Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Beverages - Non-Alcoholic / Coca-Cola HBC

Coca-Cola HBC

cch · LSE Consumer Cyclical
Claim this profile
Ticker cch
Exchange LSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Beverages - Non-Alcoholic
Employees 10,000+
← All annual reports
FY2018 Annual Report · Coca-Cola HBC
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
C

o

c

a

‑

C

o

l

a

H

e

l

l

e

n

i

c

B

o

t

t

l

i

n

g

C

o

m

p

a

n

y

2

0

1

8

I

n

t

e

g

r

a

t

e

d

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

IN GOOD 
COMPANY

2018

Integrated Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 HIGHLIGHTS

VOLUME (m unit cases)

2,192

2017: 2,104

NET SALES REVENUE (€m)

6,657

2017: 6,522

COMPARABLE EBIT 1 (€m)

681

2017: 621

EBIT (€m)

639

2017: 590

COMPARABLE EBIT MARGIN1 (%)

EBIT MARGIN (%)

10.2

2017: 9.5

9.6

2017: 9.0

COMPARABLE NET PROFIT1, 2 (€m)

NET PROFIT2 (€m)

480

2017: 450

COMPARABLE EPS1 (€)

1.31

2017: 1.23

ROIC (%)

13.7

2017: 12.4

447

2017: 426

BASIC EPS (€)

1.22

2017: 1.17

CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCED 
ACROSS THE VALUE CHAIN

PACKAGING RECOVERED 
FOR RECYCLING

25%

COMPARED WITH 2010 BASELINE

45%

1.  For details on APMs, refer to the Alternative performance 

measures section.

2.  Net Profit and comparable net profit refer to net profit 

and comparable net profit respectively after tax attributable 
to owners of the parent.

Strategic Report

SR

Corporate Governance

CG

Financial Statements

FS

Swiss Statutory Reporting

SSR

Supplementary Information

SI

About our report

The 2018 Integrated Annual Report 
(‘Annual Report’) consolidates 
Coca‑Cola HBC AG’s UK and Swiss 
disclosure requirements while meeting 
the disclosure requirements for its 
secondary listing on the Athens Exchange 
and the sustainability reporting standards. 
For more information about our Integrated 
Annual Report, see page 256.

More online

www.coca‑colahellenic.com

Navigating this report
We are In Good Company with all 
our stakeholders.

We have identified issues that we believe 
are relevant to each of our stakeholders 
throughout the report, and have indicated 
these through the following icons.

CONTENTS

Strategic Report
3
4
6
10
12
14
16
17
24
26
34
40
48
54
63
79
80
84

Our business
Chairman’s letter
Chief Executive Officer’s Q&A
Our stakeholders
Market review
Our business model
Our growth model
Our strategy and KPIs
Our 2025 sustainability commitments
Our people
Our communities
Our consumers
Our customers
Partners in efficiency
Managing risk and materiality
Viability Statement
Financial review
Segment highlights

Our people

Our communities

Our consumers

Our customers

Partners in efficiency

NGOs

Shareholders

Governments

The Coca‑Cola Company

Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance
Board of Directors
Corporate Governance Report

Corporate Governance
88
90
96
122 Directors’ Remuneration Report
145

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Financial Statements
148
153
159 Notes to the Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s Report
Financial Statements

Swiss Statutory Reporting
221

Report of the statutory auditor on Coca‑Cola HBC
AG’s consolidated financial statements
Report of the statutory auditor on Coca‑Cola HBC
AG’s financial statements

227

230 Coca‑Cola HBC AG’s financial statements
241

Report of the statutory auditor on the Statutory
Remuneration Report
Statutory Remuneration Report

242

Supplementary Information
246 Alternative performance measures
250 Assurance statement
253

Shareholder information

Glossary

CREATING VALUE FOR 
ALL STAKEHOLDERS IS CORE TO 
OUR STRATEGY AND LONG‑TERM 
SUCCESS. WE THEREFORE ENGAGE 
CONTINUOUSLY WITH OUR 
PEOPLE, CUSTOMERS, PARTNERS, 
SHAREHOLDERS, AND COMMUNITIES 
TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON 
FULFILLING THEIR NEEDS NOW AND IN 
THE FUTURE – THAT’S WHAT WE MEAN 
BY BEING ‘IN GOOD COMPANY’.

OUR
BUSINESS

We are generating strong 
revenue growth and 
sustainable margin 
expansion

Since we laid out our 2020 targets 
in 2016, we have delivered 
consistently at or above those 
objectives.

We remain focused on efficiency 
in all we do, allowing our strong 
revenue growth to drive improving 
profitability.

And we are cultivating 
the potential of our people 
and building trust with our 
communities

We have the right teams in place 
who are empowered to take 
intelligent risks and seize 
opportunities.

Sustainable growth is core to 
our long-term success and to 
support that we launched new 
2025 sustainability 
commitments this year.

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
REVENUE GROWTH
+5% on average
IN THE LAST THREE YEARS

See progress against our strategy 
on pages 18-23

COMPARABLE EBIT MARGIN
+270bps
FROM 7.5% IN 2015

See more on pages 54‑62

28,884
DIRECT EMPLOYEES

17
NEW COMMITMENTS

See more on pages 26‑33

See more on pages 24‑25

UNDERSTANDING 
OUR MARKETS

We continue to invest in our 28 markets 
to grow volumes and create value.

Emerging markets

Currency‑neutral 
revenue growth 2018 
+ 6.8%

Comparable EBIT 
margin 2018 
10.5%

Developing markets

Currency‑neutral 
revenue growth 2018 
+ 11.9%

Comparable EBIT 
margin 2018 
10.5%

Established markets

Currency‑neutral 
revenue growth 2018 
+ 2.1%

Comparable EBIT 
margin 2018 
9.7%

BRINGING 
BEVERAGES 
TO LIFE

Evolution of our portfolio
The faster pace of innovation and 
launches helps us provide our customers 
with the right packs, variants, categories 
and brands to achieve sustainable growth.

See pages 40‑47 for more 
information

%
64

6

9

17

22

New package formats
New categories and brands
Variants of Coca-Cola
Flavours of other sparkling brands
Flavours for adults
Other flavours

% of volume from new launches

A T   S C H O O L

M E ALS
  AT   H OME

EATING OUT

PHYSICAL
 ACTIVITY AWAY
FROM HOME

K

R

O

T   W

A

O

N T

H

E G

O

M

NS
KTIME

C
A
N
S

SIO
A
C
C
O

T
S
A
F
K
A
E
R
B

G
N
I
K
N
I
R
D

T
U
O

R O U TIN E
H A BIT S A T

H O

M E

N
A
H
C

NELS

S
T
E
K
R
A
M
R
E
P
Y
 H
&
R
E
P
U
S

R A G M E N T E D   T R A DE

F

HORECA

R

T

D

T

E

A

J

U

I

C

E

E
N
E
R
G
Y
D
R
N
K
S

I

S
K
RIN
S D
T
R
O
P
S

DISC O U N T E R S
UCTS

D
O
R
P

W

AT

E

R

SPARKLING BEVERAGES

B

‑

T

N

A

L

P

Y 

M

 A

T 

H

O

M

DIG

IT

A

L C

O

M

M

E

R

C

E

O

E

N

M

T

E

S

S

C

R

E

E

N

T

I

M

E

H

A

A

N

W

G

A

I

H

Y

N

O

F

G

S

E

G

A

R

E

V

E

E

A

T

W
O
R
K

M

R

O

O

M

U

T

C OFFEE

D   B

E

S

A

P R E M I U M   S P I R I T S

S
O
C

A
T

H
O
M
E

I

A
L

I

S

I

N
G

Route to marketOur collaborative relationships with customers and broader, deeper route-to-market approachhelps us capture value from our total beverage portfolio.See pages 48-53 for more information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4

COCA-COLA HBC

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Dear stakeholder,
Our strong performance during 2018 
was the result of the successful execution 
of Coca-Cola HBC’s growth strategy, 
increasingly efficient operations and the 
efforts of our talented and resourceful 
people. I am pleased to report that even 
as we transformed many aspects of our 
business, our approach of creating value 
for all of our stakeholders continued.

In Good Company
The theme of this year’s report, In Good 
Company, reflects the importance of our 
network of partners, including customers, 
shareholders, suppliers, our people and 
communities. The Board of Directors has 
striven to ensure that the Company has 
a comprehensive approach to stakeholder 
engagement, including building robust 
stakeholder engagement practices which 
allow us to listen to stakeholder concerns 
and feedback, and taking steps to engage 
further when deemed appropriate.

As part of our commitment to ongoing 
dialogue and engagement, we, along with 
The Coca‑Cola Company, invited policy 
makers, investors, customers, non‑
governmental organisations and industry 
associations from across our markets to 
our Annual Stakeholder Forum. Anastasios 
Leventis and Charlotte Boyle represented 
the Board at our 2018 forum in Vienna, 
where we listened to stakeholders’ views 
on sustainability and the key issue of how 
we continue to tackle packaging waste.

How and why we work with our 
stakeholders forms a key thread 
throughout this report.

Sustainability
We have made great progress in managing 
the environmental and social aspects of 
our business and have already delivered on 
a number of our 2020 sustainability targets, 
ahead of schedule. New, ambitious 2025 
sustainability commitments were approved 
by the Board of Directors during the year 
to ensure that sustainability remains 
integral to our future strategy.

We are nurturing our people, 
building trust in our 
communities, growing 
partnerships with our customers, 
evolving our portfolio for our 
consumers, and driving 
efficiencies with our suppliers.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

5

IN GOOD 
COMPANY

Priorities for 2019
On behalf of the Board, I would like to take 
this opportunity to give my thanks to 
everyone at Coca‑Cola HBC for another 
year of outstanding progress towards our 
2020 targets.

Our focus in 2019 will be on supporting 
management with strategy and 
decision‑making as we continue our journey 
to become a Total Beverage Company 
and prepare for the next chapter of growth. 
The Board is in agreement about the 
importance of sustainability, and we will work 
to retain our leadership here, supporting our 
progress towards our 2025 commitments. 
We will also continue to nurture the culture 
and values which underpin the potential of 
the business and to ensure a strong pipeline 
of talent for both Board and senior 
management positions.

Finally, on behalf of the Company, let me 
thank you, our shareholders, for your support 
and partnership in our growth. I look forward 
to seeing you at the Annual General Meeting.

ANASTASSIS G. DAVID
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Our commitments focus on the areas 
of most material importance for our 
stakeholders, industry and society, 
such as: reducing emissions; water use 
and stewardship; a World Without Waste; 
ingredient sourcing; nutrition; and our 
people and communities.

Our sustainability leadership has long 
been recognised internationally. The 2018 
Dow Jones Sustainability Indices ranked 
Coca‑Cola HBC in the top three of both 
the global and European beverage industry 
leagues, while we received additional 
recognition in other sustainability 
benchmarks, such as CDP Climate, 
FTSE4Good and MSCI.

Culture and values
Effective corporate governance is as much 
about fostering a strong culture and values 
as about abiding by corporate codes, and 
I am proud of our success in embedding 
a values‑based culture with a drive for 
excellence. Transforming our business to 
become a Total Beverage Company requires 
us to build on our strong existing culture. 
We know from our success in navigating 
macroeconomic challenges in recent years 
that our people are resourceful and resilient. 
Successfully transforming our business 
requires that we further empower our people 
to take bold and entrepreneurial action to 
serve our customers, while at the same time 
asking that they seek to learn from failure 
and remain accountable for their decisions.

In my role as Chairman, I have the 
opportunity to meet many of the women 
and men who form Coca‑Cola HBC and 
I see their excitement about the evolution 
of our business. I’m confident that our 
people will rise to meet the challenges 
of faster‑paced innovation, and that we 
are taking the right steps to support our 
Company’s long‑term success.

With more new products successfully 
launched in 2018 than ever before, 
we achieved currency‑neutral revenue 
growth in most markets. Our results for 
the year are a testimony to the agility and 
entrepreneurism of our people. They give 
me additional confidence that we have the 
right culture to succeed in the future.

Governance
The Board benefits from a diverse range 
of skills, experience, independence and 
knowledge. I believe our current composition, 
after the process of renewal in the past few 
years, represents a well‑balanced and 
diverse group who can support management 
in leading this Company to long‑term 
success. In 2018, we were able to support 
our new Chief Executive Officer as he 
worked to drive the business strategy, 
and we look forward to ongoing engaging 
and collaborative discussions for many 
years to come. 

As the Group transforms into a Total 
Beverage Company, some of the corporate 
governance frameworks we have in place 
will need to transform too. In 2018, we have 
promoted changes to support the informed 
risk‑taking necessary for innovation and 
growth, evolving our risk management 
framework. While the Company is identifying 
and managing material issues and principal 
risks faster and more proactively, what has 
not changed is the Board’s process 
of overseeing and reviewing these.

Dividend
Due to the strong operating performance 
of the business and our confidence in 
management’s ability to continue to guide 
the Company to further success, the Board 
is proposing a full‑year dividend payment 
of €0.57 per share. This proposal represents 
a 5.6% increase compared to the dividend 
that we paid in 2017, which itself was a 22.7% 
increase on the dividend that we paid in 2016.

SRCGFSSSRSI6
6

COCA-COLA HBC

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S Q&A

ZORAN BOGDANOVIC
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

“I am very 
pleased by 
the successful 
introduction 
of our expanded 
product and 
package 
portfolio, and 
am confident 
that these 
changes 
position our 
Company for 
sustained 
profitable 
growth.”

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

7

ANOTHER YEAR
OF GROWTH 

All of this work is the foundation of our 
transformation to a Total Beverage 
Company, and it is producing results. 
In 2018, we achieved revenues of €6,657 
million, up 6.0% in currency‑neutral terms. 
Our comparable EBIT margin was 10.2%, 
up 70 basis points compared with 2017. 
Reported net profit was €447 million1. 
With these results, we are on track to deliver 
on our 2020 financial commitments. 

What were your personal 
highlights in 2018?
It was a great year on many fronts, but one 
of our key achievements was the launch 
of FUZETEA simultaneously in 27 of our 
markets at the start of the year. This launch 
was meticulously planned and the results 
have been impressive. With FUZETEA, 
we have seen volume growth of 1.5% in the 
ready‑to‑drink tea category in 2018 after 
several years of decline. I believe this shows 
the tremendous power of the Coca‑Cola 
System, operating with both speed and scale 
to achieve a great result. 

Another highlight was the work that went 
into the FIFA World Cup in Russia. The biggest 
sporting event in the world in our biggest 
market was always going to be a focal point 
for the year, and our team on the ground did 
a phenomenal job. Their excellent customer 
engagement and market activation around 
the event supported the 4.4% volume 
growth we achieved in Russia in 2018.

How was 2018 for CCH?
We achieved another year of strong revenue 
growth with margin expansion and introduced 
more launches of new packages, brands 
and even categories than ever before. 
These launches accomplish two key things. 
First, they ensure that we are bringing our 
customers a beverage portfolio which meets 
emerging consumer trends. Second, they 
allow for profitable revenue growth 
by providing the right package and price 
combinations across our channels and 
consumption occasions.

I am very pleased by the successful 
introduction of our expanded package and 
product portfolio, and am confident that 
these changes position our Company for 
sustained profitable growth. You will find 
many examples of our successful launches 
in the Consumers and Customers sections 
on pages 40‑53.

More launches of more products requires 
adjustment throughout the business: 
an enhanced route‑to‑market approach; 
a more agile supply chain; and ongoing focus 
on cost control. This would not be possible 
without close partnerships with our 
customers and the dedication and hard work 
of our people.

Our people’s adaptability and agility made 
it possible to implement these changes. 
We are investing in our people to nurture 
their potential. I want our Company to have 
an empowered, accountable workforce, 
fully engaged and motivated by our unlimited 
opportunities. It is an honour to work with 
our people and serve them in my capacity 
as CEO. I applaud their efforts in 2018. 

2018 was also a year where we saw progress 
on our key sustainability goals and in fact 
we have set new, bold commitments for our 
business for 2025. Operating sustainably 
and creating value for all stakeholders is core 
to our long‑term success.

As a business driver, events such as the 
World Cup are not just a short‑term boost 
to sales, they also support our long‑term 
reputation and growth, and these benefits 
extend beyond the host nation. From an 
operational perspective, we delivered by 
getting the right drinks to meet the demand 
of fans in the 12 cities and FIFA Festivals, 
but also by ensuring that we collected 
and recycled our packaging. Working with 
The Coca‑Cola Company and other partners, 
we supported the recycling of the equivalent 
of all the PET packaging distributed to FIFA 
stadiums by the Coca‑Cola System during 
the tournament.

Of course, it was a great personal highlight 
to enjoy a Coke Zero while watching my team, 
Croatia, in the World Cup Final – even if the 
result didn’t go the way I would have wanted.

Can you tell us a little more about 
the operational changes the shift 
to becoming a Total Beverage 
Company necessitates?
This change requires a faster pace of 
decision‑making within the whole Coca‑Cola 
System, which is being supported by even 
greater alignment between The Coca‑Cola 
Company and the bottlers. We are creating 
a more agile, responsive system which allows 
us to roll out our successes with speed 
and to ensure we focus our efforts on the 
highest return opportunities, while eliminating 
unsuccessful products faster. 

Many launches of new packs and flavours 
use our existing assets, by which I mean the 
manufacturing plants, the distribution centres 
and warehouses, through to our sales force 
and customer relationships. However, there 
are examples of new products that require 
specific investment. We have invested 
in a new line for GLACÉAU smartwater in 
Hungary for example, and another for AdeZ 
in the Czech Republic.

1.  Net Profit and comparable net profit refer to net 

profit and comparable net profit respectively after tax 
attributable to owners of the parent.

SRCGFSSSRSI8

COCA-COLA HBC

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S Q&A CONTINUED

This transition to being a Total Beverage 
Company allows us to offer an even more 
compelling proposition in more sales 
channels and more consumption occasions 
throughout the day. This requires additional 
sales capabilities and updates to our route 
to market. We are particularly excited by the 
opportunities that our evolving portfolio, 
including sophisticated, premium products, 
is giving us to improve our opportunities in 
premium hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés, 
and we have hired dedicated teams to 
address this channel directly.

What are the key projects you 
are undertaking in the Company 
to improve performance?
The full benefit of our expanded, innovative 
product portfolio will only be realised 
through targeted, effective marketing 
initiatives and ongoing revenue growth 
management initiatives. 

We undertook a significant reboot of our 
route to market in 17 of our markets during 
the year. This work expanded our depth and 
breadth of coverage with a particular focus 
on high‑potential channels. We are also 
working to make our customer relationships 
increasingly collaborative, focusing more 
of our actions on customer needs and 
prioritising outlets with the highest potential 
for collaboration and growth. Driving more 
value from every case we sell benefits our 
customers and us. To achieve this, we 
introduced new revenue growth management 
initiatives to improve category and package 
mix, as well as pricing and promotional 
management strategies.

Technological innovations also provide 
us with new opportunities to add value. 
For example by analysing patterns in cooler 
door openings alongside sales data, we 
can ensure our coolers are well placed to 
maximise growth. Coolers with internet 
connections can also automate inventory 
assessments. This frees up time for our 
sales people to do what they do best; sell 
our beverages to the customer with the 
best possible level of service.

Of course, you can see at once that the 
common factor for success in each of these 
areas is the crucial role of our people. We are 
passionate about creating an inclusive, 
growth culture that ensures that our people 
are not only engaged but empowered.

What are you doing to ensure 
that your people are engaged?
In the Company’s 2018 employee 
engagement results, we saw a 1pp decline 
in engagement level to 88%. Our results for 
2018 remain high compared to the FTSE 100 
companies in the Willis Towers Watson 
benchmarking pool and the norm for FMCG 
companies. As our business evolves, our 
talented people are being asked to be even 
more agile and more entrepreneurial. We 
need to have a culture to support our growth 
ambitions. Feedback from our people tells 
us they are passionate about their work and 
our products and brands. They also see the 
potential to operate faster and are engaged 
by the opportunities to remove unnecessary 
bureaucracy and focus on results.

We have begun to simplify processes 
and address structural barriers, and we are 
asking our people to take intelligent risk 
where necessary. We are encouraging 
empowerment and personal accountability 
and to support this, we are focusing on 
providing faster feedback to our people 
so that we can all iterate and improve on 
a more continual basis. Supporting a shift 
in our culture is going to take time. This will 
be an ongoing priority for our leadership 
team and me.

You talk a lot about growth 
mindset, what does this mean 
to you?
As an organisation we have to focus 
on constantly improving, individually and 
collectively, to ensure that we keep growing, 
and our customers, partners and communities 
grow with us. This focus requires a mindset 
that understands the power of learning by 
giving and receiving honest feedback and 
then acting on it. We cherish the curiosity of 
our people which keeps them aware of ideas 
outside of our organisation and encourages 
them to bring the most inspiring ideas back 
into the Company. A growth mindset requires 
us to continue to embrace collaboration 
and innovation as ways of working and 
emphasises empowerment, personal 
accountability and an optimism in the 
potential of our people. It’s been a big 
focus over the past year because we can 
only continue to drive forward with this 
growth mindset.

What have been the key 
challenges in 2018?
Although we have enjoyed strong growth 
in the majority of the Developing and 
Emerging markets in which we operate, the 
environment in Nigeria, with sluggish growth 
and an intense competitive dynamic, has 
been more challenging than we expected.

Nigeria remains a market with huge potential. 
We have worked hard in recent years to 
improve our flexibility to manage challenges, 
and we prepare meticulously, both for the 
most likely outcome and also for potential 
risks. The results we produced in Nigeria, 
achieving an increase in currency‑neutral 
revenues of 5.0% compared with 2017, are 
testimony to our people’s ability to adapt 
and take challenges in their stride. We have 
a lot of tools for addressing economic and 
competitive challenges – in particular using 
the full range of our brands and package 
sizes to expand our offer in the market. 
We were able to use these tools to help us 
stay on course.

The issue of plastic pollution 
seemed to shoot up the media 
and political agenda in 2018. 
How are you addressing this?
While plastic waste has received more 
high‑profile attention recently in the media, 
it is an issue we have been working hard 
to tackle for years. We have continually 
redesigned packages to make them lighter 
and easier to recycle and we have made 
investments in technology that lets us use 
more recycled content in packages. In 2019, 
we will launch PET bottles for four water 
brands in 100% recycled PET, and use 50% 
recycled PET for both Coke and Coke Zero in 
Austria and Switzerland. This is an important 
trial which we will expand in the future. 

We believe that a litter‑free world is possible 
and that our industry has a key role and a 
responsibility to help achieve this. As part 
of our 2025 sustainability commitments, 
we set ambitions to ensure all our consumer 
packaging is 100% recyclable, that we use 
even more recycled PET in our bottles and 
that we help collect more after use. These 
commitments support the Coca‑Cola 
System’s World Without Waste goal of 
helping to collect and recycle a bottle or can 
for each one we sell by 2030. 

Youth unemployment remains high 
in many markets. What are you 
doing to support young people?
Another of our 2025 sustainability 
commitments is designed to step up our 
efforts in this area.

Since 2015, we have been supporting 
young people in our markets who are not 
in education, employment or training by 
providing skills, networks and access to 
mentors to give them a leg‑up to the 
employment ladder. While we are very proud 
of what we have accomplished through our 
Youth Empowered programme, we think 
we can do even more. We have therefore set 
ourselves a big goal of training one million 
young people by 2025 through the scheme.

9

What are the investment 
priorities for Coca-Cola HBC? 
You currently have a lot of cash. 
What will you do with it?
Our priority remains investment in the 
business, with a disciplined approach to capital 
expenditure and managing shareholders’ 
capital. We have seen increased opportunity 
for investment in 2018 and our capex to 
sales ratio stood at 6.4%, an increase on the 
5.8% ratio in 2017. We will continue to look 
at opportunities to make complementary 
bolt‑on acquisitions, particularly in strong 
local water and juice brands.

We also operate a progressive dividend 
policy and in 2018 our dividend payout ratio 
was 43.6%. Finally, in the absence of the right 
investment opportunities we will seek to 
optimise the balance sheet, returning to our 
targeted net debt to comparable adjusted 
EBITDA target of 1.5–2.0 times. 

What are the opportunities and 
challenges for 2019 and beyond?
In 2018, we delivered another very good 
performance with revenue growth above our 
target range and another step up in margins. 
Overall, we expect volume to continue to 
grow in all three segments and that we can 
continue to deliver currency‑neutral net sales 
revenue per case improvement, accompanied 
by margin expansion.

The economic environment is expected 
to be less of a tailwind in 2019 in our territory. 
We believe, however, that we are well placed 
to withstand less favourable conditions. 
I am confident that 2019 will be another year 
of growth, both for the Company and our 
people, as we continue strengthening our 
capabilities, carry on improving the way we 
serve our customers and work collaboratively 
with all of our partners to create shared value.

ZORAN BOGDANOVIC
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

What about the other 
commitments and sustainability 
more generally?
Beyond what we are trying to achieve with 
packaging and youth empowerment, we 
have set new ambitious 2025 sustainability 
commitments for emissions, water use 
and stewardship, World Without Waste, 
ingredients sourcing, nutrition and our 
people. These commitments are aligned 
to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs) which call on businesses, governments 
and individuals to work to end poverty, fight 
inequality and tackle climate change. 

We have a strong track record of managing 
our business responsibly and sustainably, 
and we are proud of our continued leadership 
positions in the most recognised sustainability 
benchmarks, such as the Dow Jones 
Sustainability Index, CDP Climate, FTSE4Good 
and MSCI. We know that, ultimately, our 
success is linked to our ability to create 
sustainable value for all of our stakeholders, 
from customers and investors to the 
communities in which we work. 

There is more about our approach to 
creating value for stakeholders in our 
stakeholder and business model sections 
on pages 10‑11 and 14‑16.

Now you’ve been CEO for over 
a year, what have you found 
most rewarding?
One of the many great things about being 
CEO is seeing and supporting the individual 
and team growth stories that contribute to 
the overall success of the business. I believe 
that we should never stop learning, personally 
and professionally; it’s one of our key values 
and 2018 has certainly been another year 
of rich learning for our business. Our people 
are continuously building their capabilities 
through our Excel leadership training 
programme or the accelerator courses that 
our business developers and key account 
managers attend.

I find it particularly rewarding to see how our 
people drive solutions for our customers.

This is true of new ideas that make life easier 
for them, such as connected coolers and 
on‑shelf technology to how we implement 
big scale challenges like introducing a new 
category in the form of AdeZ plant‑based 
beverages or launching FUZETEA across 
27 markets simultaneously. Again and again 
across the business, I see individuals and 
teams putting the customer front and 
centre of each thing we do by focusing their 
efforts on selling or helping us to sell.

SRCGFSSSRSI10

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR STAKEHOLDERS

When introducing new packages or products, developing strategy or setting 
targets to manage the social and environmental impacts of our operations, 
we consider what is meaningful and valuable to our stakeholders. 
This requires understanding our stakeholders’ priorities and expectations.

oca ‑ C o l a  Compa
e C

n

y

h
T

O u r  people

over n m e n ts

G

s

r

hold e
re
a
h
S

O ur com

m

u

n

i

t

i

e

s

O

ur c

o

n

s

u

m
e
r
s

IN GOOD 
COMPANY 
WITH OUR 
STAKEHOLDERS

N

G

O

s

P

a

rtners in ef f i c i e

n cy

s

O u r c u stomer

See more on our stakeholders

How our Board is informed on stakeholder issues

Interview with some of our stakeholders

Employees: Page 29

Consumers: Page 44

Customers: Page 53

Suppliers: Page 57

Page 107

A selection of decisions where stakeholders 
were considered

Page 107

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

11

Description

Key issues

Why we engage

How we engage

Employees of the Company.

 · Ensuring that all key positions 

are filled with the best person for 
the job

 · Maintaining high employee 

engagement

 · Nurturing skills and talents
 · Championing inclusion and 

diversity

 · Water conservation
 · Waste
 · Empowering youth and women

The people who we live 
and work alongside.

Our people are our most important 
asset and engine of growth. They are 
both the creators and caretakers of our 
culture and values.

Through our annual review 
process and employee surveys, 
by offering relevant training 
both on and off line and by 
making a vast wealth of material 
available on our HR web portal.

To build trust by operating responsibly 
and sustainably, and addressing issues 
that are material for our communities.

To provide training opportunities and 
support to young people currently not 
in education, training or employment.

We engage directly with people 
in the markets in which we 
operate, particularly those living 
in the areas around our bottling 
operations, and through 
third‑party partnerships.

People who consume our 
products in the 28 countries 
where we operate.

 · Continuously evolving our 

products to meet consumers’ 
needs for healthy hydration, 
quality, taste, innovation and 
convenience

By understanding the consumer and 
evolving our portfolio accordingly, we 
grow our business sustainably in the 
long term.

Understanding consumers’ 
needs and preferences through 
collecting consumer insights. 
While this is also part of the 
Coca‑Cola Company’s role, we 
gain access to these insights.

A wide range of retail outlets, 
including supermarkets, 
hypermarkets, discounters, 
convenience stores, 
wholesalers, hotels, 
restaurants, cafés, quick 
service restaurants (QSRs), 
cinemas and e‑commerce 
retailers that sell our 
products to consumers.

 ·

Identifying channels and 
customers that offer growth and 
value creation for us and our 
customers

To build business plans with specific 
in‑store execution and promotional 
activities to suit our customers’ needs 
and create joint value.

A system of key account 
managers, in whom we are 
constantly investing, engage 
at a strategic level.

 · Offering a total beverage 

portfolio that meets the changing 
preferences of the consumers
 · Achieving high service levels at 

optimum cost

To avoid unnecessary costs.

Our business developers make 
regular visits to outlets.

Our suppliers, consultants 
and counterparts in related 
industries.

 · Rising costs of ingredients, 
labour, packaging material, 
energy and water

 · Minimising the environmental 
impact of water and energy 
resources, and air emissions

 · Recycling and waste 

management

 · Sustainable sourcing

Non‑governmental 
organisations (NGOs) with 
a focus on environmental, 
economic and social issues.

 · Wide‑ranging issues facing our 

business, from energy and water 
use, reductions in packaging 
waste to corporate governance, 
human rights and diversity

Equity and debt investors 
who provide capital to the 
business.

 · Quality and effectiveness 

of governance

 · Profitability and growth potential 

Governments, their 
ministries and regulators.

of the business

 · Capital gain through share price 

appreciation

 · Capital return via dividends 
or the payment of interest

 ·

Industry and/or product‑specific 
policies, such as taxes, 
restrictions or regulations

 · Environmental policies
 · Consumer health and public 

health policies

To share knowledge and expertise and 
find ways of using all our resources as 
efficiently as possible, reducing costs 
to our Company.

To ensure a healthy, sustainable 
supply chain.

NGOs have a key contributing role to 
our annual materiality process and we 
engage with them, both in our markets 
as well as at Group level, on an ongoing 
basis to develop and support 
community and environmental 
initiatives.

To achieve fair value and appropriate 
ownership of our shares by enabling 
the full understanding of the strategy, 
as well as the operational and financial 
performance of the Company.

To benefit from the views of the 
investment community in 
decision‑making and strategy‑setting.

We consider it our duty and our 
responsibility to make our views clear 
to those who have the potential to 
impact the laws, regulations and 
policies that can influence our 
business.

Our partner who develops 
the beverage brands which 
we bottle and sell. They are 
our largest supplier and 
a significant shareholder.

 · Profitable growth opportunities
 · Value share in our markets
 · Sustainable sourcing

To maintain consumer trust and 
generate sustainable growth for The 
Coca‑Cola System, objectives central 
to both of our business models.

We receive feedback at our 
Annual Stakeholder Forum.

We align and co‑ordinate with 
the Coca‑Cola System’s 
Central Procurement Group 
and our technology and 
commodity suppliers through 
regular interactions.

Via our Annual Stakeholder 
Forum and our annual 
materiality assessment, as well 
as through ad hoc meetings.

Through open, honest 
communication during our 
Annual General Meetings, 
investor roadshows and results 
briefings, and ongoing dialogue 
with analysts and investors.

Our advocacy efforts are mainly 
conducted through trade 
associations, which represent 
companies, organisations, 
causes and industries. We also 
partner with local governments 
to tackle waste collection 
challenges.

Day‑to‑day interaction 
as business partners, joint 
projects, joint business 
planning, functional groups 
on strategic issues and 
‘top‑to‑top’ senior 
management forums.

Our people

Read more 
on page 26

Our communities

Read more 
on page 34

Our consumers

Read more 
on page 40

Our customers

Read more 
on page 48

Partners 
in efficiency

Read more 
on page 54

NGOs

Read more 
on page 65

Shareholders

Read more 
on page 104

Governments

Read more 
on page 64

The Coca-Cola 
Company

Read more 
on page 14

SRCGFSSSRSI 
12

COCA-COLA HBC

MARKET REVIEW

RESPONDING TO 
EVOLVING TRENDS

Market trends

How we are responding

Dynamic retail environment
Changing lifestyles and shopping habits have 
a direct impact on the retail landscape. 
Households are gradually becoming smaller, 
either due to lower birth rates or new family 
patterns, and everyday lives are busier as 
more flexible work situations blur the 
boundaries between work and personal time. 
As a result, convenience stores and 
e-commerce will continue to be among the 
fastest-growing channels in the next few 
years. Consumers are also increasingly 
price-sensitive, supporting the growth 
of discounters. At the same time, growth 
in away-from-home socialising occasions 
is creating a big opportunity to capture sales 
through hotels, restaurants and cafés.

  Digital evolution

Technology is changing the way consumers 
interact with the world and with brands, with 
smartphones now central to all kinds of daily 
activities. Easy access to information 
empowers consumers, allowing them to 
screen product information and compare 
prices or product availability. Online shopping 
is expanding as consumers have greater 
comfort with e-commerce technology and 
delivery processes. This channel opens up 
many new purchasing opportunities, allowing 
consumers to be active 24/7. Social media is 
shaping category and brand perceptions, 
and micro-influencers are gaining credibility 
in promoting products and services.

Partnering with our customers is a strategic 
priority and we work hard to build strong 
customer relationships through joint 
value-creation processes. We have built a 
customer-centric sales force and developed 
sophisticated tools, such as route-to-
market approaches to drive revenue growth 
while providing excellent customer service 
at optimal cost. With more sophisticated, 
premium products, and the implementation 
of targeted initiatives, we are extracting 
higher value from consumption during 
socialising occasions. A major component 
of our in-store execution involves our cooler 
acceleration programme, which expands 
availability of chilled beverages and drives 
single-serving growth.

  We are successfully activating e-commerce 
across various channels, using a co-operative 
approach with our customers and investing 
in new training for our people. In 2018, we 
accelerated our investment in connected 
coolers with three major objectives: increase 
sales force productivity through automation; 
optimise cooler placement and collect 
data about traffic patterns to customise 
activations; and drive sales through proximity 
marketing using applications. We have also 
evolved our web-based customer portal, 
providing an online, 24/7 platform for 
ordering. We are pursuing these opportunities 
responsibly, with increased focus on cyber-
security and data protection.

Delivered through

Our consumers
Our customers

Our consumers
Our customers
Partners in efficiency

Our communities

Our consumers

+1.1%

An estimated 1.1% of our annual revenue 
growth in 2018 is attributable to new 
route-to-market approaches.

+26%

In e-commerce, we achieved a growth 
of 26% versus 2017, ahead of the 
market trend.

Regulatory environment

  Consumer preferences

  Sustainability

Regulatory intervention is increasing in our 

Consumers are becoming more health-

Consumers and customers have 

industry. In the EU, the first Europe-wide 

conscious, proactively focusing on balanced 

become more conscious of the social and 

plastics strategy was introduced in 2018 to 

nutrition and active lifestyle. We see 

environmental impact of their decisions. 

achieve 100% recyclable plastic packaging 

increased interest in natural, organic and 

Sustainability considerations shape choice, 

by 2030, reduce the consumption of 

functional offerings that contain pure 

especially among younger consumers 

single-use plastics and promote a circular 

ingredients, less sugar or fat and are sourced 

and those who are less price-sensitive. 

value chain through reusable content. 

locally. The demand for differentiated and 

Globalisation and social media provide more 

At the same time, discussions about taxing 

customised products creates an opportunity 

awareness of environmental and socio-

added-sugar beverages are becoming more 

for emerging, premium brands. In western 

economic crises around the world. This 

common as governments look for potential 

societies, trends for young adults and those 

motivates citizens to become personally 

revenue streams and ways to address 

enjoying longer periods of good health in 

involved, adjusting their purchasing decisions 

public health concerns. The World Health 

retirement create the need for more 

and calling on companies to act on social and 

Organization continues to focus on the 

sophisticated product offerings that cater 

environmental issues. Sustainable practices 

importance of a balanced, healthy diet 

to the preferences of these consumers.

can develop greater trust for companies, 

and physical activity in the battle against 

childhood obesity and diseases such 

as diabetes.

increasing brand and customer loyalty 

and strengthening competitive advantage.

We have committed to help collect the 

  We launched more new products in 2018 

  Managing our environmental and social 

equivalent of 75% of every can and bottle 

than ever before, greatly expanding our 

performance is critical to our long-term 

we sell by 2025, use more recycled and 

portfolio to satisfy a broader range of 

success. In 2018, we introduced new 2025 

renewable materials in packaging and make 

beverage needs. Consistent with our strategy, 

sustainability commitments to drive our 

100% of our consumer packaging recyclable 

all our innovation in Sparkling was in zero-

progress in six areas: emissions reduction; 

by 2025. We support transparent product 

sugar variants and we reformulated recipes 

water reduction and stewardship; World 

labelling to help consumers make informed 

in Fanta and Sprite to reduce sugar content. 

Without Waste; sustainable sourcing; 

choices, and in 2018 introduced new product 

We have reinvigorated the ready-to-drink 

nutrition; and our people and communities. 

labels with nutritional information based on 

tea category with the launch of FUZETEA, a 

We have achieved positive results for the 

the UK’s ‘traffic light’ scheme. We continue 

sustainably sourced tea blended with natural 

environment and lowered our operating 

to support UNESDA’s commitment in not 

juice and herbs, and entered the plant-based 

costs by reducing energy and water use and 

selling soft drinks in primary schools and 

beverage category with the launch of AdeZ. 

reducing the PET content and weight of 

as at the end of 2018, we do not offer 

added-sugar beverages in secondary 

Beyond these large-scale launches, we are 

packaging. We also work in partnership with 

incubating new brands offering naturalness 

our customers, consumers, suppliers and 

schools across the EU and Switzerland.

and simplicity in hand-picked outlets and 

other stakeholders to contribute to solving 

introducing or re-introducing premium 

global challenges such as good health and 

mixers for socialising-out-of-home 

wellbeing, and the employability of youth.

occasions.

Our consumers

Our customers

Partners in efficiency

Our communities

Our consumers

Our customers

Partners in efficiency

 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

13

Regulatory environment
Regulatory intervention is increasing in our 
industry. In the EU, the first Europe-wide 
plastics strategy was introduced in 2018 to 
achieve 100% recyclable plastic packaging 
by 2030, reduce the consumption of 
single-use plastics and promote a circular 
value chain through reusable content. 
At the same time, discussions about taxing 
added-sugar beverages are becoming more 
common as governments look for potential 
revenue streams and ways to address 
public health concerns. The World Health 
Organization continues to focus on the 
importance of a balanced, healthy diet 
and physical activity in the battle against 
childhood obesity and diseases such 
as diabetes.

  Consumer preferences

  Sustainability

Consumers are becoming more health-
conscious, proactively focusing on balanced 
nutrition and active lifestyle. We see 
increased interest in natural, organic and 
functional offerings that contain pure 
ingredients, less sugar or fat and are sourced 
locally. The demand for differentiated and 
customised products creates an opportunity 
for emerging, premium brands. In western 
societies, trends for young adults and those 
enjoying longer periods of good health in 
retirement create the need for more 
sophisticated product offerings that cater 
to the preferences of these consumers.

Consumers and customers have 
become more conscious of the social and 
environmental impact of their decisions. 
Sustainability considerations shape choice, 
especially among younger consumers 
and those who are less price-sensitive. 
Globalisation and social media provide more 
awareness of environmental and socio-
economic crises around the world. This 
motivates citizens to become personally 
involved, adjusting their purchasing decisions 
and calling on companies to act on social and 
environmental issues. Sustainable practices 
can develop greater trust for companies, 
increasing brand and customer loyalty 
and strengthening competitive advantage.

We have committed to help collect the 
equivalent of 75% of every can and bottle 
we sell by 2025, use more recycled and 
renewable materials in packaging and make 
100% of our consumer packaging recyclable 
by 2025. We support transparent product 
labelling to help consumers make informed 
choices, and in 2018 introduced new product 
labels with nutritional information based on 
the UK’s ‘traffic light’ scheme. We continue 
to support UNESDA’s commitment in not 
selling soft drinks in primary schools and 
as at the end of 2018, we do not offer 
added-sugar beverages in secondary 
schools across the EU and Switzerland.

  We launched more new products in 2018 
than ever before, greatly expanding our 
portfolio to satisfy a broader range of 
beverage needs. Consistent with our strategy, 
all our innovation in Sparkling was in zero-
sugar variants and we reformulated recipes 
in Fanta and Sprite to reduce sugar content. 
We have reinvigorated the ready-to-drink 
tea category with the launch of FUZETEA, a 
sustainably sourced tea blended with natural 
juice and herbs, and entered the plant-based 
beverage category with the launch of AdeZ. 
Beyond these large-scale launches, we are 
incubating new brands offering naturalness 
and simplicity in hand-picked outlets and 
introducing or re-introducing premium 
mixers for socialising-out-of-home 
occasions.

  Managing our environmental and social 
performance is critical to our long-term 
success. In 2018, we introduced new 2025 
sustainability commitments to drive our 
progress in six areas: emissions reduction; 
water reduction and stewardship; World 
Without Waste; sustainable sourcing; 
nutrition; and our people and communities. 
We have achieved positive results for the 
environment and lowered our operating 
costs by reducing energy and water use and 
reducing the PET content and weight of 
packaging. We also work in partnership with 
our customers, consumers, suppliers and 
other stakeholders to contribute to solving 
global challenges such as good health and 
wellbeing, and the employability of youth.

Our consumers

Our customers

Partners in efficiency

Our communities
Our consumers

Our consumers
Our customers
Partners in efficiency

Our communities
Our consumers
Our customers
Partners in efficiency

45%

In 2018, we recovered 45% of the primary 
packaging we put in the marketplace.

+2.2pp

In 2018, the share of low- and no-sugar 
variants in our total volume increased 
by 2.2pp, to 13.1%.

41%

In 2018, 41% of the total energy we used 
came from renewable and clean sources.

Dynamic retail environment

  Digital evolution

Changing lifestyles and shopping habits have 

Technology is changing the way consumers 

a direct impact on the retail landscape. 

interact with the world and with brands, with 

Households are gradually becoming smaller, 

smartphones now central to all kinds of daily 

either due to lower birth rates or new family 

activities. Easy access to information 

patterns, and everyday lives are busier as 

empowers consumers, allowing them to 

more flexible work situations blur the 

screen product information and compare 

boundaries between work and personal time. 

prices or product availability. Online shopping 

As a result, convenience stores and 

is expanding as consumers have greater 

e-commerce will continue to be among the 

comfort with e-commerce technology and 

fastest-growing channels in the next few 

delivery processes. This channel opens up 

years. Consumers are also increasingly 

many new purchasing opportunities, allowing 

price-sensitive, supporting the growth 

consumers to be active 24/7. Social media is 

of discounters. At the same time, growth 

shaping category and brand perceptions, 

in away-from-home socialising occasions 

and micro-influencers are gaining credibility 

is creating a big opportunity to capture sales 

in promoting products and services.

through hotels, restaurants and cafés.

Partnering with our customers is a strategic 

  We are successfully activating e-commerce 

priority and we work hard to build strong 

across various channels, using a co-operative 

customer relationships through joint 

approach with our customers and investing 

value-creation processes. We have built a 

in new training for our people. In 2018, we 

customer-centric sales force and developed 

accelerated our investment in connected 

sophisticated tools, such as route-to-

coolers with three major objectives: increase 

market approaches to drive revenue growth 

sales force productivity through automation; 

while providing excellent customer service 

optimise cooler placement and collect 

at optimal cost. With more sophisticated, 

data about traffic patterns to customise 

premium products, and the implementation 

activations; and drive sales through proximity 

of targeted initiatives, we are extracting 

marketing using applications. We have also 

higher value from consumption during 

evolved our web-based customer portal, 

socialising occasions. A major component 

providing an online, 24/7 platform for 

of our in-store execution involves our cooler 

ordering. We are pursuing these opportunities 

acceleration programme, which expands 

responsibly, with increased focus on cyber-

availability of chilled beverages and drives 

security and data protection.

single-serving growth.

Our consumers

Our customers

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
14

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

OUR BUSINESS 
MODEL

Our business model is at the heart of everything we do. It supports our 
growth and defines the activities we engage in, the relationships we depend 
on and the outputs and outcomes we aim to achieve in order to create value 
for all of our stakeholders in the short, medium and long term.

1

Our resources and relationships

2

What we do

Human
Our 28,884 people bring talent and 
strong capabilities relevant to all aspects 
of our business, from community and 
customer relations to the innovative 
thinking necessary to drive value growth 
and efficiency.

Natural
Water is the most important ingredient 
for nearly all of our products. Energy, 
sugar, aluminium and PET resin are also 
critical inputs which we seek to source 
responsibly and use efficiently.

Social and relationship
Our social ‘licence to operate’ is due 
to our reputation and the trust of key 
stakeholders. Our most valuable 
stakeholder relationships are with 
The Coca-Cola Company, and our 
people, customers, suppliers and partners 
as well as governments and regulators.

Financial
Our business activities require financial 
capital, which includes shareholders’ 
equity, debt and reinvested cash. 
Coca-Cola HBC has only one class 
of shares; ordinary shares.

Intellectual
Our intellectual property includes 
our packaging, product and cooler 
innovations, and our operational 
excellence systems. As we evolve our 
beverage portfolio, the importance of 
these types of innovation is increasing.

Manufacturing
As a bottler, we require production 
and logistics assets that allow us to 
manufacture, package and deliver 
our products to meet the demands 
of customers and consumers.

We are a bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company
This means that we use the concentrates, or beverage bases from 
The Coca-Cola Company, to manufacture, package, merchandise, 
distribute, activate and sell the final branded products to our trade 
partners and consumers.

3

How we do it

Sourcing sustainable 
materials
We work with 32,000 
suppliers to procure the 
finest ingredients, raw 
materials, equipment 
and services.

Serving consumers 
& communities
We continue to innovate 
our product portfolio 
to meet the changing 
consumer preferences 
in the market.

Manufacturing 
& packaging
Using concentrate from 
The Coca-Cola Company, 
and other ingredients, 
we produce, package 
and distribute products.

Delivering to 
our customers
We manage customer 
relationships as well as 
promotions and displays 
at the point of sale.

Our values underpin how we work.

Read more in our People section on pages 26-33

The Coca-Cola Company creates demandCoca-Cola HBC delivers demandBottlingSales and distributionCustomer managementIn-outlet executionInvestment in production facilities, equipment, vehiclesTrademark ownershipConcentrate supplyBrand developmentConsumer marketing 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15

4

Value created

Direct and indirect economic impacts

Contribution to local economies
Operating in 28 countries, we are an 
important contributor to local economies 
and society. Our business has an impact 
either directly through our core operating 
activities or indirectly through the broader 
value chain. We also contribute by investing 
in community programmes to address 
environmental and social issues.

Value for wider stakeholders
Our business activities generate income 
for our employees, and revenue for suppliers 
and contractors, improve our customers’ 
profitability, and support public wellbeing 
and infrastructure. In 2018, our percentage 
of satisfied key account customers was 
81.3%, an improvement of 2.5pp. Total taxes 
were €328m, which makes a contribution 
to local communities.

Dividend and share value
Through careful management of all inputs 
to our business, we also create profits which 
benefit shareholders through dividend 
payments and the value of our shares.

Socio-economic impact
We measure our impact through the regular 
conduct of socio-economic impact studies 
(SEIS) across our markets. Over the last 
three years we have conducted SEIS in 18 
of our countries.

Direct and indirect employment
According to a survey conducted within 
the European Union, the Coca-Cola System 
supports more than 500,000 direct and 
indirect jobs across our value chain through 
the sourcing of ingredients, raw materials, 
equipment and services. In 2018, our total 
supplier spend was €3,237m, with 98% spent 
with local suppliers.

28

Countries in Europe and Africa

€328m

Total taxes

€447m

Net profit achieved in 2018*

18

Number of countries where we 
conducted SEIS

Direct and indirect jobs supported

500,000
€3,237m

Supplier spend

 * Net Profit and comparable net profit refer to net profit and comparable net profit 

respectively after tax attributable to owners of the parent.

SRCGFSSSRSI16

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR GROWTH MODEL

OUR GROWTH 
MODEL

Our strategy alongside our operational and financial model allows for 
strong cash generation and profitable growth opportunities.

We have the exclusive rights to manufacture, 
sell and distribute The Coca-Cola 
Company’s brands throughout our territory. 
We create demand for those brands by 
investing jointly with The Coca-Cola 
Company, with co-ordinated marketing to 
consumers and customers. We focus on 
growing the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink 
category while gaining share.

We collaborate with our customers to grow 
both their businesses and ours, improving 
value with price and mix improvements. 
At the same time, we continuously seek 
efficiency improvements in our cost base 
and work to optimise our production and 
logistics infrastructure. The growth in 
revenue, combined with an efficient cost 
base, improves our profitability through 
operating leverage.

Disciplined management of working capital 
and maintenance capital expenditure 
enhances the cash we generate, and in 
combination with improving profitability also 
leads to an improvement in return on 
invested capital. Our strong cash generation 
allows us to reinvest in the business, either 
organically or through selective acquisitions, 
and to return cash to shareholders through 
dividends. This, in turn, fuels sustained 
growth and a return for shareholders.

Execution

Marketing

In-market 
execution

Cost 
efficiencies

Increase quality 
and quantity 
of marketing

Brand investment
The Coca-Cola Company

In-store activation
Coca-Cola HBC

=

Creates and 
delivers demand

Growth in 
category volume

+

Share gains

+

Price and mix 
improvements 

=

Top-line growth

Investment in 
production 
optimisation

+

Operating 
expense reduction

+

Leverage from 
top-line growth

=

Margin expansion 
and earnings 
growth

Cash 
management

Working capital 
management

+

Disciplined 
maintenance 
CapEx

+

Enhanced by 
EBITDA growth

=

Strong cash 
generation

Use of cash

Reinvest in the 
business to drive 
growth

+

Investment in selective bolt-on 
opportunities and cash return through 
dividends

=

Sustained growth 
and shareholder 
return

OUR STRATEGY AND KPIs

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

17

FOCUSED 
ON DELIVERY

Our strategy is designed to achieve responsible, sustainable and profitable growth. 
We set clear objectives for the business in 2016, which we continue to track 
against a 2020 scorecard to measure our progress.

What we do to achieve 
our objectives
All of our operations in 28 countries work 
towards the same objectives – drive volume 
growth, focus on value, improve efficiency 
and invest in the business – by implementing 
initiatives that are designed centrally. 
These initiatives are adjusted to respond to 
local demographics, economies and market 
characteristics in order to manage risk while 
driving growth.

How we measure 
our performance
We have five key performance indicators 
(KPIs) that are chosen to measure our 
progress. We report on these every year. 

A sustainable business
We create a sustainable business by growing profitably, responsibly and by driving positive 
change in our communities.

Objectives

Drive volume 
growth

Focus on 
value

Improve 
efficiency

Invest in the 
business

Initiatives

Expand and deepen 
route to market

Execute in-store with 
excellence

Create joint value with 
customers

Drive the water 
category, focusing 
on value

Scorecard

Capitalise on meals 
and socialising 
occasions for sparkling 
drinks

Increase share of 
single-serve packs, 
driving transactions

Continue production 
infrastructure and 
logistics optimisation

Invest in revenue- 
generating assets and 
innovative technology

Capitalise on 
contiguous territory 
and Emerging markets 
opportunities

Acquire water and juice 
brands in existing 
territory

Maintain negative 
working capital balance 
sheet position

Improve performance 
in hotels, restaurants 
and cafés (HoReCa)

Utilise shared services 
to gain process 
efficiency

Grow in the energy 
category

Drive pricing strategies

Drive packaging 
harmonisation 
and innovation 
(light-weighting 
and recyclability)

Continue reducing 
water, energy and 
carbon emissions

Average currency-neutral 
revenue growth

4-5% p.a.

Comparable EBIT margin

11%

by 2020

Comparable OpEx 
as % of revenue

Capital expenditure

26-
27%

by 2020

5.5-
6.5%

of revenue

Working capital 
less than

-€100m

Enablers and values

Our people
Our most important enablers of growth 
are our people. We encourage our people 
to feel empowered and expect them to be 
accountable. Our people make our Company 
what it is and create value by growing our 
business responsibly and sustainably.

Nurturing the potential of our people as 
well as engaging them and rewarding them 
appropriately are priorities at every level 
of our Company, enabling us to continue 
to attract and retain the best talent in every 
key position.

Please see pages 22-23 for our performance against our 2018 KPIs

SRCGFSSSRSI18

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR STRATEGY AND KPIs CONTINUED

STRONG PROGRESS 
AGAINST OUR 2020
OBJECTIVES

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
REVENUE GROWTH 
AT AN AVERAGE OF 
5.0% COMPARED TO 
A TARGET OF 4-5%

OPEX AS A 
PERCENTAGE OF 
REVENUE AT 27.7%, 
NEARING OUR 
TARGET OF 26-27%

COMPARABLE 

EBIT MARGIN 

OF 10.2%, IN 

CLEAR SIGHT 

OF OUR 2020 

TARGET OF 11%

INCREASED 

INVESTMENT IN 

THE BUSINESS 

WITH CAPEX

AT 6.4% OF 

REVENUES

IN 2018, WITHIN

OUR TARGET 

RANGE OF 

5.5-6.5%

DISCIPLINED 

MANAGEMENT 

OF CASH WITH 

WORKING 

CAPITAL OF 

LESS THAN 

-€100 MILLION

AVERAGE ANNUAL 
CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
REVENUE GROWTH

COMPARABLE OPEX 
AS % OF REVENUE 

COMPARABLE 

EBIT MARGIN 

CAPITAL

EXPENDITURE 

WORKING 

CAPITAL

INCREASE

DECREASE

STABLE

2020 OBJECTIVES WERE SET IN JUNE 2016 AND USE FY2015 AS THE BASE YEAR.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

19

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 

REVENUE GROWTH 

AT AN AVERAGE OF 

5.0% COMPARED TO 

A TARGET OF 4-5%

OPEX AS A 

PERCENTAGE OF 

REVENUE AT 27.7%, 

NEARING OUR 

TARGET OF 26-27%

COMPARABLE 
EBIT MARGIN 
OF 10.2%, IN 
CLEAR SIGHT 
OF OUR 2020 
TARGET OF 11%

INCREASED 
INVESTMENT IN 
THE BUSINESS 
WITH CAPEX
AT 6.4% OF 
REVENUES
IN 2018, WITHIN
OUR TARGET 
RANGE OF 
5.5-6.5%

DISCIPLINED 
MANAGEMENT 
OF CASH WITH 
WORKING 
CAPITAL OF 
LESS THAN 
-€100 MILLION

AVERAGE ANNUAL 

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 

REVENUE GROWTH

COMPARABLE OPEX 

AS % OF REVENUE 

COMPARABLE 
EBIT MARGIN 

CAPITAL
EXPENDITURE 

WORKING 
CAPITAL

INCREASE

DECREASE

STABLE

2020 OBJECTIVES WERE SET IN JUNE 2016 AND USE FY2015 AS THE BASE YEAR.

SRCGFSSSRSI20

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR STRATEGY AND KPIs CONTINUED

PROGRESS AGAINST 
OUR STRATEGY

We are proud of our achievements in 2018 against our strategy, 
and look to 2019 with determination to deliver another strong year.

2016

Drive volume 
growth

Key performance 
indicators we track
 · Volume growth

See more on page 22

What we said we would do
 · Grow volumes in all our segments with 

an acceleration in the Emerging segment

Priorities for 2019
 · Maintain the momentum
 · Continue to roll out and embed our 

Challenges in 2018
 · Weak economic expansion in Nigeria
 · Sugar tax implementation in Ireland
 · Declines in the non-alcoholic 
ready-to-drink market in Italy

What we did in 2018
 · Accelerated the pace of launches 

of new products and brands
 · Re-booted our route to market
 · Returned sparkling to 4.3% growth, 
the fastest expansion in a decade 

 · Returned ready-to-drink tea to growth 

with the launch of FUZETEA

new launches

 · Ongoing focus on low- and no-calorie 
beverages, as well as adults which are 
renewing growth in the sparkling category

Risk management approach
Addressed under principal risks

 · Consumer health and Channel mix

See more on pages 74-76

Delivered through
Our consumers
Our customers

See more on pages 40-53

Focus on 
value

Key performance 
indicators we track
 · Currency-neutral net sales revenue 

per case growth

What we said we would do
 · Expand price/mix in all our segments

Challenges in 2018
 · Significant price increases taken in 2017 
in Nigeria meant we entered the year 
with a high base

 · The discontinuation of our distribution 

 · Currency-neutral net sales revenue 

of the Brown-Forman products in Russia

growth 

See more on page 22

What we did in 2018
 · Took pricing where possible
 ·
 ·

Improved package mix by 170bp
Improved category mix with faster growth 
from sparkling and energy, and a focus 
on value in juices and water

Priorities for 2019
 · Continued improvement in package and 
category mix along with price increases

 · More effective management 

of promotions

Risk management approach
Addressed under principal risks

 · Channel mix and Declining 

consumer demand

See more on pages 74-76

Delivered through
Our customers
Our consumers
Our communities

See more on pages 34-53

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

21

2020

 · Maintained cost discipline which allowed 

operating costs as a percentage of 
revenues to decline 20bp in 2018, even 
as marketing investments increasing 30bp 
as a percentage of revenues
 · Launched new sustainability 

commitments for 2025

 · Optimised our production and logistics 

in Nigeria

Priorities for 2019
 · Continued cost discipline 
 · Ongoing optimisation of production, 

logistics and distribution

Risk management approach
Managed as an operational risk by the 
business units and functions in line with 
our risk management processes

Delivered through

Partners in efficiency
Our communities

See more on pages 54-62, 34-39

Priorities for 2019
 ·

Invest to support the growth we are 
seeing in our markets
 ·
Invest in our people and digital capabilities
 · Continue to look for value-enhancing M&A

Risk management approach
Managed as an operational risk by the 
business units and functions in line with 
our risk management processes

Delivered through

Partners in efficiency
Our consumers

See more on pages 54-62, 40-47

Improve 
efficiency

Key performance 
indicators we track
 · OpEx as percentage of net sales revenue 
 · Comparable EBIT margin 

See more on page 23

Progress 
to date
2018

What we said we would do
 · Control our costs, allowing operating 
leverage to drive an improvement 
in margins

 · Gain further efficiencies in our operating 

cost base

 · Procure and use all resources 

efficiently with consideration of our 
environmental impact

Challenges in 2018
 · Higher aluminium and PET resin prices
 · Rising transport costs in certain Central 

and Eastern European countries

 · The depreciation of the Russian rouble

What we did in 2018
 · Followed our hedging policies which 

insulated our cost base from fluctuations 
in sugar and aluminum pricing, and the 
Russian rouble

Invest in 
the business

Key performance 
indicators we track
 · CapEx as percentage of net sales revenue 
 · ROIC 

See more on page 23

What we said we would do
 · Continue to invest in revenue-generating 

assets and innovative technology

 · Acquire complementary non-sparkling 

brands in our existing territory

 · Maintain discipline to ensure return 

on the capital invested

Challenges in 2018
 · Potential acquisition targets were either 

not available or did not meet our strategic 
and financial criteria

What we did in 2018
 ·

Increased our investment in coolers, 
including smart coolers by €120 million
Invested in new PET lines in Nigeria
Invested in a line for AdeZ and one for 
GLACÉAU smartwater

 ·
 ·

SRCGFSSSRSI22

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR STRATEGY AND KPIs CONTINUED

A STRONG 
TRACK RECORD

In June 2016, we set out strategic objectives for the business accompanied by financial 
targets and specific KPIs with which to measure our progress. 

Drive volume 
growth

How we measure our progress
Volume is measured in million unit cases sold, 
where one unit case represents 5.678 litres.

What happened in the year
Volume grew 4.2%, with growth in all segments 
and acceleration in the pace of growth from 
the Developed and Emerging segments. All key 
categories grew volume.

Link to 
remuneration
Volume is a measure 
for MIP awards.

Page 138

KPIs

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

8
5
0
2

,

4
0
1
2

,

2
9
1
2

,

2016

2017

2018

6

4

2

0

2
4

.

2
2

.

1
0

.

2016

2017

2018

Volume (m unit cases)

Volume growth (%)

Focus on 
value

How we measure our progress
Net sales revenue (NSR) comprises revenues 
from Coca-Cola HBC’s primary activities. 
We track this on a currency-neutral basis.

What happened in the year
Currency-neutral net sales revenue per case 
grew 1.7% with growth in all segments, supported 
by better price, package and category mix.

Link to 
remuneration
Net sales revenue 
is a financial measure 
for MIP awards

Page 138

KPIs

6

4

2

0

6
3

.

9
2

.

7
1

.

2016

2017

2018

Currency-neutral revenue 
per case growth (%)

6

4

2

0

9
5

.

0
6

.

0
3

.

2016

2017

2018

Currency-neutral revenue growth (%)

Underpinned by our focus 
on sustainability and our people

Operating sustainably is not just the right 
thing to do, it is a direct benefit to the 
Company’s profitability and the potential 
of our people.

The quality and diversity of our people, 
and their engagement, is a key enabler 
of our business performance.

How we measure our performance

What happened in the year

We measure savings made through careful 
use of water and energy.

We track the percentage of our employees 
responding positively to a Group-wide 
engagement survey and the percentage 
of women in management. 

In 2018, we made €2.6 million of savings 
in energy use and a further €0.5 million 
savings in water use.

Based on survey results, the employee 
engagement score was 88% in 2018. 
Women make up 37% of our managers, 
35% of our senior leaders and 23% of our 
Board of Directors. 

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

23

How we measure our progress
OpEx (operating expenses) as a percentage of net 
sales revenue is calculated by dividing comparable 
operating expenses by total net sales revenue.

Comparable EBIT margin refers to comparable 
profit before tax excluding finance income or cost 
and share of results of equity method investments 
divided by net sales revenue.

What happened in the year
Operating leverage resulted in a 20 basis-point 
reduction in OpEx as a percentage of revenue. 
This, combined with the improvement in gross 
margin, gave us a 70 basis-point expansion 
in comparable EBIT margin.

Link to 
remuneration
OpEx as a percentage 
of NSR and comparable 
EBIT are financial 
measures for MIP 
awards.

Page 138

Improve 
efficiency

KPIs

.

2
8
2

.

9
7
2

.

7
7
2

30

20

10

0

2016

2017

2018

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

5
9

.

.

2
0
1

3
8

.

2016

2017

2018

OpEx as percentage of NSR (%)

Comparable EBIT margin (%)

Invest in 
the business

How we measure our progress
Working capital is operating current assets minus 
operating current liabilities, excluding financing 
and investment activities.

CapEx (capital expenditure) is calculated 
as a percentage of NSR.

Return on invested capital (ROIC) is comparable 
net profit excluding net finance costs divided by 
capital employed (net debt + shareholders’ equity 
averaged through the year) 

What happened in the year
We kept the year-end working capital balance 
sheet position under negative €100 million. 
We increased capital expenditure to 6.4% 
of revenue to support the growth opportunities 
in our business.

Link to 
remuneration
Working capital acts 
as a qualifier for the 
volume MIP payout. 
ROIC is a financial 
measure for PSP 
awards.

Page 138

8

6

4

2

0

3
5

.

8
5

.

4
6

.

2016

2017

2018

15

10

5

0

.

7
3
1

.

4
2
1

.

3
0
1

2016

2017

2018

CapEx as percentage of NSR (%)

ROIC (%)

KPIs

KPIs

100

80

60

40

20

0

8
8

9
8

8
8

2016

2017

2018

3

2

1

0

4
4
2

.

0
6
2

.

6
5
1

.

2016

2017

2018

40

30

20

10

0

3
3

5
3

7
3

2016

2017

2018

Employee engagement score (%)

Energy savings (€ millions)

Women in management (%)

SRCGFSSSRSI24

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR 2025 SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS

OUR 2025 SUSTAINABILITY 
COMMITMENTS

2020 targets*

2018 achievements

Climate and 
renewable energy

50% carbon ratio reduction 

in direct operations

25% carbon ratio reduction 

in value chain

45% carbon ratio reduction 

in direct operations achieved

25% carbon ratio reduction 

in value chain achieved

30% reduce carbon ratio in direct operations 

50% increase in energy-efficient refrigerators 

to half of our coolers in the market

40% of total energy from 

renewable and clean sources**

41% of total energy from renewable 

and clean sources achieved

50% of our total energy from renewable 

and clean sources

Water use and 
stewardship

30% water ratio reduction 

in operations

100% certification of all plants 

 in water stewardship

World Without 
Waste

40% of packaging to be 

recovered for recycling

22% water ratio reduction 

in operations achieved

60% of 53 plants certified

45% of packaging recovered 

for recycling

20% of PET used in the Group to be recycled 

PET and/or PET from renewable materials

9% PET used is recycled PET and/or 

PET from renewable materials

35% of total PET used from recycled PET 

and/or PET from renewable material

25% reduction in the amount of material 

used for main primary packaging***

19% reduction in the amount of material 

used for main primary packaging

100% of consumer packaging to be recyclable**

>95%

of key agricultural ingredients will be 
certified against the Sustainable Agriculture 
Guiding Principles

64%

are now certified against 
the Sustainable Agriculture 
Guiding Principles

100%

of our key agricultural ingredients 

sourced in line with sustainable 

agricultural principles

10% reduction in added sugar per 100 ml 

of sparkling beverage in EU&CH vs. 2015

8%

reduction achieved in added sugar 
per 100 ml of sparkling beverage 
in EU&CH vs. 2015

2% investment of our annual pre-tax profit 

in communities

1.3% investment in communities

Ingredient 
sourcing

Nutrition

Our people and 
communities

10% of employees will be participating in 

volunteering initiatives during work time

21% of employees participated 

in volunteering

10% of employees take part 

in volunteering initiatives

Achieved

Well on track

New target introduced

Baseline 2010

Clean source means CHP

Packaging mix evolution neutral vs. 2010

*
**
***

100% total electricity used in EU&CH 

from renewable and clean energy

20% water reduction in plants located 

in water-risk areas

100%  help secure water availability for all our 

communities in water-risk areas

75% help collect the equivalent of 75% of our 

primary packaging 

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling 

soft drinks (all CCH countries)***

10% community participants in first-time 

managers’ development programmes

1 MIL train 1 million young people through 

#Youth Empowered

20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 

(city and/or coast)

ZER0 target zero fatalities and reduce (lost time) 

accident rate by 50%

50% of managers are women

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

25

Our 2025 sustainability commitments 
confirm that sustainability is embedded 
in our business strategy, driven by the 
expertise of our employees and partners 
and their commitment to sustainable 
practices and performance.

See pages 68-71 for how these align 
to our material issues and SDGs

New 2025 commitments*

How we got here

Climate and 

renewable energy

50% carbon ratio reduction 

in direct operations

25% carbon ratio reduction 

in value chain

45% carbon ratio reduction 

in direct operations achieved

25% carbon ratio reduction 

in value chain achieved

30% reduce carbon ratio in direct operations 

50% increase in energy-efficient refrigerators 

to half of our coolers in the market

40% of total energy from 

renewable and clean sources**

41% of total energy from renewable 

and clean sources achieved

50% of our total energy from renewable 

and clean sources

Water use and 

stewardship

30% water ratio reduction 

in operations

100% certification of all plants 

 in water stewardship

World Without 

Waste

40% of packaging to be 

recovered for recycling

22% water ratio reduction 

in operations achieved

60% of 53 plants certified

45% of packaging recovered 

for recycling

100% total electricity used in EU&CH 

from renewable and clean energy

20% water reduction in plants located 

in water-risk areas

100%  help secure water availability for all our 

communities in water-risk areas

75% help collect the equivalent of 75% of our 

primary packaging 

20% of PET used in the Group to be recycled 

PET and/or PET from renewable materials

9% PET used is recycled PET and/or 

PET from renewable materials

35% of total PET used from recycled PET 

and/or PET from renewable material

25% reduction in the amount of material 

used for main primary packaging***

19% reduction in the amount of material 

used for main primary packaging

100% of consumer packaging to be recyclable**

>95%

of key agricultural ingredients will be 

certified against the Sustainable Agriculture 

Guiding Principles

64%

are now certified against 

the Sustainable Agriculture 

Guiding Principles

100%

of our key agricultural ingredients 
sourced in line with sustainable 
agricultural principles

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling 

soft drinks (all CCH countries)***

10% community participants in first-time 

managers’ development programmes

1 MIL train 1 million young people through 

#Youth Empowered

20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 

(city and/or coast)

10% of employees will be participating in 

volunteering initiatives during work time

21% of employees participated 

in volunteering

10% of employees take part 

in volunteering initiatives

ZER0 target zero fatalities and reduce (lost time) 

accident rate by 50%

50% of managers are women

Ingredient 

sourcing

Nutrition

Our people and 

communities

10% reduction in added sugar per 100 ml 

of sparkling beverage in EU&CH vs. 2015

8%

reduction achieved in added sugar 

per 100 ml of sparkling beverage 

in EU&CH vs. 2015

2% investment of our annual pre-tax profit 

in communities

1.3% investment in communities

Laying the groundwork for greater impact
Coca-Cola HBC is a sustainability leader in the beverage industry. 
Our Company ranked in the top three of both the global and European 
beverage industry leagues in the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability 
Indices, a global benchmark of sustainability, after having been 
the industry leader for the past four years. We received additional 
recognition in other sustainability benchmarks, such as CDP, 
FTSE4Good and MSCI ESG. 

For our current sustainability targets, we are approaching our 2020 
timeline. Therefore, this year we introduced 17 new 2025 sustainability 
commitments, addressing six key areas along our value chain, by 
following our materiality approach: reducing emissions; water use 
and stewardship; World Without Waste; ingredient sourcing; nutrition; 
and our people and communities.

These commitments set stretching targets for our Company and 
our people. As an example, we have almost doubled our 2025 target 
for collecting the equivalent of our primary product packaging 
compared to 2020 target.

With this higher level of ambition, we are stepping up efforts to 
contribute to the Coca-Cola System goal of collecting and recycling 
the equivalent of every bottle or can sold globally by 2030. Our 2025 
commitments also represent a shift in our focus, more emphasising 
outputs and impacts rather than inputs. In this context, we have 
discontinued our practice of setting a target for investing a specific 
percentage annual pre-tax profit in community programmes, as this 
commitment in itself doesn’t ensure that we are creating a positive 
impact on our communities. Therefore, we have introduced new 
community commitments to train one million young people, to help 
secure water availability in water-risk areas as well as engage in zero 
waste partnerships.

We are very proud that we have achieved our 2020 carbon emissions 
reduction goal in the value chain (approved science-based target), 
reaching 25% reduction in 2018, and our renewable and clean energy 
commitment. In addition, we achieved our target of 40% of our 
packaging being collected and recycled by 2017.

We are making good progress on our commitments related to water 
reduction in our direct operations and water stewardship certifications. 
By means of our 2025 commitments, we will focus more in water 
risk communities.

On track with the UNESDA pledge on sugar reduction per 100ml 
of our carbonated beverages, for 2025 we have a new goal for calorie 
reduction in sparkling drinks portfolio.

Baseline 2017

 *
** Technical recyclability by design
***

Baseline 2015

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26

COCA-COLA HBC

IN GOOD 
COMPANY WITH

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

27

CREATING 
AN INSPIRING 
WORKPLACE 
FOR OUR PEOPLE
Our people are among our closest 
and most important stakeholders. 
To support sustained business 
success, we offer an inspiring 
workplace with opportunities 
to learn, develop and achieve 
great results.

2018 progress
 · Further improved the talent pool and 

 ·

succession bench for our key positions
Invested in building the Company employer 
brand and sourcing and recruitment 
capabilities to attract and hire the best 
people into the key positions

 · Further improved our revenue growth 
management and route-to-market 
capabilities, invested in building Big Data 
and Advanced Analytics capabilities

 · Continued digitalising learning 

and development and simplifying our 
processes for speed and employee 
experience as a source of engagement 
and customer service

2019 priorities
 · Continue making our business more 

agile and innovative

 · Further develop skills and capabilities to 
take advantage of growth opportunities
 · Make talent development our lighthouse 

capability which each leader should 
rank highly

 · Maintain employee engagement and 
commitment to Company values, and 
achieve more through learning, inclusion 
and a superior employee experience

SRCGFSSSRSI28

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR PEOPLE CONTINUED

Our journey to become a Total 
Beverage Company is supported 
by the capabilities of our people 
and the strength of our culture.
We seek to offer a workplace where our 
people learn every day, are empowered to 
tackle challenges, where they are celebrated 
as they deliver results with speed and agility, 
and where diverse backgrounds and 
perspectives are always welcome. Our people 
strategy supports the long-term success 
of our business by emphasising proactive, 
customer-centric behaviours and developing 
the capabilities necessary to compete 
and sustain our Company’s growth.

The focus of this approach includes:

 · Encouraging the agile, customer-centric 
and inclusive behaviours, and simplifying 
our processes and routines to support 
a growth mindset;

 · Spending more time with our people 

in meaningful conversations, supporting 
development and driving the right balance 
between results and behaviours, through 
new redesigned continuous performance 
management;

 · Further developing skills and capabilities 

to take advantage of growth 
opportunities;

 · Making talent development our signature 
capability, ensuring we have the best 
person in every critical position today 
and tomorrow; and

 · Maintaining employee engagement 

and commitment to Company values.

Our leaders play an essential role in each 
of these areas, which are explained in detail 
in the following sections.

Building on our culture to support 
a growth mindset
One of our greatest strengths is our 
values-based culture which is built on six 
core values. The first of these is authenticity, 
which reflects that we have deeply felt 
values, act with integrity and do what is right, 
not just easy. The second is excellence which 
means that we strive to amaze, with passion 
and speed. The third is learning, this means 
that we listen and have a natural curiosity 
to learn. The fourth is caring for our people, 
at Coca-Cola HBC we believe in our people, 
invest in them and empower them. The fifth 
value is performing as one, we believe in the 
power of working together contributing 
in every interaction. And finally, the sixth 
is winning with customers, our customers 
are at the heart of everything we do. 
Transforming our Company to become 
a Total Beverage Company requires that 
we build on our strong existing culture.

We know from our success in navigating 
macroeconomic challenges in recent years 
that our people are resourceful and skilled. 
As we transform our business to support our 
growth ambitions we are encouraging our 
people to be curious and customer centric, 
learn from successes and failures, and work 
as one through empowerment, collaboration 
and inclusion.

In 2018, we fostered these behaviours 
by holding dedicated workshops and 
raising awareness through employee 
communications. We also launched 
‘Innovation for Growth’, our master 
ideation online platform. More than 20% 
(approximately 6,000) of our employees 
contributed over 2,500 ideas and 4,600 
comments addressing 133 business 
challenges. One out of four ideas has 
already been implemented or incorporated 
in our business plans. The online platform 
facilitated the creation of innovation 
communities where entrepreneurial ideas 
were discussed before being moved to 
piloting and implementation.

We also redesigned our employee 
engagement survey to measure 
understanding of and commitment to 
the behaviours that underpin our growth 
mindset, supporting the right leadership 
behaviours and creating a positive 
work environment.

Engaged employees provides the best 
experience for our customers and high 
overall performance. Successfully engaging 
our people is therefore a material issue which 
we take seriously.

We conduct an employee engagement 
survey annually, and partner with Willis Towers 
Watson to benchmark our performance 
against other companies in our industry and 
in the Coca-Cola System as well as other FTSE 
and high-performing companies. In 2018, 
our Employee Engagement Index score 
showed a decline of one percentage point 
from 2017, to 88%. Participation remained 
quite high, with 97% of our people responding.

Our engagement results for 2018 meant 
that we retained a leading position in our 
industry. Our score is also considerably 
higher than the 81% average for FTSE 100 
companies participating in the Willis Towers 
Watson benchmarking pool.

Our people report that they are passionate 
about their work, and are strongly connected 
to our products and brands. Survey responses 
also highlighted the importance of personal 
connections at work. Our people feel that 
they can be themselves and fully included 
as part of the team.

Petros Papageorgiou is one of the 
Company’s employees who benefited 
from our Fast Forward programme.
Petros is a Channel Sales Manager in Italy. He has recently 
completed our Fast Forward programme, an experiential 
learning programme for people with leadership potential 
and an aim to progress to a function head role.

What has helped you to become a candidate 
for a promotion?
My job is to help the 400 business developers on my 
team serve our 9,000 customers successfully through 
activating our full portfolio. What has made the difference 
was communicating the strategy so that our people 
understand our priorities, involving customers in 
developing our plans, and removing internal barriers 
which keep business developers from serving our 
customers. This way, I achieved both revenue and profit 
targets, as well as increases in customer satisfaction 
and employee engagement numbers.

On a personal level, the skills learned going through 
the Fast Forward programme are very relevant for what 
I would need for my next role. I knew that the majority 
of employees who go through this programme earn 
promotions within a year of graduating, so I was very 
interested in participating.

How does the Fast Forward programme help 
you to accelerate your development?
The Fast Forward programme has taught me to reflect 
and ask for feedback. This helps me avoid making the 
same mistakes twice, so I’ve been able to achieve more 
and become more effective. It has helped me develop 
future business scenarios and anticipate the implications. 
By participating in Fast Forward, I also got to work on a 
cross-country project assignment on evolving our field 
sales as we transform into a Total Beverage Company 
and got exposure to the work of the country senior 
leadership team. This has made me more comfortable 
with new business situations, helped me to make better 
decisions in complex situations, and to become better at 
serving our customers.

Response from Sanda Parezanovic 
In addition to nurturing the full potential of our people, 
we consider building a pipeline of future leaders critical 
for our growth. The Fast Forward programme is designed 
to provide exposure to professional experiences that 
are not available at an employee’s current job. These are 
complemented with mentoring from senior leaders, 
coaching from experienced professionals and extensive 
skill building modules. This experiential learning 
programme has a strong track record of accelerating 
development of our talent towards senior leadership roles.

In 2018, our talent management practices were 
recognized by the Chief Learning Officer Learning in 
Practice awards with a Silver Talent Management Award.

PETROS 
PAPAGEORGIOU
CHANNEL 
SALES 
MANAGER

SANDA 
PAREZANOVIC
GROUP HUMAN 
RESOURCES 
DIRECTOR

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

29

Our people asked for further simplification 
of processes and they see opportunities 
to be more empowered to find better ways 
of performing their work.

Going forward, especially in light of the 2018 
survey results, we will also ask our people to 
suggest ways to address the concerns that 
surfaced in the survey, ensuring we remain 
an organisation with high engagement and 
strong growth.

Our performance framework also aligns 
with our core values. In managing team and 
individual performance, we apply an iterative 
‘plan, act and review’ cycle to continuously 
improve. This allows us to bridge our strategy 
and its execution by aligning priorities across 
functions and teams.

To ensure that our people balance short- 
and long-term objectives, in addition to 
planning and assessing performance against 
financial objectives, we also plan and measure 
achievement for fostering partnerships, 
innovation, people leadership, managing 
resources and compliance with policies 
and procedures.

We aim to further simplify elements of our 
performance framework and improve our 
ability to support growth by fostering ongoing 
conversations between managers and team 
members about priorities, goals, progress 
and lessons learned. Because continuous 
learning supports development and improves 
performance, we also facilitate real-time 
feedback from employees’ networks.

9
8

C
B
H
C
C

8
8

C
B
H
C
C

8
8

C
B
H
C
C

90

84

78

72

66

i

9
8
m
r
o
n
g
n
m
r
o
f
r
e
p
-
h
g
H

i

6
8

s
r
e
l
t
t
o
b
a
o
C
-
a
c
o
C

l

5
8
m
e
t
s
y
S
a
o
C
-
a
c
o
C

l

1
8
m
r
o
n
G
C
M
F

0
8

0
0
1
E
S
T
F

60

16 17 18 18 18 18 18 18

Employee engagement: 
outperforming peer companies (%)

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR PEOPLE CONTINUED

Strengthening capabilities to 
seize opportunities
As the customer landscape and consumer 
preferences change, the capabilities we 
need to grow our business are also changing. 
We further improved our internal revenue 
growth management and route-to-market 
capabilities in 2018, and we invested in 
building advanced analytics expertise. As we 
continue building these capabilities, we not 
only improve the skills and knowledge of our 
people, but we also adjust our processes and 
structures and we change how we monitor 
and measure our progress.

To match internal skills with business needs, 
our learning and leadership development 
architecture reflects the priorities of our 
business strategy. We have identified when 
learning needs to happen to be the most 
impactful and where development is needed, 
focusing on prioritised skills that can accelerate 
the performance of all our people.

In 2018, we completed an upgrade of our 
onboarding and induction programmes. 
These programmes, together with ones 
supporting leadership transitions, contributed 
to a higher success rate and better 
performance, with 89% of new appointees 
assessed as competent in their new role 
after six months.

Increasingly, these programmes use a mix 
of in-person and online training. This helps 
engage people and maximise learning from 
critical work experiences. In leadership 
training, the mix of digital learning in total 
learning doubled in 2018 compared to 2017 
and reached 34%.

In 2018, we further digitalised our workplace 
and introduced cloud-based applications 
for performance and talent management 
as part of our HELO (hiring, empowering and 
learning online) platform. HELO is available 
to all our on-line employees, democratising 
learning, accelerating development and 
helping our people fulfil their potential.

DIRECT EMPLOYMENT

28,884

(2017: 29,427)

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 
INDEX

88%

(2017: 89%)

KEY PEOPLE IN KEY POSITIONS

94%

(2017: 92%)

KEY POSITION BENCH 
STRENGTH

65%

(2017: 57%)

“In 2018, we further improved the 
effectiveness of the Fast Forward 
programme and five out of six 
graduates from this high-potential 
programme were promoted within 
12 months of graduation.”

The best person in every 
critical position
We have segmented our workforce to 
customise our recruitment and development 
efforts, and identified key positions across 
all segments that have a disproportionate 
impact on the Company’s performance. 
As at the end of 2018, 94% of our key 
positions are occupied by key people, 
compared with 92% at the end of 2017.

Our focus on succession for business unit 
function heads also paid off as we further 
enriched our successor pool for this critical 
workforce segment in 2018.

To support our efforts to recruit the best 
people into key positions, we refreshed our 
employer value proposition, underlying 
benefits for each workforce segment and 
enhanced our social media presence. 
Investment in recruiting and onboarding 
helped us to improve retention, retaining 
nine out of ten new hires.

Our ability to develop leaders internally is an 
important competitive advantage, ensuring 
cultural continuity. Career progression in our 
Company depends on performance against 
standards, potential and alignment with core 
values, and related behaviours. Leadership 
acceleration centres have been established 
to support developing successors for 
leadership positions. They help our people 
understand their strengths and the areas 
of opportunity for development in their 
current and future roles.

To accelerate the development of more 
than 1,200 people with leadership potential, 
we offer experiential learning through our 
Fast Forward programmes. In 2018, we 
further improved the effectiveness of the 
Fast Forward programme and five out 
of six graduates from this high-potential 
programme were promoted within 
12 months of graduation.

We also successfully operate a management 
trainee programme that was recently 
updated to make it more relevant for the new 
generation of graduates and a more effective 
entry point for our leadership pipeline.

Our leadership plays an essential role in 
ensuring that we have the best people in every 
key position, with every leader accountable 
for attracting, developing, retaining and 
engaging the right talent, and then 
empowering them to execute our strategy. 
As our programmes and tools have been 
improved and streamlined, our leaders have 
become even more motivated and engaged.

Going forward, we remain committed to 
enhance talent management as our signature 
organisational capability.

31

Talent pipeline improved

Key people in key positions (KPo)
Key position succession rate
Key position bench strength (% of key positions with 
successors ready now or within the year)
Turnover of key people
Total turnover rate
Management trainees
Participants in Fast Forward programme
Promotion rate for Fast Forward programme participants
Total number of employees in leadership acceleration centres
% of workforce covered during annual people review

2018
94% 
0.86 

65% 
5% 
13% 
123
653
84%
5,027
53% 

2017
92% 
0.69 

57% 
6% 
13% 
181 
612 
75% 
5,596 
53% 

Leveraging our diverse strengths, 
and championing human rights
Diverse teams mirroring our consumer and 
customer base bring different perspectives 
to decision-making, leading to innovative 
new ideas that make us an irreplaceable 
partner. We believe that it is vital for us to 
attract and retain the best, diverse workforce.

Respect for individuals is at the core of our 
values and we foster behaviours that create 
an inclusive culture. These behaviours can be 
found in our formal Inclusion and Diversity 
Policy, our Code of Business Conduct and 
our Human Rights Policy which can be found 
here: https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/
about-us/policies.

One of our 2025 sustainability commitments 
is to achieve full gender balance in managerial 
positions. Achieving full gender balance 
requires a strong pipeline of female leaders 
and a support network to help women in 
our business to share their experiences 
and to find solutions to common challenges. 
We have already been making progress, 
increasing the percentage of management 
roles held by women by 2%, to 37% in 2018 
compared to 35% in 2017.

We foster diversity in our talent pipeline 
by recruiting a balanced number of male 
and female management trainees. In keeping 
with this approach, 55% of the management 
trainees we hired in 2018 were women.

In 2018, we launched a women’s network 
toolkit to promote the establishment of such 
groups within our countries, building on the 
success of our women’s networks in Ireland 
and Nigeria. We have found network events 
to connect and empower participants, and 
give women a sense of belonging, as well as 
foster their professional development.

To create a culture where everyone can be 
themselves, speak freely, have their views 
heard, reach their full potential and be 
equally valued, we are about to launch a new 
programme to support our leaders to become 
ambassadors of inclusion. Ambassadors 
develop an enhanced awareness and 
understanding of cultural dynamics which 
affect individuals, workplaces, and whole 
societies. Better understanding supports 
better decisions, smarter innovation and 
more productive teams.

Our Human Rights Policy is guided by 
international human rights principles, such 
as the International Labour Organization’s 
international labour standards and the UN 
Guiding Principles on Business and Human 
Rights (also known as the Ruggie Framework), 
and covers diversity, collective bargaining 
and workplace security. Our Supplier Guiding 
Principles are also aligned with our Human 
Rights Policy and we expect our partners to 
respect the same workplace values as we do.

Regular reviews ensure that we adhere to 
all applicable laws and regulations, our Code 
of Business Conduct and internal standards. 
Certification on a regular basis confirms that 
we are in legal compliance, processes are well 
implemented, targets are set and reached, 
and reporting is timely and accurate. In 2018, 
we introduced a training on our human 
rights policy and we have a full compliance 
approach in this area. In addition, we have a 
well-publicised whistleblower system, with all 
contacts investigated. We are pleased that 
Coca-Cola HBC received no fines for 
non-compliance with human rights-related 
laws and regulations in 2018.

SRCGFSSSRSI32

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR PEOPLE CONTINUED

NUMBER OF LOST TIME 
ACCIDENTS (LTA>1 DAY)

114

(5% REDUCTION VS, 2017)

FLEET ACCIDENTS PER 
MILLION KILOMETRES 
TRAVELLED

3.66

(7% REDUCTION VS, 2017)

ABSENTEEISM DAYS DUE 
TO SICKNESS PER FULL-TIME 
EMPLOYEE

1.69

(2017:1.67)

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

0
4
5

.

6
9
4

.

2
2
4

.

2
9
3

.

6
6
3

.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

59% improvement on fleet accidents 
over the last six years

Accidents per million kilometres travelled.

Continually improving health 
and safety
Aiming to create a truly proactive safety 
culture, we involved our people more than 
ever before in improving safety at work in 
2018, using our newly established Innovation 
for Growth platform to collect improvement 
ideas of our employees. Many of the 488 
safety improvement ideas received, 
addressing the three most important safety 
challenges, have already been implemented.

For the ninth consecutive year in 2018, the 
number of employee workplace accidents 
fell. The Lost Time Accident Rate (LTAR) 
was 0.39, compared with 0.40 in 2017. 
Our contractor partners also reduced LTAR 
by 9.6% compared to 2017. There were no 
employee fatalities during the year.

While we continue to improve our focus 
on safety, we regret that one contractor died 
in a fatal road traffic accident in 2018. Our Fleet 
Safety Policy and training programmes 
provide customised approaches for different 
types of drivers within the Group. The blend 
of online, classroom and on-the-road training 
elements is adjusted for different groups, 
reflecting their relative risk classification. 
Overall, 11,839 participants completed these 
programmes in 2018, with an average 12% 
safety knowledge improvement, as measured 
by the online programme.

We also continued installing collision 
avoidance technology in fleet vehicles, and 
67% of the Company’s light fleet vehicles are 
now equipped with OEM or MobilEye collision 
driver warning technology to avoid collisions.

As a result of these efforts, the number 
of accidents per million kilometres travelled 
fell to 3.66, compared with 3.92 in 2017. 
This was our sixth consecutive year of 
improvement, resulting in a cumulative 
reduction of 59%.

While we have made much progress, we are 
determined to do more to ensure employee 
safety and wellbeing. After a successful pilot 
of our behaviour-based safety programme in 
four locations in 2017, in 2018 we extended 
the programme to 48 manufacturing plants 
and 16 warehouses. We will use insights from 
these locations to deploy the programme 
in all logistics units and in selected sales 
teams in 2019.

This behaviour-based programme 
complements safety reviews, our safety 
recognition programmes and our annual 
safety week. In 2018, we extended our 
full-scope safety assessments to sales 
and conducted baseline assessments in 
11 locations. We also continued raising 
awareness of successful practices. Our 2018 
safety week provided helpful information on 
driving safety, manual handling, falls and slips, 
as well as fire safety.

Support for wellbeing
At Coca-Cola HBC, all of our employees 
have access to a range of health and 
wellbeing programmes. Our approach to 
employee wellbeing exemplifies our values, 
and enhances engagement and productivity.

Different programmes and benefits are 
offered to employees in different countries. 
Initiatives supporting physical wellbeing 
include: employee medical and health 
insurance benefits; preventative health 
measures such as vaccination programmes 
and cancer screening; on-site gym facilities 
and subsidised gym memberships; and 
nutrition information.

To help employees financially, we offer 
benefits such as pensions, a savings scheme 
and life insurance, and assistance with 
financial planning and literacy. Emotional 
wellbeing is addressed through on-site 
counselling, relaxation techniques, and 
energy balance programmes, while social 
wellbeing is supported with events for families 
and employee bonding and team building.

We have developed a Health and Dependent 
Care Framework, and, in each of our 
countries, employees are offered at least 
one programme option for both health 
and dependent care. Healthcare initiatives 
include: medical and health insurance 
benefits; preventative measures such as 
vaccination programmes and cancer 
screening; gym facilities or subsidised gym 
memberships; and nutrition information. 
We also offer our people a range of dependent 
care initiatives, including dependent care 
leave, subsidies for school activities and 
supplies, internships and career days.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

33

At the Group level, we have a wellbeing 
toolkit for countries with best practice 
approaches for developing holistic employee 
wellbeing programmes. We have also 
introduced a guide to help managers 
recognise, prevent and manage work and 
personal stress in themselves and their 
teams. Training is also provided for this, 
using a ‘train the trainer’ approach.

“Our approach to employee 
wellbeing exemplifies our  
values, and enhances  
engagement and productivity.”

UN Sustainable Development Goals
Efforts to foster an engaging workplace, 
nurture and develop the capabilities of 
our people, increase gender balance in our 
management ranks and reduce stress and 
support employee wellbeing all contribute 
toward global goals for development. 
The specific Sustainable Development 
Goals supported are those for: good 
health and wellbeing; gender equality; 
decent work and economic growth; 
reducing inequalities; and peace, justice 
and strong institutions.

SRCGFSSSRSI34

COCA-COLA HBC

IN GOOD 
COMPANY WITH

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

35

BUILDING TRUST
We are an active part of the 
communities we live and operate in. 
Several of our new 2025 sustainability 
commitments describe how we 
are engaging with them. In order 
to amplify our impact as a System, 
we have aligned a joint community 
investment approach with The 
Coca-Cola Company. 

2018 progress
 · €7.9 million invested in community 

programmes, 7% more than in 2017

 · More than 64,000 young people 

participants in #Youth Empowered

 · More than 34,000 hours volunteered by 

employees in both free time and work time
 · More than 1,400 tonnes of waste collected 
by our employee volunteers and partners 
on river and sea shores, and in packaging 
collection schemes

 · More than 5,000 trees planted

2019 priorities
 · Co-operate with companies with flexible 
e-learning solutions in order to transition 
#Youth Empowered to an open-source 
educational platform 

 · Launch first wave of Zero Waste 

Partnerships, supported by country 
guidance

SRCGFSSSRSI36

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR COMMUNITIES CONTINUED

#Youth Empowered is designed to address 
both challenges.

Overall in 2018, more than 64,000 young 
people participated in #Youth Empowered 
programmes. More than 750 of our people 
became mentors through the initiative, and 
we partnered with more than 380 local 
non-governmental organisations.

The #Youth Empowered programme offers 
in-person and online training to help young 
people develop business acumen and 
personal life skills. In addition to this 
comprehensive training, we offer mentoring 
sessions with Coca-Cola HBC senior 
managers. As a result, programme 
participants are able to build professional 
and personal networks.

We tailor our approach to address specific 
needs and leverage collaboration with local 
partners, further strengthening the impact 
of the programme. In Poland, our new 
digital profiling test was completed by many 
young people, helping them understand 
their strengths and the skills needed for the 
local job market. In Nigeria, where the youth 
unemployment rate was approximately 
25% in 2018, we held a three-day #Youth 
Empowered workshop for more than 
1,000 participants from various parts of the 
country, all seizing the opportunity to work 
with seasoned professionals. In Greece 
and Cyprus, we joined forces with our retail 
partner Metro S.A. and other local and 
multinational companies to hold a three-day 
seminar for 250 young people. In Italy, we 
offered training in soft skills and business 
skills to more than 200 young people.

As part of our process of aligning initiatives, 
we also began linking #Youth Empowered 
with 5by20, The Coca-Cola Company’s 
global commitment to enable the economic 
empowerment of five million women 
entrepreneurs across the Company’s value 
chain by 2020. In 2018, we undertook efforts 
to support the economic empowerment of 
women entrepreneurs in countries in Central 
and Eastern Europe.

Global alignment
Over the years, our community investments 
have evolved from standalone philanthropic 
initiatives to long-term, Group-wide 
programmes closely linked to business 
priorities and material issues. We took steps 
in 2018 to align our community agenda with 
The Coca-Cola Company’s global priorities 
and initiatives. The size and reach of the 
Coca-Cola System has unique advantages 
in helping to address global challenges, 
including those in scope for the Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs).

While we continue to work on issues of 
local relevance in specific markets, we have 
prioritised three programme areas that are 
of critical importance across all of our 28 
countries of operation: empowering youth 
and women; achieving a World Without 
Waste; and water stewardship initiatives.

We introduced country-level guidelines for 
community spending in 2018. Going forward, 
our markets will allocate their community 
budgets to reflect our programme priorities, 
with 40% directed to youth empowerment 
programmes, 30% to waste, 20% to water 
stewardship and 10% allocated for local 
initiatives. Our overall spending – €7,9 million 
in 2018 – shows we allocated 36% on youth, 
10% on waste, 8% on water, and 46% on 
local programmes out of the total community 
investment. Five of our 17 new commitments 
for 2025 help to drive progress in the three 
prioritised programme areas of our updated 
community strategy:

 ·

train one million young people through 
#Youth Empowered;

 · engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 

(city and/or coast);

 · help secure water availability for all our 

communities in water-risk areas;

 · 10% community participants in first-time 
managers’ development programmes; and

 · 10% of employees take part 
in volunteering initiatives.

Empowering youth and women
Through our flagship programme #Youth 
Empowered, we have been tackling one 
of the most relevant societal issues in many 
of our markets, i.e. the employability of 
young people. Since introducing #Youth 
Empowered in 2017, we have rolled out this 
programme to nearly all of our markets. 
Markets with specific employment challenges, 
such as Greece, Italy and Bosnia-Herzegovina, 
create particular challenges for young people 
who are not in employment, education 
or training. In other countries with labour 
shortages, young people may enter the 
labour market without necessary business 
or soft skills.

To maximise the impact of our work 
with young people, we partner with 
key customers and suppliers, including 
Aristotelis Panteliadis from Metro S.A. 
in Greece.

What are the challenges facing the younger 
generation today?
We Greeks have been seriously challenged in recent 
years, having faced one of the worst financial crises 
in the western world. Young people have been especially 
hard hit, with youth unemployment rates reaching 50% 
at some points. It is clear that this fact has challenged 
young people a lot.

What is the biggest benefit for young people 
participating in this programme?
#Youth Empowered offers young people something 
unique that they could not gain from any other 
programme; an excellent opportunity to meet with 
CEOs and high-level executives from various companies, 
who can speak to them on a practical basis about the 
fundamentals of employment. This includes the essential 
skills for the job market, ways to pursue meaningful 
opportunities and how to prepare for a successful job 
interview. In fact, some of the participants from the 
programme have already begun working with us. We are 
pleased to have found new employees and we hope to 
find even more young people for our vacancies.

Why have you engaged in the #Youth 
Empowered initiative?
Participating in #Youth Empowered gives us an 
opportunity to contribute something important to Greek 
society and, at the same time, co-operate further with 
Coca-Cola HBC. Our partnership in #Youth Empowered 
is the culmination of an excellent trade partnership. 
Companies that are true partners can join forces 
together and create a much more important legacy for 
the community.

We plan to expand our involvement, visiting more cities 
and meeting with more young people. I believe that with 
#Youth Empowered we are contributing to a positive 
change for the younger generation. We are still early in 
this journey and we have a lot more planned for the future.

Response from Nikos Kalaitzidakis
Since 2015, we have been supporting young people 
in our markets who are not in education, employment 
or training by providing skills, networks and access to 
mentors to help them gain a foothold on the employment 
ladder. While we are very proud of what we have 
accomplished through our #Youth Empowered 
programme, we think we can help even more young 
people. We have set ourselves a big goal of training one 
million young people by 2025 through the programme.

We will continue to work to place programme 
participants in positions either in our business or with 
our partners. For this purpose, we are seeking more 
employment opportunities throughout our value chain 
with key customers and suppliers, like Metro S.A.

ARISTOTELIS 
PANTELIADIS
CEO METRO S.A.

NIKOS 
KALAITZIDAKIS
REGION 
DIRECTOR

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

37

Strategic priorities for 
community investment
Over the years, our community 
investments have evolved from 
standalone philanthropic initiatives to 
long-term programmes aligned to three 
key strategic priorities:

 · Youth and women
 · World Without Waste
 · Water stewardship

In addition, we are active in local wellbeing 
and emergency relief efforts, providing 
help in times of disaster, either directly 
or via our stakeholder partnerships.

€7.9m

Youth/Women: 36%
Waste: 10%
Water: 8%
Local/Wellbeing: 46%

Total community investment 2018

SRCGFSSSRSI38

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR COMMUNITIES CONTINUED

World Without Waste
While modern packaging offers safety 
and convenience, the challenges of using 
plastics in packaging are clear. As part of the 
Coca-Cola System’s global World Without 
Waste framework, we partner with relevant 
stakeholders and local communities to help 
achieve a litter-free world by improving 
waste collection rates and helping change 
related consumer mindsets. Partnerships 
are vital because waste collection and 
recycling infrastructure varies considerably, 
and we cannot solve this challenge alone.

While we are committed to collecting and 
recycling 75% of the equivalent of every can 
or bottle we sell, we also invest in package 
design and innovation to reduce packaging 
content and are exploring packaging-free 
alternatives for product delivery. Our efforts 
to design better packaging are outlined 
in the Partners in efficiency section on 
pages 54-62.

Progress in collecting waste

As part of our approach to waste, we have 
committed to engage in 20 Zero Waste 
partnerships either with cities or along 
coastlines. We piloted this approach under 
the brand Zero Waste City with the City 
of Thessaloniki, Greece, and other partners 
during the year. Based on the first results, 
we will introduce guidelines in 2019 to facilitate 
more Zero Waste City partnerships in 
our markets.

We support 19 packaging waste management 
schemes across our markets and we have 
a Group-wide policy on packaging waste 
and recycling, which provides the framework 
within which our countries operate. In Russia, 
the ‘Separate with Us’ project has helped 
us recover more than 28% of our primary 
packaging placed in the market.

We also spearheaded initiatives to clean 
up coastlines. Nearly 100 of our people 
participated in an Adriatic Coast clean-up 
activity, collecting a total of 260kg of waste 
from the islands of Krk in Croatia and Strunjan 
in Slovenia.

Through a partnership project with 
International Ocean Conservancy, more than 
400 Coca-Cola HBC people collected more 
than 500 bags of litter, or three tonnes of 
waste, on Ireland’s coast. We also partnered 
with Centra stores in the heart of coastal 
communities to encourage consumers 
to join the Big Beach Clean.

Overall during 2018, through projects 
supported by dedicated employee volunteers, 
we – together with our partners – collected 
more than 1,400 tonnes of waste on river 
and sea shores across our territories.

We also contributed to reforestation by 
planting more than 5,000 trees. In 2018, 
the equivalent of 45% of the total primary 
packaging we placed in the market was 
recovered for recycling through legally 
required and voluntary industry initiatives 
and our directly funded projects. This 
represents an improvement from 2017, 
when this number was 41%.

Water stewardship
Maintaining the long-term sustainability 
of the watersheds around our bottling plants 
is important to our business and to our 
relationships with local communities.

Our approach to water stewardship begins 
with a focus on our own water use. We protect 
the water resources supplying our facilities, 
reduce the amount of water we use to 
produce our soft drinks, and treat waste 
water to levels that support aquatic life. 
We also partner with suppliers to minimise 
our water footprint across the value chain.

To replenish the water we use and help 
water access through innovative sustainable 
technologies, we have a 2025 sustainability 
commitment to help secure water availability 
for all our communities in water-risk areas.

Using indicators from the World Wildlife 
Fund for Nature’s Water Risk Filter and 
Global Water Tool, we have identified 17 of 
our plants as operating in water-risk areas. 
This includes facilities in Nigeria, Russia, 
Greece, Cyprus and Armenia. Moving forward, 
we will focus on either water access initiatives 
or on replenishment activities. For all these, 
we will seek partnerships with the Coca-Cola 
System, other companies operating 
in the relevant watershed area and 
international organisations.

Local initiatives
Along with our three key programme 
areas, we address local issues, which have 
strategic relevance for our business. 
One example is community wellbeing, which 
we have supported by offering a rapidly 
expanding portfolio of low- and no-calorie 
beverage options.

We continue to support initiatives across our 
28 countries to improve community wellbeing 
and health. We promote active, healthy 
lifestyles by installing active zones, walking 
trails and paths, and supporting sports 
events and social gatherings. As our business 
and product portfolio evolves, we expect 
that more of our impact on well-being will 
come directly from new products that 
support healthy lifestyles.

PRIMARY PACKAGING 
RECOVERED

45%

(2017: 41%)

WASTE COLLECTED

1,400

(TONNES)

more than
64,000
participants

Nigeria: 24%
Italy: 17%
Ukraine: 10%
Greece: 6%
Hungary: 6%
Other: 37%

Top 5 contributing countries to the 
#YouthEmpowered programmes*

 * Based on number of #YE participants in 2018.

39

In natural disasters or crisis situations, we are 
often among the first companies supporting 
emergency services and communities with 
in-kind or cash contributions. When a series 
of wildfires erupted in Greece in July 2018, 
nearly 100 people were killed. We supported 
the survivors in the region by offering our 
products and refrigerators, blood, medicines 
and other essential items, and by contributing 
to rebuilding efforts. We supported a range 
of initiatives sponsored by local municipalities 
and non-governmental organisations, and 
more than 150 colleagues volunteered their 
time to help residents of the affected areas.

Key partnerships and stakeholder 
engagement
We strive for long-term partnerships with 
non-governmental organisations, customers, 
suppliers and other stakeholders to maximise 
the impact of community programmes. 
In 2018, we co-operated with nearly 400 
non-governmental organisations and 
non-trade partners, including the International 
Federation of the Red Cross, the World Wide 
Fund for Nature, Junior Achievement, Teach 
for All and the Global Water Partnership.

Please see pages 10-11 for more about 
our ongoing stakeholder dialogues 
and partnerships.

Volunteering
Beyond our financial investments to address 
the pressing challenges described above, 
we enable our people to volunteer a portion 
of their work hours to support community 
programmes. This not only positively impacts 
our communities, but provides learning and 
development opportunities, and supports 
employee engagement and wellbeing. 
In 2018, our employees volunteered more 
than 34,000 hours in both free time (10,000 
hours) and work time (24,000 hours) in 
support of strategic community programmes, 
with 21% taking part in volunteer initiatives.

Our 2019 priorities
Following the announcement of our 2025 
sustainability commitments and the joint 
community strategy, we will focus on building 
capacities and improving our measurement 
methodology. For community investments, 
we expect to see higher funding for waste 
initiatives relative to the overall spend.

As part of the business rationale for #Youth 
Empowered, our aim is to offer a number 
of job positions for programme participants 
either in our business or with our partners.

For this purpose, we will seek more 
employment opportunities throughout our 
value chain with key customers and suppliers.

We will also offer additional mentorship 
guidance for our senior managers.

We aim to expand the scope of participation 
in the programme in 2019 through strategic 
#Youth Empowered partnerships. We will 
particularly strive for co-operation with 
companies which will support us with flexible 
e-learning solutions in order to transition 
#Youth Empowered to an open-source 
educational platform. Besides this, we will 
further adapt the measurement methodology 
to better reflect actual achievements, i.e. 
from counting e-learning registrations 
to counting active users only.

For Zero Waste City partnerships, we will 
develop support material for our markets 
and launch the first wave of local initiatives 
next year. In water stewardship, we will 
focus on water access initiatives and 
replenishment activities. We will work 
closely with the Coca-Cola System, and 
we will start engaging with relevant local 
as well as international stakeholders.

Regarding community investments, 
we expect to see increased proportionate 
spendings behind the waste and the water 
areas next year.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
Our community initiatives contribute 
to the Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs). Our initiatives to empower youth 
and women contribute to the goals for 
quality education, decent work and 
economic growth, sustainable cities 
and communities, and partnerships. 
Our initiatives regarding water 
stewardship and waste reduction aid 
global progress toward the SDGs for clean 
water and sanitation, and climate action. 
Wellbeing activities, such as the installation 
of walking trails, help advance the global 
objectives of good health and wellbeing, 
and sustainable cities and communities.

SRCGFSSSRSI40

COCA-COLA HBC

IN GOOD 
COMPANY WITH

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

41

INNOVATING OUR 
PORTFOLIO FOR 
OUR CONSUMERS
As we become a Total Beverage 
Company, we are unlocking growth 
potential in segments outside our 
core sparkling portfolio, offering 
consumers a wider choice of drinks 
to meet their needs and desires 
at any time of day and for different 
drinking moments. This supports 
our strategy to innovate in the 
sparkling category with 
The Coca‑Cola Company through 
reformulation of the recipes as 
health‑conscious consumers look 
for low‑ and no‑sugar options, 
and to introduce new flavours, 
innovative products with functional 
benefits as well as smaller, more 
convenient packages.

2018 progress
 · Achieved the highest pace of growth 

in sparkling beverages in a decade, with 
further progress towards low- and 
no-calorie variants

 · A return to growth in ready-to-drink 
tea with the introduction of FUZETEA
 · Another year of double-digit volume 

growth in energy drinks

2019 priorities
 · Continue to evolve into 24/7 Total 

Beverage Company, for shared value 
with our consumers and customers

 · Consolidate the performance of product 
innovations by increasing distribution 
and repeat sales

SRCGFSSSRSI42

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR CONSUMERS CONTINUED

The busiest year of portfolio 
evolution
New brands, categories and premium 
segments help us ensure that our products 
can be part of a balanced diet and that we 
cater to the evolving preferences of busy, 
health-conscious consumers. We introduced 
more new products in 2018 than ever before, 
with significant product launches in ready- 
to-drink tea and premium water. With AdeZ 
plant-based beverages, we added an entirely 
new category to our portfolio. We also 
continue to explore high-growth, high-value 
sub-segments in our core categories, such 
as sparkling beverages for adults with 
tailored innovations accretive to our growth.

Wider choice in sparkling drinks 
Our flagship sparkling beverages continue 
to bring happiness to consumers across 
our markets, with our overall sales volume 
for sparkling beverages up 4.3% in 2018 
compared to the prior year. We are pleased 
to have achieved the highest volume growth 
of our sparkling portfolio in the last decade, 
with improving price/mix, enabled by powerful 
country-specific revenue growth strategies, 
edgy marketing campaigns and disciplined 
in-store execution.

Sales volume of Trademark Coca-Cola and 
Fanta both grew more than 5%. As health-
conscious consumers look for low- and 
no-sugar options, Coca-Cola Zero, which 
is strongly visible in our advertising and 
promotions such as combo meal activations, 
continued its robust growth with sales 
volume for the year up 29.1%. We introduced 
Coca-Cola Zero Vanilla, Cherry and seasonal 
flavours such as Cinnamon and Ginger in 
many of our markets. We also continue to 
drive packaging innovation with smaller, more 
convenient packages.

In 2018, we rolled out our new recipe for 
the core Fanta Orange variant with 30% less 
sugar in several markets, including Hungary, 
Greece, Cyprus and Ireland, and have made 
preparations for roll-out in other markets. 

As a result of our work throughout the year, 
the share of low- and no-sugar variants in 
our total volume grew by 2.2 percentage 
points to 13.1%. This was driven by all of our 
markets, with the biggest contributions 
coming from Russia, Romania, Italy, Poland, 
Nigeria and Ireland.

In line with our commitment, made in 
partnership with the Union of European Soft 
Drinks Associations (UNESDA), to reduce 
sugar in sparkling beverages by 10% by 2020 
across EU countries and Switzerland, we 
reduced sugar per 100 ml by 3% in 2018, 
reaching a cumulative reduction of 8.2%. 

This exciting progress has been achieved 
by overhauling our recipes to remove sugar 
while maintaining or improving taste.

Sophisticated options for adults
With the rising adult population in our 
territory, a new generation of consumers 
with an eye for quality and superior taste, 
and a sense of adventure, are keen to 
experiment. We tapped into this growing 
value opportunity in the adults sparkling 
drinks segment, introducing or re-
introducing tonics and other mixers which 
were once special occasion drinks but are 
increasingly popular with consumers.

As a step forward in the transformation 
of our portfolio, these products allow us to 
cover a wider range of occasions in the day, 
expand our presence in the premium hotels, 
restaurants and cafés channel, and leverage 
revenue synergies with our premium 
spirits portfolio.

We introduced Royal Bliss mixers in Austria, 
Hungary, Italy and Switzerland as a premium 
proposition in high-end cafés, bars and 
clubs during the year. In these four markets, 
we do not own our flagship ‘adults’ brand, 
Schweppes. The launch of this premium 
proposition, with revenue per case nearly five 
times higher than the average for sparkling 
beverages, met with considerable success. 
In just one year, Royal Bliss category share 
reached second place in Italy and Austria 
within the immediate consumption premium 
tonic mixers segment, performing well 
against established competition.

With an expanded portfolio of innovative new 
flavours, our Schweppes mixers and sparkling 
beverages give consumers new premium 
options for socialising-out-of-home and 
aperitif occasions. In Romania, we focused 
on premiumisation, launched new flavours 
in 200ml bottles for hotels, restaurants 
and cafés, introduced the very successful 
mandarin flavour and stepped up in-store 
activations, achieving 28% volume growth in 
the year. In Greece, we leveraged Schweppes 
as a premium proposition for adults moving 
from soda to a leading master brand, and 
promoted the availability of new Schweppes 
Drops (Lemon and Mastic Mint) and infused 
tonics. We also updated our iconic glass 
Schweppes pack with the introduction 
of a premium glass shape. 

With a strategy including consistent support 
and dedicated activation of new packaging, 
we relaunched Kinley, a distinctive tonic with 
a slight bitterness. In the key market of Poland, 
the successful re-introduction of the Kinley 
brand grew volume by 40% and net sales 
revenue by 43% in 2018.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

43

We entered the premium water segment 
this year with GLACÉAU smartwater in two 
package formats in 10 of our markets: Austria, 
Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, 
Serbia, Croatia, Russia, Switzerland and the 
Republic of Ireland. An evaporated and 
condensed natural mineral water, GLACÉAU 
smartwater is processed to replicate 
nature’s water cycle, with the right amount 
of mineral salts to create a clean and crisp 
taste. Its sleek, modern and iconic design 
reflects the quality inside the bottle.

Enhanced/functional waters are gaining 
traction, and with this addition to our product 
line we address consumer demand for 
affordable, premium physical replenishment. 

We expect GLACÉAU smartwater, which 
is designed for ‘premium yet affordable’ 
physical replenishment targeting the urban, 
tech-savvy, ambitious and motivated 
consumer to be fully complementary to our 
existing mainstream propositions. Our aim, 
therefore, is to invigorate local water markets 
through the launch of a brand which has the 
consumer at its heart.

Innovative premium juices
To meet consumer demand and grow value, 
our focus in the juice category in 2018 was 
on introducing innovative propositions. 
This strategy brought positive results, with 
value for our Cappy brand growing faster 
than volume across the business, as well as 
in key markets such as Bulgaria, Romania 
and Hungary.

Two innovative premium products were 
brought to market: Cappy Plus, with a 
range of different variants combining taste 
and enhanced functional attributes, and 
Cappy Smoothies, with a range of flavour 
combinations featuring smooth textures 
and good nutritional value. These product 
offerings are positioned to meet the 
consumer needs for breakfast and 
snacking occasions.

During the year, we were also able to 
successfully combine brand value with 
premiumisation focus to increase the share 
of our Next juice product line in Serbia, both 
in volume and value, with the latter 
growing faster.

Profitable growth in energy
Energy drinks remain one of the fastest-
growing segments of the beverage industry. 
Our energy drinks portfolio, led by Monster, 
had another impressive year of growth, 
with volumes up 30.6% compared to 2017 
and significant share gains in 18 out of 23 
markets. Growth in the energy category was 
strongest in Russia and Poland, with each 
market adding an incremental two million unit 
cases to sales in the year. This accelerated 
performance was driven by increased 
distribution, chilled product availability 
and in-store execution.

Following seven years of 30% average 
compounded growth in Monster sales volume, 
we introduced Monster Hydro in several 
markets and achieved a notable repositioning 
of other category products, enabled by 
innovation, marketing, dedicated promotions 
and in-store execution.

“We introduced more new 
products in 2018 than ever  
before, with significant product 
launches in ready-to-drink tea  
and premium water.”

Premium water offerings
As hydration is becoming a complex category 
ranging from basic thirst quenching to 
indulgent refreshment with flavoured waters, 
we have developed our product portfolio 
to meet the full spectrum of hydration needs. 
The hydration category accounts for more 
than half of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink 
volume, and almost 30% of retail value. 
According to industry estimates, it will also 
comprise the biggest incremental growth 
in our sector through 2025, contributing 
45% of the incremental volume and 20% 
of the incremental value.

As less than 20% of our volume is in hydration, 
we see significant room for growth, and are 
working to meet consumers’ varied hydration 
needs and grow our business. While we 
continue to build local relevance with our 
mainstream waters across our regions, 
we are expanding our product offerings 
beyond pure water to seize additional 
hydration opportunities.

SRCGFSSSRSI44

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR CONSUMERS CONTINUED

BRUCE HAYES
NENAGH, CO 
TIPPERARY 

SOTIRIS 
YANNOPOULOS
REGION 
DIRECTOR

Like many consumers, Bruce 
is interested in health, wellness 
and hydration. 

What is your approach to hydration?
I’m interested in staying healthy, and I keep reading 
that water is an essential nutrient for the human body. 
I guess I take the doctors’ advice to drink about two litres 
of water per day quite seriously.

I usually drink plain bottled water at home. When I’m out 
and about, I often treat myself to a premium or flavoured 
water. It feels like a refreshing treat and it’s low in calories.

Are you interested in the mineral 
content of water?
I know that the right fluid and electrolyte balance supports 
good health, so I try to choose waters that have a good 
mineral balance. I like GLACÉAU smartwater, which takes 
pure vapour-distilled water and adds just the right 
amount of electrolytes.

Do you have a favourite brand 
of flavoured water?
Deep RiverRock is my favourite. It’s an Irish water, 
a healthy, natural spring water from County Antrim. 
While it’s rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, 
it’s also tasty with flavours like mint, strawberry or even 
forest fruits. It comes in big bottles which I buy for 
drinking at home, but you can also get smaller bottles 
in restaurants or shops.

Do you care about the packaging?
I do indeed. I take care to recycle my water bottles. 
I feel the packaging should be as pure as the water inside, 
and recyclable too.

Response from Sotiris Yannopoulos 
We are working very hard to offer our consumers 
a wider choice of drinks as we recognise that their needs 
and desires are changing. And hydration is becoming 
a complex category, ranging from basic thirst quenching 
to indulgent refreshment.

Over the last two decades, we have developed our water 
portfolio to meet the full spectrum of hydration needs. 
We have acquired many well-established local water 
brands in our markets. In some cases, we have also 
introduced these in adjacent markets.

The water category now accounts for 19% of our sales 
volume. The latest addition to our portfolio was GLACÉAU 
smartwater, launched in 10 markets in 2018.

With The Coca-Cola Company, we continuously innovate 
in this category to offer function and serve local tastes. 
We are continuing to develop and introduce additional 
options for health-conscious consumers who are looking 
for low- and no-sugar flavoured options, as well as more 
convenient and sustainable packages.

And we have a piece of good news for Bruce. Later this 
year, he will be able to buy Deep RiverRock in 100% 
recycled PET packaging. 

Reinvigorating the ready-to-drink 
tea category
In a year packed with new product launches, 
the introduction of FUZETEA was our 
biggest system-wide effort. FUZETEA offers 
consumers a fresh, innovative, ready-to-
drink tea with a fusion of sustainably sourced 
tea extract, fruit juice and herbs. Blending 
these ingredients creates a multi-layered, 
contemporary tea taste, and a premium 
alternative within the category.

Already established in 52 markets globally, 
FUZETEA reached 27 of our markets 
simultaneously with blends such as Black 
Tea Peach Hibiscus, Green Tea Mango 
Chamomile and Black Tea Lemon 
Lemongrass. The launch was supported by 
strong operational plans, close collaboration 
with our customers, and Coca-Cola System 
alignment and commitment.

FUZETEA is a success story so far, delivering 
constant volume and value growth since 
launch and performing well on all relevant 
brand parameters. We are excited to have 
transformed the ready-to-drink tea category 
from a declining segment to one that has 
achieved volume growth in the first year 
of launch.

Plant-based beverages
In 2018, we broke new ground with AdeZ, 
our first plant-based beverage blending 
seeds and fruits. We introduced AdeZ in May 
2018, with flavours and packs appropriate 
for at-home consumption during breakfast, 
as well as unique offers for on-the-go or 
at-work snacking.

Plant-based beverages – typically made from 
almond, rice, soy or oats – are increasingly 
popular with consumers. AdeZ is our first 
foray into this fast-growing category 
and offers a nourishing, accessible and 
appealing choice.

We know that AdeZ has strong potential 
as it is already a successful brand for 
The Coca-Cola Company in Latin America, 
where it is a market leader in the category. 
The decision to introduce AdeZ to Europe 
led us to a fast-track development of recipes 
to suit European tastes, an all-new 
brand proposition.

For this entirely new category for our 
Company, we built manufacturing capabilities 
as well as the market knowledge. Less than 
a year later, we launched AdeZ in 12 of our 
markets, demonstrating our determination 
to explore and establish ourselves in this 
fast-growing segment, while bringing 
incremental value for our customers.

45

Incubating new brands
In response to evolving consumer desires, 
we established a specialised Incubate & 
Grow Unit during the year to serve emerging 
and high-potential consumer trends with 
entrepreneurship and agility. This ‘connected, 
but not integrated’ unit, with Coca-Cola HBC 
and The Coca-Cola Company as equal 
partners, supports our efforts to try out our 
affordable premium brands. The unit’s focus 
is on products that feature or support 
naturalness, simplicity, organic ingredients, 
holistic wellbeing and sustainable functionality.

The selected ‘incubate – grow – scale’ 
portfolio has been introduced in hand-picked 
outlets in targeted cities, supported by 
experiential and opinion-leader marketing 
to attract early adopters. Once a certain 
consumer and customer base is achieved, 
the brands will expand selectively across 
regions and channels, in a broader but still 
very segmented selection of outlets. 
We plan to continue incubating new brands, 
while the brands that reach scale will be 
integrated in our well-established, effective 
system. Through this process we seek to 
maintain an attractive, contemporary and 
high-value product portfolio.

The unit began its work in Vienna, Milan, 
Rome and Zurich in late 2017. The products 
in scope were GLACÉAU smartwater, ZICO 
Coconut Water, Appletiser and Coke in an 
aluminium bottle pack. We began with the 
goal of reaching an average of 200 hand-
picked outlets per city in the first 12 months. 
In 2018, the unit’s incubation efforts 
expanded into six additional European cities 
with more products, including Honest Tea, 
special Coke Zero flavours and Tumult, 
a fermented non-alcoholic drink.

These incubation efforts have boosted the 
energy of the local organisations, bringing 
enthusiasm to our people, our consumers 
and our customers, and driving our 
competitiveness. As part of the unit’s efforts, 
an additional 8,000 new cooler doors were 
placed in the market during 2018, increasing 
the availability of our still drinks portfolio.

Options for every drinking moment
To meet our consumers’ preferences, we 
need to understand what drives their desire 
for beverages throughout the day. To satisfy 
these desires, we need to provide the right 
brand, in the right package, through the right 
channel, and at the right price. This process 
is called Occasion, Brand, Pack, Price, Channel 
(OBPPC) and it is an integral part of our 
revenue growth management work, which 
helps us prioritise opportunities.

Meals at home is an important consumption 
occasion that is prioritised across all of our 
markets with a localised approach. 
Socialising-away-from-home consumption 
represents an appealing growth opportunity 
and is strategically important for attracting 
teen consumers. Enjoyed as single servings, 
primarily served in cafés, restaurants and 
leisure outlets, the socialising-away-from-
home occasion also offers superior revenue 
per case. In 2018, we also started tapping 
into the at-work occasion in some of 
our markets.

To grow consumption on these key occasions, 
we leverage a full product portfolio, including 
complementary categories such as coffee 
and premium spirits. These efforts are 
helping us to materialise our ambition of 
becoming a Total Beverage Company.

Capturing value
While pursuing our 24/7 vision, we also 
identify and prioritise the right strategies to 
capture value. We used a phased approach 
to roll out a revenue growth management 
framework, starting in the third quarter of 
2016 with Nigeria and Russia and reaching 
all of our markets by September 2018.

While there are distinct initiatives in each 
market, common themes of our revenue 
growth management initiatives include 
premiumisation, brand stratification and 
price and pack size interventions. Expanding 
availability and visibility of Schweppes 1783 
in the hotels, restaurants and cafés channel 
is a good example of our efforts to seize the 
adult premiumisation opportunity. We also 
entered the promising organic segment 
with Bio Limo in Switzerland and Austria.

We have had success with several 
approaches to brand stratification, such 
as establishing a fighter brand like Limca 
in Nigeria or establishing different pricing for 
Trademark Coca-Cola and flavours in the 
Ukraine. In Greece, where low- and no-sugar 
options have lower price elasticity, we adapted 
our pricing for these variants.

Using smaller and more affordable 
propositions such as the 900 ml future 
consumption entry pack in Russia, we 
improved our strategy for recruiting new 
consumers. In Italy, we resized the entry 
pack to 660 ml to attract consumers in 
smaller households and launched a 450 ml 
PET package for consumers on the go. In all 
of our markets, we leveraged differing price 
elasticities, not just by package and brand, 
but also by channel.

We estimate that our revenue growth 
management initiatives contributed 1.8% 
of our total revenue growth in 2018, and 
project that they will contribute 3.1% to 
growth in 2019.

SRCGFSSSRSI46

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR CONSUMERS CONTINUED

Digital engagement
For most consumers, digital media is 
becoming the norm. To connect with 
digitally savvy consumers, we expanded our 
use of consumer apps during the year in 
collaboration with The Coca-Cola Company. 
Consumers can engage with us and find out 
about our products, promotions and loyalty 
programmes, driving incremental 
transactions. By linking apps with connected 
coolers, we can encourage product 
consumption through push notifications 
when consumers are near a point of sale. 
A great example comes from Croatia with 
the Shake & Take application which is used 
by more than 170,000 consumers. Nearly 
10% of the pushed messages through the 
app resulted in incremental transactions.

To increase our reach and further connect 
with consumers, we will continue to focus on 
digital opportunities in 2019. Based on our 
learnings gained across our countries, we will 
be launching a new app with The Coca-Cola 
Company which will engage our consumers 
and drive more transactions. To connect 
more consumers with the right products 
at the right time, we also have plans to link 
our connected coolers to partners’ apps. 
For more information about our connected 
coolers, see the Customers section 
on pages 48-53.

Responsible marketing
The effective marketing of our brands is 
a core driver for our business, and we take 
steps to ensure that our marketing is not 
only effective but responsible and reasonable. 
To help us achieve this, we comply with The 
Coca-Cola Company’s Global Responsible 
Marketing Policy and are signatories to the 
Union of European Soft Drinks Associations 
(UNESDA) commitments.

When designing marketing communications, 
as a System, we avoid direct appeals to 
children under age 12. Likewise, we do not 
place advertising in media where the audience 
consists of more than 35% children under 
age 12. This applies to all media, including 
television shows, print media, websites, 
social media, movies, SMS and email 
marketing, animation, third-party characters, 
games and contests, branded toys and 
merchandise, talent selection, point of sale, 
and merchandise items.

As part of the Coca-Cola System, we support 
UNESDA’s commitment to not sell soft 
drinks in primary schools. We avoid engaging 
in any direct commercial activity in primary 
schools, except when requested by school 
authorities. As at the end of 2018, we offer 
no beverages sweetened with added sugars 
in secondary schools across the EU and 
Switzerland. We plan to gradually expand this 
approach to all of our markets over the next 
couple of years.

“By linking apps with connected 
coolers, we can encourage product 
consumption through push 
notifications when consumers 
are near a point of sale.”

Health and nutrition
To meet evolving consumer needs and 
preferences, we are focusing on offering 
consumers more of the products they want, 
including low- and no-sugar options, across 
categories and in more packages. Providing 
clear and transparent information helps 
consumers make informed choices. 
At the end of 2018, we introduced a new 
front-of-pack labelling, on a trial basis, in 
several markets. This builds on the current 
Europe-wide Reference Intake (RI) 
monochrome model with a system that 
reflects the nutrient content per 100ml of 
our drinks for sugars, salt, fat and saturated 
fat through a simple ‘traffic-light’ colour 
scheme of red, amber, green. The approach 
we will follow is identical to the scheme that 
we have voluntarily supported in the UK and 
Ireland since 2014.

We support the current recommendation 
by several leading health authorities, 
including the World Health Organization, 
that people should limit their intake of added 
sugar to no more than 10% of their total 
energy/calorie consumption. To address this 
issue, we have committed, in partnership 
with UNESDA, to reduce sugar in sparkling 
soft drinks by 10% between 2015 and 2020 
across the EU and Switzerland.

The reduction achieved in 2018 was 3% per 
100ml. We set a new, broader commitment 
during 2018; to reduce the calories per 
100ml of sparkling soft drinks by 25% by 
2025 vs. 2015, across all of our countries.

Product quality, safety 
and integrity 
Our business is built on consumer trust. 
A low rate of consumer complaints shows 
that our beverages are of high quality 
and people trust our products and brands, 
maintaining and growing the value of these 
intangible assets. The freshness of our 
sparkling drinks in the market improved by 
19% and the number of complaints declined 
by 2% during the year, to 19 complaints per 
100 million bottles sold, falling slightly short 
of our target of 18. For 2019, we have set 
a target of 18 complaints per 100 million 
bottles sold to maintain this high 
performance level.

To maintain consumer trust, we have 
robust product quality processes and 
zero tolerance for quality and food safety 
non-compliance. Collaboration with key 
suppliers of our ingredients and primary 
packaging materials helps us minimise 
quality issues in our supply chain. We were 
able to maintain the low level of business 
losses from quality issues we achieved in 
2018, when we reduced losses by more than 
80% compared to 2017.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

47

“We will support growth in our 
core sparkling portfolio, as well 
as in faster-growing segments 
such as energy drinks, water 
and plant-based beverages.”

Through our internal awareness and 
certification programme, we train and certify 
our Plant Managers, Plant Engineering 
Managers and Supply Chain Services 
Managers in key food quality and safety 
issues. This capability development is 
provided to all newly appointed and hired 
Plant Managers; existing Plant Managers 
receive training updates.

We piloted a Quality and Food Safety Cultural 
Survey in Italy during 2018 to benchmark 
best-in-class step changes. The same 
programme will be rolled out to all of our 
countries in early 2019, to continue nurturing 
a culture supporting food safety and quality.

Looking ahead
We will continue to build on our efforts to 
delight consumers in the coming year with 
a broader product range for all occasions, 
further evolving our 24/7 total beverage 
portfolio. This means mastering an 
increasingly complex operating environment, 
with more small and fast-moving competitors.

We will support growth in our core sparkling 
portfolio, as well as in faster-growing 
segments such as energy drinks, water 
and plant-based beverages. To meet all 
hydration needs, we will continue our 
two-pronged strategy, offering mainstream 
and premium water. We will also build on our 
very successful launch of FUZETEA and will 
continue tailoring our juice products to local 
tastes and preferences.

UN Sustainable Development 
Goals
We serve our consumers with a broad 
range of high-quality products. In doing 
so, we create value by contributing to 
global goals for good health and wellbeing, 
innovation, responsible production and 
consumption and partnerships.

SHARE OF LOW- AND 
NO-SUGAR VARIANTS VS. 2017

+2.2pp

(2018: 13.1%)

GROWTH IN SPARKLING 
DRINKS FOR ADULTS VS. 2017

+6%

SRCGFSSSRSI48

COCA-COLA HBC

IN GOOD 
COMPANY WITH

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

49

EVOLVING WITH 
THE CHANGING 
NEEDS OF OUR 
CUSTOMERS
With our expanding innovative 
product portfolio and excellent 
service, we engage customers 
to excite shoppers, creating joint 
value for long‑term success.

2018 progress
 · Rolled out our new route-to-market 

approach across our biggest markets, 
resulting in increased outlet coverage 
and customer-facing time

 · Further improvement in customer 

satisfaction

 · Focus on e-commerce, leading to growth 

ahead of the market

2019 priorities
 ·

Introduce an organisational end-to-end 
customer management approach
 · Further develop customer-centricity 

mindset for joint value creation 

 · Accelerate our capabilities in e-commerce

SRCGFSSSRSI50

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR CUSTOMERS CONTINUED

Creating value for customers 
through our expanding portfolio
Our many product innovations in 2018, 
supported by other initiatives in marketing, 
revenue growth management and route 
to market, drove results with our customers 
and in outlets across our 28 countries. 
By offering a broader portfolio with a wider 
choice of natural, healthy options and 
premium products, we helped our customers 
excite shoppers and grow their businesses. 
In established categories, new recipes 
and new variants had immediate impact 
while initiatives supporting the introduction 
of new categories laid the groundwork for 
long-term success.

With every initiative, we are focused on 
growing the value of the category. In more 
than half of our markets we grew value in 
sparkling beverages faster than the overall 
category, thus supporting value creation for 
our customers.

The water category is growing rapidly and 
is expected to continue to do so. Our 
introduction of affordable, premium brand 
GLACÉAU smartwater helped our customers 
attract upscale and affluent shoppers who 
seek trendy, lifestyle solutions for hydration. 
Smartwater also drives profitable category 
growth with higher margins, upgrading 
current mainstream water drinkers to more 
premium propositions.

We know from consumer insights that 
shoppers are looking for natural, healthy 
options, and the ready-to-drink tea category 
has the potential to meet these needs. 
Due to unclear positioning of existing 
products, the category had been stagnating, 
with many consumers having never tried it.

A differentiated proposition with strong 
brand promise, FUZETEA has the potential 
to re-invent the entire category and 
subsequently increase customers’ revenue 
opportunities. Ready-to-drink tea is a 
powerful revenue driver, as it has c.20% 
higher revenue per case compared to the 
average for non-alcoholic ready-to-drink 
beverages.

Combining tea extract, fresh juice and 
herbs, FUZETEA offers something new 
for consumers who want to experiment. 
It may also help our customers increase 
margins by encouraging switching from 
lower-value categories.

With the introduction of AdeZ plant-based 
beverages, our customers have an 
opportunity to attract more shoppers 
and gain incremental revenue and margin. 
Limited awareness, availability and modest 
taste from existing propositions in the 
category have not lifted consumption 
to maturity levels.

Yet, the category is projected to grow faster 
than other categories due to health and 
wellness trends, new eating habits, increases 
in allergies and intolerances, and the rise 
of environmental and ethical consciousness. 
To accelerate category growth in our 
markets, we launched AdeZ, the leading 
brand in Latin America, in 12 of our European 
markets in 2018.

Consumption per capita of plant-based 
beverages in Central and Eastern Europe 
markets is still modest. By removing the 
category barriers, and supporting per capita 
consumption levels in line with Western 
Europe, there is an opportunity for the 
category to reach €1 billion in retail value 
within five years. Plant-based beverages’ 
value per transaction is nearly double that 
of cow’s milk.

Serving customers efficiently
As our product portfolio has grown and 
evolved to support our total beverage 
portfolio strategy, we have become even 
better at bringing our products to market 
efficiently and effectively. We revamped our 
route-to-market approach in all of our major 
markets in 2018, which added an estimated 
1.1% to our annual revenue growth. In 2019, 
we expect the contribution to be 1.4%.

“A differentiated proposition with 
strong brand promise, FUZETEA 
has the potential to re-invent the 
entire category and subsequently 
increase customers’ revenue 
opportunities.”

HIGHLY ENERGY-EFFICIENT 
COOLERS IN THE MARKET

19%

SHARE OF SATISFIED 
CUSTOMERS

+2.5pp

(2018: 81.3%)

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

51

In Greece and Cyprus, we leveraged the 
strong summer tourist business with 
limited-edition bottles inspired by Greek 
mythology. The bottles were launched 
in cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops, 
and supported by targeted advertising 
at airports, on tourist maps, in the Aegean 
Airlines magazine and digital channels. 
In Croatia, we increased contracts with 
hotels, restaurants and cafés in Split and 
Dubrovnik, and sales of our premium spirits 
went up owing to the efforts of our local 
centres of excellence for the channel. 
Our activation programmes prompted 
consumers to switch from beer to cocktails, 
growing our sales volume in targeted 
outlets by 17%.

Joint value creation
We continually seek to improve shopper 
satisfaction while generating higher margins 
for our customers and for our business. 
Our success, and the success of our 
customers, requires us to collaborate 
effectively. Joint business plan workshops 
are an essential part of this collaboration, 
resulting in clearly defined shared 
responsibilities and joint tracking scorecards 
to evaluate progress and results.

A tailor-made marketing plan created with 
a key retail customer in Poland, for example, 
improved execution of promotional activities 
for the FIFA World Cup and Christmas. Along 
with innovations in online sales, the success 
of these promotional activities resulted 
in increased revenue.

Joint business plan workshops have also 
helped us capture growth in immediate 
consumption with single-serve packages. 
Our partnership journey with one of the 
leading global travel retail customers started 
with a workshop at the beginning of 2018, 
where we established a common vision and 
strategy, set joint priorities and defined 
detailed action plans to capture all growth 
opportunities. This collaboration, along with 
strong activation plans, led to strong sales 
for FUZETEA in the customer’s Czech 
Republic outlets.

Another way we strengthen relationships 
is by sharing our insights into shopping 
habits. In Switzerland, the local team shared 
the results of research on shoppers’ needs 
and attitudes with several key accounts in a 
series of cross-functional workshops. Based 
on an analysis of 31,000 shopping trips and 
interviews with 6,000 shoppers, the research 
provided customers with unique insights. 
As a result, one of the fastest-growing 
Swiss customers has agreed to undertake 
a category management project with us 
in 2019 to optimise product assortment 
and layout.

We made improvements to our processes 
to identify and recruit new outlets, increased 
the time we spent with customers, improved 
our co-ordination with wholesalers, and 
refined processes for online sales. These 
efforts ensure that we capture opportunities 
and optimise market coverage for new and 
established products.

Improved prospecting processes helped us 
increase our overall market coverage across 
our countries, with a particular focus on 
execution in the hotels, restaurants and 
cafés channel. In Nigeria, we added 20,000 
new outlets in Lagos alone during 2018. 
In the vast territory of Russia, we optimised 
our sales force and introduced central route 
planning, which significantly improved our 
ability to spend time with customers. We also 
improved our partnerships with wholesalers 
by adjusting our approach to market 
segmentation and account management.

As consumer buying habits change, we are 
adjusting our processes to support growth 
in digital commerce and the at-work channel. 
We established dedicated structures and 
teams, and segmented the digital retail 
space and e-food customers, as well as the 
at-work universe. To help our customers 
embrace the digital way of working, we made 
improvements to our web portal. 
Partnerships with vending operators and 
caterers help us create joint value in the 
at-work channel.

We also continued to provide the best 
service quality for our customers while 
reducing our service costs. In Poland, for 
example, we worked with our customers 
to increase full-truck, full-pallet deliveries 
by establishing minimum order quantities 
and a charge for non-standard orders.

Serving hotels, restaurants 
and cafes effectively
The hotels, restaurants and cafés channel 
is becoming increasingly critical for our 
business as it offers revenue growth and 
supports the penetration of our brands. 
To seize these opportunities we were both 
agile and focused during 2018, particularly 
with large-scale initiatives in Italy, Greece, 
Cyprus and Croatia.

We introduced a new structure in Italy in 
the summer of 2018, with people dedicated 
to serving premium hotels, restaurants 
and cafés. This approach addresses the 
increasing needs of high-demand 
customers. A new merchandising model 
was also introduced for coolers, improving 
our presence in these outlets and freeing up 
business developers’ time to focus on 
customers’ specialised needs, while also 
incentivising customers with clear guidance 
on positioning our products.

SRCGFSSSRSI52

COCA-COLA HBC

OUR CUSTOMERS CONTINUED

Building excitement with 
promotions – FIFA World Cup
We engaged customers and supported 
powerful in-store promotions linked to the 
FIFA World Cup hosted in Russia, our largest 
market. Strong customer engagement plans 
and in-store activations took place across 
our markets, while in host country Russia we 
implemented 41,000 displays in our retail key 
account partners. In branded ‘Red Zones’ 
in all 2018 FIFA World Cup host cities in Russia, 
we attracted football fans with almost 
5,000 pieces of summer equipment, including 
large screens in areas dedicated for public 
viewing of matches, and more than 17,000 
cooler doors.

This focused execution, along with favourable 
summer weather, boosted volume growth 
in targeted areas by 156%.

With the Russian and Croatian national 
football teams advancing to the quarter‑finals 
and finals, respectively, we had a great 
opportunity to celebrate and cheer for 
winning teams with real-time social media 
feeds. We also produced limited-edition 
bottles featuring winning scores in fewer 
than two days. This real‑time marketing 
approach achieved significant engagement, 
generating more than 81 million impressions 
online and organic social media posts from 
top influencers.

Exceeding customer expectations
We monitor customer satisfaction by 
commissioning an annual survey of more 
than 15,000 customers, comparing 
ourselves with other beverage suppliers, 
including suppliers of beer and dairy 
products. We listened to our customers’ 
feedback from 2017, their key satisfaction 
and dissatisfaction drivers and developed 
a strong action plan for 2018 to improve 
customer service quality. This resulted in 
the number of customers recognising us as 
Supplier no. 1 in three additional countries 
at key account headquarters level, and in five 
additional countries at wholesaler level 
compared with the previous year.

Following our collaboration with our key 
accounts, we increased our share of satisfied 
customers by 2.5pp to 81.3% in 2018. Our 
improved partnerships with wholesalers led 
to a 10.8pp increase in our share of satisfied 
customers to 75.9% in 2018. The feedback 
we receive helps direct priorities for training 
and development, indicating where we need 
to improve skills and capabilities.

To ensure that the right product is present 
in the right location and properly activated, 
we track real-time execution in our 
customers’ stores and use that data to 
evaluate and improve in-store operations.

We use an approach called Right Execution 
Daily (RED) which measures aspects required 
for strong execution, such as product 
availability, secondary placements and 
merchandising, and awards a score to each 
customer, channel and, ultimately, country. 

These scores reflect our execution level 
relative to our internal targets, and we use 
all this data to continually improve. The score 
that measures our success in the market 
(RED Benchmark) grew in 2018 by 10pp 
compared to the start of the year, which 
reflects the fact that we are activating the 
market with increased speed and 
stronger impact.

Customer-centricity is a key objective for 
the entire organisation and this means that 
we seek to always deliver in full, on time and 
accurately invoiced, an internal metric we 
monitor and call by the acronym DIFOTAI. 
We track our success in achieving this each 
day, for each customer, and constantly work 
to improve our performance. Our overall 
DIFOTAI score for 2018 was 96,5% – a 1.4pp 
shortfall compared to 2017 due to challenges 
with product availability in a unique year, when 
we added 1,000 new SKUs to our portfolio.

Supporting growth in immediate 
consumption
We helped our customers serve consumers 
by placing more coolers and new options 
for single‑serve packs across our product 
portfolio. As a result of these initiatives, sales 
of profitable single-serve packs increased 
during the year by 170 bps, now accounting 
for 43.7% of our total volume sold.

During 2018, we introduced smaller juice 
packages, launched multi-packs of 
single-serves, and focused on glass packages 
to increase penetration in hotels, restaurants, 
bars and cafés. These efforts supported 
an overall improvement in our package mix.

As cold drink equipment is one of our 
strongest tools for creating joint growth 
of profitable single‑serve packages, we 
invest in finding the right chilled solutions 
for our customers. This may involve our own 
branded coolers, which increasingly are 
highly energy-efficient and internet 
connected for greater effectiveness, or 
optimising the product offering in 
customer-owned coolers.

We launched a cooler acceleration plan 
during the year to boost cold drink availability, 
and invested nearly €120 million in coolers 
in our markets. To maximise our return on 
these investments, we use data from our 
annual Every Dealer Survey to assess the 
sales potential of retail outlets.

By 2022, all outlets deemed to have the 
highest potential will have 100% cooler 
coverage, and outlets with strong potential 
will have at least 90% coverage with at least 
one cooler. 

We don’t just want to have more coolers, 
we want coolers to be more energy‑efficient 
and more effective. By the end of 2018, 
270,000 or 19% of all of our coolers were 
highly energy-efficient, with HC (hydrocarbon) 
refrigerant gas. At present, all of our 28 
markets have connected coolers.

Connected coolers increase business 
developer productivity by scanning and 
communicating inventory automatically. 
The time saved adds up to four days every 
year per business developer and can be 
re-invested in time spent with customers. 
In addition, the technology helps us drive 
sales. We are able to analyse and improve 
the placement of coolers by monitoring how 
consumers use them. The technology also 
supports proximity marketing with beacons, 
allowing marketing teams to push impulsive 
messages to consumers for the right 
occasion and at the right location – when 
consumers are near coolers.

e-commerce
As shoppers are increasingly looking for 
convenience, e-commerce continues to 
grow in our countries, increasing in value for 
our categories by 20% in 2018 compared 
to 2017. Our investments and focus allowed 
us to achieve volume growth of 26% versus 
2017, ahead of the market trend.

We activate e-commerce across different 
channels, supporting traditional retail 
customers as well as emerging channels 
such as online delivery or e-food. In the 
e-food channel in Ireland, we partnered with 
the Boojum chain to create a combo meal 
for delivery. By leveraging a strong 
communication plan across social media 
channels, the activation increased the 
number of new shoppers by 27% and drove 
the number of beverages sold by 58%, 
creating value for all parties.

To provide our customers with services that 
simplify their operations, we continued to 
evolve our web-based customer portal, 
allowing customers in the fragmented trade 
to order our products at any time.

Our e‑commerce capabilities have been 
enhanced by investing in our people. 
We have appointed dedicated resources in 
countries and have trained our key account 
teams on strategies and steps to succeed 
with customers online. We also continued 
the roll-out of e-commerce tools including 
eRED, our online performance tracking 
system. These capability-building efforts will 
continue in 2019 to capture the maximum 
value of online channels.

We worked with customers across Russia 
in 2018, including Dixy Group, to link the 
excitement about the FIFA World Cup 
with our products. 

Russia hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2018. 
How important was that for your business?
Dixy Group is a large Russian retailer with a high level of 
engagement and partnership with Coca‑Cola HBC. Once we 
started working together on the planning for FIFA World Cup 
initiatives, we believed strongly not only in the success of this 
project, but its benefits for our joint business. 

How did the preparations work?
Preparations began at least 18 months in advance of the 
games, with working sessions in a FIFA Lab organised by 
Coca‑Cola HBC. As one indicator of our confidence in our 
strategic partnership, we allocated a tremendous amount 
of time and resources to the project. We worked together 
with Coca‑Cola HBC colleagues to identify the best locations 
in Red Zones in FIFA World Cup host cities. To maximise our 
impact in these areas, we worked to link fan enthusiasm with 
branding and products through special promotions in stores 
located next to transportation hubs and stadiums. 

What did the execution in your stores look like?
What was unusual for us was promotions for international 
visitors. We were targeting an estimated six million football 
fans, and many were non‑Russian speakers. Coca‑Cola HBC 
helped us adapt promotions, supporting ‘on‑the‑go’ 
consumption for this important audience.

Did you personally enjoy the in-store activity?
With the limited‑edition Coke bottles with game scores, 
and the excitement generated by the successes of the Russian 
football team, there was a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which 
helped engage and motivate our staff. You could also see this 
excitement reflected on social networks.

Did your business benefit from the 
increased activity?
The marketing innovations, placement of approximately 
2,500 of additional displays and coolers and activations during 
the games helped us build category growth. In 2018, our sales 
increased by 8.1% compared with 2017, and Coca‑Cola HBC 
products contributed 1.2% of that growth.

Response from Naya Kalogeraki 
Having the FIFA World Cup in Russia, our largest market, was 
a great opportunity. Our planning started early and customer 
engagement was critical. Our partners at The Coca‑Cola 
Company invested in bespoke advertising for the event, 
and we invested in coolers and displays at the point of sale 
and in Red Zones across the country.

We launched a cooler acceleration plan in 2018 for Central 
and Eastern Europe, which is a fundamental pillar for our 
immediate consumption and single‑serve growth. This 
programme added 10,500 cooler doors in Russia, boosting 
cold drink availability and consumption during the FIFA World 
Cup event.

The bottom line is that our Russia sales volume grew by 4.4% 
in 2018, helped by the combination of the games and good 
weather in the summer months. Importantly, the investments 
we made in Russia during the games will benefit our business 
for many years to come.

MARINA 
RATNIKOVA
DIXY GROUP 
COMMERCIAL 
AND 
MARKETING 
DIRECTOR

NAYA 
KALOGERAKI
GROUP CHIEF 
CUSTOMER 
AND 
COMMERCIAL 
OFFICER

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

53

Data security
We understand the need to take a responsible 
approach to e-commerce initiatives. As part 
of our efforts to educate our employees 
about data privacy and cyber-security, the 
focus of our annual Ethics and Compliance 
Week was the new EU General Data Protection 
Regulation (GDPR) which became effective 
in May 2018. We established a comprehensive 
compliance programme related to GDPR 
and launched a broad awareness campaign.

Looking ahead
We will continue to refine our collaborations 
with customers in 2019, introducing 
an organisational end‑to‑end customer 
management approach. The importance of 
key account management is increasing with 
higher customer concentration, growing 
requirements, including retailers’ focus on 
sustainability, new competition and greater 
complexity. We know that we must continually 
improve service delivery.

To maximise service and value, advancing 
our capabilities in data and analytics is also 
a priority. We aim to further our growth 
mindset by improving the productivity of 
business developers and making even better 
use of technology to capture more and 
better data.

UN Sustainable Development 
Goals
As we build our business by helping our 
customers to grow and thrive, we make 
substantial contributions to the 
achievement of the Sustainable 
Development Goals related to ending 
poverty, decent work, sustainable 
communities, responsible production, 
justice and strong institutions, 
and partnerships.

SRCGFSSSRSI54

COCA-COLA HBC

IN GOOD 
COMPANY WITH

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

55

PARTNERSHIPS 
TO IMPROVE 
EFFICIENCY
We partner with our suppliers and 
communities, and we leverage the 
ingenuity of our people to help us 
improve our operational efficiency, 
reducing our costs and 
environmental impact.

2018 progress
 · Aligned production capabilities 
with product innovation pipeline

 · Leveraged technology in our 

shared services centre with robotic 
process automation

 · Saved 708,210m3 of water and 

79,820 tonnes of PET plastic packaging

 · Reached our internal target for use 

of renewable and clean energy ahead 
of 2020

2019 priorities
 · Continue to invest in the business 

to support the 24/7 Total Beverage 
Company strategy

 · Focus on initiatives to make progress 

in the delivery of the 2025 sustainability 
commitments

SRCGFSSSRSI56

COCA-COLA HBC

PARTNERS IN EFFICIENCY CONTINUED

Infrastructure optimisation
As we adapt and reshape our product 
portfolio to meet changing consumer 
preferences, we are also ensuring that our 
production capabilities can support these 
changing needs. Aligning production 
capabilities with product innovation is integral 
to our strategy and presents opportunities 
to streamline our existing infrastructure.

Capturing market demand with speed and 
agility is crucial. We are reducing complexity 
in our portfolio, which frees production 
capacity for new launches. We are also 
streamlining demand fulfilment from 
various markets, facilitating faster and more 
standardised launches. Our centralised 
production planning system for the whole 
Group, set up a few years ago, enables 
us to do this effectively. This, combined with 
a structured commercialisation process, 
significantly reduces our time to market.

In 2018, we invested in new production 
capabilities for plant-based beverages in 
Prague to support the launch of AdeZ in 12 
countries. We also expanded our production 
capabilities at our Zalaszentgrót plant in 
Hungary to support our premium water 
portfolio and the introduction of GLACÉAU 
smartwater in 10 countries.

While the restructuring of our production 
footprint is largely complete, we see further 
opportunity in highly dynamic markets. Given 
the positive trends in Nigeria, we installed the 
fastest PET production line in our Ikeja mega 
plant, increasing our PET capacity. We also 
increased capacity in the north of the country, 
installing a high-speed PET line in Abuja. Both 
lines can produce sparkling soft drinks as well 
as water. By further consolidating returnable 
glass bottle production facilities, we were 
able to cease our production activities in 
the Jos, Kaduna and Enugu plants. All three 
locations are now converted to distribution 
depots. We also expanded our warehousing 
capacity in Abuja, Ikeja and Benin, while 
respective expansion works are still in 
progress in Owerri and Port Harcourt.

Across the business since 2008, we have 
successfully consolidated our production 
footprint by 35%, consolidating 28 of the 80 
plants we had 10 years ago. We increased 
the average lines per plant from 3.6 to 4.9, 
creating more mega plants, which has 
improved our efficiency and flexibility. Our 
capacity utilisation level of 66% at peak limits 
the requirement for additional investment, 
even as our business continues to grow.

Our logistics network has also changed as 
our service model has evolved. Responding 
to customer requirements, we are improving 
our service offering and creating value for our 
customers while reducing our costs. During 
the year, we optimised our logistics network 
further as part of this process, reducing the 
number of our warehouses and distribution 
centres by 59%.

Leveraging technology
Following the successful consolidation of 
back-office finance and human resources 
activities from country offices to our Shared 
Business Services Organisation (BSO) in 
Sofia, Bulgaria, the focus in 2018 was to bring 
further efficiencies to the way back-office 
operations are run. The biggest innovation in 
this area is our Robotic Process Automation 
programme (RPA), which uses 
programmable software to autonomously 
execute basic tasks, achieving cost 
efficiencies, improved business processes 
and an increased level of compliance.

The RPA pilot project went live in June 2018 
with five process automations, following a 
successful proof‑of‑concept stage in 2017. 
We also established an RPA centre of 
excellence based on external best practices. 
By the end of 2018, an additional 15 
successful automations were delivered, 
using only internal resources for the 
development and deployment. The ambitious 
plan for 2019 is to have more than 100 live 
automations, expanding the RPA scope 
beyond the back-office processes 
supported by the BSO. Some examples 
of the processes to be automated include 
intercompany recharging of expenses, 
reconciliation of customer balances, 
updating exchange rates of currencies 
and delivery of various operational reports.

Another area of enhanced efficiency is the 
digital transformation of accounts payable. 
We began implementing touchless posting 
of vendor invoices in 2017. Roll‑out to all 
of our countries was finalised in two stages 
during 2018, resulting in a 20% increase 
in touchless posting of vendor invoices.

CHRISTOPH 
GEBALD
CO‑FOUNDER 
AND CEO OF 
CLIMEWORKS

MARCEL 
MARTIN
GROUP 
SUPPLY CHAIN 
DIRECTOR

Our work with supplier Climeworks 
provides insight into how we create 
value through collaboration. 

Can you tell us about your technological 
collaboration with Coca-Cola HBC?
We provide technology to remove CO2 from air and 
supply it in high purity. Working with Coca‑Cola HBC has 
helped us to enter the beverage industry.

What are the distinct advantages of producing 
CO2 as opposed to buying it?
Climeworks plants offer supply security independent 
of location. Our modular design allows plants to be built 
easily to any size, depending on needs. Plants are also fully 
automated and can run autonomously at any location.

How did the collaboration come about?
During the last few years, Coca‑Cola HBC has been 
an exceptionally supportive partner in enabling the 
application of Climeworks’ direct air capture technique 
in the beverage industry. The world’s first beverage 
containing air‑captured CO2 from Climeworks is its 
Valser branded water in Switzerland.

What is the environmental impact?
The beverage industry is one of the world’s largest users 
of CO2 feedstocks and could provide the commercial 
platform needed to deploy our technology on an industrial 
scale, bridging the gap between today’s first commercial 
installations and the scale of production required for 
removing billions of tonnes of CO2 from the air to help 
stop climate change.

Response from Marcel Martin 
We are continuously looking for projects that can 
minimise the environmental impact of the beverage 
industry. Having made great strides in sustainability 
in recent years, we have set ourselves more stretching 
sustainability targets by 2025 and technology can help 
us make significant changes.

We partnered with Climeworks to integrate its 
technology into a beverage bottling plant for the first 
time. This technology is creating an economically viable 
solution to reduce CO2 presence in the atmosphere. 
Making projects like this a reality is helped by our 
fixed‑asset investment evaluation and appraisal model, 
which takes the price of carbon and true cost of water 
into account as well as a number of intangible social and 
economic criteria that measure benefit or cost to the 
communities in which we operate.

The project also helps us meet the expectations of our 
Swiss consumers, who care deeply about the environmental 
impact of beverages they consume. We plan to work with 
Climeworks and scale up the use of this solution as the 
technology matures.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

57

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

-30%
vs. 2010

0
3
2

.

3
9
1

.

2
8
1

.

9
7
1

.

1
7
1

.

1
6
1

.

2010 2016 2017 2018 Target
2019

2020
goal

Water use ratio in plants 
(litre/litre of produced beverage)

SRCGFSSSRSI58

COCA-COLA HBC

PARTNERS IN EFFICIENCY CONTINUED

Our journey to optimise packaging to reduce 
our plastics usage continued during the year. 
As a result, we increased the amount of 
recycled PET we used overall. We also reduced 
our overall use of materials through package 
redesign in specific markets. In Ireland for 
instance, new closures for water resulted in 
a 30% reduction in packaging weight, saving 
220 tonnes of polypropylene per year.

Our suppliers are required to uphold our high 
sourcing standards. We have guidelines and 
tools for supplier selection and governance, 
including Supplier Guiding Principles, and a 
pre-assessment process which includes 
sustainability criteria for supplier selection.

On an ongoing basis, we monitor the 
activities of our critical suppliers through our 
internal supply base assessments, using 
information from audits of compliance with 
our Supplier Guiding Principles and EcoVadis, 
a third-party CSR assessment platform to 
manage supply chain sustainability 
performance. The EcoVadis platform helps 
us to monitor a range of risks using 21 
criteria from international standard setters 
including UN Global Compact, ISO 26000, 
The Global Reporting Initiative and 
International Labor Organization. In 2018, 
more than 280 of our critical suppliers were 
assessed by EcoVadis and our plans are to 
extend the third-party CSR assessments in 
order to ensure more objectivity and equity 
against our suppliers.

To increase awareness of sustainability 
in our supply chain, in the last two years we 
performed sustainability days with strategic 
suppliers in Switzerland, Serbia and 
Montenegro, Russia, Poland and Greece. 
These events created opportunities to share 
our corporate social responsibility policy, 
sustainability commitments, achievements 
and best practices, and to begin working 
together on joint targets and initiatives.

Sustainable sourcing
The sourcing of our raw materials accounts 
for a large portion of our economic, 
operational and environmental footprint, 
and the behaviour of our suppliers directly 
impacts the sustainability performance 
and commitments of our Company. 
Consequently, we consider our suppliers as 
critical partners, contributing to the ongoing 
and sustainable success of our business.

Cash generation
The business continues to generate strong 
cash flow, with the 2018 free cash flow 
amounting to €370 million. This is slightly 
lower than our recent track record, but in line 
with our plans to step up our investment 
in revenue‑generating assets.

Net cash from operating activities decreased 
by €7 million in 2018 compared to the prior 
year, as increased operating profitability was 
more than offset by higher inventory levels 
to support the record number of new 
product launches. 

Capital expenditure, net of receipts from the 
disposal of assets, increased by €49 million in 
the year and represented 6.4% (2017: 5.8%) 
of our net sales revenue. This level of 
spending is at the top end of our target range 
and reflects the accelerated investment 
in revenue‑generating assets as planned. 

In 2018, capital expenditure amounted 
to €427 million, of which 51% was related 
to investment in production equipment 
and facilities, and 33% to the acquisition of 
marketing equipment such as coolers that 
we place in retail outlets. 

Free cash flow is 13.1% or €56 million lower 
compared to the prior year, mainly driven 
by increased capital expenditure, followed 
by an increase in working capital.

For a number of years, our annual capital 
expenditure was set to be in a range 
between 5.5% and 6.5% of net sales revenue. 
Taking into account the impact of IFRS 16, 
which we will adopt from 2019 onwards, the 
restated annual capital expenditure target 
range becomes 6.5% to 7.5% of net 
sales revenue.

Smarter procurement and 
joint initiatives
We are focused on digitalising our 
procurement processes, with a goal to 
complete by 2021. This reduces transactional 
costs and speed to market, and simplifies 
and streamlines processes for our people. 
In 2018, we introduced a new online platform 
to manage variances in commodity rates 
as part of this effort.

In our continuous effort to achieve greater 
value through innovation, we held a Supplier 
Innovation event, sponsored by our Group 
Supply Chain Director, in June 2018. With 11 
of our most critical suppliers, we explored 
potential opportunities and collaborations in 
sustainability, automation, augmented reality, 
digital printing and innovative packaging, 
kicking off a number of innovative ventures.

PET PLASTIC ELIMINATED 
(TONNES)

79,820

(VS. BASELINE)

WATER SAVED IN 2018

708

(’000 M3)

59

As part of the Coca-Cola System, we have a 
uniform approach to sustainable agriculture, 
which is rooted in the principles of protecting 
the environment, upholding human and 
workplace rights, and helping to build more 
sustainable communities. These principles 
are showcased in The Coca-Cola Company’s 
Sustainable Agriculture Guiding Principles, 
which provide guidance to our suppliers 
of agricultural ingredients. We began this 
journey in 2013, with a roadmap for supplying 
sustainable agriculture ingredients.

The scale and uniform approach of the 
Coca-Cola System helps us source our 
raw materials sustainably, while helping us 
mitigate business risks. This helps us balance 
the costs of sustainability by leveraging 
relationships and initiating new opportunities, 
ensuring that our agricultural suppliers and 
their suppliers have a sustainable business. 
All suppliers are required to meet our 
Supplier Guiding Principles. These principles 
communicate our values and expectations 
of compliance with all applicable laws, and 
emphasise the importance of responsible 
workplace practices that respect human 
rights. This framework for sustainable 
sourcing is integrated into internal 
governance and procurement processes.

We expect to meet our target to certify 
at least 95% of key agricultural ingredients 
against our Sustainable Agriculture Guiding 
Principles by 2020. Our 2025 commitment 
is to achieve 100% certification of our 
main ingredients using sustainable 
agricultural standards.

In 2018, 64% of the key commodities 
we purchased for use as ingredients were 
certified, up from 33% in 2017. In 2019, 
we will continue to work with our suppliers 
who are still moving towards certification.

Water stewardship in the 
supply chain
Water is the primary ingredient of our 
products, central to our manufacturing 
processes and necessary to grow the 
agricultural ingredients for our products. 
Because safe, good quality and adequate 
water is essential to the health of people and 
ecosystems, more efficient water use and 
innovative waste water treatment not only 
reduces costs but sustains communities and 
supports economic growth.

Water stewardship is therefore a high 
priority throughout the Coca‑Cola System. 
In addition to reducing our use of water, 
we treat 100% of the waste water from our 
operations, replenish the water used and 
help communities with their water challenges. 
We have had success reducing our water 
intensity, achieving a cumulative reduction 
of 22% vs. 2010 by the end of 2018. 
This puts us on track to achieve our target 
of reducing water usage per litre of beverage 
by 30% by 2020 compared to our 2010 
baseline. After having achieved significant 
progress in implementation of our Top 10 
water optimisation initiatives across our 
operations, we have shifted the approach 
to customised initiatives relevant for specific 
manufacturing sites and equipment. In 2018, 
we implemented 25 new water‑saving 
projects, investing €2.5 million and saving 
708,210m3 of water.

To ensure sustainability of water sources 
and ecosystems, we require comprehensive 
water risk assessments and source water 
protection plans for each of our manufacturing 
sites. In addition, our goal is to certify all of 
our manufacturing sites in European Water 
Stewardship (EWS) or Alliance for Water 
Stewardship (AWS) standards.

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0

7
5
0

.

-35%
vs. 2010

3
4
0

.

2
4
0

.

1
4
0

.

9
3
0

.

7
3
0

.

2010 2016 2017 2018 Target
2019

2020
goal*

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

-75%
vs. 2004

.

2
1
5

.

1
8
1

.

7
7
1

.

6
6
1

.

8
4
1

.

9
2
1

2004 2016 2017 2018*Target
2019

2020
goal

Energy use ratio in plants 
(MJ/litre of produced beverage)

Operational water footprint 
(billion litres)

 * The internal 2020 target was reset in 2018 to reflect 
new product categories and production runs; in 2018 
all CHP activities considered as externally owned.

 * In 2018, we used a verified structured process for the 

calculation of the total COD reaching the environment 
which is used for the calculation of grey water.

SRCGFSSSRSI60

COCA-COLA HBC

PARTNERS IN EFFICIENCY CONTINUED

These certifications recognise excellence at 
every stage of water management, including 
protection of water sources, the quality of 
waste water released into the environment 
and engagement with all water users and 
stakeholders in the water catchment area. 
At the end of 2018, 32 of our production 
sites in 18 countries, accounting for 60% of 
the total number of sites, had received water 
stewardship certifications (European Water 
Stewardship Certification or Alliance for 
Water Stewardship Certification). We have 
now, as part of our 2025 sustainability 
commitments, taken on the challenge 
of securing water availability in all our 
communities in water-risk areas. We use 
tools such as the World Wide Fund for 
Nature’s Water Risk Filter and Global Water 
Tool to identify the main future risks in water 
catchments. At our 17 manufacturing sites 
located in water-risk areas, we aim to reduce 
our water intensity by 20% by 2020, 
compared to our consumption in 2017.

To address water use issues across our 
value chain, we consider water use in our 
supplier evaluation assessments. Using the 
World Wide Fund for Nature’s Water Risk 
Filter, we identify the suppliers with high 
water risk per river basin and investigate 
with them their specific water targets and 
programmes. For our approach in our 
communities, please see the Communities 
section on pages 34‑39.

Packaging, recycling and waste 
management
At the beginning of 2018, The Coca‑Cola 
Company announced the World Without 
Waste vision to help make a litter-free world 
possible. The objective is to collect and 
recycle the equivalent of 100% of the 
primary packaging the Coca-Cola System 
puts in the market by 2030.

We believe that every package has value 
beyond its initial use and should be collected 
and recycled.

As a leading bottler in the Coca-Cola 
System, we play a key role in delivering on the 
ambitious World Without Waste objective. 
Managing progress in collecting packaging 
waste is part of our 2025 sustainability 
commitments, and we partner with local 
communities, non-governmental 
organisations, industry, suppliers and 
consumers to tackle the challenge. Please 
see Communities section, pages 34‑39.

Our approach to packaging is holistic, 
minimising our impact on every stage of 
the lifecycle. We do this by reducing weight, 
increasing the use of recyclable materials 
and the overall recyclability of packaging, 
and developing renewable (plant‑based) 
materials. We are also investing in design 
innovations to build better packages and 
explore packaging-free alternatives for 
delivering our products.

In 2018, we reduced packaging materials 
by 19%* vs. 2010, eliminating 79,820 tonnes 
of PET plastic, 21,700 tonnes of glass and 
4,200 tonnes of alumunium material, which 
would otherwise have been put into the 
market. The recycled and renewable 
(plant-based) content in our PET packaging 
was 9% or 25,722 tonnes, an increase of 
1,570 tonnes compared to 2017. This helped 
to reduce our annual CO2 emissions 
by 38,330 tonnes.

 * Considering neutral package mix evolution vs. 2010; 
packaging intensity reduction per litre of beverage 
produced is 4% in 2018 vs. 2010

90

75

60

45

30

15

0

-50%
vs. 2010

.

3
8
7

.

3
0
5

.

0
7
4

.

4
3
4

.

3
1
4

.

1
9
3

3
9
4

600

500

400

300

200

100

-25%
vs. 2010

2
0
4

7
8
3

9
6
3

0
6
3

0
7
3

2010 2016 2017* 2018 Target
2019

2020
goal

0

2010*2016*2017* 2018 Target
2019

2020*
goal

CO2 ratio (scopes 1 and 2) 
(gCO2/litre of produced beverage)

CO2 ratio (scopes 1, 2 and 3) 
(gCO2/litre of produced beverage)

 * 2017 figure restated to include emissions from 
combined heat and power plants owned by 
the Company.

 * Restated 2010, 2016, 2017 and 2020 figures to include 
emissions from juice concentrates and verified CO2 
factors for sugar.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

61

Furthermore, we reduced energy 
consumption in manufacturing by 2.5% 
in 2018 compared with 2017, and by 28% 
compared to 2010.

We realise we can and must do even more, 
and have therefore further raised our 
ambition level with our 2025 sustainability 
commitments. These commitments include:

 ·

reducing further the carbon intensity 
of our operations by 30% vs. 2017;
increasing energy-efficient refrigerators 
to 50% of our coolers in the market;
 · sourcing 50% of total energy used from 

 ·

renewable and clean energy; and

 · sourcing 100% of total electricity used 

in the EU and Switzerland from renewable 
and clean energy.

To ensure we meet our targets, we use an 
internal carbon price of €25 per metric tonne 
of CO2. We use this as part of our financial 
evaluation and in decision-making for further 
investments in carbon reduction and 
renewable energy. We hold regular reviews 
to confirm that we adhere to all applicable 
environmental laws and regulations, and 
internal standards. In addition, our 
environmental management systems and 
data at all bottling plants are audited annually 
by third parties.

To tackle the biggest part of our value chain 
carbon emissions, we are investing in a new 
generation of coolers which cut electricity 
use by more than half and use safe 
refrigerants which cause no harm to the 
atmosphere. In 2018, we invested in new 
coolers that helped our customers to save 
1,001.5 million kWh electricity in absolute 
numbers and 6% in relative numbers, thus 
eliminating 401,263 tonnes of CO2 
emissions annually.

To further strengthen our actions regarding 
climate change, and further improve our 
disclosure about our approach, we have 
committed to meeting the recommendations 
of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosure (TCFD). See the Managing risk 
and materiality section of this report on pages 
63‑78 for this information.

UN Sustainable Development 
Goals
Our sustained efforts to reduce our costs 
and improve our impact have generated 
significant results for our business, 
our communities, society and the 
environment. These results correspond 
to contributions to the Sustainable 
Development Goals for clean water 
and sanitation, clean energy, 
economic growth, industry innovation, 
sustainable communities, responsible 
production, climate action, life below 
water and life on land.

For the fifth consecutive year, four of our 
plants sent no waste to landfill in 2018, 
and we reduced the total amount of waste 
from plants to landfill to 0.36 grams per litre 
of beverages produced. This was an 8.5% 
reduction from 0.39 grams per litre of 
beverage produced in 2017.

Please see the Communities section 
for examples of our progress with waste 
on pages 34‑39.

Carbon and energy
Climate change is increasing our energy 
and tax expenses, disrupting supplies 
of raw materials and causing disruptions 
in operations due to severe weather 
conditions. At the same time, this material 
issue presents opportunities to make our 
value chain more efficient and sustainable.

We have made notable progress addressing 
climate-related risks, taking an aggressively 
proactive approach. In 2016, we set 
science-based targets to reduce carbon 
emissions per litre of produced beverage 
by 50% in our operations and by 25% across 
our value chain by 2020 vs. our 2010 baseline. 
We were proud to be one of the first 
companies to introduce science-based 
targets, and are even prouder to have 
achieved, by the end of 2018, our 25% 2020 
target for reduction of emissions in our 
value chain.

In 2018, we reached our internal target for 
use of renewable and clean energy – 40% 
of our total energy consumption. We are also 
on track to achieve our science-based target 
of 50% reduction in carbon emissions from 
direct operations, with a 42g/lpb reduction 
in 2018 and an overall reduction of 45% 
vs. 2010 emissions levels.

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

-93%
vs. 2004

0
5

.

1
5
0

.

9
3
0

.

6
3
0

.

5
3
0

.

2004

2016

2017

2018 Target
2019

Landfill waste ratio in manufacturing 
(g/litre of produced beverage)

SRCGFSSSRSI62

COCA-COLA HBC

PARTNERS IN EFFICIENCY CONTINUED

During the year, we found 
innovative ways to save 
water, energy and materials 
across our territory. Here are 
a few examples.

1. New cleaning technology 
introduced in Romania
In our plant in Ploiești, Romania, we invested 
€900,000 to introduce a new technology for 
better and faster cleaning of our production 
equipment, which will be in full operation in 
2019. Using electro‑chemical activation 
cleaning will result in annual reductions of 
100 tonnes of chemicals, 18,000m3 water, 
2,730MWh in energy used and a drop in 
carbon emissions of 870 tonnes.

2. Heat pumps for energy and CO2 
savings in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In our Sarajevo plant, we installed heat 
pumps as a renewable alternative to fossil 
fuels. Heat generated from cooling 
processes in production will be reused for 
heating our administrative building. With an 
investment of €60,000, we are able to save 
160,000kWh of energy and 110 tonnes 
of carbon emissions annually.

3. Decreased water consumption 
in Russia
In our juice plant in Moscow, we increased 
the efficiency of the water treatment 
equipment by investing €200,000. 
The net impact is savings of 50,000m3 
of water annually.

4. Vigilance pays off in Nigeria
In the last two years, our Port Harcourt plant 
in Nigeria reduced its water consumption 
by double digits. The 19% drop in water 
consumption compared with 2016, is due 
to a massive behavioural change, including 
a bottom‑up approach to investigating each 
water, air and steam leak, and immediate 
repair. The project captured the imagination 
of the whole production floor.

5. Reduced packaging for water 
brands in Hungary and Austria
For our water brands in Hungary and Austria, 
we introduced new closures and bottle 
designs which are up to 2.17g lighter. 
The impact of this change is a reduction 
of more than 630 tonnes of plastic and 570 
tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

5. HUNGARY 
AND AUSTRIA
up to 2.17g
LIGHTER DESIGNS FOR 
BOTTLES

3. RUSSIA

50,000m3

WATER SAVED

1. ROMANIA
€900,000
INVESTMENT IN NEW 
TECHNOLOGY

2. BOSNIA AND 
HERZEGOVINA
110 tonne
FEWER CARBON 
EMISSIONS

4. NIGERIA
19%
DECREASE IN WATER 
CONSUMPTION

63

MANAGING RISK 
AND MATERIALITY

64

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

INTRODUCTION 
TO RISK AND 
MATERIALITY
As we transform our 
business and expand our 
product portfolio, the 
process of understanding 
and managing our 
material issues and 
principal risks is more 
important than ever. 
To support success, we 
use a well-established, 
collaborative approach. 
Due to their criticality, 
our material issues 
and principal risks are 
monitored closely by the 
Operating Committee 
and our Board.

OUR APPROACH 
TO MATERIALITY

Our material issues are those that matter most to our stakeholders and 
subsequently impact on the Company’s value drivers, competitive position 
and long-term value creation. We assess our material issues annually to fully 
understand how to manage the risks and opportunities they present.

Engaging stakeholders
We engage with our stakeholders to listen to 
and understand their insights into the issues 
that matter most to our communities and 
our business. This engagement allows our 
leadership to understand emerging trends 
and different perspectives, strengthens 
our relationships and helps us to evolve our 
strategy, make better business decisions 
to deliver on our commitments, as well 
as to focus our reporting on the issues that 
they care about.

Our key internal and external 
stakeholders include investors, employees, 
customers, suppliers, local communities, 
non-governmental organisations, 
governments and regulators, among others.

Environmental, social, economic and 
financial issues touch on every aspect of 
our business. Therefore, we are engaging 
with stakeholders by means of all relevant 
functions and across all our markets. 
This is done through co-operation with trade 
associations, governments, civil organisations 
and alliances, in various meetings, forums 
and events.

Through our annual materiality 
assessment, we consider the importance 
of all environmental, social, economic and 
financial topics that could either positively 
or negatively affect our ability to create 
value over the short, medium and long term. 
We also assess material issues based 
on their relevance to our strategic plans 
and objectives. Assessing their importance 
and impact provides a guide to strategically 
managing the risks and opportunities 
they represent.

Our annual materiality assessment, carried 
out by our cross-functional Mission 
Sustainability Team, consists of four phases.

identify material issues;

 ·
 · assess impact on or importance 

to stakeholders;

 · assess impact on society and 

environment; and
review and validate findings.

 ·

The work to ensure that management 
of material issues is successfully embedded 
in our strategy and operations is carried out 
by three groups within the Company. 
The Mission Sustainability Team assesses 
the list of material issues and ensures that 
our sustainability approach is fully aligned 
with our business priorities. The Social 
Responsibility Committee of the Board 
of Directors subsequently endorses the 
prioritised list of issues and the resulting 
materiality matrix. Finally, it is the responsibility 
of the Operating Committee to integrate 
our sustainability priorities into our 
business strategy.

To support our annual materiality 
assessment, we conduct ongoing 
dialogue with our stakeholders, including 
employees, consumers, customers, 
suppliers, communities, governments, 
non-governmental organisations, investors, 
trade associations and academics.

65

SR

CG

FS

SSR

SI

Every year, we discuss with a comprehensive 
group of experts our material topics at a 
Group Stakeholder Forum, which we organise 
together with The Coca-Cola Company. 
Our 2018 forum took place in a waste 
incineration plant in Vienna and discussions 
focused on packaging waste and the 
Coca-Cola System’s World Without Waste 
strategy. We welcomed 35 participants 
from 20 countries representing customers, 
industry and waste associations, 
non-governmental organisations, policy 
makers and investors. Stakeholder 
recommendations included:

We are working to ensure that our annual 
materiality process and especially the related 
stakeholder engagement is mirrored in our 
countries. In 2018, this was implemented in 
12 out of our 19 business units. Local teams 
use the same 12 material issues as the 
Group, and they may add up to three 
additional ones specific to their local market 
context, following endorsement of the local 
senior leadership.

You can read more about our stakeholder 
engagement processes on pages 10-11 and 
106-107 of this report and on our website.

 ·

 · help change consumer attitudes through 
partnerships and Coca-Cola campaigns;
reduce design complexity, for example 
avoiding coloured bottles or full-body 
sleeves with glue;
industrialise new technologies such 
as chemical recycling;
focus equally on returnable models, 
packaging-free options and bio-based 
and biodegradable options;

 ·

 ·

 · advocate for industry-owned return 

systems; and

 · support clean-up of rivers, lakes 

and seashores.

Along with the Annual Stakeholder Forum, 
we ask more than 420 key stakeholders 
to provide online feedback every year via our 
material issues survey. This gives them the 
opportunity to prioritise our material issues 
based on their own interests and perception 
of the value we create.

The survey includes open-ended questions 
allowing stakeholders to share feedback 
on anything we may have missed. In parallel, 
we conduct this survey internally to collect 
input from our top 300 business leaders, 
which includes senior leadership teams 
in our 28 countries, as well as the regional 
management teams and the Group 
top management.

Local/regional/ global NGO, IGO: 21% 
Supplier partner (materials, ingredients): 18%
Supplier partner/professional services
(consultancy, agency, auditor): 18%
Industry association, chamber of commerce: 18%
Customer/trade partner: 8%
Academic institution: 5%
Government agency/regulator/EU office: 4%
Media: 2%
Supplier partner/other services
(transport, catering, cleaning): 2%
Analyst, rating organisation: 2%
Local community representative: 2%

External survey by stakeholder group

SRCGFSSSRSI66

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

MANAGING OUR 
MATERIAL ISSUES

While the prioritisation of our 12 material issues has evolved, the same issues 
continue to be the most relevant and important to our stakeholders and our business.

The outcome of our material issues survey 
is a ranking of material issues. By assessing 
the importance of these issues to our 
stakeholders, combined with an assessment 
of their impact on society and environment, 
we derive the relative materiality of each 
issue and prioritise them accordingly.

Following the process of prioritising our 
material issues, the Operating Committee 
ensures their proper implementation in our 
overall strategic framework.

This includes setting and disclosing targets 
and metrics to measure progress.

2018 Materiality matrix

We understand that companies such 
as Coca-Cola HBC play a critical role in 
addressing challenges the world faces. In the 
past, we have linked our material issues to 
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 
established by the UN to achieve long-term 
growth and development by 2030. In 2018, 
when introducing our new 2025 sustainability 
commitments, we went a step further, 
aligning our materiality topics not only with 
the applicable 15 goals, but with all relevant 
underlying targets for each SDG.

You can find more about how our 
sustainability commitments align with the 
targets underpinning the SDGs in the GRI 
Content Index: https://coca-colahellenic.
com/Campaigns/AnnualReport2018/
assets/pdf/Coca-Cola-HBC-2018-GRI-
Content-Index.pdf

Our work to manage the potential risks, 
opportunities and impacts of our material 
issues takes place across the Company, 
and on the front lines of each of our markets. 
The list on page 67 outlines where our 
approach to managing each material issue 
is reported.

l

s
r
e
d
o
h
e
k
a
t
s
o
t
e
c
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I

i

h
g
h
y
r
e
V

h
g
H

i

e
t
a
r
e
d
o
M

Corporate governance, 
business ethics & anti-corruption

Product quality & integrity

Packaging, recycling & 
waste management

Nutrition

Human rights 
& diversity

Water stewardship

Carbon & energy

Employee wellbeing 
& engagement

Corporate citizenship

Economic impact

Marketing

Sourcing

Moderate

High

Very high

Economic dimension

Environmental dimension

Social dimension

Impact of the issue on environment and society

 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

67

Compliance with the Non-financial Reporting Directive requirements

Reporting 
requirement

Environmental 
matters 

Some of our relevant policies

Where to read more in this report

Page

 · Environmental policy
 · Climate change policy
 · Packaging waste and recycling policy
 · Sustainable Agricultural Guiding Principles
 · Water stewardship policy

environment

 · Climate, energy, water
 · World Without Waste
 · Sourcing

 · Our approach to sustainability
 · Sustainability commitments related to 

2-3, 4-5, 9, 13, 22, 25
24-25 

24, 25, 57, 59-60
24, 25, 38, 39, 60
58-61

26-33

Employees 

 · Code of Business Conduct
 ·
Inclusion & Diversity policy
 · Occupational Health & Safety policy
 · Quality & Food safety policy

 · People engagement
 · Diversity and inclusion
 · Learning and development
 · Health, safety and wellbeing

Human rights

 · Human rights policy
 · Supplier Guiding Principles
 · Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

 · Human rights
 · Working with suppliers

11, 31, 70-71, 81, 121
58-59

Social matters

 · Health & Wellness policy
 · HIV/AIDS policy
 · Code of Business Conduct
 · Supplier Guiding Principles
 · GMO position statement
 · Community contributions policy
 · Premium spirits responsible marketing policy
 · Public policy engagement
 · Quality & Food safety policy

 · Communities section
 · Sourcing

34-39
58-61

Anti-bribery 
and corruption

 · Code of Business Conduct
 · Anti-bribery policy and compliance 

 · Governance and compliance 

68-69, 76, 117, 
88-121

handbook

 · Supplier Guiding Principles
 · Community contributions policy

Business model

 · Our business model 

11, 14-15

Principal Risk 
and Materiality

 · Risk policy 

 · Description of risk process, Risk 

64-78

management, Risk governance, Our 
approach to materiality, Materiality matrix 

Non-financial 
KPIs

 · Sustainability commitments 2020 and 2025
 · GRI content list and GRI indicators

24-25
https://coca-
colahellenic.com/
en/investors/
2018-integrated-
annual-report/

SRCGFSSSRSI68

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

ALIGNING OUR 
MATERIAL ISSUES

On pages 68-71 we discuss how our material issues align 
with the SDGs and our 2025 sustainability commitments. 

Our material issues

Alignment with SDGs

Packaging, recycling 
and waste management

Water stewardship

8.4 Improve global resource efficiency 
in consumption and production

9.4. Increase resource-use efficiency, 
and adopt clean and environmentally 
sound technologies and industrial 
processes

6.1 Achieve universal and equitable access 
to safe and affordable drinking water

6.4 Increase water use efficiency across all 
sectors and address water scarcity 

6.5. Implement integrated water 
resources management

6.6. Protect and restore water-related 
ecosystems

9.4. Increase resource-use efficiency, 
and adopt clean and environmentally 
sound technologies and industrial 
processes

Product quality 
and integrity

3.4 Promote mental health 
and wellbeing

Carbon and energy

7.2 Increase the share of 
renewable energy

7.3 Improvement in energy efficiency

9.4. Increase resource-use efficiency, 
and adopt clean and environmentally 
sound technologies and industrial 
processes

11.6. Reduce the environmental impact 
of cities, paying attention to air quality 
and waste management

12.1 Implement programmes on 
sustainable consumption and production

12.2 Sustainable management and 
efficient use of natural resources

12.5 Reduce waste generation through 
prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

11.6. Reduce the environmental impact 
of cities, paying attention to air quality 
and waste management

12.1 Implement programmes on 
sustainable consumption and production

12.2 Sustainable management and 
efficient use of natural resources

12.4 Achieve environmentally sound 
management of chemicals and all wastes

9.4. Increase resource-use efficiency, 
and adopt clean and environmentally 
sound technologies and industrial 
processes

11.6. Reduce the environmental impact 
of cities, paying attention to air quality 
and waste management

12.2 Sustainable management and 
efficient use of natural resources

Corporate governance, 
business ethics 
and anti-corruption

12.1 Implement programmes 
on sustainable consumption 
and production

16.5 Substantially reduce corruption 
and bribery

Human rights 
and diversity

5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective 
participation and equal opportunities

8.5 Achieve full and productive 
employment and decent 
work for everyone

8.8 Protect labour rights and promote 
safe and secure working environments

10.2 Empower the social, economic 
and political inclusion of all

10.4 Adopt policies and achieve 
greater equality

16.7 Ensure inclusive, participatory 
and representative decision-making

2025 sustainability commitments*

100% of consumer packaging to be recyclable**

35% of total PET used from recycled PET 

and/or PET from renewable material

20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 

(city and/or coast)

75% help collect the equivalent of 75% of our 

primary packaging 

20% water reduction in plants located 

in water-risk areas

100% help secure water availability for all our 

communities in water-risk areas

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft 

drinks (all CCH countries)***

30% reduction in carbon ratio in direct 

operations

50% increase in energy-efficient refrigerators 

to half of our coolers in the market

50% of our total energy from renewable 

and clean sources

100% total electricity used in EU&CH 

from renewable and clean energy

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

ZER0 target zero fatalities and reduce (lost time) 

accident rate by 50%

1 MIL train 1 million young people through 

#Youth Empowered

50% of managers are women

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our material issues

Alignment with SDGs

Packaging, recycling 

and waste management

Water stewardship

Product quality 

and integrity

Carbon and energy

Corporate governance, 

business ethics 

and anti-corruption

Human rights 

and diversity

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

69

For more on our material issues

See pages 64-66

For more on our SDGs

See pages 33, 47, 53, 61, 68-71

For more on our 2025 commitments

See pages 24-25

2025 sustainability commitments*

100% of consumer packaging to be recyclable**

35% of total PET used from recycled PET 

and/or PET from renewable material

20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 

(city and/or coast)

75% help collect the equivalent of 75% of our 

primary packaging 

20% water reduction in plants located 

in water-risk areas

14.1 Prevent and reduce 
marine pollution

17.17 Encourage and promote 
effective cross-sector partnerships

15.1 Ensure the conservation, 
restoration and sustainable use 
of terrestrial and inland freshwater 
ecosystems

17.17 Encourage and promote 
effective cross-sector partnerships

100% help secure water availability for all our 

communities in water-risk areas

12.7. Promote sustainable, public 
procurement practices

12.8. Ensure information and awareness 
for sustainable development and 
lifestyles in harmony with nature

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive 
capacity to climate-related hazards

17.14 Enhance policy coherence for 
sustainable development

17.17 Encourage and promote 
effective cross-sector partnerships

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

drinks (all CCH countries)***

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 
25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft 
30% reduction in carbon ratio in direct 
50% increase in energy-efficient refrigerators 
50% of our total energy from renewable 

to half of our coolers in the market

and clean sources

operations

100% total electricity used in EU&CH 

from renewable and clean energy

accident rate by 50%

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 
ZER0 target zero fatalities and reduce (lost time) 
1 MIL train 1 million young people through 
50% of managers are women

#Youth Empowered

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
70

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

Our material issues

Alignment with SDGs

Nutrition

3.4 Promote mental health 
and wellbeing

Corporate citizenship

Economic impact

Employee wellbeing 
and engagement

Sourcing

Marketing

4.3 Ensure equal access to affordable 
and quality education

4.4 Increase the number of youth 
and adults with relevant job skills

8.6 Reduce the proportion of youth not 
in employment, education or training

1.1 Eradicate extreme poverty

11.6. Reduce the environmental impact 
of cities, paying attention to air quality 
and waste management

3.4. Promote mental health 
and wellbeing

3.6. Halve global deaths and injuries 
from road traffic accidents

5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective 
participation and equal opportunities

8.3. Encourage the growth of micro-, 
small- and medium-sized enterprises

9.4. Increase resource-use efficiency, 
and adopt clean and environmentally 
sound technologies and industrial 
processes

12.6. Encourage companies to adopt 
sustainable practices and to integrate 
sustainability information into reporting

12.8. Ensure information and awareness 
for sustainable development and 
lifestyles in harmony with nature

12.8. Ensure information and awareness 
for sustainable development and 
lifestyles in harmony with nature

11.6. Reduce the environmental impact 
of cities, paying attention to air quality 
and waste management

17.16 Enhance the Global Partnership 
for Sustainable Development

17.17 Encourage and promote 
effective cross-sector partnerships

8.4 Improve global resource efficiency 
in consumption and production

8.5 Achieve full and productive 
employment and decent work 
for everyone

8.6 Reduce the proportion of youth not 
in employment, education or training

8.5 Achieve full and productive 
employment and decent work 
for everyone

10.2 Empower the social, economic 
and political inclusion of all

10.4 Adopt policies and achieve 
greater equality

12.1 Implement programmes on 
sustainable consumption and production

12.2 Sustainable management and 
efficient use of natural resources

12.4 Achieve environmentally sound 
management of chemicals and all wastes

12.6. Encourage companies to adopt 
sustainable practices and to integrate 
sustainability information into reporting

12.7. Promote sustainable, public 
procurement practices

2025 sustainability commitments*

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft 

drinks (all CCH countries) ***

10% community participants in first-time 

managers’ development programmes

1 MIL train 1 million young people through 

#Youth Empowered

20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 

(city and/or coast)

10% of employees take part in volunteering 

initiatives

100% help secure water availability for all our 

communities in water-risk areas

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

10% community participants in first-time 

managers’ development programmes

1 MIL train 1 million young people through 

#Youth Empowered

20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 

(city and/or coast)

ZER0 target zero fatalities and reduce (lost time) 

accident rate by 50%

50% of managers are women

10% community participants in first-time 

managers’ development programmes

10% of employees take part in volunteering 

initiatives

1 MIL train 1 million young people through 

#Youth Empowered

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft 

drinks (all CCH countries) ***

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our material issues

Alignment with SDGs

Nutrition

Corporate citizenship

Economic impact

Employee wellbeing 

and engagement

Sourcing

Marketing

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

71

2025 sustainability commitments*

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft 

drinks (all CCH countries) ***

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

initiatives

(city and/or coast)

#Youth Empowered

communities in water-risk areas

managers’ development programmes

managers’ development programmes

10% community participants in first-time 
1 MIL train 1 million young people through 
20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 
10% of employees take part in volunteering 
100% help secure water availability for all our 
100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 
10% community participants in first-time 
1 MIL train 1 million young people through 
20 engage in 20 Zero Waste partnerships 
ZER0 target zero fatalities and reduce (lost time) 
50% of managers are women
10% community participants in first-time 
10% of employees take part in volunteering 
1 MIL train 1 million young people through 

managers’ development programmes

accident rate by 50%

#Youth Empowered

#Youth Empowered

(city and/or coast)

initiatives

12.2 Sustainable management and 
efficient use of natural resources

12.7. Promote sustainable, public 
procurement practices

17.13 Enhance global 
macroeconomic stability

16.7 Ensure inclusive, participatory 
and representative decision-making

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive 
capacity to climate-related hazards

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced 

in line with sustainable agricultural principles

17.17 Encourage and promote 
effective cross-sector partnerships

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft 

drinks (all CCH countries) ***

 *
**
***

Baseline 2017
Technical recyclability by design
Baseline 2015

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT 
OF RISK

creating and protecting 
business value

Enterprise risk management
The management of our business risks 
is intrinsically linked to materiality. During 
2018, we have further embedded the 
Enterprise risk management (ERM) 
programme into our Company’s culture 
through the development of a Smart Risk 
programme. This programme is linked to 
our growth mindset and drives cultural 
change by encouraging us to take informed 
risks to leverage opportunities. The cultural 
component is supported by an enhanced 
ERM framework that boosts our speed in 
risk identification and management. 
The ERM programme is led by the Group 
Chief Risk Officer (CRO) who works in close 
collaboration with the risk owners across 
our business units and specialised functions, 
such as information technology, on specific 
business risks. The CRO also maintains a 
wide-angled view of all business streams 
and the linkages between risk and innovation.

Our Board retains overall accountability for 
the Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems.

Through quarterly reporting to the Audit and 
Risk Committee, the Board is provided with 
updates on critical issues and visibility of the 
effectiveness of the systems and processes. 
The Board has defined the Group’s risk 
appetite and reviews our risk exposure, 
ensuring that material matters and principal 
risks are managed and aligned to our 
strategic goals and objectives.

Our new Smart Risk programme enhances 
cross functional collaboration with the 
strong internal partnerships driving the 
successful application of the programme. 
New features and activities introduced in 
2018 include:

 · development of the Smart Risk model, 
which drives a culture of informed 
risk-taking, supporting innovation 
and growth; and

 · an enhanced ERM framework that drives 
monthly leadership discussions on risk 
and opportunity, and supports the Smart 
Risk model and related culture shift. 
It clearly articulates the continuous 
process for the identification and 
evaluation of significant risks to the 
achievement of our business objectives.

These new features and activities build 
on our ongoing processes, which include:

 · clear business strategies, objectives 

and principles;

 · Group statements on strategic direction, 

ethics and values;

 · programme integration into the business 

planning cycle;

 ·

 · continual monitoring of our internal and 
external environment for factors that 
may change our risk profile and create 
opportunities;
training and awareness programmes 
across all business units and functions 
which are focused on embedding the 
Smart Risk concept into our DNA, creating 
informed risk-taking leaders across all 
management levels; and
the annual evaluation of the type and 
amount of Group insurance purchased 
from the market while leveraging our 
captive insurance entity. This is with 
reference to the availability of insurance 
cover and cost measured against the 
probability and magnitude of the 
relevant risks.

 ·

Review of the programme
Annually, our internal audit department 
conducts an independent review of the 
risk management programme. The audit 
team evaluates, across business units 
and functions, the risk management and 
business resilience programmes, the 
specific processes and their application 
against business best practices and the 
International Accounting Standard. 
The Corporate Audit Director makes 
recommendations to improve the overall 
risk management programme, where 
required, with the findings submitted to 
the Audit and Risk Committee.

In addition to the review of our risk 
management programme, the Board and its 
Committees also conduct an annual review 
of the effectiveness of our internal controls 
and further details are set out in the Audit 
and Risk Committee Report on pages 
112-117. The Board confirms that it has 
concluded that our risk management and 
internal control systems are effective.

Our principal risks
While the overview of our most important 
risks involves an assessment of the likelihood 
of their occurrence and their potential 
consequences, it does not include all risks 
that can ultimately affect the Company. 
There are predictable levels that we can 
identify and manage. However, there are 
risks that are not yet known to us, and risks 
currently believed to be immaterial that 
could ultimately have an impact on our 
business or financial performance.

Leveraging our robust risk management 
programme, we are constantly vigilant to the 
uncertainty in our operating environments. 
In this way, we proactively identify new risks 
and opportunities, and strive to understand 
the threats to our business viability.

During 2018, we observed general trend 
stability across the majority of our principal 
risks. In some areas, we have seen changes 
to the operating environment that 
necessitated minor changes to risk 
articulation and prioritisation. For example, 
our sustainability risk (Climate, Carbon, 
Packaging and Water) increased in 
importance with the escalation of consumer 
concerns and public debate relating to 
plastics and packaging waste across our 
markets, and investor interest in risks and 
opportunities relating to climate adaptation. 
We are also cognisant of the continued 
threats all businesses face regarding 
cyber-incidents and this principal risk has 
therefore also increased in priority.

Furthermore, our regulatory challenges risk 
was renamed and modified to ‘Ethics and 
Compliance’ as this more accurately reflects 
the dynamics of this risk.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

73

<

Opportunities 
and risks

Our enhanced framework to manage risk
Our enterprise risk management process for the identification, review, 
management and escalation of both risks and opportunities was further enhanced 
in 2018, and integrates the best aspects of both ISO 31000 and the revised 
COSO frameworks. In 2018, this process incorporated the following activities:

 · Monthly risk discussions were undertaken by the business units; and
 · Quarterly risk reviews were undertaken by the business units 

and corporate functions.

 · The CRO and his team facilitated 25 of these sessions with senior leaders; and
 · An introduction to the Smart Risk programme was delivered to the 

business units.

Monthly 
focus with 
quarterly 
reviews

CRO 
leadership 
sessions

 · The CRO facilitated regional-level reviews with the Regional 

Directors and their teams evaluating the risks and management 
actions in May and November; and

 · Stakeholder feedback was provided after these sessions, ensuring 

a cyclic bottom-up, top-down information loop.

Management review

 · Our internal think tank, the Group Risk Forum (GRF) which is 

chaired by the CRO, convened in May and November. The forum 
evaluated risk trends and the risk environment as part of the 
preparation of our strategic risk register and principal risks.

The Group 
 Risk Forum

 · The Operating Committee reviewed the findings of the GRF in May 

and November. With the CRO they discussed, evaluated and 
aligned our strategic risks and exposures.

Operating 
Committee 
review

 · On a quarterly basis, the CRO briefed the Audit and Risk 

Committee on material risks, management actions, and process 
compliance with the risk management elements of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code.

Board review

Feedback 
to this 
process

<

Winner of the 2018 CIR Award for Risk Management Team of the Year
The Business Resilience team was announced ‘Risk Management Team of the Year’ at the 2018 CIR awards in London. 
The award recognises both our ERM programme and its activation across Coca-Cola HBC by the team.

SRCGFSSSRSI74

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

Principal risks

Description

Potential impact

Key mitigations

1. Environmental: 
Climate, carbon, 
plastics, waste 
and water

Failure to reduce our 
environmental 
footprint and to meet 
stakeholders’ 
expectations, 
particularly relating to 
climate change, water 
availability, packaging 
waste and sustainable 
agriculture.

 · Long-term damage to 
our licence to operate
 · Losing our ‘seat at the 
table’ to contribute to 
legislation related to 
environmental and 
social sustainability
Increased cost of 
doing business
 · Loss of consumer 

 ·

base

 · Energy management programmes and 
transition to renewable and clean energy
 · Water reduction and waste water treatment 
programmes, as well as support for water 
stewardship initiatives in water-risk areas
 · Packaging waste management and World 

Without Waste global programmes

 · Partnering with local and international NGOs 

on common issues such as nature conservation, 
water stewardship and packaging recovery
 · Partnering with local communities, start-ups 
and academia to minimise environmental 
impacts

 · Focus on sustainable procurement
 · Commitment to the Task Force on 

Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
recommendations

Link to material 
issues

 · Carbon and 

energy
 · Packaging, 
recycling 
and waste 
management

 · Sourcing
 · Water 

stewardship

2. Consumer 
health and 
wellbeing

Failure to adapt to 
changing consumer 
health trends, public 
health policies 
addressing 
misconceptions about 
our formulations, sugar 
and the health impact 
of soft drinks.

 · Failure to achieve our 

 · Focus on product innovation and expansion 

growth plans

to a total beverage portfolio

 · Damage to our brand 

 · Expand our range of low- and no-calorie 

and corporate 
reputation

 · Loss of consumer 

base

beverages
Introduce smaller packs

 ·
 · Reduce the calorie content of products 

in the portfolio

 · Marketing
 · Nutrition
 · Product 

quality and 
integrity

 · Clearer labelling on packaging
 · Promote active lifestyles through consumer 
engagement programmes focused on health 
and wellness

3. Cyber incidents A cyber-attack or data 
centre failure resulting 
in business disruption, 
or breach of corporate 
or personal data 
confidentiality.

 · Financial loss
 · Operational disruption
 · Damage to corporate 

reputation

 ·

Implement a cyber-security and privacy control 
framework and monitor compliance

 · Economic 
impact

 · Safeguard critical IT and operational assets
 · Detect, respond and recover from cyber 

 · Non-compliance with 

incidents and attacks

data protection 
legislation (e.g. GDPR)

 · Foster a culture of cyber-security
 · Monitor threat landscape and remediate 

associated vulnerabilities

4. Foreign 
exchange and 
commodity prices

Increased cost base

 · Financial loss
 ·
 · Asset impairment
 · Limitations on cash 

repatriation

Foreign exchange and 
commodity exposure 
arises from changes in 
exchange rates and 
commodity prices. 
Currency devaluation, 
in combination with 
capital controls, 
restricts movement 
of funds and increases 
the risk of asset 
impairment.

 · Economic 
impact

 · Treasury policy requires the hedging of 25% 

to 80% of rolling 12-month forecasted 
transactional foreign currency exposure
 · Hedging beyond 12 months may occur 
in exceptional cases subject to approval 
of Group CFO

 · Treasury policy requires the hedging of rolling 
three-year commodity exposures; different 
policy limits apply for each hedge-able 
commodity

 · Derivative financial instruments are used, where 
available, to reduce net exposure to currency 
and commodity price fluctuations

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

75

Key for principal risks table

Increasing

Stable

Decreasing

Principal risks

Description

Potential impact

Key mitigations

Link to material 
issues

5. Channel mix

6. People 
attraction

A continued increase 
in the concentration 
of retailers and 
independent 
wholesalers on whom 
we depend to 
distribute our products. 
The immediate 
consumption channel 
remains under 
pressure as consumers 
alter consumption 
habits.

Inability to attract and 
retain sufficient 
numbers of qualified 
and experienced 
employees in highly 
competitive talent 
market.

7. People 
engagement

Inability to ensure 
ongoing engagement 
and commitment of 
our workforce.

 · Reduced availability 
of our portfolio and 
overall profitability

 · Enhance our key account capabilities to partner 

and grow with top customers

 · Economic 
impact

 · Work closely with our immediate consumption 

channel customers to drive incremental 
transactions

 · Accelerate RED execution to support our 
commitment to operational excellence

 · Develop our digital and e-commerce capabilities 

to capture opportunities associated with 
existing and new distribution channels

 · Failure to achieve our 

 · Upgrade our Employer Value Proposition and 

 · Employee 

growth plans

Employer Brand

 · Develop leaders and people for key positions 

internally, improve leaders’ skills and 
commitment for talent development

 · Create shared value with the communities 
in which we work to ensure we are seen and 
considered as an ethical business with an 
attractive purpose

 · Expand talent pool by hiring more diverse 

workforce

wellbeing and 
engagement

 · Corporate 
citizenship
 · Human rights 
and diversity

 · Failure to achieve our 

 · Promote operational excellence and remove 

 · Employee 

growth plans

barriers to performance

 · Measure culture and engagement, and address 

findings through continuous listening to 
our people
Improve wellbeing of employees
Improve leaders’ skills to enable, engage and 
energise employees sustainably

 ·
 ·

 · Promote inclusive environment that allows all 

employees to realise their full potential

well-being and 
engagement
 · Human rights 
and diversity

8. Declining 
consumer 
demand

Volatile and challenging 
macroeconomic, 
security and political 
conditions can affect 
consumer demand and 
create security risks 
across our diverse mix 
of markets.

 · Eroded consumer 

confidence affecting 
spending
Inflationary pressures

 ·
 · Social unrest
 · Safety of people and 
security of assets

 · Seek to offer the right brand, at the right price, 
in the right package through the right channel
 · Robust security practices and procedures to 

protect people and assets

 · Crisis response and business continuity 

 · Economic 
impact
 · Corporate 
citizenship

strategies

SRCGFSSSRSI76

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

Principal risks

Description

Potential impact

Key mitigations

9. Discriminatory 
taxes

 · Reduction in 
profitability

Regulations on 
consumer health, 
government 
misconceptions 
relating to formulations 
and the risk of being a 
target for governments 
and interest groups to 
introduce 
discriminatory taxation 
(e.g. sugar) and 
packaging waste 
recovery taxation.

 · Proactively working with governments and 

regulatory authorities to ensure that the facts 
relating to formulations are clearly understood 
and that our products are not singled out 
unfairly

 · Retain our ‘seat at the table’ by demonstrating 

that we are a responsible and sustainable 
business

 · Engaging with various stakeholder groups 

including NGOs and the communities in which 
we operate to deliver our 2025 sustainability 
commitments

Link to material 
issues

 · Economic 
impact

10. Quality

The occurrence of 
quality/food safety 
issues, or the 
contamination of our 
products across our 
diverse total beverage 
portfolio.

 · Damage to brand and 
corporate reputation

 · Loss of consumer 

trust

 · Reduction in volume 
and net sales revenue

 · Stringent quality/food safety processes in place 

 · Product 

quality and 
integrity

to minimise the likelihood of occurrence

 · Early warning systems (Consumer Information 
Centres and social media monitoring) that 
enable issue identification

 · Robust response processes and systems that 
enable us to quickly and efficiently deal with 
quality/food safety issues, ensuring customers 
and consumers retain confidence in our 
products

 · Damage to our 

corporate reputation

 · Significant financial 

penalties

 · Annual ‘Tone from the Top’ messaging
 · Code of Business Conduct (COBC), ABAC and 

commercial compliance training and awareness 
campaigns for our entire workforce

 · Management time 

 · All third parties that we engage to deal with 

 · Corporate 

governance, 
business 
ethics and 
anti-
corruption

We operate in some 
complex markets with 
high levels of perceived 
corruption. As a result, 
we are exposed to an 
increased risk of fraud 
against the Company 
as well as to the risk of 
Anti-bribery and 
Corruption (ABAC) 
fines or sanctions if our 
employees or the third 
parties we engage to 
deal with government 
fail to comply with 
ABAC requirements.

We rely on our 
strategic relationships 
and agreements with 
The Coca-Cola 
Company, Monster 
Energy and our 
Premium Spirits 
partners.

11. Ethics and 
compliance

12. Strategic 
stakeholder 
relationships

13. Health and 
safety

diverted to resolving 
legal issues
 · We may suffer 
economic loss 
because of fraud and 
reputational damages, 
fines and penalties, in 
the event of non-
compliance with ABAC 
regulations by our 
employees or by third 
parties representing 
us with government

 · Termination of 
agreements or 
unfavourable renewal 
terms could adversely 
affect profitability

The risk of health and 
safety issues being 
ineffectively managed. 
This incorporates the 
management of 
third-party providers, 
particularly fleet and 
logistics.

 · Death or injury 
of employees, 
contractors or 
members of the public

 · Employee 

engagement and 
motivation

 · Attraction of talent/

prospective 
employees

government on our behalf are subject to ABAC 
due diligence, and must agree and comply with 
our Supplier Guiding Principles

 · Cross-functional Joint Task Force in Nigeria and 
Russia that pro-actively addresses risks in the 
most challenging of our operations

 · Risk-based internal control framework and 

assurance programme with local management 
accountability

 · Periodic risk-based internal audits of ABAC 

compliance programme

 · Speak Up Hotline

 · Management focus on effective day-to-day 

interaction with our strategic partners
 · Working together as effective partners for 

 · Economic 
impact

growth

 · Engagement in joint projects and business 
planning with a focus on strategic issues

 · Participation in ‘Top to Top’ senior management 

forums

 · Standardised programmes, policies and 

 · Employee 

legislation applied locally

 · Group oversight by the Health and Safety (H&S) 

wellbeing and 
engagement

Team

 · H&S Board with the clear purpose to accelerate 

 ·

the H&S step-change plan implementation
Implemented the Behavioural-Based Safety 
Programme

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

77

PRINCIPAL RISK 
HEAT MAP

This heat map depicts the likelihood and impact of our principal risks. 
The timeframes for our principal risks are qualitatively assessed as part 
of the preparation of our Viability Statement.

h
g
H

i

t
c
a
p
m

I

w
o
L

Low

12

7

10

1

6

3

5

8

2

9

4

11

13

Likelihood

High

1 
Environmental: 
Climate, carbon, 
plastics, waste 
and water

2 
Consumer 
health and 
wellbeing

3 
Cyber 
incidents

4 
Foreign 
exchange and 
commodity 
prices

5 
Channel mix

6 
People 
attraction

7 
People 
engagement

8 
Declining 
consumer 
demand

9 
Discriminatory 
taxes

10 
Quality

11 
Ethics 
and 
compliance

12 
Strategic 
stakeholder 
relationships

13 
Health and 
safety

SRCGFSSSRSI78

COCA-COLA HBC

MANAGING RISK AND MATERIALITY CONTINUED

TASK FORCE ON 
CLIMATE-RELATED 
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures
The Financial Stability Board established 
the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) with the aim of 
improving disclosure of climate-related risks 
and opportunities. At Coca-Cola HBC, we 
set our first carbon reduction commitments 
in 2006 and were subsequently one of the 
first companies in the world to introduce 
science-based targets. We support efforts 
to improve quality and consistency of 
disclosures in this area and have therefore 
publicly committed to implementing the 
recommendations of the TCFD.

These recommendations form a voluntary 
framework for providing information on 
climate-related risks and their financial 
impacts for the use of investors, lenders, 
insurers and other stakeholders. Adopting 
the recommendations enables us to better 
understand and communicate the nature of 
the risks, the market forces and sensitivities, 
and the financial implications to our business.

To begin working and disclosing in alignment 
with this framework, in 2018 we created 
a working party to design and plan the 
implementation of core elements of its 
four pillars of governance, strategy, risk 
management and metrics and targets.

In respect to the area of governance, the 
Group Risk Forum brings together senior 
leaders from across the business to analyse 
risk and opportunity stemming from the 
provided data, to ensure visibility by the 
Operating Committee and our Board. 
Ultimately, the Board has oversight of 
climate-related risks and opportunities 
through the Social Responsibility Committee 
and the Audit and Risk Committee.

Our approach evaluates the external 
influences and internal contributors that 
impact risk and opportunity, thus influencing 
our risk modelling.

During 2018, discussions on climate-related 
risk were integrated into the overall risk 
management process across our Group.

This has seen the Group Risk Forum, 
business units, core functions and the 
TCFD working party actively discussing and 
evaluating risk and opportunity. From these 
initial deliberations, our initial modelling that 
addresses transition and physical risks, 
together with potential opportunities, 
was generated.

In the area of metrics and targets, we have 
performed a high-level assessment of a 
two-degree scenario, and in 2015 we set 
carbon reduction targets in both direct 
operations and in the value chain aligned with 
this scenario. Approved as science-based 
targets in early 2016, we committed to 
reduce the carbon emissions intensity in 
direct operations by 50% and in the value 
chain by 25% by 2020 vs. 2010.

In addition, we set targets for renewable 
energy, renewable electricity and carbon 
targets beyond 2020. Please see pages 
24-25 for our 2025 sustainability 
commitments. The findings of our risks 
evaluation confirm the importance of 
understanding the critical dependencies of 
climate change on our business and ensuring 
that we have action plans in place to mitigate 
the risks and leverage opportunities.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Governance

Describe the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities

Describe management’s role in assessing and managing climate-related risks 
and opportunities

Strategy

Social Responsibility Committee: 
Pages 64, 99, 120-121
Audit and Risk Committee: Pages 99, 112-117 
Risk and materiality: Pages 64-77

Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the business has identified

Material issues: Page 66 
Principal risks: Page 77

Risk management

Describe the Company’s processes for identifying and managing climate-related risks Risk and materiality: Page 64-77
Describe the targets used by the Company to manage climate-related risks 
and opportunities, and performance against targets

Principal risks: Page 77 
Key performance indicators: Pages 24-25, 57-61

Metrics and targets

Disclose the metrics used by the Company to assess climate-related risks 
and opportunities in line with its strategy and risk management process
Describe the targets used by the Company to manage climate-related risks 
and opportunities and performance against targets

Reporting on our emissions: Pages 23, 60 
Key performance indicators: Page 24-25, 57-61
Addressing climate change across our business: 
Page 24-25, 57-61

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

79

VIABILITY 
STATEMENT

Scenario 3: Lower estimates for sales revenue 
for reasons other than volume decline are 
considered. Principal risk: channel mix.

Scenario 4: The risk of discriminatory taxes 
in areas such as sugar and packaging. 
Principal risk: discriminatory taxes.

Scenario 5: The impact of higher raw material 
costs was also considered. Principal risk: 
commodity prices.

The above scenarios were tested both 
in isolation and in combination. The stress 
testing showed that due to the stable cash 
generation of our business, the Group would 
be able to withstand the impact of these 
scenarios occurring over the period of the 
financial forecasts. This could be conducted 
by making adjustments, if required, to our 
operating plans within the normal course 
of business.

Following a thorough and robust assessment 
of the Group’s risks that could threaten 
our business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity, the Board has concluded 
that the Group is well positioned to effectively 
manage its financial, operational and 
strategic risks.

Viability Statement
Based on our assessment of the Company’s 
prospects, business model and viability as 
outlined above, the Directors can confirm 
that they have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group will be able to continue operating 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
five-year period ending 31 December 2023.

Business model and prospects
Our business model and strategy, as outlined 
on pages 14-17 of this report, document the 
key factors underpinning the understanding 
and evaluation of our prospects, which are our:

 · attractive geographic diversity;
 · strong sales and execution capabilities;
 · market leadership;
 · global brands; and
 · diverse beverage portfolio.

Our strategy is being modified over time to 
sustainably create value for our shareholders, 
suppliers, employees, and the customers 
and communities we serve.

The Group’s business model has proven to 
be effective and resilient even during periods 
of challenging market conditions. Our Board 
has historically applied a prudent approach 
to the Group’s decisions relating to major 
projects and investments. From 2014 
to 2018, we generated free cash flow 
of €394 million per year on average.

The Board considers that our diverse 
geographic footprint, including exposure 
to emerging markets with low per capita 
consumption, and a proven strategy 
in combination with our leading market 
position offer significant opportunities for 
future growth.

Key assumptions of the business 
plan and related viability period
The Group continues to maintain a 
well-established strategic business planning 
process which has formed the basis of the 
Board’s quantitative assessment of the 
Group’s viability.

The business plan reflects our current 
strategy over a five-year rolling period. The 
financial projections included in the plan are 
based on the following key assumptions:

 · key macroeconomic data that could 

impact our consumers’ disposable income 
and consequently our sales volume 
and revenues;

 · key raw material costs;
foreign currency rates;
 ·

 · spending for production overheads 

and operating expenses;
 · working capital levels; and
 · capital expenditure.

The Board has assessed that a viability 
period of five years remains the most 
appropriate due to its alignment with the 
Group’s strategic business planning cycle. 
It is also consistent with the evaluated 
potential impacts of our principal risks which 
are disclosed on pages 74-76, the Group’s 
debt profile and our impairment review 
process, where goodwill and indefinite-lived 
intangible assets are tested based on our 
five-year forecasts.

Assessment of viability
Qualitatively, we analysed the output of our 
enhanced, robust enterprise risk management 
and internal business planning and liquidity 
management processes, to ensure that the 
risks to the Group’s viability are understood 
and are being effectively managed.

The Board has concluded that the Group’s 
comprehensive processes across multiple 
streams continue to provide a comprehensive 
framework that effectively supports the 
operational and strategic objectives of the 
Group. It also provides a robust basis for 
assessment and confirmation of the 
Company’s ability to continue in operation 
and meet its obligations as they fall due over 
the period of assessment. Supporting the 
qualitative assessment was a quantitative 
analysis performed as part of strategic 
business planning. This assessment 
included, but was not limited to, the Group’s 
ability to generate cash. We have continued 
to stress test the plan against several severe 
but plausible downside scenarios linked to 
certain principal risks as follows:

Scenario 1: The impact of changes to 
foreign exchange rates was considered, 
particularly the depreciation of foreign 
currencies including the Russian rouble, 
Nigerian naira and the Swiss franc. Principal 
risk: foreign exchange.

Scenario 2: Lower estimates for sales 
volumes were assessed. Principal risk: 
declining consumer demand.

SRCGFSSSRSI80

COCA-COLA HBC

FINANCIAL REVIEW

I am pleased to report that 2018 
was another year of impressive 
accomplishments, including significant 
progress towards our 2020 objectives. 
Our revenue growth management 
initiatives, strong in-market execution, 
and an unprecedented number of new 
product launches, supported by a 
favourable economic environment in 
most of our markets, resulted in the 
second consecutive year of currency- 
neutral revenue growth above our 
target range of 4-5%, combined with 
strong margin expansion.

Performance highlights for 
2018 included:

 · expansion in volume, and good 
price/mix, increased net sales 
revenue by 6.0% on a currency-
neutral basis; 
reported net sales revenue 
increased by 2.1%;

 ·

 · currency-neutral revenue per 
case improved in all segments, 
up 1.7% overall;

 · volume increased by 4.2%, 

with growth in all segments and 
key categories; 

 · operating leverage drove a 20 

basis-point reduction in comparable 
operating expenses as a percentage 
of net sales revenue, incorporating 
a 30 basis-point increase in 
marketing costs;

 · comparable EBIT margin increased 
by 70 basis points to 10.2%; and
 · comparable EPS increased by 5.9% 

to €1.306

In 2019, we expect to achieve another 
year of currency-neutral revenue 
growth above our target range of 
4-5%. As we continue to manage our 
cost base carefully, we also expect 
another year of margin expansion, 
offset partly by currency depreciation 
and raw material cost inflation. 

MICHALIS IMELLOS
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

81

STRONG REVENUE GROWTH 
DRIVES MARGIN EXPANSION

Key financial information 

Volume (million unit cases)
Net sales revenue (€ million)
Net sales revenue per unit case (€)
Currency-neutral net sales revenue (€ million) 
Currency-neutral net sales revenue per unit case (€)
Operating profit (EBIT) (€ million)
Comparable EBIT (€ million)
EBIT margin (%)
Comparable EBIT margin (%)
Net profit (€ million)
Comparable net profit (€ million)
Comparable basic earnings per share (€)

Percentage changes are calculated on precise numbers.

2018
2,192
6,657
3.04
6,657 
3.04
639
681
9.6
10.2
447
480
1.306

2017 
2,104
6,522
3.10
6,283
2.99
590
621
9.0
9.5
426
450
1.233

% 
change
4,2
2.1
-2.0
6.0
1.7
8.4
9.6
60bps
70bps
5.0
6.8
5.9

Balance sheet 

Assets
Total non-current assets
Total current assets
Total assets
Liabilities
Total current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total equity and liabilities

Figures are rounded.

2018 
€ million

2017 
€ million

4,416
2,438
6,854

2,019
1,719
3,738

3,111
5
3,116
6,854

4,345
2,286
6,631

1,896
1,722
3,618

3,007
5 
3,012
6,630

Income statement
We achieved a 4.2% increase in volume 
during 2018, an acceleration from the 2.2% 
growth rate in the prior year. We delivered 
strong performance in both sparkling drinks 
(including energy) and still beverages, which 
grew 4.7% and 3.0% respectively. Volume 
was up 1.0% in the Established segment, 
up 8.8% in the Developing segment and up 
4.3% in the Emerging segment. The 
Established segment maintained the pace 
of volume expansion seen in the prior year, 
and the Developing and Emerging segments 
achieved a good improvement in the pace 
of growth, where our medium-sized markets 
continue to be an important component 
of overall volume growth. We are particularly 
pleased to see the strong result from Russia, 
which has returned to volume growth for the 
first time in three years.

Net sales revenue improved by 6.0% on 
a currency-neutral basis, and reported 
revenue grew by 2.1% compared with 2017. 
Currency-neutral revenue per case increased 
by 1.7%, with growth in all segments driven 
by price increases, as well as category and 
package mix.

Comparable cost of goods sold increased 
by 1.3% in 2018, compared to the prior year, 
as a result of volume growth. While we 
benefited from an overall favourable raw 
material cost impact mainly due to the lower 
price of sugar.

Ongoing tight cost management, combined 
with strong revenue growth, delivered 
a 20 basis-point reduction in comparable 
operating expenses as a percentage of 
revenue. We are pleased that we were able 
to achieve this improvement while growing 
marketing expenses by 30 basis points as a 
percentage of revenue mainly related to the 
FIFA World Cup and new product launches. 
Increased transport costs in certain Central 
and Eastern European countries also 
negatively impacted operating expenses 
during the year. On the other hand, we 
benefited from the partial recovery of the 
prior-year’s bad debt provision in Croatia.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82

COCA-COLA HBC

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
REVENUE GROWTH

+6%

COMPARABLE 
OPERATING PROFIT

€681m

COMPARABLE EBIT 
MARGIN IMPROVEMENT

+70bps

Net finance costs increased by €5 million 
during 2018, compared to the prior year, 
mainly due to lower interest income 
on our cash deposits in the current low 
yield environment. 

On a comparable basis, the Group’s effective 
tax rate was 26.2% for 2018 and 24.5% for 
2017. On a reported basis, the effective tax 
rate was 26.6% and 24.5% for 2018 and 
2017 respectively. The Group’s effective tax 
rate varies depending on the mix of taxable 
profits by territory, the non-deductibility of 
certain expenses, non-taxable income and 
other one-off tax items across its territories. 

Comparable net profit increased by 6.8% 
and net profit by 5.0% in 2018 compared 
to the prior year. The increase was primarily 
due to higher operating profitability, partially 
offset by higher net finance costs and 
increased taxes.

Dividend
In view of the Group’s progressive dividend 
policy and the assessment of the progress 
against the Group’s strategy, the Board 
of Directors has proposed a dividend of 
€0.57 per share. This is a 5.6% increase 
from €0.54 per share for 2017. The dividend 
payment will be subject to, among other 
things, shareholders’ approval at our Annual 
General Meeting.

Balance sheet
Total non-current assets increased by €71 
million in 2018, mainly driven by purchases 
of property, plant and equipment for the 
year. Net current assets increased by €30 
million in 2018, as increased inventory and 
investments in financial assets were partially 
offset by payables relating to the purchase 
of own shares and increased taxes payable.

Cash flow
Net cash from operating activities decreased 
by 0.9% in 2018 compared to the prior year, 
as increased operating profitability was 
offset by an increase in working capital.

Capital expenditure, net of receipts from 
the disposal of assets and including principal 
repayments of finance lease obligations, 
increased by 13.0% in 2018 compared to the 
prior year and represented 6.4% of net sales 
revenue compared to 5.8% in 2017. 

We generated €370 million of free cash flow 
in 2018, compared to €426 million in 2017. 
This result reflects increased operating 
profitability offset by higher working capital 
and capital expenditure to support 
revenue growth.

Economic value
Efficient use of capital and higher profits 
resulted in an increase in return on invested 
capital (ROIC) from 12.4% in 2017 to 13.7% 
in 2018. At the same time, our weighted 
average cost of capital (WACC) decreased 
from 7.8% in 2017 to 7.4% in 2018. We 
continued to grow the positive economic 
value generated by our operations.

Financial risk management
With volatility in foreign exchange rates 
and commodity prices related to our 
operations throughout 2018, our continuous 
and proactive financial risk management 
approach proved to be critical yet again. 
Financial market volatility in 2018 was 
evident in the second part of the year, mainly 
driven by geopolitical events like trade tariffs 
and sanctions.

In terms of managing foreign exchange risk, 
the Group is exposed to exchange rate 
fluctuation of the euro versus the US dollar 
and the local currency of each country of our 
operations. Our risk management strategy 
involves hedging transactional exposures, 
arising from currency fluctuations, 
with available financial instruments on 
a 12-month rolling basis.

Cash flow 

Cash flow from operating activities
Payments for purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

Principal repayments of finance lease obligations 
Free cash flow

Figures are rounded.

2018 
€ million

2017 
€ million 

797
(437)
18

(8)
370

804
(410)
39 

(7)
426

 
The Russian rouble was particularly affected 
in 2018, experiencing double-digit 
depreciation versus the euro and the US 
dollar, but the existence of an active foreign 
exchange market and a prudent hedging 
strategy allowed us to mitigate a large part 
of the negative impact. The Nigerian naira 
was also affected during the year, though to 
a lesser extent. We eased part of the adverse 
effect by using mechanisms available in the 
local futures market. The overall negative 
impact of foreign exchange fluctuations 
for 2018 was €51 million. This includes 
€22 million of transactional impact and 
€29 million of translational impact.

In terms of commodities, the Group’s high 
hedging coverage of aluminium exposure 
proved very successful in counterbalancing 
a large part of the price increase experienced 
in April 2018. Similarly, existing hedges in fuel 
oil performed very well against the price 
increase surges during the year. PET resin 
prices were particularly strong in the late 
summer of 2018, due to a combination of 
rising oil prices and market-specific factors. 
Careful inventory management and existing 
contracts in place provided a partial offset 
to these price spikes, as PET resin prices 
moderated in the last quarter of the year. 
We were also able to conclude a number 
of purchases of EU sugar in certain countries 
and take advantage of the lower prices 
during 2018.

Our general policy is to retain a minimum 
amount of liquidity reserves in the form of 
cash and cash equivalents on our balance 
sheet. During 2018, we invested our excess 
cash primarily in short-term time deposits 
and money market funds.

Borrowings
Our medium- to long-term aim is to maintain 
a ratio of net debt to comparable adjusted 
EBITDA in the range of 1.5 – 2.0 times. 
In 2018, we ended the year with a ratio of 
0.61 times. Our funding strategy in the debt 
capital markets involves raising financing 
through our wholly owned Dutch financing 
subsidiary, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. 
In cases of subsidiaries with joint control, 
or countries where certain legal, tax or 
market restrictions apply, financing at lower 
levels in the organisation is considered.

We use our €3 billion European Medium 
Term Note programme and our €1 billion 
Global Commercial Paper programme as the 
main basis for our financing. We endeavour 
to maintain our presence and profile in the 
international capital markets and, where 
possible, to broaden our investor base. 
We also seek to maintain a well-balanced 
redemption profile.

In early 2016, we issued a €600 million bond, 
repayable in November 2024, at an effective 
interest rate of 2.99%. This was utilised 
mainly in the refinancing of the €600 million 
bond maturing in November 2016. Our 
€800 million bond, with June 2020 maturity, 
is still outstanding.

We also have a €500 million syndicated 
revolving credit facility, which was extended 
until 24 June 2021. We have never drawn 
down on this facility, which can be used for 
general corporate purposes and carries 
a floating interest rate over EURIBOR 
and LIBOR.

Looking ahead
We will have less of a tailwind from economic 
conditions in 2019, however, we believe 
we are well placed to manage this. Overall, 
we expect volume to continue to grow in all 
three segments. We expect the Established 
and Emerging market segment to grow at 
a similar pace to 2018, while the Developing 
markets moderate to a more normalised 
pace of growth after a very strong year.

Our revenue growth management initiatives, 
which are designed to grow revenue faster 
than volume, should continue to enhance 
the value we get from every case we sell. 
We will continue to take pricing where the 
market conditions allow it and to offset 
foreign currency depreciation where 
necessary. We expect our plans to continue 
to improve currency-neutral net sales 
revenue per case in the year.

On the cost side, we expect our input costs 
per case to increase by low single digits 
on a currency-neutral basis and comparable 
operating expenses to see a further 
reduction as a percentage of net sales 
revenue in the year.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

83

Corporate income tax: 49.0%
Withholding tax: 1.1%
Payroll taxes: 41.7%
VAT (cost): 1.3%
Environmental taxes: 0.1%
Other taxes: 6.8%

Total tax by category

Taxes we contribute 
to our communities
When considering tax, Coca-Cola HBC 
ensures that due consideration is given 
to the Group’s corporate and social 
responsibilities, and the value it places 
on earning community trust. More 
specifically, Coca-Cola HBC commits 
to continue paying taxes in the countries 
where value is created and ensures that 
it is fully compliant with tax laws across 
all relevant jurisdictions. In addition, 
Coca-Cola HBC commits to being open 
and transparent with tax authorities 
about the Group’s tax affairs and to 
disclose relevant information to enable 
tax authorities to carry out their reviews.

We support the communities in the 
countries where we operate directly, 
by creating wealth, and also indirectly, 
by paying taxes. These taxes include 
corporate income tax calculated on 
each country’s taxable profit, employer 
taxes and social security contributions, 
net VAT cost and other taxes that are 
reflected as operating expenses. Excise 
taxes and taxes borne by employees are 
not included.

Bonds issued: 1,395
Commercial paper: 95
Finance leases: 66
Other: 48

Borrowing structure (€ million)

SRCGFSSSRSI84

COCA-COLA HBC

SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS

SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Established markets

Developing markets

Emerging markets

2018 is the second consecutive year of growth in 
both volumes and currency‑neutral revenue per 
case in the Established segment. We are pleased 
to see continued momentum in low‑ and no‑
sugar sparkling, and also in adults sparkling, 
which is helpful for driving improved price/mix. 
Our new launches like FUZETEA, Royal Bliss 
and AdeZ have got off to a strong start.  

SOTIRIS YANNOPOULOS
REGION DIRECTOR

Developing markets delivered extremely good 
results this year with volume growth showing 
strong acceleration. Crucially, we also saw an 
improvement in currency‑neutral revenue per 
case, which accelerated in the fourth quarter. 
All categories saw broad‑based growth aside 
from ready‑to‑drink tea.  

NIKOS KALAITZIDAKIS
REGION DIRECTOR

Emerging segment volume growth accelerated 
in 2018 as ongoing strong momentum from the 
medium‑sized countries in the segment was 
boosted by a return to growth in Russia. Nigeria 
was the only country in the segment where 
volume declined. We saw another year of good 
currency‑neutral revenue per case expansion 
despite the headwind of lower premium spirits 
sales in Russia.  

KEITH SANDERS
REGION DIRECTOR

VOLUME VS. 2017

+1.0%

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
NET SALES REVENUE 
PER CASE VS. 2017

+1.1%

VOLUME VS. 2017

+8.8%

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
NET SALES REVENUE 
PER CASE VS. 2017

+2.8%

VOLUME VS. 2017

+4.3%

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
NET SALES REVENUE 
PER CASE VS. 2017

+2.4%

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

85

We continue to make good progress towards our 2020 targets.  
Our revenue growth management initiatives, strong in-market 
execution with greater sales capability and a record number of new 
product launches, supported by favourable economic conditions 
in most of our markets, resulted in the second consecutive year 

of currency-neutral revenue growth above the 4-5% target range 
combined with good margin expansion. The excellent execution 
across our markets is a testament to the dedication and hard work 
of all our people.

Volume (million unit cases)
Net sales revenue (€ million)
Operating profit (EBIT) (€ million)
Comparable EBIT (€ million)
Total taxes1 (€ million)
Population2 (million)
GDP per capita (US$)
Bottling plants (number)
Employees (number)
Water footprint* (billion litres)
Carbon emissions (tonnes)
Safety rate (lost time accidents 
>1 day per 100 employees)

2018
619
2,470 
232
241
123
91
40,221
13
6,642
4.3
86,468

2017 % change
1.0%
613 
1.4%
2,436 
-2.6%
238 
-3.9%
250 
-5.7%
130 
0.2%
91.2
6.3%
37,854
–
13 
1.7%
6,530 
5.0  -14.0%
99,616  -13.2%

0.86

0.93 

-8%

Volume breakdown by country

Italy: 41%
Greece: 18%
Austria: 14%
Switzerland: 12%
Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland: 12%
Cyprus: 3%

1.  Total taxes include corporate income tax, withholding tax and deferred tax, as well as social security costs and other taxes that are reflected as operating expenses; 

as per IFRS accounts.

2.  Population source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, October 2018. Northern Ireland: NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency), 

Office for National Statistics, UK, Northern Ireland Economic Outlook, 2018. Italian data: Sicilian population excluded based on data from ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics).

Volume (million unit cases)
Net sales revenue (€ million)
Operating profit (EBIT) (€ million)
Comparable EBIT (€ million)
Total taxes1 (€ million)
Population2 (million)
GDP per capita (US$)
Bottling plants (number)
Employees (number)
Water footprint* (billion litres)
Carbon emissions (tonnes)
Safety rate (lost time accidents 
>1 day per 100 employees)

2018
429 
1,307
131 
137 
65
76 
16,850 
8
4,721 
3.1
82.470

2017 % change
8.8%
394 
1,173  11.4%
92  42.7%
92  48.4%
54  19.5% 
–
15,117 11.5%
–
-0.5%
2.6  19.2%
4.9%

8
4,747 

78,630 

76.1

0.38

0.36 

6%

Volume breakdown by country

Poland: 44%
Hungary: 22%
Czech Republic: 13%
Baltics: 7%
Croatia: 7%
Slovakia: 5%
Slovenia: 2%

1.  Total taxes include corporate income tax, withholding tax and deferred tax, as well as social security costs and other taxes that are reflected as operating expenses; 

as per IFRS accounts.

2.  Population source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, October 2018.

Volume (million unit cases)
Net sales revenue (€ million)
Operating profit (EBIT) (€ million)
Comparable EBIT (€ million)
Total taxes1 (€ million)
Population2 (million)
GDP per capita (US$)
Bottling plants (number)
Employees (number)
Water footprint* (billion litres)
Carbon emissions (tonnes)
Safety rate (lost time accidents 
>1 day per 100 employees)

2018
1,144 
2,880 
277
303
141
438
5,822 
31
17,521
9.3
369,267

1,097 
2,912 
260
278 
129 
433
 5,502
34 
18,150 
10.2 

2017 % change
4.3%
-1.1%
6.5%
8.9%
9.4%
1.1%
5.8%
-8.8%
-3.5%
-8.8%
384,362 -3.9%

0.24

0.26 

-5%

Volume breakdown by country

Russian Federation: 30%
Nigeria: 22%
Romania: 17%
Serbia and Montenegro: 9%
Ukraine: 9%
Bulgaria: 6%
Belarus: 3%
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2%
Armenia: 1%
Moldova: 1%

1.  Total taxes include corporate income tax, withholding tax and deferred tax, as well as social security costs and other taxes that are reflected as operating expenses; 

as per IFRS accounts.

2.  Population source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, October 2018.

 * In 2018, we used a verified structured process for the calculation of total Chemical Oxygen Demand reaching the environment which is used for the calculation of grey water.

Figures are rounded.
Percentage changes are calculated on precise numbers.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
SOUND GOVERNANCE 
REMAINS AT THE HEART 
OF OUR BUSINESS, 
MAKING SURE WE REMAIN 
IN GOOD COMPANY 
WITH ALL OUR 
STAKEHOLDERS.

Board of Directors

Contents
88 Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance
90
96 Corporate Governance Report
122 Directors’ Remuneration Report
145 Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

87

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

88

COCA-COLA HBC

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

DRIVING SUCCESS THROUGH 
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

In Good Company
The success of our business is intertwined with our relationships with 
customers, consumers, regulators, employees and society at large. 
The theme of this year’s report, In Good Company, highlights the 
importance of fostering these relationships. One of the most important 
functions of the Board of Directors is ensuring that robust stakeholder 
engagement practices are built into how we govern the Company. 
This involves listening to stakeholder concerns and feedback, but 
listening is not enough. We must understand what stakeholders view 
as valuable and value creating in order to make informed decisions, 
proactively manage emerging risk, and adapt our product portfolio 
and how we operate in order to futureproof our Company. 

As a Board, we aim to ensure the highest standards of corporate 
governance, which includes accountability to key stakeholders.

Importance of good governance
Our internal policies and procedures, which have been consistently 
effective since the Group was formed, are properly documented 
and communicated against the framework applicable to premium 
listed companies in the UK. As a Board, our aim is to ensure the 
highest standards of corporate governance, accountability and 
risk management.

The Board and its committees conducted an annual review of the 
effectiveness of our risk management system and internal controls, 
further details of which are set out in the Audit and Risk Committee 
Report on page 112. The Board confirms that it has concluded that 
our risk management and internal control systems are effective.

The UK Corporate Governance Code sets out the principles of good 
practice in relation to board leadership and effectiveness, remuneration, 
accountability and relationships with shareholders. Further information 
on our application of these main principles for the year ended 
31 December 2018 can be found in this report as follows:

Main principle

Leadership

Effectiveness

Accountability

Remuneration

Relations with shareholders

96

102 

116

124 

107

Further details on the corporate governance regime applying to the Company are described 
in detail on page 105.

LETTER FROM THE 
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Dear Shareholder
As Chairman, I am pleased to introduce our Corporate Governance 
Report for 2018, with details about the strong and effective governance 
system throughout the Group which supports the long-term success 
of our business. Following the renewal of our Board during the last 
several years, we now enjoy a very well-balanced Board composition 
fully supporting our new Chief Executive Officer during his first year 
in the role. I believe the Board works well together, and that the results 
of our work this year on strategy and the reinforcement of corporate 
governance and sustainability commitments is testament to the 
effectiveness of the Board, as well as the appropriateness of the 
present skill set.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

89

Strategy and oversight
Our focus during the year continued to be on the execution of 
our growth strategy as described in detail in the Strategic Report. 
The Board was also particularly focused on aligning strategically with 
our network of partners and The Coca-Cola Company in all of our 
markets and managing the risks related to the external environment.

Board composition and diversity
The composition and size of the Board will continue to be under 
review. We believe that our Board is well-balanced and diverse, 
with the right mix of international skills, experience, background, 
independence and knowledge in order to discharge its duties and 
responsibilities effectively.

The Board’s meetings are split between guiding the longer-term 
vision and strategy of the Group, and assessing operational and 
financial updates on the markets where we operate. These updates 
provide links and context for the strategic discussions, as well as 
governance oversight. Meetings take place in Zug, Switzerland, but 
also in selected markets across our footprint, in order for the Board 
to interact with local management and learn more about their 
challenges and opportunities, and the way they are operating at a 
local level. In that context, our June 2018 meeting was held in Zurich, 
Switzerland, which represents one of our Established markets.

Culture and values
Our strong corporate culture is fundamental to our business 
continuity and success. The Board plays a critical role in shaping 
the culture of the Company by promoting growth-focused and 
values-based conduct. The Company’s culture is defined by our 
six core values: winning with customers; nurturing our people; 
excellence; integrity; learning; performing as one. These values make 
for a culture where our people are clear on our purpose, our growth 
pillars, the elements of how we grow as well as on our targets.

We monitor our progress in integrating our values through various 
indicators, including our Employee Engagement Index, diversity 
indicators, and health and safety indicators. We understand the 
importance of the Board’s role in establishing the Company’s ‘tone 
from the top’ in terms of its culture and values, and our Directors lead 
by example as ambassadors of our values in order to cascade good 
behaviour through the organisation. By focusing on continuous 
improvement, we model the values of excellence and learning.

Board evaluation
In line with our commitment to adhere to best corporate governance 
practices, a Board effectiveness evaluation was conducted in the 
second half of 2018. In line with past practice, we will do this once 
again in 2019 to build upon the learnings of the 2018 evaluation. 
Further details are set out in the Nomination Committee Report 
on page 118.

Our Nomination Committee is devoted to developing strong 
succession plans for the Board and senior management. The Board 
is committed to recruiting Directors with diverse backgrounds, 
personalities, skills and experience. We continue to attach great 
importance to all aspects of diversity in our nomination processes 
at Board and senior management levels, while appointing candidates 
with the credentials that are necessary for the continuing growth 
of our operations within a highly competitive and specialised industry.

ANASTASSIS G. DAVID
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Governance in action

To ensure that our journey 
to become a Total Beverage 
Company is successful, the Board 
has the important responsibility 
of ensuring that our Company 
culture and values are aligned with 
our business model and strategy. 
Our talented people are being 
asked to be even more agile and 
more entrepreneurial, focusing 
efforts on the highest-return 
opportunities. As a Board, we have 
to foster an environment that 
empowers our people and 
supports the informed risk-taking, 
collaboration and inclusion which 
is necessary for innovation.

To achieve alignment between 
the Company’s culture and values 
and our new growth mindset, in 
2018 the Board oversaw changes 
to the Group’s Enterprise Risk 
Management system as well 
as evolution in employee 
development and remuneration 
programmes. For more 
information about our evolving 
culture, see the sections of this 
report on risk, people and 
remuneration, on pages 63, 26, 
and 124, respectively.

See page 101 for more 
information.

SRCGFSSSRSI90

COCA-COLA HBC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STRENGTH IN 
OUR LEADERSHIP

Diversity, tenure and 
experience of the Board

Male: 10
Female: 3

Board gender diversity

1-2 
years
6

3-4 
years
6

7-8 
years
1

Board tenure

Finance, investments 
and accounting

International exposure

FMCG knowledge/ 
experience

Risk oversight 
and management

Sustainability and 
community engagement

Corporate governance

Board experience

12

12

8

6

6

7

ANASTASSIS G. DAVID
Non-Executive Chairman

ZORAN BOGDANOVIC
Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director

Appointment: Anastassis David was appointed 
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola 
HBC on 27 January 2016. He joined the Board 
of Coca-Cola HBC as a non-Executive Director 
in 2006 and was appointed Vice Chairman in 2014.

Skills and experience: Anastassis brings to his 
role more than 20 years’ experience as an investor 
and non-executive director in the beverage 
industry. Anastassis is also a former Chairman 
of Navios Corporation. He holds a BA in History 
from Tufts University.

External appointments: Anastasis is active in 
the international community and serves on the 
International Board of Advisors of Tufts University. 
He serves as vice-chairman of Aegean Airlines 
S.A. and vice-chairman of the Cyprus Union 
of Shipowners. He is also a member of the Board 
of Trustees of College Year in Athens.

Nationality: British

Appointment: Zoran Bogdanovic was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC 
in 2018.

Skills and experience: Zoran was previously 
the Company’s Region Director responsible for 
operations in 12 countries, and has been a member 
of the Operating Committee since 2013. 
He joined the Company in 1996 and has held a 
number of senior leadership positions, including 
as General Manager of the Company’s operations 
in Croatia, Switzerland and Greece. Zoran has 
a track record of delivering results across our 
territories and demonstrating the values that 
are the foundation of our Company culture.

External appointments: None

Nationality: Croatian

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

91

Board Committees

Audit and Risk Committee page 112

Nomination Committee page 118

Social Responsibility Committee page 120

Remuneration Committee page 122

Committee Chair

CHARLOTTE J. BOYLE
Independent non-Executive Director

AHMET C. BOZER
Non-Executive Director

Appointment: Charlotte Boyle was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC 
on 20 June 2017.

Appointment: Ahmet Bozer was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC 
on 21 June 2016.

Skills and experience: Charlotte joined 
The Zygos Partnership, an international executive 
search and board advisory firm, as a consultant in 
2003 and was subsequently appointed associate 
partner in 2006 and partner in 2008. After 14 years 
with the firm, she retired from her position in July 
2017. Prior to that, Charlotte worked at Goldman 
Sachs International between 2000 and 2003. 
Between 1996 and 1999 she was a consultant 
at Egon Zehnder International, an international 
executive search and management assessment 
firm. Charlotte obtained an MBA from the London 
Business School and an MA from Oxford 
University, and was a Bahrain British Foundation 
Scholar.

External appointments: Charlotte serves as a 
member of the board and as Chair of the finance 
committee of Alfanar, the first venture philanthropy 
organisation focused on the Arab world. She also 
serves as an independent non-executive director 
of Capital and Counties Properties plc.

Nationality: British

Skills and experience: Ahmet retired from 
the position of Executive Vice President of The 
Coca-Cola Company in March 2016. He started 
his professional career in 1985 at Coopers & 
Lybrand, based in Atlanta, serving in a variety 
of audit, consultancy and management roles 
and moved to The Coca-Cola Company in 1990 
as Financial Controls Manager. Four years later, 
he assumed a leadership role at Coca-Cola 
Bottlers of Turkey (now Coca-Cola Içecek), 
becoming its Managing Director in 1998. He 
returned to The Coca-Cola Company in 2000 as 
Division President, Eurasia, and quickly progressed 
to the role of Division President, Eurasia and the 
Middle East. In 2007, he became Group President, 
Eurasia, assuming additional responsibility for 
the India and South West Asia Division, and was 
subsequently named Group President and Chief 
Operating Officer, Eurasia and Africa Group. 
As President of Coca-Cola International, he 
had responsibility for operations in more than 
200 countries and territories. Ahmet earned 
a Bachelor’s degree in Management from the 
Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 
and a Master’s degree in Business Information 
Systems from Georgia State University.

External appointments: Ahmet is an Advisory 
Board Member of Swire Beverages, Hong Kong 
and a Board Member of Hepsi Burada in Istanbul 
and the Turkish Philanthropy Foundation in New 
York. He is on the Board of Advisors for Robinson 
College of Business at Georgia State University, 
and serves as advisor to the Board of ESAS 
Holding in Turkey. Ahmet serves also on the 
Board of Directors of Tierra Nueva.

Nationality: USA

SRCGFSSSRSI92

COCA-COLA HBC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUED

Board Committees

Audit and Risk Committee page 112

Nomination Committee page 118

Social Responsibility Committee page 120

Remuneration Committee page 122

Committee Chair

OLUSOLA (SOLA) DAVID-BORHA
Independent non-Executive Director

WILLIAM W. (BILL) DOUGLAS III
Independent non-Executive Director

Appointment: Sola David-Borha was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC 
in 2015.

Appointment: Bill Douglas was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC 
on 21 June 2016.

Skills and experience: Sola was Chief Executive 
Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings plc, a full 
service financial services group with subsidiaries 
in commercial banking, investment banking, 
pension and non-pension asset management 
and stockbroking. Stanbic IBTC Holdings is listed 
on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and is a member 
of Standard Bank group. Sola has more than 
30 years’ experience in financial services and held 
several senior roles within the Stanbic Group, 
including the position of Chief Executive of 
Stanbic IBTC Bank from May 2011 to November 
2012. She also served as Deputy Chief Executive 
Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank and Head of 
Investment Banking Coverage Africa (excluding 
South Africa). Sola holds a first degree in 
Economics, and obtained an MBA degree from 
Manchester Business School. Her executive 
education experience includes the Advanced 
Management Programme of the Harvard Business 
School and the Global CEO Programme of CEIBS, 
Wharton and IESE.

External appointments: Since January 2017, 
Sola is the Chief Executive of the Africa Regions 
(excluding South Africa) for Standard Bank Group, 
Africa’s largest bank by assets with operations 
in 20 countries across the continent. Sola is 
an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute 
of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and a former Vice 
Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

Nationality: Nigerian

Skills and experience: Bill is a former Vice 
President of Coca-Cola Enterprises, a position 
in which he served from July 2004 until 
his retirement in June 2016. Bill has held various 
positions within the Coca-Cola System since 
1985. In 1991, he was appointed Division Finance 
Manager for the Nordic & Northern Eurasia 
Division of The Coca-Cola Company. Bill moved 
to Atlanta in 1994 as Executive Assistant to the 
President of The Coca-Cola Company’s Greater 
Europe Group. In 1996, he became Nordic Region 
Manager. In 1998, he was appointed Controller of 
Coca-Cola Beverages plc. From 2000 until 2004, 
Bill served as Chief Financial Officer of Coca-Cola 
HBC. He joined Coca-Cola Enterprises in 2004 
when he was appointed Vice President, Controller 
and Principal Accounting Officer. He was 
appointed Senior Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer in 2005 and Executive Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer of Coca-Cola 
Enterprises in 2008. From 2013 to 2015, Bill was 
the Executive Vice President, Supply Chain. Before 
joining the Coca-Cola System, Bill was associated 
with Ernst & Whinney, an international accounting 
firm. He received his undergraduate degree from 
the J.M. Tull School of Accounting at the 
University of Georgia.

External appointments: Bill is the Lead Director 
and Chairman of the Audit Committee of SiteOne 
Landscape Supply, Inc. He is also member of 
the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit 
Committee for The North Highland company. 
Finally, he is the Chairman of the Board of the 
University of Georgia Trustees.

Nationality: USA

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

93

RETO FRANCIONI
Senior Independent non-Executive Director

ANASTASIOS I. LEVENTIS
Non-Executive Director

Appointment: Reto Francioni was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC 
on 21 June 2016.

Appointment: Anastasios Leventis was 
appointed to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola 
HBC in 2014.

Skills and experience: Reto has been Professor 
of Applied Capital Markets Theory at the 
University of Basel since 2006 and is the author 
of several highly respected books on capital 
market issues. From 2005 until 2015, Reto was 
Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Börse AG and 
from 2002 until 2005, he served as Chairman of 
the Supervisory Board and President of the SWX 
Group, which owns the Swiss Stock Exchange and 
has holdings in other exchanges. Between 2000 
and 2002, Reto was Co-Chief Executive Officer 
and Spokesman for the Board of Directors of 
Consors AG. Between 1993 and 2000, he held 
various management positions at Deutsche Börse 
AG, including that of Deputy Chief Executive 
Officer. From 2003 until 2005, Reto was an 
Adjunct Professor of Economics and Finance 
at Zicklin School of Business, part of the City 
University of New York. He earned his Doctorate 
of Law at the University of Zurich.

External appointments: Reto serves as a 
member of the Board of Directors of UBS Group 
and also as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board 
of Swiss International Airlines.

Nationality: Swiss

Skills and experience: Anastasios previously 
worked as a banking analyst at Credit Suisse and 
American Express Bank. He holds a BA in Classics 
from the University of Exeter and an MBA from 
New York University’s Leonard Stern School 
of Business.

External appointments: Anastasios currently 
works for Leventis Overseas Limited, a company 
that provides goods and services to companies 
in West Africa, and is a board member of A.G. 
Leventis (Nigeria) Plc. Anastasios is also a director 
of Alpheus Administration, a private company that 
administers assets for private clients and charitable 
foundations. In addition, he serves as a trustee 
of the A.G. Leventis Foundation, a member of 
the board of overseers of the Gennadius Library 
in Athens and a member of the Campaign board 
of the University of Exeter.

Nationality: British

SRCGFSSSRSI94

COCA-COLA HBC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUED

Board Committees

Audit and Risk Committee page 112

Nomination Committee page 118

Social Responsibility Committee page 120

Remuneration Committee page 122

Committee Chair

CHRISTO LEVENTIS
Non-Executive Director

ALEXANDRA PAPALEXOPOULOU
Independent non-Executive Director

Appointment: Christo Leventis was appointed to 
the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC in 2014.

Skills and experience: Christo worked as an 
Investment Analyst with Credit Suisse Asset 
Management from 1994 to 1999. In 2001, he 
joined J.P. Morgan Securities as an Equity 
Research Analyst focusing on European beverage 
companies. From 2003 until March 2014, Christo 
was a member of the Board of Directors of 
Frigoglass S.A.I.C., a leading global manufacturer 
of commercial refrigeration products for the 
beverage industry. Christo holds a BA in Classics 
from University College London and an MBA from 
the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.

External appointments: In 2003, Christo started 
the private equity investment arm of Alpheus, 
a private asset management company, and he 
continues to serve as a member of its investment 
advisory committee.

Nationality: British

Appointment: Alexandra Papalexopoulou was 
appointed to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola 
HBC in 2015.

Skills and experience: Alexandra worked 
previously for the OECD and the consultancy firm 
Booz, Allen & Hamilton, in Paris. From 2003 until 
February 2015, she served as a member of the 
board of directors of Frigoglass S.A.I.C. From 2010 
to 2015, she served as a member of the board 
of directors of National Bank of Greece and from 
2007 to 2009, she served as a member of the 
board of directors of Emporiki Bank. Alexandra 
holds a BA in Economics and Mathematics from 
Swarthmore College, USA, and an MBA from 
INSEAD, France.

External appointments: Alexandra is the Strategic 
Planning Director at Titan Cement Company S.A., 
where she has been employed since 1992 and 
has served as Executive Director since 1995. 
Alexandra is treasurer and a member of the board 
of directors of the Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos 
Foundation, a member of the board of directors 
of the ALBA College of Business Administration 
Association and a member of the board of 
trustees of the American College of Greece.

Nationality: Greek

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

95

JOSÉ OCTAVIO REYES
Non-Executive Director

ROBERT RYAN RUDOLPH
Non-Executive Director

JOHN P. SECHI
Independent non-Executive Director

Appointment: José Octavio Reyes was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC 
in 2014.

Appointment: Robert Ryan Rudolph was 
appointed to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola 
HBC on 21 June 2016.

Skills and experience: José Octavio Reyes is the 
former Vice Chairman of The Coca-Cola Export 
Corporation, a position in which he served from 
January 2013 until his retirement in March 2014. 
He was president of the Latin America Group of 
The Coca-Cola Company from December 2002 
to December 2012. Following various managerial 
positions in Mexico, Brazil and in The Coca-Cola 
Company headquarters in Atlanta, José Octavio 
Reyes was named President of the North Latin 
America Division of Coca-Cola in 2002. Prior to 
joining Coca-Cola, José Octavio Reyes spent five 
years with Grupo IRSA, a Monsanto Company 
joint venture. José Octavio Reyes holds a BSc 
in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad 
Nacional Autónoma de México and an MBA from 
the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores 
de Monterrey.

External appointments: José Octavio Reyes 
has been a member of the board of directors of 
MasterCard WorldWide since January 2008 and 
is a member of the board of directors of Papalote 
Children’s Museum in Mexico City and Fundación 
UNAM. He has been a Director of Coca-Cola 
FEMSA S.A.B. de C.V. since 2016.

Nationality: Mexican

Skills and experience: From 1993 until 2006, 
Ryan worked as an attorney at the business law 
firm Lenz & Staehelin in Zurich. Prior to that, he 
worked as a public relations consultant at the 
public relations agency Huber & Partner in Zurich, 
as marketing assistant and subsequently as 
manager at Winterthur Life Insurance as well as 
part-time with D&S, the Institute for Marketing 
and Communications Research in Zurich. Ryan 
obtained an LLM from the University of Zurich and 
is admitted to the Zurich bar. Ryan also studied at 
the Faculté des Lettres of the University of Geneva, 
as well as the Ecole Polytechnique in Lausanne.

External appointments: Ryan is an attorney 
and partner at the Zurich-based law firm Oesch & 
Rudolph. In addition, he serves as a member of the 
Foundation Board of the A.G. Leventis Foundation 
and as a member of the board of various 
privately-held companies.

Nationality: Swiss

Appointment: John Sechi was appointed to the 
Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC in 2014.

Skills and experience: John started his career 
as a financial analyst and audit manager. In 1985, 
he joined The Coca-Cola Company as an internal 
auditor. In 1987, John became the Finance 
Director for Coca-Cola Great Britain Limited 
based in London. The following year, he was 
appointed General Manager of the European 
Supply Point Group and in 1990 he moved to 
Madrid to join the Iberian Division as Chief 
Financial Officer. In 1993, John was promoted to 
President of the Central Mediterranean Division 
of The Coca-Cola Company, based in Milan, where 
he was responsible for operations in Greece, 
Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslavia 
(Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo 
and North Macedonia), Albania and Italy. In 1998, 
he was promoted to President of the German 
Division, based in Düsseldorf. John was Chairman 
of Globalpraxis, a commercial consulting firm, 
from 2001 to 2008. From 2007 until 2013, he was 
President, Greater Europe of The Campbell Soup 
Company, and from 2006 to 2011, a non-executive 
Board member and Chairman of the Audit 
Committee of Coca-Cola Içecek. John has a BA 
in Business Management from Ryerson University 
in Toronto and is a Chartered Accountant (Canada) 
and a Chartered Professional Accountant.

External appointments: John is a non-executive 
director and advisor to various privately-held 
companies, and serves as Executive Chairman 
of Sechi & Sechi Properties Limited.

Nationality: Canadian

SRCGFSSSRSI96

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Board composition

Membership of the Board
On 31 December 2018, our Board comprised 13 Directors: 
the Chairman, one Senior Independent Director, 10 non-Executive 
Directors and one Executive Director. The biographies of each 
member of the Board are set out on pages 90 to 95.

At the Annual General Meeting on 11 June 2018, Zoran Bogdanovic 
was appointed as an Executive Director of the Board.

The Operating Committee, described on page 109, supports Zoran 
Bogdanovic in his role as Chief Executive Officer.

The non-Executive Directors, of whom six (representing half of the 
members excluding the Chairman) are determined by the Board to be 
independent, are experienced individuals from a range of backgrounds, 
countries and industries. The composition of the Board complies with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code’s recommendation that at least 
half of the Board, excluding the Chairman, comprise independent 
Directors. There were no other changes to the Board or committee 
membership during 2018.

General qualifications required of all Directors

Coca-Cola HBC’s Board Nomination Policy requires that each Director is recognised as a person of the highest integrity and standing, both 
personally and professionally. Each Director must be ready to devote the time necessary to fulfil his or her responsibilities to the Company 
according to the terms and conditions of his or her letter of appointment. Each Director should have demonstrable experience, skills, and 
knowledge which enhance Board effectiveness and will complement those of the other members of the Board to ensure an overall balance 
of experience, skills, and knowledge on the Board. In addition, each Director must demonstrate familiarity with and respect for good corporate 
governance practices, sustainability and responsible approaches to social issues.

Business characteristics

Qualifications, skills and experience

Directors

Our business is extensive and involves complex financial 
transactions in the various jurisdictions where we operate

Experience in finance, investments and accounting

Our business is truly international with operations 
in 28 countries, at different stages of development, 
on three continents

Broad international exposure, and emerging 
and developing markets experience

Our business involves the manufacturing, sale and distribution 
of the world’s leading non-alcoholic beverage brands

Our Board’s responsibilities include the understanding and 
oversight of the key risks we are facing, establishing our risk 
appetite and ensuring that appropriate policies and procedures 
are in place to effectively manage and mitigate risks

Extensive knowledge of our business and the 
fast-moving consumer goods industry, as well as 
experience with manufacturing, route to market 
and customer relationships

Risk oversight and management expertise

Building community trust through the responsible and 
sustainable management of our business is an indispensable 
part of our culture

Expertise in sustainability and experience 
in community engagement

Our business involves compliance with many different regulatory 
and corporate governance requirements across a number 
of countries, as well as relationships with national governments 
and local authorities

Expertise in corporate governance and/or 
government relations

12

12

8 

6 

7 

6 

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

97

Outside appointments
The Articles of Association of the Company (article 36) set out limits 
on the maximum number of external appointments that members of 
our Board and executive management may hold. In addition, if a Board 
member wishes to take up an external appointment he or she must 
ask our Chairman’s permission to do so, and the Chairman must 
consult the Chairman of the Nomination Committee. The Chairman 
will assess all requests on a case-by-case basis, including whether 
the appointment in question could negatively impact the Company 
or the performance of the Director’s duties to the Group.

The nature of the appointment and the expected time commitment 
are also assessed to ensure that the effectiveness of the Board 
would not be compromised.

Details of the external appointments of our non-Executive Directors 
are contained in their respective biographies set out on pages 90 to 95.

Our Chairman serves on the International Board of Advisors of Tufts 
University. He serves as vice-chairman of Aegean Airlines S.A. and 
vice-chairman of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners. He is also a 
member of the Board of Trustees of College Year in Athens. In this 
context, the Board considers that fewer than four of the positions 
held by the Chairman are considered to be significant.

Having considered the scope of the external appointments of all 
Directors, including the Chairman, our Board is satisfied that they 
do not compromise the effectiveness of the Board as each Director 
has sufficient time to devote to his or her role on the Board as the 
Board requires.

Independence
Our Board has concluded that Charlotte J. Boyle, Olusola (Sola) 
David-Borha, William W. (Bill) Douglas III, Reto Francioni, Alexandra 
Papalexopoulou and John P. Sechi are deemed to be independent in 
accordance with the criteria set out in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, with such individuals being independent in both character 
and judgement.

The other non-Executive Directors, Anastassis G. David (Chairman), 
Anastasios I. Leventis, Christo Leventis, José Octavio Reyes, 
Ahmet C. Bozer and Ryan Rudolph, were appointed at the request of 
shareholders of the Company: Kar-Tess Holding and The Coca-Cola 
Company. They are therefore not considered, by the Board, to be 
independent as defined by the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Anastassis G. David was appointed as Chairman on 27 January 2016. 
The Board firmly believes that Anastassis David embodies the 
Company’s core values, heritage and culture and that these attributes, 
together with his strong identification with the Company and its 
shareholders’ interests, and his deep knowledge and experience 
of the Coca-Cola System, will ensure an effective and appropriately 
balanced leadership of the Board and the Company.

Shareholders’ nominees
As described under the heading ‘Major shareholders’ on page 253, 
since the main listing of the Company on the Official List of the 
London Stock Exchange in 2013, Kar-Tess Holding, The Coca-Cola 
Company and their respective affiliates have no special rights in 
relation to the appointment or re-election of nominee Directors, and 
those Directors of the Company who were originally nominated at 
the request of The Coca-Cola Company or Kar-Tess Holding will be 
required to stand for re-election on an annual basis in the same way 
as the other Directors. The Nomination Committee is responsible for 
identifying and recommending persons for subsequent nomination 
by the Board for election as Directors by the shareholders on an 
annual basis.

As our Board currently comprises 13 Directors, neither Kar-Tess 
Holding nor The Coca-Cola Company is in a position to control 
(positively or negatively) decisions of the Board that are subject 
to simple majority approval. However, decisions of the Board that 
are subject to the special quorum provisions and supermajority 
requirements contained in the Articles of Association, in practice, 
require the support of Directors nominated at the request of at least 
one of either The Coca-Cola Company or Kar-Tess Holding in order 
to be approved. In addition, based on their current shareholdings, 
neither Kar-Tess Holding nor The Coca-Cola Company is in a position 
to control a decision of the shareholders (positively or negatively), 
except to block a resolution to wind up or dissolve the Company 
or to amend the supermajority voting requirements. The latter 
requires the approval of 80% of shareholders where all shareholders 
are represented and voting. Depending on the attendance levels 
at Annual General Meetings, Kar-Tess Holding or The Coca-Cola 
Company may also be in a position to control other matters requiring 
supermajority shareholder approval.

Anastassis G. David, Anastasios I. Leventis, Christo Leventis and 
Ryan Rudolph were all originally appointed at the request of Kar-Tess 
Holding. José Octavio Reyes and Ahmet C. Bozer have been 
appointed at the request of The Coca-Cola Company.

Separation of roles
There is a clear separation of the roles of the Chairman and the 
Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman is responsible for the operation 
of the Board and for ensuring that all Directors are properly informed 
and consulted on all relevant matters. The Chairman is also actively 
involved in the work of the Nomination Committee concerning 
succession planning and the selection of key people. The Chief 
Executive Officer, Zoran Bogdanovic, is responsible for the day-to-day 
management and performance of the Company and for the 
implementation of the strategy approved by the Board.

SRCGFSSSRSI98

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Key roles and responsibilities

The Board is collectively responsible for the oversight and success of our business. The roles and responsibilities of our Chairman, Chief 
Executive Officer, Senior Independent Director, non-Executive Directors and Company Secretary are set out in detail in our Organisational 
Regulations, which can be found at http://coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/corporate-governance/corporate-governance-overview/. 
Their key responsibilities are as follows:

Chairman
 ·

leads the Board, sets the agenda and promotes a culture 
of openness and debate;

 · ensures the highest standards of corporate governance;

 ·

is the main point of contact between the Board and management; 
and

 · ensures effective communication with shareholders 

and stakeholders.

Chief Executive Officer
 ·

leads the business, implements strategy and chairs the Operating 
Committee; and

 · communicates with shareholders, employees, government 

authorities, other stakeholders and the public.

Senior Independent Director
 · acts as a sounding board for the Chairman and appraises 

 ·

 ·

his performance;
leads the independent non-Executive Directors on matters 
that benefit from an independent review; and
is available to shareholders if they have concerns which have not 
been resolved through the normal channels of communication.

Non-Executive Directors
 · contribute to developing Group strategy;
 · scrutinise and constructively challenge the performance 

of management in the execution of the Groups’ strategy; and

 · oversee succession planning, including the appointment 

Company Secretary
 · ensures that correct Board procedures are followed and ensures 
the Board has full and timely access to all relevant information;
facilitates induction and training programmes, and assists with the 
Board’s professional development requirements; and

 ·

of Executive Directors.

 · advises the Board on governance matters.

Board committees
Our Board has delegated specific tasks to its committees as set out in the Organisational Regulations and reports from these committees 
are set out in this Corporate Governance Report. Biographies of the Chairs of the Board committees and the other members of the Board, 
the Audit and Risk Committee, the Nomination Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Social Responsibility Committee are set 
out on pages 112 to 123.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

99

Governance framework

Board of Directors
Our Board has ultimate responsibility for our long-term success and for delivering sustainable shareholder value. This is achieved by approving 
the corporate strategy, monitoring performance toward strategic objectives and overseeing implementation of the strategy by the Operating 
Committee. Specific tasks are delegated by the Board to its committees for audit and risk, nomination, remuneration and social responsibility.

The governance process of the Board is set out in our Articles of Association and the Organisational Regulations. These regulations define 
the role and responsibilities of the Board and its committees, and can be found at https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/corporate-
governance/corporate-governance-overview/. In addition, the Swiss Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Listed Companies 
imposes certain obligations on the Board, including a requirement to prepare and make available a remuneration report pursuant to Swiss law.

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Social Responsibility 
Committee

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

 · The Audit and Risk 

 · The Remuneration 

 · The Nomination Committee 

Committee has responsibility 
for: overseeing accounting 
policies, financial reporting 
and disclosure controls; the 
Group’s approach to internal 
controls and risk management; 
and the quality, adequacy 
and scope of internal and 
external audit functions. 
The Committee also has 
oversight of the Company’s 
compliance with legal, 
regulatory and financial 
reporting requirements, 
and the work programme 
of the internal audit function. 
The external auditor’s report 
directly to the Committee.

Committee establishes 
the remuneration strategy 
for the Group and approves 
remuneration for the 
Chairman, non-Executive 
Directors and the Chief 
Executive Officer. 
The Committee makes 
recommendations to the 
Board regarding remuneration 
matters to be approved at 
the Annual General Meeting 
and the implementation or 
modification of any employee 
benefit plan resulting in 
an increased annual cost 
of €5 million or more.

has responsibility for: 
identifying and nominating 
new Board members; 
ensuring adequate Board 
training; supporting the 
Board and each committee 
in conducting a self-
assessment; and overseeing 
the establishment of a talent 
development framework for 
the Group. The Committee 
oversees effective 
succession planning for 
the Chief Executive Officer, 
in consultation with the 
Chairman, and for the 
Operating Committee, in 
consultation with the Chief 
Executive Officer.

 · The Social Responsibility 
Committee supports the 
Board in its responsibilities 
to safeguard the Group’s 
reputation for responsible 
and sustainable operations. 
To achieve this, the 
committee oversees the 
Group’s engagement with 
stakeholders to assess their 
expectations, and the possible 
consequences of these 
expectations for the Group. 
The Committee also 
establishes principles 
governing social and 
environmental management, 
and oversees development 
of performance management 
to achieve social and 
environmental goals.

Operating Committee
The Operating Committee, led by the Chief Executive Officer, meets 12 times each year and provides the Group with executive leadership. 
The Committee has responsibility for: the development of long-term strategies and the implementation of strategies approved by the Board; 
providing adequate head-office support for each of the Group’s countries; working closely with the country General Managers, as set out 
in our operating framework; and the setting of annual targets and approval of annual business plans which form the basis of the Group’s 
performance management.

SRCGFSSSRSI100

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Board and committee attendance in 2018
The following table shows the membership of the Board committees and includes the Directors’ attendance at Board and committee 
meetings during the period between 1 January and 31 December 2018. 

Board

Audit and Risk1

Remuneration

Nomination

Social Responsibility

Total 

Total 

Total 

Total 

Director
Anastassis G. David
Zoran Bogdanovic
Charlotte J. Boyle
Ahmet C. Bozer
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha2
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni3
Anastasios I. Leventis
Christo Leventis
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes4
Robert Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi

Independent Attended
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes

meetings   Attended
–
–
–
–
7
8
–
–
–
–
–
–
8

6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  
6  

meetings   Attended

meetings   Attended

–  
–  
–  
–  
8  
8  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
8  

4 
–
–
–
3 

–
4 

–

4   
–  
–  
–  
4   

–  
4   

–  

4 
–
–
–
3 

–
4 

–

4   
–  
–  
–  
4   

meetings   Attended
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
4
–
4
3
–
–

–  
4   

–  

Total 
meetings
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
4
–
4
4
–
–

1.  Includes four conference calls.
2.  Sola David-Borha did not attend the June meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee due to a long-standing prior commitment.
3.  Reto Francioni did not attend the Remuneration and Nomination Committee meetings in September 2018 due to a long-standing prior commitment.
4.  José Octavio Reyes did not attend the December meeting of the Social Responsibility Committee due to a long-standing prior commitment.

Full day board meetings 
The Board met six times during 2018. Four Board meetings 
took place over two days (consisting of two half-day 
sessions) to allow the Board sufficient time for deep-dives, 
reflection and candid discussion, and to take stock of the 
business environment and geographies in which we operate. 
The structure and nature of these meetings also allows 
time for Directors to socialise, which facilitates cordial 
relations and supports forthright discussion during Board 
meetings. Two of the meetings were held by conference call.

BOARD MEETINGS TAKE PLACE
Over 24 hours

The Directors are encouraged to have free and open contact with 
management at all levels, and full access to all relevant information. 
Board meetings are normally held in Zug, Switzerland, but one 
of the Board meetings every year is held in one of our countries 
so that the Board will have the opportunity to visit the facilities 
and the respective markets in one of the 28 countries that make 
up our geographic footprint.

This allows Directors to gain a better understanding of regional 
differences in our business and the specifics of various markets. 
At each Board meeting, the Board receives reports and in-depth 
presentations from line and functional executives. The chairperson 
of each committee also reports to the Board on matters considered 
or decided in meetings of the respective Board committees. 
The Board also frequently reviews the actual performance 
of the Group versus its long-term strategy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

101

Summary of key Board activities for 2018 and priorities for 2019
Topic
Strategy

2018 activity
 · Supported the acceleration of product and 

package innovation

 · Continued Optimisation of costs and investments, driving 
process efficiency while improving customer satisfaction

 · Continued playing an industry-leading role 

on sustainability

 · Continued ensuring effective alignment with 

The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC)

2019 priority
 · Continuous support of the new product 

and package launch

 · Developing the Group’s strategy towards 

becoming a 24/7 Total Beverage Company
 · Working towards the 2025 sustainability targets
 · Close collaboration and alignment with TCCC

Performance

 · Regular performance reviews with a focus on the 

Company’s key business indicators

 · Deep-dive reviews of each of the Company’s regions 

and key functions

 · Regular business overviews and monitoring 
progress towards the Group’s long-term 
growth targets

 · Periodic reviews of specific countries, regions 

 · Monitored external factors such as macroeconomic 

and functions

conditions, currency volatility and commodities markets

 · Reviewing the macroeconomic, commodities 

hedging and currency trends

Risk management 
and internal control

 · Continued review of the principal risks and mitigation 

 · Ongoing overview of the principal risks 

programmes reported on pages 74 to 76

and focus on cyber-security

 · Reviewed mitigation plans for currency volatility with 
an emphasis on the operations in Russia and Nigeria

 · Ongoing reviews of mitigation plans for 
commodities and currency volatility

Operational

 · Continued review of the Company’s cost optimisation 
and investment programmes to ensure efficiency 
improvements and improved customer satisfaction

 · Detailed review and approval of capex 

investments

 · Review of the Company’s cost 

 · Monitored the effectiveness of the Company’s 

optimisation plans

acceleration plan for cold drink equipment

Culture and values

 · Continued shaping the culture, values and employee 
engagement of the Company through the Board’s 
interaction with management and employees

 · Reviewed engagement survey results and people plans

 · Reviewing the results of the Company’s 

engagement actions

 · Discussing talent and people capability plans

Succession planning 
and diversity

 · Ongoing succession planning work for Board and senior 

management positions

 · Discussed Board effectiveness review

 · Preparing a succession planning and bench 
strength initiatives for senior management 
and Board vacancies

SRCGFSSSRSI102

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Board effectiveness

Information and training
The practices and procedures adopted by our Board ensure that 
the Directors are supplied on a timely basis with comprehensive 
information on the business development and financial position 
of the Company, the form and content of which is expected to 
enable the Directors to discharge their duties and carry out their 
responsibilities. All Directors have access to our General Counsel, 
as well as independent professional advice at the expense of the 
Company. All Directors have full access to the Chief Executive Officer 
and senior management, as well as the external auditor and internal 
audit team.

The Board has in place an induction programme for new Directors. 
Generally, it involves meeting with the Chairman, members of 
the Operating Committee and other senior executives, as well as 
receiving orientation training in relation to the Group and its corporate 
governance practices. The induction programme also includes 
meetings with representatives of our sales force, customers and 
major shareholders, and visits to our production plants.

All Directors are given the opportunity to attend training to ensure 
that they are kept up to date on relevant legal, accounting and 
corporate governance developments. The Directors individually 
attend seminars, forums, conferences and working groups on 
relevant topics. The Nomination Committee reviews our Director 
training activities regularly. Finally, as part of the continuing 
development of the Directors, the Company Secretary ensures 
that our Board is kept up to date with key corporate governance 
developments. The Board appoints the Company Secretary, 
who acts as secretary to the Board.

Board, committee and Director performance 
evaluation
At least annually, on the basis of an assessment conducted by 
the Nomination Committee, the Board reviews its own performance 
as well as the performance of each of the Board committees. 
This review seeks to determine whether the Board and its committees 
function effectively and efficiently. During the year, the Chairman 
meets with the Directors to receive feedback on the functioning 
of the Board and its committees, the boardroom dynamics, and 
the Group’s strategy.

Particular focus is given to areas where a Director believes the 
performance of the Board and its committees could be improved. 
A report is prepared for the Board on its effectiveness and that 
of its committees.

For the past three years, the evaluation of the Board’s effectiveness 
has been facilitated by Lintstock, and details of the 2018 Lintstock 
Report are set out on page 103. A summary of the Board evaluation 
findings for 2017, the actions taken in response to improve Board 
effectiveness in 2018, the Board evaluation findings for 2018, and 
the resulting priorities for 2019 is as follows:

2017 Board evaluation findings
 · Focus on strategy
 · Risk oversight
 · Focus on CEO 

2018 actions
 · Evolving our Total Beverage portfolio 

in close alignment with TCCC

 · Ongoing monitoring of the Group’s 

transition

principal risks

2018 Board evaluation findings
 · Focus on strategy
 · Continue to engage 
with key stakeholders

2019 priorities
 · Continued development of our 24/7 
Total Beverage Company strategy
 · Maintaining relationships with key 

 · Keep abreast of 

stakeholders

relevant technological 
developments

 · Focusing on digital and technological 

developments that will support 
the business

The independent Directors meet separately at every regular Board 
meeting to discuss a variety of issues, including the effectiveness of 
the Board. An evaluation of each Director, other than the Chairman, 
is conducted by the Chairman and the Senior Independent Director. 
The Senior Independent Director leads the evaluation of the Chairman 
in conjunction with the non-Executive Directors, taking into account 
the views of the Chief Executive Officer, and, as a matter of practice, 
meets with the other independent non-Executive Directors when 
each Board meeting is held to discuss issues together, without the 
Chief Executive Officer or other non-Executive Directors present.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

103

Lintstock Report
In 2018, we once again engaged advisory firm Lintstock to undertake an evaluation of the performance of the Board. Lintstock specialises 
in Board performance reviews and has no other connection with Coca-Cola HBC.

Process
The first stage of the review involved Lintstock engaging with the 
Company Secretary to set the context for the evaluation, and to 
tailor survey content to the specific circumstances of Coca-Cola 
HBC. The surveys were designed to follow up on, and further explore, 
the key themes that emerged from the 2017 exercise. All Board 
members were then requested to complete a survey on the 
performance of the Board, its committees, and the Chairman.

Lintstock subsequently analysed the results and produced a report 
addressing the following areas of Board performance:

 · The appropriateness of the Board’s composition was reviewed, 
and respondents were asked to identify any changes that ought 
to be made to the Board’s profile.

 · The Board’s understanding of the views of key stakeholders 
(including employees throughout the organisation) and the 
regulatory environment in which the Company operates 
was considered.

 · The atmosphere in the boardroom and the Board’s engagement 
with management in providing effective support and constructive 
challenge were assessed.

 · The management and focus of meetings was also reviewed, 

as was the quality of the Board packs and the presentations given 
by management.

 · The Board’s effectiveness in reviewing past decisions was 

considered, and respondents were asked to identify the areas 
upon which they felt the Board ought to spend more or less time 
focusing over the next year.

 · The Board’s oversight of strategy was evaluated, as was the capacity 
of the organisation to deliver the strategy, and the Directors’ opinions 
on the top strategic issues facing the Company over the next three 
to five years were sought.

 · The Board’s understanding of digital and technological developments 
relevant to the Company was also reviewed, as was the Board’s 
oversight of risk management.

 · The structure of the Company at senior levels, in terms of 

delivering the strategic plan, was considered, and the Company’s 
processes for attracting, developing and retaining talent were 
also assessed.

 · The performance of the committees of the Board was evaluated, 

as was the performance of the Chairman.

Lintstock’s report highlighted that, it was broadly felt by the members that the Board’s performance had improved over the year. 
As a result of the review, among other things the Board agreed to focus on the Group’s 2025 strategy, relationship with 
stakeholders and succession planning.

Conflicts of interest
In accordance with the Organisational Regulations, Directors are 
required to arrange their personal and business affairs so as to avoid 
a conflict of interest with the Group.

Each Director must disclose to the Chairman the nature and extent 
of any conflict of interest arising generally or in relation to any matter 
to be discussed at a Board meeting, as soon as the Director becomes 
aware of its existence. In the event that the Chairman becomes 
aware of a Director’s conflict of interest, the Chairman is required to 
contact that Director promptly and discuss with him or her the nature 
and extent of such a conflict of interest. Subject to exceptional 
circumstances in which the best interests of the Company dictate 
otherwise, the Director affected by a conflict of interest is not 
permitted to participate in discussions and decision-making involving 
the interest at stake.

Board appointments and succession planning
Our Board has in place plans to ensure the progressive renewal of the 
Board and appropriate succession planning for senior management.

Pursuant to our Articles of Association, the Board consists 
of a minimum of seven and a maximum of 15 members, and the 
Directors are elected annually for a term of one year by the 
Company’s shareholders. Accordingly, all Directors are subject 
to annual re-election by shareholders in accordance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code. In case of resignation or death of 
any member of the Board, the Board may elect a permanent guest, 
whom the Board will propose for election by the shareholders 
at the next Annual General Meeting.

SRCGFSSSRSI104

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

In accordance with the Organisational Regulations, the Board 
proposes for election at the shareholders’ meeting new Directors 
who have been recommended by the Nomination Committee after 
consultation with the Chairman. In making such recommendations, 
the Nomination Committee and the Board must consider criteria 
including the overall balance of skills, experience, independence and 
knowledge of the Board member, as well as diversity considerations 
including gender. See the Nomination Committee report on pages 
118-119 for further information on the role and work of the 
Nomination Committee, including the Board Diversity Policy. 
Through this process, the Board is satisfied that the Board and its 
committees have the appropriate balance of experience, diversity, 
independence and knowledge of the Company to enable them to 
discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively.

At the Annual General Meeting on 11 June 2018, Zoran Bogdanovic, 
the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, was appointed as an 
Executive Director. There were no other changes to Board or 
committee membership during 2018.

Shareholder engagement
The Chairman, the Senior Independent Director, the Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee and the Chair of the Audit and Risk 
Committee will be available at the Annual General Meeting of the 
Company to answer questions from shareholders. The Board 
encourages shareholders to attend as it provides an opportunity 
to engage with the Board.

Pursuant to Swiss law and the Articles of Association, shareholders 
annually elect an independent proxy and we have adopted an 
electronic proxy voting system for our Annual General Meetings.

The Company has a dedicated investor relations function which 
reports to the Chief Financial Officer. Through the investor relations 
team, the Company and Board maintain a dialogue with institutional 
investors and financial analysts on operational financial performance 
and strategic direction items. We engaged with the investment 
community and our shareholders throughout the year, as outlined 
in the diagram below, demonstrating our commitment to being 
accessible and transparent. The feedback from shareholders has 
been regularly considered by the Board and, where necessary, 
appropriate action to further engage with shareholders was taken.

Key investor relations activities in 2018

Dec

Jan

Nov

Feb

Oct

Sept

Aug

May

July

June

February
 · Roadshows in Edinburgh and London

September
 · Barclays Global Consumer Staples 

Mar

Apr

March
 · Credit Suisse Consumer/Retail 

Conference, London
IR roadshow in London

 ·

April
 · Roadshow in the USA

June
 · Annual General Meeting, Zug
 · Deutsche Bank Access Global 
Consumer conference, Paris
IR roadshow in London

 ·

conference, Boston

 · Greek institutional breakfast in 

Athens
IR roadshow in Frankfurt
IR roadshow in Zurich

 ·
 ·

November
 · Roadshow in Edinburgh and London
 · Roadshow in the USA
 · Berenberg West Coast Consumer 
& E-Commerce Conference, San 
Francisco

 · Jefferies West Coast Consumer 

Conference, San Francisco

December
 · Citi’s Global Consumer  
conference, London

UK Corporate Governance Code
As a Swiss corporation listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) 
with a secondary listing on the Athens Exchange, we aim to ensure 
that our corporate governance systems remain in line with 
international best practices. Our corporate governance standards 
and procedures are continuously reviewed in light of current 
developments and rulemaking processes in the UK, Switzerland 
and also the EU. Further details are available on our website. 

As a premium listed Company, we are required to comply with the 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code or explain any 
instances of non-compliance to shareholders. Our Board believes 
that the Company applied the principles and complied with, except 
as set out in the paragraphs below, the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code throughout 2018. Pursuant to our 
obligations under the Listing Rules, we intend to apply the principles 
and continually comply with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code or to explain any instances of non-compliance 
in our Annual Report. All references to the UK Corporate Governance 
Code are to the 2016 version of the code, unless otherwise stated.

The 2016 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code is available 
online at https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Publications/Corporate-
Governance/UK-Corporate-Governance-Code-April-2016.pdf.

Effective from 1 January 2019, the 2018 version of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code applies to companies with accounting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2019. The Company will be reporting 
on how it has complied with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code in the 2019 annual report to be published in 2020.

Certain differences between the Company’s 
corporate governance practices and the 
UK Corporate Governance Code
The Swiss Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Listed 
Companies further limits the authority of the Remuneration 
Committee and the Board to determine compensation. The effective 
limitations include requiring that the Annual General Meeting approve 
the maximum total compensation of each of the Board and the 
Operating Committee, requiring that certain compensation elements 
be authorised in the Articles of Association and prohibiting certain 
forms of compensation, such as severance payments and financial 
or monetary incentives for the acquisition or disposal of firms. We are 
in compliance with the requirements of the Swiss Ordinance against 
Excessive Compensation in Listed Companies and have amended 
our Articles of Association to that effect.

Anastassis G. David was originally appointed at the request of 
Kar-Tess Holding and was not, at the time of his appointment as 
Chairman, independent as defined by the UK Corporate Governance 
Code. In view of Anastassis David’s strong identification with the 
Company and its shareholder interests, combined with his deep 
knowledge and experience of the Coca-Cola System, the Board 
deemed it to be in the best interests of the Group and its 
shareholders for him to be appointed as Chairman, to continue to 
promote an effective and appropriately balanced leadership of the 
Group. In accordance with the established policy of appointing all 
Directors for one year at a time, the Board intends to continue to 
keep all positions under regular review and subject to annual election 
by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

105

Application of governance codes

Other corporate governance codes

There is no mandatory corporate governance code under Swiss law 
applicable to us. The main source of law for Swiss governance rules 
is the company law contained in articles 620 ff. of the Swiss Code 
of Obligations, as well as the Ordinance against Excessive 
Compensation in Listed Companies.

In addition, the UK’s City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the ‘City 
Code’) does not apply to the Company by operation of law, as the 
Company is not incorporated under English law. The Articles 
of Association include specific provisions designed to prevent any 
person acquiring shares carrying 30% or more of the voting rights 
(taken together with any interest in shares held or acquired by the 
acquirer or persons acting in concert with the acquirer) except if 
(subject to certain exceptions) such acquisition would not have been 
prohibited by the City Code or if such acquisition is made through an 
offer conducted in accordance with the City Code. For further details, 
please refer to the Company’s Articles of Association, which are 
available on our website.

Amending the articles of association

The Articles of Association (Articles) may only be amended by 
a resolution of the shareholders passed by a majority of at least 
two-thirds of the voting rights represented and an absolute majority 
of the nominal value of the shares represented.

Share capital structure

The Company has ordinary shares in issue with a nominal value of 
CHF 6.7 each. Rights attaching to each share are identical and each 
share carries one vote. The Company’s Articles also allow, subject 
to shareholder approval, for the conversion of registered shares into 
bearer shares and bearer shares into registered shares. Details in 
the movement in ordinary share capital during the year can be found 
on page 105. There are no persons holding shares that carry special 
rights with regard to the control of the Company.

Powers of directors to issue and buy back shares

Subject to the provisions of the relevant laws and the Articles, the 
Board acting collectively has the ultimate responsibility for running 
the Company and the supervision and control of its executive 
management. The Directors may take decisions on all matters which 
are not expressly reserved to the shareholders or by the Articles. 
Pursuant to the provisions of the Articles, the Directors require 
shareholder authority to issue shares. At the Annual General Meeting 
on 11 June 2018, the shareholders authorised the Directors to 
repurchase ordinary shares of CHF 6.70 each in the capital of the 
Company up to a maximum aggregate number of 7,500,000 
representing approximately 2% of the Company’s issued share 
capital as at 30 April 2018. The authority will expire on 30 June 2019 
or at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting in 2019. 
On 3 December 2018, the Company commenced a share buy-back 
programme for up to 7,500,000 of its ordinary shares of CHF 
6.70 each. As at 31 December 2018, 1,033,068 shares had been 
purchased at an average price of 2,409.29 pence per share and are 
held in treasury. This programme continues and as at 13 March 2019 
(the latest practicable date for inclusion in this report), since 31 
December 2018, the Company purchased a further 3,545,264 shares 
at an average price of 2,559.69 pence per share and these shares are 
also held in treasury. Total shares held in treasury being 8,023,392.

SRCGFSSSRSI106

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

oca - C o l a  Compa
e C

n

y

h
T

O u r  people

t s

n

e

ern m

v
o
G

s

r

hold e
re
a
h
S

O ur com

m

u

n

i

t

i

e

s

O

ur c

o

n

s

u

m
e
r
s

BOARD 
ENGAGEMENT 
WITH WIDER 
STAKEHOLDERS

N

G

Os

P

a

rt

ners in ef f i c i

s

u stomer

O u r   c

n cy

e

WIDER STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Engagement with key stakeholder groups 
strengthens our relationships and is an 
ongoing part of the operational management 
of the Group. This includes employee surveys, 
assessments of customer satisfaction and 
ongoing conversations with regulators and 
non-governmental organisations. The Board 
receives regular updates on insights and 
feedback from stakeholders, which allows 
the Board to understand and consider the 
perspectives of key stakeholders in 
decision-making.

Employees are one of our most important 
stakeholder groups and the Board therefore 
closely monitors and reviews the results 
of the Company’s annual Employee 
Engagement, Values and Ambassadorship 
surveys. The Board likewise closely monitors 
the Company’s annual customer survey, 
which we commission to assess the 
satisfaction of more than 15,000 customers. 
For more information about these surveys, 
see the People and Customer sections 
on pages 26 and 48, respectively.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

107

We also work, among others, with our 
customers, consumers, suppliers, local 
community representatives and other 
business partners across the value chain 
every day. The infographic on the previous 
page sets out the different stakeholders with 
whom we engage, which in turn is reported 
on to the Board.

How the Board is kept informed

Read more

Reviewing and developing plans that promote 
an inclusive growth culture and investing in building 
the best teams in the industry.

Page 26

Our people

Plant visits, community meetings, partnerships 
on common issues, sponsorship activities, lectures 
at universities.

Page 34

Our communities

Consumer hotlines, local websites, plant tours, 
research, surveys, focus groups.

Page 40

Our consumers

Regular visits, dedicated account teams, joint business 
planning, joint value-creation initiatives, customer care 
centres, customer satisfaction surveys.

Page 48

Our customers

Engagement with our suppliers, consultants 
and counterparts in related industries.

Page 54

Dialogue, policy work, partnerships on common issues, 
membership of business and industry associations.

Page 65

Annual General Meetings, investor roadshows 
and results briefings, webcasts, ongoing dialogue 
with analysts and investors.

Page 104

Recycling and recovery initiatives, EU Platform for 
Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, foreign 
investment advisory councils, chambers of commerce.

Page 64

Day-to-day interaction as business partners, 
joint projects, joint business planning, functional 
groups on strategic issues, ‘top-to-top’ senior 
management meetings.

Page 14

Partners 
in efficiency

NGOs

Shareholders

Governments

The Coca-Cola 
Company

Considering stakeholders 
in decision‑making
The Board considers the impact on stakeholders 
when taking a number of key decisions. Examples 
of these include:

 · Shaping choice – In developing our product 
portfolio and our marketing efforts, together 
with The Coca-Cola Company, we consider 
consumer health and nutrition, emphasising 
low- or no-sugar variants. We support 
transparent product labelling to help consumers 
make informed choices and, in 2018, introduced 
new product labels with nutritional information 
based on the UK’s ‘traffic light’ scheme.

 · Digital evolution – We have overseen a number 
of changes to support the Company’s digital 
evolution in an environment where technology 
is changing the way consumers interact with 
the world and with brands. We are successfully 
activating e-commerce across various 
channels, using a co-operative approach with 
our customers and investing in new training for 
our people. In 2018, we also accelerated our 
investment in connected coolers to optimise 
cooler placement and increase sales force 
productivity through automation.
 · Product packaging – To reduce the 

consumption of single-use plastics and promote 
a circular value chain through reusable content, 
the first Europe-wide plastics strategy was 
introduced by the EU in 2018. As part of the new 
2025 sustainability commitments approved by 
the Board in 2018, we are proactively addressing 
stakeholder concerns about packaging by 
committing to help collect the equivalent of 75% 
of every can and bottle we sell by 2025, use more 
recycled and renewable materials in packaging, 
and make 100% of our consumer packaging 
recyclable by 2025.

See pages 12-13 for more information

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
108

THE OPERATING COMMITTEE 
REPRESENTS THE EXECUTIVE 
LEADERSHIP OF THE COMPANY

From left to right
Row one

Michalis Imellos, Zoran Bogdanovic, Naya Kalogeraki

Row two

Marcel Martin, Sotiris Yannopoulos, Alain Brouhard

Row three

Jan Gustavsson, Sanda Parezanovic, Keith Sanders

Row four

Nikos Kalaitzidakis

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

109

Alain Brouhard

(56) Business Solutions and Systems Director

Senior management tenure: Appointed June 2010 (8 years)

Previous Group roles: Region Director responsible for Nigeria, 
Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro (2010 to 2013), 
and Water and Juice Business Director.

Previous relevant experience: Alain Brouhard began his career with 
Procter & Gamble, where he worked in four different countries and 
in a variety of commercial and management roles leading up to Global 
Customer Team Leader in 2000, when he oversaw the global 
account management of Delhaize and the European management 
of new channels, including discounters (such as Aldi, Lidl and Dia) and 
convenience retailing (such as petrol stations). From 2002 to 2010, 
Alain Brouhard held positions at Adidas, including Managing Director, 
Italy and Southeast Europe, from 2007 until 2010. Prior to that, he 
was Vice-President for commercial operations, EMEA, from 2002 
to 2005, and, from 2005, took the role of Managing Director, Iberia, 
based in Spain, with responsibility for Spain and Portugal.

Nationality: French

Keith Sanders

(58) Region Director: Armenia, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, 
Lithuania, Poland, Russian Federation, Ukraine and Moldova

Senior management tenure: Appointed August 2009 (9 years)

Previous Group roles: General Manager of the Company’s 
operations in Russia (2004).

Previous relevant experience: Prior to joining the Group, Keith 
Sanders spent 11 years within the Coca-Cola System. He started 
his career with The Coca-Cola Company in a regional marketing role 
within the Gulf Region. In 1993, he was appointed Human Resources 
and Training Manager for the Gulf Region. In 1994, he assumed his 
first Bottling General Manager role in Bahrain, and then moved 
through a series of larger country general management roles until 
2001, when he was appointed Director for Bottling Operations in 
the Eurasia & Middle East Division with responsibility for Saudi Arabia, 
Pakistan, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. Prior to joining the 
Coca-Cola System, Keith Sanders spent six years with Procter & 
Gamble in the United States in a variety of sales and marketing roles.

Nationality: American

Marcel Martin

(60) Group Supply Chain Director

Senior management tenure: Appointed January 2015 (4 years)

Previous Group roles: Marcel Martin joined the Group in 1993, 
holding positions with increasing responsibility in the supply chain 
and commercial functions. Since 1995, Marcel Martin has held general 
management assignments in several of our markets, including as 
General Manager for Eastern Romania, Regional Manager Russia, 
Country General Manager Ukraine and General Manager Nigeria. 
Marcel Martin became General Manager of our Irish operations 
in 2010 and is now our Group Supply Chain Director.

Nationality: Romanian

The Operating Committee is chaired by Zoran 
Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer, and his 
biography is set out on page 90.

Other members of the Operating Committee:

Michalis Imellos

(50) Chief Financial Officer

Senior management tenure: Appointed April 2012 (6 years)

Previous Group roles: Region Finance Director responsible for 
Nigeria, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia and 
Montenegro; General Manager, Romania and Moldova.

Previous relevant experience: Michalis Imellos held a number of 
finance positions in the UK-based European headquarters of Xerox, 
including those of European Mergers & Acquisitions Director and 
Finance Director of the Office Europe Division. He managed the 
financial, tax and legal aspects of Xerox’s sponsorship of the Athens 
2004 Olympic Games, as well as the finance function of the 
company’s operations in Greece. He is a Fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and started his 
career at Ernst & Young.

Nationality: Greek

Naya Kalogeraki

(49) Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer

Senior management tenure: Appointed July 2016 (2 years)

Previous Group roles: Director of Strategy, CEO office. From 1998, 
when Naya Kalogeraki joined the Company, she built her career 
assuming roles of increased scale and scope, including Marketing 
Director, Trade Marketing Director, Sales Director and Country 
Commercial Director, Greece. She has been heavily involved in 
Group strategic projects and task forces addressing mission-critical 
business imperatives. In September 2013, Naya Kalogeraki was 
appointed to the role of General Manager, Greece and Cyprus.

Previous relevant experience: Naya Kalogeraki joined the Company 
in 1998 from The Coca-Cola Company where she held a number 
of marketing positions up to Marketing Manager.

Nationality: Greek

Sotiris Yannopoulos

(51) Region Director: Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, 
Slovakia, Italy and Switzerland

Senior management tenure: Appointed July 2014 (4 years)

Previous Group roles: Sotiris Yannopoulos was General Manager 
in Serbia and Montenegro from 2009 to 2012 and Country General 
Manager in Italy from 2012 to 2014.

Previous relevant experience: Prior to joining the Group, Sotiris 
Yannopoulos spent 12 years working at PepsiCo in various roles. 
He also spent five years with Star Foods, where he was the East 
Balkans Business Unit Manager, and seven years with Tasty Foods 
in Greece, where his roles included Business Development Director, 
Marketing and Trade Marketing Director, Marketing Manager and 
Group Brand Manager. He started his career as an Assistant Product 
Manager (USA/South Africa) with Colgate-Palmolive.

Nationality: Greek

SRCGFSSSRSI110

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Jan Gustavsson

Nikos Kalaitzidakis

(49) Region Director: Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, 
North Macedonia, Greece, Cyprus, Island of Ireland, Romania 
and Serbia & Montenegro

Senior management tenure: Appointed May 2018

Previous Group roles: Nikos Kalaitzidakis joined the Group in 2006 
as Regional Manager for Northwest Russia and then moved to 
general manager roles in Croatia (2008), Bulgaria (2010), Hungary 
(2013) and Poland (2014).

Previous relevant experience: Prior to joining the Group, Nikos 
Kalaitzidakis spent five years in High Tech and Telecom industry, 
and seven years with Phillip Morris International in various roles 
and geographies across Europe and Central Asia.

Nationality: Greek

(53) General Counsel, Company Secretary and Director 
of Strategic Development

Senior management tenure: Appointed August 2001 (17 years)

Previous Group roles: Jan Gustavsson served as Deputy General 
Counsel for Coca-Cola Beverages plc from 1999-2001.

Previous relevant experience: Jan Gustavsson started his career 
in 1993 with the law firm White & Case in Stockholm, Sweden. 
In 1995, he joined The Coca-Cola Company as Assistant Division 
Counsel in the Nordic and Northern Eurasia Division. From 1997 
to 1999, Jan Gustavsson was Senior Associate in White & Case’s 
New York office, practising securities law and M&A.

Nationality: Swedish

Sanda Parezanovic

(54) Group Human Resources Director

Senior management tenure: Appointed June 2015 (3 years)

Previous Group roles: Sanda Parezanovic’s previous roles in the 
Group include: Public Affairs & Communications Manager, Serbia 
and Montenegro from 2003 to 2006; Country Human Resources and 
Public Affairs & Communications Manager, Serbia and Montenegro 
from 2006 to 2010; and Region Human Resources Director Bosnia 
& Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Northern Ireland, 
the Republic of Ireland, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, 
Nigeria, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia from 2010 to 2015.

Previous relevant experience: Sanda Parezanovic started in 1989 
as Market Researcher and later Strategic Planner working for various 
local research and marketing agencies in SFR Yugoslavia. Sanda 
Parezanovic joined Saatchi & Saatchi Balkans in 1994, holding various 
senior management positions in several Balkan countries, including 
Managing Director of two start-up agencies, first in North Macedonia 
and later in Serbia. In 1999 she relocated to London, where she 
worked for Saatchi & Saatchi and Marketing Drive on a number of 
pan-European and business development projects, before she joined 
our Group in 2003.

Nationality: Serbian

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

111

Key responsibilities of the Operating Committee

The key responsibilities and elements of the Operating 
Committee’s role are:

 · the day‑to‑day executive management of the Group and its 
businesses, including all matters not reserved for the Board 
or other bodies;

 · the development of the Group strategies and implementation 

of the strategies approved by the Board;

 · providing adequate head‑office support for each of the 

Group’s countries;

 · the setting of annual targets and approval of annual business 

plans which form the basis of the Group’s performance 
management, including a comprehensive programme of 
strategies and targets agreed between the Country General 
Managers and the Region Directors;

 · working closely with the Country General Managers, as set out 

in the Group’s operating framework, in order to capture benefits 
of scale, ensuring appropriate governance and compliance, 
and managing the performance of the Group; and
leading the Group’s talent and capability development 
programmes.

 ·

Key activities and decisions of the Operating Committee in 2018

Oct

Sept

Business case reviews  
and approvals

 · The strategic revenue‑generating 
initiatives and product/packaging 
innovation business cases

 · The strategic evolution of supply 

chain, human resources, 
commercial, Finance and BSS 
functions

 · The optimisation of our logistics 
and manufacturing infrastructure
 · Further development of BSO, our 

shared services organisation

Policy formulation and reviews

 · Sustainability commitments

Priority projects

 · 2025 strategy development
 · Revenue growth management
 · Route‑to‑market Reboot
 · Renewing category growth
 · Right Execution Daily
Innovation for Growth
 ·
 · Digital and Big Data and Advanced 

Analytics (BDAA)

 · Engagement
 · Performance Management
 · Employer Branding and talent 

recruitment

Dec

Jan

Nov

Feb

Aug

May

July

June

Risk, safety and business resilience

 · Evaluating the Group’s business 

resilience strategies

 · Reviewing the Group’s health and 

safety policies and material incidents 

Long-term direction setting

 · Developing 2025 organisational 

strategy, targets and 
growth pillars

 · Defining Group strategic 

priorities and performance 
parameters

 · Reviewing our revenue growth 
management framework and 
aligning on local 
commercialisation plans

Mar

Apr

 · Rebooting our route‑to‑market 

approach in all operations
 · Aligning our sustainability 

priorities on the way to delivering 
2020 commitments and preparing 
2025 commitments, together 
with relevant initiatives

Business planning

 · Evaluating and updating 

the Group’s long-range business 
plan

 · Reviewing and approving 

annual business plans for 2018 for 
all operations and central 
functions

 · Approving Group and country 

talent, capabilities development 
and succession plans

SRCGFSSSRSI112

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

RAISING THE BAR 
FOR RISK MANAGEMENT

The Audit and Risk Committee Report describes in more detail the 
work of the Audit and Risk Committee during 2018. In performing its 
work, the Committee balances independent oversight with support 
and guidance to management. I am confident to report that the 
Committee supported by senior management and the external 
auditor consistently carried out its duties to a high standard during 
the reporting year.

Role and responsibilities
The Audit and Risk Committee monitors the effectiveness of our 
financial reporting, internal control and risk management systems, 
and processes. The role of the Audit and Risk Committee is set out 
in the charter for the committees of the Board of Directors in Annex 
C to the Company’s Organisational Regulations. This is available at 
http://coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/corporate-governance/
corporate-governance-overview/.

The key responsibilities and elements of the Audit and Risk 
Committee’s role are:

 · providing advice to the Board on whether the Annual Report 

including the consolidated Financial Statements, taken as a whole, 
is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and 
performance, including whether there is a consistency between 
the narrative in the front half and the financial reporting, whether 
the report will form a good basis of information for the 
shareholders, and that important messages are highlighted 
appropriately throughout the report;

 ·

 · monitoring the quality, fairness and integrity of the Financial 
Statements of the Group, and reviewing significant financial 
reporting issues and judgements contained in them;
reviewing the Group’s internal financial control and anti-fraud 
systems as well as the Group’s broader enterprise risk management 
and legal and ethical compliance programmes (including 
computerised information system controls and security) with the 
input of the external auditor and the internal audit department;
reviewing and evaluating the Group’s major areas of financial risk 
and the steps taken to monitor and control such risk, as well 
as guidelines and policies governing risk assessment; and

 ·

 · monitoring and reviewing the external auditor’s independence, 
quality, adequacy and effectiveness, taking into consideration 
the requirements of all applicable laws in Switzerland and the UK, 
the listing requirements of the London Stock Exchange and 
Athens Stock Exchange, and applicable professional standards.

Members

William W. (Bill) Douglas III (Chair)

John P. Sechi

Membership status

Member since 2016, 
Chair since 2016

Member since 2014

Olusola (Sola) David-Borha

Member since 2015

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR 
OF THE AUDIT AND RISK 
COMMITTEE

Highlights in 2018 included the adoption of IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and 
the assessment of the impact of IFRS 16. We also monitored 
training on our Code of Business Conduct and Anti-bribery 
policies, which both exceeded our minimum target of training 
95% of our workforce.

Dear Shareholder
The Audit and Risk Committee focused its work during 2018 on 
enhancing and strengthening the Group’s existing financial controls, 
risk management and compliance systems, including in relation 
to its financial reporting process and the process for preparing 
consolidated accounts, which the Board recognises as essential 
components of effective corporate governance.

During 2018, the Audit and Risk Committee worked closely with the 
internal audit and finance teams in implementing the Group’s internal 
control framework. The Committee also reviewed developments 
in accounting and regulatory matters, including changes to IFRS, 
initiatives around human rights and gender diversity, and the new 
EU Data Protection Regulation.

WILLIAM W. (BILL) DOUGLAS III
COMMITTEE CHAIR

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

113

The Audit and Risk Committee comprises three independent 
non-Executive Directors; Bill Douglas (Chair), Olusola (Sola) 
David-Borha and John P. Sechi, who were each re-elected for a 
one-year term by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting 
on 11 June 2018.

The Board remains satisfied that Bill Douglas, Sola David-Borha and 
John Sechi possess recent and relevant financial and sector 
experience in compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
Bill Douglas was formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 
Officer of Coca-Cola Enterprises, and Sola David-Borha and John 
Sechi have held a number of senior financial positions.

Further details on their experience are set out in their respective 
biographies on pages 91 to 95.

The Chief Financial Officer, as well as the General Counsel, external 
auditor the Director of Internal Audit, and the Group Financial 
Controller, normally attend all meetings of the Audit and Risk 
Committee. Other officers and employees are invited to attend 
meetings when appropriate. The Director of Internal Audit, and, 
separately, the external auditor, meet regularly with the Audit and 
Risk Committee without the presence of management to discuss the 
adequacy of internal controls over financial reporting and any other 
matters deemed relevant to the Audit and Risk Committee.

Work and activities
The Audit and Risk Committee met eight times during 2018 and 
discharged the responsibilities defined under Annex C of the 
Organisational Regulations. The work of the Audit and Risk 
Committee during the accounting year included evaluation of: 

 ·

 ·

 ·

the Annual Report including the consolidated Financial Statements 
and the full year results announcement for the year ended 31 
December 2017 prior to their submission to the Board for 
approval, including consideration of the Group on a going concern 
basis, and compliance with Group policies;
the interim consolidated Financial Statements and interim results 
announcement for the six-month period ending 29 June 2018, 
prior to their submission to the Board for approval;
the trading updates for the three-month period ended 30 March 
2018 and the nine-month period ended 28 September 2018;

 · areas of significance in the preparation of the Financial Statements;

 ·

 ·
 ·

 ·

the internal control environment, principal risks and risk management 
systems, and the Group’s statement on the effectiveness of its 
internal controls prior to endorsement by the Board;
review of new internal control centre structure;
review of the Viability Statement scenarios and underlying 
assumptions and recommendations to the Board that the Viability 
Statement be approved;
review and approval of the internal audit plan, quarterly reports 
on the results of internal audit work and an internal or external 
independent quality assessment of the internal audit function 
in accordance with the Institute of Internal Auditors Attribute 
Standards 1311 or 1312;

 · assessment of the overall financial risk management of the Group’s 

 ·

operations and review of internal financial control procedures;
review of regulatory changes and developments, including IFRS 9, 
15 and 16, and impact on risk management processes;

 · matters arising under the Group’s Code of Business Conduct 
and the actions taken to address any identified issues; and
revisions to and compliance with treasury policies, including risk 
limits, hedging programmes and counterparty limits;

 ·

 · discussion of the requirements of IFRS 16 (Leases), which the 

 ·

 ·

 ·

 ·

 ·

 ·

Group adopted on 1 January 2019;
review of the developments in Greece, Russia, Ukraine and Nigeria, 
and their implications for the Group’s operations;
the Group adopted IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments) and IFRS 15 
(Revenue from contracts with customers) on 1 January 2018. 
The Committee agreed that the adoption of these standards did 
not require restatement of prior-year numbers (see Note 4 to the 
consolidated Financial Statements);
regular reports on quality assurance, health and safety, 
environmental protection, asset protection, treasury and financial 
risks, fraud control, insurance, security and enterprise risk 
management processes;
reports from the external auditor on the annual and interim Financial 
Statements, approval of the external audit plan and pre-approval 
of audit fees for 2019;
review of the external auditor’s independence, quality, adequacy 
and effectiveness; and
the results of the Audit and Risk Committee 
self-assessment process.

SRCGFSSSRSI114

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Areas of key significance in the preparation of the 
Financial Statements
The Audit and Risk Committee considered a number of areas of key 
significance in the preparation of the Financial Statements in 2018, 
including the following:

 · critical accounting judgements and estimates that affect the 

 ·

reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, 
and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the 
consolidated Financial Statements, including income taxes (detailed 
in Notes 5, 10 and 28 to the consolidated Financial Statements);
 · contingencies, legal proceedings, competition law and regulatory 
procedures, including cases involving the national competition 
authorities of Greece and Switzerland and litigation matters in 
Nigeria, Russia, Italy and Greece, and the impact of these on the 
consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes; 
the impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible 
assets with a particular emphasis on reviewing and challenging the 
key assumptions used in the value-in-use calculation, and the 
sensitivity analysis performed for the material operations with 
reduced financial headroom. These assumptions, and a discussion 
of how they are established as well as the sensitivity analysis, are 
described in Note 13 to the consolidated Financial Statements;
reviewed the management’s work in conducting a robust 
assessment of these risks that impact the Viability and Going 
Concern Statements; and
recommended to the Board to approve the Viability Statement.

 ·

 ·

Priorities for 2019
The key priorities for 2019 are the following:

 · monitoring the developments in accounting and regulatory 

matters, including potential changes to IFRS accounting standards;

 · compliance with the new EU Data Protection Regulation;
 · ongoing monitoring of risks as well as impairment testing of goodwill 

and intangible assets;

 · ongoing monitoring of internal financial contracts, anti-fraud 

systems and code of business conduct compliance, and

 · ongoing monitoring of the Group’s Enterprise Risk Management 

and Quality assurance, and information system security processes.

External auditor
PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Birchstrasse 160, CH 8050 Zurich, 
Switzerland (‘PwC AG’) has been elected by the shareholders as 
the statutory auditor for the Group’s statutory consolidated and 
standalone Financial Statements. Signing partner for the statutory 
Financial Statements on behalf of PwC AG is Michael Foley, who has 
held this role since the year ended 31 December 2016.

The Board, at the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, 
has retained PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., 268 Kifissias Avenue 
– 15232 Halandri, Greece (‘PwC S.A.’), an affiliate of PwC AG, to act 
as the Group’s independent registered public accounting firm for 
the purposes of reporting under the UK rules for the year ended 
31 December 2018. Signing partner for the Financial Statements on 
behalf of PwC S.A. is Konstantinos Michalatos, who has held this role 
for the first time as regards the year ended 31 December 2018.

The appointment of PwC has been approved by the shareholders 
until the next Annual General Meeting by way of advisory vote. ‘PwC’ 
refers to PwC AG or PwC S.A., as applicable, in this Annual Report.

During the accounting period, the members of the Audit and Risk 
Committee met separately with PwC on a regular basis, and the Audit 
and Risk Committee took an active role in reviewing the scope of the 
audit, the independence, objectivity and effectiveness of PwC, and 
the negotiations relating to audit fees. The Audit and Risk Committee 
also met with the management team, which led the discussions with 
PwC, including the Director of Internal Audit, to review the 
performance of PwC without PwC being present. Following this 
review process, the Audit and Risk Committee has recommended to 
the Board that a proposal to reappoint PwC be put to a shareholders’ 
vote at the next Annual General Meeting.

PwC has acted as the Group’s sole external auditor since 2003. 
The Company ran a competitive tender for the external auditor 
services in 2015 which was overseen by the Audit and Risk Committee. 
Following the evaluation of the proposals, the Audit and Risk 
Committee concluded in 2015 that the best interests of the Group 
and its shareholders would be served by retaining PwC as external 
auditor and made such recommendation to the Board. PwC was 
reappointed by the Board as the Group’s external auditor with effect 
from 11 December 2015. Currently, the Audit and Risk Committee 
anticipates that the audit contract will be put out to tender again 
in 2025. There are no contractual or other obligations restricting 
the Group’s choice of external auditor.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

115

Non-audit services provided by the external auditor
The Audit and Risk Committee considers the independence, in both 
fact and appearance, of the external auditor as critical and has long 
had an auditor independence policy providing definitions of the 
services that the external auditor may and may not provide. In line 
with the relevant FRC Guidance, the policy requires the Audit and Risk 
Committee’s pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit 
services provided by the external auditor. Such services include audit, 
work directly related to audit, and certain tax and other services as 
further explained below. In practice, the Audit and Risk Committee 
applies the policy restrictively, and approval for work other than audit 
and audit-related services is rarely granted.

Under the policy, pre-approval may be provided for work associated 
with: statutory or other financial audit work under IFRS or according 
to local statutory requirements; attestation services not required by 
statute or regulation; accounting and financial reporting consultation 
and research work necessary to comply with generally accepted 
accounting and auditing standards; internal control reviews and 
assistance with internal control reporting requirements; review of 
information systems security and controls; tax compliance and 
related tax services, excluding any tax services prohibited by 
regulatory or other oversight authorities; expatriates’ and other 
individual tax services; and assistance and consultation on questions 
raised by regulatory agencies.

For each proposed service, the external auditor is required to 
provide detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval 
to permit the Audit and Risk Committee to make a determination 
whether the provision of such services would impair the external 
auditor’s independence.

PwC has complied with the policy for the financial year ended on 
31 December 2018, and there have been no changes to the policy 
during the year.

Audit fees and all other fees

Audit fees

The total fees for audit services paid to PwC and affiliates were 
approximately €4.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2018, 
compared to approximately €4.3 million for the year ended 31 
December 2017. The total fees for 2018 include fees associated 
with the annual audit and reviews of the Group’s half-year reports, 
prepared in accordance with IFRS and local statutory audits.

Audit-related fees

Fees for audit-related services paid to PwC and affiliates for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 were €0.4 million compared to €0.4 million 
for the year ended 31 December 2017.

Tax-related fees

Fees for tax services to PwC and affiliates for the year ended 31 
December 2018 were €nil million compared to €nil million for the year 
ended 31 December 2017.

All other fees

Fees for non-audit services paid to PwC or affiliates for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 were €0.1 million. There were €nil million 
in fees for non-audit services paid to PwC or affiliates during the year 
ended 31 December 2017.

Risk management

During 2018, the Company continued to revise and strengthen its 
approach to risk management as described in detail on pages 72-75. 
The primary aim of this framework is to minimise our exposure and 
ensure that the nature and significance of all risks we are facing are 
properly identified, reviewed, managed and, where necessary, 
escalated. A quarterly risk assessment is undertaken by the countries 
and corporate office support functions, and significant risks are 
then reported to the Region Directors and the Chief Risk Officer. 
The Company’s Group Risk Forum reviews the identified risks 
biannually and presents issues of critical exposure to the Operating 
Committee. The latter, after careful review, reports to the Audit and 
Risk Committee material risks and mitigating actions. This process 
is both top-down and bottom-up and is designed to ensure that risks 
arising from business activities are appropriately managed.

Finally, we have in place third-party insurance to cover residual 
insurable risk exposure such as property damage, business 
interruption and liability protection, including Directors’ and officers’ 
insurance for our Directors and officers, as well as for the officers 
and directors of certain subsidiaries.

SRCGFSSSRSI116

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

In addition, the internal audit function reviews the internal financial, 
operational and compliance control systems across all the jurisdictions 
in which we operate and reports its findings to management and 
the Audit and Risk Committee on a regular basis. The internal audit 
function focuses its work on the areas of greatest risk to us, as 
determined by a risk-based approach to audit planning. As part of 
our commitment to maintaining and strengthening best practice in 
corporate governance matters, we also consistently seek to enhance 
our internal control environment and risk management capability.

The internal audit function carries out work across the Group, 
providing independent assurance, advice and insight to help the 
organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, 
disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of 
risk management, control and governance processes. In December 
2018, the Audit and Risk Committee agreed the FY19 audit plan to be 
undertaken by the internal audit team prior to the start of the year. 
The audit plan coverage is based on risk, strategic priorities and 
consideration of the strength of the control environment. The internal 
audit function prepares audit reports and recommendations following 
each audit, and appropriate measures are then taken to ensure that 
all recommendations are implemented. Significant issues, if any, are 
raised at once. There were no such issues in 2018. The Audit and Risk 
Committee reviews the results of the internal audit reports during 
each meeting, focusing on the key observations of any reports where 
processes and controls require improvement. The Audit and Risk 
Committee was also provided with updates on the remediation 
status of management actions of internal audit findings and on the 
internal audit quality assurance and improvement programme at 
each meeting. The Chief Financial Officer and the Regional Finance 
Directors, Country General Managers and Country Chief Financial 
Officers have access to the implementation status of the 
recommendations at all times.

Where internal or external circumstances give rise to an increased 
level of risk, the audit plan is modified accordingly. Nevertheless, no 
such cases occurred this year. Any changes to the agreed audit plan 
are presented to and agreed by the Audit and Risk Committee. 
Detailed updates on specific areas were provided at the request 
of the Audit and Risk Committee, such as, for example, the progress 
on audit issues relating to a Health and Safety audit.

Internal control

The Board has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the Company 
has adequate systems of financial reporting control. Systems of 
financial reporting control can provide only reasonable and not 
absolute assurance against material misstatements or loss. In certain 
of the countries in which we operate, our businesses are exposed to 
a heightened risk of loss due to fraud and criminal activity. We review 
our systems of financial control regularly in order to minimise 
such losses.

The Board has adopted a chart of authority-defining financial 
and other authorisation limits and setting procedures for approving 
capital and investment expenditure. The Board also approves 
detailed annual budgets. It subsequently reviews quarterly 
performance against targets set forth in these plans and budgets. 
A key focus of the financial management strategy is the protection 
of our earnings stream and management of our cash flow.

We have conducted an annual review of the effectiveness of our risk 
management system and internal control systems in accordance 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code. Part of this review involves 
regular review of our financial, operational and compliance controls, 
following which we report back to the Board on our work and findings 
as described above. This allowed us to provide positive assurance 
to the Board to assist it in making the statements that our risk 
management and internal control systems are effective, as required 
by the UK Corporate Governance Code. Further information is set 
out on page 72.

The key features of the Group’s internal control systems that ensure 
the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting include: clearly defined 
lines of accountability and delegation of authority; policies and 
procedures that cover financial planning and reporting; preparation 
of monthly management accounts, and review of the disclosures 
within the Annual Report, from function heads to ensure that the 
disclosures made appropriately reflect the developments within the 
Group in the year and meet the requirement of being fair, balanced 
and understandable.

Internal audit

Our internal audit function reports directly to the Audit and Risk 
Committee, which reviews and approves the internal audit plan for 
each year. The internal audit function consists of approximately 
40 full-time professional audit staff based in Athens, Budapest, Sofia, 
Moscow and Lagos, covering a range of disciplines and business 
expertise. One of the responsibilities of the internal audit function is 
to confirm to the Board the effective operation of our internal control 
framework. For this purpose, the Director of Internal Audit makes 
quarterly presentations to the Audit and Risk Committee and meets 
regularly with the Audit and Risk Committee without the presence 
of our management.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

117

Whistleblowing measures

Disclosure Committee

A Disclosure Committee has been established, and disclosure controls 
and procedures have been adopted to ensure the accuracy and 
completeness of our public disclosures. The Disclosure Committee 
is composed of the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, the 
Director of Investor Relations and the Group Financial Controller.

Performance reporting

Reports on our annual performance and prospects are presented 
in the Annual Report following recommendation by the Audit and 
Risk Committee. In line with UK practice, we have adopted half-year 
and full-year reports, and Q1 and Q3 trading updates. Internally, our 
financial results and key performance indicators are reviewed by the 
Operating Committee on a monthly basis. This information includes 
comparisons against business plans, forecasts and prior-year 
performance. The Board of Directors receives updates on performance 
at each Board meeting, as well as a monthly report on our business 
and financial performance.

Business ethics and anti-corruption

We seek to grow our business by serving customers and consumers, 
and conduct all business activities with integrity and respect. 
We maintain zero-tolerance regarding breaches of our Code of 
Business Conduct and anti-bribery policies, as well as any attempts 
to retaliate against our people who report potential violations.

We have online and classroom training for all our people so that 
everyone understands our Code of Business Conduct, and we hold 
targeted anti-bribery training for employees working in areas we 
assess as high risk. During the year, 97.97% of our employees across 
the Group were trained on our Code of Business Conduct and 
97.21% on our anti-bribery policies, in line with our target to train 
a minimum of 95% of our total workforce. We have also established 
an anti-bribery due diligence process for third parties who have 
contact with government authorities. We have established grievance 
mechanisms, including an independently operated whistleblower 
Speak Up Hotline, available in all Coca-Cola HBC countries in local 
languages. Through this hotline, we receive, retain, investigate and 
act on employee complaints or concerns. 

In 2018, we received 267 allegations (2017: 292) of which 150 (2017: 
98) were received through the whistleblower hotline. All allegations 
involving potential Code of Business Conduct violations were 
investigated in accordance with the Group Code of Business 
Conduct Handling Guidelines. Of those investigated, 113 (2017: 124) 
matters were substantiated as code violations of which 20 (2017: 35) 
involved an employee in a managerial position or involved a loss 
greater than €10,000. For details concerning the handling 
of allegations received in 2018, see our website.

All allegations involving potential Code of Business Conduct 
violations were investigated in accordance with the Group Code 
of Business Conduct Handling Guidelines. You can find more on 
allegations investigated and violations uncovered in our GRI index: 
https://coca-colahellenic.com/Campaigns/AnnualReport2018/
assets/pdf/Coca-Cola-HBC-2018-GRI-Content-Index.pdf.

We operate a hotline to receive, retain, investigate and act on 
employee complaints or concerns regarding accounting, internal 
control or ethical matters. This includes any matters regarding the 
circumvention or attempted circumvention of internal controls, 
including matters that would constitute a violation of our Code 
of Business Conduct or matters involving fraudulent behaviour by 
officers or employees of the Group. All such allegations, complaints 
or concerns may be communicated in a variety of ways, in local 
languages and on an anonymous basis, to our Director of Internal 
Audit. Communications received by the Director of Internal Audit, 
or directly through the hotline, are kept confidential and, where 
requested, anonymous. The Director of Internal Audit liaises regularly 
with the General Counsel and communicates all significant 
allegations to the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

SRCGFSSSRSI118

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

ENSURING THE RIGHT 
TEAM FOR THE FUTURE 

Role and responsibilities
The function of the Nomination Committee is to establish and 
maintain a process for appointing new Board members, to manage, 
in consultation with the Chairman, the succession of the Chief 
Executive Officer and to support the Board in fulfilling its duty to 
conduct a Board self-assessment. The formal role of the Nomination 
Committee is set out in the charter for the committees of the Board 
of Directors in Annex C of the Company’s Organisational Regulations. 
This is available online at https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/
corporate-governance/corporate-governance-overview/.

Key elements of the Nomination Committee’s role are:

reviewing the size and composition of the Board;
 ·
 ·
identifying candidates and nominating new members to the Board;
 · planning and managing, in consultation with the Chairman, a Board 

membership succession plan;

 · ensuring, together with the Chairman, the operation of a 

satisfactory induction programme for new members of the Board 
and a satisfactory ongoing training and education programme for 
existing members of the Board and its committees as necessary 
to deliver on our strategy;
the Committee will also oversee an externally facilitated 
self-assessment process;

 ·

 · setting the criteria for, and overseeing, the annual assessment 
of the performance and effectiveness of each member of the 
Board and each Board committee;

 · conducting an annual assessment of the performance and 
effectiveness of the Board, and reporting conclusions and 
recommendations based on the assessment to the Board;
 · ensuring that each committee of the Board is carrying out a 

self-assessment of its performance and reporting its conclusions 
and any recommendations for change to the Board; and

 · overseeing the employee and management talent development 

and succession plans of the Group.

Members

Reto Francioni (Chair)

Membership status

Member since 2016 
Chair since 2016

Charlotte J. Boyle

Member since 2017

Alexandra Papalexopoulou

Member since 2015

The members of the Nomination Committee are Reto Francioni, 
Charlotte Boyle and Alexandra Papalexopoulou. All members of the 
Nomination Committee are independent non-Executive Directors. 
At the Annual General Meeting on 11 June 2018, Reto Francioni, 
Charlotte Boyle and Alexandra Papalexopoulou were re-elected for 
a one-year term by the shareholders.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR 
OF THE NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE

Highlights this year included the successful onboarding of the 
new CEO Zoran Bogdanovic. In 2018, we also recorded a small 
increase in female managers which advances our agenda to 
have a diverse workforce.

Dear Shareholder
The work of the Nomination Committee has continued to focus 
on the composition of the Board and the important task of Board 
and senior management succession planning.

Following the appointment of Zoran Bogdanovic as the Company’s 
Chief Executive Officer in December 2017, he was appointed as 
an Executive Director on the Board at the Annual General Meeting 
on 11 June 2018.

In 2019, the Committee will continue to review the balance of skills, 
experience and diversity of the Board and will also focus on the talent 
development, employee engagement and gender diversity initiatives 
necessary to ensure that the Group has the people and skills to deliver 
on its strategy. The Committee will also oversee an externally 
facilitated self-assessment process.

A summary of the Group’s Nomination Policy for the recruitment of 
Board members is available online at: https://coca-colahellenic.com/
media/1549/summary-of-nomination-policy-for-recruitment-of-
board-members.pdf. The Board Diversity Policy is described on page 119.

RETO FRANCIONI
COMMITTEE CHAIR

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

119

Work and activities
The Nomination Committee met four times during 2018 and 
discharged the responsibilities defined under Annex C of the 
Company’s Organisational Regulations. The Chief Executive Officer 
and the Group Human Resources Director regularly attend meetings 
of the Nomination Committee. In addition, the Chairman is actively 
involved in the work of the Nomination Committee concerning 
succession planning and the selection of key people. In 2018, the 
General Counsel also met with the Nomination Committee on 
several occasions. During 2018, the work of the Nomination 
Committee included consideration of:

 · succession planning and development of plans for the recruitment 

of new Board members;

 · composition of the Board, including the appropriate balance of 

skills, knowledge, experience and diversity;
review of the talent management framework;
the performance evaluation and annual assessments of the 
committees and the Board;
review of the Director induction process and training 
programmes; and
review of the Group’s Inclusion and Diversity Policy.

 ·
 ·

 ·

 ·

Priorities for 2019
The Nomination Committee’s priorities for 2019 include:

 · continuous work on succession plans for Board and senior 

management positions; and

 · externally facilitated Board and committee assessments.

Performance evaluation of the Board
The Nomination Committee led the annual assessment of the 
performance of the Board and its committees during the year with 
the support of Lintstock, an external advisory firm. The key areas 
included in the assessment were Board structure and diversity, 
timeliness and quality of information, Board discussions, committees 
and their operation, succession planning, risk appetite and risk 
management, and remuneration and performance. The scores were 
high overall and the results of the evaluation were presented at the 
December 2018 Board meeting. Further details on the internal board 
evaluation are set out on page 102.

Committee at work 

As with all employees, the Group offers training opportunities to the 
Board and senior management in order to improve their skills, and 
encourages all Board members and senior management to gain 
relevant experience and knowledge to fulfil their position’s duties.

Diversity
The Group continues to have a firm commitment to policies 
promoting diversity, equal opportunity and talent development 
at every level throughout the Group, including at Board and 
management level, and is constantly seeking to attract and recruit 
highly qualified candidates for all positions in its business. The Group’s 
Inclusion and Diversity Policy applies to all people who work for us. 
Further details on the Group’s Inclusion and Diversity Policy are set 
out on page 31 in the Strategic Report. 

The Group believes that diversity at Board level acts as a key driver 
of Board effectiveness, helps to ensure that the Group can achieve its 
overall business goals, especially in light of our geographical footprint, 
and is critical in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture across the 
whole Group. The Board has adopted a formal Board Diversity Policy.

The Group’s Board Diversity Policy guides the Nomination 
Committee and the Board in relation to their approach to diversity 
in respect of succession planning and the selection process for the 
appointment of new Board members. The Nomination Committee 
is responsible for implementing this policy and for monitoring 
progress towards the achievement of its objectives.

Under the Board Diversity Policy, the Nomination Committee is 
required to take into account all aspects of diversity, including age, 
ethnicity, gender, educational and professional background when 
considering succession planning and new Board appointments. Board 
appointments are evaluated on merit against objective criteria with 
due regard for diversity to ensure that candidates contribute to the 
balance of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity of the Board.

The proportion of women on the Board stands at 23%. The percentage 
of managers who are women has also increased from 35% as at 31 
December 2017 to 37% as at 31 December 2018, while the percentage 
of women among executive leaders remained 30%.

The Nomination Committee, in conjunction with the Operating 
Committee, will continue to monitor the proportion of women at all 
levels of the Group and ensure that all appointments are made with 
a view to having a high level of diversity within the workplace and 
in leadership positions.

Succession 
planning

Board 
composition

Recruitment

Shortlisting

Interview

Balance of skills 
assessment

Appointment

Induction

SRCGFSSSRSI120

COCA-COLA HBC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

RAISING THE LEVEL OF AMBITION 
WITH 2025 SUSTAINABILITY 
COMMITMENTS

Dear Shareholder
In 2018, the Social Responsibility Committee continued its focus on 
the implementation of our sustainability strategy, as well as on social 
and environmental external trends and their impact on the business.

Building on the success in implementing our 2020 sustainability 
agenda across the value chain, we introduced 2025 sustainability 
commitments in 2018. We focused on six pillars, covering: carbon 
emission and renewables; water reduction and stewardship; World 
Without Waste; sustainable sourcing; nutrition; and people and 
communities. For details, please have a look at page 35.

The Committee monitored sustainability-related regulatory 
developments, with an emphasis on circular economy, plastic 
packaging and waste, evolved nutrition labelling, an internal study 
about the impact of our business on natural capital (based on Natural 
Capital Protocol principles) as well as product tax developments.

We also made a new assessment of the CSR benchmark landscape. 
During 2018, we achieved top scores from CDP, MSCI ESG Rating, 
FTSE4Good, ISS-oekom and Vigeo Eiris. We are particularly proud 
of having been among the top three beverage companies in the Dow 
Jones Sustainability Index World for six years in a row.

Going forward in 2019, the Committee will ensure that sustainability 
objectives are fully integrated in the business strategy and that 
responsible, sustainable business practices continue to engender 
the trust of stakeholders while supporting the sustainable growth 
of our business.

ANASTASIOS I. LEVENTIS
COMMITTEE CHAIR

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR OF 
THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 
COMMITTEE

Highlights this year included the introduction of our 
2025 sustainability commitments, following the successful 
implementation of our 2020 agenda. Circular economy, plastic 
packaging and waste were areas of significant focus in 2018.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

121

Role and responsibilities
The Social Responsibility Committee is responsible for the 
development and supervision of procedures and systems to ensure 
the pursuit of the Group’s social and environmental goals. The formal 
role of the Social Responsibility Committee is set out in the charter 
for the committees of the Board of Directors in Annex C of the 
Company’s Organisational Regulations. This is available online at 
https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/corporate-governance/
corporate-governance-overview/.The key elements of the Social 
Responsibility Committee’s role and responsibilities are:

 · establishing the principles governing the Group’s policies on social 

responsibility, and the environment to guide management’s 
decisions and actions;

 · overseeing the development and supervision of procedures 

and systems to ensure the achievement of the Group’s social 
responsibility and environmental goals;

 · establishing and operating a council responsible for developing 

and implementing policies and strategies to achieve the Company’s 
social responsibility and environmental goals, and ensuring 
Group-wide capabilities to execute such policies and strategies;

 · ensuring the necessary and appropriate transparency and 

openness in the Group’s business conduct in pursuit of its social 
responsibility and environmental goals;

 · ensuring and overseeing the Group’s interactions with stakeholders 
in relation to its social responsibility and environmental policies, 
goals and achievements, including the level of compliance with 
internationally accepted standards; and
reviewing Group policies on environmental issues, human rights, 
and other topics as they relate to social responsibility.

 ·

During 2018, the Social Responsibility Committee reviewed and 
provided guidance and insights to advance the Group’s sustainability 
approach in the following areas:

 ·

rate of implementation and progress made against the 12 publicly 
communicated 2020 sustainability commitments;
 · endorsement of 2025 sustainability commitments;
 · assessment of the Group’s progress regarding the level of disclosure 

and reporting across all three dimensions of ESG investments 
(environmental, social and governance), with particular focus on 
the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, GRI Standards and Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations;
the global Coca-Cola World Without Waste strategy and specific 
Coca-Cola HBC actions and goals on packaging and waste in three 
areas: package design, packaging waste collection and 
partnerships; and

 ·

 · assessment of emerging trends in sustainability and potential 

implications for Coca-Cola HBC, particularly in the areas of relevant 
UN SDGs.

The Social Responsibility Committee maintained its review of the 
annual assessment of material issues, which combined input from 
both business leaders and external stakeholders, in accordance with 
the framework of the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, the 
International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), and the guidance 
of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board for the beverage 
industry. The Committee also assessed the ongoing level of 
stakeholder engagement and advised on the 2018 Stakeholder Forum.

Priorities for 2019
The Social Responsibility Committee’s priorities for 2019 include:

Members

Membership status

 · overseeing progress towards the 2025 sustainability 

commitments;

 · monitoring in particular progress of the World Without Waste 

 ·

strategy and related plans;
reviewing and endorsing the Group’s sustainability reporting 
according to the GRI and IIRC frameworks;

 · governing the implementation of recommendations from 

the TCFD; and

 · addressing potential sparkling soft drinks and plastic 

packaging taxation.

Anastasios I. Leventis (Chair)

Member since 2016

Chair since 2016

Alexandra Papalexopoulou

Member since 2016

José Octavio Reyes

Member since 2014

Work and activities
The Social Responsibility Committee met four times during 2018 
and discharged its responsibilities as defined under Annex C of the 
Company’s Organisational Regulations. In addition to the Committee 
members, meetings were attended by either the Group Director 
of Public Affairs and Communication or the Group Director of 
Sustainability and Community. The CEO, Zoran Bogdanovic, attended 
three of the meetings.

SRCGFSSSRSI122

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

DRIVING LONG-TERM 
PERFORMANCE

Dear Shareholder
As the Chair of the Remuneration Committee, I am pleased to present 
our Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 
2018. Our primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange, and our 
Company is domiciled in Switzerland. We therefore ensure that we 
comply fully with UK regulations, except where these conflict with 
Swiss law. The format of this year’s Remuneration Report is consistent 
with the format of last year’s as there were no significant changes 
in relevant regulations or internal policies. As always, I welcome your 
feedback and suggestions regarding anything we can do to make 
the report even clearer.

The Group’s remuneration philosophy and policies are designed to 
attract, motivate and retain the talented people we need to meet the 
Company’s strategic objectives, and to give them due recognition. 
To this end, the Remuneration Committee has worked to ensure that 
the remuneration policy of the Group remains fair, transparent and 
competitive in comparison with our peers, and that remuneration 
is linked to business strategy and drives sustainable performance.

2018 performance outcomes
In 2018, we delivered another year of very good performance, with 
revenue growth above our target and another step up in margins. 
With this in mind, we are delighted to announce strong results for 
the 2018 financial year, delivering net sales revenue growth of 6.0% 
on a currency neutral basis, volume growth of 4.2% with positive 
performance in most segments and our comparable EBIT margin 
improved this year to 10.2%. We have continued to improve our cost 
efficiency with operating expenditure (as a % of revenue) reaching 
27.7%. We also saw an improvement in our overall ROIC performance, 
to 13.7% this year (up from 12.4% in 2017). This performance 
demonstrates significant progress towards our 2020 strategic plan.

The table below illustrates Company performance achieved against 
key performance indicators, and highlights those that are used in our 
Management Incentive Plan (MIP) and Performance Share Plan (PSP) 
variable pay schemes.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR 
OF THE REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

2018 was another year of very good performance. We have made 
no changes to the remuneration policy but going forward we will 
seek to incentivise balance between growth and profitability 
as appropriate.

Volume (m unit cases)

Net sales revenue (€m)

Comparable EPS (€)

Free cash flow (€m)

2,192

(2017: 2,104)

Comparable EBIT (€m)

681

(2017: 621)

6,657

(2017: 6,522)

Operating expense as % of 
NSR (excl. DME)

25.0%

(2017: 25.5%)

1.306

(2017: 1.233)

ROIC

13.7%

(2017: 12.4%)

Included in MIP

Included in PSP

Other key performance indicators

370

(2017: 426)

Currency-neutral NSR 
generated per case (€)

3.04

(2017: 2.99)

 
 
 
 
Applying the remuneration policy for Directors in 2018
In accordance with our remuneration policy, the base salary of the 
Chief Executive Officer is reviewed annually after the financial results 
of the year are available. As Zoran Bogdanovic was appointed Chief 
Executive Officer on 7 December 2017 and his base salary was 
reviewed at that time, the Remuneration Committee did not consider 
a salary adjustment in 2018.

Our sustained business performance in 2018 has resulted in a payout 
of 62% of base salary under the Management Incentive Plan (MIP) for 
the CEO, equivalent to an award of 48% of maximum MIP opportunity. 
This reflects solid Company performance, with volume between 
target and maximum, and comparable EBIT, net sales revenue and 
operating expenses ratio between threshold and target levels.

We continue to be committed to disclosing MIP targets retrospectively 
and you will find the 2018 performance targets and outcomes 
reported on page 138.

Changes in 2018
The Remuneration Committee performed the regular annual review 
of the Group’s remuneration policy in 2018. We continue to believe 
that it is fit for purpose and ensures the alignment of management 
with our business strategy and shareholders’ interests. No changes 
to the remuneration policy were therefore proposed.

The Committee reviewed the measures we use for the annual MIP 
and adjusted these for 2019 to better align with our strategic priorities 
for the coming year. As in 2018, MIP measures will include Net Sales 
Revenue (NSR), Comparable EBIT and Operating expenditures as a 
percentage of NSR. For 2019, we will use Gross Profit Margin in place 
of Volume, to ensure that we are incentivising an appropriate balance 
between growth and profitability.

You will find further details about how we have applied the 
remuneration policy this year on pages 135-140.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

123

Looking ahead
The Remuneration Committee will continue to keep policies 
under review so as to ensure that plans and programmes relating 
to remuneration support the Company’s business strategy and are 
closely linked to shareholders’ interests. We value the dialogue with 
shareholders and welcome views on this Remuneration Report. We 
were pleased with the positive vote for the Company’s remuneration 
policy and the Annual Report on Remuneration at the 2018 Annual 
General Meeting, and trust we will have your support again in 2019.

The Committee is mindful of the updated UK Corporate Governance 
Code and continues to review the application of this as it relates 
to aspects of remuneration. We will report further on our response 
to this in next year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report.

The role of the Remuneration Committee
The main responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee are to 
establish the remuneration strategy for the Group and to approve 
compensation packages for Directors and senior management. 
The Remuneration Committee operates under the Charter for the 
Committees of the Board of the Company set forth in Annex C to the 
Organisational Regulations of the Company, available on the Group’s 
website at: https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/corporate-
governance/corporate-governance-overview/

Members

Membership status

Alexandra Papalexopoulou (Chair)

Member since 2015

Chair since June 2016

Reto Francioni

Appointed June 2016

Charlotte J. Boyle

Appointed June 2017

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
Remuneration Committee consists of three independent non-
Executive Directors; Alexandra Papalexopoulou (Chair), Charlotte 
Boyle and Reto Francioni, who were each elected by the shareholders 
for a one-year term on 11 June 2018. The Remuneration Committee 
met four times in 2018; in March, June, September and December. 
Please refer to the ‘Board and committee attendance in 2018’ 
section of the Corporate Governance report on page 100 for details 
on the Remuneration Committee meetings.

ALEXANDRA PAPALEXOPOULOU
CHAIR OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

SRCGFSSSRSI124

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Remuneration throughout the organisation 
– a snapshot

Attracting
Finding the people we want 
and need

Motivating
Achieving financial, business 
and non-financial targets

A competitive 
winning team

Retaining
Continuing to attract the 
best talent

Recognising
Adopting behaviours that 
produce exceptional 
performance

How we implement our reward strategy

Reward strategy and objective
The objective of the Group’s remuneration philosophy is to attract, 
retain and motivate employees who are curious, agile and committed 
to perform. Our reward strategy seeks to promote a growth mindset 
and reinforce desirable behaviours, ensuring that employees are fairly 
rewarded and that their individual contributions are linked to the 
success of the Company.

Variable pay is an important element of our reward philosophy. 
A significant proportion of total remuneration for top managers 
(including the Chief Executive Officer and the members of the 
Operating Committee) is tied to the achievement of our business 
objectives. These objectives are defined by key business metrics that 
are consistent with our growth strategy and will deliver long-term 
shareholder value. The variable pay element increases or decreases, 
based on the achieved business performance. Through equity-related 
long-term compensation, we seek to ensure that the financial interests 
of the Chief Executive Officer, the members of the Operating 
Committee and top managers are aligned with those of shareholders.

All of our remuneration plans, both fixed and variable, are designed 
to be cost-effective, taking into account market practice, business 
performance, and individual performance and experience where 
relevant. We pay close attention to our shareholders’ views in reviewing 
our remuneration policy and programmes.

The chart below illustrates how we put our reward strategy into practice, with the different remuneration arrangements that apply to different 
employee groups.

Chief Executive Officer and Operating 
Committee

Shareholding 
guidelines

Support the alignment with shareholder interests ensuring sustainable 
performance:
 · Chief Executive Officer – required to hold shares in the Company 

equal in value to 200% of annual base salary within a five-year period.

 · Operating Committee – required to hold shares in the Company 

equal in value to 100% of annual base salary within a five-year period.

Chief Executive Officer, Operating 
Committee and selected senior management

Performance 
Share Plan

Performance share awards vest over three years. PSP awards are cascaded 
down to top managers, promoting a focus on long-term performance and 
aligning them to shareholders’ interests.

Selected middle and senior management

Long-Term 
Incentive Plan

Cash long-term incentive awards vest over three years. LTIP awards are 
cascaded down to select middle and senior management to promote 
a high-performance culture.

All management

All employees

Management employees may be eligible to receive an award under the 
annual bonus scheme. Performance conditions are bespoke to the role 
and business unit.

The Employee Share Purchase Plan encourages share ownership and aligns the  
interests of our employees with those of shareholders.

Base salaries may reflect the market value of each role as well as the individual’s 
performance and potential. Retirement and other benefits are subject to local 
market practice.

Management 
Incentive Plan

Employee Share 
Purchase Plan 
(dependent on 
country practice)

Fixed pay 
and benefits 
(base salary, retirement 
and other benefits 
– dependent on 
country practice)

Note: Participants in the Performance Share Plan are not eligible to participate in the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

125

Remuneration arrangements for the Chief Executive Officer – at a glance

The table below summarises the remuneration arrangements in place for our Chief Executive Officer. See page 137 for total compensation figures.

Base salary

Retirement 
benefits

Other 
benefits

ESPP

+

MIP

PSP

=

Total 
compensation

Pay element

Base salary

Retirement benefits

Other benefits

Fixed pay

Detail

Variable pay subject 
to performance

The base salary of the Chief Executive Officer is €750,000.

The salary is reviewed annually and any increase is typically effective 1 May each year.

The Chief Executive Officer participates in a defined benefit pension plan under Swiss law. Employer 
contributions are 15% of annual base salary.

Other benefits include (but are not limited to) medical insurance, housing allowance, company car/
allowance, cost of living adjustment, trip allowance, partner allowance, exchange rate protection, 
tax equalisation and tax filing support and advice. Benefit levels vary each year depending on need.

ESPP

(Employee Share Purchase Plan)

The Chief Executive Officer may participate in the Company’s Employee Share Purchase Plan. 
As a scheme participant, the Chief Executive Officer has the opportunity to invest a portion of his salary 
and/or MIP payments in shares. The Company matches employee contributions on a one-to-one 
basis up to 3% of salary and/or MIP payout.

Awards are subject to potential application of malus and clawback provisions.

MIP

The MIP consists of a maximum annual bonus opportunity of up to 130% of base salary.

(Management Incentive Plan)

Payout is based on business performance targets (up to 120% of base salary) and individual 
performance (up to 10% of base salary).

No bonus will be paid out if the Chief Executive Officer has achieved less than 50% of his individual 
objectives.

50% of any bonus will be deferred into shares for a further three-year period.

Payments are subject to potential application of malus and clawback provisions.

PSP

(Performance Share Plan)

The PSP is an annual share award which vests after three years and is subject to two equally weighted 
performance conditions:

(i) comparable earnings per share (EPS); and

(ii) return on invested capital (ROIC), each measured over a three-year period.

An additional two-year holding period will apply following vesting.

Awards are subject to potential application of malus and clawback provisions.

SRCGFSSSRSI126

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Remuneration policy

Introduction
The following section (pages 126 to 128) sets out our Directors’ remuneration policy which was approved at the 2018 Annual General Meeting. 
There have not been any proposed changes to the remuneration policy for 2019. Remuneration continues to be structured in a way that 
attracts, motivates and retains the talented people we need to achieve the Company’s strategic objectives and give them due recognition, 
whilst driving sustainable performance.

As a Swiss-incorporated Company, we are not required to put forward our remuneration policy for a shareholder vote, but we intend to do so 
voluntarily at least every three years (or when there are changes). We continue to endeavour to make sure that our disclosure complies fully 
with UK regulations, except when these conflict with Swiss law.

Policy table – Chief Executive Officer
The Company currently has a single Executive Director, being the Chief Executive Officer. Therefore, for simplicity, this section refers only 
to the Chief Executive Officer. This remuneration policy would, however, apply for any new Executive Director role, in the event that one were 
created during the term of this remuneration policy. In that case, references in this section to the Chief Executive Officer should be read 
as being to each Executive Director.

  Retirement benefits

Purpose and link to strategy
To provide competitive, cost-effective post-retirement benefits.
Operation
The Chief Executive Officer participates in a defined benefit 
pension plan under Swiss law. There is no obligation for employee 
contributions.
Normal retirement age for the Chief Executive Officer’s plan is 
65 years. In case of early retirement, which is possible from the age 
of 58, the Chief Executive Officer is entitled to receive the amount 
accrued under the plan as a lump sum.
Malus and clawback provisions do not apply to retirement 
benefits.
Maximum opportunity
The contributions to the pension plan are calculated as a percentage 
of annual base salary (excluding any incentive payments or other 
allowance/benefits provided) based on age brackets as defined 
by Federal Swiss legislation.
This percentage is currently 15% of base salary and increases 
to 18% for age above 55.
Performance metrics
None.

Fixed

Base salary

Purpose and link to strategy
To provide a fixed level of compensation appropriate to the 
requirements of the role of Chief Executive Officer and to support 
the attraction and retention of the talent able to deliver the 
Group’s strategy.
Operation
Salary is reviewed annually, with salary changes normally effective 
on 1 May each year.
The following parameters are considered when reviewing base 
salary level:
 ·

the Chief Executive Officer’s performance, skills and 
responsibilities;

 · economic conditions and performance trends;
 · experience of the Chief Executive Officer;
 · pay increases for other employees; and
 · external comparisons based on factors such as: the industry 
of the business, revenue, market capitalisation, headcount, 
geographical footprint, stock exchange listing (FTSE) and other 
European companies.

Malus and clawback provisions do not apply to base salary.
Maximum opportunity
Whilst there is no maximum salary level, any increases awarded 
to the Chief Executive Officer will normally be broadly aligned with 
the broader employee population.
The salary increase made to the Chief Executive Officer may 
exceed the average salary increase under certain circumstances 
at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion. For example, this 
may include: business and individual performance; material 
changes to the business; internal promotions; accrual of 
experience; changes to the role; or other material factors.
Performance metrics
Individual and business performance are key factors when 
determining any base salary changes.
The annual base salary for the Chief Executive Officer is set out 
on page 125.

 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

127

Other benefits

  ESPP (Employee Share Purchase Plan)

Purpose and link to strategy
To provide benefits to the Chief Executive Officer which are 
consistent with market practice.
Operation
Benefit provisions are reviewed by the Remuneration Committee 
which has the discretion to recommend the introduction of 
additional benefits where appropriate.
Typical provisions for the Chief Executive Officer include benefits 
related to relocation such as housing allowance, company car/
allowance, cost of living adjustment, trip allowance, partner 
allowance, exchange rate protection, tax equalisation and tax filing 
support and advice. For all benefits, the Company will bear any 
income tax and social security contributions arising from such 
payments.
Malus and clawback provisions do not apply to benefits.
Maximum opportunity
There is no defined maximum as the cost to the Company 
of providing such benefits will vary from year to year.
Performance metrics
None.

Purpose and link to strategy
The ESPP is an Employee Share Purchase Plan, encouraging 
broader share ownership, and is intended to align the interests 
of employees and the Chief Executive Officer with those of the 
shareholders.
Operation
This is a voluntary share purchase scheme across many of the 
Group’s countries. The Chief Executive Officer as a scheme 
participant has the opportunity to invest from 1% to 15% of his 
salary and/or MIP payout to purchase the Company’s shares 
by contributing to the plan on a monthly basis.
The Company matches the Chief Executive Officer’s 
contributions on a one-to-one basis up to 3% of the employee’s 
salary and/or MIP payout. Matching contributions are used to 
purchase shares after one year from the matching. Matching 
shares are immediately vested.
Dividends received in respect of shares held under the ESPP are 
used to purchase additional shares and are immediately vested.
The Chief Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the ESPP 
operated by the Company on the same basis as other employees.
Malus and clawback provisions apply. Further details may be found 
in the Additional notes to the remuneration policy table section 
on page 130.
Maximum opportunity
Maximum investment is 15% of gross base salary and MIP payout. 
The Company matches contributions up to 3% of gross base 
salary and MIP payout. Matching contributions are used to purchase 
shares after one year from the matching. Matching shares are 
immediately vested.
Performance metrics
The value is directly linked with the share price performance.
It is therefore not affected by other performance criteria.

Variable pay

MIP (Management Incentive Plan)

  PSP (Performance Share Plan)

Purpose and link to strategy
To support profitable growth and reward annually for contribution 
to business performance. The plan aims to promote a high-
performance culture with stretching individual and business 
targets linked to our key strategies.
Operation
Annual cash bonus awarded under the MIP is subject to business 
and individual performance metrics and is non-pensionable.
The Chief Executive Officer’s individual objectives are regularly 
reviewed to ensure relevance to business strategy and are set and 
approved annually by the Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Stretching targets for business performance are set annually, 
based on the business plan of the Group as approved by the Board 
of Directors.
Performance against these targets and bonus outcomes are 
assessed by the Remuneration Committee, which may 
recommend an adjustment to the payout level where it considers 
the overall performance of the Company or the individual’s 
contribution warrants a higher or lower outcome.
Malus and clawback provisions apply. Further details may be found 
in the Additional notes to the remuneration policy table section 
on page 130.

Purpose and link to strategy
To align the Chief Executive Officer’s interests with the interests 
of shareholders, and increase the ability of the Group to attract 
and reward individuals with exceptional skills.
Operation
The Chief Executive Officer is granted conditional awards of 
shares which vest after three years, subject to the achievement 
of performance metrics and continued service. Grants take place 
annually, normally every March.
Performance metrics and the associated targets are reviewed and 
determined around the beginning of each performance period to 
ensure that they support the long-term strategies and objectives 
of the Group and are aligned with shareholders’ interests.
Dividends may be paid on vested shares where the performance 
metrics are achieved at the end of the three-year period.
Malus and clawback provisions apply. Further details may be found 
in the Additional notes to the remuneration policy table section 
on page 130.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
128

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Variable pay continued

MIP (Management Incentive Plan)

  PSP (Performance Share Plan)

Maximum opportunity
The Chief Executive Officer’s maximum MIP opportunity is set 
at 130% of annual base salary.
Threshold, target and maximum bonus opportunity levels are as 
follows:
 · Threshold: 5% of base salary
 · Target: 70% of base salary
 · Maximum: 130% of base salary
 · Maximum payout is based on business performance targets 
(up to 120% of salary) and individual performance (up to 10% 
of salary)

Performance metrics
The MIP awards are based on business metrics linked to our 
business strategy. These may include but are not limited to 
measures of volume, revenue, profit, cash and operating 
efficiencies. The weighting of individual performance metrics shall 
be determined by the Remuneration Committee around the 
beginning of the MIP performance period.
Details related to the key performance indicators and individual 
objectives can be found in the Annual Report on Remuneration 
on page 140.
Deferral of MIP
50% of any MIP award is to be deferred into shares which will be 
made available after a three-year deferral period which 
commences of the first day on the fiscal year in which the deferred 
share award is made.
Deferred shares may be subject to malus and clawback (for a 
period of two years following this incentive award) to the extent 
deemed appropriate by the Remuneration Committee, in line with 
best practice.

  Maximum opportunity

Awards (normally) have a face value up to 330% of base salary. 
In exceptional circumstances only, the Remuneration Committee 
has the discretion to grant awards up to 450% of base salary.
Performance metrics
Vesting of awards is subject to the three-year Group performance 
metrics based on two equally-weighted measures which have 
been selected as they are aligned to long-term growth and also 
measure the efficient use of capital, both of which are aligned 
to our strategic plan:
Comparable earnings per share (comparable EPS); and the 
percentage of comparable net profit excluding net finance costs 
divided by the capital employed (ROIC). Capital employed is 
calculated as the average of net debt and shareholders’ equity 
attributable to the owners of the parent through the year.
Following the end of the three-year period, the Remuneration 
Committee will determine the extent to which performance 
metrics have been met and, in turn, the level of vesting. 
Participants may receive vested awards in the form of shares or 
a cash equivalent.
For both performance metrics, achieving threshold performance 
results in vesting of 25% of the award and maximum performance 
results in vesting of 100% of the award.
Performance share awards will lapse if the Remuneration 
Committee determines that the performance metrics have not 
been met.
Holding period
Any vested award (net of shares sold to cover tax liability) is 
subject to a further two-year holding period following the end 
of the three-year performance period. During this two-year 
period, these beneficially owned shares are subject to a no sale 
commitment. Any shares subject to the holding period count 
towards the shareholding requirement.
Adjustments
In the event of an equity restructuring, the Remuneration 
Committee may make an equitable adjustment to the terms of 
the performance share award by adjusting the number and kind of 
shares which have been granted or may be granted and/or making 
provision for payment of cash in respect of any outstanding 
performance share award.
Change of control
In the event of change of control, unvested performance share 
awards held by participants vest immediately on a pro-rated basis 
if the Remuneration Committee determines that the performance 
metrics have been satisfied or would have been likely to be 
satisfied at the end of the performance period, unless the 
Remuneration Committee determines that substitute 
performance share awards may be used in place of the previous 
awards. For vested shares subject to the additional holding period, 
the holding period will lapse and the participants are no longer 
subject to the no sale commitment.

 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

129

Additional notes to the Executive Director’s remuneration policy table

Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration policy illustration
The graph below provides estimates of the potential reward opportunity for the Chief Executive Officer and the split between the three 
different elements of remuneration under three different performance scenarios: ‘Minimum’, ‘Target’ and ‘Maximum’. In line with the reporting 
regulations, a scenario assuming 50% share price growth over the three-year PSP performance period is also shown below. The assumptions 
used for these charts are set out in the table below (€ 000s).

Maximum
performance +50%
share price growth

12%

8%

2%

2%

Maximum

16%

10%

16%

20%

41%

21%

6,022

52%

4,784

Target

23%

14%

16%

43% 3,207

4%

Minimum

57%

9%
34% 1,305

Base pay

Cash and non-cash benefits

Pension

MIP

PSP

PSP – share price appreciation

Minimum performance

Target performance

Maximum performance

Fixed remuneration only, i.e. base salary, pension and other benefits (including 
ESPP participation).
No payout under the annual bonus or PSP.

Fixed remuneration.
MIP payout of 70% of base salary.
PSP vesting at 181.5% of base salary.

Fixed remuneration.
MIP payout of 130% of base salary.
PSP vesting at 330% of base salary.

Maximum performance + 50% share price growth

Fixed remuneration.
MIP payout of 130% of base salary.
PSP vesting at 330% of base salary.
50% assumed share price growth over three-year PSP performance period.

Other than the ‘Maximum scenario + 50% share price growth’, no share price growth or dividend assumptions have been included in the 
charts above.

Fixed

Variable

Total

  Component

Base salary1
Pension
Cash and non-cash benefits2
MIP
PSP
PSP – 50% share price 
appreciation

Minimum (€ 000s)
€750
€113
€442
–
–

–
€1,305

Target (€ 000s)
€750
€113
€458
€525
€1,361

–
€3,207

Maximum (€ 000s)
€750
€113
€471
€975
€2,475

–
€4,784

Maximum performance 
+ 50% share price growth 
(€ 000’s)
€750
€113
€471
€975
€2,475

€1,238
€6,022

1.  Represents the annual base salary as at 7 December 2017.
2.  ESPP employer contributions may vary depending on the MIP payout provided that the Chief Executive Officer decides to contribute a portion of the MIP towards the ESPP. 

The figures provided have been calculated on the basis of the applicable MIP payout and the Chief Executive Officer deciding to contribute 3% to the ESPP.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
130

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan)
The ESOP was replaced by the PSP in 2015 and the last grant under the ESOP took place in December 2014. Although the Remuneration 
Committee does not intend to award under the ESOP going forward, there are still outstanding stock option awards which may be exercised in 
future years. Awards vest in one-third increments each year for three years and can be exercised for up to 10 years from the date of the award.

Malus and clawback provision for variable pay plans
The MIP, PSP, ESOP and ESPP plans include malus provisions which give the Remuneration Committee and/or the Board discretion to judge 
that an award should lapse wholly or partly in event of material misstatement of financial results and/or misconduct.

The Remuneration Committee and/or Board also has the discretion to determine that clawback should be applied to awards under the MIP, 
PSP, ESOP and ESPP plans for the Chief Executive Officer and members of the Operating Committee. Clawback can potentially be applied 
to payments or vested awards for up to a two-year period following the payment or vesting.

Shareholding guidelines
In order to strengthen the link with shareholders’ interests, the Chief Executive Officer is required to hold shares in the Company equal in 
value to 200% of annual base salary. Members of the Operating Committee are required to hold 100% of annual base salary. The required 
shareholdings are to be achieved within a five-year period starting from the date of the first PSP grant (10 December 2015) or later based 
on the date of the appointment.

Remuneration arrangements across the Group
The remuneration approach for the Chief Executive Officer, the members of the Operating Committee and senior management is similar. 
The Chief Executive Officer’s total remuneration has a significantly higher proportion of variable pay in comparison with the rest of our 
employees. The Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration will increase or decrease in line with business performance, aligning it with 
shareholders’ interests.

The structure of the remuneration package for the wider employee population takes into account local market practice and is intended 
to attract and retain the right talent, be competitive, remunerate employees for promoting a growth mindset while contributing to the 
Group’s performance.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

131

Policy table – non-Executive Directors
Base fees
Purpose and link to strategy

To provide a fixed level of compensation appropriate to the requirements of the role of non-Executive Director and to attract and retain 
high-quality non-Executive Directors with the right talent, values and skills necessary to provide oversight and support to management to grow 
the business, support the Company’s strategic framework and maximise shareholder value.
Operation

Non-Executive Directors’ pay is set at a level that will not call into question the objectivity of the Board. When considering market levels, 
comparable companies typically include those in the FTSE index with similar positioning as the Company, other Swiss companies with similar 
market caps and/or revenues, and other relevant European listed companies.
Maximum opportunity

Fee levels for non-Executive Directors include an annual fixed fee plus additional fees for membership of Board committees when applicable, 
as summarised below:

 · Base non-Executive Director’s fee: €73,500
 · Senior Independent Director’s fee: €15,800
 · Audit and Risk Committee Chair fee: €28,900
 · Audit and Risk Committee member fee: €14,500
 · Remuneration, Nomination and Social Responsibility Chair fees: €11,600
 · Remuneration, Nomination and Social Responsibility member fees: €5,800

Fee levels are subject to periodic review and approval by the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. 
Other benefits

Non-Executive Directors do not receive any benefits in cash or in kind. They are not entitled to severance payments in the event of termination 
of their appointment. They are entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable expenses incurred in the interests of the Group.
Variable remuneration

Non-Executive Directors do not receive any form of variable compensation.

SRCGFSSSRSI132

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Legacy arrangements
For the avoidance of doubt, it is noted that the Company will honour any commitments entered into that have previously been disclosed 
to shareholders.

Policy on recruitment/appointment

Executive Directors

Annual base salary arrangements for the appointment of an Executive Director will be set considering market relevance, skills, experience, 
internal comparisons and cost. The Remuneration Committee may recommend an appropriate initial annual base salary below relevant market 
levels. In such situations, the Remuneration Committee may make a recommendation to realign the level of base salary in the forthcoming 
years. As highlighted above, annual base salary ‘gaps’ may result in higher rates of salary increase in the short term, subject to an individual’s 
performance. The discretion is retained to offer an annual base salary necessary to meet the individual circumstances of the recruited 
Executive Director and to enable the hiring of an individual with the necessary skills and expertise.

The maximum level of variable pay that may be offered will follow the rules of the MIP and is capped at 130% of the relevant individual’s annual 
base salary. The maximum level of equity-related pay that may be offered will follow the PSP rules and is capped at 450% of the relevant 
individual’s annual base salary. The typical award is not expected to surpass 330% of base salary. Different performance measures may be set 
initially for the annual bonus taking into consideration the point in the financial year that a new Executive Director joins. The above limits do not 
include the value of any buyout arrangements.

Benefits will be provided in line with those offered according to the Group’s policy for other employees. If an Executive Director is required to 
relocate, benefits may be provided as per the Group’s international transfer policy which may include transfer allowance, tax equalisation, tax 
advice and support, housing, cost of living, schooling, travel and relocation costs.

The Remuneration Committee may consider recommending the buying out of incentive awards that an individual would forfeit by accepting 
the appointment up to an equivalent value in shares or in cash. In the case of a share award, the Remuneration Committee may approve a grant 
of shares under the PSP. When deciding on a potential incentive award buyout and in particular the level and value thereof, the Remuneration 
Committee will be informed of the time and performance pro-rated level of any forfeited award.

It is expected that Executive Directors appointed during the remuneration policy period will be appointed on similar notice provisions to the 
Chief Executive Officer, allowing for termination of office by either party on six months’ notice.

Non-Executive Directors

It is expected that non-Executive Directors appointed during the remuneration policy period will receive the same basic fee and, as 
appropriate, committee fee or fees as existing non-Executive Directors and will be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable expenses 
incurred in the interests of the Group.

It is expected that non-Executive Directors appointed during the remuneration policy period will be appointed on a one-year term 
of appointment, in the same manner as existing non-Executive Directors.

The Company does not compensate new non-Executive Directors for any forfeited share awards in previous employment.

Termination payments

The Swiss Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Listed Companies limits the authority of the Board to determine compensation. 
Limitations include the prohibition on certain types of severance compensation.

Our governance framework ensures that the Group uses the right channels to support reward decisions. In the case of early termination, 
the non-Executive Directors would be entitled to their fees accrued as of the date of termination, but are not entitled to any additional 
compensation. The Chief Executive Officer’s employment contract does not contain any provisions for payments on termination. Notice 
periods are set for up to six months and non-compete clauses are 12 months, effective in 2018. The notice period anticipates that up to six 
months’ paid garden leave may be provided. Similarly, up to 12 months of base salary may be paid out in relation to the non-compete period.

In case of future terminations, payments will be made in accordance with the termination policy on page 133.

Pay element
Base salary and 
other benefits / 
non-Executive 
Directors’ fees
ESPP

MIP

PSP/ESOP

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

133

Good leaver 
(retirement at 55 or later/at 
least 10 years’ continued service)

Good leaver 
(injury, disability)

Bad leaver 
(resignation, dismissal)

  Death in service

  Payment in lieu of notice is not permissible. The Company could ask the Chief Executive Officer to be on paid garden 

leave for up to six months.

  Unvested shares held in the ESPP will vest 

  Unvested shares under the 

upon termination.

  A pro-rated payout as of 
the date of retirement will 
be applied.

Deferred shares will 
continue to vest as normal.

  A pro-rated payout as of the 
date of leaving will be applied.

Deferred shares will continue 
to vest as normal.

ESPP are forfeited. 
In the event of resignation or 
dismissal, as per Swiss Law, 
the Chief Executive Officer 
is entitled to a pro-rated 
MIP payout.

  Available ESPP shares will 
be transferred to heirs. 
  A pro-rated payout will be 
applied and will be paid 
immediately to heirs, based 
on the latest rolling 
estimate.

  Unvested performance 
shares and options are 
retained and will continue 
to vest as normal subject 
to performance conditions 
as set out in the award 
agreement.

For vested shares that are 
subject to the additional 
holding period, they will 
continue to be subject to 
the no-sale commitment 
until the end of the relevant 
two-year period.

  All unvested options and 

  All unvested options and 

  All unvested options and 

Any outstanding deferred 
shares will lapse.

Deferred shares will 
continue to vest as normal.

performance share awards 
immediately vest to the 
extent that the 
Remuneration Committee 
determines that the 
performance conditions 
have been met, or are likely 
to be met at the end of the 
three-year performance 
period.

Any options that vest are 
exercisable within 12 months 
from the date of termination.

For vested shares that are 
subject to the additional 
holding period, they will 
continue to be subject to the 
no-sale commitment until 
the end of the relevant 
two-year period.

performance share awards 
immediately lapse without 
any compensation.

In the event of resignation, 
all vested options must be 
exercised within six months 
from the date of termination.

Upon dismissal, all vested 
options must be exercised 
within 30 days from the date 
of termination.

For vested shares that are 
subject to the additional 
holding period, they will 
continue to be subject to the 
no-sale commitment until 
the end of the relevant 
two-year period.

performance share awards 
immediately vest subject 
to time and performance 
pro-ration.

Any options that vest 
are exercisable within 
12 months from the date 
of termination.

For vested shares that are 
subject to the additional 
holding period, the no-sale 
commitment will cease 
immediately.

Under Swiss law, share 
awards are considered 
annual compensation and 
as such when time 
pro-rating is required, the 
year of grant (12 months) 
and not the vesting period 
(36 months) for time 
pro-rating calculations is 
considered.

Corporate events
In the event of an equity restructuring, the Remuneration Committee may make an equitable adjustment to the terms of the performance 
share award by adjusting the number and kind of shares that have been granted or may be granted and/or making provision for payment 
of cash in respect of any outstanding performance share award.

In the event of a change of control, unvested performance share awards held by participants vest immediately on a pro-rated basis if the 
Remuneration Committee determines that the performance condition(s) have been satisfied or would have been likely to be satisfied at the 
end of the performance period, unless the Remuneration Committee determines that substitute performance share awards may be used 
in place of the previous awards.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
134

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Service contracts
Zoran Bogdanovic, the Chief Executive Officer, has a service contract with the Company with a six-month notice period. As noted in the 
termination payments, the Chief Executive Officer’s employment contract does not include any termination benefits, other than as mandated 
by Swiss law. The Swiss Code of Obligations requires employers to pay severance when an employment relationship ends with an employee 
of at least 50 years of age after 20 years or more of service.

The Chief Executive Officer is also entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable expenses incurred in the interests of the Company. In accordance 
with the Swiss Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Listed Companies, there are no sign-on policies/provisions for the appointment 
of the Chief Executive Officer.

The table below provides details of the current service contracts and terms of appointment for the Chief Executive Officer and other Directors.

Name
Anastassis G. David

Zoran Bogdanovic

Ahmet C. Bozer
Charlotte J. Boyle
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni

Anastasios I. Leventis
Christo Leventis
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes
Robert Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi

Title
Chairman and 
non-Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer

Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Senior Independent 
non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director

Date originally appointed to the 
Board of the Company
27 July 2006

Date appointed to the 
Board of the Company
11 June 2018

11 June 2018

11 June 2018

21 June 2016
20 June 2017
24 June 2015
21 June 2016
21 June 2016

25 June 2014
25 June 2014
24 June 2015
25 June 2014
21 June 2016
25 June 2014

11 June 2018
11 June 2018
11 June 2018
11 June 2018
11 June 2018

11 June 2018
11 June 2018
11 June 2018
11 June 2018
11 June 2018
11 June 2018

Unexpired term of service 
contract or appointment as 
non-Executive Director
One year

Indefinite, terminable 
on six months’ notice
One year
One year
One year
One year
One year

One year
One year
One year
One year
One year
One year

The Chief Executive Officer’s service contract and the terms and conditions of appointment of the non-Executive Directors are open for 
inspection by the public at the registered office of the Group.

Consideration of employee views
The Remuneration Committee does not currently consult specifically with employees on policy for the remuneration of the Chief Executive 
Officer. Pay movement for the wider employment group is considered when making pay decisions for the Chief Executive Officer.

Consideration of shareholder views
Shareholder views and the achievement of the Group’s overall business strategies have been taken into account in formulating the remuneration 
policy. Following shareholder feedback before and after the Annual General Meeting, the Remuneration Committee and the Board consult 
with shareholders and meet with the largest institutional investors to gather feedback on the Company’s remuneration strategy and corporate 
governance. The Company would be happy to engage with shareholders in the future to discuss the outcomes of the remuneration policy.

In reviewing and determining remuneration, the Remuneration Committee takes into account the following:

the business strategies and needs of the Company;
the views of shareholders on Group policies and programmes of remuneration;

 ·
 ·
 · market comparisons and the positioning of the Group’s remuneration relative to other comparable companies;
 ·
 ·

input from employees regarding our remuneration programmes;
the need for similar, performance-related principles for the determination of executive remuneration and the remuneration of other 
employees; and
the need for objectivity. Board members, the Chief Executive Officer and Operating Committee members play no part in determining their 
own remuneration. The Chair of the Remuneration Committee and the Chief Executive Officer are not present when the Remuneration 
Committee and the Board discuss matters that pertain to their remuneration.

 ·

This ensures that the same performance-setting principles are applied for executive remuneration and other employees in the organisation.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

135

Annual Report on Remuneration

Introduction
This section of the report provides detail on how we have implemented our remuneration policy in 2018 which, in accordance with the UK 
remuneration reporting regulations, will be subject to an advisory shareholder vote at our 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Activities of the Remuneration Committee during 2018
During 2018, the key Remuneration Committee activities were to:

 · Review and sign off the 2017 Directors’ Remuneration Report;
 · Review the base salary for the Chief Executive Officer;
 · Review and approve the 2018 base salaries for the Operating Committee members and general managers;
 · Review and approve the 2017 MIP payout for the Chief Executive Officer;
 · Review and approve payout levels for the 2017 MIP in relation to Operating Committee members and general managers;
 · Set and approve 2018 PSP targets;
 · Review award levels for 2018 PSP awards;
 · Review of the Company’s Irish pension plans; and
 · Review and approve changes to the Executive Director remuneration policy. 

Advisors to the Remuneration Committee
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Group Human Resources Director, the Group Rewards Director and the General 
Counsel regularly attend meetings of the Remuneration Committee.

While the Remuneration Committee does not have external advisors, in 2018 it authorised management to work with external consultancy 
firm Willis Towers Watson, to provide independent advice on ad hoc remuneration issues during the year. These services are considered 
to have been independent, objective and relevant to the market. Other than employee engagement benchmarking services, Willis Towers 
Watson does not provide any other services to the Company. The total cost in connection with this work was €40,712. Willis Towers Watson 
is a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and provides advice in line with its Code of Business Conduct.

SRCGFSSSRSI136

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2018 and 2017

Anastassis G. David

Ahmet C. Bozer

Charlotte J. Boyle

Antonio D’ Amato

Olusola (Sola) David-Borha

William W. (Bill) Douglas lll

Reto Francioni

Anastasios I. Leventis

Christo Leventis

Alexandra Papalexopoulou

José Octavio Reyes

Robert Ryan Rudolph

John P. Sechi

Financial 
year
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017
FY2018
FY2017

Audit and Risk 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
14,500
13,800
28,900
27,500
– 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
14,500
13,800

Remuneration 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
5,800
2,750
–
2,750
–
–
–
–
5,800
5,500
–
–
–
–
11,600
11,000
–
–
–
–
–
–

Base fee1 (€)
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
35,000
–
35,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000

Nomination 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
5,800
2,750
–
2,750
–
–
–
–
11,600
11,000
–
–
–
–
5,800
5,500
–
–
–
–
–
–

Social 
Responsibility 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
– 
15,000
11,600
11,000
–
–
5,800
5,500
5,800
5,500
–
–
–
–

Senior 
Independent 
Director
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
15,800
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Social security 
contributions2
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
7,001
6,584
–
–
8,489
7,974
– 
–
–
2,179
– 
–
4,434
4,560
5,848
5,499
– 
–

Total
(€)
73,500
70,000
73,500
70,000
85,100
40,500
–
40,500
95,001
90,384
102,400
97,500
115,189
109,474
85,100
81,000
73,500
72,179
96,700
92,000
83,734
80,060
79,348
75,499
88,000
83,800

1.  Non-Executive Director fees for 2018 are in line with the fees that were revised in 2018.
2.  Social security employer contributions as required by Swiss legislation.

Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any of the Group’s incentive plans, nor do they receive any retirement or other taxable benefits.

Fee levels were reviewed in 2018 to ensure that they remained competitive in relation to comparable companies and an adjustment of 5% was 
made. Before this, Non-Executive Director fees were last adjusted in 2016.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

137

Single figure table
Single total figure of remuneration for the Chief Executive Officer for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017

Base pay1 
€ 000s

Cash and 
non-cash benefits2 
€ 000s

Annual bonus3 
€ 000s

Employee Share 
Purchase Plan
€ 000s

Long-term incentives4 
€ 000s

Retirement 
benefits 
€ 000s

Zoran Bogdanovic
Dimitris Lois5

2018
750
–

2017  
58  
852  

2018
420
–

2017  
35  
498  

2018
465 
–

2017  
47  
643  

2018
32
–

2017  
2  
40  

2018
1,649 

2017  
262  
– 13,227  

2018
124
–

2017  
6  
118  

Total single figure 
€ 000s

2018
3,440 

2017
410
– 15,378

1.  ‘Base pay’ includes the monthly instalments linked with the base salary for 2018.
2.  ‘Cash and non-cash benefits’ include the value of all benefits paid during 2018. These are outlined in the ‘Cash and non-cash benefits’ section below and include any gross-ups 

for the tax benefit.

3.  Annual bonus for 2018 includes the MIP payout, receivable early in 2019 for the 2018 performance year, including the amount deferred in shares.
4.  ‘Long-Term incentives’ (for Zoran Bogdanovic in 2018) reflect the 2015 and 2016 awards made under the Performance Share Plan and the dividend equivalent shares paid on PSP 
shares that will vest in early 2019. The number of shares due to vest to the Chief Executive Officer for the 2015 and 2016 awards are 27,555 and 31,813, respectively. The Chief 
Executive Officer will also get 3,492 shares representing the dividend equivalents for the awarded shares for 2016, 2017 and 2018. The value reflects the number of shares multiplied 
by the average market price over the last three months of the financial year. The figure will be restated in next year’s report based on the share price at vesting. €146,216 of the 
€722,942 total vested value of the 2015 award was due to increase in share price since date of grant. €257,887 of the €834,656 total vested value of the 2016 award was due 
to increase in share price since date of grant.

5.  Dimitris Lois, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2011, sadly passed away in October 2017. The full details of remuneration arrangements, which were in line with our policy 

provisions for death in service, were disclosed in last year’s report.

Fixed pay for 2018

Base salary

Following the appointment of Zoran Bogdanovic to Chief Executive Officer, the Remuneration Committee recommended and the Board 
approved a base salary of €750,000, effective 7 December 2017. When determining the base salary level, the Remuneration Committee 
considered alignment and competitiveness versus peers in the FTSE, internal relativities and the experience of the individual. Given the timing 
of his appointment at the end of 2017, the Remuneration Committee did not make a salary adjustment in 2018.

Retirement benefits

Zoran Bogdanovic is to receive an annual retirement benefit of 15% of base salary, aligning to the retirement benefit provided under Swiss law 
and based on the age brackets defined by federal Swiss legislation. During the year, €124,451 of retirement benefit was received.

Cash and non-cash benefits

Zoran Bogdanovic received additional benefits during 2018. These included cost of living and foreign exchange rate adjustment (€221,347), 
private medical insurance (€7,406), partner allowance (€1,000), home trip allowance (€2,335), tax support (€4,497), company car allowance 
(€17,393), housing allowance (€105,952), Company matching contribution related to the ESPP (€32,075 – reflecting the maximum match 
of 3% under the plan), tax equalisation (€-45,739), and the value of social security contributions (€105,516).

Variable pay for 2018

MIP performance outcomes – 2018

As outlined above, the annual bonus award in respect of the 2018 financial year for the Chief Executive Officer was €465,000, 62% of base salary. 
In accordance with the terms of the MIP, 50% of this will be paid out in March 2019 and the remaining 50% will be deferred into shares for a period 
of three years. This bonus reflects the financial and individual performance achieved during the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. 
The financial metrics, the associated targets and level of achievement are set out on page 138.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
138

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Achievements against the Chief Executive Officer’s individual performance metrics and the respective payout is outlined below.

Objectives

Assessment

Description
Revenue

Volume

Measure of success
Grow revenue faster than volume 
and transactions faster than volume
Grow Volume in all three segments, 
Established, Developing and Emerging

Weighting

%   Actual results

20%   Revenue growth (NARTD FX neutral) +6.6% > 

Transactions growth +4.9% > Volume growth +4.1%

20%   We grew volume in all three segments: Established 

markets +1.0%, Developing markets +8.8%, Emerging 
markets +4.3%

Engagement Maintain the High Performing Norm 

20%   2018 score: 88 (-1 vs. 2017 and – 1 vs. High Performing 

EBIT margin

Status as per Willis Tower Watson
Further improve comparable EBIT 
margin compared to 2017 by 80 basis 
points or more

Norm)

20%   EBIT margin improved by 70 basis points

Sustainability Maintain Beverage Industry Leadership 

20%   Coca-Cola HBC ranked third on a World level. 

on DJSI either World or Europe

This makes it six consecutive years of being in the top 
three globally in our industry.

  Total 

Achievement against the Group’s business metrics and the respective payout is outlined below.

Payout % of CEO’s 
annual base salary 
(maximum 10%)
2.0%

2.0%

1.5%

1.5%

1.0%

8.0%

Threshold (0%)

Target (15%)

Maximum (30%)

Payout (% of base salary)

Volume (m unit cases)

1,999

2,173

2,192

Comparable EBIT (€ m)

644 

681

700 

OpEx % of NSR

NSR (€ m)

Total Working Capital Days 
Qualifier to Volume performance measure

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

26.7

25.0 

24.8

6,175 

6,657

6,712

2,281

756 

24.1

7,048 

17.7%

9.5%

13.3%

13.5%

4.73 

4.38 

3.50 

1.77 

Achieved

Total financial performance measures payout

54.0%

Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) outcomes – 2018
The Remuneration Committee will no longer make awards under this plan. All stock options are fully vested.

Performance Share Plan (PSP) awards – 2018
Since the discontinuation of the ESOP in late 2015, the PSP is now the primary long-term incentive vehicle. In March 2018, the Chief Executive 
Officer was granted a performance share award over 86,404 shares under the PSP, representing 330% of base salary at date of grant. 
The award is subject to a three-year performance period, aligned to the Company’s financial year, with performance measured to the end 
of financial year 2020, and vesting anticipated in March 2021.

 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

139

The following table sets out the details of the performance share award made to the Chief Executive Officer under the PSP for 2018.

Type of award made
Share price at date of grant
Date of grant
Performance period
Face value of the award
(The maximum number of shares that would vest if all performance 
measures and targets are met, multiplied by the share price at the 
date of grant)
Face value of the award as a % of annual base salary
Percentage that would be distributed if threshold performance 
was achieved in both PSP key performance indicators
Percentage that would be distributed if threshold performance 
was achieved only in one PSP key performance indicator

Performance share award over 86,404 shares, receivable for nil cost
€28,64 (£25.28)
14 March 2018
1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020
€2,475,000

330%
25% of maximum award

12.5% of maximum award

Similar to the award made in March 2017, the 2018 award was subject to comparable earnings per share (EPS) and return on invested capital 
(ROIC), as outlined below.

Measure
Comparable EPS

Return on invested 
capital (ROIC)

Description
Calculated by dividing the comparable net profit attributable 
to the owners of the parent by the weighted average number 
of outstanding shares during the period.
ROIC is the percentage return that a company makes over its 
invested capital. More specifically, we define ROIC as the 
percentage of comparable net profit excluding net finance costs 
divided by the capital employed. Capital employed is calculated 
as the average of net debt and shareholders’ equity attributable 
to the owners of the parent through the year. 

Threshold

Maximum

Weighting
50%

Target
1.51

Vesting 
(% of max)

25%  

Target
1.82

Vesting (% 
of max)
100%

50% 13.7%

25%  

16.4%

100%

The vesting schedule for PSP performance conditions is not a straight line between the threshold and maximum performance levels. 
The Remuneration Committee considers that it is appropriate to place greater emphasis on achieving the target performance level than the 
outperformance of this level.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
140

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Performance Share Plan (PSP) outcomes – 2018
The table below summarises performance against the applicable targets for PSP awards made in 2015 and 2016, which are due to vest 
in early 2019.

Threshold

Maximum

Actual to 
the year ending 2018

2015 award*

2016 award

Measure
EPS
ROIC
EPS
ROIC

Weighting
50%
50%
50%
50%

Target
1.08
10.1%
1.08
10.1%

Vesting 
(% of max)

  Three-year target
1.31
12.1%
1.31
12.1%

25%  
25%  
25%  
25%  

Vesting 
(% of max)

100%  
100%  
100%  
100%  

Achievement
1.31
13.7%
1.31
13.7%

Vesting 
(% of max)
100%
100%
100%
100%

Total 
(% of max)

100%

100%

 * The 2015 award was made in December 2015 and as such the performance period commenced on 1 January 2016, and hence the performance targets are the same as the 2016 award.

Dilution limit
Usage of shares under all share plans and executive share plans adhere to the dilution limits set by the Investment Association Principles 
of Remuneration (10% for all share plans and 5% for all executive share plans, in any 10-year period).

Implementation of policy in 2019
For 2019, we will continue to apply our approved remuneration policy outlined on pages 126 to 128 as described above.

Base salary and fees
The Chief Executive Officer’s base salary will be reviewed in March 2019 at the same time as that of the Operating Committee members and 
the general managers. Any base salary increase will be effective 1 May 2019, and is anticipated to be broadly in line with the increase provided 
to other employees.

The fee levels for the Chairman and other non-Executive Directors were last reviewed in 2018, as outlined on page 136. Fee levels are not 
expected to be reviewed in 2019.

Management Incentive Plan (MIP)
The annual bonus award levels for 2019 are expected to be in line with those for 2018. 50% of any 2018 award will be awarded as deferred 
bonus shares which will vest three years from their date of grant. The performance measures have been set by the Remuneration Committee 
to align to our KPIs and are summarised below.

Performance measure
Business measures
Gross profit margin. Incentivises profitability, measuring percentage remaining after excluding cost of goods from sales.
Net sales revenue (NSR). Incentivises the Group’s revenue growth objectives.
Comparable earnings before interest and tax (comparable EBIT). Defined as comparable operating profit.
Operating expenditures (OpEx) excluding DME as a percentage of NSR. This key performance indicator, which 
excludes direct marketing expenses (DME), incentivises effective cost management.
Individual measures

Weighting at maximum 
opportunity levels 
(% of base salary)
120%
24%
36%
36%

24%
10%

The Remuneration Committee is unable to provide the 2019 bonus award performance targets on a forward-looking basis as they are deemed 
commercially sensitive. However, the targets will be disclosed in next year’s remuneration report once the actual performance against these 
targets has been realised.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

141

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
The levels of PSP awards for 2019 are anticipated to be in line with those awarded in 2018. The performance measures will be consistent with 
those detailed for the 2018 award outlined in this report and these are summarised below.

Measure
Comparable EPS

Return on invested 
capital (ROIC)

Description
Calculated by dividing the comparable net profit 
attributable to the owners of the parent by the weighted 
average number of outstanding shares during the period.
ROIC is the percentage return that a company makes 
over its invested capital. More specifically, we define 
ROIC as the percentage of comparable net profit 
excluding net finance costs divided by the capital 
employed. Capital employed is calculated as the average 
of net debt and shareholders’ equity attributable to the 
owners of the parent through the year. 

Threshold

Maximum

Weighting
50%

Target
1.62

Vesting 
(% of max)

25%  

Target
1.80

Vesting 
(% of max)
100%

50%

13.8%

25%  

15.8%

100%

The Remuneration Committee expects to recommend an award of 330% of base salary to the Chief Executive Officer in March 2019, with 
performance running to the end of December 2021 and vesting occurring in March 2022. These vested shares will then be subject to a further 
two-year holding period, whereby the Chief Executive Officer agrees to a no sale commitment during this time.

Changes to Chief Executive Officer and employee pay
The table below sets out the percentage change in base salary, taxable benefits and annual bonus for the Chief Executive Officer and the 
average pay for Swiss-based employees. We have chosen to make a comparison with employees in Switzerland as this is the market in which 
our Chief Executive Officer is based. MIP payouts for the Swiss workforce are primarily based on Swiss business unit results.

Chief Executive Officer % change from 2017 to 2018
Average employee % change for the Swiss workforce from 2017 to 2018

Annual base salary
-17.6%
3.1%

Benefits
-21.4%
-0.3%

Annual bonus
-32.6%
39.6%

The decrease in annual base salary, benefits and annual bonus for the Chief Executive Officer is primarily driven by the appointment 
of Zoran Bogdanovic who had a lower base salary than the former Chief Executive Officer and lower achievement of the 2018 MIP.

Chief Executive Officer pay and performance comparison
The graph on page 142 shows the total shareholder return (TSR) of the Company compared with the FTSE 100 index over a 10-year period 
to 31 December 2018. The Remuneration Committee believes that the FTSE 100 Index is the most appropriate index to compare historic 
performance due to the size of the Company and our listing location.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
142

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Total shareholder return versus FTSE 100

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Dec 08

Dec 09

Dec 10

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

FTSE 100

CCH

Total 
remuneration 
– single figure 
(€ 000s)
MIP 
(% of maximum)
PSP 
(% of maximum)

2009  

Doros 

2010  

Doros 

Constantinou  

Constantinou  

2011

2012  

2013  

2014  

2015  

2016  

2017

2018

Doros 
Constantinou

Dimitris 

Dimitris 

Dimitris 

Dimitris 

Dimitris 

Dimitris 

Lois  

Lois  

Lois  

Lois  

Lois  

Lois  

Dimitris 
Lois

Zoran 

Bogdanovic  

Zoran 
Bogdanovic

2,887  

3,752  

4,708

711   1,524   1,928   1,918   3,012   2,923   15,378

410  

3,440

–  

–  

65%  

9% 24%   68%   49%   45%   75%   55%  

53%

5%  

48%

–  

–

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

90%

–  

100%

On 4 July 2011, Doros Constantinou retired from service, and Dimitris Lois succeeded him. The amounts for 2011 include the remuneration of 
Doros Constantinou up to the retirement date and the remuneration of Dimitris Lois for the remainder of the year. For 2011, the remuneration 
of Doros Constantinou includes termination benefits due to retirement.

Dimitris Lois sadly passed away on 2 October 2017. The 2017 base salary values above reflect the period 1 January 2017 to 2 October 2017. 
The total remuneration value for Zoran Bogdanovic reflects the period from his appointment as Chief Executive Officer to the end of the 
financial year, 7 December 2017 to 31 December 2017.

As the Company listed on the London Stock Exchange in April 2013, the amounts included in respect of the period before that date relate 
to the remuneration the previous Chief Executive Officers received in their capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Hellenic 
Bottling Company S.A.

Relative importance of spend on pay (€m)
The graphic below presents the year-on-year change in total expenditure for all employees across the Group and distributions made 
to shareholders in the form of dividend share buy-backs and/or capital returns.

2018

2017

Total staff costs

Distribution to shareholders

993.2

200.6

992.3

162.0

Compared to the prior year, the total staff costs have remained broadly flat, while dividends distributed to shareholders have increased by 24%.

 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

143

Shareholder voting outcomes
The table below sets out the result of the vote on the remuneration-related resolutions at the Annual General Meeting held in June 2018.

Resolution
Advisory vote on the UK Remuneration Report

Advisory vote on the Swiss Remuneration Report

Advisory vote on the remuneration policy

Approval of the maximum aggregate amount of 
remuneration for the Board until the next Annual General 
Meeting
Approval of the maximum aggregate amount of 
remuneration for the Operating Committee for the next 
financial year

Votes for
265,082,348
98.95%
265,053,923
98.94%
262,992,878
98.17%
266,170,268

Votes against
2,685,004
1.00%
2,713,904
1.01%
4,775,024
1.78%
1,652,689

99.38%
263,904,469

0.62%
3,471,741

Abstentions
130,651
0.05%
130,176
0.05%
130,101
0.05%
75,046

n.a.
521,793

Total votes cast
267,898,003

Voting rights 
represented
72.77%

267,898,003

72.77%

267,898,003

72.77%

267,822,957

72.77%

267,376,210

72.77%

98.70% 

1.30%

n.a.

The Remuneration Committee was pleased that shareholders supported our remuneration-related resolutions so strongly. We value our 
ongoing dialogue with shareholders and welcome any views on this report.

Payments to past Directors and payment for loss of office
There were no payments made to past Directors of the Group or loss of office payments made during the year.

Payments to appointed Directors
There were no payments made to appointed Directors during the year.

Outside appointments for the Chief Executive Officer
Zoran Bogdanovic does not hold any appointments outside the Company.

Total Directors’ and Operating Committee members’ remuneration
The table below outlines the aggregated total remuneration figures for Directors and Operating Committee members in the year.

Total remuneration paid to or accrued for Directors, the Operating Committee and the 
Chief Executive Officer
Salaries and other short-term benefits
Amount accrued for stock option and performance share awards
Pension and post-employment benefits for Directors, the Operating Committee and the 
Chief Executive Officer

2018 
(€ million)

2017 
(€ million)

18.8
11.7
6.3 

0.8

27.1
13.8
12.6

0.7

Credits and loans granted to governing bodies
In 2018, no credits or loans were granted to active or former members of the Company’s Board, members of the Operating Committee 
or to any related persons.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
144

COCA-COLA HBC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Share ownership
The table below summarises the total shareholding as at 31 December 2018, including any outstanding shares awarded through our incentive 
plans, for the Chief Executive Officer and other Directors. There have been no changes in the interests of any Directors in shares in the period 
to 14 March 2019.

With performance measures

Without performance measures

Name
Zoran Bogdanovic2
Anastassis G. David3
Ahmet C. Bozer
Charlotte J. Boyle4
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha
William W. (Bill) Douglas III5
Reto Francioni
Anastasios I. Leventis6
Christo Leventis7
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes
Robert Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi

Share 
interests
Yes

Performance 
shares 
granted in 
2018
86,404
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

PSP

Unvested and 
subject to 
performance 
conditions
171,245
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

ESOP

Vested  

Number of 
stock options 
outstanding

Fully 
vested
–   210,000  210,000 
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  
–
–
–  

ESPP  

Number of 
outstanding shares 
held1 as at 

31 December 2018  
22,819   
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

Vesting at 
the end 
of 2019  
–   
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

Current 
shareholding 
as % of base 
salary1
41%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Shareholding 
guideline 
met1
No 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1.  The shareholding requirement was introduced from the date of the 2015 PSP award, 10 December 2015. The Chief Executive Officer has a period of five years from his appointment 

to December 2022 to build up a 200% of base salary shareholding.

2.  During 2018, Zoran Bogdanovic exercised 26,750 options under the ESOP due to upcoming expiration.
3.  Anastassis David is a beneficiary of:

(a) a private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Truad Verwaltungs AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to the 85,355,019 shares held by Kar-Tess Holding S.A.
(b) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Selene Treuhand AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 823,008 shares held by Selene Treuhand AG.

4.  Charlotte J. Boyle owns 1,017 Company shares.
5.  William W. (Bill) Douglas III owns 10,000 Company shares.
6.  Anastasios I. Leventis is a beneficiary of:

(a) a private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Truad Verwaltungs AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to the 85,355,019 shares held by Kar-Tess Holding S.A.
(b) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Selene Treuhand AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 286,879 shares held by Selene Treuhand AG.
(c) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Christodoulos Papaneokleus Leventis, of which Mervail 
Company (PTC) Limited is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 623,664 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

7.  Christo Leventis is a beneficiary of:

(a) a private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Truad Verwaltungs AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to the 85,355,019 shares held by Kar-Tess Holding S.A.
(b) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Selene Treuhand AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 458,545 shares held by Selene Treuhand AG.
(c) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Christodoulos Papaneokleus Leventis, of which Mervail 
Company (PTC) Limited is the trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 757,307 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report
The Directors’ Remuneration Report set out on pages 122 to 144 was approved by the Board of Directors on 14 March 2019 and signed on its 
behalf by Alexandra Papalexopoulou, Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

ALEXANDRA PAPALEXOPOULOU
CHAIR OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

14 March 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

145

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, 
including the consolidated Financial Statements, and the Corporate 
Governance Report including the Remuneration Report and the 
Strategic Report, in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

The Directors, whose names and functions are set out on pages 
90-95, confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

(a) The Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable, and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy.

(b) The consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as 
issued by the IASB, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation of the Group taken 
as a whole.

(c) The Annual Report includes a fair review of the development 
and performance of the business and the position of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the consolidated Coca-Cola HBC 
Group taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that they face.

The activities of the Group, together with the factors likely to affect 
its future development, performance, financial position, cash flows, 
liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the 
Strategic Report (pages 3 to 85). In addition, Notes 23 ‘Financial risk 
management and financial instruments’, 24 ‘Net debt’, 25 ‘Equity’ 
include: the Company’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, together with long-term contracts with a number of 
customers and suppliers across different countries. The Directors 
have also assessed the principal risks and the other matters 
discussed in connection with the Viability Statement on page 79. 
The Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing the annual Financial Statements and 
have not identified any material uncertainties to the Group’s ability to 
continue to do so over a period of at least 12 months from the date 
of approval of these financial statements.

By order of the Board

ANASTASSIS G. DAVID
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

15 March 2019

Disclosure of information required under Listing Rule 9.8.4R
For the purposes of Listing Rule 9.8.4C, the information required to be disclosed by premium listed companies in the United Kingdom 
is as follows:

Information to be included
Interest capitalised by the Group and an indication of the amount and treatment of any associated tax relief
Details of any unaudited financial information required by LR 9.2.18
Details of any long-term incentive scheme described in LR 9.4.3
Details of any arrangement under which a Director has waived any emoluments
Details of any arrangement under which a Director has agreed to waive future emoluments
Details of any allotments of shares by the Company for cash not previously authorised by shareholders
Details of any allotments of shares for cash by a major subsidiary of the Company
Details of the participation by the Company in any placing made by its parent company

Listing Rule
9.8.4(1)
9.8.4(2)
9.8.4(4)
9.8.4(5)
9.8.4(6)
9.8.4(7)
9.8.4(8)
9.8.4(9)
9.8.4(10) Details of any contracts of significance involving a Director
9.8.4(11) Details of any contract for the provision of services to the Company by a controlling shareholder
9.8.4(12) Details of any arrangement under which a shareholder has waived or agreed to waive any dividends
9.8.4(13) Details of any arrangement under which a shareholder has agreed to waive future dividends
9.8.4(14)

Agreements with a controlling shareholder

Reference in report
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable

SRCGFSSSRSI146

COCA-COLA HBC

Contents – Financial Statements
148 Independent Auditor’s Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

153 Consolidated Income Statement
154 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
155 Consolidated Balance Sheet
156 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
158 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Basis of reporting
159 1. Description of business
159 2. Basis of preparation and consolidation
160 3. Foreign currency and translation
160 4. Accounting pronouncements
163 5. Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Results for the year

163 6. Segmental analysis
166 7. Net sales revenue
167 8. Operating expenses
168 9. Finance costs, net
169 10. Taxation
172 11. Earnings per share
172 12. Components of other comprehensive income

Operating assets and liabilities

173 13. Intangible assets
176 14. Property, plant and equipment
179 15. Interests in other entities
183 16. Inventories
183 17. Trade, other receivables and assets
186 18. Assets classified as held for sale
186 19. Trade and other payables
187 20. Provisions and employee benefits
193 21. Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
194 22. Business combinations

Risk management and capital structure

195 23. Financial risk management and financial instruments
208 24. Net debt
212 25. Equity

Other financial information

214 26. Related party transactions
217 27. Share-based payments
219 28. Contingencies
220 29. Commitments
220 30. Post balance sheet events

Contents – Swiss Statutory Reporting
221 Report of the statutory auditor on Coca-Cola HBC AG’s 

consolidated financial statements

227 Report of the statutory auditor on Coca-Cola HBC AG’s 

financial statements

230 Coca-Cola HBC AG’s financial statements
241 Report of the statutory auditor on the Statutory 

Remuneration Report 

242 Statutory Remuneration Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
147

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

148

COCA-COLA HBC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Independent auditor’s report to Coca-Cola HBC AG

Report on the audit of the consolidated financial statements

Opinion
In our opinion, Coca-Cola HBC AG’s (‘Coca-Cola HBC’ or the ‘Group’) consolidated financial statements (the ‘financial statements‘):

 · give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31 December 2018 and of its profit and cash flows for the year then ended; and
 · have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as issued by the International 

Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’).

We have audited the financial statements, included within the 2018 Integrated Annual Report (the ‘Annual Report’), which comprise: the 
consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2018; the consolidated income statement and statement of comprehensive income, the 
consolidated cash flow statement, and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended; and the notes to the financial 
statements, which include a description of the significant accounting policies.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee.

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

Independence

We remained independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements, 
which include the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (‘IESBA Code’). We have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the IESBA Code and other applicable laws and regulations.

Our audit approach

Overview

 · Overall group materiality: €30.5 million (2017: €28.2 million), based on 5% of profit before tax.

Materiality

Audit scope

 · We audited the complete financial information of the Company and of subsidiary undertakings in 

16 countries.

 · Taken together, the undertakings of which an audit of their complete financial information was performed 
accounted for 87% of consolidated net sales revenue, 94% of consolidated profit before tax and 90% 
of consolidated total assets of the Group.

 · We also conducted specified audit procedures and analytical review procedures for other Group 

undertakings and functions.

Key audit 
matters

 · Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment.
 · Uncertain tax positions.
 · Provisions and contingent liabilities.

The scope of our audit

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

Based on our understanding of the Group and industry in which it operates, we considered the extent to which non-compliance with applicable 
laws and regulations might have a material effect on the financial statements, including, but not limited to, the Listing Rules of the Financial 
Conduct Authority (‘FCA’), tax laws and regulations applicable to Coca-Cola HBC and its subsidiaries and regulations relating to unethical and 
prohibited business practices. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements 
(including the risk of override of controls), and where management made subjective judgements in respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. The group engagement team shared this risk 
assessment with the component auditors so that they could include appropriate audit procedures in response to such risks in their work. 
Audit procedures performed by the group engagement team and/or component auditors included:

 · Discussions with management, internal audit, internal legal counsel and the Group’s legal advisors, where relevant, including consideration 

of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud;

 · Evaluation and testing of the operating effectiveness of management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

149

 · Assessment of matters reported on the Group’s whistleblowing helpline and the results of management’s investigation of such matters;
 · Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation 
to impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and uncertain tax positions (see related key audit matters below);
Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations or posted by 
senior management.

 ·

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further non-compliance with laws and regulations is removed 
from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. In addition, the risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate 
concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. Other than the key audit matters expressed 
below, we did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditor’s professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current year and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; 
and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures thereon, 
were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide 
a separate opinion on these matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Key audit matter
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets 
impairment assessment

Refer to Note 13 for intangible assets including goodwill.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as at 31 December 
2018 amount to €1,622.3 million and €193.8 million, respectively.
The above noted amounts have been allocated to individual 
cash-generating units (‘CGUs’), which require the performance 
of an impairment assessment at least annually. The impairment 
assessment involves the determination of the recoverable amount 
of the CGU, being the higher of the value-in-use and the fair value 
less costs to dispose.
This area was a key matter for our audit due to the size of goodwill 
and indefinite-lived intangible assets and because the determination 
of whether elements of goodwill and of indefinite-lived intangible 
assets are impaired involves complex and subjective estimates and 
judgements by management about the future results of the CGUs. 
These estimates and judgements include assumptions surrounding 
revenue growth rates, direct costs, foreign exchange rates and 
discount rates.
Furthermore, macroeconomic volatility, competitor activity and 
regulatory/fiscal developments can adversely affect each CGU and 
potentially the carrying amount of goodwill and indefinite-lived 
intangible assets.
No impairment charge was recorded in 2018. Goodwill and franchise 
agreements held by the Nigeria CGU have been determined by 
management to remain sensitive to changes in the key drivers of 
cash flow forecasts given the continuing macroeconomic volatility 
in Nigeria.
Uncertain tax positions

Refer to Note 10 for taxation and Note 28 for contingencies.
The Group operates in a large number of different tax jurisdictions 
and is subject to periodic tax audits by local tax authorities, in the 
normal course of business, on a range of tax matters in relation to 
corporate tax, transfer pricing and indirect taxes. As at 31 December 
2018, the Group has current tax liabilities of €135.6 million, which 
include €98.5 million of provisions for tax uncertainties.
Where the amount of tax payable is uncertain, the Group establishes 
provisions based on management’s judgements as regards the 
likelihood of material tax exposures and the probable amount of the 
liability. We consider this area as a key audit matter given the number 
of judgements involved in estimating the provisions relating to 
uncertain tax positions and the complexities of dealing with tax rules 
and regulations in numerous jurisdictions.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter
We evaluated the appropriateness of management’s identification 
of the Group’s CGUs and the process by which management 
prepared the CGUs’ value-in-use calculations which we found to 
be satisfactory for the purposes of our audit. We tested the 
mathematical accuracy of the CGUs’ value-in-use calculations and 
compared them to the latest budget approved by the Directors and 
assessed the quality of the budgeting process by comparing the 
prior year budget with actual data.
With the support of our valuation specialists, we challenged 
management’s analysis around the key drivers of cash flow forecasts 
including selling price increases, short-term and long-term volume 
growth and the level of direct costs by comparing them with either 
the Group’s historical information or market data, as appropriate. 
We also evaluated the appropriateness of other key assumptions 
including discount, perpetuity growth and foreign exchange rates 
and we found the assumptions to be consistent and in line with 
our expectations.
We also performed sensitivity analyses on the key drivers of cash 
flow forecasts for the CGUs with significant balances of goodwill and 
indefinite-lived intangible assets as well as for CGUs which remain 
sensitive to changes in the key drivers, including the goodwill and 
franchise agreements held by the Nigeria CGU. 
We assessed the appropriateness and completeness of the related 
disclosures in Note 13, and consider them to be reasonable. As a 
result of our work, we found that the determination by management 
that no impairment was required for goodwill and indefinite-lived 
intangible assets was supported by assumptions within 
reasonable ranges.

We evaluated the related accounting policy for provisioning for tax 
exposures and found it to be appropriate.
In conjunction with our tax specialists, we evaluated management’s 
judgements in respect of estimates of tax exposures and 
contingencies in order to assess the adequacy of the Group’s tax 
provisions. In order to understand and evaluate management’s 
judgements, we considered the status of current tax authority 
audits and enquiries, the outcome of previous tax authority audits, 
judgemental positions taken in tax returns and current year estimates 
and recent developments in the various tax jurisdictions in which the 
Group operates.
We challenged management’s key assumptions, in particular 
on cases where there had been significant developments with tax 
authorities, noting no significant deviation from our expectations.
From the evidence obtained and in the context of the financial 
statements, taken as a whole, we consider the provisions in relation 
to uncertain tax positions as at 31 December 2018 to be appropriate.

SRCGFSSSRSI150

COCA-COLA HBC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

Key audit matter
Provisions and contingent liabilities

Refer to Note 20 for provisions and Note 28 for contingencies.
The Group faces a number of threatened and actual legal and 
regulatory proceedings. The determination of the provision and/or 
the level of disclosure required involves a high degree of judgement 
resulting in provisions and contingent liabilities being considered 
as a key audit matter.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter
We evaluated the design of, and tested, key controls in respect of 
litigation and regulatory procedures, which we found to be 
satisfactory for the purposes of our audit.
Our procedures included the following:
 · where relevant, reading external legal advice obtained 

by management;

 · discussing open matters with the Group general counsel;
 · meeting with local management and reading subsequent 

correspondence;

 · assessing and challenging management’s conclusions through 

understanding precedents set in similar cases; and

 · circularising relevant third-party legal representatives and follow 
up discussions, where appropriate, on certain material cases.

On the basis of the work performed, whilst noting the inherent 
uncertainty with such legal and regulatory matters, we determined 
the relevant provisions as at 31 December 2018 to be appropriate.
We assessed the appropriateness of the related disclosures 
in Note 28 and considered these to be reasonable.

How we tailored the audit scope

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed sufficient work to be able to provide an opinion on the financial statements as a 
whole, taking into account the geographic structure of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the Group 
operates.

The Group operates through its trading subsidiary undertakings in 28 countries, as set out on page 163 of the Annual Report. The processing 
of the accounting entries for these entities is largely centralised in a shared services centre in Bulgaria, except for the subsidiary undertakings 
in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia, which process their accounting entries locally. The Group also operates a centralised treasury function 
in the Netherlands and in Greece and a centralised procurement function in Austria. We considered the nature of the work that needed to be 
performed on these entities and functions by us, as the group engagement team and by component auditors from other PwC network firms. 
Where work was performed by component auditors, we determined the level of involvement we needed to have in the audit work at those 
entities or functions to be able to conclude whether appropriate audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the financial 
statements as a whole.

Based on the significance to the financial statements and in light of the key audit matters as noted above, we identified subsidiary undertakings 
in 16 countries (including the trading subsidiary undertakings in Russia, Nigeria and Italy) which in our view, required an audit of their complete 
financial information. Furthermore, the Company’s complete financial information was subject to audit. Specified audit procedures on certain 
balances and transactions were also performed on one joint operation. In addition, audit procedures were performed with respect to the 
centralised treasury function by the group engagement team and with respect to the centralised procurement function by the component 
audit team in Austria. The group engagement team also performed analytical review and other procedures on balances and transactions 
of subsidiary undertakings not covered by the procedures described above.

Our group engagement team’s involvement with respect to audit work performed by component auditors included site visits and attendance 
at component audit clearance meetings with local management, in Russia, Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria and Greece. 
Where physical attendance was not undertaken, the group engagement team held conference calls with component audit teams and with 
local management. Furthermore the group engagement team reviewed component auditor work papers and undertook other forms of 
interactions as considered necessary depending on the significance of the component and the extent of accounting and audit issues arising. 
The group engagement team was also responsible for planning, designing and overseeing the audit procedures performed at the shared 
services centre in Bulgaria. The Group consolidation, financial statement disclosures and a number of areas of significant judgement, including 
goodwill and intangible assets, material provisions and contingent liabilities, were audited by the group engagement team. We also performed 
work centrally on IT general controls. We also held a two-day audit planning workshop in Greece focusing on planning and risk assessment 
activities, auditor independence, centralised testing procedures and implementation of the new IFRSs, specifically IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from 
contracts with customers’, IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ and IFRS 16 ‘Leases’. This audit planning workshop was attended by the component 
teams responsible for the subsidiaries requiring an audit of their complete financial information.

Based on the above, the undertakings of which an audit of their complete financial information was performed accounted for 87% 
of consolidated net sales revenue, 94% of consolidated profit before tax and 90% of consolidated total assets of the Group.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together 
with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on the 
individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate on the 
financial statements as a whole. 

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

151

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

Overall group materiality
How we determined it
Rationale for benchmark applied

€30.5 million (2017: €28.2 million).
5% of profit before tax.
We chose profit before tax as the benchmark because, in our view, it is one of the principal 
measures considered by users, and is a generally accepted benchmark. We chose 5% which is within 
the range of acceptable quantitative materiality thresholds in generally accepted auditing practice.

For each component in the scope of our group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall group materiality. The range 
of materiality allocated across components was from €2.0 million to €11.5 million. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above €1.0 million 
(2017: €1.0 million) as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Going concern

With respect to the statement on going concern included in the Annual Report, we report as follows:

Reporting obligation
We have reviewed the statement on going concern, included in the 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities, in the Annual Report on 
page 145, as if Coca-Cola HBC were a UK incorporated premium 
listed entity.
As noted in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities, the 
Directors have concluded that it is appropriate to prepare the 
financial statements using the going concern basis of accounting. 
The going concern basis presumes that the Group has adequate 
resources to remain in operation, and that the Directors intend it 
to do so, for at least one year from the date the financial statements 
were signed. 

Outcome
We have nothing to report having performed our review.

As part of our audit, we have concluded that the Directors’ use 
of the going concern basis is appropriate. However, because not all 
future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not 
a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. 

Reporting on other information 
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements, our auditor’s report thereon 
and the Swiss statutory reporting, which we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report. The Directors are responsible for the other 
information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion 
or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form of assurance thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether 
the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears 
to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures 
to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based 
on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that 
fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Listing Rules of the FCA require us also 
to report on certain matters as described below.

UK Corporate Governance Code Provisions

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when the Directors’ statement relating to the Company’s compliance 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code issued in April 2016 (the ‘Code’) does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision 
of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules of the FCA, for review by the auditors.

The Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group 

We have also reviewed the Directors’ statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group, set out on page 79, of the Annual 
Report as if Coca-Cola HBC were a UK incorporated premium listed entity. Our review was substantially less in scope than an audit and only 
consisted of making inquiries and considering the Directors’ process supporting their statement; checking that the statement is in 
alignment with the relevant provisions of the Code; and considering whether the statement is consistent with the knowledge acquired by us 
in the course of performing our audit. We have nothing to report having performed our review.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit

Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 145 of the Annual Report, the Directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view. The Directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

SRCGFSSSRSI152

COCA-COLA HBC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. 
We also:

 ·

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit 
procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk 
of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. 

 · Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 

circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control. 

 · Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made 

by the Directors. 

 · Conclude on the appropriateness of the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, 
whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related 
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based 
on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease 
to continue as a going concern. 

 · Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial 

statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

 · Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to 
express an opinion on the financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. 
We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion. 

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and 
significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. Those charged with 
governance are responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding 
independence, and communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, 
and where applicable, related safeguards. 

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the 
audit of the financial statements of the current year and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report 
unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter 
should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the 
public interest benefits of such communication.

Use of this report

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for Coca-Cola HBC AG for the purpose of the Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules sourcebook and the Listing Rules of the FCA and for no other purpose.

Konstantinos Michalatos
the Certified Auditor, Reg. No. 17701 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. 
Certified Auditors, Reg. No. 113 
Athens, Greece

15 March 2019

Notes:
a.  The maintenance and integrity of the Coca-Cola HBC AG website is the responsibility of the Directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these 

matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

b.  Legislation in UK and Switzerland governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

153

Consolidated income statement
For the year ended 31 December

Net sales revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit

Operating expenses
Operating profit

Finance income
Finance costs
Finance costs, net
Share of results of equity method investments
Profit before tax

Tax
Profit after tax

Attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per share (€)
Diluted earnings per share (€)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note
6,7

8
6

9
15

10

11
11

2018
€ million
6,657.1
(4,141.8)
2,515.3

(1,875.9)
639.4

6.1
(47.4)
(41.3)
12.8
610.9

(162.8)
448.1

447.4
0.7
448.1

1.22
1.21

2017
€ million
6,522.0
(4,083.0)
2,439.0

(1,849.2)
589.8

10.6
(47.3)
(36.7)
11.8
564.9

(138.4)
426.5

426.0
0.5
426.5

1.17
1.16

SRCGFSSSRSI154

COCA-COLA HBC

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December

Profit after tax
Other comprehensive income:
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to income statement:
Valuation gain on available-for-sale assets
Cost of hedging 
Net gain of cash flow hedges
Foreign currency translation
Share of other comprehensive income / (loss) of equity method investments
Income tax relating to items that may be subsequently reclassified to income statement

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to income statement:
Valuation loss on equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income
Actuarial gains
Income tax relating to items that will not be subsequently reclassified to income statement

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax (refer to Note 12)
Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note

23
23

12

12

2018
€ million
448.1

–
(5.3)
6.3
(63.1)
0.6
1.0
(60.5)

(0.3)
20.8
(3.3)
17.2
(43.3)
404.8

404.1
0.7
404.8

2017
€ million
426.5

0.1
–
8.6
(219.2)
(5.3)
(0.3)
(216.1)

–
6.9
(2.2)
4.7
(211.4)
215.1

214.6
0.5
215.1

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

155

Note

13
14
15
23
10
17

16
17
23,24

24

18

24
23
19
20

24
23
10
20

25
25
25
25
25
25

2018
€ million

2017
€ million

1,825.8
2,391.6
99.3
6.1
47.4
45.9
4,416.1

463.2
964.7
286.5
8.5
712.3
2,435.2
3.0
2,438.2
6,854.3

136.4
16.6
1,652.4
77.6
135.6
2,018.6

1,468.0
1.3
131.3
112.2
6.5
1,719.3
3,737.9

2,021.2
4,547.9
(6,472.1)
(184.1)
(1,088.8)
269.0
4,018.0
3,111.1
5.3
3,116.4
6,854.3

1,829.9
2,322.0
96.8
9.0
59.1
27.8
4,344.6

416.8
966.8
162.9
12.3
723.5
2,282.3
3.3
2,285.6
6,630.2

166.4
4.5
1,544.4
83.6
97.5
1,896.4

1,459.8
0.9
134.0
120.2
6.7
1,721.6
3,618.0

2,015.1
4,739.3
(6,472.1)
(71.3)
(1,026.3)
271.2
3,551.5
3,007.4
4.8
3,012.2
6,630.2

Consolidated balance sheet
As at 31 December

Assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Equity method investments
Other financial assets
Deferred tax assets
Other non-current assets
Total non-current assets

Inventories
Trade, other receivables and assets
Other financial assets
Current tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets classified as held for sale
Total current assets
Total assets

Liabilities
Borrowings
Other financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions and employee benefits
Current tax liabilities
Total current liabilities

Borrowings
Other financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions and employee benefits
Other non-current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities

Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Group reorganisation reserve
Treasury shares
Exchange equalisation reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total equity and liabilities

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SRCGFSSSRSI156

COCA-COLA HBC

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Balance as at 1 January 2017
Shares issued to employees 
exercising stock options
Share-based compensation:
Options and performance 
shares
Movement in shares held for 
equity compensation plan

Appropriation of reserves
Dividends

Attributable to owners of the parent

Share
capital
€ million
1,990.8

Share 
premium
€ million
4,854.6

Group 
reorganisation 
reserve
€ million
(6,472.1)

Treasury 
shares
€ million
(70.7)

Exchange 
equalisation 
reserve
€ million
(801.8)

Other 
reserves
€ million
245.1

Retained 
earnings
€ million

Total
€ million
3,119.7 2,865.6

Non-
controlling 
interests
€ million

Total
equity
€ million
4.5 2,870.1

24.3

46.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17.2

–

–

71.0

17.2

–
–
–

–
–
(162.0)
2,015.1 4,739.3
–

–

–
–
–
(6,472.1)
–

(0.6)
–
–
(71.3)
–

–
–
–
(801.8)
–

0.1
0.4
–

–
(0.4)
1.5

(0.5)
–
(160.5)
262.8 3,120.8 2,792.8
426.0
426.0

–

–

–

71.0

17.2

–
(0.5)
–
–
(0.2)
(160.7)
4.3 2,797.1
0.5
426.5

Profit for the year net of tax
Other comprehensive loss for 
the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income 
for the year, net of tax1
–
Balance as at 31 December 2017 2,015.1 4,739.3

–

–

–

–

–

(224.5)

8.4

4.7

(211.4)

–

(211.4)

–
(6,472.1)

–

(224.5)
(71.3) (1,026.3)

8.4

430.7
214.6
271.2 3,551.5 3,007.4

0.5
215.1
4.8 3,012.2

1.  The amount included in the exchange equalisation reserve of €224.5m loss for 2017 represents the exchange loss attributed to the owners of the parent, including €5.3m loss 

relating to share of other comprehensive income of equity method investments.
The amount included in other reserves of €8.4m gain for 2017 consists of gain on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets of €0.1m, cash flow hedges gains of €8.6m and the 
deferred tax expense thereof amounting to €0.3m.
The amount of €430.7m gain attributable to owners of the parent comprises profit for the year of €426.0m, plus actuarial gains of €6.9m, minus deferred tax expense of €2.2m.
The amount of €0.5m gain included in non-controlling interests for 2017 represents the share of non-controlling interests in profit for the year.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

157

Attributable to owners of the parent

Share
capital
€ million
2,015.1

Share 
premium
€ million
4,739.3

Group 
reorganisation 
reserve
€ million
(6,472.1)

Treasury 
shares
€ million
(71.3)

Exchange 
equalisation 
reserve
€ million
(1,026.3)

Other 
reserves
€ million
271.2

Retained 
earnings
€ million

Total
€ million
3,551.5 3,007.4

Non-
controlling 
interests
€ million

Total
equity
€ million
4.8 3,012.2

6.1

9.2

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
(200.6)

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

(0.1)
0.8
(0.2)
(113.3)
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

(1.5)

1.8
–
0.3
–
–

–

–

–
–
(0.1)
–
1.8

15.3

(1.5)

1.7
0.8
–
(113.3)
(198.8)

–

–

–
–
–
–
(0.2)

15.3

(1.5)

1.7
0.8
–
(113.3)
(199.0)

–

(4.6)
4.6 2,711.6
0.7
448.1

Balance as at 1 January 2018
Shares issued to employees 
exercising stock options
Share-based compensation:
Options and performance 
shares
Movement in shares held for 
equity compensation plan

Sale of own shares
Appropriation of reserves
Movement of treasury shares
Dividends
Transfer of cash flow hedge 
reserve, including cost of 
hedging to inventories, net 
of deferred tax2

–

–
2,021.2 4,547.9
–

–

–
(6,472.1)
–

–

–
(184.1) (1,026.3)
–

–

–

(4.6)

(4.6)
267.2 3,553.2 2,707.0
447.4
447.4

–

Profit for the year net of tax
Other comprehensive loss for 
the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income 
for the year, net of tax3
–
Balance as at 31 December 2018 2,021.2 4,547.9

–

–

–

–

–

(62.5)

1.8

17.4

(43.3)

–

(43.3)

–
(6,472.1)

–

(62.5)
(184.1) (1,088.8)

1.8

464.8
404.1
269.0 4,018.0 3,111.1

0.7
404.8
5.3 3,116.4

2.  The amount included in other reserves of €4.6m loss for 2018 represents the cash flow hedge reserve, including cost of hedging, transferred to inventory of €5.9m loss, and the 

deferred tax income thereof amounting to €1.3m.

3.  The amount included in the exchange equalisation reserve of €62.5m loss for 2018 represents the exchange loss attributed to the owners of the parent, including €0.6m gain relating 

to share of other comprehensive income of equity method investments.
The amount of other comprehensive loss net of tax included in other reserves of €1.8m gain for 2018 consists of loss on valuation of equity investments at fair value through other 
comprehensive income of €0.3m, cash flow hedges gains of €1.0m and the deferred tax income thereof amounting to €1.1m.
The amount of €464.8m gain attributable to owners of the parent comprises profit for the year of €447.4m, plus actuarial gains of €20.8m, minus deferred tax expense of €3.4m.
The amount of €0.7m gain included in non-controlling interests for 2018 represents the share of non-controlling interests in profit for the year.

For further details, refer to: Note 23 Financial risk management and financial instruments, Note 25 Equity and Note 27 Share-based payments.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
158

COCA-COLA HBC

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Consolidated cash flow statement
For the year ended 31 December

Operating activities
Profit after tax
Finance costs, net
Share of results of equity method investments
Tax charged to the income statement
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Employee stock options and performance shares
Amortisation of intangible assets
Other non-cash items

Gain on disposals of non-current assets
Increase in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase in trade and other payables
Tax paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities

Investing activities
Payments for purchases of property, plant and equipment
Payments for purchases of intangible assets
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
Net receipts from equity investments
Net payments for investments in financial assets
Net payments for investments in financial assets at amortised cost
Net payments for investments in financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Proceeds from loans to related parties
Interest received
Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds from shares issued to employees exercising stock options
Purchase of shares from non-controlling interests
Purchase of own shares
Proceeds from sale of own shares
Dividends paid to owners of the parent
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayments of borrowings
Principal repayments of finance lease obligations
Proceeds from/(payments for) settlement of derivatives regarding financing activities
Interest paid
Net cash outflow from financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Movement in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of changes in exchange rates
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note

9
15
10
14
14

13

8

13

24

25

25

25

24

2018
€ million

448.1
41.3
(12.8)
162.8
305.1
13.6
10.1
0.5
–
968.7
(10.2)
(62.4)
(23.3)
40.2
(116.4)
796.6

(437.2)
(1.5)
18.3
12.0
–
(92.7)
(35.0)
0.2
7.8
(528.1)

15.3
(0.2)
(27.8)
0.8
(198.8)
(0.2)
52.4
(69.6)
(7.7)
1.4
(40.4)
(274.8)
(6.3)

723.5
(6.3)
(4.9)
712.3

2017
€ million

426.5
36.7
(11.8)
138.4
300.7
16.1
20.8
0.4
(0.3)
927.5
(4.3)
(13.1)
11.7
10.1
(128.4)
803.5

(409.9)
(1.8)
39.5
24.4
(151.0)
–
–
1.6
7.1
(490.1)

71.0
(0.5)
–
–
(160.5)
(0.2)
82.2
(83.8)
(7.2)
(3.1)
(36.9)
(139.0)
174.4

573.2
174.4
(24.1)
723.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

159

1. Description of business
Coca-Cola HBC AG and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’ or ‘Coca-Cola HBC’ or ‘the Company’) are principally engaged in the production, sales and 
distribution of non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverages, under franchise from The Coca-Cola Company. The Company distributes its products 
in Nigeria and 27 countries in Europe. Information on the Company’s operations by segment is included in Note 6.

On 11 October 2012, Coca-Cola HBC, a Swiss stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft/Société Anonyme) incorporated by Kar-Tess Holding 
(a related party of the Group, see Note 26), announced a voluntary share exchange offer to acquire all outstanding ordinary registered shares 
and all American depositary shares of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. As a result of the successful completion of this offer, on 
25 April 2013 Coca-Cola HBC acquired 96.85% of the issued Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. shares, including shares represented 
by American depositary shares, and became the new parent company of the Group. On 17 June 2013, Coca-Cola HBC completed its statutory 
buy-out of the remaining shares of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. that it did not acquire upon completion of its voluntary share 
exchange offer. Consequently, Coca-Cola HBC acquired 100% of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. which was eventually delisted 
from the Athens Exchange, from the London Stock Exchange where it had a secondary listing and from the New York Stock Exchange where 
American depositary shares were listed.

The shares of Coca-Cola HBC started trading in the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange (Ticker symbol: CCH), on the Athens 
Exchange (Ticker symbol: EEE) and regular way trading in Coca-Cola HBC ADS commenced on the New York Stock Exchange (Ticker symbol: 
CCH) on 29 April 2013. On 24 July 2014 the Group proceeded to the delisting of its American Depository Receipts from the New York Stock 
Exchange and terminated its reporting obligations under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The deregistration of Coca-Cola HBC 
shares under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the termination of its reporting obligations became effective on 3 November 2014.

2. Basis of preparation and consolidation

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’).

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, as modified by the 
revaluation of money market funds, investments in equity instruments classified at fair value through other comprehensive income and 
derivative financial instruments.

These consolidated financial statements were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 14 March 2019 and are expected to be verified 
at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 18 June 2019.

Comparative figures

Comparative figures have been adjusted and reclassified where necessary to conform with changes in presentation in the current year. 
More specifically, in the balance sheet, derivative financial instruments have been reported in line items ‘Other financial assets’ and ‘Other 
financial liabilities’ accordingly. In addition, non-current assets of €4.6m included in line ‘Other non-current assets’, regarding held-to-maturity 
investments and available-for-sale financial assets, were reclassified to line ‘Other financial assets’.

Basis of consolidation

Subsidiary undertakings are those companies over which the Group, directly or indirectly, has control. The Group controls an entity when the 
Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through 
power over the entity. Subsidiary undertakings are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and cease to be 
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred out of the Group.

Transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions – that is, as 
transactions with the owners in their capacity as owners. The difference between fair value of any consideration paid and the relevant share 
acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity.

Inter-company transactions and balances between Group companies are eliminated. The subsidiaries’ accounting policies are consistent 
with policies adopted by the Group.

When the Group ceases to have control, any retained interest in the entity is remeasured to its fair value at the date when such control is lost, 
with the change in carrying amount recognised in profit or loss. The fair value is the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently 
accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset. In addition, any amounts previously recognised in other 
comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. 
This means that amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income, if any, are reclassified to profit or loss.

SRCGFSSSRSI160

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

3. Foreign currency and translation
The individual financial statements of each Group entity are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity 
operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each entity are 
expressed in Euro, which is the presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements.

The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into Euro at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. The results of 
foreign subsidiaries are translated into Euro using the average monthly exchange rate (being a reasonable approximation of the rates prevailing 
on the transaction dates). The exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in other comprehensive income. On disposal 
of a foreign entity, accumulated exchange differences are recognised as a component of the gain or loss on disposal.

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in foreign currencies are remeasured at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All gains and losses arising on remeasurement 
are included in the income statement, except for exchange differences arising on assets and liabilities classified as cash flow hedges which are 
deferred in equity until the occurrence of the hedged transaction, at which time they are recognised in the income statement. Share capital 
denominated in a currency other than the functional currency is initially stated at spot rate of the date of issue but is not retranslated.

The principal exchange rates used for translation purposes in respect of one Euro are:

US dollar
UK sterling
Polish zloty
Nigerian naira
Hungarian forint
Swiss franc
Russian rouble
Romanian leu
Ukrainian hryvnia
Czech koruna
Serbian dinar

Average
2018
1.18
0.88
4.26
427.39
318.51
1.16
73.94
4.65
32.14
25.65
118.28

Average
2017
1.13
0.88
4.26
378.60
309.20
1.11
65.87
4.57
29.97
26.34
121.45

Closing
2018
1.14
0.90
4.29
416.55
321.07
1.13
79.46
4.66
31.11
25.83
118.21

Closing
2017
1.19
0.89
4.19
428.75
310.12
1.17
68.67
4.65
33.12
25.93
118.29

4. Accounting pronouncements 

a) Accounting standards and pronouncements adopted in 2018

In the current period, the Group has adopted the following standards and amendments which were issued by the IASB, that are relevant to its 
operations and effective for accounting periods beginning on 1 January 2018:

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

 ·
The Group adopted IFRS 9, Financial Instruments in accordance with the standard’s transitional provisions. IFRS 9 introduces new requirements 
for the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting.

Classification and measurement of financial assets

Under IFRS 9, financial assets are initially measured at fair value plus, in the case of financial assets not at fair value through profit and loss 
(FVTPL), transaction costs. Subsequently debt instruments are measured at FVTPL, amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive 
income (FVOCI). The classification depends on two criteria: a) the Group’s business model for managing assets and b) whether the instruments’ 
contractual cash flows represent solely payments for principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding (the ‘SPPI criterion’).

On 1 January 2018 the Group assessed which business models applied to its financial assets and classified them into the appropriate IFRS 9 
categories. Its debt instruments are held at amortised cost; these include trade receivables, investments in time deposits and treasury bills. 
Other financial assets are classified and subsequently measured as follows:

The Group’s investments in equity instruments are classified at FVOCI, with no recycling of gains or losses to profit or loss on derecognition. 
The Group intends to hold these equity instruments for the foreseeable future and has irrevocably elected to so classify them upon initial 
recognition or transition. Equity instruments at FVOCI are not subject to an impairment assessment under IFRS 9. Under IAS 39, the Group’s 
investments in equity instruments were classified as available-for-sale financial assets.

 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

161

Financial assets at FVTPL comprise derivative instruments and money market funds.

There were no differences in measurement during the transfer of financial assets from IAS 39 to IFRS 9 categories.

Impairments of financial assets

The adoption of IFRS 9 has changed the Group’s accounting for impairment losses for financial assets by replacing IAS 39’s incurred loss 
approach with a forward-looking expected credit loss (ECL) approach. IFRS 9 requires the Group to record an allowance for ECLs for all loans 
and other debt financial assets not held at FVTPL. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance 
with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive. The shortfall is then discounted at an approximation to the asset’s 
original effective interest rate.

For trade and other receivables, the Group has applied the standard’s simplified approach and has calculated ECLs based on lifetime 
expected credit losses. The Group uses past experience for determining the risk of default as well as forward-looking information at the end 
of each reporting period specific to the debtors and the economic environment. On this basis, the Group has determined the loss allowance 
as at 1 January 2018 which didn’t result in material differences compared to the 31 December 2017 loss allowance. 

All other financial assets at amortised cost are considered to have a low credit risk and the fair value approximates the carrying value.

Hedge accounting

The new hedge accounting requirements have aligned the accounting for hedging instruments more closely with the Group’s risk management 
practices and therefore more hedge relationships are eligible for hedge accounting. At the date of the initial application, all of the Group’s 
existing hedging relationships were eligible to be treated as continuing hedging relationships. Since adoption of IFRS 9 the Group recognises 
the changes in time value of option contracts as a deferred amount in a new ‘cost of hedging’ reserve within equity. The deferred amounts are 
recognised against the related hedged transaction when it occurs. However, as amounts were not material prior periods have not been restated.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 ·
The Group adopted IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers using the modified retrospective approach. The Group produces, 
distributes and sells primarily non-alcoholic beverages. Under IFRS 15 the Group recognises revenue when control of the products is 
transferred, being when the products are delivered to the customer, therefore the adoption of IFRS 15 did not have an impact on the timing 
of revenue recognition. 

Net sales revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and is stated net of sales discounts and 
consideration paid to customers. These mainly take the form of promotional incentives and are amortised over the terms of the related 
contracts as a deduction in revenue. The Group examined these in terms of the variable consideration and classification. The adoption of IFRS 
15 did not have any impact on either of these. 

Net sales revenue includes excise and other duties where the Group acts as a principal but excludes amounts collected by third parties 
such as value added taxes as these are not included in the transaction price. The Group assesses these taxes and duties on a 
jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis to conclude on the appropriate accounting treatment.

 · Other amendments and interpretations

The Group has adopted the following other amendments and interpretations which were issued by the IASB, that are relevant to its operations 
and effective for accounting periods beginning on 1 January 2018:

 · Amendments to IFRS 2: Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions 
 · Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture
 ·
 · Annual improvements to IFRSs: 2014-2016 Cycle – IAS 28 Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures

Interpretation 22: Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration

These other amendments and interpretations that came into effect on 1 January 2018 did not have an impact on the consolidated financial 
statements of the Group.

SRCGFSSSRSI162

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

4. Accounting pronouncements continued

b) Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

At the date of approval of these consolidated financial statements, the following standard and interpretations relevant to the Group’s 
operations were issued but not yet effective and not early adopted.

IFRS 16 Leases. The new standard supersedes IAS 17 and will result in almost all leases being recognised on the balance sheet by lessees 
as the distinction between operating and finance leases is removed. Under the new standard, an asset (the right to use the leased item) and 
a financial liability to pay rentals are recognised; the only exceptions are short-term leases that do not contain a purchase option and low-value 
leases. The right-of-use assets will be depreciated on a straight-line basis. The liability, recognised as part of borrowings, will be measured at a 
discounted value using the interest rate implicit in the lease (if that rate can be determined), or the incremental borrowing rate of the lease and 
any interest will be charged to finance costs in the income statement. Therefore, the charge to the income statement for the operating lease 
expense will be replaced with depreciation on the right-of-use asset and the interest charge inherent in the lease. 

The Group intends to apply the modified retrospective transition approach and will not restate comparative amounts for the year prior to first 
adoption. On transition the Group has decided to:

i.  measure all right-of-use assets at an amount equal to the lease liability on the date of initial application (adjusted for any prepaid or accrued 

lease expenses);

ii.  exclude all leases that expire within 2019;
iii. exclude initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application; and
iv. apply the new guidance regarding definition of a lease only to contracts entered into or changed on or after 1 January 2019.

In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension 
option, or not exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the lease term if the 
lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated). The assessment is reviewed if a significant event or a significant change in 
circumstances occurs which affects this assessment and that is within the control of the Group. In determining the incremental borrowing rate 
to be used, the Group applies judgement to establish the suitable reference rate and credit spread.

The operating leases which will be recorded on the balance sheet following implementation of IFRS 16 are principally in respect of cars 
and buildings. The Group has decided to reduce the complexity of implementation by taking advantage of a number of practical expedients 
permitted by the standard namely:

i.  apply the recognition exemption to short-term leases that do not contain a purchase option; and
ii.  apply the recognition exemption to leases of underlying assets with a low value.

As at 31 December 2018, the Group had operating lease commitments of €183.3m (refer to Note 29). Short-term leases and low value leases 
did not comprise a significant component of these.

The Group expects to recognise right-of-use assets of approximately €150 million on 1 January 2019 and lease liabilities of approximately 
€150 million, while the impact to net assets will be immaterial.

In addition, the following amendments have been issued by the IASB but are not yet effective:

IFRIC 23 – Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments, effective 1 January 2019 
IAS 28 (Amendment) – Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures, effective 1 January 2019 
IAS 19 (Amendment) – Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement, effective 1 January 2019 

 ·
 ·
 ·
 · 2015-2017 Annual Improvements cycle, effective 1 January 2019:

 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·

IFRS 3 Business Combinations – Previously held interests in a joint operation
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements – Previously held interests in a joint operation
IAS 12 Income Taxes – Income tax consequences of payments on financial instruments classified as equity
IAS 23 Borrowing Costs – Borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation.

The above amendments and interpretations are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

163

5. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In conformity with IFRS, the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for Coca-Cola HBC requires management to make 
estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent 
assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates and judgements are based 
on management’s knowledge of current events and actions that may be undertaken in the future, actual results may ultimately differ 
from estimates.

Estimates

The key items concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk 
of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below.

Income taxes (refer to Note 10)
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets (refer to Note 13)

 ·
 ·
 · Employee benefits – defined benefit pension plans (refer to Note 20)

Judgements

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has made the following judgements, apart from those involving 
estimations as described above, which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements:

 · Joint arrangements (refer to Note 15)

6. Segmental analysis
The Group has one business, being the production, sale and distribution of ready-to-drink, primarily non-alcoholic, beverages. The Group 
operates in 28 countries which are aggregated in reportable segments as follows:

Established markets:

Developing markets:

Emerging markets:

Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, 
the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.
Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, 
Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, 
Moldova, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, 
Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia 
(including the Republic of Kosovo) and Ukraine.

The Group’s operations in each of the three reportable segments have been aggregated on the basis of their similar economic characteristics, 
assessed by reference to their net sales revenue per unit case as well as disposable income per capita, exposure to political and economic 
volatility, regulatory environments, customers and distribution infrastructures. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the 
same as those adopted by the Group. The Group’s chief operating decision maker is its Operating Committee, which evaluates performance 
and allocates resources based on volume, net sales revenue and operating profit.

a) Volume and net sales revenue

The Group sales volume in million unit cases1 for the years ended 31 December was as follows:

Established
Developing
Emerging
Total volume

2018
619.5
429.0
1,143.8
2,192.3

2017
613.3
394.2
1,096.6
2,104.1

1.  One unit case corresponds to approximately 5.678 litres or 24 servings, being a typically used measure of volume. Volume data is derived from unaudited operational data.

SRCGFSSSRSI164

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

6. Segmental analysis continued
Net sales revenue per reportable segment for the years ended 31 December is presented in the graphs below:

2018
€6,657.1m

2017
€6,522.0m

Established: €2,470.1m
Developing: €1,306.9m
Emerging: €2,880.1m

Established: €2,436.3m
Developing: €1,173,4m
Emerging: €2,912.3m

There are no material amounts of sales or transfers between the Group’s segments nor are there any customers who represent more than 
10% of net sales revenue for the Group.

In addition to non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverages (‘NARTD’), the Group sells and distributes premium spirits. An analysis of volume 
and net sales revenue per product type for the years ended 31 December is presented below:

Volume in million unit cases1:
NARTD2
Premium spirits1
Total volume

Net sales revenue in € million:
NARTD
Premium spirits
Total net sales revenue

2018
2,189.7
2.6
2,192.3

6,471.8
185.3
6,657.1

2017
2,101.3
2.8
2,104.1

6,295.2
226.8
6,522.0

1.  One unit case corresponds to approximately 5.678 litres or 24 servings, being a typically used measure of volume. Volume data is derived from unaudited operational data. 

For premium spirits volume, one case corresponds to 5.678 litres.

2.  NARTD: non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverages.

Net sales revenue from external customers attributed to Switzerland (the Group’s country of domicile), Russia, Italy and Nigeria was as follows 
for the years ended 31 December:

Switzerland
Russia
Italy
Nigeria
All countries, other than Switzerland, Russia, Italy and Nigeria
Total net sales revenue from external customers

2018
€ million
402.3
988.7
868.3
484.5
3,913.3
6,657.1

2017
€ million
416.3
1,117.6
880.6
532.8
3,574.7
6,522.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

165

Note

9

9

10

15

2018
€ million

232.0
130.7
276.7
639.4

(25.8)
(5.1)
(7.5)
(110.3)
101.3
(47.4)

0.9
1.7
22.3
82.5
(101.3)
6.1

(52.5)
(28.2)
(66.0)
(16.1)
(162.8)

2017
€ million

238.3
91.6
259.9
589.8

(25.4)
(4.3)
(12.9)
(99.4)
94.7
(47.3)

0.6
1.3
23.9
79.5
(94.7)
10.6

(57.6)
(17.2)
(45.4)
(18.2)
(138.4)

12.8
448.1

11.8
426.5

b) Other income statement items

Year ended 31 December 
Operating profit:
Established
Developing
Emerging
Total operating profit

Finance costs:
Established
Developing
Emerging
Corporate³
Inter-segment interest expense
Total finance costs

Finance income:
Established
Developing
Emerging
Corporate³
Inter-segment finance income
Total finance income

Income tax expense:
Established
Developing
Emerging
Corporate3
Total income tax expense

Reconciling items:
Share of results of equity method investments
Profit after tax

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and amortisation of intangible assets included in the measure of operating 
profit are as follows:

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment:
Established
Developing
Emerging
Total depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets:
Developing
Emerging
Total amortisation of intangible assets

3.  Corporate refers to holding, finance and other non-operating subsidiaries of the Group.

Note

14

13

2018
€ million

(89.6)
(52.9)
(176.2)
(318.7)

(0.1)
(0.4)
(0.5)

2017
€ million

(93.4)
(52.2)
(171.2)
(316.8)

–
(0.4)
(0.4)

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
166

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

6. Segmental analysis continued

c) Other items

The balance of non-current assets4 attributed to Switzerland (the Group’s country of domicile), Russia, Italy and Nigeria was as follows for the 
years ended 31 December:

Switzerland
Russia
Italy
Nigeria
All countries, other than Switzerland, Russia, Italy and Nigeria 
Total non-current assets⁴

2018
€ million
509.0
467.4
1,000.7
489.8
1,880.1
4,347.0

4.  Excluding other financial assets, deferred tax assets, pension plan assets, trade and loans receivable.

Expenditure of property, plant and equipment per reportable segment was as follows for the years ended 31 December:

Established
Developing
Emerging
Total expenditure of property, plant and equipment

2018
€ million
95.7
72.1
269.4
437.2

2017
€ million
498.9
542.2
993.3
405.5
1,831.9
4,271.8

2017
€ million
89.7
63.2
257.0
409.9

During 2017 the Nigerian naira was significantly devalued against the Euro, resulting in foreign currency translation losses which were recognised 
within other comprehensive income of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in 2017 (refer to Note 12). In 2018 the Nigerian 
naira was slightly appreciated against the Euro, however further pressures in the economy may result in further volatility in the local currency. 
The Group continues to monitor the situation in Nigeria in order to ensure that timely actions and initiatives are undertaken to minimise 
potential adverse impact on its performance, particularly in relation to potential currency volatility.

7. Net sales revenue

Accounting policy

The Group produces, distributes and sells primarily non-alcoholic beverages. Under IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
the Group recognises revenue when control of the products is transferred, being when the products are delivered to the customer.

Net sales revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and is stated net of sales discounts and 
consideration paid to customers. These mainly take the form of promotional incentives and are amortised over the terms of the related 
contracts as a deduction in revenue. 

The Group provides volume rebates to customers once the quantity of goods purchased during the period exceeds a threshold specified 
in the contract. To estimate the variable consideration for the expected future rebates the Group uses the most likely amount method.

Net sales revenue includes excise and other duties where the Group acts as a principal but excludes amounts collected by third parties such 
as value added taxes as these are not included in the transaction price. The Group assesses these taxes and duties on a 
jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis to conclude on the appropriate accounting treatment.

Coca-Cola HBC receives contributions from The Coca-Cola Company in order to promote sales of their brands. Contributions for price 
support, marketing and promotional campaigns in respect of specific customers are recognised as an offset to promotional incentives 
provided to those customers to which the contributions contractually relate. These contributions are accrued and matched to the 
expenditure to which they relate (refer to Note 26).

Refer to Note 6 for an analysis of net sales revenue per reportable segment.

 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

167

Listing fees and marketing and promotional incentives provided to customers recognised as a reduction to net sales revenue for the years 
ended 31 December are presented below:

Listing fees
Marketing and promotional incentives
Total listing fees, marketing and promotional incentives

2018
€ million
588.8
220.0
808.8

2017
€ million
474.2
210.2
684.4

The amount of listing fees capitalised at 31 December 2018 was €7.1m (31 December 2017: € 7.9m). Of this balance, €3.9m (31 December 
2017: € 6.0m) was classified as current prepayments and the remainder as non-current prepayments.

8. Operating expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended 31 December comprised: 

Selling expenses
Delivery expenses
Administrative expenses
Restructuring expenses
Operating expenses

2018
€ million
927.3
522.1
393.7
32.8
1,875.9

2017
€ million
917.2
495.7
407.4
28.9
1,849.2

In 2018, operating expenses included gain on disposals of non-current assets of €10.2m (2017: €4.3m net gains).

a) Restructuring expenses

Accounting policy

Restructuring expenses are recorded in a separate line item within operating expenses and comprise costs arising from significant changes 
in the way the Group conducts its business such as significant supply chain infrastructure changes, outsourcing of activities and centralisation 
of processes. Redundancy provisions are recognised only when the Group has a present constructive obligation, which is when a detailed 
formal plan identifies the business or part of the business concerned, the location and number of employees affected, a detailed estimate 
of the associated costs, as well as an appropriate timeline and the employees affected have been notified of the plan’s main features.

As part of the effort to optimise its cost base and sustain competitiveness in the marketplace, the Company undertakes restructuring 
initiatives. The restructuring concerns mainly employees’ costs and impairment of property, plant and equipment (refer to Note 14). 
Restructuring expenses per reportable segment for the years ended 31 December are presented below:

2018
€32.8m

2017
€28.9m

Established: €4.9m
Developing: €4.0m
Emerging: €23.9m

Established: €13.1m
Developing: €1.6m
Emerging: €14.2m

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
168

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

8. Operating expenses continued

b) Employee costs

Employee costs for the years ended 31 December comprised:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension and other employee benefits
Termination benefits
Total employee costs

2018
€ million
705.5
139.0
126.3
22.4
993.2

2017
€ million
697.2
148.7
128.2
18.2
992.3

The average number of full-time equivalent employees in 2018 was 28,884 (2017: 29,427).

Employee costs for 2018 included in operating expenses and cost of goods sold amounted to €766.2m and €227.0m respectively (2017: 
€760.1m and €232.2m respectively).

c) Directors’ and senior management remuneration

The total remuneration paid or accrued for Directors and the senior management team for the years ended 31 December comprised:

Salaries and other short-term benefits
Stock option and performance share awards
Pension and post-employment benefits
Total remuneration

d) Fees and other services of the auditor

2018
€ million
11.7
6.3
0.8
18.8

Audit and other fees charged in the income statement concerning the auditor of the consolidated financial statements, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. and affiliates, were as follows, for the years ended 31 December:

Audit fees
Audit-related fees
Other fees
Total audit and all other fees

9. Finance costs, net

Accounting policy

2018
€ million
4.3
0.4
0.1
4.8

2017
€ million
13.8
12.6
0.7
27.1

2017
€ million
4.3
0.4
–
4.7

Interest income and interest expense are recognised using the effective interest rate method, and are recorded in the income statement 
within ‘Finance income’ and ‘Finance cost’ respectively. Interest expense also includes amortisation of the loss on the forward starting 
swaps recorded in other comprehensive income (refer to Note 23).

Finance costs, net for the years ended 31 December comprised:

Interest income
Interest expense
Finance charges incurred with respect to finance leases
Other finance costs
Net foreign exchange remeasurement gain
Finance costs
Finance costs, net

2018
€ million
6.1
(41.8)
(4.7)
(1.3)
0.4
(47.4)
(41.3)

2017
€ million
10.6
(39.9)
(6.0)
(1.4)
–
(47.3)
(36.7)

Other finance costs include commitment fees on loan facilities (for the part not yet drawn down) and other similar fees.

 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

169

10. Taxation

Accounting policy

Tax is recognised in the income statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or in equity. 
In this case, the tax is recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. 

The current income tax expense is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the 
countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with 
respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate, on the 
basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities. 

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method for all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and 
their carrying values for financial reporting purposes. However, the deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise from the initial 
recognition of goodwill; deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than 
a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date are those that are expected to apply when the deferred tax asset is realised or deferred 
tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary 
differences can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward to the extent that realisation of the related tax 
benefit through the reduction of the future taxes is probable.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except where the 
timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled by the Group, and it is probable that the temporary difference will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future. This includes taxation in respect of the retained earnings of overseas subsidiaries only to the extent that, 
at the balance sheet date, dividends have been accrued as receivable or a binding agreement to distribute past earnings in future periods 
has been entered into by the subsidiary.

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

Critical accounting estimates

The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax 
determination cannot be assessed with certainty in the ordinary course of business. The Group recognises a provision for potential cases 
that might arise in the foreseeable future based on assessment of the probabilities as to whether additional taxes will be due. Where the 
final tax outcome on these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax 
provision in the period in which such determination is made. The income tax provision amounted to €98.5m as at 31 December 2018 (2017: 
€69.2m) and is included in the line ‘Current tax liabilities’ of the consolidated balance sheet.

The income tax charge for the years ended 31 December was as follows:

Current tax charge
Deferred tax 
Income tax expense 

2018
€ million
149.0
13.8
162.8

2017
€ million
130.6
7.8
138.4

SRCGFSSSRSI 
170

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

10. Taxation continued

The tax on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted average tax rate applicable 
to profits of the consolidated entities as follows:

Profit before tax

Tax calculated at domestic tax rates applicable to profits in the respective countries
Additional local taxes in foreign jurisdictions
Tax holidays in foreign jurisdictions
Expenses non-deductible for tax purposes
Income not subject to tax
Changes in tax laws and rates
Movement in utilisation of accumulated tax losses
Movement of deferred tax asset not recognised
Recognition of previously unrecognised post-acquisition tax losses
Other
Income tax expense

2018
€ million
610.9

122.8
9.0
9.0
16.7
(8.9)
1.4
0.6
(0.5)
(2.1)
14.8
162.8

2017
€ million
564.9

130.1
8.8
(11.9)
15.4
(8.9)
–
0.3
2.0
(0.3)
2.9
138.4

Non-deductible expenses for tax purposes include marketing and advertising expenses, service fees, bad debt provisions, entertainment 
expenses, certain employee benefits and stock option expenses and other items that, partially or in full, are not deductible for tax purposes 
in certain of our jurisdictions. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December can be further analysed as follows:

Deferred tax assets:
To be recovered after 12 months
To be recovered within 12 months
Gross deferred tax assets
Offset of deferred tax
Net deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:
To be recovered after 12 months
To be recovered within 12 months
Gross deferred tax liabilities
Offset of deferred tax
Net deferred tax liabilities

A reconciliation of net deferred tax is presented below:

As at 1 January
Taken to the income statement
Taken to other comprehensive income
Taken directly to equity 
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December

2018
€ million
29.4
78.0
107.4
(60.0)
47.4

(162.2)
(29.1)
(191.3)
60.0
(131.3)

2018
€ million
(74.9)
(13.8)
(2.3)
1.3
5.8
(83.9)

2017
€ million
47.1
67.2
114.3
(55.2)
59.1

(167.1)
(22.1)
(189.2)
55.2
(134.0)

2017
€ million
(66.6)
(7.8)
(2.5)
–
2.0
(74.9)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

171

The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the 
same tax jurisdiction where applicable, are as follows:

Deferred tax assets
As at 1 January 2017
Taken to the income statement
Taken to other comprehensive income
Transfers between assets/liabilities
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2017
Taken to the income statement
Taken to other comprehensive income
Taken directly to equity 
Transfers between assets/liabilities
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018

Deferred tax liabilities
As at 1 January 2017
Taken to the income statement
Taken to other comprehensive income
Transfers between assets/liabilities
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2017
Taken to the income statement
Taken to other comprehensive income
Transfers between assets/liabilities
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018

Provisions
€ million
63.5
(12.1)
–
(0.3)
(1.3)
49.8
(7.0)
–
–
–
(1.4)
41.4

Pensions and
benefit plans
€ million
22.1
(0.1)
(2.1)
0.3
(1.5)
18.7
2.0
(4.0)
–
–
0.1
16.8

Tax losses
carry-forward
€ million
16.7
(6.1)
–
–
(0.2)
10.4
(6.8)
–
–
–
(0.4)
3.2

Book in
excess of tax
 depreciation
€ million
8.3
13.5
–
(0.1)
(1.5)
20.2
(2.2)
–
–
0.9
0.3
19.2

Tax in excess
 of book
 depreciation
€ million
(188.4)
7.9
–
(0.1)
4.6
(176.0)
(5.0)
–
(0.9)
8.3
(173.6)

Leasing
€ million
8.6
(0.9)
–
–
–
7.7
(0.7)
–
–
–
–
7.0

Derivative
instruments
€ million
(1.9)
0.2
(0.2)
–
(0.1)
(2.0)
0.1
(0.1)
–
–
(2.0)

Other
 deferred
tax assets
€ million
14.8
1.7
(0.1)
(10.5)
1.6
7.5
10.2
1.1
1.3
–
(0.3)
19.8

Other
deferred tax
 liabilities
€ million
(10.3)
(11.9)
(0.1)
10.7
0.4
(11.2)
(4.4)
0.7
–
(0.8)
(15.7)

Total
€ million
134.0
(4.0)
(2.2)
(10.6)
(2.9)
114.3
(4.5)
(2.9)
1.3
0.9
(1.7)
107.4

Total
€ million
(200.6)
(3.8)
(0.3)
10.6
4.9
(189.2)
(9.3)
0.6
(0.9)
7.5
(191.3)

Deferred tax assets recognised for tax losses carry-forward in accordance with the relevant local rules applying in our jurisdictions can be 
analysed as follows:

Attributable to tax losses that expire within five years
Attributable to tax losses that expire after five years
Attributable to tax losses that can be carried forward indefinitely
Recognised deferred tax assets attributable to tax losses

2018
€ million
1.6
–
1.6
3.2

2017
€ million
5.5
0.1
4.8
10.4

The Group has unrecognised deferred tax assets attributable to tax losses that are available to carry forward against future taxable income 
of €13.4m (2017: €12.6m). These are analysed as follows:

Attributable to tax losses that expire within five years
Attributable to tax losses that expire after five years
Unrecognised deferred tax assets attributable to tax losses

2018
€ million
12.1
1.3
13.4

2017
€ million
12.6
–
12.6

The aggregate amount of distributable reserves arising from the realised earnings of the Group’s operations was €2,271.5m in 2018 
(2017: €2,071.6m). No deferred tax liabilities have been recognised on such reserves given that their distribution is controlled by the Group, 
or in the event of plans to remit overseas earnings of subsidiaries, such distribution would not give rise to a tax liability.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
172

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

11. Earnings per share

Accounting policy

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to the owners of the parent by the weighted average number 
of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. The weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year is the number 
of ordinary shares outstanding at the beginning of the year, adjusted by the number of ordinary shares bought back or issued during the 
year multiplied by a time-weighting factor. Diluted earnings per share incorporates stock options for which the average share price for the 
year is in excess of the exercise price of the stock option and there is a dilutive effect.

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the owners of the parent entity is based on the following data:

Net profit attributable to the owners of the parent (€ million) 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share (million)
Effect of dilutive stock options (million)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share (million)
Basic earnings per share (€) 
Diluted earnings per share (€) 

2018
447.4
367.9
2.2
370.1
1.22
1.21

2017
426.0
364.7
2.9
367.6
1.17
1.16

Outstanding stock options that have an anti-dilutive effect and therefore were excluded from diluted earnings per share in 2018 were €nil 
(2017: €1.0m).

12. Components of other comprehensive income
The components of other comprehensive income for the years ended 31 December comprise: 

Available-for-sale financial assets 
Cost of hedging (refer to Note 23)
Cash flow hedges (refer to Note 23)
Foreign currency translation
Equity investments at fair value through 
other comprehensive income
Actuarial gains
Share of other comprehensive income / 
(loss) of equity method investments
Other comprehensive loss

Before-tax
€ million
–
(5.3)
6.3
(63.1)

(0.3)
20.8

0.6
(41.0)

2018

Tax expense
€ million
–
–
1.0
–

0.1
(3.4)

–
(2.3)

Net-of-tax
€ million
–
(5.3)
7.3
(63.1)

(0.2)
17.4

0.6
(43.3)

Before-tax
€ million
0.1
–
8.6
(219.2)

–
6.9

(5.3)
(208.9)

2017

Tax expense
€ million
–
–
(0.3)
–

–
(2.2)

–
(2.5)

Net-of-tax
€ million
0.1
–
8.3
(219.2)

–
4.7

(5.3)
(211.4)

The majority of foreign currency translation impact for 2018 is related to the Russian rouble, while the majority of the impact for 2017 related 
to the Nigerian naira as well as the Russian rouble and the Swiss franc.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

173

13. Intangible assets

Accounting policy

Intangible assets consist of goodwill, franchise agreements, trademarks and water rights. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets 
are carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses, while intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over their useful economic lives. 
The useful lives, both finite and indefinite, assigned to intangible assets are evaluated on an annual basis.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives (‘not subject to amortisation’)

Intangible assets not subject to amortisation consist of goodwill, franchise agreements and trademarks. 

Goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the share of net assets acquired. Goodwill and fair value 
adjustments arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries are treated as the assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries. These balances are 
denominated in the functional currency of the subsidiary and are translated to Euro on a basis consistent with the other assets and liabilities 
of the subsidiary.

The useful life of franchise agreements is usually based on the term of the respective franchise agreements. The Coca-Cola Company 
does not grant perpetual franchise rights outside the United States. However, given the Group’s strategic relationship with The Coca-Cola 
Company and consistent with past experience, the Group believes that franchise agreements will continue to be renewed at each expiration 
date with no significant costs. The Group has concluded that the franchise agreements are perpetual in nature and they have therefore 
been assigned indefinite useful lives.

The Group’s trademarks are assigned an indefinite useful life when they have an established sales history in the applicable region. It is the 
intention of the Group to receive a benefit from them indefinitely and there is no indication that this will not be the case.

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication of impairment.

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units expected to benefit from the 
business combination in which the goodwill arose. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets are also allocated to the Group’s cash-generating 
units expected to benefit from those intangibles. The cash-generating units (‘unit’) to which goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible 
assets have been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. 
If the recoverable amount (i.e. the higher of the value-in-use and fair value less costs to sell) of the cash-generating unit is less than the 
carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and 
then pro-rata to the other assets of the unit on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Impairment losses recognised 
against goodwill are not reversed in subsequent periods.

Intangible assets with finite lives

Intangible assets with finite lives mainly consist of water rights and premium spirits brands, are amortised over their useful economic lives 
and are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Critical accounting estimates

Determining whether goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired requires an estimation of the value-in-use of the 
cash-generating units to which they have been allocated in order to determine the recoverable amount of the cash-generating units. 
The value-in-use calculation requires the Group to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit 
and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value.

SRCGFSSSRSI174

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

13. Intangible assets continued
The movements in intangible assets by class of assets during the year are as follows:

Cost
As at 1 January 2017
Additions
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2017
Amortisation
As at 1 January 2017
Charge for the year
As at 31 December 2017
Net book value as at 1 January 2017
Net book value as at 31 December 2017
Cost
As at 1 January 2018
Additions
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018
Amortisation
As at 1 January 2018
Charge for the year
As at 31 December 2018
Net book value as at 1 January 2018
Net book value as at 31 December 2018

Goodwill
€ million

1,854.3
–
(50.7)
1,803.6

182.4
–
182.4
1,671.9
1,621.2

1,803.6
–
1.1
1,804.7

182.4
–
182.4
1,621.2
1,622.3

Franchise 
agreements
€ million

Trademarks
€ million

Other intangible 
assets
€ million

149.4
–
(3.5)
145.9

–
–
–
149.4
145.9

145.9
–
0.3
146.2

–
–
–
145.9
146.2

65.9
1.8
(3.0)
64.7

8.9
–
8.9
57.0
55.8

64.7
1.5
(6.5)
59.7

8.9
0.1
9.0
55.8
50.7

26.3
–
–
26.3

18.9
0.4
19.3
7.4
7.0

26.3
–
–
26.3

19.3
0.4
19.7
7.0
6.6

Total
€ million

2,095.9
1.8
(57.2)
2,040.5

210.2
0.4
210.6
1,885.7
1,829.9

2,040.5
1.5
(5.1)
2,036.9

210.6
0.5
211.1
1,829.9
1,825.8

Intangible assets not subject to amortisation amounted to €1,816.1m (2017: €1,821.1m), and are presented in the charts below:

2018
€1,816.1m

2017
€1,821.1m

Goodwill: €1,622.3m
Franchise agreements: €146.2m
Trademarks: €47.6m

Goodwill: €1,621.2m
Franchise agreements: €145.9m
Trademarks: €54.0m

The carrying value of intangible assets subject to amortisation amounted to €9.7m (2017: €8.8m) and comprised water rights of €6.6m 
and trademarks of €3.1m.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

175

Impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets 

The recoverable amount of each cash-generating unit was determined through a value-in-use calculation. That calculation uses cash flow 
projections based on financial budgets approved by the Board of Directors covering a one-year period and cash projections for four additional 
years. Cash flows for years two to five were projected by management based on operation and market specific high-level assumptions including 
growth rates, discount rates and forecast selling prices and direct costs. Management determined gross margins based on past performance, 
expectations for the development of the market and expectations about raw material costs. The growth rates used in perpetuity reflect the 
forecasts in line with management beliefs. These forecasts exceeded, in certain cases, those expected for the industry in general, due to the 
strength of our brand portfolio. Management estimates discount rates using rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value 
of money and risks specific to the countries of operation. 

No impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets was indicated from the impairment tests of 2018 and 2017. 

The following table sets forth the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for those cash-generating units whose 
carrying value is greater than 10% of the total, as at 31 December 2018.

Italy 
Switzerland 
The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland 
All other cash-generating units
Total 

Goodwill
€ million
625.2
408.0
236.0
353.1
1,622.3

Franchise 
agreements 
€ million
126.9
–
–
19.3
146.2

Trademarks 
€ million
–
–
–
47.6
47.6

Total 
€ million
752.1
408.0
236.0
420.0
1,816.1

For the above cash-generating units, cash flows beyond the five-year period (the period in perpetuity) have been extrapolated using the 
following estimated growth and discount rates:

Intangible assets not subject to amortisation as at 
31 December 2018 (%)

Italy: 41%
Switzerland: 23%
The Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland: 13%
Other: 23%

Italy 
Switzerland 
The Republic of Ireland 
and Northern Ireland 

Growth rate in perpetuity
(%)

Discount rate
(%)

2018
2.5
1.2

2.9

2017
2.5
1.1

2.9

2018
7.0
6.0

6.0

2017
6.7
6.7

6.8

Sensitivity analysis 

In the cash-generating unit of Nigeria, which held €20.7m of goodwill and franchise agreements as at 31 December 2018, possible changes 
in certain key assumptions of the 2018 impairment test would remove the remaining headroom. As at 31 December 2018, the recoverable 
amount of the Nigerian CGU calculated based on value-in-use exceeded carrying value by €430.6m; changes per assumption that would 
eliminate remaining headroom are summarised in the table below:

Nigeria

Average gross
profit margin

Growth rate in
 perpetuity

530bps

490bps

Discount
rate

370bps

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
176

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

14. Property, plant and equipment

Accounting policy

All property, plant and equipment is initially recorded at cost and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
impairment losses. Subsequent expenditure is added to the carrying value of the asset when it is probable that future economic benefits, 
in excess of the original assessed standard of performance of the existing asset, will flow to the operation and the costs can be measured 
reliably. All other subsequent expenditure is expensed in the period in which it is incurred. 

Assets under construction are recorded as part of property, plant and equipment and depreciation on these assets commences when the 
assets are available for use.

The Coca-Cola Company, at its sole discretion, provides the Group with contributions towards the purchase of cold drink equipment. 
Payments are made on placement of coolers and are based on franchise incentive arrangements. The terms and conditions of these 
arrangements require reimbursement if certain conditions stipulated in the agreements are not met, including minimum volume through-put 
requirements. Support payments received from The Coca-Cola Company for the placement of cold drink equipment are deducted from 
the cost of the related asset. 

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to allocate the depreciable amount over the estimated useful life of the assets as follows:

Freehold buildings and improvements
Leasehold buildings and improvements
Production equipment
Vehicles
Computer hardware and software
Marketing equipment
Fixtures and fittings
Returnable containers

40 years
Over the lease term, up to 40 years
4 to 20 years
5 to 8 years
3 to 10 years
3 to 10 years
8 years
3 to 12 years

Freehold land is not depreciated as it is considered to have an indefinite life.

Deposits received for returnable containers by customers are accounted for as deposit liabilities (refer to Note 19).

Residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at each balance sheet date.

Property, plant and equipment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount 
may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable 
amount, which is the higher of the asset’s fair value less cost to sell and its value-in-use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets 
are grouped at the lowest level of separately identifiable cash flows.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

177

The movements of property, plant and equipment by class of assets are as follows:

Cost
As at 1 January 2017
Additions
Disposals
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 18)
Reclassifications
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2017
Depreciation and impairment
As at 1 January 2017
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 18)
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2017
Net book value as at 31 December 2017
Cost
As at 1 January 2018
Additions
Disposals
Reclassified from assets held for sale (refer to Note 18)
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 18)
Reclassifications
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018
Depreciation and impairment
As at 1 January 2018
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Reclassified from assets held for sale (refer to Note 18)
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 18)
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018
Net book value as at 31 December 2018

Land and
buildings 
€ million

1,406.6
6.0
(18.9)
(40.7)
89.1
(58.1)
1,384.0

440.5
37.7
6.7
(11.5)
(28.8)
(13.2)
431.4
952.6

1,384.0
10.4
(7.3)
–
(9.7)
48.2
(28.2)
1,397.4

431.4
37.4
5.1
(3.7)
–
(6.8)
(8.8)
454.6
942.8

Plant and
equipment
€ million

3,622.1
142.2
(205.8)
(14.4)
138.6
(157.6)
3,525.1

2,466.2
235.3
7.5
(202.8)
(12.1)
(85.7)
2,408.4
1,116.7

3,525.1
177.9
(192.8)
0.7
(3.6)
174.9
(84.1)
3,598.1

2,408.4
242.3
6.8
(187.1)
0.5
(2.2)
(53.4)
2,415.3
1,182.8

Returnable 
containers
€ million

Assets under 
construction
€ million

394.1
34.7
(17.1)
–
–
(35.7)
376.0

211.0
27.7
1.7
(14.8)
–
(10.7)
214.9
161.1

376.0
34.8
(15.7)
–
–
1.3
3.9
400.3

214.9
25.4
1.7
(10.3)
–
–
1.5
233.2
167.1

102.4
232.6
–
–
(227.7)
(14.6)
92.7

0.9
–
0.2
–
–
–
1.1
91.6

92.7
235.1
(3.5)
–
–
(224.4)
0.1
100.0

1.1
–
–
–
–
–
–
1.1
98.9

Total
€ million

5,525.2
415.5
(241.8)
(55.1)
–
(266.0)
5,377.8

3,118.6
300.7
16.1
(229.1)
(40.9)
(109.6)
3,055.8
2,322.0

5,377.8
458.2
(219.3)
0.7
(13.3)
–
(108.3)
5,495.8

3,055.8
305.1
13.6
(201.1)
0.5
(9.0)
(60.7)
3,104.2
2,391.6

Assets under construction at 31 December 2018 include advances for equipment purchases of €13.3m (2017: €22.6m). Depreciation charge 
for the year included in operating expenses amounted to €142.3m (2017: €141.9m). Depreciation charge for the year included in cost of goods 
sold amounted to €162.8m (2017: €158.8m).

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
178

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

14. Property, plant and equipment continued

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

In 2017 the Group recorded an impairment loss of €6.6m, €1.9m and €13.6m and recorded reversals of impairment of €0.9m, €1.4m and 
€3.7m relating to property, plant and equipment in the Established, Developing and Emerging segments respectively. These amounts include 
impairment related to restructuring initiatives (refer to Note 8). The impaired assets, being mainly buildings and production equipment, were 
written off based mainly on value-in-use calculations.

In 2018 the Group recorded an impairment loss of €2.9m, €1.5m and €12.3m and recorded reversals of impairment of €1.2m, €0.1m and 
€1.8m relating to property, plant and equipment in the Established, Developing and Emerging segments respectively. These amounts include 
impairment related to restructuring initiatives (refer to Note 8). The impaired assets, being mainly buildings and production equipment, were 
written off based mainly on value-in-use calculations.

Leased assets

Accounting policy

Leases of property, plant and equipment, where the Group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, are classified as 
finance leases. 

Finance leases are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the leased assets and the present value of the 
minimum lease payments. Each lease payment is allocated between liability and finance charges to achieve a constant rate on the finance 
balance outstanding. The corresponding lease obligations, net of finance charges, are included in current and non-current borrowings. 
The interest element of the finance cost is charged to the income statement over the lease period, so as to produce a constant periodic 
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period (refer to Note 24). Property, plant and equipment acquired under 
finance lease is depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term. The useful life for leased assets corresponds 
with the Group policy for the depreciable life of property, plant and equipment.

Included in property, plant and equipment are assets held under finance leases, where the Group is the lessee, as follows:

Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Net book value as at 31 December 2018

Net book value of assets held under finance leases by classes of assets is as follows:
Plant and equipment
Land and buildings
Net book value

2018
€ million
109.9
(39.4)
70.5

54.2
16.3
70.5

2017
€ million
175.7
(80.3)
95.4

61.1
34.3
95.4

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

179

% of voting rights

% ownership

2018
100.0% 
100.0% 
90.0% 
99.4% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
99.9% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 

2017

2018

2017
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
90.0% 90. 0%
90. 0%
99.4%
99.4%
99.4%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
99.9%
99.9%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

99.9%

15. Interests in other entities

List of principal subsidiaries

The following are the principal subsidiaries of the Group as at 31 December:

  Country of registration

Estonia
Austria
Armenia
Bulgaria
Guernsey
Bulgaria
Austria
Belarus
Ukraine
Moldova
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Czech Republic
Slovakia
The Netherlands
Greece
The Netherlands
Croatia
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Northern Ireland
Poland
Romania
Slovenia
Switzerland
Serbia

AS Coca-Cola HBC Eesti 
CCB Management Services GmbH 
CCHBC Armenia CJSC 
CCHBC Bulgaria AD 
CCHBC Insurance (Guernsey) Limited 
CCHBC IT Services Limited 
Coca-Cola Beverages Austria GmbH 
Coca-Cola Beverages Belorussiya 
Coca-Cola Beverages Ukraine Ltd 
Coca-Cola Bottlers Chisinau S.R.L. 
Coca-Cola HBC B-H d.o.o. Sarajevo 
Coca-Cola HBC Česko a Slovensko, s.r.o.1
Coca-Cola HBC Česko a Slovensko, s.r.o. – organizačná zložka2
Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. 
Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. 
Coca-Cola HBC Holdings B.V. 
Coca-Cola HBC Hrvatska d.o.o. 
Coca-Cola HBC Hungary Ltd 
Coca-Cola HBC Ireland Limited 
Coca-Cola HBC Italia S.r.l. 
Coca-Cola HBC Kosovo L.L.C. 
Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland Limited 
Coca-Cola HBC Polska sp. o.o. 
Coca-Cola HBC Romania Ltd 
Coca-Cola HBC Slovenija d.o.o. 
Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland Ltd 
Coca-Cola HBC-Srbija d.o.o. 
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company-Crna Gora d.o.o., Podgorica  Montenegro
Coca-Cola Hellenic Business Service Organisation 
Coca-Cola Hellenic Procurement GmbH 
CC Beverages Holdings II B.V. 
Lanitis Bros Ltd 
LLC Coca-Cola HBC Eurasia 
Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd 
SIA Coca-Cola HBC Latvia 
Star Bottling Limited
UAB Coca-Cola HBC Lietuva 

Bulgaria
Austria
The Netherlands
Cyprus
Russia
Nigeria
Latvia
Cyprus
Lithuania

1.  Effective 4 January 2017 Coca-Cola HBC Česka republika, s.r.o. was renamed Coca-Cola HBC Česko a Slovensko, s.r.o.
2.  Effective 1 April 2017 Coca-Cola HBC Slovenska republika, s.r.o was merged with Coca-Cola HBC Česko a Slovensko, s.r.o. – organizačná zložka, branch of Coca-Cola HBC 

Česka republika, s.r.o.

SRCGFSSSRSI180

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

15. Interests in other entities continued

Associates and joint arrangements

Accounting policies

Investments in associates

Investments in associated undertakings are accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Associated undertakings are all entities 
over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% to 50% of the 
voting rights.

The equity method of accounting involves recognising the Group’s share of the associates’ post-acquisition profit or loss and movements 
in other comprehensive income for the period in the income statement and other comprehensive income respectively. Unrealised gains 
and losses resulting from transactions between the Group and the associate are eliminated to the extent of the interest in the associate.

The Group’s interest in each associate is carried in the balance sheet at an amount that reflects its share of the net assets of the associate 
and includes goodwill on acquisition. When the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, the 
Group does not recognise further losses, unless the Group has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Investments in joint arrangements

Joint arrangements are arrangements in which the Group has contractually agreed sharing of control, which exists only when decisions 
about the relevant activities require unanimous consent. Joint arrangements are classified as joint ventures or joint operations depending 
upon the rights and obligations arising from the joint arrangement.

The Group classifies a joint arrangement as a joint venture when the Group has rights to the net assets of the arrangement. The Group 
accounts for its interests in joint ventures using the equity method of accounting as described in the section above.

The Group classifies a joint arrangement as a joint operation when the Group has the rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, 
of the arrangement and accounts for each of its assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, including its share of those held or incurred 
jointly, in relation to the joint operation.

If facts and circumstances change, the Group reassesses whether it still has joint control and whether the type of joint arrangement in which 
it is involved has changed.

Critical accounting judgements

The Group participates in several joint arrangements. Judgement is required in order to determine their classification as a joint venture 
where the Group has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, or a joint operation where the Group has rights to the assets and 
obligations for the liabilities of the arrangement. In making this judgement, consideration is given to the legal form of the arrangement, 
and the contractual terms and conditions, as well as other facts and circumstances (including the economic rationale of the arrangement 
and the impact of the legal framework).

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

181

a) Equity method investments

Changes in the carrying amounts of equity method investments are as follows:

As at 1 January 2017
Share of results of equity method investments
Share of other comprehensive income of equity method investments
Share of total comprehensive income
Disposals (refer to Note 22) 
Return of capital
Dividends
As at 31 December 2017
Capital increase
Additions
Share of results of equity method investments
Share of other comprehensive income of equity method investments
Share of total comprehensive income
Return of capital
Dividends
As at 31 December 2018

Associates
€ million
22.5
5.2
(5.2)
–
–
–
(0.5)
22.0
–
–
5.1
0.5
5.6
–
(2.8)
24.8

Joint ventures
€ million
94.5
6.6
(0.1)
6.5
(3.5)
(17.7)
(5.0)
74.8
0.3
1.0
7.7
0.1
7.8
(0.9)
(8.5)
74.5

Total
€ million
117.0
11.8
(5.3)
6.5
(3.5)
(17.7)
(5.5)
96.8
0.3
1.0
12.8
0.6
13.4
(0.9)
(11.3)
99.3

Included in investment in associates is the Group’s investment in Frigoglass Industries Limited and Frigoglass West Africa Ltd. The Group has 
an effective interest of 23.9% in both Frigoglass Industries Limited (2017: 23.9%) and Frigoglass West Africa Ltd (2017: 23.9%) through its 
investment in Nigeria Bottling Company Ltd.

In 2017, Frigoglass Industries Nigeria Limited and Frigoglass West Africa Ltd became guarantors under the amended banking facilities and notes 
issued by the Frigoglass Group, as part of the debt restructuring of the latter. The Group has no direct exposure arising from these guarantee 
arrangements, but the Group’s investment in these associates, which stood at €21.2m as at 31 December 2018, would be at potential risk 
if there was a default under the terms of the amended banking facilities or the notes and the Frigoglass Group (including the guarantors) was 
unable to meet its obligations thereunder.

During 2018, the Group reorganised its Water business joint operation in Serbia, which resulted in an increase to investments in joint ventures 
of €1.0m.

Investments in joint ventures

The Group has a significant joint venture with Heineken that is conducted through a number of legal entities being the BrewTech B.V. Group 
of companies, which is engaged in the bottling and distribution of soft drinks and beer in FYROM and the Brewinvest S.A. Group of companies 
which has minimal activity. BrewTech B.V. is incorporated in the Netherlands and the Group owns 50% (2017: 50%) of its share capital. 
Brewinvest S.A., parent company of Brewinvest S.A. Group of companies, which has minimal other activities, is incorporated in Greece and 
the Group owns 50% (2017: 50%) of its share capital. The structure of the joint venture provides the Group with rights to their net assets.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
182

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

15. Interests in other entities continued
Summarised financial information of the Group’s significant joint venture is as follows (the information below reflects the amount presented 
in the IFRS financial statements of the joint venture, and not the Group’s share in those amounts):

2018
€ million

2017
€ million

Summarised balance sheet:
Non-current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Total current assets
Other current liabilities (including trade payables)
Total current liabilities
Non-current other liabilities
Net assets

Summarised statement of comprehensive income:
Revenue
Depreciation and amortisation
Interest income
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax 
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Dividends received and capital returns (refer to Note 26)

Reconciliation of net assets to carrying amount:
Closing net assets 
Interest in joint venture at 50% 
Goodwill 
Non-controlling interest 
Carrying value

Summarised financial information on the Group’s investment in other joint ventures is as follows:

Carrying amount
Share of profit
Share of other comprehensive income
Share of total comprehensive income

51.9
2.4
19.2
21.6
(15.5)
(15.5)
(0.2)
57.8

67.2
(3.3)
–
16.8
(2.0)
14.8
–
14.8
7.4

57.8
28.9
16.9
(1.6)
44.2

2018
€ million
30.3
0.3
0.1
0.4

56.1
5.4
7.8
13.2
(11.2)
(11.2)
(0.1)
58.0

61.8
(5.0)
0.2
13.9
(1.7)
12.2
0.1
12.3
19.3

58.0
29.0
16.9
(1.7)
44.2

2017
€ million
30.6
0.5
(0.1)
0.4

The Group’s share of profit in other joint ventures includes restructuring initiatives within joint ventures of € nil (2017: €0.2m).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

183

b) Joint operations with TCCC

The Group has a 50% interest in the Multon Z.A.O. group of companies (‘Multon’). Multon is engaged in the production and distribution of juices 
in Russia and is classified as a joint operation as the arrangement gives the Group rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities relating 
to the joint arrangement. Other joint operations of the Group comprise mainly a 50% interest in each of the water businesses depicted below, 
which are engaged in the production and distribution of water in the respective countries.

Joint operation
Römerquelle
Fonti del Vulture
Dorna
Neptūno Vandenys

Country
Poland
Switzerland
Serbia

Joint operation
Multivita
Valser
Vlasinka

Country
Austria
Italy
Romania
Baltics

16. Inventories

Accounting policy

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 

Cost for raw materials and consumables is determined on a weighted average basis. Cost for work in progress and finished goods is comprised 
of the cost of direct materials and labour plus attributable overhead costs. Cost of inventories includes all costs incurred to bring the 
product to its present location and condition.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs necessary to complete and sell 
the inventory.

Inventories consisted of the following at 31 December:

Finished goods
Raw materials and work in progress
Consumables
Total inventories

2018
€ million
219.5
176.6
67.1
463.2

2017
€ million
197.7
151.4
67.7
416.8

The amount of inventories recognised as an expense during 2018 was €3,196.8m (2017: €3,154.6m). During 2018 provision of obsolete 
inventories recognised as an expense amounted to €20.3m (2017: €10.6m), whereas provision reversed in the year amounted to €2.5m 
(2017: €1.2m).

17. Trade, other receivables and assets

Accounting policies

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. They are initially 
recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. The normal credit term 
is 7-90 days upon delivery. 

The Group has applied the simplified approach for trade and other receivables upon the adoption of IFRS 9 and follows an Expected Credit 
Losses (‘ECLs’) approach for measuring the allowance of its trade receivables. The expected loss rate is assessed on the basis of historical 
credit losses of 24 months before 31 December 2018 and adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking information. ECLs are based 
on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to 
receive. The carrying amount of the receivable is reduced by the amount of the provision, which is recognised as part of operating expenses. 
If a trade receivable ultimately becomes uncollectible, it is written off initially against any provision made in respect of that receivable with any 
excess recognised as part of operating expenses. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off or provisions no longer required 
are credited against operating expenses. 

Loans are initially recognised at the fair value net of transaction costs incurred. After initial recognition, all interest-bearing loans are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost. Amortised cost is calculated using the effective interest rate method whereby any discount, 
premium or transaction costs associated with a loan are amortised to the income statement over the borrowing period.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
184

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

17. Trade, other receivables and assets continued
Trade, other receivables and assets consisted of the following as at 31 December:

Trade and other receivables:
Trade receivables
Receivables from related parties (refer to Note 26)
Loans to related parties (refer to Note 26)
Loans receivable
Receivables from sale of property, plant and equipment
Loans and advances to employees
Other receivables
Total trade and other receivables
Other assets:
Prepayments
Pension plan assets (refer to Note 20)
Non-current income tax receivable 
VAT and other taxes receivable 
Total other assets
Total trade, other receivables and assets

Current assets

Non-current assets

2018
€ million

690.3
81.1
3.5
1.0
6.6
5.2
78.9
866.6

63.7
–
– 
34.4 
98.1
964.7

2017
€ million

688.7
89.8
3.6
1.2
2.8
5.5
72.3
863.9

72.9
–
– 
30.0 
102.9
966.8

2018
€ million

2017
€ million

1.5
–
–
2.3
–
–
–
3.8

13.1
11.8
17.2 
– 
42.1
45.9

2.0
–
–
0.7
–
–
–
2.7

14.6
2.0
8.5 
– 
25.1
27.8

Non-current trade receivables relate to re-negotiated receivables, which are expected to be settled within the new contractual due date. 

Current assets classified within the categories ‘held-to-maturity’ and ‘at amortised cost’ in 2017 are recorded as ‘Other financial assets’ in the 
consolidated balance sheet (refer to Note 23 – ‘Financial instruments categories’).

Trade receivables classified as current assets consisted of the following at 31 December:

Trade receivables
Less: Provision for doubtful debts
Total trade receivables

Trade receivables classified as current assets are as follows:

Within due date
Less: Provision for doubtful debts within due date
Past due
Less: Provision for doubtful debts past due
Total trade receivables

2018
€ million
789.1
(98.8)
690.3

2018
€ million
569.3
(3.0)
219.8
(95.8)
690.3

2017
€ million
792.3
(103.6)
688.7

2017
€ million
576.8
(3.4)
215.5
(100.2)
688.7

The carrying amount of the trade receivables includes €0.3m which is subject to factoring agreement (2017: €0.3m). The Group continues to 
recognise the factored receivables in their entirety as it has retained the significant risks of ownership. The amount payable under the factoring 
agreement is presented within borrowings (refer to Note 24). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

185

The ageing analysis of past due trade receivables is as follows:

Trade receivables past due but not impaired
Trade receivables past due and impaired
Total trade receivables past due

Trade receivables past due but not impaired
Trade receivables past due and impaired
Total trade receivables past due

Up to three
months
100.1
3.9
104.0

Up to three
months
103.8
4.4
108.2

Three to six
months
7.1
2.7
9.8

Three to six
months
2.3
7.5
9.8

2018
€ million

Six to nine
months
3.0
1.6
4.6

2017
€ million

Six to nine
months
2.0
5.0
7.0

The movement in the provision for doubtful debts during the year is as follows:

As at 1 January
Amounts written off during the year
Amounts recovered during the year
Increase in allowance recognised in income statement
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December

More than nine
months
13.8
87.6
101.4

More than nine
months
7.2
83.3
90.5

2018
€ million
(103.6)
1.5
9.1
(6.1)
0.3
(98.8)

Total
124.0
95.8
219.8

Total
115.3
100.2
215.5

2017
€ million
(92.0)
5.3
6.0
(23.6)
0.7
(103.6)

There was no additional doubtful debts provision recognised on transition to IFRS 9 as a result of applying the expected credit loss model.

Receivables from related parties

The related party receivables, net of the provision for doubtful debts, are as follows:

Within due date
Past due
Less: Provision for doubtful debts
Total related party receivables

2018
€ million
72.4
8.8
(0.1)
81.1

2017
€ million
85.7
4.4
(0.3)
89.8

As at 31 December 2018, related party receivables of €8.7m (2017: €4.1m) were past due but not impaired. The ageing analysis of these 
receivables is as follows:

Up to three months
Three to six months
Six to nine months
More than nine months
Total

Net impairment

Net impairment (gain)/loss on trade and other receivables recognised in the income statement is analysed as follows:

Trade receivables
Receivables from related parties
Other receivables and assets
Net impairment (gain)/loss

2018
€ million
7.4
0.7
0.3
0.3
8.7

2018
€ million
(3.2)
(0.1)
(0.4)
(3.7)

2017
€ million
3.3
0.2
0.1
0.5
4.1

2017
€ million
17.3
0.3
3.7
21.3

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
186

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

18. Assets classified as held for sale

Accounting policy

Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if it is considered highly probable that their carrying amount will be 
principally recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale 
is highly probable and the asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition. In order for a sale to be considered 
highly probable, management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset, an active programme to locate a buyer and complete the plan 
must have been initiated, and the sale expected to be completed within one year from the date of classification.

In the event that the criteria for continued classification as held for sale are no longer met, the assets are reclassified to property, plant and 
equipment and the depreciation charge is adjusted for the depreciation that would have been recognised had the assets not been classified 
as held for sale.

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

Changes in carrying amounts of assets classified as held for sale for the years ended 31 December are as follows:

As at 1 January
Reclassified from property, plant and equipment (refer to Note 14)
Disposals
Reclassified to property, plant and equipment (refer to Note 14)
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 

2018
€ million
3.3
4.3
(4.5)
(0.2)
0.1
3.0

2017
€ million
11.8
14.2
(22.5)
–
(0.2)
3.3

Total assets classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2017 amounted to €3.3m comprising the net book value of property, plant and 
equipment in our Established, Developing and Emerging markets that have been written down to fair value less cost to sell. The fair value 
of assets classified as held for sale was determined through the use of a sales comparison approach and is a non-recurring fair value 
measurement within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Total assets classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2018 amounted to €3.0m comprising the net book value of property, plant and 
equipment in our Established and Emerging markets that have been written down to fair value less cost to sell. The fair value of assets classified 
as held for sale was determined through the use of a sales comparison approach and is a non-recurring fair value measurement within Level 3 
of the fair value hierarchy.

19. Trade and other payables

Accounting policy

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

Trade and other payables consisted of the following at 31 December:

Trade payables
Accrued liabilities
Payables to related parties (refer to Note 26)
Deposit liabilities
Other tax and social security liabilities
Salaries and employee related payables
Contract liabilities
Payable for purchase of own shares (refer to Note 25)
Other payables
Total trade and other payables

2018
€ million
565.5
461.0
270.8
95.7
90.3
39.0
4.5
85.4
40.2
1,652.4

2017
€ million
563.3
428.1
300.9
94.0
84.8
41.8
6.2
–
25.3
1,544.4

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

187

In 2017 an amount of €6.2m regarding contract liabilities has been reclassified from line ‘Trade payables’ to line ‘Contract liabilities’ and €1.0m 
regarding deferred income has been included in line ‘Other payables’.

Payable for purchase of own shares of €85.4m equivalent in UK sterling relates to the liability from an irrevocable share purchase agreement 
entered into in December 2018 (refer to Note 25).

Accrued liabilities regarding volume, marketing and promotional incentives as well as listing fees and other incentives provided to customers 
as at 31 December 2018 amounted to €182.1m (2017: €175.2m).

20. Provisions and employee benefits
Provisions and employee benefits consisted of the following at 31 December:

Current:
Employee benefits
Restructuring provisions
Other provisions
Total current provisions and employee benefits

Non-current:
Employee benefits
Other provisions
Total non-current provisions and employee benefits
Total provisions and employee benefits

a) Provisions

Accounting policy

2018
€ million

2017
€ million

59.2
10.9
7.5
77.6

111.1
1.1
112.2
189.8

61.8
7.7
14.1
83.6

118.7
1.5
120.2
203.8

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 a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised 
as a separate asset only when such reimbursement is virtually certain. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are 
determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value 
of money and the risks specific to the liability.

The movements in restructuring and other provisions comprise:

As at 1 January
Arising during the year
Utilised during the year
Unused amount reversed 
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December

2018
€million

2017
€million

Restructuring
provision
7.7
24.2
(19.2)
(1.7)
(0.1)
10.9

Other provisions
15.6
1.9
(6.0)
(2.9)
–
8.6

Restructuring
provision
8.5
19.3
(17.3)
(2.5)
(0.3)
7.7

Other provisions
16.1
5.4
(4.2)
(1.6)
(0.1)
15.6

Other provisions comprise a provision for employee litigation of €2.5m (2017: €3.2m) and other items of €6.1m (2017: €12.4m).

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
188

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

20. Provisions and employee benefits continued

b) Employee benefits

Accounting policies

Employee benefits

The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans in its territories.

The defined benefit plans are made up of both funded and unfunded pension plans and employee leaving indemnities. The assets of 
funded plans are generally held in separate trustee-administered funds and are financed by payments from employees and/or the relevant 
Group companies.

The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the 
balance sheet date less the fair value of the plan assets. 

For defined benefit pension plans, pension costs are assessed using the projected unit credit method. Actuarial gains and losses arising 
from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to equity in other comprehensive income in the 
period in which they arise. Such actuarial gains and losses are not reclassified to the income statement in subsequent periods. The defined 
benefit obligations are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate 
bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms approximating to the terms of the related 
obligation. In countries where there is no deep market in such bonds, the market rates on government bonds are used. Past service cost 
is recognised immediately in the income statement. A number of the Group’s operations have other long-service benefits in the form of 
jubilee plans. These plans are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows with immediate recognition of actuarial 
gains and losses in the income statement.

The Group’s contributions to the defined contribution pension plans are charged to the income statement in the period to which the 
contributions relate.

Termination benefits

Termination benefits are payable whenever an employee’s employment is terminated before the normal retirement date or whenever 
an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Group recognises termination benefits at the earlier 
of the following dates: a) when the Group can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits and b) when the Group recognises costs 
for a restructuring that is within the scope of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets and involves the payment 
of termination benefits. In the case of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy, the termination benefits are measured based 
on the number of employees expected to accept the offer.

Critical accounting estimates

The Group provides defined benefit pension plans as an employee benefit in certain territories. Determining the value of these plans 
requires several actuarial assumptions and estimates about discount rates, future salary increases and future pension increases. 
Due to the long-term nature of these plans, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty.

Employee benefits consisted of the following at 31 December:

Defined benefit plans:
Employee leaving indemnities
Pension plans
Long service (jubilee plans) and other benefits
Total defined benefit plans
Other employee benefits:
Annual leave
Other employee benefits
Total other employee benefits
Total employee benefits obligations

2018
€ million

64.6
10.1
9.8
84.5

6.1
79.7
85.8
170.3

2017
€ million

68.9
27.7
7.4
104.0

7.5
69.0
76.5
180.5

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

189

Other employee benefits are primarily comprised of employee bonuses including a management incentive plan which is a cash variable plan 
that operates over a three-year period.

Employees of Coca-Cola HBC’s subsidiaries in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Serbia 
and Slovenia are entitled to employee leaving indemnities, generally based on each employee’s length of service, employment category 
and remuneration. These are unfunded plans where the Company meets the payment obligation as it falls due.

Coca-Cola HBC’s subsidiaries in Austria, Greece, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland sponsor defined benefit pension 
plans. Of the three plans in the Republic of Ireland, two have plan assets, as do the two plans in Northern Ireland, one plan in Greece and 
two plans in Switzerland. The Greek plan, which was not significant, was closed in 2018. The Austrian plans do not have plan assets and the 
Company meets the payment obligation as it falls due. The defined benefit plans in Austria, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are 
closed to new members.

Coca-Cola HBC provides long-service benefits in the form of jubilee plans to its employees in Austria, Croatia, Nigeria, Poland, Slovenia 
and Switzerland.

Defined benefit obligation by segment is as follows for the years ended 31 December:

2018

2017

Established

Developing

Emerging

€2.6m

€67.6m

€14.3m

Total €84.5m

€2.7m

€85.6m

€15.7m

Total €104.0m

The average duration of the defined benefit obligations is 18 years and the total employer contributions expected to be paid in 2019 are €17.1m.

Reconciliation of defined benefit obligations:

Present value of defined benefit obligations at 1 January
Current service cost
Interest cost
Plan participants’ contributions
Past service cost
Curtailment/settlement
Benefits paid
Loss from change in demographic assumptions
Loss from change in financial assumptions
Experience adjustments
Foreign currency translation
Present value of defined benefit obligations at 31 December

2018
€ million
489.6
8.8
8.7
4.7
3.3
0.7
(23.9)
(10.9)
(23.1)
3.6
5.8
467.3

2017
€ million
525.6
8.8
9.0
4.4
(0.2)
(6.8)
(26.5)
–
6.1
(3.5)
(27.3)
489.6

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
190

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

20. Provisions and employee benefits continued
Reconciliation of plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at 1 January
Interest income on plan assets
Return on plan assets excluding interest income
Actual employer’s contributions
Actual participants’ contributions
Actual benefits paid
Settlement
Administrative expenses
Foreign currency translation
Fair value of plan assets at 31 December
Opening unrecognised asset due to the asset ceiling
Change in asset ceiling
Exchange rate (gain)/loss
Interest on unrecognised asset recognised in profit or loss
Fair value of plan assets at 31 December including asset ceiling

The present value and funded status of defined benefit obligations were as follows at 31 December:

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of plan assets
Defined benefit obligations of funded plans
Present value of unfunded obligations
Unrecognised asset due to asset ceiling
Defined benefit obligations
Plus: amounts recognised within non-current assets (refer to Note 17)
Total defined benefit obligations

2018
€ million
395.9
5.2
(14.2)
13.6
4.6
(12.9)
–
(0.2)
6.2
398.2
(8.3)
5.1
(0.3)
(0.1)
394.6

2018
€ million
391.3
(398.2)
(6.9)
76.0
3.6
72.7
11.8
84.5

2017
€ million
401.4
5.3
18.9
12.9
4.4
(18.6)
(5.7)
(0.3)
(22.4)
395.9
–
(8.3)
–
–
387.6

2017
€ million
411.3
(395.9)
15.4
78.3
8.3
102.0
2.0
104.0

Funding levels are monitored in conjunction with the agreed contribution rate. The funding level of the funded plans as at 31 December 2018 
was 101% (2017: 94%).

Two of the plans have a funded status surplus of € 11.8m as at 31 December 2018 (2017: € 2.0m) that is recognised as an asset on the basis 
that the Group has an unconditional right to future economic benefits via either a refund or a reduction in future contributions.

The movement in the defined benefit obligation recognised on the balance sheet was as follows:

Defined benefit obligations as at 1 January
Expense recognised in the income statement
Remeasurements recognised in OCI
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Foreign currency translation
Defined benefit obligations as at 31 December
Plus: amounts recognised within non-current assets (refer to Note 17)
Total defined benefit obligations as at 31 December

2018
€ million
102.0
16.0
(20.8)
(13.6)
(11.0)
0.1
72.7
11.8
84.5

2017
€ million
124.2
10.4
(6.9)
(12.9)
(7.9)
(4.9)
102.0
2.0
104.0

 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

191

The expense recognised in the income statement comprised the following for the years ended 31 December:

Service cost
Net interest cost on defined benefit liability / (asset)
Actuarial gains
Administrative expenses
Total

2018
€ million
12.8
3.5
(0.5)
0.2
16.0

2017
€ million
7.5
3.7
(1.1)
0.3
10.4

Defined benefit plan expense is included in staff costs and presented in cost of goods sold and operating expenses.

The assumptions (weighted average for the Group) used in computing the defined benefit obligation comprised the following for the years 
ended 31 December:

Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Rate of pension increase
Life expectancy for pensioners at the age of 65 in years:
Male
Female

2018
%
2.0
2.5
1.0

22
24

2017
%
1.8
2.7
1.1

22
24

Asset liability matching: Plan assets allocated to growth assets are monitored regularly to ensure they remain appropriate and in line with the 
Group’s long-term strategy to manage the plans. As the plans mature, the level of investment risk will be reduced by investing more in assets 
such as bonds that better match the liabilities.

Pension plan assets are invested in different asset classes in order to maintain a balance between risk and return. Investments are well diversified 
to limit the financial effect of the failure of any individual investment. Through its defined benefit plans the Group is exposed to a number 
of risks, as outlined below:

Asset volatility: The liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields; if assets underperform this yield, 
a deficit will be created. The Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Swiss plans hold a significant proportion of growth assets (equities) which 
are expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long term while providing volatility and risk in the short term.

Changes in bond yields: A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the plan liabilities, although this will be partially offset by an increase 
in the value of the plans’ bond holdings, whereas an increase in corporate bond yields will decrease the plan liabilities, although this will be 
partially offset by a decrease in the value of the plans’ bond holdings.

Inflation: The Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Swiss plans’ benefit obligations are linked to inflation, and higher inflation will lead to higher 
liabilities (although, in most cases, caps on the level of inflationary increases are in place to protect against extreme inflation). The majority 
of the assets are either unaffected by or loosely correlated with inflation, meaning that an increase in inflation will also increase the deficit.

Life expectancy: The majority of the pension plans’ obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member, so increases in life expectancy 
will result in an increase in the liabilities.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
192

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

20. Provisions and employee benefits continued
The sensitivity analysis presented below is based on a change in assumption while all other assumptions remain constant.

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increase

Rate of pension increase

Life expectancy

Plan assets are invested as follows:

Impact on defined benefit obligations as at
31 December 2018

Change in 
assumptions

Increase in 
assumption

Decrease in 
assumption

50bps

50bps

50bps

1 year

8.3%

2.0%

4.8%

2.4%

9.5%

1.8%

2.3%

2.3%

The assets of funded plans are generally held in separately administered trusts, either as specific assets or as a proportion of a general fund, 
or are insurance contracts. Plan assets held in trust are governed by local regulations and practice in each country. The category “other” mainly 
includes investments in funds holding a portfolio of assets. Plan assets relate predominantly to quoted financial instruments.

Equity securities were not invested in ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2018 or 31 December 2017.

Assets category 2018 (%)

Assets category 2017 (%)

Equity securities – Eurozone: 4%
Equity securities – Non-Eurozone: 25%
Government bonds – Eurozone: 26%
Corporate bonds – Eurozone: 6%
Corporate bonds – Non-Eurozone: 17%
Real estate: 12%
Cash: 2%
Other: 8%

Defined contribution plans

Equity securities – Eurozone: 6%
Equity securities – Non-Eurozone: 28%
Government bonds – Eurozone: 21%
Corporate bonds – Eurozone: 6%
Corporate bonds – Non-Eurozone: 16%
Real estate: 11%
Cash: 3%
Other: 9%

The expense recognised in the income statement in 2018 for the defined contribution plan is €18.9m (2017: €16.9m). This is included 
in employee costs and recorded in cost of goods sold and operating expenses.

 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

193

21. Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

Accounting policy

The Group offsets financial assets and financial liabilities to the net amount reported in the balance sheet when it currently has a legally 
enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and it intends to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability 
simultaneously. The legally enforceable right must not be contingent on future events and must be enforceable in the normal course 
of business and in the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or the counterparty.

The Group enters into derivative transactions under International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master netting agreements or 
other similar agreements. In general, under such agreements the counterparties can elect to settle into one single net amount the aggregated 
amounts owed by each counterparty on a single day in respect of all outstanding transactions of the same currency and the same type of 
derivative. In the event of default or early termination all outstanding transactions under the agreement are terminated and subject to any 
set-off. These agreements do not meet all of the IAS 32 criteria for offsetting in the balance sheet as the Group does not have any current 
legally enforceable right to offset amounts since the right can only be applied if elected by both counterparties.

The financial assets and financial liabilities presented below are subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting or similar agreements. 
The column ‘Net amount’ shows the impact on the Group’s balance sheet if all set-off rights were exercised.

a) Financial assets

As at 31 December 2018

Derivative financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other financial assets (excluding derivatives)
Trade receivables
Total 

As at 31 December 2017

Derivative financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other financial assets (excluding derivatives)
Trade receivables
Total

Gross amounts of 
recognised 
financial assets
€ million
9.4
712.3
278.8
749.6
1,750.1

Gross amounts of 
recognised 
financial liabilities 
set off in the 
balance sheet
€ million
–
–
–
(59.3)
(59.3)

Net amounts of 
financial assets 
presented in the 
balance sheet
€ million
9.4
712.3
278.8
690.3
1,690.8

Related amounts 
not set off in the 
balance sheet

Financial 
instruments
€ million
(4.9)
–
–
–
(4.9)

Related amounts 
not set off in the 
balance sheet

Net amount
€ million
4.5
712.3
278.8
690.3
1,685.9

Gross amounts of 
recognised financial 
assets
€ million
16.4
723.5
150.9
757.2
1,648.0

Gross amounts of 
recognised financial 
liabilities set off in 
the balance sheet
€ million
–
–
–
(68.5)
(68.5)

Net amounts of 
financial assets 
presented in the 
balance sheet
€ million
16.4
723.5
150.9
688.7
1,579.5

Financial 
instruments
€ million
(5.0)
–
–
–
(5.0)

Net amount
€ million
11.4
723.5
150.9
688.7
1,574.5

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
194

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21. Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities continued

b) Financial liabilities
As at 31 December 2018

Gross amounts of 
recognised 
financial liabilities
€ million
17.9
624.8
642.7

Gross amounts of 
recognised 
financial assets set 
off in the balance 
sheet
€ million
–
(59.3)
(59.3)

Net amounts of 
financial liabilities 
presented in the 
balance sheet
€ million
17.9
565.5
583.4

Related amounts 
not set off in the 
balance sheet

Financial 
instruments
€ million
(4.9)
–
(4.9)

Related amounts 
not set off in the 
balance sheet

Net amount
€ million
13.0
565.5
578.5

Gross amounts of 
recognised financial 
liabilities
€ million
5.4
638.0
643.4

Gross amounts of 
recognised financial 
assets set off in the 
balance sheet
€ million
–
(68.5)
(68.5)

Net amounts of 
financial liabilities 
presented in the 
balance sheet
€ million
5.4
569.5
574.9

Financial 
instruments
€ million
(5.0)
–
(5.0)

Net amount
€ million
0.4
569.5
569.9

Derivative financial liabilities 
Trade payables
Total 

As at 31 December 2017

Derivative financial liabilities 
Trade payables
Total 

22. Business combinations

Accounting policy

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred is the fair value of any 
asset transferred, shares issued and liabilities assumed. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting 
from a contingent consideration arrangement. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed are measured 
initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the consideration transferred and the fair value of non-controlling interest 
over the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. All acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

For each business combination, the Group elects whether it measures the non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value 
or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

In December 2016, TCCC acquired 50% of the share capital of Neptūno Vandenys, UAB, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, for a total 
consideration of €10.3m, of which €9.8m was received in 2016 and the remaining in 2017 and is included in line ‘Net receipts from equity 
investments’ in the consolidated cash flow statement. This transaction resulted in a joint venture between the Group and TCCC. The gain 
on the transaction was immaterial.

During 2017, following the successful completion of the reorganisation of Neptūno Vandenys, UAB joint venture with TCCC, the Group 
obtained control over net assets of the joint venture amounting to €3.5m, with a corresponding decrease in the carrying amount of the 
investment in the joint venture (refer to Note 15a).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

195

23. Financial risk management and financial instruments

Accounting policies

Financial assets

On initial recognition financial assets are recorded at fair value plus, in the case of financial assets not at fair value through profit and loss 
(FVTPL), any directly attributable transaction costs. Transaction costs of financial assets at FVTPL are expensed.

Financial assets are classified into three categories:

a) Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)

The classification of debt instruments at amortised cost depends on two criteria: a) the Group’s business model for managing assets and b) 
whether the instruments’ contractual cash flows represent solely payments for principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding 
(the ‘SPPI criterion‘). If both criteria are met the financial assets of the Group are subsequently measured at amortised cost whereby any 
interest income is recognised using the effective interest method. This category includes trade receivables, treasury bills and time deposits. 
The accounting policy for trade receivables is described in Note 17. 

b) Financial assets through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

The Group has also investments in financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income. These include equity investments 
that are not of a trading nature and which are subsequently recorded at fair value. The Group intends to hold these equity instruments for 
the foreseeable future and has irrevocably elected to classify them as FVOCI upon initial recognition. Subsequently there is no recycling 
of gains or losses to profit or loss on derecognition.

c) Financial assets through profit and loss (FVTPL)

The Group has also investments in financial assets at FVTPL which are subsequently measured at fair value and where changes in fair value 
are recognised in the income statement. Financial assets at FVTPL mainly comprise money market funds.

For those financial assets that are not subsequently held at fair value, the Group assesses whether there is evidence of impairment at each 
balance sheet date.

Derivative financial instruments

The Group uses derivative financial instruments, including currency, commodity and interest rate derivatives, to manage currency, 
commodity price and interest rate risk associated with the Group’s underlying business activities. The Group does not enter into derivative 
financial instruments for trading activity purposes.

All derivative financial instruments are initially recognised on the balance sheet at fair value and are subsequently remeasured at their fair 
value. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognised at each reporting date either in the income statement 
or in equity, depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies for hedge accounting, and if so, whether it qualifies as a fair 
value hedge or a cash flow hedge.

Embedded derivatives in financial host contracts are recorded at fair value through profit or loss together with the host contracts.

Derivatives embedded in non-financial host contracts are accounted for as separate derivatives and recorded at fair value if:

their economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host contracts; 
the host contracts are not designated as at fair value through profit or loss; and 

 ·
 ·
 · a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative meets the definition of a derivative.

These embedded derivatives are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss. Reassessment only 
occurs if there is either a change in the terms of the contract that significantly modifies the cash flows that would otherwise be required 
or a reclassification of a financial asset out of the fair value through profit or loss.

All derivative financial instruments that are not part of an effective hedging relationship (undesignated hedges) are classified as assets 
or liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (‘FVTPL’).

SRCGFSSSRSI196

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued

Accounting policies continued

At the inception of a hedge transaction the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, 
as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. This process includes linking the derivative 
financial instrument designated as a hedging instrument to the specific asset, liability, firm commitment or forecast transaction. The Group 
has established a hedge ratio of 1:1 for the hedging relationships as the underlying risks of the hedging instruments are identical to the 
hedged risks component. The economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument is assessed on an ongoing 
basis. Ineffectiveness may arise if the timing or the notional amount of the forecast transaction changes or if the credit risk changes, 
impacting the fair value movements of the hedging instruments.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments (both the intrinsic value and the aligned time value) that are designated and 
effective as hedges of future cash flows are recognised directly in other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion is recognised 
immediately in the income statement. Amounts accumulated in equity are recycled to the income statement as the related asset acquired 
or liability assumed affects the income statement. 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge 
accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecast 
transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is 
transferred to the income statement.

Regular purchases and sales of investments are recognised on the trade date, which is the day the Group commits to purchase or sell. 
The investments are recognised initially at fair value plus transaction costs, except in the case of FVTPL. For investments traded in active 
markets, fair value is determined by reference to stock exchange quoted bid prices. For other investments, fair value is estimated by 
reference to the current market value of similar instruments or by reference to the discounted cash flows of the underlying net assets.

Financial risk factors

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign currency risk, commodity price risk, interest rate risk), 
credit risk, liquidity risk and capital risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on the volatility of financial markets and 
seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s cash flows. The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk 
exposures. Risk management is carried out by Group Treasury in a controlled manner, consistent with the Board of Directors’ approved policies. 
Group Treasury identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co-operation with the Group’s subsidiaries. The Board of Directors has 
approved the Treasury Policy which provides the control framework for all treasury and treasury-related transactions.

Market risk

a) Foreign currency risk

The Group is exposed to the effect of foreign currency risk on future transactions, recognised monetary assets and liabilities that are 
denominated in currencies other than the local entity’s functional currency, as well as net investments in foreign operations. Foreign currency 
forward, option and future contracts are used to hedge a portion of the Group’s foreign currency risk. The majority of the foreign currency 
forward, option and future contracts have maturities of less than one year after the balance sheet date. The foreign currency risk arising from 
the investment in foreign operations is not hedged.

Management has set up a policy that requires Group companies to manage their foreign exchange risk against their functional currency. 
To manage their foreign exchange risk arising from future transactions and recognised monetary assets and liabilities, entities in the Group 
use foreign currency forward, option and future contracts transacted by Group Treasury. Group Treasury’s risk management policy is to 
hedge, on an average coverage ratio basis, between 25% and 80% of anticipated cash flows for the next 12 months by using a layer strategy 
and 100% of balance sheet re-measurement risk in each major foreign currency for which hedging is applicable. Each subsidiary designates 
contracts with Group Treasury as fair value hedges or cash flow hedges, as appropriate. External foreign exchange contracts are designated 
at Group level as hedges of foreign exchange risk on specific monetary assets, monetary liabilities or future transactions on a gross basis. 

The following tables present details of the Group’s sensitivity to reasonably possible increases and decreases in the Euro and US dollar against 
the relevant foreign currencies. In determining reasonably possible changes, the historical volatility over a 12-month period of the respective 
foreign currencies in relation to the Euro and the US dollar has been considered. The sensitivity analysis determines the potential gains and 
losses in the income statement or equity arising from the Group’s foreign exchange positions as a result of the corresponding percentage 
increases and decreases in the Group’s main foreign currencies relative to the Euro and the US dollar. The sensitivity analysis includes 
outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items, external loans, and loans between operations within the Group where the 
denomination of the loan is in a currency other than the functional currency of the local entity. 

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

197

2018 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the Euro against relevant other currencies

Euro strengthens against local currency

Euro weakens against local currency

Armenian dram 
Belarusian rouble 
Bulgarian lev
Croatian kuna 
Czech koruna 
Hungarian forint 
Moldovan leu 
Nigerian naira 
Polish zloty 
Romanian leu 
Russian rouble 
Serbian dinar 
Swiss franc 
UK sterling 
Ukrainian hryvnia 
US dollar 

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
6.91%
9.75%
0.79%
1.49%
2.93%
4.10%
7.93%
8.29%
4.76%
2.44%
13.32%
1.48%
5.05%
6.03%
8.77%
7.23%

(Gain)/loss in 
income statement
€ million
(0.3)
0.5
(0.1)
–
0.2
(0.5)
(0.1)
1.1
(0.3)
(0.3)
(3.2)
(0.2)
0.5
0.9
0.9
0.2
(0.7)

 (Gain)/loss in
equity
€ million
–
–
–
(0.1)
(0.2)
(0.6)
0.6
–
(2.0)
(0.8)
(2.4)
–
(2.1)
0.1
(0.1)
–
(7.6)

(Gain)/loss in
income statement
€ million
0.4
(0.6)
0.1
–
(0.2)
0.5
0.1
(1.3)
0.3
0.3
2.7
0.2
(0.6) 
(0.9)
(1.0)
(0.2)
(0.2)

Loss/(gain) in
equity
€ million
–
–
–
0.1
0.2
0.7
(0.7)
–
2.2
0.8
2.6
–
2.3
(0.1)
0.1
(0.1)
8.1

2018 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the US dollar against relevant other currencies

US dollar strengthens against local currency

US dollar weakens against local currency

Bulgarian lev
Euro
Nigerian naira
Romanian leu
Russian rouble
Serbian dinar
Ukrainian hryvnia

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
7.21%
7.23%
2.12%
7.54%
13.48%
7.39%
5.89%

(Gain)/loss in 
income statement
€ million
0.1
1.5
(1.6)
0.2
(0.2)
(0.4)
0.1
(0.3)

 (Gain)/loss in
equity
€ million
–
–
–
–
(3.1)
–
–
(3.1)

Loss/(gain) in
income statement
€ million
(0.1)
(1.8)
1.6
(0.3)
0.2
0.5
(0.1) 
–

Loss/(gain) in
equity
€ million
–
–
–
–
4.0
–
–
4.0

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
198

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued
2017 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the Euro against relevant other currencies

Euro strengthens against local currency

Euro weakens against local currency

Armenian dram 
Bulgarian lev 
Croatian kuna 
Czech koruna 
Hungarian forint 
FYROM dinar
Moldovan leu 
Nigerian naira 
Polish zloty 
Romanian leu 
Russian rouble 
Serbian dinar 
Swiss franc 
UK sterling 
Ukrainian hryvnia 
US dollar 

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
7.26%
0.59%
1.95%
3.46%
3.54%
4.06%
7.76%
22.76%
4.56%
2.83%
12.10%
2.24%
4.89%
8.17%
10.25%
7.34%

Loss/(gain) in 
income statement
€ million
(0.5)
(0.1)
0.1
(1.1)
0.4
–
(0.2)
4.4
(0.2)
0.4
0.6
0.1
0.6
0.2
1.0
(0.5)
5.2

 (Gain)/loss in
equity
€ million
–
–
(0.1)
(0.3)
(0.3)
–
0.6
–
(1.9)
(1.2)
(3.3)
–
(1.1)
0.2
–
0.3
(7.1)

(Gain)/loss in
income statement
€ million
0.6
0.1
(0.1)
1.2
(0.4)
0.1
0.2
(6.9)
0.2
–
2.0
–
(0.6)
(0.2)
(1.3)
0.6
(4.5)

Loss/(gain) in
equity
€ million
–
–
0.1
0.3
0.3
–
(0.7)
–
2.1
0.4
0.7
–
1.2
(0.2)
–
(0.3)
3.9

2017 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the US dollar against relevant other currencies

US dollar strengthens against local currency

US dollar weakens against local currency

Bulgarian lev
Euro
Hungarian forint
Nigerian naira
Romanian leu
Russian rouble
Serbian dinar
Ukrainian hryvnia

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
7.28%
7.34%
8.74%
21.07%
7.65%
11.04%
7.49%
6.68%

Loss/(gain) in 
income statement
€ million
0.1
1.6
0.1
(1.7)
0.2
2.7
(0.1)
0.1
3.0

 (Gain)/loss in
equity
€ million
–
–
–
–
–
(9.7)
–
–
(9.7)

Loss/(gain) in
income statement
€ million
(0.1)
(1.8)
(0.1)
2.0
(0.3)
1.1
0.1
(0.1)
0.8

Loss/(gain) in
equity
€ million
–
–
–
–
–
5.1
–
–
5.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

199

b) Commodity price risk

The Group is affected by the volatility of certain commodity prices (being mainly sugar, aluminium, aluminium premium, PET and gas oil) 
in relation to certain raw materials necessary for the production of the Group’s products. 

Due to the significantly increased volatility of commodity prices, the Group’s Board of Directors has developed and enacted a risk management 
strategy regarding commodity price risk and its mitigation. Although the Group continues to contract prices with suppliers in advance, to reduce 
its exposure to the effect of short-term changes in the price of sugar, aluminium, aluminium premium, gas oil and PET, the Group hedges the 
market price of sugar, aluminium, aluminium premium, PET and gas oil using commodity swap contracts based on a rolling forecast for a period 
up to 36 months. The Group Treasury’s Risk management policy is to hedge a minimum of 25% and a maximum of 80% of commodity 
exposure for the next 12 months except for PET where no minimum coverage is required and the maximum is at 50% for the first year.

The following table presents details of the Group’s income statement and equity sensitivity to increases and decreases in sugar, aluminium, 
aluminium premium, PET and gas oil prices. The table does not show the sensitivity to the Group’s total underlying commodity exposure or the 
impact of changes in volumes that may arise from increases or decreases in the respective commodity prices. The sensitivity analysis determines 
the potential effect on profit or loss and equity arising from the Group’s commodity swap contract positions as a result of the reasonably 
possible increases or decreases in the respective commodity price.

2018 commodity price risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the commodity price of relevant commodities

Sugar
Aluminium
Aluminium premium
Gas oil
PET

Commodity price increases with
all other variables held constant

Commodity price decreases with
all other variables held constant

% historical volatility 
over a 12-month period 
per contract maturity
19.5%
24.0%
29.6%
24.2%
22.2%

(Gain)/loss in
income statement
€ million
(0.3)
(0.1)
–
–
(10.1)
(10.5) 

 (Gain)/loss in
equity
€ million
(5.1)
(12.2)
(0.5)
(2.9)
–

(20.7) 

Loss/(gain) in
income statement
€ million
0.3
0.1
–
–
10.1
10.5 

Loss/(gain) in
equity
€ million
5.1
12.2
0.5
2.9
–
20.7 

2017 commodity price risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the commodity price of relevant commodities

Sugar
Aluminium
Aluminium premium
Gas oil

Commodity price increases with
all other variables held constant

Commodity price decreases with
all other variables held constant

% historical volatility
over a 12-month period 
per contract maturity
19.3%
15.4%
18.0%
22.7%

(Gain)/loss in
income statement
€ million
(8.8)
(5.2)
(0.3)
(2.2)
(16.5)

 (Gain)/loss in
equity
€ million
–
(1.1)
–
–
(1.1)

Loss/(gain) in
income statement
€ million
8.8
5.2
0.3
2.2
16.5

Loss/(gain) in
equity
€ million
–
1.1
–
–
1.1

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
200

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued

c) Interest rate risk

The sensitivity analysis in the following table has been determined based on exposure to interest rates of both derivative and non-derivative 
instruments existing at the balance sheet date and assuming constant foreign exchange rates. For floating rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared 
assuming the amount of liability outstanding at the balance sheet date was outstanding for the whole year. A 50 basis point increase or decrease 
for 2018 (2017: 50 basis point) represents management’s assessment of a reasonably possible change in interest rates.

Interest rate risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in interest rates

Increase in basis points
Decrease in basis points

2018
€ million

Loss/(gain)
in income
statement
0.3
2.0

(Gain)/loss 
In equity
(6.8)
–

2017
€ million

Loss/(gain)
in income
statement
0.1
(0.1)

(Gain)/loss 
In equity
–
–

The impact in the Group’s equity is attributable to the changes in the fair value of the swaptions entered in 2018 and designated as hedging 
instruments in a cash flow hedge.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its obligations under the 
contract or arrangement. The Group has limited concentration of credit risk across trade and financial counterparties. Credit policies are in place 
and the exposure to credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis. 

The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in the event that counterparties fail to perform their obligations at 31 December 2018 in relation 
to each class of recognised financial asset is the carrying amount of those assets as indicated on the balance sheet.

Under the credit policies, before accepting any new credit customers, the Group investigates the potential customer’s credit quality, using 
either external agencies and in some cases bank references and/or historic experience, and defines credit limits for each customer. 
Customers that fail to meet the Group’s benchmark credit quality may transact with the Group only on a prepayment or cash basis. Customers 
are reviewed on an ongoing basis and credit limits are adjusted accordingly. There is no significant concentration of credit risk with regards 
to loans, trade and other receivables as the Group has a large number of customers which are geographically dispersed.

The Group has policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any single financial institution. The Group only undertakes investment 
and derivative transactions with banks and financial institutions that have a minimum credit rating of ‘BBB-’ from Standard & Poor’s and ‘Baa3’ 
from Moody’s, unless the investment is in countries where the Sovereign Credit Rating is below the ‘BBB-/Baa3’. The Group also uses Credit 
Default Swaps of a counterparty in order to measure in a timelier way the creditworthiness of a counterparty and set up its counterparties 
in tiers in order to assign maximum exposure and tenor per tier. If the Credit Default Swaps of a certain counterparty exceed 400 basis points 
the Group will stop trading derivatives with that counterparty and will try to cancel any deposits on a best-effort basis. In addition, the 
Group regularly makes use of time deposits and money market funds to invest excess cash balances and to diversify its counterparty risk. 
As at 31 December 2018, an amount of €594.6m (2017: € 476.8m) is invested in time deposits and money market funds (refer to Note 24).

 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

201

Liquidity risk 

The Group actively manages liquidity risk to ensure there are sufficient funds available for any short-term and long-term commitments. 
Bank overdrafts and bank facilities, both committed and uncommitted, are used to manage this risk.

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and committed banking facilities, access to the debt and equity capital 
markets, and by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows. In Note 24, the undrawn facilities that the Group has at its disposal 
to manage liquidity risk are discussed under the headings ‘commercial paper programme’ and ‘committed credit facilities’.

The following tables detail the Group’s remaining contractual maturities for its financial liabilities. The tables include both interest and principal 
undiscounted cash flows, assuming that interest rates remain constant from 31 December 2018.

Borrowings 
Derivative liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
As at 31 December 2018

Borrowings 
Derivative liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
As at 31 December 2017

Capital risk

Up to 
one year
€ million
159.5
16.6
1,557.6
1,733.7

Up to 
one year
€ million
203.3
4.5
1,458.8
1,666.6

One to 
two years
€ million
853.0
1.3
0.1
854.4

One to 
two years
€ million
41.6
0.9
0.2
42.7

Two to 
five years
€ million
67.1
–
0.2
67.3

Two to 
five years
€ million
887.7
–
1.0
888.7

Over
five years
€ million
644.6
–
6.3
650.9

Over
five years
€ million
668.6
–
5.3
673.9

Total
€ million
1,724.2
17.9
1,564.2
3,306.3

Total
€ million
1,801.2
5.4
1,465.3
3,271.9

The Group monitors its financial capacity and credit ratings by reference to a number of key financial ratios including net debt to comparable 
adjusted EBITDA, which provides a framework within which the Group’s capital base is managed. This ratio is calculated as net debt divided 
by comparable adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back to operating profit the depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment, the 
amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, the employee share option and performance share costs and other non-cash items, if any. 
Comparable adjusted EBITDA refers to adjusted EBITDA excluding restructuring expenses and the unrealised gains or losses resulting from 
the mark-to-market valuation of derivatives and embedded derivatives related to commodity hedging.

Refer to Note 24 for the definition of net debt.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern and to maintain an optimal 
capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may increase or decrease debt, issue or buy back shares, adjust the amount 
of dividends paid to shareholders, or return capital to shareholders.

The Group’s goal is to maintain a conservative financial profile. This is evidenced by the credit ratings maintained with Standard & Poor’s 
and Moody’s. 

Rating agency
Standard and Poor’s
Moody’s

Publication date
April 2018
October 2018

Long-term debt
BBB+
Baa1

Outlook
Positive
Stable

Short-term debt
A2
P2

The Group’s medium-to long-term target is to maintain the net debt to comparable adjusted EBITDA ratio within a 1.5 to 2.0 range.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
202

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued
The ratios as at 31 December were as follows:

Net debt (refer to Note 24)
Operating profit
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Employee stock options and performance shares
Other non-cash items included in operating income
Adjusted EBITDA 
Other restructuring expenses (primarily redundancy costs)
Unrealised loss on commodity derivatives
Total comparable adjusted EBITDA 
Net debt / comparable adjusted EBITDA ratio 

2018
€ million
613.3
639.4
318.7
0.5
10.1
–
968.7
23.1
8.5
1,000.3
0.61

The reconciliation of other restructuring expenses to total restructuring expenses for the years ended 31 December was as follows:

Total restructuring expenses (refer to Note 8)
Less: Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Other restructuring expenses (primarily redundancy costs)

2018
€ million
32.8
(9.7)
23.1

2017
€ million
751.8
589.8
316.8
0.4
20.8
(0.3)
927.5
19.5
2.3
949.3
0.79

2017
€ million
28.9
(9.4)
19.5

 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

203

Hedging activity

The carrying amount of the derivative financial instruments are included in lines ‘Other financial assets’ and ‘Other financial liabilities’ 
of the consolidated balance sheet.

a) Cash flow hedges

The impact of the hedging instruments and hedge items on the consolidated balance sheet was:

As at 31 December 2018
Contracts with positive fair values

Non-current
Commodity swap contracts
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Interest rate contracts
Commodity swap contracts

Contracts with negative fair values

Non-current
Commodity swap contracts
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Commodity swap contracts

As at 31 December 2017
Contracts with positive fair values

Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign currency option contracts
Commodity swap contracts

Contracts with negative fair values

Current
Foreign currency forward contracts

Notional amount
€ million
434.4
1.4
1.4
433.0
78.3
350.0
4.7

216.0
19.7
19.7
196.3
120.5
75.8

Notional amount
€ million
120.4
120.4
57.3
58.2
4.9

107.5
107.5
107.5

Carrying amount
€ million
4.5
0.1
0.1
4.4
2.1
2.2
0.1

Period of
maturity date

Jan20-Oct20

Jan19-Dec19
Dec19
Jan19-Dec19

(11.5)
(1.3)
(1.3)
(10.2)
(1.1)
(9.1)

Carrying amount
€ million
3.6
3.6
0.7
2.3
0.6

Jan20-Nov20

Jan19-Dec19
Jan19-Dec19

Period of
maturity date

Jan18-Dec18
Jan18-Jun18
Jan18-Dec18

(1.6)
(1.6)
(1.6)

Jan18-Dec18

The impact on the hedging reserve as a result of applying cash flow hedge accounting was:

Opening balance 1 January 2017
Net gain of cash flow hedges 

Change in fair value of hedging 
Reclassified to profit or loss 
Reclassified to the cost of inventory

Closing balance 31 December 2017
Net gain of cash flow hedges 

Change in fair value of hedging 
Reclassified to profit or loss 

Cost of hedging recognised in OCI 
Reclassified to the cost of inventory 
Closing balance 31 December 2018 

Spot component of 
foreign currency 
forward contracts
(3.6)
1.6 
(9.4) 
1.2 
9.8
(2.0)
9.2 
8.9 
0.3
– 
(7.0) 
0.2 

Intrinsic value of 
foreign currency 
option contracts
(0.1)
(0.1) 
1.2 
(1.3) 
- 
(0.2)
2.1 
2.6 
(0.5) 
– 
(1.7) 
0.2 

Cost of hedging 
reserve of currency 
derivatives
–
– 
– 
– 
–
–
– 
– 
– 
(3.5) 
3.0 
(0.5) 

Commodity swap 
contracts
0.2
0.7 
1.2 
– 
(0.5) 
0.9
(11.2) 
(11.2) 

–
–
(0.2) 
(10.5) 

Interest rate swap 
contracts
(50.2)
6.4
– 
6.4 
–
(43.8)
6.2 
(0.2) 
6.4 
(1.8) 
– 
(39.4) 

Total
(53.7)
8.6 
(7.0) 
6.3 
9.3
(45.1)
6.3 
0.1 
6.2
(5.3)
(5.9) 
(50.0) 

As of 1 January 2018 the transfer of cash flow hedge reserve to the cost of inventory is performed directly from equity.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
204

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued
The effect of the cash flow hedges in the consolidated income statement was:

Net amount reclassified from other comprehensive income to cost of goods sold
Net amount reclassified from other comprehensive income to finance costs
Total

2018
Loss/(Gain)
€million
(0.2)
6.4
6.2

2017
Loss/(Gain)
€million
(0.1)
6.4
6.3

There was no significant ineffectiveness on the cash flow hedges during the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017, in relation to cash 
flow hedges.

b) Fair value hedges

The fair value of the foreign currency and option contracts designated as fair value hedging instruments was €nil in 2018 (2017: €0.5m net loss).

c) Undesignated hedges

The fair values of derivative financial instruments as at 31 December which economically hedge Group’s risks and for which hedge accounting 
has not been applied were:

As at 31 December 2018
Contracts with positive fair values

Non-current
Embedded derivatives
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign currency future contracts

Contracts with negative fair values

Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Commodity swap contracts

As at 31 December 2017
Contracts with positive fair values

Non-current
Commodity swap contracts
Embedded derivatives
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign currency option contracts
Foreign currency future contracts
Commodity swap contracts

Contracts with negative fair values

Non-current
Commodity swap contracts
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Commodity swap contracts

The effect of the undesignated hedges in the consolidated income statement was:

Net amount recognised in cost of goods sold
Net amount recognised in operating expenses
Total

Notional amount
€ million
296.4
54.2
54.2
242.2
160.7
81.5

(165.4)
(165.4)
(215.4)
50.0

Notional amount
€ million
202.2
91.2
18.2
73.0
111.0
27.2
33.0
5.6
45.2

22.8
12.5
12.5
10.3
(1.5)
11.8

Carrying amount
€ million
4.9
1.6
1.6
3.3
3.2
0.1

Period of
maturity date

Jan 19-May21

Jan 19-Dec19
Jun19-Nov19

(6.4)
(6.4)
(2.9)
(3.5)

Carrying amount
€ million
12.8
4.4
1.8
2.6
8.4
0.9
0.9
1.2
5.4

(3.8)
(0.9)
(0.9)
(2.9)
(1.6)
(1.3)

Jan 19-Dec19
Jan 19-Dec19

Period of
maturity date

Jan19-May20
Jan18-Aug21

Jan18-Dec18
Jan18-Jun18
Jan 18
Jan18-Dec18

Jan19-May20

Jan18-Dec18
Jan18-Dec18

2018
Loss/(Gain)
€million
8.7
(6.3)
2.4

2017
Loss/(Gain)
€million
4.6
(6.3)
(1.7)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

205

Financial instruments categories

Categories of financial instruments as at 31 December were as follows (in € million):

2018

Assets 
Investments 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 
excluding prepayments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total 

Debt financial
assets at
amortised
cost
–
–

870.4
712.3
1,582.7

Assets at
FVTPL
34.9
4.9

–
–
39.8

Derivatives
designated
as hedging
instruments
–
4.5

Assets held
at amortised
cost
244.8
–

Equity 
financial
assets at
FVOCI
3.5
–

Total
current and
non-current
283.2
9.4

Analysis of total assets

Current
278.8
7.7

Non-current
4.4
1.7

–
–
4.5

–
–
244.8

–
–
3.5

870.4
712.3
1,875.3

866.6
712.3
1,865.4

3.8
–
9.9

Liabilities 
Trade and other payables excluding provisions
and deferred income 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Total 

2017

Assets 
Investments 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 
excluding prepayments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total 

Loans and 
receivables 
–
–

896.6
723.5
1,620.1

Assets at
FVTPL
–
12.8

–
–
12.8

Liabilities 
Trade and other payables excluding provisions
and deferred income 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Total 

Liabilities
held at
amortised
cost

1,564.2
1,604.4
–
3,168.6

Derivatives
designated
as hedging
instruments
–
3.6

–
–
3.6

Liabilities
held at
amortised
cost

1,465.3
1,626.2
–
3,091.5

Derivatives
designated
as hedging
instruments

Total
current and
non-current

Liabilities
at FVTPL

Analysis of total liabilities

Current

Non-current

–
–
6.4
6.4

–
–
11.5
11.5

1,564.2
1,604.4
17.9
3,186.5

1,557.6
136.4
16.6
1,710.6

6.6
1,468.0
1.3
1,475.9

Held-to-
maturity 
151.8
–

–
–
151.8

Analysis of total assets

Availiable-
for-sale
3.7
–

Total
current and
non-current
155.5
16.4

Current
150.9
12.0

Non-current
4.6
4.4

–
–
3.7

896.6
723.5
1,792.0

893.9
723.5
1,780.3

2.7
–
11.7

Analysis of total liabilities

Derivatives
designated
as hedging
instruments

Liabilities
at FVTPL

–
–
3.8
3.8

–
–
1.6
1.6

Total
current and
non-current

1,465.3
1,626.2
5.4
3,096.9

Current

Non-current

1,458.6
166.4
4.5
1,629.5

6.7
1,459.8
0.9
1,467.4

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
206

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued

Interest rate swap contracts

The Group entered into forward starting swap contracts of €500.0m in 2014 to hedge the interest rate risk related to its Euro denominated 
forecast issuance of fixed rate debt in March 2016. In August 2015 the Group entered into additional forward starting swap contracts 
of €100.0m. In March 2016 the forward starting swap contracts were settled and at the same time the new note was issued; the accumulated 
loss of €55.4m recorded in other comprehensive income is being amortised to the income statement over the term of the new note 
(refer to Note 24).

The Group entered into swaption contracts of €350.0m in 2018 to hedge the interest rate risk related to its Euro denominated forecast 
issuance of fixed rate debt in 2019 and formally designated them as cash flow hedges. The forecast debt issuance is related to the refinancing 
of the €800m Euro denominated fixed rate bond maturing in June 2020.

Embedded derivatives

During 2015 the Group recognised embedded derivatives whose risks and economic characteristics were not considered to be closely related 
to the commodity contract in which they were embedded. The fair value of the embedded derivatives as at 31 December 2018 amounted to 
a financial asset of €1.6m (2017: €2.6m).

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities
For financial instruments such as cash, deposits, debtors and creditors, investments, loans payable to related parties, short-term borrowings 
(excluding the current portion of bonds and notes payable) and other financial liabilities (other than bonds and notes payable), carrying values 
are a reasonable approximation of their fair values. According to the fair value hierarchy, the financial instruments measured at fair value are 
classified as follows:

Level 1

The fair value of FVOCI / available-for-sale listed equity securities as well as FVTPL securities is based on quoted market prices at the reported 
date. The fair value of bonds is based on quoted market prices at the reported date.

Level 2

The fair value of foreign currency forward, option and future contracts, commodity swap contracts, bonds and notes payable, interest rate 
swap contracts, forward starting swap contracts, embedded foreign currency derivatives and cross currency swap contracts is determined 
by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data. The fair value of the foreign currency 
forward, option and future contracts, commodity swap contracts, embedded foreign currency derivatives and cross currency swap contracts 
is calculated by reference to quoted forward exchange, deposit rates and forward rate curve of the underlying commodity at the reported date 
for contracts with similar maturity dates. The fair value of interest rate option contracts is calculated by reference to the Black-Scholes 
valuation model and implied volatilities. The fair value of interest rate swap contracts is determined as the difference in the present value of the 
future interest cash inflows and outflows based on observable yield curves.

Level 3

The fair value of FVOCI / available-for-sale unlisted equity securities as well as certain undesignated derivatives is determined through the use 
of estimated discounted cash flows or other valuation technique.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

207

The following table provides the fair value hierarchy in which fair value measurements are categorised for assets and liabilities measured at fair 
value as at 31 December 2018:

Level 1
€ million

Level 2
€ million

Level 3
€ million

Total
€ million

Financial assets at FVTPL

Foreign currency forward contracts
Embedded derivatives
Foreign currency futures contracts
Money market funds

Derivative financial assets used for hedging
Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Interest rate swap contracts 
Commodity swap contracts

Assets at FVOCI

Equity securities 
Total financial assets 
Financial liabilities at FVTPL

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Commodity swap contracts 

Derivative financial liabilities used for hedging
Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Commodity swap contracts

Total financial liabilities 

–
–
–
34.9

–
–
–

0.7
35.6

–
–

–
–
–

3.2
1.6
0.1
–

2.1
2.2
0.2

–
9.4

(2.9)
(0.4)

(1.1)
(10.4)
(14.8)

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

2.8
2.8

–
(3.1) 

–
–
(3.1) 

3.2
1.6
0.1
34.9

2.1
2.2
0.2

3.5
47.8

(2.9)
(3.5)

(1.1)
(10.4)
(17.9)

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in the period.

The following table provides the fair value hierarchy in which fair value measurements are categorised for assets and liabilities measured at fair 
value as at 31 December 2017:

Level 1
€ million

Level 2
€ million

Level 3
€ million

Total
€ million

Financial assets at FVTPL

Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign currency option contracts
Embedded derivatives
Foreign currency futures contracts
Commodity swap contracts

Derivative financial assets used for hedging
Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Foreign currency option contracts 
Commodity swap contracts

Available-for-sale financial assets

Equity securities 
Total financial assets 
Financial liabilities at FVTPL

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Commodity swap contracts 

Derivative financial liabilities used for hedging
Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forward contracts 

Total financial liabilities 

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in the period.

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

1.0
1.0

–
–

–
–

0.9
0.9
2.6
1.2
7.2

0.7
2.3
0.6

–
16.4

(1.6)
(2.2)

(1.6)
(5.4)

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

2.7
2.7

–
–

–
–

0.9
0.9
2.6
1.2
7.2

0.7
2.3
0.6

3.7
20.1

(1.6)
(2.2)

(1.6)
(5.4)

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
208

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

24. Net debt

Accounting policy

Borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value net of transaction costs incurred.

After initial recognition, all interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Amortised cost is calculated using 
the effective interest rate method whereby any discount, premium or transaction costs associated with a borrowing are amortised to the 
income statement over the borrowing period.

Refer also to Note 14 for accounting policy on finance leases.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts 
of cash and which are subject to insignificant risk of change in value. Bank overdrafts are classified as short-term borrowings in the balance 
sheet and for the purpose of the cash flow statement. Time deposits and treasury bills which do not meet the definition of cash and cash 
equivalents are classified as short-term investments at amortised cost. Money market funds are classified as short-term investments at fair 
value through profit or loss. 

Net debt is defined as current borrowings plus non-current borrowings less cash and cash equivalents, and certain other financial assets.

Net debt for the year ended 31 December comprised:

Current borrowings
Non-current borrowings
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
 · Financial assets held to maturity
 · Financial assets at amortised cost
 · Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss
Less: Other financial assets
Net debt

2018
€ million
136.4
1,468.0
(712.3)
–
(243.9)
(34.9)
(278.8)
613.3

2017
€ million
166.4
1,459.8
(723.5)
(150.9)
–
–
(150.9)
751.8

The financial assets at amortised cost comprise time deposits and the financial assets at fair value through profit and loss relate to money 
market funds. The line item ‘Other financial assets’ of the balance sheet includes derivative financial instruments of €7.7m (2017: €12.0m).

a) Borrowings

The Group held the following borrowings as at 31 December:

Commercial paper
Loans payable to related parties (refer to Note 26)
Other borrowings

Obligations under finance leases falling due within one year
Total borrowings falling due within one year
Borrowings falling due within one to two years

Bonds, bills and unsecured notes
Loans payable to related parties (refer to Note 26)

Borrowings falling due within two to five years

Bonds, bills and unsecured notes

Borrowings falling due in more than five years

Bonds, bills and unsecured notes

Obligations under finance leases falling due in more than one year
Total borrowings falling due after one year
Total borrowings

2018
€ million
95.0
4.0
30.9
129.9
6.5
136.4

798.3
13.3

2017
€ million
120.0
4.3
34.5
158.8
7.6
166.4

–
–

–

797.2

596.9
1,408.5
59.5
1,468.0
1,604.4

596.3
1,393.5
66.3
1,459.8
1,626.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

209

Reconciliation of liabilities to cash flows arising from financing activities:

Balance at 1 January 2017
Cash flows
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayments of borrowings
Principal repayments of finance lease obligations
Interest paid
Proceeds from/(payments for) settlement of 
derivatives regarding financing activities
Total cash flows
Finance leases increase
Effect of changes in exchange rates
Other non-cash movements
Balance at 31 December 2017
Cash flows
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayments of borrowings
Principal repayments of finance lease obligations 
Interest paid
Proceeds from/(payments for) settlement of 
derivatives regarding financing activities 
Total cash flows
Finance leases increase
Effect of changes in exchange rates
Other non-cash movements
Balance at 31 December 2018

Commercial paper programme 

Borrowings

Finance leases

due within
one year
149.0

due in more
than one year
1,391.8

due within
one year
7.5

due in more
than one year
76.3

Derivative 
assets/ 
(liabilities)
–

82.2
(83.8)
–
(30.7)

–
(32.3)
–
(0.4)
42.5
158.8

39.5
(69.6)
–
(34.7)

–
(64.8)
–
–
35.9
129.9

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
1.7
1,393.5

12.9
–
–
–

–
12.9
–
–
2.1
1,408.5

–
–
(7.2)
(6.2)

–
(13.4)
0.1
(0.2)
13.6
7.6

–
–
(7.7)
(5.7)

–
(13.4)
–
–
12.3
6.5

–
–
–
–

–
–
0.8
(3.5)
(7.3)
66.3

–
–
–
–

–
–
(0.8)
(0.4)
(5.6)
59.5

–
–
–
–

(3.1)
(3.1)
–
–
3.1
–

–
–
–
–

1.4
1.4
–
–
(1.4)
–

Total
1,624.6

82.2
(83.8)
(7.2)
(36.9)

(3.1)
(48.8)
0.9
(4.1)
53.6
1,626.2

52.4
(69.6)
(7.7)
(40.4)

1.4
(63.9)
(0.8)
(0.4)
43.3
1,604.4

In October 2013 the Group established a €1.0bn Euro-commercial paper programme (‘CP programme’) which was updated in September 
2014 and then in May 2017, to further diversify its short-term funding sources. The Euro-commercial paper notes may be issued either as 
non-interest-bearing notes sold at a discount or as interest-bearing notes at a fixed or floating rate. All commercial paper issued under the 
CP programme must be repaid within 7 to 364 days. The CP programme has been granted the Short Term Euro Paper label (‘STEP’) and 
commercial paper is issued through Coca-Cola HBC’s 100%-owned subsidiary Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. and is fully, unconditionally and 
irrevocably guaranteed by Coca-Cola HBC AG. The outstanding amount under the CP programme as at 31 December 2018 was €95.0m 
(2017: €120.0m).

Committed credit facilities

In June 2015, the Group replaced its then-existing €500.0m syndicated revolving credit facility with a new €500.0m syndicated loan facility, 
provided by various financial institutions, expiring on 24 June 2020, with the option to be extended for one more year. In June 2016, the 
Company exercised its option and the banks agreed to extend the facility for one more year until 24 June 2021. This facility can be used for 
general corporate purposes and carries a floating interest rate over EURIBOR and LIBOR. No amounts have been drawn under the syndicated 
loan facility since inception. The borrower in the syndicated loan facility is Coca-Cola HBC’s 100%-owned subsidiary Coca-Cola HBC Finance 
B.V. and it is fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Coca-Cola HBC AG and Coca-Cola HBC Holdings B.V. and not subject to any 
financial covenants.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
210

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

24. Net debt continued

Euro medium-term note programme

In June 2013, the Group established a new €3.0bn Euro medium-term note programme (the ‘EMTN programme’). The EMTN programme 
was updated in September 2014 and again in September 2015. Notes are issued under the EMTN programme through Coca-Cola HBC’s 
100%-owned subsidiary Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. and are fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Coca-Cola HBC AG.

In June 2013, Coca Cola HBC Finance B.V. completed the issue of €800m, 2.375%, seven-year fixed rate, Euro-denominated notes. The net 
proceeds of the new issue were used to repay the US$500m notes due in September 2013 and partially repay €183.0m of the 7.875% five-year 
fixed rate notes due in January 2014.

In March 2016, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. completed the issue of a €600m Euro-denominated fixed rate bond maturing in November 2024. 
The coupon rate of the new bond is 1.875% which, including the amortisation of the loss on the forward starting swap contracts over the term 
of the fixed rate bond, results in an effective interest rate of 2.99% (refer to Note 23). The net proceeds of the new issue were used to partially 
repay €214.6m of the 4.25% seven-year fixed rate notes due in November 2016, the remaining €385.4m was repaid in November 2016 upon 
its maturity.

As at 31 December 2018, a total of €1.4bn in notes issued under the EMTN programme were outstanding.

The EMTN Programme has not been updated since September 2015, so further issues under the EMTN Programme are currently not possible 
pending a further update.

Summary of notes outstanding as at 31 December

Notes
€800
€600
Total

Start date
18 June 2013
10 March 2016

Maturity date
18 June 2020
11 November 2024

Fixed coupon
2.375%
1.875%

The fair values are within Level 1 of the value hierarchy.

Obligations under finance leases

Book value

Fair value

2018
€ million
798.3
596.9
1,395.2

2017
€ million
797.2
596.3
1,393.5

2018
€ million
822.5
632.5
1,455.0

2017
€ million
841.5
643.6
1,485.1

Future minimum lease payments under finance leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as at 31 December 
were as follows:

Less than one year
Later than one year but less than two years
Later than two years but less than three years
Later than three years but less than four years
Later than four years but less than five years
Later than five years
Total minimum lease payments
Future finance charges on finance leases
Present value of minimum lease payments

2018
€ million

2017
€ million

Minimum
payments
11.2
11.2
11.2
11.3
10.8
36.5
92.2
(26.2)
66.0

Present value
of payments
6.5
6.8
7.3
7.8
7.9
29.7
66.0
–
66.0

Minimum
payments
14.3
11.3
12.6
12.5
12.6
49.9
113.2
(39.3)
73.9

Present value
of payments
7.6
6.5
6.8
7.3
7.8
37.9
73.9
–
73.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

211

Total borrowings at 31 December were held in the following currencies:

Euro
US dollar
Russian rouble
Polish zloty
UK sterling
Nigerian naira
Croatian kuna
Other
Total borrowings

Current

Non-current

2018
€ million
129.8
2.3
–
1.0
1.6
1.1
0.3
0.3
136.4

2017
€ million
152.0
11.0
–
1.0
1.3
0.4
0.3
0.4
166.4

2018
€ million
1,412.8
23.0
13.3
11.2
7.7
–
–
–
1,468.0

2017
€ million
1,414.1
24.1
–
12.4
9.2
–
–
–
1,459.8

The carrying amounts of interest-bearing borrowings held at fixed and floating interest rate as at 31 December 2018, as well as the weighted 
average interest rates and maturities of fixed rate borrowings, were as follows:

Euro
US dollar
Russian rouble 
Polish zloty
UK sterling
Nigerian naira
Croatian kuna
Other
Total interest-bearing borrowings

Fixed
interest rate
€ million
1,512.7
24.2
–
–
–
1.1
0.3
0.3
1,538.6

Floating
interest rate
€ million
29.9
1.1
13.3
12.2
9.3
–
–
–
65.8

Total
€ million
1,542.6
25.3
13.3
12.2
9.3
1.1
0.3
0.3
1,604.4

Other borrowings of €0.3m (2017: €0.3m) are subject to factoring agreements, based on which the customers are liable to the interest being 
charged (refer to Note 17).

Financial liabilities represent fixed and floating rate borrowings held by the Group. The Group’s policy is to hedge exposures to changes in the 
fair value of debt and interest rates by using a combination of cross-currency swap contracts, fixed-to-floating-rate interest rate swap contracts 
and interest rate option contracts. The weighted average interest rate of the fixed Euro liabilities is 2.5% and the weighted average maturity for 
which the interest is fixed is 3.2 years.

b) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December comprise the following:

Cash at bank, in transit and in hand
Short-term deposits
Total cash and cash equivalents

2018
€ million
396.5
315.8
712.3

2017
€ million
397.6
325.9
723.5

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
212

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

24. Net debt continued
Cash and cash equivalents are held in the following currencies:

Euro 
Nigerian naira 
Russian rouble 
UK sterling
Serbian dinar 
Polish zloty
Romanian leu 
Swiss franc 
Hungarian forint
US dollar 
Ukrainian hryvnia 
Croatian kuna
Belarusian rouble 
Czech koruna
Other 
Total cash and cash equivalents 

2018
€ million
577.0
49.8
22.9
13.2
9.6
9.0
8.7
5.4
3.3
3.3
1.9
1.9
1.7
1.2
3.4
712.3

2017
€ million
568.6
82.8
9.8
14.5
7.2
0.2
9.9
6.3
10.6
1.7
3.0
1.8
1.1
2.3
3.7
723.5

As at 31 December 2018, time deposits of €243.9m (2017: €150.9m), which do not meet the definition of cash and cash equivalents, 
are recorded as other financial assets.

Cash and cash equivalents include an amount of €49.8m equivalent in Nigerian naira. This includes an amount of €13.3m equivalent in Nigerian 
naira, which relates to the outstanding balance held for the repayment of Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd’s former minority shareholders, 
following the 2011 acquisition of non-controlling interests.

Cash and cash equivalents held by our subsidiaries in Greece of €13.4m were subject to capital controls as at 31 December 2018.

The amount of dividends payable to the Company by its operating subsidiaries is subject to, among other restrictions, general limitations 
imposed by the corporate laws and exchange control restrictions of the respective jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are organised and 
operate. Also, there are fund transfer restrictions in certain countries in which we operate, in particular Belarus, Greece, Nigeria, Serbia and 
Ukraine, where these restrictions do not have a material impact on the Group’s liquidity, as the amounts of cash and cash equivalents held 
in such countries are generally retained for capital expenditure, working capital and dividend distribution purposes. Intra group dividends paid 
by certain of our subsidiaries are also subject to withholding taxes.

25. Equity

Accounting policies

Share capital

Coca-Cola HBC has only one class of shares, ordinary shares. When new shares are issued, they are recorded in share capital at their par value. 
The excess of the issue price over the par value is recorded to the share premium reserve. Incremental external costs directly attributable 
to the issue of new shares or to the process of returning capital to shareholders are recorded in equity as a deduction, net of tax, in the 
share premium reserve.

Dividends

Dividends are recorded in the Group’s consolidated financial statements, against the relevant equity component, in the period in which they 
are approved by the Group’s shareholders.

 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

213

a) Share capital, share premium and Group reorganisation reserve

Balance as at 1 January 2017
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options (refer to Note 27) 
Dividends 
Balance as at 31 December 2017
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options (refer to Note 27) 
Dividends 
Balance as at 31 December 2018

Number of
shares
(authorised
and issued)
366,640,638
4,122,401
–
370,763,039
1,064,190
–
371,827,229

Share
capital
€ million
1,990.8
24.3
–
2,015.1
6.1
–
2,021.2

Share
premium
€ million
4,854.6
46.7
(162.0)
4,739.3
9.2
(200.6)
4,547.9

Group
reorganisation
reserve
€ million
(6,472.1)
–
–
(6,472.1)
–
–
(6,472.1)

The Group reorganisation reserve relates to the impact from adjusting share capital, share premium and treasury shares to depict the 
respective statutory amounts of Coca-Cola HBC on 25 April 2013, together with the transaction costs incurred by the latter, relating primarily 
to the re-domiciliation of the Group and its admission to listing in the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange, following successful 
completion of the voluntary share exchange offer (refer also to Note 1). These transactions were treated as a reorganisation of an existing 
entity that has not changed the substance of the reporting entity.

In 2018, the share capital of Coca-Cola HBC increased by the issue of 1,064,190 (2017: 4,122,401) new ordinary shares following the exercise 
of stock options pursuant to the Coca-Cola HBC AG’s employees’ stock option plan. Total proceeds from the issuance of the shares under the 
stock option plan amounted to €15.3m (2017: €71.0m).

Following the above changes, as at 31 December 2018 the share capital of the Group amounted to €2,021.2m (2017: €2,015.1m) and 
comprised 371,827,229 shares with a nominal value of CHF 6.70 each.

b) Dividends

The shareholders of Coca-Cola HBC AG approved the 2016 dividend distribution of €0.44 per share at the Annual General Meeting held on 20 
June 2017. The total dividend amounted to €162.0m and was paid on 25 July 2017. Of this, an amount of €1.5m related to shares held by the 
Group.

The shareholders of Coca-Cola HBC AG approved the 2017 dividend distribution of €0.54 per share at the Annual General Meeting held on 11 
June 2018. The total dividend amounted to €200.6m and was paid on 24 July 2018. Of this, an amount of €1.8m related to shares held by the 
Group.

The Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC AG has proposed a €0.57 dividend per share in respect of 2018. If approved by the shareholders of 
Coca-Cola HBC AG, this dividend will be paid in 2019.

c) Reserves

The reserves of the Group at 31 December were as follows:

Treasury shares 
Exchange equalisation reserve 
Other reserves

Hedging reserve, net 
Tax-free reserve 
Statutory reserves 
Stock option and performance share reserve 
Available-for-sale financial assets valuation reserve, net 
Other 

Total other reserves 
Total reserves 

2018
€ million
(184.1)
(1,088.8)

(49.6)
163.8
27.6
102.9
0.6
23.7
269.0
(1,003.9)

2017
€ million
(71.3)
(1,026.3)

(47.0)
163.8
27.3
104.4
0.8
21.9
271.2
(826.4)

SRCGFSSSRSI214

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

25. Equity continued

Treasury shares

Treasury shares held by the Group represent shares acquired following approval of share buy-back programmes, forfeited shares under the 
equity compensation plan operated by the Group as well as shares representing the initial ordinary shares of Coca-Cola HBC acquired from 
Kar-Tess Holding. On 11 June 2018, the Annual General Meeting adopted a proposal for share buy-back of up to 7,500,000 ordinary shares 
of Coca-Cola HBC for the purpose of neutralising the dilution resulting from shares issued under Coca-Cola HBC’s equity compensation plan 
and meeting the requirements of the Company’s employee incentive scheme. The programme was partially completed during 2018 for a 
consideration of €27.8m and is expected to be completed in full in the first half of 2019. As a result of an irrevocable share purchase agreement 
entered into in December 2018, the Group has recognised a liability (refer to Note 19) with a corresponding deduction in treasury shares 
of €85.5m.

As at 31 December 2018, 4,478,128 (2017: 3,445,060) treasury shares were held by the Group.

Exchange equalisation reserve

The exchange equalisation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of Group 
entities with functional currencies other than the Euro.

Other reserves

Hedging reserve

The hedging reserve reflects changes in the fair values of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, net of the deferred tax related to such 
balances.

Tax-free and statutory reserves

The tax-free reserve includes investment amounts exempt from tax according to incentive legislation, other tax-free income or income taxed 
at source. 

Statutory reserves are particular to the various countries in which the Group operates. The amount of statutory reserves of the parent entity, 
Coca-Cola HBC AG, is €nil. During 2018, an amount of €0.3m (2017: €0.4m) was reclassified to statutory reserves relating to the establishment 
of additional reserves by the Group’s subsidiaries.

Stock option and performance share reserve

The stock option reserve represents the cumulative charge to the income statement for employee stock option and performance share 
awards (refer also to Note 27).

Other reserves

Other reserves are particular to the various countries in which the Group operates and include shares held for the Group’s employee share 
purchase plan, which is an equity compensation plan in which eligible employees may participate.

26. Related party transactions

a) The Coca-Cola Company

As at 31 December 2018, The Coca-Cola Company indirectly owned 22.9% (2017: 23.0%) of the issued share capital of Coca-Cola HBC. 
The Coca-Cola Company considers Coca-Cola HBC to be a ‘key bottler’ and has entered into bottlers’ agreements with Coca-Cola HBC in respect 
of each of the Group’s territories. All the bottlers’ agreements entered into by The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola HBC are Standard 
International Bottlers’ (‘SIB’) agreements. The terms of the bottlers’ agreements grant Coca-Cola HBC the right to produce and the exclusive 
right to sell and distribute the beverages of The Coca-Cola Company in each of the countries in which the Group operates. Consequently, 
Coca-Cola HBC is obliged to purchase all concentrate for The Coca-Cola Company’s beverages from The Coca-Cola Company, or its 
designee, in the ordinary course of business. On 10 October 2012, The Coca-Cola Company agreed to extend the term of the bottlers’ 
agreements for a further 10 years until 2023.

The Coca-Cola Company owns or has applied for the trademarks that identify its beverages in each of the countries in which the Group 
operates. The Coca-Cola Company has authorised Coca-Cola HBC and certain of its subsidiaries to use the trademark ‘Coca-Cola’ in their 
corporate names.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

215

The below table summarises transactions with The Coca-Cola Company and its subsidiaries:

Purchases of concentrate, finished products and other items
Net contributions received for marketing and promotional incentives
Sales of finished goods and raw materials
Other income
Other expenses 

2018
€ million
1,525.3
110.8
17.6
8.3
3.8

2017
€ million
1,379.9
83.9
14.3
6.1
3.6

The Coca-Cola Company makes discretionary marketing contributions to Coca-Cola HBC’s operating subsidiaries. The participation in shared 
marketing agreements is at The Coca-Cola Company’s discretion and, where co-operative arrangements are entered into, marketing expenses 
are shared. Such arrangements include the development of marketing programmes to promote The Coca-Cola Company’s beverages. 
Contributions received from The Coca-Cola Company for marketing and promotional incentives during the year amounted to €110.8m (2017: 
€83.9m): contributions made by The Coca-Cola Company to Coca-Cola HBC for price support and marketing and promotional campaigns in 
respect of specific customers in 2018 totalled €95.1m (2017: €59.6m), while contributions made by The Coca-Cola Company to Coca-Cola 
HBC for general marketing programmes in 2018 totalled €15.7m (2017: €24.3m). The Coca-Cola Company has also customarily made additional 
payments for marketing and advertising directly to suppliers as part of the shared marketing arrangements. The proportion of direct and 
indirect payments, made at The Coca-Cola Company’s discretion, will not necessarily be the same from year to year. 

Other income primarily comprises rent and other items.

During 2017, the remaining consideration of €0.5m regarding the sale of 50% of the Group’s share in its subsidiary Neptūno Vandenys, UAB 
to European Refreshments, a subsidiary of TCCC, was received and is included in line ‘Net receipts from equity investments’ in the consolidated 
cash flow statement.

As at 31 December 2018, the Group had a total amount due from The Coca-Cola Company of €76.7m (2017: €79.3m), and a total amount due 
to The Coca-Cola Company of €256.1m including loan payable of €13.3m (2017: €260.2m including loan payable of €nil).

b) Frigoglass S.A. (‘Frigoglass’), Kar-Tess Holding and AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc

Truad Verwaltungs AG currently indirectly owns 48.6% of Frigoglass and 50.7% of AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc and also indirectly controls 
Kar-Tess Holding, which holds approximately 23.0% (2017: 23.0%) of Coca-Cola HBC’s total issued share capital.

The below table summarises transactions with the above entities:

Frigoglass & subsidiaries
Purchases of coolers, cooler parts, glass bottles, crowns, raw and other materials
Maintenance and other expenses
AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc
Purchases of finished goods and other materials
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Rental expenses

2018
€ million
138.7
21.0

5.1
–
0.8

2017
€ million
117.3
18.1

8.7
0.2
2.1

Frigoglass, a company listed on the Athens Exchange, is a manufacturer of coolers, cooler parts, glass bottles, crowns and plastics. Frigoglass 
has a controlling interest in Frigoglass Industries Limited, a company in which the Group has a 23.9% effective interest, through its investment 
in Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd. Furthermore, during 2015 the Group acquired through its investment in Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd a 
23.9% effective interest in Frigoglass West Africa Ltd., a company in which Frigoglass has a controlling interest.

The Group entered into a supply agreement with Frigoglass for the purchase of cooling equipment in 1999. The supply agreement was extended 
in 2004, 2008, 2013 and, most recently, in 2018, on substantially similar terms. Coca-Cola HBC has the status of most favoured customer 
of Frigoglass, on a non-exclusive basis, provided that it obtains at least 60% (at prices which are agreed on an annual basis and which must be 
competitive) of its annual requirements for cooling equipment from Frigoglass. The current agreement expires on 31 December 2020.

As at 31 December 2018, Coca-Cola HBC owed €18.3m (2017: €14.8m) to and was owed €0.3m (2017: €0.2m) by Frigoglass.

As at 31 December 2018, the Group owed €1.4m (2017: €1.3m) to and was owed €0.1m (2017: €nil) by AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc.

Capital commitments with Frigoglass and its subsidiaries at 31 December 2018 amounted to €28.1m (2017: €21.9m).

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
216

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

26. Related party transactions continued

c) Other related parties

The below table summarises transactions with other related parties:

Purchases
Other expenses

Beverage Partners Worldwide (‘BPW’)

2018
€ million
2.4
18.7

2017
€ million
79.3
23.2

BPW was a 50/50 joint venture between The Coca-Cola Company and Nestlé. Effective 1 January 2018, TCCC and Nestlé have agreed to dissolve 
BPW. During 2017, the Group purchased inventory from BPW of €77.9m. 

As at 31 December 2018, Coca-Cola HBC owed €nil (2017: €4.5m) to and was owed €nil (2017: €4.5m) by BPW. 

Other

During 2018, the Group incurred subsequent expenditure for fixed assets of €2.4m (2017: €1.4m) from other related parties. Furthermore, 
during 2018, the Group incurred expenses of €18.7m (2017: €23.2m) mainly related to maintenance services for cold drink equipment and 
installations of coolers, fountains, vending and merchandising equipment from other related parties. 

At 31 December 2018, the Group owed €2.7m (2017: €0.4m) to and was owed €0.1m (2017: €0.8m) by other related parties.

d) Joint ventures

During 2018, the Group purchased €10.6m of finished goods (2017: €19.7m) from joint ventures. In addition, during 2018 the Group recorded 
sales of finished goods and raw materials of €2.7m (2017: €12.6m) to joint ventures. Furthermore, the Group recorded other income of €4.2m 
(2017: €1.4m) and other expenses of €2.1m (2017: €nil) from joint ventures.

As at 31 December 2018, the Group owed €9.6m including loans payable of €4.0m (2017: €24.0m including loans payable €4.3m) to and was 
owed €7.4m including loans receivable of €3.5m (2017: €8.6m including loans receivable of €3.6m) by joint ventures. During 2018 the Group 
received dividends and capital returns of €7.4m (2017: €19.3m) from Brewinvest S.A. Group of companies, which are included in line ‘Net 
receipts from equity investments’ of the consolidated cash flow statement.

e) Directors and senior management

Anastassis G. David, Anastasios I. Leventis, Christo Leventis and Robert Ryan Rudolph have all been nominated by Kar-Tess Holding to the Board 
of Coca-Cola HBC. José Octavio Reyes and Ahmet C. Bozer have been nominated by TCCC to the Board of Coca-Cola HBC. There have been 
no transactions between Coca-Cola HBC and the Directors and senior management except for remuneration (refer to Note 8).

 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

217

27. Share-based payments

Accounting policies

Stock option and performance share compensation plans

Coca-Cola HBC issues equity-settled share-based payments to its senior managers in the form of an employee stock option plan and 
a performance share plan.

The employee stock option plan is measured at fair value at the date of grant. Fair value reflects the parameters of the compensation plan, 
the risk-free interest rate, the expected volatility, the dividend yield and the early exercise experience of the Group’s plans. Expected volatility 
is determined by calculating the historical volatility of Coca-Cola HBC’s share price over previous years. The fair value determined at the 
grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

The performance share plan offers a specified number of performance share awards that vest three years after the grant. The fair value 
is determined at the grant date and reflects the parameters of the compensation plan, the dividend yield and the weighted average share 
price. The fair value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. At the end of each reporting 
period the Group revises its estimates of the number of shares that are expected to vest based on non-market conditions, and recognises 
the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the income statement with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

When the terms of an equity settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognised is the grant date fair value of the unmodified 
award, provided the original vesting terms of the award are met. An additional expense, measured as at the date of modification, is recognised 
for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee.

Employee Share Purchase Plan

The Group operates an employee share purchase plan, the Employee Share Purchase Plan, an equity compensation plan in which eligible 
employees can participate. The Group makes contributions to the plan for participating employees and recognises expenses over the 
vesting period of the contributions.

The charge included in employee costs regarding share-based payments for the years ended 31 December is analysed as follows:

Stock option awards 
Performance shares awards 
Employee Share Purchase Plan 
Total share-based payments charge 

Terms and conditions

Stock option plan:

2018
€ million
–
13.3
5.3
18.6

2017
€ million
0.7
20.1
4.6
25.4

Senior managers are granted awards of stock options, based on performance, potentiality and level of responsibility. Options are granted 
at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s shares trading on the London Stock Exchange on the day of the grant. 
Options vest in one-third increments each year for three years and can be exercised for up to 10 years from the date of award. When the 
options are exercised, the proceeds received by the Group, net of any transaction costs, are credited to share capital (at the nominal value) 
and share premium.

Performance share plan:

During 2015 the Group adopted a performance share plan, under which senior managers are granted performance share awards, which have 
a three-year vesting period and are linked with Group-specific key performance indicators. Performance share awards are granted at a price 
equal to the closing price of the Company’s shares trading on the London Stock Exchange on the day of the grant. During 2018 the Group 
modified the performance share plan, in order for eligible employees to receive upon vesting not only the specific number of shares but also, 
retrospectively, the value of dividends corresponding to the years from grant till vest date, subject to approval of the Remuneration Committee. 
The incremental fair value of €1.38 per share for the 2015 and 2016 grant and €1.48 per share for the 2017 grant is recognised as an expense 
from the modification date to the end of the vesting period. 

SRCGFSSSRSI 
218

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

27. Share-based payments continued

Employee Share Purchase Plan:

The Employee Share Purchase Plan is administered by a Plan Administrator. Under the terms of this plan, employees have the opportunity to 
invest 1% to 15% of their salary in ordinary Coca-Cola HBC shares by contributing to the plan monthly. 

Coca-Cola HBC will match up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s salary by way of contribution. Employer contributions, in the form of cash 
allocation, take place on a monthly basis and are used to purchase matching shares on the open market, which is the London Stock Exchange, 
at the time of vesting. Matching contributions vest one year after the grant. Dividends received in respect of vested shares under the Plan are 
used to purchase additional shares at the time of dividend distribution. Shares are held under the Plan Administrator. For employees resident 
in Greece Coca-Cola HBC matches the employee’s contribution with an annual employer contribution, of up to 5% of the employee’s salary 
in December of each year, which vest immediately.

Stock option activity

The Group has not issued any new stock options in 2018 or 2017.

The following table summarises information regarding outstanding stock options exercisable at 31 December 2018:

2005 December grant 
2006 December grant 
2007 December grant 
2008 December grant 
2009 December grant 
2010 December grant 
2011 March grant 
2011 December grant 
2013 June grant 
2013 December grant 
2014 December grant 
Total 

Exercise price
(EUR)
13.19
16.37
26.41
9.02
15.70
19.31
18.53
11.98
–
–
–

Exercise price
(GBP)
11.24 
13.95 
22.51 
7.69 
13.38 
16.46 
15.79 
10.21 
15.00 
16.99 
13.33 

Vesting
status as at
31 Dec 2018
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested
fully vested

End of period
31.12.2020¹
12.12.2021¹
31.12.2022¹
11.12.2023¹
09.12.2019
08.12.2020
15.03.2021
15.12.2021
20.06.2023
09.12.2023
09.12.2024

1.  Relates to stock options granted under the previous stock option plans which expire in December 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

A summary of stock option activity in 2018 under all plans is as follows:

Outstanding at 1 January
Exercised 
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December

A summary of stock option activity in 2017 under all plans is as follows:

Outstanding at 1 January
Exercised
Expired
Forfeited / Cancelled
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December

 * For convenience, the prices are translated as at the closing exchange rate.

Number
of stock
options
2018
6,363,657
(1,064,190)
5,299,467
5,299,467

Number
of stock
options
2017
10,540,809
(4,122,401)
(12,750)
(42,001)
6,363,657
6,363,657

Weighted
average
exercise price
2018 (EUR)*
16.29
14.49
16.29
16.29

Weighted
average
exercise price
2017 (EUR)*
17.38
17.19
25.37
20.98
16.29
16.29

Number of
stock options
outstanding
220,001
397,500
397,500
220,000
722,073
947,058
18,334
379,334
532,000
681,500
784,167
5,299,467

Weighted
average
exercise price
2018 (GBP)
14.46
13.10
14.73
14.73

Weighted
average
exercise price
2017 (GBP)
14.80
15.25
22.51
18.62
14.46
14.46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

219

Total proceeds from the issuance of the shares under the stock option plan in 2018 amounted to €15.3m (2017: €71.0m).

The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options outstanding under the stock option compensation plans at 31 December 
2018 was 3.5 years (2017: 4.0 years).

Performance shares activity

A summary of performance shares activity is as follows:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted
Vested
Forfeited / Cancelled
Outstanding at 31 December

Number of
performance
shares
2018
2,122,290
678,969
(396,402)
(126,986)
2,277,871

Number of
performance
shares
2017
1,363,992
824,074
–
(65,776)
2,122,290

The 2017 expense recognised for performance shares awards included the retrospective adjustment resulting from the reassessment of the 
performance conditions of the plan as well as the impact from the accelerated vesting of 396,402 shares, including dividend equivalent shares, 
due to the passing of the former CEO. In 2018, following approval of the Remuneration Committee, the 396,402 shares relating to the former 
CEO vested fully. The weighted average remaining contractual life of performance shares outstanding under the performance share plans 
at 31 December 2018 was 1.1 years (2017: 1.6 years).

The fair value of the 2018 performance share plan is £25.28 per share (2017: £18.70). Relevant inputs into the valuation are as follows:

Weighted average share price 
Dividend yield 
Weighted average exercise period 

2018
£25.28
nil
3.0 years

2017
£19.81
1.9%
3.0 years

28. Contingencies
In relation to the Greek Competition Authority’s decision of 25 January 2002, one of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A.’s competitors 
has filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. claiming damages in an amount of €7.7m. The court of first instance heard 
the case on 21 January 2009 and subsequently rejected the lawsuit. The plaintiff has appealed the judgement and on 9 December 2013 the 
Athens Court of Appeals rejected the plaintiff’s appeal. Following the spin-off, Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. substituted Coca-Cola Hellenic 
Bottling Company S.A. as defendant in this lawsuit. Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. has not provided for any losses related to this case. The 
defendant has not filed for a cessation of the decision within the relevant deadline set by law, therefore the decision of the Athens Court of 
Appeal is final and irrecoverable, and the case has closed. On 19 April 2014, the same plaintiff filed a new lawsuit against Coca-Cola Hellenic 
Bottling Company S.A. (following the spin-off, Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C.) claiming payment of €7.5m as compensation for losses and 
moral damages for alleged anti-competitive commercial practices of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. between 1994 and 2013. The 
two lawsuits partially overlap in the time period for which damages are sought by the plaintiff. The hearing of the new lawsuit was scheduled for 
17 January 2019. On 21 December 2018 the plaintiff served to Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. its withdrawal from the lawsuit. In light of the 
above withdrawal this case has also closed.

On 6 September 2016, the Greek Competition Commission initiated an audit of Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C.’s operations as part of an 
investigation into certain commercial practices in the sparkling, juice and water categories. Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. has a policy of strict 
compliance with Greek and EU competition law and it is co-operating fully with the Greek Competition Commission.

In 1992, our subsidiary Nigerian Bottling Company (‘NBC’) acquired a manufacturing facility in Nigeria from Vacunak, a Nigerian company. In 
1994, Vacunak filed a lawsuit against NBC, alleging that a representative of NBC had orally agreed to rescind the sale agreement and instead 
enter into a lease agreement with Vacunak. As part of its lawsuit Vacunak sought compensation for rent and loss of business opportunities. 
NBC discontinued all use of the facility in 1995. On 19 August 2013, NBC received the written judgement of the Nigerian court of first instance 
issued on 28 June 2012 providing for damages of approximately €19.8m. NBC has filed an appeal against the judgement. Based on advice from 
NBC’s outside legal counsel, we believe that it is unlikely that NBC will suffer material financial losses from this case. We have consequently not 
provided for any losses in relation to this case.

The tax filings of the Group and its subsidiaries are routinely subjected to audit by tax authorities in most of the jurisdictions in which the Group 
conducts business. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes. The Group provides additional tax in relation to the outcome of 
such tax assessments, to the extent that a liability is probable and estimable.

The Group is also involved in various other legal proceedings. Management believes that any liability to the Group that may arise as a result of 
these pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows, or the financial position of the 
Group taken as a whole.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
220

COCA-COLA HBC

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

29. Commitments

Accounting policy

Leases of property, plant and equipment not classified as finance leases are classified as operating leases. Rentals paid under operating 
leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

a) Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments under operating leases at 31 December was as follows:

Less than one year
Later than one year but less than five years
Later than five years
Future minimum lease payments

2018
€ million
53.0
98.1
32.2
183.3

2017
€ million
39.1
89.8
23.7
152.6

The total operating lease charges included within operating expenses for the years ended 31 December were as follows:

2018
€59.4m

2017
€60.9m

Plant and equipment: €39.8m
Property: €19.6m

Plant and equipment: €37.1m
Property: €23.8m

b) Capital commitments

As at 31 December 2018, the Group had capital commitments amounting to €131.7m (2017: €76.3m). Of this, €0.7m related to the Group’s 
share of the commitments arising from joint operations (2017: €0.6m).

30. Post balance sheet events
During the first months of 2019 the Group incurred €17.2m, €1.7m and €3.1m of restructuring costs before tax in its Established, Developing 
and Emerging markets respectively.

In February 2019, the Group signed an agreement for the acquisition of Bambi, Serbia’s leading confectionery business, for an enterprise value 
of approximately €260m subject to certain closing adjustments. Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, 
including relevant regulatory approvals, and is expected in the second quarter of 2019.

On 13 March 2019 the Remuneration Committee granted 681,371 performance share plan awards under the performance share plan, 
which have a three-year vesting period.

 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

221

Report of the statutory auditor 
to the General Meeting of 
Coca‑Cola HBC AG 
Steinhausen/Zug

Report on the audit of the consolidated financial statements

Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Coca‑Cola HBC AG and its subsidiaries (the Group), which comprise the 
consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2018 and the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, 
and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements (pages 153 to 220) give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial 
position of the Group as at 31 December 2018 and its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year then 
ended in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and comply with Swiss law.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law, International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and Swiss Auditing Standards. 
Our responsibilities under those provisions and standards are further described in the “Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
consolidated financial statements” section of our report.

We are independent of the Group in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the requirements of the Swiss audit profession, 
as well as the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our audit approach

Overview

Overall Group materiality: € 30.5 million, which represents 5% of profit before tax.

Materiality

We conducted full scope audit work at subsidiary undertakings in 16 countries. Our audit scope addressed 
87% of the Group’s consolidated net sales revenue and 90% of the Group’s assets. We also conducted 
specified audit procedures and analytical review procedures for other Group undertakings and functions.

As key audit matters, the following areas of focus, which are consistent with the prior year, 
have been identified:

Audit scope

 · Goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets impairment assessment
 · Uncertain tax positions
 · Provisions and contingent liabilities

Key audit 
matters

SRCGFSSSRSI222

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. Our audit opinion aims to provide reasonable assurance that the 
consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered 
material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis 
of the consolidated financial statements.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain quantitative thresholds for materiality, including the overall Group materiality 
for the consolidated financial statements as a whole as set out in the table below. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us 
to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, 
both individually and in aggregate, on the consolidated financial statements as a whole.

Overall Group materiality
How we determined it
Rationale for the materiality 
benchmark applied

€ 30.5 million
5% of profit before tax
We chose profit before tax as the benchmark because, in our view, it is the bench mark against 
which the performance of the Group is most commonly measured, and it is a generally accepted 
benchmark.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements above €1.0 million identified during our audit as well as any 
misstatements below that amount which, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Audit scope
The Group operates through its trading subsidiary undertakings in 28 countries, as set out on page 163 of the 2018 Integrated Annual Report. 
The processing of the accounting entries for these entities is largely centralised in a shared services centre in Bulgaria, except for the subsidiary 
undertakings in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia, which process their accounting entries locally. The Group also operates a centralised 
treasury function in the Netherlands and in Greece and a centralised procurement function in Austria. 

Mirroring the Group’s set-up, with the parent entity incorporated in Switzerland and the Group Finance Function located in Greece, 
we structured our audit as a referred reporting assurance engagement and involved PwC Athens as a Performing Firm, while performing 
specific procedures related to our role of Signing Firm of the audit report on the Consolidated Financial Statements prepared for 
Swiss statutory purposes.

In close liaison with the performing firm, we designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of material misstatement 
in the consolidated financial statements. In particular, we considered where subjective judgements were made; for example, in respect 
of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all 
of our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including among other matters consideration of whether 
there was evidence of bias that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements as a whole, taking into account the geographic structure of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry 
in which the Group operates.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

223

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial 
statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements 
as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter
  We evaluated the appropriateness of management’s identification 

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment
Key audit matter
Refer to Note 13 for intangible assets including goodwill.
Goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets as at 31 December 
2018 amount to €1,622.3 million and €193.8 million, respectively.
The above noted amounts have been allocated to individual 
cash-generating units (‘CGUs’), which require the performance 
of an impairment assessment at least annually. The impairment 
assessment involves the determination of the recoverable amount 
of the CGU, being the higher of the value‑in‑use and the fair value 
less costs to dispose.
This area was a key matter for our audit due to the size of goodwill 
and indefinite‑lived intangible assets and because the determination 
of whether elements of goodwill and of indefinite‑lived intangible 
assets are impaired involves complex and subjective estimates and 
judgements by management about the future results of the CGUs. 
These estimates and judgements include assumptions surrounding 
revenue growth rates, direct costs, foreign exchange rates and 
discount rates.
Furthermore, macroeconomic volatility, competitor activity 
and regulatory/fiscal developments can adversely affect each CGU 
and potentially the carrying amount of goodwill and indefinite-lived 
intangible assets.
No impairment charge was recorded in 2018. Goodwill and franchise 
agreements held by the Nigeria CGU have been determined by 
management to remain sensitive to changes in the key drivers 
of cash flow forecasts given the continuing macroeconomic 
volatility in Nigeria.

of the Group’s CGUs and the process by which management 
prepared the CGUs value‑in‑use calculations which we found to 
be satisfactory for the purposes of our audit. We tested the 
mathematical accuracy of the CGUs value‑in‑use calculations 
and compared them to the latest budget approved by the Directors 
and assessed the quality of the budgeting process by comparing the 
prior year budget with actual data.
With the support of our valuation specialists, we challenged 
management’s analysis around the key drivers of cash flow 
forecasts including selling price increases, short‑term and 
long‑term volume growth and the level of direct costs by comparing 
them with either the Group’s historical information or market data, 
as appropriate. We also evaluated the appropriateness of other key 
assumptions including discount, perpetuity growth and foreign 
exchange rates and we found the assumptions to be consistent 
and in line with our expectations.
We also performed sensitivity analyses on the key drivers of cash 
flow forecasts for the CGUs with significant balances of goodwill and 
indefinite‑lived intangible assets as well as for CGUs which remain 
sensitive to changes in the key drivers, including the goodwill and 
franchise agreements held by the Nigeria CGU. 
We assessed the appropriateness and completeness of the related 
disclosures in Note 13, and consider them to be reasonable. 
As a result of our work, we found that the determination by 
management that no impairment was required for goodwill and 
indefinite‑lived intangible assets was supported by assumptions 
within reasonable ranges.

SRCGFSSSRSI224

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Uncertain tax positions
Key audit matter
Refer to Note 10 for taxation and Note 28 for contingencies.
The Group operates in a large number of different tax jurisdictions 
and is subject to periodic tax audits by local tax authorities, in the 
normal course of business, on a range of tax matters in relation to 
corporate tax, transfer pricing and indirect taxes. As at 31 December 
2018, the Group has current tax liabilities of €135.6 million, which 
include €98.5 million of provisions for tax uncertainties.
Where the amount of tax payable is uncertain, the Group establishes 
provisions based on management’s judgements as regards the 
likelihood of material tax exposures and the probable amount of the 
liability. We consider this area as a key audit matter given the number 
of judgements involved in estimating the provisions relating to 
uncertain tax positions and the complexities of dealing with tax rules 
and regulations in numerous jurisdictions.

Provisions and contingent liabilities
Key audit matter
Refer to Note 20 for provisions and Note 28 for contingencies.
The Group faces a number of threatened and actual legal 
and regulatory proceedings. The determination of the provision 
and/or the level of disclosure required involves a high degree 
of judgement resulting in provisions and contingent liabilities being 
considered as a key audit matter.

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter
  We evaluated the related accounting policy for provisioning for tax 

exposures and found it to be appropriate.
In conjunction with our tax specialists, we evaluated management’s 
judgements in respect of estimates of tax exposures and 
contingencies in order to assess the adequacy of the Group’s tax 
provisions. In order to understand and evaluate management’s 
judgements, we considered the status of current tax authority 
audits and enquiries, the outcome of previous tax authority audits, 
judgemental positions taken in tax returns and current year 
estimates and recent developments in the various tax jurisdictions 
in which the Group operates.
We challenged management’s key assumptions, in particular in cases 
where there had been significant developments with tax authorities, 
noting no significant deviation from our expectations.
From the evidence obtained and in the context of the financial 
statements, taken as a whole, we consider the provisions in 
relation to uncertain tax positions as at 31 December 2018 to 
be appropriate.

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter
  We evaluated the design of, and tested, key controls in respect 
of litigation and regulatory procedures, which we found to be 
satisfactory for the purposes of our audit.
Our procedures included the following:
 · where relevant, reading external legal advice obtained 

by management;

 · discussing open matters with the Group general counsel;
 · meeting with local management and reading 

subsequent correspondence;

 · assessing and challenging management’s conclusions through 

understanding precedents set in similar cases; and

 · circularising relevant third‑party legal representatives and follow 
up discussions, where appropriate, on certain material cases.

On the basis of the work performed, whilst noting the inherent 
uncertainty with such legal and regulatory matters, we determined 
the relevant provisions as at 31 December 2018 to be appropriate.
We assessed the appropriateness of the related disclosures 
in Note 28 and considered these to be reasonable.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

225

Other information in the Annual Report
The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information in the Annual Report. The other information comprises all information included 
in the Annual Report, but does not include the consolidated financial statements, the stand‑alone financial statements, the remuneration 
report of Coca-Cola HBC AG and our auditor’s reports thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information in the Annual Report and we do not express any 
form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information in the Annual Report 
and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there 
is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors for the consolidated financial statements
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance 
with IFRS and the provisions of Swiss law, and for such internal control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable the 
preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board 
of Directors either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

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

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law, ISAs and Swiss Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain 
professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 ·

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design 
and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may 
involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

 · Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 

but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.

 · Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made.
 · Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the 
related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions 
are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group 
to cease to continue as a going concern.

 · Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether 

the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
 · Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group 
to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance 
of the Group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

SRCGFSSSRSI226

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing 
of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements 
regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee, we determine those matters that were of most 
significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe 
these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare 
circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing 
so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an internal control system exists 
which has been designed for the preparation of consolidated financial statements according to the instructions of the Board of Directors.

We recommend that the consolidated financial statements submitted to you be approved.

PricewaterhouseCoopers AG

Michael Foley
Audit expert 
Auditor in charge

Lausanne, 15 March 2019

Luigi Voulgarelis

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

227

Report of the statutory auditor 
to the General Meeting of 
Coca‑Cola HBC AG 
Steinhausen/Zug

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Coca‑Cola HBC AG, which comprise the balance sheet as at 31 December 2018, income statement 
and notes for the year then ended, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements (pages 230 to 240) as at 31 December 2018 comply with Swiss law and the Company’s 
articles of incorporation.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those provisions and standards 
are further described in the “Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements” section of our report.

We are independent of the entity in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the requirements of the Swiss audit profession and 
we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained 
is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our audit approach

Overview

Overall materiality: CHF 41.1 million, which represents 0.5% of net assets.

Materiality

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an opinion on 
the financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the entity, the accounting processes 
and controls, and the industry in which the entity operates.

As key audit matter, consistent with the prior year, the following area of focus has been identified:

 · Valuation of investment in subsidiary

Audit scope

Key audit 
matters

SRCGFSSSRSI228

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. Our audit opinion aims to provide reasonable assurance that the 
financial statements are free from material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if, 
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial 
statements.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain quantitative thresholds for materiality, including the overall materiality for the 
financial statements as a whole as set out in the table below. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope 
of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, both individually and 
in aggregate, on the financial statements as a whole.

Overall materiality
How we determined it
Rationale for the materiality 
benchmark applied

CHF 41.1 million
0.5% of net assets
We chose net assets as the benchmark because, in our view, it is the benchmark which reflects the 
actual substance of the entity. This is a generally accepted benchmark for ultimate holding entities.

Audit scope
We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, 
we considered where subjective judgements were made; for example, in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making 
assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits, we also addressed the risk of management 
override of internal controls, including among other matters consideration of whether there was evidence of bias that represented a risk 
of material misstatement due to fraud.

Report on key audit matters based on the circular 1/2015 of the Federal Audit Oversight Authority
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements 
of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our 
opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Valuation of investment in subsidiary
Key audit matter
See Notes 1 and 2.2 to the financial statements of the Company 
for the Directors’ disclosures of the related accounting policy 
and the detailed information on the valuation of the investment 
in subsidiary.
The investment in subsidiary as at 31 December 2018 amounts 
to CHF 8,265 million.
The valuation of the investment in subsidiary is inherently a matter 
of judgement as it relies on forecasts of future profitability and cash 
flows. Macroeconomic volatility, competitor activity and regulatory/
fiscal developments can adversely affect each underlying cash‑
generating unit and potentially the carrying amount of the total 
investments. 
The Company’s market capitalisation is subject to share price 
volatility. 
Management tests the carrying value of the Company’s investment 
annually by comparing the market capitalisation of the Group with 
the carrying value of the investment. 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter
  We reperformed the market capitalisation comparison test 

performed by management.
In addition, we obtained comfort over the valuation of investment 
in subsidiary by reviewing management’s goodwill impairment 
analysis performed for the purposes of the IFRS consolidated 
financial statements.

As a result of our work, we found management’s assumptions 
and their determination that no impairment was required to be 
reasonable, after having recorded the reduction of the investment 
to reflect the dividend received from Coca Cola HBC Holdings B.V. 
of CHF 236.3 million.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors for the financial statements
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the 
Company’s articles of incorporation, and for such internal control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable the preparation 
of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors either 
intends to liquidate the entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

229

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

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 ·

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit 
procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk 
of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

 · Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 

but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control.

 · Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made.
 · Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 

obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue 
as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related 
disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit 
evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue 
as a going concern.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing 
of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements 
regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee, we determine those matters that were of most 
significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters 
in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, 
we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably 
be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an internal control system exists 
which has been designed for the preparation of financial statements according to the instructions of the Board of Directors.

We further confirm that the proposed appropriation of available earnings complies with Swiss law and the Company’s articles of incorporation. 
We recommend that the financial statements submitted to you be approved.

PricewaterhouseCoopers AG

Michael Foley
Audit expert 
Auditor in charge

Lausanne, 15 March 2019

Luigi Voulgarelis

SRCGFSSSRSI230

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Coca-Cola HBC AG’s financial statements, Zug

Balance sheet

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Short‑term receivables from direct and indirect participations
Short‑term receivables from third parties
Prepaid expenses and accrued income
Total current assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Property, plant and equipment
Total non-current assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade payables due to third parties
Short‑term liabilities to direct and indirect participations
Short‑term interest‑bearing liabilities to direct and indirect participations
Accrued expenses 
Total short-term liabilities
Long‑term interest‑bearing liabilities to indirect participations
Provisions
Total long-term liabilities
Share capital
Legal capital reserves

Reserves from capital contributions 
Reserves for treasury shares

Retained earnings

Results carried forward
Loss for the year

Treasury shares
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

Note

2018

2017

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.4
2.5

2.6

2.7

2.7
2.8

489
5,377
1,071
–
6,937
8,264,856
1,153
8,266,009
8,272,946

1,206
2,608
–
39,990
43,804
9,832
8,688
18,520
2,491,242

601
37,673
1,126
37
39,437
8,501,197
1,296
8,502,493
8,541,930

1,170
2,168
117
20,002
23,457
–
65
65
2,484,112

5,601,593
85,298

5,824,716
85,298

126,232
(60,140)
(33,603)
8,210,622
8,272,946

137,297
(11,065)
(1,950)
8,518,408
8,541,930

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

231

Note

2.9

2.10 
2.11 
2.2

Year ended 31 December

CHF thousands

2018
236,341
20,412
256,753

(35,649)
(43,758)
(236,341)
(192)
(315,940)

2017
203,385
34,420
237,805

(27,463)
(15,719)
(203,385)
(197)
(246,764)

(59,187)

(8,959)

399
(852)
(281)

–
(1,835)
–

(59,921)
(219)

(10,794)
(271)

(60,140)

(11,065)

Coca-Cola HBC AG’s financial statements, Zug

Statement of income 

Dividend income
Other operating income
Total operating income

Employee costs
Other operating expenses
Write down of investments
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Total operating expenses

Operating loss

Finance income
Finance costs
Foreign exchange differences

Loss before tax
Direct taxes

Loss for the year

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
232

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Notes to the financial statements of Coca-Cola HBC AG, Zug

Introduction
Coca-Cola HBC AG (‘the Company’) was incorporated on 19 September 2012 by Kar-Tess Holding. On 11 October 2012, the Company 
announced a voluntary share exchange offer to acquire all outstanding ordinary registered shares and all American depositary shares of 
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A., Maroussi (GR) (‘CCHBC SA’). As a result of the successful completion of this offer, on 25 April 2013 
the Company acquired 96.85% of the issued CCHBC SA shares, including shares represented by American depositary shares, and became the 
new parent company of the Group (the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries). On 17 June 2013, the Company completed its 
statutory buyout of the remaining shares of CCHBC SA that it did not acquire upon completion of its voluntary share exchange offer.

1. Accounting principles

Accounting principles applied in the preparation of the financial statements

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of commercial accounting as set out in the Swiss Code of 
Obligations (Art. 957 to 963b CO). Significant accounting and valuation principles are described below: 

Dividend income

Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

Other operating income

The Company provides management services to its principal subsidiaries and acts as guarantor to its principal subsidiary, Coca‑Cola HBC 
Finance B.V. The income from these services is recognised in the accounting period in which the service is provided.

Exchange rate differences

The accounting records of the Company are retained in Euro and translated to Swiss francs (CHF) for presentation purposes. Except for 
investments in subsidiaries, property, plant and equipment, long-term liabilities and equity, which are translated at historical rates, all assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into CHF using the closing exchange rate as at 31 December 2018. Income and 
expenses are translated into CHF at the average exchange rate of the reporting year except for dividend income and related write down of 
investments (see Note 2.2) which are valued at the transaction date exchange rate. Net unrealised exchange losses are recorded in the 
income statement, while net unrealised gains are deferred within accrued liabilities.

Exchange rates
EUR
USD
GBP

Investments in subsidiaries

Balance sheet as at

Income statement for the year ended

31 December 2018
1.13
0.99
1.25

31 December 2017  
1.17  
0.99  
1.32  

31 December 2018
1.16

31 December 2017
1.11

Investments in subsidiaries are valued at historical cost and evaluated for impairment if identified triggering events occur. 

Property, plant and equipment

Depreciation is calculated on the basis of the following useful lives and in accordance with the following methods:

Property, plant and equipment
Leasehold improvement (building)
Leasehold improvement (office infrastructure)
Building infrastructure
Furniture and fixtures, office equipment and other tangible fixed assets
Telephony infrastructure
Communication equipment, computers and PCs
Tablets

Treasury shares

Useful life
20 years
10 years
12 years
8 years
7 years
4 years
3 years

Method
5% linear
10% linear
8.33% linear
12.5% linear
14.29% linear
25% linear
33.33% linear

Treasury shares are recognised at acquisition cost and deducted from shareholders’ equity at the time of acquisition. If treasury shares are 
sold, the gain or loss arising is recognised in the income statement as finance income or finance cost as appropriate.

 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

233

2. Information relating to the balance sheet and statement of income

2.1. Short-term receivables from direct and indirect participations

The short‑term receivables from direct and indirect participations do not bear interest.

Name of participation
Coca-Cola HBC Schweiz AG, Brüttisellen
CCB Management Services GmbH, Vienna
Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V., Amsterdam
Short-term receivables from direct and indirect participations

2.2. Investments in subsidiaries

Direct subsidiary
Coca‑Cola HBC Holdings B.V., Amsterdam1
Write down of investment
Investments in subsidiaries

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2018 
–
4,693
684
5,377

2017
14
16,076
21,583
37,673

Share of capital
100%

Share of votes
100%

100%

100%

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2018
8,501,197
(236,341)
8,264,856

2017
8,704,582
(203,385)
8,501,197

1.  Coca‑Cola HBC Holdings B.V., Amsterdam was incorporated on 26 June 2013

In 2015 the Company adopted a practice to reduce the value of its investment in Coca-Cola HBC Holdings B.V. by an amount equal to the 
dividend received from that subsidiary. The amount of the write down in 2018 is equal to the dividend received in July 2018 from Coca-Cola 
HBC Holdings B.V. of CHF 236,341 thousand.

The principal direct and indirect participations of the Company are disclosed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.

2.3. Short-term liabilities to direct and indirect participations and accrued expenses

The short‑term liabilities to the direct and indirect participations do not bear interest except for the liability to Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. 
which is interest bearing.

Name of participation
CCB Management Services GmbH, Vienna
Coca‑Cola Hellenic Business Service Organisation, Sofia
Coca‑Cola HBC Srbija d.o.o., Belgrade
Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. Amsterdam
Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland AG, Brüttisellen
Coca‑Cola HBC Northern Ireland Ltd., Lisburn
Total short-term non interest-bearing liabilities to direct and indirect participations

Name of participation
Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V., Amsterdam
Total short-term interest-bearing liabilities to direct and indirect participations

Accrued expenses
Direct taxes
Management Incentive Plan and Performance Share Plan for own employees 
Employee related costs (social security & insurance and payroll taxes) 
Provision for acquiring treasury shares to satisfy subsidiaries’ Performance Share Plan rights 
Other accrued expenses
Net unrealised gains from foreign currency translation 
Total accrued expenses 

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2018
2,557
–
–
49
1
1
2,608

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2018
–
–

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2018
309
15,125
2,192
17,067
5,297
–
39,990

2017
1,865
50
146
89
–
18
2,168

2017
117
117

2017
359
15,963
1,734
–
1,205
741
20,002

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
234

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Following the publication of circular letter 37a by Swiss Federal Tax Administration in May 2018, the Company recognised a provision of CHF 
15,540 thousand that relates to the Company’s employees’ Performance Share Plan, of which CHF 12,815 thousand is short-term and is 
disclosed in the line item Management Incentive Plan and Performance Share Plan for own employees; while CHF 2,725 thousand is long-term 
and disclosed in Note 2.5, Provisions. The provision for acquiring treasury shares to satisfy subsidiaries’ Performance Share Plan rights amounts 
to CHF 22,648 thousand of which CHF 17,067 thousand is short-term and disclosed in accrued expenses while CHF 5,581 thousand is long-term 
and disclosed in Note 2.5, Provisions.

As at 31 December 2017 the Management Incentive Plan and Performance Share Plan for own employees includes an accrual of CHF 12,2 
million due to the accelerated vesting of the former CEO’s Performance Share Plan of estimated net 374,152 shares at GBP 24.64 per share.

2.4. Long-term interest-bearing liabilities

Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V., Amsterdam
Long-term interest-bearing liabilities 

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2018
9,832
9,832 

2017
–
– 

Long‑term interest‑bearing liabilities comprise loans from Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. On 12 December 2018 the Company entered into 
interest-bearing long-term loan agreements with Coca-Cola Finance B.V. with a nominal amount of EUR 21,200 thousand and maturing 
on 8 November 2024.

2.5. Provisions

Long-term Incentive Plan
Provision for acquiring treasury shares to satisfy subsidiaries’ Performance Share Plan rights (refer to Note 2.3)
Performance Share Plan Coca-Cola HBC AG employees (refer to Note 2.3)
Provision for social security costs of Performance Share Plan  
Provisions 

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2018
178
5,581 
2,725 
204 
8,688 

2017
65
–
–
– 
65

2.6. Share capital

Share capital as at 1 January 2017
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options
Share capital as at 31 December 2017

Share capital as at 1 January 2018
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options
Share capital as at 31 December 2018

Number of shares

Nominal value

Total

366,640,638
4,122,401
370,763,039

CHF
6.70
6.70
6.70

CHF thousands
2,456,492
27,620
2,484,112

Number of shares

Nominal value

Total

370,763,039
1,064,190
371,827,229

CHF
6.70
6.70
6.70

CHF thousands
2,484,112
7,130
2,491,242

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

235

2. Information relating to the balance sheet and statement of income continued

2.7. Treasury shares

The number of treasury shares held by Coca-Cola HBC AG and its subsidiaries qualifying under article 659b SCO and their movements are as 
follows:

Treasury shares (held by subsidiaries)

Total treasury shares at 31 December 2017

Number of shares

Acquisition cost 
per share

Total

3,430,135

CHF
24.8673

CHF thousands
85,298

Total treasury shares at 31 December 2018

3,430,135

24.8673

85,298

Treasury shares held by the Company 

Treasury shares held by Coca-Cola HBC AG as at 31 December 2017

Treasury shares held by the Company as at 1 January 2018
Acquisition of shares 
Treasury shares held by Coca-Cola HBC AG as at 31 December 2018

Number of shares

Acquisition cost 
per share

Total

14,925

CHF
130.6600

CHF thousands
(1,950)

14,925
1,033,068
1,047,993

130.6600
30.6402
32.0637

(1,950)
(31,653)
(33,603)

On 11 June 2018, the Annual General Meeting adopted a proposal for share buy‑back of up to 7,500,000 ordinary shares. The buy‑back 
programme commenced on 3 December 2018 and will be completed in 2019. As at 31 December 2018 the Company had purchased 
1,033,068 of its ordinary shares of 6.70 CHF each at an average price of GBP 2,409.29 pence per share (minimum price of GBP 2,344.93 pence 
and maximum price of GBP 2,468.29 pence).

2.8. Equity

Share capital

Legal capital reserves

Retained earnings

Treasury shares

Total

Reserves from 
capital 
contributions

Reserves for 
treasury shares1

CHF thousands

Balance as at 1 January 2017
Shares issued to employees exercising 
stock options
Dividends
Loss for the year
Balance as at 31 December 2017

Balance as at 1 January 2018
Shares issued to employees exercising 
stock options
Dividends2
Own shares bought back
Loss for the year
Balance as at 31 December 2018

2,456,492

5,948,183

85,298

137,297

(1,950)

8,625,320

27,620
–
–
2,484,112

53,368
(176,835)
–
5,824,716

–
–
–
85,298

–
–
(11,065)
126,232

–
–
–
(1,950)

80,988
(176,835)
(11,065)
8,518,408

2,484,112

5,824,716

85,298

126,232

(1,950)

8,518,408

7,130
–
–
–
2,491,242

10,739
(233,862)
–
–
5,601,593

–
–
–
–
85,298

–
–
–
(60,140)
66,092

–
–
(31,653)
–
(33,603)

17,869
(233,862)
(31,653)
(60,140)
8,210,622

1.  Represents the book value of treasury shares held by subsidiaries.
2.  On 11 June 2018 the shareholders of the Company at the Annual General Meeting approved the distribution of a €0.54 dividend per ordinary registered share. The dividend was paid 

on 24 July 2018 and amounted to CHF 233,862 thousand.

2.9. Other operating income

Management fees
Guarantee fee
Total other operating income 

CHF thousands

2018
17,687
2,725
20,412

2017
31,763
2,657
34,420

Management fees relate to service income earned from services provided to the Company‘s direct and indirect participations. 

Guarantee fee is the income the Company receives for the services provided as guarantor to Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
236

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

2.10 Employee costs

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pensions and employee benefits
Total employee costs

CHF thousands

2018
10, 298
3,922
21,429
35,649

2017
11,020
985
15,458
27,463

Pensions and employee benefits mainly include Performance Share Plan expenses for CCHBC AG employees of the amount of CHF 15,540 
thousand, refer to Note 2.3 for more information. 

2.11 Other operating expenses 

Other operating expenses that amount to CHF 43,758 thousand for 2018 mainly include CHF 16,776 thousand that correspond to estimated 
net costs to acquire treasury shares on behalf of the subsidiaries, to extinguish vested Performance Share Plan rights (refer to Note 2.3 for 
more information) and CHF 14,248 thousand for management fees to CCB Management Services GmbH.

3. Other information

3.1. Net release of hidden reserves

No hidden reserves were released for the years ended 31 December 2018 or 31 December 2017.

3.2. Number of employees

In 2018 and 2017 on an annual average basis, the number of full-time equivalent employees did not exceed 50.

3.3. Operating lease liabilities (not terminable or expiring within 12 months of balance sheet date)

Office rental, Turmstrasse 26, Steinhausen (Zug)
Total lease liabilities 

3.4. Contingent liabilities

Euro medium-term note programmes

Residual term (years)

2018

2017

1 to 5 year

CHF thousands

1,399
1,399

–
– 

In June 2013 the Group established a new €3.0bn Euro medium-term note programme (the ‘EMTN Programme’). The EMTN Programme was 
updated in September 2014 and then again in September 2015. Notes are issued under the EMTN Programme through the Company’s wholly 
owned subsidiary, Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V., a private limited liability company established under the laws of the Netherlands, and are 
guaranteed by the Company. 

On 18 June 2013 Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. issued €800m 2.375% notes due 18 June 2020 under the EMTN Programme, which are 
guaranteed by the Company.

On 10 March 2016 Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. issued €600m 1.875% notes due 11 November 2024 under the EMTN Programme, which are 
guaranteed by the Company.

As at 31 December 2018, a total of €1.4bn in notes issued under the EMTN Programme were outstanding.

The EMTN Programme has not been updated since September 2015 so further issues under the EMTN Programme are currently not possible 
pending a further update.

Syndicated multi-currency revolving credit facility

In June 2015, a new syndicated multi‑currency revolving credit facility agreement was signed for €500m. Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. is the 
original borrower, ING Bank N.V., London Branch the facility agent and the Company and Coca‑Cola HBC Holdings B.V are the two guarantors.

Commercial paper programme 

In October 2013 the Group established a new €1.0bn Euro commercial paper programme (the ‘CP Programme’). The CP Programme was 
updated in September 2014 and then again in May 2017. Notes are issued under the CP Programme by Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. and 
guaranteed by the Company. The outstanding amount under the CP Programme was €95m as at 31 December 2018 (2017: €120m).

 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

237

3. Other information continued

Credit support provider

On 18 July 2013 the Company signed as credit support provider to Deutsche Bank AG, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Credit Suisse International, 
Credit Suisse AG, ING Bank N.V., Societe Generale, Merrill Lynch International and to The Royal Bank of Scotland plc in favour of Coca‑Cola 
HBC Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreements.1

On 24 July 2013 the Company signed as credit support provider to the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, in favour of Coca‑Cola 
HBC Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 8 August 2013 the Company signed as credit support provider to Citibank N.A. in favour of CCHBC Bulgaria AD for the obligations as 
defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 8 August 2013 the Company signed as credit support provider to Citibank N.A. in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. for the obligations 
as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 24 June 2014 the Company signed as credit support provider to Intesa Sanpaolo S.pA. in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. for the 
obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 5 October 2015 the Company signed as credit support provider to Macquarie Bank International Limited in favour of Coca-Cola HBC 
Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 22 June 2016 the Company signed as credit support provider to UniCredit Bank AG in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. for the 
obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 31 August 2016 the Company signed as credit support provider to BNP Paribas in favour of Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. for the obligations 
as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 1 November 2017 the Company signed as credit support provider to Goldman Sachs Global International in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC 
Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 22 December 2017 the Company signed as credit support provider to Citigroup Global Markets Limited in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC 
Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 14 February 2018 the Company signed as credit support provider to Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC in favour of Coca-Cola HBC 
Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

3.5. Significant shareholders

As at 31 December 2018 and 2017, there were two shareholders exceeding the threshold of 5% voting rights in the Company’s share capital.

Total Kar‑Tess Holding
Total Kar‑Tess Holding
Total shareholdings related to The Coca‑Cola Company
Total shareholdings related to The Coca‑Cola Company

Date  Number of shares
85,355,019
85,355,019
85,112,078 
85,112,078

31.12.2017
31.12.2018
31.12.2017
31.12.2018

Percentage of 
issued share 
capital2
23.0%
23.0%
23.0%
22.9%

Percentage of 
outstanding share 
capital3
23.2%
23.2%
23.2%
23.2%

1.  The ISDA (International Swap Dealers Association) Master Agreement is a standardised form issued by the International Swap Dealers Association Inc. to be used for credit support 

transactions.

2.  Basis: total issued share capital including treasury shares. Share basis 371,827,229 as at 31 December 2018 (2017: 370,763,039).
3.  Basis: total issued share capital excluding treasury shares. Share basis 367,349,101 as at 31 December 2018 (2017: 367,317,979).

SRCGFSSSRSI238

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

3.6. Shareholdings, conversion and option rights

The table below sets out a comparison of the interests in the Company’s total issued share capital that the members of the Board of Directors 
(‘Directors’) and Operating Committee hold (all of which, unless otherwise stated, are beneficial interests or are interests of a person connected 
with a Director or a member of the Operating Committee) and the interests in the Company’s share capital.

Directors
Anastassis G. David3
Zoran Bogdanovic
Dimitris Lois
Ahmet C. Bozer
Charlotte J. Boyle
Antonio D’Amato4
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni
Anastasios I. Leventis5
Christo Leventis6
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes
Robert Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi

Operating Committee
Alain Brouhard 
Jan Gustavsson
Keith Sanders
Martin Marcel
Michalis Imellos 
Nikolaos Kalaitzidakis
Naya Kalogeraki
Sanda Parezanovic
Sotiris Yannopoulos 

31 December 2018

31 December 2017

Number of shares

Percentage of 
issued share 
capital1

Percentage of 
outstanding share 
capital2

Number of shares

Percentage of 
issued share 
capital1

Percentage of 
outstanding share 
capital2

–
22,819
–
–
1,017
–
–
10,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
0.01%
–
–
0.00%
–
–
0.00%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
0.01%
–
–
0.00%
–
–
0.00%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
19,869
57,379
–
–
–
–
10,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
0.01%
0.02%
–
–
–
–
0.00%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
0.01%
0.02%
–
–
–
–
0.00%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

31 December 2018

31 December 2017

Number of shares

Percentage of 
issued share 
capital1

Percentage of 
outstanding share 
capital2

Number of shares

Percentage of 
issued share
capital1

Percentage of 
outstanding share 
capital2

19,901
59,544
30,351
22,832
18,003
940
3,906
3,012
13,781

0.01%
0.02%
0.01%
0.01%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%

0.01%
0.02%
0.01%
0.01%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%

17,304
56,633
28,555
9,171
16,650
–
1,755
2,236
12,385

0.00%
0.02%
0.01%
0.00%
0.00%
–
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%

0.00%
0.02%
0.01%
0.00%
0.00%
–
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

239

3. Other information continued
The following table sets out information regarding the stock options and performance shares held by members of the Operating Committee 
as at 31 December 2018:

Stock options (‘ESOP’)

Performance shares (‘PSP’)

Zoran Bogdanovic7
Alain Brouhard 
Jan Gustavsson 
Keith Sanders 
Martin Marcel
Nikolaos Kalaitzidakis
Michalis Imellos
Naya Kalogeraki
Sanda Parezanovic 
Sotiris Yannopoulos 

Number of 
stock options
210,000
260,000
561,000
430,000
132,505
11,000
277,500
45,000
48,500
–

Already
vested
210,000
260,000
561,000
430,000
132,505
11,000
277,500
45,000
48,500
–

Vesting at the 

end of 2019  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

Granted in
2018
86,404 
20,136 
22,634 
21,994 
19,550 
12,080 
25,200 
18,572 
17,517 
19,794 

Unvested and 
subject to 
performance 
conditions
171,245 
101,411 
113,824 
110,939 
96,121 
43,572 
125,955 
61,761 
80,163 
97,938 

Vested
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1.  Basis: total issued share capital including treasury shares. Share basis 371,827,229 as at 31 December 2018 (2017: 370,763,039).
2.  Basis: total issued share capital excluding treasury shares. Share basis 367,349,101 as at 31 December 2018 (2017: 367,317,979).
3.  Anastassis David is a beneficiary of:

(a) a private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Truad Verwaltungs AG is the 
Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to the 85,355,019 shares held by Kar-Tess Holding S.A.
(b) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Selene Treuhand AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 823,008 shares held by Selene Treuhand AG.

4.  Antonio D’ Amato retired from the Board of Directors, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee on 20 June 2017.
5.  Anastasios I. Leventis is a beneficiary of:

(a) a private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Truad Verwaltungs AG is the 
Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to the 85,355,019 shares held by Kar-Tess Holding S.A.
(b) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Selene Treuhand AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 286,879 shares held by Selene Treuhand AG.
(c) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Christodoulos Papaneokleus Leventis, of which Mervail 
Company (PTC) Limited is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 623,664 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

6.  Christo Leventis is a beneficiary of:

(a) a private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Truad Verwaltungs AG is the 
Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to the 85,355,019 shares held by Kar-Tess Holding S.A.
(b) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Anastasios George Leventis, of which Selene Treuhand AG 
is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 458,545 shares held by Selene Treuhand AG.
(c) a further private discretionary trust for the primary benefit of present and future members of the family of the late Christodoulos Papaneokleus Leventis, of which Mervail 
Company (PTC) Limited is the trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 757,307 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

7.  The Remuneration Committee determined at its meeting in March 2019 that, in line with the terms of the PSP, PSP awards granted to Zoran Bogdanovic in 2015 and 2016 vested 

over in aggregate 62,860 shares (including the dividend equivalent shares paid on PSP shares that vested in 2019).

3.7. Fees paid to the auditor

The audit and other fees paid to the auditor are disclosed in Note 8 of the consolidated financial statements.

3.8. Conditional capital

On 25 April 2013, the shareholders’ meeting agreed to the creation of conditional capital in the maximum amount of CHF 245,601 thousand, 
through issuance of a maximum of 36,657 thousand fully paid-in registered shares with a par value of CHF 6.70 each upon exercise of options 
issued to members of the Board of Directors, members of management, employees or advisers of the Company, its subsidiaries and other 
affiliated companies. The share capital of CHF 2,491,242 thousand as disclosed in the balance sheet differs from the share capital in the 
commercial register of CHF 2,484,112 thousand as per 31 December 2018 due to the exercise of management options in the course of full 
year 2018.

Conditional capital
Agreed conditional capital as per shareholders’ meeting on 25 April 2013
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options until 31 December 2016
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options in 2017
Remaining conditional capital as at 31 December 2017
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options in 2018
Remaining conditional capital as at 31 December 2018

Number of shares
36,656,843
(3,149,493)
(4,122,401)
29,384,949
(1,064,190)
28,320,759

Book value per 
share CHF
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70

Total CHF 
thousand
245,601
(21,102)
(27,620)
196,879
(7,130)
189,749

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
240

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Proposed appropriation of available earnings and reserves / declaration of dividend

1. Proposed appropriation of available earnings
Available earnings and reserves
Balance brought forward from previous years
Net loss for the year
Total available retained earnings to be carried forward

Reserves from capital contributions before distribution
Total available retained earnings and reserves

CHF thousands
126,232
(60,140)
66,092

5,601,593
5,667,685

2. Proposed declaration of a dividend from reserves
The Board of Directors proposes to declare a gross dividend of EUR 0.57 on each ordinary registered share with a par value of CHF 6.70 from 
the general capital contribution reserve. Own shares held directly by the Company are not entitled to dividends. The total aggregate amount 
of the dividends shall be capped at an amount of CHF 300,000 thousand (the ‘Cap’), and thus will reduce the general capital contribution 
reserve of CHF 5,601,593 thousand, as shown in the financial statements as of 31 December 2018, by a maximum of CHF 300,000 thousand. 
To the extent that the dividend calculated on EUR 0.57 per share would exceed the Cap on the day of the Annual General Meeting, due to the 
exchange rate determined by the Board of Directors in its reasonable opinion, the Euro per share amount of the dividend shall be reduced 
on a pro-rata basis so that the aggregate amount of all dividends paid does not exceed the Cap. Payment of the dividend shall be made at such 
time and with such record date as shall be determined by the Annual General Meeting and the Board of Directors.

3. Proposed appropriation of reserves/declaration of dividend

Variant 1: Dividend of EUR 0.57 at current exchange ratio
As of 31 December 2018
Reserves from capital contributions before distribution
Proposed dividend of EUR 0.571
Reserves from capital contributions after distribution

Variant 2: Dividend if Cap is triggered
As of 31 December 2018
Reserves from capital contributions before distribution
(Maximum) dividend if Cap is triggered2
(Minimum) Reserves from capital contributions after distribution

1.  Illustrative at an exchange rate of CHF 1.14 per EUR. Assumes that the shares entitled to a dividend amount to 370,779,236.
2.  Dividend is capped at a total aggregate amount of CHF 300,000 thousand.

CHF thousands
5,601,593
(240,932)
5,360,661

CHF thousands
5,601,593
(300,000)
5,301,593

 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

241

Report of the statutory auditor 
to the General Meeting of 
Coca-Cola HBC AG 
Steinhausen/Zug

Report of the statutory auditor on the statutory remuneration report 2018
We have audited the remuneration report of Coca-Cola HBC AG for the year ended 31 December 2018. The audit was limited to the 
information according to the articles 14-16 of the Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Stock Exchange Listed Companies 
(Ordinance) on pages 242 to 245 of the remuneration report.

Board of Directors’ responsibility
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and overall fair presentation of the remuneration report in accordance with Swiss 
law and the Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Stock Exchange Listed Companies (Ordinance). The Board of Directors is also 
responsible for designing the remuneration system and defining individual remuneration packages.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the accompanying remuneration report. We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss 
Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the remuneration report complies with Swiss law and articles 14–16 of the Ordinance.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence on the disclosures made in the remuneration report with regard to 
compensation, loans and credits in accordance with articles 14–16 of the Ordinance. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s 
judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatements in the remuneration report, whether due to fraud or error. 
This audit also includes evaluating the reasonableness of the methods applied to value components of remuneration, as well as assessing 
the overall presentation of the remuneration report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Opinion
In our opinion, the remuneration report of Coca-Cola HBC AG for the year ended 31 December 2018 complies with Swiss law and articles 
14–16 of the Ordinance.

PricewaterhouseCoopers AG

Michael Foley
Audit expert 
Auditor in charge

Lausanne, 15 March 2019

Luigi Voulgarelis

SRCGFSSSRSI242

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Statutory Remuneration Report

Additional disclosures regarding the Statutory Remuneration Report

The section below is in line with the Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Listed Stock Companies, which requires disclosure of the 
elements of compensation paid to the Company’s Board of Directors and the Operating Committee. The numbers relate to the calendar years 
of 2018 and 2017. In the information presented below, the exchange rate used for conversion of 2018 remuneration data from Euro to CHF 
is 1/1.1546 and the exchange rate used for conversion of 2017 remuneration data from Euro to CHF is 1/1.1202.

As the Company is headquartered in Switzerland, it is required for statutory purposes to present compensation data for two consecutive 
years, 2017 and 2018. The applicable methodology used to calculate the value of stock option and performance shares follows Swiss 
standards. In 2018 and 2017, the fair value of performance shares from the 2018 and 2017 grants is calculated based on the performance 
share awards that are expected to vest, and not the stock options that vested in 2018 and 2017 respectively. Below is the relevant information 
for Swiss statutory purposes. 

Remuneration for acting members of governing bodies

The Company’s Directors believe that the level of remuneration offered to Directors and the members of the Operating Committee should 
reflect their experience and responsibility as determined by, among other factors, a comparison with similar multinational companies and 
should be sufficient to attract and retain high-calibre Directors who will lead the Group successfully. In line with the Group ‘s commitment to 
maximise shareholder value, its policy is to link a significant proportion of remuneration for its Operating Committee to the performance of the 
business through short and long-term incentives. Therefore, the Operating Committee members’ financial interests are closely aligned with 
those of the Company’s shareholders through the equity-related long-term compensation plan.

The total remuneration of the Directors and members of the Operating Committee of the Company, including performance share grants, 
during 2018 amounted to CHF 16.4 million. Out of this, the amount relating to the expected value of performance share awards granted in 
relation to 2018 was CHF 3.3 million. Pension and post-employment benefits for Directors and the Operating Committee of the Company 
during 2018 amounted to CHF 0.9 million.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

243

Remuneration of the Board of Directors

Anastassis G. David
Ahmet C. Bozer
Charlotte J. Boyle
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha2
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni3
Anastasios I. Leventis
Christo Leventis
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes4
Robert Ryan Rudolph5
John P. Sechi
Zoran Bogdanovic6
Total Board of Directors

Cash and
non-cash
benefits1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2018 CHF

Cash
performance 
incentives
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Pension and 
post-employment 
benefits
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total fair value of 
stock options at 
the date granted
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total
remuneration
84,863
84,863
98,256
101,605
118,231
123,196
98,256
84,863
111,650
91,560
84,863
101,605
–
1,183,811

Fees
84,863
84,863
98,256
101,605
118,231
123,196
98,256
84,863
111,650
91,560
84,863
101,605
–
1,183,811

1.  Allowances consist of cost of living allowance, housing support, Employee Share Purchase Plan, private medical insurance, relocation expenses, home trip allowance, lump sum 

expenses and similar allowances.

2.  For Olusola (Sola) David-Borha, on top of her fees, the Group paid CHF 8,083 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
3.  For Reto Francioni, on top of his fees, the Group paid CHF 9,801 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
4.  For José Octavio Reyes, on top of his fees, the Group paid CHF 5,119 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
5.  For Robert Ryan Rudolph, on top of his fees, the Group paid CHF 6,752 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
6.  Zoran Bogdanovic’s compensation was based on his role as CEO, member of the Operating Committee, and his employment agreement. Zoran Bogdanovic was not entitled 

and did not receive additional compensation as a Director.

Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any of the Group’s incentive plans, nor do they receive any retirement benefits.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
244

COCA-COLA HBC

SWISS STATUTORY REPORTING CONTINUED

Remuneration of the Board of Directors

Anastassis G. David
Ahmet C. Bozer
Charlotte J. Boyle2
Antonio D’Amato3
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha4
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni5
Anastasios I. Leventis
Christo Leventis6
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes7
Robert Ryan Rudolph8
John P. Sechi
Dimitris Lois9
Total Board of Directors

2017 CHF

Cash and
non-cash
benefits1
–
–

Cash
performance 
incentives
–
–

Pension and 
post-employment 
benefits
–
–

Total fair value of 
stock options at the 
date granted
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total
remuneration
78,411
78,411
45,366
45,366
101,285
109,216
122,678
90,733
80,790
103,055
89,693
84,605
93,869
–
1,123,478

Fees
78,411
78,411
45,366
45,366
101,285
109,216
122,678
90,733
80,790
103,055
89,693
84,605
93,869
–
1,123,478

1.  Allowances consist of cost of living allowance, housing support, Employee Share Purchase Plan, private medical insurance, relocation expenses, home trip allowance, lump sum 

expenses and similar allowances.

2.  Charlotte J. Boyle was appointed to the Board of Directors, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee on 20 June 2017. The Group has applied a half-year 

period base fee of CHF 45,366.

3.  Antonio D’ Amato retired from the Board of Directors, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee on 20 June 2017. The Group has applied a half-year period 

base fee of CHF 45,366.

4.  For Olusola (Sola) David-Borha, on top of her fees of CHF 93,869, the Group paid CHF 7,416 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
5.  For Reto Francioni, on top of his fees of CHF 113,696, the Group paid CHF 8,982 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
6.  In June 2017 social security contributions of CHF 2,379, withheld in December 2016, were returned to Christo Leventis, on top of his fees of CHF 78,411, as he was deemed not 

subject to Swiss social security.

7.  For José Octavio Reyes, on top of his fees of CHF 84,572, the Group paid CHF 5,121 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
8.  For Robert Ryan Rudolph, on top of his fees of CHF 78,411, the Group paid CHF 6,194 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
9.  Dimitris Lois’ compensation was based on his role as CEO, member of the Operating Committee, and his employment agreement. Dimitris Lois was not entitled and did not receive 

additional compensation as a Director.

Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any of the Group’s incentive plans, nor do they receive any retirement benefits.

 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

245

Remuneration of the Operating Committee

The total remuneration paid to or accrued for the Operating Committee for 2018 amounted to CHF 16.4 million.

Zoran Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer
Other members5
Total Operating Committee

2018 CHF

Cash 
and non-cash 
benefits1
521,628
3,641,729
4,163,357

Cash
performance 
incentives2
368,513
2,640,246
3,008,758

Pension and 
post-employment 
benefits3
143,691
737,429
881,120

Total fair value of 
performance 
shares at the date 
granted4
1,085,901
2,179,889
3,265,790

Total
remuneration
2,985,682
13,441,717
16,427,399

Base salary
865,950
4,242,424
5,108,374

1.  Cash and non-cash benefits consist of cost of living allowance, housing support, schooling, Employee Share Purchase Plan, private medical insurance, relocation expenses, home trip 

allowance, employer social security contributions, lump sum expenses and similar allowances.

2.  The cash performance incentives represent the monetary value that was paid under MIP in 2018 reflecting the 2017 business performance.
3.  Members of the Operating Committee participate in the pension plan of their employing entity, as appropriate.
4.  Values under long-term incentives represent the fair value of performance shares that are expected to vest for the 2018 grant in order to comply with Swiss reporting guidelines.
5.  Nikolaos Kalaitzidakis was appointed to the role of Region Director on 1 May 2018.

The total remuneration paid to or accrued for the Operating Committee for 2017 amounted to CHF 22.5 million.

Base salary

Cash
and non-cash 
benefits1

Cash
performance 
incentives2

Pension and 
post-employment 
benefits3

Total fair value of 
performance shares 
at the date granted4

Total
remuneration

2017 CHF

Dimitris Lois5, 6, Chief Executive Officer 
(highest compensated member of the 
Operating Committee)
Zoran Bogdanovic7, Chief Executive Officer
Other members
Total Operating Committee

954,005
65,347
4,194,756
5,214,108

603,522
40,651
5,066,461
5,710,634

724,976
0
2,719,887
3,444,863

132,354
6,498
699,118
837,970

2,217,695
48,876
5,057,260
7,323,831

4,632,552
161,372
17,737,482
22,531,406

1.  Cash and non-cash benefits consist of cost of living allowance, housing support, schooling, Employee Share Purchase Plan, private medical insurance, relocation expenses, home trip 

allowance, employer social security contributions, lump sum expenses and similar allowances.

2.  The cash performance incentives represent the monetary value that was paid under MIP in 2017 reflecting the 2016 business performance, inclusive of the value that was paid under 

LTIP in 2017 reflecting the 2014-2016 business performance for Naya Kalogeraki, Marcel Martin and Sanda Parezanovic.

3.  Members of the Operating Committee participate in the pension plan of their employing entity, as appropriate.
4.  Values under long-term incentives represent the fair value of performance shares that are expected to vest for the 2017 grant in order to comply with Swiss reporting guidelines.
5.  Dimitris Lois’ compensation was based on his role as CEO, member of the Operating Committee, and his employment agreement. Dimitris Lois was not entitled to and did not 

receive the fixed compensation applicable for Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Directors.

6.  Dimitris Lois’ compensation reflects the period 1 January to 2 October 2017 and includes two months’ payment made to the heirs as per Swiss law. Total fair value of performance 

shares at the date granted has been prorated for the period 1 January to 2 October 2017.

7.  Zoran Bogdanovic’s compensation as CEO reflects the period 7 December to 31 December 2017. His compensation for the period 1 January to 6 December 2017 is included under 

“Other Members”. Total fair value of performance shares at the date granted has been prorated for the period 7 December to 31 December 2017.

Credits and loans granted to governing bodies

In 2018, there were no credits or loans granted to active or former members of the Company’s Board of Directors, members of the Operating 
Committee or to any related persons. There are no outstanding credits or loans.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
246

COCA-COLA HBC

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Definitions and reconciliations of Alternative Performance Measures (APMs)

1. Comparable APMs1
In discussing the performance of the Group, ‘comparable’ measures are used, which are calculated by deducting from the directly reconcilable 
IFRS measures the impact of the Group’s restructuring costs, the mark-to-market valuation of the commodity hedging activity and certain 
other tax items, which are collectively considered as items impacting comparability, due to their nature. More specifically the following items 
are considered as items that impact comparability:

1. Restructuring costs

Restructuring costs comprise costs arising from significant changes in the way the Group conducts business, such as significant supply chain 
infrastructure changes, outsourcing of activities and centralisation of processes. These costs are included within the income statement line 
‘Operating expenses’. However, they are excluded from the comparable results in order for the user to obtain a better understanding of the 
Group’s operating and financial performance achieved from underlying activity.

2. Commodity hedging

The Group has entered into certain commodity derivative transactions in order to hedge its exposure to commodity price risk. Although these 
transactions are economic hedging activities that aim to manage our exposure to sugar, aluminium, gas oil and PET price volatility, hedge 
accounting has not been applied. In addition, the Group recognises certain derivatives embedded within commodity purchase contracts that 
have been accounted for as stand-alone derivatives and do not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value gains and losses on the derivatives 
and embedded derivatives are immediately recognised in the income statement in the cost of goods sold and operating expenses line items. 
The Group’s comparable results exclude the gains or losses resulting from the mark-to-market valuation of these derivatives and embedded 
derivatives. These gains or losses are reflected in the comparable results in the year when the underlying transactions occur, to match the 
profit or loss to that of the corresponding underlying transactions. We believe this adjustment provides useful information related to the 
impact of our economic risk management activities.

3. Other tax items

Other tax items represent the tax impact of changes in income tax rates affecting the opening balance of deferred tax arising during the year, 
included in the ‘Tax’ line item of the income statement. These are excluded from comparable after-tax results in order for the user to obtain 
a better understanding of the Group’s underlying financial performance.

1.  Comparable APMs refer to comparable cost of goods sold, comparable gross profit, comparable operating expenses, comparable EBIT, comparable EBIT margin, comparable 

Adjusted EBITDA, comparable tax, comparable net profit and comparable EPS.

The Group discloses comparable performance measures to enable users to focus on the underlying performance of the business on a basis 
which is common to both years for which these measures are presented.

The reconciliation of comparable measures to the directly related measures calculated in accordance with IFRS is as follows:

Reconciliation of comparable financial indicators (numbers in € million except per share data)

As reported
Restructuring costs
Commodity hedging loss / (gain)
Other tax items
Comparable

As reported
Restructuring costs
Commodity hedging loss / (gain)
Other tax items
Comparable

Cost of
goods sold
(4,142)
–
8
–
(4,134)

Cost of
goods sold
(4,083)
–
3
–
(4,080)

Gross profit
2,515
–
8
–
2,523

Gross profit
2,439
–
3
–
2,443

Operating 
expenses
(1,876)
33
 1
–
(1,843)

Operating 
expenses
(1,849)
29
(1)
–
(1,822)

2018

EBIT
639
33
8 
–
681

2017

EBIT
590
29
2
–
621

Adjusted 
EBITDA
969
23
8 
–
1,000

Adjusted 
EBITDA
928
20
2
–
949

Tax
(163)
(8)
(2)
1
(171)

Tax
(138)
(7)
(1)
–
(146)

Net profit1
447
25
7
1
480

Net profit1
426
22
1
–
450

EPS (€)
1.216
0.068
0.018
0.004
1.306

EPS (€)
1.168
0.061
0.004
–
1.233

Figures are rounded.
1.  Net profit and comparable net profit refer to net profit and comparable net profit respectively after tax attributable to owners of the parent.

 
 
 
 
2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

247

Reconciliation of comparable EBIT per reportable segment (numbers in € million)

EBIT
Restructuring costs
Commodity hedging loss
Comparable EBIT

EBIT
Restructuring costs
Commodity hedging (gain) / loss
Comparable EBIT

Figures are rounded.

Established
232
5
4
241

Established
238
13
(1)
250

2018

Developing
131
4
2
137

2017

Developing
92
2
(1)
92

Emerging
277
24
2
303

Emerging
260
14
4
278

Consolidated
639
33
8 
681

Consolidated
590
29
2
621

2. FX-neutral APMs
A business like ours, operating in 28 countries and with many different currencies, is bound to be affected by foreign exchange movements, 
and we report our financial results to reflect this. However, we manage the business against targets which are set to be comparable between 
years and within them, for otherwise foreign currency movements would undermine our ability to drive the business forward and control it. 
Through this Report, as in previous years, we will highlight comparable results and foreign-exchange-neutral results as well as the audited 
results which reflect the actual foreign currency effects experienced. It is through the relentless focus on managing by using comparable 
figures that we have succeeded in delivering significantly improved performance, although we recognise that in the shorter term currency 
movements may distort the underlying trends.

The Group also evaluates its operating and financial performance on an FX-neutral basis (i.e. without giving effect to the impact of variation 
of foreign currency exchange rates from year to year). FX-neutral APMs are calculated by adjusting prior year amounts for the impact of 
exchange rates applicable to the current year. FX-neutral measures enable users to focus on the performance of the business on a basis which 
is not affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates applicable to the Group’s operating activities from year to year. The most 
common FX-neutral measures used by the Group are:

1. FX-neutral net sales revenue and FX-neutral net sales revenue per unit case

FX-neutral net sales revenue and FX-neutral net sales revenue per unit case are calculated by adjusting prior-year net sales revenue for 
the impact of changes in exchange rates applicable in the current year.

2. FX-neutral comparable input costs per unit case

FX-neutral comparable input costs per unit case is calculated by adjusting prior-year commodity costs and more specifically, sugar, resin, 
aluminium and fuel commodity costs, excluding commodity hedging as described above; and other raw materials costs for the impact of 
changes in exchange rates applicable in the current year.

The calculations of the FX-neutral APMs and the reconciliation to the most directly related measures calculated in accordance with IFRS are 
as follows:

Reconciliation of FX-neutral net sales revenue per unit case (numbers in € million unless otherwise stated)

Net sales revenue
Currency impact
FX-neutral net sales revenue
Volume (m unit cases)
FX-neutral net sales revenue per unit case (€)

Net sales revenue
Currency impact
FX-neutral net sales revenue
Volume (m unit cases)
FX-neutral net sales revenue per unit case (€)

Figures are rounded.

Established
2,470
–
2,470
619
3.99

Established
2,436
(17)
2,419
613
3.94

2018

Developing
1,307
–
1,307
429
3.05

2017

Developing
1,173
(6)
1,168
394
2.96

Emerging
2,880
–
2,880
1,144
2.52

Emerging
2,912
(216)
2,696
1,097
2.46

Consolidated
6,657
–
6,657
2,192
3.04

Consolidated
6,522
(239)
6,283
2,104
2.99

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
248

COCA-COLA HBC

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES CONTINUED

3. Other APMs

Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back to operating profit the depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment, 
the amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, the employee share option and performance share costs and items, if any, reported 
in line ‘Other non-cash items’ of the consolidated cash flow statement. Adjusted EBITDA is intended to provide useful information to analyse 
the Group’s operating performance excluding the impact of operating non-cash items as defined above. The Group also uses comparable 
Adjusted EBITDA, which is calculated by deducting from Adjusted EBITDA the impact of the Group’s restructuring costs and the 
mark-to-market valuation of the commodity hedging activity. Comparable Adjusted EBITDA is intended to measure the level of financial 
leverage of the Group by comparing comparable Adjusted EBITDA to Net debt.

Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of profitability and liquidity under IFRS and have limitations, some 
of which are as follows: Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, 
for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash 
requirements for, our working capital needs; although depreciation and amortisation are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated 
and amortised will often have to be replaced in the future and Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash 
requirements for such replacements. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA should not be 
considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us and should be used only as supplementary APMs.

As a result of IFRS 16 adoption we expect Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA to increase in 2019 as operating lease expense 
will be replaced by depreciation and interest.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow is an APM used by the Group and defined as cash generated by operating activities after payments for purchases of property, 
plant and equipment net of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and including principal repayments of finance lease 
obligations. Free cash flow is intended to measure the cash generation from the Group’s business, based on operating activities, including 
the efficient use of working capital and taking into account its net payments for purchases of property, plant and equipment.

The Group considers the purchase and disposal of property, plant and equipment as ultimately non-discretionary since ongoing investment 
in plant, machinery, technology and marketing equipment, including coolers, is required to support the day-to-day operations and the CCHBC 
Group’s growth prospects. The Group presents free cash flow because it believes the measure assists users of the financial statements in 
understanding the Group’s cash-generating performance as well as availability for interest payment, dividend distribution and own retention. 
The free cash flow measure is used by management for its own planning and reporting purposes since it provides information on operating 
cash flows, working capital changes and net capital expenditure that local managers are most directly able to influence.

Free cash flow is not a measure of cash generation under IFRS and has limitations, some of which are as follows: free cash flow does not 
represent the Group’s residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since the Group has debt payment obligations that are not 
deducted from the measure; free cash flow does not deduct cash flows used by the Group in other investing and financing activities; and free 
cash flow does not deduct certain items settled in cash. Other companies in the industry in which the Group operates may calculate free cash 
flow differently, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Capital expenditure

The Group uses capital expenditure as an APM to ensure that the cash spending is in line with its overall strategy for the use of cash. Capital 
expenditure is defined as payments for purchases of property, plant and equipment plus principal repayments of finance lease obligations less 
proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment.

As a result of IFRS 16 adoption we expect capital expenditure to increase in 2019 as a result of increased principal repayments of lease 
obligations due to the recognition of nearly all leases on the balance sheet.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

249

2018
€ million
639
319
1
10
969
(10)
(46)
(116)
797

(437)
(8)
18
(427)

797
(427)
370

2017
€ million
590
317
–
21
927
(4)
9
(128)
804

(410)
(7)
39
(378)

804
(378)
426

The following table illustrates how Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and capital expenditure are calculated:

Operating profit (EBIT)
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Employee share options and performance shares
Adjusted EBITDA
Gain on disposals of non-current assets
Cash (consumed) / generated from working capital movements
Tax paid
Net cash from operating activities

Payments for purchases of property, plant and equipment
Principal repayments of finance lease obligations
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Capital expenditure

Net cash from operating activities
Capital expenditure
Free cash flow

Figures are rounded.

Net debt

Net debt is an APM used by management to evaluate the Group’s capital structure and leverage. Net debt is defined as current borrowings plus 
non-current borrowings less cash and cash equivalents and financial assets (time deposits and money market funds), as illustrated below: 

Current borrowings
Non-current borrowings
Other financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Net debt

Figures are rounded.

As at 31 December

2018
€ million
136
1,468
(279)
(712)
613

2017
€ million
166
1,460
(151)
(724)
752

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
250

COCA-COLA HBC

ASSURANCE STATEMENT

Independent assurance statement for the 2018 Integrated Annual Report

To the management and stakeholders of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company AG:
denkstatt GmbH was commissioned by Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company AG (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) to provide 
independent third-party assurance, in accordance with the AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS), for the printed and downloadable pdf 
versions of the Company’s 2018 Integrated Annual Report (hereinafter referred to as “the Report”). We have reviewed sustainability-related 
data and content in the Report. Financial data were not reviewed as part of this process. The assurance engagement covered the nature 
and extent of the Company’s application of the principles of inclusivity, materiality and responsiveness to stakeholder dialogue, as described 
in the AA1000 Series of Standards. The application level of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards (comprehensive option) was verified. 

denkstatt is an independent professional services company. Our team of experts has extensive professional experience of assurance 
engagements related to non-financial information and sustainability management, meaning it is qualified to conduct this independent 
assurance engagement. denkstatt has implemented a certified quality and environmental management system which complies with the 
requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, and accordingly maintains a comprehensive quality control system.

Management responsibilities
The Company’s management is responsible for preparing the Report, statements within it and related website content. Management is also 
responsible for identifying stakeholders and material issues, defining commitments with respect to sustainability performance, and 
establishing and maintaining appropriate performance management and internal control systems from which reported information is derived.

Additionally, the Company’s management is responsible for establishing data collection and internal control systems to ensure reliable 
reporting, for specifying acceptable reporting criteria and for selecting data to be collected for the purposes of the Report. Management 
responsibilities also extend to preparing the Report in accordance with the GRI Standards.

Assurance provider’s responsibilities
Our responsibilities are to:

 · express our conclusions and make recommendations regarding the nature and extent of the Company’s adherence to the AA1000 

Accountability Principles Standard (APS), and

 · express our conclusions on the reliability of the information in the Report, and whether it is in accordance with the criteria in the GRI Standards.

During 2018 we did not perform any tasks or services for the Company or other clients which would lead to a conflict of interest. We were not 
responsible for the preparation of any part of the Report.

Scope of assurance, standards and criteria used
We have fulfilled our responsibilities to provide appropriate assurance that the information in the Report is free of material misstatements. 
We planned and carried out our work based on the GRI Standards and the AA1000 Series of Standards. We used the criteria in AA1000AS to 
perform a Type 2 engagement and to provide high assurance regarding the nature and extent of the Company’s adherence to the principles 
of inclusivity, materiality and responsiveness.

Methodology, approach, limitations and scope of work
We planned and carried out our work in order to obtain all the evidence, information and explanations that we considered necessary to fulfil our 
responsibilities. Our work included the following procedures, comprising a range of evidence-gathering activities:

 · Gathering information regarding the Company’s adherence to the principles of inclusivity, materiality, sustainability context, completeness 

and responsiveness as required by GRI and AA1000, and conducting interviews with members of the Executive Management, staff from the 
Sustainability Department, the Human Resources Department, the Procurement Department, the Finance Department, the Legal Affairs 
Department, the Marketing Department, the Product Quality and Safety Department and the Public Affairs and Communication 
Department, as well as various Group-level functional managers. This includes verifying the commitment of the Company’s management 
to these principles, the existence of systems and procedures to support adherence to these principles, and the embedding of the principles 
at country level.
The key topics of the interviews conducted at Group level were the materiality process, World Without Waste, water stewardship, 
community engagement, health and nutrition, sourcing, energy and climate, vehicle fleets, corporate governance, business ethics and 
anti-corruption, human rights and diversity as well as employee wellbeing and engagement.

 · Conducting further interviews at national headquarters in Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia (Baltics), Hungary, Republic of North Macedonia, Poland 

and Russia in order to guarantee the completeness of the information required for the engagement.

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

251

 · Site visits to nine bottling plants, with a focus on developing markets: 

 · Established markets: Edelstal (Austria)
 · Developing markets: Varena (Lithuania), Zalaszentgrot (Hungary), Radzymin and Tylicz (Poland)
 · Emerging markets: Kostinbrod (Bulgaria), Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia), Rostov and St. Petersburg (Russia)

 · Making enquiries and conducting spot checks to assess implementation of the Company’s policies (at plant, country and Group level).
 · Making enquiries and conducting spot checks regarding documentation required to assess the current data collection systems, and the 

procedures in place to ensure reliable and consistent reporting from the plants to Group level.

 · Verifying all three inventory scopes (scopes 1, 2 and 3) as defined by the GHG Protocol, including progress against emission reduction targets, 

reported changes in emissions compared with base years (2004 and 2010) and emissions intensity figures for 2018.

 · Verifying the GRI content index, which was published separately from the Report, to ensure consistency with the requirements of the GRI 

Standards (comprehensive option).

 · Conducting additional interviews with five representatives of the following external stakeholder groups: packaging recycling and recovery 
systems; PET recycling companies; packaging associations; and non-governmental organisations. The interviews were conducted during 
the Joint Annual Stakeholder Forum of the Company and The Coca-Cola Company in Vienna in autumn 2018.

The scope of the assurance covered all of the information relevant to sustainability in the Report and focused on Company systems 
and activities during the reporting period. The following chapters were not covered in the sustainability assurance process:

 · Financial Statements, Supplementary Information, Swiss Statutory Reporting.

Conclusions
On the basis of our work, we found nothing to suggest that the information in the 2018 Integrated Annual Report is inaccurate or contains 
material misstatements. Any errors or misstatements identified during the engagement were corrected prior to the Report being published.

Positive developments
 · By defining its ‘Mission Sustainability – 2025 Commitments’ the Company has laid the foundation for ongoing strong sustainable development. 

The 2025 Commitments provide a long-term perspective for the Company and cover a wide range of areas including environmental 
and social topics.

 · The Company has made great efforts to demonstrate its contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

All material topics as well as the Company’s ‘2025 Commitments’ were mapped to the targets related to the SDGs. The mapping clearly 
illustrates the contribution of the Company to sustainable development in a broader context.

 · The Company has set up an excellent risk management system which incorporates sustainability-related aspects. In order to further 

develop risk management, the Smart Risk model was introduced in 2018. The frequency of risk reviews has been increased to monthly 
at country level, and interdisciplinarity is fostered to ensure a comprehensive approach.

 · The documentation of data is highly sophisticated in most operations. Traceability of data has significantly improved over recent years 

due to well-structured monitoring and reporting processes at plant, country and Group level.

 · The Company has been strongly engaged in improving the metrics used to evaluate progress towards the World Without Waste commitment. 
Stated recycling rates are based on a standard procedure, covering all steps from the collection process to the calculation methodology 
and plausibility checks. Country and material-specific roadmaps, which determine the technology and infrastructure requirements per 
country, are available.

 · The Company is more strongly addressing the topic of consumer health and nutrition. In 2018 pilot projects for colour-coded nutrient 

labelling were introduced in 19 countries, to help consumers make informed choices. In addition, the Company demonstrated good progress 
in reducing sugar in sparkling drinks, in alignment with its UNESDA agreement. There are quarterly reviews in place to ensure compliance 
with the Company’s commitment not to sell soft drinks to primary schools.

Findings and conclusions regarding adherence to the AA1000 principles of inclusivity, materiality, 
responsiveness, and specific performance-related information. 

Inclusivity
 · Group level: The Company has implemented a comprehensive and efficient stakeholder engagement process at Group level. 

Its cornerstones are the annual internal and external stakeholder survey and the Annual Stakeholder Forum (held in Vienna in 2018).

 · Country and plant level: Stakeholder engagement activities at country and plant level are being further developed. As a result of an increasing 
number of stakeholder forums and stakeholder surveys, the Company consistently includes the views of stakeholders across all levels and 
is well aware of stakeholders’ concerns.

SRCGFSSSRSI252

COCA-COLA HBC

ASSURANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED

Materiality
 · Group level: An advanced process is in place for defining material topics for the Company. The materiality assessment process considers 
stakeholders’ expectations regarding the relevant sustainability-related topics. Moreover, the impact of the Company on society and the 
environment is considered in the materiality assessment, as required by GRI Standards. The material topics identified during the assessment 
built the basis for the sustainability strategy and reporting.

 · Country and plant level: As a growing number of countries has started to publish a GRI-compliant sustainability report, formalised processes 
for carrying out the materiality assessment have been more strongly implemented throughout the organisation. It should be ensured that 
all materiality assessments comply with the same basic rules so that they follow a consistent approach.

Responsiveness
 · Country level: There are sophisticated tools for stakeholder assessment in place, taking account of the influence and attitude of stakeholders. 
Detailed communication plans are available that are based on the stakeholder assessment and show that communication measures are 
tailored to stakeholders’ needs. By including a wide range of stakeholders in communication, new sustainability-related topics can be 
addressed at an early stage.

 · A strategic focus on reducing youth unemployment, has been defined for community engagement activities. Excellent projects have been 
implemented by the Company in this focus area, under the title #Youth Empowered which reflect the current local economic situation 
and are tailored to the needs of young people.

 · Excellent examples of sustainability reporting (e.g. Baltics) and socio-economic impact assessments (e.g. North Macedonia) were found in 

the course of the assurance engagement. The Group should highlight such examples of good practice and encourage further enhancement 
of reporting in line with sustainability standards.

Additional conclusions and recommendations
 · The Company has committed to source 20% of PET from recycled PET and/or PET from renewable materials by 2020. Due to volatile 

markets, the Company made limited progress towards meeting this commitment. We recommend that the Company focuses more strongly 
on increasing the share of recycled PET and/or PET from renewable materials in bottles, throughout country operations. The new 2025 
commitments may be a game changer for further development.

 · With its #Youth Empowered programme the Company has established a valuable approach to contributing to lower rates of youth 

unemployment throughout its territory. The Company has even defined a target of training 1 million young people through the Youth 
Empowered programme. In order to report robust data on progress, a clear curriculum for training must be defined within the Company. 
Auditable data regarding the number of participants and corporate volunteering also needs to be guaranteed.

 · The Company has made progress in efficiently monitoring and reporting data related to human resources. With specific regard to the 

documentation of training hours, progress was observed during the audits. However, there seems to be differing understanding of individual 
HR indicators across the Group. Further alignment in defining and reporting HR figures is needed.

 · We note the Company’s early achievement of its science-based carbon reduction targets for 2020, and its setting of a new carbon target 
to further reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2025. In response to the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD) recommendations, the Company has also begun to evaluate the financial implications of climate-related risks and opportunities 
for its business. We encourage the Company to continue its efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations, as well as the carbon 
footprint along its value chain, and to disclose the results of its assessment in line with the TCFD recommendations in future reporting.
 · As an international organisation that is strongly rooted within local markets, the Company has to take responsibility for the environment 
and society at both global and local level. The organisation has successfully made major efforts to improve its sustainability performance 
in recent years. In order to maintain its pioneering role, we recommend that the Company works to increase awareness of social and 
environmental issues in society.

WILLIBALD KALTENBRUNNER
LEAD AUDITOR

DENKSTATT GMBH
CONSULTANCY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Vienna, 5 March 2019

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

253

We take great pride in being regarded as a transparent and accessible 
company in all our communications with investment communities 
around the world. We engage with key financial audiences, including 
institutional investors, sell-side analysts and financial journalists, as well 
as our Company’s shareholders. The investor relations department 
manages the interaction with these audiences by attending ad hoc 
meetings and investor conferences throughout the year, in addition 
to the regular meetings and presentations held at the time of our 
results announcements.

1 – 10,000: 9%
10,001 – 100,000: 12%
100,001 – 1,000,000: 38%
1,000,001 – over: 39%
Treasury shares: 2%

UK: 25%
Continental Europe: 34%
United States: 33%
Rest of the world: 4%
Retail investors: 4%

Analysis of 
shareholding sizes

Geographic 
concentration

Listings
Coca-Cola HBC AG (LSE: CCH) was admitted to the premium listing 
segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading 
on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities on 
29 April 2013. With effect from 29 April 2013, Coca-Cola HBC AG’s 
shares are also admitted on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX: EEE). 
Coca-Cola HBC AG has been included as a constituent of the FTSE 
100 and FTSE All-Share Indices from 20 September 2013.

London Stock Exchange 
Ticker symbol: CCH 
ISIN: CH019 825 1305 
SEDOL: B9895B7 
Reuters: CCH.L 
Bloomberg: CCH LN

Athens Exchange 
Ticker symbol: EEE 
ISIN: CH019 825 1305 
Reuters: EEEr.AT 
Bloomberg: EEE GA

Credit rating 
Standard & Poor’s: L/T BBB+, S/T A2, positive outlook 
Moody’s: L/T Baa1, S/T P2, stable outlook

Share price performance
LSE: CCH
In £ per share
Close
High
Low
Market capitalisation (£ million)

ATHEX: EEE
In € per share
Close
High
Low
Market capitalisation (€ million)

Source: Bloomberg

2018

2017

2016

24.52
28.01
22.16
9,007

24.20
26.71
17.69
8,862

17.70
18.40
12.65
6,426

2018

2017

2016

27.11
31.90
24.99
9,959

27.25
29.80
20.47
9,979

20.69
20.99
16.00
7,512

Share capital
In 2018, the share capital of Coca-Cola HBC increased by the issue 
of 1,064,190 new ordinary shares following the exercise of stock 
options pursuant to the Group’s employee stock option plan.

Total proceeds from the issuance of the shares under the stock 
option plan amounted to €15.3 million.

Following the above changes, and including 4,478,128 ordinary 
shares held as treasury shares, on 31 December 2018 the share 
capital of the Group amounted to €2,021.2 million and comprised 
371,827,229 shares with a nominal value of CHF 6.70 each.

Major shareholders
The principal shareholders of the Group are Kar-Tess Holding 
(a Luxembourg company), which holds approximately 23%, and 
The Coca-Cola Company, which indirectly holds approximately 23% 
of the Group’s issued share capital.

Dividends
For 2018, the Board of Directors has proposed a €0.57 dividend 
per share in line with the Group’s progressive dividend policy. 
This compares to a dividend payment of €0.54 per share in 2017. 
For more information on our dividend policy and dividend history, 
please visit our website at www.coca-colahellenic.com.

Financial calendar
2 May 2019
18 June 2019
8 August 2019
7 November 2019

Corporate website
www.coca-colahellenic.com

First quarter trading update
Annual General Meeting
Half-year financial results
Third quarter trading update

Shareholder and analyst information
Shareholders and financial analysts can obtain further information 
by contacting:

Investor Relations 
Tel: +30 210 618 3100 
Email: investor.relations@cchellenic.com 
IR website: www.coca-colahellenic.com/investorrelations

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
254

COCA-COLA HBC

GLOSSARY

Basis points (bps)
One hundredth of one percentage point 
(used chiefly in expressing differences)

Brand Coca-Cola products
Includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero 
and Coca-Cola Light brands

BSO
Business services organisation

BSS
Business solutions and systems

CAGR
Compound annual growth rate

Capital expenditure or CapEx
Gross CapEx is defined as payments for 
purchase of property, plant and equipment.
Net CapEx is defined as payments for 
purchase of property, plant and equipment 
less receipts from disposals of property, 
plant and equipment plus principal 
repayment of finance lease obligations

Carbon emissions (scope 1 and 2)
Emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse 
gases from fuel combustion and energy 
use in Coca-Cola HBC’s own operations in 
bottling, storage, distribution and in offices

Carbon footprint
Global emissions of CO2 and other 
greenhouse gases from Coca-Cola HBC’s 
wider value chain (raw materials, product 
cooling, etc.)

CHP
Combined heat and power plants

Coca-Cola HBC
Coca-Cola HBC AG, and, as the context may 
require, its subsidiaries and joint ventures; 
also, the Group, the Company

Coca-Cola System
The Coca-Cola Company and its 
bottling partners

Comparable adjusted EBITDA
We define comparable adjusted EBITDA 
as operating profit before deductions for 
depreciation and impairment of property, 
plant and equipment (included both in cost 
of goods sold and in operating expenses), 
amortisation and impairment of intangible 
assets, stock option compensation and 
other non-cash items, if any; and further 
adjusted for restructuring costs and mark 
to market valuation of commodity 
hedging activity

Comparable net profit
Refers to net profit after tax attributable 
to owners of the parent adjusted for 
restructuring costs, mark to market 
valuation of commodity hedging activity and 
certain other tax items

Comparable operating profit (EBIT)
Comparable operating profit (EBIT) refers to 
profit before tax excluding finance income/ 
(costs) and share of results of equity method 
investments and adjusted for restructuring 
costs and mark to market valuation 
of commodity hedging activity

Comparable operating expenditure
Comparable operating expenditure refers 
to operating expenditure adjusted for 
restructuring costs and mark to market 
valuation of certain commodity 
hedging activity

Customer
Retail outlet, restaurant or other operation 
that sells or serves Coca-Cola HBC products 
directly to consumers

DIFOTAI
Deliver in full, on time and accurately invoiced

Dividend policy
Our Board of Directors approved a dividend 
policy, effective from 2013, aiming to 
increase dividend payments progressively 
with a medium-term target payout ratio 
of 35-45% on comparable net profits

Cold drink equipment
A generic term encompassing point-of-sale 
equipment such as coolers (refrigerators), 
vending machines and post-mix machines

DME
Direct marketing expenses

EDS
Every Dealer Survey

Energy use ratio
The KPI used by Coca-Cola HBC to measure 
energy consumption in the bottling plants, 
expressed in megajoules of energy 
consumed per litre of produced beverage 
(MJ/lpb)

FMCG
Fast-moving consumer goods

Fragmented trade
Kiosks, quick service restaurants (QSR) 
and hotels, restaurants and cafés (HoReCa)

Future consumption
A distribution channel where consumers 
buy multi-packs and larger packages from 
supermarkets and discounters which are not 
consumed on the spot

GDP
Gross domestic product

GfK
We work with the company Growth for 
Knowledge (GfK) to track our customer 
satisfaction level

GRI
Global Reporting Initiative, a global standard 
for sustainability reporting

HoReCa
Distribution channel encompassing hotels, 
restaurants and cafés

IFRS
International Financial Reporting Standards, 
issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board

IIRC
The International Integrated Reporting 
Council, a global coalition of regulators, 
investors, companies, standard-setters, 
the accounting profession and NGOs. 
The coalition is promoting communication 
about value creation as the next step in the 
evolution of corporate reporting

Immediate consumption
A distribution channel where consumers buy 
chilled beverages in single-serve packages 
and fountain products for immediate 
consumption, away from home

Inventory days
We define inventory days as the average 
number of days an item remains in inventory 
before being sold, using the following 
formula: average inventory ÷ cost of goods 
sold x 365

Ireland
The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Italy
Territory in Italy served by Coca-Cola HBC 
(excludes Sicily)

2018 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT

255

UNESDA
Union of European Soft Drinks Associations

Unit case (u.c.)
Approximately 5.678 litres or 24 servings, 
a typical volume measurement unit

UN Global Compact (UNGC)
The world’s largest corporate citizenship 
initiative which provides a framework for 
businesses to align strategies with its 
10 principles promoting labour rights, human 
rights, environmental protection and 
anti-corruption

Volume
Amount of physical product produced 
and sold, measured in unit cases

Volume share
Share of total unit cases sold

Value share
Share of total revenue

Waste ratio
The KPI used by Coca-Cola HBC to measure 
waste generation in its bottling plants, 
expressed in grammes of waste generated 
per litre of produced beverage (g/lpb)

Waste recycling
The KPI used by Coca-Cola HBC to measure 
the percentage of production waste at 
bottling plants that is recycled or recovered

Water footprint
A measure of the impact of water use, 
in operations or beyond, as defined by the 
Water Footprint Network methodology

Water use ratio
The KPI used by Coca-Cola HBC to measure 
water use in its bottling plants, expressed in 
litres of water used per litre of produced 
beverage (l/lpb)

Working capital
Operating current assets minus operating 
current liabilities excluding financing and 
investment activities

Joint value creation (JVC)
An advanced programme and process 
to collaborate with customers in order 
to create shared value

Litre of produced beverage (lpb)
Unit of reference to show environmental 
performance relative to production volume

Market
When used in reference to geographic areas, 
a country in which Coca-Cola HBC does 
business

NARTD
Non-alcoholic ready-to-drink

NGOs
Non-governmental organisations

Nm3
Normal cubic metre

NSR
Net sales revenue

OBPPC
Occasion, Brand, Price, Package, Channel

Operating leverage
Operating leverage is the degree to which 
an increase in a company’s revenues will 
result in an increase in comparable EBIT

Organised trade
Large retailers (e.g. supermarkets, 
discounters etc.)

PET
Polyethylene terepthalate, a form 
of polyester used in the manufacturing 
of beverage bottles

Ready-to-drink (RTD)
Drinks that are pre-mixed and packaged, 
ready to be consumed immediately with 
no further preparation

Right Execution Daily (RED)
Major Group-wide programme to ensure 
in-outlet excellence

Receivable days
The average number of days it takes 
to collect receivables using the following 
formula: average accounts receivable ÷ net 
sales revenue x 365

ROIC
Return on invested capital. ROIC is the 
percentage return that a company makes 
over its invested capital. We define ROIC 
as the percentage of comparable net profit 
excluding net finance costs divided by the 
capital employed. Capital employed is 
calculated as the average of net debt and 
shareholders’ equity attributable to the 
owners of the parent through the year

SAP
A powerful software platform that enables us 
to standardise key business processes and 
systems

SDG
UN Sustainable Development Goals. 
On 25 September 2015, countries adopted a 
set of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the 
planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of 
a new sustainable development agenda. 
Each goal has specific targets to be achieved 
by 2030

Serving
237ml or 8oz of beverage, equivalent to 1/24 
of a unit case

Shared services
Centre to standardise and simplify key 
finance and human resources processes

Small basket
Refers to a shift in buying habits as 
consumers increase frequency of visits 
to stores but have smaller basket sizes which 
can result in lower volume but 
higher revenue

Sparkling beverages
Non-alcoholic carbonated beverages 
containing flavourings and sweeteners, 
but excluding, among others, waters and 
flavoured waters, juices and juice drinks, 
sports and energy drinks, teas and coffee

SKU
Stock Keeping Unit

Still and water beverages
Non-alcoholic beverages without 
carbonation including, but not limited to, 
waters and flavoured waters, juices and juice 
drinks, sports and energy drinks, teas and 
coffee

Territory
The 28 countries where Coca Cola HBC 
operates and in which we have bottling 
agreements with The Coca-Cola Company 
to be their exclusive distribution partner 

SRCGFSSSRSI256

COCA-COLA HBC

Special note regarding forward-looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may generally, but not always, 
be identified by the use of words such as ‘believe’, ‘outlook’, ‘guidance’, ‘intend’, ‘expect’, ‘anticipate’, ‘plan’, ‘target’, ‘seek’, ‘estimates’, ’potential‘ 
and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, among 
others, statements regarding the future financial position and results; Coca-Cola HBC’s outlook for 2019 and future years; business strategy 
and the effects of the global economic slowdown; the impact of the sovereign debt crisis, currency volatility, Coca-Cola HBC’s recent acquisitions, 
and restructuring initiatives on Coca-Cola HBC’s business and financial condition; Coca-Cola HBC’s future dealings with The Coca-Cola 
Company; budgets; projected levels of consumption and production; projected raw material and other costs; estimates of capital expenditure; 
free cash flow; and effective tax rates and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. You 
should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty 
because they reflect Coca-Cola HBC’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and circumstances that may not prove 
accurate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Coca-Cola HBC’s actual results and events could differ materially 
from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in the Risk and materiality section. 
Although Coca-Cola HBC believes that, as of the date of this document, the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are 
reasonable, Coca-Cola HBC cannot assure that Coca-Cola HBC’s future results, level of activity, performance or achievements will meet these 
expectations. Moreover, neither Coca-Cola HBC, nor its Directors, employees, advisers nor any other person assumes responsibility for the 
accuracy and completeness of any forward-looking statements. After the date of this Integrated Annual Report, unless Coca-Cola HBC is 
required by law or the rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority to update these forward-looking statements, Coca-Cola HBC makes no 
commitment to update any of these forward- looking statements to conform them either to actual results or to changes in Coca-Cola HBC’s 
expectations.

About our report
The 2018 Integrated Annual Report (the ‘Annual Report’) consolidates Coca-Cola HBC AG’s (also referred to as ‘Coca-Cola HBC’ or the 
‘Company’ or the ‘Group’) UK and Swiss disclosure requirements, while meeting the disclosure requirements for its secondary listing on the 
Athens Exchange. In addition, the Annual Report aims to deliver against the expectations of the Company’s stakeholders and sustainability 
reporting standards, providing a transparent overview of the Group’s performance and progress in sustainable development for 2018.

Our strategy is designed to deliver responsible, sustainable and profitable growth. Our strategic objectives of driving volume growth, focusing 
on value, improving efficiency and investing in the business are supported by our people and our commitment to sustainability. The initiatives 
we implemented to achieve our objectives and the evidence of our success during the year form the basis of the narrative in the Annual Report, 
which is structured around our stakeholders: our people, communities, consumers, customers and other stakeholders, with whom we work 
to enhance efficiencies in the business.

The Annual Report is for the year ended 31 December 2018, and its focus is on the primary core business of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink 
beverages across the 28 countries in which we operate. Our website and any other website referred to in the Annual Report are not 
incorporated by reference and do not form part of the Annual Report.

The consolidated financial statements of the Group, included on pages 153-220, have been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Coca-Cola HBC AG’s statutory financial 
statements, included on pages 230-240, have been prepared in accordance with the Swiss Code of Obligations. Unless otherwise indicated 
or required by context, all financial information contained in this document has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. For Swiss law purposes, 
the annual management report consists of the sections entitled ‘Strategic Report’, ‘Corporate Governance’ (without the sub-section 
‘Director’s Remuneration Report’), ‘Supplementary Information’ and ‘Glossary’.

The Group uses certain Alternative performance measures (‘APMs’) that provide additional insights and understanding to the Group’s 
underlying operating and financial performance, financial condition and cash flows. A full list of these APMs, their definition and reconciliation 
to the respective IFRS measures can be found on pages 246-249.

This report is prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, comprehensive option. In addition, the sustainability 
aspects of this Annual Report comply with the AA1000AS Assurance Standard, and the advanced level requirements for communication 
on progress against the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact. In addition, the report is aligned with the principles and elements 
of the International Integrated Reporting Council’s (IIRC) framework. Carbon emissions are calculated using the GHG Protocol Corporate 
Accounting and Reporting Standard methodology. Furthermore, Coca-Cola HBC supports the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD). The sustainability aspects of the Integrated Annual Report have been verified by an independent professional assurance 
provider as dictated by the Company’s Operating and Sustainability Steering Committees, and you can find the relevant assurance statement 
on pages 250-252. As with the rest of the information provided, the sustainability aspects of this Annual Report are for the full year ended 
31 December 2018 and the related information presented is based on an annual reporting cycle.

We remain committed to strong corporate governance and leadership as well as transparency in our disclosures. We will continue to review our 
reporting approach and routines, to ensure they meet best practice reporting standards and the expectations of our stakeholders, and provide 
visibility on how we create sustainable value for the communities we serve.

VISIT US

www.coca‑colahellenic.com
The Group site features all the latest news 
and stories from around our business and 
communities, as well as an interactive online 
version of this report.

Write to us
We have dedicated email addresses which 
you can use to communicate with us:

investor.relations@cchellenic.com 
sustainability@cchellenic.com

C

o

c

a

‑

C

o

l

a

H

e

l

l

e

n

i

c

B

o

t

t

l

i

n

g

C

o

m

p

a

n

y

2

0

1

8

I

n

t

e

g

r

a

t

e

d

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

This report is printed on paper certified in accordance 
with the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) and is 
recyclable and acid‑free. Pureprint Ltd is FSC certified 
and ISO 14001 certified showing that it is committed 
to all round excellence and improving environmental 
performance is an important part of this strategy. 
Pureprint Ltd aims to reduce at source the effect its 
operations have on the environment and is committed 
to continual improvement, prevention of pollution and 
compliance with any legislation or industry standards. 
Pureprint Ltd is a Carbon / Neutral® Printing Company.

Designed and produced by Black Sun Plc

Coca‑Cola HBC AG
Turmstrasse 26, CH‑6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland
www.coca‑colahellenic.com
investor.relations@cchellenic.com
sustainability@cchellenic.com