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Coca-Cola HBC

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Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Beverages - Non-Alcoholic
Employees 10,000+
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FY2019 Annual Report · Coca-Cola HBC
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INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

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WHAT IT 
TAKES 
TO DELIVER

 
 
 
 
 
Our business at a glance

We are a leading strategic bottling partner 
of The Coca-Cola Company, bringing beverage 
brands to life in 28 countries on three continents. 
Our vision is to be the leading 24/7 beverage 
partner, growing with our customers by ensuring 
that we have a beverage for each consumer 
moment around the clock.

Our commitment to sustainability
After years of embedding sustainability, our 
CSR strategy today is a business imperative 
and integral to our decision-making and targets. 
We are ranked as Europe’s most sustainable 
beverage company by the Dow Jones Sustainability 
Index and are ranked amongst the top performers 
on other ESG benchmarks such as CDP Climate 
and Water, MSCI ESG, and FTSE4Good. Read 
more about what we are doing to achieve our 
sustainability agenda and how we measure our 
performance on pages 48-49.

Our people
We’re a company of over 28,000 diverse, 
talented colleagues. We share a passion 
for serving our customers, developing 
our people and delivering more for all 
our stakeholders.

28,389

Employees

Where we operate
Our geographic footprint spans from the West Coast of Ireland 
to the Pacific coast of Russia; from Northern Europe to our most 
southerly market, Nigeria. This combination of countries creates 
a unique and diverse balance. We benefit from operating in growth 
markets with significant opportunities to increase the per-capita 
consumption of our products, while also maintaining a leading 
presence in established markets.

28

Countries

3

Continents

Our 24/7 portfolio 
Our portfolio is the strongest, broadest and most 
flexible in the beverage industry. Our products 
cater to a growing range of tastes with a wider 
choice of healthier options, premium products 
and increasingly sustainable packaging, giving us 
an undisputed ability to delight consumers 
across all consumption occasions.

More than

100

brands across eight categories 

Established markets
+1.3%

Currency-neutral revenue growth 2019

10.2%

Comparable EBIT margin 2019

Developing markets
+4.2%

Currency-neutral revenue growth 2019

10.8%

Comparable EBIT margin 2019

Emerging markets
+7.1% (+5.6% excl. Bambi)

Currency-neutral revenue growth 2019

11.3% (11.0% excl. Bambi)

Comparable EBIT margin 2019

2019 highlights

VOLUME (m unit cases)

2,265

2018: 2,192

NET SALES REVENUE (€m)

7,026

2018: 6,657

COMPARABLE EBIT (€m)

COMPARABLE EBIT MARGIN (%)

759

2018: 681

10.8

2018: 10.2

COMPARABLE NET PROFIT1,2 (€m)

NET PROFIT2 (€m)

522

2018: 480

COMPARABLE EPS1 (€)

1.436

2018: 1.306

487

2018: 447

BASIC EPS (€)

1.340

2018: 1.216

PRIMARY PACKAGING COLLECTED 
FOR RECYCLING (EQUIVALENT)

CARBON EMISSIONS INTENSITY REDUCED 
ACROSS THE VALUE CHAIN

48%

2018: 48%

31%

2018: 25%

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.

Watch our video and learn more at 
https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/
investors/2019-integrated-annual-report/

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

1

Contents

Strategic Report

12
14
16
19
20
22
24
26
30
34

38
42
46
48
50
54
66
70
72

Our purpose and strategy
Chairman’s letter
Our business model
Our stakeholders
Market review
Chief Executive Officer’s letter
Growth Story 2025
Leverage our unique 24/7 portfolio
Win in the marketplace
Fuel growth through 
competitiveness and investment
Cultivate the potential of our people
Earn our licence to operate
Key performance indicators
Sustainability performance
Tackling the problem of plastic
Managing risk and materiality
Financial review
Segment highlights
Non‑financial reporting directive

Corporate Governance

76

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

80
84
108 Directors’ Remuneration Report
129
Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities

Financial Statements

Independent auditor’s report
Financial statements

131
137
143 Notes to the consolidated financial 

statements

Swiss Statutory Reporting

200

206

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

209 Coca‑Cola HBC AG’s financial 

statements
Report of the statutory auditor 
on the remuneration report
Statutory Remuneration Report

221

222

Supplementary Information

226 Alternative Performance Measures
230 Assurance statement
233
234 Glossary

Shareholder information

We have set out to deliver 
more for all of our 
stakeholders through our 
new strategy, targets and 
vision. Achieving our goals 
is made possible by our bold 
approach to products and 
portfolio strategy, route to 
market, passionate people, 
innovative thinking and 
commitment to responsible, 
sustainable practices 
throughout our Company.

About our report
The 2019 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 236.

Throughout the 2019 Integrated Annual Report, we have 
identified areas which are relevant to each of our five growth pillars. 
These are indicated through the following icons:

1

2

3

4

5

LEVERAGE OUR UNIQUE 24/7 PORTFOLIO
go to pages 26‑29

WIN IN THE MARKETPLACE
go to pages 30‑33

FUEL GROWTH THROUGH COMPETITIVENESS & INVESTMENT
go to pages 34‑37

CULTIVATE THE POTENTIAL OF OUR PEOPLE
go to pages 38‑41

EARN OUR LICENCE TO OPERATE
go to pages 42‑45

SRCGFSSSRSI2

COCA-COLA HBC

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

3

Our portfolio lies at the heart of our future growth plans. 
As the strongest, broadest and most flexible in the industry 
it caters to a growing range of tastes and preferences.

With over 100 brands, covering eight categories, we have 
evolved our offering dramatically in the past two decades 
as we have innovated and shifted into new and exciting 
brands and categories. Each category has a unique strategy 
targeted at driving profitable growth.

We are seeing strong growth in our low‑and no‑sugar variants, in line 
with our sustainability strategy, which includes reducing calories by 25% 
in the sparkling category over 10 years to 2025. Alongside that, we have 
increased our focus on premiumisation through accelerating the adult 
sparkling segment, adding premium water and juice offerings, introducing 
new products such as Coca‑Cola Energy and exploring new categories, 
such as plant‑based beverages with AdeZ. We consider coffee to be 
a highly promising category and The Coca-Cola Company’s acquisition 
of Costa Coffee is an exciting opportunity in the years ahead.

Read more about how we are leveraging 
our unique 24/7 portfolio on pages 26‑29.

IT TAKES BEING

WITH CONSUMER 
CHOICE

SRCGFSSSRSI4

COCA-COLA HBC

IT TAKES BEING

IN THE MARKETPLACE

Our route-to-market strategy ensures 
that we create value for our customers 
by ensuring that the right outlets receive 
the right beverages, in the right pack, 
in the right quantities, at the right time 
and at the right price. 

In line with our improving portfolio, we are continuously 
strengthening our route to market and partnering with 
our customers to bring our 24/7 portfolio into the 
hands of our consumers faster and with greater 
efficiency. Our route to market is increasingly 
segmented to offer more customer service options, 
aiming to capture the full potential of each individual 
outlet rather than just the channel. At the same time 
the broader portfolio requires greater sales force 
specialisation, with dedicated teams for the premium 
Hotels, restaurants and cafes (HoReCa) channel for 
example, and this is an important part of how we 
activate these great brands in the market.

Read more about how we win 
in the marketplace on pages 30‑33.

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INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

5

CLUBS 

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CONVENIENCE

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SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
6

COCA-COLA HBC

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

7

To ensure our business is fit for the future, 
we are transforming and digitalising many of 
our supply chain and sales execution processes. 

Innovation helps us become more customer‑centric. 
Our sales force automation tool embeds the latest 
technology into a single user‑friendly solution that enables 
our sales people to make customer‑specific suggestions 
of products and quantities, and track performance and 
execution in real time. At the same time, we are building 
a network of connected coolers that produce significantly 
lower emissions, while maximising performance by tracking 
door openings and inventory and undertaking automatic 
stocking and ordering. These ‘smart coolers’ connect 
directly to the sales person’s device, freeing up time to 
spend with the customer. 

We are also applying innovation to our manufacturing and 
logistics to expand our technical capabilities while ensuring 
productivity and cost savings. 

Innovative approaches to manufacturing are helping us 
manage growth at our mega plants while consuming less 
energy and water. New, automatic line changeovers 
reduce idle production time and free up volume capacity, 
effectively expanding our production line capacity by nearly 
1% per year. These lines support smaller runs of new 
products, helping us supply niche market segments and 
respond to rapidly changing consumer preferences.

And in the warehouse, new augmented reality technology 
helps us manage the complexity of our expanded 24/7 
portfolio. The technology aids our warehouse colleagues 
in pulling inventory from stock and packing it for customer 
delivery, enhancing the speed and accuracy of our service.

Read more about how we are fuelling growth 
through efficiency on pages 34‑37.

IT TAKES HAVING

OPERATIONS

SRCGFSSSRSI8

COCA-COLA HBC

We are creating a more sustainable business 
that makes a positive impact on our people, 
our communities and our planet.

This begins by nurturing and cultivating 
the talent of our people. Our Company is 
made up of over 28,000 diverse, passionate 
professionals who are all committed to 
achieving long-term, sustainable success.

We introduced a new set of comprehensive sustainability 
targets in 2018, called Mission 2025. We report on our 
progress towards these goals on pages 48‑49. 
This includes an update on our journey to a World Without 
Waste, the Coca-Cola System’s commitment to tackle 
the challenges of packaging waste, in particular plastics.

Read more about how we cultivate the potential of our 
people and earn our licence to operate on pages 38-45.

IT TAKES BEING

TO OUR PEOPLE AND 
OUR COMMUNITIES

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

9

SRCGFSSSRSI10

COCA-COLA HBC

IT TAKES HAVING A

FOR THE FUTURE

Our vision is to be the leading 24/7 beverage 
partner – growing with our customers by 
ensuring that we have a beverage for every 
consumer moment around the clock.

This vision can only be achieved by leveraging our 24/7 
portfolio, which is the strongest, broadest and most 
flexible in the industry. With over 100 brands covering eight 
categories – sparkling, water, juices, ready‑to‑drink tea, 
energy, plant‑based, premium spirits and coffee – we 
have more opportunities to help our customers delight 
consumers than ever before, by providing the brands 
and drinks people want, when and where they want them.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

11

SRCGFSSSRSI12

COCA-COLA HBC

Our purpose and strategy

We will deliver on our vision through 
a clear purpose and strategy

To deliver on our vision of being the leading 24/7 beverage partner, we introduced 
a new strategy in 2019. Growth Story 2025 gives us a roadmap to grow with our 
customers and to delight consumers across our 28 markets, around the clock. 
We do this by empowering our people and building trust by operating our business 
responsibly and sustainably.

Our purpose

Our growth pillars

We are devoted to 
growing every customer 
and delighting every 
consumer 24/7

By nurturing 
passionate & 
empowered 
teams 
of people

While enriching our 
communities & caring 
for the environment

1

2

3

4

5

LEVERAGE OUR 
UNIQUE 24/7 PORTFOLIO

Read more on pages 26-29.

WIN IN THE 
MARKETPLACE

Read more on pages 30-33.

FUEL GROWTH THROUGH 
COMPETITIVENESS & INVESTMENT

Read more on pages 34-37.

CULTIVATE THE POTENTIAL 
OF OUR PEOPLE

Read more on pages 38-41.

EARN OUR LICENCE 
TO OPERATE

Read more on pages 42-45.

Our Growth Mindset Values

WINNING WITH CUSTOMERS
We are the selling organisation 
devoted to providing innovative 
solutions to create shared value

NURTURING OUR PEOPLE
We believe in our people, 
and have a passion to develop 
ourselves and others

Read more about our values 
on pages 38‑41.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

13

Built on five key pillars of growth, each of which is a core strength or competitive 
advantage, our 2025 strategy is underpinned by new Growth Mindset Values and 
guided by ambitious targets. This plan to achieve our vision reflects the significant 
opportunities ahead that will help us deliver growth and value for our Company 
and all of our stakeholders.

Our growth pillars

How we grow

2021-2025 targets

•  Offer the best 24/7 beverage portfolio on the planet 

in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company

•  Build unrivalled teams of true partners for our customers, 
executing with excellence in every channel for prioritised 
drinking moments

•  Fast-forward critical capabilities for growth

•  Transform, innovate and digitalise our business to ensure 

that we are fit for the future

•  Invest in building the best teams in the industry
•  Develop an inclusive growth culture around our 

empowered people

•  Be an environmental leader, engage our communities 

behind water and waste initiatives, and empower youth, 
together with our partners

EXCELLENCE
We strive for unparalleled 
performance by amazing 
customers with our passion 
and speed

INTEGRITY
We always do what is right, 
not just what is easy, and are 
accountable for the results

LEARNING
We listen, have a natural 
curiosity to learn and are 
empowered to take 
smart risks

PERFORMING AS ONE
We collaborate with agility 
to unlock the unique strength 
of diverse teams

5-6%

FX-neutral revenue growth 
per annum, on average

20-40bps
EBIT margin growth 
per annum, on average

Employee 
engagement
score greater than the 
high-performing norm

Accomplish
Mission 2025 sustainability 
commitments 

Read more about our Growth 
Story 2025 on pages 24-25.

SRCGFSSSRSI14

COCA-COLA HBC

Chairman’s letter

A clear focus 
for the year 
ahead

Dear Stakeholder,
Our strong growth and the significant 
progress we delivered toward our goals in 
2019 reflect the successful implementation 
of Coca‑Cola HBC’s ambitious strategy. 
This was achieved despite the challenge 
of unfavourable weather in many of 
our markets.

We set the stage during the year for further 
improvements to our Company’s long‑term 
competitiveness and future growth.

Our Board’s independence and diverse range 
of skills are complemented by the stability 
and truly long-term focus of our two majority 
shareholders. This keeps our focus on 
delivery not just in the current year but in 
building the conditions for success over the 
next five, 10 and 50 years.

Growth Story 2025
In 2016, we introduced a bold strategy, 
with 2020 targets, based on a vision to be the 
undisputed beverage leader in every market 
in which we compete. Aiming for further 
growth and success, the Board approved a 
new strategy in 2019 with new 2025 targets, 
in the context of an updated purpose 
and vision.

These targets include measures on 
financial results, people engagement and 
sustainability commitments. The entire 
Board is in agreement that achievement in 
each of these areas is crucial. With the 
ambition to be the leading 24/7 beverage 
partner, we have reinforced our commitment 
to delight consumers while creating growth 
and value for our Company, our partners, 
and all of our key stakeholders.

The Board of Directors has worked to 
ensure that the new strategy and targets 
reflect our ongoing engagement with 
stakeholders, including the communities 
in which we operate.

“  AIMING FOR 

FURTHER GROWTH 
AND SUCCESS, THE 
BOARD APPROVED 
A NEW STRATEGY IN 
2019 WITH NEW 2025 
TARGETS, IN THE 
CONTEXT OF AN 
UPDATED PURPOSE 
AND VISION.”

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

15

This effort is backed by a strategic €15 million 
investment in KeelClip packaging technology.

At our annual Group Stakeholder Forum, we 
listened to stakeholders from 20 countries 
and their recommendations for water 
stewardship strategies. Anastasios Leventis 
and Charlotte Boyle represented the Board 
at the event. Our efforts to support water 
availability in specific risk areas led to four 
different projects, of which one was finished 
in Nigeria's Kano State in 2019. Our 
investment in new wells and new piping to 
transport water from the Challawa River is 
already providing clean water to one million 
people in 20 communities.

In recognition of our sustainability leadership, 
we were named the most sustainable 
beverage company in Europe by the Dow 
Jones Sustainability Indices in 2019. We also 
received recognition in other sustainability 
benchmarks, such as CDP Climate and 
Water, FTSE4Good and MSCI ESG.

 In 2019, the Company has made substantial 
investments in collision avoidance 
technology for our fleet and in safety training 
for all of our drivers. Building on the progress 
already made the Board will work closely with 
management on the critical need to reduce 
harm suffered on the job by our colleagues 
and those who work with us.

Dividend
Due to the continued strong operating 
performance of the business and our 
confidence in the Company’s long‑term 
strategy, the Board is proposing a full‑year 
dividend payment of €0.62 per share. 
This proposal represents an 8.8% increase 
compared to the dividend that we 
paid in 2018.

Priorities for 2020
Our focus in 2020 will be on overseeing 
strategy implementation and decision‑
making as we continue to evolve our portfolio 
and transform our operations in this new 
decade. We will also continue to nurture the 
culture and values which underpin the 
potential of the business.

As we finalise the implementation of one 
strategy and begin to work toward an even 
bolder vision of growth, I would like to give 
my sincere thanks to everyone at Coca-Cola 
HBC for their passion, and hard work 
which continues to drive this Company 
to new strengths. 

I am confident that we are operationally 
and strategically well-placed for long-term 
success. On behalf of the Board, I thank all of 
our stakeholders for your continued support.

ANASTASSIS G. DAVID
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Section 172 statement

Section 172 of the UK Companies Act 2006 requires directors to promote the 
success of the company for the benefit of the members as a whole having regard 
to the interests of stakeholders in their decision-making. As the Company is 
Swiss incorporated, the UK Companies Act 2006 has no legal effect. However, in 
accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and as a matter of good 
governance, in our decision‑making the Board considers the interests of the Group’s 
employees and other stakeholders and understands the importance of taking into 
account their views and considers the impact of the Company’s activities on the 
community, environment and the Group’s reputation. In its decision‑making, the 
Board also considers what is most likely to promote the success of the Company 
for its shareholders in the long term.

Read more about:

•  How we manage risks and materiality on pages 54 to 61
•  How we engage with key stakeholders on page 19
•  Examples of how stakeholders were considered in specific decisions on page 91

A more dynamic operating environment and 
ambitious growth strategy also requires that 
our people are more empowered, and the 
Board is overseeing this cultural evolution. 
With this in mind, I am pleased to report that 
Charlotte Boyle has been designated as our 
non‑Executive Director responsible for 
work‑force engagement.

We also welcomed Alfredo Rivera as a new 
member of the Board in 2019. Alfredo is the 
President of The Coca‑Cola Company's Latin 
America Group and has a wealth of insights 
to bring with his experience. Meanwhile, let 
me also take this opportunity to thank Ahmet 
Bozer for his years of service. 

Culture and values
A big part of our success is based on our 
efforts to support and cultivate the potential 
of our people. This means investing in our 
teams and developing a culture that ensures 
that our people feel they belong in their place 
of work. Experience shows that diverse 
teams with an inclusive culture deliver better 
business outcomes, and I am encouraged by 
the steps taken to foster greater inclusivity. 

Coca‑Cola HBC has long had a very strong, 
values‑based culture. Many of these values 
– excellence, customer‑centricity – are 
timeless and enduring. As our Company 
evolves to respond to a changing business 
environment, we have advanced our 
Growth Mindset Values to better support 
the increased need for agility and continual 
learning and transformation. The years 
ahead will see an even greater focus on 
innovation, technology and growth. The 
Board is confident that these values and the 
continued development of the leaders of our 
Company, as well as our inclusive culture, will 
ensure that our teams are up for the 
challenges ahead.

Sustainability
One enduring aspect of our culture and 
values is our commitment to manage our 
business sustainably with integrity and 
respect for the planet. We took some big 
steps forwards on our journey to meet our 
2025 sustainability commitments in 2019, 
particularly regarding product packaging.

We launched our first 100% recycled PET 
bottles for water brands in Austria, 
Switzerland, Ireland, Croatia and Romania and 
increased the recycled PET content of 
packaging for our sparkling brands in several 
markets. We know that we have more work 
to do and we remain committed to continued 
progress. Therefore, we have started to 
replace plastic wrap on can multi‑packs 
with minimalist, paperboard packaging.

SRCGFSSSRSI16

COCA-COLA HBC

Our business model

Delivering value for 
our stakeholders

1. Our resources and relationships

2. What we do

Human
Our success is dependent on the passion, 
engagement and customer focus of 
our talented people. We cultivate their 
potential and empower them to leverage 
opportunities for growth, both for 
themselves and our Company.

Natural
To produce our products, we use raw 
materials including water, sugar, fruit 
concentrate, energy, glass, aluminium, 
PET resin and paper. We source these 
using sustainable practices and seek 
to use them efficiently.

Social and relationships
Maintaining our reputation and the trust 
of our key stakeholders is essential to our 
business. Our most valuable stakeholder 
relationships are with The Coca‑Cola 
Company, our people and the communities 
we operate in, our customers, suppliers, 
governments and regulators. 

Financial
Our business activities require financial 
capital, and we seek to allocate it 
efficiently. This capital is provided by our 
equity and debt holders as well as cash 
flow earned from our operations.

Intellectual
Innovation is embedded in our culture 
and the intellectual property created from 
that includes new packaging, new products 
and improvements in manufacturing, 
logistics and sales execution. As we expand 
our 24/7 portfolio, the importance of 
innovation is increasing. 

Manufacturing
As a strategic partner, our plant and 
logistics assets allow us to prepare, 
package and deliver our products to meet 
the demands of customers and consumers.

We are a strategic bottling partner 
of The Coca‑Cola Company
We have the exclusive authorisation to bottle and sell the beverages 
of The Coca‑Cola Company in our 28 markets. We also partner 
with other beverage businesses such as Monster, Brown Forman 
and Campari to sell their products in our markets. 

How our partnership works
The Coca‑Cola Company owns, develops and markets its brands 
with the end consumer. Coca‑Cola HBC is responsible for producing, 
distributing, and selling these beverages. We work together to 
ensure that we have the right portfolio for our markets and to ensure 
excellent, efficient execution.

We buy concentrate from The Coca‑Cola Company under an 
incidence‑based pricing model. We also share marketing costs 
and responsibilities, with The Coca-Cola Company marketing to 
consumers while we take responsibility for trade marketing to 
our customers.

Read more about how we leverage our unique 24/7 portfolio 
and win in the marketplace on pages 26‑33.

3. How we do it

1. Working with  
suppliers
We work with our suppliers 
to procure high-quality 
ingredients, sustainably‑
sourced raw materials and 
equipment and services 
required to produce 
beverages.

2. Producing beverages 
efficiently and 
sustainably 
Using concentrate from 
The Coca-Cola Company 
along with other ingredients, 
we prepare, package and 
deliver products with an 
optimised manufacturing 
infrastructure and 
logistics network.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

17

Our business model describes the essence of what we do: 
How we create value for all our stakeholders from the 
resources and relationships we use to operate the business. 

2. What we do

4. Value created for stakeholders

Brand 
Ownership

Portfolio 
Development

Consumer 
Marketing

Concentrate 
Supply

Data & Insights

Portfolio Strategy

Investments in Revenue Growth

Capabilities Plans

Talent Exchange

World without Waste

Production of 
Beverages

Portfolio Sales 
& route to 
market

Customer Marketing, 
Execution 
& Management

Bottling Capex 
Investments

3. Partnering with 
our customers 
We grow by supporting our 
customers’ growth. To do 
this, we leverage our 24/7 
portfolio and segmented 
sales execution to grow the 
overall beverage industry, 
focusing on areas of high 
value opportunity and 
executing with excellence.

4. Serving our consumers 
and communities 
Our 24/7 product portfolio 
caters to a growing range of 
tastes and preferences with 
a wider choice of healthier 
options and premium 
products, and we continually 
innovate to remain relevant.

For our people
•  Our business directly employs 28,389 people in 28 countries 

and supports many times more people across our value chain. 
•  Our people invested more than 600,000 hours to improve their 

functional capabilities and leadership capacities through different 
Company programmes.

For customers
•  We are a customer‑centric business aiming to provide value 

to our customers by growing their business and through perfect 
execution in the marketplace. 

For the communities where we operate
•  We are an important contributor to the local economies of 
the 28 countries in which we operate. Aside from our direct 
contribution through employment, and our indirect contribution 
through the value chain, we also invest in community programmes 
to address environmental and social issues. 

•  According to our socio‑economic local reports, we support more 

than 406,000 direct and indirect jobs across our value chain.

For shareholders
•  The cash flow we generate through the efficient management 
of our resources benefits our shareholders through dividend 
payments and share price appreciation. 

•  We operate a progressive dividend policy and occasionally make 

additional capital returns to shareholders through special dividends.

For wider stakeholders
•  Our business activities generate revenue for our customers, 

suppliers and contractors as well as income for our employees. 
We are paying taxes which support government revenue, 
in turn supporting public wellbeing, local communities and 
infrastructure investment. For more details please see page 18: 
“Our socio-economic impact”.

For consumers
•  Our innovation provides consumers with beverages of the highest 
quality and increasingly healthy choices. We have committed to 
reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft drinks by 25% between 
2015 and 2025. The reduction achieved in 2019 compared to 
the 2015 baseline was 12%.

For suppliers
•  We benefit from a network of approximately 19,500 suppliers. 

In 2019 our spend with suppliers was €3.3bn. 74% of key ingredients 
are certified sustainable agricultural products.

3. How we do it

SRCGFSSSRSI18

COCA-COLA HBC

Our socio-economic impact

Making an impact

Since 2010, we have been conducting socio‑economic impact studies 
in our individual markets in a local sequence of maximum three years. 
We measure our impact on the communities where we operate in 
order to engage with stakeholders against the backdrop of this 
information. The numbers below represent the aggregated data from 
the latest set of local socio‑economic reports from our markets, 
covering the period 2017‑2019.

In conducting these studies, we use input‑output modelling to 
generate estimates of jobs supported and economic value added. 
Input data includes our financial information (revenues, expenses, 
taxes, sales volume and profits) as well as some data from The 
Coca‑Cola Company. While rigorous, the process involves statistical 
modelling, which should be considered when interpreting and using 
the results from the studies.

The input-output model enables an assessment of three key dimensions of impact: 

•  Direct: immediate effect in terms of employment, wages and output 
•  Indirect: subsequent effect in the supply chain
•  Induced: effect caused by staff spend on goods or services

Overall footprint

56

Plants

98

Distribution centres

615m

Potential consumers

More than

487,000

customers

c.19,500

Suppliers

€484m

CAPEX spend

Contribution to the economy

€3.69bn

paid in taxes. This includes taxes paid directly by 
Coca-Cola HBC and taxes paid by our suppliers 
and trade partners and their suppliers and trade 
partners, related to our activities.

>203,800

2017-2019 cumulative 
young people trained

647,590

Training hours

>98%

=

>€3.2bn

of our total procurement

spent with local suppliers

€1,037.3m

Total employee costs

31,759

Employees in the Coca-Cola System 
in our markets

374,439

Indirect employment

1

=

Job in the 
system

11.8

Jobs in our 
community

€11.4bn created

in added value to total contribution via our value chain 

Disclaimers:
•  Numbers presented are aggregated based on the local SEI reports from CCHBC territories in the period 2016‑2019;
•  All KPIs represent an annual impact;
•  Where applicable and relevant in local SEIS, the impact of other entities of the Coca‑Cola System is included;
•  All presented data covers CCHBC territories only.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

19

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Understanding our stakeholders

The Board will sometimes engage directly with certain stakeholders, however, most stakeholder engagement takes place 
at the operational level with the Board receiving reports on activities and key areas of concern to use in its decision‑making. 
The Board will then balance different perspectives as it determines the best course of action. Further information 
on stakeholder engagement is set out on page 90 with examples of "Governance in Action" on page 91.

Description

Key issues

How we engage

Why we engage

Growth pillar

Our people

•  Building the best teams in 

the industry

•  Engagement score is greater 
than high performing norm

Our communities

•  Water conservation 
•  Waste from our packaging
•  Empowering youth and women

Through continuous conversations 
focused on results and behaviours 
as well as frequent employee surveys; 
by offering unique, personalised 
experiences and programmes for 
personal and professional growth; 
overseen by employee representative 
bodies, which have direct access to 
our non-Executive Director 
Charlotte Boyle.

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.

Our consumers

•  Continuously evolving our 

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

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.

Our people are our most important 
asset and engine of growth. They are 
both the creators and caretakers of our 
culture and values. Our people's views 
enhance our decision‑making.

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.

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

Our customers

•  Identifying products, channels 

and other opportunities that offer 
growth and value creation for us 
and our customers

•  Offering a 24/7 beverage 

portfolio that meets the changing 
preferences of consumers

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

•  Minimising the environmental 
impact of water and energy 
resources, as well as air emissions

•  Wide‑ranging issues facing our 

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

Partners 
in efficiency

NGOs

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

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

Our business developers make regular 
visits to outlets.

To avoid unnecessary costs.

We receive feedback at our annual 
Group 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 Group Stakeholder 
Forum and our annual materiality 
assessment, as well as through ad 
hoc meetings.

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.

Shareholders

•  Quality and effectiveness 

of governance

•  Profitability and growth potential 

of the business

Governments

•  Industry and/or product‑specific 

policies, such as taxes, 
restrictions or regulations

•  Environmental policies
•  Consumer health and public 

health policies

The Coca-Cola 
Company

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

4

5

1

5

1

2

3

5

5

1

3

5

1

4

2

5

2

5

SRCGFSSSRSI20

COCA-COLA HBC

Market review

Responding to 
evolving trends

Market trends

How we are responding

Delivered through Growth pillar

Dynamic retail environment
The retail landscape is changing in response to transformation in lifestyles and technology use. 
Smaller households and busier lives are impacting consumer preferences and buying habits, 
and driving rapid growth in both the convenience and e-commerce channels. Consumers are 
also increasingly price-sensitive, fuelling the growth of discounters. Growth in away-from-home 
socialising occasions creates a big opportunity to capture sales through hotels, restaurants 
and cafés.

Digital evolution
With increasingly affordable and efficient connectivity, more consumers are using digital 
technology to explore potential purchases and interact with brands. Consumers increasingly use 
social media as a primary interaction point with brands and companies, requiring retailers to 
engage with these platforms. Smartphones have enabled consumers to become more price savvy, 
with the majority of shoppers doing online research before committing to a purchase. At the 
same time, online shopping is growing and evolving to provide consumers with more services and 
flexibility. One of the fastest growing segments of online shopping is online restaurant food delivery.

Regulatory environment
Our industry is facing increased regulation of product packaging as concerns about plastic pollution 
increase. To support the transition to a circular economy, the Europe‑wide plastics strategy calls 
for all plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. At the same time, discussions about 
discriminatory taxation of added‑sugar beverages are gaining traction. Following Ireland’s adoption 
of a sugar tax in 2018, governments in Italy and Poland explored similar taxes in 2019. The World 
Health Organization recommends a reduction in consumption of free sugar to less than 10% 
of the daily energy intake to prevent obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.

Consumer preferences
Consumers increasingly look for healthy, sustainable product options, creating a clear shift towards 
natural and organic offerings that contain pure ingredients, less sugar or fat and are sourced locally. 
Product labels are increasingly scrutinised, with consumers searching for evidence of natural 
ingredients and brand authenticity. The demand for innovation and differentiation creates an 
opportunity for emerging, premium brands. Consumers are willing to pay more for better quality 
beverages, creating greater incentives to build authentic brand images to foster consumer trust 
and loyalty.

Sustainability
In 2019, global movements such as Fridays for Future as well as the United Nations Climate 
Change Conference COP 25 have created a lot of momentum for the environmental and 
socio‑economic challenges that our world is facing. As a result, consumers and customers are 
increasingly aware of the impact they have on the environment and society. Companies are more 
than ever expected to act upon issues related to climate, water, packaging, poverty etc. in line with 
the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A thoughtful, authentic approach to sustainable business 
practices will help companies generate greater trust, help to attract employees, increase brand 
and customer loyalty and, eventually, strengthen competitive advantage.

To reach consumers, we work hard to build strong customer relationships through 

joint value-creation processes. We are leveraging our unique 24/7 beverage portfolio with 

targeted execution excellence, covering more outlets more often. We are also evolving from 

a product supplier to a 360-degree business partner, offering customers a holistic set of 

products, services and expertise. We are using new technologies to provide better service 

faster. This includes connected coolers, sales force automation, image recognition and an 

online, 24/7 ordering platform. Technology frees up time for our sales force and increases 

possibilities for specialisation.

In each of our markets, we have a dedicated person or team responsible for e‑commerce. 

We continue improving visibility of our products online and the use of e-commerce tools 

including eRED, our online merchandising performance tracking system. In many markets, 

we have built strong collaborations with merchandising, including the implementation of joint 

business plans. Going forward, we will continue building e‑commerce capabilities and further 

improve our online ordering platform for retailers. To improve incremental volume and attract 

new shoppers, we have a goal to increase our sales incidence rate through online restaurant 

food delivery companies to a minimum of 30%. We are pursuing these opportunities 

responsibly, with increased focus on cyber-security and data protection. We have obtained 

in the year ISO 27001 certification for our IT organisation which confirms our commitment to 

secure management of information and adherence to international cyber‑security standards.

+3%

In our active universe we 

have increased our net 

new outlets coverage 

by 3% in 2019.

+48%

In our top three markets 

for e‑commerce (Ireland, 

Italy and Russia) 

e‑commerce volumes 

grew by 48% in 2019 

compared to 2018.

As part of the Coca‑Cola System‑wide World Without Waste initiative, we have committed 

to help collect the equivalent of 75% of primary packaging, use more recycled and renewable 

materials in packaging and make 100% of our consumer packaging recyclable by 2025. We offer 

low‑ or no‑sugar drink options in every market, provide transparent nutritional information and 

have committed to a 25% reduction in the calories per 100ml of our sparkling beverage products 

by 2025 against a 2015 baseline. We also continue to support UNESDA’s commitment to not 

offering soft drinks in primary schools or added‑sugar beverages in secondary schools across 

48%

In 2019, we recovered 

48% of the primary 

packaging we put in the 

marketplace.

the EU and Switzerland.

We are well placed to respond to these trends with an ever expanding 24/7 portfolio. Our range 

of low‑ and no‑sugar sparkling variants has been very successful. We are nurturing premium 

propositions in the adult sparkling category, which has revenue growth over three times that 

of the overall sparkling category. To improve and expand our offerings for health-conscious 

consumers, we have established our position in ready-to-drink tea with FUZETEA, a sustainably 

sourced tea blended with natural juice and herbs, and we launched our first plant‑based, sugar 

+3.0pp

In 2019, the share of 

low‑ and no‑sugar variants 

in our sparkling portfolio 

increased by 3.0pp, to 

and dairy‑free, vegan‑friendly beverage with AdeZ. In addition, we are incubating new brands 

16.1%.

offering natural ingredients and simplicity in hand‑picked outlets.

By introducing Mission 2025 in late 2018, we have set a robust strategy which drives our progress 

in six main areas: emissions reduction; water reduction and stewardship; World Without Waste; 

sustainable sourcing; nutrition; and our people and communities. We continuously engage with 

all relevant stakeholder groups; we listen to them, for example during our annual Forum event, 

we discuss and implement their material recommendations and share updates accordingly.

42%

In 2019, 42% of the total 

energy we used came 

from renewable and 

clean sources.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

21

Market trends

How we are responding

Delivered through Growth pillar

Dynamic retail environment

The retail landscape is changing in response to transformation in lifestyles and technology use. 

Smaller households and busier lives are impacting consumer preferences and buying habits, 

and driving rapid growth in both the convenience and e-commerce channels. Consumers are 

also increasingly price-sensitive, fuelling the growth of discounters. Growth in away-from-home 

socialising occasions creates a big opportunity to capture sales through hotels, restaurants 

and cafés.

Digital evolution

With increasingly affordable and efficient connectivity, more consumers are using digital 

technology to explore potential purchases and interact with brands. Consumers increasingly use 

social media as a primary interaction point with brands and companies, requiring retailers to 

engage with these platforms. Smartphones have enabled consumers to become more price savvy, 

with the majority of shoppers doing online research before committing to a purchase. At the 

same time, online shopping is growing and evolving to provide consumers with more services and 

flexibility. One of the fastest growing segments of online shopping is online restaurant food delivery.

Regulatory environment

Our industry is facing increased regulation of product packaging as concerns about plastic pollution 

increase. To support the transition to a circular economy, the Europe‑wide plastics strategy calls 

for all plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. At the same time, discussions about 

discriminatory taxation of added‑sugar beverages are gaining traction. Following Ireland’s adoption 

of a sugar tax in 2018, governments in Italy and Poland explored similar taxes in 2019. The World 

Health Organization recommends a reduction in consumption of free sugar to less than 10% 

of the daily energy intake to prevent obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.

Consumer preferences

Consumers increasingly look for healthy, sustainable product options, creating a clear shift towards 

natural and organic offerings that contain pure ingredients, less sugar or fat and are sourced locally. 

Product labels are increasingly scrutinised, with consumers searching for evidence of natural 

ingredients and brand authenticity. The demand for innovation and differentiation creates an 

opportunity for emerging, premium brands. Consumers are willing to pay more for better quality 

beverages, creating greater incentives to build authentic brand images to foster consumer trust 

and loyalty.

Sustainability

In 2019, global movements such as Fridays for Future as well as the United Nations Climate 

Change Conference COP 25 have created a lot of momentum for the environmental and 

socio‑economic challenges that our world is facing. As a result, consumers and customers are 

increasingly aware of the impact they have on the environment and society. Companies are more 

than ever expected to act upon issues related to climate, water, packaging, poverty etc. in line with 

the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A thoughtful, authentic approach to sustainable business 

practices will help companies generate greater trust, help to attract employees, increase brand 

and customer loyalty and, eventually, strengthen competitive advantage.

To reach consumers, we work hard to build strong customer relationships through 
joint value-creation processes. We are leveraging our unique 24/7 beverage portfolio with 
targeted execution excellence, covering more outlets more often. We are also evolving from 
a product supplier to a 360-degree business partner, offering customers a holistic set of 
products, services and expertise. We are using new technologies to provide better service 
faster. This includes connected coolers, sales force automation, image recognition and an 
online, 24/7 ordering platform. Technology frees up time for our sales force and increases 
possibilities for specialisation.

In each of our markets, we have a dedicated person or team responsible for e‑commerce. 
We continue improving visibility of our products online and the use of e-commerce tools 
including eRED, our online merchandising performance tracking system. In many markets, 
we have built strong collaborations with merchandising, including the implementation of joint 
business plans. Going forward, we will continue building e‑commerce capabilities and further 
improve our online ordering platform for retailers. To improve incremental volume and attract 
new shoppers, we have a goal to increase our sales incidence rate through online restaurant 
food delivery companies to a minimum of 30%. We are pursuing these opportunities 
responsibly, with increased focus on cyber-security and data protection. We have obtained 
in the year ISO 27001 certification for our IT organisation which confirms our commitment to 
secure management of information and adherence to international cyber‑security standards.

+3%

In our active universe we 
have increased our net 
new outlets coverage 
by 3% in 2019.

+48%

In our top three markets 
for e‑commerce (Ireland, 
Italy and Russia) 
e‑commerce volumes 
grew by 48% in 2019 
compared to 2018.

As part of the Coca‑Cola System‑wide World Without Waste initiative, we have committed 
to help collect the equivalent of 75% of primary packaging, use more recycled and renewable 
materials in packaging and make 100% of our consumer packaging recyclable by 2025. We offer 
low‑ or no‑sugar drink options in every market, provide transparent nutritional information and 
have committed to a 25% reduction in the calories per 100ml of our sparkling beverage products 
by 2025 against a 2015 baseline. We also continue to support UNESDA’s commitment to not 
offering soft drinks in primary schools or added‑sugar beverages in secondary schools across 
the EU and Switzerland.

48%

In 2019, we recovered 
48% of the primary 
packaging we put in the 
marketplace.

We are well placed to respond to these trends with an ever expanding 24/7 portfolio. Our range 
of low‑ and no‑sugar sparkling variants has been very successful. We are nurturing premium 
propositions in the adult sparkling category, which has revenue growth over three times that 
of the overall sparkling category. To improve and expand our offerings for health-conscious 
consumers, we have established our position in ready-to-drink tea with FUZETEA, a sustainably 
sourced tea blended with natural juice and herbs, and we launched our first plant‑based, sugar 
and dairy‑free, vegan‑friendly beverage with AdeZ. In addition, we are incubating new brands 
offering natural ingredients and simplicity in hand‑picked outlets.

+3.0pp

In 2019, the share of 
low‑ and no‑sugar variants 
in our sparkling portfolio 
increased by 3.0pp, to 
16.1%.

By introducing Mission 2025 in late 2018, we have set a robust strategy which drives our progress 
in six main areas: emissions reduction; water reduction and stewardship; World Without Waste; 
sustainable sourcing; nutrition; and our people and communities. We continuously engage with 
all relevant stakeholder groups; we listen to them, for example during our annual Forum event, 
we discuss and implement their material recommendations and share updates accordingly.

42%

In 2019, 42% of the total 
energy we used came 
from renewable and 
clean sources.

1

2

1

2

3

4

1

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3

4

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SRCGFSSSRSI22

COCA-COLA HBC

Chief executive officer’s letter

Achieving 
growth and 
delivering 
more

Dear Stakeholder, 
I am pleased to report that we continued 
to make progress on our 2020 strategic 
objectives during 2019, putting us well 
on track to meet our targets.

We remain focused on implementing and 
delivering our strategy, leveraging a product 
portfolio that is stronger, broader and more 
consumer‑ and customer‑centric than ever. 
We are continuously evolving and 
strengthening our route to market with 
segmented execution, which allows us to 
serve our customers better and capture 
the growth opportunities in every channel.

A focus on our customers is central to the 
way we want to work at Coca‑Cola HBC, 
and we are embedding a growth mindset 
throughout our organisation to support this 
focus. Our willingness to cherish and leverage 
all our strengths, while being honest with 
each other, and open to identifying and 
addressing our gaps, underpins our progress 
and long‑term success. 

We delivered a strong set of results despite 
the challenging backdrop of unusually cool, 
wet summer weather in several of our largest 
markets which constrained consumption 
and impacted sales growth in the second and 
third quarter. It is when we come up against 
challenges that I am most impressed by the 
tenacity, creativity and spirit of our talented 
people. Due to their efforts, we gained or 
maintained share in the majority of our 
markets while also achieving solid growth 
and strong margin expansion.

An indispensable part of our strategy is 
our commitment to manage our business 
responsibly and sustainably.

“OUR VISION IS 

CLEAR: TO BE 
THE LEADING 
24/7 BEVERAGE 
PARTNER.”

Read more on our performance at 
https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/
investors/2019‑integrated‑annual‑report/

I am proud that we have again been ranked 
as Europe’s most sustainable beverage 
company by the Dow Jones Sustainability 
Index. This is the ninth year in a row that we 
have been ranked among the top three 
beverage companies globally and in Europe. 
However, rankings and ratings are secondary 
to action and impact and we continue to work 
to improve in this regard.

In the key area of packaging, we collected 
48% of our primary packaging, launched four 
water brands across five markets in 100% 
recycled PET packaging and we have 
announced that we will replace plastic shrink 
film on can multi‑packs with recyclable 
paperboard by the end of 2021. 

We are also making progress on carbon 
emissions: 89% of electricity used at our 
production sites in the EU and Switzerland 
is from renewable and clean sources. 
Our target is to be at 100% by 2025. 

I hope you will spend some time reading 
more about this and other initiatives on 
pages 42-45. We intend to be as accountable 
on our sustainability targets as we are on 
our financial ones, and you can see our 
comprehensive reporting against Mission 
2025 on pages 48‑49.

What it takes to deliver 24/7
Since 2016, and as a part of our 2020 
strategic plan, FX‑neutral revenues grew at 
an average of 4.8%, at the upper end of the 
4-5% range we targeted. At the same time, 
we have seen comparable EBIT margins 
expand by 330 basis points, leaving us well on 
track to achieving our 11.2% target in 2020.

We know that beverages remain a fast‑growing 
industry, particularly in the markets in which 
we operate where per‑capita consumption 
of sparkling drinks is still very low.

The sparkling category continues to have 
significant opportunities driven by innovation. 
We are seeing continued double‑digit growth 
from low‑ and no‑sugar variants, as well 
as strong growth from adult sparkling with 
brands such as Schweppes, Kinley and 
Royal Bliss.

Outside of sparkling we continue to focus on 
premiumisation while expanding our share. 
We know that we have an opportunity to 
continue to selectively expand our already 
broad product portfolio into new categories 
and brands as well as brand extensions where 
we see strong growth opportunities, today 
and in the future. Costa Coffee is a good 
example of this and we are excited to be 
embarking on our journey with this high‑
quality coffee and great brand in 2020. 

In line with our improving portfolio, we are 
continuously strengthening our route to 
market with a relentless focus on execution 
excellence. Through segmentation, we are 
better able to sell our broader portfolio and 
serve our customers. We continue to invest 
to remain agile. Our investments in digital 
capabilities allow us to be more granular in 
how we slice the market to go after the 
highest potential opportunities. Similarly, our 
investments in tools for our sales force can 
enhance their productivity, while connected 
coolers can monitor both the performance 
and productivity of our chilled space. 

This 24/7 portfolio and our execution 
excellence means faster growth for us, our 
partners and customers, more opportunities 
for our people and more value created for 
other stakeholders and the communities in 
which we operate. 

We are energised by the ambition to deliver 
on this opportunity and What It Takes To 
Deliver 24/7 is the theme of this year’s 
Integrated Annual Report. Throughout the 
report you can learn about how we aim 
to do this.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

23

Preparing for future success
As we go into the final stages of our 2020 
strategy implementation, we have also 
looked ahead to the next stage of growth, 
development and opportunity for all the 
stakeholders connected to Coca‑Cola HBC.

In June of 2019, following approval and 
endorsement by the Board, we introduced 
our new purpose, values, vision and strategy. 
To guide and measure our success in 
implementing this strategy, Growth Story 
2025, we also introduced new 2025 targets. 

Our vision is clear: to be the leading 24/7 
beverage partner. Our success and 
continued growth depend on our ability to 
serve our customers and delight consumers 
in collaboration with The Coca‑Cola 
Company. We are committed to enriching 
the communities where we work and 
delivering sustainable products with 
excellence. Our future success is most 
dependent on the passion and engagement 
of our people, as well as the continual 
development of their capabilities which 
will make us fit for the future. That is why 
nurturing talent and inspiring people to take 
the initiative is such a focus for us. 

Our targets, by which we will judge our 
success, include delivering, on average, 
FX-neutral revenue growth of 5-6% and 
comparable EBIT margin expansion of 20‑40 
basis points from 2021 to 2025. This would 
place our growth above the average for the 
beverage industry.

Our priority remains organic growth, but we 
have also made some targeted acquisitions. 
In December 2019 we acquired Lurisia in Italy, 
together with The Coca‑Cola Company; this 
acquisition adds to our premium water and 
adult sparkling portfolio. Earlier in the year 
we acquired Bambi, the leading confectionery 
brand in Serbia, which helps us strengthen 
our market leverage and route to market, 
while synergising our beverage and snacks 
portfolio through joint activations. Going 
forward, we will continue to look at 
opportunities to make complementary, 
bolt‑on acquisitions. 

As we look to 2020 and beyond, we remain 
committed to partnership. We know that our 
Company can only grow when our customers 
grow, and when our growth benefits all of 
our stakeholders.

I thank you for your interest and partnership 
on our exciting journey to deliver 24/7.

Yours sincerely,

ZORAN BOGDANOVIC
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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COCA-COLA HBC

Growth story 2025

Setting out our 
Growth Story 2025

Over the first four years of our 2020 plan, currency‑
neutral revenues have grown at an average of 4.8% per 
year, at the upper end of the 4-5% range we targeted, 
while comparable EBIT margin expanded by 330 basis 
points to 10.8%, leaving us well on track to achieve the 
11.2%1 target in 2020.

As we entered the final stages of this plan, we started to 
look ahead to the next stage of growth and opportunity 
for all of our stakeholders.

Our new strategy, Growth Story 2025, builds on our new 
vision. Our focus has shifted to growing the market in 
partnership with our customers, aiming to be the leading 
24/7 beverage partner.

Growth Story 2025 is built upon five key pillars of 
growth – each of which is a core strength or competitive 
advantage – and reflects our capabilities and the 
significant opportunities that will help us deliver another 
step up in performance through 2025.

In support of this revamped strategy, we have introduced 
2025 targets that raise the bar for financial results, people 
engagement and sustainability achievements.

1.  2020 comparable EBIT margin target has been adjusted for the accretive impact of acquiring Bambi, taking an original target of 11% to 11.2%.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

25

Our growth pillars

How we grow

1

LEVERAGE OUR 
UNIQUE 24/7 
PORTFOLIO

Offer the best 24/7 beverage portfolio on the 
planet in partnership with The Coca-Cola 
Company

• Extend sparkling quality leadership in all markets, 
driving accelerated shift to lights/zeros and adult
• Increase our portfolio value share in stills, moving 

into accretive premium sub-segments

• Build a substantial business in complementary 

categories

WIN IN THE 
MARKETPLACE

2

3

FUEL GROWTH 
THROUGH 
COMPETITIVENESS 
& INVESTMENT

4

CULTIVATE THE 
POTENTIAL OF 
OUR PEOPLE

5

EARN OUR 
LICENCE TO 
OPERATE

Build unrivalled teams of true partners for our 
customers, executing with excellence in every 
channel for prioritised drinking moments

• Create value with every customer we serve
• Deliver innovative growth ideas with devotion
• Seamlessly serve to exceed expectations across 

all functions

Fast-forward critical capabilities for growth

• Key Account Management, Revenue Growth 

Management, Route to Market, Big Data 
& Advanced Analytics & Innovation

Transform, innovate and digitalise our business 
to ensure we are fit for the future

• Organise to act with agility and eliminate all 

non-essential cost

• Digitalise the business where it creates exceptional 
customer, consumer and employee experiences

• Make disciplined, growth-focused investments
• Experiment with new business models & technology 

to create the bottler of the future

Develop an inclusive growth culture around our 
empowered people

• Deliver high performance fast, by empowering every 

team to make it happen

• Ensure our people grow, and pursue their passion

Invest in building the best teams in the industry

• Make talent development our lighthouse capability, 

which each leader is excited to drive

• Become the employer of choice in all our markets

Be an environmental leader in the markets in which 
we operate

• Help secure water availability in water risk areas
• Further decrease CO2 emissions 
• Work towards a World Without Waste

Engage our communities behind water and waste 
initiatives, as well as empower youth, together 
with our partners

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COCA-COLA HBC

1

GROWTH PILLAR

LEVERAGE 
OUR UNIQUE 24/7 
PORTFOLIO

KPIs

•  FX-neutral revenue 

growth 

•  Volume growth

•  FX-neutral revenue 
per case growth

Stakeholders

Our consumers 

Our customers 

Shareholders 

The Coca-Cola 
Company 

Risks

•  Consumer health 
and wellbeing 

•  Geopolitical and 
macroeconomic

•  Strategic stakeholder 

relationships

Highlights in 2019
•  Maintained high growth in the sparkling category, aided by the strong 

performance of sophisticated adult sparkling beverages

•  Achieved another year of double-digit revenue growth in energy drinks 

and expanded the energy portfolio with Coke Energy and Predator

•  Innovations supported overall growth, with 4.2pp of total volume growth in 
the year delivered by products and packages launched in the last 12 months

Priorities in 2020
•  Continue expanding to become a 24/7 beverage partner, creating shared 

value with our consumers and customers

•  Consolidate the performance of product innovations by increasing 

distribution and repeat sales 

•  Continue driving growth in sparkling by leveraging light variants, flavour 

and pack architecture 

•  Bring ready-to-drink tea back to growth through a strong plan for FUZETEA
•  Drive revenue growth in water by implementing our hydration portfolio strategy
•  Launch Costa Coffee in at least 10 countries

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

27

Introduction
As lifestyles and consumer habits change, 
the motivations and occasions driving 
beverage consumption are also evolving. 
We are unlocking growth potential in 
segments beyond our core sparkling 
portfolio, offering a wider choice of drinks to 
meet consumer needs at any time of the day.

In line with growing societal concerns 
around environmental issues, consumers are 
looking for sustainably-sourced ingredients 
and responsible packaging. Technology, 
particularly social media, is changing 
socialising occasions and the ways 
consumers interact with brands. Consumers 
are also more focused on making healthier 
choices. This all leads to demand for a 
broader range of products, providing us 
with a number of new growth opportunities. 

In 2019 we sold 165 million cases of new 
product, flavour and package innovations, and 
4.2 percentage points of our volume growth 
was attributable to these new launches.

This is testament to how, working together 
with The Coca Cola Company, we are well 
placed to respond to market trends with 
an ever expanding 24/7 portfolio. We have 
the right brands, packaging and categories 
to meet the evolving needs of our 
consumer base.

Percentage 
of Coca-Cola 
HBC revenue

Our category strategy

Sparkling

Water

Juice

RTD tea

Drive category 
value growth

Expand and premiumise

Energy

Plant 
based

Premium 
spirits

Coffee

Innovate 
and expand

Establish 
right to win

Unlock total 
portfolio 
growth in 
HoReCa

Unlock total 
portfolio 
growth in 
At Work & 
HoReCa

2019

Sparkling 71%
Water 8%
Juice 8%
RTD tea 4%
Energy 4%
Plant based 1%
Premium spirits 3%
Coffee 1%

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COCA-COLA HBC

Leverage our unique 24/7 portfolio continued

Driving sparkling category growth
Our evolving sparkling drinks portfolio is 
proving popular with consumers across our 
territories and we are seeing strong growth 
from new variant and flavour launches. 
Sparkling beverage volume grew 3.5% in 
2019 compared to the prior year, fuelled by 
the double-digit volume growth of low- and 
no-sugar options, which is stimulating growth 
in the entire category.

Coca-Cola Zero grew 26.2% in volume during 
the year, delivering 10 consecutive quarters 
of double-digit growth. This growth reflects 
execution excellence and powerful assets 
such as our Star Wars-themed activations. 
We also delivered strong performance from 
new, low- and no-sugar sparkling beverage 
options such as Sprite Zero and Fanta Zero. 
Our light variants had value growth over four 
times higher than the sparkling category 
average in 2019. In 2019, the share of 
low- and no-sugar variants in our total 
volume increased by 3.0pp to 16.1%.

Innovations played a key role in our success 
for 2019. In 14 markets, we launched 
Coca-Cola Plus Coffee, featuring a great 
coffee taste with more caffeine but zero 
calories for consumers on the go. This 
innovative product has seen great initial 
consumer engagement. In flavours, we 
introduced Coca-Cola Zero Vanilla, Cherry 
and seasonal flavours such as Cinnamon 
and Ginger in many of our markets.

We are also driving packaging innovation 
with smaller, more convenient packages, 
which also serve to expand revenue per case. 
Single-serve packages comprised 48.5% of 
our sparkling sales volume in 2019, up 2.5% 
compared with 2018, with significant 
potential for additional growth.

Another high-value, high-growth segment we 
are prioritising is the adult sparkling category, 
which has revenue growth over three times 
that of the overall sparkling category. Adult 
consumers with more discretionary income 
are interested in superior products and 
experimentation. When compared to core 
sparkling products, this category commands 
significant price premiums.

We launched the Royal Bliss brand in the adult 
sparkling category in 2018, using the best 
practices developed with our Schweppes and 
Kinley brands. Our approach for this category 
involves premiumisation and segmented 
execution with hotels, restaurants and cafes. 
We also support growth by fully leveraging 
partnerships with premium spirits. 

Expanding value beyond sparkling 
beverage offerings
In energy, one of the fastest-growing 
segments of the beverage industry, our 
Monster brand products had another year 
of impressive growth with volume up 36% 
compared to 2018. In this category, we have 
pursued a segmentation strategy, launching 
a variety of brands at different price points 
to target different types of consumers. 
For consumers seeking a new taste and a 
taurine-free formula, we launched Coca-Cola 
Energy, a premium product, in 15 of our 
countries during 2019, attracting new users 
to the category. We also added the Predator 
brand to our portfolio in five markets, offering 
energy at a more affordable price point 
in two flavours.

Our biggest system-wide launch in 2018 
was FUZETEA, and we continued to build 
on the successful introduction of this fresh, 
innovative, ready-to-drink tea in 2019. 
This fusion of sustainably-sourced tea 
extracts with fruit and herbal flavours has 
attracted strong competition in some 
markets, impacting growth. With good 
activation and customer coordination, the 
multi-layered, contemporary tea taste of 
FUZETEA is winning over consumers. In Italy, 
for example, FUZETEA doubled our market 
share. Our focus going forward is on adding 
differentiating flavours to attract more 
consumers to the category.

We are also focused on expanding our 
premium offerings in the juice and water 
categories. Within juice, we focused on 
product stratification during 2019 to capture 
premium revenue opportunities. In Russia, 
where our juice business represents a 
considerable proportion of our portfolio, we 
have a track record of continuous innovation, 
which supports higher price points and 
increased revenue per case. Bringing these 
juice innovations, and increased revenues, 
to other markets is a focus for 2020.

Within the water category, our overall focus 
is on accelerating value share gains with an aim 
to double the pace of our market share growth 
in the next five years. We develop market-
specific maps of diverse water segments and 
price tiers, seeking to expand our market 
share and capture higher revenue per case. 
This hydration portfolio strategy involves a 
range of product offerings, execution tactics 
and route-to-market approaches.

We added to the premium water brands 
in our portfolio during the year with the 
acquisition of Acque Minerali S.r.l., owner 
and producer of Lurisia, an Italian natural 
mineral water and adult sparkling beverages 
company. This acquisition, which we made in 
conjunction with The Coca-Cola Company, 
was completed in December 2019.

Building market share
The dramatic expansion of our product 
portfolio includes products in new categories 
for our business. Following initial product 
rollouts, we are continuing to take action to 
build our market share.

We entered a completely new category 
in 2018 with AdeZ, our first plant-based, 
sugar- and dairy-free beverage. Thus far, we 
have launched eight vegan-friendly flavours, 
including plain for the breakfast occasion 
and fruit flavours for snacking on the go. 
We extended the distribution of AdeZ across 
all our channels in 2019, increasing our share 
of the plant-based beverage category in the 
17 markets where it has been introduced. 
We have gained 6% market share in just over 
a year since its launch in prioritised markets.

“  FOR CONSUMERS SEEKING A NEW TASTE AND 

A TAURINE-FREE FORMULA, WE LAUNCHED 
SUPER-PREMIUM COCA-COLA ENERGY IN 15 
OF OUR COUNTRIES DURING 2019, ATTRACTING 
NEW USERS TO THE CATEGORY.“

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.

One of our biggest growth opportunities is 
in the coffee category. We announced in 
mid-2019 that we will launch Costa Coffee, 
a brand recently acquired by The Coca-Cola 
Company, in at least 10 countries during 
2020. We believe this launch will address a 
broad range of consumer and customer 
needs across multiple occasions, particularly 
for the hotels, restaurants and cafes 
(HoReCa) and At Work channels. We are 
pleased to be the first Coca-Cola bottler to 
undertake such a launch in close partnership 
with The Coca-Cola Company. Our 
well-established infrastructure, processes 
and capabilities around coffee mean that we 
are well positioned to hit the ground running 
with this exciting opportunity.

We also benefit from the highly 
complementary premium spirits category, 
which is now available in 19 of our markets. 
We leverage premium spirits to create a 
compelling offering for HoReCa. This 
provides us with strong cross-selling 
opportunities for our core beverage portfolio 
in new, lucrative outlets.

Health and nutrition
As a company we are continuously evolving 
our portfolio to help create a healthier food 
environment. We’ve already reformulated 
many of our drinks to contain less sugar and 
fewer calories. To give consumers more 
options, we’re also offering more diet, light 
and zero-calorie drinks in our portfolio.

Key nutritional information is visible on all of 
our bottles and cans. Guideline Daily Amount 
labels provide at-a-glance information on 
calories, as well as on sugar, fat, saturated fat 
and salt content. In several of our markets, 
we are trialling new front-of-pack labels 
which use the current European-wide 
Reference Intake (R.I.) monochrome model, 
disclosing 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 and green.

The World Health Organization recommends 
that no more than 10% of total energy/calorie 
consumption come from added sugars. 
To help tackle consumption of added sugar 
we support UNESDA’s pledge. In this context, 
we have committed to reduce calories per 
100ml of sparkling soft drinks by 25% 
between 2015 and 2025, across all of our 
markets. The reduction we achieved in 2019 
compared to the 2015 baseline was 12%.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

29

Responsible marketing
Our advertising and promotions reach 
millions of consumers. While this is a core 
driver of our business, we take steps to 
ensure that marketing is responsible as well 
as effective. As part of the Coca-Cola 
System, we adhere to The Coca-Cola 
Company’s Global Responsible Marketing 
policy and, together with other members 
of our industry, we are also signatories of the 
European Soft Drinks Industry Association 
(UNESDA) commitments. 

In the EU and Switzerland, we do not offer 
soft drinks in primary schools or offer 
added-sugar beverages in secondary 
schools. We plan to gradually expand this 
approach to all our markets over the coming 
years. Further, we avoid engaging in any 
direct commercial activity in primary schools, 
except when requested by school authorities.

Product quality
Product quality is a critical priority for our 
business, highlighting the importance of 
maintaining consumer trust. The freshness 
of our products in trade, a key measure of 
quality, remained at the same level in 2019 
compared to the prior year, while we 
introduced approximately 1,000 new SKUs 
across Coca-Cola HBC.

Our low rate of consumer complaints 
also demonstrates the high quality of our 
beverages and the trust consumers and 
customers place in our products and brands. 
The number of complaints declined by 5%, 
to 18 complaints per 100 million bottles sold. 
This meets our 2019 target of no more than 
18 complaints per 100 million bottles sold. 
For 2020, we have set a target of no 
more than 17 complaints per 100 million 
bottles sold.

We offer the highest quality beverages in 
all markets by applying end-to-end quality 
and food safety standards and maintaining 
a strong focus on quality and safety 
throughout our value chain. To minimise 
quality risks in our supply chain, in 2019 we 
continued to collaborate with suppliers of key 
primary ingredients and packaging materials. 
This collaboration helped us eliminate quality 
incidents related to suppliers in 2019.

In 2019, we continued our strong focus 
on enhancing our training and capabilities 
in regard to product quality and food safety. 
As the result of best-in-class industry 
benchmarking, each of our markets has 
developed tailored plans to support and 
further develop our quality and food 
safety culture.

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COCA-COLA HBC

2

GROWTH PILLAR

WIN IN THE 
MARKETPLACE

Highlights in 2019
•  Continued improvement in customer satisfaction results and launch of new 

customer satisfaction pulse survey

•  Improvements in customer coverage, including time spent with customers, 

with greater sales force specialisation to enable our 24/7 strategy

•  Accelerated use of new technology, including connected coolers, sales force 

automation, image recognition and web-based ordering 

•  Holistic approach to building growth capabilities, including revenue growth 
management and key account management, by defining prioritised actions 
per capability

Priorities in 2020
•  Leverage data and advanced analytics to improve segmented execution 
•  Step up in indirect partner management and data sharing
•  Launch of new business developers’ academy to drive our sales force’s 

capability to deliver improved customer service, performance and execution 
and ensure successful onboarding for new business developers

•  Strengthen our relationship with e-retailers and start deep partnering with 

new channels to achieve higher market share online 

•  Launch of internal validation and certification process to share best practices 

and accelerate the development of our prioritised growth capabilities

KPIs

•  FX-neutral revenue 

growth 

•  Volume growth

•  FX-neutral revenue 
per case growth

Stakeholders

Our customers 

Shareholders 

The Coca-Cola 
Company 

Risks

•  Channel mix

•  Geopolitical and 
macroeconomic

•  Quality 

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

31

Route-to-market 
approach 
Our route-to-market approach is about 
converting our strategy into excellent 
execution at every point of sale. In line 
with our improving portfolio, we are 
continuously strengthening our route 
to market and partnering with our 
customers to bring our 24/7 portfolio 
into the hands of our consumers faster 
and with greater efficiency. 

Our targeted and segmented way 
of serving our customers, with an 
appropriate level of sales force 
specialisation and combined with the 
utilisation of new technologies, gives 
us a competitive advantage to win 
in the marketplace.

Capturing growth opportunities requires more 
than a strong product portfolio. It is equally 
necessary to have excellence in execution, 
successfully serving every customer through 
every outlet for every occasion, 24/7. 

Our success is dependent on the success of 
our customers. When our customers are able 
to generate profits by selling our products, 
they demand more products from an 
expanded range. Joint value creation is 
therefore key to both category and market 
share expansion as well as profitable growth. 

There are two pillars underpinning our joint 
value creation process: our next-generation 
customer approach and our industry-leading 
commercial capabilities.

Partnering with customers
Our next-generation customer partnership 
model allows us to generate powerful insights 
from customer data, which supports tailored 
execution plans implemented in collaboration 
with our partners. We start by commissioning 
an annual survey of more than 16,000 
customers, comparing ourselves with other 
beverage suppliers. This survey allows us to 
understand the challenges and opportunities 
our customers are encountering, meaning we 
can identify how to become better partners 
and continue to exceed their expectations. 
This approach is helping us to develop 
stronger and more productive customer 
partnerships and provides a platform for 
us to continue building these relationships.

As a result of this model, in 2019 we were 
recognised as the top supplier for traditional 
outlets in three additional countries compared 
with 2018. We increased our share of 
satisfied customers by 2% to 68.6% in 2019, 
and we maintained our high share of satisfied 
key account customers at 81%.

We also launched customer pulse surveys 
during the year to listen and respond to our 
partners’ needs even more frequently. Pulse 
surveys allow us to analyse satisfaction levels 
by region, channel and outlet segment for a 
more targeted response.

To optimise strategies undertaken together 
with our customers, we are developing 
more powerful analytic tools to assess 
commercial decisions and better understand 
the investment and returns required. 
Our customers are also developing their 
own offerings.

The HoReCa channel remains a key focus, 
as it is pivotal in driving premiumisation and 
building the right consumer experience 
around our brands. We leverage the expertise 
of our centres of excellence in Croatia and 
Greece to build a shared value proposition, 
provide a bespoke service to our customers 
and capitalise on available synergies.

Prioritising critical capabilities 
for growth
The second pillar underpinning our growth is 
our industry-leading commercial capabilities. 
This includes a game-changing approach to 
revenue growth management, which makes 
our business more sustainable and profitable, 
and excellent sales execution, which lets us 
offer the right range of products and 
services to our customers while remaining 
cost competitive.

SRCGFSSSRSI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. 

32

COCA-COLA HBC

Win in the marketplace continued

By improving revenue growth management, 
we aim to maximise value from every 
transaction. Our new revenue growth 
management framework, developed in 
partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, 
makes better use of big data and advanced 
analytics, giving us deep insight across 
different channels, customers and types 
of shoppers. This has led to fundamental 
changes in planning, and it empowers our 
markets to make the right strategic decisions. 

In the last few years, we have continued 
to expand our portfolio and make it more 
consumer centric, along with an increased 
focus on consumer occasions. At the same 
time, we have striven to improve category 
and package mix, focusing on portfolio 
premiumisation, brand stratification and 
growing sales of single-serve packages. 
These are all crucial to our revenue 
growth approach.

As an example, in Russia we created a plan 
to address the challenges of low per-capita 
consumption and overall affordability of 
Coca-Cola products, combining consumer 
insights, pack-price architecture and 
promotions to create a compelling customer 
selling story. One specific initiative was the 
launch of a 900ml package size, which 
successfully contributed to sales growth. 

In Italy, we have successfully used pack-price 
architecture to reverse declines in the 
sparkling category and dilution of customer 
margins. We launched several new packs 
including a 660ml PET bottle with a €1 price 
point as well as a new, smaller, 450ml pack for 
on-the-go occasions. In addition, we 
supported new multi-packs with value-based 
promotions. These moves helped us unlock 
opportunities for smart pricing which led to a 
return of sparkling category value growth in 
the market.

As our Revenue Growth Management 
approach is analytically intensive, it requires 
the right tools to be supported by our 
systems. To embed this model, we have 
equipped our business units with various 
analytical tools which are fully integrated 
with our digital environment. Our business 
developers can now use advanced pricing 
and assortment optimisation tools which 
are allowing us to make the right 
strategic decisions.

Leveraging technology for better 
execution
Our route-to-market approach converts our 
strategy into excellent execution at every 
point of sale. These efforts are increasingly 
segmented, with implementation plans for 
almost 300 initiatives across our markets. 
Increasingly, new technology frees up time 
needed by our sales force to focus on 
channel and product specialisation.

We have equipped our sales teams with a 
sales force automation tool, which helps our 
people provide the very best service quality.
This platform uses a range of customer data, 
including from connected coolers, 
suggesting activities with the biggest impact 
for each customer visit, and recommending 
products and quantities to be ordered whilst 
reducing administrative tasks.

We have increased our investment in coolers 
over the past few years. Our cooler coverage 
reached 87% of our top customer outlets by 
the end of 2019, amounting to 1.43 million 
coolers, of which 28% are energy-efficient. 
This investment serves to drive immediate 
consumption and increases revenue per 
case. At the same time, we are building a 
network of connected coolers, which are now 
present in all of our 28 markets. This 
technology automatically keeps track of 
inventory and supports promotional 
messaging to consumers within close range.

In order to improve our in-store execution we 
have deployed image recognition 
technology. In Italy for example, our 
customers are incentivised through a loyalty 
scheme to perform image recognition in our 
coolers, ensuring the right presence for all 
our product categories.

In 2019, we launched Coca-Cola Hellenic’s 
first service brand, Qwell by Valser, for 
delivery in Switzerland. The project includes a 
web-based ordering platform and app, and 
we have doubled the number of products 
available since 2017. This effort is supported 
by a cross-system team, in partnership with 
The Coca-Cola Company, and supports 
brand launches to fuel growth. 

In 18 of our markets, we have improved 
online ordering and self-service functionality 
for customers with a solution that fully 
integrates SAP platforms with Coca-Cola 
HBC back-end systems. This streamlines 
both ordering and processes for cooler 
servicing, financial claims and order tracking. 
In 2019, we expanded this solution to a total 
of 12,000 customers. In 2020, our focus is on 
expanding the rollout of this solution to 
additional markets and further improving 
customers’ online shopping experience with 
options for email marketing campaigns and 
product proposals.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

33

By offering a broader portfolio, with a wider 
choice of products, we grow our business 
and those of our customers. In established 
categories, new recipes, variants and 
packages are having a strong impact, while 
initiatives for new categories are the basis for 
long-term success.

With every initiative, we are focused on 
growing the value of our portfolio. For 
example, Coca-Cola Energy yields four 
times the net sales revenue per unit case 
compared to the non-alcoholic ready-to-
drink average. For our customers, this 
represents increased revenue incremental 
to the overall energy category.

Additionally, we have launched an internal 
innovation platform with 6,600 employees 
currently engaged in the scheme. This is a 
hub for our employees to share their ideas, 
and so far, we have generated more than 
4,700 ideas.

We also engage with external parties in our 
quest for innovation, partnering with leading 
universities and start-ups.

Big data and advanced analytics 
As we seek to become more innovative and 
customer-centric, we are leveraging our data 
and investing in advanced analytic tools to 
identify and capture value creation and 
improve our service and operations. 

In Nigeria, where trade is very fragmented, 
advanced analytics have given us the ability 
to segment our outlets to the same degree 
we had previously achieved in our other 
markets. This allows us to have different 
activations for different outlet segments, 
addressing different drinking occasions. In 
Lagos, for example, we were able to target 
the Easter occasion in outlets near major 
churches, with additional premium products 
in more affluent areas. 

We aim to build and sustain this critical 
capability as a long-term competitive 
advantage.

Data and advanced analytics techniques are 
also supporting our segmented execution 
model, providing suggested activities to our 
sales force, including recommended orders 
with specific products and quantities to 
minimise out-of-stock incidents.

Sales force specialisation
By segmenting our customers and 
introducing dedicated sales teams 
specialising in specific channels, we are 
unlocking the potential of our 24/7 portfolio.

We start by understanding the total universe 
of outlets, defining different service levels 
and contact options and optimising 
customer visits by channel and segment. 
This process helps us determine the right 
level of specialisation so that we deploy the 
right number of business developers. In big 
cities, we have launched dedicated teams 
serving HoReCa key accounts and 
wholesalers, as well as ambassadors for 
coffee and premium spirits.

Meanwhile, our business developers in rural 
areas are responsible for a mix of customers 
and products.

In Italy, over half of the beverage revenue in 
the country comes from out-of-home 
consumption, but just over a third of our 
revenues in the market come from this 
channel. We have addressed this with a 
specialised sales force, supported by digital 
prospecting tools, adding 34,000 high 
potential outlets to our business developers’ 
routes. Since we began this approach in 
2017, we improved our coverage from 23% 
to 51% by the end of 2019. 

Our tailored approach for the emerging 
e-commerce and at-work channels supports 
product cross-selling. 

We are pleased with the results we have 
achieved, through customer segmentation 
and sales force specialisation. Our outlet 
coverage was up 6% to 68% in 2019 and time 
with customers up 3% in 2019 compared to 
the prior year.

Building customer-centric 
capabilities
To improve our efforts to partner with our 
customers to drive mutual revenue and profit 
growth, we have developed a new framework 
for end-to-end customer management. 
We are also training and developing the next 
generation of key account leaders as we 
continue to evolve into an even more 
customer-centric business.

To accomplish this, we have put in place a 
robust programme of training backed by a 
targeted development centre to address skill 
gaps and ensure our people have the right 
capabilities to take our customer partnerships 
forward. As an example, we are setting up 
dedicated negotiation rooms in each market 
for our teams to practise and build their 
negotiating skills, ready to meet our 
customers’ expectations.

We are investing in improving leadership skills 
and intensifying the involvement of leaders in 
talent development. We have also launched a 
simplified people-powered process for 
performance and talent management which 
incorporates regular feedback from peers 
and customers. This is part of our effort to 
improve employee experiences, with 
increased focus on hiring, onboarding and 
career discussions.

Disciplined innovation
As we become the leading 24/7 beverage 
partner, we are unlocking growth potential in 
segments outside our core sparkling portfolio. 
New product launches accounted for 4.2pp 
of our volume growth in 2019, the result of 
our disciplined approach to innovation.

“

BY SEGMENTING OUR 
CUSTOMERS AND 
INTRODUCING DEDICATED 
SALES TEAMS SPECIALISING IN 
SPECIFIC CHANNELS, WE ARE 
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL 
OF OUR 24/7 PORTFOLIO.“

SRCGFSSSRSI34

COCA-COLA HBC

3

GROWTH PILLAR

FUEL GROWTH 
THROUGH 
COMPETITIVENESS 
& INVESTMENT

Highlights in 2019
•  Introduced automatic line changeovers to improve production flexibility
•  Invested in augmented reality technology for increased efficiency
•  Continued investing in automatic guided vehicles and high-bay warehouses
•  Invested in growth-focused areas such as big data and advanced analytics, production 

capacity and connected coolers

•  Introduced 100% recycled PET in four water brands

Priorities in 2020
•  Continue increasing production flexibility to support our 24/7 portfolio and innovation 
•  Continue to focus on automation in all areas including production and warehousing 
•  Introduce innovative carton packaging to reduce plastic use 
•  Invest in new technology to produce 100% recycled PET widely at an affordable cost

KPIs

•  OpEx as a % of NSR

•  CapEx as a % of NSR

•  Comparable EBIT margin

•  ROIC

Stakeholders

Partners in 
efficiencies

Shareholders 

Risks

•  Cyber incidents

•  Foreign exchange and 

commodity costs

•  Geopolitical and 
macroeconomic

•  Ethics and compliance

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

35

Optimising infrastructure
Our drive to optimise and develop our 
infrastructure to support growth and produce 
an expanded 24/7 portfolio continued in 
2019. By centralising our production planning 
system for the whole Group, with each plant 
serving regional needs, we have been able to 
meet market demand with speed and agility. 
We are currently expanding production 
capacity in targeted markets, including 
Nigeria and Russia, where we anticipate 
strong future growth.

To support innovation, we upgraded 
production lines so that our manufacturing 
capabilities reflect our diverse product 
portfolio. We made investments to support 
the new premium glass packaging for 
FUZETEA in the Czech Republic and Romania 
and for Coca-Cola Energy in Hungary. During 
the year, we also made additional 
investments to support the production of 
Cappy Lemonade and Coca-Cola signature 
mixers in Romania. 

Investments made in Italy during the year 
included new production capabilities for 
different package sizes, a new aseptic PET 
line at our Nogara plant to accommodate our 
expanded 24/7 portfolio and new TriBlock 
technology in a PET line in our Marcianise 
plant. TriBlock technology helps us use 
production space more efficiently and reduce 
water and energy consumption. 

To manage the increased output from our 
mega plants and the complexity of our 
expanded 24/7 portfolio, we continued 
investing in automation for our high-capacity 
warehouses. Automated warehouses, and 
automatic guided vehicles, improve both 
efficiency and service quality.

At our distribution centre in Northern 
Greece, we piloted augmented reality glasses 
to help our warehouse colleagues find 
products and pack orders for delivery. The 
positive results, with improvements in service 
and transaction speed and excellence, led us 
to introduce the technology to an additional 
seven locations in 2019 and we plan for 
further rollout across our 28 markets in 2020. 

Beyond logistics, we also improved our 
manufacturing efficiency. In Bulgaria and the 
Czech Republic, we introduced automatic 
line changeovers to reduce idle production 
time and increase our effective production 
capacity. These lines are particularly well 
suited for small batch production, which 
improves our flexibility and helps us cater to 
changing consumer preferences. Additional 
investment in automatic line changeovers 
is planned for 2020 in Poland, Romania 
and Russia. 

We have implemented split maintenance, 
which spreads maintenance activities more 
evenly across the year, and we are moving 
towards a predictive maintenance model. 
The move from one annual maintenance 
overhaul for manufacturing equipment to a 
more spread out maintenance schedule 
helped us reduce down time by 
approximately 6,500 production hours in 
2019 compared with 2018. We made our first 
investments in predictive maintenance 
during the year, using machine learning to 
recognise patterns and generate insights to 
further improve the efficiency and 
effectiveness of our maintenance schedule.

In the five plants where this technology has 
been introduced, emergency breakdowns 
have been reduced by 30% resulting in a 2% 
increase in line capacity.

In 27 of our plants, we are now using smart 
glasses to resolve production line issues 
faster, capitalising on remote technical 
support from equipment manufacturers. 
This technology helps us resolve emergency 
incidents 70% faster than if a technician had 
to come to resolve problems on site and it will 
be rolled out in an additional 16 plants in 2020.

Across the business since 2008, our 
optimisation work has resulted in a 30% 
reduction in plants, from 80 to 56 at the end 
of 2019. At the same time, we increased our 
production lines per plant by 40% which 
allowed us to maintain our capacity and 
create more efficient and flexible facilities. 
To improve our service offering while 
reducing our costs, we have also reduced 
our distribution centres by 65% and our 
warehouses by 34% over the same 
time period.

Nigeria is a good example of our focus 
on≈fuelling growth through investments 
in efficiency. The country represents a key 
growth market for our business and one 
of the most challenging environments from 
a supply chain perspective. Since 2014, 
we have reduced our Nigerian production 
footprint by 38% while optimising our 
logistics network with a 74% reduction 
in distribution centres. By eliminating 
non-essential infrastructure and costs, 
the country has become more efficient 
and flexible for further growth.

SRCGFSSSRSI36

COCA-COLA HBC

Fuel growth through competitiveness & investment continued

Leveraging technology and big data
We are making investments in technology to 
provide a better and faster service. In 2019, 
we continued building a powerful network of 
connected coolers that maximises 
performance by tracking door openings, 
supporting automatic stocking and ordering 
and freeing up time for sales people to spend 
with our customers.

A productivity assessment in Bulgaria found 
that connected coolers increased sales team 
productivity by 117 minutes per month, 
equivalent to four selling days per year, while 
boosting incremental sales by 3.2%. 

Our sales force automation tool gives our 
sales people easy access to critical data, 
including information from coolers, in a single 
user-friendly solution which is tablet-based in 
most markets. This technology boosts sales 
process effectiveness and agility with 
real-time performance measurement and 
execution tracking. Across our markets in 
2019, we increased the use of our sales force 
automation tool by 7pp compared with 
the prior year.

We are also investing in big data and 
advanced analytics to identify and capture 
value creation opportunities. Leveraging our 
extensive customer and market data allows 
us to make better decisions faster and 
implement laser-focused initiatives that 
generate incremental value. In select Nigerian 
outlets where we trialled this approach in 
2019, we achieved a 32% average increase in 
sales volumes.

In addition to outlet segmentation, our 
investments in analytics allow further 
optimisation in supply chain, minimising 
out-of-stocks with faster, more efficient 
responses to demand fluctuations. In 2020, 
we will deploy a machine learning solution 
that will have a demand forecasting process 
based on analytics in Italy, Greece, Romania 
and Poland.

Robotic process automation 
and master data 
Following the 2018 implementation of 
robotic process automation (RPA) to execute 
basic tasks in our shared Business Service 
Organisation (BSO) in Sofia, we achieved cost 
and process efficiencies. During 2019, we 
expanded RPA use to additional processes in 
Sofia and in our Russian BSO, automating a 
total of 102 processes.

For example, we now have an RPA application 
extracting customer balances from SAP and 
sending them to customers by email and 
creating payment batches for weekly supplier 
payments. In 2020, we will implement this 
technology in other areas of the organisation 
including supply chain management, treasury 
and human resources.

Another area of enhanced efficiency is 
maintenance of our Company data relating 
to customers, suppliers and materials, called 
master data. We have implemented a new 
technology solution that has not only 
improved the quality and accuracy of our 
master data but has also reduced the cost 
per processed transaction.

Smarter procurement and 
joint initiatives
As part of ongoing efforts to digitalise our 
procurement processes, we are 
implementing a variety of new tools. We 
kicked off the implementation of SAP Ariba 
e-procurement software across our 
Company, a process we expect to complete 
by 2021. We also launched a new digitally-
based buying platform to procure materials 
supporting our trade marketing. Following an 
initial rollout to four markets, it will be 
implemented in all of our other markets by 
late 2020. We have selected the Merkateo 
procurement platform as our preferred 
solution for cost-effectively managing 
smaller procurement orders, based on the 
success of a 2019 pilot in Austria. The 
platform will be available in seven markets by 
the end of 2020. 

Changes in regulation in the EU sugar market 
have brought it more in line with global price 
setting practices, subsequently affecting 
global sugar prices. Capitalising on this 
opportunity along with other Coca-Cola 
bottlers, we have requested that all our sugar 
suppliers offer pricing formulas that 
reference the world benchmark contract for 
raw sugar trading. This gives us the option to 
use financial derivatives to mitigate the risk of 
sugar price volatility.

In line with our continuous efforts to improve 
operational efficiency and support our 
sustainability agenda, we have worked to 
continuously improve and reduce product 
packaging. Efforts to make our cans the 
lightest in the market are underway, with an 
aim of reducing our average aluminium can 
weight by 2%. We managed to reduce the 
weight of our 33cl can by 4% during 2019, 
and expect to achieve an additional 4% 
reduction by 2021.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

37

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 our sustainability performance. 
We therefore consider our suppliers as 
critical partners, as well as contributors to 
the ongoing and sustainable success of 
our business. 

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.

The scale and uniform approach of the 
Coca-Cola System helps us source our 
raw materials sustainably, while mitigating 
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. Our 2025 target 
for ingredient sourcing is to achieve 100% 
certification of our key agricultural ingredients 
against the Sustainable Agriculture Guiding 
Principles. In 2019, 74% of the key commodities 
we purchased for use as ingredients were 
certified, up from 64% in 2018. Our work to 
certify our key agricultural ingredients will 
continue to expand in 2020, with close 
cooperation with suppliers who are still 
progressing towards certification.

“  OUR SALES FORCE AUTOMATION TOOL 

GIVES OUR SALES PEOPLE EASY ACCESS 
TO CRITICAL DATA, INCLUDING 
INFORMATION FROM COOLERS, IN A 
SINGLE USER‑FRIENDLY SOLUTION WHICH 
IS TABLET-BASED IN MOST MARKETS.“

We are making similar improvements to 
plastic packaging. Our aggressive PET bottle 
light-weighting programme reduced our 
Group-wide use of PET by 6,000 tonnes 
in 2019 compared with the prior year. 
We introduced our first 100% recycled PET 
bottles for water brands in Austria, Ireland, 
Switzerland, Croatia and Romania as part 
of a long-term effort to increase our use 
of recycled PET. In 2020, we will continue 
to expand this approach and we will invest in 
an innovative technological solution in Poland 
to produce 100% recycled PET bottles.

We are also one of the first bottlers in the 
Coca-Cola System to move to replace plastic 
wrap on can multi-packs with a sustainable, 
paperboard packaging solution, KeelClip™. 
The first countries to start introducing this 
will be Ireland, Poland, Austria and Romania. 
Meanwhile, we are exploring other sustainable 
solutions to replace stretch and shrink films.

We have guidelines and tools for supplier 
selection and governance, including Supplier 
Guiding Principles, and sustainability criteria 
for supplier selection are an integral part of our 
supply assessment process. On an ongoing 
basis, we monitor the activities of our critical 
suppliers through our internal supply base 
assessments, audits of compliance and the 
EcoVadis platform. EcoVadis helps us 
monitor a range of risks using 21 criteria from 
international standard setters including the 
UN Global Compact, ISO 26000, the Global 
Reporting Initiative and the International 
Labour Organization.

In 2019, more than 450 of our critical 
suppliers were assessed using EcoVadis and 
our plans are to expand the use of these 
assessments for better, more objective 
supplier monitoring.

To increase awareness of sustainability in our 
supply chain, during 2019 we held sustainability 
days with strategic suppliers in Russia, 
Austria and Hungary. These events create 
opportunities to identify joint sustainability 
initiatives and share our corporate social 
responsibility policy, sustainability 
commitments and best practices.

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.

SRCGFSSSRSI38

COCA-COLA HBC

4

GROWTH PILLAR

CULTIVATE THE 
POTENTIAL OF 
OUR PEOPLE

KPIs

•  Employee engagement

•  Percentage of managers 

that are women

•  Lost time accident rate

Highlights in 2019
•  Evolved approach to values and culture to better support agility, learning and 

transformation, ensuring we are fit for the future

•  Improvement of employee engagement score by 2pp to 90%, compared to 2018
•  Established an Agility Centre of Excellence to support improvements in speed 

Stakeholders

Our people 

Risks

•  People

•  Geopolitical and 
macroeconomic

•  Health and safety

to market, productivity and cultural evolution

•  Transitioned our robust yet traditional performance management to an 

employee-driven continuous process, focused on results, behaviours and mindset

•  Improved our social media presence to engage and attract the best talent
•  The Board appointed Charlotte Boyle as the designated non-Executive Director 

for workforce engagement 

Priorities in 2020
•  Inspiring and activating our people to live our culture
•  Investment in transformational leadership and the personal growth of our people
•  Accelerating the development of our six prioritised organisational growth capabilities
•  A step change to the digital and personal ambassadorship of our leaders in order 

to attract the best talent

•  Fostering agile ways of working to improve the productivity of our empowered 

and motivated teams

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

39

Cultivating the potential of our people is 
one of the five pillars of our growth strategy. 
We know that to achieve our vision and our 
growth objectives, we need to develop our 
people, our culture and our critical 
organisational capabilities with even greater 
speed and effectiveness. We also understand 
that in this dynamic talent market the 
relationship between organisations and their 
people is changing.

We aim to make our Company an irresistible 
place to work, where employees feel heard, 
valued, supported and motivated to realise 
their full potential. To attract and retain 
the capable, committed people our business 
requires, we strive to provide a 
workplace where:

•  Talented people have the opportunity for 
unique, personalised experiences and 
personal and professional growth;

•  Our talent pipeline is a source of adaptive 
and disruptive leaders who are fully fit for 
the future;

•  High achievers and curious learners are 
empowered to make decisions and take 
smart risks; and

•  Learning is deeply embedded while 

diversity is leveraged as a source of energy 
and innovation.

An inclusive culture 
to empower people
One of our greatest strengths is our 
values-based culture which is built on six 
Growth Mindset Values. As our Company 
evolves in the face of changes in our 
operating environment, we advanced our 
enduring values in 2019.

Next to the timeless values of excellence and 
customer-centricity, we are increasing focus 
on the continual learning and smart risk-taking 
necessary to manage fast-paced change. 

We know that introducing new values is not 
enough; culture must be embedded 
throughout the organisation and progress 
measured. We use employee engagement 
surveys, evidence-based feedback from 
direct reports, peers and customers and 
quarterly reflection on how employees 
demonstrate growth mindset behaviours to 
understand how our culture evolves.

To bring our culture to life, we fostered internal 
discussions about our behaviours and mindset 
at Culture Lab workshops held across the 
Company in 2019. As we move forward, our 
focus is on embedding our culture into ways 
of working, structures and processes across 
our markets. We also aligned our employee 
engagement survey with our new values, 
sharpened its focus and increased the survey 
frequency from once to twice a year.

We know that committed employees provide 
the best experience for our customers, and 
we therefore listen to their voice carefully and 
act on what we hear.

In 2019, our Employee Engagement Index 
score improved by two percentage points 
from 2018, to 90%. We kept participation 
quite high, at 87% of our people, despite 
keeping the survey open for only three days.

By partnering with Willis Towers Watson, we 
are able to benchmark our performance 
against other companies in our industry and 
in the Coca-Cola System, as well as other 
high-performing companies. Our 2019 
results strengthened our leading position in 
our industry and among the Coca-Cola 
System companies. Our score is 1% above 
the Willis Towers Watson’s high-performing 
norm and considerably higher than the 81% 
average for FTSE 100 companies 
participating in the Willis Towers Watson 
benchmarking pool.

Engagement survey respondents reported 
that they are proud to be part of the 
company and, compared with 2018, were 2% 
more likely to recommend Coca-Cola HBC 
as a good place to work. Respondents also 
expressed an interest in more clarity about 
the Company’s strategy.

Our six Growth Mindset Values are:

WINNING WITH 
CUSTOMERS

We are the selling 
organisation devoted to 
providing innovative 
solutions to create 
shared value.

NURTURING OUR 
PEOPLE

We believe in our 
people, and have a 
passion to develop 
ourselves and others.

EXCELLENCE 

INTEGRITY

LEARNING

PERFORMING AS ONE 

We strive for 
unparalleled 
performance by 
amazing customers 
with our passion 
and speed.

We always do what 
is right, not just 
what is easy, and 
are accountable 
for the results.

We listen, have a natural 
curiosity to learn and 
are empowered to take 
smart risks.

We collaborate with 
agility to unlock the 
unique strength of our 
diverse teams.

SRCGFSSSRSI40

COCA-COLA HBC

Cultivate the potential of our people continued

Managing performance for growth
We made a very bold change in our 
performance management approach in 2019, 
moving from manager-led performance to 
continuous conversations focused on results, 
behaviours and mindset with mutual 
accountability. These feedback loops are a 
critical part of evolving our culture and 
supporting continuous learning and agility.

We are especially proud of the high 
participation rates in evidence-based 
feedback sessions where our people and 
teams provide continuous feedback and 
learn from each other. In the last quarter of 
2019, more than 80% of our people provided 
feedback to their teams.

We also simplified our leadership model 
during 2019, introducing new leadership 
standards with six prioritised leadership 
capabilities. These are: empowers, thinks 
customers, fosters agility, collaborates, builds 
talent and drives impact. These six 
capabilities focus on both results and 
behaviours to ensure that our people balance 
short- and long-term objectives and 
demonstrate desired growth behaviours.

In our effort to foster agility, we established 
a centre of expertise for agile working in 2019 
with a multi-year plan to introduce the agile 
methodology, run projects and introduce 
elements of agility into our culture and 
organisation. Through this effort, we 
conducted eight major projects and trained 
195 employees in our selected framework 
for fostering agility. Our aim is to use agility 
to deliver high quality results for customers 
faster and to prioritise, simplify, and improve 
the productivity of our teams.

In 2019, we further digitalised our workplace 
and introduced cloud-based applications for 
ongoing feedback and performance 
management as part of our HELO (hiring, 
empowering and learning online) platform. 
We also upgraded technologies for 
personalised learning as well as for talent 
identification and selection. The video 
interviewing and the new selection 
applications improve candidate experience, 
provide additional insights for selection 
decisions and improve hiring speed. HELO 
is available to all our online employees, 
democratising learning, accelerating 
development and helping our people fulfil 
their potential.

Invest in building the best teams 
in the industry
In addition to introducing six prioritised 
leadership capabilities for our people, 
as a Company we are focusing on six 
organisational capabilities that can 
accelerate our growth and performance.

Our investments in attracting talent, training, 
technology and process improvements 
are driven by these priorities: big data and 
advanced analytics, revenue growth 
management, route to market, key account 
management, disciplined innovation and 
talent development.

Through our ongoing Innovation for Growth 
initiative, 6,600 participating employees 
generated 4,700 new ideas in 2019, twice the 
amount generated in 2018. In 2020, we will 
step up our focus and investment in this 
programme and we will launch an upgraded 
platform that will support faster realisation 
of new ideas.

To engage people and maximise learning 
from critical work experiences, development 
programmes use a mix of in-person and 
online training. 95% of online employees 
completed digital learning programmes in 2019.

Our use of digital learning further increased 
in 2019, reaching 70% of all programmes 
completed. Learning through conversations 
and knowledge sharing complements formal 
learning. In 2019, 286 employees participated 
in mentoring and 568 in formal leadership 
coaching programmes.

Leadership acceleration centres have been 
established to support unlocking the 
potential of our talents and the development 
of future leaders. This helps our people 
understand their strengths and the areas of 
opportunity for development in their current 
and future roles. We also use functional 
development centres to accelerate 
functional expertise in our six prioritised 
organisational capabilities.

To accelerate the development of more 
than 600 people with leadership potential, 
we further improved experiential learning 
through our Fast Forward programmes. 
This programme received the 2019 Excellence 
in Practice Award from the Association for 
Talent Development. Within 12 months 
of graduating from this high-potential 
programme, 81% of the graduates were 
promoted. Promotion rates among the 
graduates of our management trainee 
programme improved as well due to our 
efforts to create a more effective entry point 
for our leadership pipeline.

Attracting and developing talent
To support our efforts to recruit the best 
teams, we refreshed our employer value 
proposition and improved our social media 
presence. Investments in recruiting help us 
retain nine out of ten new hires.

We are particularly proud of the 60 
recognitions we received across our 28 
countries, reflecting different measurements 
of employer attractiveness. 

The number of people following Coca-Cola 
HBC as an employer on social media also 
increased by more than 50%, exceeding 
300,000 followers by the end of 2019.

Our ability to develop leaders internally is an 
important competitive advantage, ensuring 
cultural continuity. Career progression 
depends on long-term performance and 
potential, as well as alignment with our values. 
In 2019, we simplified our talent review 
approach, making the career outlook for our 
people more understandable and eliminating 
unnecessary complexity. Our focus on 
succession for business unit function 
heads also paid off as we increased our 
successor pool for this critical workforce 
segment in 2019. 

Our leadership plays an essential role in 
ensuring that we have the best teams, with 
every leader accountable for attracting, 
developing, retaining and engaging the right 
talent, and then empowering them to 
execute our strategy. We remain committed 
to enhancing talent development as our 
lighthouse organisational capability.

Championing diversity, inclusion 
and human rights
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 
online at https://coca-colahellenic.com/en/ 
about-us/policies.

One of our 2025 sustainability commitments 
is to achieve full gender balance in managerial 
positions. Our CEO also formalised our 
commitment to diversity and inclusion in 
2019 by signing the CEO pledge of the LEAD 
Network Europe, which aims to accelerate 
gender parity and drive inclusion. In support 
of gender balance, we are building a strong 
pipeline of female leaders and a support 
network to help women in our business. 

Employee engagement: 
outperforming peer companies (%)

9
8

C
B
H
C
C

8
8

C
B
H
C
C

0
9

C
B
H
C
C

90

75

60

45

30

15

i

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

i

1
8

0
0
1
E
S
T
F

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

l

0

17

18

19

19

19

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We regularly review our policies and internal 
standards to ensure we adhere to all 
applicable laws and regulations. In line with 
that, in 2019 we updated our Code of 
Business Conduct. To ensure awareness and 
understanding across our entire workforce, 
our Code of Business Conduct is 
acknowledged by all employees. 

To ensure we continue to drive improvement 
in this area, in 2019 we held a cross-
functional workshop on human rights with 
external guests to challenge our thinking. 

In addition, we have a well-publicised 
whistleblower system, and we investigate all 
reported issues and incidents.

Health and safety
The health and safety of our people and 
contractors is managed as a principal risk, 
emphasising the critical importance of 
ensuring the wellbeing of everyone in our 
workplaces.

While the number of employee workplace 
accidents fell for the tenth consecutive year 
in 2019, regrettably, nine contractors died 
in road accidents. There were no employee 
fatalities. The Lost Time Accident Rate 
(LTAR) was 0.33, compared with 0.39 in 2018. 
All contractors are invited to attend a safety 
induction course and other ongoing training.

Our fleet safety training programmes aim 
to improve safety for all 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, 5,407 
participants completed these programmes 
in 2019, with an average 7% safety 
knowledge improvement.

To reduce the number of road accidents, 
we continued installing collision avoidance 
technology in fleet vehicles. OEM or 
MobilEye driver warning systems have now 
been installed in 71.7% of the Group’s light 
fleet vehicles.

As a result of these efforts, the number 
of accidents per million kilometres travelled 
fell to 2.63, compared with 3.67 in 2018. 
This was our seventh consecutive year 
of improvement, resulting in a cumulative 
reduction of 71%.

While we have made much progress 
in ensuring safety, we are determined 
to do more. In 2019, we extended our 
behaviour-based safety programme to 
53 manufacturing plants, 51 warehouses 
and commercial teams in five countries. 
Of the barriers to safety identified under 
this programme in 2019, 76% have 
been eliminated.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

41

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.

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. To support 
social wellbeing, we host events for families 
and employee bonding and team building. 

We have developed a Health and Dependent 
Care Framework designed to address the 
wellbeing needs of our employees. 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 medical 
check-ups, 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.

Across the Company, we promote the use 
of flexible working. Under our flexible working 
framework, over a quarter of our total 
workforce now has options for flex-time, 
remote working, job sharing, part-time work 
and compressed working arrangements. 
Flexible working arrangements involve a 
partnership between managers and 
employees that supports wellness 
and productivity.

Lost Time Accident Rate trend 
(# LTA per 100 FTE)

5
3
1

.

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
4
0

.

9
3
0

.

3
3
0

.

0.0

2009

2017

2018

2019

0
2
0

.

2025
goal

We increased the percentage of management 
roles held by women by 1pp in 2019, to 38% 
compared with 37% in 2018. At the end 
of 2019, women made up 29% of our total 
workforce. Our newly established Diversity 
and Inclusion Council closely monitors 
our progress.

We foster diversity in our talent pipeline by 
recruiting a balanced number of male and 
female management trainees. In keeping 
with this approach, 62% of the management 
trainees we hired in 2019 were women.

To promote awareness and understanding 
of the importance of diversity and inclusion 
for our business, we launched a diversity 
and inclusion communication campaign. 
Also in 2019, leadership modules to develop 
ambassadors of inclusion were launched 
in five languages.

Our Human Rights Policy covers diversity, 
collective bargaining and workplace security 
and 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). Given that we also expect our 
partners to respect these workplace values, 
our Supplier Guiding Principles are aligned 
with our Human Rights Policy.

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42

COCA-COLA HBC

KPIs

•  Mission 2025 
sustainability 
commitments

Stakeholders

Our communities 

Our consumers 

Partners in 
efficiencies

NGOs 

Shareholders 

Governments 

The Coca-Cola 
Company  

Risks

•  Sustainability: Plastics 
and packaging waste

•  Sustainability: Climate 

and carbon

•  Sustainability: Water

•  Geopolitical and 
Macroeconomic 

5

GROWTH PILLAR 

EARN OUR 
LICENCE 
TO OPERATE

Highlights in 2019
•  Increased our community investment by 34% to €10.6 million 
•  Engaged with 576 partners for community projects
•  Secured water supplies for one million people in Nigeria
•  >118,053 #YouthEmpowered participants – almost twice as many 

as in the year before

•  Collection of primary packaging fully on schedule, 48% 

(equivalent) recovered 

Priorities in 2020
•  Improving effectiveness and impact of #YouthEmpowered 

digital platform

•  Agree next science-based carbon reduction targets aligned with 

the new methodology

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

43

Total community investment

€10.6m
in communities

#Youth Empowered: 31%
Water stewardship: 33%
World Without Waste: 18%
Local initiatives: 18%

Environmental leadership
As we grow our business, we seek to ensure 
that this growth is sustainable over the long 
term and that ecosystems are sustained for 
future generations. 

Long recognised as an environmental leader 
in the beverage industry. In 2019, we further 
improved our environmental impact, 
particularly regarding packaging. We 
introduced the first 100% recycled PET 
bottles for our water brands sold in Austria, 
Croatia, Ireland, Romania and Switzerland.

Working towards a World 
Without Waste
Together with The Coca-Cola Company, 
we have made good progress in making our 
packaging have more than one life. 

We are working to achieve 100% recyclability 
in advance of the 2025 deadline; 99.9% of our 
primary packaging is already recyclable.

We are working to increase our use of recycled 
PET across all our packaging. Of the PET 
material that we used in packaging in 2019, 
12% was from renewable or recycled 
materials. We are working to increase this 
percentage to 35% by 2025 and to 50% 
by 2030.

Innovative design is a key part of reducing 
packaging waste. By light-weighting our 
bottles, we reduced the total PET used 
across our portfolio by approximately 25%1 
vs a 2010 baseline. In 2019 we eliminated 
6,000 tonnes of PET plastic compared to 
2018. We also announced the introduction of 
KeelClip™, a paperboard packaging solution 
which replaces plastic packaging for 
multi-pack cans. This innovative, minimalist 
packaging will roll out in Austria, Ireland, 
Poland and Romania in 2020, and in our 
remaining EU markets by the end of 2021.

We believe every package has value and life 
beyond its initial use and should be collected 
and recycled into either a new package or 
another beneficial use. Therefore, we are 
striving to create a closed loop, so that old 
packaging can become new packaging. 
Nearly half, 48%, of the bottles and cans that 
we placed in the market in 2019 were either 
refilled or collected for recycling.

1.  Considering neutral package mix evolution vs. 2010; 
packaging intensity reduction per litre of beverage 
produced is 4% in 2019 vs. 2010.

We are supporting the development of new 
infrastructure and improved collection 
systems across all our markets to ensure that 
we collect 75% of our primary packaging for 
recycling by 2025. As part of these efforts, 
we are exploring investment opportunities 
in PET recycling facilities in various markets.

We also partner with other organisations 
and use brand messaging to encourage 
consumers to reuse and recycle. Together 
with The Coca-Cola Company, and with the 
support of The Coca-Cola Foundation, we 
have engaged in seven zero waste 
partnerships during the year and promoted 
recycling through messaging on packaging 
and in stores in several market.

In partnership with the Italian plastic waste 
collection consortium (COREPLA), we 
developed and executed an educational 
project called Upcycle during 2019, at an 
annual public event called “Rimini Meeting”. 
We provide information about packaging 
design and market-specific recycling 
processes. In addition to returning to the 
Rimini event in 2020, we are partnering with 
customers to bring Upcycle to Italian retail 
spaces. With national retailer Finiper, we will 
take Upcycle to two of Italy’s largest 
shopping malls.

Educational project Upcycle at the 
“Rimini Meeting” event.

SRCGFSSSRSI44

COCA-COLA HBC

Earn our licence to operate continued

Further decreasing CO2 emissions
As a business, we are aware that the effects 
of climate change are significant. Our risk 
management efforts to manage and mitigate 
the impacts of climate change include a focus 
on: increased cost of energy and raw 
materials; carbon taxation and regulation; 
water sustainability; and business disruption 
due to severe weather conditions. 

Reducing emissions is a strategic priority, 
including ongoing investment along the value 
chain in energy efficiency and renewable and 
low carbon technologies. 

Our Mission 2025 sustainability targets, 
which we report against on page 48-49, 
include goals for reducing energy 
consumption and associated emissions. 
Through a set of projects and innovative 
solutions implemented across our value 
chain, we saved 262,038 tonnes of CO2 in 
2019 compared to 2018 and increased the 
use of renewable electricity by 7.7% across 
our markets.

In Austria and Switzerland, we are using more 
power from the sun. We installed one of the 
largest photovoltaic systems in Austria on 
the roof of our production and logistics 
centre in Edelstal. This will save around 725 
tonnes of CO2 per year compared with 
conventional energy production, equivalent 
to the annual emissions of 400 mid-size cars. 

The photovoltaic system on the roof of our 
Swiss mineral water warehouse was originally 
installed for the benefit of the community, 
supplying energy for 64 households. An 
extension of this project was added in 
September 2019 using bi-facial vertical solar 
panels, an innovation specifically developed 
for mountain areas to increase energy yield. 
This collected solar power is now also used in 
our plant, providing around 4% of the plant’s 
annual energy consumption.

We tackle emission reductions throughout 
our value chain, including Company vehicles. 
Our 180 pool vehicles in Switzerland are 
powered by compressed natural gas, forming 
the country’s largest biogas vehicle fleet. In 
comparison to similar vehicles using diesel, 
biogas-powered vehicles emit 15% less CO2, 
resulting in annual savings of approx. 250 
tonnes of CO2.

By 2025, we will source 100% of our 
electricity needs from renewable and clean 
sources in the EU and Switzerland. In many 
of these markets, including Austria, Greece, 
the Czech Republic, Italy, Romania, Northern 
Ireland, Croatia and Hungary, we have already 
achieved this target, using only renewable 
and clean electricity in our plants.

In our Greek plants, we have reduced energy 
required for lighting by 75% by replacing 
conventional lighting with LED lights. For the 
impact we achieved through this project, we 
received recognition at the Energy Mastering 
Awards 2019.

Securing water availability
Safe, accessible water is essential to human 
health and ecosystems. Water is also the 
primary ingredient of many of our products, 
critical for our manufacturing processes and 
necessary to grow the agricultural 
ingredients for our products. 

By the end of December 2019, 38 of our 
manufacturing sites were certified for their 
responsible use of water resources and 
excellence in water management according 
to the standards of either the European 
Water Stewardship or the Alliance for Water 
Stewardship. While all our European plants 
are now certified, we continue to move 
towards achieving certification for all our 
plants by the end of 2020. New acquisitions 
will be certified during the related post-
merger integration.

We reduce water intensity in all our 
operations and focus particularly on our 
impact in water-risk areas. As part of our 
2025 targets, we will reduce water use by 
20% in plants located in water-risk areas. 
Together with other stakeholders in those 
watersheds, we also want to make sure that 
these communities retain access to safe, 
good-quality water.

Through assessments using globally 
recognised tools such as the WWF Water 
Risk Filter, we have identified 16 of our 56 
bottling plant locations as areas with water 
risk. Half of these are in Nigeria, and the rest 
in Greece, Cyprus, Russia and Armenia.

In these catchment areas, we will:

•  provide access to drinking water, 
•  purify waste water, and 
•  protect and restore watersheds. 

We have reduced the water intensity at our 
plants in water-risk areas by 7% compared to 
the 2017 baseline. In 2019, we implemented 
60 new water-saving projects, investing 
roughly €6 million and saving more than half 
a million cubic metres of water.

First water stewardship initiative 
in Nigeria
To improve water security for communities 
around our production plant in Challawa, we 
made significant investments in water 
infrastructure in 2019. By drilling several new 
shallow wells, replacing ageing pipe, and 
supporting the refurbishment of the Kano 
State Water Board’s water analysis 
laboratory, we are helping to ensure that one 
million people have greater access to water 
and water quality has been improved for 
approximately 10 million people. We further 
established a community water supply point 
at our plant, which has reduced the time 
needed by many families for water collection.

We continued to supply 8,000 litres of water 
per day by tube wells and solar powered 
boreholes to displaced people in a settlement 
close to Maiduguri in the north-east of Nigeria.

Our investments and process improvements 
are also having an impact in Greece 
and Cyprus.

We have begun using treated wastewater 
to clean the recycling area in our plant in 
Schimatari, Greece. Strict quality control 
ensures that we comply with all 
environmental requirements.

Our water initiatives in Cyprus were 
recognised in 2019 for their impact, 
benefiting more than 80,000 Cyprus 
residents, at the Responsible Business 
Awards. We launched Mission Water in 2013, 
with funding from The Coca-Cola 
Foundation, in cooperation with the 
international organisation Global Water 
Partnership Mediterranean (GWP-Med). 
Through Mission Water, 19 water projects 
were undertaken, saving more than 
40,000 m3 of water annually.

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

.

3
8
7

-58%
2025 vs. 2010

.

0
7
4

.

3
3
4

.

1
8
3

.

9
2
3

80

60

40

20

Community borehole in Kano, Nigeria.

0

2010

2017

2018

2019

2025
goal

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

45

Number of young people trained through 
#YouthEmpowered

,

0
0
0
0
0
0
1

,

1
0
4
1
2

,

7
1
0
2

1
1
4
4
6

,

8
1
0
2

3
5
0
8
1
1

,

9
1
0
2

0
0
0
5
2
1

,

l

a
o
g
0
2
0
2

5
6
8
3
0
2

,

9
1
0
2
–
7
1
0
2
e
v
i
t
a
u
m
u
C

l

0
0
5
1
4
3

,

0
2
0
2
–
7
1
0
2
t
e
g
r
a
t
e
v
i
t
a
u
m
u
C

l

5
2
0
2
–
7
1
0
2
t
e
g
r
a
t
e
v
i
t
a
u
m
u
C

l

Beyond those markets, we have engaged 
in various additional initiatives. In Croatia, we 
are aligning the skills and knowledge of young 
people with the needs of employers in the 
tourism and hospitality sectors. Nearly two 
dozen young chefs applied for a culinary 
scholarship programme which we offered 
in 2019.

All candidates underwent a personality 
assessment, a skills test and an interview. 
The finalists were granted scholarships to top 
culinary schools. The winners commit to work 
in Croatia for at least two years after their 
training. We plan to finance 25 scholarships 
by 2024, supporting young culinary talent 
and the Croatian restaurant industry. 

The #YouthEmpowered initiative in North 
Macedonia was recognised during the year 
by the country’s ministry of economy and the 
national coordination body for corporate 
social responsibility. Our ongoing Skills for 
Success project provides free training for 
young adults in the country, including 1,700 
trained in 2019. In recognition of our impact, 
the project received an award for best socially 
responsible practice in community investment.

Beyond water-risk areas, we continue to 
invest to reduce water intensity. In the Czech 
Republic, a new system installed for 
pasteurisation has reduced water 
consumption by approximately 13,000 m3 
per year. Energy and chemical use have also 
been reduced. In Poland, we installed an 
additional reverse osmosis treatment step 
at our plant in Radzymin.This allows us to 
recover 35 to 60% of nano-filtration 
wastewater, saving approximately 60,000 m3 
of water annually.

Engaging communities 
to empower youth
We know that our business can only be as 
healthy and strong as the communities in 
which we operate. We have therefore been 
tackling one of the most relevant societal 
issues in many of our markets, the 
employability of young people. Through our 
flagship programme #YouthEmpowered, we 
aim to provide training for one million young 
adults across our markets by 2025.

Because the challenges faced by young 
people vary as much as the markets in which 
we operate, we adapt the programme to 
local needs. We have engaged over 118,053 
young people during 2019 and hope to 
further ramp up our outreach through a new, 
improved online platform. More than 750 
of our employees have become mentors 
through the initiative, and we have partnered 
with almost 50 local non-governmental 
organisations. Last year, we made particular 
progress in Italy, Poland, Russia and Greece. 
The strengths of the Polish programme 
include a mobile-friendly tool that is 
well-linked to social media platforms. We plan 
to take the learnings from Poland’s online 
success to additional markets in 2020.

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, CO2 emissions 
reduction and waste reduction 
aid global progress towards the 
SDGs for clean water and 
sanitation, and climate action. 
Our initiatives in communities 
help advance the global 
objectives of good health and 
wellbeing, and sustainable cities 
and communities.

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

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

3
9
4

600

500

400

300

200

100

-25%
2020 vs. 2010

8
8
3

0
7
3

2
4
3

1
3
3

0
3
2

.

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

-30%
2020 vs. 2010

2
8
1

.

9
7
1

.

4
7
1

.

1
6
1

.

0

2010

2017

2018

2019

2020
goal

0.0

2010

2017

2018

2019

2020
goal

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46

COCA-COLA HBC

Key performance indicators

Tracking our 
progress

We measure our performance against our strategic objectives using 
specific KPIs. These KPIs allow us, and our stakeholders, to track our 
progress against our 2020 targets. These are also the financial and 
operational milestones which we will focus on for Growth Story 2025. 

1

GROWTH PILLAR

LEVERAGE OUR 
UNIQUE 24/7 
PORTFOLIO

2

GROWTH PILLAR

WIN IN THE 
MARKETPLACE

Volume growth (%)

5

4

3

2

1

0

4.2

3.3

2.2

excl. Bambi
2.6%

2017

2018

2019

Currency-neutral revenue 
per case growth (%)

Currency-neutral revenue growth (%)

5

4

3

2

1

0

3.6

1.7

1.0

excl. Bambi
1.1%

2017

2018

2019

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

5.9

6.0

4.4

excl. Bambi
3.7%

2017

2018

2019

How we measure our progress
Volume is measured in unit cases, where one 
unit case represents 5.678 litres. For Bambi 
volume, one unit case corresponds to 
1 kilogram. We grow volume as we expand 
per-capita consumption of our products.

What happened in the year
Volume grew by 3.3%, or by 2.6% 
excluding Bambi.

Link to remuneration
Volume is a key component of revenue 
and revenue is a measure for MIP awards.

Read more on page 122.

How we measure our progress
We measure revenues on a currency-neutral 
basis to allow better focus on the underlying 
performance of the business. We grow 
FX-neutral revenue per case through pricing 
as well as driving positive category and 
package mix.

What happened in the year
Currency-neutral revenue per case grew by 
1.0%, in part impacted by price investments 
in Nigeria. Currency-neutral revenue grew 
by 4.4%, 3.7% excluding Bambi, with growth 
in all geographical segments. 

Link to remuneration
Revenue is a measure for MIP awards.

Read more on page 122.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

47

GROWTH PILLAR

3

FUEL GROWTH THROUGH 
COMPETITIVENESS & INVESTMENT

OpEx as percentage of NSR (%)

Comparable EBIT margin (%)

35

28

21

14

7

0

27.9

27.7

26.9

2017

2018

2019

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

10.2

10.8

9.5

2017

2018

2019

CapEx as percentage of NSR (%)

ROIC (%)

8

6

4

2

0

6.4

6.9

5.8

2017

2018

2019

16

12

8

4

0

13.7

14.2

12.4

2017

2018

2019

How we measure our progress
We measure this by OpEx as a percentage 
of NSR and by comparable EBIT margin. 
We generate positive operational leverage 
as we grow revenues on our efficient cost base. 

What happened in the year
OpEx as a percentage of NSR improved by 
80 basis points, and comparable EBIT margin 
expanded by 60 basis points. 

Link to remuneration
Gross profit margin, OpEx as a percentage 
of NSR and comparable EBIT are all measures 
for MIP awards.

Read more on page 124.

How we measure our progress
We measure CapEx as a percentage of NSR, as 
well as ROIC, to ensure prudent capital allocation 
and efficient working capital management. 
Disciplined investment supports our growth.

What happened in the year
ROIC expanded by 50 basis points to 14.2%. 
CapEx as a percentage of NSR expanded to 
6.9% with the majority of this investment being 
spent on revenue generating assets. Following 
the adoption of IFRS 16, CapEx in 2019 includes 
capital repayments of all leases.

Link to remuneration
ROIC is a measure for PSP awards.

Read more on page 123.

4

GROWTH PILLAR

CULTIVATE THE 
POTENTIAL OF 
OUR PEOPLE

How we measure our progress
We conduct an engagement survey with 
an independent third party and measure our 
results against the norm for companies who 
perform highly on this metric.

What happened in the year
Our employee engagement is above 
the high-performing norm.

Link to remuneration
Maintaining our high engagement score is part 
of the CEO’s individual performance metrics.

Read more on page 122.

100

89

90

80

60

40

20

0

HPN (high
performing
norm)

Employee
engagement

5

GROWTH PILLAR

EARN OUR 
LICENCE TO 
OPERATE

How we measure our progress
Progress on Mission 2025.

What happened in the year
Please see our performance on the 
following page.

Link to remuneration 
Maintaining our leadership of the beverage 
industry in the DJSI index is part of the CEO’s 
individual performance metrics.

Read more on page 122.

SRCGFSSSRSI48

COCA-COLA HBC

Sustainability performance

EARN OUR LICENCE TO OPERATE

5
Mission 2025 – our sustainability commitments

Sustainability 
areas

Climate and 
renewable 
energy

Material issues

•  Carbon and energy
•  Economic impact

Water reduction 
and stewardship

•  Water stewardship
•  Economic impact

World Without 
Waste

•  Packaging, 

recycling and waste 
management
•  Economic impact

Ingredient 
sourcing

•  Product quality and integrity
•  Human rights, diversity 

Nutrition

Our people and 
communities

and inclusion
•  Economic impact
•  Sourcing

•  Product quality and integrity
•  Nutrition
•  Marketing

•  Human rights, diversity 

and inclusion

•  Employee wellbeing 
and engagement

•  Corporate citizenship 

and youth empowerment

•  Packaging, recycling 

and waste management

•  Economic impact

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
and their targets

2025 

Commitments1

2019 

Performance Status

7.2 
7.3

12.2

6.1 
6.4 
6.5 
6.6
12.1 
12.2 
12.4

8.4

12.1 
12.2 
12.5

8.3 
8.8

13.1

9.4

11.6

13.1

9.4

11.6

15.1

17.17

9.4

11.6

14.1

17.17

9.4

12.1 
12.2 
12.4 
12.6 
12.7

5.5

11.6

17.16 
17.17

3.4

12.8

3.4 
3.6

8.5 
8.6 
8.8

12.2 
12.4

4.3 
4.4

10.2 
10.4

16.7

30% reduce 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 clean2 sources

100% total electricity used in the EU and Switzerland from 

renewable and clean2 sources

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

35% of total PET used from recycled PET and/or PET from 

renewable material

100% of consumer packaging to be recyclable3

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced in line with 

sustainable agricultural principles

19%

28%

42%

89%

7%

25%

48%5

12%

99.9%

74%

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft drinks 

(all CCH countries)4

12%

10% community participants in first-time managers’ 

development programmes

4.5%

20 engage in 20 zero waste partnerships (city and/or coast)

10% of employees take part in volunteering initiatives

ZER0 target zero fatalities among our workforce

50% reduced (lost time) accident rate per 100 FTE

50% of managers are women

76

17%

ZER0

18%

38%

Due to availability and cost of high-quality food-grade 

feedstock. Roadmap developed up to 2025.

We have recently introduced new suppliers that are 

currently in the process of certification and expect to 

be completed within 2020-2021.

Not reached due to increased number of incidents 

related to contact with machinery in production and 19% 

of accidents caused by public vehicles, out of our control 

and influence.

1 MIL train one million young people through 

#YouthEmpowered

203,865

is 118,053.

Cumulative number 2017-2019, 2019-only number 

Note: The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. Each of the 17 goals 
has very specific targets, referenced by the numbers shown above. You can read more about the SDGs and these targets here: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs

Sustainability 

areas

Climate and 

renewable 

energy

•  Carbon and energy

•  Economic impact

Water reduction 

and stewardship

•  Water stewardship

•  Economic impact

World Without 

•  Packaging, 

Waste

recycling and waste 

management

•  Economic impact

Ingredient 

sourcing

•  Product quality and integrity

•  Human rights, diversity 

Nutrition

•  Product quality and integrity

Our people and 

communities

and inclusion

•  Economic impact

•  Sourcing

•  Nutrition

•  Marketing

•  Human rights, diversity 

and inclusion

•  Employee wellbeing 

and engagement

•  Corporate citizenship 

and youth empowerment

•  Packaging, recycling 

and waste management

•  Economic impact

Material issues

and their targets

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

2025 
Commitments1

2019 
Performance Status

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

49

Key for performance status

Partly on track with internal annual plans

On track, progress in line with internal annual plans

30% reduce 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 clean2 sources

100% total electricity used in the EU and Switzerland from 

renewable and clean2 sources

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

35% of total PET used from recycled PET and/or PET from 

renewable material

100% of consumer packaging to be recyclable3

100% of our key agricultural ingredients sourced in line with 

sustainable agricultural principles

19%

28%

42%

89%

7%

25%

48%5

12%

99.9%

74%

Due to availability and cost of high-quality food-grade 
feedstock. Roadmap developed up to 2025.

We have recently introduced new suppliers that are 
currently in the process of certification and expect to 
be completed within 2020-2021.

25% reduce calories per 100ml of sparkling soft drinks 

(all CCH countries)4

12%

10% community participants in first-time managers’ 

development programmes

4.5%

1 MIL train one million young people through 

#YouthEmpowered

203,865

Cumulative number 2017-2019, 2019-only number 
is 118,053.

20 engage in 20 zero waste partnerships (city and/or coast)

10% of employees take part in volunteering initiatives

ZER0 target zero fatalities among our workforce

50% reduced (lost time) accident rate per 100 FTE

50% of managers are women

76

17%

ZER0

18%

38%

Not reached due to increased number of incidents 
related to contact with machinery in production and 19% 
of accidents caused by public vehicles, out of our control 
and influence.

1.  Baseline 2017.
2.  Clean source means CHP.

3.  Technical recyclability by design.
4.  Baseline 2015.

5.  Calculation methodology changed in 2019. 

See page 14 from 2019 GRI Index.

6.  Supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

SRCGFSSSRSI50

COCA-COLA HBC

Q&A
Marcel Martin, 
Group Supply Chain Director, explains the approach 
we are taking to tackle plastic packaging waste.

Tackling the 
problem of plastic
More than a million plastic bottles are 
sold throughout the world every minute, 
and most, 91%, are not recycled. 
All plastic packaging can and should 
have more than one life. The beverage 
industry, including Coca-Cola HBC, 
has an obligation to take significant 
action to solve this problem.
Through our World Without Waste 
initiative, described on page 43, 
we are committed to collect and recycle 
all the packs that we put on the market. 
Achieving that goal requires collective 
action from many stakeholders, and 
we are working proactively to help drive 
these changes.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

51

“ALL PLASTIC 

PACKAGING CAN AND 
SHOULD HAVE MORE 
THAN ONE LIFE.”

Marcel Martin

SRCGFSSSRSI52

COCA-COLA HBC

Q. Are you seeing changes in 
consumer behaviour resulting 
from the negative perceptions 
around plastic?
A. Plastic pollution is a huge concern and one 
that we are taking very seriously. While we are 
not yet seeing consumer concerns 
translating into significant avoidance of 
single-use plastics, we know that this is only 
a matter of time. So, we are taking action now 
to put the right solutions in place.

Q. Are you considering moving 
away from plastic packaging 
in the future?
A. While we understand that this might appear 
to be a sensible strategy, to be honest, that 
may not be the most environmentally 
sustainable scenario. When you look at the 
overall environmental impact of the different 
types of packaging material, PET plastic 
bottles typically have a lower carbon footprint 
compared to other options.

And, bottles made from recycled PET have 
an even lower carbon footprint compared 
to PET bottles made from virgin material.

The challenge is around disposal – we need 
to create a circular economy around plastics. 
PET bottles can be recycled many times if 
they are collected in a well-segregated 
system and if the industry has good access 
to the packages that are collected. Most of 
our bottles are clear or lightly coloured, which 
means that they can be used to create 
recycled PET. In turn, recycled PET can be 
used to make new bottles, creating a closed 
loop for plastic. We see this closed loop in 
action with our 100% recycled PET pack 
water brands that we introduced last year.

Q. What new packaging 
solutions are you working on?
A. Designing more sustainable packaging 
is a big priority and this work focuses on four 
areas: ensuring recyclability, using more 
recycled materials, reducing the overall 
amount of packaging and exploring novel 
packaging materials.

Currently, 99.9% of our packaging is 
recyclable and we are committed to making 
that 100% in advance of our 2025 target. 
In 2019, we made some significant steps 
forward by introducing bottles made from 
100% recycled PET for our water brands 
in Austria, Croatia, Ireland, Switzerland and 
Romania. This is an authentic circular 
approach that significantly reduces carbon 
impact, and we expect to make more 
progress in this regard in 2020.

We have also been continuing our work 
to reduce the overall amount of packaging 
materials. By light-weighting our bottles, 
we have managed to reduce total PET used 
across our portfolio by approximately 25%1 
since 2010. In 2019 we have eliminated 6,000 
tonnes of PET plastic compared to 2018. 
When it comes to secondary packaging, we 
are eliminating shrink film from multi-pack 
cans through the introduction of KeelClip™ 
and carton packs, while also developing 
solutions to remove plastic film from PET 
multi-packs.

1.  Considering neutral package mix evolution vs. 2010; 
packaging intensity reduction per litre of beverage 
produced is 4% in 2019 vs. 2010.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

53

In 2006, we invested, as part of a consortium, 
in the establishment of a ‘bottle to bottle’ 
PET recycling facility in Austria. Our 
investment has meant that we have access 
to the high-quality, rPET the facility produces 
from well-segregated plastic. This is an 
economically sustainable model we are 
looking to replicate in other markets. 

In 2020, we will also pilot some innovative 
technology on-site at our Krakow plant in 
Poland. The SIPA-EREMA Prime technology 
will allow us to process non-food grade 
‘hot washed’ PET flakes, which are readily 
available, to produce high-quality food-grade 
rPET. While this is a pilot, we are excited 
about the potential it has to provide 
high-quality rPET in a cost-effective way. 
Innovative, new technologies may also play 
an important role. One example is an 
‘enhanced’ recycling process that breaks PET 
down to the molecular level. This helps get 
around the need for highly segregated 
recycling, which is currently rare. 

In short, we believe the war on waste will be 
won not through one simple solution but by 
being innovative, proactive and using many 
technologies. It also requires that we work 
with partners who are as engaged and 
passionate about this issue as we are. 

Smart packaging approaches are another 
area we are exploring. These offer 
consumers the opportunity to use reusable 
smart cups with contactless and chip 
payment technology.

Q. What about biodegradable 
plastic? Is this a viable option?
A. Two universities, Politecnico of Milan  
and the National Technical University of 
Athens, have helped us investigate options 
using alternative materials. The viability of 
biodegradable plastics for primary packaging 
is limited by the very specific conditions they 
require to break down. However, following on 
from our work with the universities, we will be 
testing bio-based and recycled plastic films 
for secondary and tertiary packaging in 
several markets during 2020.

Q. What are you doing to 
ensure that you have access to 
enough high-quality, recycled 
PET to meet your future 
needs?
A. Across Europe and the EMEA region, there 
is a limited supply of high-quality, recycled 
PET (rPET) available to produce food-grade 
packaging. It is also expensive, currently 
commanding a price premium compared to 
virgin PET. Because we believe supply 
pressures will only increase, we are 
considering a number of options.

Investing in KeelClipTM
In 2019, Coca-Cola HBC 
partnered with Graphic 
Packaging International 
to invest in KeelClip™, 
an innovative, minimalist 
paperboard packaging that 
replaces plastic shrink film 
from multi-pack cans. All of 
our markets in the EU will have 
KeelClip™ by the end of 2021.

“WE ARE TAKING 

ACTION TO PUT THE 
RIGHT SOLUTIONS 
IN PLACE.”

Marcel Martin

SRCGFSSSRSI54

COCA-COLA HBC

Managing risk and materiality

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.

Through our regular 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. 

The assessment is conducted annually to 
fully understand how to best manage the 
relevant risks and opportunities. Carried out 
by our cross-functional Mission Sustainability 
team, the annual materiality assessment 
consists of four phases:

identify material issues;

• 
•  assess impact on or importance to 

stakeholders;

•  assess impact on society and the 

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. 

In 2019, our process to validate areas defined 
as material included detailed desktop 
research, peer comparison internal 
interviews and review of summarised 
feedback from our external stakeholders. 
The process confirmed the relevance of the 
12 material issues.

For more information about our materiality 
approach, please see the materiality section 
of our website.

Engaging stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement is essential to grow 
our business and fulfil our purpose. We need 
to engage and work in partnership with a wide 
range of stakeholders to make better 
business decisions and deliver on our 
commitments. Our key internal and external 
stakeholders include investors, employees, 
customers, consumers, suppliers, 
governments and regulators, The Coca-Cola 
Company, and local communities. We also 
engage with other businesses through trade 
associations and universities.

Every year we hold a Group Stakeholder 
Forum, organised together with The 
Coca-Cola Company, to discuss our material 
topics with a group of experts. In 2019, our 
focus was on water stewardship, which was 
ranked as having the second highest impact 
amongst our material issues by our 
stakeholders in our 2018 materiality survey. 
The 2019 Stakeholder Forum was held in 
Athens, Greece, in a market where two of our 
three manufacturing facilities are facing 
some water risk. We welcomed 34 
participants from 20 countries, including 
customers, industry associations, non-
governmental organisations, policy makers, 
investors and peer companies. Discussions 
covered three main areas: using water more 
efficiently in our operations and in the value 
chain; establishing water stewardship 
initiatives with local communities 
(stakeholder partnerships); and helping to 
educate local households on more efficient 
use of water. 

Stakeholder recommendations from the 
2019 Forum included:

•  using ‘big data’ and new technologies to 

• 

mitigate water risks; 
including water use reduction in standards 
for agricultural suppliers;

•  demonstrating leadership through 

innovative technologies and scale locally;

•  working with governments to influence 

local business;

•  using the power of the brands to 

• 

communicate broadly about water 
scarcity; and
leveraging partnerships across markets to 
raise awareness and amplify achievements 
in water stewardship.

Stakeholder recommendations lead to 
detailed action plans, and we conduct follow-up 
webinars with the community of experts to 
inform them of our progress. At our 2018 
Group Stakeholder Forum, held in a waste 
incineration plant in Vienna, we discussed the 
challenges of packaging waste. Our follow up 
on a number of the recommendations we 
received from stakeholders during the 2018 
Forum is detailed in this report in the section 
on Tackling the problem of plastic on pages 
50-52. This includes our exploration of 
biodegradable plastics and new technologies 
that break PET down to a molecular level, 
which is also called chemical recycling.

Along with the annual Group Stakeholder 
Forum, we ask more than 500 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 propose further 
emerging material topics. In parallel, we 
conduct this survey internally to collect input 
from our top 300 business leaders and our 
770 change leaders, which includes senior 
leadership teams in our 28 countries, key 
managers in our operations and at Group 
level, the regional management teams and 
the Group top management.

You can read more about our stakeholder 
engagement processes in the “Our 
stakeholders” section of this report (page 19) 
and on our website.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

55

Managing our material issues

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

The outcome of our materiality survey is a 
ranking of material issues. By assessing the 
importance of these issues to our 
stakeholders and their decisions, combined 
with an assessment of the impact on society 
and the environment, we derive the relative 
materiality of each issue and prioritise them 
accordingly. Our work to manage the 
potential risks, opportunities and impacts of  
our material issues takes place across  
the Company, and is disclosed throughout 
this report.

We understand the critical role of companies 
like Coca-Cola HBC in addressing challenges 
the world faces and we fully support the UN 
sustainability agenda and the UN Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs). In 2018, when 
we published Mission 2025, our sustainability 
commitments, we linked all our material 
issues and 2025 targets with the UN SDGs, 
and their underlying targets. You can find 
more about how our material issues and 
sustainability commitments link to the SDGs 
at pages 48-49 of this report.

2019 Materiality matrix

l

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

I

Packaging, recycling & 
waste management

Product quality & integrity

Corporate governance, 
business ethics & anti-corruption

Water stewardship

Carbon & energy

Nutrition

Human rights, inclusion & diversity

Employee wellbeing & engagement

Sustainable sourcing

Corporate citizenship and youth empowerment

Economic impact

i

h
g
h
y
r
e
V

h
g
H

i

e
t
a
r
e
d
o
M

Marketing

Moderate

High

Very high

Economic dimension

Environmental dimension

Social dimension

Impact of the issue on environment and society

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
56

COCA-COLA HBC

Managing risk and materiality continued

Effective 
management of risk

Aligning risk and materiality
The management of our business risks is 
intrinsically linked to materiality and in 2019 
the process of understanding and managing 
our material issues and principal risks 
remained high on our agenda as we 
continued to transform our business and 
expand our product portfolio.

Due to their criticality, our material issues and 
principal risks are monitored closely by the 
Operating Committee and our Board. To 
support our success and growth, we use a 
well-established, collaborative risk 
management approach across the business. 

Enterprise risk management
Our risk management journey continued as 
we further embedded the Enterprise Risk 
Management (ERM) programme into our 
Company’s DNA. Our Smart Risk 
programme, which is directly aligned to our 
growth mindset, drives cultural change by 
encouraging all employees to take informed 
risk to leverage opportunities for growth. By 
fully embedding risk discussions into existing 
monthly business routines, our leaders 
continue to boost their ability to identify risks 
and manage them in a timely manner. 

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 Group functions, such as 
legal, on specific business risks. The CRO is 
tasked with maintaining a wide-angled view of 
all business streams and emergent risks and 
opportunities and through regular reporting 
ensures that risk visibility is provided to the 
Operating Committee and our Board.

Our Board retains overall accountability and 
responsibility for the Group’s risk 
management and internal control systems, 
has defined the Group’s risk appetite, and, 
through the Audit and Risk Committee, has 
reviewed the effectiveness of these systems. 
During the year, the Board considered the 
nature and extent of the principal risks that 
have the potential to impact the ability of the 
Group to achieve its strategic objectives and 
reviewed its risk appetite statement to 
ensure that it remained not only aligned to 
our objectives but remained supportive of 
our robust Enterprise Risk Management 
programme and internal control systems.

Our system of enterprise risk management 
and internal control monitors operational, 
strategic, financial, legal and regulatory risk 
and the Board endorses our risk transference 
and insurance strategy. Overall, our 
programme is designed to manage risk and 
opportunities and encourages our people to 
embrace the concept of taking smart risks 
which drive innovation and growth, rather 
than eliminate the risk of failure in achieving 
business objectives.

The Smart Risk programme continued to 
enhance cross-functional collaboration with 
the strong internal partnerships and business 
alignment driving the successful integration 
of the programme. In 2019 we continued to 
enhance the ERM framework to ensure that 
it was effectively integrated into monthly 
routines to support senior leadership 
discussions on risk and opportunity. The 
revised ERM framework, which will be rolled 
out in 2020, will incorporate an analysis of 
both the velocity of the likelihood and 
consequence. This will enable us to evaluate 
the speed of onset of the risk itself, and if it 
occurs, the speed at which the 
consequences will eventuate.

The ERM programme incorporates a variety 
of processes including:

•  alignment to our business strategies, 

• 

objectives and principals;
integration in our Group statements on 
strategic direction, ethics and values;
integration into the business planning cycle;

• 
•  continual monitoring of our macro and 
operational environments for emerging 
risks and factors that may change our risk 
profile and create opportunities;

•  robust training to increase risk awareness 
across all business units and functions 
which are focused on embedding the 
smart risk concepts into our DNA, creating 
informed risk-taking leaders across all 
management levels; and

•  an annual evaluation of the type and 

amount of insurance purchased from 
the market for Group-wide policies while 
leveraging our captive insurance entity. 
In a hardening insurance market, our 
approach is influenced by the availability 
of insurance cover and cost, measured 
against the probability and magnitude 
of the relevant risks.

Programme review
Our internal audit department conducts 
an annual independent review of the ERM 
programme and its implementation. 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. Building on the review of our 
ERM programme, the Board and its 
Committees also conduct annual reviews of 
the effectiveness of our internal controls and 
further details of that review are set out in the 
Audit and Risk Committee Report on pages 
98-103. Based on its reviews and evaluation, 
the Board confirms that it has concluded that 
our risk management and internal control 
systems are effective.

Principal risks
The cyclic review of our key risks involves an 
assessment of the likelihood of their 
occurrence and their potential consequences 
to confirm the level of exposure and evaluate 
the strategies to manage them. It is noted 
that the list does not include all risks that can 
ultimately affect our Company as there are 
risks that are not yet known to us, and risks 
currently evaluated to be immaterial that 
could ultimately have an impact on our 
business or financial performance. 

By leveraging our robust risk management 
programme, which is integrated into monthly 
business routines and evaluates risks against 
our business and strategic priorities, we 
remain vigilant to the uncertainty in our 
operating environment and can react with 
greater speed.

The programme enables us to proactively 
identify new risks and opportunities which 
enable us to understand threats to our 
business viability. This analysis is the key 
component of our qualitative review process 
in support of our viability statement. The ERM 
programme did not identify any emerging 
risks that altered our principal risk dynamics.

During 2019, while we observed a general 
stability across the majority of our principal 
risks, changes in risk dynamics required 
changes in our principal risk articulation. 
Due to the continued rise in focus on the 
elements within our sustainability risk area 
(carbon and climate, packaging and water) 
we have decided to split that risk into three 
separate principal risks. This enables us to 
specifically articulate key elements of the 
changing consumer sentiment and public 
debate for each sustainability risk, thereby 
ensuring specific visibility of the risk elements 
and related mitigations. In respect of climate 
change, a broader discussion on our 
climate-related risks, their link to materiality, 
and our risk management approach is 
provided as part of our statement on 
implementing the recommendations of the 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures located on pages 62-63. 

Our evaluation and deliberations also 
determined that our existing discriminatory 
tax risk should be integrated as a potential 
consequence of two of the sustainability risks 
and our consumer health and wellbeing and 
geopolitical risks. As a result, the discriminatory 
tax risk was closed with the concept listed as 
a consequence for the cited specific risks. 

In 2019 we attained an employee 
engagement level of 90%. Consequently, 
employee engagement risk has been 
integrated in a broader employee category 
that builds on the existing principal risk 
relating to attraction and retention. Lastly, as 
the global geopolitical and macroeconomic 
environment remains volatile and complex, 
with the potential to adversely impact 
consumer sentiment, the description and 
focus of that risk has been restructured.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

57

creating and protecting 
business value

The Smart Risk programme in action

Our ERM process for the identification, review, 
management and escalation of both risks and 
opportunities continued to be refined and integrated 
with the best aspects of both ISO 31000 and the 
revised COSO frameworks. During the year our 
process included the following activities:

Opportunities 
and risks

<

•  Monthly risk discussions and risk updates 
were undertaken by the business units;
•  Monthly reviews were undertaken by the 

Business Resilience team; and

•  Quarterly risk reviews were undertaken with 

corporate functions.

•  The CRO and his team facilitated regular risk 
review sessions with senior leaders in the 
business units and functions.

•  The CRO facilitated in May and 

November, regional-level reviews with the 
CEO, Regional Directors and their teams 
to evaluate the key risks and management 
actions; and

•  Stakeholder feedback was provided 

after these sessions, ensuring a cyclic 
bottom-up, top-down information loop 
and enhancing risk visibility.

•  The Group Risk Forum (GRF), which is 
chaired by the CRO and is our internal 
senior leadership risk ‘think tank’, met 
in May and November. The forum 
evaluated trends and the internal and 
external risk environment to support the 
preparation of our Group-wide strategic 
risk register and principal risks.

•  The Operating Committee reviewed 
the risk review outputs from the GRF 
discussions in May and November. 
With the CRO, it discussed, evaluated and 
aligned on our strategic risks 
and the potential exposures against 
business objectives.

•  The CRO briefed the Audit and Risk 

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

Monthly 
focus with 
quarterly 
reviews

CRO 
leadership 
sessions

Management review

The Group 
 Risk Forum

Operating 
Committee 
review

Board review

<

Feedback to 
this process

SRCGFSSSRSI58

COCA-COLA HBC

Managing risk and materiality continued

Principal risks

Description

Potential impact

Key mitigations

1. Sustainability: 
Plastics and packaging 
waste

The risk of rising stakeholder concerns relating 
to packaging waste and plastics pollution that will 
drive the agenda on production methods and 
waste recovery.

5

2. Sustainability: 
Climate and carbon

5

The risk of the continued escalation of the climate 
change agenda and a failure to reduce our 
environmental footprint. Impacts to our operations 
and value chain may arise from more volatile effects 
of weather and NGO monitoring of our approach to 
carbon use and compliance with TCFD.

3. Sustainability: 
Water

5

The risk of water availability, water stress to the 
communities in which we operate, and water quality 
caused by climate change.

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation
•  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

•  Commodity availability
•  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

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation
•  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

4. Consumer health 
and wellbeing

1

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

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation
•  Failure to achieve our growth plans
•  Damage to our brand and corporate reputation
•  Loss of consumer base

5. Cyber incidents

3

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
•  Non-compliance with data protection legislation 

(e.g. GDPR)

6. Foreign exchange 
and commodity costs

3

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.

Increased cost base

•  Financial loss
• 
•  Asset impairment
•  Limitations on cash repatriation

•  Packaging waste management and World Without Waste global programmes

•  Partnering with local and international NGOs on packaging recovery

•  Partnering with local communities, start-ups and academia to minimise environmental impacts

Link to material issues

•  Packaging, recycling and 

waste management

•  Sourcing

•  Energy management programmes and transition to renewable and clean energy

•  Carbon and energy

•  Partnering with local and international NGOs on common issues such as nature conservation

•  Sourcing

•  Partnering with local communities, start-ups and academia to minimise environmental impacts 

•  Focus on sustainable procurement

•  Commitment to TCFD recommendations

•  Water reduction and waste water treatment programmes, as well as support for water stewardship 

•  Water stewardship

initiatives in water-risk areas 

•  Sourcing

•  Partnering with local and international NGOs on water stewardship strategies

•  Partnering with local communities, start-ups and academia to minimise environmental impacts

•  Focus on product innovation and expansion to a 24/7 beverage portfolio

•  Expand our range of low- and no-calorie beverages

• 

Introduce smaller packs

•  Reduce the calorie content of products in the portfolio

•  Clearer labelling on packaging

•  Nutrition

•  Marketing

•  Product quality and integrity

•  Promote active lifestyles through consumer engagement programmes focused on health and wellness

• 

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

•  Economic impact

•  Maintain certification against the ISO 27001 standard and confirm our commitment to secure information 

assets and comply with international security standards

•  Safeguard critical IT and operational assets

•  Detect, respond and recover from cyber incidents and attacks

•  Foster a positive culture of cyber-security

•  Monitor threat landscape and remediate associated vulnerabilities

•  Treasury policy requires the hedging of 25% to 80% of rolling 12-month forecasted transactional foreign 

•  Economic impact

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 

•  Derivative financial instruments are used, where available, to reduce net exposure to currency 

apply for each hedge-able commodity

and commodity price fluctuations

social sustainability

• 

Increased cost of doing business

•  Loss of consumer base

2. Sustainability: 

Climate and carbon

The risk of the continued escalation of the climate 

•  Commodity availability

change agenda and a failure to reduce our 

environmental footprint. Impacts to our operations 

and value chain may arise from more volatile effects 

of weather and NGO monitoring of our approach to 

carbon use and compliance with TCFD.

•  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

•  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

4. Consumer health 

and wellbeing

Failure to adapt to changing consumer health trends, 

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation

public health policies addressing misconceptions 

about our formulations, sugar and the health impact 

•  Failure to achieve our growth plans

•  Damage to our brand and corporate reputation

of our product portfolio.

•  Loss of consumer base

5. Cyber incidents

A cyber-attack or data centre failure resulting 

•  Financial loss

in business disruption or breach of corporate 

•  Operational disruption

or personal data confidentiality.

•  Damage to corporate reputation

•  Non-compliance with data protection legislation 

(e.g. GDPR)

6. Foreign exchange 

and commodity costs

Foreign exchange and commodity exposure 

•  Financial loss

arises from changes in exchange rates and 

commodity prices.

• 

Increased cost base

•  Asset impairment

Currency devaluation, in combination with capital 

•  Limitations on cash repatriation

controls, restricts movement of funds and increases 

the risk of asset impairment.

Principal risks

Description

Potential impact

Key mitigations

1. Sustainability: 

Plastics and packaging 

waste

The risk of rising stakeholder concerns relating 

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation

to packaging waste and plastics pollution that will 

drive the agenda on production methods and 

waste recovery.

•  Long-term damage to our licence to operate

•  Losing our ‘seat at the table’ to contribute 

to legislation related to environmental and 

•  Packaging waste management and World Without Waste global programmes
•  Partnering with local and international NGOs on packaging recovery
•  Partnering with local communities, start-ups and academia to minimise environmental impacts

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

59

Link to material issues

•  Packaging, recycling and 
waste management

•  Sourcing

3. Sustainability: 

Water

The risk of water availability, water stress to the 

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation

communities in which we operate, and water quality 

•  Long-term damage to our licence to operate

•  Water reduction and waste water treatment programmes, as well as support for water stewardship 

initiatives in water-risk areas 

•  Water stewardship
•  Sourcing

caused by climate change.

•  Partnering with local and international NGOs on water stewardship strategies
•  Partnering with local communities, start-ups and academia to minimise environmental impacts

•  Energy management programmes and transition to renewable and clean energy
•  Partnering with local and international NGOs on common issues such as nature conservation
•  Partnering with local communities, start-ups and academia to minimise environmental impacts 
•  Focus on sustainable procurement
•  Commitment to TCFD recommendations

•  Carbon and energy
•  Sourcing

Introduce smaller packs

•  Focus on product innovation and expansion to a 24/7 beverage portfolio
•  Expand our range of low- and no-calorie beverages
• 
•  Reduce the calorie content of products in the portfolio
•  Clearer labelling on packaging
•  Promote active lifestyles through consumer engagement programmes focused on health and wellness

•  Nutrition
•  Marketing
•  Product quality and integrity

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

• 
•  Maintain certification against the ISO 27001 standard and confirm our commitment to secure information 

•  Economic impact

assets and comply with international security standards

•  Safeguard critical IT and operational assets
•  Detect, respond and recover from cyber incidents and attacks
•  Foster a positive culture of cyber-security
•  Monitor threat landscape and remediate associated vulnerabilities

•  Treasury policy requires the hedging of 25% to 80% of rolling 12-month forecasted transactional foreign 

•  Economic impact

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

Risk included in viability assessment

1

2

3

4

5

Increasing

Stable

Decreasing

Link to growth pillars

Principal risks trend

SRCGFSSSRSI60

COCA-COLA HBC

Managing risk and materiality continued

Principal risks

Description

Potential impact

Key mitigations

Link to material issues

7. Channel mix

2

The increasing concentration and consolidation of 
retailers and independent wholesalers with retailer 
disruption due to discounters and e-commerce 
players. Consumers altering consumption habits.

•  Reduced availability of our portfolio and 

overall profitability

8. People 

4

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

•  Failure to achieve our growth plans

•  Upgrade our Employer Value Proposition and Employer Brand

9. Geopolitical and 
macroeconomic

3

1

4

2

5

Volatile and challenging macroeconomic, security, 
and geopolitical conditions together with adverse 
global events including health-related issues can 
affect consumer demand and wellbeing and create 
security risks across our diverse markets.

•  Eroded consumer confidence affecting 

discretionary spending

Inflationary pressures

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation
• 
•  Social unrest
•  Safety of people and assets

10. Quality

2

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

•  Damage to brand and corporate reputation
•  Loss of consumer trust
•  Reduction in volume and net sales revenue

11. Ethics and 
compliance 

3

12. Strategic 
stakeholder 
relationships

1

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.

•  Damage to our corporate reputation
•  Significant financial penalties
•  Management time 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

We rely on our strategic relationships and agreements 
with The Coca-Cola Company (including Costa Coffee), 
Monster Energy and our premium spirits partners.

•  Termination of agreements or unfavourable 

renewal terms could adversely affect profitability

•  Management focus on effective day-to-day interaction with our strategic partners

•  Economic impact

•  Working together as effective partners for growth

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

•  Participation in ‘Top to Top’ senior management forums

13. Health and safety

4

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

•  Standardised programmes, policies and legislation applied locally

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

•  H&S Board with the clear purpose to accelerate the H&S step-change plan implementation

• 

Implemented the Behavioural-Based Safety Programme

•  Employee wellbeing 

and engagement

•  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 Right Execution Daily (RED) to support our commitment to operational excellence

•  Develop our digital and e-commerce capabilities to capture opportunities associated with existing 

and new distribution channels

•  Develop leaders and people for key positions internally, improve leaders’ skills and commitment for talent 

development

•  Continuous employee listening to address culture and engagement effectively

•  Promote inclusive environment that allows all employees to achieve their full potential

•  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

•  Employee wellbeing 

and engagement

•  Human rights, inclusion 

and diversity

•  Corporate citizenship 

and youth empowerment

•  Seek to offer the right brand at the right price in the right package through the right channel

•  Economic impact

•  Robust security practices and procedures to protect people and assets

•  Crisis response and business continuity strategies that enable effective responses to adverse events

•  Corporate citizenship 

and youth empowerment

•  Stringent quality/food safety processes in place to minimise the likelihood of occurrence

•  Product quality and integrity

•  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

•  Annual ‘Tone from the Top’ messaging

for our entire workforce

•  Code of Business Conduct (COBC), ABAC and commercial compliance training and awareness campaigns 

•  Corporate governance, 

business ethics and 

anti-corruption

•  All third parties that we engage to deal with government on our behalf are subject to ABAC due diligence, 

and must agree and comply with our Supplier Guiding Principles

•  Cross-functional Joint Task Forces in Italy, Nigeria and Russia that pro-actively address risks 

in our key 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

Principal risks

Description

Potential impact

Key mitigations

•  Enhance our key account capabilities to partner and grow with top customers
•  Work closely with our immediate consumption channel customers to drive incremental transactions
•  Accelerate Right Execution Daily (RED) to support our commitment to operational excellence
•  Develop our digital and e-commerce capabilities to capture opportunities associated with existing 

and new distribution channels

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

61

Link to material issues

•  Economic impact

•  Upgrade our Employer Value Proposition and Employer Brand
•  Develop leaders and people for key positions internally, improve leaders’ skills and commitment for talent 

•  Employee wellbeing 
and engagement

development

•  Continuous employee listening to address culture and engagement effectively
•  Promote inclusive environment that allows all employees to achieve their full potential
•  Create shared value with the communities in which we work to ensure we are seen and considered 

•  Human rights, inclusion 

and diversity

•  Corporate citizenship 

and youth empowerment

as an ethical business with an attractive purpose
•  Expand talent pool by hiring more diverse workforce

•  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 strategies that enable effective responses to adverse events

•  Economic impact
•  Corporate citizenship 

and youth empowerment

10. Quality

The occurrence of quality/food safety issues, or the 

•  Damage to brand and corporate reputation

contamination of our products across our diverse 

•  Loss of consumer trust

•  Stringent quality/food safety processes in place to minimise the likelihood of occurrence
•  Early warning systems (Consumer Information Centres and social media monitoring) that enable issue 

•  Product quality and integrity

brand portfolio.

•  Reduction in volume and net sales revenue

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

•  Annual ‘Tone from the Top’ messaging
•  Code of Business Conduct (COBC), ABAC and commercial compliance training and awareness campaigns 

for our entire workforce

•  Corporate governance, 
business ethics and 
anti-corruption

•  All third parties that we engage to deal with government on our behalf are subject to ABAC due diligence, 

and must agree and comply with our Supplier Guiding Principles

•  Cross-functional Joint Task Forces in Italy, Nigeria and Russia that pro-actively address risks 

in our key 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 growth
•  Engagement in joint projects and business planning with a focus on strategic issues
•  Participation in ‘Top to Top’ senior management forums

•  Economic impact

7. Channel mix

The increasing concentration and consolidation of 

•  Reduced availability of our portfolio and 

retailers and independent wholesalers with retailer 

overall profitability

disruption due to discounters and e-commerce 

players. Consumers altering consumption habits.

8. People 

Inability to attract, retain and engage sufficient 

•  Failure to achieve our growth plans

numbers of qualified and experienced employees 

in a highly competitive talent market.

9. Geopolitical and 

macroeconomic

Volatile and challenging macroeconomic, security, 

•  Eroded consumer confidence affecting 

and geopolitical conditions together with adverse 

discretionary spending

global events including health-related issues can 

affect consumer demand and wellbeing and create 

security risks across our diverse markets.

•  Potential imposition of discriminatory taxation

• 

Inflationary pressures

•  Social unrest

•  Safety of people and assets

11. Ethics and 

compliance 

We operate in some complex markets with high levels 

•  Damage to our corporate reputation

of perceived corruption. As a result, we are exposed to 

•  Significant financial penalties

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.

•  Management time 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

12. Strategic 

stakeholder 

relationships

We rely on our strategic relationships and agreements 

•  Termination of agreements or unfavourable 

with The Coca-Cola Company (including Costa Coffee), 

renewal terms could adversely affect profitability

Monster Energy and our premium spirits partners.

13. Health and safety

The risk of health and safety issues being ineffectively 

•  Death or injury of employees, contractors 

managed. This incorporates the management of 

or members of the public

third-party providers, particularly fleet and logistics.

•  Employee engagement and motivation

•  Attraction of talent/prospective employees

•  Standardised programmes, policies and legislation applied locally
•  Group oversight by the Health and Safety (H&S) Team
•  H&S Board with the clear purpose to accelerate the H&S step-change plan implementation
• 

Implemented the Behavioural-Based Safety Programme

•  Employee wellbeing 
and engagement

Risk included in viability assessment

1

2

3

4

5

Increasing

Stable

Decreasing

Link to growth pillars

Principal risks trend

SRCGFSSSRSI62

COCA-COLA HBC

Managing risk and materiality continued

Climate-related 
financial disclosures

Managing climate change risk 
and opportunity
At Coca-Cola HBC we understand the physical 
and non-physical impacts that climate change 
may have on our assets, productivity and the 
communities in which we operate. Physical 
impacts can include the acute risks resulting 
from the increase in extreme weather events 
that can impact our production, distribution 
and supply chain. There are also chronic risks 
resulting from the longer-term changes 
in climate patterns, including water 
sustainability. The non-physical impacts 
can arise from risks relating to policy, legal, 
technological and stakeholder responses 
stemming from the challenges posed by 
climate change and the transition to a lower 
carbon economy.

Utilising our overall Enterprise Risk 
Management framework, we take a robust 
risk-based approach in responding to the 
physical impacts of climate change. We 
analyse our internal data points and work with 
recognised specialist agencies, our insurance 
brokers and insurers to obtain regional 
analysis of climate science which enables us 
to make informed decisions in respect of our 
business resilience and viability. This analysis 
also improves our understanding of the 
potential climate vulnerabilities of our 
operations and the communities in which we 
distribute our product portfolio. This data is 
shared across our business units, enabling 
them to build climate resilience into their 
planning and operations.

Climate-related financial 
disclosures
The Financial Stability Board established the 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) with the aim of improving 
industry disclosure of climate-related risks 
and opportunities. At Coca-Cola HBC we 
believe that the TCFD’s recommendations 
were an important step in the establishment 
of an accepted voluntary framework for 
information on climate-related risks and their 
financial impacts for the use of investors, 
lenders, insurers and other stakeholders.

Physical Risks: 
Acute

Physical Risks: 
Chronic

Transition Risks:

Flooding

Sea Level Rise

Policy & Legal

Technology

Wildfires

Extreme Storms

Temperature 
Patterns

Precipitation 
Patterns

Market

Reputational

Agriculture
Impacts the 
availability and quality 
of raw materials

Water
Impacts the 
availability and 
quality of water

Manufacturing
Damage or loss of our 
infrastructure 
impacting production

Distribution
Damage to 
community 
infrastructure 
disrupting delivery

Customers
Business 
interruption to our 
customers

Communities
Community impact 
and stakeholder 
trust

Financial
Increase in 
operational costs

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

63

Our TCFD working party continued to focus 
on the implementation of the core elements 
of the four pillars of governance, strategy, 
risk management and metrics and targets. 
The Board continued to have oversight of 
climate-related risks and opportunity through 
the activities of the Social Responsibility 
Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.

The response to climate change transcends 
all areas of our strategy and operations and, 
as a result, our TCFD disclosures can be 
found throughout this report. The table 
below documents how our disclosures and 
discussions on climate change in this report 
align to the TCFD recommendations and 
where specific information can be found. 

We support efforts to improve the quality and 
consistency of disclosures and have been 
a leader in the field having made our first 
carbon reduction commitments in 2006 and 
subsequently being one of the first companies 
in the world to introduce science-based 
targets. During 2019, discussions on 
climate-related risk were integrated into the 
overall risk management process across our 
business units and Group functions.

Location of TCFD aligned disclosures

Governance: Disclose the Company’s governance around climate-related risks and opportunities

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

Social Responsibility Committee: 
Pages 106-107

b) Describe management’s role in identifying, assessing and managing climate-related 
risks and opportunities

Audit and Risk Committee: Pages 98-101 
Risk and materiality: Pages 54-63

Strategy: Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities  
on the Company’s business, strategy and financial planning where material

a) Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities that the organisation has 
identified over the short, medium and long term

Material issues: Pages 54-55 
Principal risks: Pages 58-59

b) Describe the impact of climate-related risk and opportunity on the Company’s 
business, strategy and financial planning

Principal risks: Pages 58-59, 62-63 
Earn our Licence to operate: Page 44

c) Describe the resilience of the organisation’s strategy considering different climate-
related scenarios, including a 2-degree or lower scenario

Climate-related financial disclosures: 
Pages 62-63

Risk management: Disclose how the Company identifies, assesses and manages  
climate-related risks and opportunities

a) Describe the Company’s process for identifying and assessing climate-related risks 
and opportunities

Risk and materiality: Pages 56-59

b) Describe the Company’s process for managing climate-related risks and opportunities Principal risks: Pages 56-59 

Key performance indicators: Pages 44-45, 48-49, 
2019 GRI Content Index

c) Describe how these processes are integrated into the overall risk management 
programme

Risk and materiality: Pages 56-64

Metrics and targets: Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage 
climate-related risks and opportunities

a) Disclose the metrics used by the Company to assess climate-related risks and 
opportunities in line with its strategy and risk management processes

Reporting on our emissions: Pages 44-45, 48-49, 
2019 GRI Content Index

b) Describe the targets used by the Company to manage climate-related risks and 
opportunities and performance against these targets

Addressing climate change across our business: 
Pages 44-45, 48-49, 2019 GRI Content Index

SRCGFSSSRSI64

COCA-COLA HBC

Managing risk and materiality continued

Viability statement

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

Scenario 4: Continued stakeholder focus 
on issues relating to sugar and packaging 
resulting in the potential for discriminatory 
taxation. Principal risks: sustainability: plastics 
and packaging waste and consumer health 
and wellbeing.

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

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 Group’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 2024.

Business model and prospects
Our business model and strategy, outlined on 
pages 16-17 of this report, documents the 
key factors that underpin the evaluation of 
our prospects. These factors include our:

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

The Group’s business model has been tested 
during periods of challenging market 
conditions and has been found to be 
effective and resilient. We review our strategy 
and adjust it over time to respond to 
changing market conditions and to ensure 
that we create sustainable value for our 
shareholders, suppliers, employees, and the 
customers and communities we serve. 

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. Our Board has historically applied and 
continues to apply a prudent approach to the 
Group’s decisions relating to major projects 
and investments. From 2015 to 2019, we 
generated free cash flow of €416 million per 
year on average. 

Key assumptions of the business 
plan and related viability period
The Group maintains a well-established 
strategic business planning process which 
has formed the basis of the Board’s 
quantitative assessment of the Group’s 
viability, with the plan reflecting our current 
strategy over a rolling five-year period. The 
financial projections in the plan are based on 
assumptions for the following:

•  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. 
This is due to its alignment with the Group’s 
strategic business planning cycle, 
consistency with the evaluated potential 
impacts of our principal risks as disclosed on 
pages 58-61 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 
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 
well established 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 Group’s ability to 
continue operations 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 and Nigerian 
naira. Principal risk: foreign exchange and 
commodity costs.

Scenario 2: Lower estimates for sales 
volumes were assessed. Principal risk: 
geopolitical and macroeconomic.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

65

SRCGFSSSRSI66

COCA-COLA HBC

Financial review

Another 
strong year

2019 was another year of strong progress 
towards our 2020 objectives. Reflecting on 
our performance during the first four years of 
our 2020 strategic plan, we have delivered an 
average FX-neutral revenue growth of 4.8% 
per annum and expanded our comparable 
EBIT margin by 330 bps, leaving us well on 
track to full delivery of all of our targets by the 
end of 2020.

Performance highlights for 2019 included:

•  4.4% FX-neutral revenue growth, or 3.7% 
excluding the impact of the acquisition of 
Bambi; a strong performance, considering 
the impact of the poor summer weather 
and the discontinuation of Lavazza 
coffee in Q4;

•  price/mix improvement in all segments, up 
1.0% overall, or up 1.1% excluding Bambi;

•  volume increase of 3.3%, or 2.6% 
excluding Bambi. Volume growth 
accelerated strongly in Q4;
•  80 basis-point improvement in 

comparable operating expenses as a 
percentage of net sales revenue. Of this 
improvement, 30 basis points was due to 
revenue leverage on administration and 
logistics costs, and 50 basis points was due 
to lower marketing costs as we cycled the 
investment behind the FIFA World Cup in 
2018, as well as other one-off items;
•  another year of strong comparable EBIT 

growth, which was up 11.5% year-on-year;

•  comparable EBIT margin increased 

by 60 basis points to 10.8%; 

•  comparable EPS increased by 10.0% 

to €1.436; and

•  strong free cash flow generation 

of €443 million, up 20% year-on-year

As we come to the end of our 2020 strategic 
plan, we are setting our sights on 2025 and 
the new targets that we laid out for the 
business during our Capital Markets Day in 
June 2019.

Our vision to be the leading 24/7 beverage 
partner will see us targeting top-line growth 
of 5% to 6% per annum. on average and 
ongoing margin expansion of 20-40bps per 
annum, on average, while maintaining strong 
cash flow generation and a robust and flexible 
balance sheet.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

67

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.

2019
2,265
7,026
3.10
7,026
3.10
715
759
10.2
10.8
487
522
1.436

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 
2,192
6,657
3.04
6,732
3.07
639
681
9.6
10.2
447
480
1.306

% 
change
3.3
5.5
2.2
4.4
1.0
11.9
11.5
60bps
60bps
9.0
8.7
10.0

2019 
€ million

2018 
€ million

5,138
3,076
8,214

2,667
2,847
5,514

2,697
3
2,700
8,214

4,416
2,438
6,854

2,019
1,719
3,738

3,111
5
3,116
6,854

Income statement
During 2019 we achieved a 3.3% increase 
in volume; excluding the impact of the 
acquisition of Bambi, the growth was 2.6%. 

We continue to see sparkling drinks volumes 
growing faster than the overall portfolio. 
In 2019 sparkling drinks (including energy) 
grew by 3.5%, while still beverages grew by 
1.7%. Volume was up 0.8% in the Established 
segment, up 0.5% in the Developing 
segment and up 5.7% in the Emerging 
segment (4.4% excluding Bambi). The pace 
of volume growth was negatively impacted by 
unusually poor weather in several of our 
larger markets during the second and third 
quarter which resulted in weaker industry 
volumes. Through this period, and the whole 
year, we gained or maintained share in the 
majority of our markets. 

FX-neutral revenue per case increased by 
1.0%, or 1.1% excluding the impact of Bambi. 
This performance is due to good 
improvements in package and category mix, 
and also to price increases taken in several 
markets. Excluding Nigeria, where we have 
made targeted price investments over the 
course of 2019, currency-neutral revenue 
per case increased by 2.1%.

Net sales revenue improved by 4.4% on a 
FX-neutral basis, or 3.7% excluding Bambi. 
Reported revenue grew by 5.5% as we 
benefited from favourable currency 
movements of several of our operating 
currencies versus the Euro. 

FX-neutral input cost per case increased 
by 0.6%; a good outcome due to benign 
commodity costs growth as well as successful 
hedging and pre-buy actions that managed 
the risk effectively.

Comparable operating expenses as a 
percentage of revenue improved by 80 basis 
points in the full year to 26.9%.

During the course of 2019 we issued three 
bonds amounting to a total of €1.8 billion. 
Net financing costs in 2019 were €67.1 million, 
an increase of €25.8 million due to the higher 
level of gross debt on our balance sheet. 

On a comparable basis, the Group’s effective 
tax rate was 25.8% for 2019 and 26.2% for 
2018. On a reported basis, the effective tax 
rate was 26.2% and 26.6% 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 8.7% 
and net profit by 9.0% in 2019 compared to 
the prior year. The increase was primarily due 
to higher operating profitability, partially 
offset by higher net financing costs and 
increased taxes.

SRCGFSSSRSI68

COCA-COLA HBC

Financial review continued

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL 
REVENUE GROWTH

+4.4%

COMPARABLE 
OPERATING PROFIT

€759m

COMPARABLE EBIT 
MARGIN IMPROVEMENT

+60bps

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 €0.62 
per share. This is an 8.8% increase from 
€0.57 per share for 2018. The dividend 
payment will be subject to shareholders’ 
approval at our Annual General Meeting. 

After several years of successful progress 
towards our 2020 objectives, and in light of 
the positive momentum in the business, a 
special dividend of €2.00 per share was paid 
to shareholders in July 2019. 

Balance sheet
Total non-current assets increased by €722 
million in 2019 driven by the acquisition of 
Bambi, the adoption of IFRS 16, additions to 
property, plant and equipment and foreign 
currency impact. Net current assets decreased 
by €11 million in 2019, mainly due to the 
reclassification of our bond maturing in June 
2020 from long to short term, which was 
almost fully offset by increased current assets.

Cash flow
Net cash from operating activities increased 
by 16.3% in 2019 compared to the prior year, 
due to higher operating profit as well as 
improvement in working capital.

Capital expenditure, net of receipts from 
the disposal of assets and including principal 
repayments of lease obligations, as well as the 
impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 (leases), 
increased by 13.4% in 2019 compared to the 
prior year and represented 6.9% of net sales 
revenue compared to 6.4% in 2018.

We generated €443 million of free cash flow 
in 2019, compared to €370 million in 2018, 
representing a 19.6% increase year on year. 
This result reflects increased operating 
profitability and working capital improvements, 
partly offset by increased 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 13.7% in 2018 to 14.2% 
in 2019. At the same time, our weighted 
average cost of capital (WACC) decreased 
from 7.4% in 2018 to 6.9% in 2019. We 
continued to grow the positive economic 
value generated by our operations.

Financial risk management
Although faced with a benign environment 
in foreign exchange rates and commodity 
prices for most of 2019, the volatility 
experienced in the second half of the year 
was smoothed out through our continuous 
financial risk management approach. Just as 
in 2018, the source of the volatility could be 
attributed to geopolitical events, trade 
tensions 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.

The Russian Rouble performed relatively well 
in 2019, both against the Euro and the US 
Dollar. The imposition of new US sanctions 
during the summer of 2019 had a temporary 
negative impact on the Rouble that was 
largely mitigated by the hedging strategy we 
had in place. 

Following the rather smooth Nigerian 
Presidential elections in the first quarter 
of 2019, the Nigerian Naira benefited from 
increased foreign inflows into the country, 
up until the middle of the year after which the 
Naira reversed almost all of the gains versus 
the US Dollar. As a result, the 2019 average 
exchange rate of the Naira compared to 
the previous year was virtually unchanged 
against the US Dollar and slightly stronger 
versus the Euro.

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 lease obligations 
Free cash flow

Figures are rounded.

2019 
€ million

926
(473)
35

46
443

2018 
€ million 

797
(437)
18

(8)
370

In terms of commodities, our active risk 
management strategy allowed us to partially 
take advantage of the decreasing prices in 
aluminium and PET resin. At the same time, 
the financial derivatives in fuel oil performed 
very well for another year and we were also able 
to benefit from fixed priced EU sugar contracts 
in certain countries and take advantage of 
lower prices for a large part of 2019.

As far as interest rates are concerned, we 
experienced very favourable market conditions, 
with interest rates moving to multi-year lows; 
this enabled us to capture very competitive 
interest rates for the 2019 Euro bond 
issuances through interest rate hedging.

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 2019, 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 EBITDA 
in the range of 1.5 – 2.0 times. In 2019, we 
ended the year with a ratio of 1.54 times. 
Our primary funding strategy in the debt 
capital markets involves raising financing 
through our wholly owned Dutch financing 
subsidiary, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V.

We use our €5 billion Euro 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.

Looking ahead
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, external 
forecasts for 2020 pointed to an economic 
outlook that was progressing well in our 
territories, albeit with global risks. 

However, given the spread of the 
coronavirus, the range of potential outcomes 
for the global economy are difficult to predict 
at this point in time. Possible outcomes range 
from successful virus containment and minor 
short-term impact, to a prolonged global 
contagion resulting in potential recession. At 
the same time, there are a number of policy 
and fiscal responses emerging across the 
globe intended to mitigate potential negative 
economic impacts. 

When it comes to our business, we are 
monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak 
developments closely, we follow guidance 
from the World Health Organization and local 
governments and have been implementing 
contingency plans to mitigate the impact on 
our people and operations. As the situation 
continues to unfold, our primary concern 
remains the welfare of our colleagues, their 
families and the local communities where we 
operate; our plans are focused on continuing 
to serve our customers while protecting the 
well-being of our people.

MICHALIS IMELLOS
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

69

Total tax by category in 2019 (%)

Corporate income tax: 47.9%
Withholding tax: 2.4%
Payroll taxes: 40.4%
VAT (cost): 3.6%
Environmental taxes: 0.1%
Other taxes: 5.6%

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.

2019 Borrowing structure (€ m)

€3,325m

Bonds issued: 2,944m
Commercial paper: 100m
Leases: 211m
Other: 70m

SRCGFSSSRSI70

COCA-COLA HBC

Segment highlights

Established markets
2019 was the third consecutive year of growth in both 
volumes and currency-neutral revenue per case in 
our Established markets. Sparkling volume grew by 
1.0%, fuelled by Trademark Coke and we are pleased 
to have made significant progress in areas of strategic 
focus like adult sparkling and low- and no-sugar 
variants which offer strong growth opportunities 
while also helping to drive price and mix.

VOLUME VS. 2018

+0.8%

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL NET 
SALES REVENUE PER CASE 
VS. 2018

+0.4%

Developing markets
Developing markets saw another year of good 
currency-neutral revenue growth development, 
driven by price/mix, where our successful revenue 
growth management initiatives are driving continued 
strong progress. Volume growth was impacted by 
the unusually poor weather we experienced in several 
of the segment’s markets during the summer months. 
As weather normalised, we were encouraged to see 
a strong improvement to volumes in the segment 
during the fourth quarter. 

VOLUME VS. 2018

+0.5%

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL NET 
SALES REVENUE PER CASE 
VS. 2018

+3.7%

Emerging markets
We benefited from another year of good 
volume growth in the Emerging markets, particularly 
driven by Nigerian volume growth. Our investments 
into pricing in Nigeria are generating a strong 
response from our consumers and customers. 
The medium-sized markets in the segment continue 
to see strong growth, while Russia’s volumes were 
stable, impacted by unusually poor weather during 
the summer months. We continue to see good price/
mix development in the segment, albeit impacted in 
2019 by the targeted investment into pricing in Nigeria.

VOLUME VS. 2018

+5.7%

+4.4% EXCLUDING BAMBI

CURRENCY-NEUTRAL NET 
SALES REVENUE PER CASE 
VS. 2018

+1.3%

+1.2% EXCLUDING BAMBI

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

71

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)

2019
624
2,518
236
256
135
91
40,117
15
6,624
4.2
80,919

2018 % change
0.8%
619
1.9%
2,470
1.7%
232
6.4%
241
9.8%
123
0.1%
91
-2.3%
41,053
13 15.4%
-0.3%
-2.3%
-6.4%

6,642
4.3
86,468

0.18

0.86 -79.1%

Volume breakdown by country (%)

Italy: 42%
Greece: 18%
Austria: 14%
Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland: 12%
Switzerland: 11%
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 2019. Northern Ireland: NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency), 

Office for National Statistics, UK, Northern Ireland Economic Outlook, 2019. 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)

2019
431
1,352
139
146
65
76
17,430
9
4,738
3.5
70,453

2018 % change
0.5%
429
3.5%
1,307
6.4%
131
6.9%
137
–
65
–
76
-0.6%
17,529
8 12.5%
0.4%
3.1 12.9%
82.470 -14.6%

4,721

0.30

0.38 -21.1%

Volume breakdown by country (%)

Poland: 44%
Hungary: 22%
Czech Republic: 12%
Baltics: 8%
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 2019.

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)

2019
1,209
3,156
340
356
149
447
6,108
32
17,027
9.1
330,118

1,144
2,880

2018 % change
5.7%
9.6%
277 23.0%
303 17.5%
5.7%
141
1.1%
442
1.1%
6,040
3.2%
31
-2.8%
17,521
-2.2%
9.3
369,267 -10.6%

0.86

0.24 >100%

Volume breakdown by country (%)

Russian Federation: 29%
Nigeria: 23%
Romania: 17%
Serbia and Montenegro: 10%
Ukraine: 9%
Bulgaria: 5%
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 2019.

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

SRCGFSSSRSI72

COCA-COLA HBC

Non-financial reporting directive

Delivering 24/7 takes an 
integrated approach

Our  
purpose

Policies and 
values

Effective 
oversight

Serving as our 
north star to guide 
everything we do.

Underpinning our business 
and setting the direction for 
how we achieve our goals.

Our Board and senior 
management ensure 
we stay on course to 
achieve our vision.

Our purpose page 12

We are devoted to growing 
every customer and 
delighting every consumer 
24/7 by nurturing passionate 
& empowered teams of 
people while enriching our 
communities & caring for 
the environment.

Values page 39
•  Winning with customers
•  Nurturing our people
•  Excellence
Integrity
• 
•  Learning
•  Performing as one

Policies (see our website)

Environmental matters
•  Environmental policy
•  Climate Change policy
•  Packaging Waste & Recycling policy
•  Sustainable Agricultural Guiding Principles
•  Water Stewardship policy

Employees
•  Code of Business Conduct
•  Inclusion & Diversity policy
•  Occupational Health & Safety policy
•  Quality & Food Safety Policy

Human Rights
•  Human Rights policy
•  Supplier Guiding Principles
•  Slavery & Human Trafficking statement

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

Anti-bribery & Corruption
•  Code of Business Conduct
•  Anti-bribery policy & compliance handbook
•  Supplier Guiding Principles
•  Community contributions policy

Principal risk
•  Risk policy

Senior leadership pages 14, 22

How our Board considers 
stakeholders in decision-making 
pages 90-91

Social Responsibility Committee 
page 106

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Board engagement with 
key stakeholders

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

73

SR

This spread constitutes our non-financial information 
statement. The below provides page references mapping 
out how our report complies with relevant regulation 
on non-financial information.

Positive 
influence

Executing 
our vision

Defining our 
success

Being conscious of 
stakeholders, risks, market 
changes and material 
issues, while responding 
through our business model 
in a positive way.

To fulfil our Growth Story 
2025 we must consider 
all stakeholders at every 
step of our journey.

Operating in a sustainable 
way to ensure our 
remuneration and sustainability 
commitments are interlinked.

Business model pages 16-17

Stakeholder engagement page 19

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Understanding our 
stakeholders

Market review pages 20-21
•  Regulatory environment
•  Sustainability

Principal risks page 56

1

9

2

6

7

11 12

Material issues page 55

GRI Content Index 
https://coca-colahellenic.com/
Campaigns/AnnualReport2019/
assets/pdf/Coca-Cola-HBC-2019-
GRI-Content-Index.pdf

Strategic pillars page 25

Remuneration report page 108

1

LEVERAGE OUR 
UNIQUE 24/7 
PORTFOLIO

2

WIN IN THE 
MARKETPLACE

3

4

5

FUEL GROWTH THROUGH 
COMPETITIVENESS 
& INVESTMENT

CULTIVATE THE 
POTENTIAL OF  
OUR PEOPLE

EARN OUR LICENCE 
TO OPERATE

Maintaining our leadership of the beverage 
industry in the DJSI index is part of the 
CEO’s individual performance metrics.

See page 122

CEO pay ratio

See page 125

2025 Sustainability 
Commitments page 48
•  Emissions reduction
•  Water reduction and stewardship
•  World Without Waste
• 
Ingredient sourcing
•  Nutrition
•  Our people and communities

CGFSSSRSI74

COCA-COLA HBC

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

75

Corporate 
Governance

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

Contents
76
80
84
108 Directors’ Remuneration Report
130

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

SRCGFSSSRSI76

COCA-COLA HBC

Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance

Governing the vision

Letter from the  
Chairman of the Board

Dear Shareholder
As Chairman, I am pleased to introduce our 
Corporate Governance Report for 2019, with details 
about the strong and effective governance system 
throughout the Group which supports the long-term 
success of our business. Our Board’s independence 
and diverse range of skills helps keep us focused on 
long-term competitiveness. I believe the Board has 
proved that it is working well together, and the 
results of our work this year on our Growth Story 
2025 strategy and the reinforcement of corporate 
governance and sustainability commitments is 
testament to the effectiveness of the Board.

Delivering more
The long-term success of our business is intertwined with the 
success of our customers and partners, and our ability to delight 
consumers with the beverages and brands they love. The theme of 
this year’s report, “What It Takes To Deliver 24/7” highlights our focus 
on providing better, faster service through more channels with more 
products. This means delivering faster growth for our Company 
and our customers, more opportunities for our people, more 
environmental leadership spurred by more ambitious objectives 
and more value created for other stakeholders, including consumers 
and the communities in which we operate. 

As a Board, we aim to ensure the highest standards of corporate 
governance as we oversee the implementation of these plans. 
See “Governance in Action” and “How the Board was involved in the 
development of our Growth Story 2025” on page 93.

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 98. The Board confirms that it has concluded that 
our risk management and internal control systems are effective. 

This year we are subject to the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. 
It sets out the principles of good practice in relation to: board leadership 
and company purpose; division of responsibilities; composition, success 
and evaluation; audit, risk and internal controls; and remuneration.

Further information on our application of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 for the year ended 31 December 2019 can be found in 
this report on page 78.

Strategy and oversight
Our focus during the year was on the approval and introduction 
of our Growth Story 2025 strategy. 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. For further information see 
“How the Board was involved in the development of our Growth Story 
2025” on page 93.

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

77

Meetings take place in Zug, Switzerland, but also in selected markets 
across our footprint, to facilitate Board interaction with local 
management and to enable Director to learn more about their 
challenges and opportunities, and the way they are operating at a local 
level. In that context, our June 2019 meeting was held in Athens, 
Greece to celebrate 50 years of the Company’s presence in Greece.

Culture and values
Our strong corporate culture is fundamental to our business 
continuity and success, and the Board plays a critical role in shaping 
the culture of the Company by promoting growth-focused and 
values-based conduct. As our business evolves in response to an 
evolving business environment, in 2019 the Board approved and 
endorsed an update to our core values. We retained our enduring core 
values of excellence and customer service while increasing focus on 
continual learning and smart risk taking. Our six Growth Mindset 
Values are: winning with customers; nurturing our people; excellence; 
integrity; learning; and performing as one. These values make for a 
culture where our people are clear on our purpose, our growth pillars 
and 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 in order to ensure that 
these remain relevant and in line with our strategy pillars, especially 
around cultivating the potential of our people and earning our licence 
to operate. 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. Equally importantly and as illustrated in other 
sections of the report, the Board reviewed during 2019 the feedback 
of the employee and customer satisfaction surveys and as a result the 
Board approved additional investments in coolers and technology to 
support evolving consumer needs.

Charlotte Boyle has been appointed as non-Executive Director 
responsible for engaging with our people to provide feedback to the 
Board to ensure Board discussions and decisions take into account 
our people’s concerns.

Board evaluation 
In line with our commitment to adhere to best corporate governance 
practices, an externally facilitated Board effectiveness evaluation was 
conducted in the second half of 2019. In line with past practice, we will 
do this once again in 2020 to build upon the learnings of the 2019 
evaluation. Further details are set out in the Nomination Committee 
Report on page 104.

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.

Our Nomination Committee has developed strong succession plans 
for the Board and senior management and these plans are reviewed 
at least annually. The Board is mindful of the overall length of service 
of the Board as a whole and 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.

Alfredo Rivera was appointed to the Board, at the 2019 Annual 
General Meeting, as non-Executive Director and Ahmet Bozer retired 
on the same date.

ANASTASSIS G. DAVID
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

How the Board was involved in the development 
of our 24/7 vision

To ensure that our vision to become the leading 24/7 beverage 
partner 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 2019 the Board oversaw changes 
to the Group’s ERM 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 58, 38, 108 respectively. 

See page 93 for more information.

SRCGFSSSRSI78

COCA-COLA HBC

The UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018

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. 

In respect of the year ended 31 December 2019, the Company was subject to the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (a copy is available 
from: frc.org.uk).

Our Board believes that the Company applied the principles and complied with, except as set out in this report, the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code throughout 2019. The Chairman was not independent on appointment. In addition, the Chairman has been a 
Board member for more than nine years, see page 84 for further details. 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. The Company has applied the principles insofar as possible and in accordance with and permitted by Swiss law. Further 
information on appointment of Directors and compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code can be found as follows:

Section 1: Board leadership and company purpose

See page

Section 3: Composition, succession and evaluation

See page

A.  Effective and entrepreneurial board to promote the 
long-term sustainable success of the company, 
generating value for shareholders and contributing to 
wider society

B.  Purpose, values and strategy with alignment to culture
C.  Resources for the company to meet its objectives and 

measure performance. Controls framework for 
management and assessment of risks

D.  Effective engagement with shareholders and 

stakeholders

E.  Consistency of workforce policies and practices to 

support long-term sustainable success

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Chairman’s letter

Strategic report

Board engagement with key stakeholders

Shareholder engagement

Audit and Risk Committee Report

Conflicts of interest

14

12-72

90

92

98

89

Section 2: Division of responsibilities

See page

F.  Leadership of board by chair 
G.  Board composition and responsibilities
H.  Role of non-executive directors
I.  Company secretary, policies, processes, information, 

time and resources

Board composition

Key roles and responsibilities

• 

• 

•  General qualifications required of all Directors

• 

• 

Information and training

Board appointments and succession planning

84

85

87

89

89

J.  Board appointments and succession plans for board and 

senior management and promotion of diversity

K.  Skills, experience and knowledge of Board and length of 

service of board as a whole

L.  Annual evaluation of board and directors and 

demonstration of whether each director continues to 
contribute effectively

• 

Board composition

•  Diversity, tenure and experience

84

87

• 

Board, committee and director performance evaluation

88, 105

•  Nomination committee report

Section 4: Audit, risk and internal controls

104

See page

M. 

Independence and effectiveness of internal and external 
audit functions and integrity of financial and narrative 
statements

N.  Fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the 

company’s position and prospects

O.  Risk management and internal control framework and 
principal risks company is willing to take to achieve its 
long-term objectives

• 

• 

• 

Audit and Risk Committee report 

Strategic report

Fair, balanced and understandable annual report

•  Going concern basis of accounting

• 

Viability statement

Section 5: Remuneration

98

12-72

129

129

64

See page

P.  Remuneration policies and practices to support strategy 

and promote long-term sustainable success with 
executive remuneration aligned to company purpose and 
value

Q.  Procedure for executive remuneration, director and 

senior management remuneration
R.  Authorisation of remuneration outcomes

• 

Remuneration committee report 

108-128

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

79

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.

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 article 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 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 of Association 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 192. 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 
of Association, 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 of Association. Pursuant to the 
provisions of the Articles of Association, the Directors require 
shareholder authority to issue and repurchase 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 expired at the 
conclusion of the 2019 Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2019. 
The Company commenced a share buy-back programme on 
3 December 2018 and reported on the shares repurchased as at 
13 March 2019 in the 2018 integrated annual report. The programme 
continued after 13 March 2019 and concluded on 29 May 2019. 
Between 14 March and 29 May 2019, 2,921,668 shares were 
purchased at an average of 2,575.74 pence per share. Following the 
completion of the buy-back programme 3.249.803 shares have been 
cancelled. Total shares held in treasury being 6,658,233 of which 
3,228,098 shares are held by Coca-Cola HBC AG and 3,430,135 
shares are held by its subsidiary, Coca-Cola HBC Services MEPE. 
There is no outstanding authority for the Directors to repurchase 
or issue shares, since no authority of the shareholders was sought 
or approved at the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2019.

SRCGFSSSRSI80

COCA-COLA HBC

Board of directors

From left to right: Alfredo Rivera, Reto Francioni, José Octavio Reyes, Olusola (Sola) David-Borha, Zoran Bogdanovic, Charlotte J. Boyle

Anastassis G. David
Non-Executive Chairman

Charlotte J. Boyle
Independent non-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: Anastassis 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

Zoran Bogdanovic
Chief Executive Officer, 
Executive Director

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

Appointment: Charlotte Boyle was appointed to 
the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC on 20 
June 2017.

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 an 
independent non-executive director and chair 
of the Remuneration Committee of Capco plc, 
a non-executive adviser to the Global Board of 
Knight Frank LLP and as a member of the board 
and chair of the Finance Committee of Alfanar, 
the venture philanthropy organisation. 

Nationality: British

Olusola (Sola) David-Borha
Independent non-Executive Director

Appointment: Sola David-Borha was appointed to 
the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC in 2015.

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

William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Independent non-Executive Director

Appointment: Bill Douglas was appointed to 
the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC on 21 
June 2016.

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

81

From left to right: Anastassis G. David, William W. (Bill) Douglas III, Alexandra Papalexopoulou, John P. Sechi, Christo Leventis, Anastasios I. Leventis, Ryan Rudolph

External appointments: Bill is the Lead Director 
and Chairman of the Audit Committee of SiteOne 
Landscape Supply, Inc. He is also a member of the 
Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee 
for The North Highland company. Finally, he is on 
the Board and past Chair of the University of 
Georgia Trustees.

Nationality: American

Reto Francioni
Senior Independent non-Executive Director

Appointment: Reto Francioni was appointed to 
the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC on 21 
June 2016.

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. Reto is also a Vice Chairman 
at the Board of Directors of Medtech Innovation 
Partners AG, Basel.

Nationality: Swiss

Anastasios I. Leventis
Non-Executive Director

Alexandra Papalexopoulou
Independent non-Executive Director

Appointment: Anastasios Leventis was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC in 2014.

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

Christo Leventis
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 INSEAD 
business school and a member of the board of 
trustees of the American College of Greece.

Nationality: Greek

Board committees

Audit and Risk Committee page 98

Nomination Committee page 104

Social Responsibility Committee page 106

Remuneration Committee page 108

Committee Chair

SRCGFSSSRSIExternal appointments: Alfredo is President of the 
Latin American Group for The Coca-Cola Company. 
He oversees the Coca-Cola business across four 
business units in Latin America: South Latin, Brazil, 
Latin Center and Mexico. A long-time veteran of 
The Coca-Cola System, Alfredo is also contributing 
to crafting the short- and long-term growth 
strategies of The Coca-Cola Company. 

Nationality: Honduran

Ryan Rudolph
Non-Executive Director

Appointment: Ryan Rudolph was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC on 
21 June 2016.

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

John P. Sechi
Independent non-Executive Director

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

82

COCA-COLA HBC

Board of directors continued

José Octavio Reyes
Non-Executive Director

Appointment: José Octavio Reyes was appointed 
to the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC in 2014.

Skills and experience: José 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 was named President 
of the North Latin America Division of Coca-Cola 
in 2002. Prior to joining Coca-Cola, José spent five 
years with Grupo IRSA, a Monsanto Company joint 
venture. José 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 has been a member 
of the board of directors of MasterCard WorldWide 
since January 2008. He has been a Director 
of Coca-Cola FEMSA S.A.B. de C.V. since 2016.

Nationality: Mexican

Alfredo Rivera
Non-Executive Director

Appointment: Alfredo Rivera was appointed to 
the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC on 18 
June 2019.

Skills and experience: From 2013 to 2016, Alfredo 
was President of the Latin Center Business Unit for 
The Coca-Cola Company. Before joining the Latin 
Center, from September 2006 to December 2012, 
Alfredo was Sparkling Beverages General Manager 
for the Mexico Business Unit, where he was 
responsible for leading the Franchise and Customer 
& Commercial Leadership functions in the second 
largest business unit of The Coca-Cola Company. 
Alfredo joined The Coca-Cola Company in the 
Central America and Caribbean Division in 1997 
as District Manager for Guatemala and El Salvador. 
From 1999 to 2003 he was appointed Southeast 
Region Manager in the Brazil Division and from 
2004 to 2006, he served as General Manager 
of the Ecuador business, leading the turnaround 
of the business under challenging circumstances. 
Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, Alfredo 
worked for two independent Coca-Cola bottlers 
in Honduras and El Salvador over a 13 year period. 
Alfredo holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and 
an MBA from the University of Mississippi.

Board committees

Audit and Risk Committee page 98

Nomination Committee page 104

Social Responsibility Committee page 106

Remuneration Committee page 108

Committee Chair

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

83

GOVERNANCE IN ACTION

Board meetings 
The Board met six times during 2019. Board meetings took place over two days 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.

The Directors have and are encouraged to have free and open contact with management at all levels, and have full 
access to all relevant information. Board meetings are normally held over almost two days in Zug, Switzerland, with one 
of the Board meetings every year being 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. In June 2019, 
our Board meeting was held in Athens, Greece.

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. In particular, the Board scrutinises the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, holding him and 
his management team to account when reviewing the performance of the Group against the agreed business plan.

Board1

Audit and Risk2

Remuneration

Nomination7

Social Responsibility

Director
Anastassis G. David
Zoran Bogdanovic
Charlotte J. Boyle
Ahmet C. Bozer3
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni6
Anastasios I. Leventis
Christo Leventis
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes
Alfredo Rivera4
Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi5

Attended/
Total meetings
6/6
6/6
6/6
3/3
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
2/3
6/6
5/6

Attended/
Total meetings

Attended/
Total meetings

Attended/
Total meetings

Attended/
Total meetings

4/4
–
–
–
3/4

–
4/4

–

5/5
–
–
–
4/5

–
5/5

–

8/8
8/8

7/8

4/4

4/4
4/4

1.  Includes two conference calls.
2.  Includes four conference calls.
3.  Ahmet Bozer retired from the Board at the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2019.
4.  Alfredo Rivera was appointed to the Board at the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2019. He did not attend the August 2019 Board 

Conference Call due to a long-standing prior commitment.

5.  John Sechi did not attend the June 2019 Audit and Risk Committee and Board meetings due to long-standing other commitments.
6.  Reto Francioni did not attend the September 2019 Renumeration and Nomination Committee meetings due to long-standing 

other commitments.
 Includes one conference call.

7. 

SRCGFSSSRSI84

COCA-COLA HBC

Corporate governance report

Board composition

Membership of the Board
On 31 December 2019, 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 80 to 82.

The Operating Committee, described on pages 94-96, 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. At the Annual General Meeting held on 18 June 2019 
Alfredo Rivera was appointed as a non-Executive Director and Ahmet 
Bozer retired as a non-Executive Director. There were no other 
changes to the Board or committee membership during 2019.

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 
obtain prior Board approval. The Board 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 80-82.

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, 
Alfredo Rivera 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, ensure an effective and appropriately 
balanced leadership of the Board and the Company. Anastassis David 
was first appointed as a member of the Board in 2006 before being 
appointed Chairman in 2016. Prior to his appointment as Chairman, 
major shareholders were consulted and an external search 
consultancy engaged to find suitable candidates. The consensus 
and recommendation was that Anastassis David was the appropriate 
candidate to become Chairman and that he continues to be effective 
in his leadership of the Board. Anastassis David has the continuing 
support of the Board and major shareholders to remain as Chairman.

Shareholders’ nominees
As described under the heading ‘Major shareholders’ on page 233, 
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 Alfredo Rivera 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, in the context of the 
Board meetings and as a matter of practice, meets also separately 
with the non-Executive Directors without the presence of the Chief 
Executive Officer and promotes the culture of openness and debate 
within the Board sessions as well as outside.

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85

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.

Key roles and responsibilities

Board of Directors
Our Board has ultimate responsibility for our long-term success and for delivering sustainable shareholder value as well as contributing to wider society. 
The Board is responsible for setting the Company’s purpose, values and strategy and ensures the alignment with its culture; this includes ensuring that 
workforce policies and practices are consistent with the Company’s values and support its long-term sustainable vision. Further details are set out on page 86. 
This is achieved by approving the corporate strategy, monitoring performance toward strategic objectives, overseeing implementation of the strategy by the 
Operating Committee and approving matters reserved by the Articles of Association for decision by the Board. 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.

Chairman
•  leads the Board, sets 

the agenda and 
promotes a culture of 
openness and debate;
•  is responsible for overall 
effectiveness in leading 
the Company and setting 
the culture;

•  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 the 
Board, 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 Group’s 
strategy; and

•  oversee succession 

planning, including the 
appointment of 
Executive Directors.

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
•  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 80-82.

Audit and Risk Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination Committee

Responsibilities

•  Oversight of the 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. 
•  Oversight of the Company’s 

compliance with legal, regulatory 
and financial reporting 
requirements, and the work 
programme of the internal audit 
function. 

•  External auditor reports directly 

to the Committee.

Responsibilities

•  Establishment of the 

remuneration strategy for the 
Group; determines and agrees 
with the Board the remuneration 
of Group Executives and 
approves remuneration for 
the Chairman and the Chief 
Executive Officer. 

•  Makes recommendations to the 
Board regarding remuneration 
matters to be approved at the 
Annual General Meeting.

•  Implementation or modification 
of any employee benefit plan 
resulting in an increased annual 
cost of €5 million or more.

Responsibilities

•  Identification and nomination 

of new Board members, including 
recommending Directors to 
be members of each Board 
Committee

•  Ensuring adequate Board training; 
supporting the Board and each 
committee in conducting a 
self-assessment; 

•  Oversight of the establishment 

of a talent development 
framework for the Group. 

•  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.

Social Responsibility 
Committee

Responsibilities

•  Supports the Board in its 

responsibilities to safeguard 
the Group’s reputation for 
responsible and sustainable 
operations. 

•  Oversight of the Group’s 

engagement with stakeholders 
to assess their expectations, 
and the possible consequences 
of these expectations for 
the Group. 

•  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.

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Summary of key Board activities for 2019 and priorities for 2020

Topic

Strategy

2019 activity

2020 priority

•  Working towards the 2025 sustainability 

targets Close collaboration and alignment with 
The Coca-Cola Company

•  Monitoring of potential acquisition opportunities
•  Approving the Group’s 2025 Growth Story 

and strategy

•  Continuous support of new product and 

package launches

•  Monitoring progress towards our 2025 Growth Story 
•  Ongoing support on product innovation and new 

product and package launches

•  Continued close alignment with The Coca-Cola 

Company

•  Monitoring progress towards our 2025 sustainability 

commitments

Performance

•  Regular business overviews and monitoring progress 

•  Regular performance reviews with focus on Group’s 

towards the Group’s long-term growth targets

key business indicators 

•  Periodic reviews of specific markets, regions 

and functions

•  Deep dive reviews of regions and key functions
•  Review of the performance of the Company’s 

•  Reviewing the macroeconomic outlook, commodities 

innovation initiatives

hedging and currency trends

Risk management 
and internal 
control

•  Ongoing overview of the principal and emerging 

•  Continued review of emerging principal risks and 

risks with focus on cyber-security 

mitigation programmes

•  Ongoing reviews of mitigation plans for commodities 

•  Reviewing mitigation plans for currency and 

and currency volatility

commodities volatility

•  Reviewing information technology plans, including 

cyber-security

Operational

•  Detailed review and approval of capex investments
•  Review of the Company’s cost optimisation plans
•  Consolidation of new acquisitions (Bambi)
•  Contingency plans for hard Brexit

•  Ongoing review of the Group’s cost optimisation and 

investment programmes

•  Consolidation of new acquisitions
•  Review of material capital expenditure projects

Culture and values •  Reviewing the results of the Company’s 

•  Monitoring the engagement surveys and 

engagement actions

people plans 

•  Discussing talent and people capability plans
•  Appointment of designated non-Executive Director for 

employee engagement

•  Continuing working with the designated 

non-Executive Director on issues that are 
identified through the employee engagement

Succession 
planning and 
diversity

•  Ongoing succession planning work and preparing 
succession planning and bench strength initiatives 
for senior management and Board vacancies

•  Reviewing the succession planning work for Board 

and senior management

•  Reviewing the Company’s talent development plans

•  Discussed Board effectiveness

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87

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

Our business involves the preparation, packaging, 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

Building community trust through the responsible and 
sustainable management of our business is an 
indispensable part of our culture

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

Broad international exposure, and emerging and 
developing markets experience

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

Expertise in sustainability and experience in community 
engagement

Expertise in corporate governance and/or government 
relations

12

12

6

12

7

6

Diversity, tenure and experience of the Board

Board gender diversity

Board tenure

Men: 10
Women: 3

0-1 years

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

5-6 years

12-13 years

Board experience

Finance, investments 
and accounting

International exposure

FMCG knowledge/ 
experience

Risk oversight 
and management

Sustainability and 
community engagement

Corporate governance

1

1

1

3

2

4

1

12

12

12

6

7

6

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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 four years, the evaluation of the Board’s effectiveness 
has been facilitated by Lintstock, and details of the 2019 Lintstock 
Report are set out below. A summary of the Board evaluation findings 
for 2018, the actions taken in response to improve Board 
effectiveness in 2019, the Board evaluation findings for 2019, and 
the resulting priorities for 2020 is as follows:

2018 Board evaluation findings
•  Focus on strategy
•  Continue to engage 
with key stakeholders
•  Keep abreast of relevant 

technological 
developments

2019 Board evaluation findings
•  Focus on strategy
•  Broaden exposure to 

colleagues throughout 
the Company

•  Continued focus on risk 

oversight

2019 actions
•  Continued development of our 24/7 
Total Beverage Company strategy
•  Maintaining relationships with key 

stakeholders

•  Focusing on digital and technological 
developments that will support the 
business
2020 priorities
•  Monitoring the development of our 

2025 Growth Strategy

•  Continued alignment with key 

stakeholders 

•  Enhance exposure to colleagues 
throughout the organisation

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.

Lintstock report

In 2019, we once again engaged advisory firm Lintstock to facilitate 
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, key 
themes identified in last year’s evaluation, so that year-on-year 
progress can be tracked. The anonymous online surveys permitted 
detailed narrative feedback.

The surveys addressed core aspects of the Board’s performance, 
and had a particular focus on the following areas:

•  The appropriateness of the Board’s composition, including the skills 

represented and the level of diversity among members.

•  The Board’s understanding of the views of key stakeholders (including 
shareholders, customers, employees and suppliers) and monitoring 
of the Company’s culture and values.

•  The dynamics between Board members, and between the Board 
and the Operating Committee, as well as the atmosphere in the 
boardroom.

•  The management and focus of meetings, including the extent to 
which the Board’s agendas manage to strike the correct balance 
between strategic and operational issues.

•  The flow of information to the Board with regard to potential 

acquisition opportunities, and the Board’s performance in reviewing 
the effectiveness of past decisions.

•  The Board’s oversight of the implementation of the Company’s 
strategy, as well as the capacity of the organisation to deliver the 
strategy.

•  The Board’s understanding of the competitive landscape and relevant 
technological developments, in terms of the opportunities and threats 
they represent for the business.

•  The appropriateness of the structure of the Company at senior levels, 

in terms of delivering the strategic plan, and the Board’s oversight 
of talent and succession.

All Board members were requested to complete online surveys on 
the performance of the Board, its committees and the Chairman. 
The performance of the committees of the Board was also evaluated, 
as was the performance of the Chairman. The anonymity of all 
responses was guaranteed throughout the process to promote open, 
detailed and honest feedback. 

Lintstock subsequently analysed the results and delivered reports 
on the performance of the Board, the committees and the Chairman, 
which were considered at a subsequent Board meeting.

The results of the review were positive overall, and there was consensus 
among members that the Board’s performance continues to improve. 
A continued focus on strategy was prioritised, as was gaining exposure 
to colleagues throughout the organisation, as part of the Board’s 
oversight of talent and succession.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

89

In making such recommendations, the Nomination Committee 
and the Board must consider objective criteria including the overall 
balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge of the 
Board member, as well as diversity considerations including gender 
but also social and ethnic backgrounds. Consideration is also given to 
the overall length of service of the Board as a whole when refreshing 
its membership. See the Nomination Committee report on page 
104 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 and skills, diversity, 
independence and knowledge of the Company to enable them to 
discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively, including 
sufficient time commitment.

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.

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. Alfredo Rivera 
participated in the induction programme during 2019 as part of his 
onboarding process.

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 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. 
Appointments and succession plans are based on merit and objective 
criteria to ensure the Company is promoting diversity (including gender), 
social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal strengths.

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. 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. 
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.

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STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Board engagement with key stakeholders

Description

How the Board is kept informed

Read more

Our people

Our communities

Reviewing and developing plans that promote an 
inclusive growth culture and investing in building the 
best teams in the industry. Designated non-
Executive Director for engagement with our people. 

Plant visits, community meetings, partnerships on 
common issues, sponsorship activities, lectures at 
universities, training opportunities and support to 
young people currently not in education, training or 
employment.

Pages 38

Pages 42

Our consumers

Consumer hotlines, local websites, plant tours, 
research, surveys, focus groups.

Pages 26

Our customers

Regular visits, dedicated account teams, joint 
business planning, joint value-creation initiatives, 
customer care centres, customer satisfaction 
surveys.

Pages 30

Partners in efficiency

Engagement with our suppliers, consultants and 
counterparts in related industries.

Pages 34

NGOs

Shareholders

Governments

Dialogue, policy work, partnerships on common 
issues, membership of business and industry 
associations.

Annual General Meetings, investor roadshows and 
results briefings, webcasts, ongoing dialogue with 
analysts and investors.

Recycling and recovery initiatives, EU Platform for 
Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, foreign 
investment advisory councils, chambers of 
commerce.

The Coca-Cola Company Day-to-day interaction as business partners, joint 
projects, joint business planning, functional groups 
on strategic issues, ‘top-to-top’ senior management 
meetings.

Pages 54

Pages 92

Pages 42

Pages 16

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 from senior management on 
insights and feedback from stakeholders, 
which allows the Board to understand and 
consider the perspectives of key 
stakeholders in decision-making.

Our employees are one of our most 
important stakeholder groups and the Board 
therefore understands the importance of 
engaging with its workforce.

The Board closely monitors and reviews the 
results of the Company’s annual Employee 
Engagement, Values and Ambassadorship 
surveys. In 2019, to assist the Board in its 
communications between the Board and the 
workforce, Charlotte Boyle (non-Executive 
Director) was appointed to help with the 
engagement to enable employees to share 
ideas and concerns with senior management 
and the Board.

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 
38 and 30, respectively.

We also work with our customers, consumers, 
suppliers, local community representatives 
and other business partners across the value 
chain every day. The infographic below sets 
out the different stakeholders with whom we 
engage, which in turn is reported on to the 
Board. Examples of governance in action are 
on page 91.

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91

Workforce engagement statement
The Company’s success largely depends on the passion of our 
people and our ability to attract, retain and develop the best 
talent. The Board therefore closely monitors and reviews the 
results of the Company’s annual Employee Engagement 
survey. We engage with our workforce to ensure that we are 
supporting a healthy working environment and making 
appropriate business decisions. In addition, the Board reviews 
talent development initiatives designed to support long-term 
success. For further details please see below and growth pillar 4.

Wider stakeholder engagement statement
Effective engagement with key stakeholder groups 
strengthens our relationships and ensures the right operational 
management of the Group. This engagement includes surveys 
of employees and customers and ongoing conversations with 
regulators and non-governmental organisations. As part of 
day-to-day operations, we also work on a regular basis with our 
customers, consumers, suppliers, local community 
representatives and other business partners across the value 
chain. Their input, cooperation and trust factors in to Board 
decision-making and the success of the business.

GOVERNANCE IN ACTION

Employee engagement

How the Board was involved in new 
employee initiatives
During 2019, several Directors were involved in the 
introduction of the Group’s new Performance for Growth 
programme. Based on continual feedback, this performance 
management approach is designed to accelerate growth, 
drive business impact and simplify processes. The Board 
also endorsed the employer branding strategy and employee 
value proposition for 2020. These initiatives have been 
communicated to employees through social media, our 
corporate websites and a series of webinars, and build on 
ongoing employer branding efforts that were recognised 
in 2019 with 60 awards.

GOVERNANCE IN ACTION

Considering stakeholders 
in decision‑making

Issues the Board considered – Acquisition of Bambi
During the Board’s consideration of the acquisition of Bambi 
in Serbia, important factors included Bambi’s reputation, its 
iconic complementary consumer brands and its distribution 
strengths. The Bambi acquisition fits perfectly also within the 
Group’s strategy as it is a supplementary category which 
helps us in leveraging our unique 24/7 portfolio. Apart from 
financial benefits and revenue synergies, the Board’s decision 
weighed the relevance with customers, our aim to win in 
the marketplace, the potential for an increased presence 
in key consumption occasions and expanding our 
opportunities to delight consumers.

Workforce engagement mechanism
During the year, the Board appointed Charlotte Boyle 
as the designated non-Executive Director for workforce 
engagement, in line with UK Corporate Governance 
Code recommendations. The two-day annual meeting 
of our European Works Council in September 2019 
gave Charlotte an opportunity to meet with elected 
employee representatives from our businesses in 
EU countries. This meeting allows employee 
representatives to hear from senior leaders – including 
the CEO – about significant matters affecting the 
workforce, and to ask questions and give feedback. 
Charlotte was able to hear from employee 
representatives about topics raised by employees 
and their experience of the Company’s approach to 
the workforce.

Charlotte also met with our Group Employee Relations 
Director, who has responsibility for diversity and inclusion, 
to better understand the steps that the Company is 
taking to become more diverse and inclusive (see page 39) 
for activities in this area). To embed these attributes 
within the Company’s culture, a communications 
campaign and training have been launched to increase 
awareness and understanding. The Company is also 
promoting employee affinity groups, such as women’s 
networks. The Board takes the lead by recognising good 
practices and driving accountability.

Charlotte reported back to the Board on her observations 
and matters raised by employees, ensuring Board 
deliberations and decision-making are fully informed.

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Shareholder engagement
The Chairman, the Senior Independent Director 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 2019

March
•  Credit Suisse Consumer/

Retail Conference 
in London

•  Societe Generale 

Consumer Staples 
Conference in London
IR roadshow in London

• 

April
• 

IR roadshow in the US

June
•  Capital Markets Day 

in London

•  Annual General Meeting 

in Zug

•  Deutsche Bank Access 

Global Consumer 
conference in Paris

•  Exane BNP Paribas 21st 

European CEO 
Conference in Paris

February
• 

IR roadshows in 
Edinburgh and London
IR roadshow in Paris

• 

September
•  Barclays Global 

Consumer Staples 
Conference in Boston

•  Greek institutional 
investor breakfast 
in Athens
IR roadshow in Paris
• 
IR roadshow in Frankfurt
• 
IR roadshow in Zurich
• 
•  Exane BNP – IR Insight 

Day Milan

• 

November
•  Roadshows in Edinburgh, 
London and New York

•  Roadshow in the US
• 

IR Berenberg West Coast 
Consumer & 
E-Commerce 
Conference in San 
Francisco
IR roadshow in London

December
•  Citi’s Global Consumer 
Conference in London

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

93

GOVERNANCE IN ACTION

Board oversight of Growth Story 2025
How the Board was involved in the development of Growth Story 2025

1

2

3

4

5

LEVERAGE OUR UNIQUE 24/7 PORTFOLIO
The Board reviewed the Group’s performance in the different beverage categories 
as well as the strategy behind categories with specific focus. Beyond the core 
sparkling category, this includes new and fast-growing categories such as energy, 
plant-based beverages and coffee.

WIN IN THE MARKETPLACE
Management presented to the Board the Group’s plans to create joint value with 
customers. This includes projects to further develop commercial capabilities and 
initiatives for in-store execution, as well as findings from customer satisfaction 
surveys. To address evolving consumer needs, the Board also approved continued 
investments in coolers and technology to support online shopping experiences.

FUEL GROWTH THROUGH  
COMPETITIVENESS AND INVESTMENT
The Board approved plans to increase the Group’s production capacity and investments 
in technology to enhance productivity. In line with the Company’s sustainability objectives, 
the Board endorsed the Group’s elimination of plastic film from can multi-packs and continued 
light-weighting of plastic packaging. These efforts reduce the Company’s resin costs while 
supporting achievement of sustainability targets.

CULTIVATE THE POTENTIAL OF OUR PEOPLE
In 2019 the Board discussed, reviewed or approved the most important people 
development initiatives of the Group. This included a deep dive into the employee 
engagement score, the launch of the new people-powered performance evaluation 
system and updated Growth Mindset Values to support Growth Story 2025.

EARN OUR LICENCE TO OPERATE
The Board approved a plan to introduce 100% recycled PET packaging for four water 
brands. The Board also reviewed the plans to source 100% of our electricity needs 
from renewable and clean sources in the EU and Switzerland by 2025. In many of these 
markets, including Austria, Italy and Romania, the Group has already achieved this 
target, using only renewable and clean electricity sourced from the grid in our plants.

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The Operating Committee 
represents the executive 
leadership of the Company

The Operating Committee is chaired by 
Zoran Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer, 
and his biography is set out on page 80.
Other members of the Operating Committee:

Michalis Imellos

(51) Group Chief Financial Officer

Senior management tenure: Appointed April 2012 (7 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 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

(50) Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer

Senior management tenure: Appointed July 2016 (3 years)

Previous Group roles: Director of Strategy, CEO office. From 1998, 
when Naya 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 was appointed to the role of General 
Manager, Greece and Cyprus.

Previous relevant experience: Naya joined the Company in 1998 
from The Coca-Cola Company where she held a number of marketing 
positions up to Marketing Manager.

Nationality: Greek

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

95

Minas Angelidis

(50) Region Director: Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, 
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Island of Ireland, Slovakia 
and Switzerland

Senior management tenure: Appointed April 2019

Previous Group roles: Minas joined the Group in 1999 holding 
positions with increasing responsibility in the commercial function 
in Greece (National Account Manager, Athens Region Sales Manager, 
National Wholesale Manager, Country Sales Director). Since 2008, 
Minas has held general management assignments in a number of 
our markets, including those of Country General Manager Cyprus, 
Country General Manager Bulgaria and Country General 
Manager Hungary.

Previous relevant experience: Prior to joining the Group, Minas 
spent seven years in Unilever Greece in managerial positions in sales 
and marketing including those of Brand Manager, Trade Marketing 
Manager and National Account Manager.

Nationality: Greek

Marcel Martin

(61) Group Supply Chain Director

Senior management tenure: Appointed January 2015 (5 years)

Previous Group roles: Marcel joined the Group in 1993, holding 
positions with increasing responsibility in the supply chain and 
commercial functions. Since 1995, he 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. He became General 
Manager of our Irish operations in 2010 and is now our Group Supply 
Chain Director.

Nationality: Romanian

From left to right

Row one

Michalis Imellos, Zoran Bogdanovic, Naya Kalogeraki, Jan Gustavsson, Sanda Parezanovic, Mourad Ajarti

Row two

Marcel Martin, Minas Angelidis, Sean O’Neill, Nikos Kalaitzidakis

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Jan Gustavsson

(54) General Counsel, Company Secretary and Director 
of Strategic Development

Senior management tenure: Appointed August 2001 (18 years)

Previous Group roles: Jan served as Deputy General Counsel for 
Coca-Cola Beverages plc from 1999-2001.

Previous relevant experience: Jan 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 was Senior 
Associate in White & Case’s New York office, practicing securities 
law and M&A.

Nationality: Swedish

Sanda Parezanovic

(55) Group Human Resources Director

Senior management tenure: Appointed June 2015 (4 years)

Previous Group roles: Sanda’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 started in 1989 as Market 
Researcher and later Strategic Planner working for various local 
research and marketing agencies in SFR Yugoslavia. She 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

Nikos Kalaitzidakis

(50) Region Director: Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, 
Croatia, Slovenia & Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Republic 
of North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia & Montenegro

Senior management tenure: Appointed May 2018 (2 years)

Previous Group roles: Nikos 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 spent 
five years in technology and telecommunications and seven years 
with Phillip Morris International in various roles and geographies across 
Europe and Central Asia.

Nationality: Greek

Mourad Ajarti

(43) Chief Information Officer

Senior management tenure: Appointed October 2019

Previous Group roles: None.

Previous relevant experience: Mourad holds an MSc in Computer 
Systems Networking & Tele-communications from L’École 
Mohammadia d’Ingénieurs. He has 20 years’ experience with two 
fast moving consumer goods industry leaders, Procter & Gamble 
and L’Oréal. Mourad started with Procter & Gamble leading SAP 
implementation in Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Europe, and later was 
CIO for different lines of business. From 2014 to 2019, Mourad was 
CIO for the Asia and Pacific region for L’Oréal, leading consumer 
and customer journey transformation and enabling the use of big 
data and advanced analytics.

Nationality: British

Sean O’Neill 

(55) Group Public Affairs and Communication Director

Senior management tenure: Appointed January 2019 (1 year)

Previous Group roles: None.

Previous relevant experience: Sean joined Coca-Cola HBC in 
January 2019 as Group Public Affairs and Communication Director. 
His previous roles include 12 years as Chief Corporate Relations 
Officer for Heineken NV in the Netherlands, where he was a member 
of the company’s global executive committee with responsibility 
for public and government affairs, sustainability, communication 
and consumer public relations. Prior to that, Sean held senior 
international corporate affairs leadership roles with Diageo and 
Guinness. This followed a variety of international management roles 
in the UK, Russia, Egypt and Australia with the communication 
and corporate affairs consultancy, Burson-Marsteller. Sean is 
an ex-Chairman of ICAP, the drinks industry’s main international 
organisation, a former adviser to the Russian and Egyptian 
governments and a board member of Try for Change, the charity 
of the England Rugby Football Union.

Nationality: British

OpCo gender diversity

Men: 8
Women: 2

OpCo tenure

0-1 years

2-3 years

4-5 years

6-7 years

17-18 years

3

2

2

1

1

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

97

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 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 in 2019

Long-term direction setting

Business planning

Policy formulation, reviews

•  Deployment and cascading our 2025 
organisational strategy, targets and 
growth pillars.

•  Articulating during the Capital Markets 

Day in June 2019 our 2025 
organisational strategy, targets and 
growth pillars.

•  Optimising the Group’s organisational 

and reporting structure, both 
geographically as well as functionally.

•  Reviewing and updating our revenue 
growth management strategies and 
implementing these in our local 
commercialisation plans. 

•  Rebooting our route-to-market 
approach in selected markets.

•  Assessing our sustainability priorities 
and initiatives on the way to deliver 
2025 commitments.

•  Setting long-term capability building 

priorities and programmes.

•  Evaluating and evolving our 24/7 

portfolio strategy together with our 
brand partners.

2019

•  Evaluating and updating the Group’s 

•  Sustainability commitments.

•  Updates on our Commercial policy.

Priority projects

•  2025 strategy deployment
•  Redesign of business planning process
•  Revenue Growth Management
•  Route-to-Market Reboot
•  Renewing Category Growth
•  Right Execution Daily
• 
Innovation for Growth
•  Digital and Big Data and Advanced 

Analytics (BDAA)

•  Capabilities for Growth
•  Engagement

long-range business plan.

•  Reviewing and approving annual business 

plans for 2019 for all operations and central 
functions.

•  Approving Group and country talent, 

capabilities development and 
succession plans.

Risk, safety and business resilience

•  Evaluating the Group’s business 

resilience strategies.

•  Evaluating the Group’s Risk Register of 

major business risks as well as associated 
risk response plans.

•  Reviewing the Group’s health & safety 

policies and material incidents.

Business case reviews and approvals

•  Assessing the strategic acquisitions 

of Bambi in Serbia, Lurisia in Italy and Toma 
in Czech Republic.

•  Assessing strategic revenue-generating 

initiatives and product / packaging 
innovation business cases.

•  Overseeing the strategic evolution 
of Supply Chain, Human Resources, 
Commercial, Finance and BSS 
departments.

•  The optimisation and expansion of our 

logistics and manufacturing infrastructure.

•  Capital expenditure proposals review 

and approval.

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Corporate governance report continued

Raising the bar for 
risk management

Letter from the Chair of the 
Audit and Risk Committee

Highlights this year
•  Updating our Code of Business Conduct 

and Anti-Bribery policies.

•  Adoption of IFRS 16 on leases.

Priorities for 2020
•  monitoring the developments in accounting and 
regulatory matters, including potential changes 
to IFRS accounting standards;

•  monitoring compliance with the EU Data Protection 

Regulation;

•  ongoing monitoring of risks as well as impairment 

testing of goodwill and intangible assets;

•  ongoing monitoring of internal financial controls, 

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.

Dear Shareholder
The Audit and Risk Committee focused its work during 
2019 on enhancing and strengthening the Group’s 
existing financial controls, risk management and 
compliance systems, which the Board recognises as 
essential components of effective corporate governance.

During 2019, 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 EU Data 
Protection Regulation. 

The Audit and Risk Committee Report describes in more detail the 
work of the Audit and Risk Committee during 2019. 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.

WILLIAM W. (BILL) DOUGLAS III
COMMITTEE CHAIR

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 
a fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the Company’s 
position and prospects and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, 
including whether there is consistency through out the report 
including 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 consolidated 
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
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha

Membership status
Member since 2016
Chair since 2016
Member since 2014
Member since 2015

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 18 June 2019.

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

99

Further details on their experience are set out in their respective 
biographies on pages 80 to 82.

The Group Chief Financial Officer, as well as the General Counsel, 
external auditor, the Director of Corporate 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 Corporate 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 (including four conference 
calls) times during 2019 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 2018 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 28 June 2019, prior 
to their submission to the Board for approval;

•  the trading updates for the three-month period ended 29 March 
2019 and the nine-month period ended 27 September 2019;

•  areas of significance in the preparation of the consolidated 

Financial Statements;

•  the internal control environment, principal risks and risk 

management systems (including the nature and extent of the 
principal risks the Company is willing to take in order to achieve 
its long-term strategic objectives), and the Group’s statement 
on the effectiveness of its internal controls prior to endorsement 
by the Board;

•  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 quality 
assessment of the internal audit function in accordance with the 
Institute of Internal Auditors Attribute Standards 1311;

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Corporate governance report continued

•  assessment of the overall financial risk management of the Group’s 

operations and review of internal financial control procedures;
•  discussion of tax developments, including OECD initiatives to 
combat aggressive tax planning and tax abuse; EU’s Anti-Tax 
Avoidance Directive, consequential development of tax 
governance and risk management framework for the Group;

•  review of tax issues in Romania, Italy and Austria;
•  discussion of location of direct procurement activities;
•  matters arising under the Group’s Code of Business Conduct and 

the actions taken to address any identified issues; 

•  revisions to and compliance with treasury policies, including risk 

limits, hedging programmes and counterparty limits;

•  discussion of various accounting requirements taking effect from 

1 January 2019 primarily related to IFRS 16 (Leases);
•  regular reports on quality assurance, health and safety, 

environmental protection, asset protection, treasury and financial 
risks, fraud control, insurance, security, enterprise risk management 
processes and internal control framework;

•  reports from the external auditor on the annual and interim Financial 

Statements, review of the external audit plan and pre-approval 
of audit fees for 2020;

•  review of the external auditor’s independence, quality, adequacy 

and effectiveness; 

•  the results of the Audit and Risk Committee self-assessment 

process; and 

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 2019, 
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, 13, 15 and 21 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 the risks that impact the Viability and Going Concern 
Statements; and

•  reports on regulatory review of audit sector in the UK.

•  recommended to the Board to approve the Viability Statement.

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 2019. Signing partner for the Financial Statements on 
behalf of PwC S.A. is Konstantinos Michalatos, who has held this role 
since 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. 

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

101

Audit fees and all other fees

Audit fees

The total fees for audit services paid to PwC and affiliates were 
approximately €4.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2019, 
compared to approximately €4.3 million for the year ended 31 
December 2018. The total fees for 2019 include fees associated with 
the annual audit and review 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 2019 were €0.4 million, compared to €0.4 million 
for the year ended 31 December 2018.

Tax-related fees

No fees were paid to PwC and affiliates for tax services for the year 
ended 31 December 2019 or for the year ended 31 December 2018.

All other fees

Fees for non-audit services paid to PwC or affiliates for the year ended 
31 December 2019 were €nil million. There were €0.1 million in fees 
for non-audit services paid to PwC or affiliates during the year ended 
31 December 2018.

Risk management

During 2019, the Company continued to revise and strengthen its 
approach to risk management as described in detail on pages 54-64. 
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 Chief Risk Officer for review by the CEO and Region 
Directors. The Company’s Group Risk Forum reviews the emerging 
as well as 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 emerging and 
material risks as well as 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.

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 Corporate 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.

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 2019, and there have been no changes to the policy 
during the year.

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Corporate governance report continued

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.

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 
provide risk-based and objective assurance to the Board as to whether 
the Group’s framework of risk management, including internal control 
framework, is operating effectively. For this purpose, the Director of 
Corporate 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.

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 evaluating and improving the effectiveness 
of risk management, control and governance processes. In December 
2019, the Audit and Risk Committee agreed the FY20 audit plan to be 
undertaken by the internal audit team. 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 2019.

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 pages 56-61.

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.

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 Group 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.

Whistleblowing measures

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. The Board 
is responsible for ensuring appropriate procedures and processes are 
in place to enable our workforce to raise any issues of concern. 
The Board maintains 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, 98.9% of our employees across 
the Group were trained on our Code of Business Conduct and 98.9% 
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 to ensure 
any concerns can be raised. 

In 2019, we investigated 311 allegations (2018: 296) of which 166 
(2018: 141) were received through the ‘Speak Up 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, 98 (2018: 113) matters 
were substantiated as code violations of which 20 (2018: 20) involved 
an employee in a managerial position or involved a loss greater than 
€10,000. For details concerning the handling of allegations received in 
2019, see our website.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

103

You can find more on allegations investigated and violations 
uncovered in our GRI index: https://coca-colahellenic.com/
Campaigns/AnnualReport2019/assets/pdf/Coca-Cola-HBC-2019-
GRI-Content-Index.pdf.

Through the ‘Speak Up Hotline’ we 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 Corporate 
Audit. Communications received by the Director of Corporate Audit, 
or directly through the ‘Speak Up Hotline’ are kept confidential and, 
where requested, anonymous. The Director of Corporate Audit liaises 
regularly with the General Counsel and communicates all significant 
allegations to the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

All matters received via the ‘Speak Up Hotline’ or any other reporting 
mechanism are thoroughly investigated. The Audit and Risk 
Committee receives summary reports of escalated incidents and 
instances of whistleblowing together with the status of investigations 
and, where appropriate, management actions to remedy issues 
identified. The Committee reports to the Board on such matters.

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 Group 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI104

COCA-COLA HBC

Corporate governance report continued

Ensuring the right 
team for the future

Letter from the Chair of the 
Nomination Committee

Highlights this year
•  The successful onboarding of our new 
non-Executive Director, Alfredo Rivera.

Priorities for 2020
•  continuous work on succession plans for Board 

and senior management positions;

•  externally facilitated Board and committee 

assessments; and

•  follow up actions on outcome of 2019 evaluation 

assessment.

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.

In 2019, the Committee continued to review the balance of skills, 
experience and diversity of the Board and focused 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 also considers the overall length 
of service of the Board as a whole as part of its succession planning 
and keeps under review the need to refresh Board membership. 
In addition, the Committee oversaw 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 105.

RETO FRANCIONI
COMMITTEE CHAIR

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;

•  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; and
•  overseeing the employee and management talent development 

and succession plans of the Group.

Committee at work

Succession 
planning

Board 
composition

Recruitment

Shortlisting

Members
Reto Francioni (Chair)

Charlotte J. Boyle
Alexandra Papalexopoulou

Membership status
Member since 2016
Chair since 2016
Member since 2017
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 18 June 2019, Reto Francioni, 
Charlotte Boyle and Alexandra Papalexopoulou were re-elected for 
a one-year term by the shareholders.

Work and activities
The Nomination Committee met four times during 2019 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 2019, the 
General Counsel also met with the Nomination Committee on several 
occasions. During 2019, 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;

•  follow up actions arising from Board and committee evaluations;
•  review of the Director induction process and training programmes; 

and

•  review of the Group’s Inclusion and Diversity Policy.

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, and effective contributions 
of each Director, the performance of the Board, committees, 
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 2019 Board 
meeting. Further details on the internal Board evaluation are set out 
on page 88. 

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

105

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 pages 
40-41 in the Strategic Report.

The Group believes that diversity at the 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 and social 
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 Board also considers the overall length 
of service of the Board as a whole when considering refreshment of 
the membership.

The Board recognises the importance of diversity in its business. It is 
the Board’s responsibility to oversee senior management succession 
planning for a diverse pipeline of managers and talent identified from 
the management talent development programme. This links to our 
strategy to develop our people and ensure we attract and retain a 
diverse talent pool, and is one of the five pillars of our growth strategy. 
Further information on Growth Pillar 4 is set out on pages 38-41.

The Board understands the benefits of diversity of gender, ethnicity, 
knowledge and experience. Both the Board and Nomination 
Committee remain mindful of the targets set for FTSE 100 companies 
by the Hampton-Alexander Review (minimum of 33% of women on 
the board and 33% of women on the executive committee and direct 
reports by the end of 2020) and the Parker Review to increase ethnic 
diversity (at least ‘one person of colour’ on the board by 2021). 
The Board currently has 23% female representation and also meets the 
target set by the Parker Review. The Board is committed to improving 
the Board gender balance. The Board is committed to improving the 
Board gender balance. The Operating Committee has 20% female 
representation while 35% of our senior leaders are women. Figures 
showing Board and senior management gender diversity are shown 
on pages 87 and 96. The Board is committed to appointing the best 
people with the right skills set, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, 
religion or disability and as such does not think it is appropriate to set 
specific targets for Board appointments. 

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.

Interview

Balance of skills 
assessment

Appointment

Induction

SRCGFSSSRSI106

COCA-COLA HBC

Corporate governance report continued

Raising the level of ambition with 
2025 sustainability commitments

Letter from the Chair of the 
Social Responsibility Committee

Highlights this year
•  Good progress demonstrated during 2019 towards 

our Mission 2025 sustainability commitments

•  Solid plans on packaging, plastic packaging 

and waste.

•  Monitoring the licence to operate pillar as part of our 

Growth Story 2025.

•  Participating in annual Stakeholder Forum on Water 

stewardship and the broader water strategy.

Priorities for 2020
•  overseeing progress towards the 2025 sustainability 

commitments;

•  monitoring 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;

•  developing/setting next-level science-based 

carbon reduction targets;

•  monitoring the implementation of 

recommendations from the TCFD; and

Dear Stakeholder
In 2019 as in previous years the Social Responsibility 
Committee continued to focus on the implementation of 
our sustainability strategy as well as on external social and 
environmental trends and their impact on the business.

Growth Story 2025 defines our vision and targets for the period up to 
2025, and one of its pillars, Earn our license to operate, is closely linked 
with Mission 2025, our sustainability commitments. These sustainability 
commitments were embraced in 2018 and focus on six key areas: 
Climate and Renewable Energy; Water Reduction and Stewardship; 
World Without Waste; Ingredient Sourcing; Nutrition; and People and 
Communities (for details, please see pages 48-49).

The Committee also carefully monitored sustainability-related 
regulatory developments such as circular economy directives, single 
use plastics and waste, evolved nutrition labelling and product 
tax developments.

During 2019, we achieved outstanding scores for our sustainability 
efforts from the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Europe, the MSCI 
ESG rating, FTSE4Good and CDP Climate Change and Water. We are 
particularly proud that Standard & Poor’s have recognised us as an 
industry mover in 2019 due to our achieving the largest proportional 
improvement demonstrated within the top 15% companies of 
our industry.

Going forward in 2020, it is the Committee’s responsibility to ensure 
that sustainability objectives are fully integrated in the business 
strategy of the Company and that responsible, sustainable business 
practices continue to engender the trust of stakeholders while 
supporting the sustainable growth of our business. In 2018, two years 
ahead of schedule, we achieved our first science-based carbon 
reduction targets (reaching 25% carbon intensity reduction in the 
whole value chain vs. 2010). In 2020 we will monitor the development 
of the new set of science-based carbon reduction targets. We will 
also devote our efforts to fully understanding the new European 
Union Green Deal endorsed by the European Commission and its 
impact on us.

•  addressing potential sparkling soft drinks and plastic 

packaging taxation.

ANASTASIOS I. LEVENTIS
COMMITTEE CHAIR

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

107

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.

Members
Anastasios I. Leventis (Chair)

Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes

Membership status
Member since 2016 
Chair since 2016
Member since 2016
Member since 2014

Work and activities
The Social Responsibility Committee met four times during 2019 
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 two other members of the 
Board, Charlotte J. Boyle and Ryan Rudolph, by the Group Director 
of Public Affairs and Communication and by different senior leaders 
based on the discussion topics. The CEO, Zoran Bogdanovic, 
attended all four of the meetings. 

During 2019, 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 Mission 2025, 
our 17 publicly communicated 2025 sustainability commitments 
and their six pillars;

•  progress and annual plans of the global Coca-Cola World Without 
Waste strategy, in all three pillars: packaging design, packaging 
collection and partnering;

•  specific market initiatives addressing sustainability, such as 100% 
rPET in four of the mineral water brands and 50% rPET in 0.5l 
in Trade Mark Coke family in two countries, zero waste cities and 
youth empowered programmes;

•  plans for calorie and sugar reduction in our portfolio;
•  materiality process review and endorsement of stakeholder 
engagement plan, in particular the feedback from the Annual 
Stakeholder Forum;

•  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;

•  assessment of emerging trends in sustainability and potential 

implications for Coca-Cola HBC, particularly in the areas 
of relevant UN SDGs.

SRCGFSSSRSI108

COCA-COLA HBC

Directors’ remuneration report

Driving long-term 
performance

Letter from the Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee

Highlights this year
•  Changes to our remuneration policy to align 

with governance developments and to take into 
account feedback received as part of our ongoing 
engagement with shareholders and proxy advisers.

Dear Shareholder
2019 was another year of very good 
performance. In light of our evolving business 
strategy, changes to the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and investor feedback, 
we have made changes to the remuneration 
policy to incentivise the balance between 
growth and profitability as appropriate.

As the Chair of the Remuneration Committee, I am pleased to present 
our Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 
2019. 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, except for changes driven by 
the UK Corporate Governance Code and by evolving business realities. 
As always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions regarding 
anything we can do to improve the report further.

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 
helps drive our growth strategy and sustainable performance.

2019 performance outcomes
In 2019, we delivered another year of strong growth, with the business 
recording its highest ever volume and comparable EBIT. We are 
delighted to announce strong results for the 2019 financial year, 
delivering net sales revenue growth of 4.4% on a currency-neutral 
basis, volume growth of 3.3% with positive performance in all 
segments and our comparable EBIT margin improved this year 
to 10.8%. We have continued to improve our cost efficiency with 
operating expenditure (as a % of revenue) reaching 26.9%. We also 
saw an improvement in our overall ROIC performance, to 14.2% this 
year (up from 13.7% in 2018). This performance demonstrates 
considerable momentum as we enter 2020.

The table below illustrates Company performance achieved against 
key performance indicators, and highlights the key business indicators 
that are used in our Management Incentive Plan (MIP) and Performance 
Share Plan (PSP) variable pay schemes.

COMPARABLE GROSS PROFIT 
MARGIN (%)

37.7%

(2018: 37.9%)

NET SALES REVENUE (€m)

7,026

(2018: 6,657)

COMPARABLE EPS (€)

1.436

(2018: 1.306)

FREE CASH FLOW (€m)

443

(2018: 370)

COMPARABLE EBIT (€m)

759

(2018: 681)

COMPARABLE OPERATING 
EXPENSE AS % OF NSR 
(excl. DME)

24.7%

(2018: 25.0%)

ROIC

14.2%

(2018: 13.7%)

VOLUME (m unit cases)

2,265

(2018: 2,192)

Included in MIP

Included in PSP

Other key performance indicators

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

109

Applying the remuneration policy for Directors in 2019
In accordance with our remuneration policy, the base salary of the 
Chief Executive Officer is reviewed annually. In 2019, the Committee 
approved a base salary increase of 5.3% to €790,000, effective 
1 May 2019.

Our sustained business performance in 2019 has resulted in a payout 
of 72% of base salary under the Management Incentive Plan (MIP) for 
the CEO, equivalent to an award of 56% of maximum MIP opportunity. 
This reflects solid Company performance, with gross profit margin, 
comparable EBIT and net sales revenue between target and maximum, 
and operating expenses ratio between threshold and target levels.

We continue to be committed to disclosing MIP targets retrospectively 
and you will find the 2019 performance targets and outcomes 
reported on page 122.

Three-year EPS and ROIC performance to the end of 2019 resulted 
in a vesting level of 75% of the maximum PSP award granted in 2017. 
Details of the targets and outcomes are explained on page 124.

Changes in 2019
The Remuneration Committee performed its regular annual review of 
the Group’s remuneration policy in 2019. To ensure that the policy 
remains fit for purpose and ensures the alignment of management 
with our business strategy and shareholders’ interests, changes to 
the remuneration policy were formulated. The proposed changes take 
into account feedback received as part of our ongoing engagement 
with our shareholders and proxy advisers. The amended remuneration 
policy will be put to shareholders’ vote at our 2020 Annual General 
Meeting. The key changes to the policy (detailed on pages 112 to 114) 
include: 

•  The timing of annual salary review determination which is brought 
forward so that disclosure can be included on a forward-looking 
basis in each year’s remuneration report.

•  For any new Executive Director, employee contributions in the 

pension scheme will be required, to align the scheme with that of 
the wider Swiss workforce. Pension contribution levels for the CEO 
are already aligned with those for our Swiss workforce, as defined by 
Swiss legislation.

• 

•  The use of straight-line vesting between threshold and maximum 
performance levels for PSP awards to be introduced from 2020.
In the case of retirement, time pro-rating of PSP awards to be 
applied (in line with the requirements of Swiss law). Post-vesting 
holding periods to continue to apply to unvested awards at the time 
of retirement.

•  Expanded explanation of the potential scenarios in which malus / 
clawback provisions might be applied for incentive arrangements.

•  The Remuneration Committee will have discretion to reduce or 

negate PSP award vesting, in case of significant adverse 
Environmental, Social or Governance impacts regarding the 
Company’s activities.

•  An increase in the required shareholding level for the CEO to 300% 

of base salary.

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 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 2019 Annual General Meeting, 
and hope we will have your support again in 2020.

The Committee is mindful of the evolution in corporate governance 
requirements and will continue to review the application of this as it 
relates to aspects of remuneration.

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. 
Further, the Committee reviews wider workforce remuneration 
policies at Coca-Cola HBC and the alignment of incentives and 
rewards with strategy and culture, taking these into account when 
setting the remuneration policy. 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/
board-committees/

Members
Alexandra Papalexopoulou (Chair)

Reto Francioni
Charlotte J. Boyle

Membership status
Member since 2015
Chair since June 2016
Appointed June 2016
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 18 June 2019. The Remuneration Committee 
met four times in 2019; in March, June, September and December. 
Please refer to the ‘Governance in action’ section of the Corporate 
Governance Report on page 83 for details on the Remuneration 
Committee meetings.

ALEXANDRA PAPALEXOPOULOU
CHAIR OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

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Directors’ remuneration report continued

Remuneration throughout the organisation – a snapshot

Attracting
Finding the people we want and need

Retaining
Continuing to attract the best talent

Recognising
Adopting behaviours that produce exceptional performance

Motivating
Achieving financial, business and non-financial targets

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.

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.

In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the following factors, 
which align well with our objectives, were also considered:

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.

•  clarity and simplicity: we believe that our policy provides 

transparency for executives and shareholders about what 
performance we are looking for across our portfolio;

•  risk: we note the reputational and other risks that can result from 
excessive rewards and believe that our robust target-setting and 
long history of applying discretion to performance outcome 
addresses this; 

•  predictability and proportionality: we believe that the link between 

individual awards, the delivery of strategy and the long-term 
performance of the Company is clearly explained in this report and 
that our approach ensures proportionate pay outcomes that do not 
reward poor performance; and

•  alignment to culture: we want our executives to make decisions 

for the long-term performance and health of the business.

How we implement our reward strategy
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

Chief Executive Officer, 
Operating Committee and 
selected senior management

Selected middle and 
senior management

All 
management

All employees

Performance 
Share Plan
Performance share 
awards vest over three 
years. PSP awards are 
cascaded down to select 
senior managers, 
promoting a focus on 
long-term performance 
and aligning them to 
shareholders’ interests.

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.

Note: Participants in the Performance Share Plan are not eligible to participate in the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Management Incentive PlanManagement employees may be eligible to receive an award under the annual bonus scheme. Performance conditions are bespoke to the role and business unit.Shareholding guidelinesSupport the alignment with shareholder interests ensuring sustainable performance:Chief Executive Officer – required to hold shares in the Company equal in value to 300% 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.Employee Share Purchase Plan (dependent on country practice)The Employee Share Purchase Plan encourages share ownership and aligns the interests of our employees with those of shareholders.Fixed pay and benefits (base salary, retirement and other benefits – dependent on country practice)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.INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

111

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 121 for total compensation figures.

Base salary

Retirement 
benefits

Other 
benefits

ESPP

+

MIP

PSP

=

Total 
compensation

Pay element 

Base salary

Fixed pay

Detail

Variable pay subject 
to performance

The base salary of the Chief Executive Officer is €790,000.

The salary is reviewed annually and any increase is typically effective 1 May each year.

Retirement benefits

The Chief Executive Officer participates in a defined benefit pension plan under Swiss law.

Employer contributions are 15% of annual base salary.

Other benefits

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 
base salary and/or MIP payments in shares. The Company matches employee contributions on a 
one-to-one basis up to 3% of base salary and/or MIP payout.

Awards are subject to potential application of malus and clawback provisions.

MIP 
(Management Incentive Plan)

The MIP consists of a maximum annual bonus opportunity of up to 130% of base salary.

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 MIP payout 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.

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Directors’ remuneration report continued

Remuneration policy

Introduction
The following section (pages 112 to 114) sets out our Directors’ remuneration policy. To ensure that remuneration is structured in a way that 
attracts, motivates and retains the talented people we need to achieve the Company’s strategic objectives and gives them due recognition, 
whilst driving sustainable performance and also being in line with corporate governance requirements, we have proposed some changes to 
the remuneration policy for 2020. The proposed changes take into account feedback received as part of our ongoing engagement with our 
shareholders and proxy advisers. The amended remuneration policy will be put to shareholder approval at our 2020 Annual General Meeting.

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. Until 2019, there was no obligation for 
employee contributions. However, we will adapt the pension 
scheme to be co-contributory, in line with the pension scheme for 
the wider Swiss workforce, for new Executive Directors’ 
appointments from 2020 onwards. 
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 111.

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113

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 
base salary and/or MIP payout to purchase 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 base salary 
and/or MIP payout. Matching contributions are used to purchase 
shares one year after 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 116.
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 to 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 is 
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 116.

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 116.

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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 revenue, profit, profit margins 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 123.
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 
on 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. There will be a straight-line 
vesting between these performance levels for awards made 
from 2020.
Performance share awards will lapse if the Remuneration Committee 
determines that the performance metrics have not been met. The 
Remuneration Committee will have discretion to reduce or negate 
PSP award vesting, in case of significant adverse Environmental, 
Social or Governance impacts regarding the Company’s activities.
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.

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115

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%

Maximum

16%

10%

2%

2%

4%

16%

20%

Target

23%

15%

16%

42% 3,386

Minimum

57%

9%
34% 1,382

Base pay

Cash and non-cash benefits

Pension

MIP

PSP

PSP – share price appreciation

41%

21%

6,351

52%

5,047

Minimum performance

Target performance

Maximum performance

Maximum performance + 50% share price growth

Fixed remuneration only, i.e. base salary, pension and other benefits 
(including ESPP participation).
No payout under the MIP 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.
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

Minimum (€ 000s)
Component
Base salary1
€790
€119
Pension
Cash and non-cash benefits2
€473
–
MIP
PSP
–
PSP – 50% share price appreciation –

€1,382

Target (€ 000s)
€790
€119
€490
€553
€1,434
–
€3,386

Maximum (€ 000s)
€790
€119
€504
€1,027
€2,607
–
€5,047

Maximum performance + 50% 
share price growth (€ 000’s)
€790
€119
€504
€1,027
€2,607
€1,304
€6,351

1.  Represents the annual base salary as at 1 May 2019.
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.

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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 Committee has reviewed the malus and clawback provisions as part of the policy review. 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, significant reputational risk and corporate failure.

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 
300% of annual base salary. Members of the Operating Committee are required to hold 100% of annual base salary. The Chief Executive Officer 
has five years from appointment to accumulate shares equal to 300% of annual base salary (with shares acquired from PSP awards and shares 
resulting from the deferral of the 50% of the MIP counting towards fulfillment of the shareholding requirement). The current Chief Executive 
Officer will have an additional two years to meet the increased requirement, from 200% previously. The Committee continues to review the 
need for stronger shareholding requirements in the long term and this is subject to further review in the future. 

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 and remunerate employees for promoting a growth mindset while contributing to the Group’s 
performance. As part of the Performance for Growth framework introduced in 2019, we have revised and updated the remuneration framework 
with features such as each business unit having more flexibility on target positioning, managers having the flexibility to retain key talents and 
guidance provided for increased award for high-potential and/or exceptional performance.

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 capitalisation 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.

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117

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 Remuneration Committee and the Board 
to determine compensation. Limitations include the prohibition of 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 2019. 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 118.

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Pay element
Base salary and 
other benefits / 
non-Executive 
Directors’ fees
ESPP

MIP

PSP/ESOP

Good leaver 
(retirement at 55 or later/at 
least 10 years’ continued 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.

Bad leaver 
(resignation, dismissal)

Good leaver 
(injury, disability)

Death in service

Unvested cash allocations held in the ESPP will vest 
upon termination.
A pro-rated payout as of 
the date of retirement will 
be applied.

A pro-rated payout as of the 
date of leaving will be applied.

Deferred shares will continue 
to vest as normal.

Unvested cash allocations 
under the 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.

Deferred shares will 
continue to vest as normal.

All unvested options and 
performance share awards 
continue to vest as normal 
subject to time pro-rating 
and are subject to the 
additional holding period1.

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.

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.

Any outstanding deferred 
shares will lapse.
All unvested options and 
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.

All unvested options and 
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 and are subject to the 
additional holding 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.

Deferred shares will 
continue to vest as normal.
All unvested options and 
performance share awards 
immediately vest subject to 
time and performance 
pro-rating.

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.

1.  Applicable to any retirement of an Executive Director which takes place after 2020.

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

119

Service contracts
Zoran Bogdanovic, the Chief Executive Officer, has a service contract with the Company with a six-month notice period. As noted under 
Termination payments on page 117, 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

Charlotte J. Boyle
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni

Anastasios I. Leventis
Christo Leventis
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes
Alfredo Rivera
Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi

Title
Chairman and non-Executive 
Director
Chief Executive Officer

Date originally appointed to the 
Board of the Company
27 July 2006

Date appointed to the 
Board of the Company
18 June 2019

11 June 2018

18 June 2019

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
Non-Executive Director

20 June 2017
24 June 2015
21 June 2016
21 June 2016

25 June 2014
25 June 2014
24 June 2015
25 June 2014
18 June 2019
21 June 2016
25 June 2014

18 June 2019
18 June 2019
18 June 2019
18 June 2019

18 June 2019
18 June 2019
18 June 2019
18 June 2019
18 June 2019
18 June 2019
18 June 2019

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;
•  the alignment of remuneration policy with principles of clarity, simplicity, risk, predictability, proportionality and alignment with culture;
•  market comparisons and the positioning of the Group’s remuneration relative to other comparable companies;
• 
•  the need for similar, performance-related principles for the determination of executive remuneration and the remuneration of other 

input from employees regarding our remuneration programmes;

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.

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Directors’ remuneration report continued

Annual Report on Remuneration

Introduction
This section of the report provides detail on how we have implemented our remuneration policy in 2019 which, in accordance with the UK 
remuneration reporting regulations, will be subject to an advisory shareholder vote at our 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Activities of the Remuneration Committee during 2019
During 2019, the key Remuneration Committee activities were to:

•  Review and sign off the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report;
•  Review the 2019 base salary for the Chief Executive Officer;
•  Review and approve the 2019 base salaries for the Operating Committee members and general managers;
•  Review and approve the 2018 MIP payout for the Chief Executive Officer;
•  Review and approve payout levels for the 2018 MIP in relation to Operating Committee members and general managers;
•  Review and approve the performance achievement of the 2015 and 2016 PSP awards, number of shares vesting and dividend equivalents 

of the respective plans;

•  Set and approve 2019 PSP targets;
•  Review award levels for 2019 PSP awards;
•  Review the Company’s Irish pension plans;
•  Review and approve changes to the Executive Director’s remuneration policy; and
•  Review the new leadership and performance framework – Performance for Growth.

Advisers 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 advisers, in 2019 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 €36,123, invoiced on a time spent basis. Willis 
Towers Watson is a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and provides advice in line with its Code of Business Conduct. Considering 
this, and the level and nature of the service received, the Committee remains satisfied that the advice is objective and independent.

Reto Francioni

Ahmet C. Bozer3

Charlotte J. Boyle

Anastassis G. David

William W. (Bill) Douglas lll

Olusola (Sola) David-Borha

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019 and 2018
Social 
Responsibility 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11,600
11,600
–
–
5,800
5,800
5,800
5,800
–
–
–
–
–
–

Remuneration 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
5,800
5,800
–
–
–
–
5,800
5,800
–
–
–
–
11,600
11,600
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Audit and Risk 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
14,500
14,500
28,900
28,900
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
14,500
14,500

Financial year
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018
FY2019
FY2018

Nomination 
Committee
(€)
–
–
–
–
5,800
5,800
–
–
–
–
11,600
11,600
–
–
–
–
5,800
5,800
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Base fee1 (€)
73,500
73,500
36,750
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500
36,750
–
73,500
73,500
73,500
73,500

Alexandra Papalexopoulou

Anastasios I. Leventis

José Octavio Reyes

Christo Leventis

Alfredo Rivera4

Ryan Rudolph

John P. Sechi

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

121

Senior 
Independent 
Director
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
15,800
15,800
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Social security 
contributions2
(€)
–
–
–
–
–
–
7,001
7,001
–
–
8,489
8,489
–
–
–
–
–
–
4,400
4,434
–
–
5,848
5,848
–
–

Total
(€)
73,500
73,500
36,750
73,500
85,100
85,100
95,001
95,001
102,400
102,400
115,189
115,189
85,100
85,100
73,500
73,500
96,700
96,700
83,700
83,734
36,750
–
79,348
79,348
88,000
88,000

1.  Non-Executive Director fees for 2019 are in line with the fees that were revised in 2018.
2.  Social security employer contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
3.  Ahmet C. Bozer retired from the Board of Directors on 18 June 2019. The Group has applied a half-year period base fee.
4.  Alfredo Rivera was appointed to the Board of Directors on 18 June 2019. The Group has applied a half-year period base fee.

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.

Single figure table
Single total figure of remuneration for the Chief Executive Officer for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018

Base pay1 
€ 000s

Cash and non-cash 
benefits2 
€ 000s

2019
777

2018
750

2019
450

2018
420

Annual bonus3 
€ 000s

2019
572

2018
465

Employee Share 
Purchase Plan4
€ 000s

2019
30

2018
32

Long-term incentives5 
€ 000s

Retirement 
benefits6 
€ 000s

2019
621

2018
1,919

2019
127

2018
124

Total single figure 
€ 000s

2019
2,577

2018
3,710

Zoran Bogdanovic

1.  ‘Base pay’ includes the monthly instalments linked to the base salary for 2019.
2.  ‘Cash and non-cash benefits’ includes the value of all benefits paid during 2019. 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 2019 includes the MIP payout, receivable early in 2020 for the 2019 performance year, including the amount deferred in shares.
4.  ‘Employee Share Purchase Plan’ reflects the value of Company matching share contributions under the ESPP.
5.  ‘Long-term incentives’ for 2019 reflects the 2017 awards made under the Performance Share Plan and the dividend equivalent shares paid on PSP shares that will vest in early 2020. 

The number of shares due to vest to the Chief Executive Officer for the 2017 award is 20,288. The Chief Executive Officer will also get 1,088 shares representing the dividend 
equivalents for the awarded shares for 2017, 2018 and 2019. 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 (as has been done for the 2015 and 2016 awards in the 2018 figure above). 
€188,713 of the €620,508 total vested value of the 2017 award was due to increase in share price since date of grant.

6.  ‘Retirement benefits’ includes the pension plan under Swiss law. Employer contributions are 15% of annual base salary. The disclosed figure includes also risk and administration 

costs of €10,735.

SRCGFSSSRSI122

COCA-COLA HBC

Directors’ remuneration report continued

Fixed pay for 2019

Base salary
In 2019 the Remuneration Committee approved a base salary of €790,000, effective 1 May 2019. When determining the base salary level, 
the Remuneration Committee considered alignment and competitiveness versus peers in the FTSE, and the experience of the individual. 

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, €127,235 of retirement benefit was received inclusive 
of €10,735 for risk and administration costs.

Cash and non-cash benefits

Zoran Bogdanovic received additional benefits during 2019. These included cost of living and foreign exchange rate adjustment (€233,632), 
private medical insurance (€11,420), partner allowance (€1,000), home trip allowance (€2,224), tax support (€2,504), company car (€18,153), 
housing allowance (€105,952), Company matching contribution related to the ESPP (€30,275 – reflecting the maximum match of 3% under 
the plan), tax equalisation (€-30,349), and the value of social security contributions (€105,236).

Variable pay for 2019

MIP performance outcomes – 2019

As outlined above, the annual bonus award in respect of the 2019 financial year for the Chief Executive Officer was €571,960, 72% of base salary. 
In accordance with the terms of the MIP, 50% of this will be paid out in March 2020 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 2019 to 31 December 2019. 
The financial metrics, the associated targets and level of achievement are set below.

MIP payouts are not driven by share price appreciation.

Achievement 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) +4.4% > Transactions 

growth +3.4% > Volume growth +3.3%

20% We grew volume in all three segments: Established 

markets +0.8%, Developing markets +0.5%, Emerging 
markets +5.7%

Engagement  Maintain the High-Performing Norm 

20% 2019 engagement score: 90 (+2ppts vs. 2018, +1 vs. High 

EBIT Margin

Sustainability

Status as per Willis Tower Watson
Further improve comparable EBIT 
margin compared to 2018 by 50 basis 
points or more
Regain Beverage Industry Leadership 
on DJSI either World or Europe

Performing Norm, +9ppts vs. FTSE100)
20% EBIT margin improved by 60 basis points

20% Coca-Cola HBC ranked first in Europe and second on 

a Global level. This makes nine consecutive years in Top 3 
in Europe and globally
Total

Payout % of CEO’s 
annual base salary 
(maximum 10%)
2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

10.0%

Achievement against the Group’s business metrics and the respective payout is outlined below.

Threshold (0%)

Target (15%)

Maximum (30%)

Payout (% of base salary)

Gross profit margin (%)

Comparable EBIT (€ m)

36.7

689

37.4

37.7

749

759

OpEx % of NSR

25.5

24.7

24.2

39.4

809

21.7

NSR (€ m)

6,434

6,994

7,026

7,343

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

Total financial performance measures payout

Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) outcomes – 2019
The Remuneration Committee will no longer make awards under this plan. All stock options are fully vested.

13.7%

21.0%

7.8%

19.7%

62.2%

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

123

Performance Share Plan (PSP) awards – 2019
The PSP is the primary long-term incentive vehicle. In March 2019, the Chief Executive Officer was granted a performance share award over 
82,156 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 2021, and vesting anticipated 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.

The following table sets out the details of the performance share award made to the Chief Executive Officer under the PSP for 2019.

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 82,156 1 shares, receivable for nil cost
€30,13 (£26.17)
13 March 2019
1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021
€2,475,000

330%
25% of maximum award

12.5% of maximum award

1.  The number of shares was adjusted as of 5 July 2019 to 87,247 as a result of the 2019 extraordinary dividend. This adjustment was mechanistic in nature to keep PSP participants 

neutral as to the effect of the extraordinary dividend of €2.00 per share.

Similar to the award made in March 2018, the 2019 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
1.62

Vesting 
(% of max)
25%

Target
1.80

Vesting (% of 
max)
100%

50%

13.8%

25%

15.8%

100%

The vesting schedule for PSP performance conditions is not a straight line between the threshold and maximum performance levels. At the date 
of grant of this award, the Remuneration Committee considered it was appropriate to place greater emphasis on achieving the target performance 
level than the outperformance of this level. As described earlier in the report, responding to feedback received, awards from 2020 will vest on 
a straight-line basis between threshold and maximum performance levels.

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Directors’ remuneration report continued

Performance Share Plan (PSP) outcomes – 2019
The table below summarises performance against the applicable targets for PSP awards made in 2017, which are due to vest in early 2020.

Measure
2017 award Comparable EPS
ROIC

Weighting
50%
50%

Target
1.24
13.0%

Vesting 
(% of max)
25%
25%

Three-year target
1.50
15.8%

Vesting 
(% of max)
100%
100%

Achievement
1.426
15.0%

Vesting 
(% of max)
74%
76%

Total 
(% of max)

75%

Threshold

Maximum

Actual to 
the year ending 2019

Note that the figures for achieved EPS and ROIC in the table above reflect adjusted performance and the unadjusted, reported figures are EPS: 
€1.436, ROIC: 14.2%.

The Committee determined that it was appropriate to make a number of adjustments to the performance outcome to take account of (i) 
the acquisition of Bambi during the year, (ii) a change in accounting under the IFRS 16 standard, and (iii) the special dividend paid in July 2019. 
In making these adjustments, the Committee’s intention was to maintain the original degree of stretch by adjusting for these items which were 
not anticipated at the time the targets were calibrated. 

The impact of the Bambi acquisition and change in IFRS 16 accounting was a €0.01 increase in EPS and so an equivalent negative adjustment 
was applied for PSP performance assessment purposes. 

The impact of the Bambi acquisition and change in IFRS 16 accounting was a reduction of ROIC of 1.3% so an equivalent positive adjustment 
was applied for PSP performance assessment purposes. As ROIC is calculated using a five-quarter average rather than a year-end snapshot, 
the special dividend increased reported ROIC by 0.5% and an equivalent negative adjustment was applied. The overall impact of all adjustments 
was an increase in ROIC of 0.8% compared to reported figures.

The overall impact of the above positive and negative adjustments was a vesting level of 75%. Without the adjustments, the vesting level 
would have been 65%.

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 2020
For 2020, subject to shareholder approval, we will apply the amended remuneration policy outlined on pages 112 to 114.

Base salary and fees
The Chief Executive Officer’s base salary was reviewed in March 2020. The base salary has been increased by 3.2% to €815,000 effective 
1 May 2020. Although 2020 salary increase levels for employees have not been confirmed at the date of this report, it is anticipated that the 
Chief Executive Officer’s increase will be in line with the increases provided for the wider workforce.

The fee levels for the Chairman and other non-Executive Directors were last reviewed in 2018, as outlined on page 116. Fee levels have not 
been reviewed in 2019.

Management Incentive Plan (MIP)
The annual bonus award levels for 2020 are expected to be in line with those for 2019. 50% of any 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 2020 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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

125

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
The levels of PSP awards for 2020 are anticipated to be in line with those awarded in 2019. The performance measures will be consistent with 
those detailed for the 2019 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
1.79

Vesting 
(% of max)
25%

Target
1.98

Vesting 
(% of max)
100%

50%

13.9%

25%

15.9%

100%

The Remuneration Committee expects to recommend an award of 330% of base salary to the Chief Executive Officer in March 2020, with 
performance running to the end of December 2022 and vesting occurring in March 2023. 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. In light of the feedback received 
from our shareholders and typical market practice, the Remuneration Committee has changed the vesting schedule to a straight line between 
the threshold and maximum performance levels for PSP grants from 2020 onwards.

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 2018 to 2019
Average employee % change for the Swiss workforce from 2018 to 2019

Annual base salary
3.6%
1.2%

Benefits
6.3%
65.6%

Annual bonus
23.0%
23.2%

CEO pay ratio
Coca-Cola HBC is domiciled in Switzerland. We are therefore not required to report a CEO pay ratio under UK regulations; however, we are 
voluntarily disclosing ratios below. Similar to the section ‘Changes to Chief Executive Officer and employee pay’ above, we have chosen to make 
a comparison with employees in Switzerland as this is the market in which our CEO is based. The international nature of our business means that 
we operate in countries with a significant range in terms of market practice for levels of remuneration and cost of living – for example, 
Switzerland has a substantially higher cost of living and employment remuneration compared to other countries. For this reason, comparisons 
with our Swiss workforce are likely to be more informative about the pay distribution of our workforce.

The table below compares the 2019 single figure of remuneration for the CEO with that of the employees who are paid at the 25th percentile 
(lower quartile), 50th percentile (median) and 75th percentile (upper quartile) of the Company’s workforce based in Switzerland ranked based on 
total remuneration.

Year 
2019 

Method 
Option A 

25th Percentile
pay ratio (P1) 
33:1 

Median
pay ratio (P2) 
29:1 

75th Percentile
pay ratio (P3) 
23:1

The methodology used to identify the lower quartile, median and upper quartile employees was by ranking all employees of the Swiss workforce 
on total remuneration (for employees who were in employment for the full calendar year). Two employees around each percentile were identified 
to ensure they accurately represent the relevant percentile ranking. The total remuneration for each of these employees was then calculated 
consistent with the methodology applied for deriving the CEO’s single figure remuneration. 

The table below sets out the total pay and benefits for the lower quartile, median and upper quartile:

Annual base salary 
Total remuneration 

25th Percentile
in € 
68,146
78,504

Median
in € 
78,450
90,375

75th Percentile
in €
92,618
113,097

SRCGFSSSRSI126

COCA-COLA HBC

Directors’ remuneration report continued

Total remuneration of Swiss employees includes the base salary, annual bonuses, other cash compensation (e.g. overtime), other cash and 
non-cash benefits (e.g. company car, tax support, relocation etc.), pension employer contributions and employer social security contributions 
during 2019. 

We are satisfied that the pay ratios reported this year are consistent with our wider pay, reward and progression policies for employees. 
As described on page 110, we have an overall remuneration philosophy that operates throughout the Group, 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 and a significant proportion of total remuneration for top managers (including 
the CEO) is tied to the achievement of our business objectives. As employees advance through the Company there will be the opportunity to 
receive higher rewards commensurate with increased accountability and market practice. The CEO’s total remuneration has a significantly 
higher proportion of variable pay in comparison with the rest of our employees. The CEO’s remuneration will therefore increase or decrease 
in line with business performance, aligning it with shareholders’ interests.

Chief Executive Officer pay and performance comparison
The graph below shows the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company compared with the FTSE 100 index over a 10-year period to 
31 December 2019. 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.

Total shareholder return versus FTSE 100

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Dec 09

Dec 10

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

Dec 19

FTSE 100

Coca-Cola HBC

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Doros 
Constantinou

Doros 
Constantinou

Dimitris 
Lois

Dimitris 
Lois

Dimitris 
Lois

Dimitris 
Lois

Dimitris 
Lois

Dimitris 
Lois

Dimitris 
Lois

Zoran 
Bogdanovic

Zoran 
Bogdanovic

Zoran 
Bogdanovic

Total remuneration 
– single figure 
(€ 000s)
MIP 
(% of maximum)
PSP 
(% of maximum)

3,752

4,708

711

1,524

1,928

1,918

3,012

2,923

15,378

410

3,710

2,577

65%

9%

24%

68%

49%

45%

75%

55%

53%

5%

48%

56%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

90%

–

100%

75%

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 total remuneration 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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

127

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.

2019

2018

Total staff costs

Distribution to shareholders

1,037.3

941.9

200.6

993.2

Compared to the prior year, the total staff costs have increased by 4%, while dividends distributed to shareholders have increased by 370% 
mainly driven by the extraordinary dividend of €2.00 per share, on top of the ordinary dividend of €0.57 per share.

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 2019.

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
232,487,763
99.24%
232,323,962
99.17%
224,790,736
95.96%
232,930,428
99.44%
231,596,412
98.98%

Votes against
1,747,581
0.75%
1,911,392
0.82%
9,445,934
4.03%
1,304,801
0.56%
2,385,368
1.02%

Total votes cast
234,246,241

Voting rights 
represented
64.55%

234,246,241

64.55%

234,246,241

64.55%

234,235,229

64.55%

233,981,780

64.55%

Abstentions
10,897
0.01%
10,887
0.01%
9,571
0.01%
11,012
 n.a.
264,461
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 performance share awards
Pension and post-employment benefits for Directors, the Operating Committee and the Chief Executive Officer

2019 
€ million
21.3
14.9
5.5
0.9

2018 
€ million
18.8
11.7
6.3
0.8

Credits and loans granted to governing bodies
In 2019, 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 
 
 
 
 
 
128

COCA-COLA HBC

Directors’ remuneration report continued

Share ownership
The table below summarises the total shareholding as at 31 December 2019, 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 17 March 2020.

Share 
interests
Yes

Yes

Yes

With performance measures

Without performance measures

PSP

ESOP

Performance 
shares 
granted in 
2019
87,247
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Unvested and 
subject to 
performance 
conditions
Vested
206,056 62,860
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Number 
of stock 
options 
Fully 
outstanding
vested
206,015 206,015
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Vesting at 
the end 
of 2019
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

ESPP

Number 
of outstanding 
shares held as at 
31 December 
2019
33,202
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Current 
shareholding 
as % of base 
salary1
381%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Beneficially 
owned
67,027
–
–
1,017
–
10,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Shareholding 
guideline met1
Yes
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Name
Zoran Bogdanovic2
Anastassis G. David3
Ahmet C. Bozer
Charlotte J. Boyle
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni
Anastasios I. Leventis4
Christo Leventis5
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes
Alfredo Rivera
Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi

1.  The shareholding requirement was introduced from the date of the 2015 PSP award, 10 December 2015 and has been updated to 300% in 2020. 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 and then another two years to meet the additional requirement.

2.  During 2019, Zoran Bogdanovic exercised 16,000 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 Sentry Management 
(PTC) Ltd. is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 823,008 shares held by Sentry Management (PTC) Ltd.

4.  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 757,307 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

5.  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 623,664 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report
The Directors’ Remuneration Report set out on pages 108 to 128 was approved by the Board of Directors on 17 March 2020 and signed on its 
behalf by Alexandra Papalexopoulou, Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

ALEXANDRA PAPALEXOPOULOU
CHAIR OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
17 March 2020

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

129

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 
80-82, 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 12 to 73). In addition, Notes 24 ‘Financial risk 
management and financial instruments’, 25 ‘Net debt’, and 26 ‘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 64. 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
18 March 2020

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:

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)
9.8.4(11)
9.8.4(12)
9.8.4(13)
9.8.4(14)

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
Details of any contracts of significance involving a Director
Details of any contract for the provision of services to the Company by a controlling shareholder
Details of any arrangement under which a shareholder has waived or agreed to waive any dividends
Details of any arrangement under which a shareholder has agreed to waive future dividends
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130

COCA-COLA HBC

Financial 
statements

Contents
131

Independent auditor’s report

Consolidated financial statements
137 Consolidated income statement
138 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
139 Consolidated balance sheet
140 Consolidated statement of changes in equity
142 Consolidated cash flow statement

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
Basis of reporting
143
143
144
144
145

1. Description of business
2. Basis of preparation and consolidation
3. Foreign currency and translation
4. Accounting pronouncements
5. Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Results for the year
145
148
148
150
150
153
153

6. Segmental analysis
7. Net sales revenue
8. Operating expenses
9. Finance costs, net
10. Taxation
11. Earnings per share
12. Components of other comprehensive income

Operating assets and liabilities
13. Intangible assets
153
14. Property, plant and equipment
156
15. Interests in other entities
159
16. Leases
162
17. Inventories
165
18. Trade, other receivables and assets
165
19. Assets classified as held for sale
167
20. Trade and other payables
168
21. Provisions and employee benefits
168
22. Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
173
175
23. Business combinations and acquisition 
of non‑controlling interest

Risk management and capital structure
176
187
191

24. Financial risk management and financial instruments
25. Net debt
26. Equity

Other financial information
193
195
197
198
198

27. Related party transactions
28. Share‑based payments
29. Contingencies
30. Commitments
31. Post balance sheet events

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

131

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 2019 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 2019 Integrated Annual Report (the ‘Annual Report’), which comprise: the consolidated 
income statement and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2019, the consolidated balance 
sheet as at 31 December 2019, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 
31 December 2019, 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.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non‑audit services prohibited by the IESBA Code and other applicable laws and 
regulations were not provided to the Group.

Other than those disclosed in Note 8 of the Annual Report, we have provided no non‑audit services to the Group in the period from 1 January 
2019 to 31 December 2019.

Our audit approach
Overview

•  Overall group materiality: €33.0 million (2018: €30.5 million)

Materiality

Audit scope

•  We audited the complete financial information of the Company and of subsidiary undertakings 

in 15 countries.

•  Taken together, the undertakings of which an audit of their complete financial information was performed 
accounted for 84% of consolidated net sales revenue, 89% of consolidated profit before tax and 87% 
of consolidated total assets of the Group.

•  We also conducted specified audit procedures and analytical review procedures for other subsidiary 

Key audit 
matters

undertakings and Group functions.

•  Goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets valuation.
•  Uncertain tax positions.
•  Provisions and contingent liabilities.

SRCGFSSSRSI132

COCA-COLA HBC

Independent auditor’s report continued

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;
•  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, journals posted by senior 
management and consolidation entries.

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. 

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

133

Key audit matter
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets 
valuation
Refer to Note 13 for intangible assets including goodwill 
and to Note 23 for business combinations.
Goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets as at 
31 December 2019 amount to €1,773.7 million and 
€318.3 million, respectively.
The above 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 balances and 
because the determination of whether elements of goodwill 
and of indefinite‑lived intangible assets are impaired involves 
complex and subjective estimates and judgements made 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.
In addition, during 2019 the Group acquired a 100% 
shareholding in Koncern Bambi a.d. Požarevac (‘Bambi’) a 
Serbian confectionary business. This acquisition was the main 
contributor to the increase in goodwill and indefinite‑lived 
intangible assets which added to the Group €114.6 million 
and €117.9 million of goodwill and indefinite-lived 
trademarks respectively.
No impairment charge was recorded in 2019. 

Uncertain tax positions
Refer to Note 10 for taxation and Note 29 for contingencies.
The Group operates in numerous 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 2019, the Group has current tax liabilities of 
€125.6 million, which include €95.1 million of provisions for tax 
uncertainties.
Where the amount of tax payable is uncertain, the Group 
establishes provisions based on management’s judgements 
with respect to 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, related control activities 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 the cash flow projections included therein to the financial budgets, 
approved by the Directors, covering a one year period and management’s 
projections for the subsequent four years. In addition, we assessed the quality 
of the budgeting process by comparing the prior year budget with actual results.
We challenged management’s cash flow projections around the key drivers 
of cash flow forecasts including future performance with respect to revenue, 
short-term and long-term volume growth and the level of direct costs.
With the support of our valuation specialists, we evaluated the appropriateness of 
key assumptions including discount, perpetuity growth and foreign exchange rates.
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.
Specifically, as regards the Bambi acquisition we assessed the business 
combinations process and engaged our component team to perform a full 
scope audit of the opening balance sheet. With the support of our valuation 
specialists we reviewed management’s purchase price allocation, including 
attending a series of calls with the Group’s valuation experts to critically challenge 
the valuation methodology and key underlying assumptions used. We evaluated 
the key inputs used in the valuation model as well as management’s assessment 
of the useful lives of intangible assets identified.
We assessed the appropriateness and completeness of the related disclosures 
in Note 13, as regards goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets, and in Note 
23, with respect to the acquisition of Bambi, 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. 
Furthermore, we determined that the underlying assumptions used by 
management in the business combination and purchase price allocation 
of Bambi form a reasonable basis for the carrying value of the goodwill and 
trademarks of Bambi.

We evaluated the related accounting policy for estimating tax exposures.
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, judgmental 
positions taken in tax returns and current year estimates as well as recent 
developments in the various tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates.
We challenged management’s key assumptions, particularly in cases where there 
had been significant developments with tax authorities.
From the evidence obtained we consider the provisions in relation to uncertain 
tax positions as at 31 December 2019 to be reasonable under the circumstances.

SRCGFSSSRSI134

COCA-COLA HBC

Independent auditor’s report continued

Key audit matter
Provisions and contingent liabilities
Refer to Note 21 for provisions and Note 29 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 a key audit matter.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter
Our procedures with respect to provisions and contingent liabilities included 
the following:
•  evaluation of the design and testing of key controls with respect to litigation 

and regulatory procedures;

•  where relevant, reading external legal advice obtained by management;
•  discussion of open matters with the Group’s general counsel;
•  meeting with local management and if deemed necessary reading relevant 

correspondence;

•  assessing and challenging management’s conclusions through understanding 

precedents set in similar cases; and

•  obtaining confirmation requests from relevant third‑party legal 

representatives and holding follow up discussions, where appropriate, 
on certain material cases.

In addition, we assessed the appropriateness of the related disclosures in Note 29.
Based on the work performed, whilst noting the inherent uncertainty with such 
legal and regulatory matters, we determined that management’s judgments 
and relevant provisions, including related disclosures, as at 31 December 2019 
are 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 145 of the Annual Report. The processing of 
the accounting entries for these subsidiary undertakings 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 centralised 
treasury functions in the Netherlands and in Greece and a centralised procurement function in Austria.

Based on the significance to the financial statements and in light of the key audit matters as noted above, we identified subsidiary undertakings 
in 15 countries (including the trading subsidiary undertakings in Italy, Russia, Nigeria, Romania and Switzerland) which in our view, required an 
audit of their complete financial information. We also performed specified audit procedures on certain balances and transactions on one joint 
operation. In addition, audit procedures were performed with respect to the centralised treasury functions 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.

The group engagement team’s involvement with respect to audit work performed by component auditors included site visits and attendance 
at component audit meetings with local management, in Nigeria, Russia, Italy, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria and Greece. Where physical attendance 
was not undertaken, the group engagement team held conference calls with component audit teams and with local management, as considered 
appropriate. 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. In addition, we performed work centrally on IT general controls and shared comfort with the component teams. 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 held a two‑day audit planning workshop in Greece 
focusing on planning and risk assessment activities, auditor independence, centralised testing procedures and the implementation of new IFRSs 
and specifically IFRS 16 ‘Leases’. This audit planning workshop was attended by the component teams responsible for the subsidiary 
undertakings 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 84% of consolidated 
net sales revenue, 89% of consolidated profit before tax and 87% 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.

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 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.

€33.0 million (2018: €30.5 million).
5% of profit before tax.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

135

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 €1.35 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 (2018: €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 
130, 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 July 2018 (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 64, 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 130 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.

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 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI136

COCA-COLA HBC

Independent auditor’s report continued

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.

Other required reporting

Appointment
We have been the Group’s auditors since 2003 and following a tender process that the Group conducted in 2015, at the recommendation of the 
Audit & Risk Committee, we were reappointed by the Directors on 11 December 2015 to audit the financial statements for the year ended 31 
December 2016 and subsequent financial periods.

Konstantinos Michalatos 
the Certified Auditor, Reg. No. 17701 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. 
Certified Auditors, Reg. No. 113 
Athens, Greece

19 March 2020

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

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. 

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

137

Note
6,7

8
6

9
15

10

11
11

2019
€ million
7,026.0
(4,380.4)
2,645.6

(1,930.3)
715.3

6.3
(73.4)
(67.1)
13.0
661.2

(173.2)
488.0

487.5
0.5
488.0

1.34
1.33

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

SRCGFSSSRSI138

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:
Cost of hedging 
Net gain of cash flow hedges
Foreign currency translation
Share of other comprehensive income 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 gain / (loss) on equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income
Actuarial (losses) / gains
Income tax relating to items that will not be subsequently reclassified to income statement

Other comprehensive income / (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

24
24
12

12

12

2019
€ million
488.0

(11.1)
2.5
123.4
0.7
1.4
116.9

0.2
(17.0)
1.8
(15.0)
101.9
589.9

589.4
0.5
589.9

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

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

139

Note

13
14
15
24
10
18

17
18
24,25

25

19

25
24
20
21

25
24
10
21

26
26
26
26
26
26

2019
€ million

2,105.4
2,742.2
148.5
5.8
64.5
71.3
5,137.7

488.1
1,025.6
734.9
4.1
823.0
3,075.7
0.6
3,076.3
8,214.0

761.8
11.6
1,666.1
102.1
125.6
2,667.2

2,562.9
0.1
159.5
117.6
6.5
2,846.6
5,513.8

2,010.8
3,545.3
(6,472.1)
(169.8)
(964.7)
256.3
4,491.7
2,697.5
2.7
2,700.2
8,214.0

2018
€ million

1,825.8
2,391.6
99.3
6.1
47.4
45.9
4,416.1

463.2
961.2
290.0
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

SRCGFSSSRSI140

COCA-COLA HBC

Financial statements continued

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Balance as at 1 January 2018
Shares issued to employees 
exercising stock options
Share‑based compensation:

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 tax1

Profit for the year, net of tax
Other comprehensive loss 
for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income 
for the year, net of tax2
Balance as at 31 December 2018

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
3,551.5

Total
€ million
3,007.4

Non‑
controlling 
interests
€ million
4.8

Total 
equity
€ million
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)

–
2,021.2
–

–
4,547.9
–

–
(6,472.1)
–

–
(184.1)
–

–
(1,026.3)
–

(4.6)
267.2
–

–
3,553.2
447.4

(4.6)
2,707.0
447.4

–
4.6
0.7

(4.6)
2,711.6
448.1

–

–

–

–

(62.5)

1.8

17.4

(43.3)

–

(43.3)

–
2,021.2

–
4,547.9

–
(6,472.1)

–
(184.1)

(62.5)
(1,088.8)

1.8
269.0

464.8
4,018.0

404.1
3,111.1

0.7
5.3

404.8
3,116.4

1.  The amount included in other reserves of €4.6m gain for 2018 represents the cash flow hedge reserve, including cost of hedging, transferred to inventory of €5.9m gain, and the 

deferred tax expense thereof amounting to €1.3m.

2.  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.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

141

Balance as at 1 January 2019
Shares issued to employees 
exercising stock options
Share‑based compensation:

Performance shares
Cancellation of shares
Appropriation of reserves
Movement of treasury shares
Acquisition of shares held by 
non‑controlling interests
Dividends
Transfer of cash flow hedge reserve, 
including cost of hedging to 
inventories, net of tax3

Profit for the year, net of tax
Other comprehensive income for 
the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for 
the year, net of tax4
Balance as at 31 December 2019

Attributable to owners of the parent

Share 
capital
€ million
2,021.2

Share 
premium
€ million
4,547.9

Group 
reorganisation 
reserve
€ million
(6,472.1)

Treasury 
shares
€ million
(184.1)

Exchange 
equalisation 
reserve
€ million
(1,088.8)

Other 
reserves
€ million
269.0

Retained 
earnings
€ million
4,018.0

Total
€ million
3,111.1

Non‑
controlling 
interests
€ million
5.3

Total 
equity
€ million
3,116.4

8.0

13.4

–
(18.4)
–
–

–
(74.1)
–
–

–
–

–
(941.9)

–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
92.5
27.9
(106.1)

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

21.4

9.9
–
(27.5)
–

–
–

–
–
(0.4)
–

(7.0)
8.8

9.9
–
–
(106.1)

(7.0)
(933.1)

–

–
–
–
–

21.4

9.9
–
–
(106.1)

(2.5)
(0.6)

(9.5)
(933.7)

–
2,010.8
–

–
3,545.3
–

–
(6,472.1)
–

–
(169.8)
–

–
(1,088.8)
–

11.9
263.3
–

–
4,019.4
487.5

11.9
2,108.1
487.5

–
2.2
0.5

11.9
2,110.3
488.0

–

–

–

–

124.1

(7.0)

(15.2)

101.9

–

101.9

–
2,010.8

–
3,545.3

–
(6,472.1)

–
(169.8)

124.1
(964.7)

(7.0)
256.3

472.3
4,491.7

589.4
2,697.5

0.5
2.7

589.9
2,700.2

3.  The amount included in other reserves of €11.9m loss for 2019 represents the cash flow hedge reserve, including cost of hedging, transferred to inventory of €15.1m loss, and the 

deferred tax income thereof amounting to €3.2m.

4.  The amount included in the exchange equalisation reserve of €124.1m gain for 2019 represents the exchange gain attributed to the owners of the parent, including €0.7m gain 

relating to share of other comprehensive income of equity‑method investments.
The amount of other comprehensive income net of tax included in other reserves of €7.0m loss for 2019 consists of gain on valuation of equity investments at fair value through 
other comprehensive income of €0.2m, cash flow hedges loss of €8.6m, and the deferred tax income thereof amounting to €1.4m.
The amount of €472.3m gain attributable to owners of the parent comprises profit for the year of €487.5m plus actuarial losses of €17.0m, minus deferred tax income of €1.8m. 
The amount of €0.5m gain included in non‑controlling interests for 2019 represents the share of non‑controlling interests in profit for the year.

For further details, refer to: Note 24 ‘Financial risk management and financial instruments’, Note 26 ‘Equity’ and Note 28 ‘Share‑based payments’.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SRCGFSSSRSI142

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 performance shares
Amortisation of intangible assets

Gain on disposals of non‑current assets
Decrease / (increase) in inventories
Increase 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
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired
Payment for acquisition of equity‑method investment
Net receipts from equity investments
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
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 lease obligations (2018: Principal repayments of finance lease 
obligations)
(Payments for) / proceeds from settlement of derivatives regarding financing activities
Interest paid
Net cash inflow / (outflow) from financing activities
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Movement in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Net increase / (decrease) 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

2019
€ million

9
15
10
14
14

13

8

13

23

26

26

26

25

488.0
67.1
(13.0)
173.2
374.8
10.0
9.9
0.7
1,110.7
(6.2)
14.2
(18.0)
37.0
(211.5)
926.2

(473.2)
–
35.1
(138.2)
(42.5)
8.9
(113.4)
(337.3)
5.8
5.9
(1,048.9)

21.4
(9.5)
(192.8)
–
(933.1)
(0.6)
1,840.0
(372.2)

(45.5)
(8.3)
(71.8)
227.6
104.9

712.3
104.9
5.8
823.0

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

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

143

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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 primarily 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 27), 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) and on the Athens 
Exchange (Ticker symbol: EEE), and regular way trading in Coca‑Cola HBC American depositary shares 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 depositary shares 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 18 March 2020 and are expected to be verified 
at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 16 June 2020.

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 consolidated balance sheet, related party loan receivables of €3.5m have been reclassified from ‘Trade, other receivables 
and assets’ to ‘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144

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
2019
1.12
0.88
4.30
405.07
325.10
1.11
72.54
4.74
29.03
25.67
117.87

Average
2018
1.18
0.88
4.26
427.39
318.51
1.16
73.94
4.65
32.14
25.65
118.28

Closing
2019
1.12
0.85
4.26
406.66
330.46
1.09
69.43
4.79
25.81
25.46
117.55

Closing
2018
1.14
0.90
4.29
416.55
321.07
1.13
79.46
4.66
31.11
25.83
118.21

4. Accounting pronouncements 

a) Accounting standards and pronouncements adopted in 2019
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 2019:

• 

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’.

The Group adopted IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ retrospectively from 1 January 2019 but has not restated comparatives for the 2018 reporting period, 
as permitted under the specific transitional provisions in the standard. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the adoption of the 
new leasing standard are therefore recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2019. Refer to Note 16 for more details on the impact 
of the transition to IFRS 16.

The Group has adopted the following other amendments and interpretations which were issued by the IASB that are effective for accounting 
periods beginning on 1 January 2019:

•  Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation – Amendments to IFRS 9;
•  Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures – Amendments to IAS 28;
•  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015 – 2017 Cycle;
•  Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement – Amendments to IAS 19; and
• 

Interpretation 23 – Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.

The above other amendments and interpretations that came into effect on 1 January 2019 did not have a material impact on the consolidated 
financial statements of the Group.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

145

b) Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
At the date of approval of these consolidated financial statements, the following amendments relevant to the Group’s operations were issued 
but not yet effective and not early‑adopted:

•  References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards – Conceptual Framework;
•  Definition of a Business – Amendment to IFRS 3;
•  Definition of Material – Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8;
• 
•  Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non‑current – Amendment to IAS 1.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7; and

The Group is still assessing the impact that the above amendments will have on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

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); and

• 
• 
•  Employee benefits – defined benefit pension plans (refer to Note 21).

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 essentially 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: Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, 

the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.

Developing markets: Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, 

Emerging markets:

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.

SRCGFSSSRSI146

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

6. Segmental analysis continued

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

2019
624.5
431.1
1,208.9
2,264.5

2018
619.5
429.0
1,143.8
2,192.3

1.  One unit case corresponds to approximately 5.678 litres or 24 servings, being a typically used measure of volume. For biscuits volume, one unit case corresponds to 1 kilogram. 

Volume data is derived from unaudited operational data. 

Net sales revenue per reportable segment for the years ended 31 December is presented in the graphs below:

2019
€7,026.0m

2018
€6,657.1m

Established: €2,517.6m
Developing: €1,352.1m
Emerging: €3,156.3m

Established: €2,470.1m
Developing: €1,306.9m
Emerging: €2,880.1m

Sales or transfers between the Group’s segments are not material, 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

2019
2,261.8
2.7
2,264.5

6,845.7
180.3
7,026.0

2018
2,189.7
2.6
2,192.3

6,471.8
185.3
6,657.1

1.  One unit case corresponds to approximately 5.678 litres or 24 servings, being a typically used measure of volume. For premium spirits volume, one unit case also corresponds 

to 5.678 litres. For biscuits volume, one unit case corresponds to 1 kilogram. Volume data is derived from unaudited operational data. 

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

2019
€ million
399.6
1,059.5
897.6
512.9
4,156.4
7,026.0

2018
€ million
402.3
988.7
868.3
484.5
3,913.3
6,657.1

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

147

Note

9

9

10

15

2019
€ million

236.0
139.0
340.3
715.3

(25.7)
(6.0)
(15.6)
(149.2)
123.1
(73.4)

1.0
1.6
23.4
103.4
(123.1)
6.3

(61.4)
(27.0)
(66.2)
(18.6)
(173.2)

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)

13.0
488.0

12.8
448.1

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 finance costs
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

3.  Corporate refers to holding, finance and other non‑operating subsidiaries of the Group.

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

Note

14

13

2019
€ million

(103.3)
(65.0)
(216.5)
(384.8)

(0.1)
(0.6)
(0.7)

2018
€ million

(89.6)
(52.9)
(176.2)
(318.7)

(0.1)
(0.4)
(0.5)

SRCGFSSSRSI148

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

2019
€ million
546.7
551.3
1,087.7
564.5
2,297.2
5,047.4

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

2019
€ million
102.0
84.5
286.7
473.2

2018
€ million
509.0
467.4
1,000.7
489.8
1,880.1
4,347.0

2018
€ million
95.7
72.1
269.4
437.2

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 principally produces, sells and distributes ready‑to‑drink, 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 its 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 27).

Refer to Note 6 for an analysis of net sales revenue per reportable segment.

8. Operating expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended 31 December comprised: 

Selling expenses
Delivery expenses
Administrative expenses
Restructuring expenses
Acquisition costs (refer to Note 23)
Operating expenses

In 2019, operating expenses included net gain on disposals of non‑current assets of €6.2m (2018: €10.2m net gain).

2019
€ million
938.6
539.2
411.5
37.8
3.2
1,930.3

2018
€ million
927.3
522.1
393.7
32.8
–
1,875.9

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

149

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:

2019
€37.8m

2018
€32.8m

Established: €20.0m
Developing: €6.7m
Emerging: €11.1m

Established: €4.9m
Developing: €4.0m
Emerging: €23.9m

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

2019
€ million
732.4
145.0
117.7
42.2
1,037.3

The average number of full‑time equivalent employees in 2019 was 28,389 (2018: 28,884).

Employee costs for 2019 included in operating expenses and cost of goods sold amounted to €785.1m and €252.2m respectively 
(2018: €766.2m and €227.0m respectively).

c) Directors’ and senior management remuneration
The total remuneration paid to or accrued for Directors and the senior management team for the years ended 31 December comprised:

Salaries and other short‑term benefits
Performance share awards
Pension and post‑employment benefits
Total remuneration

d) Fees and other services of the auditor
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

2019
€ million
14.9
5.5
0.9
21.3

2019
€ million
4.9
0.4
–
5.3

2018
€ million
705.5
139.0
126.3
22.4
993.2

2018
€ million
11.7
6.3
0.8
18.8

2018
€ million
4.3
0.4
0.1
4.8

SRCGFSSSRSI150

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

9. Finance costs, net

Accounting policy
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 costs’ respectively. Interest expense includes finance charges with respect to leases. Interest expense 
also includes amortisation of the loss on the forward starting swaps and the net impact from swaptions recorded in other comprehensive 
income (refer to Note 24).

Finance costs, net for the years ended 31 December comprised:

Interest income
Interest expense
Other finance costs
Net foreign exchange remeasurement gain
Finance costs
Finance costs, net

2019
€ million
6.3
(71.3)
(2.6)
0.5
(73.4)
(67.1)

2018
€ million
6.1
(46.5)
(1.3)
0.4
(47.4)
(41.3)

Other finance costs include commitment fees on loan facilities (for the part not yet drawn down) and other similar fees.

For the interest expense incurred with respect to leases refer to Note 16.

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 also 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 income 
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 €95.1m as at 31 December 2019 (2018: €98.5m) 
and is included in the line ‘Current tax liabilities’ of the consolidated balance sheet.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

151

The income tax charge for the years ended 31 December was as follows:

Current tax expense
Deferred tax expense
Income tax expense 

2019
€ million
185.6
(12.4)
173.2

2018
€ million
149.0
13.8
162.8

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 of accumulated tax losses
Movement of deferred tax asset not recognised
Other
Income tax expense

2019
€ million
661.2

139.9
9.0
(3.6)
23.8
(5.1)
0.9
3.5
0.4
4.4
173.2

2018
€ million
610.9

122.8
9.0
9.0
16.7
(8.9)
1.4
(1.5)
(0.5)
14.8
162.8

Non‑deductible expenses for tax purposes include marketing and advertising expenses, service fees, bad debt provisions, entertainment 
expenses, certain employee benefits 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
Arising on acquisitions (refer to Note 23)
Taken to other comprehensive income
Taken directly to equity
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December

2019
€ million
47.6
85.2
132.8
(68.3)
64.5

(204.1)
(23.7)
(227.8)
68.3
(159.5)

2019
€ million
(83.9)
12.4
(17.5)
3.2
(3.2)
(6.0)
(95.0)

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)

SRCGFSSSRSI152

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

10. Taxation continued

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 2018
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
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 16*
As at 1 January 2019
Arising on acquisitions (refer to Note 23)
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 2019

Deferred tax liabilities
As at 1 January 2018
Taken to the income statement
Taken to other comprehensive income
Transfers between assets / liabilities
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 16*
As at 1 January 2019
Arising on acquisitions (refer to Note 23)
Taken to the income statement
Taken to other comprehensive income
Transfers between assets / liabilities
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2019

Provisions
€ million
49.8
(7.0)
–
–
–
(1.4)
41.4
–
41.4
0.4
(3.3)
–
–
0.3
2.4
41.2

Pensions and
benefit plans
€ million
18.7
2.0
(4.0)
–
–
0.1
16.8
–
16.8
0.1
(2.8)
1.7
–
1.8
0.1
17.7

Tax losses
carry‑forward
€ million
10.4
(6.8)
–
–
–
(0.4)
3.2
–
3.2
–
(1.9)
–
–
–
0.1
1.4

Book in 
excess of tax
 depreciation
€ million
20.2
(2.2)
–
–
0.9
0.3
19.2
(9.8)
9.4
–
4.0
–
–
1.3
0.2
14.9

Tax in excess
 of book
 depreciation
€ million
(176.0)
(5.0)
–
(0.9)
8.3
(173.6)
(15.4)
(189.0)
(18.2)
10.4
–
(0.6)
(8.9)
(206.3)

Leasing
€ million
7.7
(0.7)
–
–
–
–
7.0
25.4
32.4
–
(3.5)
–
–
–
0.1
29.0

Derivative
instruments
€ million
(2.0)
0.1
(0.1)
–
–
(2.0)
–
(2.0)
–
0.1
0.3
–
–
(1.6)

Other
 deferred
tax assets
€ million
7.5
10.2
1.1
1.3
–
(0.3)
19.8
(0.2)
19.6
0.1
11.8
1.2
(3.2)
(1.2)
0.3
28.6

Other
deferred tax
 liabilities
€ million
(11.2)
(4.4)
0.7
–
(0.8)
(15.7)
–
(15.7)
0.1
(2.4)
–
(1.6)
(0.3)
(19.9)

Total
€ million
114.3
(4.5)
(2.9)
1.3
0.9
(1.7)
107.4
15.4
122.8
0.6
4.3
2.9
(3.2)
2.2
3.2
132.8

Total
€ million
(189.2)
(9.3)
0.6
(0.9)
7.5
(191.3)
(15.4)
(206.7)
(18.1)
8.1
0.3
(2.2)
(9.2)
(227.8)

 * In 2018 the Group was accounting for its leasing activities under IAS 17 ‘Leases’. From 2019 right‑of‑use assets and lease liabilities are recognised in the consolidated balance sheet 

under IFRS 16 ‘Leases’. Refer to Note 16 for details about the change in accounting policy.

Deferred tax assets recognised for tax losses carry‑forward in accordance with the relevant local rules applying in the Group’s jurisdictions can 
be analysed as follows:

Attributable to tax losses that expire within five years
Attributable to tax losses that can be carried forward indefinitely
Recognised deferred tax assets attributable to tax losses

2019
€ million
1.0
0.4
1.4

2018
€ million
1.6
1.6
3.2

The Group has unrecognised deferred tax assets attributable to tax losses that are available to carry forward against future taxable income 
of €24.3m (2018: €13.4m). 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

2019
€ million
16.1
8.2
24.3

2018
€ million
12.1
1.3
13.4

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

153

The aggregate amount of distributable reserves arising from the realised earnings of the Group’s operations was €2,389.4m in 2019 
(2018: €2,271.5m). 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.

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 which create 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 (€) 

12. Components of other comprehensive income
The components of other comprehensive income for the years ended 31 December comprise:

Cost of hedging (refer to Note 24)
Cash flow hedges (refer to Note 24)
Foreign currency translation
Equity investments at fair value through other 
comprehensive income
Actuarial (losses) / gains
Share of other comprehensive income of 
equity‑method investments
Other comprehensive income / (loss)

Before-tax
€ million
(11.1)
2.5
123.4

0.2
(17.0)

0.7
98.7

2019

Tax expense
€ million
–
1.4
–

–
1.8

–
3.2

Net-of-tax
€ million
(11.1)
3.9
123.4

0.2
(15.2)

0.7
101.9

Before‑tax
€ million
(5.3)
6.3
(63.1)

(0.3)
20.8

0.6
(41.0)

2019
487.5
363.7
2.2
365.9
1.34
1.33

2018

Tax expense
€ million
–
1.0
–

0.1
(3.4)

–
(2.3)

2018
447.4
367.9
2.2
370.1
1.22
1.21

Net‑of‑tax
€ million
(5.3)
7.3
(63.1)

(0.2)
17.4

0.6
(43.3)

The foreign currency translation gain for 2019 primarily relates to the Russian rouble but also the Swiss franc and Ukrainian hryvnia, while the 
majority of the loss from the foreign currency translation for 2018 related to the Russian rouble.

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.

SRCGFSSSRSI154

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

13. Intangible assets continued

Accounting policy continued

Intangible assets with indefinite lives (‘not subject to amortisation’) continued

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 certain 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.

The movements in intangible assets by classes of assets during the year are as follows:

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
Cost
As at 1 January 2019
Intangible assets arising on current-year acquisitions (refer to 
Note 23)
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2019
Amortisation
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
As at 31 December 2019
Net book value as at 1 January 2019
Net book value as at 31 December 2019

Goodwill
€ million

1,803.6
–
1.1
1,804.7

182.4
–
182.4
1,621.2
1,622.3

1,804.7

115.0
36.4
1,956.1

182.4
–
182.4
1,622.3
1,773.7

Franchise 
agreements
€ million

Trademarks
€ million

Other intangible 
assets
€ million

145.9
–
0.3
146.2

–
–
–
145.9
146.2

146.2

–
0.2
146.4

–
–
–
146.2
146.4

64.7
1.5
(6.5)
59.7

8.9
0.1
9.0
55.8
50.7

59.7

121.1
6.3
187.1

9.0
0.3
9.3
50.7
177.8

26.3
–
–
26.3

19.3
0.4
19.7
7.0
6.6

26.3

1.3
–
27.6

19.7
0.4
20.1
6.6
7.5

Total
€ million

2,040.5
1.5
(5.1)
2,036.9

210.6
0.5
211.1
1,829.9
1,825.8

2,036.9

237.4
42.9
2,317.2

211.1
0.7
211.8
1,825.8
2,105.4

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

155

Intangible assets not subject to amortisation amounted to €2,092.0m (2018: €1,816.1m), and are presented in the charts below:

2019
€2,092.0m

2018
€1,816.1m

Goodwill: €1,773.7m
Franchise agreements: €146.4m
Trademarks: €171.9m

Goodwill: €1,622.3m
Franchise agreements: €146.2m
Trademarks: €47.6m

The carrying value of intangible assets subject to amortisation amounted to €13.4m (2018: €9.7m) and comprised water rights of €7.5m 
and trademarks of €5.9m (2018: €6.6m water rights and €3.1m trademarks).

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. The Group applies post-tax discount rates to post-tax cash flows as the valuation 
calculated using this method closely approximates to applying pre-tax discount rates to pre-tax cash flows. 

No impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets was indicated from the impairment tests of 2019 and 2018.

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 2019.

Italy 
Switzerland 
The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland 
Koncern Bambi a.d. Požarevac
All other cash-generating units
Total 

Goodwill
€ million
625.2
423.0
249.6
115.0
360.9
1,773.7

Franchise
Agreements
€ million
126.9
–
–
–
19.5
146.4

Trademarks
€ million
–
–
–
118.3
53.6
171.9

Total
€ million
752.1
423.0
249.6
233.3
434.0
2,092.0

SRCGFSSSRSI156

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

13. Intangible assets continued
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 2019 (%)

Italy: 36%
Switzerland: 20%
The Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland: 12%
Koncern Bambi a.d. 
Požarevac: 11%
Other: 21%

Italy 
Switzerland 
The Republic of Ireland 
and Northern Ireland 
Koncern Bambi a.d. Požarevac

Growth rate in perpetuity
(%)

Discount rate
(%)

2019
2.5 
1.5 

3.0 
4.5 

2018
2.5 
1.2

2.9 
–

2019
6.9 
5.2 

5.3 
7.7 

2018
7.0 
6.0 

6.0
–

Sensitivity analysis 
In the cash-generating unit of Nigeria, which held €21.2m of goodwill and franchise agreements as at 31 December 2019, possible changes 
in certain key assumptions of the 2019 impairment test would remove the remaining headroom. As at 31 December 2019, the recoverable 
amount of the Nigerian cash-generating unit calculated based on value in use exceeded carrying value by €314.3m; changes per assumption 
that would eliminate remaining headroom are summarised in the table below:

Nigeria

14. Property, plant and equipment

Average gross
profit margin

Growth rate in 
perpetuity

410bps

310bps

Discount
rate

260bps

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 made available for use.

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 20).

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.

For accounting policy regarding right-of-use assets refer to Note 16 ‘Leases’.

 
 
INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

157

The movements of property, plant and equipment by class of assets are as follows:

Cost
As at 1 January 2018
Additions
Disposals
Reclassified from assets held for sale (refer to Note 19)
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 19)
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 19)
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 19)
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018
Net book value as at 31 December 2018
Cost
As at 31 December 2018
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 16 (refer to Note 16)
As at 1 January 2019
Additions
Arising from business combinations (refer to Note 23)
Disposals
Reclassified from assets held for sale (refer to Note 19)
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 19)
Reclassifications
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2019
Depreciation and impairment
As at 31 December 2018
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 16 (refer to Note 16)
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Reclassified to assets held for sale (refer to Note 19)
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2019
Net book value as at 31 December 2019 
excluding right-of-use assets
Net book value of right-of-use assets 
as at 31 December 2019
Net book value as at 31 December 2019

Land and 
buildings
€ million

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

1,397.4
(20.7)
1,376.7
8.7
12.5
(5.2)
–
(15.0)
70.5
42.2
1,490.4

454.6
(4.4)
450.2
41.6
0.9
(2.6)
(6.9)
13.7
496.9

Plant and
equipment
€ million

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

3,598.1
(89.2)
3,508.9
168.7
11.7
(162.2)
0.1
(9.6)
154.7
135.6
3,807.9

2,415.3
(35.0)
2,380.3
254.0
8.9
(153.4)
(4.8)
79.0
2,564.0

993.5

1,243.9

84.0
1,077.5

120.2
1,364.1

Returnable 
containers
€ million

Assets under
construction
€ million

Total
€ million

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

5,495.8
(109.9)
5,385.9
463.6
24.4
(186.7)
0.1
(24.6)
–
184.2
5,846.9

3,104.2
(39.4)
3,064.8
322.3
10.0
(170.7)
(11.7)
94.2
3,308.9

92.7
235.1
(3.5)
–
–
(224.4)
0.1
100.0

1.1
–
–
–
–
–
–
1.1
98.9

100.0
–
100.0
246.3
0.2
–
–
–
(225.4)
2.4
123.5

1.1
–
1.1
–
(0.1)
–
–
–
1.0

122.5

2,538.0

–
122.5

204.2
2,742.2

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

400.3
–
400.3
39.9
–
(19.3)
–
–
0.2
4.0
425.1

233.2
–
233.2
26.7
0.3
(14.7)
–
1.5
247.0

178.1

–
178.1

Assets under construction at 31 December 2019 include advances for equipment purchases of €22.7m (2018: €13.3m). Depreciation charge for 
the year included in operating expenses amounted to €193.2m (2018: €142.3m). Depreciation charge for the year included in cost of goods sold 
amounted to €181.6m (2018: €162.8m).

SRCGFSSSRSI158

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

14. Property, plant and equipment continued

Impairment of property, plant and equipment
In 2018 the Group recorded impairment losses of €2.9m, €1.5m and €12.3m and 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 down based 
mainly on value-in-use calculations.

In 2019 the Group recorded impairment losses of €2.5m, €1.5m and €8.2m and reversals of impairment of €0.4m, €0.2m and €1.6m 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 down based 
mainly on value-in-use calculations.

Leased assets

Accounting policy 2018
Leases of property, plant and equipment, where the Group had substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, were classified as finance 
leases. Finance leases were 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 was allocated between liability and finance charges to achieve a constant rate on the 
finance balance outstanding. The corresponding lease obligations, net of finance charges, were included in current and non-current borrowings. 
The interest element of the finance cost was 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 25). Property, plant and equipment acquired under 
finance lease was depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term. The useful life for lease assets corresponded 
with the Group policy for the depreciable life of property, plant and equipment.

From 1 January 2019 leased assets are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ (refer to Note 16 ‘Leases’ for details).

As at 31 December 2018 included in property, plant and equipment were assets held under finance leases in accordance with IAS 17 ‘Leases’, 
where the Group was 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 was 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

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

159

% of voting rights

% ownership

–

2018

2019

2019

100.0%

2018
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
90.0%
90.0% 100.0%
100.0%
99.4%
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% 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%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

100.0%
99.9%

–
99.9%

100.0%

–

15. Interests in other entities

List of principal subsidiaries
The following are the principal subsidiaries of the Group as at 31 December:

AS Coca-Cola HBC Eesti 
CCB Management Services GmbH 
CCHBC Armenia CJSC1
CCHBC Bulgaria AD 
Coca-Cola Imbuteliere Chisinau SRL
CCHBC Insurance (Guernsey) Limited 
CCHBC IT Services Limited 
CCHBC Reinsurance Designated Activity Company2
Coca-Cola Beverages Austria GmbH 
Coca-Cola Beverages Belorussiya 
Coca-Cola Beverages Ukraine Ltd 
Coca-Cola HBC B-H d.o.o. Sarajevo 
Coca-Cola HBC Česko a Slovensko, s.r.o.
Coca-Cola HBC Česko a Slovensko, s.r.o. – organizačná zložka
Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus Ltd3
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. z o.o. 
Coca-Cola HBC Romania Ltd 
Coca-Cola HBC Services MEPE 
Coca-Cola HBC Slovenija d.o.o. 
Coca-Cola HBC Sourcing B.V.4
Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland Ltd 
Coca-Cola HBC-Srbija d.o.o. 
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company-Crna Gora d.o.o., Podgorica 
Coca-Cola Hellenic Business Service Organisation 
Coca-Cola Hellenic Procurement GmbH 
CC Beverages Holdings II B.V. 
Koncern Bambi a.d. Požarevac5
LLC Coca-Cola HBC Eurasia 
Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd 
SIA Coca-Cola HBC Latvia 
Star Bottling Limited
UAB Coca-Cola HBC Lietuva 

Country of registration
Estonia
Austria
Armenia
Bulgaria
Moldova
Guernsey
Bulgaria
Republic of Ireland
Austria
Belarus
Ukraine
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Cyprus
The Netherlands
Greece
The Netherlands
Croatia
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Northern Ireland
Poland
Romania
Greece
Slovenia
The Netherlands
Switzerland
Serbia
Montenegro
Bulgaria
Austria
The Netherlands
Serbia
Russia
Nigeria
Latvia
Cyprus
Lithuania

1.  Remaining non-controlling interest was acquired on 12 November 2019 (refer to Note 23).
2.  CCHBC Reinsurance Designated Activity Company was incorporated on 24 January 2019.
3.  Effective 17 October 2019 the entity has been renamed Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus Ltd (formerly Lanitis Bros Ltd).
4.  Coca-Cola HBC Sourcing B.V. was incorporated on 20 May 2019.
5.  Effective 18 June 2019 Coca-Cola HBC acquired Koncern Bambi a.d. Požarevac (refer to Note 23).

SRCGFSSSRSI160

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).

a) Equity-method investments
Changes in the carrying amounts of equity-method investments are as follows:

As at 1 January 2018
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
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 2019

Associates
€ million
22.0
–
–
5.1
0.5
5.6
–
(2.8)
24.8
–
4.6
0.5
5.1
–
(0.7)
29.2

Joint ventures
€ million
74.8
0.3
1.0
7.7
0.1
7.8
(0.9)
(8.5)
74.5
44.5
8.4
0.2
8.6
(0.8)
(7.5)
119.3

Total
€ million
96.8
0.3
1.0
12.8
0.6
13.4
(0.9)
(11.3)
99.3
44.5
13.0
0.7
13.7
(0.8)
(8.2)
148.5

Included in investment in associates is the Group’s investment in Frigoglass Industries (Nigeria) Limited. The Group has an effective interest 
of 23.9% in Frigoglass Industries (Nigeria) Limited (2018: 23.9%) through its investment in Nigeria Bottling Company Ltd.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

161

In 2019, Frigoglass West Africa Ltd merged with Frigoglass Industries (Nigeria) Limited. Frigoglass Industries (Nigeria) Limited, an associate 
in which the Group holds an effective interest of 23.9% through its subsidiary Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, is guarantor 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 this guarantee arrangement, but the Group’s investment in this associate, which stood at €25.2m as at 31 December 2019, 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 
guarantor) was unable to meet its obligations thereunder.

On 6 December 2019, the Group acquired, in conjunction with The Coca-Cola Company, Acque Minerali S.r.l, a mineral water and adult sparkling 
beverages business in Italy. The transaction resulted in the Group holding a 50% effective interest in Acque Minerali S.r.l. The relevant investment 
of €44.5m which includes acquisition costs of €0.7m was classified in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 11 ‘Joint arrangements’ as an 
investment in a joint venture and provides the Group and The Coca-Cola Company with rights to the entity’s net assets. Consideration of €1.8m 
and acquisition costs of €0.2m were not yet paid as at 31 December 2019.

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 North Macedonia. BrewTech B.V. is incorporated in the 
Netherlands and the Group owns 50% (2018: 50%) of its share capital. The structure of the joint venture provides the Group with rights to its 
net assets.

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):

2019
€ million

2018
€ million

Summarised balance sheet:
Non-current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Total current assets
Total current liabilities
Non-current other liabilities
Net assets

Summarised statement of comprehensive income:
Revenue
Depreciation and amortisation
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax 
Total comprehensive income
Dividends received and capital returns (refer to Note 27)

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 of 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

54.7
2.3
11.1
13.4
(18.1)
(0.5)
49.5

74.6
(5.1)
18.4
(2.2)
16.2
16.2
7.7

49.5
24.8
16.9
(1.6)
40.1

2019
€ million
79.2
0.3
0.2
0.5

51.6
1.8
11.1
12.9
(15.4)
(0.2)
48.9

67.2
(3.3)
16.8
(2.0)
14.8
14.8
7.4

48.9
24.5
16.9
(1.6)
39.8

2018
€ million
34.7
0.3
0.1
0.4

SRCGFSSSRSI162

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

15. Interests in other entities continued

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.

Country
Austria
Italy
Romania
Baltics

16. Leases

Joint operation
Römerquelle
Fonti del Vulture
Dorna
Neptūno Vandenys

Country
Poland
Switzerland
Serbia

Joint operation
Multivita
Valser
Vlasinka

Accounting policy
From 1 January 2019, leases for which the Group is in a lessee position are recognised as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease 
liability at the date at which the lease asset is available for use by the Group. Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on 
a net-present-value basis and are recognised as part of ‘Property, plant and equipment’, ‘Current borrowings’ and ‘Non-current borrowings’ 
in the consolidated balance sheet, respectively.

Lease contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components. The Group allocates the payments in the contract to the lease and 
non-lease component respectively. Consideration relevant to the non-lease component is recognised as an expense in the consolidated 
income statement over the period of the lease.

Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:

a) fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) over the lease term, less any lease incentives receivable;

b) variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate;

c) amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

d) the exercise price of a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain it will exercise that option; and

e) payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising that option.

When adjustments to lease payments based on an index or rate take effect, the lease liability is reassessed and adjusted against the 
right-of-use asset.

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as an expense in the period in which the event or condition 
that triggers the payment occurs.

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease (if that rate can be determined), or the incremental borrowing 
rate of the lease, being the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value 
in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions. In determining the incremental borrowing rate to be used, the 
Group applies judgement to establish the suitable reference rate and credit spread. 

Each lease payment is allocated between the liability (principal) and finance cost. The interest expense is charged to the consolidated income 
statement as part of ‘Finance costs’ over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance 
of the liability for each period.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:

a) the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability;

b) any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;

c) any initial direct costs; and

d) any restoration costs.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

163

Accounting policy continued
The right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the assets’ useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis. If the Group 
is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, the right-of-use asset is depreciated over the underlying asset’s useful life. The Group 
utilises a number of practical expedients permitted by the standard, namely:

1) applying the recognition exemption to short-term leases (i.e. leases with a term of 12 months or less) that do not contain a purchase 
option; and

2) applying the recognition exemption to leases of underlying assets with a low value, which mainly comprise IT equipment.

Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in the 
consolidated income statement. 

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 which is within the control of the lessee.

a) Adoption of IFRS 16
The Group has applied the modified retrospective transition approach on adoption of IFRS 16 and has recognised lease liabilities in relation 
to leases which had previously been classified as operating leases under the principles of IAS 17 ‘Leases’. The weighted average lessee’s 
incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities on 1 January 2019 was 5.7%.

In line with IFRS 16 transition options, the associated right-of-use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the 
amount of accrued lease incentives relating to those leases recognised in the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2018. For leases 
previously classified as finance leases under the principles of IAS 17 ‘Leases’, the Group recognised the carrying amount of the lease asset and 
lease liability immediately before transition as the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability at the date of initial application.

The table below shows the reconciliation of operating lease commitments previously disclosed under IAS 17 and lease liabilities initially 
recognised under IFRS 16, including the lease liability for leases previously classified as finance leases:

Total operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 December 2018 (refer to Note 30)
Discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application
(Less): Short-term leases recognised on a straight-line basis as expense
(Less): Low-value leases recognised on a straight-line basis as expense
(Less): Contracts committed in 2018 with commencement date January 2019
Lease liability recognised for operating leases
Add: Finance lease liabilities recognised at 31 December 2018 (refer to Note 25)
Total lease liability recognised at 1 January 2019
Of which:

Current lease liability
Non-current lease liability

The recognised right-of-use assets on adoption were as follows:

Lease liability recognised for operating leases
(Less): Lease incentives accrued at 31 December 2018
Right-of-use assets recognised for operating leases at 1 January 2019
Add: Net book value of assets held under finance leases at 31 December 2018 (refer to Note 14)
Total right-of-use assets recognised at 1 January 2019
Of which:
Land and buildings
Plant and equipment

€ million
183.3
161.2
(8.9)
(0.3)
(6.6)
145.4
66.0
211.4

46.4
165.0
211.4

1 January 2019
€ million
145.4
(0.7)
144.7
70.5
215.2

83.1
132.1
215.2

SRCGFSSSRSI164

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

16. Leases continued

The change in accounting policy affected the following lines of the consolidated balance sheet on 1 January 2019:

Property, plant and equipment – increase by €144.7m

Current borrowings – increase by €39.9m

Non-current borrowings – increase by €105.5m

Trade and other payables – decrease by €0.7m.

On transition the Group:

a) excluded all leases expiring in 2019;

b) excluded initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application;

c) applied the new guidance regarding definition of a lease only to contracts entered into or changed on or after 1 January 2019; and

d) applied the recognition exemption to leases of underlying assets with a low value.

Refer to Note 10 for the impact on deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities arising from the adoption of IFRS 16.

b) Leasing activities
The leases which are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet following implementation of IFRS 16 are principally in respect of vehicles and 
buildings. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. 

Extension and termination options are included in a number of leases across the Group. These are used to maximise operational flexibility in 
terms of managing the assets used in the Group’s operations. Extension options considered reasonably certain to be exercised relate primarily 
to buildings and do not exceed 6 years. Most termination options have not been considered reasonably certain to be exercised.

The Group’s carrying amount of lease liability is presented below as at 31 December:

Current lease liability
Non-current lease liability
Total lease liability (refer to Note 25)

2019
€ million
56.3
154.7
211.0

20181
€ million
6.5
59.5
66.0

1.  In the previous year the Group only recognised lease assets and lease liabilities in relation to leases that were classified as finance leases under IAS 17 ‘Leases’. The assets were 

presented in property, plant and equipment and the liabilities as part of Group’s borrowings.

For the carrying amount of right-of-use assets per class of underlying asset refer to Note 14.

The Group’s additions to right-of-use assets are:

Land and buildings
Plant and equipment
Total additions

The consolidated income statement includes the following amounts relating to depreciation charge of right-of-use assets:

Land and buildings
Plant and equipment
Total depreciation charge

The following expenses have been included in cost of goods sold and operating expenses:

Expense relating to short-term leases
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets
Expense relating to variable lease payments

2019
€ million
23.4
40.3
63.7

2019
€ million
18.2
34.3
52.5

2019
€ million
18.4
1.2
9.9

Interest expense on leases in 2019 was €12.8m (2018: €4.7m) and is recorded within ‘Finance costs’ (refer to Note 9).

The total cash outflow for leases in 2019 was €77.9m.

Expenses relating to short-term leases include leases that expire within 2019 as per the practical expedient applied by the Group on transition 
to IFRS 16 as well as consideration for short-term leases used to cover seasonal business needs.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

165

17. 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

2019
€ million
230.9
191.9
65.3
488.1

2018
€ million
219.5
176.6
67.1
463.2

The amount of inventories recognised as an expense during 2019 was €3,328.5m (2018: €3,196.8m). During 2019 provision of obsolete inventories 
recognised as an expense amounted to €18.4m (2018: €20.3m), whereas provision reversed in the year amounted to €1.0m (2018: €2.5m).

18. 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 terms are 
between 7-90 days upon delivery. 

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach for trade and other receivables 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 the year end 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 loss allowance, which is recognised as part of operating expenses. If a trade receivable ultimately becomes 
uncollectible, it is written off initially against any loss allowance made in respect of that receivable with any excess recognised as part of 
operating expenses. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off or loss allowance no longer required are recognised within 
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166

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

18. Trade, other receivables and assets continued
Trade, other receivables and assets consisted of the following at 31 December:

Trade and other receivables:
Trade receivables
Receivables from related parties (refer to Note 27)
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 21)
Non-current income tax receivable
VAT and other taxes receivable
Total other assets
Total trade, other receivables and assets

Current assets

Non-current assets

2019
€ million

772.9
65.6
1.9
3.3
5.9
82.0
931.6

60.8
–
–
33.2
94.0
1,025.6

2018
€ million

690.3
81.1
1.0
6.6
5.2
78.9
863.1

63.7
–
–
34.4
98.1
961.2

2019
€ million

2018
€ million

2.0
–
1.9
–
–
–
3.9

14.9
16.1
36.4
–
67.4
71.3

1.5
–
2.3
–
–
–
3.8

13.1
11.8
17.2
–
42.1
45.9

Non-current trade receivables relate to renegotiated receivables, which are expected to be settled within the new contractual due date. 

Trade receivables
Trade receivables classified as current assets consisted of the following at 31 December:

Trade receivables
Less: Loss allowance
Total trade receivables

The ageing analysis of trade receivables classified as current assets is as follows:

2019
€ million
866.1
(93.2)
772.9

2018
€ million
789.1
(98.8)
690.3

Within due date
Past due – Up to three months
Past due – Three to six months
Past due – Six to nine months
Past due – More than nine months
Total trade receivables

2019
€ million

2018
€ million

Gross 
carrying
 amount
671.4
82.1
12.3
5.1
95.2
866.1

Loss allowance
(2.1)
(5.3)
(2.9)
(0.9)
(82.0)
(93.2)

Trade receivables
669.3
76.8
9.4
4.2
13.2
772.9

Gross 
carrying
 amount
569.3
104.0
9.8
4.6
101.4
789.1

Loss allowance
(3.0)
(3.9)
(2.7)
(1.6)
(87.6)
(98.8)

Trade receivables
566.3
100.1
7.1
3.0
13.8
690.3

The carrying amount of the trade receivables includes €nil which is subject to factoring agreement (2018: €0.3m).

The movement in the loss allowance 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

2019
€ million
(98.8)
13.8
4.9
(12.4)
(0.7)
(93.2)

2018
€ million
(103.6)
1.5
9.1
(6.1)
0.3
(98.8)

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

167

Receivables from related parties
The related party receivables, net of the loss allowance, are as follows:

Within due date
Past due
Less: Loss allowance
Total related party receivables

The ageing analysis of these receivables is as follows:

Within due date
Past due – Up to three months
Past due – Three to six months
Past due – Six to nine months
Past due – More than nine months
Total

Net impairment
Net impairment loss / (gain) 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 loss / (gain)

19. Assets classified as held for sale

2019
€ million
62.3
3.5
(0.2)
65.6

2019
€ million
62.3
1.9
0.8
0.2
0.4
65.6

2019
€ million
7.3
0.1
–
7.4

2018
€ million
72.4
8.8
(0.1)
81.1

2018
€ million
72.4
7.4
0.7
0.3
0.3
81.1

2018
€ million
(3.2)
(0.1)
(0.4)
(3.7)

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 

2019
€ million
3.0
12.9
(15.2)
(0.1)
–
0.6

2018
€ million
3.3
4.3
(4.5)
(0.2)
0.1
3.0

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, Developing and Emerging segments 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI168

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

19. Assets classified as held for sale continued
Total assets classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2019 amounted to €0.6m, comprising the net book value of property, plant and equipment 
in our Established segment 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.

20. 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 27)
Deposit liabilities
Other tax and social security liabilities
Salaries and employee-related payables
Contract liabilities
Payable for purchase of own shares (refer to Note 26)
Other payables
Total trade and other payables

2019
€ million
605.5
474.6
291.2
98.4
111.4
48.5
7.2
–
29.3
1,666.1

2018
€ million
565.5
461.0
270.8
95.7
90.3
39.0
4.5
85.4
40.2
1,652.4

Payable for purchase of own shares of €85.4m equivalent in UK sterling as at 31 December 2018 related to the liability from an irrevocable share 
purchase agreement (refer to Note 26). The arrangement was settled in 2019.

The Group facilitates a supply chain financing programme under which the supplier can elect on an invoice-by-invoice basis to receive a discounted 
early payment from the partner bank or continue to be paid in line with the agreed payment terms; in either case the value and due date of the 
liability payable by the Group remains unchanged and as such remain classified as trade payables. At 31 December 2019 invoices included in the 
programme amounted to €97.5m (2018: €82.1m).

Accrued liabilities regarding volume, marketing and promotional incentives as well as listing fees and other incentives provided to customers 
as at 31 December 2019 amounted to €211.9m (2018: €182.1m). 

Revenue recognised in 2019 that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year amounted to €4.1m (2018: €6.6m).

21. 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

2019
€ million

78.6
14.6
8.9
102.1

114.5
3.1
117.6
219.7

2018
€ million

59.2
10.9
7.5
77.6

111.1
1.1
112.2
189.8

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

169

a) Provisions

Accounting policy
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.

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.

The movements in restructuring and other provisions comprise:

As at 1 January
Arising during the year
Utilised during the year
Unused amount reversed 
Arising on acquisitions
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December

2019
€ million

2018
€ million

Restructuring
provision
10.9
36.4
(31.4)
(1.3)
–
–
14.6

Other provisions
8.6
11.8
(9.1)
(0.1)
0.7
0.1
12.0

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

Other provisions primarily comprise provisions in relation to employee litigation and legal provisions.

SRCGFSSSRSI170

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

21. Provisions and employee benefits continued

b) Employee benefits

Accounting policy
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.

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 benefits (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

2019
€ million

66.8
14.6
11.7
93.1

5.9
94.1
100.0
193.1

2018
€ million

64.6
10.1
9.8
84.5

6.1
79.7
85.8
170.3

Other employee benefits are primarily comprised of employee bonuses, which are linked to business and individual performance metrics.

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

171

Coca-Cola HBC’s subsidiaries in Austria, 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, and three plans in Switzerland. 
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, Serbia, Slovenia 
and Switzerland.

Defined benefit obligation by segment is as follows for the years ended 31 December:

2019

2018

Established

Developing

Emerging

€2.3m

€75.3m

€15.5m

Total €93.1m

€2.6m

€67.6m

€14.3m

Total €84.5m

The average duration of the defined benefit obligations is 19 years and the total employer contributions expected to be paid in 2020 are €17.3m.

The reconciliation of plan assets and plan liabilities for the years ended 31 December is as follows:

As at 31 December 2017
Current service cost
Past service cost
Administrative expenses
Curtailment / settlement
Interest income / (expense)
Actuarial gains
Total income / (expense) recognised in income statement
Gain from change in demographic assumptions
Gain from change in financial assumptions
Experience adjustments
Return on plan assets excluding interest income
Total remeasurements recognised in other comprehensive income
Benefits paid
Employer’s contributions
Participant’s contributions
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2018
Current service cost
Past service cost
Administrative expenses
Curtailment / settlement
Interest income / (expense)
Actuarial gains
Total income / (expense) recognised in income statement
Gain from change in demographic assumptions
Loss from change in financial assumptions
Experience adjustments
Return on plan assets excluding interest income
Total remeasurements recognised in other comprehensive income
Benefits paid
Employer’s contributions
Participant’s contributions
Increase in defined benefit obligation arising from acquisition
Net decrease in defined benefit obligation from other movements
Foreign currency translation
As at 31 December 2019

Plan assets
€ million
395.9
–
–
(0.2)
–
5.2
–
5.0
–
–
–
(14.2)
(14.2)
(12.9)
13.6
4.6
6.2
398.2
–
–
(0.2)
–
6.4
–
6.2
–
–
–
42.7
42.7
(25.5)
14.0
5.1
–
4.5
13.0
458.2

Plan liabilities
€ million
(489.6)
(8.8)
(3.3)
–
(0.7)
(8.7)
0.5
(21.0)
10.4
23.1
(3.6)
–
29.9
23.9
–
(4.7)
(5.8)
(467.3)
(9.2)
1.2
–
(1.5)
(9.2)
0.1
(18.6)
2.4
(59.4)
(4.2)
–
(61.2)
37.5
–
(5.1)
(0.4)
(4.4)
(13.4)
(532.9)

Net (deficit) / surplus
€ million
(93.7)
(8.8)
(3.3)
(0.2)
(0.7)
(3.5)
0.5
(16.0)
10.4
23.1
(3.6)
(14.2)
15.7
11.0
13.6
(0.1)
0.4
(69.1)
(9.2)
1.2
(0.2)
(1.5)
(2.8)
0.1
(12.4)
2.4
(59.4)
(4.2)
42.7
(18.5)
12.0
14.0
–
(0.4)
0.1
(0.4)
(74.7)

SRCGFSSSRSI172

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

21. Provisions and employee benefits continued
The effect of the asset ceiling on plan assets and net deficit for the years ended 31 December is as follows:

Fair value of plan assets at 31 December excluding asset ceiling
Opening unrecognised asset due to the asset ceiling
Change in asset ceiling recognised in other comprehensive income
Exchange rate gain
Interest on unrecognised asset recognised in profit and loss
Fair value of plan assets at 31 December including asset ceiling

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 18)
Total defined benefit obligations

2019
€ million
458.2
(3.6)
1.5
(0.1)
(0.1)
455.9

2019
€ million
453.1
(458.2)
(5.1)
79.8
2.3
77.0
16.1
93.1

2018
€ million
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

Funding levels are monitored in conjunction with the agreed contribution rate. The funding level of the funded plans as at 31 December 2019 
was 101% (2018: 101%).

Four of the plans have funded status surplus totalling €16.1m as at 31 December 2019 (2018: €11.8m) that is recognised as an asset on the 
basis that the Group has an unconditional right to future economic benefits either via a refund or a reduction in future contributions.

Defined benefit plan expense is included in employee costs and recorded 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

2019
%
1.1
2.3
0.9

22
24

2018
%
2.0
2.5
1.0

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, the 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 being subject to 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. Conversely, 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, the 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 only 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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

173

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 obligation as at
31 December 2019

Change in 
assumption

Increase in 
assumption

50bps

50bps

50bps

1 year

8.7%

2.0%

6.1%

2.6%

Decrease in 
assumption

10.2%

1.8%

2.7%

2.6%

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 2019 or 31 December 2018.

Assets’ categories 2019 (%)

Assets’ categories 2018 (%)

Equity securities – Eurozone: 4%
Equity securities – Non-Eurozone: 27%
Government bonds – Eurozone: 24%
Corporate bonds – Eurozone: 6%
Corporate bonds – Non-Eurozone: 17%
Real estate: 11%
Cash: 2%
Other: 9%

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
The expense recognised in the income statement in 2019 for the defined contribution plans is €18.0m (2018: €18.9m). This is included in employee 
costs and recorded in cost of goods sold and operating expenses.

22. 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 as one single net amount the aggregated 
amounts owed by each counterparty on a single day with respect to 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI174

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

22. Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities continued

a) Financial assets
As at 31 December 2019

Derivative financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other financial assets (excluding derivatives)
Trade receivables
Total 

As at 31 December 2018

Derivative financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other financial assets (excluding derivatives)
Trade receivables
Total 

b) Financial liabilities
As at 31 December 2019

Derivative financial liabilities 
Trade payables
Total 

As at 31 December 2018

Derivative financial liabilities 
Trade payables
Total 

Gross amounts of
recognised
financial assets
€ million
3.7
823.0
728.8
820.2
2,375.7

Gross amounts of 
recognised financial 
liabilities set off in 
the balance sheet
€ million
–
–
–
(47.3)
(47.3)

Net amounts of 
financial assets 
presented in the
balance sheet
€ million
3.7
823.0
728.8
772.9
2,328.4

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

Gross amounts of
recognised
financial liabilities
€ million
11.7
652.8
664.5

Gross amounts of
recognised financial
assets set off in the
balance sheet
€ million
–
(47.3)
(47.3)

Net amounts of 
financial liabilities 
presented in the 
balance sheet
€ million
11.7
605.5
617.2

Related amounts 
not set off in the 
balance sheet

Financial
instruments
€ million
(0.1)
–
–
–
(0.1)

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

Financial
instruments
€ million
(0.1)
–
(0.1)

Related amounts
not set off in the 
balance sheet

Net amount
€ million
3.6
823.0
728.8
772.9
2,328.3

Net amount
€ million
4.5
712.3
278.8
690.3
1,685.9

Net amount
€ million
11.6
605.5
617.1

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

Financial
instruments
€ million
(4.9)
–
(4.9)

Net amount
€ million
13.0
565.5
578.5

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

175

23. Business combinations and acquisition of non-controlling interest

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. Acquisition costs comprise costs incurred to effect a business 
combination such as finder’s, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. All acquisition-related costs are 
expensed as incurred.

For each business combination, the Group elects to measure the non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the 
proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

Refer also to Note 2 for accounting policy regarding basis of consolidation.

a) Business combinations
On 18 June 2019, the Group acquired 100% of the issued shares of Koncern Bambi a.d. Požarevac (‘Bambi’), Serbia’s leading confectionery 
business, for a consideration of €148.8m net of borrowings of €125.9m. The acquisition adds a relevant, adjacent category to the Group’s 
portfolio in Serbia and the Western Balkans, which are among its fastest growing territories. Details of the acquisition with regard to the net 
assets acquired and goodwill are as follows:

Trademarks
Property, plant and equipment
Other non-current assets
Inventories
Other current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Current borrowings
Other current liabilities
Non-current borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Net identifiable assets acquired
Goodwill arising on acquisition
Cash paid to former shareholders

Fair value
€ million
121.1
19.3
0.1
5.9
25.7
18.3
(125.9)
(10.3)
(0.3)
(17.5)
(2.2)
34.2
114.6
148.8

The acquisition resulted in the Group recording €114.6m of goodwill and €121.1m of trademarks in its Emerging segment. The goodwill arising 
is attributable to Bambi’s strong operating profitability and strong market position.

Net sales revenue and profit after tax contributed by the acquired business to the Group for the period from 18 June 2019 to 31 December 2019 
amounted to €43.6m and €11.2m respectively. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2019, consolidated Group revenue and consolidated 
Group profit after tax for the year ended 31 December 2019 would have been higher by €38.6m and €7.0m respectively.

Acquisition-related costs of €2.9m were included in 2019 operating expenses, as a result of the above acquisition.

On 1 September 2019, the Group acquired a water business in the Czech Republic for a cash consideration of €7.7m. The acquisition was of a 
group of assets that constituted a business, and which have been integrated into the Group’s operations in the Czech Republic. The acquisition 
did not have a material effect on the Group’s 2019 financial position and income statement. As a result of the acquisition, water rights of €1.3m 
and goodwill of €0.4m were recorded in the Group’s Developing segment. Acquisition-related costs of €0.3m were included in 2019 operating 
expenses, as a result of the above acquisition.

b) Acquisition of non-controlling interest
On 12 November 2019, the Group acquired all the remaining shares of the non-controlling interest in its subsidiary Leman Beverages Holding S.àr.I., 
through which the Group controls its operation in Armenia. The consideration paid for the acquisition of the non-controlling interest amounted 
to €9.5m.

SRCGFSSSRSI176

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. 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 or 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 18. 

b) Financial assets through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

The Group also has investments in financial assets at FVOCI. 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 or loss (FVTPL)

The Group also has 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 as a cash flow hedge.

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.

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

177

Accounting policies continued
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 hedged 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.

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 category.

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 and 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. 

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 remeasurement 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 reasonable 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI178

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued

2019 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the Euro against relevant other currencies

Nigerian naira 
Russian rouble 
UK sterling
Ukrainian hryvnia 
Other
Total

Euro strengthens against local currency

Euro weakens against local currency

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
8.36%
7.98%
7.49%
10.28%

Loss / (gain)
in income
statement
€ million
(0.4)
(1.3)
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.6

(Gain) / loss
in equity
€ million
–
(1.6)
–
–
(1.7)
(3.3)

(Gain) / loss
in income
statement
€ million
0.5
1.5
(1.0)
(1.0)
(0.8)
(0.8)

Loss / (gain)
in equity
€ million
–
1.9
–
–
1.8
3.7

2019 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the US dollar against relevant other currencies

Euro
Nigerian naira
Russian rouble 
Total

US dollar strengthens against local currency

US dollar weakens against local currency

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
4.91%
3.43%
8.25%

Loss / (gain) 
in income
statement
€ million
1.3
(1.2)
–
0.1

(Gain) / loss
in equity
€ million
–
–
(4.4)
(4.4)

Loss / (gain)
in income
statement
€ million
(1.5)
2.1
(0.1)
0.5

Loss / (gain)
in equity
€ million
–
–
5.2
5.2

2018 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the Euro against relevant other currencies

Nigerian naira 
Russian rouble 
Ukrainian hryvnia 
Other
Total

Euro strengthens against local currency

Euro weakens against local currency

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
8.29%
13.32%
8.77%

Loss / (gain)
in income
statement
€ million
1.1
(3.2)
0.9
0.5
(0.7)

(Gain) / loss
in equity
€ million
–
(2.4)
(0.1)
(5.1)
(7.6)

(Gain) / loss
in income
statement
€ million
(1.3)
2.7
(1.0)
(0.6)
(0.2)

Loss / (gain)
in equity
€ million
–
2.6
0.1
5.4
8.1

2018 exchange risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the US dollar against relevant other currencies

Euro
Nigerian naira
Russian rouble
Total

US dollar strengthens against local currency

US dollar weakens against local currency

% historical
volatility over a
12-month period
7.23%
2.12%
13.48%

Loss / (gain) 
in income
statement
€ million
1.5
(1.6)
(0.2)
(0.3)

(Gain) / loss
in equity
€ million
–
–
(3.1)
(3.1)

Loss / (gain)
in income
statement
€ million
(1.8)
1.6
0.2
–

Loss / (gain)
in equity
€ million
–
–
4.0
4.0

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. 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 increase or decrease 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 of the respective commodity prices.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

179

2019 commodity price risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the commodity price of relevant commodities

Sugar
Aluminium
Aluminium premium
Gas oil
PET
Total

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
14.0%
15.0%
25.5%
26.3%
14.4%

(Gain) / loss in
income statement
€ million
(0.3)
(0.2)
(0.1)
–
(3.6)
(4.2)

(Gain) / loss
in equity
€ million
(7.1)
(4.6)
(0.2)
(2.1)
–
(14.0)

Loss / (gain) in
income statement
€ million
0.3
0.2
0.1
–
3.6
4.2

Loss / (gain) 
in equity
€ million
7.1
4.6
0.2
2.1
–
14.0

2018 commodity price risk sensitivity to reasonably possible changes in the commodity price of relevant commodities

Sugar
Aluminium
Aluminium premium
Gas oil
PET
Total

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

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 2019 (2018: 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

2019
€ million

Loss / (gain)
in income
statement
0.2
(0.2)

(Gain) / loss 
In equity
–
–

2018
€ million

Loss / (gain)
in income
statement
0.3
2.0

(Gain) / loss 
In equity
(6.8)
–

As at 31 December 2018, the impact in the Group’s equity is attributable to the changes in the fair value of the Swaptions entered in 2018 
and settled in 2019, 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 meet their obligations at 31 December 2019 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 regard to loans, trade and 
other receivables as the Group has a large number of customers which are geographically dispersed.

SRCGFSSSRSI180

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued
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 2019, 
an amount of €881.5m (2018: €594.6m) is invested in time deposits and money market funds.

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 25, 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 2019.

Borrowings 
Derivative liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Leases
As at 31 December 2019

Borrowings 
Derivative liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
As at 31 December 2018

Capital risk

Up to 
one year
€ million
733.2
11.6
1,547.8
67.7
2,360.3

Up to 
one year
€ million
159.5
16.6
1,557.6
1,733.7

One to 
two years
€ million
59.9
0.1
0.4
54.7
115.1

One to 
two years
€ million
853.0
1.3
0.1
854.4

Two to 
five years
€ million
693.4
–
0.9
86.8
781.1

Two to 
five years
€ million
67.1
–
0.2
67.3

Over
five years
€ million
1,904.9
–
4.8
52.5
1,962.2

Over
five years
€ million
644.6
–
6.3
650.9

Total
€ million
3,391.4
11.7
1,553.9
261.7
5,218.7

Total
€ million
1,724.2
17.9
1,564.2
3,306.3

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, acquisition costs 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 25 for 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 & Poor’s
Moody’s

Publication date
April 2019
May 2019

Long-term debt
BBB+
Baa1

Outlook
Stable
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.

The ratios as at 31 December were as follows:

Net debt (refer to Note 25)
Operating profit
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Employee stock options and performance shares
Adjusted EBITDA 
Other restructuring expenses (primarily redundancy costs)
Acquisition costs
Unrealised loss on commodity derivatives
Total comparable adjusted EBITDA 
Net debt / comparable adjusted EBITDA ratio 

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

181

2019
€ million
1,772.9
715.3
384.8
0.7
9.9
1,110.7
36.6
3.2
2.4
1,152.9
1.54

2018
€ million
613.3
639.4
318.7
0.5
10.1
968.7
23.1
–
8.5
1,000.3
0.61

Although the adoption of IFRS 16 had an impact on net debt and comparable adjusted EBITDA, the impact on the ratio was not significant.

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)

2019
€ million
37.8
(1.2)
36.6

2018
€ million
32.8
(9.7)
23.1

Hedging activity
The carrying amounts of the derivative financial instruments are included in the lines ‘Other financial assets’ and ‘Other financial liabilities’ 
of the consolidated balance sheet.

a) Cash flow hedges
The impact of the hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheet was:

As at 31 December 2019
Contracts with positive fair values

Non-current
Commodity swap contracts
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign currency option contracts
Commodity swap contracts

Contracts with negative fair values

Non-current
Commodity swap contracts
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Commodity swap contracts

Notional amount
€ million
69.1
17.9
17.9
51.2
7.3
9.5
34.4

141.8
6.4
6.4
135.4
104.7
30.7

Carrying amount
€ million
2.4
0.7
0.7
1.7
0.1
0.2
1.4

(4.3)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(4.2)
(2.5)
(1.7)

Period of
maturity date

Jan21-Nov21

Jan20-Sep20
Jul20-Sep20
Jan20-Dec20

Jan21-Nov21

Jan20-Nov20
Jan20-Dec20

SRCGFSSSRSI182

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued

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

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

Carrying amount
€ million
4.5
0.1
0.1
4.4
2.1
2.2
0.1

(11.5)
(1.3)
(1.3)
(10.2)
(1.1)
(9.1)

Period of
maturity date

Jan20-Oct20

Jan19-Dec19
Dec19
Jan19-Dec19

Jan20-Nov20

Jan19-Dec19
Jan19-Dec19

The impact on the hedging reserve as a result of applying cash flow hedge accounting was:

Opening balance 1 January 2018
Net gain of cash flow hedges

Change in fair value of hedging 
instruments recognised in OCI
Reclassified to profit or loss
Cost of hedging recognised in OCI
Reclassified to the cost of inventory

Closing balance 31 December 2018
Net gain of cash flow hedges

Change in fair value of hedging 
instruments recognised in OCI
Reclassified to profit or loss

Cost of hedging recognised in OCI
Reclassified to the cost of inventory
Closing balance 31 December 2019

Spot component of 
foreign currency 
forward contracts
(2.0)
9.2

Intrinsic value of 
foreign currency 
option contracts
(0.2)
2.1

Cost of hedging 
reserve of currency 
derivatives
–
–

Commodity swap 
contracts
0.9
(11.2)

Interest rate swap 
contracts
(43.8)
6.2

8.9
0.3
–
(7.0)
0.2
(6.6)

(6.6)
–
–
2.8
(3.6)

2.6
(0.5)
–
(1.7)
0.2
0.5

0.5
–
–
–
0.7

–
–
(3.5)
3.0
(0.5)
–

–
–
(4.5)
4.4
(0.6)

(11.2)
–
–
(0.2)
(10.5)
2.8

2.8
–
–
7.9
0.2

(0.2)
6.4
(1.8)
–
(39.4)
5.8

(1.0)
6.8
(6.6)
–
(40.2)

Total
(45.1)
6.3

0.1
6.2
(5.3)
(5.9)
(50.0)
2.5

(4.3)
6.8
(11.1)
15.1
(43.5)

As at 1 January 2018 the transfer of cash flow hedge reserve to the cost of inventory is directly from equity.

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

2019
Loss / (Gain)
€ million
–
6.8
6.8

2018
Loss / (Gain)
€ million
(0.2)
6.4
6.2

There was no significant ineffectiveness on the cash flow hedges during the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018 in relation to cash flow hedges.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

183

b) 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 2019
Contracts with positive fair values

Non-current
Embedded derivatives
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts

Contracts with negative fair values

Non-current
Commodity swap contracts
Current
Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign currency future contracts
Commodity swap contracts

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

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
163.1
23.8
23.8
139.3
139.3

Carrying amount
€ million
1.3
0.5
0.5
0.8
0.8

Period of
maturity date

Jan21-May21

Jan20-Dec20

189.3
2.7
2.7
186.6
74.9
81.8
29.9

Notional amount
€ million
296.4
54.2
54.2
242.2
160.7
81.5

(165.4)
(165.4)
(215.4)
50.0

(7.4)
–
–
(7.4)
(3.6)
(0.1)
(3.7)

Carrying amount
€ million
4.9
1.6
1.6
3.3
3.2
0.1

(6.4)
(6.4)
(2.9)
(3.5)

Jan21-Nov21

Jan20-Dec20
Jan20-Dec20
Jan20-Dec20

Period of
maturity date

Jan 19-May21

Jan 19-Dec19
Jun19-Nov19

Jan 19-Dec19
Jan 19-Dec19

2019
Loss / (Gain)
€ million
11.4
(6.5)
4.9

2018
Loss / (Gain)
€ million
8.7
(6.3)
2.4

SRCGFSSSRSI184

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued

Financial instruments’ categories
Categories of financial instruments as at 31 December were as follows (in € million):

2019

Assets 
Investments including loans 
to related parties
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other receivables excluding 
prepayments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total 

Financial assets at 
amortised cost

Assets at
FVTPL

Derivatives 
designated
as hedging 
instruments

Equity financial 
assets at FVOCI

Total current and 
non-current

Current

Non-current

Analysis of total assets

361.8
–

935.5
823.0
2,120.3

371.5
1.3

–
–
372.8

–
2.4

–
–
2.4

3.7
–

–
–
3.7

737.0
3.7

935.5
823.0
2,499.2

732.4
2.5

931.6
823.0
2,489.5

4.6
1.2

3.9
–
9.7

Liabilities held at 
amortised cost

Liabilities at 
FVTPL

Derivatives 
designated
as hedging 
instruments

Total current and 
non-current

Analysis of total liabilities

Current

Non-current

Liabilities 
Trade and other payables excluding provisions 
and deferred income 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Total 

2018

1,553.9
3,324.7
–
4,878.6

Assets 
Investments including loans 
to related parties
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables excluding 
prepayments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total 

Financial assets at 
amortised cost

Assets at
FVTPL

248.3
–

870.4
712.3
1,831.0

34.9
4.9

–
–
39.8

–
–
7.4
7.4

Derivatives 
designated
as hedging 
instruments

–
4.5

–
–
4.5

–
–
4.3
4.3

1,553.9
3,324.7
11.7
4,890.3

1,547.8
761.8
11.6
2,321.2

6.1
2,562.9
0.1
2,569.1

Analysis of total assets

Equity financial 
assets at FVOCI

Total current and 
non-current

Current

Non-current

3.5
–

–
–
3.5

286.7
9.4

870.4
712.3
1,878.8

282.3
7.7

866.6
712.3
1,868.9

4.4
1.7

3.8
–
9.9

Liabilities 
Trade and other payables excluding provisions
and deferred income 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Total 

Liabilities held at 
amortised cost Liabilities at FVTPL

Derivatives 
designated
as hedging 
instruments

Total current and 
non-current

Analysis of total liabilities

Current

Non-current

1,564.2
1,604.4
–
3,168.6

–
–
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

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

185

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 25). 

The Group entered into swaption contracts of €350.0m in 2018 and €1,050.0m in 2019 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. In May and November 2019 
the swaption contracts were settled and, at the same time, the new notes were issued. The accumulated loss of €9.6m recorded in other 
comprehensive income is being amortised to the income statement over the relevant period. 

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 2019 amounted 
to a financial asset of €0.5m (2018: €1.6m).

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 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 and embedded foreign currency derivatives 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 the 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 unlisted equity securities as well as certain undesignated derivatives is determined through the use of estimated 
discounted cash flows or other valuation technique.

SRCGFSSSRSI186

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Financial risk management and financial instruments continued
The following table provides the fair value hierarchy levels into which fair value measurements are categorised for assets and liabilities measured 
at fair value as at 31 December 2019:

Financial assets at FVTPL

Foreign currency forward contracts
Embedded derivatives
Money market funds

Derivative financial assets used for hedging
Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Foreign currency option contracts 
Commodity swap contracts

Assets at FVOCI

Equity securities 
Total financial assets 
Financial liabilities at FVTPL

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Foreign currency futures contracts
Commodity swap contracts 

Derivative financial liabilities used for hedging
Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Commodity swap contracts

Total financial liabilities 

Level 1
€ million

–
–
371.5

–
–
–

0.9
372.4

–
–
–

–
–
–

Level 2
€ million

Level 3
€ million

0.8
0.5
–

0.1
0.2
2.1

–
3.7

(3.6)
(0.1)
–

(2.5)
(1.8)
(8.0)

–
–
–

–
–
–

2.8
2.8

–
–
(3.7)

–
–
(3.7)

Total
€ million

0.8
0.5
371.5

0.1
0.2
2.1

3.7
378.9

(3.6)
(0.1)
(3.7)

(2.5)
(1.8)
(11.7)

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in the period. 

The following table provides the fair value hierarchy levels into which fair value measurements are categorised for assets and liabilities measured 
at fair value as at 31 December 2018:

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 

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in the period.

Level 1
€ million

–
–
–
34.9

–
–
–

0.7
35.6

–
–

–
–
–

Level 2
€ million

Level 3
€ million

Total
€ million

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)

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

187

25. 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 16 for accounting policy on 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 at amortised cost
•  Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Less: Other financial assets
Net debt

2019
€ million
761.8
2,562.9
(823.0)
(357.3)
(371.5)
(728.8)
1,772.9

2018
€ million
136.4
1,468.0
(712.3)
(243.9)
(34.9)
(278.8)
613.3

The financial assets at amortised cost comprise time deposits amounting to €349.8m (31 December 2018: €243.9m) and also include an 
amount of €7.5m (31 December 2018: €nil) invested in Nigerian Treasury Bills. The financial assets at fair value through profit or loss relate to 
money market funds. The line item ‘Other financial assets’ on the balance sheet includes derivative financial instruments of €2.5m (2018: €7.7m) 
and related party loans receivable of €3.6m (2018: €3.5m).

a) Borrowings
The Group held the following borrowings as at 31 December:

Bonds, bills and unsecured notes
Commercial paper
Loans payable to related parties (refer to Note 27)
Other borrowings

Obligations under 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 27)

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 leases falling due in more than one year
Total borrowings falling due after one year
Total borrowings

2019
€ million
563.1
100.0
20.1
22.3
705.5
56.3
761.8

–
27.2

597.4

1,783.6
2,408.2
154.7
2,562.9
3,324.7

2018
€ million
– 
95.0
4.0
30.9
129.9
6.5
136.4

798.3
13.3

–

596.9
1,408.5
59.5
1,468.0
1,604.4

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
188

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

25. Net debt continued

Reconciliation of liabilities to cash flows arising from financing activities:

Balance at 1 January 2018
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
Recognition of leases on adoption of IFRS 16
Arising from business combination
Cash flows
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayments of borrowings
Principal repayments of lease obligations
Interest paid
Proceeds from / (payments for) settlement 
of derivatives regarding financing activities
Total cash flows
Leases increase
Effect of changes in exchange rates
Other non-cash movements
Balance at 31 December 2019

Borrowings

Leases

due within
one year
158.8

due in more
than one year
1,393.5

due within
one year
7.6

due in more
than one year
66.3

Derivative
assets / (liabilities)
–

39.5
(69.6)

–
(34.7)

–
(64.8)
–
–
35.9
129.9
–
125.6

16.7
(135.6)
–
(43.7)

–
(37.0)
–
0.1
612.5
705.5

12.9
–

–
–

–
12.9
–
–
2.1
1,408.5
–
–

1,823.3
(236.6)
–
(17.0)

–
1,569.7
–
3.4
(573.4)
2,408.2

–
–

(7.7)
(5.7)

–
(13.4)
–
–
12.3
6.5
39.9
0.3

–
–
(45.5)
(11.1)

–
(16.4)
13.7
0.9
51.6
56.3

–
–

–
–

–
–
(0.8)
(0.4)
(5.6)
59.5
105.5
0.3

–
–
–
–

–
105.8
50.0
1.7
(62.3)
154.7

–
–

–
–

1.4
1.4
–
–
(1.4)
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

(8.3)
(8.3)
–
–
8.3
– 

Total
1,626.2

52.4
(69.6)

(7.7)
(40.4)

1.4
(63.9)
(0.8)
(0.4)
43.3
1,604.4
145.4
126.2

1,840.0
(372.2)
(45.5)
(71.8)

(8.3)
1,613.8
63.7
6.1
36.7
3,324.7

The line ‘Other non-cash movements’ primarily comprises the transfers from long-term to short-term liabilities. 

Commercial paper programme 

In October 2013 the Group established a €1.0bn Euro-commercial paper programme (the ‘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 fully 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 2019 was €100.0m (2018: €95.0m).

Committed credit facilities

In April 2019, the Group updated its then-existing €500.0m syndicated revolving credit facility, which was set to expire in June 2021. The updated 
syndicated revolving credit facility has been increased to €800.0m and has been extended to April 2024 with the option to be extended for up 
to two more years until April 2026. 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 fully owned subsidiary Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. and it is fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Coca-Cola HBC AG. The 
facility is not subject to any financial covenants that would impact the Group’s liquidity or access to capital.

In December 2019 the Group established a loan facility of US dollar 85m to finance the purchase of production equipment by the Group’s 
subsidiary in Nigeria. The facility will be drawn down by the Nigerian Bottling Company (‘NBC’) over the course of 2020 and 2021 and has a term 
of 8 years. The obligations under this facility are guaranteed by Coca-Cola HBC AG. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

189

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, September 2015 and then April 2019, when it was increased to €5.0bn. 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 dollar 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%. 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.

In May 2019, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. completed the issue of a €700m Euro-denominated fixed rate bond maturing in May 2027 with a coupon 
rate of 1% and the issue of a €600m Euro-denominated fixed rate bond maturing in May 2031 with a coupon rate of 1.625%. The net proceeds 
of the new issue were used to partially repay €236.6m of the 2.375%, seven-year fixed rate bond due in June 2020.

In November 2019, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. completed the issue of a €500m Euro-denominated fixed rate bond maturing in November 2029 
with a coupon rate of 0.625%.

As at 31 December 2019, a total of €3.0bn in notes issued under the EMTN programme were outstanding.

Summary of notes outstanding as at 31 December

Notes
€800
€600
€700
€500
€600
Total

Start date
18 June 2013
10 March 2016
14 May 2019
21 November 2019
14 May 2019

Maturity date
18 June 2020
11 November 2024
14 May 2027
21 November 2029
14 May 2031

Fixed coupon
2.375%
1.875%
1.000%
0.625%
1.625%

2019
€ million
563.1
597.4
695.2
493.2
595.2
2,944.1

Book Value

2018
€ million
798.3
596.9
–
–
–
1,395.2

2019
€ million
566.6
652.3
721.5
489.7
643.4
3,073.5

Fair Value

2018
€ million
822.5
632.5
–
–
–
1,455.0

The weighted average effective interest rate of the Euro-denominated fixed rate bonds is 2.06% and the weighted average maturity is 6.8 years.

The fair values are within Level 1 of the value hierarchy.

Obligations under leases
As at 31 December 2018 finance leases were recorded in accordance with IAS 17. Future minimum lease payments together with the present 
value of the net minimum lease payments were as follows:

Less than one year
Later than one year but less than five years
Later than five years
Total minimum lease payments
Future finance charges on leases
Present value of minimum lease payments

2018
€ million

Minimum
payments
11.2
44.5
36.5
92.2
(26.2)
66.0

Present value 
of payments
6.5
29.8
29.7
66.0
–
66.0

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
190

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

25. Net debt continued
Total borrowings at 31 December were held in the following currencies:

Euro
Russian rouble
Nigerian naira
US dollar
Bulgarian lev
Czech koruna
Swiss franc
UK sterling
Romanian leu
Polish zloty 
Croatian kuna
Hungarian forint
Belarusian rouble
Bosnian mark
Other
Total borrowings

Current

Non-current

2019
€ million
709.2
21.8
9.4
1.5
5.0
2.9
4.5
1.9
1.4
1.7 
1.0
0.7
–
0.3
0.5
761.8

2018
€ million
129.8
–
1.1
2.3
–
–
–
1.6
–
1.0 
0.3
–
– 
–
0.3
136.4

2019
€ million
2,442.5
37.6
15.3
22.0
12.9
9.1
6.1
7.4
3.5
1.6 
1.2
1.2
1.2
0.3
1.0
2,562.9

The carrying amounts of interest-bearing borrowings held at fixed and floating interest rate as at 31 December 2019 were as follows:

Euro
Russian rouble 
Nigerian naira
US dollar
Bulgarian lev
Czech koruna
Swiss franc
UK sterling
Romanian leu
Polish zloty 
Croatian kuna
Hungarian forint
Belarusian rouble
Bosnian mark
Other
Total interest-bearing borrowings

Fixed
interest rate
€ million
3,139.5
16.1
24.7
23.5
17.9
12.0
10.6
1.2
4.9
3.3 
2.2
1.9
1.2
0.6
1.5
3,261.1

Floating
interest rate
€ million
12.2
43.3
–
–
–
–
–
8.1
– 
– 
–
–
–
–
– 
63.6

2018
€ million
1,412.8
13.3
–
23.0
–
–
–
7.7
–
11.2 
–
–
– 
–
–
1,468.0

Total
€ million
3,151.7
59.4
24.7
23.5
17.9
12.0
10.6
9.3
4.9
3.3 
2.2
1.9
1.2
0.6
1.5
3,324.7

As of 31 December 2018, other borrowings of €0.3m were subject to factoring agreements, based on which the customers are liable to the 
interest being charged (refer to Note 18).

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

2019
€ million
662.8
160.2
823.0

2018
€ million
396.5
315.8
712.3

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents are held in the following currencies:

Euro 
Nigerian naira 
Serbian dinar 
Polish zloty
Russian rouble 
Romanian leu 
US dollar 
UK sterling
Ukrainian hryvnia 
Hungarian forint
Belarusian rouble 
Bosnian mark
Croatian kuna
Moldovan leu
Czech koruna
Swiss franc 
Other 
Total cash and cash equivalents 

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

191

2019
€ million
683.5
33.1
20.0
18.2
16.3
11.1
8.1
6.7
5.3
5.0
4.1
2.9
2.1
2.1
1.1
1.0
2.4
823.0

2018
€ million
577.0
49.8
9.6
9.0
22.9
8.7
3.3
13.2
1.9
3.3
1.7
1.2
1.9
1.1
1.2
5.4
1.1
712.3

As at 31 December 2019, time deposits of €349.8m (2018: €243.9m), which do not meet the definition of cash and cash equivalents, and 
investment in Nigerian Treasury Bills of €7.5m (2018: €nil), which relates to the outstanding balance held for the repayment of Nigerian Bottling 
Company former minority shareholders following the 2011 acquisition of non-controlling interests, are recorded as other financial assets.

Cash and cash equivalents include an amount of €33.1m equivalent in Nigerian naira. This includes an amount of €6.4m equivalent in Nigerian 
naira which relates to the outstanding balance held for the repayment of Nigerian Bottling Company former minority shareholders, following the 
2011 acquisition of non-controlling interests.

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, 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. 

26. 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 in 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
192

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

26. Equity continued

a) Share capital, share premium and Group reorganisation reserve

Balance as at 1 January 2018
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options (refer to Note 28) 
Dividends 
Balance as at 31 December 2018
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options (refer to Note 28) 
Cancellation of shares
Dividends 
Special dividend
Balance as at 31 December 2019

Number of
shares
(authorised
and issued)
370,763,039
1,064,190
–
371,827,229
1,352,731
(3,249,803)
–
–
369,930,157

Share
capital
€ million
2,015.1
6.1
–
2,021.2
8.0
(18.4)
–
–
2,010.8

Share
premium
€ million
4,739.3
9.2
(200.6)
4,547.9
13.4
(74.1)
(208.9)
(733.0)
3,545.3

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 reflect the 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 2019, the share capital of Coca-Cola HBC increased by the issue of 1,352,731 (2018: 1,064,190) new ordinary shares following the exercise 
of stock options pursuant to the Coca-Cola HBC AG employee stock option plan. Total proceeds from the issuance of the shares under the 
stock option plan amounted to €21.4m (2018: €15.3m).

Following the above changes, as at 31 December 2019 the share capital of the Group amounted to €2,010.8m (2018: €2,021.2m) and comprised 
369,930,157 shares with a nominal value of CHF 6.70 each.

b) Dividends
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 shareholders of Coca-Cola HBC AG approved the 2018 dividend distribution of €0.57 per share as well as a special dividend of €2.00 per 
share at the Annual General Meeting held on 18 June 2019. The total dividend amounted to €941.9m and was paid on 30 July 2019. Of this, 
an amount of €8.8m related to shares held by the Group.

The Board of Directors of Coca-Cola HBC AG has proposed a €0.62 dividend per share in respect of 2019. If approved by the shareholders 
of Coca-Cola HBC AG, this dividend will be paid in 2020.

c) Treasury shares and 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 
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve, net
Other 

Total other reserves 
Total reserves 

2019
€ million
(169.8)
(964.7)

(42.6)
163.8
28.0
84.9
0.8
21.4
256.3
(878.2)

2018
€ million
(184.1)
(1,088.8)

(49.6)
163.8
27.6
102.9
0.6
23.7
269.0
(1,003.9)

 
 
 
 
INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

193

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 plans and meeting the 
requirements of the Company’s employee incentive scheme. The programme was partially completed during 2018 for a consideration of €27.8m. 
As a result of an irrevocable share purchase agreement entered into in December 2018, the Group recognised a UK sterling-denominated 
liability of €85.5m with a corresponding deduction in treasury shares. This resulted in a movement to treasury shares within the consolidated 
statement of changes in equity of €113.3m for 2018.

The programme was completed in full in May 2019 for a total consideration of €220.6m. This resulted in a movement to treasury shares within the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity of €106.1m, being the consideration paid in 2019 of €192.8m adjusted for the impact from the €85.5m 
UK sterling-denominated liability recognised as at 31 December 2018, further adjusted by €1.2m recorded on settlement of the arrangement.

On 18 June 2019, the Annual General Meeting approved the proposal to reduce the share capital of Coca-Cola HBC AG by cancelling the 
3,249,803 treasury shares acquired as part of the share buy-back programme described above. The consequent reduction in the share capital 
was completed in August 2019.

An amount of €27.9m relates to treasury shares provided to employees in 2019 in connection with vested performance share awards under 
the Company’s employee incentive scheme, which was reflected as an appropriation of reserves between ‘Treasury shares’ and ‘Other reserves’ 
in the consolidated statement of changes in equity, more specifically the ‘Stock option and performance share reserve’.

As at 31 December 2019, 6,658,233 (2018: 4,478,128) 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 2019, an amount of €0.4m (2018: €0.3m) 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 and performance share reserve represents the cumulative charge to the income statement for employee stock option 
and performance share awards less the vested performance share awards.

Other

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.

27. Related party transactions

a) The Coca-Cola Company
As at 31 December 2019, The Coca-Cola Company indirectly owned 23.0% (2018: 22.9%) 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI194

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

27. Related party transactions continued
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.

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 

2019
€ million
1,596.5
119.2
15.7
3.3
5.6

2018
€ million
1,525.3
110.8
17.6
8.3
3.8

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 €119.2m (2018: 
€110.8m): 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 2019 totalled €92.6m (2018: €95.1m), while contributions made by The Coca-Cola Company to Coca-Cola 
HBC for general marketing programmes in 2019 totalled €26.6m (2018: €15.7m). 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. 

As at 31 December 2019, the Group had a total amount due from The Coca-Cola Company of €61.4m (2018: €76.7m), and a total amount due 
to The Coca-Cola Company of €309.4m including loan payable of €43.3m (2018: €256.1m including loan payable of €13.3m).

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 23.1% (2018: 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 and raw and other materials
Maintenance and other expenses
AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc
Purchases of finished goods and other materials
Other expenses

2019
€ million
131.2
24.0

7.5
0.3

2018
€ million
138.7
21.0

5.1
0.8

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 (Nigeria) 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. In 2019, Frigoglass West Africa Ltd merged with Frigoglass 
Industries (Nigeria) Limited.

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 2019, Coca-Cola HBC owed €16.4m (2018: €18.3m) to and was owed €0.9m (2018: €0.3m) by Frigoglass.

As at 31 December 2019, the Group owed €1.9m (2018: €1.4m) to and was owed €nil (2018: €0.1m) by AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc.

Capital commitments to Frigoglass and its subsidiaries as at 31 December 2019 amounted to €32.4m (€28.1m as at 31 December 2018) 
including the Group’s share of its joint ventures‘ capital commitments to Frigoglass.

 
 
 
INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

195

c) Other related parties
The below table summarises transactions with other related parties:

Purchases
Other expenses

2019
€ million
2.1
17.5

2018
€ million
2.4
18.7

During 2019, the Group incurred subsequent expenditure for fixed assets of €2.1m (2018: €2.4m) from other related parties. Furthermore, 
during 2019, the Group incurred expenses of €17.5m (2018: €18.7m) mainly related to maintenance services for cold drink equipment and 
installations of coolers, fountains, vending and merchandising equipment from other related parties. 

As at 31 December 2019, the Group owed €1.2m (2018: €2.7m) to and was owed €0.1m (2018: €0.1m) by other related parties.

d) Joint ventures
During 2019, the Group purchased €18.3m of finished goods (2018: €10.6m) from joint ventures. In addition, during 2019 the Group recorded 
sales of finished goods and raw materials of €3.8m (2018: €2.7m) to joint ventures. Furthermore, the Group recorded other income of €4.2m 
(2018: €4.2m) and other expenses of €3.9m (2018: €2.1m) from joint ventures. 

As at 31 December 2019, the Group owed €9.6m including loans payable of €4.0m (2018: €9.6m including loans payable of €4.0m) to and was 
owed €6.8m including loans receivable of €3.6m (2018: €7.4m including loans receivable of €3.5m) by joint ventures. During 2019 the Group 
received dividends and capital returns of €7.7m (2018: €7.4m) from BrewTech B.V. Group of companies, which are included in the 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 Ryan Rudolph have all been nominated by Kar-Tess Holding to the Board of 
Coca-Cola HBC. José Octavio Reyes has been nominated by TCCC to the Board of Coca-Cola HBC and Alfredo Rivera has been elected to the 
Board of Coca-Cola HBC following a proposal by TCCC. There have been no transactions between Coca-Cola HBC and the Directors and senior 
management except for remuneration (refer to Note 8).

28. Share-based payments

Accounting policies

Stock option and performance share award plan

Coca-Cola HBC provides equity-settled share-based payments to its senior managers in the form of an employee stock option and 
performance share award plan (the ‘Plan’).

Stock options under the Plan are 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 under the Plan. 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 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 closing share price on the date of grant. 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 ‘ESPP’), 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
196

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

28. Share-based payments continued
The charge included in employee costs regarding share-based payments for the years ended 31 December is analysed as follows:

Performance share awards 
Employee Share Purchase Plan 
Total share-based payments charge 

Terms and conditions

Stock option and performance share award plan

2019
€ million
12.7
4.8
17.5

2018
€ million
13.3
5.3
18.6

Based on Plan rules, 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. The Group has not issued any new stock options since 2014.

Since 2015 performance shares are the primary long-term award. Senior managers are granted performance share awards, which have a 
three-year vesting period and are linked to Group-specific key performance indicators. The closing price of the Company’s shares trading on 
the London Stock Exchange on the day of the grant is used to determine the number of performance share awards granted. In 2018 the Group 
modified the performance share plan, in order for eligible employees to receive upon vesting, additionally to the specific number of shares, the 
value of dividends corresponding to the years from grant till vest date, subject to the 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.

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 through a payroll deduction. Employee deductions 
are used monthly to purchase ordinary Coca-Cola HBC shares in the open market (London Stock Exchange).

Coca-Cola HBC will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s salary. Employer matching cash contributions 
vest one year after the grant, at which time they are used to purchase matching shares on the open market that are immediately vested. 
Dividends received in respect of shares held under this 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 that vests annually in December of each year.

Stock option activity
As a result of the special dividend distribution in 2019 (refer to Note 26) and following the related approval of the Remuneration Committee, 
an equitable adjustment was made to the exercise price of each unexercised stock option as well as to the outstanding number of stock options 
under each grant. This equitable adjustment ensured the intrinsic value of each stock option was retained and did not result in incremental fair 
value for any of the unexercised stock options.

The outstanding stock options are fully vested and are exercisable until 2026.

A summary of stock option activity in 2019 under all grants is as follows:

Outstanding at 1 January
Equitable adjustment
Exercised
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December

A summary of stock option activity in 2018 under all grants is as follows:

Outstanding at 1 January
Exercised
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December

 * For convenience purposes, the prices are translated at the closing exchange rate.

Number
of stock
options
2019
5,299,467
257,408
(1,352,731)
4,204,144
4,204,144

Number
of stock
options
2018
6,363,657
(1,064,190)
5,299,467
5,299,467

Weighted*
average
exercise price
2019 (EUR)
16.29
17.39
16.59
16.45
16.45

Weighted*
average
exercise price
2018 (EUR)
16.29
14.49
16.29
16.29

Weighted
average
exercise price
2019 (GBP)
14.73
14.86
14.17
14.05
14.05

Weighted
average
exercise price
2018 (GBP)
14.46
13.10
14.73
14.73

 
 
 
INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

197

Total proceeds from the issuance of the shares under the stock option plan in 2019 amounted to €21.4m (2018: €15.3m).

The weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options outstanding at 31 December 2019 was 2.5 years (2018: 3.5 years).

Performance shares activity
As a result of the special dividend distribution in 2019 (refer to Note 26) and following the related approval of the Remuneration Committee, 
an equitable adjustment was made to the number of outstanding shares under the Plan. This equitable adjustment did not result in incremental 
fair value for the outstanding shares.

A summary of performance shares activity is as follows:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted1
Equitable adjustment
Vested
Forfeited / Cancelled
Outstanding at 31 December

1.  Includes dividend equivalent shares.

Number of performance shares

2019
2,277,871
739,237
115,706
(1,037,024)
(201,767)
1,894,023

2018
2,122,290
678,969
–
(396,402)
(126,986)
2,277,871

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 at 31 December 2019 was 1.3 years (2018: 1.1 years). 

The fair value for the 2019 performance share plan is £26.17 per share (2018: £25.282). Relevant inputs into the valuation are as follows:

Weighted average share price 
Dividend yield 
Weighted average exercise period 

2.  Fair value prior to equitable adjustment.

2019
£26.17
nil
3.0 years

2018
£25.282
nil
3.0 years

29. 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 
had 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 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. The 2013 Court of Appeals decision has been rendered final and irrecoverable and the case was 
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 their withdrawal from the lawsuit. However, on 20 June 2019, the same plaintiff filed another new lawsuit against Coca-Cola HBC 
Greece S.A.I.C. claiming payment of €10.1m as compensation for losses and moral damages again for alleged anti-competitive commercial 
practices of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. for the same period between 1994 and 2013. The parties filed their briefs and exhibits 
with the Court and the hearing date of the case has been scheduled for 1 April 2020. Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. has not provided for any 
losses related to this case.

With respect to the ongoing investigation of the Greek Competition Commission initiated on 6 September 2016, regarding Coca-Cola HBC 
Greece S.A.I.C.’s operations in certain commercial practices in the sparkling juice and water categories, on 29 May 2019 the Greek Competition 
Commission issued a Statement of Objections to Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. and certain former and current employees, for obstruction of its 
on-site investigation. Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. collaborated fully with the Commission. In connection with this Statement of Objections, 
a hearing took place on 24 July 2019. On 4 March 2020, Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. was served with the decision of the Greek Competition 
Commission in respect of this Statement of Objections and the procedural case regarding the obstruction of the on-site investigation, based 
on which a fine amounting to €0.8m was imposed on Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. has fully provided for this 
amount. The Greek Competition Commission in this decision accepted the proposal for active co-operation and settlement of the case, which 
was submitted by Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C. in line with its policy of full compliance with the principles of competition law and cooperation 
with the regulatory authorities. The Greek Competition Commission’s investigation on Coca-Cola HBC Greece S.A.I.C.’s commercial 
practices, is still ongoing.

SRCGFSSSRSI 
 
 
198

COCA-COLA HBC

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

29. Contingencies continued
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 judgment of the Nigerian court of first instance issued 
on 28 June 2012 providing for damages of approximately €20.3m. NBC has filed an appeal against the judgment. 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 for 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.

30. Commitments

Accounting policy
In 2018, leases of property, plant and equipment not classified as finance leases were classified as operating leases under IAS 17 ‘Leases‘. 
Rentals paid under operating leases were charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

From 1 January 2019, the Group has recognised right-of-use assets for these leases, except for short-term and low-value leases, 
in accordance with IAS 16 ‘Leases‘ (refer to Note 16 for further information).

a) Operating leases
The total future minimum lease payments under operating leases at 31 December were due 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

The total operating lease charges included within operating expenses for 2018 amounted to €59.4m, of which €39.8m related to plant 
and equipment and €19.6m related to property.

b) Capital commitments
As at 31 December 2019, the Group had capital commitments for property, plant and equipment amounting to €221.7m (2018: €131.7m). 
Of this, €1.1m and €0.9m are related to the Group’s share of the commitments arising from joint operations and joint ventures respectively 
(2018: €0.7m and €nil respectively).

Capital commitments for 2019 include total future minimum lease payments under leases not yet commenced to which the Group was committed 
at 31 December 2019 of €16.8m.

31. Post balance sheet events
On 17 March 2020 the Remuneration Committee granted 1,114,716 performance share awards under the performance share plan, which have 
a three-year vesting period.

The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in early 2020 has affected business and economic activity around the world, including certain 
countries in which we operate. The Group considers this outbreak to be a non-adjusting post balance sheet event as of 31 December 2019. 
Given the spread of the coronavirus, the range of potential outcomes for the global economy are difficult to predict at this point in time. 
Possible outcomes range from successful virus containment and minor short-term impact, to a prolonged global contagion resulting in potential 
recession. At the same time, there are a number of policy and fiscal responses emerging across the globe intended to mitigate potential negative 
economic impacts. When it comes to our business, we are monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak developments closely, the Group follows guidance 
from the World Health Organization and abides by the requirements as activated by local governments. We have been implementing contingency 
plans to mitigate the potential adverse impact on the Group’s employees and operations.

 
INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

199

Swiss 
Statutory 
Reporting

Contents

Swiss Statutory Reporting

200

206

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

209 Coca‑Cola HBC AG’s financial statements
221

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

222

SRCGFSSSRSI200

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting

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 
income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2019, the consolidated balance 
sheet as at 31 December 2019 and the consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated cash flow statement 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 137 to 198) give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial 
position of the Group as at 31 December 2019 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: €33 million

We conducted full scope audit work at subsidiaries in 15 countries. Our audit scope addressed 84% of the 
Group’s consolidated net sales revenue. We also conducted specified audit procedures and analytical review 
procedures for other subsidiaries and Group functions. 

Materiality

As key audit matters, the following areas of focus have been identified:

Audit scope

•  Goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets valuation
•  Uncertain tax positions
•  Provisions and contingent liabilities

Key audit 
matters

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

201

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

€33 million
5% of profit before tax
We chose profit before tax as the benchmark because, in our view, it is the benchmark 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
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 subsidiaries in 28 countries, as set out on page 145 of the Annual Report. The processing of the accounting 
entries for these subsidiaries is largely centralised in a shared services centre in Bulgaria, except for the subsidiaries in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, 
Armenia and North Macedonia, which process their accounting entries locally. The Group also operates centralised treasury functions in the 
Netherlands and in Greece and a centralised procurement function in Austria. 

Based on the significance to the financial statements and in light of the key audit matters as noted below, we identified subsidiaries in 15 countries 
(including the trading subsidiaries in Italy, Russia, Nigeria, Romania and Switzerland) which in our view, required an audit of their complete financial 
information. We also performed specified audit procedures on certain balances and transactions on one joint operation. In addition, audit 
procedures were performed with respect to the centralised treasury functions 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 subsidiaries not covered by the procedures described above.

The group engagement team’s involvement with respect to audit work performed by component auditors included site visits and attendance at 
component audit meetings. Where physical attendance was not undertaken, the group engagement team held conference calls with component 
audit teams and with local management, as considered appropriate. 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 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.

Based on the above, the subsidiaries for which an audit of their complete financial information was performed accounted for 84% of consolidated 
net sales revenue.

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COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter

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.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets valuation
Key audit matter
Refer to Note 13 for intangible assets including goodwill and to Note 23 
for business combinations.
Goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets as at 31 December 2019 
amount to €1,773.7 million and €318.3 million, respectively. 
The above 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 the goodwill 
and indefinite‑lived intangible assets balances and because the 
determination of whether elements of goodwill and of indefinite‑lived 
intangible assets are impaired involves complex and subjective 
estimates made 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.
In addition, during 2019 the Group acquired a 100% shareholding in 
Koncern Bambi a.d. Požarevac (‘Bambi’) a Serbian confectionary 
business. This acquisition was the main contributor to the increase in 
goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets, adding €114.6 million and 
€117.9 million of goodwill and indefinite‑lived trademarks, respectively. 

We evaluated the appropriateness of management’s identification of 
the Group’s CGUs, related control activities and the process by which 
management prepared the CGUs’ value‑in‑use calculations.
We tested the mathematical accuracy of the CGUs’ value‑in‑use 
calculations and compared the cash flow projections included therein to 
the latest financial budgets approved by the Directors, covering a one 
year period and management’s projections for the subsequent four 
years. In addition, we assessed the quality of the budgeting process 
by comparing the prior year budget with actual results.
We challenged management’s cash flow projections around the key 
drivers of cash flow forecasts including performance with respect to 
revenue, short‑term and long‑term volume growth and the level of 
direct costs. 
With the support of our valuation specialists, we evaluated the 
appropriateness of key assumptions including discount, perpetuity 
growth and foreign exchange rates.
We 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. 
Specifically, as regards the Bambi acquisition we assessed the business 
combinations process and engaged our component team to perform 
a full scope audit of the opening balance sheet. With the support of our 
valuation specialists we reviewed management’s purchase price 
allocation, including attending a series of calls with the Group’s valuation 
experts to critically challenge the valuation methodology and key 
underlying assumptions used. We evaluated the key inputs used in the 
valuation model as well as management’s assessment of the useful 
lives of intangible assets identified.
We assessed the appropriateness and completeness of the related 
disclosures in Note 13, as regards goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible 
assets, and in Note 23, with respect to the acquisition of Bambi.
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.
Furthermore, we determined that the underlying assumptions used 
by management in the business combination and purchase price 
allocation of Bambi form a reasonable basis for the carrying value of the 
goodwill and trademarks of Bambi.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

203

Uncertain tax positions
Key audit matter
Refer to Note 10 for taxation and Note 29 for contingencies.
The Group operates in numerous tax jurisdictions and is subject to 
periodic tax audits by local tax authorities on a range of tax matters in 
relation to corporate tax, transfer pricing and indirect taxes. As at 31 
December 2019, the Group has current tax liabilities of €129.6 million, 
which include €95.1 million of provisions for uncertain tax positions. 
Where the amount of tax payable is uncertain, the Group establishes 
provisions based on management’s judgements with respect to the 
likelihood of material tax exposures and the probable amount of the 
liability. We consider this a key audit matter given the number of 
judgements involved in estimating the provisions relating to uncertain 
tax positions and the complexity of dealing with tax rules and regulations 
in numerous jurisdictions.

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter
  We evaluated the related accounting policy for estimating tax exposures.

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, judgmental positions taken in tax returns 
and current year estimates as well as recent developments in the 
various tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates.
We challenged management’s key assumptions, particularly in cases 
where there had been significant developments with tax authorities. 
From the evidence obtained we consider management’s judgements 
as at 31 December 2019 to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Provisions and contingent liabilities
Key audit matter
Refer to Note 21 for provisions and Note 29 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 a key 
audit matter.

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter
  Our procedures with respect to provisions and contingent liabilities 

included the following:
•  We evaluated the design of and tested key controls with respect 

to litigation and regulatory proceedings.

•  Where relevant, we read external legal advice obtained 

by management.

•  We discussed open matters with the Group’s general counsel.
•  We met with local management and if deemed necessary we read 

relevant correspondence.

•  We assessed and challenged management’s conclusions through 

understanding precedence set in similar cases.

•  Obtained confirmation requests from relevant third‑party legal 

representatives and had follow‑up discussions, where appropriate, 
on certain material cases.

•  We assessed the appropriateness of the related disclosures 

in Note 29.

Based on the work performed, whilst noting the inherent uncertainty with 
such legal and regulatory matters, we determined that management’s 
judgements, including related disclosures, as at 31 December 2019 
are reasonable.

SRCGFSSSRSI204

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

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 and 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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

205

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

Zürich, 19 March 2020

Enclosure:

Laura Bucur
Audit Expert

•  Consolidated financial statements (consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated 

balance sheet, consolidated statement of changes in equity, consolidated cash flow statement and notes)

SRCGFSSSRSI206

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

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 2019, statement 
of income and notes for the year then ended, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements as at 31 December 2019 (pages 209 to 220) 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 34’800’000

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, the following area of focus has been identified:

Valuation of investment in subsidiary

Materiality

Audit scope

Key audit 
matters

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

207

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 34’800’000
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
Refer to Notes 1 and 2.2 for the Directors’ disclosures of the related 
accounting policy and the detailed information on the valuation 
of the investment in subsidiary. 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter
  We reperformed the market capitalisation comparison test performed 

by management.

The investment in subsidiary as at 31 December 2019 amounts 
to CHF 7’214 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 the group’s performance 
and potentially the carrying amount of the total investment.

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.

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 1,051 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.

SRCGFSSSRSI208

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting 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 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 SA

Michael Foley
Audit Expert
Auditor In Charge

Zürich, 19 March 2020

Enclosures:

Laura Bucur
Audit Expert

•  Financial statements (balance sheet, statement of income and notes) 
•  Proposed appropriation of the available earnings

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Steinhausen (Zug)
Balance sheet

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Short‑term receivables from direct and indirect participations
Short‑term receivables from third parties
Total current assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Property, plant and equipment (incl. right-of-use assets)
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 lease liabilities
Accrued expenses
Total short-term liabilities
Long‑term interest‑bearing liabilities to indirect participations
Long‑term lease liabilities
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

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

209

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

Note

2019

2018

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.7
2.8

48
14,874
1,402
16,324
7,213,865
2,354
7,216,219
7,232,543

1,590
5,078
445
38,339
45,452
216,277
900
7,329
224,506
2,478,532

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

4,470,097
85,298

5,601,593
85,298

66,092
(23,289)
(114,145)
6,962,585
7,232,543

126,232
(60,140)
(33,603)
8,210,622
8,272,946

SRCGFSSSRSI210

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Steinhausen (Zug)
Statement of income

Dividend income
Other operating income
Total operating Income

Employee costs
Other operating expenses
Writedown of investments
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment (incl. right‑of‑use assets)
Total operating expenses

Operating loss

Finance income
Finance costs
Foreign exchange differences

Loss before tax
Direct taxes

Loss for the year

Year ended 31 December

CHF thousands

Note

2.9

2.10
2.11
2.2

2019
1,050,991
25,294
1,076,285

(26,242)
(15,469)
(1,050,991)
(570)
(1,093,272)

2018
236,341
20,412
256,753

(35,649)
(43,758)
(236,341)
(192)
(315,940)

(16,987)

(59,187)

995
(7,118)
–

399
(852)
(281)

(23,110)
(179)

(59,921)
(219)

(23,289)

(60,140)

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

211

Notes to the Financial Statements of Coca-Cola HBC AG, 
Steinhausen (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 2019. Income 
and expenses are translated into CHF at the average exchange rate of the reporting year except for dividend income and related writedown 
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

Balance sheet as at

Income statement for the year ended

31 December 2019
1.09
0.97
1.27

31 December 2018
1.13
0.99
1.25

31 December 2019
1.11
–
–

31 December 2018
1.16
–
 –

Leasing disclosure 
From 1 January 2019 management has applied an economic‑view approach to the disclosure of lease contracts considering the underlying 
usage rights. Right‑of‑use assets are presented within property, plant and equipment and depreciated over their usefull life (or lease term if 
this is shorter). The short- and long-term lease liabilities are adjusted for interest and lease payments, comparatives have not been restated.

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are valued at historical cost and evaluated for impairment if identified triggering events occur.

Property, plant and equipment
Right‑of‑use assets are included within 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

Right‑of‑use buildings and company cars
Furniture and fixtures, office equipment and other tangible fixed assets
Telephony infrastructure
Communication equipment, computers and PCs
Tablets

Useful life
20 years
10 years
12 years
Shorter of useful 
life and lease term
8 years
7 years
4 years
3 years

Method
5% linear
10% linear
8.33% linear

Linear
12.5% linear
14.29% linear
25% linear
33.33% linear

SRCGFSSSRSI212

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

Treasury shares
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. 

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
Coca‑Cola HBC Italia S.r.l
Coca‑Cola HBC Business Services Organisation, Sofia
Short-term receivables from direct and indirect participations

2.2 Investments in subsidiaries

Direct subsidiary
Coca‑Cola HBC Holdings B.V., Amsterdam1
Writedown of investment
Investments in subsidiaries

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2019
79
14,185
149
381
80
14,874

2018
–
4,693
684
–
–
5,377

Share of capital
100%

Share of votes
100%

100%

100%

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2019
8,264,856
(1,050,991)
7,213,865

2018
8,501,197
(236,341)
8,264,856

1.  Coca‑Cola HBC Holdings B.V., Amsterdam was incorporated on 26 June 2013.

In 2015 the Company adopted a practice of reducing 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 writedown in 2019 is equal to the dividend received in July 2019 from Coca‑Cola HBC 
Holdings B.V. of CHF 1,050,991 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 Česko a Slovensko, Prague
Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V., Amsterdam
Coca‑Cola HBC Schweiz AG, Brüttisellen
Coca‑Cola HBC Northern Ireland Ltd., Lisburn
Coca-Cola HBC Services MEPE, Athens
Total short-term 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 and insurance, 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

2019
3,224
29
4
1,792
–
13
16
5,078

As at 31 December

CHF thousands

2019
263
11,487
1,998
9,830
4,116
10,645
38,339

2018
2,557
–
–
49
1
1
–
2,608

2018
309
15,125
2,192
17,067
5,297
–
39,990

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

213

Following the publication of circular letter 37a by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration in May 2018, the Company recognised a provision of CHF 
7,665 thousand (2018: CHF 15,540 thousand) that relates to the Company’s employees' Performance Share Plan, of which CHF 4,994 thousand 
(2018: 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 2,671 thousand (2018: 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 14,151 thousand (2018: CHF 22,648 thousand) of which 
CHF 9,830 thousand (2018: CHF 17,067 thousand) is short‑term and disclosed in accrued expenses while CHF 4,321 thousand (2018: CHF 
5,581 thousand) is long-term and disclosed in Note 2.5, Provisions.

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

2019
216,277
216,277

2018
9,832
9,832

Long‑term interest‑bearing liabilities comprise loans from Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. received in 2019 and all 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

2019
137
4,321
2,671
200
7,329

2018
178
5,581
2,725
204
8,688

2.6 Share capital

Share capital as at 1 January 2018
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options
Share capital as at 31 December 2018

Share capital as at 1 January 2019
Cancellation of shares1
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options
Share capital as at 31 December 2019

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

Number of shares

Nominal value

Total

371,827,229
(3,249,803)
1,352,731
369,930,157

CHF
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70

CHF thousands
2,491,242
(21,773)
9,063
2,478,532

1.  The Company reduced the share capital of Coca‑Cola HBC AG by cancelling 3,249,803 registered shares which were held by Coca‑Cola HBC AG in treasury and were acquired 

as part of the share buy-back programme. Refer to Note 2.7 ‘Treasury shares’.

SRCGFSSSRSI214

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

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 of the Swiss Code of Obligations 
and their movements are as follows:

Treasury shares (held by subsidiaries)

Total treasury shares at 31 December 2018

Number of shares

3,430,135

Acquisition cost
per share

CHF
24.8673

Total

CHF thousands
85,298

Total treasury shares at 31 December 2019

3,430,135

24.8673

85,298

Treasury shares held by the Company

Treasury shares held by the Company at 31 December 2018

Treasury shares held by the Company as at 1 January 2019
Acquisition of shares1
Vested PSP shares2
Cancellation of shares3
Treasury shares held by the Company at 31 December 2019

Number of shares

Acquisition cost
per share

Total

1,047,993

1,047,993
6,466,932
(1,037,024)
(3,249,803)
3,228,098

CHF
32.0637

CHF thousands
(33,603)

32.0637
34.2707
30.6413
33.6352
35.3599

(33,603)
(221,626)
31,776
109,308
(114,145)

1.  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 was completed on 29 May 2019. The Company purchased 7,500,000 (6,466,932 in 2019 and 1,033,068 in 2018) of its ordinary shares of 6.70 CHF each at an average price 
of GBP 2,578.06 pence per share (minimum price of GBP 2,344.93 pence and maximum price of GBP 2,852.41).

2.  In March 2019, following the vesting of the 2015 and 2016 PSP plans,1,037,024 treasury shares were transferred to relevant participants.
3.  The Company reduced the share capital of Coca‑Cola HBC AG by cancelling 3,249,803 registered shares which were held by Coca‑Cola HBC AG in treasury and were acquired 

as part of the share buy-back programme (see footnote 1). Due to the cancellation of shares, reserves from capital contributions reduced by CHF 87,534 thousand.

2.8 Equity

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

Balance as at 1 January 2019
Shares issued to employees
exercising stock options
Dividends2
Own shares bought back
Vested PSP shares
Cancellation of shares
Loss for the year
Balance as at 31 December 2019

Share capital

Legal capital reserves

Retained earnings

Treasury shares

Total

Reserves from 
capital 
contributions

Reserves for
treasury shares1

CHF thousands

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

2,491,242

5,601,593

85,298

66,092

(33,603)

8,210,622

9,063
–
–
–
(21,773)
–
2,478,532

15,162
(1,059,123)
–
–
(87,535)
–
4,470,097

–
–
–
–
–
–
85,298

–
–
–
–
–
(23,289)
42,803

–
–
(221,626)
31,776
109,308
–
(114,145)

24,225
(1,059,123)
(221,626)
31,776
–
(23,289)
6,962,585

1.  Represents the book value of treasury shares held by subsidiaries.
2.  On 18 June 2019 the shareholders of the Company at the Annual General Meeting approved the distribution of i) a gross dividend of €0.57 and ii) a special dividend of €2.00 on each 

ordinary registered share. The dividend was paid on 30 July 2019 and amounted to CHF 1,059,123 thousand.

2.9 Other operating income

Management fees
Guarantee fee
Total other operating income

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

215

2019

2018

CHF thousands

22,493
2,801
25,294

17,687
2,725
20,412

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.

2.10 Employee costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pensions and employee benefits
Total employee costs

2019

2018

CHF thousands

10,708
1,323
14,211
26,242

10,298
3,922
21,429
35,649

Pension and employee benefits mainly include Performance Share Plan expenses for CCHBC AG employees of the amount of CHF 5,850 
thousand (2018: CHF 15,540 thousand). Refer to Note 2.3 for more information.

2.11 Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses amounting to CHF 15,469 thousand for 2019 mainly comprise CHF12,476 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 2019 or 31 December 2018.

3.2 Number of employees
In 2019 and 2018 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

Residual term (years)

2019

2018

1 to 5 years

CHF thousands

–
–

1,399
1,399

Following management’s decision to disclose leasing contracts using the economic‑view approach, the above disclosure is not applicable to 2019.

3.4 Contingent liabilities

Euro medium-term note programmes

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, September 2015 and then April 2019, when it was increased to €5.0bn. 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 fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Company.

In June 2013, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. issued €800m, 2.375%, Euro-denominated notes due 18 June 2020 under the EMTN programme, 
which are guaranteed by the Company.

In March 2016, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. issued €600m, 1.875% Euro-denominated notes due in November 2024, which are guaranteed 
by the Company.

In May 2019, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. issued €700m, 1%,Euro-denominated notes due in May 2027 and issued €600m, 1.625%, 
Euro-denominated notes due in May 2031. The net proceeds of the new issue were used to partially repay €236.6m of the 2.375%, seven-year 
fixed rate bond due in June 2020. The new notes are guaranteed by the Company.

In November 2019, Coca-Cola HBC Finance B.V. completed the issue of a €500m Euro-denominated fixed rate bond maturing in November 
2029 with a coupon rate of 0.625%, which is guaranteed by the Company.

As at 31 December 2019, a total of €3.0bn in notes issued under the EMTN programme were outstanding.

SRCGFSSSRSI216

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

3. Other information continued

Committed credit facilities

In April 2019, the Group updated its then‑existing €500.0m syndicated revolving credit facility, which was set to expire in June 2021. The updated 
syndicated revolving credit facility has been increased to €800.0m and has been extended to April 2024 with the option to be extended for up 
to two more years until April 2026. 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 the 
Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. and it is fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Company.

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 €100m as at 31 December 2019 (2018: €95m).

Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd 

In December 2019 the Group established a loan facility of US dollar 85m to finance the purchase of production equipment by the Group’s 
subsidiary in Nigeria. The facility will be drawn down by Nigerian Bottling Company (‘NBC’) over the course of 2020 and 2021 and has a term 
of eight years. The obligations under this facility are guaranteed by the Company.

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

On 25 March 2019 the Company signed as credit support provider to Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG in favour of Coca-Cola HBC Finance 
B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 1 July 2019 the Company signed as credit support provider to Credit Suisse Securities, Sociedad de Valores, S.A. in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC 
Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 10 July 2019 the Company signed as credit support provider to Macquarie Bank Limited (London Branch) in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC 
Finance B.V. for the obligations as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

On 12 November 2019 the Company signed as credit support provider to UBS AG in favour of Coca‑Cola HBC Finance B.V. for the obligations 
as defined in the ISDA Master Agreement.1

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

217

3.5 Significant shareholders
As at 31 December 2019 and 2018, 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
31.12.2018
31.12.2019
31.12.2018
31.12.2019

Number of shares
85,355,019
85,355,019
85,112,078
85,112,078

Percentage of 
issued share
capital1
23.0%
23.1%
22.9%
23.0%

Percentage of 
outstanding share 
capital2
23.2%
23.5%
23.2%
23.4%

1.  Basis: total issued share capital including treasury shares. Share basis 369,930,157 as at 31 December 2019 (2018: 371,827,229).
2.  Basis: total issued share capital excluding treasury shares. Share basis 363,271,924 as at 31 December 2019 (2018: 367,349,101).

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.

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Directors
Anastassis G. David3
Zoran Bogdanovic
Ahmet C. Bozer4
Charlotte J. Boyle
Olusola (Sola) David‑Borha
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni
Anastasios I. Leventis5
Christo Leventis6
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes
Alfredo Rivera7
Ryan Rudolph
John P. Sechi

Operating Committee
Minas Agelidis8
Mourad Ajarti9
Alain Brouhard10
Jan Gustavsson
Michael Imellos
Nikolaos Kalaitzidakis
Naya Kalogeraki
Marcel Martin
Sean O’Neill11
Sanda Parezanovic
Keith Sanders12
Sotiris Yannopoulos13

Footnotes are presented at the end of Note 3.6.

Number of
shares

–
100,229
–
1,017
–
10,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Number of
shares

30,911
–
84,467
135,877
97,568
20,994
22,195
66,817
127
49,476
77,888
61,703

Percentage of
issued share
capital1

Percentage of
outstanding
share capital2

–
0.03%
–
0.00%
–
0.00%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
0.03%
–
0.00%
–
0.00%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Number of
shares

–
22,819
–
1,017

10,000
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Percentage of
issued share
capital

Percentage of
outstanding
share capital

–
0.01%
–
0.00%

–
0.01%
–
0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Percentage of
issued share
capital1

Percentage of
outstanding
share capital2

Number of
shares

Percentage of
issued share
capital

Percentage of
outstanding
share capital

0.01%
–
0.02%
0.04%
0.03%
0.01%
0.01%
0.02%
0.00%
0.01%
0.02%
0.02%

0.01%
–
0.02%
0.04%
0.03%
0.01%
0.01%
0.02%
0.00%
0.01%
0.02%
0.02%

–
–
19,901
59,544
18,003
940
3,906
22,832
–
3,012
30,351
13,781

–
–
0.01%
0.02%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.01%
–
0.00%
0.01%
0.00%

–
–
0.01%
0.02%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.01%
–
0.00%
0.01%
0.00%

SRCGFSSSRSI218

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

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 2019:

Stock options (‘ESOP’)

Performance shares (‘PSP’)

Zoran Bodganovic14
Minas Agelidis8
Mourad Ajarti9
Alain Brouhard10
Jan Gustavsson
Michael Imellos
Nikolaos Kalaitzidakis
Naya Kalogeraki
Marcel Martin
Sean O’Neill11
Sanda Parezanovic
Keith Sanders12
Sotiris Yannopoulos13

Number of
stock options
206,015
–
–
111,503
432,925
284,069
11,680
47,784
116,835
–
51,497
247,511
–

Already vested
206,015
–
–
111,503
432,925
284,069
11,680
47,784
116,835
–
51,497
247,511
–

Vesting at the
end of 2019
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Granted in 2019
97,671
19,530
–
26,639
30,166
33,537
19,912
23,492
25,923
12,161
23,339
29,330
3,204

Unvested and subject 
to performance 
conditions
206,056
41,045
–
67,632
76,247
84,731
44,852
61,102
65,593
12,161
59,258
74,205
–

Vested
62,860
15,713
–
60,418
67,743
74,761
18,632
24,151
56,451
–
44,244
66,064
57,673

1.  Basis: total issued share capital including treasury shares. Share basis 369,930,157 as at 31 December 2019.
2.  Basis: total issued share capital excluding treasury shares. Share basis 363,271,924 as at 31 December 2019.
3.  Mr 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 Sentry Management 
(PTC) Ltd. is the Trustee, whereby he has an indirect interest with respect to 823,008 shares held by Sentry Management (PTC) Ltd.

4.  Mr Ahmet C. Bozer retired from the Board of Directors on 18 June 2019.
5.  Mr 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 757,307 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

6.  Mr 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 623,664 shares held by Carlcan Holding Limited.

7.  Mr Alfredo Rivera was appointed to the Board of Directors on 18 June 2019.
8.  Mr Minas Agelidis joined the Operating Committee on 1 April 2019.
9.  Mr Mourad Ajarti joined the Group and the Operating Committee on 8 October 2019.
10.  Mr Alain Brouhard stepped down from the Operating Committee on 31 October 2019.
11.  Mr Sean O’ Neill joined the Group and the Operating Committee on 7 January 2019.
12.  Mr Keith Sanders stepped down from the Operating Committee on 31 March 2019 and left the Company on 30 September 2019.
13.  Mr Sotiris Yannopoulos stepped down from the Operating Committee on 31 March 2019 and left the Company on 30 September 2019.
14.  The Remuneration Committee determined at its meeting in March 2020 that, in line with the terms of the PSP, PSP awards granted to Zoran Bogdanovic in 2017 vested over 

in aggregate 21,376 shares (including the dividend equivalent shares paid on PSP shares that vested in 2020).

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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

219

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 the management, employees or advisers of the Company, its subsidiaries and other 
affiliated companies. The share capital of CHF 2,478,532 thousand as disclosed in the balance sheet differs from the share capital in the commercial 
register of CHF 2,469,469 thousand as per 31 December 2019 due to the exercise of management options in the course of full year 2019.

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
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options in 2018
Remaining conditional capital as at 31 December 2018
Shares issued to employees exercising stock options in 2019
Remaining conditional capital as at 31 December 2019

Number of shares
36,656,843
(3,149,493)
(4,122,401)
(1,064,190)
28,320,759
(1,352,731)
26,968,028

Book value per
share CHF
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70
6.70

Total CHF 
thousands
245,601
(21,102)
(27,620)
(7,130)
189,749
(9,063)
180,686

SRCGFSSSRSI220

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
66,092
(23,289)
42,803

4,470,097
4,512,899

2. Proposed declaration of dividend from reserves
The Board of Directors proposes to declare a gross dividend of EUR 0.62 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 4,470,097 thousand, as shown in the financial statements as of 31 December 2019, by a maximum of CHF 300,000 thousand. To the 
extent that the dividend calculated on EUR 0.62 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 0.62 at current exchange rate
As of 31 December 2019
Reserves from capital contributions before distribution
Proposed dividend of EUR 0.621
Reserves from capital contributions after distribution

Variant 2: Dividend if Cap is triggered
As of 31 December 2019
Reserves from capital contributions before distribution
(Maximum) dividend if cap is triggered2
(Minimum) Reserves from capital contributions after distribution

1.  Illustrative at an exchange ratio of CHF 1.09 per EUR. Assumes that the shares entitled to a dividend amount to 366,702,059.
2.  Dividend is capped at a total aggregate amount of CHF 300,000 thousand.

CHF thousands
4,470,097
(247,817)
4,222,280

CHF thousands
4,470,097
(300,000)
4,170,097

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

221

Report of the statutory auditor 
to the General Meeting of 
Coca-Cola HBC AG 
Steinhausen / Zug

Report of the statutory auditor to the General Meeting 
on the remuneration report 2019
We have audited the remuneration report of Coca-Cola HBC AG for the year ended 31 December 2019. 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 
222 to 225 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 2019 complies with Swiss law and articles 14–16 
of the Ordinance.

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

Michael Foley
Audit Expert
Auditor In Charge

Lausanne, 19 March 2020

Laura Bucur
Audit Expert

SRCGFSSSRSI222

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 2019 and 2018. In the information presented below, the exchange rate used for conversion of 2019 remuneration data from Euro to CHF 
is 1/1.1138 and the exchange rate used for conversion of 2018 remuneration data from Euro to CHF is 1/1.1546.

As the Company is headquartered in Switzerland, it is required for statutory purposes to present compensation data for two consecutive years, 
2019 and 2018. The applicable methodology used to calculate the value of stock option and performance shares follows Swiss standards. 
In 2019 and 2018, the fair value of performance shares from the 2019 and 2018 grants is calculated based on the performance share awards 
that are expected to vest. 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 2019 amounted to CHF 22.1m. Out of this, the amount relating to the expected value of performance share awards granted in relation 
to 2019 was CHF 4.4m. Pension and post-employment benefits for Directors and the Operating Committee of the Company during 2019 
amounted to CHF 1.0m.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

223

Remuneration of the Board of Directors

Anastassis G. David
Ahmet C. Bozer2
Charlotte J. Boyle
Olusola (Sola) David-Borha3
William W. (Bill) Douglas III
Reto Francioni4
Anastasios I. Leventis
Christo Leventis
Alexandra Papalexopoulou
José Octavio Reyes5
Alfredo Rivera6
Ryan Rudolph7
John P. Sechi
Zoran Bogdanovic8
Total Board of Directors

Cash and
non-cash
benefits1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2019 CHF

Cash
performance 
incentives
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Pension and 
post-employment 
benefits
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total fair value of 
stock options at
the date granted
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total
remuneration
81,864
40,932
94,784
98,014
114,053
118,842
94,784
81,864
107,704
88,324
40,932
81,864
98,014
–
1,141,975

Fees
81,864
40,932
94,784
98,014
114,053
118,842
94,784
81,864
107,704
88,324
40,932
81,864
98,014
–
1,141,975

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.  Ahmet C. Bozer retired from the Board of Directors on 18 June 2019. The Group has applied a half-year period base fee of CHF 40,932.
3.  For Olusola (Sola) David-Borha, on top of her fees the Group paid CHF 7,798 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
4.  For Reto Francioni, on top of his fees the Group paid CHF 9,455 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
5.  For José Octavio Reyes, on top of his fees the Group paid CHF 4,901 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
6.  Alfredo Rivera was appointed to the Board of Directors on 18 June 2019. The Group has applied a half-year period base fee of CHF 40,932.
7.  For Ryan Rudolph, on top of his fees the Group paid CHF 6,513 in social security contributions as required by Swiss legislation.
8.  Zoran Bogdanovic’s compensation was based on his role as CEO and member of the Operating Committee, and his employment agreement. Zoran Bogdanovic was not entitled 

to 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224

COCA-COLA HBC

Swiss statutory reporting continued

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
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 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 and member of the Operating Committee, and his employment agreement. Zoran Bogdanovic was not entitled 

to 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.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

225

Remuneration of the Operating Committee
The total remuneration paid to or accrued for the Operating Committee for 2019 amounted to CHF 20.9m.

Zoran Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer
Other members5
Total Operating Committee

2019 CHF

Base salary
865,051
5,041,738
5,906,789

Cash 
and non-cash 
benefits1
534,675
6,315,793
6,850,468

Cash
performance 
incentives2
517,917
2,163,334
2,681,251

Pension and 
post-employment 
benefits3
141,715
872,247
1,013,962

Total fair value of 
performance shares 
at the date granted4
1,378,328
3,052,625
4,430,953

Total
remuneration
3,437,686
17,445,737
20,883,423

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 the Management Incentive Plan in 2019 reflecting the 2018 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 2019 grant in order to comply with Swiss reporting guidelines.
5.  Minas Agelidis was appointed to the role of Region Director on 1 April 2019. Sotiris Yannopoulos and Keith Sanders stepped down from their roles as Region Directors on 1 April 2019. 
Their employment ceased on 30 September 2019. Mourad Ajarti was appointed to the role of Group Business Solutions and Systems Director on 8 October 2019. Alain Brouhard 
stepped down from his role as Group Business Solutions and Systems Director on 1 November 2019. His employment will cease on 30 June 2020.

The total remuneration paid to or accrued for the Operating Committee for 2018 amounted to CHF 16.4m.

Zoran Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer
Other members5
Total Operating Committee

2019 CHF

Base salary
865,950
4,242,424
5,108,374

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

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 the Management Incentive Plan 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.

Credits and loans granted to governing bodies
In 2019, 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226

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, acquisition 
costs 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 all cases. 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 to which hedge 
accounting has not been applied (primarily PET) 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. Acquisition costs 

Acquisition costs comprise costs incurred to effect a business combination such as finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other 
professional or consulting fees. These costs are included within the income statement line ‘Operating expenses’. However, to the extent that 
they relate to business combinations that have completed or are expected to be completed, 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.

4. 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 
Acquisition costs
Other tax items
Comparable

As reported
Restructuring costs
Commodity hedging 
Other tax items
Comparable

Figures are rounded.

Cost of
goods sold
(4,380)
–
2
–
–
(4,378)

Cost of
goods sold
(4,142)
–
8
–
(4,134)

Gross profit
2,646
–
2
–
–
2,648

Gross profit
2,515
–
8
–
2,523

Operating 
expenses
(1,930)
38
–
3
–
(1,889)

Operating 
expenses
(1,876)
33
1
–
(1,843)

2019

EBIT
715
38
2
3
–
759

2018

EBIT
639
33
8
–
681

Adjusted 
EBITDA
1,111
37
2
3
–
1,153

Adjusted 
EBITDA
969
23
8
–
1,000

Tax
(173)
(9)
–
–
1
(182)

Tax
(163)
(8)
(2)
1
(171)

Net profit1
487
29
2
3
1
522

Net profit1
447
25
7
1
480

EPS (€)
1.340
0.080
0.005
0.008
0.003
1.436

EPS (€)
1.216
0.068
0.018
0.004
1.306

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

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

227

Established
236
20
–
–
256

Established
232
5
4
241

2019

Developing
139
7
1
–
146

2018

Developing
131
4
2
137

Emerging
340
11
2
3
356

Emerging
277
24
2
303

Consolidated
715
38
2
3
759

Consolidated
639
33
8
681

Reconciliation of comparable EBIT per reportable segment (numbers in € million)

EBIT
Restructuring costs
Commodity hedging 
Acquisition costs
Comparable EBIT

EBIT
Restructuring costs
Commodity hedging 
Comparable EBIT

Figures are rounded.

2. FX-neutral APMs
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
2,518
–
2,518
624
4.03

Established
2,470
16
2,486
619
4.01

2019

Developing
1,352
–
1,352
431
3.14

2018

Developing
1,307
(9)
1,298
429
3.03

Emerging
3,156
–
3,156
1,209
2.61

Emerging
2,880
67
2,947
1,144
2.58

Consolidated
7,026
–
7,026
2,265
3.10

Consolidated
6,657
75
6,732
2,192
3.07

SRCGFSSSRSI228

COCA-COLA HBC

Alternative performance measures continued

2. FX-neutral APMs continued
Reconciliation of FX-neutral input costs per unit case (numbers in € million unless otherwise stated)

Input costs
Commodity hedging
Comparable input costs
Currency impact
FX-neutral comparable input costs
Volume (m unit cases)
FX-neutral comparable input costs per unit case (€)

Figures are rounded.

3. Other APMs

2019
1,824
(2)
1,822
–
1,822
2,265
0.80

2018
1,727
(8)
1,718
34
1,753
2,192
0.80

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, acquisition 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 the adoption of IFRS 16, Adjusted EBITDA and comparable Adjusted EBITDA have increased by approximately 5% as in 2019 
the lease expense of operating leases (under IAS 17) is replaced with 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 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 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 lease obligations less proceeds 
from sale of property, plant and equipment.

The adoption of IFRS 16 did not have a significant impact on free cash flow, as the increased capital expentiture was offset by the increase 
in Adjusted EBITDA.

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

229

2019
€ million
715
385
1
10
1,111
(6)
33
(212)
926

(473)
(46)
35
(484)

926
(484)
443

2018
€ million
639
319
1
10
969
(10)
(46)
(116)
797

(437)
(8)
18
(427)

797
(427)
370

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 performance shares
Adjusted EBITDA
Gain on disposals of non-current assets
Cash generated / (consumed) from working capital movements
Tax paid
Net cash from operating activities

Payments for purchases of property, plant and equipment
Principal repayments of 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, treasury bills 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

2019
€ million
762
2,563
(729)
(823)
1,773

2018
€ million
136
1,468
(279)
(712)
613

SRCGFSSSRSI230

COCA-COLA HBC

Assurance statement

Independent assurance statement for the 2019 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 2008 with the 2018 Addendum), for the 
printed and downloadable pdf versions of the Company’s 2019 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, responsiveness and impact, 
as described in the AA1000 Series of Standards (AA1000 AP 2018). 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 online content. The 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 2018), 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 2019 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 
(2008 with 2018 Addendum) 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 impact, 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 impact, 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 included verifying the commitment to these principles of the Company’s 
management, the presence of systems and procedures to support adherence to these principles, and the embedding of the principles at 
market level.
The key topics of the interviews conducted at Group level were the materiality process, health and nutrition, employee wellbeing and 
engagement, vehicle fleets, corporate governance, business ethics and anti-corruption, energy and climate, water stewardship, World 
Without Waste, sourcing, licence to operate, human rights and diversity.

•  Conducting further interviews at national headquarters in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Italy, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Serbia and Ukraine 

in order to guarantee the completeness of the information required for the engagement.

•  Site visits to nine bottling plants, the majority of which were located in emerging markets: Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Schimatari 
(Greece), Oricola (Italy), Asejire, Benin and Port Harcourt (Nigeria), Knockmore Hill (Northern Ireland), Belgrade (Serbia), Kiev (Ukraine).

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

231

•  Making enquiries and conducting spot checks to assess implementation of the Company’s policies (at plant, market and Group level).
•  Making enquiries and conducting spot checks regarding necessary documentation for assessing 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 (2010 and 2017) and emissions intensity figures for 2019.

•  Verifying the GRI content index, which was published separately to the Report, to ensure consistency with the requirements of the GRI 

Standards (comprehensive option).

•  Conducting additional interviews with four representatives of the following external stakeholder groups: investors, water stewardship 

implementation partners and non-governmental organisations. The interviews were conducted during the Joint Annual Stakeholder Forum 
of the Company and The Coca-Cola Company in Athens in autumn 2019.

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 and Swiss Statutory Reporting.

Conclusions
On the basis of our work, we found nothing to suggest that the information in the 2019 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
•  A sustainability culture has been deeply embedded in the Company. This is evident in well-structured, easily accessible guidelines, which ensure 
proper dissemination of Company-wide standards (e.g. the Code of Business Conduct or Inclusion and Diversity Policy). It can also be seen 
in the organisational structure and all its functions, with clear responsibilities for sustainability topics, from factory-level to top management.

•  The Company demonstrates a very strong commitment to its goals. Most operations have a strong track record of highly sophisticated 

collection and documentation of sustainability data. Traceability of data has significantly improved over recent years, due to well-structured 
monitoring and reporting processes at plant, market and Group level.

•  Great efforts have been made to upscale ESG assessments in the critical supplier base through EcoVadis, a third-party CSR assessment 
platform for managing supply chain sustainability performance. The organisation motivates its strategic suppliers to join this platform and 
encourages suppliers to improve their own sustainability management. 

•  The Company fully understands the links between business risks and sustainability issues. An excellent risk management system has been 

developed over recent years. Procedures for identifying and mitigating risks cover sustainability-related risks comprehensively.

•  The Company understands the social context in which it operates and runs projects that meet the needs of local communities. Through 

meaningful projects and targeted support, a positive impact is realised (e.g. educational programmes for young people covering soft and/or 
business skills, context-based water targets).

Findings and conclusions regarding adherence to the AA1000 principles of inclusivity, materiality, 
responsiveness, impact, 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 materiality survey and the Annual Stakeholder Forum (held in Athens in 2019).

•  Market and plant level: Stakeholder engagement activities at market and plant level are being further developed. As a result of an increasing 
number of stakeholder forums and materiality surveys, the Company consistently includes the views of stakeholders across all levels and is 
well aware of stakeholders’ concerns.

Materiality
•  Group level: An advanced process is in place for defining material topics for the Company. The materiality assessment process considers 
stakeholder expectations with regard to relevant topics. Moreover, the Company impact on society and the environment is considered in 
the materiality assessment, as required by GRI Standards. The material topics identified during the assessment provided the basis for the 
sustainability strategy and reporting.

•  Market and plant level: As a growing number of markets have started to publish sustainability reports in combination with socio-economic 
impact studies, 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 (e.g. by using harmonised assessment 
criteria for the materiality assessment), so that they follow a consistent approach.

SRCGFSSSRSI232

COCA-COLA HBC

Assurance statement continued

Responsiveness
•  Market level: There are sophisticated tools for stakeholder assessment in place, taking into account the influence and attitude of stakeholders. 
Detailed communication plans are available; they are based on stakeholder assessment and demonstrate how communication measures 
are tailored to stakeholder needs. By gauging the opinion of a wide range of stakeholders, new sustainability-related topics can be addressed 
at an early stage.

•  A strategic focus on Youth Empowered has been defined, which aims to reduce and prevent youth unemployment. The Company has 

implemented excellent projects in this focus area, tailored to the needs of young people and reflecting the respective local economic situation.

Impact
•  Group level: The Company has embedded robust processes in place for understanding, assessing and managing its impacts, including risk 

management and strategy development.

•  Market level: Sound socio-economic impact studies are conducted in individual markets, on a local cycle of max. three years, to measure 

the organisational impact on communities. Results from these studies are summarised at Group level to disclose the organisation’s impact 
on stakeholders, the society and on the Company itself.

Additional conclusions and recommendations
•  The Company has developed a new vision, i.e. to be the new leading 24/7 beverage partner. We encourage the Company to continue its 

journey in embedding sustainability within the business strategy, in particularly related to new ingredients, new product categories and new 
sales channels. 

•  Strong commitments have been developed that provide a long-term perspective for the Company and cover a wide range of areas along 
the value chain, including environmental and social topics. In order to shape these sustainability commitments (“Mission 2025”) further, it is 
recommended that the Company pays special attention to refining definitions of indicators.

•  The Company has made progress in efficiently monitoring and reporting data. In order to report robust data, further alignment of definitions 

is needed, in particular data related to people management, community engagement, and the environment.

•  The Company has made progress in increasing the number of critical suppliers that undergo an ESG assessment through EcoVadis (strategic 
suppliers). In order to minimise risks related to critical suppliers, the Company should make ESG assessments mandatory for market operations.

•  The Company has a strong commitment in the area of waste collection and recycling. We advise supporting, developing and establishing 

extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes in countries where they are not present. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Company 
refrains from being involved in projects using “waste certificates” in countries without EPR schemes, in order to avoid double counting.

WILLIBALD KALTENBRUNNER
LEAD AUDITOR

DENKSTATT GMBH
Advisory for Sustainable Development

Vienna, 12 March 2020

000-86

Shareholder information

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.

Analysis of shareholding sizes

Geographic concentration (%)

1 – 10,000: 1%
10,001 – 100,000: 4%
100,001 – 1,000,000: 25%
1,000,001 – over: 67%
Treasury shares: 3%

UK: 27%
Continental Europe: 35%
United States: 27%
Rest of the world: 4%
Retail investors: 5%

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, stable outlook 
Moody’s: L/T Baa1, S/T P2, stable outlook

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

233

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

2019

2018

2017

25.65
30.74
22.99
9,318

24.52
28.01
22.16
9,007

24.20
26.71
17.69
8,862

2019

2018

2017

30.17
35.09
26.93
10,960

27.11
31.90
24.99
9,959

27.25
29.80
20.47
9,979

Share capital
In 2019, the share capital of Coca-Cola HBC increased by the issue 
of 1,352,731 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 €21.4 million.

Following the above changes, and including 6,658,233 ordinary shares 
held as treasury shares, on 31 December 2019 the share capital of the 
Group amounted to €2,010.8 million and comprised 369,930,157 
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 2019, the Board of Directors has proposed a €0.62 dividend per 
share in line with the Group’s progressive dividend policy.

This compares to a dividend payment of €0.57 per share in 2018. 
For more information on our dividend policy and dividend history, 
please visit our website at www.coca-colahellenic.com.

Financial calendar
7 May 2020
16 June 2020
5 August 2020
11 November 2020

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 
 
 
 
 
 
234

COCA-COLA HBC

Glossary

Basis points (bps)
One hundredth of one percentage point 
(used chiefly in expressing differences)

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 
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 brands
Includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero 
and Coca-Cola Light brands

Coca-Cola HBC
Coca-Cola HBC AG, and, as the context may 
require, its subsidiaries and joint ventures; 
also, the Group, the Company

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, acquisition 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, acquisition 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, acquisition costs and mark to market 
valuation of commodity hedging activity

Comparable operating expenditure
Comparable operating expenditure refers 
to operating expenditure adjusted for 
restructuring costs, acquisition 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

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

Coca-Cola System
The Coca-Cola Company and its 
bottling partners

DME
Direct marketing expenses

Cold drink equipment
A generic term encompassing point-of-sale 
equipment such as coolers (refrigerators), 
vending machines and post-mix machines

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

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

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

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

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

TCFD
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures

Italy
Territory in Italy served by Coca-Cola HBC 
(excludes Sicily)

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

Operational leverage
Operational 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

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

235

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 

UNESDA
Union of European Soft Drinks Associations

Unit case (u.c.)
Approximately 5.678 litres or 24 servings, 
a typical volume measurement unit. 
For Bambi volume, one unit case 
corresponds to 1 kilogram

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

SRCGFSSSRSI236

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 2020 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 2019 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 2019.

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 2019, 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 137-198, 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 209-220, 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 226-229.

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 230-232. 
As with the rest of the information provided, the sustainability aspects of this Annual Report are for the full year ended 31 December 20191 
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.

1.  Co-packers are excluded from environmental reporting and data

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

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The paper used in this report is 100% recycled and FSC® certified. 
Printed in the UK using vegetable based inks. The printer is ISO 14001 
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certified. Under the framework of ISO 14001 a structured approach is 
taken by the company to measure, improve and audit their environmental 
status on an ongoing basis. FSC® ensures there is an audited chain of 
custody from the tree in the well-managed forest through to the finished 
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Coca‑Cola HBC AG
Turmstrasse 26, CH-6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland
www.coca-colahellenic.com
investor.relations@cchellenic.com
sustainability@cchellenic.com