial and are included
within administrative expenses. 

42

240068 Camellia R&A pp40-pp48  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 43

Accounting policies

Biological assets
Biological assets are measured 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 basis under which fair value is determined for the group’s biological assets are
described below:

Tea and rubber are generally valued at each year end by independent professional valuers. The valuations take into account
assumptions about the expected life span of plantings, yields, selling prices and sales of similar assets. 

Costs of new areas planted are included as “new planting additions” in the biological assets note. Growing costs for tea and
rubber are accounted for as a cost of inventory in the year in which they are incurred. The group does not recognise the fair
value of harvested green leaf within cost of sales in the income statement. The increase in value is in effect offset against the fair
value movement in biological assets. 

Annually harvested agricultural assets such as edible nuts, citrus and avocados are generally valued on the basis of net present
values of expected future cash flows from those assets, discounted at appropriate pre-tax rates and including certain assumptions
about expected life span of the plantings, yields, selling prices, costs and discount rates. Growing costs incurred during the year
are treated as “capitalised cultivation costs” in biological assets. As the crop is harvested and sold these accumulated costs are
shown as “decrease due to harvesting” in biological assets and charged to cost of sales in the income statement.

Timber is valued on the basis of expected future cash flows from scheduled harvesting dates, discounted at appropriate pre-tax
rates and including certain assumptions about expected life span, yields, selling prices, costs and discount rates. Growing costs
incurred during the year are treated as “new planting additions” in biological assets. As the trees are harvested the value
accumulated to date of harvest is treated as “decrease due to harvesting” and charged to cost of sales in the income statement.

Agricultural crops such as soya and maize are valued at estimated selling price less future anticipated costs. Growing costs
incurred during the year are treated as “capitalised cultivation costs” in biological assets. As the crops are harvested the value
accumulated to date of harvest is treated as “decrease due to harvesting” and charged to cost of sales in the income statement.

Financial assets
The group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: loans and receivables, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity.
The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the
classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active
market. They are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the end of the reporting period.
These are classified as non-current assets. The group’s loans and receivables comprise ‘trade and other receivables’ and ‘cash and
cash equivalents’ in the balance sheet. 

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the
other categories. They are included in non-current assets unless the investment matures or management intends to dispose of it
within 12 months of the end of the reporting period.

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.

Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade-date, the date on which the group commits to
purchase or sell the asset. Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets. Financial
assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the
group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Available-for-sale financial assets are subsequently carried at fair value. Available-for-sale financial assets include shares of listed
and unlisted companies. The fair values of listed shares are based on current bid values. Shares in unlisted companies are
measured at cost as fair value cannot be reliably measured. 

Changes in the fair value of monetary and non-monetary securities classified as available-for-sale are recognised in other
comprehensive income. When securities classified as available-for-sale are sold or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments
recognised in equity are included in the income statement as ‘Profit/(loss) on disposal of available-for-sale investments’.

43

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Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

Dividends on available-for-sale equity instruments are recognised in the income statement as part of investment income when
the group’s right to receive payments is established.

Loans and receivables and held to maturity investments are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective
interest method.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable
right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realise the asset and settle the
liability simultaneously.

Other investments – heritage assets
Other investments comprise fine art, documents, manuscripts and philately which are measured at cost as fair value cannot be
reliably measured.

Investments in subsidiary companies
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.

Impairment of financial assets

(i)  Assets carried at amortised cost
The group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of
financial assets is impaired. A financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired and impairment losses are incurred only if
there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset
(a ‘loss event’) and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of
financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

For the loans and receivables category, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount
and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at
the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced and the amount of the loss is
recognised in the consolidated income statement.

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event
occurring after the impairment was recognised (such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the reversal of the
previously recognised impairment loss is recognised in the consolidated income statement.

(ii)  Assets classified as available-for-sale
In the case of equity investments classified as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the
security below its cost is also evidence that the assets are impaired. If any such evidence exists for available-for-sale financial
assets, the cumulative loss measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any
impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognised in profit or loss is removed from equity and recognised in profit or
loss. Impairment losses recognised in the consolidated income statement on equity instruments are not reversed through the
consolidated income statement. If, in a subsequent period, the fair value of a debt instrument classified as available-for-sale
increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised in profit or
loss, the impairment loss is reversed through the consolidated income statement.

Impairment of non-financial 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).

44

240068 Camellia R&A pp40-pp48  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 45

Accounting policies

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 included within inventory largely comprises stock of 'black' tea. This is valued at the lower of cost and net
realisable value. Cost includes the growing costs of ‘green leaf ’ up to the date of harvest and factory costs incurred to bring the
tea to its manufactured state. 

In accordance with IAS 41, on initial recognition, agricultural produce is required to be measured at fair value less estimated
point of sale costs. Given that there is no open market for green leaf, this is recognised in inventory at the lower of cost or net
realisable value. 

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.

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. 

45

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Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

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.

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 income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable
right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes assets and liabilities relate to
income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is
an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

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 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.

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.

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 arising from experience adjustments and
changes in actuarial adjustments 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.

Past service costs are recognised directly in the income statement.

46

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Accounting policies

(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 rendered 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. 

Dividend distribution
Dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the group’s financial statements in the period
in which the dividends are approved by the company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised when paid.

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.

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 risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of
assets and liabilities within the next financial year are set out below.

(i)  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.

(ii)  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.

(iii) 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. 

47

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Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

(iv)  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 33.

(v)  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.

(vi)  Identifiable intangible assets – customer relationships
As described in note 16, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets relating to customer relationships acquired are valued using
industry average multiples of assets under management, with the assumption being made that the nature of the group's assets
under management are not dissimilar from industry averages and therefore will be valued in a similar manner. The valuation
technique used is therefore sensitive to this assumption.

Changes in accounting policy and disclosures

(i)  New and amended standards adopted by the group
There are no new standards, amendments or interpretations with a material impact on the group for the year ended
31 December 2015.

(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 2016 or later periods, but the group has not adopted them early:

A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for annual periods beginning on or
after 1 January 2016, and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statement. None of these is expected
to have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements of the group, except the following set out below:

IAS 16 and IAS 41 (amendments) Reporting for bearer plants- effective from 1 January 2016

These amendments change the reporting for bearer plants, such as tea bushes, avocados,
macadamia and rubber trees. Bearer plants should be accounted for under IAS 16 in the
same way as property, plant and equipment because their operation is similar to that of
manufacturing. The produce on bearer plants will remain in the scope of IAS 41. This
standard has been  endorsed by the EU with an effective date of 1 January 2016. This will
have a material impact on the results of the group, the impact of which is illustrated on
page 13.

IFRS 15

Revenue from contracts with customers – effective from 1 January 2018

This standard will replace IAS 18 which covers contracts for good and services and IAS 11
which covers construction contracts. The new standard is based on the principle that
revenue is recognised when control of a good or service transfers to a customer – so the
notion of control replaces the existing notion of risks and rewards. The standard permits a
modified retrospective approach for the adoption. Under this approach entities will
recognise transitional adjustments in retained earnings on the date of initial application
(eg 1 January 2018), ie without restating the comparative period. They will only need to
apply the new rules to contracts that are not completed as of the date of initial application.
At this stage, the group is not able to estimate the impact of the new rules on the financial
statements. This standard has not yet been endorsed by the EU.

48

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Notes to the accounts

1

Business and geographical segments
The principal activities of the group are as follows:

Agriculture 
Engineering
Food Service
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: 

Banking and

Agriculture
2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Engineering
2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Food Service
2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Financial Services Other operations
2014
£’000

2015
£’000

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Consolidated
2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Revenue
External sales 

Trading profit
Segment profit/(loss) 

186,547 164,247
2,435 257,800  238,868
–––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– ––––––

24,126  28,872

30,941

12,373

13,077

31,903

2,147 

26,300

131
–––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– –––––– ––––––

(2,496)

(5,462)

(3,644)

(8,387)

27,204

(103)

943 

723

17,814  17,395

(8,762)

(6,283)
–––––– ––––––
9,052  11,112 
1,092
4,182

(516)

(2,334)

230 

(1,134)

3,687 

–

353 

447

20,639 
1,440 
1,457 

8,820
2,161 
1,819
–––––– ––––––
21,983
40,524
(18,590)
(13,673)
–––––– ––––––
8,310 
–––––– ––––––

21,934

Unallocated corporate expenses 

Trading profit 
Share of associates’ results
Impairment of available-for-sale 

financial assets

Impairment of  property, plant 

and equipment and provisions

Profit on disposal of 
non-current assets
Profit on disposal of 

available-for-sale investments
Gain arising from changes in fair 

value of biological assets

20,639 

8,820

4,182

1,092 

Investment income
Net finance income

Profit before tax
Taxation

Profit after tax

Other information
Segment assets
Investments in associates
Unallocated assets

Consolidated total assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated liabilities

Consolidated total liabilities

311,406 293,750

21,018

30,907

22,817

23,004 247,179 254,503
8,664 
48,882

1,620

(45,399)

(32,252)

(4,336)

(12,107)

(4,533)

(5,814) (211,100) (217,449)

(516)

1,830 604,040 603,994
8,664 
48,882
84,596 108,389
–––––– ––––––
737,518 721,047 
–––––– ––––––
(577) (265,884) (268,199)
(98,803)
(88,493)
–––––– ––––––
(364,687) (356,692)
–––––– ––––––

7,593
(4,967)
(6)

853
(1,989)
(7)

8,492
(4,876)
(10)

Capital expenditure
Depreciation
Amortisation
Impairments
Segment assets consist primarily of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, investment properties, 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.

19,386
(9,524)
(516)
(552)

2,213
(2,033)
(2)
(824)

1,640
(2,011)
(111)

2,734
(2,229)
(83)

19,019
(9,659)
(506)
(3,184)

193 
(354)
(411)

175
(305)
(392)

5,387
(167)

9,125
(252)

(2,360)

(552)

49

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Camellia Plc

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 

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

62,054
30,512
17,875
63,495
34,618
5,860
8,991
1,368
3,738
29,289
––––––––––
257,800
––––––––––

67,478
21,396
16,645
58,828
25,933
6,092
11,475
1,168
5,125
24,728
––––––––––
238,868
––––––––––

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

Carrying amount of
segment assets

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Additions to property,
plant and equipment
2014
£’000

2015
£’000

Additions to
investment properties
2014
£’000

2015
£’000

292,022
4,923
59,308
84,897
73,041
59,498
11,793
9,883
8,675
––––––––––
604,040
––––––––––

304,876
5,590 
52,663 
79,712 
66,189
62,005
11,170 
10,347 
11,442
––––––––––
603,994
––––––––––

2,939
147
745
2,676
2,750
591
238
387
213
––––––––––
10,686
––––––––––

10,052
412
988
2,883
1,335
1,746
670
507
426
––––––––––
19,019
––––––––––

8,700 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
8,700 
––––––––––

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

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

50

240068 Camellia R&A pp49-pp58  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 51

Notes to the accounts

1  Business and geographical segments  (continued)

Results of banking subsidiaries 

Interest receivable 

Interest payable 

third parties 
group companies 
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 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 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

3,157 
32 
(576)
(24)
––––––––––
2,589 
11,418 
(922)
(8)
––––––––––
13,077 
45 
––––––––––
13,122 
(16,766)
––––––––––
(3,644)
––––––––––

2,415 
–
(163)
(17)
––––––––––
2,235
10,707
(586)
17 
––––––––––
12,373
211
––––––––––
12,584
(15,080)
––––––––––
(2,496)
––––––––––

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

187,712
31,903
24,126
13,077
523
459
––––––––––
257,800
1,872 
1,440 
3,045 
––––––––––
264,157
––––––––––

165,768
30,941
28,872 
12,373
644
270
––––––––––
238,868
2,179
2,161
2,864
––––––––––
246,072
––––––––––

51

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

3  Trading profit

The following items have been included in arriving at trading profit: 
Employment costs (note 14)*
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) 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment: 

Owned assets 
Under finance leases 

Amortisation of intangibles (included in administrative expenses) 
Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets (included in administrative expenses) 
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 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

100,167 

82,113 

124,013
520
(22)

110,492 
411
(19)

9,371
114
516 
36 
(138)

9,619 
40
506
26
(125)

780
711
4,505
––––––––––

353
938
4,650
––––––––––

* Includes a charge of £6,056,000 (2014: £nil) in cost of sales for past service relating to recently enacted legislation in

Bangladesh which requires companies to make a payment on retirement or other events terminating employment, based
upon compensation and length of service.

Currency exchange (gains)/losses (credited)/charged to income include: 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 
Finance income

(1,747)
70
18
(52)
(798)
––––––––––
(2,509)
––––––––––

(652)
(16)
(173)
14 
(607)
––––––––––
(1,434)
––––––––––

Included in the amounts above is an exchange gain of £1,792,000 (2014: £1,879,000 gain) relating to the Malawian Kwacha.

During the year the group (including its overseas subsidiaries) obtained the following services from the company’s auditor
and its associates: 

Audit services: 

Statutory audit: 

Parent company and consolidated financial statements 
Subsidiary companies 

Audit – related regulatory reporting 

Tax services: 

Compliance services 
Advisory services 

Other services not covered above 

52

184
755
––––––––––
939
71

25
105
288
––––––––––
1,428
––––––––––

179
691
––––––––––
870
60

19
–
30
––––––––––
979
––––––––––

Notes to the accounts

4 Headline profit

The group seeks to present an indication of the underlying performance which is not impacted by exceptional items or
items considered non-operational in nature. This measure of profit is described as ‘headline’ and is used by management to
measure and monitor performance.

The following items have been excluded from the headline measure and have been separately disclosed:

– Provision for past service costs in Bangladesh.

– Exceptional items, including profit and losses from disposal of non-current assets and available-for-sale investments and

impairments of non-current assets.

– Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value of biological assets, which are a non-cash item, and the directors

believe should be excluded to give a better understanding of the group’s underlying performance.

– Financing income and expense relating to retirement benefits.

5

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

Profit before tax
Taxation

Profit after tax

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

5,188
(1,006)
––––––––––
4,182
––––––––––

1,814
(722)
––––––––––
1,092 
––––––––––

Following a re-evaluation of the group’s relationship with BF&M Limited (note 22), six months of the group’s share of
BF&M’s result for the period ending 31 December 2015 have been included in the above results. In addition,
£22,677,000 has been credited to the income statement which reflected the negative goodwill arising from the recognition
of BF&M Limited as an associate, this has been offset by an impairment provision of £22,677,000 which has been
provided against the group’s equity carrying value of this investment to reflect its fair value. The net effect of these two
items on the income statement is £nil.

Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets
Impairment provisions of £279,000 (2014: £2,334,000) and £237,000 (2014: £nil) have been made against the group’s
investments in Ascendant Group, a Bermudian power company and Bermuda Press Holdings, a Bermudian newspaper
publishing and commercial printing company respectively, following significant long-term declines in the value of
these investments.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and provisions
Following the closure of AKD Engineering Limited in June 2015 and the subsequent sale of the property, plant and
equipment, the provisions made in 2014 have now been utilised resulting in a £230,000 credit of excess amounts. In
2014, a total provision of £1,134,000 was made, which included a £824,000 impairment provision against property, plant
and equipment and £310,000 of provisions including £267,000 in relation to an onerous lease.

Profit on disposal of non-current assets 
A profit of £1,613,000 was realised in relation to the property, plant and equipment previously owned by AKD
Engineering Limited which was sold following the closure of the business  at the end of June 2015.

Profit of £2,074,000 was realised during the year in relation to the disposal of former sites owned by Abbey Metal
Finishing Company Limited and GU Cutting and Grinding Services Limited. 

6 

7 

8

53

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

9

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 cash balances
Employee benefit expense (note 33)

Net finance income

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

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

(687)
–
––––––––––
(687)
3,045 
798 
(1,699)
––––––––––
1,457 
––––––––––

(607)
(1)
––––––––––
(608)
2,864 
607 
(1,044)
––––––––––
1,819 
––––––––––

10 Taxation

Analysis of charge in the year

Current tax
UK corporation tax
UK corporation tax at 20.25 per cent. (2014: 21.50 per cent.)
Double tax relief

Foreign tax
Corporation tax
Adjustment in respect of prior years

Total current tax
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences

Overseas 

Tax on profit on ordinary activities

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

Group profit on ordinary activities before tax

Tax on ordinary activities at the standard rate

2015

£’000

£’000

2014
£’000

152 
(152)
––––––––––

11,723 
1,536
––––––––––

882
(882)
––––––––––
– 

10,353 
646
––––––––––
10,999
––––––––––
10,999 

– 

13,259
––––––––––
13,259

5,331
––––––––––
18,590
––––––––––

2,674
––––––––––
13,673 
––––––––––

40,524
(4,182)
––––––––––
36,342 
––––––––––

21,983
(1,092)
––––––––––
20,891 
––––––––––

of corporation tax in the UK of 20.25 per cent. (2014: 21.5 per cent.) 

7,359 

4,492 

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
Other income not charged to tax
Increase in tax losses carried forward
Movement in other timing differences

Total tax charge for the year

54

1,536
1,765 
4,991 
1,244 
(1,295)
2,350 
640 
––––––––––
18,590
––––––––––

646
2,477
4,100
643
(1,787)
3,207
(105)
––––––––––
13,673
––––––––––

240068 Camellia R&A pp49-pp58  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 55

Notes to the accounts

11  Profit for the year

The profit of the company was: 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

4,095 
––––––––––

3,610
––––––––––

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

12  Equity dividends 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period: 
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014 of

92p (2013: 91p) per share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015 of

34p (2014: 34p) per share

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

2,541 

2,513 

939 
––––––––––
3,480 
––––––––––

939
––––––––––
3,452 
––––––––––

Dividends amounting to £79,000 (2014: £78,000) 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 2015 of
95p (2014: 92p) per share

2,683
––––––––––

2,599
––––––––––

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.

13  Earnings per share (EPS) 

2015
Weighted
average
number of
shares
Number

Earnings
£’000

2014
Weighted
average
number of
shares
Number

EPS
Pence

EPS
Pence

Earnings
£’000

Basic and diluted EPS
Attributable to ordinary shareholders

12,449
––––––––––

2,762,000 
––––––––––

450.7
––––––––––

2,836
––––––––––

2,762,264 
––––––––––

102.7
––––––––––

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 34).

55

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

14  Employees 

Average number of employees by activity:
Agriculture 
Engineering 
Food Service 
Banking and Financial Services 
Central Management 
Other 

Employment costs:
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Employee benefit obligations (see note 33) – UK 

– Overseas

2015
Number 

2014
Number

77,552 
319 
307 
154 
22 
21 
––––––––––
78,375 
––––––––––

79,994 
390
283
127
23
17
––––––––––
80,834
––––––––––

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

84,280 
3,540 
2,138 
10,209 
––––––––––
100,167 
––––––––––

74,307
3,626
1,872
2,308
––––––––––
82,113
––––––––––

Total remuneration paid to key employees who are members of the Executive Committees and who are key employees of
Duncan Lawrie, excluding directors of Camellia Plc, amounted to £844,000 (2014: £875,000). 

Further details of directors’ emoluments are set out on pages 30 to 31.

15  Emoluments of the directors 

Aggregate emoluments excluding pension contributions 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

2,611
––––––––––

1,785
––––––––––

Emoluments of the highest paid director excluding pension contributions were £476,000 (2014: £466,000). 

Further details of directors’ emoluments are set out on pages 30 to 31. 

56

240068 Camellia R&A pp49-pp58  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 57

Notes to the accounts

16  Intangible assets 

Group
Cost
At 1 January 2014 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Reclassification from property, plant and equipment 

At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2015 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2014 
Exchange differences 
Reclassification from property, plant and equipment 
Charge for the year 

At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 
Disposals 
Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2015 

Net book value at 31 December 2015 

Net book value at 31 December 2014 

Goodwill
£’000

Customer
relationships
£’000

Computer
software
£’000

Total
£’000

3,978 
–
–
–
––––––––––
3,978 
–
–
–
––––––––––
3,978 
––––––––––

–
–
–
–
––––––––––
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––
3,978 
––––––––––
3,978 
––––––––––

4,814 
–
–
–
––––––––––
4,814 
–
–
–
––––––––––
4,814 
––––––––––

1,833 
–
–
241 
––––––––––
2,074 
–
–
241 
––––––––––
2,315 
––––––––––
2,499 
––––––––––
2,740 
––––––––––

2,466 
9 
66 
2,503 
––––––––––
5,044 
(1)
1,362 
(43)
––––––––––
6,362 
––––––––––

2,076 
8 
2,341 
265 
––––––––––
4,690 
2 
(43)
275 
––––––––––
4,924 
––––––––––
1,438 
––––––––––
354 
––––––––––

11,258 
9 
66 
2,503 
––––––––––
13,836 
(1)
1,362 
(43)
––––––––––
15,154 
––––––––––

3,909 
8 
2,341 
506 
––––––––––
6,764 
2 
(43)
516 
––––––––––

7,239  

––––––––––

7,915  

––––––––––
7,072
––––––––––

Impairment testing
Timing of impairment testing
The group’s impairment test in respect of goodwill and customer relationships allocated to each component of the cash-
generating unit (‘CGU’) is performed as at 31 December each year. In line with the accounting policy, impairment testing
is also performed whenever there is an indication that the assets may be impaired. There was no indication of impairment
in the year to 31 December 2015. For the purpose of this impairment testing, the group’s CGU components represent the
wealth management element of the holistic private banking service provided by Duncan Lawrie.

Basis of the recoverable amount – value in use or fair value less costs to sell
The recoverable amount of the CGU to which customer relationships and goodwill have been allocated was assessed at
each respective testing date in 2015 and 2014. The wealth management component of the CGU is assessed on the basis of
the fair value less costs to sell by applying industry average multiples to the value of assets under management.

Based on the conditions at the balance sheet date, a change in any of the key assumptions described above would not cause
an impairment to be recognised in respect of goodwill and customer relationships. The industry multiple applied would
have to reduce to 1 per cent. before any impairment of goodwill or customer relationships would arise.

57

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

17  Property, plant and equipment

Group
Deemed cost 
At 1 January 2014 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Disposals 
Reclassification to intangible assets 

At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Disposals 
Reclassification to investment properties 
Reclassification to other investments – heritage assets 

At 31 December 2015 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2014 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Impairment provision 
Reclassification to intangible assets 

At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Reclassification to investment properties 
Reclassification to other investments - heritage assets 

At 31 December 2015 

Net book value at 31 December 2015 

Net book value at 31 December 2014 

Land and buildings at net book value comprise:

Freehold 
Long leasehold 
Short leasehold 

Land and
buildings
£’000

Plant and
machinery
£’000

82,920 
1,036 
9,881 
(466)
–
––––––––––
93,371 
(1,672)
4,189 
(3,775)
(7,750)
–
––––––––––
84,363 
––––––––––

35,249 
409 
2,383 
(452)
337 
–
––––––––––
37,926 
(486)
2,592 
(1,719)
(608)
–
––––––––––
37,705
––––––––––
46,658
––––––––––
55,445 
––––––––––

99,024 
768 
8,049 
(1,234)
–
––––––––––
106,607 
(3,846)
5,323 
(3,480)
–
–
––––––––––
104,604 
––––––––––

59,426 
592 
6,522 
(1,157)
461 
–
––––––––––
65,844 
(1,715)
5,924 
(3,095)
–
–
––––––––––
66,958 
––––––––––
37,646 
––––––––––
40,763 
––––––––––

Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£’000

20,409 
123 
1,089 
(153)
(2,503)
––––––––––
18,965 
(164)
1,174 
(952)
–
(94)
––––––––––
18,929 
––––––––––

11,838 
78 
754 
(105)
26 
(2,341)
––––––––––
10,250 
(119)
969 
(676)
–
(85)
––––––––––
10,339 
––––––––––
8,590 
––––––––––
8,715 
––––––––––

Total
£’000

202,353 
1,927 
19,019 
(1,853)
(2,503)
––––––––––
218,943 
(5,682)
10,686 
(8,207)
(7,750)
(94)
––––––––––
207,896 
––––––––––

106,513 
1,079 
9,659 
(1,714)
824 
(2,341)
––––––––––
114,020 
(2,320)
9,485 
(5,490)
(608)
(85)
––––––––––
115,002
––––––––––
92,894
––––––––––
104,923
––––––––––

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

25,363
20,794
501
––––––––––
46,658
––––––––––

33,779
20,630
1,036
––––––––––
55,445
––––––––––

Plant and machinery includes assets held under finance leases. The depreciation charge for the year in respect of these
assets was £nil (2014: £9,000) and their net book value was £nil (2014: £14,000). 

The amount of expenditure for property, plant and equipment in the course of construction amounted to £1,901,000
(2014: £948,000).

58

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 59

Notes to the accounts

18  Investment properties 

Group 
Cost 
At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Transfers from property, plant and equipment 

At 31 December 2015 

Depreciation
At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 
Transfers from property, plant and equipment 

At 31 December 2015 

Net book value at 31 December 2015 

£’000 

–
(61)
8,700 
7,750 
––––––––––

16,389  

––––––––––

–
(9)
39 
608
––––––––––
638
––––––––––
15,751
––––––––––

Included in revenue is £459,000 of rental income generated from investment properties. Direct operating expenses arising
on the investment property, the majority of which generated rental income in the period, amount to £238,000. 

At the end of the year the fair value of investment properties was £21,446,000. Investment properties were valued by the
directors (fair value hierarchy Level 2). 

59

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

19  Biological assets

Group
At 1 January 2014
Exchange differences
New planting additions
Capitalised cultivation costs
Gains arising from changes in fair value 

less estimated point-of-sale costs

Decreases due to harvesting

At 1 January 2015
Exchange differences
New planting additions
Capitalised cultivation costs
Gains arising from changes in fair value 

less estimated point-of-sale costs

Decreases due to harvesting

At 31 December 2015

Tea
£’000 

77,316 
1,759 
1,919 
–

Edible 
nuts
£’000 

21,319 
(380)
2,602 
1,285 

Timber
£’000 

10,193 
(67)
551 
–

Other 
£’000 

18,387 
548 
–
4,351 

Total
£’000 

127,215 
1,860 
5,072 
5,636 

4,566 
–
––––––––––
85,560 
(8,002)
2,487
–

4,109 
(2,969)
––––––––––
25,966 
(7,847)
2,602 
1,788 

(29)
(496)
––––––––––
10,152 
(1,757)
523 
–

174 
(5,139)
––––––––––
18,321 
(534)
–
4,323 

8,820 
(8,604)
––––––––––
139,999 
(18,140)
5,612
6,111 

5,199 
–
––––––––––
85,244 
––––––––––

12,217 
(4,009)
––––––––––
30,717 
––––––––––

1,748 
(465)
––––––––––
10,201 
––––––––––

1,475 
(4,926)
––––––––––
18,659 
––––––––––

20,639 
(9,400)
––––––––––
144,821  
––––––––––

Other includes avocados, citrus, grapes, livestock, maize, pineapples, rubber and soya.

Biological assets are carried at fair value. 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 2015 professional valuations were obtained on a
significant proportion of assets. 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.

New planting additions represents new areas planted to the particular crop at cost.

For crops other than tea and rubber capitalised cultivation costs represent annual growing costs incurred. Growing costs
for tea and rubber are charged directly to inventory which are included in cost of sales and do not include any uplift on
initial recognition as no appropriate market value can be determined  for green leaf and rubber produced at harvest prior
to manufacturing.

Decreases due to harvesting represent values transferred to cost of sales at the point of harvest for agricultural produce
other than tea and rubber.

60

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Notes to the accounts

19  Biological assets (continued)

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:

2015
2014

Edible 
nuts
%
12.0 – 17.5
12.0 – 17.5

Tea
%
13.5
13.5

Timber
%
10.5 – 17.5
10.5 – 17.5

Other 
%
5.0 – 17.5 
5.0 – 17.5 

During the year the Malawian kwacha depreciated in value from 725.05 (2014: 712.19) to the pound sterling at
1 January 2015 to 984.22 (2014: 725.05) to the pound sterling at 31 December 2015. The functional currency of our
Malawian subsidiaries is the kwacha. The principal assets in Malawi are agricultural assets. As they generate revenues in
currencies other than the kwacha their value in hard currency has not fallen in the year. Accordingly, the revaluation of the
agricultural assets in kwacha under IAS 41 at 31 December 2015 has generated a credit of £17,917,000
(2014: £6,546,000) including a gain of £16,220,000 (2014: £978,000) due to the currency devaluation which is included
in the overall gain of £20,639,000 (2014: £8,820,000) credited to the income statement. This has been largely offset by a
foreign exchange translation loss charged to reserves. 

Fair value measurement

All of the biological assets fall under level 3 of the hierarchy defined in IFRS 13.

The basis upon which the valuations are determined is set out in accounting policies on page 43.

Valuations by external professional valuers and those derived from discounted cash flows both make assumptions based on
unobservable inputs of: yields, an increase in which will raise the value; costs, an increase in which will decrease the value;
market prices, an increase in which will raise the value; life span of the plantings, an increase in which will raise the value;
discount rates, an increase in which will decrease the value. These assumptions vary significantly across different countries,
crops and varieties. In preparing these valuations a long term view is taken on the yields and prices achieved.

Financial risk management strategies

The group is exposed to financial risks arising from changes in the prices of the agricultural products it produces. The
group does not anticipate that these prices will decline significantly in the foreseeable future. There are no futures markets
available for the majority of crops grown by the group. The group’s exposure to this risk is mitigated by the geographical
spread of its operations, selective forward selling in certain instances when considered appropriate, and regular review of
available market data on sales and production. The group monitors closely the returns it achieves from its crops and
considers replacing its biological assets when yields decline with age or markets change. 

Further financial risk arises from changes in market prices of key cost components, such costs are closely monitored.

The estimated fair value of agricultural output from our tea operations after deducting estimated points of sales costs is
£79,438,000 (2014: £73,457,000) which includes a gain on initial recognition at the point of harvest of £14,128,000
(2014: £13,093,000).

61

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 62

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

19  Biological assets (continued) 

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

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

Livestock numbers at the end of the year

Output of agricultural produce during the year was:

Tea
Macadamia
Pistachios
Arable crops
Avocados
Citrus
Pineapples
Rubber
Wine grapes

Timber

62

2015
Hectares

2014
Hectares

34,617
3,338
131
56 
6,251
3,374
451
177
55 
1,968
73
––––––––––

2015
Head
4,500
––––––––––

34,345 
3,060 
130 
56 
5,822
3,528
414
178
50 
1,901 
75
––––––––––

2014
Head
3,874
––––––––––

2015
Metric
tonnes

2014
Metric
tonnes

63,366 
1,156
31 
22,981 
7,084 
4,844 
1,752 
629 
625 
––––––––––

2015
Cubic
metres

67,555 
1,085
621 
12,838 
6,339
5,618
1,552
601 
718
––––––––––

2014
Cubic
metres

125,557 
––––––––––

122,768
––––––––––

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 63

Notes to the accounts

20  Prepaid operating leases 

Group 
Cost 
At 1 January 2014 
Exchange differences 

At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2015 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2014 
Charge for the year 

At 1 January 2015 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2015 

Net book value at 31 December 2015 

Net book value at 31 December 2014 

21  Investments in subsidiaries

Company 
Cost  
At 1 January and 31 December 

£’000 

910 
11 
––––––––––
921 
(60)
––––––––––

861  

––––––––––

20 
1  

––––––––––
21 
(1)
1  

––––––––––

21  

––––––––––
840  
––––––––––

900
––––––––––

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

73,508 
––––––––––

73,508
––––––––––

63

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 64

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

22  Investments in associates 

Group 
At 1 January
Exchange differences
Transfer from available-for-sale financial assets
Negative goodwill on initial recognition as an associate (note 5)
Share of profit (note 5)
Dividends 
Other equity movements

At 31 December

Provision for diminution in value 
At 1 January  
Exchange differences 
Provided during year (note 5) 

At 31 December  

Net book value at 31 December  

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

8,664 
4,231
34,435 
22,677 
4,182
(1,185)
33
––––––––––
73,037
––––––––––

–
1,478 
22,677 
––––––––––
24,155 
––––––––––
48,882
––––––––––

7,343
473 
–
–
1,092
(244)
–
––––––––––
8,664
––––––––––

–
–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––
8,664
––––––––––

From 1 July 2015, following a re-evaluation of the group's relationship with BF&M Limited, the directors concluded that
the group is in a position to exercise significant influence over BF&M Limited. As a result the investment in this company
has been reclassified from available-for-sale financial assets to an investment in associate. The result of this reclassification
is that investments in associates increase by £57,112,000 reflecting the group’s equity interest in BF&M Limited and
available-for-sale financial assets  decline by £34,435,000, being the market value of the group’s shareholding. The
difference of £22,677,000 has been transferred to the income statement, this is offset by an impairment provision of
£22,677,000 which has been made against the group’s equity carrying value of this investment, due to the significant
difference between the equity value of the investment and the market value at 1 July 2015.

Details of the group's associates are shown in note 40.  

64

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 65

Notes to the accounts

22  Investments in associates (continued)

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

Country of 
incorporation 

Assets  Liabilities  Revenues 
£’000 
£’000 
£’000 

Profit 
£’000 

Interest
held 
% 

Market 
value 
£’000

2015 
Listed 
BF&M Limited 
United Finance Limited 
United Insurance 
Company Limited 

2014 
Listed 
United Finance Limited 
United Insurance 
Company Limited 

Bermuda 
Bangladesh 

Bangladesh 

411,850
63,566 

(348,899)
(55,359)

60,231
6,355 

2,946
1,083 

2,477 
––––––––
477,893
––––––––

(598)
––––––––
(404,856)
––––––––

283 
––––––––
66,869
––––––––

153 
––––––––
4,182
––––––––

36.1 
38.4 

37.0 

35,932 
10,653 

3,197  

––––––––

49,782  

––––––––

Bangladesh 

49,411 

(42,455)

5,942 

949 

38.4 

10,607

Bangladesh 

2,269 
––––––––
51,680 
––––––––

(561)
––––––––
(43,016)
––––––––

270 
––––––––
6,212 
––––––––

143 
––––––––
1,092 
––––––––

37.0 

3,709
––––––––
14,316 
––––––––

23  Available-for-sale financial assets 

Cost or fair value 
At 1 January  
Exchange differences 
Transfer to investments in associates
Fair value adjustment 
Additions 
Disposals 
Fair value adjustment for disposal 

At 31 December  

Provision for diminution in value 

At 1 January  
Exchange differences 
Provided during year 

At 31 December  

Net book value at 31 December  

Group

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

Company

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

67,770 
1,328 
(34,435)
211 
2,288 
(1,324)
(161)
––––––––––
35,677 
––––––––––

4,282 
249 
552 
––––––––––
5,083 
––––––––––
30,594 
––––––––––

61,697 
3,793 
–
2,822 
308 
(486)
(364)
––––––––––
67,770 
––––––––––

1,696 
226 
2,360
––––––––––
4,282  
––––––––––
63,488 
––––––––––

170 
–
–
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
170 
––––––––––

170 
–
–
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
170
––––––––––

170 
––––––––––

170
––––––––––

65

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 66

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

23  Available-for-sale financial assets (continued)

Available-for-sale financial assets include the following: 

Listed securities: 

Equity securities - UK 
Equity securities - Bermuda 
Equity securities - Japan 
Equity securities - Switzerland 
Equity securities - US 
Equity securities - India 
Equity securities - Europe 
Equity securities - Other 
Debentures with fixed interest of 12.5% and repayable 
twice yearly until 31 October 2019 – Kenya 

Unlisted investments 

Company

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

Group

2014
£’000

862 
39,101 
11,269 
6,092 
2,719 
1,809 
351 
338 

2015
£’000 

939
5,210
12,162
6,645
2,107
1,033
366
329

573
1,230
––––––––––
30,594
––––––––––

766 
181 
––––––––––
63,488 
––––––––––

170 
––––––––––
170 
––––––––––

170
––––––––––
170
––––––––––

Available-for-sale financial assets are denominated in the following currencies: 

Group 

Company 

2015
£’000 
2,159
2,107
366
6,645
1,034
5,210
12,162
580
331
––––––––––
30,594
––––––––––

2014
£’000
1,032 
2,719 
351 
6,092 
1,809 
39,101
11,269 
772 
343 
––––––––––
63,488 
––––––––––

2015
£’000 
170 

2014
£’000
170 

––––––––––
170 
––––––––––

––––––––––
170
––––––––––

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Swiss Franc
Indian Rupee
Bermudian Dollar
Japanese Yen
Kenyan Shilling
Other

66

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 67

Notes to the accounts

24  Held-to-maturity financial assets 

Cost or fair value 
At 1 January  
Additions 
Disposals 

At 31 December  

Net book value comprises: 
Debt securities 

Current element 
Non-current element 

Group 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

–
29,510 
–
––––––––––
29,510 
––––––––––

29,510 
––––––––––
1,849 
27,661 
––––––––––
29,510
––––––––––

1,000
–
(1,000)
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

–
––––––––––
–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

Debt securities are held by the group’s banking operation and are readily tradable in the London markets.

25  Other investments – heritage assets 

Cost 
At 1 January  
Additions 
Disposals 
Transfers from property, plant and equipment 

At 31 December  

Group 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

Company 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

8,864 
164 
(17)
9 
––––––––––
9,020 
––––––––––

8,745
126 
(7)
–
––––––––––
8,864 
––––––––––

8,869 
1,355 
(11)
–
––––––––––
10,213 
––––––––––

8,750
126
(7)
–
––––––––––
8,869 
––––––––––

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

67

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 68

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

26  Inventories 

Group 
Made tea 
Other agricultural produce 
Work in progress  
Trading stocks 
Raw materials and consumables 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

23,557 
1,423 
1,831 
1,818 
9,120 
––––––––––
37,749 
––––––––––

24,417
979
2,773
2,659 
11,013
––––––––––
41,841
––––––––––

Made tea is included in inventory at cost as no reliable fair value is available to reflect the uplift in value upon initial
recognition of harvested green leaf. 

Included within the inventory value of made tea of £23,557,000 (2014: £24,417,000) are costs associated with the
growing and cultivation of green leaf from our own estates of £12,311,000 (2014: £12,095,000). This would increase by
£2,580,000 (2014: £2,516,000) if estimated green leaf fair values at harvest were applied. The impact on the income
statement would be a decrease in profit for the year to 31 December 2015 of £64,000 (2014: £2,587,000) and a decrease
in taxation of £22,000 (2014: £900,000).

The year end inventories balance is stated after a write-down provision of £181,000 (2014: £104,000). 

27  Trade and other receivables 

Group

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

14,263 
25,617 
11 
7,854 
7,809 
––––––––––
55,554 
––––––––––

16,688
28,976
–
8,532
9,096
––––––––––
63,292 
––––––––––

21,570 
1,164 
––––––––––
22,734 
––––––––––

22,066
1,237
––––––––––
23,303
––––––––––

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 

68

240068 Camellia R&A pp59-pp69  27/04/2016  10:53  Page 69

Notes to the accounts

27  Trade and other receivables (continued)

The carrying amounts of the group's trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies: 

Current: 
Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Kenyan Shilling
Indian Rupee
Malawian Kwacha
Bangladesh Taka
South African Rand
Brazilian Real
Other

Non-current: 
Sterling
US Dollar
Kenyan Shilling
Indian Rupee
Malawian Kwacha
Bangladesh Taka

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

27,581
3,129
1,230
2,420
17,835
814
1,244
152
610
539
––––––––––
55,554
––––––––––

21,490
81
325
421
158
259
––––––––––
22,734
––––––––––

33,501
5,791
1,487 
1,741 
16,188
1,183
2,144
127
508
622
––––––––––
63,292
––––––––––

21,912
154
340
403
230
264
––––––––––
23,303
––––––––––

Included within trade receivables is a provision for doubtful debts of £947,000 (2014: £595,000) and all other trade
receivables are with normal trading partners and there is no history of defaults.

Trade receivables include receivables of £6,613,000 (2014: £3,797,000) 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 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

4,411
1,417
251
534
––––––––––
6,613
––––––––––

2,308
510
496 
483
––––––––––
3,797
––––––––––

69

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 70

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

28 Cash and cash equivalents

Group

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

Company

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

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

–
–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––
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 £167,413,000 (2014: £200,285,000) which are held by the group's banking
subsidiaries and which are an integral part of the banking operations.

157,157
40,149
40,466 
––––––––––
237,772
––––––––––

2,202
–
–
––––––––––
2,202 
––––––––––

190,542
36,290
30,332
––––––––––
257,164
––––––––––

Cash and cash equivalents (excluding banking operations) 
Bank overdrafts (note 30) 

Effective interest rate:

Short-term deposits 
Short-term liquid investments 

Average maturity period:
Short-term deposits 
Short-term liquid investments 

29  Trade and other payables

Current

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

Non-current:

Amounts due to customers of banking subsidiaries

2015
£’000 
70,359
(4,753)
––––––––––
65,606 
––––––––––

2014
£’000
56,879
(2,757)
––––––––––
54,122
––––––––––

2015
£’000
2,202
–
––––––––––
2,202
––––––––––

2014
£’000
–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

2015

2014

2015

2014

4.00 - 20.00% 0.40 - 12.00%
0.07 - 0.47% 0.00 - 0.77%

103 days
40 days

77 days
16 days

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

Group

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Company

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

204,200
26,468
2,671
20,175
5,380
––––––––––
258,894
––––––––––

209,677
23,913
2,304
14,640
7,758
––––––––––
258,292
––––––––––

–
–
–
133
–
––––––––––
133
––––––––––

–
–
–
134
–
––––––––––
134
––––––––––

4,392
––––––––––

5,130
––––––––––

–
––––––––––

–
––––––––––

70

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 71

Notes to the accounts

30 Financial liabilities – borrowings

The repayment of bank loans and overdrafts fall due as follows:

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 

Present value of finance lease liabilities

Non-current:

Bank loans 

Non-current borrowings include the following amounts
secured on biological assets and investment property:
Bank loans

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) 

Present value of finance lease liabilities 

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

4,753
613
–
––––––––––
5,366
––––––––––

2,757
94
4
––––––––––
2,855
––––––––––

3,833
613
–
––––––––––
4,446
––––––––––

1,429
94
4
––––––––––
1,527
––––––––––

5,131
––––––––––

42
––––––––––

5,131
––––––––––

42
––––––––––

5,366
609
4,514
8
––––––––––
10,497
––––––––––

2,851
12
14
16
––––––––––
2,893
––––––––––

–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

4
––––––––––
4
––––––––––

71

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 72

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

30 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) 

The rates of interest payable by the group ranged between:

Overdrafts 
Bank loans 
Finance leases 

31  Provisions 

Group
At 1 January 2014 
Utilised in the period 
Provided in the period 

At 1 January 2015 
Utilised in the period 
Provided in the period 
Unused amounts reversed in period 

At 31 December 2015 

Current:
At 31 December 2015 

At 31 December 2014 

Others relate to provisions for claims and dilapidations.

32 Deferred tax 

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

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

–
––––––––––

4
––––––––––

2015
%
2.25 - 36.00
3.03
–

2014
%
2.25 - 36.00
9.00 - 13.00
18.00

Onerous lease
£’000

Others
£’000

Total
£’000

450
(450)
267
––––––––––
267
(63)
–
(204)
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

210
–
159
––––––––––
369
(306)
230
(26)
––––––––––
267
––––––––––

660
(450)
426
––––––––––
636
(369)
230
(230)
––––––––––
267
––––––––––

–
––––––––––
267
––––––––––

267
––––––––––
369
––––––––––

267
––––––––––
636
––––––––––

Group

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

Company

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

41,434 
(6,228)
5,331
(590)
––––––––––
39,947
––––––––––

39,106
424
2,674
(770)
––––––––––
41,434
––––––––––

240
–
(24)
–
––––––––––
216
––––––––––

258
–
(18)
–
––––––––––
240
––––––––––

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

At 31 December

72

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 73

Notes to the accounts

32 Deferred tax (continued)

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

Deferred tax liabilities

At 1 January 2014
Exchange differences
Charged/(credited) to the income statement
Credited to equity

At 1 January 2015
Exchange differences
Charged to the income statement
Credited/(charged) to equity

At 31 December 2015

Deferred tax assets offset

Net deferred tax liability after offset

Deferred tax assets

At 1 January 2014
Exchange differences
Credited/(charged) to the income statement
Charged to equity

At 1 January 2015
Exchange differences
(Charged)/credited to the income statement
Credited/(charged) to equity

At 31 December 2015

Offset against deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax asset after offset

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£’000

40,920
421
3,784
–
––––––––––
45,125
(6,316)
7,165
5
––––––––––
45,979
––––––––––

Tax losses
£’000 

213
15
497
–
––––––––––
725
4
(254)
–
––––––––––
475
––––––––––

Pension
scheme
liability
£’000

238
13
102
(71)
––––––––––
282
2
81
(341)
––––––––––
24
––––––––––

Pension
scheme
asset
£’000 

833
16
(579)
627
––––––––––
897
4
(14)
278
––––––––––
1,165
––––––––––

Other
£’000

Total
£’000

204
4
(208)
–
––––––––––
–
(17)
95
–
––––––––––
78
––––––––––

41,362
438
3,678
(71)
––––––––––
45,407
(6,331)
7,341
(336)
––––––––––
46,081
––––––––––
(3,600)
––––––––––
42,481
––––––––––

Other
£’000 

Total
£’000 

1,210
(17)
1,086
72
––––––––––
2,351
(111)
2,278
(24)
––––––––––
4,494
––––––––––

2,256
14
1,004
699
––––––––––
3,973
(103)
2,010
254
––––––––––
6,134

(3,600)
––––––––––
2,534
––––––––––

Included within deferred tax liabilities are £40,768,000 (2014: £39,495,000) of accelerated tax depreciation relating to
biological assets.

Deferred tax liabilities of £20,718,000 (2014: £21,415,000) 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 £7,045,000
(2014: £8,054,000) in respect of losses that can be carried forward against future taxable income.

73

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 74

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

33 Employee benefit obligations

(i) Pensions

Certain group subsidiaries operate defined contribution and funded defined benefit pension schemes. The most significant
is the UK funded, final salary defined benefit scheme. The assets of this scheme are administered by trustees and are kept
separate from those of the group. A full actuarial valuation was undertaken as at 1 July 2014 and updated to
31 December 2015 by a qualified independent actuary. The UK final salary defined benefit pension scheme is closed to
new entrants and new employees are eligible to join a group personal pension plan. Active members earn accruals at a rate
of 1/80th per year of service.

The overseas schemes are operated in group subsidiaries located in Bangladesh, India and the Netherlands. Actuarial
valuations have been updated to 31 December 2015 by qualified actuaries for these schemes.

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)

2015

2014
% per annum % per annum

2.00
2.00 – 5.00
3.50
2.00/3.00

2.00
2.00 – 5.00
3.50
2.00/3.00

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are based on advice received from independent actuaries. The current
mortality tables used are S2PA, on a year of birth basis, with CMI_2013 future improvement factors and subject to a long
term annual rate of future improvement of 1.25% per annum. This results in males and females aged 65 having life
expectancies of 22 years (2014: 22 years) and 24 years respectively (2014: 24 years).

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

(ii) Post-employment benefits

1.50 – 7.00
0.00 – 5.00
2.30 – 9.0
0.00 – 7.00

2.00 – 7.00
0.00 – 5.00
2.10 – 11.50
0.00 – 7.00

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
Inflation assumptions

74

2015

2014
% per annum % per annum

6.00 – 10.00
8.00 – 14.00
0.00 – 10.00

6.00 – 10.00
8.00 – 13.50
0.00 – 10.00

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 75

Notes to the accounts

33 Employee benefit obligations (continued)

Sensitivity analysis
The sensitivity of the UK defined benefit obligation to changes in the weighted principal assumptions is:

Pre-retirement discount rate
Post-retirement discount rate
Salary increase rate
Inflation rate
Long-term rate of improvement of mortality

Change
in assumption

Impact
on defined
benefit 
obligation

0.5% lower
0.5% lower
0.25% lower
0.25% lower
0.25% higher

1.8% increase
5.7% increase
0.2% decrease
1.5% decrease
1.4% increase

The above sensitivity analysis assumes that each assumption is changed independently of the others. Therefore, the
disclosures are only a guide because the effect of changing more than one assumption is not cumulative. The sensitivity
analysis was calculated by re-running the figures as at the last formal actuarial valuation at 1 July 2014. Therefore the
analysis is only approximate for the purpose of these IAS19 disclosures as they are on a different set of assumptions and do
not reflect subsequent scheme experience.

Duration of the scheme liabilities
The weighted average duration of the UK defined benefit obligation is 15 years.

Analysis of scheme liabilities
As at 1 July 2014 the allocation of the present value of the UK scheme liabilities was as follows:

Active members
Deferred pensioners
Current pensioners

Total membership

%

11
28
61
––––––––––
100
––––––––––

75

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 76

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

33 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 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 32)
Related deferred tax liability (note 32)

Net deficit

UK 
£’000 

89,640 
53,069 
6,939 
–
––––––––
149,648 

2015
Overseas 
£’000 

493 
12,848 
5,356 
3,682 
––––––––
22,379 

Total 
£’000 

UK 
£’000 

90,133 
65,917 
12,295 
3,682 
––––––––
172,027 

93,247 
52,088 
4,359 
–
––––––––
149,694 

2014
Overseas 
£’000 

494 
11,826 
4,197 
3,421 
––––––––
19,938 

Total 
£’000 

93,741
63,914
8,556
3,421
––––––––
169,632

(174,129)
––––––––
(24,481)
––––––––

(36,532)
––––––––
(14,153)
––––––––

(210,661)
––––––––
(38,634)
––––––––

(184,326)
––––––––
(34,632)
––––––––

(26,913)
––––––––
(6,975)
––––––––

(211,239)
––––––––
(41,607)
––––––––

–

–

176 

176 

(1,017)

(1,017)

–

–

805 

805

(527)

(527)

(24,481)
––––––––
(24,481)
–
–
––––––––
(24,481)
––––––––

(13,312)
––––––––
(14,153)
1,165 
(24)
––––––––
(13,012)
––––––––

(37,793)
––––––––
(38,634)
1,165 
(24)
––––––––
(37,493)
––––––––

(34,632)
––––––––
(34,632)
–
–
––––––––
(34,632)
––––––––

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/(losses)
Exchange differences

At 31 December

UK 
£’000 

149,694 
5,125 
1,490 
–
(8,041)
1,380 
–
––––––––
149,648 
––––––––

2015
Overseas 
£’000 

19,938 
1,997 
2,417 
24 
(1,826)
(301)
130 
––––––––
22,379 
––––––––

Total 
£’000 

UK 
£’000 

169,632 
7,122 
3,907 
24 
(9,867)
1,079 
130 
––––––––
172,027 
––––––––

145,286 
6,406 
1,531 
–
(7,410)
3,881 
–
––––––––
149,694 
––––––––

76

(7,253)
––––––––
(6,975)
897 
(282)
––––––––
(6,360)
––––––––

2014
Overseas 
£’000 

18,748 
1,514 
635 
22 
(1,336)
(106)
461 
––––––––
19,938 
––––––––

(41,885)
––––––––
(41,607)
897
(282)
––––––––
(40,992)
––––––––

Total 
£’000 

164,034
7,920
2,166
22
(8,746)
3,775
461
––––––––
169,632
––––––––

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 77

Notes to the accounts

33 Employee benefit obligations (continued)

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

At 1 January
Current service cost
Past service cost
Contributions paid by plan participants
Interest cost
Benefit payments
Actuarial gains/(losses)
Exchange differences

At 31 December

UK 
£’000 

(184,326)
(800)
–
–
(6,311)
8,041 
9,267 
–
––––––––
(174,129)
––––––––

2015
Overseas 
£’000 

(26,913)
(1,507)
(6,056)
(24)
(2,480)
1,826 
(1,231)
(147)
––––––––
(36,532)
––––––––

Total 
£’000 

UK 
£’000 

(211,239)
(2,307)
(6,056)
(24)
(8,791)
9,867 
8,036 
(147)
––––––––
(210,661)
––––––––

(162,294)
(769)
–
–
(7,137)
7,410 
(21,536)
–
––––––––
(184,326)
––––––––

2014
Overseas 
£’000 

(23,081)
(909)
711 
(22)
(1,827)
1,336 
(2,580)
(541)
––––––––
(26,913)
––––––––

Total 
£’000 

(185,375)
(1,678)
711
(22)
(8,964)
8,746
(24,116)
(541)
––––––––
(211,239)
––––––––

In 2013, the total fair value of plan assets was £164,034,000, present value of defined benefit obligations was
£185,375,000 and the deficit was £21,341,000. In 2012, the total fair value of plan assets was £151,560,000, present
value of defined benefit obligations was £184,157,000 and the deficit was £32,597,000 and in 2011, the total fair value of
plan assets was £140,343,000, present value of defined benefit obligations was £167,235,000 and the deficit was
£26,892,000.

Income statement
The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

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

Total operating charge
Amounts charged to other finance costs:
Interest expense

Total charged to income statement

UK 
£’000 

2015
Overseas 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

UK 
£’000 

2014
Overseas 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

(800)
–
––––––––
(800)

(1,507)
(6,056)
––––––––
(7,563)

(2,307)
(6,056)
––––––––
(8,363)

(769)
–
––––––––
(769)

(909)
711 
––––––––
(198)

(1,678)
711
––––––––
(967)

(1,186)
––––––––
(1,986)
––––––––

(483)
––––––––
(8,046)
––––––––

(1,669)
––––––––
(10,032)
––––––––

(731)
––––––––
(1,500)
––––––––

(313)
––––––––
(511)
––––––––

(1,044)
––––––––
(2,011)
––––––––

The past service cost of £6,056,000 relates to recently enacted legislation in Bangladesh which requires companies to make
a payment to employees on retirement or other events terminating employment, based upon compensation and length of
service. Current service costs for the overseas operations included £376,000 arising from these changes.

Employer contributions to defined contribution schemes are charged to profit when payable and the costs charged were
£3,984,000 (2014: £3,213,000).

77

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 78

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

33 Employee benefit obligations (continued)

Actuarial gains and losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income
The amounts included in the statement of comprehensive income:

UK 
£’000 

2015
Overseas 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

UK 
£’000 

2014
Overseas 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

Actual return less expected return on 

pension scheme assets

1,380 

(301)

1,079 

3,881 

(106)

3,775

Experience gains/(losses) arising on 

scheme liabilities

2,307 

(840)

1,467 

(2,501)

(312)

(2,813)

Changes in assumptions underlying 
present value of scheme liabilities

Actuarial gain/(loss)

6,960 
––––––––
10,647 
––––––––

(391)
––––––––
(1,532)
––––––––

6,569 
––––––––
9,115 
––––––––

(19,035)
––––––––
(17,655)
––––––––

(2,268)
––––––––
(2,686)
––––––––

(21,303)
––––––––
(20,341)
––––––––

Cumulative actuarial losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income are £35,000,000 (2014: £44,115,000).

The employer contributions to be paid to the UK defined benefit pension scheme for the year commencing
1 January 2016 is 20.0% of pensionable salary for active members plus £918,000 additional contribution to reduce the
scheme's funding deficit.

34 Share capital

Authorised: 2,842,000 (2014: 2,842,000) ordinary shares of 10p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid: ordinary shares of 10p each:
At 1 January - 2,824,500 (2014: 2,829,700) shares 
Purchase of own shares - nil (2014: 5,200) shares 

At 31 December - 2,824,500 (2014: 2,824,500) shares

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

284
––––––––––

284
––––––––––

282
–
––––––––––
282
––––––––––

283
(1)
––––––––––
282
––––––––––

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

78

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Notes to the accounts

35 Reconciliation of profit from operations to cash flow

Group
Profit from operations
Share of associates’ results
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment of assets
Gain arising from changes in fair value of biological assets
Profit on disposal of non-current assets
Profit on disposal of investments
Profit on part disposal of subsidiary
Increase/(decrease) in working capital
Pensions and similar provisions less payments
Biological assets capitalised cultivation costs
Biological assets decreases due to harvesting
Net decrease in funds of banking subsidiaries

Cash generated from operations

36 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash

Group
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Net cash (inflow)/outflow from (increase)/decrease in debt

Increase/(decrease) in net cash resulting from cash flows
Exchange rate movements

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

Net cash at end of year

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

37,627
(4,182)
10,040 
552
(20,639)
(3,825)
(353)
(30)
12,812
4,025 
(6,111)
9,400
68
––––––––––
39,384
––––––––––

18,003
(1,092)
10,165
3,494
(8,820)
(125)
(447)
(56)
(6,326)
(1,235)
(5,636)
8,604
551
––––––––––
17,080
––––––––––

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

12,450
(5,599)
––––––––––
6,851
(971)
––––––––––
5,880
53,982 
––––––––––
59,862
––––––––––

(19,915)
60
––––––––––
(19,855)
1,128
––––––––––
(18,727)
72,709
––––––––––
53,982
––––––––––

79

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

37 Commitments

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

Group 
Property, plant and equipment
Biological assets

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

1,316
51
––––––––––
1,367
––––––––––

824 
–
––––––––––
824
––––––––––

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

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

1,367
2,569
15,017
––––––––––
18,953
––––––––––

187
224
––––––––––
411
––––––––––

826
2,206
12,875
––––––––––
15,907
––––––––––

99
128
––––––––––
227
––––––––––

The group’s most significant operating lease commitments are long term property leases with renewal terms in excess of
60 years.

38 Contingencies

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.

80

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Notes to the accounts

39 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 30, 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..

The ratio at the year end is as follows:

Borrowings

Tangible net assets 

Ratio

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

10,497 
––––––––––

2,897
––––––––––

322,515
––––––––––

314,632
––––––––––

3.25%
––––––––––

0.92%
––––––––––

Borrowings are defined as current and non-current borrowings, as detailed in note 30.

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

Financial instruments by category
At 31 December 2015

Group
Assets as per balance sheet
Available-for-sale financial assets
Held-to-maturity financial assets
Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments
Loans and advances to customers of banking subsidiaries
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank subsidiaries)
Loans and advances to banks by banking subsidiaries

Company
Available-for-sale financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and  Available for
sale
receivables
£’000 
£’000 

Held to
maturity
£’000

Total
£’000 

–
–
34,646 
35,833 
70,359 
167,413 
––––––––––
308,251 
––––––––––

30,594 
–
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
30,594 
––––––––––

–
29,510
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
29,510
––––––––––

–
2,202
––––––––––
2,202
––––––––––

170
–
––––––––––
170
––––––––––

–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

30,594
29,510
34,646
35,833
70,359
167,413
––––––––––
368,355
––––––––––

170
2,202
––––––––––
2,372
––––––––––

81

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

39 Financial instruments (continued)

Group
Liabilities as per balance sheet
Borrowings
Amounts due to customers of banking subsidiaries
Trade and other payables

Company
Trade and other payables

At 31 December 2014

Other financial 
liabilities at
amortised cost
£’000 

Total
£’000 

10,497 
208,592
52,023 
––––––––––
271,112
––––––––––

10,497
208,592
52,023
––––––––––
271,112
––––––––––

133 
––––––––––

133
––––––––––

Group
Assets as per balance sheet
Available-for-sale financial assets
Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments
Loans and advances to customers of banking subsidiaries
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank subsidiaries)
Loans and advances to banks by banking subsidiaries

Company
Available-for-sale financial assets

Loans and  Available for 
sale
receivables
£’000 
£’000 

Held to
maturity
£’000

Total
£’000 

–
38,745 
38,754 
56,879 
200,285 
––––––––––
334,663 
––––––––––

63,488 
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
63,488 
––––––––––

–
–
–
–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

63,488
38,745
38,754
56,879
200,285
––––––––––
398,151
––––––––––

–
––––––––––

170
––––––––––

–
––––––––––

170
––––––––––

Group
Liabilities as per balance sheet
Borrowings (excluding finance lease liabilities)
Finance lease liabilities
Amounts due to customers of banking subsidiaries
Trade and other payables
Other non-current liabilities

Company
Trade and other payables

82

Other financial 
liabilities at
amortised cost
£’000 

Total
£’000 

2,893 
4 
214,807 
46,311 
98 
––––––––––
264,113 
––––––––––

2,893
4
214,807
46,311
98
––––––––––
264,113
––––––––––

134 
––––––––––

134
––––––––––

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 83

Notes to the accounts

39 Financial instruments (continued)

Fair value estimation
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been
defined as follows:

–  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1).

– 

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly
(that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (Level 2).

– 

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

The following table presents the group's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. See note 19 for
disclosures of biological assets that are measured at fair value.

At 31 December 2015

Assets
Available-for sale financial assets:
– Equity securities
Debt investments:
– Debentures
Held-to-maturity financial assets

At 31 December 2014

Assets
Available-for sale financial assets:
– Equity securities
Debt investments:
– Debentures

Level 1
£’000 

Level 2
£’000 

Level 3
£’000 

Total
£’000 

28,791

–

1,230

30,021

573
29,510
––––––––––
58,874
––––––––––

–
–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

–
–
––––––––––
1,230
––––––––––

573
29,510
––––––––––
60,104
––––––––––

Level 1
£’000

Level 2
£’000

Level 3
£’000

Total
£’000

62,541 

–

181

62,722

766 
––––––––––
63,307 
––––––––––

–
––––––––––
–
––––––––––

–
––––––––––
181
––––––––––

766
––––––––––
63,488
––––––––––

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.

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).

83

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

39 Financial instruments (continued)

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 significant Japanese available-for-sale financial assets. A movement by
5 per cent. in the exchange rate of the Japanese Yen with Sterling, would increase/decrease the group’s equity balance by
£608,000 (2014: £563,000).

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 stock exchanges located in Bermuda,
Japan, Switzerland, UK and US. 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 £1,440,000 (2014: £3,127,000).

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 2015, 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 £266,000
(2014: £215,000) higher/lower.

At 31 December 2015, 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 £7,000
(2014: £176,000) higher/lower.

84

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Notes to the accounts

39 Financial instruments (continued)

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

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

Assets 

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000

Liabilities

2015
£’000 

2014
£’000 

136,675
76,232
13,136
4,482
15,712
11,424
36
8,198
361
1,545
2,226
898
2,104
70
506
––––––––––
273,605
––––––––––

178,831
52,105
19,403
9,827
11,915
7,873
38
4,066
527
1,359
3,346
1,153
603
407
4,465
––––––––––
295,918
––––––––––

135,356
59,126
12,714
4,151
–
512
919
3,175
353
106
–
–
2,104
69
504
––––––––––
219,089
––––––––––

143,660
42,165
18,666
5,231
2
807
785
248
522
151
–
–
598
404
4,465
––––––––––
217,704
––––––––––

(B) Credit risk
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, the largest five receivables at the year end comprise 30 per cent.
(2014: 21 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 seek to match maturing customer deposits with market placements and to use liquid assets such as
certificates of deposit. This results in reduced liquidity risk for Duncan Lawrie and the group.

At 31 December 2015, the group had undrawn committed facilities of £22,247,000 (2014: £24,995,000), all of which are
due to be reviewed within one year.

85

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

39 Financial instruments (continued)

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 5
years
£’000 

Undated
£’000 

Total
£’000 

At 31 December 2015
Assets
Available-for-sale financial assets
Held-to-maturity financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers 

of banking subsidiaries
Cash and cash equivalents 

(excluding bank subsidiaries)
Loans and advances to banks by 

banking subsidiaries

Liabilities
Borrowings (excluding finance 

lease liabilities)

Deposits by banks at banking subsidiaries
Customer accounts held at
banking subsidiaries
Trade and other payables

At 31 December 2014
Assets
Available-for-sale financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers 

of banking subsidiaries
Cash and cash equivalents 

(excluding bank subsidiaries)
Loans and advances to banks by 

banking subsidiaries

Liabilities
Borrowings (excluding finance 

lease liabilities)
Finance lease liabilities
Deposits by banks at banking subsidiaries
Customer accounts held at
banking subsidiaries
Trade and other payables
Other non-current liabilities

143
1,849
33,482

143
9,352
1,164

287
12,667
–

14,167

6,698

14,656

70,359

–

–

–
5,642
–

216

–

30,021
–
–

96

–

30,594
29,510
34,646

35,833

70,359

167,211
––––––––
287,211
––––––––

–
––––––––
17,357
––––––––

–
––––––––
27,610
––––––––

–
––––––––
5,858
––––––––

202
––––––––
30,319
––––––––

167,413
––––––––
368,355
––––––––

5,366
1,482

202,677
52,023
––––––––
261,548
––––––––

609
–

4,514
700

8
–

–
–

10,497
2,182

1,493
–
––––––––
2,102
––––––––

2,118
–
––––––––
7,332
––––––––

81
–
––––––––
89
––––––––

41
–
––––––––
41
––––––––

206,410
52,023
––––––––
271,112
––––––––

153 
37,508 

153 
1,237 

460 
–

–
–

62,722 
–

63,488
38,745

14,345 

5,998 

15,163 

905 

2,343 

38,754

56,879 

–

–

–

–

56,879

200,131 
––––––––
309,016 
––––––––

–
––––––––
7,388 
––––––––

–
––––––––
15,623 
––––––––

–
––––––––
905 
––––––––

154 
––––––––
65,219 
––––––––

200,285
––––––––
398,151
––––––––

2,851 
4 
1,023 

208,620 
46,311 
–
––––––––
258,809 
––––––––

12 
–
1,160 

970 
–
–
––––––––
2,142 
––––––––

14 
–
–

16 
–
–

–
–
–

2,893
4
2,183

2,916 
–
–
––––––––
2,930 
––––––––

84 
–
98 
––––––––
198 
––––––––

34 
–
–
––––––––
34 
––––––––

212,624
46,311
98
––––––––
264,113 
––––––––

86

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 87

Notes to the accounts

39 Financial instruments (continued)

Included in loans and advances to banks by banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £120,627,000
(2014: £170,486,000) repayable on demand, £43,084,000 (2014: £29,645,000) repayable within 3 months and
£3,500,000 (2014: £nil) repayable between 3 and 12 months.

Included in loans and advances to customers of banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £5,031,000
(2014: £3,723,000) repayable on demand, £4,445,000 (2014: £2,202,000) repayable within 3 months and £4,691,000
(2014: £8,420,000) repayable between 3 and 12 months.

Included in held-to-maturity financial assets repayable in less than 1 year is £1,849,000 (2014: £nil) repayable between 3
and 12 months.

Included in deposits by banks at banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £363,000 (2014: £815,000)
repayable on demand and £1,119,000 (2014: £208,000) repayable between 3 and 12 months.

Included in customer accounts held at banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £176,736,000
(2014: £179,179,000) repayable on demand, £22,457,000 (2014: £25,871,000) repayable within 3 months and
£3,484,000 (2014: £3,570,000) repayable between 3 and 12 months.

Included in borrowings in less than 1 year is £4,753,000 (2014: £2,757,000) repayable on demand.

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings 

Subsidiary undertakings 
The subsidiary undertakings of the group at 31 December 2015, which are wholly owned and incorporated in Great
Britain unless otherwise stated, were:

Principal
country of
operation

Agriculture
Amgoorie India Limited (Incorporated in India – 99.8% holding)
Amo Tea Company Limited
C.C. Lawrie Comércio e Participacões Ltda. (Incorporated in Brazil)
Chittagong Warehouse Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh – 93.3% holding)
Duncan Brothers Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh)
Eastern Produce Cape (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa)
Eastern Produce Kenya Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – 70.0% holding)
Eastern Produce Malawi Limited (Incorporated in Malawi– 73.2% holding)
Eastern Produce South Africa (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa – 73.2% holding)
Eastland Camellia Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh – 93.8% holding)
Goodricke Group Limited (Incorporated in India – 76.5% holding)
Eastern Produce Estates South Africa (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa – held by
Easten Produce South Africa (Pty) Limited)
Horizon Farms (An United States of America general partnership – 80% holding)
Kakuzi Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – 50.7% holding)
Koomber Tea Company Limited (Incorporated in India)
Octavius Steel & Company of Bangladesh Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh)
Robertson Bois Dickson Anderson Limited
Stewart Holl (India) Limited (Incorporated in India – 92.0% holding)
Surmah Valley Tea Company Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh)
The Allynugger Tea Company Limited
The Chandpore Tea Company Limited
The Lungla (Sylhet) Tea Company Limited
The Mazdehee Tea Company Limited
Victoria Investments Limited (Incorporated in Malawi– 73.2% holding)
Zetmac (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa – 55.8% held by Easten Produce
Estates South Africa (Pty) Limited)

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

South Africa
USA
Kenya
India
Bangladesh
UK
India
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Malawi

South Africa

87

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

Engineering
Abbey Metal Finishing Company Limited
AJT Engineering Limited
AKD Engineering Limited
Atfin GmbH (Incorporated in Germany – 51.0% holding)
British Metal Treatments Limited
GU Cutting and Grinding Services Limited
Unochrome Investments Limited (formerly Loddon Engineering Limited)

Food Service
Affish BV (Incorporated in Holland)
Associated Cold Stores & Transport Limited
Duncan Products Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh)
Wylax International BV (Incorporated in Holland)

Banking and Financial Services
DDY Nominees Limited
Duncan Lawrie Limited
Duncan Lawrie Asset Management Limited
Duncan Lawrie Holdings Limited
Duncan Lawrie International Holdings Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)
Duncan Lawrie (IOM) Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)
Duncan Lawrie Offshore Services Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)
Dunlaw Nominees Limited
Dunman Nominees Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)
Havelock Nominees Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)
Hobart Place Nominees Limited
Mount Havelock Directors Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)
Mount Havelock Investments Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)
Mount Havelock Secretaries Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)

Investment Holding
Affish Limited
Assam Dooars Investments Limited
Associated Fisheries Limited
Bordure Limited
Duncan Properties Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh)
Eastern Produce Investments Limited
EP USA Inc. (Incorporated in the United States of America)
EP California Inc. (Incorporated in the United States of America)
John Ingham & Sons Limited
Lawrie (Bermuda) Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda)
Lawrie Group Plc (Owned directly by the company)
Lawrie International Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda)
Linton Park Plc (Owned directly by the company)
Lintak Investments Limited (Incorporated in Kenya)
Longbourne Holdings Limited
Plantation House Investments Limited
(Incorporated in Malawi – 50.2% held by subsidiaries)
Shula Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)

88

Principal 
country of 
operation 

UK
UK
UK
Germany
UK
UK
UK

The Netherlands
UK
Bangladesh
The Netherlands

UK
UK
UK
UK
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
UK
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
UK
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man

UK
UK
UK
UK
Bangladesh
UK
USA
USA
UK
Bermuda
UK
Bermuda
UK
Kenya
Bangladesh
Malawi

Isle of Man

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 89

Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

Investment Holding (continued)
Unochrome Industries Limited
Western Dooars Investments Limited

Other
Linton Park Services Limited
XiMo AG (Incorporated in Switzerland – 51.0% holding)

Dormant companies
ACS&T Gloucester Limited
ACS&T Grimsby Limited
ACS&T Humberside Limited
ACS&T Seamer Limited
ACS&T Tewkesbury Limited
ACS&T Wolverhampton Limited
Alex Lawrie & Company Limited 
Amgoorie Investments Limited 
Assam-Dooars Holdings Limited 
Associated Fisheries (Scotland) Limited
Banbury Tea Warehouses Limited 
Blantyre & East Africa Limited
Blantyre Insurance & General Agencies Limited (Incorporated in Malawi)
Bonathaba Farms (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa)
British African Tea Estates (Holdings) Limited
British African Tea Estates Limited
British Heat Treatments Limited
British Indian Tea Company Limited 
British United Trawlers Limited
BTS Chemicals Limited
BUT Engineers (Fleetwood) Limited
BUT Engineers (Grimsby) Limited
Camellia Investments Limited 
Chisambo Holdings Limited
Chisambo Tea Estate Limited
Cholo Holdings Limited
Craighead Investments Limited
David Field Limited 
East African Tea Plantations Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – held by Eastern Produce Kenya Limited)
Eastern Produce Africa Limited
Eastern Produce Kakuzi Services Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – held by Kakuzi Limited)
EP (RBDA) Limited (Incorporated in Malawi – Eastern Produce Malawi Limited)
Estate Services Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – held by Kakuzi Limited)
Feltham 1 Limited
Feltham 2 Limited
Fescol Limited
G. F. Sleight & Sons Limited
Goodricke Lawrie Consultants Limited 
Gotha Tea Estates Limited
Granton Transport Limited

Principal 
country of 
operation 

UK
UK

UK
Switzerland

UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
Malawi
South Africa
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
Kenya
UK
Kenya
Malawi
Kenya
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK

89

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 90

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

Dormant companies (continued)
Hamstead Village Investments Limited
Hellyer Brothers Limited
Horace Hickling & Co. Limited 
Hudson Brothers Trawlers Limited
Humber Commercials Limited
Humber St. Andrew's Engineering Company Limited
Isa Bheel Tea Company Limited 
Jatel Plc
Jetinga Holdings Limited 
Jetinga Valley Tea Company Limited 
Kaguru EPZ Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – held by Kakuzi Limited)
Kapsumbeiwa Factory Company Limited
Kip Koimet Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – held by Eastern Produce Kenya Limited)
Kumadzi Tea Estates Limited
Lankapara Tea Company Limited 
Lawrie Bhutan Limited
Lawrie Plantation Services Limited 
Leasing Investments Limited
Nasonia Tea Company Limited (Incorporated in Malawi)
North West Profiles Limited
Octavius Steel & Company (London) Limited 
Robert Hudson Holdings Limited
Rosehaugh (Africa) Limited
Ruo Estates Limited
Ruo Estates Holdings Limited
Sandbach Export Limited
Sapekoe Pusela (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa – held by Easten Produce
South Africa (Pty) Limited)
Silverthorne-Gillott Limited
SIS Securities Limited
Sterling Industrial Securities Limited
Stewart Holl Investments Limited 
The Amgoorie Tea Estates Limited 
The Bagracote Tea Company, Limited 
The Ceylon Upcountry Tea Estates Limited
The Dejoo Tea Company Limited 
The Dhoolie Tea Company Limited 
The Doolahat Tea Company Limited 
The Eastern Produce & Estates Company Limited
The Endogram Tea Company Limited 
The Harmutty Tea Company Limited 
The Jhanzie Tea Association Limited 
The Kapsumbeiwa Tea Company Limited
The Longai Valley Tea Company Limited 
The Tyspane Tea Company Limited
Thyolo Highlands Tea Estates Limited

90

Principal 
country of 
operation 

UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
Kenya
UK
Kenya
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
Malawi
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK

South Africa
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 91

Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Dormant companies (continued)
Vaghamon (Travancore) Tea Company Limited 
Walter Duncan & Goodricke Limited 
WDG Properties Limited 
Western Dooars Tea Holdings Limited 

Summarised financial information on subsidiaries with material non-controlling interests

Summarised balance sheet

UK
UK
UK
UK

Current
Assets 
Liabilities

Total current net assets/(liabilities)

Non-current
Assets 
Liabilities 

Total non-current net assets

Net assets

Current
Assets 
Liabilities 

Total current net assets 

Non-current
Assets 
Liabilities 

Total non-current net assets 

Net assets

Eastern Produce
Kenya Limited 
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000

2015
£’000 

Eastern Produce
Malawi Limited
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000

2015
£’000 

24,074
(18,516)
––––––––––
5,558
––––––––––

17,573
(9,802)
––––––––––
7,771 
––––––––––

7,075
(8,963)
––––––––––
(1,888)
––––––––––

9,333
(12,811)
––––––––––
(3,478)
––––––––––

24,075
(6,152)
––––––––––
17,923
––––––––––
23,481
––––––––––

25,108
(6,861)
––––––––––
18,247
––––––––––
26,018
––––––––––

53,069
(15,932)
––––––––––
37,137
––––––––––
35,249
––––––––––

52,158
(14,756)
––––––––––
37,402
––––––––––
33,924
––––––––––

Eastern Produce 
South Africa Limited 
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000

2015
£’000 

Goodricke Group
Limited 
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000

2015
£’000 

4,562
(1,135)
––––––––––
3,427
––––––––––

3,682
(643)
––––––––––
3,039
––––––––––

30,181
(16,866)
––––––––––
13,315
––––––––––

28,589
(14,463)
––––––––––
14,126
––––––––––

4,829
(1,251)
––––––––––
3,578
––––––––––
7,005
––––––––––

5,371
(1,345)
––––––––––
4,026
––––––––––
7,065
––––––––––

24,258
(6,316)
––––––––––
17,942
––––––––––
31,257
––––––––––

23,627
(6,787)
––––––––––
16,840
––––––––––
30,966
––––––––––

91

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 92

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

Current
Assets 
Liabilities 

Total current net assets

Non-current 
Assets 
Liabilities 

Total non-current net assets

Net assets

Summarised income statement

Revenue 

Profit before tax 
Taxation 
Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Total comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income allocated to 

non-controlling interests 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Horizon Farms 
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000 

2015
£’000 

Kakuzi Limited 
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000

2015
£’000 

2,531
(647)
––––––––––
1,884
––––––––––

2,633
(318)
––––––––––
2,315
––––––––––

10,027
(2,500)
––––––––––
7,527
––––––––––

8,256
(1,316)
––––––––––
6,940
––––––––––

9,262
(875)
––––––––––
8,387
––––––––––
10,271
––––––––––

8,536
(829)
––––––––––
7,707
––––––––––
10,022
––––––––––

20,155
(4,912)
––––––––––
15,243
––––––––––
22,770
––––––––––

19,095
(4,924)
––––––––––
14,171
––––––––––
21,111
––––––––––

Eastern Produce 
Kenya Limited
for year ended 
31 December 

Eastern Produce 
Malawi Limited 
for year ended
31 December 

2015
£’000 
39,280
––––––––––
13,227
(4,008)
25
––––––––––
9,244
––––––––––

2014
£’000
27,783
––––––––––
4,936
(1,537)
(127)
––––––––––
3,272
––––––––––

2015
£’000 
15,538
––––––––––
21,037
(7,267)
–
––––––––––
13,770
––––––––––

2014
£’000 
18,113
––––––––––
10,858
(3,279)
–
––––––––––
7,579
––––––––––

2,773
3,026

982
2,686

3,690
597

2,031
698

92

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 93

Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

Eastern Produce 
South Africa Limited 
for year ended 
31 December 

Goodricke Group
Limited 
for year ended
31 December 

2015
£’000 
4,866
––––––––––
2,478
(748)
–
––––––––––
1,730
––––––––––

2014
£’000 
4,448
––––––––––
975
(306)
–
––––––––––
669
––––––––––

2015 
£’000 
67,461
––––––––––
2,241
(1,059)
(118)
––––––––––
1,064
––––––––––

2014
£’000
59,569
––––––––––
5,157
(1,509)
(1,206)
––––––––––
2,442
––––––––––

511
68

179
–

241
224

782
211

Horizon Farms 
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000 
5,101
––––––––––
3,246
(1,243)
–
––––––––––
2,003
––––––––––

2015
£’000 
4,052
––––––––––
1,620
(616)
–
––––––––––
1,004
––––––––––

Kakuzi Limited 
as at 31 December 
2014
£’000
10,101
––––––––––
1,607
(501)
(41)
––––––––––
1,065
––––––––––

2015
£’000 
14,726
––––––––––
5,105
(1,581)
33
––––––––––
3,557
––––––––––

201
262

401
–

1,754
242

525
250

Revenue 

Profit before tax 
Taxation 
Other comprehensive expense

Total comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income allocated to 

non-controlling interests 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Revenue 

Profit before tax 
Taxation 
Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Total comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income allocated to 

non-controlling interests 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

93

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Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts
Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

Summarised cash flows 

Eastern Produce 
Kenya Limited 
for year ended 
31 December 
2014
£’000 

2015
£’000

Eastern Produce
Malawi Limited 
for year ended
31 December 
2014
£’000 

2015
£’000

Eastern Produce
South Africa Limited
for year ended
31 December 
2014
£’000 

2015
£’000

Cash flows from operating activities 
Cash generated from operations 
Net interest received 
Income tax paid 

16,421
1,284
(1,847)
––––––––
Net cash generated from operating activities  15,858
––––––––
(945)
––––––––
(10,085)
––––––––

Net cash used in investing activities 

Net cash used in financing activities

4,272 
831 
(1,462)
––––––––
3,641 
––––––––
(856)
––––––––
(8,954)
––––––––

4,828

(6,169)

10,291

16,194 

3,489
(284)
(1,289)
––––––––
1,916
––––––––
(581)
––––––––
(2,229)
––––––––

(894)

(282)

4,602
815 
(1,335)
––––––––
4,082 
––––––––
(1,655)
––––––––
(2,605)
––––––––

854
72
(233)
––––––––
693
––––––––
(288)
––––––––
(45)
––––––––

9 
64 
–
––––––––
73 
––––––––
(461)
––––––––
13 
––––––––

(178)

360

(375)

(113)

1,764

2,221 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 

equivalents and bank overdrafts 
Cash, cash equivalents and bank 
overdrafts at beginning of year 

Exchange (losses)/gains on 

cash and cash equivalents 

Cash, cash equivalents and bank

overdrafts at end of year 

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 
Net interest received 
Income tax paid 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

and bank overdrafts 

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

Cash, cash equivalents and 

bank overdrafts at end of year 

94

(236)
––––––––

266 
––––––––

272
––––––––

9 
––––––––

(426)
––––––––

(82)
––––––––

14,883
––––––––

10,291 
––––––––
Goodricke Group Limited 
for year ended 
31 December
2014
£’00

2015
£’000 

(904)
––––––––

(282)
––––––––
Horizon Farms 
for year ended 
31 December
2014
£’00

2015
£’000 

1,698
––––––––

1,764 
––––––––
Kakuzi Limited 
for year ended 
31 December
2014
£’000

2015
£’00

4,267
–
(855)
––––––––
3,412
––––––––
(1,359)
––––––––
(1,255)
––––––––

3,929 
–
(1,659)
––––––––
2,270 
––––––––
(1,511)
––––––––
(1,269)
––––––––

3,312
–
(307)
––––––––
3,005
––––––––
(403)
––––––––
(1,309)
––––––––

1,939 
–
(1,243)
––––––––
696 
––––––––
(856)
––––––––
–
––––––––

5,788
509
(536)
––––––––
5,761
––––––––
(3,997)
––––––––
(491)
––––––––

3,196 
585 
(326)
––––––––
3,455 
––––––––
(2,419)
––––––––
(507)
––––––––

798

(510)

1,293

(160)

1,273

529 

(168)

341 

898

1,005 

6,896

6,330 

2
––––––––

1 
––––––––

96
––––––––

53 
––––––––

(388)
––––––––

37 
––––––––

632
––––––––

(168)
––––––––

2,287
––––––––

898 
––––––––

7,781
––––––––

6,896 
––––––––

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 95

Notes to the accounts
Notes to the accounts

40 Subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Associated undertakings
The principal associated undertakings of the group at 31 December 2015 were: 

Insurance and banking
BF&M Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda - common stock) 
United Insurance Company Limited (Incorporated

in Bangladesh – ordinary shares) 

United Finance Limited (Incorporated in Bangladesh – ordinary shares) 

41 Control of Camellia Plc

Principal 
country of 
operation 

Accounting
date 
2015

Bermuda

31 December

Bangladesh
Bangladesh

31 December
31 December

Group
interest 
in equity 
capital 
per cent. 

36.1

37.0
38.4

Camellia Holding AG continues to hold 1,427,000 ordinary shares of Camellia Plc (representing 51.67 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
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.

95

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Camellia Plc

Report of the independent auditors

Independent auditors’ report to the members of Camellia Plc

Report on the financial statements

Our opinion 
In our opinion:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Camellia Plc’s group financial statements and company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair
view of the state of the group’s and of the company’s affairs as at 31 December 2015 and of the group’s profit and the
group’s and the company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European Union;

the company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with 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.

What we have audited
The financial statements, included within the Annual Report, comprise:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

the Consolidated and Company balance sheet as at 31 December 2015;

the Consolidated income statement and Statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended;

the Consolidated and Company cash flow statement for the year then ended;

the Group and Company Statements of changes in equity for the year then ended;

the accounting policies; and

the notes to the financial statements, which include other explanatory information.

Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere in the Annual Report, rather than in the notes to the financial
statements. These are cross-referenced from the financial statements and are identified as audited.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the
European Union, and applicable law, as regards the company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions
of the Companies Act 2006.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the directors have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in
respect of significant accounting estimates. In making such estimates, they have made assumptions and considered future events.

Opinions on matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Strategic Report and the Report of the directors for the financial year for which the
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Other matters on which we are required to report by exception

Adequacy of accounting records and information and explanations received
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received
from branches not visited by us; or

the company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

96

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Report of the independent auditors

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration
specified by law are not made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. 

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit

Our responsibilities and those of the directors 
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 29, the directors are responsible for the
preparation of the 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 financial statements in accordance with applicable law and
International Standards on Auditing (UK & Ireland) (“ISAs (UK & 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.

What an audit of financial statements involves
We conducted our audit in accordance with ISAs (UK and Ireland). 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 the 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. 

We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming our own
judgements, and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements.

We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide
a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive
procedures or a combination of both. 

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Report and accounts to identify material
inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect
based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become
aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

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

27 April 2016

97

240068 Camellia R&A pp70-end  27/04/2016  10:38  Page 98

Camellia Plc

Five year record

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

2013
£’000 

2012
£’000 

2011
£’000

Revenue – continuing operations

257,800 
––––––––––

238,868 
––––––––––

251,267 
––––––––––

261,529 
––––––––––

246,849
––––––––––

Profit before tax
Taxation

Profit from continuing operations

40,524
(18,590)
––––––––––
21,934
––––––––––

21,983 
(13,673)
––––––––––
8,310 
––––––––––

59,648 
(22,105)
––––––––––
37,543 
––––––––––

69,710 
(25,662)
––––––––––
44,048 
––––––––––

58,650
(16,860)
––––––––––
41,790
––––––––––

Profit attributable to owners of the parent

12,449
––––––––––

2,836 
––––––––––

28,297 
––––––––––

31,210 
––––––––––

33,086
––––––––––

Equity dividends paid

Equity
Called up share capital
Reserves

Total shareholders’ funds

3,480 
––––––––––

3,452
––––––––––

3,388 
––––––––––

3,224
––––––––––

3,057
––––––––––

282 
330,148
––––––––––
330,430
––––––––––

282 
321,422 
––––––––––
321,704 
––––––––––

283 
332,183 
––––––––––
332,466 
––––––––––

284 
313,526 
––––––––––
313,810 
––––––––––

284
321,308
––––––––––
321,592
––––––––––

Earnings per share
Dividend paid per share

450.7p
126p 

102.7p 
125p 

102.2p 
122p 

1,122.9p 
116p 

1,190.4p
110p

98

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