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Cineworld Group

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FY2018 Annual Report · Cineworld Group
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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

THE BEST PLACE  
TO WATCH A MOVIE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OUR PURPOSE 

To provide our customers with a  
choice of how to watch a movie, in 
modern state-of-the-art cinemas with  
the latest technology and a variety  
of retail offerings, all underpinned  
by great customer service.

OUR BUSINESS AT A GLANCE
We are an international cinema chain operating in ten 
different countries with 790 sites and 9,518 screens. We are 
focused on providing our customers with the best possible 
cinema experience, offering a variety of movies, as well as 
different formats using the latest technologies. Our vision  
is always to be “The Best Place to Watch a Movie”.

OUR GLOBAL THEATRE OPERATIONS: 10 COUNTRIES, 790 SITES, 9,518 SCREENS

UK & Ireland

Poland

Czech  
Republic

Slovakia

United States

Read more about our Regal acquisition page 6

Hungary

Romania

Bulgaria

Israel

130

Number of  
IMAX screens

53

Number of  
4DX screens

PLF
116

Number of  
PLF(1) screens

19

Number of  
ScreenX  screens

Country

US

UK & Ireland

Poland

Romania

Hungary

Czech Republic

Israel

Bulgaria

Slovakia

Total

Total no.  
of sites

Total no.  

of screens

555

124

7,269

1,119

34

26

17

14

11

6

3

377

237

153

133

136

65

29

No. of 
screens 
opened 
in 2018

No. of  
4DX 
screens

No. of 
IMAX 
screens

No. of 
ScreenX 
screens

59

43

–

6

–

–

–

–

–

8

21

6

5

3

3

4

2

1

95

21

6

2

1

1

3

1

–

9

8

–

–

1

–

1

–

–

790

9,518

108

53

130

19

A BRIEF HISTORY

2018 HIGHLIGHTS

1995
Cineworld Group plc 
was founded.

2007
The Group listed  
on the London  
Stock Exchange  
in May 2007.

2012
The Group acquired 
the arts chain 
of cinemas, 
Picturehouse.

2014
Completed 
combination with 
Cinema City 
International  
N.V.

2018
Completed  
acquisition of Regal 
Entertainment  
Group.

Group pro-forma(2)  
revenue $m

Adjusted pro-forma(2)  
EBITDA(2) $m

4,711.4

(+7.2%)

1,072.4(3)

(+9.4%)

Adjusted profit after tax(3) $m

Profit after tax(3) $m

345.3

(+148.4%)

284.3

(+119.5%)

Adjusted diluted EPS(3)  
(rights adjusted) $c 

Diluted EPS(3) 
(rights adjusted) $c

27.2

(+20.4%)

22.4

(+7.1%)

DPS(3)  
(rights adjusted) $c

Pro-forma(2)  
admissions m

15.0

(+17.6%)

308.4

(+2.6%)

Total Shareholder Return 

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1,000

800

600

400

200

0
Dec
2008

Dec
2009

Dec
2010

Dec
2011

Dec
2012

Dec
2013

Dec
2014

Dec
2015

Dec
2016

Dec
2017

Dec
2018

OUR BRANDS

Cineworld

FTSE 250

FTSE All-Share Travel & Leisure

Screens 

7,269

SItes

555

Screens 

1,038

SItes

100

Screens 

994

SItes

100

Screens 

81

SItes

24

Screens 

136

SItes

11

(1)  PLF is defined as Premium Large Format and includes RPX screens in the US and Superscreen screens in the UK and ROW.

(2) Pro-forma results reflect the Group and US performance had Regal been consolidated for the entirety of the period from 1 January 2018. For 

the purposes of percentage movements, the same comparative period has been applied. Performance against the comparative period has been 
calculated by taking the Regal performance, converted to IFRS, for the same period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December2017, to present the 
consolidated performance as if Regal had been acquired on 1 January 2017. 

(3) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Operating profit plus share of profits from joint ventures using the equity accounting method net of tax adjusted 
for depreciation and amortisation, onerous lease charges and releases, impairments and reversals of impairments, transaction and reorganisation 
costs, gains/losses on disposals of assets and subsidiaries, share based payment charges, and share of profits received from associates in excess of 
distributions or any undistributed such profits. Adjusted profit before tax is calculated by adding back amortisation of intangible assets (excluding 
acquired film distribution rights), and certain non-recurring or non-cash items and foreign exchange difference arising on monetary assets and 
liabilities as set out in Note 6. Adjusted profit before tax is an internal measure used by management, as they believe it better reflects the underlying 
performance of the Group and therefore a more meaningful comparison of performance from period to period. Adjusted profit after tax is arrived at 
by applying an effective tax rate to taxable adjustments and deducting the total from adjusted profit before tax. 

 
 
 
 
 
Part I
Strategic Report

Part II
Corporate Governance

Part III
Financial Statements

02
Chairman’s Letter

04
Chief Executive Officer’s Review

10
Market Drivers

12
Our Business Model

14
Strategy in Action

22
Risk Management

23
Principal Risks and Uncertainties

28
Resources and Relationships

31
Chief Financial Officer’s Review

36
Chairman’s Introduction  
to Governance

38
Board of Directors

40
Leadership

43
Effectiveness

46
Nomination Committee Report

48
Accountability

50
Audit Committee Report

55
Directors’ Remuneration Report

67
Directors’ Report

73
Statement of  
Directors’ Responsibilities

74
Independent Auditor’s Report

83
Consolidated Statement  
of Profit or Loss

84
Consolidated Statement of 
Other Comprehensive Income

85
Consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position

86
Consolidated Statement of 
Changes in Equity

87
Consolidated Statement  
of Cash Flows

88
Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements

130
Company Statement of  
Financial Position

131
Company Statement of  
Changes in Equity

132
Notes to the Company 
Financial Statements

140
Shareholder Information

Visit our website

For more information visit: 
www.cineworldplc.com

01

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

A TRANSFORMATIVE 
YEAR

Anthony Bloom
CHAIRMAN

OVERVIEW
2018 was a transformative year for the Cineworld Group.  
The acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group (“Regal”)  
on 28 February made us into a global operator and the  
second largest cinema chain in the world. By the end of 2018, 
the Group was operating 9,518 screens in 790 sites across 
10 countries. This significant achievement would have been 
difficult to imagine when we began operations in 1996.

Since that time, both profits and dividends have increased 
each year, and in the UK alone over 5,000 jobs have been 
created. The Group is very proud of this record and I am 
confident its growth will continue in the future.

So it gives me great pleasure to present shareholders with  
this Annual Report, being the Group’s first inclusive of the 
results of our US operations. As you will see, the acquisition 
has proved very successful commercially as regards the 
integration of the business.

Group Pro-forma revenue for the year increased by 7.2% to 
$4,711.4m (2017:$4,394.5m), and Adjusted Pro-forma EBITDA 
rose to $1,072.4m (2017: $979.9m). The growth was driven  
by the inclusion of the US operations, where on a Pro-forma 
basis, revenue and Adjusted EBTIDA for the Regal business 
grew by 8.6% and 13.2% respectively. 

The US now represents 74.8% of revenue on a Pro-forma  
basis with the UK representing 14.8% and the Rest of  
the World (“ROW”) 10.4%. As the US is by far the largest 
segment of the Group’s operations, the Board has decided  
that the Group’s results should be reported in US dollars  
to provide a more meaningful picture of its activities; this 
Annual Report is the first in that currency.

02

The Group’s UK and ROW operations also continued to perform 
well, against a bar set very high by 2017’s record year in Europe. 
I am pleased to report that the UK achieved revenue growth of 
3.3% with the figure for ROW revenue growth being 3.6%.

Following the combination with Cinema City International N.V. 
(“Cinema City”) in 2014, the Board and Executive Management 
Team adopted a Strategic Operating Plan which consists of:

 —  the opening of new cinemas in areas considered to have the 

potential for double digit growth rates; 

 —  the pursuit of suitable acquisition opportunities;

 —  the refurbishment of the existing estate by introducing 
state-of-the-art design and installing the latest cutting  
edge screening and other technology; 

 —  a consistent focus on cost reduction;

 —  the implementation of a programme to continuously 

optimise the customer experience; and

 —  always living up to our vision to be “The Best Place  

to Watch a Movie”.

During this landmark year in the Group’s development, this 
Strategic Operating Plan remained the focus for generating 
further success. These broad objectives remain relevant for  
the Group and going forward will be extended to encompass 
the operations of Regal.

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 —  Camela Galano was appointed to the Board as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director. Camela began her career at New Line 
Cinema, progressing to the role of President of International 
Sales, Marketing & Distribution, where she oversaw the 
international distribution of innumerable titles, including the 
blockbuster trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”. Subsequently, 
Camela became the President of International Film Acquisitions 
for Warner Bros. Following her time at Warner Bros. she 
served as President of Relativity International, overseeing 
global sales, marketing and distribution management of 
Relativity’s own titles, acquisitions and third party releases. 
Camela is a long-time member of the Academy of Motion 
Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of  
Film and Television Arts. Camela is Head of International  
at Studio 8. 

OUTLOOK
Looking to 2019 and beyond, it is clear to me that it will be  
an exciting time for the Group. Our well diversified cinema 
estate, along with continued investment in the UK and ROW 
circuits and our development plans for the US leave us well 
placed to take advantage of the strong film slate ahead.

We will focus on maximising cash flow to expand and refurbish 
our cinemas, while at the same time reducing borrowing levels 
and maintaining our well established dividend policy. I remain 
confident that we have the right team and resources to continue 
growing and making the most of the opportunities ahead. 

Anthony Bloom
CHAIRMAN
28 March 2019

 In 2018 the Group 
became a global  
cinema operator.

While mentioning Regal, I would like to acknowledge the 
tremendous work undertaken by the management and staff  
on both sides of the Atlantic with regard to the integration  
and development of the Regal business and cinema estate.  
I am delighted with the results achieved, but those results in  
no way diminish the significant challenge the task presented. 
Of course, the acquisition remains a significant opportunity for 
us and I believe that with the strength and experience of our 
people, the Group is well positioned to make the most of it.

While 2018 has seen a focus on the integration of the US,  
there has been no reduction in the development of the estate 
and operations in the UK and ROW. We have opened six sites 
in the UK and one in ROW, while also refurbishing four sites  
in the UK.

As well as expanding our geographic footprint, the Regal 
acquisition also had a considerable impact on the Group’s 
Balance Sheet. The acquisition was funded by the proceeds  
of a fully underwritten rights issue which raised $2.3bn, and 
$4.1bn was raised with debt. 

As at 31 December 2018 the Group’s Adjusted net debt to 
Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 3.7 times. The Group is cash 
generative and has a strong record of sound capital allocation, 
enabling a significant reduction in debt in the years following the 
Cinema City combination while we also invested the strategic 
rollout of new sites and our refurbishment programme.

To demonstrate its confidence in this regard, and given the 
increase in statutory profit after tax to $284.3m (2017: $129.5), 
the Board has increased the cash dividend paid for the full year 
by 163.1%. The proposed final dividend per share is 10.15c. 

BOARD AND MANAGEMENT
The Board is committed to attaining the highest standards  
of corporate governance and applying the utmost rigour in  
our approach to areas such as gender, diversity, health and 
safety. Environmental concerns were an area focused upon, 
and appropriate improvements were made in our practices  
by reducing plastic usage and energy conservation projects.

On behalf of the Board I would like to express sincere thanks  
to our highly professional Executive Management Team and  
all of our employees for their dedication and hard work both  
in ensuring the successful completion of the Regal acquisition 
and in achieving the gratifying results now presented; their 
efforts are a credit to the Group.

The following Board changes took place during the year:

 — On 17 January 2019 the appointment of Alicja Kornasiewicz 
as Deputy Chair was announced. Alicja will succeed to the 
position of Chair when I step down at the Annual General 
Meeting (“AGM”) in 2020. Alicja has extensive experience  
in business, finance, politics and regulatory bodies, and has  
been a valuable member of the Board since 2015. I would  
like to congratulate her on her appointment.

 — Renana Teperberg, Chief Commercial Officer joined the 

Board as an Executive Director. Renana joined Cinema City 
International as a cinema cashier in 1997 while studying for  
a BA in psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 
After progressing to General Manager, she moved to the 
Cinema City Head Office where she subsequently became 
Head of Programming and Marketing. Following the 
combination with Cineworld, she became Senior Vice 
President of Commercial and then Chief Commercial  
Officer in 2016. Renana played a major role in the  
acquisition of Regal. Renana holds an executive MBA  
in business management from IDC Herzliya.

03

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER’S REVIEW

2018 HAS BEEN A 
LANDMARK YEAR 
FOR THE GROUP

Moshe Greidinger
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

OUR STRATEGY
Our strategy is to:

Provide the best  
cinema experience

Expand and  
enhance our estate

Be technological  
leaders in the industry

Drive value  
for shareholders

Read more page 14

04

2018 has been a landmark year for the Group following the 
successful acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group on 
28 February 2018. 

We are well on our way to achieving a successful business 
integration following strong performance and record box 
office results in the US. 

The combination with Regal has exceeded our expectations – 
we have incorporated the best of both companies by bringing 
together world-class talent, integrating best practice from 
both sides of the Atlantic and deepened our understanding of 
the US market. Although the Group has expanded significantly, 
our strategy and vision remain the same, to be “The Best Place 
to Watch a Movie” by continually focusing on providing the best 
customer experience, maintaining technological leadership, 
expanding and upgrading the estate, and training and retaining 
highly motivated, experienced and loyal staff.

An overview of our key achievements in 2018 is provided below.

INTEGRATION OF REGAL
Following the completion of the transaction, we spent the  
past year implementing our strategy and vision for Regal.  
I am very pleased with the Regal acquisition. Cost synergies 
are not only greater than originally expected, but they are also 
being delivered at a faster pace. Revenue synergies are well 
underway with many initiatives covering a large scope of our 
activity. We are focused on delivering on the full potential of 
the combination through the strengths of our brands, focus  
on customer experience and investment in technology.

2018 was a record year for the US box office. Audiences 
flocked to action-packed thrillers such as “Avengers: Infinity 
War”, “Black Panther” and “Venom” and re-joined some of the 
most beloved animated characters in “Incredibles 2”, “Mary 
Poppins Returns” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet”. This year 
proved again that cinema is the premier way to experience  
the magic of movies.

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018“ The combination with Regal  

has exceeded our expectations 
– we have incorporated the best 
of both companies by bringing 
together world-class talent, 
integrating best practice from 
both sides of the Atlantic and 
deepened our understanding  
of the US market.”

Leicester Square 
London, United Kingdom

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
We have expanded our viewing offering for customers  
in 2018 with the introduction of ScreenX: the world’s first 
multi-projection immersive cinema auditorium which provides  
a 270-degree viewing experience. Our cinemas now offer  
up to seven different formats of how to watch movies: regular 
screens, 3D, 4DX, ScreenX, IMAX, Premium Large Format  
and our VIP offering. Through both our expansion and our 
refurbishment programme, we are focused on ensuring as 
many of our sites provide a range of these formats for our 
customers, giving them the choice of not only which movies  
to watch, but also how to watch them.

As well as developing our exhibition offerings and ensuring 
world-class customer service, we continue to pay particular 
attention to our retail products and services. Our on-site 
concessions aim to be best in class, providing a variety of  
food, drink and snack options.

EXPANSION AND REFURBISHMENTS
As well as acquiring Regal, during 2018 we also opened 
13 additional cinemas: six in the US, six in the UK and one  
in the ROW, a total of 108 screens. We have a further 
184 screens scheduled to open in 2019 across the Group. 

Our refurbishment programme is progressing well to ensure 
we are providing consistently high quality cinemas across the 
estate. Four refurbishments were completed in the UK, including 
our flagship Leicester Square and O2 sites in London. We have 
started the refurbishment plans in the US with ten sites to be 
refurbished in the first phase of the programme. By combining 
new sites with refurbished sites to enhance the “cinema 
experience” for our customers, we want to ensure that Regal  
is “The Best Place to Watch a Movie”.

As part of our estate management, during 2018, we closed 
14 sites: 11 in the US, one in the UK and two in the ROW,  
as the lease terms expired and it was not commercially 
beneficial or feasible to renew these leases.

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Investment in technology continues to be a key pillar of our 
strategy to make the cinema “The Best Place to Watch a Movie”. 
We signed new agreements with IMAX, 4DX and ScreenX during 
2018 to install a total of 55 new IMAX Laser projectors across the 
estate, 80 4DX screens in the US and 100 ScreenX. In 2018, we 
opened 19 ScreenX and 9 4DX screens. Many customers have 
now experienced ScreenX across our estate since we launched 
the first screen in Speke in August 2018. At the end of 2018 we 
had a total of 130 IMAX screens, 53 4DX screens and 116 
Premium Large Format screens. 

In the US, our new Regal website was launched and was 
positively received by our customers and now more tickets  
are purchased online than ever. 

The Regal acquisition 
demonstrates the continued 
delivery of our strategy. 

05

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CHIEF EXECUTIVE  
OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

SPECIAL FEATURE
REGAL

DELIVERING 
ON THE FULL 
POTENTIAL 
OF THE REGAL 
ACQUISITION

“ We are focused on delivering 

on the full potential of the 
combination through the 
strengths of our brands, focus 
on customer experience and 
investment in technology.”

  Moshe Greidinger
  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

339
Washington

206
Oregon

73
Idaho

11
Montana

142
Nevada

1,073
California

14
Utah

162
Colorado

14
Arizona

60
New Mexico

2
American 
Samoa

14
Guam

7
Saipan

72
Hawaii

49
Alaska

06

>500 screens

100–500 screens

50–100 screens

<50 screens

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201820
Maine

113
Massachusetts

43
Connecticut

154
New Jersey

33
Delaware

187
Maryland

14
District of  
Columbia

16
Minnesota

33
New 
Hampshire

550
New York

16
Nebraska

84
Kansas

69
Oklahoma

26
Michigan

139
Indiana

129
Illinois

274
Ohio

52
Kentucky

179
Tennessee

311
Pennsylvania

36
West 
Virginia

429
Virginia

256
North Carolina

230
South  
Carolina

46
Mississippi

52
Alabama

288
Georgia

96
Missouri

24
Arkansas

415
Texas

43
Louisiana

674
Florida

7,269

Screens

555Sites

102RPX screens

95IMAX screens

8Number of 4DX screens

9Number of ScreenX screens

07

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CHIEF EXECUTIVE  
OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

HR AND COMMUNITY
We are committed to ensuring our people have the opportunity 
to develop themselves and reach their full potential. With the 
enlarged Group, there are now even more opportunities and we 
continue to nurture our talent and promote internally wherever 
possible. Our training programmes are specifically tailored for 
each level and department within the business to ensure 
everyone has the right knowledge and skills to provide the  
best customer service. 

Our wider communities are also important to us. Every year  
we undertake a range of activities and initiatives with charities, 
schools and community groups. Through the Regal Foundation, 
a non-profit charitable organisation, we have raised over  
$5.0m to support selected charities in the US in 2018. In the  
UK, we were proud to partner with the BBC’s Children in Need 
fundraising initiative for the third year, through which we  
raised over £600,000.

VALUE FOR SHAREHOLDERS
The cash generative nature of our business underpins our 
business model. Following the Regal acquisition, our priorities 
for the use of our cash remain consistent: to invest in the 
business to support growth in revenue and earnings, to repay 
our loan and to grow the dividend. During 2018 we have been 
able to reward shareholders with growth of 20.4% in the rights 
adjusted, adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). The 
Group maintained its dividend pay-out ratio for another year, 
increasing the full year cash dividend paid by 163.1%. The 
proposed final dividend is 10.15c per share. 

08

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Leeds, United Kingdom.

FUTURE OUTLOOK
As our integration with Regal has successfully progressed,  
we will continue to draw on the skills and expertise of our 
teams on both sides of the Atlantic and share best practice  
in everything we do. From our experience in the UK, we  
have learnt and demonstrated that the potential in a mature 
market is at least as big as in the emerging markets. While  
we delivered solid results in 2018, this is only the start of the 
enlarged Group’s journey.

Looking forward, we are well positioned to execute on our 
strategy in 2019. We have an excellent estate in the US, the UK 
and ROW which is growing and constantly being upgraded to 
enhance the cinema experience for our customers. Studios are 
more committed than ever to provide great content, including 
sequels as well as original movies, while our commitment is to 
provide the infrastructure and the great service that will keep 
the big screen as “The Best Place to Watch a Movie”. 

We look forward to the strong film slate for the remainder of 
the year. Upcoming movies include “Captain Marvel”, “Dumbo”, 
“Shazam!”, “Avengers: Endgame”, “Aladdin”, “Godzilla: King of 
the Monsters”, “Toy Story 4”, “Spider-Man: Far from Home”, 
“The Lion King”, “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”,  
“It: Chapter Two”, “Frozen 2”, “Jumanji Two”, “Star Wars: Episode IX” 
and many more.

Our motivated and dedicated teams are fundamental to us 
being able to achieve our vision to be the “Best Place to Watch 
a Movie”. 2018 has been a very significant year for the Group 
and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone 
across the Group for their continued focus and hard work. 
I look forward to continuing to work alongside the team in 2019. 

Moshe (Mooky) Greidinger
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
28 March 2019

09

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report MARKET DRIVERS

ADDRESSING OUR 
BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES 
AND CHALLENGES

Technology 
and innovation 

Property 
market and 
development

GDP and the 
economic 
environment

The rate of new cinema 
openings is often dependent 
on local market conditions. 
Planning laws, the economic 
environment and the ability  
of developers to finance their 
projects are factors which 
impact cinema location.

THE IMPACT
The local market conditions 
impact the rate and feasibility 
of new openings as well as 
which sites can be refurbished.

HOW OUR STRATEGY IS 
OPTIMISED TO RESPOND
The Group has been 
successful in opening 108  
new screens over the past 
year. As the estate is generally 
older in the mature markets, 
refurbishment of existing 
cinemas, in particular in the 
US and the UK, is a key focus 
for the Group. Where there 
are site closures, especially  
of older sites in the US and 
the UK, this also provides 
further opportunities for  
new investments.

The cinema industry  
is dependent on the 
customer choosing to  
spend disposable income  
on watching a movie.

THE IMPACT
Value for money remains  
an important factor and 
cinema has tended to be  
a less expensive form of 
entertainment in the wider 
leisure market in which the 
cinema industry competes. 
Historical trends and  
patterns show that cinema 
attendance is most closely 
related to the quality of the 
movies rather than the gross 
domestic product (“GDP”)  
of a territory.

HOW OUR STRATEGY IS 
OPTIMISED TO RESPOND
The Group monitors local and 
national markets to ensure 
ticket and concession prices 
remain a competitively priced 
form of entertainment. The 
Group invests in both the 
estate and technology to 
ensure customers receive a 
positive experience during 
every visit while getting  
value for money.

Developments in technology 
have brought new innovative 
audio and visual experiences 
to the cinema industry.

THE IMPACT
Technology impacts the 
whole customer journey from 
booking tickets to purchasing 
concessions, as well as the 
audio and visual experience. 

The digitalisation of cinemas 
has resulted in both a greater 
range of films being offered 
and the streaming of live 
events such as opera, theatre 
and ballet.

HOW OUR STRATEGY IS 
OPTIMISED TO RESPOND
Investment in technology  
is a key pillar of the Group’s 
strategy – we want to be 
leaders in this field. The 
Group was the first to launch 
ScreenX in Europe and the  
US this year and 4DX in the 
UK in 2015, and continues to 
invest and open more 4DX, 
ScreenX, IMAX and Premium 
Large Formats every year. 
The Group is continually 
reviewing and analysing the 
latest technology available  
to ensure the right 
technology is selected. 

The Group is also evolving  
its IT systems to provide 
customers with the ability to 
book online more easily and 
through mobile applications. 

10

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Competing media and 
leisure activities

Consolidation 
of the industry 

Cinematic  
window 

There have been  
ongoing discussions for  
a number of years about  
the cinematic window,  
the period between the 
release of a film in a cinema 
and on any other platform.

THE IMPACT
A material reduction in  
the cinematic window  
could reduce the cinema 
admissions per capita.

HOW OUR STRATEGY IS 
OPTIMISED TO RESPOND
There is no expectation  
that the current cinema 
window will change 
significantly in the near 
future; however, the Group 
continually monitors the 
status of this and regularly 
engages with the distributors 
to discuss the subject.

The cinema industry 
globally has recently seen 
an increase in acquisition 
activity and consolidation 
within the market.

THE IMPACT
In 2018, Vue bought German 
cinema group Cinestar, and  
in 2016 AMC Entertainment 
acquired Carmike in the US, 
Odeon in the UK and the 
Nordic Cinema Group in the 
Nordics. In the US, outside of 
the top three chains, the rest 
of the market is represented 
by smaller, independent 
cinema chains which operate 
in fewer countries and states. 

HOW OUR STRATEGY IS 
OPTIMISED TO RESPOND
The Group’s strategy  
includes identifying  
potential profitable 
opportunities to grow and 
expand the business. This  
has included the acquisition 
of Regal, making the Group 
the second largest operator  
in the world (by number  
of screens), and previously  
the acquisition in the UK  
of the six Empire cinemas.

Market 
maturity 

Where a market is in the 
maturity phase this impacts 
the level and trend of cinema 
admissions per capita.

THE IMPACT
The more mature markets 
such as the US, UK and Israel 
tend to be characterised  
by higher admissions per 
capita, higher average ticket 
prices and a lower population 
per screen ratio. Growth 
markets have the opposite 
characteristics and provide 
great expansion potential  
for the Group.

HOW OUR STRATEGY IS 
OPTIMISED TO RESPOND
The geographic spread of the 
Group provides diversification 
benefits and opportunities 
across both the more mature 
and growth markets. This 
includes the opportunity  
to open new sites as well  
as refurbish older sites, 
particularly in the more 
mature markets where the 
estate is generally older.

Competing 
media and 
leisure activities

Throughout the decades 
the cinema industry has 
always faced competition 
from other forms of media 
delivering content, for 
example video, video  
on demand (“VOD”),  
DVD and Blu-ray.

THE IMPACT
Although online streaming 
and the downloading of films 
at home are increasingly 
popular, an outing to the 
cinema provides a unique 
experience which cannot be 
replicated at home, especially 
with superior experiences 
offered by technologies such 
as IMAX, 4DX and ScreenX.  
A trip to the cinema is a  
social occasion and watching 
a movie on a large state-of-
the-art screen with superb 
sound is attractive to all age 
groups. Visiting the cinema 
remains a convenient, 
affordable out-of-home 
activity, especially when 
compared with other leisure 
activities such as concerts 
and sporting events.

HOW OUR STRATEGY IS 
OPTIMISED TO RESPOND
The Group continues to invest 
in new technology to ensure 
the experience is unique while 
remaining an affordable 
activity for the whole family. 
Going to the cinema has also 
become more than just 
watching a movie, and that  
is why the Group has invested 
in its retail offerings such as 
Starbucks in the UK and our 
VIP offering. 

11

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report OUR BUSINESS MODEL AND STRATEGY

DELIVERING ON OUR PURPOSE

OUR VISION
To be “The Best Place to Watch a Movie”.

OUR PURPOSE
To provide our customers with a choice of how to watch a movie,  
in modern state-of-the-art cinemas with the latest technology and a 
variety of retail offerings, all underpinned by great customer service.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES US

1.  Diversification of 

markets and brands

The geographic spread of our  
business reduces exposure to volatility  
in individual markets. It also provides 
opportunities across both mature  
and growth markets.

2. Latest technology
We are technological leaders in  
the industry, offering our customers  
the latest audio and visual technology. 
We have seven different formats in 
which our customers can watch a movie: 
regular screens, 3D, 4DX, IMAX, ScreenX, 
Premium Large Format (Superscreen 
and RPX) and VIP auditoriums. We set 
our prices according to the format the 
customer chooses and not the movie 
they choose.

1

2

5

3

4

3.  Enhance  

existing estate

We optimise our portfolio through selected 
refurbishment and new sites, ensuring we 
deliver a consistently high quality offering 
across the Group. Our refurbishment and 
construction programme is at the heart  
of our strategy.

5.  What we do,  
we do well

We have optimal management 
structures supported by effective 
staff planning in our cinemas allowing 
teams to be focused on operational 
excellence and maximising face time 
with customers. We believe it’s the 
“Tiny Noticeable Things” our people 
do which make the difference.

Read more page 28

12

4. Innovation
We are always striving to bring  
the latest innovation to our cinemas  
– not only through technology but 
through the design of our new  
and refurbished sites and retail 
offerings. We achieve this through  
the considerable in-house experience 
we have across our teams.

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018OUR BUSINESS IS UNDERPINNED BY

THE VALUE WE SHARE

CUSTOMERS

OUR TRUSTED 
COMMERCIAL 
RELATIONSHIPS
Delivering a high quality 
film slate is one of the  
key external drivers of  
our business. While we  
do not have control over 
the content, our close and 
long-standing relationships 
with the film distributors 
are fundamental to 
providing the best and 
most varied selection  
for our customers at the 
right time. Our brands  
are important to our 
commercial partners, 
helping to deepen our 
relationships with the film 
distributors, retail suppliers, 
advertisers and landlords. 

RISK MANAGEMENT  
AND GOVERNANCE
Maintaining and monitoring 
an effective system of risk 
management and internal 
control ensures that our 
business, people and assets 
are safeguarded and that 
material financial errors  
and irregularities are 
prevented or detected.

OUR PEOPLE
Our people are the face  
of our business. They are 
focused on ensuring that our 
customers feel more from  
the very start of their cinema 
experience. A well established 
training and development 
programme is used to 
maintain and continually 
improve standards.

OUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH
Focus on cost enables us to 
maintain healthy margins, 
which in turn drive the cash 
flow needed to continue to 
invest in and expand our 
estate. This continued 
investment ensures that we 
are able to reach as many 
customers as possible with 
the high quality experience 
we believe in. We manage 
investment in our estate  
in conjunction with the 
maintenance of a strong 
Balance Sheet, making the 
business financially secure, 
flexible and able to make 
returns to shareholders.

By delivering our vision to be 
“The Best Place to Watch a 
Movie”, we are ensuring that 
our customers feel more and 
will want to come back to our 
cinemas again and again.

2.6%

admission growth year on year

We give back to our local 
communities through a range 
of activities and initiatives such 
as partnering with distributors 
on charity screenings, providing 
free shows for organisations 
and working with local schools 
and organisations. 

$5m

donated by the  
Regal Foundation

The investment we make in 
our people, particularly through 
learning and development,  
and the way we operate are  
key to maintaining our happy 
and motivated workforce.

12 years

average length of  
manager service

We remain focused on  
driving revenues, increasing 
earnings and prudently 
managing our cash position,  
to ultimately provide returns to 
shareholders. We create value 
for shareholders through our 
focus on continually aiming to 
enhance the experience for our 
customers. We share the value 
we generate by reinvesting in 
the business and expanding our 
offer to customers, rewarding 
our employees and paying 
dividends to our shareholders.

+9.4%

Adjusted Pro-forma  
EBITDA growth

13

WIDER COMMUNITIES

EMPLOYEES

INVESTORS

Read more page 31

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report STRATEGY AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Provide the best cinema experience 
to give our customers a choice  
of how to watch a movie, with  
a variety of retail offerings,  
all underpinned by the best 
customer service

Our people continue to be pivotal in delivering our vision 
to be “The Best Place to Watch a Movie”. It’s the “Tiny 
Noticeable Things” our people do which differentiate our 
customers’ experience. Therefore, recruiting high quality 
employees and investing in their training is at the heart  
of our strategy. 

Providing our customers with choice is key – this includes  
the movies they can watch, how they watch them, the 
type of venue they watch them in and a variety of retail 
offerings provided to cater for all demographics.

WHAT WE ACHIEVED
 — Record number of admission of over 308m across  

the Group following the Regal acquisition. 

 — Our “BeMore” programme, which supports our top 
talent displaying potential and fulfils our internal 
succession requirements.

 — Awarded 58 scholarships to management staff in the US.

 — Further enhanced our customer loyalty programme 

including Regal Crown Club®.

Expand and enhance our estate to 
provide consistent, high quality, 
modern cinemas

When selecting new sites for development or sites for 
refurbishment we consider the location, accessibility, 
competition, and other local economic factors. We also 
have a selective site closure programme when the lease 
terms have expired and it is not commercially beneficial 
or feasible to renew these leases.

WHAT WE ACHIEVED
 — Acquisition of Regal in February 2018 with 559 sites 

and 7,314 screens. 

 — Opening of 13 new sites: 6 in the US, 6 in the UK  

and 1 in the ROW.

US
 — Delta Shores (CA) 

14 screens 

UK
 — Weston-Super-Mare 

7 screens

 — Celebration Pointe (FL) 

 — Dover 6 screens

10 screens

 — Lynbrook (NY) 

13 screens 

 — MGM Springfield (MA) 

7 screens

 — Cinebarre Palace 

Stations (NV) 9 screens

 — Santa Fe (NM) 6 screen

 — Speke 11 screens 

 — Picturehouse West 
Norwood 4 screens 

 — Picturehouse Ashford 

6 screens 

 — Watford 9 screens

ROW
 — Ramnicu Valcea 

(Romania) 6 screens

 — A further four refurbishments were completed in the UK.

MEASURING OUR PROGRESS
ADMISSIONS

MEASURING OUR PROGRESS
NUMBER OF NEW SCREENS 

308mGrowth +2.6%

14

1082017: 109

TOTAL NUMBER OF SCREENS

9,518

2017: 2,217

NUMBER OF MAJOR REFURBISHMENTS COMPLETED

42017: 6

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Be technological leaders in the 
industry to offer the latest audio  
and visual technology

We want to be at the forefront of providing the latest 
technology to our customers. We continue to strengthen  
and deepen our partnership and relationships with our 
technology partners ScreenX, IMAX and 4DX. 

Drive value for shareholders by 
delivering our growth plans in  
an efficient and effective way

To be able to reward our shareholders we remain 
focused on driving revenues, increasing earnings  
and prudently managing our cash position. 

WHAT WE ACHIEVED
 — The first ScreenX in Europe was opened in the  

WHAT WE ACHIEVED
 — Delivered double digit revenue and Adjusted  

UK at Speke.

EBITDA growth.

 — We are one of the largest operators of IMAX screens  

 — Adjusted diluted EPS (rights adjusted) increased  

in the US and across Europe.

by 20.4% to 27.2c.

 — The Group is the only provider of 4DX in the UK  
and an extensive provider in the US and Europe. 

 — We continued to develop and roll out our own 

Premium Large Format, with 116 across the Group  
at the end of 2018.

 — The Group maintained its dividend pay-out ratio for 
another year, increasing the full year cash dividend 
paid by 163.1%.

 —  Continued focus on driving efficiencies following the 

completion of the Regal acquisition on 28 February 2018.

MEASURING OUR PROGRESS
NUMBER OF PREMIUM FORMATS

MEASURING OUR PROGRESS
AVERAGE TICKET PRICE $

130IMAX screens (2017: 35)

53Number of 4DX screens (2017: 38)

19Number of ScreenX (2017: 0)

116Number of PLF (2017: 11)

9.3Growth +2.4%

RETAIL SPEND PER PERSON $

4.3Growth +3.6%

ADJUSTED PRO-FORMA EBITDA $m

1,072.4

Growth +9.4%

ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS C (RIGHTS ADJUSTED) 

27.2

Growth +20.4%

PLF

15

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION

A NEW LOOK…

“ Investment in technology is  
a key pillar of our strategy  
to make the cinema “The Best  
Place to Watch a Movie”.

  Moshe Greidinger
  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

16

…TO EXPERIENCE 

THE MAGIC OF 

MOVIES

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018…TO EXPERIENCE 
THE MAGIC OF 
MOVIES17

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION

GREAT 
MOVIES…

“ Our ScreenX screens, 

currently in 19 locations  
give the cinema-goer a 
270 degree panoramic  
film-viewing experience.”

  Moshe Greidinger
  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

18

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018…EXHILARATING 
EXPERIENCES19

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION

STRATEGIC 
REFURBS…

“ Our continued investment 
ensures that we provide 
our customers with the 
high quality experience  
we believe in.”

  Moshe Greidinger
  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

20

…TO SUPPORT 

GROWTH

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018…TO SUPPORT 
GROWTH21

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report RISK MANAGEMENT

SUPPORTING GROWTH THROUGH 
EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Operating as a cinema chain that is now in ten different 
countries presents a number of risks and uncertainties that 
continue to be the focus of the Board’s ongoing attention.

RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH
The Group’s approach to risk management and internal  
control is designed to manage risk at all levels. Where  
possible, the Group has implemented appropriate mitigation 
strategies to reduce the overall risk exposure in line with the 
Board’s risk appetite. For further details please see the Group 
approach to risk management set out on pages 48 and 49. 

During the year the Risk Management Framework was 
updated to incorporate Regal. Work is ongoing to fully  
embed the updated approach in the US which will continue 
throughout 2019 as part of the ongoing maturity evolution  
of risk management across the Group. 

PRINCIPAL RISK ASSESSMENT 
The Board has undertaken a robust assessment of the principal 
risks facing the Group during the year, including those that 
would threaten its business model, future performance, 
solvency and liquidity. 

The time-frame horizon for consideration of the principal risks 
is aligned to the three year period used when considering the 
future viability of the Group. For further details, please see the 
Group’s viability statement on page 27. 

As a result of the acquisition the Principal risks were updated  
to reflect the revised Group risk profile, with Risk 3 being 
updated and Risk 12 and 13 being added. 

In addition, the Board has remained vigilant on the possible 
impact of the UK’s exit from the European Union (BREXIT), 
and consideration has been given to the risks that could have  
a significant impact on the underlying trading performance  
of the Group going forward.

Specific management reviews have been undertaken on two 
areas that potentially could have a heightened risk exposure, 
1. UK staffing and 2. our supply chain. The conclusion of these 
reviews, the fact we do not trade across borders but within 
countries and that our business has proven consumer appeal 
throughout economic cycles has enabled the Board to 
conclude that there is no specific increase in our risk profile. 

APPETITE 
The Board undertook a formal annual review of risk appetite, 
ensuring that the view it has established for each of the 
principal risks reflects its current perspective and its willingness 
to accept risk in pursuit of the strategic objectives of the Group. 
For further details please see the Group approach to risk 
management set out on pages 48 and 49.

VIABILITY
In addition, the Directors’ viability assessment has taken into 
consideration the potential impact of the principal risks in the 
business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity 
over the period, including principal mitigating actions such as 
reducing capital expenditure. More details about the viability 
assessment may be found on page 27.

Principal Risks 

Risk

1. Technology and Data Control

2. Availability and Performance of Film Content

3. Provision of next Generation Cinemas

4. Viewer Experience and Competition

5. Revenue from Retail/Concession Offerings

6. Cinema Operations

7. Regulatory Breach

8. Strategy and Performance

9. Retention and Attraction

10. Governance and Internal Control

11. Major Incident

12. Integration with Regal

13. Treasury Management

22

Strategic Relevance

Trend























NEW

NEW

Owner

Deputy CEO

CCO

CEO

CCO

CCO

CEO

CFO

Deputy CEO

Deputy CEO

CFO

COO

CEO

CFO

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

1.  TECHNOLOGY  

AND DATA CONTROL



2.  AVAILABILITY AND 
PERFORMANCE OF  
FILM CONTENT



3.  PROVISION OF NEXT 



GENERATION CINEMAS

A critical system interruption or major 
IT security breach encountered.

Lack of access to high quality, diverse 
and well publicised movie product.

Maintaining/refurbishing existing sites 
and/or developing new sites fails to provide 
a circuit of next generation cinemas. 

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

RISK OWNER
Deputy CEO

RISK OWNER
CCO

RISK OWNER
CEO

IMPACT
Any critical system interruption for a sustained 
period could have a significant impact on the 
Group’s performance. In addition, any breach 
(cyber or otherwise) of data protection rules  
or security measures surrounding the storage  
of confidential and proprietary information 
(including movie content) could result in 
unauthorised access, loss or disclosure of  
this information. This could lead to claims, 
regulatory penalties, disruption of operations of 
the Group and ultimately reputational damage.

IMPACT
Underpinning the overall success of the Group  
is the quality of the movie slate, the timeliness  
of release, the release window and the appeal of 
such movies to our customers. Where the movie 
studios do not produce sufficiently attractive 
movies, or movies underperform, this has a direct 
impact on cinema attendance and, therefore, box 
office revenue for the Group may decline. 

IMPACT
Ensuring our cinemas are of state-of-the-art 
design and have the latest cutting edge cinema 
experience technology are both key for our 
strategy to provide the best place to watch. A 
deviation from this could have a direct impact on 
admissions and the financial health of the Group. 

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — The Group IT function monitors, manages  

and optimises our systems, including ensuring 
their resilience through regular back-ups and 
the implementation of security measures.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — We work closely with distributors to acquaint 

ourselves, as early as possible, with the 
upcoming film slate in order to forecast likely 
movie performance. 

 — External experts are employed where 

 — Although access to the latest movie slate is 

reliant on our relationship with the distributors, 
the Group’s strategy is to show a wide range  
of movies over and above the traditional 
Hollywood blockbusters. This allows us to 
capitalise on specific local area demand for 
type and content of movies shown.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — The site prioritisation analysis for the selection 
of refurbishments, new sites and or closures.

 — Project Management expertise that allows  
the unique position of renovating without 
cinema closures.

 — Ensuring access to the latest cutting edge 
technology through our ability to secure 
agreements with key suppliers. 

 — Maintaining long-term working relationships 
with key contractors to ensure continued 
access to knowledge and experience. 

necessary to oversee and help manage  
major projects involving the upgrading  
or replacement of key systems.

 — Under the direction of the Group Data 

Protection Officer there is a Data Privacy/
Security Committee (supported by external 
professional advisors) that drives the 
programme of data protection across the Group.

CHANGES IN THE YEAR
 —  Integration plans/projects have commenced 

or been completed across our systems, 
processes and resources. 

 — The threat of cyber risks has continued to be 
a focus throughout the year with additional 
investment being made to ensure we maintain 
a control environment appropriate for the  
size of the Group, proportionate to the risk 
faced and one that maintains pace with 
advancements in technology. 

 —  The introduction of the General Data 

Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) has meant 
some changes to systems, policies and 
procedures to ensure compliance. 

CHANGES IN THE YEAR
 — The level of admissions in 2018 has continued 
to demonstrate an undiminished appetite for 
cinema attendance which has resulted in 
record box office numbers in the US. 

CHANGES IN THE YEAR
 — The acquisition of Regal now puts the Group 
as the second largest circuit in the world 
operating over 9,500 screens in almost  
800 locations in 10 countries. 

 — In the ROW countries locally produced 

movies continue to be very popular, often 
outperforming the Hollywood blockbusters, 
especially in Poland. For further details see 
the Chief Financial Officer’s Review on page 31.

 — The Group grew the estate as a further nine 
new cinemas 6 in US, 6 in the UK and 1 in the 
ROW opened during the year.

 — The Group proactively managed its existing 

estate through the refurbishment and 
selective closure of certain sites.

 — Four refurbishments were completed in the 
UK, including our flagship Leicester Square 
site. We have started the refurbishment plans 
in the US with 10 sites to be refurbished for 
the first phase of the programme. 

 — We signed new agreements with both IMAX, 
4DX and ScreenX to install a total of 55 new 
IMAX Laser projectors across the estate, 
80 4DX screens in the US and 100 ScreenX. 

For further details see the Chief Executive 
Officer’s Review on page 4.

OPPORTUNITY
 — Utilise the success and experience of 

upgrading Cinemas in a mature UK market to 
capitalise on the opportunities in the mature 
market that is the US. 

OPPORTUNITY
 — Continuing the programme of investment in 
systems and ensuring our processes are 
robust will strengthen the day-to-day 
operations across the Group.

OPPORTUNITY
 — There is a strong movie release programme 
for 2019 and therefore we expect these to 
drive continued growth in admissions.

 — The increase in geographic footprint will further 
enhance our ability to mitigate against year-on- 
year volatility to the individual cinema markets.

KEY

Provide the best  
cinema experience

Expand and 
enhance our estate

Be technological leaders 
in the industry

Drive value for 
shareholders

23

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

4.   VIEWER EXPERIENCE  
AND COMPETITION



5.  REVENUE FROM  

RETAIL/CONCESSION 
OFFERINGS



6.  CINEMA OPERATIONS



 The quality of products and services 
offered fails to meet the needs of the 
customer and deliver an enhanced 
viewer experience.

 Delivery of a retail/concession offering 
that does not meet the requirements 
and preferences of our customers.

 Failure to maintain and operate well 
run and cost effective cinemas.

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

RISK OWNER
CCO

RISK OWNER
CCO

RISK OWNER
CEO

IMPACT
Although cinema admissions are predominantly 
driven by the quality and availability of films, 
ensuring that the Group continually enhances the 
viewer experience is crucial. Any decrease in the 
quality of the services we offer, from the ease of 
booking and the technology we use to a friendly 
farewell on departure, could result in loss of 
customers to competitors and/or other leisure/
entertainment attractions.

IMPACT
Retail/concession sales generally fluctuate in line 
with admissions and the genre of film on show. 
Therefore, if admissions were to fall, revenue from 
retail sales could decrease. Retail spend may also 
decrease due to changes in customer preferences, 
decreased disposable income or other economic 
and cultural factors. In addition, the cost of items 
such as energy and foodstuffs, as well as the 
introduction of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy,  
has a direct impact on price.

IMPACT
Operating cinemas well is pivotal to the overall 
success of the Group. Key to this is to ensure  
that cinema management understand the  
local market (film scheduling, pricing and  
retail offerings), effectively manage their 
employees, maintain service standards, and  
are able to react to incidents should they occur.  
A reduction in performance in any area can  
have a direct effect on the overall viewer 
experience, reputation of the cinemas and 
ultimately the Group’s financial performance.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — Our strategy is focused on continually 

improving the quality of services we offer  
to customers and making a visit to our  
cinemas a unique experience.

 — This includes increasing the efficiency of  

online booking, cutting edge cinema design, 
removing clutter from the foyers, investing in 
technical innovation and premium offerings 
(4DX and other large screen formats), 
upgrading seating options (further rollout  
of the VIP offering to 12 sites in total) and 
improving retail offers.

 — We also focus on our approach to customer 
interaction with the Group outside of the 
cinema environment.

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — Our investment in ensuring we can offer as  

many screen formats as possible continued with 
signing new agreements with IMAX,4DX and 
ScreenX during 2018 to install a total of 55 new 
IMAX Laser projectors across the estate, 80  
4DX screens in the US and 100 ScreenX. In 2018, 
19 ScreenX and 9 4DX screens were opened.

 — In the US, our new Regal website was  

launched which was positively received by  
our customers and now more tickets are 
purchased online than ever.

 — As part of the integration of the Group, 

Customer Services for the UK and US have  
been centralised to ensure consistency in  
the quality of services offered. 

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — Through our ongoing monitoring of various 

metrics, including spend per person, we have 
the ability to understand and react quickly to 
changing customer needs.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — Cinema management continually monitor their 
staffing requirements, making adjustments  
to scheduling based on customer demand, 
forecasts and film scheduling.

 — A key strategy for the Group is to maintain  
a strong relationship with the principal  
retail suppliers.

 — We run targeted promotions and bring  
in different ranges of products to meet 
changing customer demand.

 — The introduction of franchising models  
for some of the key suppliers has also  
been an important way of enhancing  
the range of offerings.

 — We are working closely with our drinks partners 
to reduce and, where possible, mitigate the 
potential impact of the Soft Drinks Industry 
Levy. We are doing this by broadening our 
ranges of diet and sugar free options along  
with water and trialling innovation with 
reformulated products whilst still providing 
consumer choice based on preferences.

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — Retail revenue remains a function of admissions 
and spending trends in each local market. This 
has been positively impacted by the expansion 
of the Group’s retail offerings including five 
new Starbucks and three new VIP sites. 

For further details see the Chief Executive 
Officer’s Review on page 4 and Chief Financial 
Officer’s Review on page 31.

 — On a monthly basis detailed operational and 
financial reviews are undertaken by cinema 
management teams to ensure performance 
matches expected targets.

 — Ongoing evolution and updating of cinema 
operational processes and procedures. 

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — Retail revenue remains a function of admissions 
and spending trends in each local market. This 
has been positively impacted by the continued 
evolution of the Group’s retail offerings.

 — In the UK we have managed to transition our 

low/no sugar soft drinks offerings to now make 
up the majority of sales demonstrating this is 
meeting customer preferences. 

For further details please see Resources and 
Relationships on page 28.

OPPORTUNITY
 — Further expansion of our Unlimited offering 

OPPORTUNITY
 — Ongoing review and enhancement of the 

OPPORTUNITY
 — Ongoing review and enhancement of the 

across the Group. 

customer retail journey.

customer retail journey.

24

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. REGULATORY BREACH



8.  STRATEGY AND 
PERFORMANCE



9.   RETENTION AND 
ATTRACTION



A major statutory, regulatory or 
contractual compliance breach.

The approach to setting, 
communicating, monitoring and 
executing a clear strategy fails to 
deliver long-term objectives.

Failure to attract and retain  
Senior Management and/or  
other key personnel.

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

RISK OWNER
CFO

RISK OWNER
Deputy CEO

RISK OWNER
Deputy CEO

IMPACT
The Group’s business and operations are affected 
by regulations covering such matters as planning, 
the environment, health and safety (cinemas  
and construction sites), licensing, food and  
drink retailing, data protection and the minimum 
wage. Failure to ensure ongoing compliance with 
regulation/legislation could result in fines and/or 
suspension of activity.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 —  Management operate an ongoing cinema 

compliance programme, supplemented by 
independent compliance assurance reviews by 
external advisors where appropriate.

 —  Group support functions use a combination  

of ongoing staff development as well  
as updates from professional advisors  
to ensure management are aware of the  
latest regulations in key areas. 

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — Appointment of a DPO (“Data Protection 
Officer”) and supporting virtual function  
(with representation from key departments)  
to focus on GDPR (“General Data Protection 
Regulation”) compliance. 

 — Aligned the ROW health and safety audit 
programme to match approach in UK and 
ensure consistency. 

 — Aligned the US Cinema Compliance Audit 

approach to the rest of the Group. .

For further details please see Risk Management 
and Internal Controls section pages 48 and 49.

IMPACT
Although the overall strategy for the Group is  
not a complex one, it is key that this is executed.

Any diversion from this strategy could result in 
loss of market share to competitors, failure to 
capitalise on emerging market opportunities, 
reduction in potential revenue/profits and 
therefore loss in shareholder value.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 —  A structure is in place to support effective 
strategy development, as well as ongoing 
reporting and monitoring of business 
performance on a daily, weekly, monthly, 
quarterly and annual basis. Monitoring Senior 
Management performance against their agreed 
personal objectives is an ongoing exercise.

 —  There are various communication strategies 
(emails, meetings and conferences) used to 
ensure the strategic goals of the Group are 
clearly understood and executed by Senior 
Management.

IMPACT
The Group’s performance and its ability to 
mitigate significant risks within its control depend 
on its employees and Senior Management teams. 
Therefore, reliance is placed on the Group’s ability 
to recruit, develop and retain Senior Management 
and other key employees. If the Group loses key 
people this could have an impact on its ability to 
deliver business objectives.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 —  To ensure the long-term success of the Group, 
it uses a variety of techniques to attract, retain 
and motivate its staff, with particular attention 
to those in key roles.

 — These techniques include the regular review  
of remuneration packages, share incentive 
schemes, training, regular communication with 
staff and an annual performance review process.

 —  Nurturing talent across the Group is a key part 
of our strategy and, in support of that, internal 
succession plays a key part with more than 50% 
of cinema management positions filled by 
internal applicants.

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — The integration strategy to incorporate the 

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — Work has been undertaken to align pay 

best of both companies by bringing together 
world-class talent, integrating best practices 
and deepening our understanding of the 
market has exceeded expectations. 

 — Although the Group has expanded 

significantly, the strategy and vision remains 
the same, to be “The Best Place to Watch a 
Movie” by continually focusing on providing 
the best customer experience, maintaining 
technological leadership, expanding and 
upgrading the estate, and training and 
retaining, highly motivated, experienced  
and loyal staff.

standards in the US to the new operational 
structure.

 — In the UK, an advanced leadership programme 
that supports General Managers progression 
to the role of Regional Manager was launched.

For further details please see Resources and 
Relationships on page 28.

OPPORTUNITY
 — Align the approach to health and safety audits 

in the US to the Group approach. 

OPPORTUNITY
 — Capitalise on the enlarged size of the Group 
through our buying and investing ability. 

 — Continue the evolution of our approach to 

managing compliance to ensure it is embedded 
in our day-to-day operations and therefore 
ensures efficient processes and procedures.

 — Continual focus on and review of strategy 
ensures the Board is well placed to assess 
value adding opportunities as they arise.

OPPORTUNITY
 — The growth of the group has increased  

the opportunities for internal promotion,  
and transfers.

KEY

Provide the best  
cinema experience

Expand and 
enhance our estate

Be technological leaders 
in the industry

Drive value for 
shareholders

25

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

10.  GOVERNANCE AND 
INTERNAL CONTROL



11.  MAJOR INCIDENT



12.  INTERGRATION 

NEW

A critical internal control and/or 
governance failing occurs.

Inability to respond to a major incident.

WITH REGAL

Failure to deliver expected benefits 
from the Regal acquisition and/or 
integrate the business into the 
Cineworld Group effectively. 

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

RISK OWNER
CFO

RISK OWNER
COO

RISK OWNER
CEO

IMPACT
Maintaining corporate governance standards  
and an effective and efficient risk management 
and internal control system, proportionate to  
the needs of the Group, is a key part of short and 
long-term success. Any failure and/or weakness  
in this area (financial and non-financial) could 
have an impact on the efficient and effective 
operations of the Group.

IMPACT
Cinema businesses could be affected by a major 
incident, resulting in the public avoiding going  
to the cinema. The Group may be subject to an 
increased risk of boycott, targeted civil unrest,  
and attack on the general public or terrorist 
action/threat as a result of operating in and  
or being linked to certain countries or types of 
film. This could adversely impact the financial 
performance of the Group.

IMPACT
The significance of the acquisition for the Group 
means that execution of an effective integration 
strategy supported by sufficient management 
resources is critical. If any part of this is not 
optimised then the Group might not achieve  
the expected financial and operational benefits 
which may have an adverse impact on growth, 
profitability and future cash flow.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — The Group uses various mechanisms  
to support the implementation and 
effectiveness of controls.

 — These include:

• implementation of the Group Risk 

Management Framework;

• ongoing self-assessment process for 
monitoring cinema compliance and 
financial control standards;

• regular consultation and advice from 

external advisors;

• a risk-based cinema compliance and 
financial control audit programme;

• the delivery of targeted risk-based  

internal audit reviews; and

• the use of technology for live  

forensic monitoring.

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — As part of the Regal integration programme  
a Global Risk and Assurance Strategy has  
been developed and is being implemented

 — Appointment of a new external advisor  
(BDO) to support the delivery of our  
assurance programme. 

For further details please see Risk Management 
and Internal Control on pages 48 and 49.

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — We receive communications from relevant 

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — Review of operational structures to ensure  

government authorities and law enforcement 
agencies which keep us informed and allow us, 
when needed, to monitor any potential impact 
external events could have on the security of 
our cinema estate.

 — Various security systems and/or personnel  

are in place across the Group. 

 — Should an incident occur at one of the Group’s 
sites, business continuity and disaster recovery 
plans are in place to ensure that management 
can react appropriately.

 — Appropriate insurance is in place to mitigate 

the financial consequences.

they are optimised globally. 

 — Retention of key expertise within the Group. 

 — Some senior management transfers to the  

US from the UK.

 — Ongoing Executive Director presence  

in the US.

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — Incidents of terrorism/active shooter  
attacks across the globe mean the  
Group continues to focus on this as  
part of its ongoing cinema operations. 

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — Cost Synergies greater than expected and 

being delivered at a faster pace.

 — Revenue synergies via many initiatives  
covering a big scope of our activity.

OPPORTUNITY
 — Continue to further enhance the use of 
technology for embedding automated  
controls and providing ongoing live assurance.

OPPORTUNITY
 —  Continuous review of processes which can 
identify areas for operational improvement  
and improve overall safety at our sites.

OPPORTUNITY
 — Delivering the full potential of the  

combination through the strength of our 
brands, focus on customer experience  
and investment in technology. 

For further details please see Chief Executive 
Officer review on page 4.

Provide the best  
cinema experience

Expand and 
enhance our estate

Be technological leaders 
in the industry

Drive value for 
shareholders

KEY

26

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.  TREASURY 

 MANAGEMENT

NEW

Ineffective treasury management  
slows down our ability to service our 
debt obligations and deliver against 
our planned strategic initiatives  
(e.g. refurbishment programmes)

LINK TO STRATEGY

RISK OWNER
CFO

IMPACT
A key future strategy for the Group is ensuring it 
has the ability to use the cash generative nature  
of the business to reduce the net debt to Adjusted 
EBITDA ratio. Balancing this with the level of 
planned investment in strategic initiatives globally 
will be a continual focus for the Board.  

MITIGATION ACTIVITY
 — Integration of Regal and Cineworld treasury 

functions.

 — On-going review of financial instruments  

being used.  

CHANGE IN RISK IN THE YEAR
 — During 2018 we have been able to reward 

shareholders with growth of 20.4% in the rights 
adjusted, adjusted diluted earnings per share. 
The Group maintained its dividend pay-out 
ratio for another year, increasing the full year 
cash dividend paid by 163.1%. The proposed 
final dividend is 10.15c per share. 

OPPORTUNITY
 — Reduction in the overall net debt to adjusted 
EBITDA could lead to upgrades in credit 
ratings and therefore access to enhanced 
borrowing rates for future growth.

Based on the principal risks identified 
above, scenario based assessments  
were performed for the enlarged  
Group. The scenarios applied included:

 — reducing admissions, as a result of  

lack of film content and/or increased 
competition through the emergence 
of new technology or alternative 
formats to watch films,

 — reducing average ticket price, as a 

result of lack of film content, and/or 
increased competition through the 
emergence of new technology or 
alternative formats to watch films,

 — no further expansion of the cinema 

estate, and 

 — a combination of the above. 

In performing the scenario assessments 
the enlarged Group would still be able to 
continue to meet its day-to-day liabilities 
as they fall due over the three year period. 

While this review does not consider  
all of the risks that the enlarged Group 
may face, the Directors consider that  
the scenario based assessment prepared  
of the enlarged Group’s prospects is 
reasonable in the circumstances of the 
inherent uncertainty involved. 

The Directors believe the risk 
management and internal control 
systems in place allow them to monitor 
the key variables that have the ability  
to impact the liquidity and the solvency 
of the enlarged Group and are confident 
that management are able to sufficiently 
mitigate any situations should they arise. 
Mitigating actions that could be taken 
include reducing capital expenditure, 
reducing dividend payments and 
reducing variable costs.

Based on this assessment, and having 
considered the established and expected 
controls for the risks and the available 
mitigating actions, the Directors confirm 
that they have a reasonable expectation 
that the enlarged Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period.

VIABILITY STATEMENT
In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Directors have 
assessed the viability of the enlarged 
Group over a period longer than one 
year, taking into account the Group’s 
current position, the acquisition of  
Regal and the potential impact of  
the principal risks and uncertainties  
set out on pages 22 to 27. 

The Directors have determined that  
a three year period from the date of 
approving the financial statements 
constitutes an appropriate period over 
which to provide its viability statement. 
Three years was determined based on 
the visibility of the future film slate, the 
enlarged Group’s property expansion 
and renovation plans, investment in 
technology and relationships with the 
film distributors. 

The Group’s business model and 
strategy have not changed as a result of 
the Regal acquisition, other than being 
implemented in the US following the 
completion of the acquisition. Details of 
the Group’s strategy and business model 
can be found on pages 12 to 15. The 
nature of the enlarged Group’s activities 
are long-term and the business model is 
open-ended. The Group’s current overall 
strategy has been in place for several 
years, subject to the ongoing monitoring 
and evolution as required by the Board. 

The Directors' viability assessment has 
taken into consideration the potential 
impacts of the principal risks in the 
business model, future performance, 
solvency and liquidity over the period, 
including principal mitigating actions 
that could be considered such as 
reducing capital expenditure  
and dividend payments.

For the purpose of assessing the enlarged 
Group’s viability, the Directors identified 
that of the principal risks detailed on 
pages 22 to 27 the following are the  
most important to the assessment of  
the viability of the enlarged Group:

 — lack of availability and performance  

of film content,

 — viewer experience falling below 

expectation or stronger competition, 
and

 —  ability to provide next generation 

cinemas.

27

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS

OUR BUSINESS MODEL AND  
STRATEGY ARE UNDERPINNED BY  
KEY RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS 

INTRODUCTION
The Group’s key relationships are with our customers, 
our people, our commercial partners and our wider 
communities. How we behave and interact with each  
of these parties reflects on our reputation, which is  
a key asset underpinning the successful delivery  
of our strategy.

Our ethics policies seek to guide the behaviour of  
our people by specifying principles which establish  
common values through which we do business. We  
strive to ensure that we act in appropriate ways to  
maintain and enhance our reputation. The Group  
seeks to act with honesty and integrity in its dealings  
with customers, employees, shareholders, regulators, 
suppliers and our wider community. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and safety is of major importance to us when 
considering the day-to-day health, safety and welfare  
of our customers, employees and contractors. The Group  
seeks to maintain the highest standards in the effective 
management of our health and safety obligations, and  
our duty of care to our customers and staff.

Each year, cinemas in the Group are subject to health and safety 
assessments (including aspects of fire, food and occupation). 
Results are monitored, and any significant issues are followed  
up by management teams, with the assistance of specialist 
external consultants where needed. 

ANTI-BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION
The Group has in place a range of governance-related policies, 
including Whistleblowing, Gifts and Hospitality, and Health  
and Safety. The Company has implemented these policies  
and procedures to ensure it is prepared, to the extent possible,  
to prevent corrupt practices across our business relationships. 
The Group endeavours to conduct its business with integrity, 
aims to be a responsible employer, and adopts values and 
standards designed to help guide our staff in their conduct 
and business relationships.

OUR CUSTOMERS
Our customers are key to our success. We believe that  
through listening and being responsive to what our customers 
tell us about their visits, we are better able to deliver cinema 
experiences which make us the best place to watch a movie. 

In 2018 we launched a new customer feedback programme  
in partnership with market leading customer engagement 
solutions provider ‘Rant and Rave’. Our ambition: To amplify 
customer feedback within the business and generate actionable 
insights. By empowering our teams to act on the feedback  
they receive in real time, we aim to deliver measurable 
improvements to customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. 

We focus on providing our customers with a wide variety of 
movie genres, as well as a choice of how to watch movies in 
modern state-of-the-art cinemas, with the latest technology 
and a variety of retail offerings, all underpinned by great 
customer service. 

NON-FINANCIAL INFORMATION STATEMENT
The Company has complied with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive contained in sections  
414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006.

Where to find related information: 

Human  
Environmental
rights

Employee
Anti-
corruption and 
anti-bribery

Social
Principal  
risks

Human  
Business 
rights
model 

Anti-
corruption and 
anti-bribery

Principal  
risks

Business 
model 

See pages 
See pages  
28-30 and 71
28-31 and 69

See pages  
See pages 
28-30 and 71
28-31 and 69

See pages 
See pages 
28-30
22-26

See pages  
See pages  
28-30 and 71
12-13

See page  
28

See pages 
22-27

See pages  
12-13

28

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018We also have initiatives which aim to extend the relationship 
with the customer beyond a single visit. In the UK, we have  
the long established Unlimited membership service for a  
fixed monthly (or annual) subscription, enabling customers  
to watch as many films as they wish (with uplifts available  
if the customer wishes to see the movie in premium formats 
such as ScreenX, IMAX or 4DX). This scheme was successfully 
extended to Poland at the end of 2015. 

In the US, members of the Regal Crown Club® earn credits  
for each dollar spent at the Company’s cinemas, and can then 
redeem such credits for movie tickets, concession items, and 
movie memorabilia at the cinema, online, or via an app. We  
also have a number of other membership schemes across  
the Group’s territories which offer discounts, and allow us  
to interact frequently with our customer base. 

Event cinema screenings bring a wider range of content to  
our customers, enabling our audiences to see live shows taking 
place around the world. Operating in this way supports such 
productions, making them more commercially viable, accessible 
to more people and, in turn, brings more people to the cinema.

The Group actively encourages our future cinema-going audience 
by specifically tailoring film schedules to attract families and 
young people. Where necessary, these performances are dubbed 
into the native language to ensure that all customers can enjoy the 
full cinema experience. Concessionary rates are offered for senior 
citizens and students at certain times of the day. 

Throughout the Group, all national regulators’ film classification 
guidelines are followed, unless local regulators require 
otherwise. In some of our territories, there are no classification 
guidelines, and in such cases we provide information to 
customers about films so they can make informed choices about 
the type of film being shown. We also ensure that all trailers  
are complementary in terms of suitability to the main feature.

RETAIL
As many of our customers still consider going to the cinema  
as a treat or special occasion, they expect traditional cinema 
snacks as part of their experience. We offer a range of products 
to our customers, and we work closely with our partners to 
provide healthier alternatives where possible. We ensure that 
we provide good nutrition and allergen advice to enable our 
customers to make informed choices. 

ACCESS FOR ALL
The Group promotes a philosophy of access for all by  
offering accessible cinemas for the disabled that show  
a wide range of films and event cinema. Employees  
receive disability awareness training and specific advice  
on welcoming disabled customers. Many of our cinemas  
offer audio-descriptive, autism-friendly and subtitled 
performances, and in some countries, the Group allows 
customers with disabilities to be accompanied by a carer,  
free of charge. All new cinemas are designed to exceed  
current statutory requirements, and to provide buildings  
which are technically advanced, accessible, and safe.

When cinemas undergo major refurbishment as part of an 
ongoing programme of improvements and renovations, the 
opportunity is taken to enhance access within cinemas where 
practicable to do so.

OUR PEOPLE
2018 saw continued investment in a number of people-related 
areas, and this includes the integration of Regal into the wider 
Cineworld Group. Throughout the newly enlarged Group,  
we remain committed to working with our people in the  
most engaging way. 

During 2018, we have continued to invest in pay and reward 
structures offering various bonus schemes and competitive  
rates of pay throughout the Group. We are fulfilling our 
intention to invest in people-related IT systems, to enhance 
HR processes and to allow our cinema management teams  
to spend less time on administrative tasks, and more time 
working with their teams and customers. We are very proud  
of our blended approach to Learning and Development 
initiatives: across the Group we offer a variety of workshops, 
online learning tools, and leadership and succession programmes 
– please see the box “Learning and Development in 2018”.

Following the acquisition of Regal, work has been undertaken  
to align pay standards in the US to the new operational structure 
and, in 2019, we intend to roll out a new reward, succession, 
and training philosophy. We remain committed to driving 
engagement through best practice people-related initiatives, 
and we are proud of our feedback which demonstrates the 
important link between engaged teams, and customer experience.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN 2018
There are currently 203 Cineworld employees making 
their way through our succession programmes, which 
offer additional opportunities to complete qualifications, 
ranging from NVQ Level 2 through to ILM (Institute  
of Leadership and Management) Level 5. In the past 
2 years, we have seen 170 Cineworld employees 
successfully complete a qualification. In the US, the  
Regal scholarship programme awarded 58 scholarships  
to management staff, and we have continued our Regal 
field management internship programme, which propels 
interns to gain employment at our corporate office after 
an initial 8-week assignment. Regal HR in the US has 
partnered with an online education programme to offer 
college courses to corporate teams to support them  
with growing technological advancements. In the UK, for 
the first time, Cineworld has launched a new advanced 
leadership programme, which aims to support General 
Managers’ progression to the role of Regional Manager. 
This is the first time Cineworld has invested in a succession 
programme of this stature, and we are excited to 
evaluate its impact in 2019. 

DIVERSITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
The Group is an equal opportunity employer and seeks  
to recruit, retain and promote staff on the basis of their 
qualifications, skills, aptitude and attitude. A wide range  
of applicants are encouraged to apply for all roles. In 
employment-related decisions, the business complies with  
all relevant legislation, including that which is specifically 
targeted at preventing discrimination, and such principles  
are embedded through the business by requisite policies.

29

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS CONTINUED

OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Having strong commercial relationships is also key to operating 
our business successfully. 

With years of experience in the cinema industry, our teams 
have worked hard to develop strong working relationships  
with a range of film studios and distributors, both major and 
independent. Our focus on driving cinema admissions and  
on providing our customers with a wide range of movies has 
resulted in many opportunities for us to work with film studios 
on simplifying the film buying process and on promoting 
smaller films to a wider audience. 

The Group is committed to protecting the intellectual property 
rights of films and event cinema. Policies and procedures  
are constantly reviewed and developed to ensure cinema 
management are able to effectively monitor and prevent  
film piracy. Night-vision technology is utilised and there is  
an increased vigilance around high profile titles which are 
particularly vulnerable. The Group will continue to work closely 
with relevant industry and law enforcement organisations  
in order to help reduce and prevent film piracy.

Building relationships with developers, landlords and local 
planners is very important to be able to ensure we can 
maintain an appropriate pipeline of new sites for the future  
and undertake our refurbishment programme. 

We also work very closely with suppliers of innovative 
technological enhancements, for instance ScreenX, IMAX  
and 4DX, which enables us to ensure that we are delivering  
the best possible experience to our customers, as well as 
looking to maximise box office revenues.

Strong relationships with our principal retail suppliers enable  
us to work together on promotions that help drive retail sales. 
We seek to manage relationships with our suppliers fairly, and 
to work in accordance with our aspirations as set out in our 
ethical policies.

THE REGAL FOUNDATION
In the US, the Regal Foundation, a non-profit charitable 
organisation formed in 2003 to coordinate support  
for numerous national and local philanthropic efforts, 
supports the communities in which Regal operates by 
partnering with selected charities. 

OUR COMMUNITIES
Our work with charities, schools and community groups across 
all our territories is very important to us. We are involved with  
a wide range of activities including working with distributors 
on charity screenings, providing free shows for organisations, 
and working closely with local schools. 

We take part in a wide range of charitable activities throughout 
the Group. One example is the Regal “Summer Movie Express”,  
where in summer cinema-goers of all ages can enjoy a great 
selection of “G” or “PG” rated movies at participating cinemas 
for only a dollar, to benefit the Will Rogers Institute in the US.  
A portion of the money raised from this campaign goes towards 
the Institute’s mission in the areas of medical research, and 
health education. In 2018, in the UK, for the third year, Cineworld 
partnered with BBC’s Children in Need initiative, where as a 
team we raised £600,000.

The Group also works as a venue partner for numerous  
film festivals. While many are well known and high profile,  
in certain countries the Group sponsors festivals showcasing 
local film producers’ work and runs short film competitions  
for students encouraging the development of future talent. 
This involvement once again helps to promote the Group’s 
brands through the wider film industry.

ENVIRONMENT
We seek to comply with all relevant environmental legislation  
and to operate in an environmentally sensitive manner. The  
Board of Directors acknowledges the impact that the business  
has on the environment and seek to mitigate it. Often changes 
which help to mitigate our environmental impact also reduce  
our operating costs. 

Being a multisite business, the Group is conscious of its  
total energy consumption and amount of waste materials 
generated and is actively working on reducing both. The 
Group’s mandatory greenhouse gas report can be found  
in the Directors’ Report on pages 67 to 72. Our cinema 
websites enable e-tickets to be purchased and used,  
avoiding the need to print tickets. In new and refurbished 
cinemas, poster cases are now digital, reducing the need  
to deliver, install, and ultimately throw away large paper 
posters. All these efforts help to reduce our use of  
resources and carbon footprint.

GENDER BREAKDOWN
Board of Directors(1)

Senior managers

Total employees(2)

Male

Female

8

4

Male

Female

61

29

Male

Female

20,073

16,294

(1)  As at 31 December 2018.

(2)  Data is based on the average headcount for 2018.

30

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018CHIEF FINANCIAL  
OFFICER’S REVIEW

DELIVERING 
STRONG 
GROWTH

“ The Group pro-forma 

Adjusted EBITDA 
increased by 9.4%  
to $1,072.4m.”

Nisan Cohen
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

GROUP PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

Year ended 
31 December 
2018

Restated
Year ended 
31 December 
2017

Statutory 
movement

Pro-forma
Year ended 
31 December 
2018

Pro-forma
Year ended 
31 December 
2017
(constant 
currency)

Admissions

272.6m

103.8m

162.6%

308.4m

300.7m

Box office

Retail

Other Income

Total revenue

$m

2,496.6

1,145.2

477.3

4,119.1

$m

712.7

284.1

150.2

1,147.0

%

250.3%

303.1%

217.8%

259.1%

$m

2,865.0

1,312.9

533.5

$m

2,726.7

1,235.2

472.0

4,711.4

4,433.9

Constant 
currency 
movement

2.6%

%

5.1%

6.3%

13.0%

6.3%

Cineworld Group plc results are presented for the year ended 
31 December 2018 and reflect the trading and financial position 
of the US, UK and Ireland (“UK and I”) and the Rest of the 
World (“ROW”) reporting segments (the “Group”). Regal 
Entertainment Group (“Regal”) became part of the Group from 
1 March 2018 and their post-acquisition results are reflected 
within the US reporting segment. The 2017 comparatives have 
been restated following the change in the Group’s presentational 
currency to US dollars as from 1 January 2018. 

Unless explicitly referenced, all percentage movements given 
reflect performance on a constant currency basis to allow a 
year-on-year assessment of the performance of the business 
without the impact of fluctuations in exchange rates over time. 
Constant currency movements have been calculated by applying 
the 2018 average exchange rates to the 2017 performance. 
Pro-forma results reflect the Group and US performance  
had Regal been consolidated for the entirety of the period 
from 1 January 2017 to provide a more comparable basis to 
undestand the performance year-on-year. Pro-forma results 
have also been adjusted to reflect acquisition-related 
adjustments for the entire Pro-forma period.

Total revenue for the year ended 31 December 2018 on  
a Pro-forma basis was $4,711.4m, an increase of 6.3% on 
constant currency basis. On a statutory basis revenue was 
$4,119.1m, an increase of 259.1% compared with the prior  
year, as a result of including Regal for the first time. Total 
admissions increased by 2.6% to 308.4m on a Pro-forma basis.

The principal revenue stream for the Group is box office,  
which made up 60.8% of total revenue on a Pro-forma basis. 
Box office revenue is a function of the number of admissions 
and the ticket price per admission, less sales tax. In addition, 
the Group operates membership schemes, which provide 
customers with access to screenings in exchange for 
subscriptions fees, and this revenue is reported as part of  
box office. Admissions (one of the Group’s key performance 
indicators) depend on the number, timing and popularity  
of the films the Group is able to show in its cinemas.

31

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CHIEF FINANCIAL  
OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

The Group’s second most significant source of revenue is from 
retail sales of food and drink for consumption within cinemas, 
which made up 27.9% of total revenue on a Pro-forma basis. 
Retail revenue across the Group is driven by admissions  
trends within each operating territory.

Other Income represents 11.3% of total Group revenue  
on a Pro-forma basis. Other Income is made up of all  
income other than box office and retail, predominantly  
revenue from advertisements shown on screen prior to film 
screenings and revenue from booking fees associated with  
the purchase of tickets online. The Group also generates  
some distribution revenue in the UK and ROW, which is 
included within Other Income.

US
The results below show the Group’s performance in the  
United States (“US”). For comparability, the 2018 information 
for the US has been presented on a Pro-forma basis by 
including the two months pre-acquisition results for 2018, 
adjusted for indicative acquisition accounting entries, as well  
as the post-acquisition financial information for the ten month 
period to 31 December 2018. For the purposes of percentage 
movements, the same comparative period and fair value 
acquisition accounting adjustments have been applied.

10 months to
31 December 
2018

Pro-forma 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018

Pro-forma 
Year ended 
31 December 
2017

Constant 
currency 
movement

Admissions

170.7m

206.5m

196.9m

4.9%

$m

$m

$m

Box office

1,762.8

2,131.2

1,988.6

Retail

Other Income

851.3

319.0

1,019.0

375.1

941.8

317.1

Total revenue

2,933.1

3,525.3

3,247.5

%

7.2%

8.2%

18.3%

8.6%

BOX OFFICE
Box office revenue represented 60.5% (2017: 61.2%) of total 
revenue on a Pro-forma basis. Admissions and box office 
revenue increased by 4.9% and 7.2% respectively on a Pro-forma 
basis during the year to 31 December 2018. These results reflect 
the strength of the US cinema market in 2018 compared with 
2017. Total US industry box office revenue for the year was 6.9% 
higher compared with the prior year (Source: Comscore). The 
top three films during the year were “Black Panther”, “Avengers: 
Infinity War” and “Incredibles 2”, which together grossed 
$1,797.0m. This compares with 2017 during which the top three 
titles were “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”, “Beauty and the Beast”, 
and “Wonder Woman”, grossing $1,285.5m (Source: Comscore).

The average ticket price achieved in the US increased by 2.2% 
on a Pro-forma basis to $10.32 (2017: $10.10). The increase 
reflects inflationary price rises and, importantly, the expansion 
and popularity of our premium offerings. The top three films in 
the year were available in a range of formats – IMAX, RPX (an 
alternative large screen auditorium technology), 4DX and 3D. 
The most popular films across our premium formats during  
the year were “Avengers: Infinity War”, “Black Panther” and 
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”.

32

RETAIL
Retail revenue represented 28.9% of total revenue (2017: 29.0%) 
and increased by 8.2% from the prior year on a Pro-forma basis. 
Retail spend per person increased by 3.1% on a Pro-forma basis. 
The revenue increase is due to higher admissions, inflationary 
price increases and the continued rollout of our expanded food 
and alcohol menu. During the year ended 31 December 2018, 
the US added alcoholic beverages availability at 35 theatres 
and expanded its food offering in 14 theatres.

OTHER INCOME
Other Income in the US is made up of on-screen advertising 
revenue and other corporate and theatre income. Advertising 
revenue is earned through the Group’s agreements with National 
CineMedia (“NCM”) and direct contracts with concession 
vendors and distributors. NCM operates on behalf of a number 
of US exhibitors to sell advertising time prior to screenings. 
Advertising revenues are driven primarily by admissions levels 
and value of advertising sold. Other Income also includes 
revenue from online booking fees charged on the purchase  
of tickets for screenings, which is driven by the demand for 
tickets and the propensity of customers to book tickets online. 
Less significant elements of Other Income in the US include 
revenue related to our gift card and bulk ticket programmes 
and the hire of theatres for events.

UK AND IRELAND
The results below for the UK and Ireland include the two cinema 
brands in the UK: Cineworld and Picturehouse. The results are 
presented on a statutory and constant currency basis to provide 
comparable information unless otherwise stated.

Year ended 
31 December 
2018

Restated
Year ended 
31 December 
2017

Statutory 
movement

Constant 
currency 
movement

Admissions

51.6m

53.0m

(2.6%)

N/A

$m

$m

Box office

453.5

444.4

Retail

Other Income

167.5

76.7

161.9

69.2

Total revenue

697.7

675.5

%

2.0%

3.5%

10.8%

3.3%

%

(1.5%)

(0.2%)

7.0%

(0.4%)

BOX OFFICE
Box office revenue represented 65.0% of total revenue 
(2017: 65.8%). Compared with 2017, admissions in the UK 
decreased by 2.6% while box office revenue increased by 2.0% 
on a statutory basis (1.5% decrease on constant currency basis). 
During the year there were periods of unexpected weather 
conditions in the UK and some very popular sports events 
which impacted admissions. These factors, in combination  
with a strong prior year, presented some challenges for the  
UK business. The Group maintained its position as market 
leader in the UK in terms of box office revenue share (Source: 
Comscore). In the UK and Ireland, the top three grossing films 
for 2018 were “Avengers: Infinity War”, “Mamma Mia: Here We 
Go Again!” and “Incredibles 2”. This compares with the first half 
of 2017 where the top three titles were “Beauty and the Beast”, 
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Dunkirk”.

The average ticket price achieved in the UK and Ireland 
increased by 1.2% on a constant currency basis to $8.79 
(2017: $8.69). The increase reflects inflationary price  
increases and the availability and popularity of our premium 
offerings such as IMAX, Superscreen, 4DX and ScreenX.

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018RETAIL
Retail revenue represented 24.0% (2017: 24.0%) of total 
revenue. Retail revenue increased by 3.5% from the prior  
year on a statutory basis (0.2% decrease on a constant 
currency basis). Retail spend per person increased by 2.5%  
on a constant currency basis to $3.25 (2017: $3.17). Spend per 
person was positively impacted by inflationary price increases, 
the nature of the film mix, as well as the broader range of retail 
offerings, including Starbucks and our VIP offering. At the  
year end, the Group had 32 Starbucks sites, an additional  
three sites compared with 2017, and two VIP auditoriums.

OTHER INCOME
Other income includes all other revenue streams outside  
of box office and retail, mainly advertising, online booking  
fee revenue and some distribution revenue through 
Picturehouse. Advertising revenue is primarily generated by 
on-screen adverts and is earned though our joint venture 
screen advertising business Digital Cinema Media Limited 
(“DCM”). DCM sells advertising time on-screen on behalf of  
the UK cinema industry; advertising revenue is impacted  
by admissions trends and the value of advertising sold. The 
main driver for the increase in Other Income was an increase  
in online booking, voucher and event ticket sales, which 
performed strongly, compared with the comparative period. 
Advertising revenue performance was stable year-on-year.

REST OF THE WORLD
The results below for the Rest of the World (“ROW”) include 
Poland, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, 
Slovakia and Israel. The results are presented on a statutory 
and constant currency basis to provide comparable 
information unless otherwise stated.

Year ended 
31 December 
2018

Restated
Year ended 
31 December 
2017

Statutory 
movement

Constant 
currency 
movement

Admissions

50.3m

50.8m

(1.0%)

N/A

Box office

Retail

Other Income

Total revenue

$m

280.3

126.4

81.6

488.3

$m

268.3

122.2

81.0

471.5

%

4.5%

3.4%

0.7%

3.6%

%

1.0%

0.7%

(1.8%)

0.5%

BOX OFFICE
Box office revenue represented 57.4% (2017: 56.9%) of total 
revenue. Admissions in ROW decreased by 1.0% compared 
with the prior year while box office revenue increased by 4.5% 
on a statutory basis (1.0% increase on constant currency) 
compared with the prior year.

Admissions in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic 
increased from the prior year. However, admissions in 
Romania, Israel, Bulgaria and Slovakia saw some decrease. 
The comparative negative trends in admissions in 2018 in 
those specific countries is partly explained by the strong 
growth achieved in previous years. 

Poland performed very well during 2018 supported by the 
results of local release “Kler”, which achieved box office revenue 
of $28m (Source: Box Office Mojo) and became one of the  
most successful films in history in the Polish market, followed  
by another local film “Kobiety Mafii”. The most successful films  
in the ROW during the year were “Avengers: Infinity War” and 
“Black Panther”. The average ticket price increased by 2.0% on  
a constant currency basis to $5.57 (2017: $5.46); the increase is 
mainly the result of inflationary price increases.

RETAIL
Retail revenue represented 25.9% of the total revenue 
(2017: 25.9%). Retail spend per person increased to 
$2.51 (2017 $2.47) during the year – an increase of 1.6%  
on a constant currency basis. The growth was driven by  
a combination of retail initiatives, the nature of the film  
mix and inflationary price increases.

OTHER INCOME
Other Income includes distribution, advertising and other 
revenues and represents 16.7% (2017: 17.2%) of total revenue. 
Forum Film is the Group’s distribution business for the ROW 
and distributes films on behalf of major Hollywood studios as 
well as owning the distribution rights to certain independent 
films. Key titles distributed in the period included “Black 
Panther” and “Tomb Raider”. New Age Media is the Group’s 
advertising arm in ROW. Advertising revenues performed  
well during the year.

Financial Performance

Admissions

Box office

Retail

Other Income

Total revenue

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

Operating profit

Financial income

Financial expense

Net financing costs

Share from joint venture

Profit on ordinary activities before tax

Tax on profit on ordinary activities

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Group

(1)  Restated to present the Group’s results for the period ended 31 December 2017 in US dollars.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Rest of 

Restated
Year ended 
31 December 
2017(1)

US UK & Ireland

the World Total Group Total Group

170.7m

51.6m

50.3m

272.6m

103.8m

$m

1,762.8

851.3

319.0

2,933.1

670.4

$m

453.5

167.5

76.7

697.7

125.9

$m

280.3

126.4

81.6

488.3

129.1

$m

2,496.6

1,145.2

477.3

4,119.1

925.4

492.9

53.9

(225.2)

(171.3)

27.4

349.0

(64.7)

284.3

$m

712.7

284.1

150.2

1,147.0

257.7

165.0

2.5

(12.5)

(10.0)

0.1

155.1

(25.6)

129.5

(2)  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Operating profit plus share of profits from joint ventures using the equity accounting method net of tax adjusted for depreciation and 

amortisation, onerous lease charges and releases, impairments and reversals of impairments, transaction and reorganisation costs, gains/losses on disposals of assets 
and subsidiaries, share-based payment charges, and share of profits received from associates in excess of distributions or any undistributed such profits.

33

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CHIEF FINANCIAL  
OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

ADJUSTED EBITDA AND OPERATING PROFIT
On a Pro-forma basis, Group Adjusted EBITDA increased  
by 9.4% to $1,072.4m (2017: $979.9m). The Group Adjusted 
EBITDA margin rose to 22.8%, up from 22.1% in 2017.

The Group’s Adjusted EBITDA has increased by 259.1% to 
$925.4m (2017: $257.7m), as a result of including Regal for  
the first time.

On a Pro-forma basis, Adjusted EBITDA for the US operating 
segment rose to $817.4m from $722.2m last year, an increase 
of 13.2%. The Adjusted EBITDA margin for the US rose to 23.2% 
from 22.2% on a Pro-forma basis, the increase was the result of 
two factors; the year on year increase in admissions coupled 
with the synergies achieved following the Regal acquisition.

Adjusted EBITDA generated by the UK and Ireland of  
$125.9m decreased by 3.7% compared with the prior year 
(2017: $130.8m). The Adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.0% 
represents a decrease of 1.4% compared with 2017 (2017: 19.4%) 
as a result of lower admissions in 2018 versus 2017. The ROW 
generated Adjusted EBITDA of $129.1m, an increase of 1.7%  
on the prior year (2017: $126.9m). The Adjusted EBITDA  
margin of 26.4% for ROW represents a small decrease of  
0.5% compared with the prior period, driven mainly by  
the loss of some Virtual Print Fee income compared with 
previous years. 

As the Group operates in ten countries it is exposed  
to exchange rate fluctuations. Wherever possible, cash  
income and expenditure are settled in local currency  
to mitigate foreign exchange risk. However, there are 
translation differences that arise when presenting the  
year-on-year performance of the UK and ROW in the  
reporting currency of the Group.

Operating profit at $492.9m on a statutory basis was 198.7% 
higher than the prior year (2017: $165.0m). This included a 
number of non-recurring and non-trade related items that 
have a net negative impact of $76.6m (2017: $2.4m). These 
primarily related to:

 — Impairment costs of $18.3m (2017: impairment reversal  

of $6.7m);

 — A credit of $1.5m arising from the release of onerous lease 

provisions (2017: charge of $1.7m);

 — A one-off loss of $1.0m relating to the profit on disposal  

of assets (2017: gain of $2.6m); and 

 — Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Regal of 
$52.1m, reorganisation and redundancy costs of $3.9m and 
business interruption costs at closed sites due to weather 
damage of $2.8m (2017: $10.0m in respect of restructuring, 
redundancy and the Regal and Empire acquisitions); and

The total depreciation and amortisation charge (included  
in administrative expenses) in the period totalled $320.5m 
(2017: $87.8m). The charge increased primarily because of the 
acquisition of Regal and the number of new sites in the Group.

FINANCE COSTS
As part the acquisition of Regal, the Group restructured its 
debt arrangement. The new arrangement consists of a USD 
and Euro term loan of $4.1bn and a $300.0m revolving credit 
facility. This new financing arrangement became effective on 
28 February 2018 and the Group’s previous finance facility  
was repaid at that date. The new facility is subject to floating 
interest rates – a margin of 2.5% for the USD denominated 
element and 2.625% for the EUR denominated element is 
added to the LIBOR and EURIBOR respectively. A floor of 0.0% 
is applied to the LIBOR and EURIBOR to calculate the interest 
charge. At 31 December 2018, the term loan totalled $3.9bn 
and the revolving credit facility had not been drawn upon.

Net financing costs totalled $171.3m during the period 
(2017: $10.0m). 

Finance income of $53.9m (2017: $2.5m) was made up of 
interest income of $2.3m (2017: $0.8m), $47.0m of foreign 
exchange gains on monetary assets and non-US$ denominated 
loans and $4.6m unwind of discount on long-term financial 
assets. The foreign exchange gains arose mainly on the 
retranslation of the Euro denominated portion of the Group’s 
term loan.

The finance expense of $225.2m (2017: $12.5m) included 
$146.7m in respect of interest on bank loans and overdrafts 
(2017: $8.1m). The other finance costs of $78.5m (2017: $4.4m) 
included $11.0m (2017: $1.9m), amortisation of prepaid finance 
costs, $17.9m (2017: $1.7m) in respect of the unwind of the 
discount and interest charges on property-related leases, 
$1.9m (2017: $0.8m) of foreign exchange losses, $44.2m 
(2017: $Nil) in respect of the unwind of discount on deferred 
revenue and $3.5m (2017: $Nil) gains reclassified from equity 
to profit or loss in respect of settled net investment hedge.

TAXATION
The overall tax charge during the year was $64.7m giving an 
overall effective tax rate of 18.5% (2017: 16.5%). The increase  
in the rate reflects changes in the Group’s geographical mix  
of profits, in particular the impact of the US tax rate following 
the Regal acquisition which is higher than rates in the Group’s 
other markets. 

Tax uncertainties and risks are increasing for all multinational 
groups which could affect the future tax rate. The Group  
takes a responsible attitude to tax, recognising that it affects 
all our stakeholders. The Group seeks at all times to comply 
with the law in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate, 
and to build open and transparent relationships with those 
jurisdictions’ tax authorities. The Group’s tax strategy is aligned 
with the commercial activities of the business, and within our 
overall governance structure the governance of tax and tax 
risk is given a high priority by the Board. 

34

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018EARNINGS
Profit on ordinary activities after tax in the period was  
$284.3m, an increase of $154.8m compared with the prior  
year (2017: $129.5m). 

The one-off and other adjusting items in the period had  
an impact of $68.0m compared $11.4m in 2017. A foreign 
exchange gain of $45.1m was recognised on the retranslation 
of the Euro term loan in the period, which forms a natural 
hedge against the Group’s investment in Euro denominated 
businesses despite not being designated as such in the 
consolidated Group financial statements. This compared with 
no foreign exchange loss in the prior period as the previous 
Euro term loan was designated as a net investment hedge. 
Basic earnings per share amounted to 22.5c (2017: 21.1c rights 
adjusted). Eliminating the one-off, nontrade related items 
totalling $68.0m, adjusted diluted earnings per share were 
27.4c (2017: 22.6c rights adjusted).

GOING CONCERN
As a result of the Regal acquisition, on 28 February 2018 the 
Group restructured its debt arrangements. The previous 
financing arrangements in place as at 31 December 2017 for 
the Group and Regal Entertainment Group were settled and 
replaced by the new financing arrangements for the enlarged 
Group which consist of a USD and Euro term loan totalling 
$4.1bn and an undrawn $300.0m revolving credit facility. The 
revolving credit facility is currently undrawn and subject to 
springing covenants, which are triggered above 35% utilisation.

The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking account of 
reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show 
that the Group should be able to operate within the level of its 
new facilities for at least 12 months from the approval date of 
these consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the 
Group continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
its consolidated financial statements.

DIVIDENDS
The Board has proposed a final dividend of 10.15c per share, 
reflecting the satisfactory performance for the year, the 
anticipated strong cash flow generation and the strength of 
the Balance Sheet. The interim dividend of 4.85c per share was 
paid in October 2018. The record date for the final dividend is 
14 June 2019 and the payment date will be 5 July 2019.

Going forward, the Board is proposing to pay four interim 
dividends for each financial year. Payments in relation to the 
first three quarters of the year will be equal to 25% of the full 
year dividend of the prior year, with the final interim payment 
reflective of the Group’s full year earnings performance and 
resulting in a full year dividend payment aligned with the 
Group’s pay-out ratio. Details of the interim dividend payments 
are set out in Note 23 to the financial statements.

Nisan Cohen
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
28 March 2019

Following the acquisition of Regal, the Group has taken the 
opportunity to consider how it presents its adjusted earnings 
per share calculation. After a review of comparable companies, 
a decision was made to add back the charge for share-based 
payments and the credit arising from onerous lease provisions, 
as they are non-cash items (see Note 4). Management believe 
that these charges do not form part of the underlying cash 
profits of the Group and therefore the change in presentation 
better reflects performance going forward.

ACQUISITION OF REGAL
On 5 December 2017, the Group announced the acquisition  
of Regal by means of an acquisition of the entire issued, and  
to be issued, share capital of Regal. The acquisition was based 
on an implied enterprise value of $5.8bn. Due to the size of  
the acquisition, it was classed as a reverse takeover under  
the UK Listing Rules, although not for accounting purposes. 
The acquisition of Regal completed on 28 February 2018. 
Consideration for the acquisition of $3.7bn of which $3.4bn 
was settled in cash, funded by the proceeds of the fully 
underwritten rights issue at the rights issue price of 157.0p per 
New Ordinary Share, which raised $2.3bn plus an additional 
$4.1bn was raised through committed debt facilities. The 
restructured debt arrangement consists of a USD and Euro 
term loan of $4.1bn and an undrawn $300.0m revolving credit 
facility. The previous financing arrangements in place as at 
31 December 2017 for the Group and Regal have been settled 
and replaced with the new financing arrangements from 
28 February 2018. As the consideration was entirely paid in 
cash the acquisition has been accounted for as an acquisition 
under IFRS 3 rather than as a reverse takeover acquisition, 
notwithstanding the size of the acquisition.

CASH FLOW AND BALANCE SHEET
Overall, net assets have increased by $2,375.6m, to $3,420.3m 
since 31 December 2017. Total assets increased by $7,806.7m. 
This includes the recognition of the fair value of net liabilities 
acquired with Regal, totalling $(898.2)m and the residual 
goodwill recognised on acquisition totalling $4,625.8m.

The Group continued to be strongly cash generative at the 
operating level. Total net cash generated from operations in 
the period was $687.4m (2017: $243.9m). Net cash outflows 
from investing activities were $3,559.1m during the period 
(2017: $142.8m); $3,356.6m related to the acquisition of Regal. 
Excluding the Regal acquisition, net cash flows from investing 
activities during the period were $202.5m (2017: $142.8m).

Net debt of $3,733.2m at the period end is higher than the 
balance at 31 December 2017 by $3,357.4m. Of the net increase 
$4,062.4m related to the restructuring of the Group's debt 
arrangement on acquisition of Regal and $87.0m of acquired 
finance leases. This was in part offset by cash acquired  
with Regal of $330.8m. The remaining movements relate  
to $36.9m net foreign exchange gains on cash held and  
bank debt denominated in currencies other than USD, net 
repayments of $452.1m and other movements of $(21.6)m.

35

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNANCE

OUR INTERNAL GOVERNANCE 
PROCEDURES SUPPORT OUR 
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Following an internal evaluation of the composition and 
effectiveness of the Board, I am pleased to report that it 
supported the view that the Board and its Committees are 
operating efficiently and productively. An external evaluation 
will be conducted in 2019, in accordance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”). 

A rigorous system of risk management and control is an 
essential element of good governance. Details of the annual  
risk review, which took into account the impact of the Regal 
acquisition, are contained in the Accountability section starting 
on page 48. The Audit Committee continued its key work in 
overseeing our internal control and risk management systems, 
which included a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of 
our internal audit systems and controls, in accordance with the 
Code, and more information on this exercise is on page 48.  
The Remuneration Committee conducted a full review of the 
Company’s Remuneration Policy in the early part of the year, 
to ensure it remains fit for purpose in the context of our newly 
enlarged business, and the new Policy was adopted at last 
year’s AGM. Further details of the work of the Remuneration 
Committee in this area may be found in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 66. 

More recently, on 12 March this year, we announced that Julie 
Southern will not be seeking re-election at the AGM in May and 
will step down at that point. We thank Julie for her tremendous 
contribution since her appointment in 2015, and wish her every 
success for the future. It is planned that Dean Moore will 
become Chair of the Audit Committee, and Alicja Kornasiewicz 
will become Chair of the Remuneration Committee, following 
Julie’s departure. Plans for the recruitment of a new Non-
Executive Director are under way.

Anthony Bloom 
CHAIRMAN
28 March 2019

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS
I am pleased to present the Corporate Governance Statement 
for 2018.

As mentioned in my Chairman’s letter on page 2, the 
acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group in February 2018 
was transformational for the Company. The size of the 
consideration, and the significant amount of due diligence and 
scrutiny necessary, required a strong corporate governance 
framework at Board level, and it is gratifying to report the 
systems and culture that we have put in place over the years 
worked well and enabled the transaction to be completed  
both timeously and efficiently. 

Having served as Chairman of Cineworld since its original 
formation as Cine-UK Limited almost 25 years ago, I am 
particularly proud to have witnessed another year of growth as 
I look ahead to my planned retirement in 2020. As announced 
in January of this year, Alicja Kornasiewicz has been appointed 
as Deputy Chair, and will become Chair of the Board at the 
conclusion of the 2020 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), when 
I will be stepping down. Alicja joined in 2015 as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director and has played a valuable role on the 
Board. She has had a distinguished career in business, finance, 
politics, and on regulatory bodies, and her experience and 
background will be an asset to the Company in the years ahead. 

In July 2018, it was announced that Renana Teperberg  
was joining the Board as an Executive Director. Renana has  
a long history with the business, having joined Cinema City 
International as a cashier in 1997. Renana progressed to the 
role of Chief Commercial Officer in 2016 and played a major 
role in the acquisition of Regal. Renana will lend considerable 
value and strength to the Board; she has an outstanding track 
record, and deep experience of the cinema exhibition business. 

At the same time, it was announced that Camela Galano,  
an experienced international film executive based in the US, 
would join the Board as an Independent Non-Executive 
Director. Importantly, Camela has excellent contacts and 
experience in the US, which now represents the majority  
of the Group’s activities. 

36

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018BOARD STATEMENTS

REQUIREMENT

BOARD STATEMENT

Compliance  
with the UK 
Corporate 
Governance 
Code

Going Concern

The principal governance rules applying to companies with a premium listing for the year covered by this 
statement are contained in the Code published by the UK Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”) in April 
2016 (the “Code”), and a copy is available on its website www.frc.org.uk. For the year ended 31 December 
2018, the Board considers that the Company was compliant with the provisions of the Code, save that to 
ensure the timely execution of the Regal transaction, the Company considered it expedient to convene 
the general meeting approving the transaction on 14 days’ notice in accordance with the authority 
conferred by shareholders at the annual general meeting in 2017, rather than the 14 working days’ notice 
provided for in the Code.

The Directors consider that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at 
least 12 months from the date of signing these accounts. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the annual financial statements. In adopting the going concern basis for preparing the 
financial statements, the Directors have considered the business activities as set out on pages 1 to 35  
and the Principal Risks and Uncertainties on pages 22 to 27. The financial position of the Group, its cash 
flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities, as well as the Group’s objectives, policies and processes 
for managing capital, are described on pages 31 to 35. Financial risk management objectives, details of 
financial instruments and hedging activities, and exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk are described  
in Note 24 to the financial statements.

Viability

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three year period, taking into account the 
Group’s current position and the potential impact of the principal risks and uncertainties set out on pages 
22 to 27. Based on this assessment, and having considered the established controls for the risks, and the 
available mitigating actions, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group 
will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three year period to 
2021. For more information on the viability assessment, please see page 27.

Robust 
Assessment 
of Principal 
Risks

The Directors consider they have undertaken a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, 
including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity. Please 
refer to pages 22 to 27 for further information on the Company’s principal risks and uncertainties, and 
their impact on the prospects of the Group.

Review of 
Internal Control 
and Risk 
Management

The Directors have carried out a review of internal control and risk management. Please refer to  
pages 48 and 49 for further information.

Fair,  
Balanced and 
Understandable

The Directors consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s  
position and performance, business model and strategy. Please refer to page 51.

37

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At 31 December 2018

Anthony Bloom 

Alicja Kornasiewicz 

Moshe (Mooky) Greidinger

Chairman
Date appointed as Chairman: October 2004
Tenure on Board: 14 years 2 months
Independent: No

Committee memberships:
No formal memberships, but has attended all 
meetings by invitation

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Anthony Bloom joined the Board in October  
2004 as Chairman, and has served as Chairman  
since the business was founded in 1995. He was 
previously Chairman and Chief Executive of The 
Premier Group Limited (South Africa) and a 
director of Barclays Bank (South Africa), South 
African Breweries and Liberty Life Assurance. 

Mr Bloom holds Bachelor of Commerce and 
Bachelor of Law (cum laude) degrees from the 
University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and a 
Masters of Law degree from Harvard Law School. 
He was a Sloan Fellow at the Stanford Graduate 
School of Business. In 2002, Mr Bloom was 
awarded the degree of Doctor of Law (H.C.) by  
the University of Witwatersrand in recognition  
of his contribution towards the establishment  
of a non-racial society in South Africa. Mr Bloom 
was awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award  
at CinemaCon in Las Vegas in 2019.

Principal external appointments: Non Executive 
Director London Symphony Orchestra and  
Non Executive Director TechnoServe, Inc.

Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair
Date appointed to Board: May 2015
Tenure on Board: 3 years 7 months
Independent: Yes
Committee memberships: Audit Committee

Chief Executive Officer
Date appointed to Board: February 2014
Tenure on Board: 4 years 10 months
Independent: No
Committee memberships: None

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Alicja Kornasiewicz joined the Board in May  
2015 as an independent Non-Executive Director, 
and is a member of the Audit Committee. Ms 
Kornasiewicz brings extensive Central and Eastern 
Europe financial and political experience to the 
Board. Previously, she was the Chief Executive 
Officer of Bank Pekao SA. She was also Head  
of Investment Banking for Emerging European 
countries at Unicredit Group and a member  
of the Executive Committee. Ms Kornasiewicz 
served as Secretary of State in the Polish Ministry 
of Treasury from 1997 to 2000. Prior to that she 
worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction 
and Development (EBRD). Over the last 20 years 
she has held a number of supervisory board 
positions. Ms Kornasiewicz holds a PhD in 
economics from Poznan University of Economics 
and graduated from Harvard Business School. 

Principal external appointments: Senior Advisor 
for Investment Banking Division at Morgan Stanley; 
Non-Executive Director of EuroCash Group.

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Moshe Greidinger joined the Board in February 
2014 as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that he was 
Chief Executive Officer of Cinema City International 
(“CCI”). He joined Cinema City in 1976. Since 1984, 
Mr Greidinger has held executive positions with 
Cinema City, has served as a Director and Deputy 
Managing Director of Israel Theatres Limited  
since 1983, and as Co-Chairman of the Cinema 
Owners Association in Israel since August 1996. 
Mr Greidinger is a Non-Executive Director of  
Global City Holdings B.V. (formerly CCI). 

Mr Greidinger achieved the “Exhibitor of the  
Year Award” at ShoWest in Las Vegas in 2004, 
“International Exhibitor of the Year Award” at 
CineEurope, in Amsterdam in 2011, with special 
recognition for having developed new markets  
in Central and Eastern Europe, and the “Global 
Achievement in Exhibition Award” at CinemaCon 
in Las Vegas in April 2016. 

Principal external appointments: Director of Israel 
Theatres Limited; Co-Chairman of the Cinema 
Owners Association, Israel; Head of the Board of 
Trustees, the Hebrew Reali School of Haifa. He is  
a member of the National Association of Theatre 
Owners Global Cinema Federation (NATO).

Israel Greidinger 

Nisan Cohen 

Renana Teperberg  

Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Date appointed to Board: February 2014
Tenure on Board: 4 years 10 months
Independent: No
Committee memberships: None

Chief Financial Officer
Date appointed to Board: January 2017
Tenure on Board: 2 years
Independent: No
Committee memberships: None

Chief Commercial Officer
Date appointed to Board: July 2018
Tenure on the Board: 6 months
Independent: No
Committee memberships: None

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Israel Greidinger joined the Board in February 2014 
as Chief Operating Officer. In August 2014, his role 
changed to Deputy Chief Executive Officer. 

From 1994 until 2014, he worked for Cinema City 
International (“CCI”) and was appointed Chief 
Financial Officer of CCI in 1995. Mr Greidinger has 
also served as a Director of Israel Theatres Limited 
since 1994. 

From 1985 to 1992, he was Managing Director of 
C.A.T.S. Limited (Computerised Automatic Ticket 
Sales), and from 1992 to 1994, he was President 
and Chief Executive Officer of Pacer C.A.T.S. Inc. 

Principal external appointments: Director  
of Israel Theatres Limited since 1994; Chairman  
of the Israeli Friends of Rambam Health  
Care Campus.

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Nisan Cohen joined the Board in January 2017 as 
Chief Financial Officer, and before that had been 
part of the Cineworld Group for 16 years. Previously, 
as Vice President of Finance, he led the integration 
of the finance teams in the Cineworld Group 
across nine countries after the Cinema City 
Combination in 2014. More recently, he served  
as Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

In 2018, Mr Cohen made a major contribution to  
the successful acquisition of Regal Entertainment 
Group, including leading the integration of the UK, 
ROW and US financial teams. 

Principal External Appointments: Mr Cohen  
is a member of The Institute of Certified Public 
Accountants in Israel. 

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience: 
Renana Teperberg was appointed to the Board  
in July 2018, and has been part of the Cineworld 
Group for over 20 years. Ms Teperberg first  
joined Cinema City International as a cashier  
in 1997, while studying for a BA in psychology  
at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 

After progressing to General Manager, she  
moved to the Cinema City International Head 
Office where she subsequently became Head  
of Programming and Marketing. 

Following the combination with Cineworld, she 
became Senior Vice President of Commercial and 
then Chief Commercial Officer in 2016. Recently, 
Renana played a major role in the acquisition of 
Regal Entertainment Group. 

Renana holds an executive MBA in business 
management from IDC Herzliya.

Principal External Appointments: Ms Teperberg 
is a Non-Executive Director of AC JV, LLC 
(Fathom Events), National Cinema Media, Inc., 
Digital Cinema Media Limited, and Digital Cinema 
Distribution Coalition.

38

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Eric (Rick) Senat  

Camela Galano 

Dean Moore 

Non-Executive Director and 
Senior Independent Director
Date appointed to Board: July 2010
Tenure on Board: 8 years 5 months
Independent: Yes
Committee memberships: Nomination Committee 
(Chair) and Remuneration Committee

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Rick Senat joined the Board in July 2010 and 
is Chair of the Nomination Committee and a 
member of the Remuneration Committee. He is 
also Senior Independent Director. 

Mr Senat has over 40 years’ experience in the film 
industry, joining Warner Bros in 1976 and becoming 
its Senior Vice-President for Business Affairs in 
Europe. He retired from Warner Bros after 25 years’ 
service. Mr Senat was also a director of the 
legendary, and recently revived, film company 
Hammer Film Productions, and has previously 
served as Vice Chair of the British Film Institute. 

Until recently, he was a partner in the Blair 
Partnership, a Non-Executive Director of Pottermore 
Limited and Bank Leumi (UK) plc., and Non-
Executive Chairman of the London Film Museum.

Mr Senat is a graduate of University College 
London and a solicitor. 

Principal external appointments: Non-Executive 
Chairman of Mad Dog Casting Limited.

Non-Executive Director
Date appointed to Board: July 2018
Tenure on Board: 6 months
Independent: Yes
Committee memberships: None

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience: 
Camela Galano was appointed to the Board as an 
independent Non-Executive Director in July 2018. 

Camela began her career at New Line  
Cinema, progressing to the role of President  
of International Sales, Marketing & Distribution, 
where she oversaw the international distribution 
of innumerable titles, including the blockbuster 
trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”. 

Subsequently, Camela became the President of 
International Film Acquisitions for Warner Bros. 
Following her time at Warner Bros., she served as 
President of Relativity International, overseeing 
global sales, marketing and distribution management 
of Relativity’s own titles, acquisitions and 
third-party releases. 

Ms Galano is a longtime member of the Academy 
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the 
British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Principal External Appointments: Ms Galano is 
Head of International at Studio8. 

Non-Executive Director
Date appointed to Board: January 2017
Tenure on Board: 2 years
Independent: Yes
Committee memberships: Remuneration 
Committee (Chair) and Audit Committee

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Dean Moore joined the Board in January 2017 as 
an independent Non-Executive Director. He is 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee, and a 
member of the Audit Committee. Previously, he 
acted as interim Chief Financial Officer, for a 
period of 10 months, where his mandate was to 
focus on the Chief Financial Officer succession 
planning process in respect of current Chief 
Financial Officer, Nisan Cohen. 

Prior to this, Mr Moore worked as Chief Financial 
Officer of N Brown Group plc for 12 years from 
2003 to 2015, before which he was Chief Financial 
Officer of T&S Stores plc until it was acquired by 
Tesco plc in early 2003. 

From 1996 to 1999 he was Chief Financial Officer 
of Graham Group plc, and he has held a number  
of other senior finance positions. Mr Moore is a 
Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) and graduate of 
University of Aston (Business Management BSc).

Principal External Appointments: Mr Moore is a 
Non-Executive Director, Audit Committee Chair, 
and Senior Independent Director of Volex Plc. 

Scott S. Rosenblum 

Arni Samuelsson 

Julie Southern 

Non-Executive Director
Date appointed to Board: February 2014
Tenure on Board: 4 years 10 months
Independent: No
Committee memberships: Nomination Committee

Non-Executive Director
Date appointed to Board: February 2014
Tenure on Board: 4 years 10 months
Independent: Yes
Committee memberships: Nomination Committee

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Scott S. Rosenblum joined the Board in February 
2014 as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director. 
He is a member of the Nomination Committee. 

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience:
Arni Samuelsson joined the Board in February 
2014 as an independent Non-Executive Director. 
He is a member of the Nomination Committee. 

Prior to his appointment, he was a member of the 
Supervisory Board of Cinema City International 
(“CCI”), becoming its Chairman in 2011. 

Mr Rosenblum is licensed as a lawyer and is 
admitted to the New York Bar Association. For the 
past 28 years, he has been a partner in the law firm 
of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, New York, 
where he was Managing Partner between 1994 and 
2000 and a member of the Executive Committee 
until 2018. Mr. Rosenblum is also Co-Chairman of 
the Corporate Department.

Mr Rosenblum is a graduate of Dartmouth College 
and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.  
He has extensive experience in areas of general 
corporate and securities law, corporate finance, 
corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions 
and joint ventures. 

Principal external appointments: Partner since 
1991 and Co-Chairman since 2000 of the Corporate 
Department of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel 
LLP; Director and advisor to the boards of various 
public and private companies.

He has over 40 years of cinema exhibition and  
film distribution experience, principally through 
SAMfélagið (Samfilm) – a cinema exhibitor and 
film distributor in Iceland, of which he has been 
joint owner and Chief Executive Officer since it 
was formed in 1975. 

Mr Samuelsson has been Chief Executive Officer 
of Samfilm EHF (SAMfélagið’s distribution arm) 
since 1975, and Chief Executive Officer of 
SAMcinema (SAMfélagið’s cinema arm) since the 
same year. Prior to this, Mr Samuelsson was a 
Director and owner of Vikurbaer, a supermarket 
business in Keflavik, from 1972 until its sale in 1982. 

Principal external appointments: Chief Executive 
Officer of Samfilm EHF (SAMfélagið’s distribution 
arm) since 1975; Chief Executive Officer of 
SAMcinema (SAMfélagið’s cinema arm) since 1975.

Non-Executive Director
Date appointed to Board: May 2015
Tenure on Board: 3 years 7 months
Independent: Yes
Committee memberships: Audit Committee 
(Chair) Remuneration Committee 

Relevant skills, qualifications and experience: 
Julie Southern joined the Board in May 2015 as an 
Independent Non-Executive Director. Julie is Chair  
of the Audit Committee and a member of the 
Remuneration Committee. 

Ms Southern has decades of experience as a Chief 
Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, 
driving strategy, revenue and commercial planning. 

She has worked across multiple industry sectors  
and sizes of organisation including PwC, WH Smith, 
Porsche Cars and Virgin Atlantic. Julie is a Chartered 
Accountant (ICAEW) and graduate of Cambridge 
University (Economics B.S.)

Principal external appointments: Non-Executive 
Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at 
Rentokil-Initial Plc since 2014, a Non-Executive 
Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at DFS 
Furniture Plc since 2015 (due to step down on 
31 March 2019), a Non-Executive Director and Chair 
of the Audit Committee at NXP Semiconductors 
N.V. since 2013, Non-Executive Director, Ocado 
Group plc; and Non-Executive Director, EasyJet plc. 

39

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report B.6 BOARD AND COMMITTEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The Board and its Committees have this year undertaken an 
internal evaluation of their respective performances. Details  
of the evaluation can be found on page 43.

B.7 RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
All Directors are subject to shareholder election or re-election 
at the AGM.

C ACCOUNTABILITY
C.1 FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS REPORTING
The Strategic Report is set out on pages 1 to 35 and provides 
information about the performance of the Group, the business 
model, strategy and principal risks and uncertainties relating to 
the Group’s future prospects.

C.2 RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL
The Board decides the Group’s risk appetite and annually 
reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and 
internal control systems. The activities of the Audit Committee, 
which assists the Board with its responsibilities in relation to  
the management of risk, are summarised on page 51.

C.3 AUDIT COMMITTEE AND AUDITORS
The Board has delegated a number of responsibilities to the 
Audit Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the 
Group’s financial reporting processes, internal control and Risk 
Management Framework, the work undertaken by the External 
Auditor, and the internal audit work of the Risk and Assurance 
team. The Chair of the Audit Committee provides regular 
updates to the Board.

D REMUNERATION
D.1 LEVEL AND COMPONENTS OF REMUNERATION
The Remuneration Committee sets levels of remuneration 
appropriately with a view to ensuring the long-term success  
of the Company, and structures remuneration so as to link  
it to both corporate and individual performance, thereby  
aligning management’s interests with those of the shareholders. 
Benchmarking exercises are carried out as appropriate by 
external advisors to ensure remuneration levels are appropriate.

D.2 PROCEDURE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF REMUNERATION 
POLICY AND SETTING REMUNERATION PACKAGES
Details of the work of the Remuneration Committee and the 
approach to setting the remuneration policy and packages  
can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 
55 to 66.

E RELATIONSHIPS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
E.1 SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND DIALOGUE
The Board takes an active role in engaging with shareholders. 
The Board particularly values opportunities to meet with 
shareholders and the Chairman ensures that the Board is  
kept informed of shareholder views.

E.2 CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM provides the Board with an important opportunity  
to meet with shareholders, who are invited to meet the 
members of the Board informally following the formal  
business of the meeting.

LEADERSHIP

APPLICATION OF CODE PRINCIPLES
The information below explains how the Company has applied 
the main principles of the Code. The information required to  
be disclosed by Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 
7.2.6 is set out in the Directors’ Report on pages 67 to 72 and  
is incorporated into this statement by reference.

A LEADERSHIP
A.1 THE ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Board met formally seven times during the year (including 
a strategy session) and held other meetings on an ad hoc  
basis as required. There is a clear schedule of matters reserved 
for the Board, together with delegated authorities throughout 
the Group.

A.2 DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are 
clearly defined. The Chairman is responsible for the leadership 
and effectiveness of the Board and for overseeing the Board’s 
setting of strategy. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible 
for leading the day-to-day management of the Group and the 
implementation of the strategy.

A.3 THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman sets the agendas for the meetings, manages  
the meeting timetable (in conjunction with the Company 
Secretary) and facilitates open and constructive dialogue 
during the meetings.

A.4 THE ROLE OF THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The Chairman promotes an open and constructive  
environment in Board meetings and actively invites the 
Non-Executive Directors’ views. The Non-Executive Directors 
provide objective, rigorous and constructive challenge to 
management and meet during the year in the absence of  
the Executive Directors.

B EFFECTIVENESS
B.1 THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD
The Nomination Committee is responsible for regularly 
reviewing the composition of the Board. In making 
appointments to the Board, the Nomination Committee 
considers the wide range of skills, knowledge, independence 
and experience required to maintain an effective Board.

B.2 APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD
The appointment of new Directors to the Board is led by  
the Nomination Committee. Further details of the activities  
of the Nomination Committee can be found on page 46.

B.3 TIME COMMITMENT
On appointment, Directors are notified of the time 
commitment expected from them and details are set  
out in their letters of appointment. External directorships  
of Executive Directors, which may impact existing time 
commitments, are discussed and cleared by the Chairman.

B.4 DEVELOPMENT
All Directors receive induction training on joining the  
Board and, as part of the annual effectiveness evaluation,  
the development needs of each Director are checked.

B.5 INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
The Chairman, in conjunction with the Company Secretary, 
ensures that all Board members receive accurate and  
timely information.

40

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018MEMBERSHIP OF THE AUDIT, NOMINATION AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEES
Membership of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees remained the same throughout the financial year,  
and was as follows: 

Audit Committee

Julie Southern

Nomination Committee

Rick Senat

Chair

Member

Alicja Kornasiewicz

Scott Rosenblum

Remuneration Committee

Dean Moore

Rick Senat

Member

Dean Moore

Arni Samuelsson

Julie Southern

All the Committees remained compliant with the Code as regards their membership during the year. Julie Southern will not be 
seeking re-election at the AGM in May 2019 and will step down at that point. It is planned that Dean Moore will become Chair of 
the Audit Committee, and Alicja Kornasiewicz will become Chair of the Remuneration Committee, following Julie’s departure. 

THE BOARD
The Group is ultimately controlled by the Board of Directors of 
the Company. The Board is responsible for the overall leadership 
of the Group and for determining its long-term objectives and 
commercial strategy to create and deliver strong and sustainable 
financial performance to enhance shareholder value. In fulfilling 
its role, the Board ensures that necessary financial and other 
resources are available to enable the Group’s objectives to be 
met. The basis on which the Board seeks to preserve value over 
the longer term and the strategy for delivering the objectives is 
set out in the Strategic Report on pages 1 to 35.

The Board meets regularly in the year for its scheduled 
meetings and also annually for a strategy session. Ad hoc 
meetings of the Board take place as required. The meetings 
follow a formal agenda, which includes matters specifically 
reserved for decision by the Board. The Board also meets, as 
and when necessary, to discuss and approve, if appropriate, 
specific issues. All Directors receive notice of such meetings 
and are given the opportunity to comment on the issues being 
discussed if they are unable to attend the meeting.

A schedule of matters specifically reserved for decision  
by the Board has been agreed and adopted. These matters 
include: setting Group strategy; approving an annual  
budget and medium-term forecasts; reviewing operational  
and financial performance; approving major acquisitions, 
divestments and capital expenditure; approval of site  
selection; succession planning; approving appointments  
to the Board and of the Company Secretary and approving 
policies relating to Directors’ remuneration and contracts.

The Board is supplied on a monthly basis with detailed 
management accounts and an overview of Group financial  
and operational information. Regular briefings by the  
Executive Management Team are given to the Board,  
to deepen the collective understanding of the business,  
leading in turn to more effective debate.

GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

THE BOARD
Implementation of the Group’s long-term strategy

Audit 
Committee

The Committee assists the Board  
in discharging its responsibility  
with regard to financial reporting,  
the control environment, the work  
of the External and Internal Auditors, 
and the Risk and Assurance Team.

Chair: Julie Southern

Nomination 
Committee

The Committee is responsible  
for evaluating the balance of  
skills, knowledge and experience  
on the Board, the size, structure  
and composition of the Board, 
retirements and appointments of 
additional and replacement Directors.

Chair: Rick Senat

Remuneration 
Committee

The Committee makes 
recommendations to the Board for 
approval of the Group’s broad policy 
for the remuneration of the Chairman, 
the Executive Directors, the Company 
Secretary and Senior Management, 
and for the design of performance 
related pay schemes and long-term 
incentive plans.

Chair: Dean Moore

Audit Committee Report  
page 50

Nomination Committee Report 
page 46

Remuneration Committee Report  
page 55

41

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report LEADERSHIP CONTINUED

THE ROLES OF THE CHAIRMAN AND  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The posts of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are 
separate. The division of responsibility between the Chairman 
of the Board, Anthony Bloom, and the Chief Executive Officer, 
Moshe Greidinger, is clearly defined in writing. Further details  
of the respective responsibilities are set out below.

BOARD COMMITTEES
In accordance with best practice, the Board has  
appointed three Committees, an Audit Committee,  
a Nomination Committee, and a Remuneration Committee,  
to which certain Board functions have been delegated.  
Each of these Committees has formal written terms of 
reference which clearly define their responsibilities.  
The terms of reference of each of the Board’s three 
Committees are available on the Company’s website  
(www.cineworldplc.com/en/about-us/corporate-governance).

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS

ROLE

CHAIRMAN

NAME

Anthony Bloom

CHIEF 
EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER

NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS

SENIOR 
INDEPENDENT 
DIRECTOR

COMPANY 
SECRETARY

Moshe (Mooky) Greidinger

Camela Galano, Alicja 
Kornasiewicz, Dean Moore, 
Scott S. Rosenblum, Arni 
Samuelsson, Eric (Rick) 
Senat, Julie Southern

Eric (Rick) Senat

Fiona Smith

RESPONSIBILITY

The Chairman, together with the Chief Executive Officer, leads the Board  
in determination of its strategy having regard to the Group’s responsibilities 
to its shareholders, customers, employees and other stakeholders. He is 
responsible for organising the business of the Board, ensuring its effectiveness, 
and setting its agenda. The Chairman also facilitates the effective contribution 
of Non-Executive Directors and oversees the performance evaluation of the 
Board and when appropriate, discusses matters with the Non-Executive 
Directors without the Executive Directors being present.

The Chief Executive Officer has direct charge of the Group on a day-to-day 
basis and is accountable to the Board for the financial and operational 
performance of the Group. He holds regular meetings with his Executive 
Management Team.

The Non-Executive Directors provide objective, rigorous and constructive 
challenge to Management and meet during the year in the absence of the 
Executive Directors. They play a key role in reviewing proposals, in particular 
in respect of strategy.

The Senior Independent Director is available to shareholders if they have 
concerns which contact through the normal channels of Chairman, Chief 
Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer 
has failed to resolve or for which contact is inappropriate.

The Company Secretary is responsible for advising and supporting the 
Chairman and the Board on corporate governance matters, ensuring Board 
procedures are followed and facilitating the good information flow within 
the Board and the Board-appointed Committees.

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS
The number of scheduled Board meetings and Committee meetings attended by each Director during the year was as follows:

Number of meetings in year

7

5

4

2

Independent

Attended

Attended

Attended

Attended

Board 
(including 
strategy 
session)

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Directors

Anthony Bloom

Nisan Cohen

Camela Galano

Israel Greidinger

Moshe Greidinger

Alicja Kornasiewicz

Dean Moore

Scott Rosenblum

Arni Samuelsson

Rick Senat

Julie Southern

Renana Teperberg

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

7/7(1)

6/7

3/3(3)

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

6/7

7/7

3/3(3) 

5/5(2)

4/4(2)

2/2(2)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

5/5

5/5

N/A

N/A

N/A

5/5(1)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

4/4(1)

N/A

N/A

3/4

4/4

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2/2

2/2

2/2(1)

N/A

N/A

(1)  Chair of Board/Board Committee.

(2)  Anthony Bloom, the Chairman of the Company, attended these meetings by invitation.

(3) Camela Galano and Renana Teperberg were appointed as Directors on 19 July 2018. Between 19 July 2018 and the year end, there were only three Board meetings,  

so they attended the maximum number of Board meetings possible.

42

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018EFFECTIVENESS

DIRECTORS AND DIRECTORS’ INDEPENDENCE 
At the start of the year, the Board was composed of ten 
members, five of whom were considered independent. On 
19 July 2018, Camela Galano was appointed to the Board  
as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Renana 
Teperberg, the Company’s Chief Commercial Officer, was 
appointed to the Board as an Executive Director. At the  
end of the year, the Board was therefore composed of  
twelve members, six of whom are considered independent.

For a FTSE 350 company, the Code recommends that at least 
half the Board of Directors (excluding the Chairman) should 
comprise non-executive directors determined by the Board  
to be independent. The Board considers that Camela Galano, 
Alicja Kornasiewicz, Dean Moore, Arni Samuelsson, Rick Senat 
and Julie Southern were, for the year (or the portion of the 
year for which they served as Non-Executive Directors), 
Independent Non-Executive Directors.

The Board is satisfied that Dean Moore meets the requisite 
criteria to be considered independent, notwithstanding his 
previous interim employment within the Group, given the 
nature of the role he performed in the ten month period  
from March 2016, where his mandate was to focus on the  
Chief Financial Officer succession planning process. 

Scott Rosenblum is not viewed as independent because  
of his previous business dealings with the Greidinger family 
and its interests, and as he is the Global City Theatres B.V. 
appointee under the Relationship Agreement as described  
on page 68 of the Directors’ Report. 

The names of the Directors at the year end, together with  
their biographical details, are set out on pages 38 to 39.

The terms and conditions of appointment of the Non-
Executive Directors are set out in letters of appointment  
and are made available for inspection by any person at  
the Company’s registered office during normal business  
hours, and will be available at the AGM. Further details of  
the letters of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors  
and the service contracts of the Executive Directors  
can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy  
(as published in the 2017 Annual Report available on  
the Company’s website).

The Independent Non-Executive Directors bring an objective 
viewpoint and range of experience to the Group and ensure 
that no individual or group of individuals is able to dominate 
the Board’s decision-making. They play a key role in reviewing 
proposals and providing constructive challenge generally  
and in particular in respect of strategy. They also ensure that 
appropriate standards are maintained. All the Non-Executive 
Directors have access to independent legal advice subject to 
consulting with the Board and following the agreed procedure.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION 
Towards the end of the year, a performance evaluation was 
carried out in respect of the Board, the Audit, Remuneration 
and Nomination Committees and each individual Director, 
including the Chairman. As an external facilitator had been 
engaged for the 2016 performance evaluation, the Board 
decided to carry out the exercise without external assistance  
in 2018. The process adopted involved the completion of 
assessment questionnaires by each of the Directors and 
Committee members. The results were then collated by the 
Company Secretary, and a summary presented to the relevant 
Committee and the Board. The process was constructive  
and confirmed that the Board and its Committees are 
operating effectively. 

ELECTION AND RE-ELECTION
All the Directors will be retiring and will be offering themselves 
for re-election at this year’s AGM, apart from Julie Southern 
who will not be seeking re-election and who will stand down  
at the conclusion of the AGM. Directors appointed since the 
last AGM will be offering themselves for election. Biographical 
details of all the current Directors are set out on pages 38 
and 39. In view of the performance evaluation, the Board is 
satisfied that each Director standing for election or re-election 
continues to show the necessary commitment and continues 
to be an effective member of the Board due to his or her skills, 
expertise and business acumen.

RE-ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN
The Board believes that the re-election of Anthony Bloom as 
Chairman of the Board is in the best interests of shareholders. 
Anthony has a comprehensive understanding of the Group’s 
business and operations and played a key role in the Company’s 
combination with Cinema City in 2014 and, more recently, the 
acquisition of Regal. He also brings to the role extensive 
board-level and chairman experience in a range of companies, 
sectors and jurisdictions. As announced on 17 January 2019, 
Alicja Kornasiewicz has been appointed as Deputy Chair, and 
will become Chair of the Board at the conclusion of the 2020 
AGM, following the planned retirement of Anthony Bloom.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMITMENTS
The Chairman performs a limited number of external roles,  
but the Board is satisfied that these are not such as to interfere 
with the performance of the Chairman’s duties to the Group.

43

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report EFFECTIVENESS CONTINUED

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Directors value contact with the Company’s 
institutional and private investors. An Annual 
Report is sent to all new shareholders and is 
otherwise made available to shareholders via the 
Company’s website unless they have specifically 
requested that a copy is sent to them. Presentations 
are given to shareholders and analysts following  
the announcement of the interim results and the 
preliminary announcement of the full year results. 
Trading updates are typically issued in advance  
of the full year results and the interim results. 
Separate announcements of all material events  
are made as necessary. 

In addition to the Chief Executive Officer,  
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, who have regular contact with shareholders,  
the Chairman and Senior Independent Director  
are available to meet with shareholders as and 
when required. Additionally, the Chief Executive 
Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer provide focal points for shareholders’ 
enquiries and dialogue throughout the year.  
The whole Board is kept up to date at its regular 
meetings with the views of shareholders and 
analysts and it receives reports on changes in the 
Company’s share register and market movements.

The Board uses the AGM to communicate  
with private and institutional investors and 
welcomes their participation. The Chairman  
aims to ensure that the Chairs of the Audit 
Committee, Remuneration Committee and 
Nomination Committee are available at the AGM  
to answer questions, and that all Directors attend.

The Company’s website (www.cineworldplc.com) 
provides an overview of the business. Major Group 
announcements are available on the website and 
new announcements are published without delay. 
All major announcements are approved by the 
Chairman and Executive Directors and circulated to 
the Board prior to issue. The Group also has internal 
and external checks to guard against unauthorised 
release of information.

44

ENGAGING WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS  
AND RESPONDING TO THEIR NEEDS

EMPLOYEES

Nurturing talent is a key part  
of our people strategy and, in 
support of our growth strategy,  
we are proud that over the last 
12 months more than 50% of  
cinema management positions  
were filled by internal applicants.

WIDER 
COMMUNITY

Our work with charities, schools,  
and community groups across all  
our territories is very important  
to us. We are involved with a  
wide range of activities including 
working with distributors on charity 
screenings, providing free shows for 
organisations and working closely 
with local schools.

SHAREHOLDERS

The Chief Executive Officer,  
Deputy Chief Executive Officer,  
and Chief Financial Officer provide 
focal points for shareholders’ 
enquiries and dialogue throughout 
the year. The Board uses the AGM  
to communicate with private and 
institutional investors.

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
CUSTOMERS

Our customers are key to our 
success. We focus on ensuring  
that they have a positive experience 
every time to increase the likelihood 
of repeat visits.

INDUSTRY 
BODIES

We work closely with  
industry bodies throughout  
our territories.

ENGAGING OUR 
STAKEHOLDERS 
AND RESPONDING 
TO THEIR NEEDS

ENVIRONMENT

SUPPLIERS

Being a multisite business, the  
Group is conscious of its total  
energy consumption and amount  
of waste materials generated, and is 
actively working on reducing both.

We work hard at developing and 
maintaining good relationships with a 
range of film studios and distributors. 
Strong relationships with our principal 
retail suppliers enable us to work 
together on promotions that help 
drive retail sales.

45

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report EFFECTIVENESS: NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

“ It has been a busy year for the 

Committee, involving a number 
of important developments in the 
composition of our Board. Finding  
a successor for the Chairmanship  
was one of our key tasks.”

Following the extensive review process, it was decided that 
Alicja was the outstanding candidate, with an exceptional 
background, and remarkable business acumen. The Committee 
wishes Alicja every success going forward, and would also  
like to acknowledge the exceptional value, dedication, and 
stewardship of outgoing Chairman, Anthony Bloom.

In addition, in July 2018, we announced the appointment  
of Camela Galano and Renana Teperberg to the Board as 
Independent Non-Executive Director and Executive Director 
respectively. Renana has a long history with the business, and 
will no doubt lend considerable value and strength to the 
Board. Camela is an experienced international film executive, 
with valuable experience and knowledge of the US market. 

On 12 March 2019, we announced that Julie Southern will not  
be seeking re-election at the AGM in May and will step down  
at that point. Dean Moore will become Chair of the Audit 
Committee, and Alicja Kornasiewicz will become Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee, following Julie’s departure. Plans  
for the recruitment of a new Non-Executive Director are under 
way, a process that will be led by the Nomination Committee.

More details of our diversity policy may be found on page 47, 
however I am pleased to note that the Company received a 
positive rating in the 2018 Hampton-Alexander Review, which 
reviews the pipeline of female talent below Board level.

Rick Senat
CHAIRMAN OF THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Committee members

Number of scheduled meetings  
held in  2018

The Company Secretary acts as 
Secretary to the Committee

Rick Senat

Scott Rosenblum  
Arni Samuelsson

2

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS
I am pleased to present our report on the Nomination 
Committee and its activities during the year. 

It has been a busy year for the Committee, involving a number  
of important developments in the composition of our Board. 
Finding a successor for the Chairmanship was one of our  
key tasks and, in January of this year, we announced that Alicja 
Kornasiewicz has been appointed as Deputy Chair, and will 
become Chair of the Board at the conclusion of the 2020 AGM, 
when current Chairman, Anthony Bloom, will be stepping down. 

The process was carefully planned and, with the help of 
external advisors, the Committee thoroughly considered  
the attributes required for such an important leadership role, 
especially taking into account the new challenges and changes 
to the business as it embarks on its next chapter following the 
Regal acquisition. A number of candidates were interviewed  
by me, and my fellow Committee members. 

46

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018COMPOSITION
During the year, the Committee comprised three Non-Executive 
Directors (namely Rick Senat (Chair), Scott Rosenblum, and 
Arni Samuelsson). While Rick Senat and Arni Samuelsson  
are considered to be independent, Scott Rosenblum is not.  
The majority of the Committee are independent as required  
by the Code.

THE ROLE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES 
OF THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE
The Committee assists the Board in discharging its 
responsibilities relating to the composition of the Board. It is 
responsible for evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge and 
experience on the Board, the size, structure and composition 
of the Board, retirements and appointments of additional and 
replacement Directors, and the independence of Directors, and 
it makes appropriate recommendations to the Board on such 
matters. It is also responsible for ensuring that Directors have 
sufficient time to discharge their duties on appointment, and 
thereafter, with such matters being specifically addressed in 
the letters of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors.  
The terms of reference of the Committee are available on  
the Company’s website (www.cineworldplc.com/en/about-us/
corporate-governance).

The Committee met for two scheduled meetings during  
the financial year and held a number of additional meetings  
as required on an ad hoc basis, including in relation to 
succession planning for the Chairmanship. 

Due to the important role that the Directors play in the  
success of the Group, the Chairman is invited to attend 
meetings, and does so, except when his own position or  
his successor is being discussed. 

During the year the Committee reviewed its own performance, 
reviewed the structure of the Board and the three Committees, 
and discussed succession and diversity issues.

BOARD DIVERSITY POLICY 
While the Committee considers diversity to be important  
when reviewing the composition of the Board and possible 
new appointees, it believes that the single most important 
factor is to identify, recruit and retain the people it considers, 
on merit, to be the best candidates for each particular role.  
It is not currently in favour of setting specific targets for  
Board representation to be achieved by particular dates.  
As part of the process of recruiting new Directors, it has 
agreed that candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds, 
including different ethnic backgrounds, should be considered 
and, where reasonably possible, shortlists should comprise 
candidates of different genders. 

RECRUITMENT PROCESS FOR  
BOARD DIRECTORS
It was announced on 19 July 2018 that Renana Teperberg,  
the Company’s Chief Commercial Officer, had been appointed 
to the Board as an Executive Director. It was also announced 
that Camela Galano had been appointed to the Board as an 
Independent Non-Executive Director. With regard to the 
appointment of Camela, the services of an external search 
agency were not required, as Camela was nominated by  
an internal source. This initial nomination was followed by  
a rigorous and independent interview process, led by the 
Nomination Committee. With regard to the recruitment 
process for the Chairmanship, Board advisers AGM Transitions 
were engaged. AGM Transitions has no connection with the 
Company, other than the succession planning advice which  
it has provided to the Company over the past three years.

THE RIGHT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
All Directors have a good understanding of the markets, 
countries, regulatory and risk management frameworks  
within which the Group operates, as well as the technology  
it uses. The biographies of the Directors highlight the skills  
and experience each Director brings to the Board.

Balance of the Board(1)

Length of tenure of  
Non-Executive Directors(1)

Chairman

Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

1

4

7

0-2 years

3-6 years

7 years+

2

4

2

(1)  As at 31 December 2018.

47

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report ACCOUNTABILITY

ACCOUNTABILITY, AUDIT AND FINANCIAL
The Board is responsible for the preparation of the Annual 
Report and ensuring that the financial statements present a 
fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the Group’s 
financial position and prospects. The detailed work to ensure 
this, and to substantiate the fair, balanced and understandable 
statement, is undertaken by the Audit Committee.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL
The Board has overall responsibility for establishing, 
monitoring and maintaining an effective system of risk 
management and internal control. These systems provide 
reasonable assurance that the Group’s assets are safeguarded 
and that material financial errors and irregularities are 
prevented or detected with a minimum of delay. The Group 
approach is implemented using the principles of the Three 
Lines of Defence model, as illustrated in the diagram below.

During the year, the Board has directly, and through  
delegated authority to the Executive Management Team  
and the Audit Committee, overseen and reviewed the 
performance and evolution of the approach to risk 
management and internal control.

The ongoing review and evaluation of risk management and 
internal control is undertaken by the Risk and Assurance team 
whose key responsibilities are:

 — Risk Management

 — Internal Audit

 — Fraud Detection and Loss Prevention

 —  Insurance

OUR THREE LINES OF DEFENCE

BOARD AND COMMITTEES

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

OPERATIONS
US
UK
CEE

SUPPORT
FUNCTIONS

The Board confirms that, in accordance with the Code:

 — there is an ongoing and robust process for identifying, 

evaluating and managing the principal risks faced by the 
Group (for more details please see Principal Risks and 
Uncertainties on pages 22 to 27);

 —  the Company’s systems of risk management and internal 
control have been in place for the year under review, are 
regularly reviewed by the Executive Directors and the 
Board, and are deemed to be effective with no 
significant weaknesses identified; and

 —  the systems comply with the FRC guidance on risk 
management, internal control and related financial 
business reporting.

RISK MANAGEMENT
The Board, supported by the Audit Committee and the 
Executive Management Team, has overall responsibility  
for implementing an effective risk management approach.  
The Group approach is governed by its Risk Management 
Framework (which has been updated to incorporate the 
acquisition of Regal) that sets out the policy, oversight 
structure, accountability and processes for monitoring  
and reporting of risk within the Group, and facilitates the 
following objectives for risk management:

 — to identify, measure, control and report on business risk that 
would potentially undermine the achievement of the Group 
strategic objectives, both strategically and operationally, 
through appropriate analysis and assessment criteria;

 —  to better allocate effort and resources for the management 

of key and emerging risks;

 —  to drive business improvements and improve intelligence  

for key decision-making; and

 —  to support and develop the Company’s reputation as  

a well governed and trusted organisation.

1st Line

Process and control implementation 
and development at cinemas

Operationalise:
—  Cinema operating manuals 
(policies and processes)
—  Regional/district manager 

oversight

—  Training and development
—  Regulation and Compliance

2nd Line

Group and territory  
oversight/monitoring and 
strategy/policy setting

Support and review:
—  Operational performance reviews

—  Executive Directors’ oversight and 

challenge

—  Group Board and Committee 

oversight and challenge

—  Financial oversight and review

—  Risk Management Framework 
design and implementation

—  Assistance in process and control 

development

—  Management self-assessments

—  Customer satisfaction surveys

3rd Line

Independent challenge to the 
levels of assurance provided by 
management on the effectiveness 
of governance, risk management 
and internal controls

Challenge and assure:
—  Risk-based audits 
—  Financial controls reviews
—  Cinema compliance assurance 

programme

—  Health and safety assurance 

programme

—  Insurance inspections
—  Fraud and loss prevention 

monitoring
—  PCI Testing
—  IT and information security 

assurance activity

E
x
t
e
r
n
a
l

A
u
d
i
t

(
p
r
o
v
i
d
e
d
b
y
K
P
M
G
)

R
e
g
u
l
a
t
o
r
s

48

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
The application of the key components of the Risk 
Management Framework have been as follows:

Oversight structure and accountability – The risk management 
oversight and accountability structure (which is in the process 
of being fully embedded in the US) has ensured that risk 
consideration is from both a “top-down” and “bottom-up” 
perspective. The Group maintains a Principal Risk Register  
as well as operational risk registers for support functions, 
cinema operations and specific projects.

Ongoing process – At each level the risk assessment process  
is based on five key steps:

1. Risk identification (using cause and effect analysis)

2. Assessment of inherent risk severity

3.  Identification of existing controls and assessment  

of effectiveness

4. Assessment of residual risk severity

5. Development and implementation of risk mitigation

Details of the Group’s principal risks and how they are being 
managed or mitigated are provided on pages 22 to 27.

Each cinema in the UK and ROW has been risk assessed  
based on financial, operational and management information 
to determine which cinemas would be included in the audit 
programme for the year. For the US, the Group approach is  
in the process of being embedded.

Quarterly management reporting of key themes and trends 
help support the Group to make continued improvements.

In addition to the programme of on-site reviews conducted by 
the Risk and Assurance team, an annual self-assessment audit 
is undertaken by each cinema in the UK and ROW.

Fraud detection and loss prevention – To support the Group  
in fraud detection and loss prevention, ongoing analysis of our 
key data sources is undertaken to swiftly identify any irregular 
transaction activity that could indicate instances of fraud, loss 
or failure of procedural compliance. Specialist software to 
support the analysis is in place in the UK and is in the process 
of being rolled out across the Group.

External audit – The External Auditor provides a supplementary, 
independent and autonomous perspective on those areas of 
the internal control system which it assesses in the course of  
its work. Its findings are reported to the Audit Committee.

As part of this process, risk appetite is considered by the 
Board annually for each of the principal risks, allowing the 
Board to clearly set out the nature and extent of the risk  
the Group is willing to accept, and the level of investment  
in control in pursuit of the Group’s strategic objectives.

Operational controls – The Executive Directors, on a day-to-
day basis, are involved in reviewing the key operations of the 
business through their interaction with their Senior Management 
teams across the Group and their discussions on operational 
performance and delivery.

Financial control – The Group has internal control and risk 
management arrangements in relation to the Group’s financial 
reporting processes and the preparation of its consolidated 
accounts. The arrangements include procedures to ensure the 
maintenance of records which accurately and fairly reflect 
transactions, to enable the preparation of financial statements 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as adopted by the EU or FRS 101, as appropriate, with reasonable 
assurance, and that require reported data to be reviewed and 
reconciled, with appropriate monitoring internally and by the 
Audit Committee.

Ongoing financial performance is monitored through regular 
reporting to the Executive Directors and monthly reporting  
to the Board. Capital investment and all revenue expenditure  
is regulated by a budgetary process and authorisation levels, 
with post-investment and period end reviews as required.  
A comprehensive budgeting system allows managers to submit 
detailed budgets which are reviewed and amended by the 
Executive Directors prior to submission to the Board for approval.

Other assurance activities – A programme of health and 
safety/food safety audits (delivered by outsourced providers) 
takes place in each of the countries.

As a result of the introduction of GDPR in the year, additional 
assurance activity focused on reviewing the maturity of the 
Group in the application of the regulation has been undertaken. 

In line with our requirements under PCI, an independent 
security assessor provided a report on our compliance.

Policies and procedures – The Group has in place a range of 
governance related policies which are regularly reviewed and 
communicated to employees. These include Whistleblowing, 
Gifts and Hospitality, and Health and Safety. For more details 
of the Group’s policies see the Resources and Relationships 
section on pages 28 to 30. 

Escalation, monitoring and reporting – A clear escalation  
policy is in place to ensure changes to risk exposure are  
notified up through the governance structure as required.  
Risk leads are identified for all risks and have the responsibility 
for ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of current controls 
and the progress against the implementation of further 
mitigating actions.

There is a cycle of ongoing monitoring and reporting activities 
in place with risk information being presented to the Board  
and Audit Committee. 

Culture – To support embedding the application of the Risk 
Management Framework into the culture and behaviours of 
the Group, ongoing training and communication have been 
delivered by the Risk and Assurance team.

INTERNAL CONTROL
Whilst the Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s 
system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness,  
it has delegated responsibility for the operation of the system 
of internal control to the Executive Management Team. The 
detailed review of internal control has been delegated to the 
Audit Committee. Senior Management within each part of the 
Group are responsible for internal control and risk management 
within their own area and for ensuring compliance with the 
Group’s policies and procedures.

The Audit Committee has oversight of the programme of 
assurance activities to allow for its ongoing review of the 
effectiveness of internal control. The delivery of this assurance 
programme is undertaken by the Risk and Assurance team, 
which is supported by specialist advisors as required.

Details of the activities the Audit Committee during 2018  
are set out on pages 50 to 53.

Internal audit – The internal audit plan is a combination of 
Group-wide risk-based reviews (providing assurance over  
the key controls relied upon for the principal risks), financial 
controls testing and additional specific reviews requested  
by management. The Risk and Assurance team has been 
supported by PwC for the UK and ROW and LBMC for the  
US to deliver the plan.

Cinema compliance – The Cinema Compliance programme  
has operated across the Group with reviews being undertaken 
to understand the application of the key controls within the 
operational procedures in the areas of cash, retail, payroll/HR 
and operations. 

49

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report ACCOUNTABILITY: AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

“ The Committee has had an  
important focus this year,  
following the fundamental  
changes to the Group flowing  
from the Regal acquisition.”

Chair

Commitee members

Number of scheduled meetings  
held in 2018

The Company Secretary acts as 
Secretary to the Committee

Julie Southern

Alicja Kornasiewicz
Dean Moore 

5

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS
I am pleased to present this report on the activities of the  
Audit Committee for 2018. 

The Committee has had an important focus this year, following 
the fundamental changes to the Group flowing from the Regal 
acquisition. As a Committee, it has been important to refresh 
our view of our role in the context of the new Group, to fully 
understand the changes to our areas of responsibility and 
focus, in particular in relation to internal controls, systems,  
and risk management. 

The existing structural strength of the assurance framework 
and risk management systems, involving the Group Finance 
Team, the Risk and Assurance Team, the external auditor,  
and the supporting Management teams across the Group’s 
territories, meant that we were well-positioned to expand 
processes and procedures to cover the new US element of  
the business. Indeed, the strength of the Group team and the 
ability of the UK and US teams to work productively together 
was demonstrated by the successful extension of the existing 
US Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system across the UK 
business, a substantial project that completed in the early part 
of 2019.

In order to continue the evolution in our approach to Internal 
Audit, towards the end of 2018 we undertook a tender exercise 
to find a partner to support the Risk and Assurance Team in 
the delivery of internal audit plans for the coming three years. 
As a result of the exercise, the Group has decided to appoint 
BDO as our Internal Audit supplier, working with the Team to 
ensure the Audit Committee receives the requisite assurance  
on the effectiveness of risk management and internal control 
within the business.

50

As is further described in the Accountability section on  
pages 48 to 49, a significant amount of work has been 
dedicated to embedding Group processes and procedures 
across Regal, in addition to our ongoing review work to  
ensure our systems of risk management and internal control 
remain sufficiently robust.

Following on from the review work carried out by the 
Committee in respect of the acquisition itself, we spent  
a significant amount of time in 2018 reviewing the work  
of the External Auditor and Management on acquisition 
accounting. Indeed, a number of the work-streams emanating 
from the work on acquisition accounting directly link with  
the Committee’s consideration of areas of significant risk in 
relation to the financial statements, and the development of 
our understanding of how these would be addressed. More 
information on how we considered and assessed these areas  
is set out on pages 52 to 53. 

In addition, we have spent time preparing for the implementation 
of new accounting standards, in particular IFRS 16, and monitoring 
the preparatory work being carried out by the Management 
team in this regard. Further details may be found on page 98. 
The Committee will continue to monitor this project, to ensure 
a smooth transition to the new rules.

Lastly, on 12 March 2019, it was announced that I will be 
stepping down as a Board Director and Chair of the Audit 
Committee at the conclusion of the AGM in May 2019. 
Dean Moore, who is currently a member of the Committee,  
will become Chair of the Audit Committee when I step down. 
I wish Dean and the Committee every success for the future.

Julie Southern
CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018COMPOSITION
For the duration of the year, the Committee comprised three 
Independent Non-Executive Directors, namely Julie Southern 
(Chair), Alicja Kornasiewicz, and Dean Moore. Both Julie and 
Dean are Chartered Accountants, and are considered by the 
Board to have recent and relevant financial experience. The 
Committee as a whole is considered to have competence 
relevant to the sector in which the Company operates.

As announced on 12 March, Julie Southern will not be  
seeking re-election at the 2019 AGM, and will step down  
at the conclusion of the meeting. It is planned that  
Dean Moore will become Chair of the Audit Committee 
following Julie’s departure.

The Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief 
Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, other Directors 
and Senior Executives, the Head of Risk and Assurance, the 
Internal Auditor and the External Auditor may be invited to 
attend meetings, but are not members.

THE ROLE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES 
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Committee has a clear set of responsibilities that are set out 
in its terms of reference, which are available on the Company’s 
website (www.cineworldplc.com/en/about-us/corporate-
governance). The Committee assists the Board in discharging its 
responsibilities with regard to financial reporting, the control 
environment, the work of the External and Internal Auditors, and 
the Risk and Assurance team, including:

 —  monitoring the financial reporting process;

 —  reviewing the integrity of the Annual and Interim Reports, 

including reviewing significant financial judgements therein;

 — reviewing the Group’s risk assessment process, the output of 
that assessment and the associated risk management systems;

 — reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls;

 — considering the scope of the Internal and External Auditors’ 

activities, and the work of the Risk and Assurance team, their 
reports and their effectiveness;

 — reviewing and monitoring the extent of the non-audit work 

undertaken by the External Auditor; and

 — advising on the appointment of the External Auditor.

The ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving the 
Annual and Interim Reports remains with the Board.

WHAT THE COMMITTEE DID IN 2018
The Committee met five times during the year, during which 
time it:

 — monitored the financial reporting process and reviewed  
the interim and annual financial statements (including  
the preliminary announcement) with particular reference  
to accounting policies, principal risks and uncertainties,  
together with significant estimates and financial reporting 
judgements and the disclosures made therein;

 —  considered the interim results and the Annual Report and 
Accounts in the context of the requirement that they are  
fair, balanced and understandable, by reviewing papers 
prepared by management with regard to this principle.  
This included reviewing the documents to ensure that the 
description of the business agrees with the Committee’s  
own understanding, the risks reflect the issues that concern  
the Group, the discussion of performance properly reflects 
the relevant period, and there is a clear link between all the 
areas of disclosure;

 —  received and discussed (in the absence of management, 
where appropriate) reports from the External Auditor in 
respect of its review of the interim results, the internal audit 
plan for the year and the results of the annual audit. These 
reports included the scope for the interim review and annual 
audit, the approach to be adopted by the External Auditor  
to evaluate and conclude on key areas of the audit, its 
assessment of materiality, the terms of engagement and 
raising awareness to the Committee of the likely impact of 
future changes to regulation and accounting standards;

 — monitored the performance of the Risk and Assurance team 

(including input from PwC), and reviewed the effectiveness of 
the Group’s internal financial controls together with its broader 
internal control and Risk Management Framework, to ensure 
consistent and appropriate financial controls across the Group;

 — considered the combined Prospectus and Circular in relation 
to the acquisition of Regal and, following the completion of 
the transaction in February 2018, monitored the acquisition 
accounting work of Management and the External Auditor;

 — reviewed the accounting papers provided by management 

on the upcoming changes to IFRS accounting standards and 
their potential impact on the Group’s financial statements;

 — monitored the implementation of the Group’s internal  

audit plan for 2018, including further embedding the Risk 
Management Framework, the risk-based assurance plan  
for the financial control environment, and the Group-wide 
cinema compliance programme;

 — reviewed the results of non-financial audits (including food 

hygiene and fire safety) and where applicable agreed 
enhancements to procedures and reviewed remedial actions;

 —  made recommendations to the Board with regard to 

continuing the appointment and remuneration of the  
External Auditor, oversaw the Group’s relations with the 
External Auditor, determined its independence and 
monitored the effectiveness of the audit process;

 —  discussed the requirements for a longer-term viability 
statement and the related assessment work to enable  
the Board to make such a statement;

 —  continued to monitor the ongoing requirements regarding 

audit tender; and

 —  reviewed the Committee’s terms of reference and carried  
out a performance evaluation as required by the Code.  
The results of the evaluation confirmed that the Committee  
is performing satisfactorily and providing strong support  
to the Board.

GOING CONCERN
In recommending the adoption of the going concern basis for 
preparing the financial statements, the Committee considered 
the business activities, as well as the Group’s principal risks  
and uncertainties, as set out on pages 22 to 27, the financial 
position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position, and 
borrowing facilities, as well as the Group’s objectives, policies 
and processes for managing capital, as described on pages 
31 to 35 and the financial risk management objectives, details 
of financial instruments and hedging activities, and exposures 
to credit risk and liquidity risk as set out in Note 24 to the 
financial statements.

51

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report ACCOUNTABILITY: AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

VIABILITY
Part of the Committee’s work in the year has been to discuss 
and consider the requirement under the Code for a longer-
term viability statement, and the related assessment work 
needed in order to enable the Directors to make such a 
statement. The Directors’ Viability Statement, together  
with details of the assessment work, is set out on page 27  
(with a summary on page 37, “Board Statements”).

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES CONSIDERED IN 
RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
During the year the Committee, management and the External 
Auditor considered and concluded what the significant risks 
and issues were in relation to the financial statements and  
how these would be addressed. In relation to the 2018 Group 
financial statements, following the acquisition of Regal, 
additional significant risks have been identified which are 
outlined as follows:

ACQUISITION ACCOUNTING FOR REGAL 
On 28 February 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of 
Regal Entertainment Group by means of an acquisition of the 
entire issued, and to be issued share capital of Regal. 

An exercise to identify and establish the fair value of the total 
net identifiable assets of the acquired business was undertaken 
(purchase price allocation “PPA”) with the preliminary results 
presented in the 2018 Interim Report. Given the complex 
nature of the valuation exercise, and the judgemental nature  
of assumptions (which were sensitive to change), the fair  
value assessments were presented on a provisional basis in the 
Interim Report. This exercise was refined and finalised during 
the second half of the year. The refinements made impacted 
the fair value of property, plant and equipment (“PPE”) and 
onerous lease provisions most significantly. The process 
resulted in a final goodwill recognised of $4,625.8m.

Full details of the assessed fair values are discussed further in 
Note 18 to the financial statements. Based on the Committee’s 
enquiries of management and the review of work performed by 
external valuation experts, the Committee satisfied itself that: 

 — the fair value of the acquired total net identifiable assets  

(with particular reference to the identification and valuation  
of intangible assets, PPE fair value assessments and the 
accounting for investments) was consistent with the advice 
received from external experts; 

 — the fair value exercise was thorough and included all 
categories of assets and liabilities (including all lease 
contracts, revenue contracts and provisions); 

 — management have performed a detailed balance sheet 

review and are satisfied that the classification of assets and 
liabilities is correct and that recognition is appropriate; and 

 — the subjectivity of the valuation process, including the extent 
of fair value adjustments, was appropriately disclosed in the 
annual financial statements.

ACCOUNTING FOR JOINT ARRANGEMENTS
As part of the Regal acquisition the Group acquired a 
significant share in Digital Cinema Implementation Partners 
(“DCIP”), a joint arrangement with other US exhibitors set up 
to collect and administrate Virtual Print Fee (“VPF”) income 
received from studios to compensate exhibitors for their 
investment in digital projection equipment. Through a long 
term leasing arrangement with DCIP, the exhibitors retain 
control over the projection equipment it has acquired. In 
addition, the Group determined that under the terms of the 
leasing arrangements and the associated minimum rental 
charges expected to be made, it has a joint obligation for  
the debt taken out by DCIP to finance the acquisition of  
the projection equipment. 

Under the requirements of IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements” 
management had to assess whether the joint arrangement 
agreement in relation DCIP should be accounted for as a joint 
venture or as a joint operation. Management prepared an 
analysis of the DCIP arrangement against IFRS 11 which was 
presented to the Committee. Based on the Committee’s review 
and discussions with management and the external auditors 
we concurred that, with joint control over the material assets 
and liabilities of DCIP, it should classified as a joint operation. 
Further details of this arrangement can be found in Note 13  
to the Financial Statements.

The Group also acquired the National Cinema Media (“NCM”) 
joint arrangement as part of the Regal acquisition. Within  
the NCM arrangement the advertising contract requires an 
estimate in respect of its fair value to the Group. In estimating 
the fair value management have made a number of key 
assumptions, being the fair value of advertising revenue per 
attendance and the level of attendance over the contract 
period. Management have presented their methodology, 
assumptions and rationale to the Committee. The Committee 
has satisfied itself that the approach applied was appropriate, 
the assumptions reasonable and adequate disclosure around 
the valuation has been provided in the financial statements, 
including sensitivity analysis. Further details can be found in 
Note 12 to the Financial Statements.

VALUATION OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 
As detailed in Note 10 to the financial statements, there  
is a significant inherent risk that elements of the Group’s 
considerable PPE balances may prove to be irrecoverable,  
due to fluctuations in the underlying performance of cinemas 
or one-off events. Given the number of factors involved in 
predicting the performance of cinema sites operated by the 
Group, in multiple countries, this gives rise to an element of 
judgement being applied to the potential level of impairments 
to be recognised on a cash generating unit (“CGU”) basis, 
predominantly at cinema site level. 

At each Balance Sheet date, management prepares an 
assessment which estimates the value in use of the CGUs to 
which the tangible fixed assets are allocated. Where individual 
sites’ cash flows are not considered independent from one 
another, mainly due to strategic or managerial decisions being 
made across more than one site, they may be combined into  
a single CGU. 

The resulting calculation is sensitive to the assumptions in 
respect of future cash flows and the discount rate applied.  
The main assumptions over growth rates, the impact of  
one-off events, expected cost increases and discount rates  
are updated to reflect management’s best estimate. When 
considering the appropriateness of the discount rate, 
management assess the territory specific discount rates,  
and ensure that they are updated for current market 
information and the Group’s current leverage. 

52

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018INDEPENDENCE, APPOINTMENT AND TENDER
The Committee last conducted a tender process in February 
2016 and, following that process, decided to recommend to 
the Board that KPMG be reappointed as External Auditor.

The Company will continue to comply with the relevant 
tendering and auditor rotation requirements applicable  
under UK and EU regulations, which require the next external 
audit tender to occur by 2026. In addition, the External Auditor 
will be required to rotate the audit partner responsible for the 
Group audit every five years and, as a result, the current lead 
audit partner will be required to change in 2021. The Committee 
continues to review the auditor appointment and the need to 
tender the audit.

The External Auditor is also required to periodically assess 
whether, in its professional opinion, it is independent and 
confirm this to the Committee. KPMG has provided this 
confirmation. In addition, the Company considers it has 
complied with the Competition and Markets Authority’s 
Statutory Audit Services Order.

NON-AUDIT SERVICES
The Committee considers the independence of the External 
Auditor on an ongoing basis and has established policies to 
consider the appropriateness or otherwise of appointing the 
External Auditor to perform non-audit services. In particular, 
under its terms of reference, all non-audit work and the 
associated fees need to be approved by the Committee if  
the value of such work is likely to be greater than £30,000. 

The only non-audit service subject to Audit Committee 
approval provided by KPMG to the Group during 2018 related 
to its review of the Group’s interim statement, for which fees  
of £0.06m were agreed.

The Committee is satisfied that the above work was best 
undertaken by KPMG and that its objectivity and independence 
as auditor has not been impaired by reason of this further 
work. An analysis of audit and non-audit fees may be found  
in Note 5 to the financial statements.

INSURANCE
It is not practical or possible to insure against every risk  
to the fullest extent. The Group has in place an insurance 
programme to help protect it against certain insurable risks. 
The portfolio of insurance policies is kept under regular  
review with the Company’s insurance broker to ensure  
that the policies are appropriate to the Group’s activities  
and exposures taking into account cost, and the likelihood  
and magnitude of the risks involved.

At the year end management prepared their valuation  
models for the Committee’s consideration, together with  
their proposed site impairments, and drew the Committee’s 
attention to any specific judgements taken within the models, 
including focusing particularly on one site in Israel with a large 
carrying value, which is expected to mature over a longer 
period than most of the Group’s sites. Management confirmed 
to the Committee that they have applied a consistent Group-
wide methodology in the preparation of the valuation models. 
The Committee satisfied itself that the approach was appropriate, 
the assumptions reasonable and the impairments proposed 
were complete and accurate. The Committee also satisfied 
itself through enquiry of management and review of the Board 
papers that all significant events which may have impacted on 
the valuation of PPE had been appropriately captured in 
management’s assumptions and reflected in the valuation 
models and that appropriate disclosures, including in relation 
to sensitivities, had been included in the financial statements.

EXTERNAL AUDIT
The Committee reviews the appointment of the External 
Auditor each year before the cycle of audit commences and  
in deciding whether to renew the appointment takes note of 
the quality of the service received, the proposed fees and the 
Auditor’s independence. Management and all members of the 
Committee are consulted during the process. Further details  
of these processes are set out below.

EFFECTIVENESS
During the year, the Committee evaluated the performance 
and objectivity of KPMG and reviewed its effectiveness as 
External Auditor. The effectiveness of the 2017 audit was 
assessed by reference to the following:

 — the effectiveness of the lead audit, engagement partner, 

including the support provided to the Committee;

 — the planning and scope of the audit including identification 
of areas of audit risk and communication of any changes  
to the plan, and changes in perceived audit risks;

 — the quality of communication with the Committee,  

including the regular reports on accounting matters, 
governance and control;

 — the competence with which the External Auditor handled 

key accounting and audit judgements and communication  
of those to management and the Committee;

 — KPMG’s reputation and standing, including its independence 

and objectivity and its internal quality procedures; and

 — the quality of the formal report to shareholders.

Further, at the conclusion of each year’s audit, the Committee 
discusses the performance of the External Auditor with the 
Executive Directors and relevant senior finance managers 
considering areas such as the quality of the audit team, 
business understanding, audit approach and management. 
Where appropriate, actions are agreed against points raised 
and subsequently monitored for progress. There were no 
significant findings from the evaluation this year.

After taking into account all of the above factors, the 
Committee concluded that the External Auditor was effective. 
In addition, the Committee is satisfied that it has sufficient 
oversight of the External Auditor and its independence and 
objectivity is not compromised due to the safeguards in place.

53

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

COMPOSITION
For the duration of the year, the Company’s Remuneration 
Committee comprised three independent Non-Executive 
Directors, namely Dean Moore (Chair), Rick Senat, and 
Julie Southern. As announced on 12 March 2019, it is planned 
that Alicja Kornasiewicz will become Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee at the conclusion of the 2019 AGM. The Committee 
met for four scheduled meetings during the year and, in 
addition, held a number of ad hoc meetings to deal with 
specific issues. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The activities of the Committee are covered in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 66, and are incorporated 
into this Corporate Governance Statement by reference.

The Committee assists the Board in determining its responsibilities 
in relation to remuneration, including making recommendations 
to the Board on the Group’s policy on executive remuneration, 
determining the individual remuneration and benefits package of 
each of the Executive Directors, and monitoring and approving 
the remuneration of Senior Management below Board level.

The Committee appointed PwC as external advisers in September 
2017 and took advice from them during the year. PwC has no 
other connections with Cineworld except the provision internal 
audit support to the Risk and Assurance Team. 

The Committee is comfortable that the PwC engagement 
partner and team that provide remuneration advice to the 
Committee do not have connections with the Company that 
may impair their independence. On appointment as advisors, 
the Committee reviewed the potential for conflicts of interest 
and judged that there were no conflicts or potential conflicts 
arising. The Company receives advice in relation to the 
Remuneration Policy and its implementation in respect  
of the Chairman, Executive Directors, Company Secretary  
and Senior Management. 

The terms of engagement with PwC are available on request 
from the Company Secretary.

The Chief Executive Officer is consulted on the remuneration 
packages of the other senior executives and attends discussions 
by invitation except when his own position is being discussed. 
Given the essential part remuneration plays in the success of  
the Group, the Chairman of the Board is also invited to attend 
meetings of the Committee and does so except when his own 
remuneration is being considered. The Committee does not deal 
with the fees paid to the Non-Executive Directors. The report of 
the Remuneration Committee is set out on pages 55 to 66.

The terms of reference of the Committee are available on the 
Company’s website (www.cineworldplc.com/en/about-us/
corporate-governance).

By order of the Board

Anthony Bloom
CHAIRMAN
28 March 2019

54

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE  
LONG-TERM VALUE CREATION

“ The Group delivered a successful year 
of trading in 2018… the Remuneration 
Policy is fundamental to the delivery 
of the Company’s ongoing strategic 
objectives and provides key incentives 
and support for sustainable long-term 
value creation.” 

ANNUAL STATEMENT
DEAR SHAREHOLDERS
As Chair of Cineworld’s Remuneration Committee (the 
“Committee”), I am pleased to present our Remuneration 
Report for the year to 31 December 2018.

2018 PERFORMANCE AND REMUNERATION
The Group delivered a successful year of trading in 2018  
with total revenue increasing to $4,119.1m and Adjusted 
EBITDA up to $925.4m. The decisions in relation to executive 
remuneration outcomes made by the Committee were taken in 
the context of this performance and the successful acquisition 
of Regal towards the beginning of the year. Annual bonuses for 
the Executive Directors which, in line with the new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy, are based on a matrix of Group Adjusted 
EBITDA performance against budget, the achievement of 
stretching individual objectives, and the delivery of synergy 
benefits as a result of the Regal acquisition, paid out at the 
level of 91% of the maximum opportunity for each of the 
Executive Directors. As earnings per share (“EPS”) performance 
targets for the Performance Share Plan (“PSP”) were reached 
in full over the three year period 2016–2018, 100% of the awards 
made in 2016 will vest.

REMUNERATION POLICY AND STRATEGIC  
ALIGNMENT OF PAY
As you will recall, we updated our Remuneration Policy at the 
2018 AGM, in large part to take account of the newly enlarged 
Group, which has changed fundamentally not just in scale,  
but in complexity, owing to the transformative $5.8 billion 
acquisition of the Regal Entertainment Group in February 2018. 
The review of our Policy also took into account developing 
market practice, and feedback received through a detailed 
round of consultation and engagement with shareholders. 

The Committee has carefully noted and considered the 
viewpoints of shareholders in respect of the Policy. Reflecting 
on this, the Committee remains confident, particularly in light 
of the strong business performance over the last year including 
delivering in respect of the synergy targets, that the amendments 
to the Policy were appropriate given the significant increase in 
size and complexity of the business, and the consequential 
increase in the responsibilities of the Executive Directors.  
The Board believes that the Policy is fundamental to the 
delivery of the Company’s ongoing strategic objectives, and 
that it provides key support for sustainable long-term value 
creation for the Group. 

An ‘At a Glance’ summary on page 57 sets out the key  
elements of the Policy, describes how it was implemented  
in 2018, and illustrates the linkage between strategy,  
payments to directors, and short and long-term business 
performance. The full Policy can be viewed on the Company’s 
website at www.cineworldplc.com/en/investors/reports-and-
presentations/yr-2018. More information regarding application 
of the Policy in 2018, and the intended implementation in 2019, 
may be found on pages 57 to 66.

55

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

ACTIVITIES OVER THE YEAR
The Remuneration Committee met for four scheduled meetings during 2018 and its key activities were as follows:

Jan 
2018

March 
2018

May 
2018

November
2018

Overall remuneration

Considering the remuneration arrangements across the Group

Determining the salary increases to be awarded to  
Executive Directors and Senior Management Team

Annual bonus

Deciding the targets for the annual bonus scheme

Determining bonus payments to be awarded,  
including for the wider workforce

LTIP

Making awards under the 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) 

Approving vesting of awards under the 2007 Performance Share 
Plan (“PSP”) and the 2010 Company Share Option Plan (“CSOP”)

Consideration of Rights Issue Adjustments to Share Schemes

Governance

Reviewing the 2018 AGM voting figures and considering  
the views of shareholders

Review and Update of Committee Terms of Reference

Committee Evaluation

Review of Directors’ Remuneration Report and Policy

Agreeing Forward Looking Agenda

Review of Gender Pay reporting outcomes

Consideration of proposed revisions  
to the UK Corporate Governance Code

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE
The Committee is currently considering and planning for  
the requirements of the new UK Corporate Governance  
Code 2018 (the “Code”) which has applied since 1 January 2019,  
and against which we will report next year. We note our 
increased duties in respect of the wider workforce and 
employees at levels below Board level, and are carefully 
analysing our approach to the revised provisions. 

As part of our initial review of the Code requirements in  
relation to executive remuneration, the Committee has 
determined that a two year post-vesting holding period  
will apply to all future LTIP awards to Executive Directors, 
including those to be made in 2019.

The Committee will also review the LTIP rules to ensure 
sufficient discretion to override formulaic outcomes is 
available, and will amend the rules if necessary to achieve  
this. In addition, the pension contributions for incoming 
Executive Directors will be set with consideration to the 
pension provision for the wider workforce, as well as market 
practice, at that time.

Furthermore, the Committee will consider its policy  
on post-cessation shareholding requirements over the  
coming year.

THIS REPORT
This report has been prepared in accordance with  
the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013,  
the UKLA Listing Rules and the 2016 Code. 

It is split into two parts:

 — This Annual Statement, together with an “At a Glance” 

section in respect of the Policy and its implementation; and

 — The Annual Report on Remuneration, which sets out payments 
made to the Directors and details the link between Company 
performance and remuneration for the 2018 financial year. 
The Annual Report on Remuneration, together with this 
Statement, is subject to an advisory shareholder vote at  
the AGM on 15 May 2019.

The Committee has always aimed to be clear and transparent 
in matters of remuneration, and we hope that this report 
continues this approach. Should you have any queries or 
comments on this report, or more generally in relation to  
the Company’s remuneration, then please do not hesitate  
to contact me via the Company Secretary. 

I hope that you find this report informative, and I look  
forward to your continued support at the Company’s AGM.

Dean Moore
CHAIR OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
28 March 2019 

56

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018AT A GLANCE
SUMMARY OF REMUNERATION POLICY
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the “Policy”) was  
approved by shareholders at the AGM on 16 May 2018 
and became effective from that date.

The table below summarises the current Policy, and how  
this was implemented in 2018. The full Policy is detailed  
in the 2017 Annual Report, which can be found in the 
“Investors” section under “Reports and Presentations”  
on the Company’s website. 

OUR STRATEGY

Provide the best cinema experience – to give our customers 
a choice of how to watch a movie, with a variety of retail 
offerings, all underpinned by the best customer service
Expand and enhance our estate – to provide consistent, 
high quality, modern cinemas

Be technological leaders in the industry – to offer the 
latest audio and visual technology

Drive value for shareholders – by delivering our growth 
plans in an efficient and effective way

Element of reward

Base salary, pension, benefits

Annual bonus

LTIP

Shareholding requirement

Purpose

To provide a core level of 
remuneration and market 
competitive benefits to  
enable the Group to attract 
and retain skilled, high-
calibre executives to 
deliver its strategy.

To incentivise the annual 
delivery of financial and 
operational targets.

To encourage sustainable 
profitability over a period  
of time aligned to the 
overall objective of 
achieving sustainable 
growth.

To provide alignment 
between Executive 
Directors and shareholders.

Base salary, 
pension  
and other 
benefits

Annual  
bonus

LTIP

Shareholding 
requirements

Cineworld 
Group 
Sharesave 
Scheme

8
1
0
2

9
1
0
2

0
2
0
2

1
2
0
2

2
2
0
2

3
2
0
2

Key features of Policy

Implementation of Policy in 2018

Salaries may be adjusted and any 
increase will ordinarily be in line  
with those across the Group.

Salaries for Executive Directors were 
increased to the following amounts with 
effect from 28 February 2018:

Link to 
strategy

Employer pension contribution up  
to 20% of base salary.

Executives may opt out of the Group 
pension scheme and instead receive 
a cash pension allowance.

Market competitive benefits including 
provision of a company car or car 
allowance, private mileage, life 
insurance, permanent health insurance 
and private medical insurance.

Maximum opportunity of 150%  
of salary.

Two thirds of the bonus is based  
on Adjusted EBITDA and personal 
performance.

One third of the bonus is based on 
performance against strategic targets.

Any bonus earned up to 100% of 
salary will be paid in cash; any bonus 
earned above 100% of salary will be 
deferred into shares for a period of 
two years.

Discretion to apply malus provisions.

Normal maximum opportunity equal 
to 200% of base salary.

Vesting subject to EPS growth 
performance over a three year 
performance period and reviewed 
annually to ensure the targets are 
sufficiently stretching in light of  
both internal and external 
performance expectations.

Clawback provisions apply.

Each Executive Director is expected 
to build up a shareholding equal to 
150% of their base salary.

Maximum level is consistent for 
Executives and staff and is in line with 
the limit under legislation (currently 
£500 per month).

CEO – £630,000

Deputy CEO – £505,000

CFO – £395,000

The CCO was appointed to the Board in 
July 2018 with a base salary of £395,000.

Pension contributions were paid at the levels 
of 20% to the CEO and the Deputy CEO and 
14.8% to the CFO and CCO.

Maximum opportunity of 150% of salary for 
the CEO and Deputy CEO and 100% of salary 
for the CFO and CCO.

Two thirds of the bonus is based on a matrix 
of Adjusted EBITDA targets and individual 
strategic objectives, with none of this element 
payable if a minimum of 90% of budgeted 
Adjusted EBITDA is not achieved. All of this 
element is payable if 110% of budgeted 
Adjusted EBITDA and exceptional 
performance is achieved.

For FY18 and FY19 the strategic targets are 
based on the delivery of synergy benefits as 
a result of the Regal acquisition.

Vesting linked to EPS growth performance.

25% of the award will vest at threshold 
performance.

100% of the award will vest at stretch 
performance.

On vesting, participants will receive dividend 
equivalents in the form of additional shares 
or a cash sum.

Executive Directors are expected to retain 
50% of any shares they acquire under the  
PSP or LTIP or on exercise of options until 
such a holding has been built up.

No Executive Directors have participated in 
the Sharesave Scheme. Under the Scheme, 
employees are eligible to acquire Cineworld 
shares at a discount of up to 20% of the 
market value at grant if they enter into 
a three year savings contract.

Malus and clawback
The Remuneration Committee reserves the discretion to apply malus and clawback provisions in circumstances of misconduct  
or misstatement of financial results. The malus provision applies to annual bonus awards, while clawback applies to both annual 
bonus awards for a period of two years post-vesting.

Consideration of wider employee pay
Whilst the Company does not formally consult employees in relation to the Remuneration Policy, thorough consideration  
is given to the wider workforce when setting executive pay and ensuring appropriate alignment with executives.

57

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION
THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE AND ITS ROLE
The Company’s Remuneration Committee comprises Dean Moore, Julie Southern and Rick Senat, who are all considered  
to be independent. The Chair of the Committee is Dean Moore. Alicja Kornasiewicz will join the Committee as Chair from  
the date of the AGM.

The Committee’s principal responsibilities are to:

 — make recommendations to the Board for approval of the Group’s broad policy for the remuneration of the Chairman,  

the Executive Directors, the Company Secretary, and Senior Management;

 — determine the specific remuneration packages of the Chairman, the Executive Directors, the Company Secretary and  

Senior Management;

 — approve the terms of the service agreements of the Executive Directors, the Company Secretary and Senior Management; and

 — approve the design of, and determine the targets for, any performance related pay schemes and LTIPs.

The full terms of reference of the Committee are available on the Company’s website  
(www.cineworldplc.com–about-us/en/corporate-governance). The terms are reviewed annually.

The Committee met for four scheduled meetings during the period and details of the members’ attendance record is set out  
on page 42. In addition to the four scheduled meetings, the Committee met for a number of ad hoc meetings.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE ADVISORS
The Company continued to receive advice from PwC during the year in relation to the Remuneration Policy and its 
implementation in respect of the Chairman, Executive Directors, Company Secretary and Senior Management. PwC was 
appointed by the Remuneration Committee in September 2017 following a competitive selection process. The terms of 
engagement are available on request from the Company Secretary. PwC attended four scheduled meetings during the  
year at the request of the Committee. PwC’s fees for advice to the Committee were £84,200. 

As founder members of the Remuneration Consultants Group, PwC operates under the Voluntary Code of Conduct in relation  
to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. Additionally as a member firm of the ICAEW, PwC complies with the ICAEW’s 
ethical guidelines. As a result, PwC operates under rigorous rules on independence, compliance and quality assurance. 

PwC has no other connections with Cineworld except in respect of internal audit support provided to the Company’s Risk and 
Assurance Team. The Committee is satisfied that the advice provided by PwC is objective and independent, and is comfortable 
that the PwC engagement partner and team that provide remuneration advice to the Committee do not have connections with 
the Company that may impair their independence. On appointment as advisors, the Committee reviewed the potential for 
conflicts of interest and judged that there were no conflicts or potential conflicts arising.

The Committee also received assistance from the Chairman of the Company (Anthony Bloom), the Chief Executive Officer 
(Moshe Greidinger), the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Israel Greidinger), the Chief Financial Officer (Nisan Cohen), the Senior 
Vice President of Human Resources (Tara Rooney) and the Company Secretary (Fiona Smith), although they did not participate 
in discussions relating to the setting of their own remuneration. The Committee also consulted with the Chief Executive Officer 
and received recommendations from him in respect of changes to remuneration packages for Senior Management.

BOARD CHANGES IN 2018
Renana Teperberg and Camela Galano were appointed to the Board on 19 July 2018. Renana Teperberg was appointed as an 
Executive Director and is the Chief Commercial Officer of the Company. Camela Galano was appointed as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director.

58

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018REMUNERATION FOR 2018
This section covers the reporting period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 and provides details of the implementation  
of the Company’s Remuneration Policy during the period.

Single Total Figure Table (audited information)
The table below gives a single figure for the total remuneration and breakdown for each Executive and Non-Executive Director  
in respect of the 2018 financial year. Comparative figures for the 2017 financial year have also been provided.

Financial 
year

Base salary 
and fees 
£000

Benefits(1) 
£000

Annual 
Bonus
£000

PSP
£000

Pension
£000

Total
£000

Executive Directors

Moshe Greidinger

Israel Greidinger

Nisan Cohen(3)

Renana Teperberg(4)

Non-Executive Directors

Anthony Bloom

Dean Moore(3)

Alicja Kornasiewicz

Martina King(6)

Scott Rosenblum

Arni Samuelsson

Rick Senat

Julie Southern

Camela Galano(4)

Notes:

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

621

571

486

389

378

281

179

–

182

175

72

58

52

50

–

2

52

50

52

50

67

65

72

70

26

–

58

78

78

84

5

43

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

861

448

690

306

360

129

163

1,092(2)

1,135(7)

745(2)

774(7)

54(2)

22(7)

57(2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

124

114

97

78

56

42

26

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,756

2,346

2,096

1,631

853

517

427

–

182

175

72

58

52

50

–

2

52

50

52

50

67

65

72

70

26

–

(1)  See page 60 for details of the other benefits provided to the Executive Directors.

(2)  The value of PSP shares vesting in respect of the period has been calculated using a share price of £2.824 being the average price for the last three months of the 

period (as the PSP will not vest until 18 April 2019, and includes payment of a cash sum equivalent to the dividends that would have been paid on the vested shares  
in respect of dividend record dates occurring between grant and vesting. Currently, the dividend equivalent payment to Moshe Greidinger would amount to £86,941, 
the dividend equivalent payment to Israel Greidinger would amount to £59,277, the dividend equivalent payment to Nisan Cohen would amount to £4,331, and the 
dividend equivalent payment to Renana Teperberg would amount to £4,552. Further details of these awards are set out on page 65.

(3)  Nisan Cohen and Dean Moore were appointed to the Board on 11 January 2017.

(4)  Renana Teperberg and Camela Galano were appointed to the Board on 19 July 2018. Figures for Renana Tepeberg’s remuneration in the table above in respect of 

salary, benefits, pension, and bonus have been pro-rated to reflect the portion of the year for which Renana was a Director. The figure for the value of the PSP shares 
vesting has not been pro-rated.

(5)  Fees for Non-Executive Directors in 2017 were paid as outlined in last year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report. However, the total fees paid to Non-Executive Directors 

for 2015 – 17 exceeded the limit in the Articles of Association at that time. As a result, a portion of Non-Executive Director fees were waived in 2018 to offset this amount, 
and the figures in the table above reflect the actual fees paid during the year. The Articles of Association have been amended to reflect a higher limit going forward.

(6)  Martina King left the Board on 11 January 2017.

(7) Details of the actual gains made are set out on page 65. The actual figures set out in the table above differ from those included in the 2017 Annual Report as last year 
an estimated value of £6.349 per share was used to calculate the theoretical gain, as the awards had not yet vested. The figures above reflect the share price of 
£2.574 on the date of vesting, 23 April 2018, adjusted to reflect the February 2018 rights issue.

59

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Base Salary (audited information)
The base salaries of the Executive Directors are usually reviewed on an annual basis. As described in the Policy, the Committee 
compares the Group’s remuneration packages for its Executive Directors and employees with those for Directors and employees 
of similar seniority in companies whose activities are broadly comparable with those of the Group. It also takes into account the 
progress made by the Group, contractual considerations, and salary increases across the rest of the Group.

To reflect the substantial increase in the scale and complexity of the Group as a result of the Regal acquisition and the pursuant 
responsibilities of the Executive Directors, as well as the CFO’s progression in role since his appointment, the Executive Directors’ base 
salaries were increased with effect from 28 February 2018 (being the date of the acquisition of Regal) as set out in the table below.

Average salaries across the Group were increased by 2.5%.

Salary levels as at the end of the financial period were:

Moshe Greidinger

Israel Greidinger

Nisan Cohen

Renana Teperberg

£630,000 p.a.(1)

£505,000 p.a.(1)

£395,000 p.a.

£395,000 p.a.

(1)  Part of Moshe Greidinger’s and Israel Greidinger’s salaries are paid in Israel to enable social security and government healthcare deductions to be made.

Pension (audited information)
Executive Directors are invited to participate in a Group Personal Pension Plan, which is a money purchase plan, or alternatively 
may receive a pension allowance in cash. The Executive Directors have elected not to participate in this scheme and instead 
receive a cash pension allowance. For 2018 this was 20% of salary for the CEO and Deputy CEO, and 14.8% of salary for the  
CFO and CCO.

Company pension contributions/allowances for the period were:

Moshe Greidinger

Israel Greidinger

Nisan Cohen

Renana Teperberg

£000

124

97

56

26

Figures in respect of Renana Teperberg’s pension reflect her entitlement for the portion of the year for which she was a Director.

Other Benefits (audited information)
Benefits in kind for Executive Directors comprised the provision of a company car or car allowance, private mileage, life 
insurance, permanent health insurance and private medical cover.

Benefit

Car/car allowance

Permanent health insurance/private medical cover

Life assurance

Disturbance allowance

Moshe 
Greidinger

Israel 
Greidinger

Nisan 
Cohen

Renana 
Teperberg

£14,000

£14,000

–

–

£2,602

£1,676

£2,602

£1,176

£1,164

£22,180

£2,873

£1,299

£40,000 £40,000

–

–

Israel Greidinger and Moshe Greidinger both received a disturbance allowance of £40,000 for the period as, under the terms of 
their employment contracts, they are required to spend a sufficient and proportionate amount of time at the Company’s head 
office in Brentford, Greater London. Figures in respect of Renana Teperberg’s health and life insurance reflect her entitlement for 
the portion of the year for which she was a Director.

Annual Bonus (audited information)
Annual bonus opportunity for the Executive Directors in the year was a maximum of 150% of base salary for the CEO and  
Deputy CEO and 100% of base salary for the CFO and CCO. As described in the Policy, two thirds of the annual bonus for  
the year was determined by a matrix of Adjusted EBITDA compared to budget, and the achievement of specified individual 
objectives. The choice of these measures reflects the Committee’s belief that incentive compensation should be tied both  
to the overall performance of the Group and to those areas of the business that the relevant individual can directly influence.  
The weighting between the Group’s financial performance and personal performance for this element of the annual bonus  
was circa 80%:20%. The remaining third of the annual bonus for the year was determined based on the delivery of synergy 
benefits as a result of the Regal acquisition, measured through the Adjusted EBITDA synergies delivered during 2018. The 
Committee retains the absolute discretion to apply “malus” and “clawback” by reducing or withholding annual bonus payments 
from the formulaic outcome based on Adjusted EBITDA performance (for example, in the event of misconduct or misstatement 
of financial results). 

PERSONAL OBJECTIVES
The individual performance element for the CEO, Deputy CEO, CFO and CCO for 2018 focused on the strategic growth agenda 
of the Group. 

For the CEO and Deputy CEO, emphasis was placed initially on the successful completion of the acquisition of Regal in 
February 2018 and, thereafter, on the continued integration work in relation to the Regal business. In addition, objectives  
focused on the successful opening of new cinemas on time and on budget, the efficient implementation of the Group’s 
construction and renovation programme, with particular emphasis on the US estate, identifying potential new cinema sites  

60

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018and implementing technological advances appropriate to the industry. Further, the CEO was tasked with maintaining strong  
staff morale and commitment. In addition, the Deputy CEO also focused on the efficient functioning of the Group IT and cyber-
security systems and, together with the CFO, reduction of net debt. 

For the CFO, objectives also included managing all aspects of investor relations, ensuring that robust and appropriate financial 
controls and systems are maintained across the Group, and ensuring timely reporting to key stakeholders. Objectives also 
covered the monitoring of the newly enlarged Group’s financial Key Performance Indicators, based on the Group’s strategy. 
Focus areas for the CCO included leading commercial activity across the Group, managing key relationships with major suppliers, 
and leading the Group Film and Marketing departments. 

Performance Against Objectives
The Committee judged the individual objectives to have been achieved at the top level out of five for the Executive Directors.  
In making this assessment, the Committee considered a number of factors, including the successful completion of Regal, the 
positive progression of the integration plans, and the delivery of the integration benefits at a level greater than originally 
expected, at a faster pace. 

The opening of 13 new sites (108 screens) during the year, taking the Group to 9,518 screens at 31 December 2018, and the  
new agreements signed with IMAX (55 screens), 4DX (80 screens) and ScreenX (100 screens) were also taken into account. 
Additional factors were the positive progression of the refurbishment programme across the estate, creating high quality, next 
generation cinemas with the latest audio and visual technology, the reduction of net debt, and the successful implementation  
of key IT systems Group-wide.

As part of the assessment process, the Committee took recommendations from the Chairman in respect of the CEO and Deputy 
CEO, and from the CEO and Deputy CEO in respect of the CCO and CFO respectively.

The table below shows the 2018 annual bonus targets and performance achieved against them.

Adjusted 
EBITDA 
performance

EBITDA 
synergies 
delivered

105% of 
budgeted 
Adjusted 
EBITDA 
achieved

100% of 
maximum 
Adjusted 
EBITDA 
synergies 
target 
achieved

Individual 
performance

Above and 
Beyond

Above and 
Beyond

Above and 
Beyond

Above and 
Beyond

Threshold 
bonus 
opportunity 
(£000)

Maximum 
bonus 
opportunity 
(£000)

Bonus paid

% of  

maximum

% of 
salary

192

154

80

80

945

758

395

395

91%

91%

91%

91%

137%

137%

91%

91%

£000

861

690

360

360

Moshe Greidinger

Israel Greidinger

Nisan Cohen

Renana Teperberg*

*  The bonus figure of £163,000 for Renana Teperberg as reported in the Single Total Figure Table on page 59 has been pro-rated to reflect the portion of 2018 during 

which Renana served as a Director. The table above shows the full amount of the bonus.

The Adjusted EBITDA synergy benefit target for FY18 of $40m was achieved in full. As a result, the maximum bonus was payable 
under this element.

The Cineworld Group Performance Share Plan (“PSP”) (audited information)
Awards Vesting Following the End of the Performance Period Ending 31 December 2018
Awards under the PSP made in April 2016 are due to vest on 18 April 2019. The performance condition applicable to these awards 
is summarised below:

EPS growth performance

Less than 6% p.a.

6% p.a.

12% p.a.

Between 6% and 12% p.a.

Vesting level

Nil

30%

100%

Straight-line basis

The Adjusted diluted EPS figure for the year represented compound average annual growth of 17.3% on a pro forma basis, 
compared to the base year, with the result that the level of vesting for this award was 100%. 

No performance conditions apply to Nisan Cohen and Renana Teperberg’s PSP awards granted in 2016 since these were  
granted before they became Directors. The number and value of shares that will vest to each of the Executive Directors is  
set out on page 65 of this report.

Awards Made in the Year
Awards were made to the Executive Directors under the LTIP in April 2018. The vesting of these awards will be based on 
Cineworld’s three year EPS growth performance, as summarised in the table below:

EPS growth performance

Less than 8% p.a.

8% p.a.

15% p.a.

Between 8% and 15% p.a.

Vesting level

Nil

25%

100%

Straight-line basis

The number and value of share options under the PSP which were awarded to the Executive Directors and vested during the 
period are set out on page 65 of this report.

61

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Non-Executive Directors’ Fees (audited information) 
The table below sets out the fees payable to Non-Executive Directors: 

Position held

Chairman

Senior Independent Director

Non-Executive Director (base fee)

Audit Committee Chair

Remuneration Committee Chair

Nomination Committee Chair

Committee member

Fees as at 1 January 2018

Fees as at 31 December 2018(1)

£175,000 p.a.

£10,000 p.a.

£50,000 p.a.

£20,000 p.a.

£10,000 p.a.

£5,000 p.a.

£Nil

£215,000 p.a.

£10,000 p.a.

£57,500 p.a.

£20,000 p.a.

£20,000 p.a.

£10,000 p.a

£Nil

(1)  Non-Executive Directors’ fees were increased with effect from 28 February 2018 (being the date of the acquisition of Regal), with the exception of the Remuneration 
Committee Chair fee, which increased with effect from 15 November 2018. Fees for Non-Executive Directors in 2017 were paid as outlined in last year’s Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. However, the total fees paid to Non-Executive Directors for 2015 – 17 exceeded the limit in the Articles of Association at that time. As a result,  
a portion of Non-Executive Director fees were waived in 2018 to offset this amount, and the figures in the table above reflect the actual fees paid during the year.  
The Articles of Association have been amended to reflect a higher limit going forward.

The Non-Executive Directors do not receive any share options, bonuses or other performance related payments, nor do they 
receive any pension entitlement or other benefits apart from expenses in relation to travel costs to attend Cineworld Board 
meetings, including related sustenance and accommodation.

Loss of Office Payments (audited information)
There were no loss of office payments during the financial year. 

Payments to Past Directors
Philip Bowcock left the Company on 31 October 2015. A total of 48,242 shares vested under the PSP on 23 April 2018, adjusted to 
take account of the February 2018 rights issue. The value of this award based on the realised share price on the date of exercising 
(10 May 2018) was £135,789.07 including payment of a cash sum equivalent to the dividends that would have been paid on the 
vested shares in respect of dividend record dates occurring between grant and vesting (£10,649.32).

External Appointments
Moshe and Israel Greidinger are both directors of Israel Theatres Limited. In relation to these roles, they did not receive any fees. 
None of the Executive Directors receive any fees in relation to external non-executive roles (as set out in their biographies on 
pages 38 to 39).

Directors’ Shareholdings at 31 December 2018 (audited information)

Ordinary shares at 31 December 2018

conditions at 31 December 2018(1)

Share options subject to performance

Executive Directors

Moshe Greidinger

Israel Greidinger

Nisan Cohen

Renana Teperberg

Non-Executive Directors

Anthony Bloom

Camela Galano

Alicja Kornasiewicz

Dean Moore

Scott Rosenblum

Arni Samuelsson

Rick Senat

Julie Southern

383,930,992(2)

 383,676,680(2)

23,703

63,854

5,208,006(3)

–

75,000

15,000

84,385

–

269,370

–

1,141,237

836,470

308,172(4)

309,078(4)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1)  Relates to unvested awards under the PSP. This figure includes awards made in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as the vesting of the 2016 awards described above will not happen 

until 18 April 2019 and has been adjusted to take account of the February 2019 rights issue. 

(2)  Includes ordinary shares held by Global City Theatres B.V (“Major Shareholder”). Shares in the Major Shareholder are held in trust for the benefit of the children 

of Moshe Greidinger and Israel Greidinger.

(3) Shares are held by a nominee for trusts of which Anthony Bloom is one of the potential discretionary beneficiaries.

(4)  No performance conditions apply to Nisan Cohen and Renana Teperberg’s PSP awards granted in 2016 as these were granted before they became Directors.

The interests of Directors and their connected persons in ordinary shares as at 31 December 2018, including any interests in 
shares and share options provisionally granted under the PSP or LTIP are presented above.

62

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018As described in the Policy, each Executive Director is expected to build up, over a period of time, a holding in shares equal to 
150% of their base salary. 

Executive Directors

Moshe Greidinger

Israel Greidinger

Nisan Cohen

Renana Teperberg

Shareholding 
guidelines  
(% of 2018 
salary)

Shares owned 
outright (at  
31 December 
2018)

150%

150%

150%

150%

799,272

544,960 

23,703 

63,854 

Current 
shareholding (% 
of salary as at  
31 December 

2018) Guidelines met

334% 

284%

16%

43%

Yes

Yes

Building

Building

Ten-Year Total Shareholder Return Performance and CEO Pay
The graph below compares the Company’s Total Shareholder Return performance against the FTSE 250 and FTSE All-Share 
Travel & Leisure indices over the past ten financial years. The Remuneration Committee believes these to be the most appropriate 
comparators as Cineworld is a member of both indices. 

)
0
0

1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(
n
r
u
t
e
R
r
e
d
o
h
e
r
a
h
S

l

l

a
t
o
T

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Dec 2008

Dec 2009

Dec 2010

Dec 2011

Dec 2012

Dec 2013

Dec 2014

Dec 2015

Dec 2016

Dec 2017

Dec 2018

Cineworld

FTSE 250

FTSE All-Share Travel & Leisure

Financial year

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

CEO single 
figure of total 
remuneration 
£000(1)

Bonus as 
proportion of 
maximum 
opportunity

LTI vesting as 
proportion of 
maximum 
opportunity

£2,756

£2,346

£2,973(2)

£1,213

£1,440

£1,326

£1,258

£1,252

£1,212

£858

91%

79%

79%

87%

76%

41%

60%

68%

82%

85%

100%

100%

100%

–(3)

100%

81%

99%

100%

100%

–

(1)  Up to 2013 these figures solely relate to Stephen Wiener who was CEO up to and including 27 February 2014. For 2014, it represents a combination of two months  

of Stephen Wiener and ten months of Moshe Greidinger who both held the office of CEO during 2014.

(2)  The increase in the CEO single figure between 2015 and 2016 primarily relates to the first vesting of a PSP award to the CEO since appointment. The value of this 

award vesting increased due to the significant increase in the Company’s share price over the vesting period.

(3) Moshe Greidinger, CEO, did not have an LTIP which vested in this year. For those who did, the proportion was 100%.

63

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Percentage Increase in CEO Remuneration
The percentage changes in the value of salary, non-pension benefits and bonus between 2017 and 2018 for the CEO and 
employees generally are set out in the table below:

Salary

Non-pension benefits

Annual bonus

CEO(1)

Employees(2)

9.0%

(25.6%)

92%

2.5%

2%

8.3%

(1)  The increases in respect of salary and bonus are reflective of the revised payments and bonus opportunity under the new Policy, which was updated in 2018 to take account  

of the substantial increase in the scale and complexity of the Group as a result of the Regal acquisition, and the significant increase in Mr Greidinger’s responsibilities.

(2)  The figures reflect increases for UK-based monthly salaried employees excluding the Senior Management group. This group has been selected as the UK  

is the country in which the CEO spends a significant proportion of his time. 

Relative Importance of Spend on Pay
The table below shows figures for people costs, shareholder dividends and a number of other significant distributions of  
turnover that the Committee considers to be relevant in order to provide context to the relevant importance of pay spend:

Directors’ remuneration costs 

Staff and employee costs

Corporation tax paid

Dividends paid

Retained earnings

2018

£6.7m

$507.6m

$55.5m

$122.8m

2017

£5.1m

$162.9m

$15.4m

$69.7m

% change

31.4%

211.6%

260.6%

76.2%

$3,174.3m

$214.5m

1,379.9%

Figures in the table above are set out in USD to align with the figures as stated in the Financial Statements, except for the 
Directors’ Remuneration figures, which are set out in Sterling to align with the figures contained in the Single Total Figure Table 
on page 59.

Shareholder Voting Results from 2018 AGM
The Directors’ Annual Report on Remuneration and the Remuneration Policy were subject to a shareholder vote at the AGM  
on 16 May 2018, the results of which were as follows:

Number of 

votes % of votes cast

1,007,068,767

90.85%

161,841

101,216,125

1,108,446,733

19,142,196

0.01%

9.13%

100%

–

Number of 

votes % of votes cast

732,830,243

161,539

385,117,781

1,118,109,563

9,479,366

65.54%

0.01%

34.44%

100%

–

Remuneration Report

For

Discretionary

Against

Total votes cast

Votes withheld(1)

(1) A vote withheld is not counted as a vote in law.

Remuneration Policy

For

Discretionary

Against

Total votes cast

Votes withheld(1)

(1)  A vote withheld is not counted as a vote in law.

64

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Share and Share Option Awards Granted and Vesting During the Year (audited information)
Awards or grants were made under the Company’s Share and Share Option Schemes as follows:

PSP: Awards consisting of nil cost options over shares were granted to the CEO, Deputy CEO, CFO and CCO equivalent in value 
to 200%, 200%, 150% and 150% of their base salaries respectively on 23 April 2018 which will become exercisable after three 
years. Details of the awards are set out below. Awards are subject to continued employment and the achievement of the 
performance conditions as set out on page 61. 

Awards granted or vesting during the year:

Cineworld Group Performance Share Plan
Details of awards made and vesting during the period are set out below. All figures have been adjusted for the February 2018 
rights issue:

At 1 January 
2018

Awarded 
during year

Vested 
during year

Exercised 
during year

Lapsed 
during year

At 31 
December 
2018

Exercise 
price

Market 
value at 
date of
exercise(1)

Exercise

period(2)

Gain(3)

Name of Director

Current Directors

Moshe Greidinger

1,060,003 487,238(4) 406,004 406,004

Israel Greidinger

722,726 390,564(4)

276,820

276,820

Nisan Cohen

86,804

229,118(4)

7,750

21,317

7,750

Renana Teperberg

101,219

229,118(4)

21,259

21,259

Past Directors

Philip Bowcock

48,242

–

48,242

48,242

(1)  This was the price per share received in respect of those shares which were sold.

–

–

–

–

–

1,141,237

836,470

308,172

309,078

£Nil

£Nil

£Nil

£Nil

£Nil

£2.594

6 months £1,142,800

£2.594

6 months

£779,179

£2.273

11 months(5)

£60,480

£2.594

6 months

£21,814

£2.594

6 months

£59,839

–

£Nil

£2.594

6 months

£135,789

(2)  Subject to satisfaction of the relevant performance conditions (details of which, for the awards made in 2018, are set out on page 61).

(3) The gain has been calculated using the realised share price on the date of exercising and includes payment of a cash sum equivalent to the dividends that would have 
been paid on the vested shares in respect of dividend record dates occurring between grant and vesting. The dividend equivalent payments amounted to £61,108 for 
Israel Greidinger, £89,625 for Moshe Greidinger, £1,711 for Nisan Cohen, £4,693 for Renana Teperberg and £10,649 for Philip Bowcock.

(4)  Mid-market closing price of a Cineworld Group plc share on 20 April 2018 was £2.586. The face value of the awards to Israel Greidinger, Moshe Greidinger, Nisan 

Cohen and Renana Teperberg were £1,010,000, £1,260,000, £592,500 and £592,500 respectively. All awards were granted as nil cost options.

(5)  Due to regulatory restrictions imposed as a result of the Regal acquisition, the Committee agreed to extend the excercise period for Nisan Cohen until after the end  

of the closed period. The awards were excercised in January 2018 as reported by RNS announcement at the time.

Details of the awards vesting in April 2019:

Name of Director

Date awarded

Number 
awarded(1)

Vesting date Number vesting Number lapsing

Exercise price Exercise period

Moshe Greidinger

18 April 2016

355,994

18 April 2019

355,994

Israel Greidinger

18 April 2016

242,722

18 April 2019

242,722

Nisan Cohen(2)

18 April 2016

17,735

18 April 2019

17,735

Renana Teperberg(2)

18 April 2016

18,641

18 April 2019

18,641

0

0

0

0

£Nil

£Nil

£Nil

£Nil

18/04/2019 
– 17/10/2019

18/04/2019 
– 17/10/2019

18/04/2019 
– 17/10/2019

18/04/2019 
– 17/10/2019

(1)  Number awarded has been adjusted for February 2018 rights issue.

(2)  Nisan Cohen and Renana Teperberg’s PSP awards granted in 2016 are not subject to the EPS performance conditions.

Cineworld Group Company Share Option Plan
No Director was granted an option during the period and no options vested during the period.

No Director, past or present, holds a CSOP option which will vest in the 2019 financial year.

Cineworld Group Sharesave Scheme
No Directors currently participate in the Company’s Sharesave Scheme.

65

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY IN 2019
The Remuneration Committee intends to implement the Policy for 2019 as set out below.

For the 2019 financial year the salaries and other benefits of the Executive Directors will be reviewed in the usual manner,  
with any salary increases being effective from 1 July 2019.

The maximum annual bonus opportunity will be 150% of salary for the CEO and Deputy CEO and 100% of salary for the CFO and CCO.

In line with the Policy, two-thirds of the bonus will be based on performance against Adjusted EBITDA targets and individual 
strategic objectives, with the remaining third being based on strategic targets, which for the 2019 financial year will be based  
on the delivery of synergy benefits as a result of the Regal acquisition. 

Bonus payments will be subject to Committee discretion to apply “malus” and, following payment, the Committee will retain the 
discretion to “claw back” bonuses in the case of misconduct or misstatement of financial results.

The face value of awards granted under the LTIP in 2019 will be 200% of salary for the CEO and Deputy CEO and 150% of salary 
for the CFO and CCO. The calibration of targets for these awards is set out in the table below.

EPS growth performance

Less than 8% p.a.

8% p.a.

15% p.a.

Between 8% and 15% p.a.

Vesting level

Nil

25%

100%

Straight-line basis

In considering the appropriate calibration of targets, the Committee has taken into account both the internal business plan and 
external analyst estimates based on the enlarged Group following the acquisition of Regal. The Committee believes that the 
growth targets are stretching and, if they are achieved, a significant amount of value will have been created for shareholders. 
Given the international nature of the Group, the Committee continues to believe that UK retail price index inflation is a less 
directly relevant factor and will therefore express the targets as absolute growth levels. 

As with the 2018 awards, in addition to the EPS performance condition, the Committee, in its absolute discretion, will need to be 
satisfied that an award holder has performed their duties at a satisfactory level over the three years from date of grant in order 
for awards to vest. The Committee, therefore, will retain the absolute discretion to apply “malus” to unvested awards, by reducing 
or withholding vesting. Following vesting, the Committee will also retain the discretion to claw back LTIP shares in the case of 
misconduct or misstatement of financial result. 

In addition, a two year post-vesting holding period will apply to the 2019 awards for Executive Directors, bringing the total period 
from grant to release to five years, in line with the Code requirement.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The sections “The Remuneration Committee and its Role” and “Remuneration Committee Advisors” also form part of the 
Corporate Governance Statement, and are incorporated into that statement by reference. 

By order of the Board

Dean Moore
CHAIR OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
28 March 2019

66

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors present their Annual Report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018.  
The comparative period is the year ended 31 December 2017.

MANAGEMENT REPORT
This Directors’ Report, together with the Strategic Report on pages 1 to 35, form the Management Report for the  
purposes of rule 4.1.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THE ANNUAL REPORT
Information required to be part of this Directors’ Report and certain other information can be found elsewhere in the Annual 
Report as indicated in the table below, and is incorporated into this Report by reference.

Information 

Audit Tendering

Corporate Governance Statement

Diversity, Human Rights and Our People

Directors’ Biographies

Financial instruments: Information on the Group’s financial risk 
management objectives and policies, and its exposure to credit risk, 
liquidity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency risk

Going Concern Statement

Key Performance Indicators

An indication of likely future developments in the business affecting 
the Company

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in respect of the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements

Viability Statement

Location in Annual Report

Pages 53 and 72

Pages 36 to 54

Pages 28 to 30 (Resources and Relationships)

Pages 38 and 39

Note 24, Page 125

Page 37

Pages 14 and 15

Pages 1 to 35 (Strategic Report)

Page 73

Pages 27 and 37

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Annual Report are forward-looking and so involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events, 
and depend on circumstances, that will occur in the future. Therefore, results and developments can differ materially from those 
anticipated. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this 
Annual Report, and the Group undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this Annual 
Report should be construed as a profit forecast.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The results for the Group for the year ended 31 December 2018 are presented under International Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRSs”) as adopted by the EU and applicable law. However, the Group has elected to prepare its financial statements in accordance 
with UK Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”. The results for the year are set out in the 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss on page 83.

During the year the Company announced that for financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, the Company would 
change the presentation currency in which the Group presents its consolidated financial results from pounds sterling to US 
dollars. As a consequence of the change, dividends are now declared in US dollars. The default payment currency for dividends 
has remained pounds sterling, unless shareholders elect for payments to be made in US dollars.

An interim dividend of 4.85 cents per share was paid on 5 October 2018. The Directors are recommending a final dividend of 
10.15 cents per share which, if approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), will be paid on 5 July 2019 
to shareholders on the register on 14 June 2019. As announced on 14 March 2019, going forward, the Board is proposing to pay 
four interim dividends for each financial year. Payments in relation to the first three quarters of the year will be equal to 25% of 
the full year dividend of the prior year, with the final interim payment reflective of the Group’s full year earnings performance  
and resulting in a full year dividend payment aligned with the Group’s pay-out ratio. Details of the first, second and third interim 
dividend payment for 2019 are set out on page 123.

REGAL ACQUISITION AND RIGHTS ISSUE
On 5 December 2017, the Group announced the proposed acquisition of Regal by means of an acquisition of the entire issued, 
and to be issued, share capital of Regal. The acquisition completed on 28 February 2018 and was settled in cash, funded by  
a fully underwritten rights issue and committed debt facilities. More details may be found on page 35 in the Financial Review. 

At the General Meeting held on 2 February 2018, shareholders approved the acquisition of Regal, and approved the allotment  
of up to 1,095,662,872 ordinary shares in the Company in relation to the rights issue.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Board regularly reviews the financial requirements of the Group and the risks associated therewith. Full details are set out  
in Note 24 to the financial statements, and are incorporated into this Directors’ Report by reference.

67

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

FUNDING AND LIQUIDITY
The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the Financial Review 
on pages 31 to 35. In addition, Note 24 to the financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for 
managing its capital, its financial risk management objectives, details of its financial instruments and hedging activities, and its 
exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. Such sections are incorporated into this Directors’ Report by reference.

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND BRANCHES
At the year end, the Group had operations in the UK, US, Jersey, Ireland, Poland, Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, 
Romania and Slovakia.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS
At 31 December 2018, the Group had been notified, pursuant to the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, of the following 
interests in the voting rights of the Company. Notifications confirming a party’s interest has gone below the threshold notification 
level have not been included:

Shareholder

Global City Holdings B.V.(2)

Aggregate of Standard Life 
Aberdeen Plc (affiliated 
investment management entities)

Morgan Stanley

Polaris Capital Management LLC

Aviva plc and its subsidiaries

Voting rights

383,131,720

77,922,792

55,790,004

54,810,732

46,223,433

% of total voting rights(1)

Nature of holding

27.97

5.69

4.07

3.99

3.37

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct and Indirect

(1)  Percentages are stated as at the time of notification. The total number of voting rights at 31 December 2018 was 1,371,163,021.

(2)  Shares are held by Global City Theatres B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Global City Holdings B.V. (“GCH”). Shares in GCH are held in trust for the benefit of the 

children of Moshe Greidinger and Israel Greidinger.

The following notifications were received in the period from 1 January 2019 up to the latest practicable date:

Shareholder

Polaris Capital Management LLC

Morgan Stanley

Voting rights

54,923,544

48,514,260

% of total voting rights(1)

Nature of holding

4.01

3.54

Indirect

Indirect

MAJOR SHAREHOLDER VOTING ARRANGEMENTS
Global City Theatres B.V. (“GCT”) is interested in aggregate in 28% of the rights to vote at general meetings of the Company.  
The Company and GCT entered into a relationship agreement dated 5 December 2017 to regulate the relationship between  
them. This agreement replaced the agreement between Global City Holdings and the Company of 10 January 2014 and is on  
the same terms as the previous relationship agreement. Under the relationship agreement, the parties acknowledge that the 
Group is capable of carrying on business independently, and that all arrangements between the Company and GCT will be on 
arm’s length terms. The relationship agreement contains a requirement (where reasonably practical) to consult with and consider 
the reasonable views of the Chairman or Senior Independent Director of the Company prior to a disposal of ordinary shares in 
the Company.

SHARE CAPITAL AND CONTROL
The Company has only one class of share capital formed of ordinary shares. All shares forming part of the ordinary share capital 
have the same rights and each carries one vote. Details of the share capital, and changes in it over the year, are shown in Note 23 
to the financial statements.

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive Company reports and accounts, to attend and speak at general meetings  
of the Company, to appoint proxies and to exercise voting rights.

There are no restrictions on transfers of, or limitations on the holding of, ordinary shares and there is also no requirement of any 
prior approval of any transfers other than (i) those which may be applicable from time to time under existing laws or regulation 
or, (ii) if a person with an interest in 0.25% of the issued share capital held in certificated form has been served with a disclosure 
notice and fails to respond with the required information concerning interests in that share capital.

No ordinary shares carry any special rights with regard to control of the Company. Except as stated in the paragraph directly 
above and the Major Shareholder Voting Arrangements section above, there are no restrictions on voting rights attaching to the 
ordinary shares and the Company is not aware of any known agreements between shareholders that restrict the transfer of 
voting rights attached to ordinary shares. No treasury shares are held by the Company and no shares are held by any trustee  
in connection with any share scheme operated by the Group.

On 20 February 2018, the Company announced the results of the 4 for 1 rights issue at 157 pence per New Ordinary Share.  
The Company received valid acceptances in respect of 1,055,322,013 New Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 
96.31 per cent of the total number of New Ordinary Shares offered to qualifying shareholders pursuant to the rights issue. 
Further details of the rights issue may be found in Note 23 on page 123.

In June 2018, the Company carried out a capital reduction, as authorised by Shareholders at the AGM in May 2018. Details  
of the capital reduction may be found in Note 23 on page 123 to the financial statements.

68

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The Company’s Articles of Association (“Articles”), together with English law, define the Board’s powers. Changes to the  
Articles must be approved by shareholders in accordance with the Articles themselves and legislation in force at the relevant 
time. The last changes were approved by shareholders at the AGM held on 16 May 2018.

CHANGE OF CONTROL
There are no significant agreements which take effect, alter or terminate in the event of a change of control of the Company 
except that under its current banking arrangements, a change of control may trigger a right for lenders to require early 
repayment of all sums outstanding.

No Director or employee is contractually entitled to compensation for loss of office or employment as a result of a change in 
control; however, provisions in the Company’s share schemes may cause options or awards granted to employees to vest on  
a change of control.

ISSUE OF NEW SHARES AND AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE SHARES 
At the AGM held on 16 May 2018, shareholders gave authority for the allotment of shares up to an aggregate nominal value of 
£4,565,438.25 subject to certain conditions. This authority will expire at the 2019 AGM of the Company or on 15 August 2019, 
whichever is earlier.

Between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018, a total of 1,097,247,303 shares were issued, including in respect of the February 2018 
rights issue. Further details of the 1,097,247,303 shares issued in this period are set out in Note 23 to the financial statements. 

At the AGM held on 16 May 2018, shareholders gave authority for the purchase of up to 136,963,146 ordinary shares in the 
Company for cancellation or placing into treasury. No shares have been acquired under this authority.

The Board proposes to seek shareholder approval at the AGM to renew both the Company’s authority to issue new shares and  
its authority to purchase its own ordinary shares for cancellation or placing in treasury. Details of the proposed resolutions are  
set out in the Notice of AGM (the “AGM circular”) dispatched or made available to shareholders with the Annual Report and 
Accounts (or on notification of its availability).

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS AT YEAR END

Director

Anthony Bloom

Nisan Cohen

Camela Galano(3)

Israel Greidinger

Moshe Greidinger

Alicja Kornasiewicz

Dean Moore

Scott Rosenblum

Arni Samuelsson

Rick Senat

Julie Southern

Renana Teperberg(3)

Ordinary shares held directly

Ordinary shares held by companies 
in which a Director has a beneficial 
interest or is connected

31 December 
2017

31 December 
2018

31 December 
2017

31 December 
2018

–

2,208,006(1)

5,208,006(1)

23,703

–

–

–

544,960

76,626,344(2) 383,131,720(2)

799,272

76,626,344(2) 383,131,720(2)

–

–

–

81,310

119,254

–

–

16,877

–

75,000

15,000

84,385

–

53,874

269,370

–

–

–

63,854

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1)  Shares are held by a nominee for trusts of which Anthony Bloom is one of the potential discretionary beneficiaries.

(2)  Shares are held by Global City Theatres B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Global City Holdings B.V. (“GCH”). Shares in GCH are held in trust for the benefit of the 

children of Moshe Greidinger and Israel Greidinger.

(3) Camela Galano and Renana Teperberg joined the Board on 19 July 2018.

69

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS AT THE LATEST PRACTICABLE DATE

Ordinary shares held directly

Ordinary shares held by 
companies in which a Director  
has a beneficial interest  
or is connected 

Director

Anthony Bloom

Nisan Cohen

Camela Galano(3)

Israel Greidinger

Moshe Greidinger

Alicja Kornasiewicz

Dean Moore

Scott Rosenblum

Arni Samuelsson

Rick Senat

Julie Southern

Renana Teperberg(3)

–

23,703

–

544,960

799,272

75,000

15,000

84,385

–

269,370

–

63,854

5,208,006(1)

–

–

383,131,720(2)

383,131,720(2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1)  Shares are held by a nominee for trusts of which Anthony Bloom is one of the potential discretionary beneficiaries.

(2)  Shares are held by Global City Theatres B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Global City Holdings B.V. (“GCH”). GCH is owned by trusts for the benefit of the children  

of Moshe Greidinger and Israel Greidinger.

(3) Camela Galano and Renana Teperberg joined the Board on 19 July 2018.

The Directors who held office at the end of the financial year had interests in the ordinary shares of the Company at the 
beginning and end of the year under review as set out in the table above.

Details of the interests in the ordinary shares of the Company arising under the Group’s share option schemes are set out in the 
Remuneration Report on page 62. No rights to subscribe for shares in or debentures of other Group companies were granted to 
any of the Directors or their immediate families, or exercised by them, during the year. None of the Directors had any discloseable 
interest in the shares of Group companies other than the Company.

APPOINTMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF DIRECTORS
The appointment and replacement of directors is governed by the Company’s Articles, the UK Corporate Governance Code (the 
“Code”), the Companies Act 2006 and related legislation. All directors intending to continue in office seek election or re-election 
by shareholders at each AGM. The Articles may be amended by a special resolution of the shareholders.

Following the Board evaluation process undertaken in 2018, the Board is satisfied that each Director standing for re-election or 
election continues to show the necessary commitment, and to be an effective member of the Board due to their skills, expertise 
and business acumen.

Under the terms of the relationship agreement between the Company and GCT (described further in the Major Shareholder Voting 
Arrangements section above), GCT has the right to appoint one Non-Executive Director (but only if none of Moshe Greidinger, 
Israel Greidinger and Scott Rosenblum are on the Board) for so long as it holds at least 10% of the voting rights in the Company.

Details of the Directors’ remuneration, are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 66 and information on 
their service contracts are set out in the Remuneration Policy contained in the 2017 Annual Report and Accounts.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Articles permit the Board to consider and, if it sees fit, authorise situations where a Director has an interest that conflicts, or 
may possibly conflict, with the interests of the Company. There is in place a formal system for the Board to consider authorising 
such conflicts whereby the Directors who have no interest in the matter decide whether to authorise the conflict. In deciding whether 
to authorise the conflict, the non-conflicted Directors are required to act in the way which they consider would be most likely to 
promote the success of the Company for the benefit of all shareholders and they may, and do, impose conditions to be attached to 
such authorisations. The Board believes that the arrangements for reporting and considering such conflicts operate effectively.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN CONTRACTS
The Group has a number of property lease agreements in place with Global City Holdings B.V. (“GCH”) (and/or its subsidiary 
undertakings). Further details of the amounts paid under these agreements can be found in Note 27 to the financial statements. 
Shares in GCH are held in trust for the benefit of the children of Moshe Greidinger and Israel Greidinger.

None of the Directors has a material interest in any contract of significance to which the Company or a subsidiary was a party 
during the financial year, other than as disclosed above, in their service contracts or letters of appointment described in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report, in Note 27 to the financial statements and in the Remuneration Policy contained in the 2017 
Annual Report and Accounts.

70

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY
The Company maintains insurance cover for all Directors and Officers of Group companies against liabilities which may be 
incurred by them while acting as Directors and Officers.

As at the date of this report, indemnities are in force under which the Company has agreed to indemnify the Directors as 
permitted by law and by the Articles against liabilities they may incur in the execution of their duties as Directors of the Company.

POLITICAL DONATIONS
The Group’s policy, which it has followed, is to make no donations to political parties.

EMPLOYEES
The policy is to recruit, employ and develop staff on the basis of the suitability of their qualifications and experience, regardless 
of sex, marital status, race, nationality, age, sexual orientation or religion. It is Group policy to give full and fair consideration to 
applications for employment from disabled people, having regard to their particular abilities and aptitudes. Full consideration is 
given to continuing the employment of staff who become disabled, including considering them for other reasonable positions 
and arranging appropriate training.

The health, welfare and development of the Group’s employees remain a priority. With the intent of attracting, recruiting, developing 
and retaining key employees. Cineworld maintains a number of policies and procedures for the benefit of its employees, which are 
available to all employees across the Group. Continuing education, training and development are important to ensure the future 
success of the Group and employee development is encouraged through appropriate training. The Group supports individuals who 
wish to obtain appropriate further education qualifications and reimburses tuition fees up to a specified level.

Regular and open communication between management and employees is essential for motivating the workforce. Briefings are 
held regularly to provide updates on the Group’s business and to provide opportunity for questions and feedback. The Group 
encourages the involvement of employees in its performance through the operation of bonus schemes throughout the Group.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Due to the acquisition of Regal in February 2018, Cineworld’s 2018 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions have more than doubled 
from 2017. The US business now accounts for 65% of Cineworld’s 2018 carbon footprint. Excluding Regal, Cineworld’s GHG 
emissions have reduced 1% from 2017. This section provides the GHG emission data and supporting information required by the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013. Information on the Group’s environmental 
policies are summarised in the Resources and Relationships section on pages 28 to 30. 

ORGANISATIONAL BOUNDARY
The organisational boundary used for the Company’s GHG reporting is operational control.

REPORTING SCOPE
The Company is reporting on emissions covered by scopes 1 and 2 (comprising electricity, gas, and fugitive F-gas emissions) 
from global operations.

As well as scope 1 and 2 emissions figures, additional “outside of scope” emissions are included for owned transport  
to account for biofuel additions. Scope 3 well-to-tank (for all fuels) and transmission and distribution (from electricity)  
emissions are also included.

EMISSIONS INCLUDED
Mandatory emissions sources as specified by the Environmental Reporting Guidelines published by the Department for 
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“Defra”) have been included in this report (see also “Estimates and Exclusions” below).

Table 1 shows Defra’s stated mandatory areas for reporting and how the stated categories apply to the Group.

TABLE 1: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Ref

Defra requirement

Fuel combustion (stationary)

Fuel combustion (mobile)

A1

A2

B

B

C

Relevance

Natural gas (heating)

Owned transport (fleet)

Facility operation: process emissions

N/A

Facility operation: fugitive emissions

F-gases: refrigeration and air conditioning

Purchased electricity, heat, steam, cooling

Electricity only

71

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

GHG EMISSIONS DATA
The GHG emissions for the Group for the 12 month period to 30 September 2018 are shown in Table 2 below in tonnes of carbon 
dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).

TABLE 2: 2018 GHG EMISSIONS
Ref

Category

A1

A2

B

C

Total

Fuel combustion (stationary)

Fuel combustion (mobile)

Facility operation

Purchased electricity

Total excluding Regal(1) 

tCO2e 2018

tCO2e 2017

44,865

20,127

1,830

5,334

358,344

410,373

142,455

1,911

347

121,722

144,107

144,107

(1)  In February 2018, Cineworld acquired Regal. This data shows the comparison between 2017 and 2018 emissions figures excluding the impact of Regal.

ESTIMATES AND EXCLUSIONS
This report sets out GHG emissions from Cineworld Group plc’s global operations from 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018. 
This is a new reporting period for Cineworld. Previously, emissions were reported on a calendar year basis. The revised reporting 
period has been implemented to allow accurate data to be used and reduce the use of estimated data. 

Polish gas data was captured in local currency and converted into kWh. This affects less than 1% of total emissions. 

Some estimates were used to fill gaps in our transport fuel use data, electricity/gas consumption and F-gas data in non-UK sites. 
This amounts to less than 1% of total emissions.

EMISSIONS INTENSITY
The chosen carbon intensity measure is financial turnover. This was chosen due to ready availability of the data. The value for  
the year was 99.63 tonnes CO2e per $1m turnover.

For comparison, 2017’s emissions were 144,107 tonnes CO2e at an intensity of 125.63 tonnes CO2e per $1m turnover (using 
corrected figures).

METHODOLOGY AND EMISSIONS FACTORS
This report was calculated using the methodology set out in Defra’s updated greenhouse gas reporting guidance, Environmental 
Reporting Guidelines (ref. PB 13944), issued by Defra in June 2013. Emissions factors are taken from the Department for Business, 
Energy and Industrial Strategy’s June 2018 update.

Emissions factors for fuels use scope 3 well-to-tank upstream additions to account for emissions from sourcing and processing 
fuel. Owned transport emissions include outside of scope additions for biogenic additions. Electricity emissions include 
transmission and distribution losses.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Notice convening the AGM, to be held at the Cineworld Cinema in Wandsworth, Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth 
High Street, London SW18 4TF at 10.30am on 15 May 2019, is contained in the AGM circular. Details of all the resolutions to be 
proposed are set out in the AGM circular.

AUDITOR AND TENDER
Following the audit tender process in 2016, KPMG LLP was reappointed as External Auditor. The Company will continue to 
comply with the relevant tendering and auditor rotation requirements applicable under UK and EU regulations.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITOR
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors’ Report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is 
no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and each Director has taken all steps that he ought to 
have taken as a Director to make himself aware of any relevant audit information, and to establish that the Company’s auditor is 
aware of that information.

By order of the Board

F Smith
COMPANY SECRETARY
Cineworld Group Plc

28 March 2019

Registered Office: 
8th Floor 
Vantage London 
Great West Road 
Brentford 
TW8 9AG

Registered: England No: 5212407

72

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT  
AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Group and parent Company 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 they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union (“IFRSs as adopted by the EU”) and applicable law and have elected to prepare the parent 
Company financial statements in accordance with UK accounting standards, including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. 

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and parent Company and of their profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of 
the Group and parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

 — select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

 — make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant, reliable and prudent; 

 — for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 

 — for the parent Company financial statements, state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed,  

subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the parent Company financial statements; 

 — assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related  

to going concern; and 

 — use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to  

cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the parent 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the parent Company and 
enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are responsible for such internal 
control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard 
the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that complies with that law and those regulations. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the 
company’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions. 

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: 

 — the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view  

of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole; and 

 — the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the issuer 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face. 

We consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy. 

Moshe Greidinger
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
28 March 2019

73

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF CINEWORLD GROUP PLC

1 Our opinion is unmodified 
We have audited the financial statements of Cineworld Group 
plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2018 
which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Profit or  
Loss, the Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive 
Income, the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated 
Statement of Cash Flows, the Company Statement of Financial 
Position, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the 
related notes, including the accounting policies in Note 1 of  
the Group financial statement and Note 28 of the Company 
financial statements. 

In our opinion: 

 — the financial statements give a true and fair view of the  

state of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s affairs  
as at 31 December 2018 and of the Group’s profit for the  
year then ended; 

 — the Group financial statements have been properly  
prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European  
Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU); 

 — the parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, 
including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; and 

 — the financial statements have been prepared in  

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

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities are described below. We believe that the 
audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate 
basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent with our 
report to the audit committee. 

We were first appointed as auditor by the directors on 
23 August 2004 prior to the Company becoming a public 
interest entity. The period of total uninterrupted engagement  
is for the 12 financial years ended 31 December 2018. We  
have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and we remain 
independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical 
requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied  
to listed public interest entities. No non-audit services 
prohibited by that standard were provided. 

2  Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks  

of material misstatement

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements and include the most significant assessed risks of 
material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified 
by us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the 
overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; 
and directing the efforts of the engagement team. We summarise 
below the key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit 
significance, in arriving at our audit opinion above, together 
with our key audit procedures to address those matters and,  
as required for public interest entities, our results from those 
procedures. These matters were addressed, and our results are 
based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely 
for the purpose of, our audit of the financial statements as a 
whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and consequently 
are incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate 
opinion on these matters. 

74

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Potential impairment 
of property, plant 
and equipment,  
in relation to an 
individual cinema 
site in Israel – Net 
Book value $32.9m

Risk vs 2017 

Refer to page 52 
(Audit Committee 
Report), page 91 
(accounting policy) 
and page 105 
(financial disclosures).

The risk

Our response

Forecast-based valuation
The carrying value of property,  
plant and equipment balances at  
an individual cinema level may not 
be recoverable through future cash 
flows as national and local factors, 
such as movie slates or increased 
competition, can materially affect 
site performance. 

One particular cinema site in Israel, 
with a carrying value of $32.9m, is  
in a developing market that is highly 
sensitive to external social and political 
conditions. As such, its low valuation 
headroom presents a risk that its 
carrying value will not be supported 
by the continuing operations. 

Impairment testing valuations are 
based upon highly judgmental  
input assumptions. The key 
sensitivities in the calculation arise 
from the difficulties in accurately 
predicting site performance, which 
is dependent to some extent on 
external uncontrollable factors. In 
particular, the key assumptions of 
the valuation of the site in Israel are 
revenue growth (driven by forecast 
attendance levels; average ticket 
pricing (‘ATP’) growth; spend per 
person (‘SPP’) growth); real estate 
revenue growth and discount rate.

As a result of the subjectivity of this 
estimate we consider this to be a 
significant risk area for the audit.

Our procedures included evaluating the Group’s key 
assumptions and methodology used in the value in use 
calculations supporting the carrying value of the properly, 
plant and equipment.

Our sector experience: Evaluating the forecast growth 
assumptions used. Our assessment was based on our  
existing knowledge of the business.

Historical comparisons: Challenging the forecast growth 
assumptions by comparing them to recent historical trading 
performance. Assessing the accuracy of the Group’s previous 
forecasts to actual results and considering whether the 
forecasts used in the most recent impairment tests 
appropriately take into account actual performance during 
2018. Assessing the adequacy of adjustments made to the 
impairment calculation as a result of our challenge.

Benchmarking assumptions: Comparing the Group’s forecast 
growth assumptions to internally and externally derived data. 
Challenging the calculation of the discount rate used and 
comparing it to other externally derived data with assistance 
from our valuations specialist. 

Sensitivity analysis: Performing breakeven analysis on the 
assumptions noted above.

Assessing transparency: Assessing whether the Group’s 
disclosures about the sensitivity of the outcome of the 
impairment assessment to changes in the key assumptions 
reflected the risks inherent in the valuation of the particular 
cinema in Israel.

Our results
We found the Group’s assessment of potential impairment  
of property, plant and equipment, in relation to the specific 
cinema site in Israel to be acceptable (2017: acceptable). 

75

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

Acquisition 
accounting

Property related fair 
value measurement 
($983.1m)

New 2018 risk

Refer to page 52 
(Audit Committee 
Report), page 96 
(accounting policy) 
and page 113 
(financial disclosures).

On 28 February 2018, the Company 
completed the acquisition of  
Regal Entertainment Group. The 
accounting for this acquisition has 
given rise to four specific significant 
risks which are detailed below. 

Subjective valuation
As a result of the acquisition, in 
accordance with IFRS 3 Business 
Combinations, management has 
performed a fair value assessment  
of the acquired property related 
tangible assets. The Regal cinema 
estate included 560 sites with a net 
book value of $1,503m at acquisition. 

The valuation of the acquired 
property related tangible assets 
requires management to make an 
estimate of the fair value of these 
assets. Management has used a 
number of key assumptions in the 
forecasting of future cash flows 
expected to be generated, which 
forms the basis of the estimate. The 
key assumptions are revenue growth 
(driven by forecast attendance 
levels; average ticket pricing (‘ATP’) 
growth; spend per person (‘SPP’) 
growth) and discount rate.

The effect of these matters is that,  
as part of our risk assessment, we 
determined that the value of $983.1m 
has a high degree of estimation 
uncertainty, with a potential range  
of reasonable outcomes greater  
than our materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole, and possibly 
many times that amount. The 
financial statements (Note 18) 
disclose the sensitivity estimated  
by the Group.

As a result of the subjectivity of this 
estimate we consider this to be a 
significant risk area for the audit.

Our procedures included:

Our valuation expertise: Use of our own valuation specialists 
to challenge key assumptions such as discount rate based on 
our sector expertise.

Benchmarking assumptions: Comparing the group’s 
assumptions to internally and externally derived data in 
relation to key the inputs of forecast attendance levels;  
ATP growth; SPP growth and discount rate.

Historical comparisons: Challenging growth assumptions  
by comparing to recent historical trading performance. 
Assessing the accuracy of the US operation’s forecasting 
process through comparison of previous forecasts to actual 
results and considering whether the forecasts used are the 
most appropriate basis upon which to value the acquired 
property related tangible assets. Assessing the adequacy of 
adjustments made to the valuation as a result of our challenge.

Assessing transparency: Assessing whether the Group’s 
disclosures about the sensitivity of the outcome of the fair 
value assessment to changes in key assumptions reflected  
the risks inherent in the valuation of acquired property  
related tangible assets.

Our results:
We found management’s assessment of the fair value 
measurement acquired property related tangible assets  
to be acceptable. 

76

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Identification and 
valuation of 
intangible assets 
acquired ($508.9m)

New 2018 Risk

Refer to page 52 
(Audit Committee 
Report), page 96 
(accounting policy) 
and page 113 
(financial disclosures).

Subjective valuation
As a result of the acquisition,  
in accordance with IFRS 3  
Business Combinations, 
management has performed  
a fair value assessment of the 
identified acquired intangible  
assets. The identification and 
assessment of fair value of the 
intangible assets and liabilities 
acquired is dependent on  
accurately forecasting the  
future performance of the group  
on a market participant basis.

The valuation of the identified assets 
and liabilities requires management 
to make an estimate over the future 
value of each asset and liability 
identified which is reliant on a 
number of key observable and 
unobservable input assumptions.

Our procedures included:

Our valuation expertise: Use of our own valuation  
specialists to assess the appropriateness of the intangible 
assets identified and the valuation methodology applied  
and challenge key assumptions such as discount rate  
based on our sector expertise.

Benchmarking assumptions: Comparing the Group’s 
assumptions to internally and externally derived data in 
relation to the key inputs of forecast attendance levels;  
ATP growth; SPP growth and discount rate.

Historical comparisons: Assessing the completeness of 
intangible assets identified against comparable market 
transactions. Challenging growth assumptions by comparing 
to recent historical trading performance. Assessing the 
accuracy of the US operation’s forecasting process through 
comparison of previous forecasts to actual results and 
considering whether the forecasts used are the most 
appropriate basis upon which to value the acquired  
intangible assets. Assessing the adequacy of adjustments 
made to the valuation as a result of our challenge.

The key assumptions are revenue 
growth (driven by forecast attendance 
levels; average ticket pricing (‘ATP’) 
growth; spend per person (‘SPP’) 
growth) and discount rate. 

Assessing transparency: Assessing whether the Group’s 
disclosures about the sensitivity of the outcome of the fair 
value assessment to changes in key assumptions reflected  
the risks inherent in the valuation of acquired property  
related tangible assets.

The effect of these matters is that,  
as part of our risk assessment, we 
determined that the value of $508.9m 
has a high degree of estimation 
uncertainty, with a potential range of 
reasonable outcomes greater than our 
materiality for the financial statements 
as a whole, and possibly many times 
that amount. The financial statements 
(Note 18) disclose the sensitivity 
estimated by the Group

As a result of the subjectivity of this 
estimate we consider this to be a 
significant risk area for the audit.

Accounting judgement
As a result of the acquisition of 
Regal, the Group acquired an 
interest in DCIP. Management 
applied guidance in IFRS 11 to  
assess the level of control over  
and nature of the investee. The 
judgement over classification of  
the investee (Joint Venture vs  
Joint Operation) is complex as the 
operational arrangement between 
Regal and DCIP is dependent on 
and influenced by a number of 
connected legal agreements.

Specifically, the key judgement is 
establishing whether Cineworld, 
through Regal, has the right to 
assets and an enforceable obligation 
to provide resources sufficient for 
DCIP to settle its obligations on an 
ongoing basis. Given the complexity 
of the considerations in making this 
judgement and the potential impact 
on the reported results of Cineworld 
we consider this judgement to be a 
significant audit risk.

Accounting for the 
Group’s investment 
in Digital Cinema 
Implementation 
Partners (‘DCIP’)
($270.8m net  
asset value)

New 2018 risk

Refer to page 52 
(Audit Committee 
Report), page 95 
(accounting policy) 
and page 111  
(financial disclosures).

Our results:
We found the Group’s valuation of the intangible assets  
and liabilities acquired to be acceptable. 

Our procedures included:

Assessing principles: Evaluating the contractual obligation  
in the context of IFRS 11 and challenging the Group’s initial 
interpretation of the standard, challenging the Group’s legal 
advisors’ explanations of the extent of the Group’s obligations 
and where required consulting with our internal technical 
experts to ensure the appropriateness of the interpretations. 

Assessing application: Challenging the linkage between  
the enforceable minimum payments payable by Regal to  
DCIP dictated by the legal agreements and DCIP’s ongoing 
obligations. Assessing if these payments demonstrate that 
DCIP is dependent on a continuous basis for Regal settling  
its liabilities, as required by the IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements’ 
other facts and circumstances guidance.

Historical Comparisons: Challenging initial conclusions  
by considering how this arrangement was accounted for 
historically under US GAAP and how the nature of the 
relationship between DCIP; the lenders to DCIP and studios 
has changed over the contract period. 

Assessing transparency: Assessing whether the Group’s 
disclosures around the judgement taken and the impact  
of this on the Group’s financial statements. 

Our results
We found the group’s conclusion on classification of its 
investment in DCIP as a joint operation to be appropriate.

77

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

Our procedures included:

Benchmarking assumptions: Comparing the group’s 
assumptions to internally and externally derived data  
in relation to the key inputs of advertising revenue per 
attendance; the forecast attendance levels and discount rate.

Our valuation expertise: Use of our own valuation specialists 
to challenge key assumptions such as discount rate and 
methodology based on our sector expertise.

Historical comparisons: Challenging growth assumptions  
by comparing to recent historical trading performance. 
Assessing the accuracy of the US operation’s forecasting 
process through comparison of previous forecasts to actual 
results and considering whether the forecasts used are the 
most appropriate basis upon which to value the NCM 
advertising arrangement.

Challenging management to consider other potential 
comparators and to refine their assumptions by considering 
how different data points could be adjusted to become more 
directly comparable. Assessing the appropriateness of the 
advertising revenue per attendance to historic rates achieved 
by NCM and Digital Cinema Marketing (‘DCM’ – Cineworld’s 
UK advertising Joint Venture).

Assessing transparency: Assessing whether the Group’s 
disclosures around the sensitivity of the outcome of the fair value 
assessment to changes in key assumptions reflected the risks 
inherent in the valuation of the NCM advertising arrangement.

Our results:
We found the Group’s valuation of the NCM advertising 
arrangement acquired to be acceptable. 

Valuation of contract 
liabilities related to 
the National Cinema 
Media (‘NCM’) 
advertising 
arrangement 
$680.8m

New 2018 risk

Refer to page 52 
(Audit Committee 
Report), page 96 
(accounting policy) 
and page 114 
(financial disclosures).

Forecast-based valuation
As a result of the acquisition  
of Regal, the Group acquired an 
interest in NCM, a joint venture.  
As part of the business combination 
accounting, management has 
performed a fair value assessment 
of an assumed contract liability, 
being the Group’s obligation to 
perform under the acquired NCM 
advertising arrangement. Valuing 
the deferred revenue acquired with 
the NCM advertising arrangement  
is complex as it involves estimating 
the fair value of the agreement  
to provide advertising space to  
NCM across all Regal screens 
nationally for the remaining  
19 years of the contract.

In estimating the fair value 
management have made a number 
of key assumptions; these being  
the fair value of advertising revenue 
per attendance; the level of forecast 
attendance over the contract period 
and the discount rate. 

There are no directly observable data 
points to support the assumptions 
made and the effect of these matters 
is that, as part of our risk assessment, 
we determined that the value of 
$680.8m has a high degree of 
estimation uncertainty, with a potential 
range of reasonable outcomes greater 
than our materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole. The financial 
statements (Note 18) disclose the 
range estimated by the Group.

As a result we consider the estimate 
made to be an area of significant 
audit risk.

78

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Parent Company 
financial statements: 
Valuation of 
investments 
$3,339.1m 
(2017: $1,216.1m)  
and recoverability  
of intercompany 
receivables $738.8m 
(2017: $490.9m) 

Risk vs 2017 

Refer to page 132 
(accounting policy) 
and page 133 
(financial disclosures).

Low risk, high value
The carrying amount of the 
Company’s investments in 
subsidiaries held at cost less 
impairment and intercompany 
receivables represent 100% of  
the Company’s total assets.

We do not consider the valuation  
of these investments and recovery 
of intercompany receivables to  
be at a high risk of significant 
misstatement, or to be subject to  
a significant level of judgement. 

However, due to their materiality  
in the context of the Company 
financial statements as a whole,  
this is considered to be the area 
which had the greatest effect on  
our overall audit strategy and 
allocation of resources in planning 
and completing our Company audit.

3  Our application of materiality and an overview 

of the scope of our audit 

Materiality for the group financial statements as a whole  
was set at $15.0m (2017: $6.7m), determined with reference  
to a benchmark of Group profit before tax, of which it 
represents 4.3% (2017: 4.3%).

Materiality for the parent Company financial statements as  
a whole was set at $5.0m (2017: $5.0m), by reference to 
component materiality. This is lower than the materiality we 
would otherwise have determined by reference to net assets, 
and represents 0.1% of the Company’s net assets (2017: 0.5%).

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or 
uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding $750,000 
(2017: $335,000), in addition to other identified misstatements 
that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

The Group operates in ten countries across the UK and Ireland, 
USA, Central and Eastern Europe and Israel. Of the Group’s 11 
(2017: 10) reporting components, we subjected 4 (2017: 4) to 
full scope audits for Group purposes.

The components within the scope of our work accounted for 
the percentages illustrated on the following page.

Our procedures included : 

Tests of detail: Comparing a sample of the investment and 
intercompany receivables carrying value to the net assets  
of the investment to identify whether the net asset values of 
the subsidiaries, being an approximation of their minimum 
recoverable amount, were in excess of their carrying amount.

Comparing the value of the Company’s investments implied 
by its market capitalisation to their carrying value. 

Assessing subsidiary audits: Assessing the work performed 
by the subsidiary audit teams, where possible, on that sample 
of those subsidiaries and considering the results of that work, 
on those subsidiaries’ profits and net assets. Where the 
subsidiary is not subject to component audit for group 
reporting purposes or a statutory audit, we considered the 
results of analytical procedures performed by the Group 
team, on those subsidiaries’ profits and net assets.

For the investments where the carrying amount exceeded the 
net asset value of the subsidiary, our procedures included 
evaluating key assumptions and methodology used in the value 
in use calculations of the underlying Cash Generating Units.

Our sector experience: Challenging the growth assumptions 
and cash flow projections using our knowledge and historic 
experience of the profitability of the underlying trading group.

Benchmarking assumptions: Comparing the Group’s 
assumptions in the internally and externally derived data  
in relation to key inputs such as projected economic growth 
and discount rates.

Sensitivity analysis: Performing breakeven analysis on 
growth rates and discount rates.

Our results:
We found the Group’s assessment of the recoverability  
of the investment in subsidiaries and intercompany 
receivables to be acceptable (2017: acceptable).

The remaining 10% (2017: 25%) of total Group revenue, 15% 
(2017: 29%) of the total profits and losses that made up Group 
profit before tax and 5% (2017: 14%) of total Group assets is 
represented by 7 (2016: 6) reporting components. For these 
residual components, we performed specific procedures at  
one component (2017: nil) to address the risk of impairment  
of property, plant and equipment set out above. We also 
performed analytical procedures over financial information  
at a component level for all these components to re-examine 
our assessment that there were no significant risks of material 
misstatement within these.

The Group team instructed component auditors as to the 
significant areas to be covered, including the relevant risks 
detailed above and the information to be reported back. The 
Group team approved the following component materialities, 
having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the Group 
across the components:

 — USA component $10.0m (2017: n/a)

 — UK component $5.0m (2017: $5.0m)

 — Poland component $3.7m (2017: $3.7m)

79

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

Scoping and coverage

Group revenue 2018

Total profits and losses that 
made up Group profit before 
tax 2018

Group total assets 2018

Group and
component audited 

Residual Components 

90%

10%

Group and
component audited 

Residual Components 

86%

14%

Group and
component audited 

Residual Components 

95%

5%

Group revenue 2017

Total profits and losses that 
made up Group profit before 
tax 2017

Group total assets 2017

Group and
component audited 

Residual Components 

75%

25%

Group and
component audited 

Residual Components 

71%

29%

Group and
component audited 

Residual Components 

86%

14%

Most of the audit work on 3 of the 4 audited components  
(2017: 3 of the 4 components) was performed by component 
auditors although our work over purchase price allocation, 
impairment of property, plant and equipment, impairment of 
goodwill, onerous lease provisions and taxation was performed 
centrally for the entire Group by the Group audit team. The 
Group team performs the audit of the parent Company and  
the Group consolidation which constitutes the fourth component.

The Group audit team visited the component locations in USA, 
UK and Israel (2017: UK and Poland) to assess the audit risks 
and strategy and gain an understanding of the local finance 
environment. Telephone conference meetings were held with 
each component auditor throughout the audit. At the planning 
stage, these meetings focused on the audit approach, while 
during the fieldwork and reporting stage they focused on the 
on the findings and observations reported to the Group team. 
Significant findings were discussed in more detail, and any 
further work deemed necessary by the Group team was then 
performed by the component auditor. The Group team 
inspected the audit files relating to each component audit.

4 We have nothing to report on going concern 
The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the 
going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the 
Company or the Group or to cease their operations, and as  
they have concluded that the Company’s and the Group’s 
financial position means that this is realistic. They have also 
concluded that there are no material uncertainties that could 
have cast significant doubt over their ability to continue as a 
going concern for at least a year from the date of approval  
of the financial statements (“the going concern period”). 

Our responsibility is to conclude on the appropriateness of the 
Directors’ conclusions and, had there been a material uncertainty 
related to going concern, to make reference to that in this audit 
report. However, as we cannot predict all future events or 
conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes  
that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at  
the time they were made, the absence of reference to a material 
uncertainty in this auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the 
Group and the Company will continue in operation. 

80

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018In our evaluation of the Directors’ conclusions, we considered 
the inherent risks to the Group’s and Company’s business 
model, including the impact of Brexit, and analysed how  
those risks might affect the Group’s and Company’s financial 
resources or ability to continue operations over the going 
concern period. We evaluated those risks and concluded  
that they were not significant enough to require us to  
perform additional audit procedures.

Based on this work, we are required to report to you if:

 — we have anything material to add or draw attention to  
in relation to the directors’ statement in Note 1 to the  
financial statements on the use of the going concern basis  
of accounting with no material uncertainties that may cast 
significant doubt over the Group and Company’s use of that 
basis for a period of at least twelve months from the date  
of approval of the financial statements; or

 — the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on  

page 37 is materially inconsistent with our audit knowledge.

We have nothing to report in these respects, and we did not 
identify going concern as a key audit matter.

 — the directors’ explanation in the viability statement of how 
they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what 
period they have done so and why they considered that 
period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether 
they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be 
able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the period of their assessment, including any 
related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the Viability 
Statement. We have nothing to report in this respect. 

Our work is limited to assessing these matters in the context  
of only the knowledge acquired during our financial statements 
audit. As we cannot predict all future events or conditions  
and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are 
inconsistent with judgments that were reasonable at the time 
they were made, the absence of anything to report on these 
statements is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Company’s 
longer-term viability.

Corporate governance disclosures 
We are required to report to you if: 

5  We have nothing to report on the other information  

in the Annual Report 

The directors are responsible for the other information 
presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not 
cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express 
an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form 
of assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in  
doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements 
audit work, the information therein is materially misstated  
or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit 
knowledge. Based solely on that work we have not identified 
material misstatements in the other information. 

Strategic report and directors’ report 
Based solely on our work on the other information: 

 — we have identified material inconsistencies between the 
knowledge we acquired during our financial statements  
audit and the directors’ statement that they consider that  
the annual report and financial statements taken as a whole  
is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy; or 

 — the section of the annual report describing the work of the 
Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 
communicated by us to the Audit Committee

We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance 
Statement does not properly disclose a departure from the 
eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified by the Listing Rules for our review. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

 — we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic 

6  We have nothing to report on the other matters on which 

report and the directors’ report; 

 — in our opinion the information given in those reports for the 
financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and 

 — in our opinion those reports have been prepared in 

accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

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

Disclosures of principal risks and longer-term viability 
Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial 
statements audit, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to: 

we are required to report by exception 

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

 — adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 
parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have  
not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

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

 — certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by 

law are not made; or 

 — we have not received all the information and explanations  

we require for our audit. 

 — the directors’ confirmation within the viability statement  

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

on page 27 that they have carried out a robust assessment  
of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that 
would threaten its business model, future performance, 
solvency and liquidity; 

 — the Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks and 

explaining how they are being managed and mitigated; and 

81

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

7 Respective responsibilities 
Directors’ responsibilities 
As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 73, 
the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial 
statements including being satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view; such internal control as they determine is necessary  
to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; 
assessing the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to 
going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting 
unless they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent 
Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative 
but to do so.

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

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the 
FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

Irregularities – ability to detect
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could 
reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the 
financial statements from our general commercial and sector 
experience, through discussion with the directors and other 
management (as required by auditing standards), and from 
inspection of the Group’s regulatory and legal correspondence 
and discussed with the directors and other management the 
policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and 
regulations. We communicated identified laws and regulations 
throughout our team and remained alert to any indications  
of non-compliance throughout the audit. This included 
communication from the group to component audit teams  
of relevant laws and regulations identified at group level.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the 
financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that  
directly affect the financial statements including financial 
reporting legislation (including related companies legislation), 
distributable profits legislation and taxation legislation and  
we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and 
regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial 
statement items. 

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and 
regulations where the consequences of non-compliance  
could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in  
the financial statements, for instance through the imposition  
of fines or litigation or the loss of the Group’s licence to operate. 
We identified the following areas as those most likely to have 
such an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, employment  
law, GDPR law and regulatory capital and liquidity. Auditing 
standards limit the required audit procedures to identify 
non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry  
of the directors and other management and inspection of 
regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. These limited 
procedures did not identify actual or suspected non-compliance. 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an 
unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material 
misstatements in the financial statements, even though we  
have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance 
with auditing standards. For example, the further removed 
non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is 
from the events and transactions reflected in the financial 
statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures 
required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition,  
as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection 
of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override  
of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing 
non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-
compliance with all laws and regulations.

8  The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe  

our responsibilities 

This report is made solely to the Company’s members,  
as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the 
Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so 
that we might state to the Company’s members those matters 
we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for 
no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we  
do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than 
the Company and the Company’s members, as a body, for our 
audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Hugh Green
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
15 Canada Square 
London 
E14 5GL 
28 March 2019

82

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Other operating income
Administrative expenses

Operating profit
Reconciliation from operating profit to Adjusted EBITDA as defined in Note 1:

Operating Profit
Share of profit of jointly controlled entity using equity accounting method net of tax
Operating profit plus share of profit of joint ventures using equity  
accounting method net of tax
Adjusted for:

Depreciation and amortisation
Onerous lease (releases) and charges
Impairments and reversals of impairments
Transaction, reorganisation and other exceptional costs
Losses / (Gains) on disposal of assets and subsidiaries
Excess cash distributions from jointly controlled entities
Share based payment charges

Adjusted EBITDA as defined in Note 1

Finance income
Finance expenses
Net finance costs
Share of profit from jointly controlled entities using equity accounting method net of tax
Profit on ordinary activities before tax
Tax charge on profit on ordinary activities

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Group

Basic earning per share
Diluted earning per share

The Notes on pages 88 to 129 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

Note

3

4

5

5
5
5
5
5
12
21

8
8

9

6
6

4,119.1
(3,125.4)

993.7
5.3
(506.1)

492.9

1,147.0
(844.3)

302.7
4.5
(142.2)

165.0

492.9 
27.4

520.3 

320.5
(1.5)
18.3
58.8
1.0
4.8
3.2
925.4

53.9
(225.2)
(171.3)
27.4
349.0
(64.7)

284.3

22.5
22.4

165.0
0.1

165.1

87.8
1.7
(6.7)
10.0
(2.6)
–
2.4
257.7

2.5
(12.5)
(10.0)
0.1
155.1
(25.6)

129.5

21.1
21.0

83

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Group 

Items that will not subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss 
Equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income  
“FVOCI” – net change in fair value
Income tax (charge)/credit recognised on other comprehensive income 
Items that will subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss 
Movement in fair value of cash flow hedge 
Movement in fair value of net investment hedge
Foreign exchange translation (loss)/gain
Income tax charge recognised within other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income for the year,net of income tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity holders of the Group 

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

284.3

129.5

(6.9)
–

(0.7)
–
(126.1)
0.3
(133.4)

150.9

–
–

1.7
(1.8)
117.4
0.4
117.7

247.2

84

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

31 December 
2018 
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

31 December 
2016  
$m

Note

Non-Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Investments in equity accounted investee
Financial assets at FVOCI
Deferred tax asset
Other receivables

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Assets classified as held for sale
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans, borrowings and other financial liabilities
Bank overdraft
Trade and other payables
Current taxes payable
Provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-Current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans, borrowings and other financial liabilities
Other payables and deferred income
Provisions
Employee benefits
Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net Assets

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Group
Share Capital
Share Premium
Foreign currency translation reserve
Merger reserve
Hedging reserve
Fair value reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

10
11
11
12
14
15
17

16
10
17

19
19
20

22

19
20
22
21
15

23
23
23
23
23
23

2,446.3
5,482.4
542.3
308.5
7.5
31.6
206.7

9,025.3

35.1
2.5
324.5
316.3

678.4

701.3
911.0
63.8
1.6
–
–
7.8

549.3
802.1
66.7
1.2
–
–
7.3

1,685.5

1,426.6

13.9
2.2
104.4
91.0

211.5

12.1
–
91.3
68.6

172.0

9,703.7

1,897.0

1,598.6

 (81.4)
–
(836.4)
(51.0)
(90.6)

(1,059.4)

(3,968.3)
(965.6)
(277.2)
(3.2)
(9.7)

(5,224.0)

(6,283.4)

3,420.3

20.1
513.8
(263.4)
–
(0.6)
(6.9)
3,157.3

(20.2)
(0.6)
(195.6)
(28.6)
(4.7)

(249.7)

(446.0)
(129.1)
(10.6)
(3.1)
(13.8)

(602.6)

(852.3)

1,044.7 

5.0
548.1
(137.3)
407.4
(3.4)
–
224.9

3,420.3

1,044.7

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 March 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:

Nisan Cohen
Director

(20.7)
– 
(216.8)
(12.9)
(11.4)

(261.8)

(396.6)
(94.5)
(10.7)
(2.3)
(15.7)

(519.8)

(781.6)

 817.0 

4.9
561.4
(254.7)
346.5
(3.3)
–
162.2

817.0

85

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Share  
capital  

Share 
premium  

$m

4.9

–

$m

561.4

–

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
 reserve  

$m

(254.7)

Merger 
reserve  

$m

346.5

–
(13.3)

–
60.9

548.1

407.4

(137.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Hedging 
reserve  

Fair value 
reserve  

Retained 
deficit/profit  

$m

(3.3)

–

$m

–

–

$m

162.2

129.5

Total  
$m

817.0

129.5

1.7

(1.8)

–

–

–

–
–

(3.4)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

1.7

(1.8)

117.4

0.4

0.4

(69.7)

(69.7)

2.4
–

224.9

284.3

2.4
47.7

1,044.7

284.3

–

(6.9)

(0.7)

3.5

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

(6.9)

(0.7)

3.5

(126.1)

0.3

0.3

(122.8)

(122.8)

1.9

1.9

2,768.7
–

–
2,342.1

–

–

–

117.4

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

(126.1)

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
0.1

5.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
15.1

(2,361.3)
2,327.0

(407.4)
–

20.1

513.8

–

(263.4)

(0.6)

(6.9)

3,157.3

3,420.3

At 31 December 2016

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 
income
Items that will 
subsequently  
be reclassified  
to profit or loss
Movement in fair value  
of cash flow hedge
Movement in net  
investment hedge
Retranslation of foreign 
currency denominated 
subsidiaries
Income tax charge 
recognised within other 
comprehensive income
Contributions by  
and distributions  
to owners
Dividends
Movements due  
to share-based 
compensation
Issue of shares

At 31 December 2017

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 
income
Items that will not 
subsequently  
be reclassified  
to profit or loss
Equity investments  
at FVOCI – net change 
in fair value
Items that will 
subsequently  
be reclassified  
to profit or loss
Movement in fair value  
of cash flow hedge
Settlement of net  
investment hedge
Retranslation of foreign 
currency denominated 
subsidiaries

Income tax charge 
recognised within other 
comprehensive income
Contributions by and 
distributions to owners
Dividends
Movements due  
to share-based 
compensation
Capital Transfer  
(Note 23)
Issue of shares

Balance at 
31 December 2018

86

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Cash flow from operating activities
Profit for the year
Adjustments for:

Financial income
Financial expense
Taxation
Share of profit of equity accounted investee

Operating profit
Depreciation and amortisation
Share based payments charge
Non-cash property, pension and remuneration charges
Impairments and reversals of impairments
Movement in trade and other receivables
Movements in inventories
Movement in trade, other payables and deferred income
Movement in provisions and employee benefit obligations
Loss on sale of assets
Exceptional transaction costs(1)

Cash generated from operations
Tax paid

Net cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received
Acquisition of subsidiaries net of acquired cash(1)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
Investment in joint ventures
Acquisition of distribution rights and other intangibles
Distributions received from equity accounted investees
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Net cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares
Dividends paid to shareholders
Interest paid
Repayment of bank loans
Draw down of bank loans
Payments of finance lease liabilities

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at start of the period
Exchanges losses on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

Note

284.3

 129.5 

8
8
9

5
5

5

(53.9)
225.2
64.7
(27.4)

492.9
320.5
3.2
(30.2)
18.3
(54.9)
1.8
(113.8)
(2.0)
1.0
50.6

687.4
(55.5)

631.9

0.9
(3,356.6)
(156.0)
(78.4)
(4.5)
32.2
3.3

(3,559.1)

2,341.0
(122.9)
(146.7)
(2,895.0)
3,982.6
(13.4)

3,145.6

218.4
91.0
6.9

316.3

(2.5) 
 12.5 
 25.6 
(0.1) 

 165.0 
 87.8 
 2.4 
1.7 
(6.7) 
(14.6) 
(1.8) 
18.1 
(5.8) 
(2.6)
–

 243.5

(15.4) 

 228.1

 0.7 
(8.9) 
(133.2) 

–
(3.9) 
– 
 2.5 

(142.8)

 1.2 
(69.7) 
(8.5) 
(14.4)
22.4
(5.7) 

(74.7)

 10.6 
 68.6 
 11.8 

 91.0

(1) 

 Acquisition of subsidiaries net of acquired cash is inclusive of $50.6m cash payments in respect of acquisition related costs, which represent part of the 
aggregate cashflows arising in obtaining control of Regal.

87

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS)

1. Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
Cineworld Group plc (the “Company”) is a company incorporated in the UK.

The Group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“Adopted IFRSs”). The Company has elected to prepare its Parent Company 
financial statements in accordance with UK standards including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; these are presented  
on pages 130 to 139.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all years presented in these Group financial statements.

Information regarding the Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance 
and position is set out in the Chief Executive Officer’s Review on pages 4 to 9 and the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section on 
pages 23 to 27. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the 
Chief Financial Officer’s Review on pages 31 to 35. In addition Note 24 to the financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and 
hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

Presentational Currency 
Following the acquisition of Regal, which completed on 28 February 2018, the majority of the Group’s revenue and trading profit is 
now generated in US dollars. The Group elected to change its presentational currency to US dollars from 1 January 2018 to remove 
the largest driver of currency translation volatility and provide greater transparency of the underlying trading performance of the 
Group. A change in presentational currency is a change in accounting policy which is accounted for retrospectively. Financial 
information included in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 previously reported in sterling 
has been restated into US dollars using the procedures outlined below: · 

 — Assets and liabilities denominated in non-US dollar currencies were translated into US dollars at the closing rates of exchange 

on the relevant balance sheet date; 

 — Non-US dollar income and expenditure were translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing for the relevant period; and 

 — Share capital, share premium and the other reserves were translated at the historic rates prevailing on the date of each 

transaction. The cumulative foreign currency translation reserve has been restated on the basis that the Group has reported  
in US dollars since 2004, the inception date of the Company.

Going Concern
As a result of the Regal acquisition, on 28 February 2018 the Group restructured its debt arrangements. The previous financing 
arrangements in place as at 31 December 2017 for the Group and Regal Entertainment Group were terminated and superseded with 
the new financing arrangements for the enlarged Group which consist of a USD and Euro term loan totalling $4.1bn and a $300.0m 
revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility is subject to springing covenants which are triggered above 35% utilisation.

The enlarged Group’s forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show 
that the enlarged Group should be able to operate within the level of its new facilities for at least 12 months from the approval 
date of the financial statements, including compliance with the bank facility covenants. The Group therefore continues to adopt 
the going concern basis.

In the short-term, the impact of elevated political instability and economic uncertainty as a result of the UK referendum in respect of 
leaving the European Union (“Brexit”) may have an adverse impact on the operating environment of the UK&I operating segment. 
The Directors believe that as the Group operates in a number of territories outside of the UK, including the US which accounts  
for 71% of revenue for the year ended 31 December 2018 and no material goods are imported from or exported to the EU that  
the impact of the UK referendum on Brexit on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern will be minimal. 

Measurement Convention
The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis except that the following assets and liabilities are stated  
at their fair value: derivative financial instruments and financial instruments classified as fair value through the Statement of  
Other Comprehensive Income.

Basis of Consolidation
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The 
financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control 
commences until the date on which control ceases.

Joint Arrangement
Under IFRS 11 ‘Joint Arrangements’ investments in Joint Arrangements are classified as either Joint Operations or Joint Ventures. 
The classification depends on the contractual rights and obligations of each investor, rather than the legal structure of the Joint 
Arrangement. Cineworld Group Plc has both Joint Operations and Joint Ventures. 

88

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20181. Accounting Policies continued
Basis of Consolidation continued
Joint Operations
Cineworld Group Plc recognises its share of any jointly held or incurred assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the joint 
operation. These have been incorporated in the financial statements under the appropriate headings. Details of the joint 
operation are set out in Note 13.

Joint Ventures
Joint Ventures are those entities over whose activities the Group has joint control, established by contractual agreement and 
requiring the venturers’ unanimous consent for strategic financial and operating decisions. Joint Ventures are accounted for 
using the equity method and are initially recognised at cost. The Group’s investment includes goodwill identified on acquisition, 
net of any accumulated impairment losses. 

The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share of the total recognised income and expense and equity 
movements of equity accounted investees, from the date that joint control commences until the date that joint control ceases. 
When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity accounted investee, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced  
to $nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive 
obligations or made payments on behalf of an investee.

Transactions Eliminated on Consolidation
Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are 
eliminated. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity accounted investees are eliminated against the investment  
to the extent of the Group’s interest in the investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but  
only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Alternative performance measures
The Group uses alternative performance measures (APM’s), which are not defined or specified under IFRS. The Group believes 
that these APMs, which are not considered to be a substitute for IFRS measures, provide additional helpful information. APMs  
are consistent with how business performance is planned, reported and assessed internally by management and the Board and 
provide comparable information across the Group. The Group uses the following APMs:

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss is defined as Operating profit plus share of  
profits from associates using the equity accounting method net of tax adjusted for deprecation and amortisation, onerous  
lease charges and releases, impairments and reversals of impairments, transaction and reorganisation costs, gains/losses on 
disposals of assets and subsidiaries, share based payment charges, and excess cash distributions jointly controlled entities. 
Adjusted EBITDA is considered an accurate and consistent measure of the Group’s trading performance. Items adjusted  
to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA are considered to be primarily non-cash items or items outside the Group’s ongoing trading 
activities. The Group believes including cash distributions from associates earned in the period is an appropriate reflection  
of the contribution that these investments make to the Group’s operations and reflects the way these operations have been  
and will continue to be monitored.

Adjusted profit before tax
Adjusted profit before tax is calculated by adding back amortisation of intangible assets (excluding acquired film distribution 
rights), and certain nonrecurring or non-cash items and foreign exchange differences arising on the translation of non USD$ 
denominated monetary assets and liabilities as set out in Note 6. Adjusted profit before tax is an internal measure used by 
management, as they believe it better reflects the underlying performance of the Group and therefore a more meaningful 
comparison of performance from period to period.

Constant currency
The Group measures some financial metrics on both a reported basis and at constant exchange rates. The constant exchange 
rate basis re-translates the prior period financial information at the current period exchange rate to eliminate the effect of 
exchange rate translation differences when comparing information year-on-year.

Foreign Currency
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the Balance Sheet date are translated at the foreign exchange rate 
ruling at that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss.  
Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using  
the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that  
are stated at fair value are translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are 
translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the Balance Sheet date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are 
translated at an average rate for the year where this rate approximates to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the 
transactions. Translation movements are recognised within the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income and in the foreign 
currency translation reserve. 

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1. Accounting Policies continued
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging
Cash Flow Hedges and Interest Swap Policy
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are 
recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve within equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised 
immediately in profit or loss, within other income (expenses). Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to finance  
costs within The Statement of Profit or Loss at the same time as the relating interest expense on hedged borrowings. 

When a hedging instrument expires, sold or terminated, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the 
cumulative gain or loss and deferred costs of hedging that were reported in equity are immediately reclassified to profit or loss.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the entity revokes designation of the hedge relationship 
but the hedged forecast transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in equity and is 
recognised in accordance with the above policy when the transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to 
take place, the cumulative unrealised gain or loss recognised in equity is recognised in the Statement of Other Comprehensive 
Income immediately.

Net Investment Hedge
The Group uses net investment hedges to mitigate translation exposure on certain net investments in subsidiary companies. 
Changes in the fair values of hedging instruments are taken directly to the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income together 
with gains or losses on the foreign currency translation of the hedged investments. Until the investment is disposed all of these 
gains or losses are recognised in equity, within the hedging reserve.

Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise investments in equity, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, 
interest-bearing borrowings, and trade and other payables.

Trade and Other Receivables
Trade and other receivables are measured at amortised cost. The Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, 
which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivable.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form  
an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose  
only of the Statement of Cash Flows.

Trade and Other Payables
Trade and other payables are measured at amortised cost.

Interest-Bearing Borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are measured at amortised cost less transaction costs. Any difference between cost and redemption value 
is recognised within the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Leases
At inception of an arrangement, the Group determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease. 

Leases in which the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset are classified as 
finance leases. Where land and buildings are held under finance leases the accounting treatment of the land is considered 
separately from that of the buildings. Leased assets acquired by way of finance lease are stated at an amount equal to the lower 
of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease, less accumulated depreciation 
and impairment losses.

All other leases are operating leases. These leased assets are not recognised in the Group’s Balance Sheet.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation is charged to the Statement of Profit or Loss to write assets down to their residual values on a straight-line basis 
over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

 — Land and buildings: freehold properties
 — Land and buildings: long leasehold properties including leasehold improvements
 — Land and buildings: short leasehold properties including leasehold improvements
 — Plant and machinery
 — Fixtures and fittings

20 to 50 years
Life of lease
30 years or life of lease if shorter
3 to 20 years
3 to 20 years

No depreciation is provided on land, assets held for sale or assets in the course of construction.

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items  
of property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation methods, residual values and the useful lives of all assets are reassessed annually.

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Business Combinations
For acquisitions on or after 1 January 2010, the Group measures goodwill as the fair value of the consideration transferred 
(including the fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree) and the recognised amount of any non-controlling 
interests in the acquiree, less the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed, all measured as of the acquisition date. When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognised immediately 
in the Statement of Profit or Loss. Transactions costs, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities that 
the Group incurs in connection with business combinations are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Identifiable intangibles are those which can be sold separately or which arise from legal rights regardless of whether those  
rights are separable.

Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is allocated to CGUs and is not amortised but is 
tested annually for impairment.

Other intangible assets that are acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

Distribution rights that are acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

Amortisation is charged to the Statement of Profit or Loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible 
assets unless such lives are indefinite. Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life and goodwill are systematically tested  
for impairment at each balance sheet date. Other intangible assets are amortised from the date they are available for use. 
Distribution rights are amortised by film title from the date of release of the film, at 50% in the first year of release and 25%  
in each of the two subsequent years. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

 — Brands 
 — Distribution rights
 — Other intangibles

10 years to indefinite life
3 years
4 to 10 years

Non-Current Assets Held for Sale
A non-current asset or a group of assets containing a non-current asset (a “disposal group”) is classified as held for sale if its 
carrying amount will be recovered principally through sale rather than through continuing use, it is available for immediate sale 
and sale is highly probable within one year.

On initial classification as held for sale, non-current assets and disposal groups are measured at the lower of previous carrying 
amount and fair value less costs to sell with any adjustments taken to the Statement of Profit or Loss. The same applies to gains 
and losses on subsequent remeasurement although gains are not recognised in excess of any cumulative impairment loss. Any 
impairment loss on a disposal group is first allocated to goodwill, and then to remaining assets and liabilities on a pro rata basis, 
except that no loss is allocated to inventories, financial assets, deferred tax assets, employee benefit assets and investment 
property, which continue to be measured in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. Intangible assets and property, 
plant and equipment once classified as held for sale or distribution are not amortised or depreciated.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of inventories is based on the First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”) 
principle. Cost comprises expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and 
condition, and net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated selling costs.

Impairment
The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication 
of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. For goodwill assets that have an indefinite 
useful economic life, the recoverable amount is estimated at each Balance Sheet date.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. 
Impairment losses are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss.

Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to 
CGUs and then to reduce the carrying amount of the other intangible assets in the unit on a pro rata basis. A CGU is the smallest 
identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or 
groups of assets.

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1. Accounting Policies continued
Calculation of Recoverable Amount
The recoverable amount is the greater of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the 
estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pretax discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely 
independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the CGU to which the asset belongs.

Reversals of Impairment
An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. In respect of other assets, an impairment is reversed when there  
is an indication that the impairment loss may no longer exist as a result of a change in the estimates used to determine the 
recoverable amount, including a change in fair value less costs to sell. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that  
the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation  
or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

Equity investments:
Equity investments are held in entities which have not been classified as a subsidiary, associate or Joint Arrangement are 
accounted for at fair value. These equity investments are not held for trading purposes and represent strategic investments. 

The Group has elected at initial recognition to present value changes through the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income 
within the revaluation reserve. Any dividends received from these equity investments will be recognised within The Statement  
of Profit or Loss. 

On disposal of these equity investments, any related balance within the FVOCI reserve is reclassified to retained earnings. 

Employee Benefits
Defined Contribution Pension Plans
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the Statement of Profit  
or Loss in the periods which services are rendered by employees. 

Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated separately for each plan by estimating the amount of 
future benefit that employees have earned in the current and prior years, discounting that amount and deducting the fair value 
of any plan assets.

The calculation of defined benefit obligations is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit 
method. When the calculation results in a potential asset for the Group, the recognised asset is limited to the present value of 
economic benefits available in the form of any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. 
To calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any applicable minimum funding requirements.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets 
(excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognised immediately in the Statement 
of Other Comprehensive Income. The Group determines the net interest expense/(income) on the net defined benefit liability/
(asset) for the year by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual 
year to the then-net defined benefit liability/(asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability/(asset) 
during the year as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined 
benefit plans are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss.

When the benefits of a plan are changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit that relates to past service 
or the gain or loss on curtailment is recognised immediately in the Statement of Profit or Loss. The Group recognises gains and 
losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when the settlement occurs.

Share-Based Payment Transactions
The share option programme allows Group employees to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value of options granted is 
recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date using the 
Black-Scholes model and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. 
The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest except where forfeiture 
is due only to share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.

Share appreciation rights are also granted by the Group to employees. The fair value of the amount payable to the employee is 
recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in liabilities. The fair value is initially measured at grant date and spread 
over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to payment. The fair value of the share appreciation 
rights is measured taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. The liability is remeasured 
at each Balance Sheet date and at settlement date and any changes in fair value are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss.

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Government Grants
Government grants are recognised initially as deferred income at fair value when there is reasonable assurance that they will  
be received and the Group will comply with the conditions associated with the grant. They are then recognised in the Statement 
of Profit or Loss as other income on a systematic basis over the useful life of the asset to which they relate.

Provisions
A provision is recognised in the Balance Sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of  
a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the effect is 
material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pretax rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

Own Shares Held by Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”)
Transactions of the Group sponsored EBT are included in the Group financial information. In particular, the trust’s purchase  
of shares in the Company are debited directly to equity.

Revenue
Revenue represents the total amount receivable for goods sold and services provided, excluding sales related taxes and  
intra-group transactions. All the Group’s revenue is received from the sale of goods and services. The Group has transitioned  
to IFRS 15 under the cumulative effect method. Due to the nature of the goods and services sold by the Goup and the nature  
of the sales transactions, the judgements made in identifying performance obligations and transaction prices have not had an 
impact on the revenue recognised. The recognition of revenue under each of the Groups material revenue streams is as follows:

 — Box office revenue is recognised on the date of the showing of the film the ticket sold relates to.

 — Concessions revenue is recognised at point of sale.

 — Advertising revenue is recognised at the point the advertisement is shown in cinemas. 

 — An element of Advertising revenue relates to the exhibitor services agreement “ESA” with National CineMedia “NCM”  

within the US operating segment. Revenue is recognised over the period the rights to advertising services are provided. 

 — Distribution revenue is recognised on the date of the showing of the film it relates to for cinema distribution, for other media 

the revenue is recognised over the life of the distribution contract.

 — Unlimited card revenue is received annually or monthly in advance. When revenue from the Unlimited card is received annually 
in advance it is recognised on a straight-line basis over the year. Monthly Unlimited card revenue is recognised in the period to 
which it relates.

 — The Group records proceeds from the sale of gift cards and other advanced bulk tickets in deferred income and recognises 
admissions or retail revenue when redeemed. Additionally, the Group recognises unredeemed gift cards and bulk tickets as 
other revenues based on a proportion of redemptions, which is estimated primarily based on the Group’s historical experience.

 — The Group operates loyalty schemes under which customer under which rewards can be earned. The most significant of these 
is the “Regal Crown Club”. Members earn credits for each dollar spent at the Company’s theatres and can redeem such credits 
for tickets, concession items and other rewards. To determine the amount of revenue to defer upon issuance of credits to 
customers, an estimate is made of the value expected to be redeemed by customers for those credits. The estimates are based 
on rewards that have historically been offered under the loyalty program, which are considered to be representative of rewards 
offered in future. Upon redemption, deferred rewards are recognised as revenues in line with the revenue stream they are 
redeemd under.

 — Other revenue is recognised in the period to which it relates. 

Other Operating Income
Other income represents rent receivable and profit on disposals of fixed assets. Rental income is recognised on a straight-line 
basis over the life of the lease.

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1. Accounting Policies continued
Expenses
Operating Lease Payments
Payments made under operating leases are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss. Lease incentives received are 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the Statement of Profit or Loss as an integral part of the total lease 
expense. Where the Group has operating leases that contain minimum guaranteed rental uplifts over the life of the lease, the 
Group recognises the guaranteed minimum lease payment on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Finance Lease Payments
Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance 
charge is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability.

Landlord Contributions
The Group receives contributions from landlords for renovations at existing theatres. The Group records the payments received 
from landlords as deferred income and amortises the balance offsetting the rent expense over the initial term of the lease. 

Net Financing Costs
Net financing costs comprise interest payable, amortisation of financing costs, unwind of discount on property provisions, 
unwind of discount of finance lease, unwind of discount on long term deferred income, finance lease interest, net gain loss on 
remeasurement of interest rate swaps, interest receivable on funds invested, foreign exchange gains and losses and finance  
costs for defined benefit pension schemes.

Sale and Leaseback
Where the Group enters into a sale and leaseback transaction whereby the risks and rewards of ownership of the assets concerned 
have not been substantially transferred to the lessor, any excess of sales proceeds over the previous carrying amount is deferred 
and recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss over the lease term. At the date of the transaction the assets and the associated 
finance lease liabilities on the Group’s Balance Sheet are stated at the lower of fair value of the leased assets and the present 
value of the minimum lease payments.

Where the Group enters into a sale and leaseback transaction whereby the risks and rewards of ownership of the assets 
concerned have been substantially transferred to the lessor, any excess of sales proceeds over the previous carrying amount  
is recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss on completion of the transaction, when the sale and subsequent leaseback  
has been completed at fair value.

Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss  
and Other Comprehensive Income except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is 
recognised in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted  
at the Balance Sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognised using the Balance Sheet method, providing temporary differences between the carrying amounts  
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary 
differences are not provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill; the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither 
accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business combination; and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to  
the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the 
expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the Balance Sheet date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which 
the asset can be utilised.

Operating Segments
An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and 
incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Group’s other components. An 
operating segment’s operating results are reviewed regularly by the Board of Directors to make decisions about resources  
to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available.

During the year, the CCE&I operating segment as disclosed within the 31 December 2017 annual report was renamed to rest  
of the world “ROW”. The Board of Directors review the operating results of Regal, United Artists and Edwards theatres brands 
separately to those of other territories within the Group. These results are reviewed within a newly established operating 
segment, “US”. 

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Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20181. Accounting Policies continued
Significant Accounting Judgements and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the 
application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ 
from these estimates.

Judgements and estimates made by the Directors in the application of these accounting policies that have significant effect on 
the financial statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year are set out below.

Judgements
The key judgements are:

Finance and Operating Leases
When the Group enters into a new lease it is required to consider whether it bears substantially all the risks and rewards of the 
asset. The Group considers the requirements of IAS 17 “Leases” when determining whether it has an operating or finance lease. 

For the majority of the Group’s leases the determinations are straight forward and the material judgements only relate to a few 
lease arrangements. There are some instances within the Group where the lease arrangements can be up to 99 years in length 
and therefore a judgement has to be made as to whether the lease term is for the major part of the economic life of the asset 
where the asset is not transferred at the end of the lease. In addition for these leases, calculations have to be undertaken to 
ascertain whether, at inception of the lease, the present value of the minimum lease payments represent substantially all of the 
fair value of the leased asset. Determining the present value of the lease payments and the fair value of the leased asset requires 
elements of estimation and judgement in respect of the forward-looking discount rate and assessing if extension options are 
likely to be exercised in the lease contract. The outcome of whether a lease is an operating or a finance lease can have a material 
impact on the Group’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The property, plant and equipment and the finance lease 
liability on an individual lease could be a material asset based on a long lease and average annual rents. The Group has not early 
adopted the new lease accounting standard, IFRS 16 “Leases”, which will be effective from 1 January 2019.

Classification of Joint Arrangements
When the Group acquires an interest in a Joint Arrangement it is required to assess the type of Joint Arrangement (that is,  
Joint Operation or Joint Venture) where the arrangement is structured through a separate vehicle, in accordance with IFRS 11. 
This assessment includes whether or not, together with the other parties involved, the Group has joint rights to the assets, and 
obligations for the liabilities of the arrangement.

As part of its acquisition of Regal the Group acquired a significant share in Digital Cinema Implementation Partners (DCIP),  
a Joint Arrangement with other US exhibitors set up to collect and administrate Virtual Print Fee (VPF) income received from 
studios to compensate exhibitors for their investment in digital projection equipment. Through long term leasing arrangements 
with DCIP, the exhibitors retain control over the projection equipment it has acquired. In addition, the Group determined that 
under the terms of the leasing arrangements and the associated minimum rental charges expected to be made, it has a joint 
obligation for the debt taken out by DCIP to finance the acquisition of the projection equipment. The Group concluded that,  
with joint control over these, the material assets and liabilities of DCIP, it should classified as a Joint Operation. Details of the 
DCIPs financial performance and position can be found in Note 13.

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1. Accounting Policies continued
Estimates
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised  
in the year in which the estimate is revised and in any future years affected.

In applying the Group’s accounting policies described above the Directors have identified that the following areas are the key 
estimates that have a significant impact on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Business Combinations
On 28 February 2018 the Group acquired Regal, and when the Group undertakes a business combination, there are specific 
judgements which need to be made in respect of the acquisition accounting. This includes determining the fair value of the 
acquired total net identifiable assets, with particular reference to intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, acquired 
leases and any required provisions. Details of the acquisition undertaken by the Group during the year, including the specific 
judgements taken, are set out in Note 18.

Impairment of Goodwill
The Group determines whether goodwill is impaired on at least an annual basis. This requires an estimate of the value in use  
of the cash generating unit “CGU’s” to which the goodwill is allocated. To estimate the value in use, the Group estimates the 
expected future cash flows from the CGU and discounts them to their present value at a determined discount rate, which 
is appropriate for the country where the goodwill is allocated to.

Forecasting expected cash flows and selecting an appropriate discount rate inherently requires estimation. A sensitivity analysis 
has been performed over the estimates (see Note 11). The resulting calculation is sensitive to the assumptions in respect of future 
cash flows and the discount rate applied. The Directors consider that the assumptions made represent their best estimate of  
the future cash flows generated by the CGUs, and that the discount rate used is appropriate given the risks associated with  
the specific cash flows. Although based on the sensitivity analysis performed there is no impairment charge to goodwill, it is 
considered appropriate to disclose this as an area of significant estimation due to the size of the balance and the fact that it  
could change as a result of future events.

Impairment of Tangible Fixed Assets
The Group determines whether tangible fixed assets are impaired when indicators of impairments exist or based on the annual 
impairment assessment. The annual assessment requires an estimate of the value in use of the CGUs to which the tangible  
fixed assets are allocated, which is predominantly at the individual cinema site level. Where individual site’s; cash flows are not 
determined to be independent from one another, mainly due to strategic or managerial decisions being made across more  
than one site, they may be combined into a single CGU.

Estimating the value in use requires the Group to make an estimate of the expected future cash flows from each cinema and 
discount these to their net present value at a discount rate which is appropriate for the territory where the assets are held.

The resulting calculation is sensitive to the assumptions in respect of future cash flows and the discount rate applied. The 
Directors consider that the assumptions made represent their best estimate of the future cash flows generated by the CGUs  
and that the discount rates used are appropriate given the risks associated with the specific cash flows. A sensitivity analysis  
has been performed over the estimates (see Note 10).

Tax
In determining the income tax assets and liabilities recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Group is 
required to estimate the outcome of multiple tax years remaining open to tax authority audit in each of the jurisdictions in which 
the Group has companies. The key judgement area for tax is the pricing of transactions between group companies in each of the 
jurisdictions in which the Group operates. In most countries transfer pricing law requires that taxable profits reflect arm’s length 
pricing of intra-group transactions. Determining the arm’s length price of a transaction and likelihood of challenge by local tax 
authorities is inherently subjective. In making estimates for tax provisioning purposes management make use of in-house tax 
expertise, comparable third party studies prepared by professional advisers and any other information available. In the event  
of an audit the Group may liaise with the relevant tax authorities to agree an outcome. 

The tax liability provided for each tax year and jurisdiction is reassessed in each period to reflect our best estimate of the 
probable outcome in light of all the information available. A final position agreed with a tax authority or through expiry of a tax 
audit period could differ from the estimates made by us which would impact the current tax liability of $51.0m (2017: $28.6m) 
recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. 

Tax audits give additional visibility over maximum potential exposures as tax authorities’ positions become clearer. Such 
developments further inform our best estimate in line with the approach above. Conversely where tax audit windows close 
without audits commencing this enables tax provisions to be released. The outcome of tax audits concluded in 2018 was 
consistent with the exposures provided at the previous balance sheet date. The amount of the current tax liability subject  
to significant uncertainty is $21.4m (2017: $9.4m) being the reduction in the liability if all filed returns are agreed without 
adjustment. Conversely the liability may increase due to the outcome of tax audits or changes in our assessment. Five years  
of tax returns remain open across multiple jurisdictions. 

Deferred taxes are recognised in respect of temporary differences between the tax treatment and treatment within the financial 
statements for assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent they are expected to be recovered. 
Recoverability is assessed on an ongoing basis. Deferred tax is calculated at the substantively enacted rate which is expected  
to apply in the period the asset or liability is expected to be realised. Although the deferred tax asset recognised may not be 
material, there is still estimation involved in those potential tax assets which remain unrecognised. The nature and amounts of 
unrecognised potential tax assets are disclosed in Note 9 and these are material for the Group. Although the Group does not 
believe that there is a significant risk of a material adjustment to deferred tax assets within the next financial year, there is a 
significant uncertainty existing at each year end and therefore the Group’s overall tax position could change within the next 
12 months.

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Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20181. Accounting Policies continued
Estimates continued
Revenue recognition – NCM Exhibitor Services Agreement (ESA)
The Group recognises advertising revenues when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised good or service 
to the customers. The advertising contracts with customers generally consist of a series of distinct periods of service, satisfied 
over time, to provide rights to advertising services. The Group’s ESA with NCM includes a significant financing component due to 
the significant length of time between receiving the non-cash consideration and fulfilling the performance obligation. The Group 
receives the non-cash consideration in the form of common membership units from NCM, in exchange for rights to exclusive 
access to the Group’s theatre screens and attendees through February 2037. The interest expense is calculated using discount 
rates implicit within the business combination. 

New Standards and Interpretations
The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year. The following standards, amendments 
and interpretations were adopted for the year ended 31 December 2018 and have not had a material impact on the consolidated 
financial statements of the group: 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments:
Impact of adoption of IFRS 9 replaces the provisions of IAS 39 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of 
financial assets and financial liabilities, de-recognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. 

Classification and measurement 
On 1 January 2018 (the date of initial application of IFRS 9), the Group’s management has assessed which business models apply 
to the financial assets held by the Group and has classified its financial instruments into the appropriate IFRS 9 categories. There 
has been no reclassification of previously held assets or liabilities as a result of this. 

Derivatives and hedging activities
The interest rate swaps in place as at 31 December 2017 qualified as cash flow hedges under IFRS 9. The Group’s risk management 
strategies and hedge accounting documentation are aligned with the requirements of IFRS 9 and these relationships are therefore 
treated as continuing hedges. 

As a result of the Regal transaction on 28 February 2018, the Sterling and Euro term loans held at 31 December 2017 were repaid. 
The interest rate swaps attached to the Sterling term loan was settled resulting in a profit of $0.1m. Prior to resettlement on 
28 February 2018 the fair value of these swaps recognised within the hedging reserve was $0.1m. On settlement this was 
recycled from the hedging reserve. 

A Euro term loan was drawn down as part of the new facilities and therefore the existing Euro interest rate swap remains in place 
to mitigate the Group’s interest rate risk. As the swap was designated to the previous Euro term loan it no longer qualifies for 
hedge accounting. The fair value of this swap recognised within the hedging reserve prior to repayment on 28 February 2018  
was $0.1m and it was recycled to the Statement of Profit or Loss on this date. Any subsequent movements in fair value of this 
swap should be recognised directly within the profit or loss. 

The existing Euro term loan was designated as a net investment hedge to mitigate translation exposure on certain net investments 
in subsidiary companies. On repayment of this loan on 28 February 2018 the value recognised in the hedging reserve in relation to 
this net investment hedge was $3.5m. This portion of the hedging reserve was recycled to the profit or loss on repayment date. 

Impairment of financial assets
The Group’s trade receivables resulting from sales (31 December 2018: $206.6m; 31 December 2017: $39.9m) are subject to 
IFRS 9’s new expected credit loss model. The Group was required to revise its impairment methodology under IFRS 9 for this 
class of asset. There was no material impact as a result in this change in impairment methodology. 

Trade receivables
The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which uses a lifetime expected loss 
allowance for all trade receivables. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on  
shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due. 

At 31 December 2017, the Group’s loss allowance in place was $0.5m. We have recalculated the loss allowance at 1 January 2018 
as a result of adopting the new approach and the loss allowance in place remained at $0.5m. 

97

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

1. Accounting Policies continued
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
The Group has adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers from 1 January 2018. IFRS 15 now applies a five-step 
model for revenue recognition. In assessing the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 management considered each revenue stream 
individually and applied the five step model in recognising revenue for each respective stream. On conclusion of this assessment, 
revenue for each revenue stream would be recognised at the same point as if the existing policy had remained in place and 
therefore there has been no changes to the Group’s existing revenue recognition policy.

Forthcoming requirements
The following standards and interpretations have been issued but are not effective for the year ended 31 December 2018.  
These standards and interpretations have not been adopted early: 

IFRS 16 Leases

Nature of 
change

Impact

IFRS 16 was issued in January 2016. It will result in almost all leases being recognised on the balance sheet 
by lessees, as the distinction between operating and finance leases is removed. Under the new standard,  
an asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial liability to pay rentals are recognised. The only 
exceptions are short-term and low-value leases.

The Group has reviewed all of the Group’s leasing arrangements in light of the new lease accounting rules  
in IFRS 16. The standard will affect primarily the accounting for the Group’s operating leases. As at the 
reporting date, the Group has non-cancellable operating lease commitments of $5.4bn see Note 25. Of  
these commitments, immaterial amount is related to short-term leases and low value leases which will  
both be recognised on a straight-line basis as expense in the Statement of Profit or Loss. For the remaining  
lease commitments the Group expects to recognise right-of-use assets within a range of approximately 
$2.8bn – $3.2bn on 1 January 2019, lease liabilities within a range of $2.9bn – $3.2bn (after adjustments for 
prepayments and accrued lease payments recognised as at 31 December 2018) and deferred tax assets  
within a range of $10m – $30m. Overall net assets will be approximately be between $50m – $150m lower, 
and net current assets will be between $200m – $300m lower due to the presentation of a portion of the 
liability as a current liability. The Group expects that net profit after tax will decrease by approximately a  
range of $60m – $120m for 2019 as a result of adopting the new rules. Adjusted EBITDA used to measure 
segment results is expected to increase within a range of approximately $500m – $600m, as the operating 
lease payments were included in EBITDA, but the amortisation of the rightof-use assets and interest on the 
lease liability are excluded from this measure. Operating cash flows will increase and financing cash flows 
decrease within a range of approximately $500m – $600m as repayment of the principal portion of the lease 
liabilities will be classified as cash flows from financing activities. The Group’s activities as a lessor are not 
material and hence the Group does not expect any significant impact on the financial statements. However, 
some additional disclosures will be required from next year.

Mandatory 
application 
date/Date 
of adoption 
by Group

The Group will apply the standard from its mandatory adoption date of 1 January 2019. The Group intends 
to apply the simplified transition approach and will not restate comparative amounts for the year prior to 
first adoption. Right-of-use assets for property leases will be measured on transition as if the new rules had 
always been applied. All other right-of-use assets will be measured at the amount of the lease liability on 
adoption (adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease expenses).

98

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20182. Operating Segments
The Group has determined that is has three operating segments: US, UK and Ireland and Rest of the World (“ROW”). These 
segments are made up of operating territories that are geographically close to one another and the principal format by which 
management makes operational decisions. The results for the US include the three cinema chain brands Regal, United Artists and 
Edwards theatres. UK and Ireland include the two cinema chain brands, Cineworld and Picturehouse. For the ROW they include 
the cinema chain brands Cinema City in Central and Eastern Europe territories and Yes Planet and Rav-Chen in Israel.

Year ended 31 December 2018
Total revenues
Adjusted EBITDA as defined in Note 1
Operating profit
Net finance expense
Depreciation and amortisation 
Onerous leases and other charges
Impairments and reversals of impairments
Transaction and reorganisation costs
Share of profit from jointly controlled entities  
using equity accounting method net of tax

Profit before tax

Non-current asset additions – property, plant and equipment(1) 
Non-current asset additions – intangible assets(1)  
Non-current asset additions – Goodwill(1) 
Investment in equity accounted investee

Segmental total assets

Segmental total liabilities

Year ended 31 December 2017
Total revenues
Adjusted EBITDA as defined in Note 1
Operating profit
Net finance expense / (income)
Depreciation and amortisation 
Onerous leases and other charges
Impairments and reversals of impairments
Transaction and reorganisation costs

Profit before tax

Non-current asset additions – property, plant and equipment
Non-current asset additions – intangible assets
Investment in equity accounted investee

Segmental total assets

Segmental total liabilities

(1)  Includes additions through acquisition.

Pro-Forma reconciliation

US  
$m

UK & 
 Ireland  

$m

ROW  
$m

Total  
$m

2,933.1
670.4
415.4
165.3
223.8
(5.5)
–
3.3

27.6

288.5

2,009.7
506.0
4,302.8
307.1

7,599.4

5,969.8

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–

697.7
125.9
10.8
5.4
47.9
4.0
7.1
53.3

(0.1)

(5.3)

66.5
1.3
323.0
0.8

1,114.6

186.1

675.5
130.8
66.8
12.2
42.2
1.7
(6.3)
8.9

54.7

60.4
78.0
0.9

871.4

751.5

488.3
129.1
66.7
0.6
48.8
–
11.2
2.2

4,119.1
925.4
492.9
171.3
320.5
(1.5)
18.3
58.8

(0.1)

27.4

65.8

25.7
3.2
–
0.6

989.7

127.5

471.5
126.9
98.2
(2.2)
45.6
–
(0.4)
1.1

100.4

91.4
14.0
 0.7

349.0

2,101.9
510.5
4,625.8
308.5

9,703.7

6,283.4

1147.0
257.7
165.0
10.0
87.8
1.7
(6.7)
10.0

155.1

 151.8 
 92.0 
 1.6

 1,025.6

 1,897.0 

100.8

852.3

2018

2017

Statutory 
Results 
$m

Pro-forma 
Adjustments
$m(1)

Adjustments 
for 
Acquisition 
Accounting
$m

Box office Revenue
Concession Revenue
Other income
Total Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

2,496.6
1,145.1
477.4
4,119.1

925.4

368.4
167.8
51.1
587.3

141.0

–
–
5.0
5.0

6.0

Adjusted 
Results
$m

2,865.0
1,312.9
533.5
4,711.4

1,072.4

Statutory 
Results 
$m

 Pro-forma 
Adjustments

$m(1)

712.7
284.1
150.2
1,147.0

257.7

1,988.6
941.8
287.4
3,217.8

686.3

Adjustments 
for 
Acquisition 
Accounting 
$m

–
–
29.7
29.7

35.9

Adjusted 
Results
$m

2,701.3
1,225.9
467.3
4,394.5

979.9

(1)  The pro-forma adjustments reflect the performance of Regal reported under IFRS. For 2018 the adjustments represent the period form 1 January to 

28 February.

99

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

3. Revenue 

The Group derives revenue from the transfer of goods and services over time and at a point in time in the following territories:

Revenue by country

United States
United Kingdom & Ireland
Poland
Israel
Hungary
Romania
Czech Republic
Bulgaria
Slovakia

Total revenue

Revenue per operating segment can be broken down by product and service provided as follows:

United States

Revenue by product and service provided

Box office
Retail
Other

Total revenue

UK and Ireland

Revenue by product and service provided

Box office
Retail
Other

Total revenue

ROW

Revenue by product and service provided

Box office
Retail
Other

Total revenue

Timing of revenue recognition is split as follows:

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

2,933.1
697.7
157.3
94.3
80.9
71.9
53.9
16.9
13.1

4,119.1

–
 675.5 
 151.4 
 100.0 
 75.3 
 68.8 
 44.4 
 18.0 
 13.6 

 1,147.0 

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended 
31 December 
2017 
$m

1,762.8
851.3
319.0

2,933.1

–
–
–

–

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended 
31 December 
2017 
$m

453.5
167.5
76.7

697.7

444.4
161.9
69.2

 675.5 

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

280.3
126.4
81.6

488.3

268.3
122.2
81.0

 471.5

 2018

 2017

US $m

UK $m 

ROW $m

Total $m

US $m

UK $m

ROW $m 

Total $m 

At a point in time
Over time

Total Revenue

2,761.5
171.6

2,933.1

695.8
1.9

697.7

459.2
29.1

488.3

3,916.5
202.6

4,119.1

–
–

–

674.8
0.7

675.5

440.6
30.9

471.5

1,115.4
31.6

1,147.0

Box office, retail and other revenue are recognised at point of sale. Revenue generated from distribution rights and vendor 
marketing programs is recognised over the contract period with a maximum duration of 60 months or as rebates are earned. 
Revenue generated from the NCM ESA in the US is recognised over time as rights to advertising services are provided. The 
duration of this agreement is until 2037. The contract liability in relation to the revenue recognised over time relates to the deferred 
income set out in Note 20. $22.5m (2017: $19.4m) revenue recognised in the year relates to carried-forward contract liabilities. 

100

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20184. Other Operating Income

Rental income

Total other operating income

5. Operating Profit
Included in operating profit for the year are the following:

Depreciation
Impairments
Reversal of impairments
Amortisation of intangibles
Onerous lease charges and releases
Transaction, reorganisation and other exceptional costs
Loss / (gain) on disposal of assets and subsidiaries
Hire of other assets – operating leases

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

5.3

5.3

4.5

4.5

Year ended 
 31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended 
31 December 
2017  
$m

289.7
18.3
–
30.8
(1.5)
58.8
1.0
527.5

72.4
0.5
(7.2)
15.4
1.7
10.0
(2.6)
121.3

Onerous leases and other charges
In 2018 there is a net release of $1.5m on onerous lease provisions as a result of the current year utilisation of $6.0m, offset  
with charges of $4.5m in relation to three loss making sites in the UK and one site in the ROW.

Loss / (gain) on disposal of assets and subsidiaries
Of the loss on disposal recognised in 2018, $0.6m is from the disposal of assets within the US, $nil from the UK and $0.4m  
from the ROW.

On 7 February 2017 the Group sold 100% of the shares in Picturehouse Entertainment Limited, a company which operated  
an element of the Group’s distribution arm in the UK, resulting in a gain of $2.6m. 

Transactional, reorganisation and other exceptional costs
Transaction costs of $52.1m were recognised during the year in relation to the aquisition of Regal. Expenses of $2.8m were 
incurred in relation to the temporary closure of three sites in the US due to severe weather conditions. Expenses of $3.9m  
were incurred in relation to the termination of contracts, restructuring and redundancy. 

In 2017 transaction, reorganisation and other exceptional costs included $0.8m incurred on the acquisition of six sites from 
Empire Cinemas Limited. Expenses $3.6m were incurred in respect of the Regal acquisition, as well as $1.0m in relation to the 
termination of contracts and $4.6m relating to restructuring and redundancy costs. 

The total remuneration of the Group auditor, KPMG LLP, and its affiliates for the services to the Group is analysed below: 

Auditor’s remuneration:
Group – audit
Company – audit
Amounts received by auditors and their associates in respect of:
– Audit of financial statements pursuant to legislation
– Audit related assurance services
– Other advisory services
– All other services

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

2.2
–

2.2
0.1
–
–

 0.7 
–

 0.7 
0.1
 1.7 
–

101

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

6. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, after excluding the weighted average number of non-vested 
ordinary shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust.

Adjusted earnings per share is calculated in the same way except that the profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders 
is adjusted by adding back the amortisation of intangible assets recognised as part of business combinations and other one-off 
income or expense and then adjusting for the tax impact on those items which is calculated at the effective tax rate for the current 
year. The performance of adjusted earnings per share is used to determine awards to Executive Directors under the Group 
Performance Share Plan (“PSP”) and Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the 
profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of any non-vested ordinary shares held 
by the Employee Benefit Trust and after adjusting for the effects of dilutive options.

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders
Adjustments:
Amortisation of intangible assets(1)
Onerous lease cost and other charges
(Impairments) and reversals of impairments
Transaction and reorganisation costs
Gain on disposal of assets and subsidiaries
Excess cash distributions from jointly controlled entities 
Share based payment charges
Recycle of fair value on hedging reserve
Impact of foreign exchange translation gains and losses (2)

Adjusted earnings

Tax effect of above items

Adjusted profit after tax

Weighted average number of shares in issue (prior to rights adjustment)
Weighted average number of shares in issue (rights adjustment)
Basic earnings per share denominator (prior to rights adjustment)
Basic earnings per share denominator (rights adjusted)
Dilutive options (prior to rights adjustment)
Dilutive options (rights adjusted)
Diluted earnings per share denominator (prior to rights adjustment)
Diluted earnings per share denominator (rights adjusted)

Shares in issue at year end

Basic earnings per share (rights adjusted)(3)
Diluted earnings per share (rights adjusted)(3)

Adjusted basic earnings per share (rights adjusted)(3)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (rights adjusted)(3)

Basic earnings per share (prior to rights adjustment)
Diluted earnings per share (prior to rights adjustment)

Adjusted basic earnings per share (prior to rights adjustment)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (prior to rights adjustment)

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

284.3

129.5

25.0
(1.5)
18.3
58.8
1.0
4.8 
3.2
3.5
(45.1)

352.3

(7.0)

345.3

6.6
1.7 
(6.7)
10.0
(2.6)
–
2.4
–
–

140.9

(1.9)

139.0

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
Total

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
Total

–
1,265.5
–
1,265.5
–
2.8
–
1,268.3

1,371.0

Cents

22.5
22.4

27.3
27.2

–
–

–
–

271.4
612.4
271.4
612.4
1.4
3.2
272.8
615.6

613.8

Cents

21.1
21.0

22.7
22.6

47.7
47.5

51.2
51.0

(1)  Amortisation of intangible assets includes amortisation of the fair value placed on brands, customer lists, distribution relationships, and advertising 
relationships as a result of the Cinema City and Regal business combination. It does not include amortisation of purchased distribution rights (which 
totalled $25.0m (2017: $6.6m)).

(2) Net foreign exchange gains and losses included within earnings comprises $47.0m foreign exchange loss recognised on translation of the Euro term loan 

at 31 December 2018. $1.9m was eliminated in respect of foreign exchange losses. No such gains or losses were recognized in 2017 as a result of net 
investment hedge taken out in 2016 in respect of the previous Euro term loan held. 

(3) In accordance with IAS 33 basic and diluted EPS figures have been restated to reflect the bonus element Rights Issue described in Note 18.

102

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20187. Staff Numbers and Costs
The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) during the year, analysed by category, was  
as follows:

Head office
Cinemas

Number of staff

2018

1,239
36,402

37,641

2017

658
9,574

10,232

Included in the average number of persons employed by the Group are part-time employees. No distinction is made between 
full-time and part-time employees in the analysis above.

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows: 

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs – defined contribution
Share-based payments

See pages 55 to 66 for details of Directors’ remuneration.

8. Finance Income and Expense

Interest income
Other finance income
Net foreign exchange gain

Finance income

Interest expense on bank loans and overdrafts
Amortisation of financing costs
Settlement of net investment hedge
Unwind of discount on onerous lease provision
Unwind of discount on finance lease liability
Unwind of discount on market rent provision
Unwind of discount of deferred revenue
Net foreign exchange loss

Finance expense

Net finance costs

Recognised Within Other Comprehensive Income

Movement in fair value of interest rate swap
Foreign exchange translation (loss) / gain

Year ended 
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

447.1
54.5
2.8
3.2

507.6

 143.9 
 13.3 
 2.7 
 3.0 

 162.9 

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

2.3
4.6
47.0

53.9

146.7
11.0
3.5
0.8
6.9
10.2
44.2
1.9

225.2

171.3

0.8
–
1.7

2.5

8.1
1.9
–
0.2
1.5
–
–
0.8

12.5

10.0

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

(0.7)
(126.1)

1.7
117.4

103

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

9. Taxation
Recognised in the Income Statement

Current tax expense
Current year
Adjustments in respect of prior years

Total current tax expense

Deferred tax expense
Current year
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Adjustments from change in tax rates

Total tax charge in statement of profit or loss

Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate

Profit before tax
Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 19.0% (2017 19.25%)
Differences in overseas tax rates
Permanently disallowed depreciation
Foreign exchange in investments
Permanently disallowed exceptional costs
Other permanent differences
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Increase in unrecognised deferred tax assets
Effect of change in statutory rate of deferred tax

Total tax charge in statement of profit or loss

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

77.3
(4.6)

72.7

(11.1)
5.8
(2.7)

64.7

31.0
(1.4)

29.6

(3.4)
(0.6)
–

25.6

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

349.0
66.4
5.3
1.9
(19.4)
7.7
3.8
1.2
–
(2.2)

64.7

155.1
29.9
(3.1)
1.5
–
–
2.0
(2.1)
(1.8)
(0.8)

25.6

The rate impact arising from foreign exchange in investments represents the one-off impact of a tax deductible foreign exchange 
loss capitalised into the value of investment acquisitions.

During the year there was a tax credit of $0.3m, recognised directly in the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income. This related 
to share remuneration schemes. 

Factors that May Affect Future Tax Charges
The Group expects that the tax rate in the future will be affected by the geographical mix of profits and the different tax rates 
that will apply to those profits. 

The UK tax rate will be reduced to 17.0% in April 2020. 

No deferred tax liability has been recognised on $227.8m of taxable temporary differences related to investments, as the Group 
can control the timing of the reversal and it is probable that no reversal will happen in the foreseeable future. 

No withholding tax or other taxes are imposed under local tax laws on the distribution of unremitted earnings from other 
subsidiaries resident in the majority of the Group’s jurisdictions. 

At 31 December 2018 the group had unrecognised tax assets relating to the following temporary differences:

 — UK capital losses of $9.0m with no expiry date;

 — US tax losses of $60.4m with no expiry date

In October 2017 the European Commission opened a State Aid investigation into the UK’s Controlled Foreign Company regime.  
A decision is expected in 2019. In common with other UK based international companies the Group applies this regime. The Group 
is monitoring developments in relation to the investigation and does not consider any provision is required at 31 December 2018.

104

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201810. Property, Plant and Equipment

Cost
Balance at 31 December 2016
Additions
Additions due to acquisition
Disposals
Transfers to assets classified as held for sale
Transfers
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2017

Additions due to acquisition
Additions
Disposals
Transfer of assets held for sale
Transfers
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Land and 
buildings
$m

Plant and 
machinery
$m

Fixtures and 
fitings
$m

Assets in the 
course of 
construction
$m

313.3
22.0
1.5
(5.0)
(2.2)
10.8
33.4

373.8

726.8
55.3
(16.4)
(2.4)
4.0
(22.8)

205.7
22.8
0.8
(8.5)
–
6.0
33.2

260.0

905.7
84.0
(33.5)
–
17.1
(19.2)

268.7
60.1
0.5
(4.7)
–
23.3
43.7

391.6

229.2
47.0
(6.9)
–
10.8
(27.2)

Balance at 31 December 2018

1,118.3

1,214.1

644.5

64.8
13.4
(7.6)
9.9
0.2
(5.4)

75.3

42.6
(15.8)
(6.6)
12.1

107.6

298.5

1,010.7

90.4
29.6
(8.3)
18.9
0.1
(1.2)

129.5

179.3
(32.8)
(10.4)
2.5

268.1

130.5

946.0

94.0
29.4
(4.3)
16.9
0.1
(0.9)

135.2

67.8
(6.4)
(10.4)
3.7

189.9

256.4

454.6

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Balance at 31 December 2016
Charge for the period
Disposals
Effects of movement in foreign exchange
Impairments
Reversals of impairments

Balance at 31 December 2017

Charge for the period
Disposals
Effects of movement in foreign exchange
Impairments

Balance at 31 December 2018

Net book value
At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2018

Net book value of assets held under finance lease

Opening net book value
Additions due to acquisition
Depreciation charge
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Closing net book value

Total
$m

798.5
149.0
2.8
(18.2)
(2.2)
–
111.4

1,041.3

1,883.8
218.2
(59.6)
(2.4)
–
(69.4)

3,011.9

249.2
72.4
(20.2)
45.7
0.4
(7.5)

340.0

289.7
(55.0)
(27.4)
18.3

565.6

10.8
44.1
–
–
–
(40.1)
1.1

15.9

22.1
31.9
(2.8)
–
(31.9)
(0.2)

35.0

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

-
–
–
–

–

15.9

35.0

701.3

2,446.3

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

29.4
85.7
(17.4)
(1.3)

96.4

28.1
–
(1.3)
2.6

29.4

Interest of $2.1m (2017: $1.2m) has been capitalised during the period which relates to the construction of new sites.

Impairment
Impairments recognised during 2018 totalled $nil within the US operating segment, $7.1m within the UK operating segment and 
$11.2m within the ROW. Impairments recognised during 2018 were in relation to six sites in the UK and two sites in the ROW, 
whose recoverable amount was less than carrying amount.

Impairments recognised during 2017 totalled $0.4m within the UK and Ireland operating segment: $0.1m related to capital 
expenditure on cinema sites for which onerous lease provisions were in place, the remaining $0.3m related to the write off  
of residual assets held at sites which were closed during the year impairments for ROW were $0.1m.

The Group determines whether tangible fixed assets are impaired when indicators of impairment exist or based on the annual 
impairment assessment. The annual assessment requires an estimate of the value in use of the CGUs to which the tangible 
fixed assets are allocated, which is predominantly at the individual cinema site level. Where individual sites’ cash flows are 
determined not to operate independently from one another, mainly due to strategic or managerial decisions being made across 
more than one site, they may be combined into a single CGU.

105

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

10. Property, Plant and Equipment continued
Estimating the value in use requires the Group to make an estimate of the expected future cash flows from each CGU and 
discount these to their net present value at a pre-tax discount rate which is appropriate for the territory where the assets 
are held. A table summarising the rates used, which are derived from externally benchmarked data, is set out below:
Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
%

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
%

United States
United Kingdom
Poland
Israel
Hungary
Romania
Czech Republic
Bulgaria
Slovakia

12.43
10.02
12.41
11.73
10.78
11.70
10.92
10.22
11.57

–
9.90
12.41
11.93(1)
10.68
11.36
10.92
10.22
11.56

(1)  For sites which generate significant rental cash flows in addition to cinema cash flows a separate discount rate of 8.0% (2017: 8.0%) was applied to rental 

cash flows in to reflect the specific risks related to them. 

In order to determine whether indicators of impairment exist at a CGU, the value in use is calculated using expected future cash 
flows, which are based on actual cash flows for the year ended 2018. These are extrapolated using the assumptions used in the 
impairment model over the remaining lease term of the CGU. Where indicators of impairment are identified a CGU is considered 
at-risk of impairment. An impairment trigger is only identified for newly established sites in their first two years of operation if  
it is performing significantly below its investment case assumptions and despite any remedial actions management no longer 
consider such plans to be achievable.

Following initial review for impairment indicators and the recognition of the impairment charges described above, four CGUs, 
two in the UK and two in the ROW, were identified as at-risk of impairment. 

For at-risk CGUs, a more detailed cash flow forecast is used, the expected cash flows are based on financial budgets approved 
by the Board of Directors covering a one year period. Cash flows beyond the first period are extrapolated using assumptions 
specific to the individual CGU over the projected life of the lease, including any expected lease renewals or extensions. 

For impairment procedures performed in prior years, the expected cash flows are based on financial budgets approved by the 
Board of Directors covering a one year period. Cash flows beyond the first period are extrapolated using the assumptions used in 
the impairment model. Constant growth rate assumptions are used for projections on established sites. For freehold or leasehold 
sites with more than 20 years left to run only the next 20 year period is considered.

Impairment Reversals
A review of future cash flows for previously impaired cinema sites did not identify improvements in trading performance and 
therefore no impairments previously recognised were reversed in the current year. 

In 2017, an impairment reversal of $6.2m was recognised in respect of a site in the UK and $0.5m in respect of a site in ROW.

Sensitivity to Changes in Assumptions
Impairment reviews are sensitive to changes in key assumptions. Sensitivity analysis has been performed on the at-risk CGUs’ 
calculated recoverable amounts giving consideration to incremental changes in the key assumptions of admissions levels, 
average ticket price, concession spend per person and discount rates. At one specific freehold site the levels of rental income 
earned is also a key assumption. The total net book value of the at-risk CGUs was $36.6m.

The cash flow models used in assessing the carrying values of sites opened within the last two years are based on specific 
assumptions made prior to opening in respect of the early growth phase of the sites. Therefore sensitivity analysis is not  
applied to these sites during this time.

The sensitivities applied reflect realistic scenarios which management believe would have the most significant impact on the  
cash flows described above.

Discounts rates are largely derived from market data, and these rates are intended to be long term in nature so therefore should 
be reasonably stable in the short term. However, the models are sensitive to changes in these rates. An increase by a factor of 1% 
has been applied in the sensitised scenarios.

For detailed cashflow forecasts for at-risk sites, growth rates in admissions in the range 0% to 5% have been applied in the first 
five years. For average ticket price growth rates in the range 0% to 3.5% have been applied and for concession spend per person 
growth rates in the range 2.0% to 4.0% have been applied.

The growth rate of admissions, average ticket price and concession spend per person in years one to five have been reduced by 
1%. Given the inflationary growth rates applied to admissions trends and ticket price inflation, sensitivities applied are believed to 
reflect a potential downside scenario.

From year three onward a lower long-term growth rate is applied, which is in line or below long-term inflation in each territory. As 
such, this assumption is already considered prudent and therefore this has not been included as part of the sensitivities performed.

106

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201810. Property, Plant and Equipment continued
Impairment continued

The impact on the total impairment charge of applying different assumptions to the growth rates used in the first five years and 
the discount rates would be as follows: 

Additional 
impairment
$m

Growth in admissions reduced by 1%
Growth in average ticket price reduced by 1%
Growth in concession spend per person reduced by 1%
1 percentage point increase to the discount rates

4.0
2.6
1.1
2.2

Non-Current Assets Held for Sale
Assets held for sale at 31 December 2018 relate to office facilities in the US. The asset held for sale at 31 December 2017 $2.2m 
related to a site owned by Picturehouse which was subsequently sold in March 2018. 

The values in the table below represent the net book value of the property, plant and equipment held for sale. As the fair value 
less costs to sell is expected to be in excess of the net book value no impairment is considered necessary.

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

2.5

2.2

Brand  
$m

Distribution 
Rights  
$m

Other 
Intangibles 
$m

Property, plant and equipment

11. Intangible Assets

Cost
Balance at 31 December 2016
Additions
Disposals
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2017

Additions due to acquisition 
Additions
Disposals
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Goodwill
$m

812.5
88.3
–
21.5

922.3

4,625.8
–
–
(55.0)

51.9
–
–
6.6

58.5

365.0
–
–
(3.5)

Balance at 31 December 2018

5,493.1

420.0

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
Balance at 31 December 2016
Amortisation
Disposals
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2017

Amortisation
Disposals
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2018

Net book value
At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2018

10.4
–
–
0.9

11.3

–
–
(0.6)

10.7

13.5
3.7
–
1.3

18.5

3.9
–
(1.1)

21.3

911.0

5,482.4

40.0

398.7

40.3
2.4
(0.5)
7.2

49.4

–
2.5 
–
(3.6)

48.3

22.7
8.3
(0.3)
4.9

35.6

6.6
–
(2.8)

39.4

13.8

8.9

Total  
$m

921.3
92.1
(0.5)
38.9

1,051.8

5,134.4
4.5
(0.2)
(63.6)

16.6
1.4
–
3.6

21.6

143.6
2.0 
(0.2)
(1.5)

165.5

6,126.9

5.9
3.4
–
2.3

11.6

20.3
(0.2)
(0.9)

30.8

52.5
15.4
(0.3)
9.4

77.0

30.8
(0.2)
(5.4)

102.2

10.0

974.8

134.7

6,024.7

107

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

11. Intangible Assets continued
Impairment Testing
Each individual cinema, or collection of cinemas which are strategically or operationally co-dependent, is considered to be one 
CGU. However, for the purpose of testing goodwill for impairment, it is acceptable under IAS 36 to group CGUs, in order to 
reflect the level at which goodwill is monitored by management. 

Goodwill recognised on acquisition of Regal was $4,625.8m as outlined within Note 18. Based on the estimated synergies from 
the combination we have allocated this goodwill between the US CGU ($4,302.8m) and UK CGU ($323.0m). This represents the 
lowest level in which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. 

The ex-Cine-UK, ex-UGC (including Dublin) and Picturehouse businesses are now fully integrated, meaning that goodwill is now 
monitored on a UK-wide level (2018: $712.2m, 2017: $410.9m). Cinema City CGUs are considered as separate groups in each 
territory and have been tested for goodwill impairment on this basis, the territories being Poland (2018: $131.9m, 2017: $142.2m), 
Israel (2018: $81m, 2017: $87.6m), Hungary (2018: $61.9m, 2017: $67.0m) Romania (2018: $129.7m, 2017: $136.6m), Bulgaria 
(2018: $20.5m, 2017: $21.6m), Czech (2018: $37.4m 2017: $39.4m) and Slovakia (2018: $5.0m, 2017: $5.2m). 

The six sites acquired from Empire Cinemas Limited are considered to have been fully integrated from the date of acquisition as 
there were no support functions included in either acquisition. The acquired goodwill in respect of these transactions is therefore 
included within the UK CGU Group. 

The recoverable amounts of US, UK and Cinema City CGU Groups have been determined based on a value in use calculation. 
That calculation uses cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five year period. 
Cash flows beyond the first five year period have been extrapolated using the below assumptions. This growth rate does not 
exceed the long-term average growth rate for the market in which the CGU Groups operate. 

The US CGU has discounted forecast cash flows using a pre-tax discount rate of 12.43% being a market participant’s discount rate. 
The UK CGU has discounted forecast cash flows using a pre-tax discount rate of 10.02% (2017: 9.9%) being a market participant’s 
discount rate. The ROW CGU Groups have discounted forecast cash flows using a pre-tax discount rates relevant to the operating 
territory of each CGU Group (see Note 10), being a market participant’s discount rate. This is considered to reflect the risks 
associated with the relevant cash flows for each CGU Group. The key assumptions used in the cash flow projections for the 
purpose of the impairment review are as follows:

United States

UK & Ireland

ROW

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
%

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
%

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
%

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
%

Year ended  
31 December 
2018 
 %

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
%

Discount rate
EBITDA growth rate from year 5 onward

12.43
2.00

–
–

10.02
2.00

9.90
2.00

N/A(1)
2.00

 N/A(1)
2.00

(1)  Individual discount rates for each operating territory have been used; a summary is disclosed in Note 10.

2019 forecast Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in Note 1, was used as the basis of the future cash flow calculation.

Management have sensitised the key assumptions in the goodwill impairment tests and under both the base case and sensitised 
cases no impairment exists. The key assumptions used and sensitised were forecast cash flows and the relevant discount rate, 
which were selected as they are the key variable elements of the value in use.

A reduction of 10% in the forecast cash flows for each CGU or an increase in the discount rate applied to the cash flows of each 
CGU of 1 percentage point would not cause the carrying value to exceed its recoverable amount for any CGU. An increase of 
2 percentage points would not cause the carrying value of any group of CGUs to exceed its recoverable amount, however  
in this scenario the carrying value for the Israel CGU would exceed its recoverable amount by $12.2m.

Amortisation Charge
The amortisation of intangible assets is recognised in the following line items in the Statement of Profit or Loss:

Administrative expenses

12. Investment in Equity Accounted Investees
The Group has the following investment in jointly controlled entities:

National Cinemedia, LLC 
AC JV, LLC
Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition
Digital Cinema Media Limited
BLACK Schrauber Limited

Year ended  
31 December 
2018  
$m

Year ended  
31 December 
2017  
$m

30.8

15.4

Country of  
incorporation

United States
United States
United States
England and Wales
Israel

Class of 
shares held

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ownership

26.1%
32.0%
14.6%
50.0%
50.0%

108

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201812. Investment in Equity Accounted Investees continued
National Cinemedia, LLC
In 2005, Regal combined its respective cinema screen advertising businesses with that of AMC, to form a new joint venture, National 
CineMedia (‘NCM’). NCM operates the largest digital in-theatre advertising network in North America. The Group receives theatre 
access fees and mandatory distributions of excess cash from NCM. Pursuant to a common unit adjustment agreement which Regal is 
party to, from time to time, common units of NCM held by Regal will be adjusted up or down through a formula primarily based on 
increases or decreases in the number of theatre screens operated and theatre attendance generated by each joint venture partner.

On March 15, 2018, the Group received an additional 2,828,818 common units of NCM, each of which is convertible into one share 
of NCMI common stock, as a result of the annual common unit adjusment calculation. The Group recorded the additional common 
units received at estimated fair value with a corresponding adjustment to deferred revenue of approximately $16.0m. The deferred 
revenue will be recognised on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the ESA, which is approximately 19 years. 

On July 5, 2018 the Group acquired 10,738,740 common units of NCM from AMC for $78.4m in cash. As a result of the acquisition 
of these shares, the Group’s ownership of NCM increased from approximately 19.4% to 26.1%.

Under the terms of the shareholder agreement between the Group and other NCM shareholders, key business decisions in respect 
of NCM require the unanimous approval of the shareholders. As a consequence, the Directors of the Group do not have total 
management control of NCM, therefore the Group’s investment is accounted for as a joint venture.

Cost
Share of post-acquisition reserves

Share of post-tax loss

Carrying value

Summary aggregated financial information on jointly controlled entities – 100%:

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net liabilities

Income
Expenses

Net profit

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

294.3
4.2

–

298.5

–
–

–

–

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

172.7
726.8
(115.2)
(924.9)

(140.6)

444.1
(345.7)

98.4

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

AC JV LLC
The Group maintains an investment in AC JV LLC ‘AC JV’, a Delaware limited liability company owned 32.0%, by each of the 
Group, AMC and Cinemark and 4.0% by NCM. AC JV acquired the Fathom Events business from NCM on 26 December 2013.  
AC JV owns and manages the Fathom Events business, which markets and distributes live and pre-recorded entertainment 
programming to various theatre operators (including Regal, AMC and Cinemark) to provide additional programs to augment 
their feature film schedule and includes events such as live and pre-recorded concerts, opera and symphony, marketing events, 
theatrical premieres, Broadway plays, live sporting events and other special events.

In consideration for the sale, NCM received a total of $25.0 million in promissory notes from the Group, Cinemark and AMC 
(one-third or approximately $8.3 million from each). The notes bear interest at 5.0%. per annum. Interest and principal payments 
are due annually in six equal instalments commencing on the first anniversary of the closing. NCM recorded a gain of approximately 
$25.4 million in connection with the sale. The Group’s proportionate share of such gain (approximately $1.9 million) was excluded 
from equity earnings in NCM and recorded as a reduction in the Group’s investment in AC JV. The remaining outstanding balance 
of the note payable from the Group to NCM as of 31 December 2018 was $3.0m. Since the Group does not have a controlling 
financial interest in AC JV, its investment in AC JV is accounted for as a joint venture.

As at 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 the assets, liabilities and net profit of AC JV LLC were not material to the Group.
31 December 
2017  
$m

31 December 
2018  
$m

Cost
Share of post-acquisition reserves

Share of post-tax loss

Carrying value

6.4
0.1

–

6.5

–
–

–

–

109

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

12. Investment in Equity Accounted Investees continued
Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition
The Group is a party to a joint venture with certain exhibitors and distributors called Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition ‘DCDC’. 
DCDC has established a satellite distribution network that distributes digital content to theatres via satellite.

Under the terms of the shareholder agreement between the Group and other DCDC shareholders, key business decisions in 
respect of DCDC require the unanimous approval of the shareholders. As a consequence, the Directors of the Group do not  
have total management control of DCDC, therefore the Group’s investment is accounted for as a joint venture.

As at 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 the assets, liabilities and net profit of DCDC were not material to the Group.

Cost
Share of post-acquisition reserves

Share of post-tax loss

Carrying value

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

2.6
(0.6)

–

2.0

–
–

–

–

Digital Cinema Media Limited
On 8 February 2008 the Group jointly formed Digital Cinema Media Limited (“DCM”) with Odeon Cinemas Holdings Limited 
(“Odeon”). On 10 July 2008 DCM acquired certain trade and assets (substantially employees, computer systems, leasehold  
office and existing contracts) from Carlton Screen Advertising Limited, the Group’s former advertising supplier.

Under the terms of the shareholder agreement between the Group and Odeon, key business decisions in respect of DCM require 
the unanimous approval of the shareholders. As a consequence, the Directors of the Group do not have total management 
control of DCM, therefore the Group’s investment is accounted for as a joint venture.

Cost
Share of post-acquisition reserves

Share of post-tax loss

Carrying value

Summary aggregated financial information on jointly controlled entities – 100%:

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net liabilities

Income
Expenses

Net profit

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

1.2
(0.4)

0.8
–

0.8

1.2
(0.3)

0.9
–

0.9

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

37.1
1.9
(28.6)
(10.9)

(0.5)

90.7
(90.5)

0.2

31.6
2.0
(32.9)
(1.3)

(0.6)

90.8
(90.7)

0.1

BLACK Schrauber Limited
On 24 June 2015 the Group jointly formed a partnership for running a restaurant in the new complex in Jerusalem.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, key business decisions in respect of Black Schrauber Limited require the 
unanimous approval of the partners. As a consequence, the Directors of the Group do not have total management control  
of Black Schrauber Limited, therefore the Group’s investment is accounted for as a joint venture.

As at 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 the assets, liabilities and net profit of BLACK Schrauber Limited were not  
material to the Group.

Cost
Share of post-acquisition reserves

Share of post-tax loss

Carrying value

110

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

0.7
–

0.7
–

0.7

0.7
–

0.7
–

0.7

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201813. Jointly Controlled Operations
The Group holds a 46.7% interest in a joint arrangement Digital Cinema Implementation Partners “DCIP”. DCIP was set up as a 
partnership together with AMC and Cinemark, to facilitate the upgrade and conversion to digital projection technology. DCIP’s 
principal place of business is the United States.

The Group recognises its direct right to the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of DCIP under the appropriate headings.  
The impact on the group’s financial statements is as follows:

Income Statement
Net profit

Balance Sheet
Property, plant and equipment
Total assets
Total liabilities

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

40.1

194.0
353.8
83.0

–

–
–
–

14. Financial assets at FVOCI
Financial assets at FVOCI comprise equity securities which are not held for trading. The Group has irrevocably elected at initial 
recognition to recognise the investments in this category. These are strategic investments and the group considers this classification 
to be more relevant, than financial assets through Statement of Profit Or Loss 

Equity investments at FVOCI comprise the following individual investments: 

Non-current assets
Listed securities
iPic Entertainment, Inc.

Unlisted securities
Atom Tickets, LLC

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

2.5

5.0

–

–

Amounts recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income during the financial year in relation  
to equity investments:

Gains/(losses) recognised in other comprehensive income as a result of the revaluation  
of equity investments
Dividends from equity investments held at FVOCI recognised in profit or loss in other income

Refer Note 24 as to how the fair value of these equity instruments has been determined.

15. Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

(6.9)
–

–
–

Property, plant and equipment
Deferred rent 
Deferred revenue 
Intangible assets
Investments 
Employee benefits
Market rent
Tax losses

Other
Tax assets/(liabilities)
Set off tax

Net tax assets/(liabilities)

Assets

Liabilities

Net

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

2.8
–
277.9
–
–
2.0
85.5
11.6

–
379.8
(348.2)

31.6

–
–
–
–
–
3.1
0.4
0.5

–
4.0
(4.0)

–

(101.6)
(29.5)
–
(125.4)
(82.0)
–
–
–

(19.4)
(357.9)
348.2

(9.7)

(7.6)
–
–
(9.8)
–
–
(0.4)
–

–
(17.8)
4.0

(13.8)

(98.8)
(29.5)
277.9
(125.4)
(82.0)
2.0
85.5
11.6

(19.4)
21.9
–

21.9

(7.6)
–
–
(9.8)
–
3.1
–
0.5

–
(13.8)
–

(13.8)

See Note 9 for details of unrecognised tax assets.

Deferred taxation provided for in the financial statements at the period end represents provision at the local tax rates on the 
above items.

A review of the deferred tax will be performed at each balance date and adjustments made in the event of a change in any  
key assumptions.

111

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

15. Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities continued
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

1 January  
2018 
$m

Acquisition  

$m

(7.6)
–
–
(9.8)
–
3.1
–
0.5
–

(13.8)

(27.3)
21.8
203.5
(165.0)
(61.8)
–
43.8
13.6
(1.0)

27.6

Recognised  
in income  

Recognised  
in equity  

Foreign 
exchange  

$m

(64.2)
(51.3)
74.4
48.7
(20.2)
(1.0)
41.7
(1.6)
(18.6)

7.9

$m

–
–
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
0.2

0.3

$m

0.3
–
–
0.7
–
(0.2)
–
(0.9)
–

(0.1)

31 December 
2018  
$m

(98.8)
(29.5)
277.9
(125.4)
(82.0)
2.0
85.5
11.6
(19.4)

21.9

Property, plant and equipment
Deferred rent 
Deferred revenue
Intangible assets
Investment
Employee benefits
Market rent
Tax losses
Other

Tax (liabilities)/assets

16. Inventories

Goods for resale 

Equipment and spare parts

Inventory recognised in cost of sales in the year amounted to $200.3m (2017: $74.2m). 

17. Trade and Other Receivables

Current

Trade receivables
Loss allowance
Other receivables
Preayments and accrued income

Non-current

Other long term receivables
Land lease premiums
Loan to jointly controlled entity 

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

25.7 

9.4

35.1

10.7

3.2

13.9

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

206.6
(1.0)
31.4
87.5

324.5

39.9
–
13.1
51.4

104.4

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

64.1
141.9
0.7

206.7 

6.1
1.0
0.7

7.8

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. 
They are generally due for settlement within 30 days and therefore are all classified as current. Trade receivables are recognised 
initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional. The Group holds the trade receivables with the objective to collect 
the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Due to the short-term nature of the current receivables, their carrying amount is not considered to be materially different to  
their fair value.

Land Lease Premium represent the fair value asset of leases acquired with Cinema City Holdings B.V and with Regal. 

Further information relating to loans to jointly controlled entities is set out in Note 12.

18. Business Combinations
2018 Acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group 
On the 5 December 2017, the Group announced the proposed acquisition of Regal by means of an acquisition of the entire issued, 
and to be issued, share capital of Regal. The acquisition was based on an implied enterprise value of $5.8bn. The acquisition of 
Regal completed on 28 February 2018.

Consideration Transferred
Of the total consideration for the acquisition, $3.4bn was settled fully in cash, funded by the proceeds of the fully underwritten 
Rights Issue at the Rights Issue Price of 157.0 pence per New Ordinary Share, which raised $2.3bn, plus an additional $4.1bn  
was raised through committed Debt Facilities. The restructured debt arrangement consists of a US Dollar and Euro term loan 
totalling $4.1bn and a $300.0m revolving credit facility. The previous financing arrangements in place as at 31 December 2017  
for the Group and Regal have been terminated and superseded by the new financing arrangements from 28 February 2018.  
As the consideration was entirely paid in cash the acquisition is being accounted for as an acquisition under IFRS 3 rather  
than as a reverse takeover under IFRS 3, notwithstanding the size of the acquisition.

112

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
18. Business Combinations continued
Fair Value of Consideration Transferred

Cash consideration 

Total fair value of consideration transferred

Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

Fair value of total net identifiable assets upon acquisition
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Deferred Tax Assets
Inventory
Trade and other receivables
Asset held for sale
Cash and cash equivalents
Finance lease liability
Loans and borrowings
Provisions for liabilities
Trade and other payables

Total net identifiable assets
Goodwill

Consideration transferred

$m

3,727.6

3,727.6

$m

508.9 
1,881.8
223.4 
27.6
23.8 
372.9
2.5
333.2 
(86.7)
(2,436.8)
(363.2)
(1,385.6)

(898.2)
4,625.8 

3,727.6 

Management assessed the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and acquired property, plant and equipment 
and as a result their respective fair values are reflected above. 

The Key Judgments and Estimates considered were as follows:
Property, plant and equipment 
The assessed fair value of property, plant and equipment (including assets held for sale) of $1,884.3m include a number of 
adjustments. Land and buildings assets at 65 sites were revalued to reflect open market at the date of acquisition, resulting in a 
fair value uplift of $235.0m. A fair value uplift of $27.2m on right of use assets included within Property, Plant and Equipment in 
respect of finance leases was recognised as a result of forecast income at the lease sites exceeding the recorded value of the 
assets.

In assessing the fair value of Property, Plant and Equipment at a CGU level, the carrying value reported by Regal prior to 
acquisition was assumed to reflect the fair value of the assets at each CGU. In order to verify this assumption, the carrying value 
of each CGU was compared to the depreciated replacement cost of the assets at each site based on the useful economic lives 
and current market pricing. It was concluded that the carrying value of the CGU assets accurately represented the fair value on 
this basis.

A further exercise was completed to compare the carrying value of each CGU to its estimated value in use. Estimating the  
value in use requires the Group to make an estimate of the expected future cash flows from each CGU and discount these  
to their net present value at a pre-tax discount rate. Future cashflows were based on the performance of each CGU for the 
12 months preceding the acquisition date.

Where the estimated value in use did not support the carrying value of a CGU, a fair value adjustment was recognised. Assets 
with a value of $105.2m were written down, where the forecast cashflows of a CGU (discounted by applying an indicative 
acquisition internal rate of return) did not support its value at the date of acquisition.

The judgements applied in assessing the fair value of acquired PPE involved key assumptions, which are sensitive to change. 
Sensitivity analysis has been performed on the value in use assessment, giving consideration to incremental changes in the key 
assumptions of admissions levels, average ticket price, concession spend per person and discount rate. There were 42 CGUs with 
a total fair value of $61.4m whose fair value was considered to be sensitive to changes in key assumptions An increase in the 
discount rate (of 8.6%) of 1% would result in an additional fair value reduction of $2.6m. Admissions levels, average ticket price, 
concession spend per person combine to drive the expected cashflows used in assessing the value in use. An overall reduction  
of 1% in the expected cashflows (which included growth rates between 0.0% and 1.0%) would result in a further fair value 
reduction of $0.8m.

Intangible assets
Acquired identifiable intangible assets include $365.0m in respect of brands and $141.0m in respect of customer relationships. 
Management consider the residual goodwill of $4,625.8m to represent a number of factors including the skills and industry 
knowledge of Regal’s management and workforce, synergies expected to be realised post acquisition and the future value 
expected to be generated by the Group from Regal’s pipeline of new sites and the potential for refurbishing the existing estate. 
None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The contributions Regal has made to the Group  
since 28 February 2018 represented by the US segment disclosed in Note 2.

113

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

18. Business Combinations continued 
The fair value of the brand asset was assessed by considering the benefit to the Group’s future revenue of the acquired brand 
and assessing the royalty costs that would be incurred in deriving the same benefit. The key assumptions in the assessment are 
the forecast revenue growth and royalty cost applied, the valuation is sensitive to both of these areas A royalty cost of 0.75% of 
revenue was applied. A reduction of the forecast revenue growth rate of 1% would result in a reduction in the value of the brand 
asset by $52.1m. A reduction in the royalty rate applied of 0.1% would result in a reduction of the brand asset of $48.6m

Contract liabilities
An assessment of the expected fair value of revenue attributable to performance obligations under advertising contracts was 
derived by generating an expected fair value of the contract using current market advertising prices. This resulted in a fair value 
uplift of $245.7m being applied to deferred revenue, resulting in a liabilty at acquisition of $680.8m.

The key judgement in assessing the value of the contract liability at the acquisition date was the current pricing of screen 
advertising. A range of observable price points were considered, the range of potential values of the contract liability based on 
those price points was from $658.9m to $720.9m. A reduction of 1% in the advertising price applied would reduce the fair value 
of the liability at acquisition by $10.8m.

Other Fair Value Adjustments:
Management have also considered the lease contract of each of the acquired sites. A provision of $35.3m has been recognised  
in respect of onerous lease contracts. The provision reflects the present value of the future lease payments under these lease 
contracts to the extent that the contract results in the site making a loss. 

An exercise was conducted to compare the current rentals of each of the sites to the current market rental rate. Accordingly,  
a net provision of $162.0m has been recognised in respect of a number of sites where the current rental rate is either above  
or below the assumed average market rental rate. As a result of adjusting all rental payments to a fair market basis, Deferred 
income of $196.0m in respect of landlord contributions received by Regal prior to the acquisition have been written off and  
a liability of $87.0m in respect of contractual increments in rent has been eliminated. Future incremental rent charges will be 
recorded in the income statement in line with IAS 17.

The fair value of the Group’s investment in a listed Joint Venture was increased by $51.0m, reflecting the Group’s holding and the 
share price of the entity at the acquisition date.

2017 Acquisition of Empire cinema
On 15 June 2017 the Group completed the acquisition of the Newcastle cinema from Cinema Holdings Limited by means of an 
acquisition of 100% of the shares. The consideration consists of two elements, the initial consideration of $9.1m plus contingent 
consideration based on the performance of the site over a 24 month period post completion of the refurbishment. The contingent 
consideration has been provisionally estimated at $4.1m based on the expected future performance of the site and the market. 

Fair Value of Consideration Transferred

Cash consideration 
Contingent consideration

Total fair value of consideration transferred

$m

9.1
4.0

13.1

The fair value of net assets has been determined at $2.6m, the residual goodwill of $10.5m represents a number of factors 
including the strategic location of the sites acquired, the benefit of the sites being established sites, the value of the acquired 
sites can add to Cineworld existing brand and products as well as synergies expected to be realised post acquisition.

Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

Fair value of total net identifiable assets upon acquisition
Property, plant and equipment
Total net identifiable assets
Goodwill

Consideration transferred

$m

2.6
2.6
10.5

13.1

The Key Judgments considered were as follows:
Property and Leases
The fair value of property, plant and equipment of $2.6m represents management’s initial assessment of the assets acquired.

As well as considering the fair value of acquired property, plant and equipment, management also considered the lease contracts 
for the cinema; no assets or liabilities were identified in respect of these contracts.

Tax
No income tax liability is recognised on acquisition as future tax charges are not expected to arise in respect of tax positions 
open at the date of acquisition. 

114

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201818. Business Combinations continued
Identifiable Intangible Assets
There were no identifiable intangible assets recognised on acquisition. Management consider the residual goodwill balance of 
$10.5m to represent a number of factors including the strategic location of the site acquired, the benefit of an established site, 
the value the acquired site can add to the Cineworld existing brand and products as well as synergies expected to be realised 
post acquisition.

19. Interest-Bearing Loans and Borrowings and Other Financial Liabilities
This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Group’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

Non-current liabilities
Unsecured bank loan, less issue costs of debt to be amortised
Liabilities under finance leases

Current liabilities
Unsecured bank loans, less issue costs of debt to be amortised
Secured bank loans
Loan note
Liabilities under finance leases

The terms and conditions of outstanding loans were as follows:

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

3,885.3
83.0

3,968.3

27.3
33.6
3.0
17.5

81.4

426.2
19.8

446.0

18.4
–
–
1.8

20.2

Currency

Nominal interest rate

31 December 2018

31 December 2017

Year of  

maturity

Face  
value  
$m

Carrying 
amount  

$m

Face  
value  
$m

Carrying 
amount  

$m

Unsecured bank loan

Unsecured bank loan

Revolving credit facility
Secured bank loan – DCIP
Unsecured bank loan
Unsecured bank loan
Unsecured bank loan 
Loan note 
Finance lease liability
Finance lease liability
Finance lease liability

USD

EUR

USD
USD
GBP
EUR
NIS
USD
GBP
EUR
USD

2025

2025

Base rate(1) plus 
applicable 
margin(2)
Euro currency 
rate + margin(3)
Applicable First 
Lien Net Leverage 
Ratio(4)
2025
2019
4.17%
2020
LIBOR+1.4%
2020
EURIBOR+1.4%
2020
1.82%
5.0%
2019
3.41% 2030 – 2060
6.50%
2021
6.20% 2019 – 2030

3,300.1 

3,233.8

690.5

678.7

–
33.6
–
–
–
3.0
19.4
0.5
80.6

–
33.6
–
–
–
3.0
19.4
0.5
80.6

–

–

–
–
386.3
57.2
3.1
–
20.8
0.8

–

–

–
–
384.5
57.0
3.1
–
20.8
0.8

Total interest-bearing liabilities

4,127.7

4,049.6

468.2

466.2

(1)  Base rate is equal to the highest of the following:

 – The US Prime Rate
 – 0.5% plus the federal funds effective rate

(2) Applicable margin is charged by reference to the applicable first lien net leverage ratio: >3.5/1 2.5% <3.5/1 2.25%

(3) Applicable margin is charged as 2.625% for the first 12 months. Subsequently interest is charged by reference to the applicable first lien net leverage ratio: 

>3.5/1 2.625%, <3.5/1 2.375%

(4) First lien net leverage ratio: >3.5/1 3.0%, <3.5/1 – 3/1> 2.75%, <3/1 2.5%

On 28 February 2018 the Group restructured its debt facilities. The restructured debt arrangement consists of a US Dollar and 
Euro term loan totalling $4.1bn and a $300.0m revolving credit facility. The previous financing arrangements in place as at 
31 December 2017 for the Group were settled.

Refer to Note 12 for details of the loan note payable to NCM, linked to the AC JV LLC joint venture. 

Secured Loan
The Group acquired DCIP, a Joint Operation described in Note 11, as part of its acquisition of Regal. DCIP holds an unsecured 
loan, of which $33.6m is consolidated by the Group in accordance with IFRS 11. The facility is secured by a first priority lien on the 
Group’s share of DCIP assets, including cash and digital projection systems. Under the Credit Facility, DCIP is required to maintain 
compliance with certain financial covenants, including an interest cover ratio, minimum revenues, capital expenditure limitations 
and excess cash flow. At 31 December 2018, DCIP was in compliance with all of its covenants, the covenants in respect of the 
secured DCIP loan are not applicable to the wider Group and have no impact on its operations or financing. The security in 
respect of the loan is limited to the Group’s assets held within DCIP, no security is given against the assets of the wider Group.

115

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

19. Interest-Bearing Loans and Borrowings and Other Financial Liabilities continued
Compliance with loan covenants
There are no covenants attached to the Group’s unsecured borrowings, other than preparing the principal borrowers (Crown UK 
HoldCo Limited) financial statements and the calculation of the first lien net leverage ratio and total net leverage ratio. A compliance 
certificate providing this information is provided to the agent every six months.

See Note 24 for bank loan maturity analysis.

Finance Lease Liabilities
The maturity of obligations under finance leases is as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
Over five years

Less future finance charges

Analysis of Net Debt

At 31 December 2016
Cash flows
Non-cash movement
Effect of movement in foreign 
exchange rates

At 31 December 2017
Additions through aquisition
Cash flows
Non-cash movement
Effect of movement in foreign 
exchange rates

At 31 December 2018

Cash at bank 
and in hand 
$m

68.6
9.7
–

12.7

91.0
330.8
(99.1)
–

(6.4)

316.3

Bank 
overdraft  

$m

–
(0.6)
–

–

(0.6)
–
0.6
–

–

–

Bank  
loans  
$m

(398.8)
(4.2)
(1.8)

(39.8)

(444.6)
(4,062.4)
530.7
(13.2)

43.2

Loan note 
$m

Finance  
leases  
$m

–
–
–

–

–
(3.0)
–
–

–

(18.5)
1.7
(2.8)

(2.0)

(21.6)
(93.2)
19.9
(5.6)

–

(3,946.2)

(3.0)

(100.5)

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

23.3
16.1
40.9
63.3

143.6
(43.1)

100.5

Interest  
rate swap  

$m

(1.4)
–
1.5

(0.1)

–
0.2
–
–

–

0.2

1.6
1.8
5.5
34.7

43.6
(22.0)

21.6

Net debt  

$m

(350.1)
6.6
(3.1)

(29.2)

(375.8)
(3,827.6)
452.1
(18.8)

36.9

(3,733.2)

The non-cash movements relating to bank loans represent the amortisation of debt issuance costs. The non-cash movements 
relating to finance leases relate to the unwind of finance lease liabilities. 

20. Trade and Other Payables

Current
Trade payables
Other payables
Accruals
Deferred income

Non–current
Accruals and other payables
Deferred income
Government grants

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

231.8
315.9
154.6
134.1

836.4

38.2
33.5
101.4
22.5

195.6

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

156.5
799.0
10.1 

965.6

124.7
–
4.4

129.1

Amounts in respect of the NCM ESA and customer loyalty schemes are included within deferred income. Amounts in respect of 
lease incentives and straight lined lease contracts are included within accruals.

116

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201821. Employee Benefits
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Group operates one externally funded defined benefit pension scheme in Ireland, the Adelphi-Carlton Limited Contributory 
Pension Plan.

The Adelphi-Carlton Limited Contributory Pension Plan is closed to new entrants and therefore the current service cost is $nil. 
The trustees of the Adelphi-Carlton Contributory Pension Plan have not agreed that any surplus on the plan can be refunded  
to the Group. Accordingly the surplus has not been recognised. The scheme has a surplus of $1.0m as at 31 December 2018 
(2017: $1.1m).

Actuaries for Adelphi-Carlton Limited carried out the last actuarial valuation of the Scheme as at 1 April 2016. Based on this 
assessment, the actuarial value of the assets is $3.2m which is more than sufficient to cover 100% of the benefits that had 
accrued to members. In view of this, a suspension of Group contributions was in force from 1 April 2001 to 31 December 2016. 
Total contributions for the years ended 31 December 2018 were $nil (2017: $nil). No contributions are expected for the year 
ending 31 December 2019.

Accrued Employee Retirement Rights
Local applicable labour laws and agreements in the ROW require certain Group companies to pay severance pay to dismissed 
or retiring employees (including those leaving their employment under certain other circumstances). The calculation of the 
severance pay liability has been made in accordance with labour agreements in force and based on salary components that, 
in management’s opinion, create entitlement to severance pay.

Group companies’ severance pay liabilities to their employees are funded partially by regular deposits with recognised pension 
and severance pay funds in the employees’ names and by purchase of insurance policies. They are accounted for as if they were 
a defined contribution plan. The amounts funded as above are netted against the related liabilities and are not reflected in the 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position since they are not under the control and management of the companies.

The amounts of the liability for severance pay presented in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (see below) reflect 
that part of the liability not covered by the funds and the insurance policies mentioned above, as well as the liability that is 
funded by deposits with recognised central severance pay funds held under the name of the Company’s subsidiaries.

The cost of severance provision is determined according to the projected unit credit method. It has been calculated using 
a discounted cash flow approach. The calculations are based on the following assumptions:

 — Discount at 31 December 2018 2.09% (2017: 2.08%) 

 — Expected returns on plan assets at 31 December 2018 1.45% (2017: 1.73%)

The net provision for accrued employee rights upon retirement comprises: 

Present value of unfunded obligation
Less: Fair value of plan assets

Total obligation

Movements in the provision for accrued employee rights upon retirement:

At start of period 
Payments made upon retirement 
Net movement in provision – charged to net profit
Foreign exchange movements

Total obligation

Defined Contribution Pension Plans 
The Group operates a number of defined contribution pension plans.

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

6.1
(2.9)

3.2

Amount 
deposited  

$m

(2.5)
(1.2)
0.6
0.2

(2.9)

5.6
(2.5)

3.1

Net  
amount 
 $m

3.1
(1.8)
2.1
(0.2)

3.2

Gross  
amount  

$m

5.6
(0.6)
1.5
(0.4)

6.1

The total expense relating to these plans in the current year was $2.8m (2017: $2.7m). There was $nil accruing to these pension 
schemes as at 31 December 2018 (2017: $nil). 

117

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21. Employee Benefits continued
Share-Based Payments
As at 31 December 2018 there were four types of share option and share schemes: the Cineworld Group 2007 Performance  
Share Plan, the Cineworld Group plc Company Share Option Plan, the Cineworld Group 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan and the 
Cineworld Group 2007 Sharesave Scheme. Details of each of the schemes are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report  
on pages 55 to 66.

The Cineworld Group Performance Share Plan (“PSP”)
Assumptions relating to grants of share options outstanding are as follows:

Date of grant

23 April 2015
30 June 2015
18 April 2016
22 November 2016
12 April 2017

Exercise period

3 years from 23 April 2015
3 years from 30 June 2015
3 years from 18 April 2016
3 years from 22 November 2016
3 years from 12 April 2017

2018 Number 
of shares  

2017 Number 
of shares  

’000

–
–
762
18
805

’000

395
7
332
8
361

Under the PSP, awards of conditional shares or nil cost options can be made that vest or become exercisable after three years 
subject to continued employment and generally the achievement of specified performance conditions as follows:

23 April and 30 June 2015
Under these grants, awards of 517,530 shares were made in total. Awards of 405,826 shares were made with the performance 
conditions set out below:

 — 30% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in earnings per share (“EPS”) (calculated by 

comparing the EPS for the financial year ended 1 January 2015 and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2017) 
is not less than 8.0%;

 — 100% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for 

the financial year ended 1 January 2015 and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2017) is at least 16.0%, and

 — where the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for the financial year ended 1 January 2015 and  

the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2017) is between the two limits above, the Award shall vest on a straight-line 
basis between 30% and 100%.

“EPS” means adjusted earnings per share calculated by dividing the profits for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders 
(adjusted by adding back the amortisation of intangible assets and other one-off income or expense adjusted pro forma and 
applying a tax effect on all adjustments) by the number of ordinary shares outstanding at the end of the period, after excluding 
non-vested ordinary shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust at that time and adjusting for the effects of dilutive options.

Further awards over 111,704 shares were made which will vest after three years subject to continued employment only, with 
no specified performance conditions attached.

18 April 2016
Under these grants, awards of 366,465 shares were made in total. Awards of 253,192 shares were made with the performance 
conditions set out below:

 — 30% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2015 and the EPS for the financial year ending 31 December 2018) is not less than 6.0%;

 — 100% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for 

the financial year ended 31 December 2015 and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2018) is at least 12.0%, and

 — where the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2015 and 
the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2018) is between the two limits above, the Award shall vest on a straight-line 
basis between 30% and 100%.

EPS means adjusted earnings per share calculated by dividing the profits for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders 
(adjusted by adding back the amortisation of intangible assets and other one one-off income or expense adjusted pro forma and 
applying a tax effect on all adjustments) by the number of ordinary shares outstanding at the end of the period, after excluding 
non-vested ordinary shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust at that time and adjusting for the effects of dilutive options.

Further awards over 113,273 shares were made which will vest after three years subject to continued employment only, with  
no specified performance conditions attached.

118

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201821. Employee Benefits continued
The Cineworld Group Performance Share Plan (“PSP”) continued
12 April 2017
Under these grants, awards of 361,291 shares were made in total. Awards of 283,483 shares were made with the performance 
conditions set out below:

 — 25% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2016 and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2019) is not less than 5.0%;

 — 100% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2016 and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2019) is at least 11.0%, and

 — where the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2016  

and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2019) is between the two limits above, the Award shall vest on a 
straight-line basis between 25% and 100%.

EPS means adjusted earnings per share calculated by dividing the profits for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders 
(adjusted by adding back the amortisation of intangible assets and other one one-off income or expense adjusted pro forma and 
applying a tax effect on all adjustments) by the number of ordinary shares outstanding at the end of the period, after excluding 
non-vested ordinary shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust at that time and adjusting for the effects of dilutive options.

Further awards over 77,808 shares were made which will vest after three years subject to continued employment only, with 
no specified performance conditions attached.

Assumptions relating to grants of share options outstanding are as follows:

Date of grant

23 April 2015
30 June 2015
18 April 2016
22 November 2016
12 April 2017

Share price  
at grant  

Exercise  
price  

Expected 
volatility  

$

7.23
7.57
7.79
6.83
8.39

$

–
–
–
–
–

%

39
39
38
38
37

Expected 
 life  

years

Dividend  
yield  
%

Risk free 
 rate  
%

3
3
3
3
3

4.3
4.3
2.9
2.9
3.6

0.59
0.59
0.37
0.37
0.3

Fair  
value  

$

6.34
6.64
7.13
6.26
7.52

A reconciliation of option movements over the year to 31 December 2018 is shown below:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Adjustment due to rights issue
Exercised in shares during the year
Granted during the year
Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Number of 
options 2018 
Equity-
settled  
’000

Number of 
options 2017 
Equity- 
settled 
 ’000

1,103
1,406
(877)
–
(47)

1,585

1,324
–
(567)
361
(15)

1,103

A charge of $2.0m was recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss for the four PSP schemes.

The Company Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP”)

The following share options have been granted under the LTIP and were outstanding at 31 December 2018: 

Date of grant

23 April 2018

Exercise period

3 years from 23 April 2018

2018 Number 
of shares  

2017 Number 
of shares  

’000

1,618

’000

–

23 April 2018
Under these grants, awards of 1,617,997 shares were made in total. Awards of 1,399,843 shares were made with the performance 
conditions set out below:

 — 25% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for  

the financial year ended 1 January 2017 and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2020) is not less than 8%; 

 — 100% of the shares under the Award will vest if the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for  
the financial year ended 1 January 2017 and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2020) is at least 15%, and 

 — where the average annual growth in EPS (calculated by comparing the EPS for the financial year ended 1 January 2017  
and the EPS for the financial year ended 31 December 2020) is between the two limits above, the Award shall vest on  
a straight-line basis between 25% and 100%. 

EPS means adjusted earnings per share calculated by dividing the profits for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders 
(adjusted by adding back the amortisation of intangible assets and other one one-off income or expense adjusted pro forma and 
applying a tax effect on all adjustments) by the number of ordinary shares outstanding at the end of the period, after excluding 
non-vested ordinary shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust at that time and adjusting for the effects of dilutive options. 

Further awards over 218,154 shares were made which will vest after three years subject to continued employment only, with  
no specified performance conditions attached. 

119

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21. Employee Benefits continued
The Cineworld Group Performance Share Plan (“PSP”) continued
Assumptions relating to grants of share options outstanding are as follows:

Date of grant

23 April 2018

Share price  
at grant  

Exercise  
price  

Expected 
volatility  

$

3.6

$

–

%

38.1%

Expected 
 life  

years

Dividend  
yield  
%

Risk free 
 rate  
%

3

2.5%

0.91%

Fair  
value  

$

3.3

A reconciliation of option movements over the year to 31 December 2018 is shown below:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Exercised during the year
Granted during the year
Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Number of 
options 2018 
Equity-
settled  
’000

Number of 
options 2017 
Equity- 
settled 
’000

–
–
1,618
–

1,618

–
–
–
–

–

A charge of $1.2m was recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss for the LTIP scheme.

The Company Share Option Plan (“CSOP”)
The following share options have been granted under the CSOP and were outstanding at 31 December 2018:

Date of grant

6 June 2014

Exercise period

3 years from 6 June 2014

23 April 2015

3 years from 23 April 2015

18 April 2016

3 years from 18 April 2016

2018  
Number of 
shares  
’000

2017  
Number of 
shares  
’000

7

52

33

3

29

15

Performance conditions

Awards of 2,891 shares were made with the 
same conditions as the 2014 PSP grant.
Awards of 14,455 were made with no 
performance conditions attached.

All awards were made with no  
performance conditions attached.

All awards were made with no  
performance conditions attached.

Assumptions relating to grants of share options outstanding are as follows:

Date of grant

6 June 2014
23 April 2015
18 April 2016

Share price  
at grant  

Exercise  
price  

$

5.82
7.23
7.79

$

5.82
7.23
7.78

Expected 
volatility  

%

Expected life  

years

Dividend  
yield  
%

41 3 – 10 years
39 3 – 10 years
38 3 – 10 years

4.3
4.3
2.9

Risk  
free rate  

Fair value  

%

0.56
0.59
0.37

$

1.23
1.41
1.65

A reconciliation of option movements over the year to 31 December 2018 is shown below:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Adjustments due to rights issue
Exercised during the year
Granted during the year
Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Number of 
options 2018 
Equity-
settled

Number of 
options 2017 
Equity- 
settled

47
59
(9)
–
(5)

92

64
–
(11)
–
(6.0)

47

A charge of $nil was recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss for the three CSOP schemes.

120

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201821. Employee Benefits continued
Sharesave Scheme
The fair value is measured at the grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally 
entitled to the options.

The following share options have been granted under the Sharesave scheme and were outstanding at 31 December 2018:

Exercise Period 

8 May 2014 
12 May 2015 

3 years from 23 April 2015
3 years from 30 June 2015

A reconciliation of option movement over the year to 31 December 2018 is shown below:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Adjustments due to rights issue
Exercised during the year
Granted during the year
Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

2018  
Number  
of shares  

’000

–
–

2017  
Number  
of shares  

’000

–
273

Number of 
options 2018 
Equity-
settled  
’000

Number of 
options 2017 
Equity- 
settled  
’000

273
343
(604)
–
(10)

2

679
–
(370)
–
(36)

273

A charge of $nil was recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss for the two Sharesave schemes.

A total expense recognised for the year arising from share-based payments is $3.2m.

The share-based payment expense recognised in creditors relates to dividends accrued by the option holders over the  
vesting period.

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options in equity-settled schemes are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Adjustments due to rights issue 
Exercised during the year
Granted during the year
Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2018  
$  

Equity-
settled

1.2
1.2
2.1
–
1.4

0.2 

0.1

Number of 
options  
2018  

Equity-
settled
‘000

1,423
1,808
(1,490)
1,618
(62)

3,297

 60

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2017  
$  
Equity- 
settled

Number of 
options  
2017  
Equity- 
settled
‘000

1.44
–
1.35
–
3.61

1.21

–

 2,067 
– 
(948) 
 361 
(57) 

 1,423 

–

121

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21. Employee Benefits continued
Single Total Figure Table (audited information) 
The table below gives a single figure for the total remuneration and breakdown for each Executive and Non-Executive Director  
in respect of the 2018 financial year. Comparative figures for the 2017 financial year have also been provided. 

Year ended 31 December 2018
Total compensation for Directors

Year ended 31 December 2017
Total compensation for Directors(1)

Salary and 
fees including 
bonus  
$000

Pension 
contributions 
$000

Total  
$000

8,548.9

404.5

8,953.4

Salary and 
fees including 
bonus  
$000

Pension 
contributions 
$000

Total  
$000

 6,155.9 

 301.4

 6,457.3

Share-based compensation benefit charges for Directors was $2.6m in 2018 (2017: $2.6m). Full details of Directors’ Remuneration 
including the highest paid Director can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 66.

(1) 

 2017 figures set out in the table above were translated to $USD by using average exchange rate of 2017. Translating the figures on a constant currency 
basis, by applying the average exchange rate for 2018 to both the 2018 and 2017 amounts will yield the following: 

Salary and fees including bonus $6,381,000 and pension contributions of $312,400. Totalling $6,693,400.

22. Provisions 

Balance at 31 December 2017

Provisions added through acquisition 
Provisions made
Provisions utilised to administrative expenses during the year
Utilised against rent during the year
Unwind against interest during the year
Effect of movement in foreign exchange rates

Balance at 31 December 2018

Current
Non-current

Total

Property 
provisions  

Other 
provisions  

Total 
provisions  

$m

 12.1

348.5
4.5
(6.0)
(54.7)
22.3
(0.4)

326.3

49.6
276.7

326.3

$m

 3.1

39.5
1.5
(2.7)
–
–
0.1

41.5

41.0
0.5

41.5

$m

 15.2 

388.0
6.0
(8.7)
(54.7)
22.3
(0.3)

367.8

90.6
277.2

367.8

Other provisions include amounts in respect of open claims by suppliers, which been assessed by applying the expected 
payments based on settlement of historic claims, and legal claims which have been assessed based on legal advice received.

Property provisions relate to onerous leases, dilapidations, market rent adjustments and other property liabilities. Market  
rent provisions relate to the fair value of liabilities on leases acquired, which are assessed on acquisition and released over  
the remaining life of the lease.

The property provision includes onerous leases, which are assessed as being the unavoidable costs of the lease obligations in 
excess of the economic benefits expected to be received from operating it. The unavoidable costs of the lease reflect the lease 
net cost of exiting from the contract and are measured as the lower of the net cost of continuing to operate the lease and any 
penalties or other costs from exiting it, measured on a discounted basis. The remaining provision will be utilised over the period 
to the next rent review date or the remaining lease life depending on the term of the lease. This is between one and 30 years  
(see further analysis below).

Expected timing for utilisation of property provisions
Analysed as:
Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
Over five years

31 December  
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

49.6
45.2
106.7
124.8

326.3

2.0
3.0
3.9
3.2

12.1

122

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
23. Capital and Reserves
Share Capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid

1,371,163,021 (2017: 273,915,718) ordinary shares of £0.01 each.

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

20.1

5.0

On 20 February 2018 the company’s shareholders subscribed to a rights issue of 1,095,705,180 ordinary shares which were 
issued at 157.0 pence per share on the basis of four shares for every one ordinary shares held. The issue was fully subscribed. 
Transaction costs directly associated with the Rights Issue of $35.6m were capitalised against the issued capital balance 
recognised in equity. 

A capital transfer occurred on 26 June 2018, resulting in a transfer of $2,361.3m from share premium to retained earnings. 

Translation Reserve
The translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of 
foreign operations, as well as from the translation of liabilities that hedge the Company’s net investment in a foreign subsidiary.

Merger Reserve
In accordance with Section 612 of the Companies Act 2006, the premium on ordinary shares issued in relation to acquisitions  
is recorded as a merger reserve. 

A capital reduction occurred on 26 June 2018, resulting in a transfer of $407.4m from share premium to retained earnings. 

Fair Value Reserve
The fair value reserve comprises the net change in the fair value of equity securities designated as held at fair value. 

Hedging Reserve
On 28 February 2018, the Group restructured its debt facilities repaying the Euro denominated loan held at 31 December 2017. 
This loan had been designated as a hedging instrument in relation to the net investment hedge recognised at 31 December 2017. 
In addition to the net investment hedge, the hedging reserve also comprised the liability in relation to the interest rate swaps 
entered into, to hedge against variable interest payments on the bank debt held at 31 December 2017. 

On repayment of the loan and settlement of interest rate swaps, the hedging reserve was recycled resulting in a net charge of 
$3.5m to the Statement of Profit or Loss. 

The hedging reserve at 31 December 2018 comprises the movements to date in relation to the interest rate swaps entered into, to 
hedge against variable interest payments on 97.3% $32.8m of the total $33.6m of the joint operation DCIP bank debt. As hedge 
accounting has been adopted the gains / losses are recorded through equity until such time as the cash flows being hedged 
occur, when they are recycled to the statement of Profit or Loss. No loss was recycled during 2018.

Dividends
The following dividends were recognised during the year:

Interim
Final (for the preceding year)

2018  
$m

66.5
56.3

122.8

2017  
$m

22.2
47.5

69.7

An interim dividend of 4.85c per share was paid on 5 October 2018 to ordinary shareholders. The Board has proposed a final 
dividend of 10.15c per share, which will result in total cash payable of approximately $140.0m on 5 July 2019. In accordance with 
IAS 10 this had not been recognised as a liability at 31 December 2018.

Going forward, the Board is proposing to pay four interim dividends for each financial year. Payments in relation to the first three 
quarters of the year will be equal to 25% of the full year dividend of the prior year, with the final interim payment reflective of the 
Group’s full year earnings performance and resulting in a full year dividend payment aligned with the Group’s pay-out ratio.

123

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Capital and Reserves continued
Details of the first, second and third interim dividend payment for the year ended 31 December 2019 are set out below:

Dividend Payment

Ex-Dividend Date

Record Date

Final Date for Currency Election

Interim Dividend Exchange Rate Determined

Payment Date

Dividend Payment

Ex-Dividend Date

Record Date

Final Date for Currency Election

3.75c being 25% of FY18

13 June 2019

14 June 2019

14 June 2019

21 June 2019

5 July 2019

3.75c being 25% of FY18

12 September 2019

13 September 2019

13 September 2019

Interim Dividend Exchange Rate Determined

20 September 2019

Payment Date

4 October 2019

Dividend Payment

Ex-Dividend Date

Record Date

Final Date for Currency Election

3.75c being 25% of FY18

12 December 2019

13 December 2019

13 December 2019

Interim Dividend Exchange Rate Determined

20 December 2019

Payment Date

10 January 2019

The Group plans to announce a final dividend alongside its full results for the year ending 31 December 2019 in March 2020.

24. Financial Instruments
Overview
The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

 — Credit risk

 — Liquidity risk

 — Market risk

This note presents information about the Group’s exposure to each of the above risks, the Group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for measuring and managing risk, and the Group’s management of capital.

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s Risk Management Framework. 
The Group has in place a risk management programme and regular reports are made to the Audit Committee, which is tasked 
with general oversight.

The Group’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk 
limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to 
reflect changes in market conditions and the Group’s activities. The Group, through its training and management standards and 
procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles 
and obligations.

124

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201824. Financial Instruments continued
Overview continued
The Group’s Audit Committee oversees how management monitors compliance with the Group’s risk management policies and 
procedures and reviews the adequacy of the Risk Management Framework in relation to the risks by the Group. The Group’s 
Audit Committee is assisted in its oversight role by internal audit. Internal audit undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of 
certain risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the Audit Committee

Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual 
obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers and investment securities.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. However due to the nature of the Group’s business, trade 
receivables are not significant in proportion to the total revenue generated, which limits the related credit risk. The Group’s trade 
receivables are disclosed in Note 17. Of the total balance of $206.6m (2017 $39.9m) due, 76% (2017: 75%) are within credit terms. 
The loss allowance as at 31 December 2018 is $1.0m, (2017: $nil), with a loss allowance expense of $nil (2017: $nil).

Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s approach to 
managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under 
both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation.

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including interest payments and excluding the impact of netting 
agreements. The amounts disclosed in the table are contractual undiscounted cash flows, including interest payments calculated 
using interest rates in force at each reporting date, so will not always reconcile with the amounts disclosed on the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position.

31 December 2018

Non-derivative financial liabilities
Unsecured bank loans
Secured Bank loans
Loan note
Finance lease liabilities
Trade payables
Derivative financial asset
Interest rate swaps

31 December 2017

Non-derivative financial liabilities
Unsecured bank loans
Finance lease liabilities
Trade payables
Derivative financial asset
Interest rate swaps

Carrying 
amount  

$m

Contractual 
cash flows  

$m

6 months  
or less  
$m

6–12 months 
$m

1–2 years  

2–5 years  

$m

$m

More than  
5 years  

$m

3,912.5
33.6
3.0
100.5
231.8

(3,990.6)
(33.6)
(3.0)
(143.6)
(231.8)

(20.1)
(16.8)
(1.5)
(11.7)
(231.8)

(20.1)
(16.8)
(1.5)
(11.7)
–

(40.2)

(3,910.2)

–

–
(16.0)
–

–
(40.9)
–

–
(63.3)
–

(0.2)

0.4

0.4

–

–

–

–

4,281.2

(4,402.2)

(281.5)

(50.1)

(56.2)

(3,951.1)

(63.3)

Carrying 
amount  

$m

Contractual 
cash flows  

$m

6 months  
or less  
$m

6–12 months 
$m

1–2 years  

2–5 years  

$m

$m

More than  
5 years  

$m

444.6
21.6
38.2

(446.7)
(43.6)
(38.2)

(0.1)

(0.5)

504.3

(528.8)

(10.1)
(0.8)
(38.2)

(0.2)

(49.3)

(10.1)
(0.8)
–

(0.2)

(11.1)

(17.4)
(1.8)
–

(0.1)

(409.1)
(5.5)
–

–
(34.7)
–

–

–

(19.3)

(414.6)

(34.5)

On 28 February 2018 the Group restructured its debt facilities. The restructured debt arrangement consists of a $3,325.0m 
US Dollar, a €607.6m Euro term loan and a $300.0m revolving credit facility ‘RCF’. The financing arrangements including 
associated derivatives in place as at 31 December 2017 for the Group were settled.

There are no covenants attached to the Group’s borrowings, other preparing the principal borrowers (‘Crown UK HoldCo 
Limited’) financial statements and the calculation of the first lien net leverage ratio and total net leverage ratio. A margin, 
determined by the first lien net leverage ratio at a given date is added to the US Base rate or an additional margin of 1% for  
the US and Euro term loans respectively. A margin, determined by the first lien net leverage ratio at a given date determines  
the interest charged on the RCF. The margins currently applicable to the Group are 2.5% on the US Term loan and 2.25% on  
the Euro term loan. The RCF is currently undrawn and therefore no interest is charged on this facility.

125

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

24. Financial Instruments continued
Cash Flow Hedges
The following table indicates the periods in which the discounted cash flows associated with derivatives that are cash flow 
hedges are expected to occur.

31 December 2018

Interest rate swaps

31 December 2017

Interest rate swaps

Carrying 
amount  

Expected  
cash flows  

$m

0.2

$m

(0.4)

Carrying 
amount  

Expected 
cash flows  

$m

0.1

$m

(0.3)

6 months  
or less  
$m

(0.4)

6 months  
or less  
$m

(0.1)

6–12 months  

1–2 years  

2–5 years  

$m

–

$m

–

$m

–

6–12 months  

1–2 years  

2–5 years  

$m

(0.2)

$m

–

$m

–

More than  
5 years  

$m

–

More than  
5 years  

$m

–

The interest rate swaps attached to the Group’s borrowings at 31 December 2017 were settled on 28 February 2018 as part of  
the restructure of the Group’s borrowing facilities. At this date the cash-flow hedges were recycled from the hedging reserve 
resulting in a gain of $0.1m recognised in Other Comprehensive Income. 

The interest rate swaps in place at 31 December 2018 are in relation to the hedging of the joint operation DCIP borrowings. 

Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices will affect  
the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage 
and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk.

Foreign Currency Risk
Operating across ten territories increase the Groups exposure to currency risk. Wherever possible, overseas operations will  
fund their day-to-day working capital requirements in local currency with cash generated from operations, naturally hedging  
the currency risk exposure to the Group. Management will continually monitor the level of currency risk exposure, and consider 
hedging where appropriate. Currently the Group considers the currency risk on consolidation of the assets and liabilities of its 
foreign entities to be of low materiality, no hedging has been undertaken.

Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk arises from the Group’s borrowing facilities in which a variable rate of interest is charged. The Group has 
historically managed this risk by securing fixed interest rates on a portion of its term loans.

Whilst fixed-rate interest-bearing debt is not exposed to cash flow interest rate risk, there is no opportunity for the Group to 
enjoy a reduction in borrowing costs in markets where rates are falling.

In addition, the fair value risk inherent in fixed-rate borrowing means that the Group is exposed to unplanned costs should debt 
be restructured or repaid early as part of the liquidity management process.

Exposure to interest rate risk is monitored through several measures including sensitivity and scenario testing and a cost benefit 
analysis of entering into interest rate swaps to mitigate this risk.

The Group believes it is more cost effective for the US Term loan to remain unhedged. The Group however uses interest rate 
swaps agreed with other parties to a hedge a portion of the interest charged on the Euro term loan. Interest rate swaps are 
measured at fair value, which have been calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows at prevailing interest rates.

At 31 December 2018 the Group had two (2017: three) interest rate swaps. The interest rate swaps were comprised of one EUR 
denominated swap which was entered into under the previous financing arrangements, which hedged Nil% (2017: 83.0%) of the 
Euro denominated unsecured loan. A USD denominated swap which was in place hedged 97.3% of the $33.6m USD denominated 
DCIP secured loan.

126

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201824. Financial Instruments continued
Interest Rate Risk continued
At the reporting date the interest rate profile of the Group’s interest-bearing financial instruments was:

Fixed rate instruments
Financial assets (interest rate swap)
Financial liabilities (secured bank loans – hedged portion)

Loan note
Finance lease liabilities

Variable rate instruments

Financial liabilities (secured bank loans – unhedged portion)

Financial liabilities (unsecured bank loans – unhedged portion)

Carrying amount

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

(0.2)
32.8

3.0
100.5

136.1

(0.1)
169.6

–
21.5

191.0

0.8

3,912.5

–

275.0

$32.8m (2017: $169.6m) of the variable rate financial liability is hedged via the interest rate swaps with the balance attracting  
a variable interest rate.

Fair Value Sensitivity Analysis for Fixed Rate Instruments
The Group accounts for fixed-rate derivative financial instruments (interest rate swaps) at fair value. The gain or loss on 
remeasurement to fair value is recognised immediately in the Statement of Profit or Loss except where derivatives qualify 
for hedge accounting when recognition of any resultant gain or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged. 

A change of 100 basis points in interest rates would have increased equity by $0.6m (2017: $2.0m) or decreased equity  
by $0.6m (2017: $2.0m) for each swap and would have increased or decreased profit or loss by $nil.

Cash Flow Sensitivity Analysis for Variable Rate Instruments
A change of 100 basis points in interest rates at the reporting date would have increased/(decreased) equity and profit or loss  
by the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant. 
The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2018.

Effect in Dollars thousands

31 December 2018
Variable rate instruments
Interest rate swap

Cash flow sensitivity (net)

31 December 2017
Variable rate instruments
Interest rate swap
Cash flow sensitivity (net)

Profit or loss

Equity

100 bp 
increase

100 bp 
decrease

100 bp 
increase

100 bp 
decrease

(40,9)
0.6

(40.3)

(4.0) 
 2.0 
(2.0) 

40.9
(0.6)

40.3

 4.0 
(2.0) 
 2.0 

(40.9)
0.6

(40.3)

(4.0) 
 2.0 
(2.0) 

40.9
(0.6)

40.3

 4.0 
(2.0) 
 2.0

Fair Values
Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial instruments that are 
carried in the financial statements.

Short-term debtors, creditors and cash and cash equivalents have been excluded from the following disclosures on the basis  
that their carrying amount is a reasonable approximation to fair value.

Unsecured bank loans
Secured Bank Loans
Finance lease liabilities
Loan notes
Equity investments
Interest rate swaps

Carrying 
amount  
31 December  
2018  
$m

Fair value  
31 December  
2018  
$m

Carrying 
amount  
31 December  
2017  
$m

Fair value  
31 December 
2017  
$m

3,912.5
33.6
100.5
3.0
(7.5)
(0.2)

3,990.6
33.6
100.5
3.0
(7.5)
(0.2)

4,041.9

4,120.0

444.6
–
21.5
–
–
(0.1)

466.0

446.6
–
21.5
–
–
(0.1)

468.0

The fair value of derivatives and borrowings has been calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows at prevailing 
interest rates. The carrying amount of unsecured bank loans is stated net of debt issuance costs and the fair value is stated  
gross of debt issuance costs and is calculated using the market interest rates.

The fair value of investments has been calculated by reference to quoted market values. The Group holds one unquoted  
equity investment and have concluded that the cost of this investment represents its fair value at 31 December 2018.

127

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

24. Financial Instruments continued
The difference between net carrying amount and estimated fair value reflects unrealised gains or losses inherent in the 
instruments based on valuations at 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017. The volatile nature of the markets means that 
values at any subsequent date could be significantly different from the values reported above.

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

 — Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 — Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly 

(i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

 — Level 3: inputs for the assets or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

31 December 2018
Derivative financial instruments
Equity investments
Loan notes
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

31 December 2017
Derivative financial instruments
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Level 1  
$m

Level 2  

$m

Level 3  

$m

Total  
$m

–
(2.5)
–
–

(0.2)
–
3.0
4,024.2

–
(5.0)
–
–

(0.2)
(7.5)
3.0
4,024.2

 – 
 – 

 0.1 
 466.2 

 – 
 – 

 0.1
 466.2 

There have been no transfers between levels in 2018. No other financial instruments are held at fair value.

Capital Management
The capital structure of the Group consists of the following items:

Cash and cash equivalents
Bank loans
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

2018  
$m

316.3
3,946.1
3,645.9

7,908.3

2017  
$m

91.0
444.6
 1,125.9 

 1,661.5 

The Board of Directors constantly monitors the ongoing capital requirements of the business and has reviewed the current 
gearing ratio, being the ratio of bank debt to equity and considers it appropriate for the Group’s current circumstances. Ratios 
used in the monitoring of debt capital include the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to net debt and the ratio of EBITDAR (pre-rent 
EBITDA) to net finance charges.

The Group’s objective when managing capital is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market 
confidence and to sustain future development of the business, to provide returns for shareholders and to optimise the capital 
structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Board of Directors monitors both the demographic spread of shareholders, as well  
as the return on capital, which the Group defines as total shareholders’ equity and the level of dividends to ordinary shareholders.

25. Operating Leases
Non-cancellable operating lease rental commitments for land and buildings are as follows: 

Less than one year
Between one and five years
More than five years

The total future minimum sublease payments expected to be received are $27.2m.

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017
$m

593.3
2,045.5
2,734.6

5,373.4

 146.0 
 553.8 
 1,493.5 

 2,193.3 

128

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201826. Capital Commitments
Lease Arrangements
The Group enters into operating leases for sites in all territories in US, UK and Ireland and the ROW. These leases are typically for 
15 – 35 years with rent increases and options to renew leases determined in line with local market practice in each territory. The 
key contractual terms of each lease are taken into consideration when calculating the rental charge over the lease term. There are 
no significant restrictions placed on the Group as a result of its leasing arrangements.

Capital commitments at the end of the financial year for which no provision has been made:

Contracted

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

322.3

 31.6

Capital commitments at the end of the current and preceding financial year relate to new sites and refurbishment projects  
which have commenced or have been committed to through a executed lease agreement or lease amendment. A portion  
of this committed capital will be partially funded by the respective site landlord. 

27. Related Parties
The compensation of the Directors is as follows:

Year ended 31 December 2018
Total compensation for Directors

Year ended 31 December 2017
Total compensation for Directors(1)

Salary and 
fees including 
bonus  
$000

Pension 
contributions 
$000

Total  
$000

8,548.9

404.5

8,953.4

Salary and 
fees including 
bonus  
$000

Pension 
contributions 
$000

Total  
$000

 6,155.9 

 301.4

 6,457.3

Share-based compensation benefit charges for Directors was $2.6m in 2018 (2017: $2.6m). Details of the highest paid Director 
can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 66.

(1)    2017 figures set out in the table above were translated to $USD by using average exchange rate of 2017. Translating the figures on a constant currency 

basis, by applying the average exchange rate for 2018 to both the 2018 and 2017 amounts will yield the following: 

Salary and fees including bonus $6,381,000 and pension contributions of $312,000. Total of $6,693,400.

Information in this table is reported in £GBP in the Directors Remuneration Report which can be found on pages 55 to 66.

Other Related Party Transactions

Digital Cinema Media Limited (“DCM”) is a joint venture between the Group and Odeon Cinemas Holdings Limited set up on 
10 July 2008. Revenue receivable from DCM in the year ended 31 December 2018 totalled $25.2m (2017: $26.8m) and as at 
31 December 2018 $3.3m (2017: $5.1m) was due from DCM in respect of receivables. In addition, the Group has a working capital 
loan outstanding from DCM of $0.6m (2017: $0.7m)

NCM is a joint venture between AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, Cinemark Holdings Inc and the Group. As at 31 December 2018 
$1.3m was due to NCM in respect of trade payables and $2.7m was due from NCM in respect of trade receivables. 

The Group has a note payable to NCM in the amount of $3.0m as at 31 December 2018 as outlined in Note 19. The note bears 
interest at 5.0% per year. Revenue receivable from NCM in the year ended 31 December 2018 totalled $80.1m

Fathom AC JV is a joint venture between AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, Cinemark Holdings Inc and NCM. There were no 
transactions during the year. As at 31 December 2018 $3.0m was due to Fathom AC in respect of trade payables. 

The Group holds a minority interest in iPic Entertainment LLC and Atom Tickets LLC. At 31 December 2018 $5.5m was due from 
Atom in respect of trade receivables. There were no transactions with IPic Entertainment LLD during the year. 

During the year the Group incurred property charges of $9.6m by companies under the ownership of Global City Holdings N.V. 
(“GCH”), a company in which Moshe Greidinger and Israel Greidinger, directors of the Group, have a controlling interest. 

Details of subsidiaries held by the Group can be found in Note 30.

129

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Non-current assets
Investments
Other receivables

Current assets
Financial assets at amortised cost
Cash at bank

Total assets

Creditors: amount falling due within 
one year
Interest-bearing loans, borrowings 
and other financial liabilities
Other payables
Bank overdraft

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amount falling due within 
one year

Interest-bearing loans

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Translation reserve
Profit and loss account
Hedging reserve

Shareholders’ funds – equity

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

31 December 
2016  
$m

31 December 
2016  
$m

Note

30
32

31

33
34

33

23

1,215.9
0.2

490.9
23.7

(15.4)
(163.5)
 – 

3,339.1
–

738.8
0.1

–
(391.4)
(40.6)

3,339.1

738.9

4,078.0

(432.0)

306.9

3,646.0

1,216.1

514.6

1,730.7

(178.9)

335.7

1,551.8

915.3
 – 

423.7
 – 

(16.2)
(145.8)
(61.4)

–

(425.9)

(379.9)

3,646.0

20.1
513.8
–
(462.1)
3,574.1
–

3,645.9

1,125.9

5.0
548.1
407.4
(212.9)
380.3
(2.0)

1,125.9

915.3

423.7

1,339.0

(223.4)

200.3

1,115.6

735.7

4.9
561.4
346.5
(296.4)
121.3
(2.0)

735.7

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 March 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:

Nisan Cohen
Director

130

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Issued  
capital  

$m

4.9
 – 

Share 
premium  

$m

561.4
 – 

Merger 
reserve  

$m

346.5
 – 

Hedging 
reserve  

Translation 
reserve  

$m

(2.0)
 – 

$m

(296.4)
 – 

Retained 
earnings  

$m

121.3
328.7

Total  
$m

735.7
328.7

1.7
(1.7)

83.5

 – 

(69.7)
 – 

 – 
47.7

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
(13.3)

 – 
60.9

1.7
(1.7)

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

83.5

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

(69.7)
 – 

 – 
 – 

548.1

407.4

(2.0)

(212.9)

380.3

1,125.9

Balance at 31 December 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Items that will subsequently be 
reclassified to profit or loss
Movement in fair value of  
cash flow hedge
Movement in net investment hedge

Movement on translation reserve
Tax recognised on income and 
expenses recognised directly  
in equity

Contributions by and  
distributions to owners
Dividends
Transfers
Movements due to share-based 
compensation
Issue of shares

Balance at 31 December 2017

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Items that will subsequently be 
reclassified to profit or loss
Recycling of hedging reserve
Movement on translation reserve
Tax recognised on income and 
expenses recognised directly  
in equity

Contributions by and  
distributions to owners
Dividends
Movements due to share-based 
compensation
Capital transfer
Issue of shares

Balance at 31 December 2018

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
0.1

5.0

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
15.1

20.1

–
(2,361.3)
2,327.0

513.8

–
(407.4)
–

–

–

–

551.7

551.7

2.0
–

–
(249.1)

(2.0)
–

–
(249.1)

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–
(122.8)

(1.9)
2,768.7
–

–
(122.8)

(1.9)
–
2,342.1

(462.0)

3,574.0

3,645.9

131

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

28. Accounting Policies
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation 
to the Company’s financial statements.

Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost 
accounting rules.

Information regarding the Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance 
and position is set out in the Chief Executive Officer’s Review on pages 4 to 9 and the Risks and Uncertainties section on pages 
23 to 27. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the Financial 
Review on pages 31 to 35. In addition, Note 24 to the financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes 
for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and 
its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

In these financial statements, the Company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures:

 — a Cash Flow Statement and related notes;

 — comparative period reconciliations for share capital, tangible fixed assets and intangible assets;

 — disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries;

 — disclosures in respect of capital management;

 — the effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs;

 — an additional Balance Sheet for the beginning of the earliest comparative period following the retrospective change  

in accounting policy; and

 — disclosures in respect of the compensation of Key Management Personnel.

Presentational Currency
In line with changes in the presentational currency of Cineworld Group Plc, the Company has elected to change its presentational 
currency to US dollars from 1 January 2018 to provide greater transparency and comparison with the Group. A change in presentational 
currency is a change in accounting policy which is accounted for retrospectively. Financial information included in the consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 previously reported in sterling have been restated into US dollars using 
the procedures outlined below: 

 — Assets and liabilities denominated in non-US dollar currencies were translated into US dollars at the closing rates of exchange 

on the relevant balance sheet date; 

 — Non-US dollar income and expenditure were translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing for the relevant period; and 

 —  Share capital, share premium and the other reserves were translated at the historic rates prevailing on the date of each 

transaction. The cumulative foreign currency translation reserve has been restated on the basis that the Group has reported  
in US dollars since 2004, the inception date of the Company

The functional currency of the Company remains in sterling. 

Investments
In the Company’s financial statements, investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less provision for any 
impairment in value.

Impairment
The Group evaluates its investments for financial impairment where events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount  
of such assets may not be fully recoverable. When such evaluations indicate that the carrying value of an asset exceeds its 
recoverable value, an impairment in value is recorded.

Deferred Taxation
Deferred tax is recognised using the Balance Sheet method, providing temporary differences between the carrying amounts  
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.

Deferred tax is recognised, without discounting, in respect of all temporary differences except as otherwise required by IAS 12.

Share-Based Payment Transactions
The share options programme allows Group employees to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value of options granted is 
recognised as an addition to fixed asset investments with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant 
date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of the 
options granted is measured using an evaluation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options 
were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of shares options that vest except 
where forfeiture is due only to share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.

Share appreciation rights are also granted by the Company to employees. The fair value of the amount payable to the employee 
is recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in liabilities. The fair value is initially measured at grant date and 
spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to payment. The fair value of the share 
appreciation rights is measured based on an option valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which 
the instruments were granted. The liability is remeasured at each Balance Sheet date and at settlement date and any changes  
in fair value recognised in profit and loss spread equally over the vesting period.

132

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201828. Accounting Policies continued
Share-Based Payment Transactions continued
Where the Company grants options over its own shares to the employees of its subsidiaries it recognises an increase in the  
cost of investment in its subsidiaries equivalent to the equity-settled share-based payment charge recognised in its subsidiary’s  
financial statements with the corresponding credit being recognised directly in equity. Amounts recharged to or reimbursed 
by the subsidiary are recognised as a reduction in the cost of investment in the subsidiary.

Own Shares Held by Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”)
Transactions of the Group sponsored EBT are included in the Group financial information. In particular, the trust’s purchase 
of shares in the Company are debited directly to equity.

29. Staff Numbers and Costs
The company pays no employees, salaries of the Directors of the Company, including Non-Executive Directors, as well as  
the Company Secretary are recharged to the Company from its subsidiary Cineworld Cinemas Ltd. Total salaries paid to  
Non-executive directors were $0.8m

30. Fixed Asset Investments

Company

Balance at 31 December 2017
Additions

Disposal
Share for share exchange
Impairments
Effects of movement in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2018

Net book value
At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2018

Shares in 
Group 
undertakings 
$m

 1,215.9
2,361.8

(1,246.3)
1,246.3
–
(238.6)

3,339.1

1,215.9

3,339.1

On 28 February 2018 the Company subscribed to 100% of the share capital of Crown UK HoldCo Limited for consideration of 
$2.4bn. On the same date it disposed of its investments held at 31 December 2017 to Crown UK HoldCo Limited in a share for 
share exchange increasing its investment in Crown UK HoldCo by $1.2bn to $3.3bn.

Cineworld Group Plc Fixed asset investments

Registered office

Principal activity

Class

% of shares 
held

Subsidiary undertakings

Directly held

Crown UK Holdco Limited

Indirectly Held

Cinema City Holding B.V.

Augustus 1 Limited

Cinema Finco 1 Limited

Cinema Finco 2 Limited

Cinema Finco 3 Limited

Cinema Finco 4 Limited

Cinema Finco 5 Limited

Cinema Finco 6 Limited

Cinema City Holdco  
(Hungary) K.F.T

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Holding Company

Ordinary

100

PO Box 1370 NL-3000 BJ Rotterdam  
The Netherlands

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,  
Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Ireland

8th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,  
Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Ireland

Holding Company

Ordinary

Holding Company

Ordinary

Financing Company Ordinary

Holding Company

Ordinary

8th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court, Harcourt 
Road, Dublin 2, Ireland

Financing Company Ordinary

8th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,  
Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Ireland

8th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,  
Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Ireland

8th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,  
Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Ireland

Financing Company Ordinary

Financing Company Ordinary

Financing Company Ordinary

1132 Budapest, Váci út 22-44

Financing Company Ordinary

Crown Intermediate Holdco. Inc

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Holding Company

Ordinary

Cineworld Hunco. Kft

1132 Budapest, Váci út 22-44

Holding Company

Ordinary

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

133

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

30. Fixed Asset Investments continued

Registered office

Principal activity

Class

% of shares 
held

Crown Finance US. Inc

Augustus 2 Limited

Cineworld Holdings Limited

Cine-UK Limited

Cineworld Cinemas  
Holdings Limited

Picturehouse Cinemas Limited

Cineworld Cinemas Limited

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Holding Company

Ordinary

Holding Company

Ordinary

Holding Company

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Holding Company

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Holding company  
and Cinema 
operations

Ordinary

Classic Cinemas Limited

Gallery Holdings Limited

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Retail services 
company

Ordinary

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Holding Company

Ordinary

Cineworld Estates Limited

8th Floor, Vantage London, Great West Road, 
Brentford, TW8 9AG

Cinema property 
leasing

Ordinary

Adelphi Carlton Limited

8th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,  
Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Ireland

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Basildon Cinema 2 Limited

2nd Floor, The Le Gallais Building, 54 Bath 
Street, St Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 1FW

Cinema property 
leasing

Ordinary

Basildon Cinema  
Number Two 2 Limited

2nd Floor, The Le Gallais Building, 54 Bath 
Street, St Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 1FW

Cinema operations

Bromley Cinema 2 Limited

2nd Floor, The Le Gallais Building, 54 Bath 
Street, St Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 1FW

Cinema operations

Empire Cinema 2 Limited

2nd Floor, The Le Gallais Building, 54 Bath 
Street, St Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 1FW

Cinema operations

Ordinary 
and 
preference

Ordinary 
and 
preference

Ordinary 
and 
preference

Hemel Hempstead  
Two Cinema 2 Limited

Poole Cinema 2 Limited

2nd Floor, The Le Gallais Building, 54 Bath 
Street, St Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 1FW

2nd Floor, The Le Gallais Building, 54 Bath 
Street, St Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 1FW

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary 
and 
preference

Newcastle Cinema 2 Limited

2nd Floor, The Le Gallais Building, 54 Bath 
Street, St Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 1FW

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cineworld South East  
Cinemas Limited

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Cineworld Elite Picture Theatre 
(Nottingham) Limited

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Gallery Cinemas Limited

Cineworld Cinema  
Properties Limited

Newman Online Limited

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Picturehouse Bookings Limited

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Picturehouse Entertainment 
Limited

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

Holding Company

Ordinary

Dormant

Ordinary

Dormant

Ordinary

Property company

Ordinary

Software 
development  
and provider

Ticket booking 
operations

Ordinary

Ordinary

Film distribution

Ordinary

134

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201830. Fixed Asset Investments continued

Registered office

Principal activity

Class

% of shares 
held

City Screen (SOA) Limited

CS (Exeter) Limited

City Screen (Stratford) Limited

City Screen (York) Limited

City Screen (Liverpool) Limited

CS (Brixton) Limited

CS (Norwich) Limited

City Screen (Brighton) Limited

Cinema City Finance (2017) B.V

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

8th Floor, Vantage London,  
Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9AG

PO Box 1370 NL-3000 BJ Rotterdam  
The Netherlands

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Cinema operations

Ordinary

Financing Company Ordinary

Seracus Limited

75 Prodromou Avenue, 1st Floor,  
Office 101 Strovolos, Nicosia 2063 Cyprus 

Holding company 

Ordinary 

I.T. Planet Advertising Ltd

91 Medinat Hayehudim, Herzelia, Israel

Dormant

Ordinary

Norma Film Limited 

91 Medinat Hayehudim, Herzelia, Israel 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Cinema Theatres Limited

91 Medinat Hayehudim, Herzelia, Israel 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Cinema-Phone Limited 

18 Haneviim, Haifa, Israel 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Forum Film Limited

91 Medinat Hayehudim, Herzelia, Israel 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

IT Magyar Cinema  
Moziüzemeltető és  
Filmforgalmazó K.F.T. 

1132 Budapest, Váci út 22-24 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Palace Cinemas Hungary K.F.T. 

1132 Budapest, Váci út 22-24 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Forum Hungary K.F.T. 

1132 Budapest, Váci út 22-24 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

New Age Cinema K.F.T. 

1132 Budapest, Váci út 22-24 

Advertising 

Ordinary 

Cinema City Romania SRL

Forum Film Romania SRL 

New Age Media Romania SRL

Cinema City Bulgaria EOOD 

Forum Film Bulgaria EOOD 

Cinema City Czech s.r.o. 

Forum Film Czech s.r.o. 

13 Ana Davila street, Sector 5,  
Bucharest 050491, Romania 

13 Ana Davila street, Sector 5,  
Bucharest 050491, Romania 

13 Ana Davila street, sector 5,  
Bucharest 050491, Romania

45 Bregalnitza Str, 5 floor  
Vazrajdane Region Sofia 1303, Bulgaria 

45 Bregalnitza Str, 4 floor  
Vazrajdane Region Sofia 1303, Bulgaria 

Arkalycká 951/3, 149 00 Praha 4,  
Czech Republic

Arkalycká 951/3, 149 00 Praha 4,  
Czech Republic 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Film distribution 

Ordinary 

99.75

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

99.75

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Film distribution 

Ordinary 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Film distribution 

Ordinary 

Cinema City Cinemas sp.Zoo

UL. Fosa 37 02-768 Warszawa Poland 

Group services

Ordinary 

All Job Poland sp.Zoo

Woloska 12 02-675 Warszawa, Poland 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

I.T. Poland Development 2003 sp. 
Zoo 

UL.Fosa 37 02-768 Warszawa Poland 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

New Age Media sp. Zoo 

UL. PowsiŃSka 31 02-903 Warszawa Poland  Advertising 

Ordinary 

Cinema City Poland sp. Zoo CC 
spolka komandytowa.

UL. Fosa 37 02-768 Warszawa Poland 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Northfleet sp. Zoo

UL. Fosa 37 02-768 Warszawa Poland

General partner 

Ordinary 

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

90

100 

100 

99 

99 

100

100

100

100

100 

100

135

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

30. Fixed Asset Investments continued

Cinema City Poland CC sp. Zoo

UL. Fosa 37 02-768 Warszawa Poland

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

Forum Film Poland CC Sp. Zoo Woloska 12 02-675 Warszawa, Poland

Film distribution 

Ordinary 

Registered office

Principal activity

Class

% of shares 
held

100

100

Cinema City Slovakia s.r.o. 

Einsteinova 20, 851 01 Bratislava, Slovakia 

Cinema operations  Ordinary 

99.98

Forum Film Slovakia s.r.o. 

Einsteinova 20, 851 01 Bratislava, Slovakia 

Film distribution 

Ordinary 

A 3 Theatres of San Antonio, Ltd 

A 3 Theatres of Texas, Inc. 

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Digital Cinema Implementation 
Partners, LLC.

100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 505 
Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

Cinebarre, LLC 

Consolidated Theatres 
Management, L.L.C. 

Crown Theatre Corporation 

Eastgate Theatre, Inc. 

Edwards Theatres, Inc. 

Frederick Plaza Cinemas, Inc. 

Great Escape LLC 

Great Escape of Nitro, LLC 

Great Escape of O’Fallon, LLC 

Great Escape Theatres, LLC 

Great Escape Theatres  
of Bowling Green, LLC 

Great Escape Theatres  
of Harrisburg, LLC 

Great Escape LaGrange LLC 

Great Escape Theatres  
of Lebanon, LLC 

Great Escape Theatres  
of New Albany, LLC 

Hollywood Theatres, Inc. 

Hollywood Theatres III, Inc. 

Hoyts Cinemas Corporation 

Interstate Theatres Corporation 

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Lois Business Development 
Corporation 

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

McIntosh Properties LLC 

Next Generation Network, Inc. 

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Pacific Rim Business  
Development Corporation

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

136

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

85

100

100

Projector Leasing

Ordinary

48.7

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Dormant

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Dormant

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Dormant

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201830. Fixed Asset Investments continued

Registered office

Principal activity

Class

% of shares 
held

Palace Suite, Inc. 

R and S Theatres, Inc. 

Ragains Enterprises LLC 

RAM/UA-KOP, LLC 

R.C.Cobb, Inc. 

R.C.Cobb II, LLC 

RCI/FSSC, LLC 

RCI/RMS, LLC 

Regal/Cinebarre Holdings, LLC 

Regal Cinemas Corporation 

Regal Cinemas Holdings, Inc 

Regal Cinemas, Inc. 

Regal Cinemas II, LLC 

Regal CineMedia Corporation 

Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC 

Regal/DCIP Holdings, LLC 

Regal Distribution, LLC 

Regal Distribution Holdings, LLC 

Regal Entertainment Group

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Dormant

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Dormant

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Gift promotions

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Film Distribution

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Regal Entertainment Holdings, Inc. 101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  

Holding company

Ordinary 

Regal Entertainment  
Holdings II, LLC

Regal Gallery Place, LLC 

Regal Investment Company 

Regal Licensing, LLC

Regal Paramus Park, LLC

Regal Stratford, Inc. 

Richmond I Cinema, L.L.C. 

San Francisco Theatres, Inc. 

TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Holding company

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

100

51

100

50

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

99

100

100

80

137

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

30. Fixed Asset Investments continued

Registered office

Principal activity

Class

% of shares 
held

Siam UATC Company Limited

United Artists Theatre Company

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

United Artists Theatre Circuit, Inc.  101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

United Artists Theatre  
Circuit II, Inc. 

United Artists Realty Company

United Artists Properties I Corp.

Vogue Realty Company

United Stonestown Corporation

UA Shore LLC

UA Swansea. LLC

Valeene Cinemas LLC

Wallace Theatre Holdings, Inc.

Wallace Theatres – Guam.

Wallace Theatres – Saipan, Inc.

13th Avenue Partners, LLC

Cinemas Associates, LLC

TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema property 
leasing

Cinema property 
leasing

Cinema property 
leasing

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Holding company

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary

Cinema Operation

Ordinary

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Oklahoma Warren Theatres II, LLC 101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

TN 37920, United States

Oklahoma Warren Theatres, LLC 101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Regal/Atom Holdings, LLC

The Movie Machine, LLC

Warren Oklahoma Theatres, Inc.

TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Restaurant Row Business 
Development Corp 

101 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville,  
TN 37920, United States

Holding company

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Cinema Operation

Ordinary 

Dormant

Ordinary

During 2018 and 2017, no impairments were recognised in respect of investments in directly held subsidiaries. 

10

100

100

100

100

100

50

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

138

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201831. Financial Assets at Amortised Cost

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

32. Other Receivables

Interest rate swaps

33. Interest-Bearing Loans, Borrowings and Other Financial Liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Unsecured bank loan, less issue costs of debt to be amortised

Current liabilities
Unsecured bank loans, less issue costs of debt to be amortised

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

738.8

490.9

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

–

0.2

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

–

–

–

–

425.9

425.9

15.4

15.4

During the period the Group and Company restructured its debt facilities. See Note 19 to the Consolidated financial statements 
for further details of interest-bearing loans, borrowings and other financial liabilities. 

34. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings
Accruals

31 December 
2018  
$m

31 December 
2017  
$m

388.4
3.0

391.4

162.3
1.2

163.5

Fair Values
Fair value disclosures for debtors and creditors have not been prepared on the basis that their carrying amount is a reasonable 
approximation to fair value.

35. Share-Based Payments
See Note 21 to the Consolidated financial statements.

139

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Part II: Corporate Governance Part III: Financial Statements Part I: Strategic Report  
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Directors
A H Bloom
M Greidinger
I Greidinger
N Cohen
R Teperberg
R Senat
C Galano
A Kornasiewicz*
D Moore
S Rosenblum
A Samuelsson
J Southern

(Non-Executive Director and Chairman)
(Chief Executive Officer)
(Deputy Chief Executive Officer)
(Chief Financial Officer)
(Chief Commercial Officer)
(Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)

* Alicja Kornasiewicz became Deputy Chair on 16 January 2019

Joint Brokers
Barclays Bank Plc 
1 Churchill Place 
London E14 5HP

Investec Bank plc 
2 Gresham Street 
London EC2V 7QP

Legal Advisors to the Company
Slaughter and May 
1 Bunhill Row 
London EC1Y 8YY

Head Office
8th Floor 
Vantage London 
Great West Road 
Brentford TW8 9AG

Telephone Number
020 8987 5000

Website
www.cineworldplc.com

Place of Incorporation
England and Wales

Company Number
Registered Number: 5212407

Registered Office
8th Floor 
Vantage London 
Great West Road 
Brentford TW8 9AG

Final Dividend – 2018
Announcement
Ex Dividend
Record Date
Payment Date

14 March 2019
13 June 2019
14 June 2019
5 July 2019

Auditor 
KPMG LLP 
15 Canada Square 
London E14 5GL

140

Cineworld Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consultancy, design and production
www.luminous.co.uk

Design and production

www.luminous.co.uk

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CINEWORLD GROUP PLC
8th Floor 
Vantage London 
Great West Road 
Brentford TW8 9AG 
020 8987 5000

www.cineworldplc.com