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FY2012 Annual Report · Clarkson
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Clarkson PLC 
St. Magnus House 
3 Lower Thames Street 
London EC3R 6HE 
+44 (0) 20 7334 0000

www.clarksons.com

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Clarkson PLC Annual Report 2012

 
 
 
 
 
InvEstIng In  
thE futurE
Economic conditions around 
the globe continue to affect 
the shipping industry. 
Despite the tough environment, 
we have continued to invest 
in our business to ensure we 
retain our position as the global 
market leader.

Principal trading offices

United Kingdom
London
Registered office  
Clarkson PLC 
St. Magnus House 
3 Lower Thames Street 
London 
EC3R 6HE 
United Kingdom
Registered number: 1190238
Contact: Andi Case 
Tel: +44 20 7334 0000 
www.clarksons.com
Ipswich
Maritime House 
19a St. Helens Street 
Ipswich 
IP4 1HE 
United Kingdom
Contact: David Rumsey 
Tel: +44 1473 297321
Ledbury
15 The Homend 
Ledbury  
Herefordshire 
HR8 1BN 
United Kingdom
Contact: Shaun Sturge 
Tel: +44 1531 634 561
Aberdeen
56–58 Bon Accord Street 
Aberdeen 
Aberdeenshire 
AB11 6EL 
United Kingdom
Contact: Kathy Gay 
Tel: +44 1224 576 900
70 St Clement Street 
Aberdeen 
Aberdeenshire 
AB11 5BD 
United Kingdom
Contact: Donald Grant 
Tel: +44 1224 211 500
Australia
Brisbane
PO Box 2592 
Wellington Point 
Brisbane 
QLD 4160 
Australia
Contact: John Coburn 
Tel: +61 7 3822 4660
Melbourne 
Level 12 
636 St Kilda Road 
Melbourne 
VIC 3004 
Australia
Contact: Ronny Kilian/Murray Swan 
Tel: +61 3 9867 6800
Perth
Level 10 
16 St Georges Terrace 
Perth 
WA 6000 
Australia
Contact: Mark Rowland 
Tel: +61 8 6210 8700 

China
hong Kong
3209-3214 Sun Hung Kai Centre 
30 Harbour Road 
Wanchai 
Hong Kong
Contact: Martin Rowe 
Tel: +852 2866 3111
shanghai
Room 2603–2605 
Wheelock Square 
Shanghai 
China 
200040
Contact: Cheng Yu Wang 
Tel: +86 21 6103 0100
Germany
Johannisbollwerk 20, 5. fl 
Hamburg 
20459 
Germany
Contact: Jan Aldag 
Tel: +49 40 3197 66 110
Greece
62 Kiffissias Avenue 
15125 Marousi 
Greece
Contact: George Margaronis 
Tel: +30 210 458 6700
India
124–125 Rectangle 1 
D–4 Saket Business District 
New Delhi 
110017 
India
Contact: Amit Mehta 
Tel: +91 11 4777 4444
Italy
Piazza Rossetti 3A 
16129 Genoa 
Italy
Contact: Massimo Dentice 
Tel: +39 0 10 55401
Norway
Godt Haab 
Strandveien 50 
N–1366 Lysaker 
Norway
Contact: Jakob Tolstrup-Møller/ Karl Ekerholt 
Tel: +47 67 10 2300
Singapore
8 Shenton Way 
# 23–01 Temasek Tower 
Singapore 068811
Contact: Giles Lane/Ken Michie 
Tel: +65 6 339 0036
South Africa
Heron House 
33 Wessel Road 
Rivonia 
Johannesburg 2128 
South Africa
Contact: Simon Lester 
Tel: +27 11 803 0008

Switzerland
Rue de la Fontaine 1 
1204 
Geneva 
Switzerland
Contact: David Collins 
Tel: +41 22 308 9900
United Arab Emirates
Office 2604 
Reef Tower 
Jumeirah Lakes Towers 
Sheikh Zayed Road 
Dubai 
UAE 
PO Box 102929
Contact: Esam Balla 
Tel: +971 4 450 9400
USA
houston
1333 West Loop South 
Suite 1525 
Houston 
Texas 77027 
USA
Contact: Roger Horton 
Tel: +1 713 235 7400
new York
597 Fifth Avenue 
8th Floor 
New York 
NY 10017 
USA
Contact: John Sinders 
Tel: +1 212 796 4400

This annual report is printed on HannoArt silk. Both the paper  
mill and printer involved in the production support the growth of 
responsible forest management and are both accredited to ISO 
14001 which specifies a process for continuous environmental 
improvement and both are FSC® certified. If you have finished  
reading this report and no longer wish to retain it, please pass  
it on to other interested readers or dispose of it in your recycled  
paper waste. 

Thank you.

This report is available at:  
www.clarksons.com

What’s in this report

Our business
04 
 Group performance
05  Chairman’s review
08  Chief executive’s review
12  Business review

12  Divisional performance
14  Broking
22  Financial
24  Support
25  Research
26  Financial review

27  Risk management

Our governance
30  Board of directors
32  Report of the directors
35  Corporate governance statement
39  Directors’ remuneration report

40  Policy report
45 

Implementation report
49  Statement of directors’ responsibilities
50 

Independent auditors’ report

Our accounts
51  Consolidated income statement
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56  Notes to the financial statements

 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
 Consolidated and parent company balance sheets
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity
 Parent company statement of changes in equity
 Consolidated and parent company cash flow statements

Other information
89  Glossary
92  Five year financial summary
IBC  Principal trading offices

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

1

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InvestIng tO  
expand Our 
glObal reach

We ensure we have the capability to match the ever changing 
movement in where business is being done and to make sure we 
have the right geographical spread of business. This year will mark 
25 years since Clarksons opened an office in Hong Kong, ten years 
since we opened in Houston and five years of having a presence 
in Hamburg. This spread of offices, recently expanded with the 
opening of Amsterdam, underlines our global footprint.

35offices in 

15 countries

hOustOn

haMburg

hOng KOng

2

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationAnnual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

3

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationOur business
Our governance
Our accounts
Other information

Group performance

REVENUE

REVENUE STERLING EQUIVALENT

US$280.7m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

£176.2m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

US$m

280.7

313.3

312.6

277.2

460.5

PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION*

PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION**

£20.4m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

£23.3m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

£m

20.4

32.2

32.4

22.5

39.2

DIVIDEND PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE**

51p

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

87.2p

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

pence

51

50

47

43

42

* Before exceptional item and acquisition costs

** After exceptional item and acquisition costs

£m

176.2

194.6

202.6

176.7

250.3

£m

23.3

35.4

32.4

22.5

18.2

pence

87.2

134.1

125.4

90.0

41.9

4

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 
 
 
 
Chairman’s review

“ challenging times present 
opportunities and our history 
has taught us to be prepared 
for the future, whatever the 
current conditions.”

Clarksons can trace its history back 
160 years, but few eras have been as 
challenging for the shipping industry as 
the one we are currently experiencing. 
The depressed global macroeconomic 
situation, uncertainty caused by the 
Euro-crisis and a difficult debt market 
have conspired with natural issues, 
including droughts in the US last year, 
to produce a gloomy backdrop for 
the sector.

These difficult conditions put pressure 
on all businesses and these results 
show that Clarksons is not immune. 
However, we remain convinced that 
our strategy of building a broad-based 
business with a global footprint, which 
provides services which add real value 
to clients, works and our continuing 
increases in market share bears 
this out. 

Some parts of our broking business 
have inevitably felt the impact of falling 
rates and asset values, but others have 
registered good growth. Financial 
operations have felt the double hit of 
start-up costs and low deal flow, but 
we continue to lay the foundations for 
the future. Our rapidly growing support 
and world-leading research divisions 
have both performed strongly.

All employees have worked hard to 
achieve these results, but management 
realises that when the market offers 
little help, focus on costs and improving 
efficiency within the business are key. 

Control of costs is always important, 
but comforted by our strong balance 
sheet we also continue to invest in our 
strategy. We recruit and develop the 
best people, give them the best 
technology to do their job and provide 
them with the best support network. 
This gives us the tools to service clients, 
develop our business and deliver value 
to investors. 

Results
Underlying profit before tax of £20.4m 
(2011: £32.2m) was lower than the 
previous year, resulting from challenging 
market conditions. The underlying 
earnings per share was 76.8p 
(2011: 121.5p).

Basic earnings per share of 87.2p 
(2011: 134.1p) include the exceptional 
receipt of a legal settlement of £4.5m 
(2011: £3.2m reimbursed legal fees), 
and acquisition costs of £1.6m 
(2011: £nil). 

Dividend
I am delighted that for the tenth 
successive year we have been able 
to raise our dividend payment.

The board is recommending a final 
dividend of 33p (2011: 32p). The interim 
dividend was 18p (2011: 18p) giving 
a total dividend of 51p (2011: 50p). 
The dividend is covered 1.7 times.

The dividend will be payable on 7 June 
2013 to shareholders on the register 
as at 24 May 2013, subject to 
shareholder approval.

Future
Although there are few signs of 
improvement in the shipping markets 
as we begin 2013, we remain confident 
in our strategy and our ability to offer 
the best service to our clients. 
Challenging times present opportunities 
and our history has taught us to be 
prepared for the future, whatever the 
current conditions.

bob benton Chairman

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

5

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther information6

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Other information Our accounts Our governanceInvestIng tO 
extend Our 
MarKet share

We continue to develop our services and equip Team Clarksons 
with the right tools to help our clients and remain at the forefront of 
the industry. The breadth and depth of our offer continues to raise 
the bar in the industry and as a result we have increased market 
share and secured new clients during 2012. As the world’s leading 
shipping services group we will continue to position ourselves 
for growth.

884cargo types carried on vessels 

fixed by Clarksons

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

7

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationChief executive’s review

“ Investment is a vital 
ingredient of our strategy 
to enhance our position as 
global leader in our markets 
and we are investing to 
ensure we get the right 
people, the best technology 
and products and the right 
worldwide footprint.”

Strategic positioning
Last year the shipping markets 
remained significantly, and in some 
cases increasingly, challenged, with the 
market still seeking to recalibrate after 
the turmoil initiated by the financial 
crisis and the actual shrinkage of 
seaborne trade that followed in 2009 
– the first time we had seen real 
contraction since 1983. Whilst the 
volume of seaborne trade returned 
to growth in 2010 and has continued 
to grow ever since, the new vessels 
ordered in the preceding strong 
markets have continued to deliver 
over the past few years. Consequently, 
even with substantial slippage and 
cancellations, delivery of vessels from 
shipyards has been at a significantly 
faster rate than the demolition of 
tonnage. In 2012 seaborne trade grew 
by approximately 4.5% (2011: 4.3%), 
but this was not enough to 
counterbalance the net fleet growth 
of 6.0% (2011: 8.7%). 

Whilst 2012 did not therefore quite 
achieve a rebalance of demand/ 
supply, it did mark some significant 
milestones. Firstly 2012 was a record 
year for the demolition of vessels and 
secondly, for the first time in more than 
ten years demolition exceeded the 
contracting of new tonnage. 

8

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

Lower results from our broking division 
were symptomatic of the weakness 
of a market not helped by further 
uncertainty in the global economic 
outlook. Some markets have therefore 
experienced the worst freight 
environment since the 1980s, which 
has had an inevitable impact on 
Clarksons’ overall financial results. 

Due to a lack of available trade finance 
combined with continued weak freight 
rates and thus asset values, the market 
has not surprisingly seen lower sale 
and purchase volumes, which has 
meant lower revenues earned from this 
activity within the group. However we 
are pleased to report that, overall within 
our broking division we have still 
managed to grow volume and secure 
new clients across the group, which 
further reflects the hard work, 
professionalism, skills and unflagging 
enthusiasm of all in Team Clarksons. 
The successful execution of our 
strategy remains key, and within the 
overall result there were some bright 
areas, such as gas, specialised 
products, offshore and demolition. 
In these market conditions we believe 
it is more important than ever to support 
our clients, and we have continued to 
invest to push forward the unrivalled 
breadth and depth of our offer which 
we believe continues to raise the bar 
in the industry. 

However, the progress made in some 
parts of our business was not enough 
to compensate for weaker 
performances by others, particularly 
our investment in our financial division. 
Tough market conditions have been 
a feature of our industry in recent times 
and while Clarksons has always 
recognised the discipline of cost 
control, this becomes even more 
essential in troubled times. We have 
made hard decisions and will continue 
to focus on this area while ensuring we 
support our strategy through carefully 
targeted investment.

Our financial division faced much 
tougher challenges than other parts 
of the group, entering new markets at 
a difficult time, with low liquidity of deals 
for the same reasons facing the sale 
and purchase market, but also 
interestingly at a time where much 
bigger financial institutions without the 
same client interaction are leaving the 
market. The division’s losses reflected 
the start-up costs of our equity sales 
and trading operation in New York but 
were mainly due to the continued lack 
of deal flow in the sector. Accordingly 
we have refocused financial services 
to improve efficiency, addressing cost 
issues and closing our Dubai office. 

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationFor example, we closed our office in 
Sydney and are reducing our presence 
in South Africa.

The world today has an ever increased 
need for transparency and corporate 
governance. Our investment in people 
and systems has not been exclusively 
in the revenue areas of the business, 
but also in human resources, legal 
services and in the roll-out of our own 
advanced accounting systems, all of 
which help to add rigour to our systems 
whilst at the same time answering the 
needs of clients, management and 
employees alike. Ensuring that 
Clarksons is run as efficiently as 
possible is an essential element of 
meeting our commitment to deliver 
value to all our shareholders. To have 
achieved these improvements whilst 
also reducing our administration costs 
last year underlines that commitment 
and is testament to our strategy.

Current trading and outlook
As we enter 2013 spot remains the 
predominant market and this has 
reduced our forward visibility on 
income. However, with more ships on 
the water our ability to earn increasing 
spot revenues should go some way to 
mitigating this situation. In the short to 
medium term once markets start to 
see a glimmer of an increase in rates 
they will start to take off again.

The demand/supply imbalance, which 
we have consistently highlighted for 
several years, will in each market 
correct itself in its own time. The 
existing fleet, especially the older fleet, 
is not only impacted by oversupply 
pressure but also by the introduction 
of new design vessels, with reduced 
bunker consumption levels, which is 
assisting the scrapping rate of older 
tonnage. Further, at a time when low 
sulphur emissions are coming into 
clearer focus, the challenges set by 
changing regulation are likely to put 
further pressure on the older fleet.

We believe this is the right time to 
be developing our strengths, thereby 
enabling us to deliver in a market area 
where the board sees real opportunity. 
We obviously have unrivalled client 
interaction across the industry and the 
need for good information and analysis 
within both debt and equity markets is 
clear. Clarksons is attracting clients in 
both areas due to the strength of its 
expertise and contacts.

In our port services business the 
EnShip acquisition has delivered greater 
than expected synergies and this area 
remains a focus with an excellent 
platform for organic and acquisitive 
growth. Research continues to 
produce excellent results and remains 
at the core of everything we do in the 
business. We have seen in particular 
growth in our services business in 
terms of consultancy in shipping and 
offshore and in our valuations business. 
We are continuing to invest in 
technology in this area to create new 
mechanisms for client solutions and 
reduce production costs.

Investment is a vital ingredient of our 
strategy to enhance our position as 
global leader in our markets and we 
are investing more than ever before 
to ensure we get the right people, the 
best technology and products and the 
right worldwide footprint. Investment in 
people has always been key, especially 
when ensuring we have the right 
geographical and business spread. 
Not only have we hired exceptional 
senior talent, but we have continued 
to expand our extensive training 
programmes as we develop a whole 
new generation of industry professionals. 
We also believe in giving our teams the 
best tools for the trade, and our IT 
department works across the business 
to create bespoke platforms and to 
develop cutting edge tools. 

We have the capability to match the 
ever changing movement in where 
business is done and while that 
means expanding in some markets – 
Singapore is now the second largest 
office in the group – we have also 
taken strategic decisions on offices 
where it makes sense to downsize 
or relocate assets. 

Debt shortage is likely to remain 
an issue for the industry, not helped 
as European banks continue to 
deleverage, but this offers opportunities 
for Clarksons, particularly within our 
financial division.

This year will mark 25 years since 
Clarksons opened an office in Hong 
Kong, ten years since we opened in 
Houston and five years of having a 
presence in Hamburg. This spread 
of offices, recently expanded with the 
opening of Amsterdam, underlines our 
global footprint, but that geographical 
presence is just one way we can help 
clients meet the challenges of their 
business and the markets. Clarksons 
will continue to invest to develop its 
service and equip ourselves with the 
right tools to help clients and to remain 
at the forefront of the industry. As the 
world’s leading shipping services group 
we will continue to position ourselves 
for growth.

We are confident Clarksons will meet 
the market challenges, with a proven 
strategy, a sound balance sheet, 
investment in our world leading 
services and a commitment to 
deliver shareholder value.

andi case Chief executive

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

9

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationInvestIng In 
technOlOgY

Investing in the right tools to service our clients is crucial and 
these range from IT which enables departments to create 
bespoke platforms, to the development of cutting edge research 
tools. World leading technology combined with the best teams 
and the best support network ensures that we are at the forefront 
of our industry.  

captured in 2012  bn1

vessel data points 

10

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationAnnual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

11

Our businessOther informationOur accountsOur governanceDivisional performance

clarksons is the world’s leading provider of 
integrated shipping services and our network 
of offices across five continents gives us 
unrivalled strength in depth. the breadth 
of our business, covering all types of freight 
and vessel, proved invaluable in what was 
yet another turbulent year for the shipping 
industry. More than ever in these challenging 
markets clients need support from a provider 
they can trust and which can offer a full range 
of services. 
The global economic slowdown and the uncertainty 
caused by the Euro-crisis had an inevitable impact 
on our broking business. Freight rates remained 
under pressure and the spot market retained its 
predominance as the demand/supply imbalance 
of recent years continued. However, our business 
model once again proved itself adaptable and we 
were able to deliver robust performances in several 
sectors and gain market shares.
Our financial division faced an extremely tough 
environment, but we have continued to strengthen 
relationships and develop our offer to appeal to 
clients still faced with difficult banking markets. 
Organic and acquisitive growth lifted our support 
division which now offers an expanded level of 
service. Finally, Clarksons’ world class research 
and analysis teams delivered strong growth on 
continued demand for its market-leading products 
which underpin our activities across the company.

12

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationOur business
Our governance
Our accounts
Other information

REVENUE

SEGMENT RESULTS

Total: £176.2m

Research 9.2

Support 16.0

Financial 5.3

Broking 145.7

brOKIng
Clarksons’ shipbroking services are unrivalled 
for the number and calibre of brokers, breadth 
of market coverage, geographical spread and 
depth of intelligence resources.

REVENUE

US$232.1m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Total: £22.3m

Broking

Financial

Support

Research

FInancIal
Clarksons caters for the financial services needs of 
the maritime, offshore and energy related markets.

REVENUE

US$8.4m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

US$m

232.1

263.4

261.7

218.2

355.7

£m

25.2

(9.9)

4.2

2.8

US$m

8.4

19.5

17.3

23.4

62.4

suppOrt
Clarksons is engaged in port, agency and associated 
services worldwide.

research
Clarkson Research Services is recognised throughout the 
maritime world as the most comprehensive and reliable 
information provider.

REVENUE

£16.0m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

REVENUE

£9.2m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

£m

16.0

10.8

14.8

16.0

17.0

£m

9.2

8.1

7.0

6.7

6.1

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

13

brOKIng

clarksons’ shipbroking 
services are unrivalled 
for the number and 
calibre of brokers, 
breadth of market 
coverage, geographical 
spread and depth of 
intelligence resources.

revenue

us$232.1m
2011: us$263.4m

segMent result

£25.2m
2011: £35.9m

FOrward Order bOOK FOr 2013

us$81m*
at 31 december 2011 
for 2012: us$91m*

* Directors’ best estimates of deliverable FOB

Containers
Projects
With significant pressure on charter 
rates throughout the year and a lack 
of long-term fixtures at sustainable 
levels especially for existing tonnage, 
there was very little activity in the 
Containership Projects – S&P Markets 
for larger modern vessels.

With many banks having problems 
in their container debt portfolio, debt 
availability seriously impacted the 
broader container sale and purchase 
activity. Liquidity on secondhand sales 
was thus centred on older and smaller 
units which traditional cash buyers 
continued to pick up at levels in line 
with ‘scrap plus’ depending on survey 
and delivery positions. Regional 
operators were also attracted by 
smaller and older units which could be 
secured at scrap related levels. South 
East Asian buyers especially, picked up 
a lot of tonnage specific to their trade 
patterns and requirements.

Throughout the year there was an 
increasing focus on the fuel efficiency 
of new designs compared to existing 
designs and with the order book now 
down to the lowest levels since 2004 
and new contracting even down to 
2002 levels, there is beginning to be an 
increased appetite to secure positions 
for these modern vessels, with the 
main challenge being finance.

Dry bulk
The dry bulk market reflected the 
slowdown in most economies 
worldwide and the uncertainty 
surrounding the Euro-crisis. Growth in 
dry bulk seaborne trade slowed from 
5% (2011) to 3.4% (2012). Third 
quarter economic activity in China 
came under intensified pressure due to 
the negative sentiment created by the 
Euro-crisis and the looming US ‘fiscal 
cliff’. The worst droughts in the US in 
56 years added to the disappointing 
trade levels as seasonal grain volumes 
declined substantially.

While trade volume growth slowed, dry 
bulk newbuilding deliveries continued 
robustly, resulting in a year-end net fleet 
growth of 10.2%. The resulting 
imbalance between trade and fleet 
growth exerted severe downward 
pressure on freight rates which led to 
a year-on-year decline in the Baltic Dry 
Index of 43.4%.

Clarksons has once again delivered 
on its commitment to grow volumes 
and market share throughout 2012. 
Regional consolidation strategies 
continued to be implemented and 
seeds sown in Australia and South 
East Asia especially, are adding to 
the strength of our team in this region. 
Expansion in North Africa and India 
further strengthened our footprint in the 
Middle East which is benefiting from 
the rapid growth in coal, fertiliser and 
aggregates trade. 

The market will continue to struggle 
with the impact of oversupply. 
However, planned increasing in cargo 
volumes and continued growth in 
demand is fundamental to our 
long-term belief in this sector.

14

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationBusiness reviewDeep sea
In keeping with the three previous 
years, 2012 proved to be a challenging 
freight market for deep sea tankers. 
However, in difficult markets the various 
desks performed well and either 
maintained or strengthened their 
market positions. The crude oil markets 
saw improvements in VLCCs, the 
largest of the vessels, which were offset 
by reductions in other sectors including 
the second largest suezmaxes. The 
refined products market was equally 
confused with the relative returns from 
larger product carriers counterbalanced 
by reductions in the busier medium-
sized market known as MRs. There is 
undoubtedly reason for future optimism 
as freight rates in certain sectors 
cannot fall much further, and whenever 
a more buoyant market does return we 
remain well placed to maximise returns 
from our market leading position. This 
pre-eminent position is consolidated by 
our investment in research and 
analysis, at a time when there is a great 
deal of change in both the trade flow 
of crude and refined products, aligned 
with our global approach and constant 
improvements in the information and 
technology side of our business. The 
best teams, working with the best tools 
and the best support network is a 
business plan that cannot be replicated 
by our competitors in such challenging 
conditions.

Chartering
Seaborne trade in containers has been 
the strongest sector in shipping for 
the past 40 years, but last year’s 
growth rate slowed to 3.5%. As a 
consequence 2012 performed flat 
which was in line with expectations. 
While there was no immediate signs 
of the much sought after recovery, the 
continued reduction in the order book 
means we are closer to seeing a 
recovery in rates. The liner companies 
managed to implement some freight 
improvement by concerted restraint 
and prudent management of existing 
assets whether owned or time 
chartered. This did mean that time 
charter levels remained borderline for 
owners in most sizes of vessels, but 
post panamax tonnage stood out in 
that rates held up much better in spite 
of there being a reasonable supply of 
re-let tonnage.

For 2013 the first step will be for the 
lines to build again on the freight 
increases they managed in the last few 
months. Preliminary estimates point 
towards 6–7% trade growth in 2013.

Clarksons’ team performed solidly 
during the last 12 months. Importantly 
our market coverage increased and our 
fixture volumes grew again, in part as 
a result of broker panel appointments, 
but also as a direct benefit of new 
personnel building on our existing 
team. While our spot performance 
was encouraging, there was still a lack 
of longer term fixing to underpin the 
results, a feature of the market as a 
whole, with the lines eschewing longer 
term commitment and happy to fix 
short with optionality. The signs are that 
this may not continue ad infinitum, so 
we are well placed for when they do 
start locking in more efficient tonnage 
for longer periods.

Geneva, Houston, Singapore and Delhi 
all continue to consolidate positions in 
their respective markets and we have 
now commenced a deep sea operation 
in our Dubai office. Deep sea enters 
2013 with over supply of tonnage 
conspiring with a very weak global 
economy – clearly a far from ideal 
scenario. Nevertheless, the experience 
of our various global teams combined 
with our investment in new people and 
training means that deep sea will meet 
these challenges head on, while 
preparing for the market to improve. 

A clear strategy has been established 
and the whole team globally is working 
on its implementation. We feel sure 
that, however difficult the short term 
might prove to be, there are and will 
continue to be exciting and profitable 
business opportunities which Clarksons’ 
best in class status will help us access.

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

15

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationBusiness review continued

brOKIng CONTINUED

Specialised products
Clarksons’ specialised products 
entered 2012 in a robust position, 
considering the undertones across 
the sector.

A state of supply/demand equilibrium 
is now at least within sight, largely due 
to restraint in placing new orders in 
recent times by owners and financiers. 
While the overall order book remains at 
meagre levels, it should be noted that 
a select few of the most prominent 
owners have opted to part-replace 
their fleets by placing orders at Chinese 
yards. Previous perceptions of low cost 
barriers to entry led to over ordering of 
tonnage by non-sector specialists and 
as a result over supply continues to 
persist to some degree. Despite there 
being considerable investor interest in 
specialised products tonnage, there is 
still quite a lot of distress in the owning 
market and a realisation that due to the 
contract nature of this market, there are 
further barriers to entry which has limited 
the number of new orders placed. 

While economic uncertainty and 
consequent volatility has remained a 
bugbear to these markets, especially 
in the Western world, the emerging 
nations continue to power trade in 
today’s two-speed world. China’s 
commercial downshift impacted 
volume growth in the earlier part 
of the year, although we have seen 
renewed optimism for the future 
as the year progressed. 

A number of the more established 
owners within this sector continue to 
seek opportunities to absorb capacity 
from those in a distressed position in 
order to obtain the potential efficiencies 
of building a critical mass of tonnage. 
The majority of comparable contracts 
of affreightment (COA) have been 
renewed at increased levels, although 
spot freight markets have typically 
traded in a tight range throughout the 
year. The seasonality experienced in 
the latter part of 2012, involving an 
upswing on a select few arterial routes, 
has not been as extreme as the short 
lived spike at the end of 2011, and a 
number of potential upcoming statutory 
and regulatory requirements look set to 
suppress margins for a number of 
market participants.

Nevertheless, the long-term outlook 
for the specialised products market 
continues to be healthy. At present, 
fleet growth looks set to decline further 
and this, coupled with steady seaborne 
trade volume growth across the diverse 
basket of cargoes that is specialised 
products, paints a rosier picture for the 
year ahead. Continued strategic shifts 
within the Middle East region, together 
with the emerging ‘game-changer’ that 
is shale gas, should act as a further 
catalyst for our markets.

Clarksons has once again proven itself 
as the market leader and further grown 
volume in the sector.

16

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information2013 poses challenges for the gas 
markets as additional vessels enter the 
fleet, at first outpacing the expected 
growth in trade. This threatens to 
keep rates under pressure until the 
expansion in export capacity from US 
terminals starts to provide a stimulus 
later in the year. Focus in 2013 will be 
on reinforcing our existing areas of 
activity and capturing emerging 
markets in Asia and the US which 
herald change and growth 
opportunities in the next few years.

Petrochemical gases 
and small LPG
2012 was challenging for both 
producers and owners, with market 
conditions softening as the year 
developed. Seaborne petrochemical 
shipments, as expected, registered 
a year-on-year reduction. Combined 
with sanctions in Iran, this resulted 
in increased vessel availability, which 
raised idle time and ballast legs. That 
said, the market saw an increased 
demand for longer haul petrochemicals, 
notably in C4s, where the traders 
utilised economies of scale on the 
larger semi-refs to the detriment 
of the smaller units. 

The European pressure carrier market, 
traditionally a timecharter market, came 
under severe pressure which was not 
helped by the rationalisation of refinery 
capacity in Europe. As a consequence, 
players were renewing term cover, 
adding length to the market and 
reducing timecharter rate expectations. 
However, the Asian market held up 
fairly well, albeit the fleet is mostly 
utilised for petchems rather than 
LPG trade.

Many factors influence the fortunes 
of the petrochemical gas sector. 
With that caveat, trade volumes are 
likely to contract overall and long haul 
movements are likely to underpin the 
market before newbuildings add to 
vessel supply as the year progresses. 

Gas
2012 saw a strong performance 
in all areas of activity resulting in 
an improvement in the number of 
transactions concluded across the 
vessel sizes and success recorded 
with a variety of new key customers. 
The freight markets were unspectacular 
with VLGC rates averaging little better 
than 2011 albeit with more pronounced 
volatility. The smaller LGC, Mid and 
handysize vessel segments were more 
stable and better performing although 
less liquid. Nevertheless, the number 
of deals brokered in most sectors 
increased, including our success in 
the ammonia trades which forms an 
important part of our activity in these 
segments. Most significant was the 
improved penetration achieved in LPG 
commodity brokerage which benefited 
from a more structured approach to 
that side of our business. 

There were some industry setbacks 
during the year, namely the virtual 
extinction of gas exports from Iran 
as a result of sanctions. This seriously 
impacted tonne-mile demand for 
VLGCs and other vessels together 
with ongoing technical issues affecting 
exports from some African countries. 
Despite this we managed to grow 
market share in all geographical 
areas. Our brokerage presence was 
reinforced in Asia and Europe with 
further plans under consideration in 
keeping with anticipated market growth 
and shifts in trade patterns. As always 
our success lies in being able to 
maintain the strength in-depth which 
we have developed and continue 
to refine in the gas team.

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

17

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationThe rise in oil company investment 
spawned an influx of new players into 
the subsea space and our dedicated 
team in London was able to take 
advantage of this growth. It secured 
a number of long-term charters in the 
sector as well as helping new players 
enter the market through acquisition of 
assets and support with financing. We 
expect this trend to continue through 
2013, with clients looking to work with 
our global team and to take advantage 
of not only our unrivalled market 
knowledge and experience, but also 
to be able to leverage the Clarksons 
brand in helping them to grow 
their companies. 

Overall, 2012 was a year for growth 
with continued investment in people, 
notably including the first dedicated 
offshore brokerage team in Shanghai 
to concentrate solely on oil and gas 
business in China. We feel we are well 
placed to continue to grow our market 
share globally within the five core 
sectors of rigs, subsea, OSV, survey 
and renewables that we cover through 
our worldwide teams. 

Business review continued

brOKIng CONTINUED

Sale and purchase 
Secondhand
As predicted, 2012 was extremely 
challenging for the shipping markets 
in general and for sale and purchase 
in particular as values continued to fall, 
dropping by some 30% from January 
to December, and traditional bank 
finance remained very difficult 
to secure.

As a result, our volume of business 
by number of transactions concluded 
reduced which, when combined with 
the falling values, resulted in a fall in 
revenue for the department as a whole 
compared with 2011.

However, we more than maintained 
market share in our more traditional 
sectors of deep sea tankers and dry 
cargo, and were pleased to see 
significant transactions concluded in 
the specialised tanker sector where we 
now have a dedicated team operating 
out of a new office in Amsterdam. 
Furthermore we significantly grew our 
recycling business, concluding more 
than double the transaction levels of 
2011 and we are confident this will be 
expanded further still during 2013.

The unique working relationship 
between our asset, chartering and 
finance teams additionally supported 
by our analysts, has led to some very 
significant mandates being secured 
and concluded. We believe that at 
this time in the market this depth of 
understanding and service sets us 
aside and enables us to deliver a 
differentiated service and thus we are 
well placed to continue to grow this 
now important part of our department.

Offshore
2012 proved to be another year of 
growth for offshore despite a backdrop 
of more challenging trading conditions 
within some of the sectors covered by 
our global team.

Overall, the offshore picture continued 
to be positive in 2012 with both oil 
prices remaining high and oil companies 
continuing to increase their E&P 
budgets which together translated into 
increased investment in the offshore 
service sector. Charter rates and 
demand within the rig sector continued 
to remain firm and the Clarksons rig 
team were able to capitalise on this 
positivity with further new floater orders 
at shipyards in Asia. This in turn has 
further underlined not just our reputation 
as the leading newbuilding broker in 
the sector, but also increased 
Clarksons’ global forward order book. 

While in 2012 we saw more demand 
in both the OSV and subsea sectors, 
we also saw a greater supply of vessels 
come to the market, especially OSVs, 
and consequently charter rates have 
remained under pressure globally. 
We fully expect this oversupply to filter 
through into 2013 in certain parts 
of the OSV market. Rates in this sector 
remained at best flat compared to 
2011, although we did see a significant 
percentage rise in fixtures globally and 
our OSV chartering teams in Aberdeen 
and Singapore were able to take 
advantage of this rise in demand 
by growing market share. 

18

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationNewbuilding
2012 was a challenging year for the 
conventional newbuilding market, with 
a 30% drop in new orders taken by 
yards globally compared to 2011. This 
was highlighted with the major Korean 
yards struggling to meet their 2012 
targets, with HHI 23% down on its 
2011 results and only DSME reported 
to have met their 2012 target of 
US$11bn. The focus for the big three 
Korean yards during the year was more 
towards offshore and the expectation is 
that this shift will continue in 2013, with 
increasing management and physical 
capacity being committed to this 
sector. However, with a low volume of 
large asset class conventional ordering 
in 2012 and a heavily weighted reliance 
on the offshore markets to deliver new 
orders and to fill capacity, there will 
certainly be some pressure and 
opportunity for new business in 2013 
for the conventional markets, albeit 
against a continually challenging 
economic and trading environment. 

In China and despite a push for 
diversification away from conventional 
sectors into the potentially more 
profitable offshore and gas markets, 
there still remains a significant focus on 
their bread and butter business of dry 
cargo tonnage. Values in this sector 
have remained flat for some time now 
and there are no immediate signs that 
the Chinese yards are gearing for 
another push down on price to 
leverage new business. With dry order 
books now starting to diminish and 
new eco-efficient designs available 
at competitive pricing, we have seen 
ordering placed at the beginning of 
2013 and we expect this situation to 
continue to some extent throughout 
2013. 

Although 2012 did start off slowly in 
terms of new orders for Clarksons’ 
newbuilding team, the second half 
of the year saw an incredibly strong 
turnaround. We were able to use the 
strength of the Clarksons global reach 
to work exclusively on behalf of a 
number of clients to place orders at the 
leading shipyards and we managed 
to increase our total number of orders 
from 2011 levels. While we continue 
to believe that 2013 will remain a 
challenging year for newbuilding, we 
are confident that as a leading broker in 
every sector of the marine and offshore 
space we are well placed to continue 
to support all of our client’s needs 
whatever their requirements. 

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

19

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationInvestIng In 
research

Research is the foundation for everything Clarksons does. 
The unique value of Clarksons’ research supports existing clients, 
is fundamental in winning new revenue and is recognised as 
adding true value. We continue to invest in Clarksons world-leading 
services, providing bespoke research, valuations and data for clients 
and expanding the provision of customer service. 

  m3 research items viewed 

and data downloads

20

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information  m

Our business

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

21

Our governanceOur accountsOther informationBusiness review continued

FInancIal

clarksons caters for 
the financial services 
needs of the maritime, 
offshore and energy 
related markets.

revenue

us$8.4m
2011: us$19.5m

segMent result

£9.9m loss
2011: £2.3m loss

FOrward Order bOOK FOr 2013

us$1m*
at 31 december 2011 
for 2012: us$1m*

* Directors’ best estimates of deliverable FOB

Futures broking
2012 was a tough environment for 
dry forward freight agreements (FFAs), 
which remain the largest activity for 
Clarkson Securities, but it was a growth 
year in the iron ore market where we 
have increased our activity and volume. 
The container derivatives activity was 
thin last year, but there are positive 
signs the industry is adapting to 
index-linked contracts which are an 
essential foundation for a futures 
market to grow and thrive.

The Baltic Capesize 4TC average 
roughly halved in value from 
US$15,639 in 2011 to US$7,680 in 
2012 and market volumes reduced 
from 509,344 lots to 461,240. In 
panamax the move was similar from 
US$14,000 to US$7,684 in notional 
value and from 392,557 lots to 
363,977, while in supramax from 
US$14,401 to US$9,425 in notional 
value and 105,283 lots to 96,224. 
Given this landscape, our teams 
performed well and either retained or 
increased the market share that we 
have in these three sectors. Our newly 
established options team had a 
successful first year and took market 
share. However, in response to the 
harsher broking environment we have 
trimmed our head count and reduced 
our costs.

During the year, we upgraded our 
iron ore team, who are now located 
in London and Singapore. This has 
resulted in growth of our share in a 
market that more than doubled in 
volume from 48,075,500 mt in 2011 
to 111,148,500 mt in 2012. We will 
continue to grow our iron ore team in 
Singapore as well as shifting some of 
our dry FFA market capability there to 
meet the growing demand from our 
clients in the region.

2013 has started with rates in all the 
dry markets extremely depressed, but 
with a more optimistic outlook for the 
cape sector where the supply/demand 
balance should result in an uplift 
towards the end of the year. We 
anticipate further growth in iron ore 
volume and expect to grow further 
our share in this activity.

22

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationFinancial services
The shipping finance market remained 
highly challenging throughout 2012 
with the global volume of shipping 
finance transactions reducing by more 
than 30% in comparison with 2011. 
Moreover, a large part of these volumes 
were in fact restructures and 
refinancings. 

The new European core capital 
requirements that have come into 
and are due to come into force have 
combined with continued weakness 
of the underlying shipping market to 
have a negative effect on the lending 
capacity of European banks. Some 
European financial institutions decided 
to exit the shipping sector completely 
including the very well-publicised exit 
by the biggest shipping lender, currently 
with a portfolio in excess of US$25bn. 

In this challenging environment, 
Clarksons continues to work with 
financial institutions developing a variety 
of alternative financing structures. 
Throughout 2012, Clarksons was 
involved in a number of high profile 
long-term transactions and provided 
support to other divisions of Clarksons.

The strategy of strengthening 
relationships with financial institutions 
is now being delivered, enhancing the 
Clarksons brand and substantially 
contributing to providing innovative 
solutions to our clients.

Investment services
2012 was a difficult year in the capital 
markets with low transaction volumes, 
minimal corporate activity and the 
majority of shipping companies trading 
below NAV making for extremely 
challenging trading conditions. As a 
result the company took the decision 
to focus the efforts of Clarkson Capital 
Markets on finishing the build-out of its 
framework in the US, whilst controlling 
costs across the division including 
closing its operation in Dubai. We are 
however pleased to have now 
established a sales and trading desk in 
New York, focused on servicing clients 
in the public and private equity markets 
relating to Maritime, Oil Service and 
Energy with specific additional focus 
on yield oriented and Master Limited 
Partnership securities. 

One of the critical challenges for any 
new broker-dealer is to convince 
institutional investors to add a new 
broker to the firms they use already. 
Leading with the unique value of 
Clarksons’ proprietary research we 
have been highly successful in opening 
new institutional accounts and our 
research is recognised as adding 
true value.

With this continued build-out of our 
research presence we now have full 
coverage in the maritime and oil service 
sectors, with further analysts in targeted 
areas of core competence due in 2013.

We have also refocused our banking 
activities, consolidating all investment 
banking in Houston. Following this 
move, we have been hired as lead 
financial advisor on maritime and oil 
service transactions, which we are 
hopeful of closing during 2013. 

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

23

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationBusiness review continued

suppOrt

Port services
2012 proved an exciting and 
successful year for Clarkson Port 
Services (CPS). It saw the first full year 
of operating EnShip in Scotland, a new 
office in the Tyne, the opening of an 
office on the Humber and integration 
of freight forwarding in Great Yarmouth.

Agency 
The Southern CPS offices had a good 
start to the year underpinned by the 
successful grain harvest of 2011. 
The 2012 harvest was, however, 
disappointing with much lower 
export volumes than expected. This 
necessitated a change of focus for the 
offices from the export to the import 
of grain to satisfy the UK’s demands, 
resulting in a fairly neutral overall effect 
on the CPS agency revenue.

Coal and biomass volumes have held 
up well for our offices in Liverpool and 
the Tees, but we have seen a decline in 
our business connected with offshore 
renewables as the current projects 
come to an end and we wait for 
‘Round 3’ of the offshore wind farm 
developments.

In Scotland, EnShip/Opex had an 
exceptional year, with its customer 
base particularly active in the North 
Sea. The further integration of our UK 
wide businesses has allowed us to 
secure agricultural bulk import and 
export business in Scotland, providing 
revenue synergies to the enlarged 
business. Success in Scotland has 
meant expansion to our office in 
Aberdeen and there are plans for 
further expansion throughout Scotland 
during 2013.

Stevedoring
2012 saw a fall in tonnages handled 
through the stevedoring business in 
Ipswich, caused primarily by the poor 
grain harvest. The effect of this on 
revenue has in some part been 
mitigated by higher volume box imports 
and a reduction in overheads, primarily 
from the cancellation of previously 
paid rates.

Freight forwarding
The first seven months of Clarksons’ 
entry into the business of freight 
forwarding in Great Yarmouth saw 
revenue being injected from existing 
Clarkson/EnShip contacts. However, 
it is now encouraging to see the 
expansion of our overall customer 
base and the prospect of some large 
forwarding projects in 2013.

Property services
Also included within the support 
segment are the revenues and profits 
derived from property services. 
Clarkson PLC holds the head lease of 
St. Magnus House in Lower Thames 
Street, London EC3, with an unexpired 
term of three years. Clarksons 
occupies 32.8% of the available space, 
with the remainder sublet on full 
commercial rents. Clarkson PLC also 
owns the freehold of Hamilton Barr 
House in Godalming, which is also let 
on a full commercial rent.

clarksons is engaged 
in port, agency 
and associated 
services worldwide.

revenue

£16.0m
2011: £10.8m

segMent result

£4.2m
2011: £1.7m

24

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationresearch

clarkson research 
services is recognised 
throughout the 
maritime world as the 
most comprehensive 
and reliable information 
provider.

revenue

£9.2m
2011: £8.1m

segMent result

£2.8m
2011: £2.0m

Despite difficult markets, research 
revenues grew strongly during 2012, 
reaching £9.2m (2011: £8.1m). 
Underlying revenue grew by 10% 
during the year, supported by 
continued demand for our market-
leading shipping products, strong 
growth of offshore related sales and 
a good performance by our service 
contract and valuation business. 
Offshore sales, excluding advertising, 
grew by 17% benefiting from the 
continued expansion of our offshore 
product range and increased 
data sales to corporate and 
government clients. 

Clarkson Research Services (CRS) 
focuses primarily on the collection, 
validation, analysis and management 
of data about the merchant shipping 
and offshore markets. With extensive 
databases using the latest information 
management technology, CRS is now 
well established as a leading 
information provider to the shipping 
and offshore markets.

CRS derived its income from the 
following principal sources:

Digital sales
Sales from CRS’s digital database 
products increased by 15% during the 
year, lifting digital’s contribution to total 
revenue to 39%. Despite the difficult 
shipping markets, sales of Shipping 
Intelligence Network (SIN), our flagship 
commercial database, remained 
steady. In addition, sales of the World 
Fleet Register (WFR), our leading online 
vessel register, grew significantly over 
the year. Further data and product 
enhancements have helped 
established the WFR as an authoritative 
source and we continue to gain traction 
with our corporate and institutional 
client base. CRS remains the leading 
provider of offshore data to the 
insurance market and this contributed 
to strong growth in offshore data sales.

Our offshore database now offers 
our clients comprehensive access to 
market intelligence on structures and 
companies, oil and gas fields, global 
Geographical Information System (GIS) 
coverage and wide ranging commercial 
data.

Publications
CRS produces weekly, monthly, 
quarterly and annual publications, 
registers and maps, available both 
in print and online. Over recent years 
our well-established shipping range 
has been supplemented by a 
comprehensive offshore offering 
to which we made a number of 
enhancements in 2012. Publications, 
which includes digital distribution, 
remains an important aspect of CRS’s 
overall offering besides generating 
important provenance.

Customer services
Clarkson Research continues to 
expand its provision of customer 
service contracts to a range of large 
corporate and institutional clients 
in both the shipping and offshore 
industries. A specialist team 
concentrates on managing retainers 
and providing bespoke research, 
valuations and data for banks, 
shipyards, fabricators, engineering 
companies, insurers, governments and 
other corporates. This continues to be 
an important growth area, with sales 
growing by 17% in 2012. Clarkson 
Valuations Limited remains the leading 
provider of valuation services to 
the industry.

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

25

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationFinancial review

“ we maintain our focus 
on cost control and 
efficiency and our careful 
stewardship of the 
company’s finances is 
reflected by our strong 
balance sheet.”

Overview
In a challenging economic environment 
with freight rates at levels last seen in 
the 1980s and a weakening US dollar, 
sterling revenue fell by 9% year on year. 
This decline in income was partially 
offset by a 6% fall in administrative 
expenses, mainly reflecting lower 
performance-related pay. The group 
continued to be highly profitable with 
increased transaction volumes and 
further growth of both our research 
and port services businesses.

During the year, as previously reported, 
the group reached a full and final 
settlement with Mr Nikitin and an 
exceptional receipt of US$7m (£4.5m) 
is shown as an exceptional item. 
As highlighted last year, acquisition 
costs of £1.6m are shown in the 2012 
income statement; similar costs 
will recur in 2013.

As indicated in 2011’s review, the 
IAS 19 pension credit of £1.2m was 
not repeated, with 2012 showing a 
credit of £0.1m. In 2013, following the 
amendment to IAS 19, the pension 
charge is calculated by applying the 
discount rate to the net defined benefit 
liability; this will result in a charge of 
£0.4m. Also in 2013 the decision was 
made to restructure the cost base of 
Clarkson Capital Markets which included 
the closure of the Dubai operation, 
this will lead to an exceptional charge 
estimated to be £1m.The group 
remains cash generative, after allowing 
for the settlement of prior year 
bonuses. The balance sheet has 
strengthened further.

Taxation
The group’s effective tax rate in 2012 
was 30.4%, an increase from the 
29.3% rate incurred in the previous 
year. This increase reflects a greater 
overall proportion of profits being 
generated in higher tax rate 
jurisdictions, and a bigger impact 
from non-deductible expenses and 
disallowable trading expenses.

PROFIT BEFORE TAX*

£20.4m

2012

2011

2010

BASIC EPS*

76.8p

2012

2011

2010

BASIC EPS**

87.2p

2012

2011

2010

£m

20.4

32.2

32.4

pence

76.8

121.5

125.4

pence

87.2

134.1

125.4

* Before exceptional item and acquisition costs
** After exceptional item and acquisition costs

26

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationEarnings per share (EPS)
Basic EPS before the exceptional item 
and acquisition costs was 76.8p (2011: 
121.5p). After the exceptional item and 
acquisition costs the basic EPS was 
87.2p (2011: 134.1p).

Dividends
The board is recommending a final 
dividend of 33p (2011:32p). The interim 
dividend was 18p (2011: 18p) which, 
subject to shareholder approval, would 
give a total dividend of 51p (2011: 
50p). In taking its decision, the board 
took into consideration the 2012 
performance, the strength of the 
group’s balance sheet and its ability to 
generate cash and the forward order 
book. The dividend is covered 1.7 
times by basic EPS.

Cash and borrowings
The group remains cash generative, 
after the increased levels of tax, 
dividend and cash required for working 
capital. The group ended the year with 
cash balances of £89.4m (2011: 
£132.9m). Additionally £25.2m (2011: 
£nil) was held in short-term notice 
accounts; these are classified as 
current investments on the balance 
sheet. During 2013 cash payments 
relating to 2012 will be made including 
performance-related bonuses. After 
deducting these items net cash and 
available funds amounted to £75.2m 
(2011: £71.1m) including balances on 
short-term deposit. The group maintains 
a multi-currency revolving credit facility 
of £25m; there are no current plans to 
draw down on this facility.

Balance sheet
Net assets at 31 December 2012 were 
£126.0m (2011: £123.3m). There has 
been a further improvement in the 
quality of the balance sheet whereby, 
before pension provisions, the group 
had £72.1m of net current assets and 
investments less non-current liabilities 
as at the end of 2012 (2011: £68.3m).

A detailed review of our businesses 
has demonstrated no need for an 
impairment charge in 2012.

The group’s pension schemes have 
a combined liability before deferred 
tax of £9.4m (2011: £6.6m). Pension 
investment returns only partially offset 
the effects on the liabilities of reduced 
discount rates, at the lowest point 
since the pension position was first 
incorporated onto the balance sheet, 
and an increase in the CPI.

Risk management
Credit risk
The group has an extensive client base, 
across all regions of the world, and is 
exposed to credit-related losses from 
the non-payment of invoices by these 
clients. The group mitigates this risk by 
closely monitoring outstanding 
amounts, both locally and globally, and 
by adopting a conservative approach 
to accounting for bad debt. Uncertainty 
in freight markets continues to affect 
the amount of debt that may be 
irrecoverable.

Liquidity risk
The group’s policy is to maintain 
facilities at such a level that they 
provide access to funds sufficient to 
meet all of its foreseeable requirements. 
The strong generation of cash flow in 
the business, combined with the 
available facilities and cash available in 
the balance sheet, means that the 
group is well placed to fund future 
developments of its global business. 

Foreign exchange risk
The major trading currency of the 
group is the US dollar. Movements 
in the US dollar relative to other 
currencies, particularly sterling, have 
the potential to impact the results of the 
group both in terms of operating results 
and the revaluation of the balance 
sheet. Where there were borrowings 
taken that specifically relate to assets 
held in foreign currencies, the 
borrowings were taken in the same 
currency as the assets.

The group assesses the rate of 
exchange and non-sterling balances 
held continually, and has predominantly 
sold in the spot market during 2012, 
though some forward cover for 2013 
and 2014 has been taken.

Interest rate risk
The group has no borrowings. Monies 
held on longer 95 and 100 day notice 
accounts earn interest based on a 
margin above LIBOR, the actual 
interest rate is reset each month.

Reputational risk
The group has built an enviable 
reputation in the market over the past 
161 years, and relies upon this to 
attract business from all major 
participants in its markets. Clarksons 
protects against reputational risks by 
promoting an ethical work environment 
and providing training programmes 
where appropriate. A dedicated training 
officer has been appointed and 
implemented a training programme to 
improve consistency and approach. 
Investment in compliance, quality 
assurance and legal functions also act 
to ensure that best practices are put in 
place throughout the group.

Operational risk
Operational risks are where the group 
may suffer direct or indirect losses from 
people, systems, external influences or 
failed processes. The group continually 
reviews the systems in place to mitigate 
against operational risk, and puts in 
place plans to protect against such 
risks wherever they are significant and 
practicable. Examples include Business 
Continuity Plans, Staff Contracts and IT 
security arrangements. The group also 
keeps in place and under review 
appropriate levels of insurance cover.

Jeff woyda Finance director

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

27

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther information28

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Other information Our accounts Our governanceemployees in Team Clarksons964

InvestIng In  
peOple

People are crucial to our success and we continue to attract 
and retain the best talent providing a bedrock for our future growth. 
As well as hiring exceptional people we have extensive training 
programmes as we invest in and develop a whole new generation 
of industry professionals. 

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

29

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationandi case Chief executive

Jeff woyda Finance director

Jeff Woyda, 50, was appointed a 
director of the company in November 
2006. Having qualified with KPMG, 
Jeff spent 13 years at GNI where 
he was chief operating officer and 
a member of the Gerrard Group PLC 
executive committee.

Andi Case, 46, was appointed chief 
executive in June 2008, having 
previously been chief operating officer 
of Clarksons. He joined Clarksons in 
2006 as managing director of the 
group’s shipbroking arm, H Clarkson 
& Company Ltd. He began 
his shipbroking career with C W Kellock 
and later Eggar Forrester. Prior to 
joining Clarksons he was with Braemar 
Seascope for 17 years, latterly as head 
of sale and purchase and newbuildings.

Board of directors

From left: Bob Benton, Andi Case, Jeff Woyda

bob benton Chairman  
(Non-executive)

Bob Benton, 55, was appointed a 
director of the company in May 2005 
and became chairman in August 2008. 
He has spent the majority of his career 
in the City of London, and is currently 
managing director of Bob and Co Ltd 
(formerly Benton Media Ltd) which 
is a company consulting and investing 
in media content. He was recently 
non-executive chairman of Handmade 
PLC until its acquisition by Almorah 
Services Ltd, and prior to that he was 
a managing director and head of media 
at Canaccord Adams Ltd. He was 
previously chief executive of Ingenious 
Securities Ltd, prior to which he was 
chairman of Bridgewell Securities Ltd, 
and has also held the positions of 
chairman and chief executive of 
Charterhouse Securities Ltd, global 
head of sales at ABN AMRO, and 
managing director of HSBC James 
Capel Ltd. In March 2011 he was 
appointed as a non-executive director 
of Talent Group PLC.

30

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationEd Warner, James Morley

ed warner Non-executive director

James Morley Non-executive director

Ed Warner, 49, is chairman of 
investment bank Panmure Gordon, 
derivatives exchange LMAX, and the 
Standard Life European Private Equity 
Trust. He is also an independent 
non-executive director of Grant 
Thornton LLP, a leading accountancy 
and advisory practice, and since 2007 
has been chairman of UK Athletics, 
the sport’s national governing body. 
In 2006 he successfully sold IFX Group 
PLC, the financial trading company, 
having been its chief executive for 
three years. Previously he was chief 
executive of Old Mutual Financial 
Services UK, head of Pan European 
Equities at BT Alex Brown, and head 
of global research at Dresdner 
Kleinwort Benson. He was a top 
ranked investment strategist in the 
leading surveys of institutional investors.

James Morley is a chartered 
accountant with some 25 years 
of experience as an executive board 
member at both listed and private 
companies. Most recently, he was chief 
operating officer at Primary Insurance 
Group and prior to this was group 
finance director at Cox Insurance 
Holdings, group finance director 
at Arjo Wiggins Appleton PLC, group 
executive director (finance) at Guardian 
Royal Exchange and was both deputy 
chief executive and group finance 
director at AVIS Europe PLC. James 
started his career at Arthur Andersen 
& Co. He is currently senior independent 
director of Costain Group PLC and 
The Innovation Group plc, and a 
non-executive director of Speedy Hire 
PLC and BMS Associates Limited. 
Previously he was a non-executive 
director of The Bankers Investment 
Trust PLC, W S Atkins PLC and 
Trade Indemnity Group PLC. 
James joined the Clarksons board 
on 6 November 2008.

Annual Report 2012  Clarkson PLC

31

Our governanceOur businessOur accountsOther informationReport of the directors

The directors present their report and the audited consolidated 
group and company financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2012, which were approved by them on 6 March 2013.

Principal activities and business review
The principal activity of the company during the year was that of an 
investment holding company, whose subsidiaries were primarily 
involved in the provision of shipping related services. A review of 
the group’s performance and likely future developments is contained 
in the chairman’s review, the chief executive’s review, the business 
review and the financial review on pages 5 to 27.

Principal risks and uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties facing the group are credit, 
liquidity, foreign exchange, interest rate, reputational and 
operational. Narrative on these risks is included in the risk 
management section of the financial review on page 27.

Group results and dividends
The results of the group, giving details of the profit, dividends and 
retained earnings are shown on pages 51 to 53. An interim 
dividend of 18p (2011: 18p) was paid in September 2012. The 
directors are recommending a final dividend, if approved, of 33p 
(2011: 32p), payable on 7 June 2013 to shareholders registered at 
the close of business on 24 May 2013, making a total dividend for 
the year of 51p (2011: 50p) per share.

Share price
The closing market price of the shares at 31 December 2012 was 
£12.00 (31 December 2011: £11.48) and the range during 2012 
was £11.20 to £13.90 (2011 range: £10.15 to £13.55).

Directors
The following have been directors during the year ended 
31 December 2012: Bob Benton, Andi Case, James Morley, 
Martin Stopford, Ed Warner, Paul Wogan and Jeff Woyda.

On 10 February 2012 Paul Wogan announced his resignation 
from the board. On 8 March 2012 Martin Stopford announced 
his retirement from the board with immediate effect.

The directors of the company as at the date of this report are 
shown on pages 30 and 31.

At the date of this report, each director has confirmed that they are 
not aware of any relevant audit information of which the auditors 
were unaware, and that they have taken the steps that ought to 
have been taken in their duty as directors to ascertain relevant 
audit information and establish whether the auditors are aware of it.

Re-election of directors
The company’s Articles of Association require one-third of the 
directors who are subject to retirement by rotation to retire and 
submit themselves for re-election at the Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) each year. James Morley will retire by rotation, and being 
eligible, offers himself for re-election in 2013. Following a full 
performance evaluation during the year, he continues to be 
considered by the board to be effective and to demonstrate 
commitment to his role.

Directors’ indemnities and insurance
Section 236 of the Companies Act 2006 allows companies the 
power to extend indemnities to directors against liability to third 
parties (excluding criminal and regulatory penalties) and also 
to pay directors’ legal costs in advance, provided that these 
are reimbursed to the company should the individual director 
be convicted or, in an action brought by the company, where 
judgement is given against the director. The company currently 
has a directors’ and officers’ insurance policy in place which 
provides this cover, and this was in place throughout the year 
and up to the date of signing of these financial statements. 

Substantial interests
The company has been notified of the following substantial 
interests in its issued share capital as at 28 February 2013 (being 
the latest practicable date prior to the approval of these accounts):

Employees and employee share trusts  
Blackrock Inc  
Kames Capital  
First Pacific Advisers LLC 
CRE Capital LLC and CRE Fiduciary Services Inc 
Heronbridge Investment Management LLP 
Legal and General Group PLC 

22.7% 
4.8% 
4.4% 
3.2% 
3.1% 
3.0% 
3.0% 

Save for the above, the company is unaware of any substantial 
interests, other than those of the directors whose interests are 
shown on page 46, in its issued share capital.

As at 28 February 2013, employees directly held 6.39% of the 
company’s share capital and 16.36% was held by employee share 
trusts for use under the company’s various incentive schemes.

Share capital and control
Details of the company’s share capital are shown in note 22 to the 
financial statements.

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends 
when declared, the company’s report and financial statements, to 
attend and speak at general meetings of the company, to appoint 
proxies and exercise voting rights.

32

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationThere are no restrictions on transfer, or limitations on the holding 
of ordinary shares and no requirements to obtain prior approval to 
any transfers. No ordinary shares carry any special voting rights 
with regard to control of the company and there are no restrictions 
on voting rights. Major shareholders have the same voting rights 
per share as all other shareholders. There are no known 
arrangements under which financial rights are held by a person 
other than the holder of the shares and no known agreements or 
restrictions on share transfers or on voting rights.

Shares acquired through Clarksons’ share schemes and plans rank 
equally with the other shares in issue and have no special rights.

The rights and obligations attached to the company’s ordinary 
shares are set out in the company’s Articles of Association, copies 
of which can be obtained from Companies House in the UK.

Change of control
The company is not party to any significant agreements that would 
take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control following a 
takeover bid.

The service contracts for executive directors contain a provision 
whereby within 12 months of a change of control, if notice is given 
by the company or executive director (of not less than four weeks 
in the case of the latter), the executive will receive immediately an 
amount equivalent to 12 months salary, benefits and bonus.

Upon change of control, all unvested awards under the Clarkson 
PLC Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) would vest unconditionally, 
subject to the extent that any performance condition attaching to 
the relevant award has been achieved.

Interests in voting rights
Other than as stated on page 32, as far as the company is aware, 
there are no persons with significant direct or indirect holdings in 
the company. Information provided to the company pursuant to 
the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules (DTRs) is published on a Regulatory 
Information Service and on the company’s website.

The company has not acquired or disposed of any interests in its 
own shares.

Employment policies
Clarksons employs over 900 people throughout our global 
network of offices across five continents. Our people are crucial to 
our success and we will continue to attract and retain the best. 

The company aims to create a working culture that is inclusive for 
all, and aims to maintain high standards and good employee 
relations wherever it operates.

Clarksons is an equal opportunities employer and applies 
employment policies which are fair and equitable. Appointments, 
training and career development are determined solely by 
application of job criteria, personal ability and competence 
regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation 
or religious or political beliefs.

Our employment policies are developed to reflect local legal, 
cultural and employment requirements. We believe that having 
a diverse workforce helps to meet the different needs of our 
customers across the globe. We have an inclusive culture and 
environment which respects, values and makes the most of 
the individual differences we each bring to the company, to the 
benefit of our customers, employees, shareholders and wider 
communities. A diverse workforce helps Clarksons as a group to 
understand and adapt to changing customer needs and brings 
new perspectives on the challenges we face in everyday business. 

The company is dedicated and committed to ensuring high 
standards in its employment policies throughout every group 
company and aims to provide equal opportunities for all 
employees. Full and fair consideration is given to applications for 
employment by those with a disability. For colleagues who become 
disabled whilst in employment of a group company, every effort is 
made to assist them to continue in their current role or to find 
continuing employment with the group where possible.

The company depends on the skills and commitment of its 
employees and ongoing training programmes seek to update 
knowledge and ensure that the company’s goals are met in a 
correct and efficient way. Everyone is given the chance to reach 
their full potential and is treated fairly, applying the principles of 
equality and diversity. The company’s core strength is its people 
and attracting and retaining the best is key to its success. 

The policy of communication with employees is of high priority. 
Employees are provided with full information on all aspects of the 
business operations and are encouraged to have an active interest 
in promoting its commercial success. The company’s intranet is 
accessible by all employees and contains current news and other 
employee information. Clarkson News, the group’s in-house 
magazine, provides employees and former employees who are 
now pensioners with information about the group and staff issues. 
Information is also available on the group’s corporate website: 
www.clarksons.com.

Employees are encouraged to become involved in the financial 
performance of the group through the operation of a restricted 
share plan and share option schemes. Employees holding 
restricted shares are entitled to dividends and voting rights. The 
Clarkson PLC Sharesave Plan was launched during 2012 giving 
employees the opportunity to participate in the company’s growth 
and success.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

33

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationPayment of liabilities
The group pays its trade payables in accordance with the terms 
negotiated for them. Trade payables principally represent client 
balances and are settled as requested. The company has no 
trade payables.

Financial instruments
The group’s policies on financial instruments are set out in note 2 
to the financial statements. The group’s exposure to the risks 
arising from financial instruments is included in note 25 to the 
financial statements.

Corporate governance
Please refer to the separate corporate governance statement.

Annual general meeting
Resolutions will be proposed at the AGM to be held on 10 May 
2013 to renew the directors’ authority to allot new shares, issue 
new shares other than pro rata, and purchase the company’s 
own shares. Further details of these resolutions together with 
explanatory notes can be found in the notice of meeting.

Independent auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP expressed their willingness 
to be re-appointed as independent auditors of the company. 
Upon the recommendation of the audit committee, resolutions 
to re-appoint them as auditors and to authorise the directors 
to determine their remuneration will be proposed at the AGM.

By order of the board

Steve Deasey Secretary

6 March 2013

Report of the directors continued

Going concern
The group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to 
affect its future development, performance and position are set out 
in the chairman’s review, the chief executive’s review, the business 
review and the financial review on pages 5 to 27. The financial 
position of the group, its cash flows, liquidity position and 
borrowing facilities are also described in the financial review. The 
risk management section of the financial review and note 25 to the 
financial statements include a description of 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.

The group has considerable financial resources available and a 
strong balance sheet, as explained in the financial review on pages 
26 and 27. As a result of this, and after making enquiries, the 
directors believe that the group is well placed to manage its 
business risks successfully despite the challenging market 
conditions.

The directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has 
sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable 
future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the financial statements.

Charitable and political donations
Clarksons is committed to making a positive difference to the 
communities in which it operates. The company supports many 
charitable organisations. 

During the year, the group made various charitable donations 
amounting in aggregate to £73,000 (2011: £169,000).

No political contributions were made.

Pension schemes
The assets of the company’s pension schemes are held totally 
separate from the assets of the group and are invested with 
independent fund managers. The pension schemes are controlled 
by trustees who include both company and employee nominees. 
The trustees are responsible for looking after the assets of the 
pension schemes and for ensuring that their funds are only used 
to provide retirement benefits in accordance with their trust deeds 
and rules. The pension schemes’ auditors and actuaries are 
all independent of the company. Further details are provided 
in note 21 to the financial statements.

34

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationCorporate governance statement

The board recognises that sound corporate governance is critical 
to Clarksons’ business integrity and to maintaining and 
underpinning investors’ trust in the company. We are committed 
to maintaining high standards of corporate governance, which 
we believe are fundamental to discharging our stewardship 
responsibilities.

As required by the Listing Rules, this section on corporate 
governance, together with the directors’ remuneration report 
on pages 39 to 48 sets out how the company has applied the 
principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code (2010) 
(the Code). The Code is available on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website www.frc.org.uk.

Since Paul Wogan’s resignation on 10 February 2012, there 
has been a diligent search within the marketplace as to a 
replacement. A new senior independent director will be 
nominated, following the recruitment of a new non-executive 
director. Otherwise, the directors consider that the company has 
complied with the Code throughout the year. The following pages 
explain how we have applied these principles in order to help to 
create long-term sustainable growth in value for shareholders.

The board of directors
The board has high standards of ethics, organisation, information, 
analysis and governance, with an open culture between executives 
and non-executives and our committees are well run and effective. 
The board has a good balance of executive and non-executive 
directors which creates a balance of complementary skills and 
approaches which enhance the breadth and quality of board 
debate. The non-executive directors fulfil a crucial role in corporate 
accountability. They have the duty to ensure that the strategies 
proposed by the executive directors are given full and critical 
debate and that the decisions taken are not only in the best 
long-term interests of shareholders, but also take account of the 
interests of the stakeholders, clients and employees. The non-
executive directors contribute significantly to the effective 
functioning of the board and its committees.

The board meets at least four times a year and the directors’ 
attendance at the meeting is shown in the table on page 36. 
Biographical details are shown on pages 30 and 31.

The board provides effective leadership and overall control of the 
group, setting a framework of prudent and effective controls to 
enable risks to be properly assessed and managed.

Our chairman and chief executive have clearly defined and 
separate responsibilities whilst retaining a close working 
relationship. The chief executive’s primary role is the running of the 
company’s business, the successful implementation of the agreed 
strategy and the day-to-day operational leadership of the group. 
The chairman is responsible for the leadership of the board and 
leads the board in the determination of its strategy and co-
ordinates the business of the board. The chairman also ensures 
effective communication with shareholders and that the board is 
aware of the views of major shareholders.

All directors are collectively responsible for the company’s 
long-term success and are responsible for the proper conduct of 
the company’s affairs. They have adopted a formal schedule of 
matters reserved for their decision. Certain matters, such as the 
annual review of the internal controls function, have been 
delegated to the board committees, whose chairmen report 
back to the board.

On appointment Bob Benton, James Morley and Ed Warner met 
the independence criteria set out under the Code. Ed Warner, a 
non-executive director, is also non-executive chairman of Panmure 
Gordon, the company’s joint stockbroker. Where a potential or 
possible conflict of interest arises, Ed Warner declares his interest 
and removes himself from any involvement in the relevant 
business. The board considers that Ed meets the independence 
criteria pursuant to the Code.

Board performance evaluation
During the year, the board conducted the annual evaluation of 
its own performance and that of its committees and individual 
directors. The chairman met with the non-executive directors 
during the year without the executive directors present. 
Ed Warner evaluated the chairman’s performance with each 
of the other directors.

Based on the results of the external performance evaluation 
carried out in 2011 and the internal review undertaken during 
the year, it was concluded that the board operates effectively 
and in an open manner. Board members have a good level of 
involvement in matters between board meetings and each continues 
to make a valuable contribution with proper commitment to their 
respective roles.

The non-executive directors have a wide range of skills and varied 
commercial experience and they provide constructive challenge 
and help develop our strategy. A careful assessment is made by 
the board of the time commitment required from the chairman and 
the non-executive directors to discharge their roles properly.

The terms and conditions of appointment of our non-executive 
directors are available for inspection at the company’s registered 
office. On appointment, all directors are provided with induction 
training relating to the company’s business. In addition, individual 
directors may seek professional advice on any matter concerning 
them in furtherance of their duties at the expense of the company. 
The chairman regularly reviews and agrees with each director their 
training and development needs. All directors have access to the 
services of the company secretary and may take independent 
professional advice at the company’s expense in conducting their 
duties. It is expected that all directors attend board and relevant 
committee meetings, unless they are prevented from doing so by 
prior commitments. Where directors are unable to attend meetings 
due to conflicts in their schedules, they receive the papers 
scheduled for discussion in the relevant meetings, giving them the 
opportunity to relay any comments to the chairman in advance of 
the meeting. Where matters relating to a director may constitute a 
conflict of interest, that director will duly leave the meeting.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

35

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationCorporate governance statement continued

Board and committees
The members of the board and its committees and their 
attendance at board and committee meetings during the year 
were as follows:

Board

Strategy 
meeting

Audit 
committee

Remuneration 
committee

Nomination 
committee

Total number 
of meetings

Bob Benton

Andi Case

James Morley

Ed Warner

Jeff Woyda

Martin Stopford1

Paul Wogan2

7

7

6

7

7

7

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

3

3*

–

3

3

3*

–

–

3

3

2*

3

3

3*

–

–

1

1

–

1

1

1*

–

–

* Andi Case, Jeff Woyda and Bob Benton attend these meetings at the invitation of 
the committee chairman.

1 Martin Stopford resigned as an executive director of Clarkson PLC on 8 March 2012.

2 Paul Wogan resigned as a non-executive director of Clarkson PLC on 
10 February 2012.

In accordance with the company’s Articles of Association, 
all directors are subject to election at the first AGM following 
appointment, and thereafter one-third of the directors, excluding 
the chairman and chief executive, retire annually by rotation, and 
where eligible, seek re-election.

The board delegates certain responsibilities to its principal 
committees as follows:

Audit committee
The members of the audit committee are the non-executive 
directors, James Morley and Ed Warner and until his resignation 
on 10 February 2012, Paul Wogan. James Morley chairs the 
committee. At the invitation of the committee the chairman of the 
board, the chief executive, the finance director and the financial 
controller attend its meetings. 

The audit committee is responsible for notifying the board of any 
significant concerns of the external auditor arising from their audit 
work, any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the 
operation of our internal controls over financial reporting and the 
internal control and risk management systems. It undertakes an 
annual review of the group’s internal controls, including financial, 
operational, compliance and risk management. The committee’s 
terms of reference are available on request from the company 
secretary. They are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure 
compliance with the requirements of the Code.

The company continually seeks to improve and update existing 
procedures and to introduce new controls where necessary. 
The risk management system is designed to identify key risks 
and to provide assurance that these risks are fully understood 
and managed. As an ongoing process the executive oversees 
the development of the internal control procedures which provide 
assurance to the committee that the controls which are operating 
in the group are effective and sufficient to counteract the risks 
to which it is exposed.
36

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

The need for an internal audit function is reviewed annually by the 
board and the audit committee. After taking into account the size 
and structure of the group, it has been concluded that there is at 
present no requirement for an internal audit function.

The audit committee has established arrangements by which staff 
of the group may, in confidence, raise concerns about possible 
improprieties or wrongdoing.

The audit committee has a formal policy which addresses the 
independence of the external auditors in the provision of both 
audit and non-audit services. The committee meets privately 
on a regular basis with the external auditors in the absence 
of management.

The audit committee reviewed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s 
(PwC) overall work plan and approved their remuneration and 
terms of engagement and considered in detail the results of the 
audit, PwC’s performance and independence and the effectiveness 
of the overall audit process. The audit committee recommended 
PwC’s re-appointment as auditors to the board and this resolution 
will be put to shareholders at the AGM.

To ensure that the auditors maintain their independence, the audit 
committee has implemented the company’s policy which restricts 
the engagement of PwC in relation to non-audit services. During 
the year the auditors also provided tax advisory and compliance 
services and other assurance and advisory services with fees of 
£186,000 and £114,000 respectively. A fee breakdown is shown 
in note 3.

The policy is designed to ensure that the provision of such services 
does not have an impact on the external auditors’ independence 
and objectivity. It identifies certain types of engagement that the 
external auditors shall not undertake. It also requires that individual 
engagements above a certain fee level may only be undertaken 
with appropriate authority from the committee chairman or 
the committee.

The policy also recognises that there are some types of work, such 
as accounting and tax advice, where a detailed understanding of 
the company’s business is advantageous. The policy is designed 
to ensure that PwC is only appointed to provide a non-audit 
service where it is considered to be the most suitable supplier 
of the service.

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee advises on remuneration and 
incentive schemes for senior staff, and makes recommendations 
for the operation of the company’s performance-related schemes. 
Further details for the work of this committee are contained within 
the directors’ remuneration report on pages 39 to 48.

Nomination committee
The committee comprises the chairman and the non-executive 
directors and is chaired by Bob Benton. In accordance with 
its terms of reference, the committee considers the balance 
of skills and experience of the board membership to include 
skills, knowledge, diversity and experience, and makes 
recommendations to the board on the appointment of new 
directors. The committee also reviews future succession planning 
for the board. 

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationProcedure to deal with directors’ 
conflicts of interest
A director has a duty to avoid a situation in which he or she has, or 
can have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may 
conflict, with the interests of the group. Directors are required to 
give notice of any such potential situational and/or transactional 
conflicts which are considered at the board meeting and, if 
considered appropriate, situational conflicts are authorised, or the 
director takes whatever action the board considers appropriate. 
Directors are not permitted to participate in such considerations 
or to vote regarding their own conflicts.

The company has comprehensive procedures in place to deal with 
any situation where a director has an actual or potential conflict of 
interest. Under these procedures members of the board are 
required to:

• consider each conflict situation separately on its particular facts;

• consider the conflict situation in conjunction with the rest of their 

duties under the Companies Act 2006;

• regularly review conflict authorisations; and

• keep appropriate records and board minutes demonstrating 
any authorisation granted by the board for such conflict and 
the scope of any approvals given.

Shareholder relations
The company is committed to maintaining good communications 
with investors. The primary means of communication with the 
majority of our shareholders is via our Annual Report, Interim 
Report and website on which we publish Interim Management 
Statements and Trading Updates. 

The executive directors regularly meet with the large investors 
and institutional shareholders. Following the announcement of 
the interim and full year results, presentations are made by the 
executive directors to analysts, major shareholders and investment 
managers. The non-executive directors are fully briefed after 
such meetings. 

The board considers the AGM to be an opportunity to meet and 
communicate with investors, giving shareholders the opportunity 
to raise with the board any issues or concerns they may have.

Internal control
The board is responsible for the company’s system of internal 
controls and for reviewing the effectiveness of such a system. 
Such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate 
the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The directors acknowledge the requirements 
of the Code and seek to review all aspects of risk management 
in relation to each part of the group. The risk management 
system is regularly reviewed by the board in accordance with 
Turnbull guidance.

Policies and risk management procedures together with key 
controls are reviewed frequently to ensure that they continue 
to be effective and protect the company’s stakeholders.

The company maintains its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, 
and this has been issued to all staff. An established governance 
process is in place to monitor regulatory developments and to 
ensure that all existing and forthcoming regulations are complied 
with. All employees are expected to play a role in maintaining 
Clarksons’ status as a responsible business while day-to-day 
management of corporate responsibility is performed by our 
directors, managers and employees.

Managing business risk to deliver opportunities is a key element of 
all our business activities, and is undertaken using a practical and 
flexible framework which provides a consistent and sustained 
approach to risk evaluation. Our internal control system 
encompasses all controls including those relating to financial 
reporting processes, operational and compliance controls, and 
those relating to risk management processes.

There is a comprehensive budgetary process in place with both 
annual and regular forecasts being considered and approved by 
the board and monthly monitoring of trading results taking place. 
The group has designed controls and processes to mitigate risks 
associated with financial reporting and the preparation of 
consolidated accounts.

Senior management within each office have responsibility to 
ensure compliance with group policies and to also identify risks 
within their business and to make sure that these risks are 
controlled and monitored in the appropriate way. 

The board, with advice from the audit committee, has carried out 
an annual review of the effectiveness of the system of internal 
control and risk management and confirms that the ongoing 
process for identifying, evaluating and managing the group’s 
significant risks has operated throughout the year and up to the 
date of the approval of this Annual Report. Where any significant 
control weaknesses were identified during the year, necessary 
actions have been taken and monitored to remedy them.

Employment and human rights
Clarksons employs over 900 people throughout its global network 
of offices across five continents. As an employer Clarksons has 
high standards of employment practice and takes the issues of 
equality and diversity very seriously. Clarksons believe that a 
diverse and inclusive culture is a key factor in being a 
successful business.

Clarksons is committed to involving all employees in the 
performance and development of the group. Its approach to 
employee development offers continual challenges in the job, 
learning opportunities and personal development. We ensure 
that training, career development and promotion opportunities 
are available for all our employees.

It is the group’s policy to give full consideration to suitable 
applications for employment of disabled persons and to ensure 
that any reasonable adjustments are made to that person’s job 
content or in the workplace to accommodate a person’s 
disabilities. Disabled employees are eligible to participate in all 
career development opportunities available to employees.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

37

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationCorporate governance statement continued

The company places strong emphasis on recruiting and growing 
talent to enable it to build a strong team to deliver its clients the 
best possible service. Our employees have determination to be the 
best informed experts in their areas and have commitment to the 
highest standards of professionalism. Our people are crucial to our 
success and we will continue to attract and retain the best. 

The company is an equal opportunities employer and is committed 
to treating its employees and customers with dignity and respect. 

The group maintains a zero tolerance policy concerning 
discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation against 
individuals who report problems in the group’s workplace. 

The group encourages all of its employees to participate fully in the 
business through open dialogue. Employees receive news of the 
group through the employee intranet, email notices, discussions, 
briefings and in-house publications. 

In order to encourage wider employee share ownership, the 
company provides a Savings Related Share Option Plan (SAYE).

Health and safety
The company believes that it is vital to look after its staff by making 
sure that they have a safe place to work. We are committed to 
operating high standards of health and safety, designed to 
minimise the risk of injury and ill health of all employees and any 
other parties involved in the conduct of its business operations. 
Clear policies and procedures are in place in order to mitigate 
health and safety risks across the business. Compliance to these 
procedures is closely monitored and reported.

Corporate and social responsibility
Clarksons maintains its commitment to conducting business in 
an ethical and honest way everywhere it operates. The company’s 
approach to corporate social responsibility aligns responsible 
business practices with sustainable development of our business 
which delivers value for our stakeholders and for the company. 
Operating in a responsible manner is simply part of how the 
company conducts its business and supports a sustainable 
business model.

The company regularly meets with stakeholders and is committed 
to maintaining good communications with investors in order to 
fully understand the issues that are important to them. The board 
regularly receives feedback on the views of major investors and 
the executive directors communicate regularly with them on the 
company’s progress.

We rely on our employees to make strategy happen. This means 
we have to find the best people and treat them in the right way. 
We want them to develop and grow with our business. Business 
success is achieved when employees are enabled to do their very 
best. We give everyone the chance to develop to their full potential 
and we stay true to our principles of equality, diversity and fairness. 
Clarksons provides a working environment in which everyone is 
treated fairly and with respect. Clarksons aims to be a responsible 
employer and adopt standards and values in their business practice 
designed to help guide its staff in their conduct and business 

38

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

relationships. We believe that if we develop every employee’s 
awareness and enhance their skills so that every act of every 
employee is capable of scrutiny then best practice procedures 
should be followed in everything that they do.

Our Graduate Trainee Scheme (the Scheme) provides individuals 
graduating in the coming academic year an opportunity to be part 
of a unique and unrivalled programme, designed to accelerate a 
career in shipbroking. The recruitment process has been 
developed to attract and identify those with the potential to be high 
performers in the industry. Alongside the mainstream training and 
development programmes, the Scheme aims to nurture talent to 
develop future business leaders who will understand and meet the 
diverse and changing needs of the business.

The company offers a select number of paid internships to 
students on an annual basis, this tends to be for a longer period 
(up to three months) and typically take place in the research 
and broking divisions. It also has contact with a number of inner 
London and Home Counties schools and supports their work 
experience initiatives. Clarksons donates on an annual basis 
to a number of national and local maritime causes. Two other 
areas that are given regular charitable support are health and 
young people.

Clarksons will strive for further improvement in health, safety and 
environmental performance as it takes actions to enhance the 
sustainability of the business.

Environment 
Climate change represents a significant global challenge and the 
group aims to minimise its impact on the environment. Clarksons 
is committed to reducing utility usage and ongoing energy costs. 
At the St Magnus House building in the UK an environmental 
management system is in place for lighting and air conditioning 
controlled by a supervisory PC utilising the latest software. Regular 
maintenance is carried out to ensure that all units are working at 
their optimum efficiency. 

The company has undertaken a wide scale cleaning tender 
exercise for St Magnus House into which a Waste Management 
Contract has been incorporated. This will provide a more efficient 
service and will result in an increase in the number of recycling 
streams and a reduction in waste going into incinerators 
and landfill.

The company’s most critical environmental and sustainability 
impact areas include carbon emissions linked to energy use and 
travel and the company continues to make extensive use of its 
video conferencing facility in order to contain executive travel.

Clarksons successfully operates a cycle to work scheme which 
was implemented several years ago which combined with the 
provision of a secure bike store and shower facilities, encourages 
staff to use bicycles.

Clarksons acknowledges the importance of ensuring that 
its businesses are conducted with care and consideration 
for the environment. It is continuing to grow and develop an 
environmental strategy so that it is integrated into its business 
strategy. It is aiming to achieve productive and rewarding 
engagement on environmental issues within the Clarksons 
group, and to grow and develop local programmes across 
Clarksons worldwide.

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationDirectors’ remuneration report

Statement by the chairman of the remuneration committee 

I am pleased to present the remuneration committee’s report on directors’ remuneration for 2012. In anticipation of new legislative 
requirements, this report is split into two sections, the first setting out the policy on directors’ remuneration, and the second showing 
how this policy was implemented in the past year. Although the new legislation is not effective until later this year, we will be seeking 
your support for the entire report by way of a single advisory vote at the AGM on 10 May 2013.

Our objective in setting remuneration policy at Clarksons is to attract and retain the best talent in our markets, while at the same time 
ensuring a close alignment between the interests of shareholders and management. We have had a consistent policy since 2006 
and believe that it has served the company’s shareholders well since then. There is a consistent approach to the application of the 
remuneration policy across the whole company, in particular, bonus plans are operated company-wide and all UK employees have the 
opportunity to participate in share plans. Generally, employees earning over £100,000 p.a. have not had an increase in salary for several 
years. The major elements of the executive directors’ reward structures are as follows:

• base salaries are reviewed annually. They have not increased over the past six years.

• annual bonuses are determined by adjusted pre-tax profits. There is a lower threshold below which no bonuses are earned. In 2012 
the threshold was increased by 5% over 2011. There are higher hurdles which trigger increased bonus rates. These hurdles were not 
reached last year. As with the lower threshold, these hurdles were increased over the prior year to ensure that targets are progressively 
harder to reach. Following several years of the hurdles increasing they were frozen for 2013 recognising the challenging market 
conditions facing the business.

• the chief executive could earn a bonus higher than that determined by the pre-tax profit formula dependent on shipbroking revenues 

that he generates personally. This has not been a factor in any of the past five years.

• the executive directors sacrificed 10% of the bonuses they were eligible to receive in 2012 to enable the company to reward other senior 

members of staff. In the previous two years they sacrificed 5% of the bonuses they were entitled to.

• 10% of annual bonuses are paid in deferred shares.

• there is a Long Term Incentive Plan that grants shares dependent on a combination of earnings per share (EPS) growth and total 

shareholder returns. The lower and upper EPS targets in this plan were increased by 6% and 7% respectively in 2012 over 2011. For 
2013 awards, where EPS targets are set around the 2015 year end figure the upper end of the EPS range was retained at 150p and the 
lower end has been reduced slightly from 115p to 105p compared to 2012 awards. This reduction reflects the tougher market outlook 
and the entire range is ahead of current broker forecasts for 2014 (2015 figures are not yet available).

Both executive directors are shareholders in Clarksons and accordingly understand the imperative to deliver long-term returns for the 
company’s owners. Their short-term rewards are directly aligned to the profitability of the company, as is evident from the reduction in 
their compensation in 2012. 

The remuneration committee believes these to be correct principles for a business such as Clarksons and I commend this remuneration 
policy to you. Should you have any questions, please contact me at the company address. I will be available at the AGM to answer any 
questions and discuss the policy more widely.

Ed Warner

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

39

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationPolicy report

This part of the directors’ remuneration report sets out the remuneration policy for the company with effect from 1 January 2013.

How the remuneration committee operates to set the remuneration policy
The remuneration committee is responsible, on behalf of the board for:

• setting the senior executives’ remuneration policy and actual remuneration;

• reviewing the design of all share incentive plans for approval by the board and shareholders;

• approving the design of, and recommending targets for, any performance-related pay schemes the company operates for 

senior executives.

The remuneration committee encourages dialogue with shareholders and engages with the company’s major shareholders on a 
regular basis. Major shareholders will be consulted on a timely basis on any material changes proposed for the remuneration policy. 

Summary of overall remuneration policy
The policy of the company is to ensure that executive rewards are linked to performance, to provide an incentive to achieve the key 
business aims, deliver an appropriate link between reward and performance and maintain a reasonable relationship of rewards to 
those offered in other competitor companies in order to attract, retain and motivate executives within a framework of what is acceptable 
to shareholders.

There are few comparable UK public companies involved solely in the business of providing shipping and related wholesale financial 
services. Comparisons are therefore made with City-based companies and private companies in the shipping sector, many of which 
are headquartered overseas. In the highly competitive global labour market which operates within the shipping services sector where 
business is based around personal client relationships, the retention of key talent is critical to continued business success. Remuneration 
levels are set to attract and retain the best talent and to ensure that market competitive rewards are available for the delivery of strong 
business and personal performance within an appropriate risk framework. 

It is recognised by the remuneration committee that the current management team is highly regarded and would be attractive to 
Clarksons’ competitors in the shipping industry, and, increasingly, wholesale brokerage and agency businesses. Retention of key talent 
in this context is critical, whilst recognising the need for appropriate succession planning. 

The proportionate breakdown of the total remuneration is such that, in line with most other wholesale brokerage and agency companies, 
a very high proportion of the package is performance-related. The chief executive’s bonus recognises that he performs the duties and 
responsibilities incumbent with the role of group chief executive and in addition, as a shipbroker, generates significant revenues.

40

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationChanges  
in year

None

Page

None

None

Remuneration policy report
Key elements of remuneration

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Base  
salary

• To attract and retain 
key talent critical for 
the business

• Set at a level to cover 
essential living costs 
without any bonus 
award

Benefits  • To provide a market 

standard suite of basic 
benefits in kind and to 
aid retention

Annual 
bonus

• To reward significant 

annual profit 
performance 

• To ensure that the 

bonus plan is 
competitive with our 
peers and to do so this 
forms a significant 
proportion of the 
remuneration package
• To ensure that if there is 

a reduction in 
profitability the level of 
bonus payable falls 
away sharply

• Reviewed periodically
• Salaries are determined 
taking into account: 
– the experience, 
responsibility, 
effectiveness and 
market value of the 
executive
– the pay and 

conditions in the 
workforce
• Paid monthly
Principal taxable 
benefits are: 
• car allowances
• healthcare insurance
• club membership
• 90% of the bonus is 
paid in cash and 
although they have no 
contractual obligation 
the directors have 
agreed that 10% of 
annual bonus payable 
is deferred in shares, 
vesting after four years

• To improve the risk 
profile of the bonus 
plan a clawback 
provision has been 
incorporated for 
overpayments due to 
misstatement or error

• Base salaries have 

remained unchanged 
since 2006 for each 
executive director post 
and this policy has also 
applied to all higher 
paid employees, except 
those who have 
assumed additional 
responsibility

• In line with Clarksons’ 
peers, annual bonus is 
not subject to a formal 
individual cap 

• Instead, performance 

criteria are re-calibrated 
carefully each year to 
ensure the total bonus 
pool and individual 
allocations are controlled
• Furthermore, the CEO 

will receive the higher of 
the executive annual 
bonus and the bonus 
determined by his 
continuing broking 
activities. This underpin 
was agreed when the 
CEO joined the board

For the CEO and FD, 
bonus is determined 
by group performance 
on the following basis: 
• below a ‘profit floor’ 

set by the committee 
each year no bonus 
is triggered

• above the floor, 
an escalating 
percentage of profits 
is payable into a 
bonus pool for 
progressively higher 
profit before tax 
performance
• profit for bonus 

calculations does 
not include mark-to-
market valuations 
or business that has 
not been invoiced
• for the CEO a further 
key determinant of his 
annual bonus is the 
significant broking 
revenues generated 
by him personally

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

41

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther information 
Policy report continued

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Changes  
in year

None

Page

See charts 
below 
showing 
the basis 
for the 
vesting 
of LTIP 
awards to 
be granted 
in 2013

• Annual maximum limit 
of 150% of basic salary 
for awards subject to 
long-term performance 
targets

• 50% of the award will 
be determined by the 
company’s EPS for 
31 December 2015 
and 50% will be 
determined by the 
company’s TSR 
performance from 
1 January 2013 to 
31 December 2015 
against the 
constituents of the 
FTSE SmallCap Index 
(excluding investment 
trusts) 

• Employer contributions 
are 15% of base salary 
or an equivalent cash 
allowance net of 
employer’s NI

None

Long 
Term 
Incentive 
Plan 
(LTIP)

• To incentivise and 
reward significant 
long-term financial 
performance and share 
price performance 
relative to the stock 
market

• To encourage share 

ownership and provide 
further alignment with 
shareholders

Pension • To provide a market 
competitive pension 
arrangement and to 
aid retention

• All awards are 

performance-related 
and may comprise 
deferred shares or 
HMRC approved or 
unapproved options 
• The current policy is for 
awards to be granted 
each year following the 
publication of annual 
results

• Similar to the annual 

bonus, to improve the 
risk profile of the bonus 
plan a clawback 
provision has been 
incorporated for 
overpayments due to 
misstatement or error

• Executive directors 

participate in a 
company defined 
contribution pension 
scheme. If an individual 
is capped by HMRC 
limits they receive a 
cash allowance (net of 
NI) in lieu of pension 
contributions

For the LTIP award to be granted in 2013:

• the vesting of 50% of the award will be determined by the company’s EPS for 31 December 2015, as shown in chart (i) below. 

The EPS for 2012 is shown (black line) for reference 

• the vesting of the remaining 50% will be determined by the company’s TSR performance from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015 

against the constituents of the FTSE SmallCap Index (excluding investment trusts), as shown in chart (ii) below. The level of total 
shareholder return achieved against the FTSE SmallCap over the last three-year cycle is shown (black line) for reference

EPS and relative TSR are considered to be the most appropriate measures of long-term performance for the group, in that they ensure 
executives are incentivised and rewarded for the earnings performance of the group as well as returning value to shareholders. 

(i)  EPS target range for 2013 award (50% of award) 

(ii) TSR target range for 2013 award (50% of award)

Vesting schedule for 2013 awards        2012 EPS

TSR performance range        Actual result in last three-year TSR cycle

100%

)

d
r
a
w
a

100%

)

d
r
a
w
a

f

o
%
0
5

(

g
n
i
t
s
e
v
d
r
a
w
a
S
P
E

f

o
%

75%

50%

25%

0%

f

o
%
0
5

(

76.8p

105p

150p

g
n
i
t
s
e
v
d
r
a
w
a
R
S
T

f

o
%

75%

50%

25%

0%

Median

Upper Quartile

1st Place

EPS target (pence) for FY ended 31 December 2015 for 2013 award

TSR ranking at end of three-year performance period

The above policy would also be anticipated forming the basis on which a new executive director was appointed, however, flexibility would 
be retained to offer remuneration on appointment outside the above policy. Ongoing policy for the individual would then be subject to the 
above policy with any changes subject to shareholder approval.

42

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration policy across the group
The remuneration policy for the executive directors is designed with regard to the policy for employees across the group as a whole and is 
consistent between the executive directors and the remainder of the workforce. In particular there has been a widespread salary freeze for 
all employees earning salaries of £100,000 or more. In contrast, salaries for lower paid employees have generally increased (on average 
across the population) each year. 

The annual bonus plan operates on a similar profit-driven basis across the group and there is a relatively high level of employee share 
ownership across the group. The key differences in policy for executive directors relates to participating in the long-term incentive share 
awards, which have strict vesting conditions. This is considered appropriate to provide a link for a proportion of performance pay with the 
longer term strategy thereby creating stronger alignment of interest with shareholders.

Directors’ service contracts and appointment terms
The remuneration committee reviews the contractual terms for executive directors to ensure that these reflect best practice. 

The remuneration related elements of the current contracts for executive directors are shown in the table below:

Provision

Notice period

Termination payment

Change of control

Detailed terms

One year by the company or the director

No predetermined provisions for compensation on termination within executive directors’ service 
agreements, which exceed one year’s emoluments. In the event of early termination of the contracts, 
the company reserves the right to pay in lieu of notice an amount equivalent to basic salary, 
contractual benefits and annual bonus for the notice period. 
The remuneration committee recognises that, whilst it is unusual in most PLCs, it is common in the 
shipping industry to pay an amount in lieu of annual bonus for the notice period but considers that 
the policy is appropriate for the following reasons:
• salary forms a lower proportion of remuneration than in most other UK companies; 
• typically in the shipbroking industry, income from business conducted is received over a number 
of years in arrears (which means that for a departing executive they would receive rewards for 
performance in previous periods); 

• bonuses are only payable if profit thresholds and targets are achieved i.e. there is no automatic 

entitlement to a bonus; and

• unvested awards under the LTIP are capable of vesting subject to performance
Termination payments would not normally be made beyond contractual obligations, including any 
payment in respect of notice to which a director is entitled.

Within 12 months of a change of control the executive or the company may give notice (of not less 
than four weeks in the case of the former) whereupon the executive will receive immediately an 
amount equivalent to 12 months salary, benefits and bonus.
Upon change of control all unvested awards under the Clarkson PLC Long Term Incentive Plan 
would vest unconditionally, subject to the extent that any performance conditions attaching to the 
relevant award has been achieved.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

43

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationPolicy report continued

Details of the current executive directors’ service contracts  
are as follows:

Andi Case 

Jeff Woyda 

Details of the non-executive directors’ appointment terms  
are as follows: 

Bob Benton

James Morley

Ed Warner

Date of contract

Unexpired term at  
31 December 2012

Notice period

17 June 2008 

3 October 2006 

12 months 

12 months 

12 months 

12 months 

Date of appointment

Unexpired term at  
31 December 2012

Notice period

25 May 2005

5 November 2008

27 June 2008

16 months

22 months

 18 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

Non-executive directors are appointed by letter of appointment for a fixed term not exceeding three years, renewable on the agreement 
of both the company and the director and are subject to re-election at the AGM following appointment, and thereafter every three years. 
Each appointment can be terminated before the end of the three-year period with three months’ notice due.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following table sets out the percentage change in profit, dividends and overall spend on pay in 2012 compared to 2011:

Profit after tax

Dividends

Employee remuneration costs, of which:

Executive directors’ total pay (continuing)

Executive directors’ annual bonus (continuing)

2012
£m

16.2

9.4

112.8

3.4

2.5

2011
£m

25.1

9.0

122.3

5.6

4.8

Percentage 
change

(35%)

4%

(8%)

(40%)

(47%)

44

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationImplementation report

Directors’ emoluments and compensation (audited) 
Details of emoluments and compensation payable in their capacity as directors during the year are set out below.

Executive directors
Andi Case

Jeff Woyda

Non-executive directors
Bob Benton

James Morley

Ed Warner

Former directors
Martin Stopford

Paul Wogan

Basic salary 
and fees 
£000

Benefits 
£000

Fixed  
pay 
£000

Performance 
related  
bonus 
£000

Total 
remuneration 
£000

Fixed  
pay 
£000

Performance 
related 
bonus 
£000

Total 
remuneration 
£000

2012

2011

550

250

120

66

66

42

7

1,101

47

12

8

67

597

262

120

66

66

50

7

2,102

448

2,699

710

120

66

66

50

7

1,168

2,550

3,718

593

262

117

65

65

264

65

1,431

3,930

838

4,523

1,100

117

65

65

736

65

472

5,240

6,671

Benefits include cash allowances in lieu of company cars, healthcare insurance, club memberships and pension supplements. 

Included in the performance-related bonuses above are the total bonuses payable to executive directors. In line with higher earning 
employees up to 10% will be paid in the form of restricted shares which vest after four years. 

Pension contributions were £50,000 for Andi Case and £37,500 for Jeff Woyda in both years with the balance for Andi Case (up to 15% 
of salary) paid as a cash supplement in lieu of pension (net of employer’s NI).

Performance graph
This graph shows total shareholder return (that is, share price growth assuming re-investment of any dividends) of the company over the last 
five financial years compared to the FTSE SmallCap Index, which the committee considers an appropriate index for comparison purposes.

Clarkson PLC        FTSE SmallCap Index

£180

£155

£130

£105

£80

£55

£30

31/12/07

31/12/08

31/12/09

31/12/10

31/12/11

31/12/12

This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2012, of £100 invested in Clarkson PLC on 31 December 2007 compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE SmallCap Index. The other points 
plotted are the values at intervening financial year-ends.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

45

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationImplementation report continued

Directors’ interests in shares
The company requires executive directors to build a shareholding equivalent to 100% of the executive directors’ salary. Until this is attained 
they are required to retain 50% of any share award that vests.

The beneficial interests of the directors in the share capital of the company at 31 December was as follows:

Bob Benton

Andi Case

James Morley

Ed Warner

Jeff Woyda

Percentage  
of salary  
held in shares 
under the 
shareholding 
guideline

N/A

100%

N/A

N/A

100%

Guideline  
met?

N/A

Yes

N/A

N/A

Yes

Number of ordinary shares 

2012

2011

 4,7001
662,9392
4,500

15,000
66,6262

4,7001
633,6982
4,500

15,000
60,3912

1 The beneficial owner of these shares is Marianne Kingham who is married to Bob Benton
2 These figures include restricted shares granted as part of annual bonus as follows:

Andi Case

Jeff Woyda

Bonus year
Vesting date

Number of shares

2008
April 2013

57,233

18,937

2009
April 2014

26,689

5,694

2010
April 2015

34,971

7,461

2011
April 2016

29,241

6,235

Further restricted share awards will be made in 2013 in respect of up to 10% of the directors’ 2012 bonus.

Directors’ interests in share options over ordinary shares are as follows: 

Options  
held at 
1 January  
2012 

25,0001

Options  
granted  
during  
the year 

–

Options  
exercised  
during  
the year 

–

Options  
lapsed  
during  
the year 

Options 
held at  
31 December  
2012 

Exercise  
price  
£ 

Dates  
from which 
exercisable 

Expiry dates 

–

25,000

9.91

October 2010

October 2017

Andi Case

1 These options are fully vested and were granted for nil consideration.

Directors’ share incentives (audited)
The following share awards have been granted as nil cost options under the LTIP, subject to the EPS and TSR performance criteria 
(50% of the award each) detailed in the LTIP section of this report on page 42.

Interests  
under plan at  
1 January 
2012

Awards  
granted  
in year

Awards  
vested 
 in year

Awards  
lapsed  
in year

Interests  
under plan at  
31 December 
2012

Grant date

Vesting date

Date 
exercisable 
until

Value of awards  
granted in  
year  
£000

Executive directors
Andi Case

Jeff Woyda

Former directors
Martin Stopford

99,3881
77,1752
67,2373
–
45,1821
35,0802
30,5623
–

40,6641
31,5722
27,5063

–

–

–
61,9374
–

–

–
28,1534

99,388

–

–

–

45,182

–

–

–

–

–

–

40,664

30,938

21,448

–

40,594

–

–

–

18,452

–

–

–

634

6,058

99,388 15 Dec 09 15 Dec 12 15 Dec 19
36,581 23 Dec 10 23 Dec 13 23 Dec 20
67,237 25 May 11 25 May 14
–
61,937 11 May 12 11 May 15
–
45,182 15 Dec 09 15 Dec 12 15 Dec 19
16,628 23 Dec 10 23 Dec 13 23 Dec 20
30,562 25 May 11 25 May 14
–
28,153 11 May 12 11 May 15

–

– 15 Dec 09
– 23 Dec 10
– 25 May 11

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

825

–

–

–

375

–

–

–

The share price on the date of the award was 1. £8.06 2. £11.22, 3. £9.63, 4. £13.50.
46

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationThe vesting of the awards will be based on the following criteria (applying to separate 50% parts of each award):

Earnings per share 

Date of grant 

Threshold vesting level (25% of award)

Maximum vesting level (100% of award)

Current level of achievement of performance condition based on 2012 EPS figure (max 100%)

Awards vest pro rata between the lower and upper targets. 

23 December  
2010 

95.0p

123.0p

0%

25 May  
2011 

108.5p

140.0p

0%

11 May  
2012 

115.0p

150.0p

0%

The EPS thresholds were not achieved and therefore no awards vested under this EPS part of the LTIP in respect of awards granted in 
2007, 2008 and 2010. 

Total shareholder return 
Awards under this element will vest dependent on Clarkson’s TSR over three years compared to the TSR of the companies in the 
FTSE SmallCap Index as at the start of the performance period. The performance period commences on 1 January in the financial year in 
which the award is made. 

Awards will vest pro rata between threshold and maximum performance. 

Date of grant 

Threshold vesting level (25% of award)

Maximum vesting level (100% of award)

Current level of achievement of performance condition based on TSR performance  
as at 31 December 2012 (max 100%)

Pensions (audited) 
Andi Case and Jeff Woyda are members of the defined contribution scheme. 

23 December  
2010

25 May  
2011 

11 May  
2012

Median

Upper quartile or above

94.8%

78.4%

32.2%

The company contribution for Andi Case is equivalent to 15% of base salary and comprises a scheme contribution limited to £50,000 and 
the balance net of national insurance as an allowance. 

The company contribution to the scheme for Jeff Woyda is 15% of base salary. 

No directors held any entitlement to benefits under the defined benefit scheme. 

Payment to former director 
Martin Stopford retired in March 2012 and was considered a good leaver under the LTIP, resulting in awards vesting on cessation 
of employment subject to the achievement of the performance conditions. He received the following payments in 2012:

Type of compensation

Consultancy fees1
Restricted shares
Performance awards2 
granted 2009
Performance awards2  
granted 2010
Performance awards2  
granted 2011

Total

Basis of calculation

Performance metrics

10% of Bonus deferred for 4 years

Vest in full on retirement

EPS – 50% 
TSR – 50%

EPS achievement – 95.83% 
TSR achievement – 100%

EPS – 50% 
TSR – 50%

EPS achievement – 94.64% 
TSR achievement – 100%

EPS – 50% 
TSR – 50%

EPS achievement – 41.27% 
TSR achievement – 100%

12,869 shares at £12.983
40,664 shares at £12.983

30,938 shares at £12.983

21,448 shares at £12.983

1 Following his retirement, Martin Stopford was paid £50,000 for consultancy services.

2 EPS performance was determined based on the 2011 EPS outturn. TSR performance was determined based on the TSR performance at the date of cessation.

3 Share price on date of cessation of employment.

Value  
£000

50

167

528

402

278

1,425

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

47

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationImplementation report continued

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee comprises all the non-executive directors – Bob Benton, Ed Warner and James Morley, and is chaired by 
Ed Warner. None of the committee members have day-to-day involvement with the business nor do they have any personal financial 
interest in the matters to be recommended. Steve Deasey, company secretary, acts as secretary to the committee. The number of 
formal meetings held and the attendance by each member is shown in the table below. The committee also held informal discussions 
as required. 

Bob Benton

Ed Warner

James Morley

Number of meetings 
attended out of  
potential maximum

3 out of 3

3 out of 3

3 out of 3

In particular the board is satisfied that the committee has the range of skills and relevant business experience to reach an independent 
judgement on the suitability of the remuneration policy. The committee’s remit already covers remuneration arrangements for all 
employees (where the committee reviews bonus payments for all employees in the business) and consideration of risk is foremost 
in the committee’s deliberations. The terms of reference are available on request from the company secretary. 

External advisors 
New Bridge Street (NBS) are appointed by the committee to provide independent advice and services that materially assist the committee 
in their consideration of matters relating to directors’ remuneration, design of share incentive plans and measurement of performance 
against vesting targets. Neither NBS nor its parent company, Aon Corporation, has any other connection with the company.

The fees paid by the company to NBS during the financial year for advice to the remuneration committee was £43,000. No additional fees 
were paid by the group to Aon Corporation in respect of other services.

NBS is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants’ Code of Conduct.

Statement of shareholder voting at AGM
At the 2012 AGM, the directors’ remuneration report received the following votes from shareholders:

For 

Against

Abstentions

Total

Total number  
of votes

% of 
 votes cast

79.3%

20.7%

9,990,592

2,610,245

77,456 

12,678,293

At the AGM to be held on 10 May 2013 a resolution approving this report is to be proposed as an ordinary resolution. 

This report to shareholders provides information on the remuneration and share interests of all Clarkson PLC directors and the criteria 
by which that remuneration has been determined. It has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the applicable 
Listing Rules.

This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf by: 

Ed Warner Remuneration committee chairman

6 March 2013

48

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationStatement of directors’ responsibilities

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

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed in 
the corporate governance statement on pages 35 and 36 of this 
Annual Report confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

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

• the business and financial reviews include a fair review of the 

development and performance of the business and the position 
of the group, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that it faces.

On behalf of the board

Bob Benton Chairman

6 March 2013

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared 
the group and parent company financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union. Under company law the directors 
must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied 
that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group 
and the company and of the profit or loss of the group for that 
period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are 
required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

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

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of the company and the group and enable 
them to ensure that the financial statements and the directors’ 
remuneration report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, 
as regards the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the 
assets of the company and the group and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud 
and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

49

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationIndependent auditors’ report  
to the members of Clarkson PLC

We have audited the financial statements of Clarkson PLC for the 
year ended 31 December 2012 which comprise the consolidated 
income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the consolidated and parent company balance sheets, 
the consolidated and parent company statements of changes 
in equity, the consolidated and parent company cash flow 
statements and the related notes. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union and, as regards the parent company 
financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006.

Respective responsibilities of directors 
and auditors 
As explained more fully in the statement of directors’ 
responsibilities set out on page 49, the directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied 
that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and 
express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and 
Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing 
Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

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

Scope of the audit of the financial 
statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes 
an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate 
to the group’s and the parent company’s circumstances and 
have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the 
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the 
directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. 
In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information 
in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the 
audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent 
material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 

• the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state 

of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 
31 December 2012 and of the group’s profit and group’s 
and parent company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

50

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

• the group financial statements have been properly prepared 

in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 
• the parent company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006; and

• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards 
the group financial statements, Article 4 of the lAS Regulation. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by 
the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion: 

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

• the information given in the report of the directors for the financial 
year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent 
with the financial statements; and

• the information given in the corporate governance statement 
set out on pages 35 to 38 with respect to internal control and 
risk management systems and about share capital structures 
is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to 
report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following: 

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

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 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; or

• a corporate governance statement has not been prepared 

by the parent company. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

• the directors’ statement, set out on page 34, in relation to 

going concern;

• the parts of the corporate governance statement relating to 

the company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code specified for our review; and
• certain elements of the report to shareholders by the board 

on directors’ remuneration.

Andrew Paynter Senior statutory auditor 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors

London

6 March 2013

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationConsolidated income statement 
For the year ended 31 December

Exceptional 
item 
(note 5) 
£m

Acquisition 
costs  
(note 6)  
£m

Revenue
Cost of sales

Trading profit
Other income

Administrative expenses 

Operating profit
Finance revenue 

Finance costs 

Notes

3, 4 

3, 4 

3

3

Other finance revenue – pensions  3, 21

Profit before taxation
Taxation 

Profit for the year

Attributable to: 
Equity holders of the parent 

Earnings per share 
Basic

Diluted

7

8

8

Before 
exceptional 
item and 
acquisition 
costs 
£m

176.2

(6.3)

169.9

–

(150.8)

19.1

1.2

–

0.1

20.4

(6.1)

14.3

14.3

76.8p

75.8p

–

–

–

4.5

–

4.5

–

–

–

4.5

(1.1)

3.4

3.4

2012

After 
exceptional 
item and 
acquisition 
costs 
£m

176.2

(6.3)

169.9

4.5

(152.3)

22.1

1.2

(0.1)

0.1

23.3

(7.1)

16.2

2011

Before 
exceptional 
item 
£m

Exceptional 
item 
(note 5) 
£m

After 
exceptional 
item 
£m

194.6

(3.4)

191.2

–

(161.0)

30.2

1.0

(0.2)

1.2

32.2

(9.5)

22.7

–

–

–

–

3.2

3.2

–

–

–

3.2

(0.8)

2.4

194.6

(3.4)

191.2

–

(157.8)

33.4

1.0

(0.2)

1.2

35.4

(10.3)

25.1

–

–

–

–

(1.5)

(1.5)

–

(0.1)

–

(1.6)

0.1

(1.5)

(1.5)

16.2

22.7

2.4

25.1

87.2p

86.0p

121.5p

120.3p

134.1p

132.8p

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
For the year ended 31 December

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income:

  Actuarial loss on employee benefit schemes – net of tax 

  Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of foreign operations 

  Foreign currency hedge – net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income attributable to: 
Equity holders of the parent 

Notes

21

23

23

2012  
£m

16.2

(3.8)

(1.3)

1.5

12.6

Group

2011  
£m

25.1

(7.3)

(0.9)

(0.7)

16.2

12.6

16.2

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

51

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationConsolidated and parent company balance sheets
As at 31 December

Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment

Investment property

Intangible assets

Trade and other receivables

Investments

Investments in subsidiaries

Deferred tax asset

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables

Income tax receivable

Investments

Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Income tax payable

Provisions

Net current assets

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Provisions

Employee benefits

Deferred tax liability

Net assets

Capital and reserves 
Share capital

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity 

Notes

2012  
£m

10

11

12

14

15

16

7

14

15

17

18

19

18

19

21

7

22

23

8.0

0.4

39.8

0.4

1.9

–

14.7

65.2

33.2

0.3

25.2

89.4

148.1

(69.7)

(2.5)

–

(72.2)

75.9

(1.7)

(1.8)

(9.4)

(2.2)

(15.1)

126.0

4.7

37.5

83.8

126.0

Group

2011 
£m

8.4

0.4

40.3

0.4

1.9

–

12.1

63.5

37.5

0.6

–

132.9

171.0

(95.5)

(4.2)

(0.2)

(99.9)

71.1

(1.2)

(1.6)

(6.6)

(1.9)

(11.3)

123.3

4.7

37.5

81.1

123.3

2012 
£m

3.4

0.4

–

0.1

0.2

53.9

5.1

63.1

24.7

0.1

13.1

11.1

49.0

Company

2011 
£m

4.0

0.4

–

0.1

0.2

53.7

4.0

62.4

23.7

1.5

–

24.9

50.1

(7.1)

(34.2)

–

–

(7.1)

41.9

–

(1.8)

(9.4)

–

(11.2)

93.8

4.7

32.4

56.7

93.8

–

–

(34.2)

15.9

–

(1.6)

(6.6)

–

(8.2)

70.1

4.7

31.8

33.6

70.1

The financial statements were approved by the board on 6 March 2013, and signed on its behalf by:

Bob Benton Chairman 

Jeff Woyda Finance director

Registered number: 1190238

52

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationConsolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December

Balance at 1 January 2012

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income:

  Actuarial loss on employee benefit schemes – net of tax

  Foreign exchange differences on retranslation  

  of foreign operations

  Foreign currency hedge – net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Transactions with owners:

  Net ESOP shares acquired

  Share-based payments

  Tax on other employee benefits

  Dividend paid

Balance at 31 December 2012

Balance at 1 January 2011

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income:

  Actuarial loss on employee benefit schemes – net of tax

  Foreign exchange differences on retranslation  

  of foreign operations

  Foreign currency hedge – net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Transactions with owners:

  Net ESOP shares acquired

  Share-based payments

  Tax on other employee benefits

  Profit on ESOP shares

  Dividend paid

Balance at 31 December 2011

Group  
Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Notes

Share  
capital  

£m

4.7

Other  
reserves  
£m

37.5

21

23

23

23

23

7

9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4.7

–

–

(1.3)

1.5

0.2

(0.8)

0.6

–

–

(0.2)

37.5

Retained 
earnings  
£m

81.1

16.2

Total  
equity  
£m

123.3

16.2

(3.8)

(3.8)

–

–

12.4

–

–

(0.3)

(9.4)

(9.7)

83.8

(1.3)

1.5

12.6

(0.8)

0.6

(0.3)

(9.4)

(9.9)

126.0

Group  
Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Notes

Share  
capital  
£m

4.7

Other  
reserves  
£m

40.0

21

23

23

23

23

7

9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4.7

–

–

(0.9)

(0.7)

(1.6)

(1.4)

0.5

–

–

–

(0.9)

37.5

Retained 
earnings  
£m

71.7

25.1

Total  
equity  
£m

116.4

25.1

(7.3)

(7.3)

–

–

17.8

–

–

(0.2)

0.8

(9.0)

(8.4)

81.1

(0.9)

(0.7)

16.2

(1.4)

0.5

(0.2)

0.8

(9.0)

(9.3)

123.3

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

53

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther information 
 
Parent company statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December

Balance at 1 January 2012
Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income:

  Actuarial loss on employee benefit schemes – net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Transactions with owners:

  Share-based payments

  Dividend paid

Balance at 31 December 2012

Balance at 1 January 2011 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income:

  Actuarial loss on employee benefit schemes – net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Transactions with owners:

  Share-based payments

  Tax on other employee benefits

  Dividend paid

Balance at 31 December 2011 

Notes

21

23

9

Notes

21

23

9

Company  
Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share  
capital  
£m

4.7

Other 
reserves  
£m

31.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

4.7

–

–

–

0.6

–

0.6

32.4

Retained 
earnings  
£m

33.6

36.3

(3.8)

32.5

–

(9.4)

(9.4)

56.7

 Total  
equity  
£m

70.1

36.3

(3.8)

32.5

0.6

(9.4)

(8.8)

93.8

Company  
Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share  
capital  
£m

4.7

Other  
reserves 
£m

31.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4.7

–

–

–

0.5

–

–

0.5

31.8

Retained 
earnings 
£m

35.1

12.9

(7.3)

5.6

–

1.9

(9.0)

(7.1)

33.6

 Total  
equity  
£m

71.1

12.9

(7.3)

5.6

0.5

1.9

(9.0)

(6.6)

70.1

54

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information 
 
Consolidated and parent company cash flow statements
For the year ended 31 December

Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit before tax 
Adjustments for:
  Foreign exchange differences
  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
  Share-based payment expense
  Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
  Amortisation of intangibles
  Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries
 Difference between pension contributions paid and  
  amount recognised in the income statement

  Finance revenue
  Finance costs
  Other finance revenue – pensions
  Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 
  Decrease in bonus accrual 
  Decrease in trade and other payables 

Increase in provisions 

Cash generated/(utilised) from operations 
Income tax (paid)/received
Net cash flow from operating activities 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Interest received 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of investments
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Transfer to current investments
Acquisition of subsidiaries, including deferred consideration
Cash acquired on acquisitions
Dividends received from investments
Net cash flow from investing activities 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Interest paid 
Dividend paid
Repayments of borrowings
ESOP shares acquired
Net cash flow from financing activities
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Net foreign exchange differences
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

Notes

2012  
£m

Group

2011  
£m

Company

2011  
£m

2012  
£m

23.3

35.4

35.7

11.3

3

3, 10

20

12

16

16

3

3

3

19

3

10

15

12, 16

12

3

3

9

17

0.5
2.3
1.4
–
0.5
–
–

(2.1)
(1.2)
0.1
(0.1)
4.8
(21.5)
(2.0)
–
6.0
(10.4)
(4.4)

0.5
(2.0)
–
0.1
(25.2)
(0.4)
–
0.7
(26.3)

(0.1)
(9.4)
–
(1.1)
(10.6)
(41.3)
132.9
(2.2)
89.4

(3.2)
2.3
1.1
0.1
–
–
–

(2.9)
(1.0)
0.2
(1.2)
(3.9)
(7.3)
(1.6)
0.1
18.1
(10.9)
7.2

0.5
(2.3)
10.7
0.4
–
(8.7)
1.8
0.5
2.9

(0.2)
(9.0)
(43.6)
(1.5)
(54.3)
(44.2)
176.3
0.8
132.9

–
0.7
0.9
–
–
0.5
–

(2.1)
(39.7)
–
(0.1)
(0.2)
(4.4)
(23.2)
0.2
(31.7)
2.1
(29.6)

0.2
(0.1)
–
–
(13.1)
(0.2)
–
39.5
26.3

–
(9.4)
–
(1.1)
(10.5)
(13.8)
24.9
–
11.1

–
0.6
1.1
–
–
–
0.5

(2.9)
(19.6)
0.2
(1.2)
(10.0)
(2.9)
21.8
0.2
(0.9)
2.3
1.4

0.2
(0.3)
10.7
–
–
–
–
19.6
30.2

(0.2)
(9.0)
(43.6)
–
(52.8)
(21.2)
46.1
–
24.9

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

55

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther information 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements

1 Corporate information 
The group and parent company financial statements of Clarkson 
PLC for the year ended 31 December 2012 were authorised for 
issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 6 March 
2013. Clarkson PLC is a Public Limited Company, listed on the 
London Stock Exchange, registered in England and Wales and 
domiciled in the UK.

The term ‘company’ refers to Clarkson PLC and ‘group’ refers 
to the company, its consolidated subsidiaries and the relevant 
assets and liabilities of the share purchase trusts.

Copies of the Annual Report will be circulated to all shareholders 
and will also be available from the registered office of the company 
at St. Magnus House, 3 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6HE.

2 Statement of accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation
The accounting policies which follow set out those policies which 
apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2012.

The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling and all 
values are rounded to the nearest one hundred thousand pounds 
sterling (£0.1m) except when otherwise indicated.

The consolidated income statement is shown in columnar format 
to assist with understanding the group’s results by presenting profit 
for the period before exceptional items and acquisition costs. Items 
which are non-recurring in nature and considered to be material 
in size are shown as ‘exceptional items’. The column ‘acquisition 
costs’ includes the amortisation of intangible assets and the 
expensing of the cash and share-based elements of consideration 
linked to ongoing employment obligations on previous acquisitions. 
These notes form an integral part of the financial statements 
on pages 51 to 55.

Statement of compliance
The financial statements of Clarkson PLC have been prepared 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union, IFRIC Interpretations 
and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting 
under IFRSs.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation 
of land and buildings, available-for-sale financial assets, and 
financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative 
instruments) at fair value through profit or loss.

The company has elected to take the exemption under section 
408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the parent 
company income statement, or the parent company statement 
of comprehensive income.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied 
consistently to all periods presented in these group and company 
financial statements. 

56

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

Basis of consolidation
The group’s consolidated financial statements incorporate the 
results and net assets of Clarkson PLC and all its subsidiary 
undertakings made up to 31 December each year. 

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

All inter-group transactions, balances, income and expenses 
are eliminated on consolidation, however for the purposes of 
segmental reporting, internal arm’s-length recharges are included 
within the appropriate segments.

2.2 Changes in accounting policy 
and disclosures
New and amended standards adopted by the group
There are no IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are effective for the 
first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 2012 that have 
had a material impact on the group.

New standards, amendments and interpretations 
issued but not effective for the financial year beginning 
1 January 2013 and not early adopted
IAS 1, ‘Financial statement presentation’ regarding other 
comprehensive income. The effective date is for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 July 2012. The main change resulting 
from these amendments is a requirement for entities to group 
items presented in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) on the 
basis of whether they are potentially reclassifiable to profit or loss 
subsequently (reclassification adjustments). The amendments 
do not address which items are presented in OCI.

IAS 19, ‘Employee benefits’ was amended in June 2011. The 
impact on the group will be as follows: to eliminate the corridor 
approach and recognise all actuarial gains and losses in OCI as 
they occur; to immediately recognise all past service costs; and 
to replace interest cost and expected return on plan assets with 
a net interest amount that is calculated by applying the discount 
rate to the net defined benefit liability/(asset). The effective date 
is for annual reports beginning on or after 1 January 2013. 
The impact of this change is explained in the financial review 
on page 26.

IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’, addresses the classification, 
measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial 
liabilities. IFRS 9 was issued in November 2009 and October 2010. 
It replaces the parts of IAS 39 that relate to the classification and 
measurement of financial instruments. IFRS 9 requires financial 
assets to be classified into two measurement categories: those 
measured as at fair value and those measured at amortised cost. 
The determination is made at initial recognition. The classification 
depends on the entity’s business model for managing its financial 
instruments and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the 
instrument. For financial liabilities, the standard retains most of the 
IAS 39 requirements. The main change is that, in cases where the 
fair value option is taken for financial liabilities, the part of a fair 
value change due to an entity’s own credit risk is recorded in other 
comprehensive income rather than the income statement, unless 
this creates an accounting mismatch. The group is yet to assess 
IFRS 9’s full impact and intends to adopt IFRS 9 no later than the 
accounting period beginning on or after 1 January 2015, subject 
to endorsement by the EU.

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationIFRS 13, ‘Fair value measurement’, aims to improve consistency 
and reduce complexity by providing a precise definition of fair value 
and a single source of fair value measurement and disclosure 
requirements for use across IFRSs. The requirements, which are 
largely aligned between IFRSs and US GAAP, do not extend the 
use of fair value accounting but provide guidance on how it should 
be applied where its use is already required or permitted by other 
standards within IFRSs or US GAAP. The effective date is for 
annual reports beginning on or after 1 January 2013. The group 
has assessed the impact of the change as being not material.

There are no other IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are not 
yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact 
on the group.

2.3 Accounting judgements and estimates
The preparation of the group’s financial statements requires 
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions 
that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets 
and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities, at the 
reporting date. However, uncertainty about these assumptions 
and estimates could result in outcomes that could require 
a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset 
or liability affected in the future. 

Impairment of non-financial assets
The group assesses whether there are any indicators of 
impairment for all non-financial assets at each reporting date. 
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and at other times 
when such indicators exist. Other non-financial assets are tested 
for impairment when there are indicators that the carrying 
amounts may not be recoverable. When value-in-use calculations 
are undertaken, management must estimate the expected future 
cash flows from the asset or cash-generating unit and choose 
a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value 
of those cash flows. Further details are given in note 13.

Share-based payments
The group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with 
employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments 
at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value 
requires determining the most appropriate valuation model for 
a grant of equity instruments, which is dependent on the terms 
and conditions of the grant. This also requires determining 
the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including 
the expected life of the option, volatility and dividend yield and 
making assumptions about them. 

Pensions
The cost of defined benefit pension plans is determined 
using actuarial valuations. Actuarial valuations involve making 
assumptions about discount rates, expected rates of return 
on assets, future salary increases, mortality rates and future 
pension increases. Due to the long-term nature of these plans, 
such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty. Further 
details are given in note 21.

Trade receivables
The provision for impairment of receivables represents 
management’s best estimate at the balance sheet date.

2.4 Property, plant and equipment
Land held for use in the production or supply of goods or 
services, or for administrative purposes, is stated on the balance 
sheet at its historic cost. 

Freehold and long leasehold properties, leasehold improvements, 
office furniture and equipment and motor vehicles are recorded 
at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised 
impairment loss. Cost includes the original purchase price of 
the asset.

Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is charged 
on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life (after allowing 
for estimated residual value based on current prices) of the asset, 
and is charged from the time an asset becomes available for its 
intended use. Estimated useful lives are as follows: 

Freehold and long leasehold  
  properties
Leasehold improvements
Office furniture and equipment
Motor vehicles

60 years
Over the period of the lease
4–10 years
4 years

Estimates of useful lives and residual scrap values are 
assessed annually. 

At each balance sheet date, the group reviews the carrying 
amounts of its property, plant and equipment to determine 
whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered 
an impairment loss. 

2.5 Investment properties 
Land and buildings held for long-term investment and to earn 
rental income are classified as investment properties. Investment 
properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
any recognised impairment loss. 

Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis over the 
estimated useful life of the asset, and is charged from the time an 
asset becomes available for its intended use. Estimated useful 
lives are as follows: 

Investment properties 

60 years 

2.6 Business combinations and goodwill 
Business combinations are accounted for using the 
purchase method. 

Goodwill is initially measured at cost being the excess of the cost 
of the business combination over the group’s share in the net 
fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities.

All transaction costs related to business combinations are 
expensed in the income statement. 

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any 
accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment 
testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the 
acquisition date, allocated to each of the group’s cash-generating 
units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the 
combination. 

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

57

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther information 
Notes to the financial statements continued

2 Statement of accounting policies 
continued
Goodwill arising on acquisitions prior to the date of transition 
to IFRSs has been retained at the previous UK GAAP amount 
subject to being tested for impairment at that date. Goodwill 
written off to reserves under UK GAAP prior to transition has 
not been reinstated and will not be included in determining 
any subsequent profit or loss on disposal. 

2.7 Intangible assets 
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial 
recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in 
a business combination is the fair value as at the date of 
acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are 
carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any 
accumulated impairment losses.

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be three years.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over the useful life 
and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that 
the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortisation period 
and the amortisation method for an intangible asset with a finite 
useful life are reviewed at least at each financial year-end. 
Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of 
consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset 
are accounted for by changing the amortisation period or method, 
as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting 
estimates. The amortisation expense on intangible assets with 
finite lives is recognised in profit or loss in the expense category 
consistent with the function of the intangible asset.

2.8 Impairment of non-financial assets 
The group assesses at each reporting date whether there is an 
indication that an asset may be impaired. If any such indication 
exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, 
the group estimates the asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s 
recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or cash-generating 
unit’s fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use and is 
determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not 
generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from 
other assets or groups of assets. Where the carrying amount of 
an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered 
impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. 
In assessing value-in-use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate 
that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 
money and the risks specific to the asset. In determining fair 
value less costs to sell, an appropriate valuation model is used. 
These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, or 
other available fair value indicators.

Impairment losses of continuing operations are recognised in 
profit or loss in those expense categories consistent with the 
function of the impaired asset.

58

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

For assets excluding goodwill, an assessment is made at each 
reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously 
recognised impairment losses may no longer exist or may have 
decreased. If such indication exists, the group makes an estimate 
of recoverable amount. A previously recognised impairment loss 
is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates 
used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last 
impairment loss was recognised. If that is the case the carrying 
amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. 
That increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount 
that would have been determined, net of depreciation, 
had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior 
years. Such reversal is recognised in profit or loss unless the asset 
is carried at revalued amount, in which case the reversal is treated 
as a revaluation increase.

The following criteria are also applied in assessing impairment 
of specific assets:

Goodwill
The group assesses whether there are any indicators that 
goodwill is impaired at each reporting date. Goodwill is tested 
for impairment annually.

Impairment is determined for goodwill by assessing the 
recoverable amount of the cash-generating units to which the 
goodwill relates. Where the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating units is less than their carrying amount an impairment 
loss is recognised. Impairment losses relating to goodwill cannot 
be reversed in future periods. The group performs its annual 
impairment test of goodwill as at 31 December.

2.9 The parent company’s investments 
in subsidiaries
In its separate financial statements the parent company recognises 
its investments in subsidiaries at cost less provision for impairment. 
Income is recognised from these investments in relation to 
distributions received.

2.10 Investments and other financial assets
Classification
Financial assets within the scope of IAS 39 are classified as 
financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, loans and 
receivables, held-to-maturity investments, or available-for-sale 
financial assets, as appropriate. When financial assets are 
recognised initially, they are measured at fair value, plus, in 
the case of investments not at fair value through profit or loss, 
directly attributable transaction costs.

The group determines the classification of its financial assets 
on initial recognition and, where allowed and appropriate, 
re-evaluates this designation at each financial year-end.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss includes 
financial assets held for trading and financial assets designated 
upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.

Financial assets are classified as held for trading if they are 
acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term. Gains or 
losses on investments held for trading are recognised in profit 
or loss.

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationLoans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with 
fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active 
market. After initial measurement loans and receivables are 
carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method less 
any allowance for impairment. Gains and losses are recognised 
in profit or loss when the loans and receivables are derecognised 
or impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

Available-for-sale financial investments
Available-for-sale financial assets are those non-derivative 
financial assets that are designated as available-for-sale or are 
not classified in any of the two preceding categories or held-to-
maturity investments. After initial measurement, available-for-sale 
financial assets are measured at fair value with unrealised gains 
or losses recognised directly in equity until the investment is 
derecognised or determined to be impaired at which time the 
cumulative gain or loss previously recorded in equity is 
recognised in profit or loss.

Recognition and measurement

Fair value 
The fair value of investments that are actively traded in organised 
financial markets is determined by reference to quoted market 
bid prices at the close of business on the balance sheet date. 
For investments where there is no active market, fair value is 
determined using valuation techniques, unless these are not 
reliable in which case the investments are shown at cost. Such 
valuation techniques include using recent arm’s-length market 
transactions; reference to the current market value of another 
instrument which is substantially the same; discounted cash flow 
analysis or other valuation models.

Amortised cost
Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost. This is 
computed using the effective interest method less any allowance 
for impairment. The calculation takes into account any premium 
or discount on acquisition and includes transaction costs and 
fees that are an integral part of the effective interest rate.

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value 
and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method less provision for impairment.

Foreign exchange contracts are accounted for in accordance 
with 2.13.

2.11 Impairment of financial assets
The group assesses at each balance sheet date whether a 
financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired.

Assets carried at amortised cost
If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on assets 
carried at amortised cost has been incurred, the amount of the 
loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying 
amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows 
(excluding future expected credit losses that have not been 
incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective 
interest rate (i.e. the effective interest rate computed at initial 
recognition). The carrying amount of the asset is reduced 
through use of an allowance account. The amount of the loss 
is recognised in profit or loss.

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss 
decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an 
event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the 
previously recognised impairment loss is reversed, to the 
extent that the carrying value of the asset does not exceed its 
amortised cost at the reversal date. Any subsequent reversal 
of an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

In relation to trade receivables, a provision for impairment is made 
when there is objective evidence that the group will not be able 
to collect all of the amounts due under the original terms of the 
invoice. The carrying amount of the receivable is reduced through 
use of an allowance account. Impaired debts are derecognised 
when they are assessed as uncollectable.

Available-for-sale financial investments

If an available-for-sale asset is impaired, an amount comprising 
the difference between its cost (net of any principal payment and 
amortisation) and its current fair value, less any impairment loss 
previously recognised in profit or loss, is transferred from equity 
to profit or loss. Reversals in respect of equity instruments 
classified as available-for-sale are not recognised in profit or loss. 
Reversals of impairment losses on debt instruments are reversed 
through profit or loss, if the increase in fair value of the instrument 
can be objectively related to an event occurring after the 
impairment loss was recognised in profit or loss. 

2.12 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call 
deposits with an original maturity of between one day and 
three months. 

2.13 Derivative financial instruments and hedge 
accounting
The group uses various financial instruments to reduce exposure 
to foreign exchange movements. These can include forward 
foreign exchange contracts and currency options. All derivative 
financial instruments are initially recognised on the balance sheet 
at their fair value adjusted for transaction costs.

The fair values of financial instrument derivatives are determined  
by reference to quoted prices in an active market. Where no 
such active market exists, the fair value is determined using 
appropriate valuation techniques from observable data, including 
discounted cash flow analysis and the Black-Scholes option 
pricing model.

The method of recognising the movements in the fair value of 
the derivative depends on whether the instrument has been 
designated as a hedging instrument and, if so, the cash flow 
being hedged. To qualify for hedge accounting, the terms of the 
hedge must be clearly documented at inception and there must 
be an expectation that the derivative will be highly effective in 
offsetting changes in the cash flow of the hedged risk. Hedge 
effectiveness is tested throughout the life of the hedge and if at 
any point it is concluded that the relationship can no longer be 
expected to remain highly effective in achieving its objective, the 
hedge relationship is terminated.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

59

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued

2 Statement of accounting policies 
continued
Gains and losses on financial instrument derivatives which 
qualify for hedge accounting are recognised according to the 
nature of the hedge relationship and the item being hedged.

Cash flow hedges: derivative financial instruments are classified 
as cash flow hedges when they hedge the group’s exposure to 
changes in cash flows attributable to a particular asset or liability 
or a highly probable forecast transaction. Gains or losses on 
designated cash flow hedges are recognised directly in equity, 
to the extent that they are determined to be effective. Any 
remaining portion of the gain or loss is recognised immediately 
in the income statement. On recognition of the hedged asset or 
liability, any gains or losses that had previously been recognised 
directly in equity are included in the initial measurement of the fair 
value of the asset or liability. When a hedging instrument expires 
or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge 
accounting, any cumulative gain or loss in equity remains there 
and is recognised in the income statement when the forecast 
transaction is ultimately recognised. When a forecast transaction 
is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss 
that was reported in equity is immediately transferred to the 
income statement.

Where financial instrument derivatives do not qualify for hedge 
accounting, changes in the fair market value are recognised 
immediately in the income statement.

2.14 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at fair value 
less directly attributable transaction costs and have not been 
designated as ‘at fair value through profit and loss’.

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method.

2.15 Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the group has a present 
obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it 
is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Where 
the group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, 
for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement 
is recognised as a separate asset but only when the 
reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any 
provision is presented in profit or loss net of any reimbursement. 
If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are 
discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, where 
appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting 
is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time 
is recognised as a finance cost.

2.16 Pensions
The group operates two defined benefit pension plans, both 
of which may require contributions to be made to separately 
administered funds. The cost of providing benefits under the 
defined benefit plans is determined separately for each plan using 
the projected unit credit actuarial valuation method. Actuarial gains 
and losses are recognised in full in the period in which they 
occur; they are presented in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income.

The past service costs are recognised immediately to the extent 
that the benefits are already vested. Otherwise, they are 
amortised on a straight-line basis over the period until the 
benefits become vested.

The defined benefit asset or liability comprises the present value 
of the defined benefit obligation less past service cost not yet 
recognised and less the fair value of plan assets out of which the 
obligations are to be settled directly. The value of any asset is 
restricted to the sum of any past service cost not yet recognised 
and the present value of any economic benefits available in the 
form of refunds from the plan or reductions in the future 
contributions to the plan.

2.17 Share-based payment transactions
Employees (including senior executives) of the group receive 
remuneration in the form of share-based payment transactions, 
whereby employees render services as consideration for equity 
instruments (equity-settled transactions).

Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is 
measured by reference to the fair value at the date on which they 
are granted. The fair value of the element of these awards which 
have a Total Shareholder Return performance condition was 
valued using a stochastic model. All other elements of awards 
were valued using a Black-Scholes model.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together 
with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which 
the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on 
the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled 
to the award (the vesting date). The cumulative expense 
recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting 
date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting 
period has expired and the group’s best estimate of the number 
of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The profit or loss 
charge or credit for a period represents the movement in 
cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end 
of that period.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, 
except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market 
condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether 
or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all other 
performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.

The dilutive effect of outstanding options is reflected as additional 
share dilution in the computation of earnings per share 
(further details are given in note 8). 

60

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information2.18 Share capital 
Ordinary shares are recognised in equity as share capital at their 
nominal value. The difference between consideration received and 
the nominal value is recognised in the share premium account.

Company shares held in trust in connection with the group’s 
employee share schemes are deducted from consolidated 
shareholders’ equity. Purchases, sales and transfers of the 
company’s shares are disclosed as changes in consolidated 
shareholders’ equity. The assets and liabilities of the trusts are 
consolidated in full into the group’s consolidated financial 
statements.

2.19 Revenue recognition 
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the 
economic benefits will flow to the group and the revenue can 
be reliably measured. 

Broking
Revenue consists of commission receivable from broking and 
is recognised by reference to the stage of completion. Stage 
of completion is measured by reference to the underlying 
commercial contract. 

Financial
Futures broking commissions are recognised when the services 
have been performed. Fees relating to our financial and investment 
services businesses are recognised as services are performed.

Support
Port service income is recognised on vessel load or discharge 
completion date and store rent on a time basis. Agency income 
is recognised when vessels arrive in port. Rental income arising 
from operating leases on properties is accounted for on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term.

Research
Revenue comprises fees, which are recognised as and when 
services are performed, and sales of shipping publications 
and other information, which is recognised when products 
are delivered.

Finance income
Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the 
principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable. 

2.20 Segment reporting 
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the 
internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. 
The group considers the executive members of the company’s 
board to be the chief operating decision-maker.

2.21 Foreign currencies
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are 
recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the date of the 
transaction. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and 
liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. 
Gains and losses arising on retranslation are included in the 
income statement.

Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost 
in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at 
the date of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured 
at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange 
rates as at the date when the fair value was determined.

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the group’s 
overseas operations are translated into pounds sterling at 
exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income 
and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates 
for the period as an approximation of rates prevailing at the date 
of the transaction unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly. 
Exchange differences arising, if any, are classified as equity 
and transferred to the group’s currency translation reserve. 
Such translation differences are recognised as income or expense 
in the period in which an operation is disposed of. Cumulative 
translation differences have been set to zero at the date of 
transition to IFRSs.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of 
a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign 
entity and translated at the closing rate.

2.22 Taxation
Current income tax
Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior 
periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered 
from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax 
laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted 
or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

Current income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity 
is recognised in equity and not in profit or loss.

Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is provided using the liability method on 
temporary differences at the balance sheet date between the 
tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts 
for financial reporting purposes.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

61

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued

Deferred income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity 
is recognised in equity and not in profit or loss.

Deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities 
are offset, if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current 
tax assets against current income tax liabilities and the deferred 
income taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same 
taxation authority.

2.23 Leases
Where the group is a lessee, operating lease payments  
are recognised as an expense in the income statement on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentive payments 
are amortised over the lease term.

2.24 Exceptional items
Exceptional items are significant items of a non-recurring nature 
and considered material in both size and nature. These are 
disclosed separately to enable a full understanding of the group’s 
financial performance.

2 Statement of accounting policies 
continued
Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences, except:

• where the deferred income tax liability arises from the initial 

recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction 
that is not a business combination and, at the time of the 
transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable 
profit or loss; and

• in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with 
investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint 
ventures, where the timing of the reversal of the temporary 
differences can be controlled and it is probable that the 
temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible 
temporary differences, carry forward of unused tax credits and 
unused tax losses, to the extent that it is probable that taxable 
profit will be available against which the deductible temporary 
differences, and the carry forward of unused tax credits and 
unused tax losses can be utilised except:

• where the deferred income tax asset relating to the deductible 
temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of an 
asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 
combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither 
the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; and

• in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with 
investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint 
ventures, deferred income tax assets are recognised only to 
the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences 
will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will 
be available against which the temporary differences can 
be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed 
at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is 
no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available 
to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilised. 
Unrecognised deferred income tax assets are reassessed at 
each balance sheet date and are recognised to the extent that 
it has become probable that future taxable profit will allow the 
deferred tax asset to be recovered.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the 
tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is 
realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) 
that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance 
sheet date.

62

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information3 Revenues and expenses

Revenue
Rendering of services 

Rental income 

Sale of goods 

Finance revenue
Bank interest income 

Income from available-for-sale financial assets 

Finance costs 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

Other interest

Other finance revenue – pensions 
Expected return on plan assets 

Interest cost on benefit obligation 

Operating profit 
Operating profit from continuing operations represents the results from operations before finance revenues and finance costs. 
This is stated after charging/(crediting): 

Included in administrative expenses 
Depreciation 

Amortisation

Operating leases – land and buildings 

Net foreign exchange losses/(gains) 

2012  
£m

2.3

0.5

6.1

0.5

2012  
£m

2011  
£m

165.1

184.1

3.7

7.4

3.8

6.7

176.2

194.6

0.5

0.7

1.2

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

6.5

(6.4)

0.1

0.5

0.5

1.0

(0.2)

–

(0.2)

8.0

(6.8)

1.2

2011  
£m

2.3

–

5.9

(3.2)

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

63

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued

3 Revenues and expenses continued

Auditors’ remuneration 
Fees payable to the company’s auditor for the audit of the company’s accounts and consolidated 
financial statements

Fees payable to the company’s auditor and its associates for other services:

  The auditing of accounts of subsidiaries of the company

  Audit related assurance services

  Taxation compliance services

  Taxation advisory services

  All other services

Employee compensation and benefits expense
Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Expense of share-based payments

Pension costs – defined contribution plans

2012  
£000

2011  
£000

82

232

48

50

136

66

614

85

205

30

45

157

155

677

2012  
£m

2011  
£m

98.7

9.7

1.4

3.0

107.4

10.9

1.1

2.9

112.8

122.3

The numbers above include remuneration and pension entitlements for each director. Details are included in the directors’ remuneration 
report in the directors’ emoluments and compensation table on page 45. 

The average number of persons employed by the group during the year including executive directors is analysed below: 

Broking 

Financial 

Support

Research

2012  
Number

2011  
Number

724

69

75

71

939

683

64

51

69

867

4 Segmental information
The chief operating decision-maker is the executive member of the company’s board. Management has determined the operating 
segments based on the information reviewed by the board.

Clarksons’ broking division represents shipowners and charterers in the transportation by sea of a wide range of cargoes. 

The financial division includes a futures broking operation which arranges principal-to-principal cash settled contracts for differences 
based upon standardised freight contracts and a financial and investment services division representing the provision of advice to clients 
on the financial aspects of a range of shipping-related transactions. 

Support includes port and agency services representing ship agency services provided throughout the UK and property services 
regarding the provision of accommodation. 

Research services encompass the provision of shipping-related information and publications. 

All areas of the business work closely together to provide the best possible service to our clients. Occasionally revenue is shared between 
different segments to reflect relative contributions to a particular transaction. Internal arm’s-length recharges are included within the 
appropriate segments. 

64

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationBusiness segments 

Broking 

Financial

Support

Research

Less property services revenue arising within the group, included under Support

Segment revenue/results 

Head office costs 

Operating profit before exceptional item and acquisition costs

Exceptional item

Acquisition costs

Operating profit after exceptional item and acquisition costs

Finance revenue 

Finance costs 

Other finance revenue – pensions 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit after taxation 

Business segments

Broking

Financial 

Support

Research

Segment assets/liabilities 

Unallocated assets/liabilities 

Revenue

Results

2012  
£m

145.7

5.3

19.2

9.2

179.4

(3.2)

176.2

2011  
£m

163.6

12.1

13.9

8.1

197.7

(3.1)

194.6

2012  
£m

137.6

13.0

17.6

4.6

172.8

40.5

213.3

Assets

2011  
£m

160.3

14.4

16.1

5.1

195.9

38.6

234.5

2012  
£m

25.2

(9.9)

4.2

2.8

22.3

(3.2)

19.1

4.5

(1.5)

22.1

1.2

(0.1)

0.1

23.3

(7.1)

16.2

2012  
£m

53.1

1.9

7.1

3.5

65.6

21.7

87.3

2011  
£m

35.9

(2.3)

1.7

2.0

37.3

(7.1)

30.2

3.2

–

33.4

1.0

(0.2)

1.2

35.4

(10.3)

25.1

Liabilities

2011  
£m

75.6

1.9

6.6

3.3

87.4

23.8

111.2

Unallocated assets predominantly relate to head office cash balances and tax assets. Unallocated liabilities include the pension scheme 
deficit and tax liabilities.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

65

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued

4 Segmental information continued
Business segments 

Non-current asset additions

Depreciation

Amortisation

Broking 

Financial 

Support

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
2012  
£m

Intangible 
assets  
2012  
£m

Property,  
plant and 
equipment 
2011  
£m

Intangible 
assets  
2011  
£m

0.9

–

1.1

2.0

–

–

–

–

1.0

–

1.3

2.3

7.0

0.2

0.7

7.9

2012  
£m

0.8

0.1

1.4

2.3

2011  
£m

0.7

0.1

1.5

2.3

Geographical segments – by origin of invoice 

Europe, Middle East and Africa**

Americas 

Asia Pacific

Geographical segments – by location of assets 

Europe, Middle East and Africa**

Americas 

Asia Pacific

2012  
£m

0.5

–

–

0.5

2012  
£m

131.5

20.4

24.3

176.2

2011  
£m

–

–

–

–

Revenue

2011  
£m

140.0

23.9

30.7

194.6

Non-current assets*

2012  
£m

46.8

2.2

1.5

50.5

2011  
£m

47.8

2.5

1.1

51.4

*Non-current assets exclude deferred tax assets.
**Includes revenue for the UK of £111.6m (2011: £119.6m) and non-current assets for the UK of £36.6m (2011: £37.1m).

5 Exceptional item
In November 2011 Clarksons announced that the Court of Appeal in London had decided to deny the claimant (Yuri Nikitin) leave to 
appeal in the cases between Mr Nikitin and H. Clarkson & Company Limited (HCL), previously highlighted in the contingencies note in 
Clarksons’ financial statements.

HCL has been awarded costs relating to the matters appealed, and has credited its 2011 profits with an amount of £3.2m that it has 
received on account of those legal costs. The discussions related to the costs of this matter are now concluded.

In March 2012, HCL reached a full and final settlement with Mr Nikitin and the corporate entities involved to conclude all outstanding 
matters between them. Under the terms of the settlement, which all parties have agreed will remain confidential, an amount of US$7m 
has been received by HCL which is disclosed as an exceptional item in this Annual Report.

6 Acquisition costs
Included in acquisition costs are cash and share-based payment charges of £1.0m and interest of £0.1m relating to acquisitions made in 
2011. These are contingent on employees remaining in service and are therefore spread over the service period.

Also included is £0.5m relating to amortisation of intangibles acquired as part of the 2011 acquisitions.

66

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information7 Taxation
Tax charged in the consolidated income statement is as follows:

Continuing operations

Current income tax 

UK corporation tax

Foreign tax

Total current income tax 

Deferred tax 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Total tax charge in the income statement

Tax relating to items charged or credited to equity is as follows:

Current tax credit: Pension benefit

Deferred tax credit: Pension benefit 

Deferred tax charge/(credit): Foreign currency hedge

Deferred tax charge: Other employee benefits

Total tax credit in the statement of comprehensive income

2012  
£m

2011  
£m

6.1

3.5

9.6

(2.5)

7.1

2012  
£m

(0.6)

(0.6)

0.5

0.3

(0.4)

5.1

4.8

9.9

0.4

10.3

2011  
£m

(0.7)

(1.9)

(0.2)

0.2

(2.6)

Reconciliation of tax charge 
The tax expense in the income statement for the year is higher (2011: higher) than the average standard rate of corporation tax in the UK 
of 24.5% (2011: 26.5%). The differences are reconciled below: 

Accounting profit before income tax 

Accounting profit at UK average standard rate of corporation tax of 24.5% (2011: 26.5%) 

Effects of: 

  Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 

  Non-taxable income 

  Higher/(lower) tax rates on overseas earnings 

  Adjustments relating to prior year 

  Tax losses not recognised/(recognised)

  Adjustments relating to changes in tax rates

  Other adjustments 

Total tax charge reported in the income statement 

2012  
£m

23.3

5.7

1.5

(0.2)

0.3

(0.4)

(0.3)

0.6

(0.1)

7.1

2011  
£m

35.4

9.4

1.7

(0.2)

(0.1)

(1.0)

0.4

0.3

(0.2)

10.3

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

67

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued

7 Taxation continued
Deferred tax
Deferred tax included in the group income statement is as follows:

Employee benefits  – on pension benefit liability

– other employee benefits

Movement on fair value through profit or loss investments

Tax losses not recognised

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax (credit)/charge in the income statement

Deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows:

Deferred tax asset
Employee benefits – on pension benefit liability

– other employee benefits

Foreign currency contracts

Tax losses

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax asset

Deferred tax liability
Unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries

Foreign currency contracts

Intangible assets recognised on acquisition

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax liability

All deferred tax movements arise from the origination and reversal of temporary differences.

2012  
£m

0.1

0.1

–

(2.0)

(0.7)

(2.5)

2011  
£m

0.4

0.2

(1.0)

0.4

0.4

0.4

2012 
£m

2.2

8.9

–

2.0

1.6

14.7

(1.2)

(0.3)

(0.2)

(0.5)

(2.2)

Group

2011  
£m

Company

2011  
£m

2012 
£m

1.7

9.3

0.1

–

1.0

12.1

(1.3)

–

(0.3)

(0.3)

(1.9)

2.2

2.5

–

–

0.4

5.1

–

–

–

–

–

1.7

2.0

–

–

0.3

4.0

–

–

–

–

–

68

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information 
 
8 Earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent 
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. 

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would 
be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares. 

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations: 

Net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding share purchase  

trusts’ shares) for basic earnings per share

Dilutive effect of share options

Dilutive effect of performance share awards

Dilutive effect of acquisition related shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding share purchase  

trusts’ shares) adjusted for the effect of dilution

2012  
£m

16.2

2011  
£m

25.1

2012  
Number

2011  
Number

18,639,717 18,652,357
6,344

8,689

192,237

188,190

52,790

–

18,893,433 18,846,891

The share awards relating to directors, where the performance conditions have not yet been met at the balance sheet date, are not 
included in the above numbers. The weighted average number of these shares were 187,892 (2011:  269,132).

9 Dividends

Declared and paid during the year:

Final dividend for 2011 of 32p per share (2010: 30p per share)

Interim dividend for 2012 of 18p per share (2011: 18p per share)

Dividend paid

Proposed for approval at AGM (not recognised as a liability at 31 December):

Final dividend for 2012 proposed of 33p per share (2011: 32p per share)

2012  
£m

2011  
£m

6.0

3.4

9.4

6.1

5.6

3.4

9.0

6.0

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

69

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther information 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

10 Property, plant and equipment
31 December 2012

Freehold  
and long  
leasehold  
properties  
£m

Leasehold  
improvements  
£m

Office  
furniture and 
equipment  
£m

Motor  
vehicles  
£m

3.8

–

–

(0.1)

3.7

1.0

0.1

–

(0.1)

1.0

2.7

1.2

0.4

–

(0.1)

1.5

0.7

0.2

–

(0.1)

0.8

0.7

16.6

1.4

(0.3)

(0.2)

17.5

12.0

1.8

(0.3)

(0.1)

13.4

4.1

1.0

0.2

(0.2)

–

1.0

0.5

0.2

(0.1)

(0.1)

0.5

0.5

Freehold  
and long  
leasehold  
properties  
£m

Leasehold  
improvements  
£m

Office  
furniture and 
equipment  
£m

Motor  
vehicles  
£m

3.8

–

–

–

3.8

0.9

0.1

–

1.0

2.8

1.0

0.2

–

–

1.2

0.6

0.2

(0.1)

0.7

0.5

15.3

1.9

0.1

(0.7)

16.6

10.7

1.8

(0.5)

12.0

4.6

1.4

0.2

0.1

(0.7)

1.0

0.6

0.2

(0.3)

0.5

0.5

Group

Total  
£m

22.6

2.0

(0.5)

(0.4)

23.7

14.2

2.3

(0.4)

(0.4)

15.7

8.0

Group

Total  
£m

21.5

2.3

0.2

(1.4)

22.6

12.8

2.3

(0.9)

14.2

8.4

Original cost

At 1 January 2012

Additions 

Disposals

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2012

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2012

Charged during the year

Disposals

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2012

Net book value at 31 December 2012

31 December 2011

Original cost

At 1 January 2011

Additions 

Arising on acquisitions 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2011

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2011

Charged during the year

Disposals

At 31 December 2011

Net book value at 31 December 2011

70

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information 
 
31 December 2012

Original cost
At 1 January 2012

Additions

At 31 December 2012

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2012

Charged during the year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value at 31 December 2012

31 December 2011

Original cost

At 1 January 2011

Additions

At 31 December 2011

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2011

Charged during the year

At 31 December 2011

Net book value at 31 December 2011

Freehold  
and long  
leasehold  
properties  
£m

Leasehold  
improvements  
£m

Office  
furniture and 
equipment  
£m

1.9

–

1.9

0.2

0.1

0.3

1.6

0.5

–

0.5

0.4

–

0.4

0.1

6.8

0.1

6.9

4.6

0.6

5.2

1.7

Freehold  
and long  
leasehold  
properties  
£m

Leasehold  
improvements  
£m

Office  
furniture and 
equipment  
£m

1.9

–

1.9

0.2

–

0.2

1.7

0.5

–

0.5

0.3

0.1

0.4

0.1

6.5

0.3

6.8

4.1

0.5

4.6

2.2

Company

Total  
£m

9.2

0.1

9.3

5.2

0.7

5.9

3.4

Company

Total  
£m

8.9

0.3

9.2

4.6

0.6

5.2

4.0

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

71

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

11 Investment property 
31 December 2012

Cost 
At 1 January and 31 December 2012

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January and 31 December 2012

Net book value at 31 December 2012

The fair value of the investment property at 31 December 2012 was £0.5m (2011: £0.6m). This valuation was carried out by an 
independent valuer.

Group and  
company  
£m

0.6

0.2

0.4

Group and  
company  
£m

0.6

0.2

0.4

Intangibles 
£m

Goodwill  
£m

Total  
£m

7.9

0.1

8.0

6.8

0.5

7.3

0.7

51.6

(0.1)

51.5

12.4

–

12.4

39.1

Intangibles 
£m

Goodwill  
£m

6.8

1.1

–

7.9

6.8

–

6.8

1.1

45.0

6.8

(0.2)

51.6

12.3

0.1

12.4

39.2

59.5

–

59.5

19.2

0.5

19.7

39.8

Total  
£m

51.8

7.9

(0.2)

59.5

19.1

0.1

19.2

40.3

31 December 2011

Cost 

At 1 January and 31 December 2011

Accumulated depreciation 

At 1 January and 31 December 2011

Net book value at 31 December 2011

12 Intangible assets 
31 December 2012

Cost
At 1 January 2012

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2012

Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2012

Charged during the year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value at 31 December 2012

31 December 2011

Cost

At 1 January 2011

Additions

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2011

Amortisation and impairment

At 1 January 2011

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2011

Net book value at 31 December 2011

72

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationAcquisitions
2012
There were no acquisitions in 2012. Information on 2011 acquisitions is set out below for comparative purposes.

2011
EnShip
On 30 November 2011, the group acquired 100% of the share capital of EnShip Limited (EnShip), via its Port Services company, 
Clarkson Port Services Limited (CPS). EnShip is an Aberdeen-based shipping agency and marine industry logistics specialist with 23 staff. 

The acquisition complements CPS’ strategy to expand its geographical reach and broaden its services to existing and new customers 
in bulk shipping and the offshore and renewable industries. The goodwill of £0.7m is attributable to the acquired team and the synergies 
that will arise as a part of the acquisition. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Consideration is payable in both cash and Clarkson PLC shares. On the acquisition date, £1.8m was paid in cash and £0.2m was 
payable in Clarkson PLC shares. A further £0.4m cash consideration is deferred, payable in 2012. 

The fair value of the ordinary shares issued as part of the consideration paid for EnShip was £10.76, based on the Clarkson PLC 
share price on the acquisition date.

Acquisition-related costs of £0.1m have been charged to administration expenses in the consolidated income statement for the year 
ended 31 December 2011.

In addition, a further £1.3m cash payment will be made to key employees contingent on them remaining in employment for three years. 
An additional cash sum up to £0.6m will also be payable in three years subject to the same service conditions and EnShip achieving 
certain earnings targets over the three years. For both of the above, the cost will be charged to the consolidated income statement 
over the service period.

Boxton/Bridge
On 16 December 2011, the group acquired 100% of the share capital of Boxton Holding AS (Boxton) and Bridge Maritime AS (Bridge) via 
Clarkson Norway AS. Both are Oslo-based shipbroking businesses with extensive experience in sale and purchase, newbuilding, leasing 
and project broking across all shipping markets, and particularly strong client relationships within the container, tanker, gas and offshore 
markets, with 8 staff.

The acquisition complements Clarksons’ strategy to build its presence in Scandinavia. Supported by Clarksons’ unrivalled global reach 
and breadth of broking and capital market services, the enlarged team at Clarkson Norway will be able to significantly expand the offering 
to our clients. The goodwill of US$8.9m (£5.9m) is attributable to the acquired team and the increased market share in the sector. None of 
the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Consideration is payable in cash totalling US$11.0m (£7.1m). On the acquisition date, US$10.4m (£6.7m) was paid, the remaining US$0.6m 
(£0.4m) is contingent on the performance of a pre-acquisition contract.

On acquisition, management performed a fair value exercise on the identifiable assets and liabilities. A valuation was performed on the 
cash flows expected from the existing forward order book of both Boxton and Bridge, discounted where necessary based on factors 
such as the timing of cash flows and the potential for counterparty default. As a result of this assessment, a total of US$1.7m (£1.1m) was 
identified as being an intangible asset acquired as a part of the business combination. The intangible asset will be amortised over the 
useful life, which is deemed to be three years.

Acquisition-related costs of US$0.6m (£0.4m) have been charged to administration expenses in the consolidated income statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2011.

In addition, a further US$2.7m (£1.7m) will be payable to key employees, by way of ordinary shares in Clarkson PLC, contingent on 
them remaining in employment for four years. The cost of these shares will be charged to the consolidated income statement over the 
service period.

Other
On 2 February 2011 the group acquired 100% of the share capital of SFL Securities, LLC for cash consideration of US$0.3m (£0.2m). 
The name of the company was changed to CIS Capital Markets, LLC post-acquisition. There were no net assets identified on acquisition.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

73

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

12 Intangible assets continued
The following table summarises the consideration paid for the principal acquisitions, the fair value of the assets acquired and the 
liabilities assumed:

Recognised amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

EnShip  
£m

Boxton/ 
Bridge  
£m

Total  
£m

Intangible assets*

Property, plant and equipment 

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Trade and other payables

Income tax payable

Deferred tax liability*

Total liabilities

Total identifiable net assets
Goodwill

Total consideration

Consideration:
Cash

Equity instruments

Total consideration

–

0.2

3.3

1.1

4.6

2.6

0.3

–

2.9

1.7

0.7

2.4

2.2

0.2

2.4

1.1

–

0.3

0.7

2.1

0.5

0.1

0.3

0.9

1.2

5.9

7.1

7.1

–

7.1

1.1

0.2

3.6

1.8

6.7

3.1

0.4

0.3

3.8

2.9

6.6

9.5

9.3

0.2

9.5

*Fair value adjustments made on acquisition.

EnShip
The revenue included in the consolidated income statement since 30 November 2011 contributed by EnShip was £0.4m. EnShip also 
contributed profit of £0.1m over the same period.

Boxton/Bridge
No revenue and profit are included in the consolidated income statement for Boxton and Bridge.

Pro forma information
Had EnShip and Boxton/Bridge been consolidated from 1 January 2011, the consolidated income statement would show revenue of 
£201.7m and profit, before exceptional items including acquisition related costs, of £33.8m. This information is not necessarily indicative 
of the 2011 results of the combined group had the purchases actually been made at the beginning of the period presented, or indicative 
of the future consolidated performance given the nature of the businesses acquired.

74

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information13 Impairment testing of goodwill
Goodwill is allocated to the group’s cash-generating units (CGUs) identified according to operating segment.

Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to the attributable CGUs for impairment testing as follows:

• Dry bulk chartering

• Specialised products chartering

• Gas chartering

• Sale and purchase broking

• Port and agency services

• Research services

• Investment services

The carrying amount of goodwill allocated to each CGU is as follows:

Dry bulk chartering

Specialised products chartering

Gas chartering

Sale and purchase broking

Port and agency services

Research services

Investment services

2012  
£m

12.0

12.2

2.7

7.6

1.1

3.3

0.2

2011  
£m

12.0

12.2

2.7

7.7

1.1

3.3

0.2

39.1

39.2

The movement in the aggregate carrying value is analysed in more detail in note 12.

Goodwill is allocated to CGUs which are tested for impairment at least annually. The goodwill arising in each CGU is similar in nature and 
thus the testing for impairment uses the same approach. 

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs are assessed using a value-in-use model. Value-in-use is calculated as the net present value 
of the projected risk-adjusted cash flows of the CGU to which the goodwill is allocated. The groups of CGUs for which the carrying 
amount of goodwill is deemed significant are dry bulk chartering, specialised products chartering and, following the recent acquisitions, 
sale and purchase broking. The key assumptions used for value-in-use calculations are as follows:

• the pre-tax discount rate used is based on the group’s WACC and adjusted for risks within each CGU. As all CGUs have operations that 
are global in nature and similar risk profiles, the same pre-tax discount rate was applied to each unit. The group pre-tax discount rate 
is 13% (2011: 12%);

• the cash flow predictions are based on financial budgets and strategic plans approved by the board extrapolated over a five year period. 

These are based on both past performance and expectations for future market development;

• key drivers in the plans are revenue growth, margin and operating profit percentage and include conservative annual growth rates of 

between 0% and 5%; and

• cash flows beyond this five year period are calculated applying a multiple which does not exceed the amount if calculated using the 

long-term average growth rate for businesses operating in the same segment as the CGUs. A change in this rate to 0% would not result 
in impairment.

The results of the directors’ review of goodwill including sensitivity analyses for reasonable changes in assumptions still indicate 
remaining headroom.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

75

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

14 Trade and other receivables

Non-current
Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Current
Trade receivables

Foreign currency contracts

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Owed by group companies 

2012  
£m

0.3

0.1

0.4

23.6

1.5

4.0

4.1

–

33.2

Group

2011  
£m

Company

2011  
£m

2012  
£m

0.3

0.1

0.4

28.1

–

3.2

6.2

–

37.5

–

0.1

0.1

–

–

–

–

24.7

24.7

–

0.1

0.1

–

–

0.1

–

23.6

23.7

As at 31 December 2012, the company provided for £0.7m (2011: £nil) of related party receivables. Further details of related party 
receivables are included in note 27.

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms payable within 90 days.

As at 31 December 2012, group trade receivables at nominal value of £12.2m (2011: £13.0m) were impaired and fully provided for. 
The amount of the provision equates to the total amount of impaired debt. The provision is based on ongoing market information about 
the credit-worthiness of counterparties. The company has no trade receivables (2011: none). 

Movements in the provision for impairment of receivables were as follows:

At 1 January

Credit for the year

At 31 December

As at 31 December, the ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows:

2012
2011

The other classes within trade and other receivables do not include any impaired items.

Individually impaired

2012  
£m

13.0

(0.8)

12.2

2011  
£m

14.4

(1.4)

13.0

Neither  
past due  
nor impaired  
£m

Past due  
not impaired
> 90 days  
£m

21.0
25.5

2.6
2.6

Total 
£m 

23.6
28.1

76

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information  
15 Investments

Non-current
Available-for-sale financial assets

Current
Funds on deposit

2012  
£m

1.9

25.2

Group

2011  
£m

1.9

–

Company

2011  
£m

0.2

–

2012  
£m

0.2

13.1

Available-for-sale financial assets consist of investments in unlisted ordinary shares and are shown at cost. There are no reasonable 
pricing alternatives to be able to give a range of fair value to these assets.

16 Investments in subsidiaries 

Cost at 1 January

Recapitalisation of existing subsidiary

Disposal of subsidiary

Capital contribution to subsidiary

Pre-acquisition reserves dividend from subsidiary

Impairment of investment in subsidiary

At 31 December

Company

2011  
£m

54.4

–

–

–

(0.2)

(0.5)

53.7

2012  
£m

53.7

0.2

(0.5)

0.5

–

–

53.9

2012
During the year the company subscribed for an additional £0.2m of share capital in Clarkson Investment Services Limited. The investment 
in Clarkson Fund Management Limited has been disposed of, following the company’s dissolution. 

Also, £0.5m was given as a capital contribution in relation to the acquisition of the Boxton/Bridge group in 2011.

2011
During the year the company received a dividend out of pre-acquisition reserves of a subsidiary. 

The investment in Clarkson Fund Management Limited has been impaired following closure of the hedge funds so that the carrying value 
represents the fair value of the remaining net assets recoverable.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

77

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

17 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Short-term deposits

2012  
£m

86.1

3.3

89.4

Group

2011  
£m

117.9

15.0

132.9

Company

2011  
£m

13.0

11.9

24.9

2012  
£m

11.1

–

11.1

Cash at bank and in hand earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. Short-term deposits are made for varying 
periods between one day and three months, depending upon the immediate cash requirements of the group, and earn interest at the 
respective short-term deposit rates. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is £89.4m (2011: £132.9m).

18 Trade and other payables

Current

Trade payables 

Other payables 

Owed to group companies

Other tax and social security 

Deferred consideration

Foreign currency contracts

Accruals and deferred income 

Non-current 
Other payables 

Deferred consideration

Terms and conditions of the financial liabilities:

• trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on demand;

• other payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on demand; and

• further details of related party payables are included in note 27.

2012  
£m

9.6

1.2

–

2.1

0.4

–

56.4

69.7

1.1

0.6

1.7

Group

2011  
£m

Company

2011  
£m

2012  
£m

11.6

1.3

–

2.4

0.8

0.5

78.9

95.5

1.2

–

1.2

–

0.1

1.5

–

–

–

5.5

7.1

–

–

–

–

0.1

24.7

–

–

–

9.4

34.2

–

–

–

78

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information19 Provisions

Current
At 1 January

Utilised during the year

At 31 December

Non-current
At 1 January

Arising during the year

At 31 December

A provision is recognised for the dilapidation of various leasehold premises.

20 Share-based payment plans

Expense arising from equity-settled share-based payment transactions

2012  
£m

0.2

(0.2)

–

1.6

0.2

1.8

Group

2011  
£m

Company

2011  
£m

2012  
£m

0.3

(0.1)

0.2

1.4

0.2

1.6

–

–

–

1.6

0.2

1.8

–

–

–

1.4

0.2

1.6

2012  
£m

1.4

Group

2011  
£m

1.1

Company

2011  
£m

1.1

2012  
£m

0.9

The share-based payment plans are described below. There have been no cancellations or modifications to any of the plans during 2012 
or 2011.

Long Term Incentive Plan
Details of the Long Term Incentive Plan are included in the directors’ remuneration report on page 42. Awards made to the directors are 
given in the directors’ remuneration report on page 46.

Share options
Movements in the year
The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of, and movements in, share options during  
the year:

Outstanding and exercisable at 1 January and 31 December 

Number

40,000

2012

WAEP

£9.91

Number

40,000

2011

WAEP

£9.91

The exercise price for all the options outstanding at the end of 2012 was £9.91 (2011: £9.91).

The contractual life of the remaining options is five years. There are no cash settlement alternatives. There were no options granted during 
2012 (2011: none).

Other employee incentives
During the year, 442,496 shares (2011: 528,273 shares) at a weighted average price of £13.44 (2011: £12.61) were awarded to employees 
in settlement of 2011 (2010) cash bonuses. There was no expense in 2012 as a result of these awards.

The fair value of the above shares was determined based on the market price at the date of grant.

As part of a 2011 acquisition, US$2.7m (£1.7m) will be payable to key employees in the form of ordinary shares in Clarkson PLC. 
This is contingent on the employees remaining in employment for four years. The cost of these shares will be charged to the 
consolidated income statement over the service period. The 2012 charge in relation to these awards is £0.4m. 

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

79

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

21 Employee benefits
The group’s two defined benefit pension schemes are in the UK and all financial information provided in this note relates to the sum 
of the two separate schemes.

Defined benefit pension schemes
The group operates two defined benefit pension schemes, being the Clarkson PLC scheme and the Plowrights scheme, which are 
funded by the payment of contributions to separately administered trust funds. The schemes’ assets are invested in a range of pooled 
pension investment funds managed by professional fund managers.

Defined benefit pension arrangements give rise to open ended commitments and liabilities for the sponsoring company. As a 
consequence the company closed its original defined benefit section of the Clarkson PLC scheme to new entrants on 31 March 2004. 
This section was closed to further accrual for all existing members as from 31 March 2006. The Plowrights scheme was closed to further 
accrual from 1 January 2006.

Every three years, a pension scheme must obtain from an actuary a report containing a valuation and a recommendation on rates 
of contribution. Triennial valuations for both schemes have been prepared based on the position as at 31 March 2010.

• The valuation of the Clarkson PLC scheme showed a pension deficit on the original scheme of £4.2m as at 31 March 2010. 

• The valuation of the Plowrights scheme showed a pension deficit of £4.6m as at 31 March 2010. 

It has been agreed between Clarkson PLC and both sets of Trustees that the company will fund each deficit over a period of five years 
commencing 1 April 2010. The company agreed to make initial contributions into each scheme before the end of March 2011; a £1.0m 
contribution was made into the Clarkson PLC scheme in December 2010; a £1.0m contribution was paid into the Plowrights scheme 
in March 2011. Thereafter the company will make regular monthly contributions to fund the deficits of the two schemes at a combined  
rate of £1.9m per annum. 

Other pension arrangements
Overseas defined contribution arrangements have been determined in accordance with local practice and regulations.

The group also operates various other defined contribution pension arrangements. Where required the group also makes contributions 
into these schemes.

The group incurs no material expenses in the provision of post-retirement benefits other than pensions.

The following tables summarise amounts recognised in the consolidated and company balance sheet and the components of net benefit 
income recognised in the consolidated income statement:

Benefit liability 

Fair value of schemes’ assets

Present value of funded defined benefit obligations

Unrecognised asset in relation to the Plowrights scheme

Minimum funding requirement in relation to the Plowrights scheme

Liability recognised on the balance sheet

A deferred tax asset on the above recognised liability amounting to £2.2m (2011: £1.7m) is shown in note 7.

Recognised in the income statement

Expected return on schemes’ assets (recognised in other finance revenue – pensions) 

Interest cost on benefit obligation (recognised in other finance revenue – pensions)

Net benefit income

Group and Company

2012  
£m

144.0

(152.1)

(8.1)

–

(1.3)

(9.4)

2011  
£m

138.0

(141.0)

(3.0)

(1.1)

(2.5)

(6.6)

Group and Company

2012  
£m

6.5

(6.4)

0.1

2011  
£m

8.0

(6.8)

1.2

80

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationTaken to the statement of comprehensive income 

Actual return on schemes’ assets

Less: expected return on schemes’ assets

Actuarial gains on schemes’ assets

Actuarial losses on defined benefit obligations

Actuarial losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income

Tax credit on actuarial losses

Unrecognised asset in relation to the Plowrights scheme

Tax credit on unrecognised asset

Minimum funding requirement in relation to the Plowrights scheme

Tax credit on minimum funding requirement

Net actuarial losses on employee benefit obligations

Group and Company

2012  
£m

9.6

(6.5)

3.1

(10.4)

(7.3)

1.8

1.1

(0.3)

1.2

(0.3)

(3.8)

2011  
£m

9.9

(8.0)

1.9

(8.2)

(6.3)

1.6

(1.1)

0.3

(2.5)

0.7

(7.3)

Cumulative amount of actuarial losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income

(21.2)

(13.9)

Schemes’ assets
The assets of the schemes are made up as follows:

Equities

Government bonds

Corporate bonds

Property

Cash and other assets

Benefit asset

Group and Company

Percentage  
of total  
2012 
%

44.8

36.5

14.4

3.6

0.7

Percentage  
of total  
2011 
%

43.1

37.2

14.6

4.1

1.0

2012  
£m

64.5

52.6

20.8

5.1

1.0

2011  
£m

59.4

51.3

20.2

5.7

1.4

100.0

144.0

100.0

138.0

At 31 December 2011, the overall expected rate of return on assets of 4.8% was determined based on market prices applicable to the 
period over which the obligation was to be settled. From 1 January 2013, changes to IAS 19 mean that expected returns on assets will 
be set equal to the discount rate.

Changes in the fair value of schemes’ assets are as follows:

Group and Company

At 1 January

Expected return on assets

Contributions

Insurance income for insured pensioners

Benefits paid

Actuarial gains

At 31 December

2012  
£m

138.0

6.5

1.9

0.2

(5.7)

3.1

144.0

2011 
£m

131.9

8.0

2.7

0.2

(6.7)

1.9

138.0

The group expects, based on the valuations and funding requirements including expenses, to contribute £1.9m to its defined benefit 
pension schemes in 2013 (2012: £1.9m). 

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

81

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

21 Employee benefits continued 
Defined benefit obligations
The principal valuation assumptions are as follows:

Rate of increase in pensions in payment

Price inflation (RPI)

Price inflation (CPI)

Discount rate for scheme liabilities

2012  
%

Group and Company

2011  
%

2.80 – 3.00

2.80 – 3.10

3.10

2.40

4.20

3.20

2.20

4.60

The mortality assumptions used to assess the defined benefit obligation at 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011 are based on 
the ‘SAPS Light’ standard mortality tables published by the actuarial profession. These tables have been adjusted to allow for anticipated 
future improvements in life expectancy. Examples of the assumed future life expectancy are given in the table below:

Group and Company

2012  
Additional  
years

2011  
Additional  
years

23.7

24.7

25.1

26.2

23.6

24.6

25.0

26.2

Group and Company

2012  
£m

141.0

6.4

10.4

(5.7)

152.1

2011  
£m

132.7

6.8

8.2

(6.7)

141.0

Group and Company

2009  
£m

121.6

(128.5)

–

–

(6.9)

5.5

(0.2)

2008 
£m

114.6 

(104.9)

– 

– 

9.7 

(19.5)

(0.5)

2012  
£m

144.0

(152.1)

–

(1.3)

(9.4)

3.1

(0.3)

2011  
£m

138.0

(141.0)

(1.1)

(2.5)

(6.6)

1.9

(0.3)

2010  
£m

131.9

(132.7)

–

–

(0.8)

6.6

0.8

2012  
Number

2011  
Number

2012  
£m

2011  
£m

Group and Company

18,984,691 18,984,691

4.7

4.7

Post-retirement life expectancy on retirement at age 65:

Pensioners retiring in the year 

– male

– female

Pensioners retiring in twenty year’s time  – male

– female

Changes in the fair value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

At 1 January

Interest costs

Actuarial losses

Benefits paid

At 31 December

Historical comparative information

Fair value of schemes’ assets

Defined benefit obligation

Unrecognised asset

Minimum funding requirement

(Deficit)/surplus

Experience adjustments on schemes’ assets

Experience adjustments on schemes’ liabilities

22 Share capital 

Ordinary shares of 25p each:

At 1 January and at 31 December

There were no shares issued during the year.

82

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23 Other reserves 
31 December 2012

  At 1 January 2012

Total comprehensive income

Net ESOP shares acquired

Share-based payments

At 31 December 2012

31 December 2011

At 1 January 2011

Total comprehensive income

Net ESOP shares acquired

Share-based payments

At 31 December 2011

31 December 2012

At 1 January 2012

Share-based payments

At 31 December 2012 

31 December 2011

At 1 January 2011

Share-based payments

At 31 December 2011 

Share  
premium  
£m

27.8

–

–

–

27.8

Share  
premium  
£m

27.8

–

–

–

27.8

ESOP  
reserve  
£m

Employee  
benefits  
reserve 
£m

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
£m

Hedging 
reserve  
£m

Currency 
translation 
reserve  
£m

(2.0)

–

(0.8)

–

(2.8)

ESOP  
reserve  
£m

(0.6)

–

(1.4)

–

(2.0)

2.0

–

–

0.6

2.6

2.0

–

–

–

2.0

(0.4)

1.5

–

–

1.1

8.1

(1.3)

–

–

6.8

Employee  
benefits 
reserve  
£m

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
£m

Hedging 
reserve  
£m

Currency 
translation 
reserve  
£m

1.5

–

–

0.5

2.0

2.0

–

–

–

2.0

0.3

(0.7)

–

–

(0.4)

9.0

(0.9)

–

–

8.1

Share  
premium  
£m

27.8

–

27.8

Employee  
benefits 
reserve  
£m

Capital  
redemption  
reserve  
£m

2.0

0.6

2.6

2.0

–

2.0

Share  
premium  
£m

27.8

–

27.8

Employee  
benefits 
reserve  
£m

Capital  
redemption  
reserve  
£m

1.5

0.5

2.0

2.0

–

2.0

Group

Total  
£m

37.5

0.2

(0.8)

0.6

37.5

Group

Total  
£m

40.0

(1.6)

(1.4)

0.5

37.5

Company

Total  
£m

31.8

0.6

32.4

Company

Total  
£m

31.3

0.5

31.8

Nature and purpose of other reserves 
ESOP reserve – group 
The ESOP reserve in the group represents 340,502 shares (2011: 288,798 shares) held by the share purchase trusts to meet obligations 
under various incentive schemes. The shares are stated at cost. The market value of these shares at 31 December 2012 was £4.1m 
(2011: £3.3m). At 31 December 2012 none of these shares were under option (2011: none). During the year the share purchase trusts 
acquired 556,202 shares at a weighted average price of £13.01 (2011: 756,743 shares at £11.90).

Employee benefits reserve – group and company
The employee benefits reserve is used to record the value of equity-settled share-based payments provided to employees. Further details 
are included in note 20.

Capital redemption reserve – group and company 
The capital redemption reserve arose on previous share buy-backs by Clarkson PLC. 

Hedging reserve – group
The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments relating to hedged transactions that 
have not yet occurred.

Currency translation reserve – group 
The currency translation reserve represents the currency translation differences arising from the consolidation of foreign operations. 

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

83

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

24 Financial commitments and contingencies
Operating lease commitments – group as lessee
The group has entered into commercial leases in relation to land and buildings and other assets on the basis that it is not in the group’s 
best interests to purchase these assets. The leases have an average life of between one and eight years with renewal terms included 
in the contracts. Renewals are at the option of the specific entity that holds the lease. There are no restrictions placed upon the lessee 
by entering into these leases.

Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases as at 31 December are as follows:

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

After five years

2012  
£m

6.5

13.0

1.4

20.9

Group

2011  
£m

6.1

15.0

0.3

21.4

Company

2011 
£m

4.3

12.9

–

17.2

2012  
£m

4.3

8.6

–

12.9

The group and company has sublet space in certain properties. The future minimum sublease payments expected to be received 
under non-cancellable sublease agreements as at 31 December 2012 is £10.5m (2011: £13.9m).

Contingencies
The group and company have given no financial commitments to suppliers (2011: none).

The group and company have given no guarantees (2011: none).

From time to time the group may be engaged in litigation in the ordinary course of business. The group carries professional indemnity 
insurance. There are currently no liabilities expected to have a material adverse financial impact on the group’s consolidated results 
or net assets.

25 Financial risk management objectives and policies
The group’s principal financial liabilities comprise trade payables, deferred consideration, foreign currency contracts and provisions.  
The company’s principal financial liabilities comprised loans from group companies and provisions. The main purpose of these financial 
liabilities is to finance the group’s operations. The group and company have various financial assets such as trade receivables, current 
asset investments and cash and short-term deposits, which arise directly from its operations.

The group and company have not entered into derivative transactions other than the forward currency contracts explained later in 
this section. It is, and has been throughout 2012 and 2011, the group’s policy that no trading in derivatives shall be undertaken for 
speculative purposes.

The main risks arising from the group and company’s financial instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk, foreign exchange risk, interest 
rate risk and investment risk. The board of directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks which are 
summarised below.

Credit risk
The group seeks to trade only with recognised, creditworthy third parties. Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis 
and any potential bad debts identified at an early stage. The maximum exposure is the carrying amounts as disclosed in note 14. 
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the group and company.

With respect to credit risk arising from the other financial assets of the group, which comprise cash and cash equivalents, current 
investments and available-for-sale financial investments, the group’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counterparty, 
with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of these instruments.

Liquidity risk
The group monitors its risk to a shortage of funds using projected cash flows from operations. The group maintains a multi-currency 
revolving credit facility of £25m; there are no current plans to draw down on this facility.

84

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationThe tables below summarise the maturity profile of the group’s financial liabilities at 31 December based on contractual undiscounted 
payments.

31 December 2012

Group

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Provisions

31 December 2011

Group

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Foreign currency contracts

Provisions

On  
demand  
£m

10.8

–

–

10.8

On  
demand  
£m

12.9

–

–

–

12.9

Less than  
3 months  
£m

3 to 12  
months  
£m

–

–

–

–

–

0.4

–

0.4

Less than  
3 months  
£m

3 to 12  
months  
£m

–

0.4

–

–

0.4

–

0.4

0.5

0.2

1.1

1 to 5  
years  
£m

1.1

0.6

1.8

3.5

1 to 5  
years  
£m

1.2

–

–

1.6

2.8

Over 
5 years 
£m

–

–

–

–

Over 
5 years 
£m

–

–

–

–

–

Total  
£m

11.9

1.0

1.8

14.7

Total  
£m

14.1

0.8

0.5

1.8

17.2

The company has undiscounted provisions totalling £1.8m (2011: £1.6m) which are payable in 1 to 5 years (2011: 1 to 5 years).

Foreign exchange risk
The group has transactional currency exposures. Such exposure arises from sales or purchases by an operating unit in currencies other 
than the unit’s functional currency. Approximately 75% of the group’s sales are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency 
of the operating unit making the sale, whilst approximately 90% of costs are denominated in the unit’s functional currency.

The group uses foreign currency contracts only to reduce exposure to variations in the US dollar exchange rate and to meet local 
currency expenditure in the ordinary course of business. 

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the US dollar exchange rate, with all other variables 
held constant, of the group’s profit before tax and equity (due to changes in the fair value of monetary assets and liabilities). 

2012

2011

Strengthening/ 
(weakening) in 
US dollar rate

Effect on  
profit  
before tax  
£m

Effect on  
equity  
£m

5%

(5%)
5%

(5%)

1.2

(1.1)
1.1

(1.0)

2.7

(2.4)
2.4

(2.2)

Derivative financial instruments
It is the group’s policy to cover or hedge a proportion of its transactional US dollar exposures with foreign currency contracts. 
Where these are designated and documented as hedging instruments in the context of IAS 39 and are demonstrated to be effective, 
mark-to-market gains and losses are recognised directly in equity (see note 23) and transferred to the income statement upon receipt 
of cash and conversion to sterling of the underlying item being hedged.

The fair value of foreign currency contracts at 31 December are as follows:

Foreign currency contracts

2012  
£m

1.5

Assets

2011  
£m

–

Liabilities

2011  
£m

0.5

2012  
£m

–

At 31 December 2012 the group had US$60.0m outstanding forward contracts due for settlement in 2013 and 2014 (2011: US$62.5m for 
settlement in 2012 and 2013).

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

85

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

25 Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Interest rate risk
The group and company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the group and company’s cash and 
short-term deposits and current investments. In February 2011, all bank loans and borrowings were repaid in full thereby eliminating the 
risk of increased charges arising from a rise in interest rates, assuming no amounts are drawn down.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, 
of the group and company’s profit before tax (through the impact on cash balances and current investments). The effect on equity is the 
same as profit before tax.

2012
Sterling

US dollars

2011

Sterling

US dollars

Group

Company

Effect on  
profit  
before tax  
£m

Effect on  
profit  
before tax  
£m

Increase in  
basis points

+100

+100

+100

+100

0.6

0.5

0.6

0.5

0.2

–

0.2

–

Investment risk
In 2011, the seed capital was withdrawn from the Clarkson Shipping Hedge Fund and the Clarkson Freight Fund, thereby eliminating the 
risk of any further deterioration in the value of both funds. 

Capital management
The primary objective of the group’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains a strong credit rating and healthy capital ratios 
in order to support its business and maximise shareholder value.

The group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust 
the capital structure, the group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares.

No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes during the years ended 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011.

A number of the group’s trading companies are subject to regulation by the FSA in the UK, FINRA in the US and DFSA in Dubai. All such 
companies complied with their regulatory capital requirements throughout the year.

The group monitors capital using a gearing ratio, which is normally defined as net debt divided by total capital plus net debt. The group 
includes within net funds, cash and cash equivalents and current investments. Capital comprises equity attributable to the equity holders 
of the parent.

2012  
£m

89.4

25.2

114.6

–%

2011  
£m

132.9

–

132.9

–%

Cash and cash equivalents

Current investments

Net funds

Gearing ratio

86

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information 
26 Financial instruments
Fair values
IFRS 7 requires disclosure of fair value measurements by level of the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

• quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1);

• inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) 

or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level 2); and

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

The following table presents the group’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at 31 December 2012.

Assets
Foreign currency contracts

Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts

27 Related party transactions
The group did not enter into any related party transactions. 

During the year the company entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with related parties. 

Those transactions, and balances outstanding at 31 December, are as follows: 

Management fees charged to related party 

Interest received from related party 

Amounts owed by related party 

Amounts owed to related party 

2012  
Level 2  
£m

2011 
Level 2  
£m

1.5

–

–

0.5

Subsidiaries  
2012  
£m

Company

Subsidiaries  
2011  
£m

0.9

0.1

24.7

1.5

0.9

0.1

23.6

24.7

Compensation of key management personnel (including directors) 
There were no key management personnel in the group and company apart from the Clarkson PLC directors. Details of their 
compensation can be found in the directors’ emoluments and compensation table on page 45. Share-based payments relating 
to the Clarkson PLC directors during the year amounted to £0.9m (2011: £1.0m). 

28 Subsequent events
Subsequent to the year-end the decision was made to restructure the cost base of Clarkson Capital Markets which included the closure 
of the Dubai operation. This will lead to an exceptional charge estimated to be £1m in 2013.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

87

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationNotes to the financial statements continued 

29 Subsidiaries 
Principal subsidiaries 
Country of incorporation and operation

UK 

Australia

China

Company

H Clarkson & Company Limited 

Clarkson Port Services Limited*

Clarkson Financial Services Limited

Clarkson Investment Services Limited

Clarkson Legal Services Limited

Clarkson Overseas Shipbroking Limited

Clarkson Property Holdings Limited

Clarkson Research Holdings Limited

Clarkson Research Services Limited

Clarkson Securities Limited

Clarkson Shipbroking Group Limited

Clarkson Shipping Investments Limited

Clarkson Valuations Limited

Company Event Management Limited

EnShip Limited*

Genchem Holdings Limited* 

LNG Shipping Solutions Limited

Clarkson Australia (Pty) Limited

Clarkson Asia Limited*

United Arab Emirates 

Clarkson DMCC*

Clarkson Shipbroking Shanghai Co Limited*

France

Germany

Greece 

India

Italy 

Norway

Singapore 

South Africa

Switzerland

USA

Clarkson Investment Services (DIFC) Limited*

Clarkson Paris SAS*

Clarkson (Deutschland) GmbH*

Clarkson (Hellas) Limited 

Clarkson Shipping Services India Private Limited*

Clarkson Italia Srl* 

Boxton Holding AS*

Boxton Maritime AS*

Bridge Maritime AS*

Clarkson Norway AS*

Clarkson Asia Pte Limited 

Clarkson South Africa (Pty) Limited*

Afromar Properties (Pty) Limited*

Clarkson Shipbroking Switzerland SA*

CIS Capital Markets, LLC*

Clarkson Commodities USA, LLC*

Clarkson Shipping Services USA, LLC.* 

Percentage of equity shares

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

100
100†

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

*Not audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and associates. 
†Held by Clarkson PLC.

All the companies in this note are engaged in the provision of shipping and shipping-related services. 

The group also holds investments in other subsidiaries which are either not trading or not significant. In compliance with section 410 of the 
Companies Act 2006, a complete list of subsidiaries will be annexed to the company’s next annual return.

88

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other information 
Glossary

Aframax 

Ballast voyage 

Bareboat charter 

Bulk cargo 

Bunkers 

Cabotage 

Capesize 

Capesize 4TC

Cgt

Charterer 

Charter-party 

CIF 

ClarkSea Index

Clean oil 

COA 

A tanker size range defined by Clarksons as between 80-120,000 dwt. 

A voyage with no cargo on board to get a ship in position for the next loading port or docking. 
On voyage the ship is said to be in ballast. 

The hire or lease of a vessel from one company to another (the charterer), which in turn provides 
crew, bunkers, stores and pays all operating costs. 

Unpackaged cargoes such as coal, ore and grain. 

The ship’s fuel. 

 Transport of goods between two ports or places located in the same country, often restricted 
to domestic carriers. 

Bulk ship size range defined by Clarksons as 100,000 dwt or larger. 

An index derived from an average of four Capesize timecharter rates, published by the Baltic 
Exchange.

 Compensated gross tonnage. This unit of measurement was developed for measuring the 
level of shipbuilding output and is calculated by applying a conversion factor, which reflects 
the amount of work required to build a ship, to a vessel’s gross registered tonnage.

Cargo owner or another person/company who hires a ship. 

Transport contract between shipowner and shipper of goods. 

 Cost, insurance and freight. Delivery of goods is the seller’s responsibility to the port of 
discharge. The freight is paid for by the supplier of goods. 

 A weighted average index of earnings for the main vessel types where the weighting is based 
on the number of vessels in each fleet sector.

Refined oil products such as naphtha. 

 Contract of Affreightment. An agreement to transport a defined amount of cargo at an agreed 
freight rate, with the shipowner choosing the ship. 

Combination carrier 

 Ship capable of carrying oil or dry bulk cargoes, thereby increasing the productivity of the vessel. 
Typically termed OBO or Ore/Oiler. 

Crude oil 

Unrefined oil. 

Daily operating costs 

 The costs of a vessel’s technical operation, crewing, insurance and maintenance, but excluding 
costs of financing, referred to in the industry as opex.

Demurrage 

Dirty oil 

Dry (market) 

 Money paid to shipowner by charterer, shipper or receiver for failing to complete loading/
discharging within time allowed according to charter-party. 

Less refined oil products such as fuel oil. 

Generic term for the bulk market. 

Dry cargo carrier 

A ship carrying general cargoes or sometimes bulk cargo. 

Dry docking 

 To put a vessel into a dry dock for inspection, repair and maintenance. Normally done on 
a regular basis. 

Dwt 

E & P

 Deadweight ton. A measure expressed in metric tons (1,000 kg) or long tons (1,016 kg) of 
a ship’s carrying capacity, including bunker oil, fresh water, crew and provisions. This is the 
most important commercial measure of the capacity. 

Exploration and Production.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

89

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationGlossary continued

FFA 

FOB 

FOB (estimate) 

FOSVA 

Freight rate 

 A Forward Freight Agreement is a cash contract for differences requiring no physical delivery 
based on freight rates on standardised trade routes. 

 Free on Board. Cost of the delivery of goods is the seller’s responsibility only up to the port 
of loading. The freight is paid for by the buyer of the goods. 

 Forward Order Book represents estimated commissions collectable over the duration of the 
contract as principal payments fall due. The forward order book is not discounted.

 Forward Ship Value Agreement. An FFA based product designed specifically for the sale and 
purchase market. 

 The agreed charge for the carriage of cargo expressed per ton(ne) of cargo (also Worldscale 
in the tanker market) or as a lump sum. 

Handysize/Handymax 

 Bulk ship size ranges of ships defined by Clarksons as 10-40,000 dwt and 40-  60,000 dwt. 

International Maritime Organisation: a United Nations agency devoted to shipping. 

 International Safety Management code for the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention 
as adopted by the IMO. 

Large Gas Carrier. Vessel defined by Clarksons as 40-60,000 cbm. 

Liquefied Natural Gas. 

Liquefied Petroleum Gas. 

Mid-sized Gas Carrier. Vessel defined by Clarksons as 20-40,000 cbm. 

Memorandum of Agreement. 

Oil, Bulk, Ore carrier (see combination carrier). 

Tanker carrying crude oil or refined oil products. 

Offshore Support Vessels. Ships engaged in providing support to offshore oil platforms.

 Bulk ship size range defined by Clarksons as 60-100,000 dwt. Strictly speaking the largest 
ship capable of navigating in the Panama Canal. 

Tanker equipped to carry several types of cargo simultaneously. 

Tanker that carries refined oil products. 

A vessel capable of handling refrigerated cargoes such as meat, fish and fruit. 

 An abbreviation for roll-on roll-off, describing vessels where vehicles drive onto and off of 
the vessels. 

Semi-refrigerated gas carriers. Ships which employ a combination of refrigeration 
and pressurisation to maintain the transported gas in liquid form.

 A person/company who on behalf of shipowner/shipper negotiates a deal for the transportation 
of cargo at an agreed price. Shipbrokers also act on behalf of shipping companies in negotiating 
the purchasing and selling of ships, both secondhand tonnage and newbuilding contracts. 

Tanker carrying oil from offshore fields to terminals. 

Broker commission negotiated and invoiced within the same business year. 

 Short-term contracts for voyage, trip or short-term time charters, normally no longer than three 
months in duration. 

A tanker size range defined by Clarksons as 120-200,000 dwt. 

A modern class of Handymax dry bulk carrier defined by Clarksons as 50-60,000 dwt.

IMO 

ISM code 

LGC

LNG 

LPG 

MGC

MOA 

OBO 

Oil tanker 

OSV 

Panamax 

Parcel tanker 

Product tanker 

Reefer 

Ro-Ro 

Semi-ref

Shipbroker 

Shuttle tanker 

Spot business 

Spot market 

Suezmax 

Supramax 

90

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationTEU 

Time charter (t/c) 

 Twenty foot Equivalent Units. The unit of measurement of a standard twenty foot long container. 

 An arrangement whereby a shipowner places a crewed ship at a charterer’s disposal for a 
certain period. Freight is customarily paid periodically in advance. The charterer also pays for 
bunker, port and canal charges.

Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)

 Gross freight income less voyage costs (bunker, port and canal charges), usually expressed 
in US$ per day. 

Ton/Tonne 

Imperial/Metric ton of 2,240 lbs/1,000 kilos (2,204 lbs). 

ULCC 

VLCC 

VLGC 

Voyage charter 

Voyage costs 

Wet (market) 

Worldscale (WS) 

Ultra Large Crude Carrier. Tanker of more than 320,000 dwt. 

Very Large Crude Carrier. Tanker between 200-320,000 dwt. 

Very Large Gas Carrier. Vessel defined by Clarksons as more than 60,000 cbm. 

 The transportation of cargo from port(s) of loading to port(s) of discharge. Payment is normally 
per ton(ne) of cargo, and the shipowner pays for bunker, port and canal charges. 

Costs directly related to a specific voyage (e.g. bunker, port and canal charges). 

Generic term for the tanker market. 

 An international index of freight for tankers. Worldscale is a schedule of freight rates for a 
standard ship in US dollars per tonne of oil for an array of oil routes. The rates listed in the table 
are designated as Worldscale Flat or WS100 and are revised annually.

Annual Report 2012   Clarkson PLC

91

Our businessOur governanceOur accountsOther informationFive year financial summary

Income statement

Revenue 

Cost of sales

Trading profit

Administrative expenses 

Impairment of intangible assets

Operating profit

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit for the year 

* Before exceptional item and acquisition costs.

Cash flow

2012* 
£m

176.2

(6.3)

169.9

(150.8)

–

19.1

20.4

(6.1)

14.3

2011*
£m

194.6

(3.4)

191.2

(161.0)

–

30.2

32.2

(9.5)

22.7

2010
£m

202.6

(8.0)

194.6

(160.1)

–

34.5

32.4

(8.9)

23.5

2009
£m

176.7

(8.3)

168.4

(145.8)

–

22.6

22.5

(5.6)

16.9

2008*
£m

250.3

(7.5)

242.8

(190.9)

(13.9)

38.0

39.2

(16.4)

22.8

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

2012  
£m

(4.4)

2011  
£m

7.2

2010  
£m

42.3

2009  
£m

(18.0)

2008  
£m

57.9

Balance sheet

Non-current assets

Trade and other receivables (including income tax receivable)

Current asset investments

Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Statistics

Earnings per share – basic

Dividend per share 

**After exceptional item and acquisition costs.

2012  
£m

65.2

33.5

25.2

89.4

(72.2)

(15.1)

126.0

2011  
£m

63.5

38.1

–

132.9

(99.9)

(11.3)

123.3

2010  
£m

56.1

28.9

11.4

176.3

(149.9)

(6.4)

116.4

2009  
£m

74.8

30.6

–

143.2

(90.5)

(61.3)

96.8

2008  
£m

87.2

55.2

–

184.4

(159.0)

(65.4)

102.4

2012

2011

2010

87.2p**

134.1p**

125.4p

51p

50p

47p

2009

90.0p

43p

2008

41.9p**

42p

92

Clarkson PLC  Annual Report 2012

 Our business Our governance Our accounts Other informationInvEstIng In  
thE futurE
Economic conditions around 
the globe continue to affect 
the shipping industry. 
Despite the tough environment, 
we have continued to invest 
in our business to ensure we 
retain our position as the global 
market leader.

Principal trading offices

United Kingdom
London
Registered office  
Clarkson PLC 
St. Magnus House 
3 Lower Thames Street 
London 
EC3R 6HE 
United Kingdom
Registered number: 1190238
Contact: Andi Case 
Tel: +44 20 7334 0000 
www.clarksons.com
Ipswich
Maritime House 
19a St. Helens Street 
Ipswich 
IP4 1HE 
United Kingdom
Contact: David Rumsey 
Tel: +44 1473 297321
Ledbury
15 The Homend 
Ledbury  
Herefordshire 
HR8 1BN 
United Kingdom
Contact: Shaun Sturge 
Tel: +44 1531 634 561
Aberdeen
56–58 Bon Accord Street 
Aberdeen 
Aberdeenshire 
AB11 6EL 
United Kingdom
Contact: Kathy Gay 
Tel: +44 1224 576 900
70 St Clement Street 
Aberdeen 
Aberdeenshire 
AB11 5BD 
United Kingdom
Contact: Donald Grant 
Tel: +44 1224 211 500
Australia
Brisbane
PO Box 2592 
Wellington Point 
Brisbane 
QLD 4160 
Australia
Contact: John Coburn 
Tel: +61 7 3822 4660
Melbourne 
Level 12 
636 St Kilda Road 
Melbourne 
VIC 3004 
Australia
Contact: Ronny Kilian/Murray Swan 
Tel: +61 3 9867 6800
Perth
Level 10 
16 St Georges Terrace 
Perth 
WA 6000 
Australia
Contact: Mark Rowland 
Tel: +61 8 6210 8700 

China
hong Kong
3209-3214 Sun Hung Kai Centre 
30 Harbour Road 
Wanchai 
Hong Kong
Contact: Martin Rowe 
Tel: +852 2866 3111
shanghai
Room 2603–2605 
Wheelock Square 
Shanghai 
China 
200040
Contact: Cheng Yu Wang 
Tel: +86 21 6103 0100
Germany
Johannisbollwerk 20, 5. fl 
Hamburg 
20459 
Germany
Contact: Jan Aldag 
Tel: +49 40 3197 66 110
Greece
62 Kiffissias Avenue 
15125 Marousi 
Greece
Contact: George Margaronis 
Tel: +30 210 458 6700
India
124–125 Rectangle 1 
D–4 Saket Business District 
New Delhi 
110017 
India
Contact: Amit Mehta 
Tel: +91 11 4777 4444
Italy
Piazza Rossetti 3A 
16129 Genoa 
Italy
Contact: Massimo Dentice 
Tel: +39 0 10 55401
Norway
Godt Haab 
Strandveien 50 
N–1366 Lysaker 
Norway
Contact: Jakob Tolstrup-Møller/ Karl Ekerholt 
Tel: +47 67 10 2300
Singapore
8 Shenton Way 
# 23–01 Temasek Tower 
Singapore 068811
Contact: Giles Lane/Ken Michie 
Tel: +65 6 339 0036
South Africa
Heron House 
33 Wessel Road 
Rivonia 
Johannesburg 2128 
South Africa
Contact: Simon Lester 
Tel: +27 11 803 0008

Switzerland
Rue de la Fontaine 1 
1204 
Geneva 
Switzerland
Contact: David Collins 
Tel: +41 22 308 9900
United Arab Emirates
Office 2604 
Reef Tower 
Jumeirah Lakes Towers 
Sheikh Zayed Road 
Dubai 
UAE 
PO Box 102929
Contact: Esam Balla 
Tel: +971 4 450 9400
USA
houston
1333 West Loop South 
Suite 1525 
Houston 
Texas 77027 
USA
Contact: Roger Horton 
Tel: +1 713 235 7400
new York
597 Fifth Avenue 
8th Floor 
New York 
NY 10017 
USA
Contact: John Sinders 
Tel: +1 212 796 4400

This annual report is printed on HannoArt silk. Both the paper  
mill and printer involved in the production support the growth of 
responsible forest management and are both accredited to ISO 
14001 which specifies a process for continuous environmental 
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reading this report and no longer wish to retain it, please pass  
it on to other interested readers or dispose of it in your recycled  
paper waste. 

Thank you.

This report is available at:  
www.clarksons.com

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Clarkson PLC 
St. Magnus House 
3 Lower Thames Street 
London EC3R 6HE 
+44 (0) 20 7334 0000

www.clarksons.com

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Clarkson PLC Annual Report 2012