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CPPGroup plc

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FY2012 Annual Report · CPPGroup plc
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Annual Report & Accounts 2012

Creating a new future

Overview 

About us 

2012 Operational review

We are an International Assistance business 
operating in the UK and overseas with more 
than 200 Business Partners worldwide. 
Through our Business Partner relationships  
and also through direct retail sales to 
consumers, we provide Life Assistance 
products to consumers. These include  
annually renewed and packaged products  
that provide assistance and insurance across  
a wide range of market sectors including 
financial services, telecommunications, travel 
and the home designed to make everyday life 
easier to manage. 

The Group faced another challenging year 
which, combined with a difficult operating 
environment, resulted in a modest operating 
performance. In the year, the FCA investigation 
was concluded and there is a substantial fine  
to pay. In addition, a strategic review resulted  
in the proposed disposal of the North American 
business alongside a short term extension  
to the revolving credit facility in April 2013.  
The financial highlights of the Group are 
detailed on page 1 opposite. 

Our business model 

Our vision

We operate a business-to-business-to-
consumer (B2B2C) business model. Our model 
operates in the UK and overseas, distributing 
and servicing Life Assistance products and 
packages with our Business Partners’ 
customers and through direct retail sales to 
consumers in three formats: retail, wholesale 
and packages. 

To protect and restore our customers’ freedom. 

Our strategic roadmap

1. People 

2. Customers 

3. Products 

4. Markets 

Contents 

Group overview 
Financial highlights & Group Key 
Performance Indicators 
Chairman’s statement 
Chief Executive Officer’s review 
Operating review 
Northern Europe 
Southern Europe and Latin America 
Asia Pacific 
North America 
Financial review 

1 
2 
3 

5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

Governance 
Board of Directors 
Corporate Governance statement 
Principal risks and uncertainties 
Directors’ report 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
Remuneration report 

14 
15 
23 
27 
29 
30 

Financial statements 
Independent Auditor’s report 
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income 
Consolidated balance sheet 
Consolidated statement of  
changes in equity 
Consolidated cash flow statement 
Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements 
Company balance sheet 
Notes to the Company  
financial statements 
Company offices 

36 
37 

38 
39 

40 
41 

42 
76 

77 
86 

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (or, as the context may require, the Financial Services Authority as predecessor entity thereto prior to 1 April 2013)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

1

Financial highlights & Group Key Performance Indicators*

Revenue  
(continuing and discontinued operations) 

Underlying operating profit1 
(continuing and discontinued operations) 

Reported (loss)/profit after tax 
(continuing and discontinued operations) 

£319.7m -8% 

(2011: £346.1m) 

£36.3m -24% 

(2011: £47.7m) 

£(17.2)m  

(2011: £18.1m) 

Revenue  
(continuing operations only) 

Underlying operating profit1 
(continuing operations only) 

£269.9m -10% 

(2011: £300.4m restated) 

£26.2m -36% 

(2011: £40.9m restated) 

Reported operating (loss)/profit 
(continuing operations only) 

£(17.7)m  

(2011: £22.9m restated) 

1.   Underlying operating profit excludes exceptional items. 

New assistance income (KPI)*

Annual renewal rate (KPI)*

Live policies (KPI)*

m
0
.
8
8
£

m
5
.
5
8
£

m
8
.
7
6
£

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

Definition
Revenue from customers of 
assistance products within 
one year from the customer 
being acquired.

Performance 
The 20% decline in new 
assistance income (19% 
decline on a constant 
currency basis) results from 
lower retail acquisitions in 
the UK, Spain and Italy, 
partially offset by favourable 
wholesale in the UK. 
Excluding discontinued 
operations new assistance 
income was £43.9 million 
(2011: £60.3 million), 
representing a decline 
of 27%.

%
9
.
5
7

%
4
.
5
7

%
3
.
3
7

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

Definition
Total number of policies 
which are live on Group 
policy databases.

Performance 
The live policy base is lower 
than December 2011 due to 
lower retail acquisitions and 
declining renewals in the UK. 
Live policies in the rest of 
the Group have remained 
stable in 2012. Excluding 
discontinued operations our 
live policies would be 9.1m.

m
2

.

1
1

m
0

.

1
1

m
9

.

9

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

Definition
The net amount of annual 
retail policies remaining 
on book after the scheduled 
renewal date, as a proportion 
of those available to renew.

Performance 
The annual renewal rate for 
2012 has declined by 2.1% 
since December 2011. This 
reflects a reduction in the 
Card Protection and Identity 
Protection renewal rates 
in the UK resulting from 
a combination of agreed 
amendments to the renewal 
process, adverse publicity 
surrounding the Group and 
general economic factors. 
The UK impact is partially 
offset by an increasing 
renewal rate in Spain. 
Excluding discontinued 
operations our annual 
renewal rate would be 
73.5% (2011: 76.0%), 
a decline of 2.5%.

Cost/income ratio (KPI)*

Operating profit margin (KPI)*

%
9
5

%
5
5

%
1
5

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

Definition
Cost of sales (excluding 
commission), and other 
administrative expenses as 
a percentage of revenue.

Performance 
Our cost income ratio has 
increased 4% year on year 
largely due to the UK as a 
result of declining Card 
Protection and Identity 
Protection renewal revenue 
and increasing direct costs 
attached to our wholesale 
Mobile Phone Insurance, 
partly offset by a reducing 
overhead base following 
the voluntary redundancy 
programme in the year. 
Excluding discontinued 
operations our cost income 
ratio would be 61% (2011: 
54%), an increase of 7%.

%
0

.

5
1

%
8

.

3
1

%
4

.

1
1

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

Definition
Underlying operating profit 
before exceptional items as 
a percentage of revenue.

Performance 
Our operating profit margin 
has decreased 2.4% due 
to a decline in renewal 
income for Card Protection 
and Identity Protection 
and reducing wholesale 
margins in the UK through 
increasing direct costs. 
The UK impact is partially 
offset by an improving 
margin in North America. 
Excluding discontinued 
operations our operating 
profit margin would be 9.7% 
(2011: 13.6%), a reduction 
of 3.9%.

*   The KPI information provided includes continuing and discontinued operations.

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2 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Group overview 

Chairman’s statement 

Our performance 

The Group faced another challenging year due  
to the uncertainties since the onset of the 
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigation. 
During the year, the Company overcame a 
number of the challenges posed. The closure of 
the FCA’s investigation on 15 November 2012 
and the important steps made towards securing  
a financing solution for the Group, combined  
with the improvements to customer experience, 
governance, compliance and risk management 
capabilities and significant management changes, 
including strengthening the senior team of our  
UK business, provide the Group with a more 
stable position. Nonetheless, there remain many 
hurdles to overcome as we work towards 
creating a new future for the business. 

These challenges, combined with a difficult 
operating environment, have resulted in a decline 
in our financial performance on a continuing  
and discontinued operations basis. Revenue 
reduced to £319.7 million (2011: £346.1 million) 
and underlying operating profit excluding 
exceptional items reduced to £36.3 million (2011: 
£47.7 million). The Group reported an operating 
loss on a continuing operations basis for 2012  
of £17.7 million (2011: profit £22.9 million).  
Our people have been impacted as a result of 
cost-reduction initiatives implemented during  
the year. I would like to thank them for their 
unrelenting commitment and loyalty despite  
the many changes we have made, which have 
inevitably resulted in a headcount reduction, 
particularly in the UK.  

The Board clearly recognises the past failings 
identified by the FCA in its investigation of 
historical practices in the UK business, and  
deeply regrets any customer detriment that may 
have occurred during that period. Although the 
investigation is now closed and we have effected 
much change, the Group has a substantial fine  
to pay and we need to complete the change 
initiatives and enhancements to governance  
and risk management systems and controls so 
that we can apply to the FCA for the restrictions 
agreed with the FCA in the form of Voluntary 
Variations of Permissions (VVOP) to be lifted.  
The business, therefore, continues to face further 
challenges; securing the financial future of the 
Group, providing redress to customers where 
appropriate, the required repositioning of the 
Group’s business model and reducing our costs 
substantially. Each provides further uncertainty  
for the business as we move forward. I am in  
no doubt that we will work hard to secure the 
future viability of the Group through longer term 
financing. However, there remains uncertainty  
as to the amount of redress to be paid and, 
therefore, the longer term financing requirement. 
Consequently, the Group faces significant 
financial challenges in the short to medium term.  

In order to stabilise the business, the Board 
announced on 17 April 2013 the conditional 
agreement to sell the North American business 
(CPPNA Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries)  
for a total cash consideration of $40 million 
(approximately £26.1 million) and a further 
extension of its existing bank facility until  
30 September 2013. The disposal and facility 
extension will allow the Group to engage in 
further discussions with its existing lenders  
and the Company’s major shareholder,  
Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston CBE, with a  
view to securing the future viability of the Group.  

In view of the challenges we have faced,  
the Company has not paid any dividends to 
shareholders since October 2011.  

Governance 

During the year we strengthened the governance 
and control environment, which will continue 
throughout 2013. What encourages me most is 
that I can see the improvements we are making 
are working. Throughout the year, the Group 
complied with the relevant provisions of the 
Financial Reporting Council’s UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2010, except those as 
described in the Corporate Governance statement 
on page 21. 

The Board  

In October 2012 we announced that Patrick De 
Smedt, one of our Non-Executive Directors, 
would leave the organisation on 15 November 
2012. Patrick has been an important member of 
our Board since August 2010 and I thank him for 
his valued contribution during his tenure.  

We have a strong and experienced management 
team who are creating a new future for CPP, 
refocusing the business to better meet 
customers’ needs. I am pleased with the  
progress being made to fulfil our objectives  
in a responsible and appropriate way. 

Looking ahead 

Last year was a challenging one, reflected for our 
people in the organisational changes effected  
and for shareholders in the uncertainty that  
has surrounded our business. However, the 
significant changes we are making to reshape  
and reposition our business have the potential  
to deliver growth in the future, although many 
challenges remain.  

Looking ahead, our focus on people, customers, 
products and markets will remain key priorities. 
Nonetheless, there remains much to be done 
against the background of our current operating 
environment in order for us to provide a much 
stronger, more stable position for the business. 
We need to place great focus on securing longer 
term financing for the Group beyond the expiry  
on 30 September 2013 of the recently agreed 
extension to the existing bank facility, 
repositioning our business model in the interests 
of all stakeholders alongside a substantial 
reduction in our cost base and implementing the 
customer redress exercise. The combination of 
these factors is expected to have an adverse cash 
flow impact on the Group and lead to further 
uncertainty. Furthermore, we need to maintain 
and strengthen current Business Partner 
relationships, secure new partnerships and 
generate revenue from alternative channels.  

Therefore, as we announced at the end of 2012, 
the outlook for 2013 reflects the significant 
challenges and uncertainties ahead and as a 
result, our performance in 2013 and beyond will 
continue to be substantially impacted as we 
concentrate our efforts to rebuild the business. 

The Board is grateful for the continued support  
of our stakeholders.  

Charles Gregson 
Chairman

“Last year was a challenging one, 
reflected for our people in the 
organisational changes effected and  
for shareholders in the uncertainty  
that has surrounded our business. 
However, the significant changes we 
are making to reshape and reposition 
our business have the potential to 
deliver growth in the future, although 
many challenges remain.” 
Charles Gregson 
Chairman 

 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer’s review 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

3

Working together through challenging times 

In my first review a year ago I outlined the journey 
ahead for CPP and how we planned to change 
things for the better. Since my appointment in 
October 2011 it has been a key priority to effect 
the significant changes required to provide long 
term stability and to realise the opportunities that 
will move the business forward.  

In the last two years we have experienced a 
period of intense challenge and significant 
change. The FCA’s investigation into historical 
issues identified in the period from January  
2005 to March 2011 has had far-reaching 
consequences for a business of our size.  
The closure of the investigation in November 
2012 was an important milestone, removing an 
element of the uncertainty facing the Group. 
Nonetheless, the fall-out from the investigation 
has been considerable; our reputation with 
Business Partners has been damaged, we have 
lost a number of important contracts in the UK, 
and our growth prospects have been impacted. 
Crucially, the uncertain and unknown ultimate 
cost of the redress programme planned for later 
this year to remediate those customers who  
may have suffered detriment as a result of past 
failings, has limited our ability to secure the  
longer term financing position for the Group.  

We will continue to face significant financial 
challenges in the short to medium term, and 
certainly until the redress programme is behind 
us. We need to refinance the Group for the  
longer term and we need to continue the work  
of repositioning the business as a customer-led 
organisation whilst reshaping the business  
model to meet our new circumstances. 

When I look back at 2012 and forward into 2013,  
I know that I can count on the expertise and 
professionalism of our people. Our success 
moving forward very much depends on the talent 
and enthusiasm of our people together with the 
enhanced experience they are providing to our 
customers. During a period of great stress and 
anxiety, our people have behaved impeccably,  
and great credit is due to them for their hard 
work, unfailing commitment and considerable 
achievements to date, particularly with regard to 
our transition to a customer-led organisation, a 
programme of work that is now well advanced. 

Financial performance  

As expected, new and renewal retail revenue 
declined in the UK, impacting on the profitability of 
the Group, with revenue and underlying operating 
profit performance for the Group on a continuing 
and discontinued operations basis in the period 
reduced to £319.7 million (2011: £346.1 million) 
and £36.3 million (2011: £47.7 million) 
respectively. The Group reported an operating 
loss for 2012 on a continuing operations basis  
of £17.7 million (2011: profit £22.9 million).  

Trading conditions and results have been mixed 
across the Group. Renewal rates have decreased 
by 2.1% to 73.3%, in large part because of 
changes effected to the renewals process, and 
live policies are 10% lower than reported at  
31 December 2011 at 9.9 million, impacted by  
our performance in the UK. The restrictions on  
our ability to sell our full range of products in the 
UK impacted revenue and profitability, resulting  
in Northern Europe underlying operating profit 
declining to £19.7 million. Southern Europe 
continued to experience challenging trading 
conditions in large part because of the external 
economic environment, resulting in lower revenue 
for the region, which includes Latin America,  
and underlying operating profit reducing to  
£8.1 million. Asia Pacific reduced its underlying 
operating loss to £1.1 million, although 
challenging trading conditions mean this market  
is taking longer than expected to develop.  
In North America, revenue increased and 
underlying operating profit rose to £10.1 million. 

Cost reduction has been, and remains, a key 
priority, and in view of the difficult trading 
conditions prevailing in the UK and in some of the 
Group’s overseas operations, we implemented 
programmes to reshape the cost base with a 
view to mitigating some of the adverse profit 
impact caused by lower revenue and changes  
to the product mix.  

During the year we were pleased to confirm new 
relationships with Business Partners in Turkey, 
Spain and Portugal. We also confirmed a contract 
extension in France and new agreements in 
Mexico, Brazil and India. In the UK, we were 
disappointed to lose the Everything Everywhere 
and RBS Mobile Phone Insurance (MPI) contracts, 
and by the likely decision by Santander (UK) not  
to renew the Group’s contract for the provision  
of benefits and services relating to Packaged 
Accounts in the UK from October 2013, in line 
with a shift in their own product strategy. 

Refinancing  

A key priority has been the management focus 
given to strengthening the Group’s balance sheet 
and stabilising the business. The Board assessed 
and actively considered a range of financing  

options and, as announced on 17 April 2013, the 
Group has agreed to the conditional sale of the 
North American business (CPPNA Holdings Inc. 
and its subsidiaries) to AMT Warranty Corp.  
for a total cash consideration of $40 million 
(approximately £26.1 million). The conditional  
sale of the North American business has allowed 
us to amend and extend our existing bank  
facility until 30 September 2013, while a longer 
term refinancing is negotiated. This involves 
discussions with the existing lenders and the 
Company’s major shareholder, and founder,  
Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston CBE. 

Our strategy and key priorities 

In last year’s Annual Report, I set out an evolution 
of our strategy and the five key priorities to 
reshape our business. Our strategic objectives 
and the actions that we are taking to move the 
business forward involve four key elements – 
people, customers, products, and markets, which 
I expand on in more detail in this review. 

We have made progress against our five  
priorities during 2012. The FCA investigation  
is now closed and we are well advanced in 
embedding a new culture based on greater 
customer focus, strengthened discipline and 
enhanced governance. We have advanced our 
product marketing to develop and launch new 
consumer products, and our investment in 
emerging markets to take advantage of growth 
opportunities continued during the year.  
Although we made appropriate changes in 
composition and resource to reflect our required 
structure, our effort to retain and recruit the talent 
we need to deliver our future success remains. 

A journey to rebuild our business  

In 2012 we set about changing the way we do 
things at CPP. We recognise that historical 
practices prior to March 2011 were below the 
required standard, and these various failings have 
been reflected in the fine of £10.5 million imposed 
on us by the FCA. Whichever way you look at it, 
this fine is very substantial, particularly for a 
business of our size, representing as it does 40% 
of the continuing Group’s underlying operating 
profit for the year. 

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“In the last two years we 

have experienced a period  
of intense challenge and  
significant change.” 
Paul Stobart 
Chief Executive Officer 

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4 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Group overview 

Chief Executive Officer’s review continued 

“2013 is a year of transition, 

further challenge and 
significant change designed 
to deliver a more stable 
platform for the Group.” 

Recognising the failings of the past, and following 
an extensive review of the business, we have 
established a new customer-led strategy, 
launched an extensive business Transformation 
Programme, and established a more robust 
governance framework. 

Changes on this scale do not happen overnight, 
and the work required to rebuild the Group  
is far from complete. It has been even  
more challenging to make progress on the 
Transformation Programme, launched in August 
2012, so vital for the future of the business,  
when we have, in parallel, had to resolve the FCA 
investigation, prepare for the redress programme, 
and manage the impact of the restrictions on the 
Group’s regulated UK entities in the form of the 
VVOPs agreed with the FCA. 

Under the VVOP, restrictions on new retail sales 
of our regulated Card Protection and Identity 
Protection products continue, and were extended 
to encompass new retail sales of MPI and sales  
in other EEA jurisdictions where the Group  
trades through UK permissions. In addition,  
the restriction on asset dispositions has been 
extended to our regulated UK entities who will 
also not participate in future Group borrowing 
arrangements or offer their assets as security  
for Group borrowing. Once we have completed 
the initiatives and enhancements required by  
the FCA, the Group will apply to the FCA for  
the restrictions on sales and asset movements 
and borrowing arrangements to be lifted.  

The redress programme to remediate customers 
that may have suffered detriment as a result  
of our past failings is currently expected to  
be effected through a Solvent Scheme of 
Arrangement (the Scheme). The Scheme is 
designed to provide a vehicle through which CPP 
and its Business Partners can review claims in 
relation to past failings and, where appropriate, 
pay redress. At present, the Group anticipates 
that the Scheme will become effective in the 
second half of 2013, although it is not certain  
that the Scheme will proceed.  

Given the unique nature and complexity of the 
proposed redress programme, the total amount 
payable under the Scheme will not be finally 
determined until the fourth quarter of 2014 at the 
earliest. In association with our advisers, we have 
assessed the likely financial impact of the redress 
programme. This assessment, when added to the 
costs of the investigation, the Scheme, the FCA 

fine, and the ancillary redress exercises we have 
carried out to address other past failings identified 
as part of the business process review instituted 
by the new management team, has resulted in 
total costs and provisions made in the Group’s 
financial statements of £51.7 million.  

Product innovation backed by an unparalleled 
approach to customer service, operating in  
the UK and overseas, with particular focus on 
emerging and developing markets where we  
see future potential, remains central to our  
growth prospects. 

In addition, shareholders should be aware that  
the Group’s book of renewal business may 
experience a material decline as a result of the 
cancellation or non-renewal of live policies, which 
would have a significant adverse impact on the 
Group’s revenue and profit going forward.  

Positioning the Group for the future 

The transformation to our new customer-led 
strategy is well advanced, and I am pleased to 
see many examples of progress in this regard 
right across the Group. We are confident that 
customers place value on the products and 
services we offer. In the UK for example, we  
are regularly seeing high levels of customer 
satisfaction and positive net promoter scores 
(which measure how likely CPP customers are  
to recommend us to others), demonstrating 
excellent quality in terms of customer 
engagement and experience. The core of our 
strategy depends on a simple, yet powerful 
philosophy: inspired people will delight 
customers, resulting in superior long term 
performance. 

A critical first step is our people agenda; it is only 
through our people that we will move our culture 
to one that is centred on the customer. In 2012, 
and despite our various challenges, we chose to 
make some moderate investment in leadership 
development, customer experience training and 
education programmes, and a series of highly 
acclaimed beliefs workshops designed to re-set 
the bar on CPP’s own values and beliefs.  

Delivering an improved customer experience 

We have nearly 10 million customers worldwide 
and will continue to focus on doing the right thing 
by them. Putting the customer at the heart of 
what we do is fundamental to our commitment  
to customer-centricity. Our aim is to improve the 
customer’s end to end experience and to embed 
a customer focused culture.  

Our efforts to improve the customer experience 
can only be successful if we have products  
that are relevant, compelling and affordable to 
customers. We know from our own customer 
research that our products are well liked and  
well adapted to the needs of consumers.  
Looking forward, though, we need to refresh and 
revitalise our product offerings, and to this end  
we have launched two new assistance products 
in the UK; one at the end of 2012 and one in the 
first quarter of 2013. In the medium term we  
will continue to introduce new digital and  
mobile assistance offerings, all designed to  
give customers enhanced quality of life.  

Our people 

Our aim is to provide a working environment that 
supports and develops our people, helping us to 
meet our business objectives aligned with our 
Vision and their own personal goals. In 2012, we 
worked hard at understanding how we can fully 
engage our people with our business, services 
and products we offer our customers. Our key 
priorities comprised leadership, development  
and recognition. 

During the year, we also completed the externally 
verified ‘Best Companies’ survey, which links to 
the Sunday Times Top 100 ‘Best Companies to 
Work For’. We were delighted that we achieved 
‘One to Watch’ status, demonstrating that, 
despite the challenges we face, our people  
were and are engaged and committed. 

Our community and environment 

We aim to play an active role and make a  
positive contribution through our involvement in 
community projects and sponsorships in many of 
our markets. We also recognise the importance of 
our impact on the environment. To make sure that 
we protect the environment we are committed to 
managing our use of energy, water and paper to 
ensure that our impact is minimal. 

Looking ahead  

2013 is a year of transition, further challenge and 
significant change, designed to deliver a more 
stable platform for the Group. We are focused on 
working hard to deliver a differentiated product 
and service offering, and experience, to our 
customers. By delivering against this plan,  
we will seek to realise the future potential of  
our business. 

In the year ahead we need to secure our longer 
term financing, manage our way through the 
Scheme, reposition the business and reshape  
our business model to reflect our changed 
circumstances. We do not underestimate the 
scale of the challenges ahead. In the longer term, 
I believe that the actions we are taking to rebuild 
our business and reputation, combined with  
the enhancements to governance and risk 
management we have put in place, will provide  
us with a stronger, more stable platform from 
which to move the business forward. 

Paul Stobart 
Chief Executive Officer 

 
 
 
Operating review 

Northern Europe 

Revenue contribution 

£225.8m 

(2011: £249.5m) 

-10%  growth  
-9%  constant  
currency 

Underlying operating profit 

£19.7m 

(2011: £33.6m) 

-41%  growth  
-41%  constant  
currency 

Operating highlights 

–  FCA investigation concluded; redress 

programme to commence 

–  Reduced Card Protection and Identity 

Protection revenue 

–  UK product innovation advanced  

–  Embedding customer focused culture 

Operating in the UK, Ireland, 
Germany and Turkey; Northern 
Europe, which accounts  
for 71% of Group full year 
revenue*, has been impacted 
by a challenging operating 
environment primarily as a 
result of restricted sales and 
reduced Card Protection and 
Identity Protection renewal 
revenues in the UK. 

*   Includes continuing and discontinued operations. 

Regional trends in 2012 

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Ireland 
Germany 
Turkey 

▼  ▼  ▼  ▼  ▼ 
▼  ▼  ▼  ▲  ▼ 
▲  ▲  ▲  ▲  ▲ 
▼  ▼  ▼  ▼  ► 

▲ Increase   ► Level   ▼ Decrease 

1.  On a constant currency basis. 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

5

Financial performance 
Revenue has decreased 9% on a constant 
currency basis compared to the same period in 
2011 to £225.8 million (2011: £249.5 million). 
Underlying operating profit has reduced for the 
full year to £19.7 million (2011: £33.6 million), 
41% lower on a constant currency basis.  

UK  
As expected, 2012 was a difficult year due to a 
challenging operating environment in the UK. 
Revenue decreased and the gross profit margin 
was lower as a result of reduced renewal 
revenue, impacted by changes in the renewal 
process and adverse external media attention 
combined with lower-margin MPI and Packaged 
Account activities. 

A great deal of positive change took place in our 
UK business in 2012 and the closure of the FCA’s 
investigation in November 2012 now provides 
clarity about what we can do. Our customer-
focused Transformation Programme, supported 
by a strengthened management team, new 
operational structure, improvements made to 
enhance the skillset of our people and new 
product initiatives, provides a stronger platform  
to move forward. 

Much work has gone into improving the 
relationship between the UK business and the 
FCA. Nonetheless, the restricted retail sales of 
Card Protection, Identity Protection and MPI 
Insurance, as a consequence of the agreed 
VVOPs for the regulated UK entities, has 
impacted performance. Until we gain agreement 
for the restrictions to be lifted and as a result  
of the redress programme expected to 
commence during 2013, performance will  
be further impacted.  

MPI, Packaged Account and wholesale business 
performance together with cost-saving measures 
implemented throughout 2012 partially offset the 
impact of reduced Card Protection and Identity 
Protection revenue streams. Nonetheless, our 
MPI business has been impacted by a higher 
number of settled claims and higher average 
settlement costs, suspension of new retail sales 
and the decisions by Business Partners not to 
renew contracts, resulting in reduced revenue for 
2012 as a whole and beyond. In addition, while 
our Packaged Account and wholesale business 
performed profitably in the first half of the year, 
revenue growth reduced in the second half of  
the year as a result of a major partner not actively 
marketing Packaged Accounts. 

Our Airport Angel business increased revenue as 
a result of improved volumes, although made an 
underlying operating loss.  

Following a strategic review at the end of 2012, 
we concluded that I-Deal Promotions Limited  
(I-Deal) and Concepts for Travel Limited 
(Concepts) had limited strategic fit and were 
subsequently disposed. 

Ireland 
Ireland continued to be a difficult economy to 
operate in and, as a result, revenue decreased 
modestly and underlying operating profit is lower 
than 2011.  

Germany 
Revenue increased and operating loss reduced  
in 2012. Customer numbers and renewal rates 
increased during the year.  

This performance is reflective of increased new 
revenues with established Business Partners, 
combined with channel and product development.  

We lost one Business Partner as an indirect result 
of the regulatory issues experienced by the Group 
in the UK.  

Turkey 
Revenue and operating profit in Turkey declined  
in 2012 impacted by the loss of Akbank as a 
Business Partner in August 2011. New policy 
volumes and the renewal rate decreased in  
the year.  

The loss of Akbank, resulting in lower renewals, 
has been partially offset by sales generated from 
a new call centre and new agreements with  
ING Bank, Anadolubank, Sekerbank and Turkey 
Finance Participation Bank. We were pleased to 
renew our contract for a further three years with 
Bank Asya.  

Commercial Card Protection was launched in the 
year with Denizbank and Bank Asya and ID Safe 
was launched with Denizbank.  

Home 3 
The investment in our joint venture with Mapfre 
Asistencia continues to develop, however, its 
progress is now likely to result in break-even 
being achieved towards the end of 2014. 

Looking ahead 

We believe opportunities remain for us to 
develop further in the Northern European 
market, supported by product development 
initiatives, improvements to existing 
products and new Business Partnerships. 
Nonetheless, the challenging UK operating 
environment and regulatory restrictions, until 
lifted, will continue to have an adverse 
impact on the overall performance of the 
region in 2013. Performance will be further 
impacted by the UK redress exercise and  
will be challenging until new customer 
initiatives and future renewal revenue start  
to take effect. 

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6 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Operating review 

Operating review continued 

Financial performance 
Revenue has decreased 9% on a constant 
currency basis compared to the same period  
in 2011 to £37.5 million (2011: £44.4 million). 
Underlying operating profit has consequently 
reduced for the full year to £8.1 million (2011: 
£10.6 million), 19% lower on a constant  
currency basis. The region’s customer base 
remained stable and the renewal rate improved 
year-on- year. 

Southern Europe 
The adverse economic situation in Southern 
Europe continued in 2012, resulting in lower 
revenue and operating profit in Spain, Italy and 
France due to lower new volumes and lower 
renewal income. In Portugal, revenue declined at 
a lesser rate and moved from an operating loss to 
profit during the year. Retail policies fell during the 
year while wholesale policy numbers increased, 
most notably in Spain and Italy. We effected cost 
saving initiatives in Spain, France and Italy during 
the year. As a result of the VVOP restrictions 
agreed by certain of the Group’s UK subsidiaries 
with the FCA new retail sales were impacted 
towards the end of the year in Italy, Portugal  
and Spain.  

We were pleased to confirm new relationships 
with Business Partners, including Vodafone  
in Spain, which in addition to 20:20, a major 
distributor of Yoigo, provides us with a strong 
mobile platform. In Portugal we recommenced 
sales campaigns with Caixa Geral de Depositos. 
In France we secured a contract extension with 
our principal Business Partner until April 2014. 

Latin America 
We have been encouraged by good revenue 
growth and improved financial performance in 
Latin America. In Mexico, revenue growth 
continued, albeit from a low base, and we expect 
to achieve break-even in 2013. We enhanced  
our Identity Protection product and launched a 
version of Card Protection aimed at consumers 
who have recently accessed the growing  
financial services market. In addition, we signed  
a new retail contract with Banco Invex and a 
wholesale contract with Banco Inbursa in Mexico 
during 2012.  

Our newer market of Brazil continued to make 
progress with product propositions being 
discussed with a number of potential Business 
Partners and the continued development of  
new Card Protection services for retailers.  
We partnered with retailer Acontece Soluçoe, 
which provides a platform to support further 
growth during 2013. 

Looking ahead 

The economic situation in Southern 
Europe is expected to continue in 2013  
and adversely affect revenue as a result.  
We expect new Business Partner 
agreements and diversification into the 
telecoms market will support future 
opportunities in this region. In Latin America, 
the increasing access to financial services 
and penetration of Smartphone use  
provides further growth opportunities.  
We expect the region to contribute  
positive revenue growth during 2013. 

Southern Europe and Latin America 

Revenue contribution 

£37.5m  

(2011: £44.4m) 

-15%  growth  
-15%  growth  
-9%  constant  
-9%  constant 
currency 
currency 

Underlying operating profit 

£8.1m  

(2011: £10.6m) 

-24%  growth  
-24%  growth  
-19%  constant 
-19%  constant  
currency 
currency 

Operating highlights 

–  Customer base stable; renewal rates 

improved 

–  Continued growth in Mexico, revenue 

increased 

–  Major new Business Partners signed 

across the region 

Operating in Spain, Italy,  
Portugal, France, Brazil and 
Mexico; Southern Europe & Latin 
America, which accounts for 
12% of Group full year revenue*, 
has seen mixed results impacted 
by a challenging operating 
environment, primarily as a  
result of the continued difficult 
economic situation and banking 
sector conditions in the Eurozone 
region. Our performance in Latin 
America has been encouraging, 
with revenue growth in Mexico 
and market entry activities 
continuing in Brazil.  

*   Includes continuing and discontinued operations. 

Regional trends in 2012 

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Spain 
Italy 
Portugal 
France 
Mexico 
Brazil 

▼  ▼  ▼  ▲  ▼ 
▼  ▼  ▼  ▲  ▼ 
▼  ▲  ▼  ▼  ▲ 
▼  ▼  ▼  ▲  ▲ 
▲  ▲  ▲  ▼  ▲ 
n/a  ▲ 
▲  ▼  ▲ 

▲ Increase   ► Level   ▼ Decrease 

1.  On a constant currency basis. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

7

Financial performance 
Revenue is 5% higher on a constant currency 
basis compared to the same period in 2011 at 
£6.5 million (2011: £6.5 million). The operating 
loss has reduced for the full year to £1.1 million 
(2011: £2.2 million), an improvement of 50%  
on a constant currency basis.  

Renewal rates have remained stable, partially 
offsetting the impact of lower new revenue 
growth. To support the region in the year,  
the business development teams in China  
and Malaysia have been strengthened and  
an enhanced business support structure 
implemented. 

Hong Kong 
Renewal rates improved during the year however 
new business development has been restricted 
as a result of Business Partners remaining 
cautious towards sales activities, resulting in 
lower revenue year-on-year. Operating loss in  
the market is reduced. 

Singapore 
During the year, revenue declined as a result of 
reduced new campaigns, although a small local 
profit was generated and our cost base reduced. 
We increased our business development 
resource with a view to support future growth.  

Although Business Partners remained cautious 
towards new sales, during the year we partnered 
with HSBC to provide our Airport Angel product to 
their customers. 

Malaysia 
In Malaysia, revenue was lower and operating 
profit performance reduced.  

Business Partners continued to remain cautious 
towards sales activities although, encouragingly, 
our contract with Maybank was extended for 
three years until 2015.  

India  
During the year revenue increased and India 
moved into profitability as a result of increased 
new and renewal income.  

Despite the decisions by two of our Business 
Partners not to continue new business activities, 
we secured new Business Partners in the year 
that include Bajaj Finance Limited and Capital First 
Ltd, and in addition, renewed existing contracts 
with Kotak.  

At the end of 2012 we launched a new product 
tailored for Indian consumers, OneCall SOS.  
In 2013 we expect to launch Personal  
Identity Protection. 

Despite the rate of economic growth in India 
slowing, we anticipate continued growth and 
improved renewal performance in 2013. 

China  
Revenue in China was marginally lower whilst  
the operating loss reduced year-on-year due to 
mix effects. We worked with Business Partners 
to pilot a range of new channels to increase 
customer numbers and build product awareness 
and developed relationships with China Industrial 
Bank, China Ping An Bank and China CITIC Bank 
to increase our sales activities. Our wholesale 
contract with China Guangfa Bank was not 
renewed in July 2012.  

Looking ahead 

Collectively, the region is expected to 
develop at a slower rate of growth in 2013 
due to on-going, challenging trading 
conditions. The key markets of India and 
China are expected to provide future 
opportunities for the region. 

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Asia Pacific 

Revenue contribution 

£6.5m  

(2011: £6.5m) 

0% 
growth  
+5%  constant  
currency 

Underlying operating loss 

£1.1m 

(2011: £2.2m) 

+48%growth  
+50%constant  
currency 

Operating highlights 

–  Renewal rates stable  

–  India moved into operating profit;  

revenue increased 

–  Business development resources 

strengthened  

Operating in Hong Kong, 
Singapore, Malaysia, India and 
China; Asia Pacific, which 
represents 2% of Group full 
year revenue*, reduced its 
operating losses on a constant 
currency basis by 50%, 
although challenging trading 
conditions has meant that the 
development of this region  
is at a slower rate of growth 
year-on-year.  

*   Includes continuing and discontinued operations. 

Regional trends in 2012 

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Hong Kong 
Singapore 
Malaysia 
India 
China 

▼  ▲  ►  ▲  ▲ 
▼  ▲  ▼  ▲  ▲ 
▼  ▼  ▼  ▼  ▼ 
▲  ▲  ▲  ▼  ▲ 
▼  ▲  ▼  ▲  ▲ 

▲ Increase   ► Level   ▼ Decrease 

1.  On a constant currency basis. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Operating review 

Operating review continued 

North America 

Revenue contribution 

£49.8m 

(2011: £45.8m) 

+9%  growth  
+8%  constant  
currency 

Underlying operating profit 

£10.1m 

(2011: £6.8m) 

+47%growth  
+45%constant  
currency 

Operating highlights 

–  Conditional agreement to sell  

North American business for total  
cash consideration of $40 million 
(approximately £26.1 million),  
subject to shareholder approval  

–  Good renewals performance  

The Group’s North American 
business accounted for 16%  
of Group full year revenue*  
in 2012. During the year, it 
performed well as a result of 
renewal growth with existing 
Business Partners, although 
new volume growth was lower. 

*   Includes continuing and discontinued operations. 

Regional trends in 2012 

Financial performance 
Revenue increased 8% on a constant currency 
basis compared to the same period in 2011 to 
£49.8 million (2011: £45.8 million). Underlying 
operating profit increased for the full year to  
£10.1 million (2011: £6.8 million), 45% higher  
on a constant currency basis.  

Revenue and profit increased in the year as we 
expanded our sales primarily through our existing 
key Business Partner relationships, although 
growth was lower than achieved in the prior year. 
New revenue fell in the year as a result of 
reduced sales with a key Business Partner 
coupled with regulatory changes to improve 
customer service, partially offset by an increase  
in renewals. 

Retail policy holder numbers were lower than the 
prior year, impacted by a lower rate of customer 
acquisition. Wholesale policy growth was positive 
and supported by a new Packaged Account 
programme as a result of a two year contract 
extension commencing June 2012.  

During the year, the business focused on product 
innovation alongside managing and developing a 
number of our Business Partner relationships, 
which included extending a joint marketing 
agreement for a further three years alongside a 
three year credit card activation agreement with  
a key Business Partner. 

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North America  ▲  ▲  ▼  ▲  ▲ 

▲ Increase   ► Level   ▼ Decrease 

1.  On a constant currency basis. 

Sale of North American business

As a result of the maturity of the Group’s 
bank facility and costs in relation to 
implementing customer redress in the UK, 
the Directors determined that strengthening 
the Group’s capital structure was essential. 
Subsequently, the Board initiated a  
strategic review of the Group to analyse 
which of its operational units were easily 
separable from the Group and likely to be 
attractive to potential purchasers as a 
standalone business. 

The Board concluded that the North 
American business, having its own range 
and mix of products and certain of its 
Business Partners having no relationship 
with the Group outside of the United States, 
was likely to be attractive to potential 
purchasers and achieve a valuation in a  
range that would assist the Group in 
repaying, in part, its bank facility. 

On 17 April 2013 the Group announced  
that it had agreed to the sale of its  
North American business for a total cash 
consideration of $40 million (approximately 
£26.1 million) to AMT Warranty Corp., a 
Delaware corporation and wholly owned 
subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. 

The disposal is part of a series of related 
measures being pursued by the Board with  
a view to securing the future viability of the 
Group in the interests of all stakeholders. 

At the time of writing, the disposal is 
conditional upon approval of shareholders 
which, if achieved, is expected to result in 
completion of the disposal in the second 
quarter of 2013. Following completion of the 
disposal, the Group will no longer receive the 
revenue and profit generated by the North 
American business and the Group’s total 
consolidated revenue and operating profit are 
expected to decline. 

Principal terms and retention arrangements 
of the disposal can be found in notes 37 and 
38 to the financial statements. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

9

Overview 

This financial review includes analysis of the underlying profit of the Group, 
which excludes exceptional items. We believe that the underlying figures aid 
comparison and understanding of the Group’s financial performance. 

As the Group approached the maturity of its existing debt facilities on  
31 March 2013, it was necessary to raise new funding. Following a strategic 
review of a range of possible funding sources, the Group decided to pursue 
the disposal of its North American business, CPPNA Holdings Inc. and its 
subsidiaries. This disposal process commenced in the third quarter of 2012 
and at the year end the Board was committed to the disposal, consequently 
the North American business is presented as discontinued in the 
consolidated financial statements and this review. At the time of publication 
the proposed disposal of the North American business to AMT Warranty 
Corp. (AmTrust) for $40 million (approximately £26.1 million) will proceed 
subject to shareholder approval at a General Meeting scheduled for 3 May 
2013. The majority shareholder in the Group, Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston 
CBE, who owns approximately 57% of the ordinary share capital, has made 
an irrevocable commitment to vote his shares in favour of the disposal.  
As a result of these events, this review focuses on the performance of  
the continuing operations of the Group. 

Summary 

2012 
Revenue (£ millions) 
Gross profit (£ millions) 
Operating (loss)/profit  
(£ millions) 

– Reported 1 
– Underlying2 

(Loss)/profit before tax  
(£ millions) 

– Reported1 
– Underlying2 

Reported (loss)/earnings  
per share (pence) 

– Basic 
– Diluted 

Cash generated by operations 
(£ millions) 
Dividends (pence) 

Continuing 
operations 

Discontinued 
operations 

269.9 
107.6 

(17.7) 
26.2 

(19.9) 
24.0 

(12.42) 
(12.13) 

10.4 
– 

49.8 
23.2 

7.4 
10.1 

7.4 
10.1 

2.43 
2.38 

7.0 
– 

Total 

319.7 
130.8 

(10.4) 
36.3 

(12.6) 
34.1 

(9.98) 
(9.75) 

17.4 
– 

1.  Reported figures which agree to the income statement are for continuing operations only. 

Discontinued operations are not reported in operating (loss)/profit or (loss)/profit before tax in the 
income statement. Further detail to the discontinued operations is provided in note 16 to the financial 
statements. Discontinued operations are included in this analysis to provide an indicative view of 
how the Group has performed in the year. 

2.  Excluding exceptional items from continuing operations of £43.9 million and discontinued operations 

of £2.7 million. 

2011 

Revenue (£ millions) 
Gross profit (£ millions) 
Operating profit (£ millions) 

– Reported 1 
– Underlying2 

Profit before tax (£ millions) 

– Reported1 
– Underlying2 

Reported earnings per share 
(pence) 

– Basic 
– Diluted 

Cash generated by operations 
(£ millions) 
Dividends (pence)3 

Continuing 
operations 

Discontinued 
operations 

300.4 
125.2 

22.9 
40.9 

21.6 
39.6 

7.06 
7.03 

50.3 
2.42 

45.8 
18.7 

6.8 
6.8 

6.8 
6.8 

3.58 
3.56 

4.9 
– 

Total 

346.1 
143.9 

29.7 
47.7 

28.3 
46.4 

10.64 
10.59 

55.2 
2.42 

1.  Reported figures which agree to the income statement are for continuing operations only. 

Discontinued operations are not reported in operating profit or profit before tax in the income 
statement. Further detail to the discontinued operations is provided in note 16 to the financial 
statements. Discontinued operations are included in this analysis to provide an indicative view  
of how the Group has performed in the prior year. 

2.  Excluding exceptional items from continuing operations of £18.0 million and discontinued operations 

of £0.1 million. 

3.  Dividends announced and paid relating to the 2011 financial year. 

Group revenue from continuing operations has declined by 10% to  
£269.9 million as a result of revenue reducing by 10% in Northern Europe 
and 15% in Southern Europe and Latin America, whilst revenue in Asia 
Pacific was flat. On a constant currency basis Group revenue declined by 
9%, with notably 5% growth recognised in Asia Pacific. 

Overall expenditure on Business Partner commissions reduced to 29%  
of revenue (2011: 32%) due to changes in mix. Despite this, cost of sales 
were 60% of revenue (2011: 58%) as the proportion of business from 
Packaged Accounts increased. As a result, gross profit declined by 14%  
to £107.6 million and was 40% of revenue (2011: 42%). 

Underlying operating profit declined by 36% to £26.2 million (2011:  
£40.9 million) as a result of the impact of reduced sales and lower gross 
profit. Overheads, whilst lower than 2011, have not reduced in line with  
the reduction in gross profit. This reduction in overhead of 3% results  
from lower economies of scale together with the requirement to invest in 
UK overheads in order to improve processes and governance, only partially 
offset by reduced staff costs as we restructured our UK based operations, 
primarily through the voluntary redundancy programme.  

This performance together with exceptional items of £43.9 million,  
(2011: £18.0 million) which mainly comprises customer redress and 
associated costs, regulatory penalties and restructuring costs, resulted  
in a reported operating loss for 2012 of £17.7 million (2011: operating  
profit of £22.9 million). 

“The Group has agreed an extension 

to its revolving credit facility to  
30 September 2013, with a reduction 
in the level of the facility to £25 million. 
Negotiations continue to refinance  
the Group for a three year term.” 
Shaun Parker 
Chief Financial Officer 

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Basic earnings per share has reduced from 7.06 pence in 2011 to a basic 
loss per share of 12.42 pence for 2012. 

Underlying operating profit 

10 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Operating review 

Financial review continued 

Net interest and finance costs of £1.3 million (2011: £1.3 million) were in line 
with 2011 as the Group broadly maintained its level of gross debt and net 
funds. Other losses of £0.9 million (2011: £nil) arose on the disposal of minor 
subsidiaries that did not have a strategic fit with the continuing Group. 

Reported loss before tax was £19.9 million (2011: reported profit before tax 
£21.6 million) whereas underlying profit before tax has reduced by 39% to 
£24.0 million (2011: £39.6 million). 

Discontinued operations, which represents the Group’s North American 
business, delivered profit after tax of £4.2 million (2011: £6.2 million). This is 
despite growth of profit before tax of 9% to £7.4 million (2011: £6.8 million) 
and results from increased tax due to costs associated with the disposal 
which are not tax deductible.  

Underlying profit after tax from continuing operations excluding exceptional 
items was £16.9 million (2011: £26.0 million). Taking these one-off costs  
into account, reported results after tax from continuing operations reduced 
by £33.3 million to a loss of £21.4 million (2011: reported profit after tax 
£11.9 million). 

Whilst our operations continued to generate cash, net cash from operating 
activities (including continuing and discontinued operations) of £17.4 million 
(2011: £55.2 million) was substantially lower than the prior year, which is 
reflective of the Group’s operating performance. Nevertheless, the Group’s 
net funds position improved from £11.9 million at 31 December 2011 to 
£13.6 million at 31 December 2012.  

The Group will not be paying a dividend for 2012 in line with the Group’s 
performance and financial position (2011: 2.42 pence).  

Group revenue breakdown 

Continuing operations 
Retail assistance policies 
Retail insurance policies 
Packaged and wholesale 
policies 
Non-policy revenue 

Discontinued operations 
Total Group revenue 

2012  
£’m 

2011  
£’m 

163.8 
41.2 

56.6 
8.3 

269.9 
49.8 

319.7 

213.0 
38.5 

41.9 
7.1 

300.4 
45.8 

346.1 

Growth  

(23)% 
7% 

35% 
17% 

(10)% 
9% 

(8)% 

Revenue from retail assistance policies has materially declined compared to 
2011. Revenue from retail insurance policies has increased and revenue 
from packaged and wholesale policies has grown significantly. The growth  
in revenue from retail insurance policies principally relates to the Group’s  
UK MPI business during the first nine months of the year where the 
increasing sales of higher priced smartphone insurance policies more than 
compensated for a decline in the overall level of policy sales. This trend 
reduced in the last three months of the year following the cessation of the 
Group’s contract with T-Mobile (Everything Everywhere) which resulted in 
no new sales and the remaining customer book starting to run-off. Growth  
in revenue from packaged and wholesale policies is due to growth in the 
Group’s Packaged Account activities in the UK. This trend will not continue 
following the loss of the Group’s main Packaged Account customer, RBS,  
in March 2013. 

Non-policy revenue, principally from the Group’s Airport Angel lounge access 
business, has grown as a result of increasing sales to our Business Partners 
and their customers resulting in more lounge visits. 

Underlying financial performance 

Reported operating (loss)/profit 
Exceptional items: 

Customer redress and associated costs 
Regulatory penalties 
Restructuring costs 
Strategic project costs 
Impairment of goodwill and  
intangible assets 
Legacy scheme share based payments 

Reported (loss)/profit after tax 
Exceptional items: 

Customer redress and associated costs 
Regulatory penalties 
Restructuring costs 
Strategic project costs 
Impairment of goodwill and  
intangible assets 
Legacy scheme share based payments 

Underlying profit after tax 

2012 
£’m 

(17.7) 

26.3 
8.5 
4.9 
0.4 

3.7 
0.2 

26.2 

2011 
£’m 

22.9 

14.9 
2.0 
– 
– 

– 
1.1 

40.9 

(21.4) 

11.9 

22.0 
8.5 
3.8 
0.4 

3.4 
0.2 

16.9 

11.0 
2.0 
– 
– 

– 
1.1 

26.0 

The Group’s statutory results are adjusted to arrive at measures which 
better reflect underlying performance. Adjustment has been made for 
exceptional items of £43.9 million (2011: £18.0 million). After making  
these adjustments, underlying operating profit was £26.2 million (2011: 
£40.9 million), which was 36% lower than 2011. On the same basis, 
underlying profit after tax was 35% lower than prior year at £16.9 million 
(2011: £26.0 million). Basic underlying earnings per share was 9.91 pence 
(2011: 15.28 pence) and diluted underlying earnings per share was  
9.68 pence (2011: 15.21 pence). 

Quarterly performance 

  Q1 2012   Q2 2012   Q3 2012   Q4 2012   FY 2012  

Revenue growth1 

Group  
Northern Europe  

UK 

Southern Europe  
and Latin America 

Spain 
Asia Pacific 

(8)% 
(8)% 
(8)% 

(10)% 
(15)% 
10% 

(11)% 
(10)% 
(10)% 

(15)% 
(19)% 
2% 

(9)% 
(7)% 
(7)% 

(19)% 
(23)% 
(8)% 

(13)% 
(13)% 
(14)% 

(19)% 
(19)% 
(2)% 

(10)% 
(10)% 
(10)% 

(15)% 
(19)% 
0% 

1.  Growth percentages stated on a year-on-year basis. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

11

  Q1 2012   Q2 2012   Q3 2012   Q4 2012   FY 2012  

Exceptional items of £43.9 million comprise the following main areas: 

Underlying operating 
profit growth1,2 

Group 
Northern Europe  

UK 

Southern Europe  
and Latin America 

Spain 
Asia Pacific 

(43)% 
(49)% 
(53)% 

(18)% 
(18)% 
33% 

(29)% 
(34)% 
(36)% 

(25)% 
(30)% 
20% 

(23)% 
(26)% 
(21)% 

(27)% 
(26)% 
49% 

(51)% 
(61)% 
(63)% 

(25)% 
(24)% 
100% 

(36)% 
(41)% 
(43)% 

(24)% 
(25)% 
48% 

1.  Growth percentages stated on a year-on-year basis. 

2.  Excluding exceptional items £43.9 million (2011: £18.0 million). 

The continuing Group’s performance in 2012 was impacted by reduced  
new and renewal retail revenue streams in the UK and Southern Europe. 
Quarter four has shown additional decline year-on-year as it is further 
impacted by lower new retail insurance revenue resulting from the loss  
of the T-Mobile (Everything Everywhere) contract, lower new retail revenue 
as a result of the VVOPs in the UK and increasing MPI direct costs. 

Investment in developing markets 

Despite continuing challenging circumstances in a number of its established 
markets, the Group has sought to maintain a level of investment in its new 
and developing markets. This investment comprises mainly start-up losses 
which are accounted for in the current year’s income statement. For these 
purposes, the Group considers the following markets to be developing: 
Hong Kong, Home 3, Mexico, China and Brazil (2011 also included 
Singapore and India). In 2012, the total investment in start-up losses in  
the Group’s developing markets was £3.1 million (2011: £4.9 million),  
the reduction is due to improved performance in India and Mexico and 
reduced year-on-year overheads in Hong Kong. 

Investment in Home 3 joint venture 

Our Home 3 joint venture with Mapfre Asistencia grew revenue with 
existing Business Partners and the Group’s share of operating losses  
for 2012 reduced to £0.5 million (2011: £1.2 million). 

Exceptional items 

Customer redress and associated costs 
Regulatory penalties 
Restructuring costs 
Strategic project costs 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 
Legacy scheme share based payments 

Total 

2012 
£’m 

26.3 
8.5 
4.9 
0.4 
3.7 
0.2 

43.9 

2011 
£’m 

14.9 
2.0 
– 
– 
– 
1.1 

18.0 

–  £26.3 million customer redress and associated costs (2011: £14.9 million) 
includes the estimated costs of compensating UK customers who were 
mis-sold the Group’s Card Protection and Identity Protection products or 
where the products were in some way defective. This also includes the 
costs of contacting the customers and delivering this compensation, 
including the Group’s share of the costs of implementation and operation 
of the anticipated solvent scheme of arrangement jointly with its Business 
Partners. Professional fees incurred during and as a consequence of the 
FCA investigation are also included. 

–  £8.5 million relates to the net fine of £10.5 million which the FCA imposed 
on Card Protection Plan Limited in November 2012. In anticipation of a 
fine, £2.0 million was provided in the Group’s accounts in the prior period. 
The fine is payable in instalments, with £2.0 million paid in 2012 and 
further instalments due in 2013 and 2014. 

–  £4.9 million of restructuring costs (2011: £nil) relate to redundancy 

programmes and associated costs, mainly in the UK. 

Other exceptional items include strategic project costs, goodwill and 
intangible asset impairment and legacy scheme share based payment  
costs which total £4.3 million (2011: £1.1 million). 

Total customer redress and associated costs 

Redress of CPP direct sales 
Other redress 
Complaints redress 
Regulatory penalties 
Advisor fees 

2012  
£’m 

8.4 
5.8 
2.7 
8.5 
9.4 

2011 
£’m 

7.7 
2.1 
– 
2.0 
5.1 

Total 

34.8 

16.9 

Total 
£’m 

16.1 
7.9 
2.7 
10.5 
14.5 

51.7 

The Group has incurred expenditure on, and provided for, customer redress 
and associated costs and regulatory penalties in 2011 and 2012. The total 
cost is currently estimated to be £51.7 million, of which £16.9 million was 
incurred in the prior year, £14.2 million of the provision within the balance 
sheet has already been utilised. The provision does not include an amount 
for the outstanding element of the regulatory penalties which is disclosed 
under current and non-current payables. The remaining provision at  
31 December 2012 is therefore £29.0 million. £22.0 million has been 
estimated as the remaining cost of the customer redress element of  
the overall provision. 

Tax 

The tax charge of £1.5 million was substantially lower than prior year (2011: 
£9.6 million) reflecting the operating performance of the Group. The Group’s 
overall loss before tax did not result in a tax credit due to a number of 
factors: including regulatory penalties not being deductible against UK tax, 
movements in deferred tax, movements in overseas tax and losses in start-
up entities not recognised. In the current circumstances, the effective tax 
rate for the Group is not a representative measure. In 2011, the effective tax 
rate was 44.7%, reducing to 36.2% when including discontinued operations.  

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12 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Operating review 

Financial review continued 

Discontinued operations 

The Group has agreed to sell its North American business to AmTrust 
subject to shareholder approval. The North American business has therefore 
been classified as a discontinued operation and consequently its results are 
disclosed separately to those of the continuing operations. 

Revenue 
Underlying operating profit1 
Exceptional items 
Profit after tax 
Net assets held for sale 

1.  Excluding exceptional items of £2.7 million (2011: £0.1 million). 

2012  
£’m 

49.8 
10.1 
2.7 
4.2 
12.9 

2011 
£’m 

45.8 
6.8 
0.1 
6.2 
– 

Cash generated by operations amounted to £17.4 million (2011: £55.2 
million) representing a cash conversion ratio (cash generated by operations 
as a percentage of underlying operating profit) of 48% (2011: 116%). 

The working capital requirement (excluding the movement in provisions) has 
increased by £5.2 million reflecting an increase in insurance balances from 
increased activity with Business Partners and the extended period customer 
payments are withheld by our UK merchant acquirer. 

Capital expenditure 

Property, plant and equipment 

Software 
Acquisition of business partner intangibles 

2012 
£’m 

2.5 

3.5 
0.3 

3.8 

6.3 

2% 

2011 
£’m 

3.3 

5.0 
4.3 

9.3 

12.6 

4% 

Revenue and underlying operating profit grew in 2012 as a result of 
continuing growth in sales to the customers of our Business Partners. 
Exceptional items are costs associated with the disposal of the business 
during the period to 31 December 2012. 

Intangible assets 
Total capital expenditure1 
% of revenue2 

1.  Capital expenditure in continuing and discontinued operations (cash basis). 

2.  Revenue from continuing and discontinued operations. 

We have continued to invest in our business although at reduced levels 
pursuant to the cash constraints facing the Group. Investment in tangible 
and intangible assets in the year is £6.3 million (2011: £12.6 million) which 
represents 2% of revenue. Tangible asset investment of £2.5 million (2011: 
£3.3 million) was mainly computer hardware and leasehold improvements. 
Computer hardware included continuing upgrades to our disaster recovery 
and core infrastructure. Intangible asset investment comprised mainly 
computer software and systems. Computer software and systems 
expenditure was £3.5 million as we further developed our online services 
and e-commerce capabilities, expanded our developing markets and 
launched new products in the UK and overseas. 

Investment in Business Partner intangibles was significantly lower in 2012 at 
£0.3 million (2011: £4.3 million). This results from the cessation of all retail 
sales of our Card Protection and Identity Protection products with the single 
Business Partner with whom we have this arrangement. The net book value 
of our Business Partner intangible at 31 December 2012 was £6.6 million 
(31 December 2011: £10.4 million) and is stated after an impairment of 
£0.6m in the year.  

Dividend 

The Group’s dividend policy is to distribute approximately 40% of underlying 
profit after tax to its shareholders. As a result of the Group making a loss 
after tax in 2012, the Directors have decided not to recommend that a 
dividend is paid, which is in line with this policy. Furthermore, in light of the 
Group’s current performance, financial situation and prospects, it is unlikely 
that a dividend will be paid in the medium term. 

The consideration agreed with the buyer is $40 million and has been hedged 
to Sterling by way of a foreign currency option at a rate of £1:$1.5334, which 
will result in minimum converted proceeds of £26.1 million. The majority of 
costs associated with the disposal have already been incurred. 

Cash flow1  

Underlying operating profit2 
Share of loss of joint venture 
Exceptional items 
Depreciation, amortisation and other  
non-cash items 
Increase in provisions 
Working capital 

Cash generated by operations 
Legacy scheme share option exercises 
Tax 
Operating cash flow3 
Capital expenditure (including intangibles) 
Investment in subsidiary and joint venture 
Costs associated with disposal of 
discontinued operations 
Net finance costs 
Dividends 
Loan note repayments and share issues4 
Net movement in cash/borrowings5 
Net funds6 

1.  Cash flows from continuing and discontinued operations. 

2.  Excluding exceptional items. 

3.  Excluding repayment of loan notes. 

2012  
£’m 

36.3 
0.5 
(46.7) 

18.3 
14.2 
(5.2) 

17.4 
– 
(5.4) 

12.0 
(6.3) 
(0.5) 

(0.9) 
(0.9) 
– 
(0.9) 

2.5 

13.6 

2011 
£’m 

47.7 
1.2 
(18.1) 

14.2 
14.9 
(4.7) 

55.2 
(0.2) 
(12.6) 

42.4 
(12.6) 
(1.0) 

– 
(1.0) 
(12.9) 
0.2 

15.0 

11.9 

4.  Comprises repayment of loan notes and proceeds from the exercise of share options. 

5.  Excluding effect of exchange rates and amortisation of debt issue costs. 

6.  Includes unamortised debt issue costs. 

 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

13

Balance sheet and financing 

Contingent liabilities 

There remains material uncertainty in some of the Group’s operations and 
the industry in which it operates in the UK. The uncertainties include 
possible industry-wide action by the FCA with regard to products that the  
UK business sells together with an industry-wide thematic review by the 
FCA into MPI products, which could result in claims or other matters being 
raised against the Group. 

The Directors have considered the above matters and have decided no 
definitive conclusions can be formed at this stage, leading to the disclosure 
of the contingent liabilities. Further detail is provided in note 35 to the 
financial statements. 

Shaun Parker 
Chief Financial Officer

Goodwill and intangibles 
Property, plant and equipment 
Net assets held for sale 
Other net assets 

Provisions 
Bank loans 
Non-current liabilities 

Total net assets 

2012 
£’m 

16.9 
13.3 
12.9 
46.2 

89.3 
(29.0) 
(43.4) 
(7.2) 

9.7 

2011 
£’m 

39.1 
14.5 
– 
32.9 

86.5 
(15.7) 
(43.0) 
(0.6) 

27.2 

Provisions of £29.0 million (2011: £15.7 million) are mainly for customer 
redress and associated costs. It is anticipated this provision will be fully 
utilised in 2013. The remaining instalments of the fine levied by the FCA  
are reported in other net assets (£2.0 million due in 2013) and non-current 
liabilities (£6.5 million due in 2014). 

Goodwill and intangibles of £16.9 million has decreased by £22.2 million 
from the prior year. The significant movements are associated with the 
transfer of goodwill associated with the North American business to net 
assets held for sale of £11.9 million, the full impairment of goodwill and 
intangibles associated with CPP Travel Services Limited of £3.1 million and 
the continued amortisation of the intangible balances against reduced levels 
of additions. 

Net funds at 31 December 2012 were £13.6 million, an improvement of 
£1.7 million compared to prior year, as a result of positive operating cash 
flow. The Group maintains cash deposits for solvency purposes which were 
£22.9 million at 31 December 2012. Allowing for these deposits results in an 
adjusted Group net debt position of £9.3 million. 

The Group had in place an £80 million guaranteed revolving credit facility 
provided by Barclays, RBS and Santander which expired on 31 March 2013. 
The drawn balance on this facility at 31 December 2012 was £43.5 million 
(excluding unamortised debt issues costs) reported in current liabilities 
(2011: £43.5 million, reported in non-current liabilities). Following a two week 
extension, which was subsequently extended for a further week, the Group 
agreed on 16 April 2013 an extension to the facility to 30 September 2013. 
The agreement results in a reduction in the level of facility to £25.0 million, 
once £16.5 million from the disposal proceeds of CPPNA Holdings Inc. has 
been used to prepay part of the current loan balance. The extended facility 
includes certain additional covenants including covenants in respect of 
cancellation rates and a requirement for the Group to maintain a minimum 
balance of £12 million in a blocked account that is secured in favour of  
the lenders. At the time of publication, the Group continues to engage in 
discussions with Barclays, RBS and Santander, and its majority shareholder 
to refinance the Group for a three year term.  

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14 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Board of Directors 

Charles Gregson 

Paul Stobart 

Shaun Parker 

Non-Executive Chairman, Chairman of the 
Governance and Nomination Committees  
and Member of the Remuneration, Audit  
and Risk & Compliance Committees  

Charles Gregson was appointed Non-Executive 
Chairman of CPP in January 2010. He has also 
been Non-Executive Chairman of ICAP plc  
since 2001 and had been Executive Chairman 
since 1998. Between 1978 and 1998 he was 
responsible for the Garban businesses that 
demerged from United Business Media in 1998 
and merged with Intercapital in 1999 to become 
ICAP. He was a Director of United Business 
Media plc and its predecessor companies from 
1986 until 2007. He is currently a Non-Executive 
Director of Caledonia Investments plc and 
Chairman of St James’s Place plc. 

Chief Executive Officer and Member of the 
Nomination Committee 

Chief Financial Officer and Member of the  
Risk & Compliance Committee  

As Chief Executive Officer, Paul Stobart is 
responsible for developing and executing the 
Group’s business strategy. Appointed CEO in 
October 2011, Paul was, until 31 May 2011, 
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of 
Sage Northern Europe, part of Sage Group plc.  
He qualified as a chartered accountant with Price 
Waterhouse and spent five years in corporate 
finance with Hill Samuel before joining Interbrand, 
an international marketing services consultancy, 
in 1988. He joined Sage in 1996 as Business 
Development Director, to then become Managing 
Director of UK & Ireland in June 2003 before 
being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sage 
Northern Europe. 

Shaun Parker is responsible for the Group’s 
Finance, Tax, Treasury, IT, Risk and Audit 
functions. Shaun joined the Group in 2003 from 
Diageo where he was Chief Financial Officer 
of Guinness North America prior to leading 
the cross-functional team that completed the 
integration of the acquired Seagram Wines and 
Spirits business. Previously, Shaun worked for  
ICI Plc, and then Mars Inc. (Pedigree Petfoods) 
where he held a number of senior finance roles  
in Germany and the UK. Shaun has extensive 
international experience gained through a number 
of regional roles, and through working and living in 
Germany and the US. 

Hamish Macgregor Ogston, CBE 

Les Owen 

Duncan McIntyre 

Founder and Non-Executive Director 

Hamish Ogston founded the Group in 1980, 
before becoming Non-Executive Chairman in 
1999. He acted in that capacity until Charles 
Gregson’s appointment in January 2010. Hamish 
continues to contribute to the Group’s strategic 
thinking as a Non-Executive Director and acts in 
an ambassadorial role helping to introduce CPP 
to industry organisations and other influential 
stakeholders. He was awarded a CBE in the  
2011 New Year Honours for his services to 
business and to the community in York. 

Non-Executive Director, Chairman of the 
Audit Committee, Member of the Nomination, 
Remuneration and Risk & Compliance 
Committees 

Non-Executive Director, Chairman of the Risk 
& Compliance and Remuneration Committees 
and Member of the Audit and Governance 
Committees 

Les Owen was appointed to the Board of CPP in 
September 2010. He worked for 35 years in retail 
financial services including 11 years as CEO of 
companies listed in the UK and Australia. Les is 
a qualified actuary and serves as Non-Executive 
Director on the boards of a number of national 
and international companies. 

Duncan McIntyre was appointed in January 2011. 
Duncan has substantial experience of developing 
and growing businesses, having previously led 
Morse plc as Chief Executive, taking it from a 
small private company to a main market listing 
and being a key architect in the building of 
Monitise plc, the global leader in Mobile Money 
solutions listed on AIM. A qualified accountant, he 
is also Chairman of Monitise plc, Profero Limited, 
Climate Risk Management Limited and Technetix 
Group Limited. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance statement 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

15

Introduction 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

The Board recognises the governance failings highlighted by the FCA 
investigation and significant investment has subsequently been made during 
the course of 2012 to review and improve this aspect of the business. 
Working with external consultants, we implemented a new Governance 
framework and strengthened the Compliance function in the UK. During 
2013 we continue to work towards embedding these changes throughout 
the Group. 

The Board 

The Board is responsible to shareholders for strategic direction, 
management and control of the Company’s activities, and is committed to 
the highest standards of corporate governance in delivering in these areas. 

The Board comprises: 

Charles Gregson as Non-Executive Chairman; 

Paul Stobart as Chief Executive Officer; 

Shaun Parker as Chief Financial Officer;  

Hamish Ogston, Les Owen, and Duncan McIntyre as Non-
Executive Directors. 

All of the above served on the Board throughout the year. 

Patrick De Smedt resigned as a Non-Executive Director on 
15 November 2012. 

The Board met 34 times during the year, which included a number of 
meetings to address the FCA investigation and the consequences for the 
Group, the sale of the North American business and the refinancing of  
the Group. 

The Board operates within a formal schedule of matters reserved to it. 
This schedule is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Other powers 
are delegated to the various Board committees and senior management. 
Details of Board and committee attendance during the year are set out in  
the table under the section headed “Directors’ attendance at Board and 
committee meetings” on page 17. Details of the various roles and 
responsibilities of the Board committees are set out on pages 16 to 20. 
Papers for Board and committee meetings are circulated in advance of 
the relevant meeting and where a Director is unable to attend he continues 
to be provided with a full copy of the papers and has the opportunity to 
comment on the matters to be discussed. 

The Board considers that its primary role is to provide leadership to the 
Group, to set the Group’s long term strategic objectives and to develop 
robust corporate governance and risk management practices. 

The Board comprises individuals with wide ranging business skills and 
experience and considers that the balance of skills and experience is 
appropriate to the requirements of the business. The Board considers that 
the balance between Executive and Non-Executive Directors allows it to 
exercise objectivity in decision making and proper control of the Company’s 
business. Each member of the Board has had access to all information 
relating to the Group, the advice and services of the Company Secretary 
(who is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are followed) and,  
as required, external advice at the expense of the Group. 

The roles of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer are separate, 
clearly defined in writing and have been agreed by the Board. 

The Chairman, Charles Gregson, is responsible for leadership of the Board, 
ensuring its effectiveness on all aspects of its role and setting its agenda. 
The Chairman has no involvement in the day-to-day business of the Group. 

The Chief Executive Officer, Paul Stobart, is the executive responsible for 
the day-to-day running of the business and is accountable to the Board for its 
operational and financial performance.  

On his appointment as Chairman, Charles Gregson did satisfy the 
independence criteria as set out in the Code. However, following his 
appointment as Chairman he is assumed, in accordance with the Code, 
not to be independent. The Board, whilst recognising the reasoning in 
the Code behind this assumption, has concluded that Charles Gregson is 
independent, being independent in character and judgement and being free 
from any relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect, or could 
appear to affect, his judgement.  

Throughout the year the Chairman has held regular informal meetings with 
Non-Executive Directors without the Executive Directors being present. 

Board balance, independence and appointments 

During the year the Board has considered the structure, size and 
composition of the Board (together with an evaluation of the Board’s  
balance of skills, knowledge and experience), the membership of the  
various Board committees and the expected time commitment; and the 
policy for Board appointments for Executive and Non-Executive Directors. 

The Directors’ aim is to ensure that the balance between Non-Executive 
Directors and Executive Directors of the Board reflects the changing needs 
of the Group’s business. 

The Board has reviewed the independence of each of the Non-Executive 
Directors that have served on the Board throughout the year and concluded 
that Duncan McIntyre and Les Owen are independent. Hamish Ogston, 
founder and largest shareholder, is not considered independent.  

Until the resignation of Patrick De Smedt (who also was considered to  
be independent) on 15 November 2012, the Board satisfied the Code 
requirement that at least half the Board, excluding the Chairman,  
should comprise Non-Executive Directors determined by the Board  
to be independent.  

Following the resignation of Patrick De Smedt the Board is actively  
seeking to recruit a further independent Non-Executive Director.  
In the meantime, the Board still meets the Code requirement for  
smaller companies that at least two members of the Board should  
be Independent Non-Executive Directors. 

The Non-Executive Directors are considered to be of sufficient calibre 
and experience to bring significant influence to bear on the decision 
making process. 

On joining the Board, Non-Executive Directors receive a formal 
appointment letter, which identifies the time commitment expected of 
them. A potential director candidate is required to disclose all significant 
outside commitments prior to appointment and the Board has approved 
a policy requiring disclosure and approval by the Board of all additional 
appointments for Executive or Non-Executive Directors. The terms and 
conditions of appointment of Non-Executive Directors and service contracts 
of Executive Directors are available to shareholders for inspection at the 
Group’s registered office during normal business hours. 

Biographical details of all Directors are given on page 14. 

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16 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Corporate Governance statement continued 

Information and professional development 

The Board receives at its meetings detailed reports from executive 
management on the performance of the Group and other information 
as necessary. Regular updates are provided on relevant legal, corporate 
governance and financial reporting developments and Directors are 
encouraged to attend external seminars on areas of relevance to their role. 

Appropriate training and induction are made available to any newly appointed 
Director, having regard to any previous experience they may have as a 
Director of a public company or otherwise. An on-going programme of 
training is in place in the Group and members of the Board are encouraged 
to participate in this programme. Directors are also encouraged to devote  
an element of their time to self-development through available training. 
This is in addition to any guidance that may be given from time to time 
by the Company Secretary. 

All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company 
Secretary. The Company Secretary or his nominee is the secretary for all  
the Board committees. The removal and appointment of the Company 
Secretary is a matter reserved for Board approval. The Board also obtains 
advice from professional advisers as and when required. 

Performance evaluation 

As previously reported, in 2011, the Board, led by the Chairman, carried 
out a Board effectiveness review through an independent third party. 
The evaluation was based on written questionnaires completed by current 
Directors and some face to face interviews. These were used to create a 
written report with recommendations. The overall results of the evaluation 
were presented to, and discussed by, the Board in December 2011. 
The performance of the Chairman was included in the above process, and 
took into account the views of the Executive and Non-Executive Directors. 
Following this review, the Directors agreed to implement the actions in 
respect of certain processes identified for improvement and to review 
this implementation regularly.  

Re-election 

All Directors are subject to election at the first Annual General Meeting 
following their appointment by the Board. The Company’s Articles of 
Association state that at every Annual General Meeting any Director who 
has been a Director at each of the two preceding Annual General Meetings, 
and who was not appointed or re-appointed by the Company in general 
meeting at, or since, such meeting, shall retire as Director. A retiring Director 
shall be eligible for re-appointment. In practice this means that every Director 
stands for re-election at least once every three years. 

The Code recommends that all Directors of FTSE 350 companies retire 
and are put up for re-election at the Annual General Meeting. Although 
not currently a FTSE 350 company, the Company considers this to be best 
practice and, accordingly, all the Directors offer themselves for re-election 
at the 2013 Annual General Meeting. 

The Board explains the reasons why it believes each Director should be 
elected or re-elected in the Notice of Meeting for the next Annual General 
Meeting. The Board believes that its performance continues to be effective 
and that the election of Directors is consistent with the Board’s evaluation  
of the size, structure and composition of the Board. 

Relations with shareholders 

The Board remains committed to maintaining good relationships with 
shareholders. There is a good dialogue with institutional shareholders, 
although care is exercised to ensure that any price-sensitive information 
is released at the same time to all shareholders, in accordance with the 

requirements of the UK Listing Authority. The Chief Executive Officer and 
the Chief Financial Officer meet with institutional shareholders on a regular 
basis and are available for additional meetings where requested. Institutional 
shareholders are given the opportunity to meet with the Chairman and/or 
other Non-Executive Directors if they have concerns that have not, or 
cannot, be addressed through the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief 
Financial Officer. Irrespective of the size of their shareholding, shareholders 
have the opportunity to convey their views and make enquiries via e-mail  
or telephone contact with the Head of Investor Communications. 

The Chairman is responsible for ensuring that appropriate channels of 
communication are established between the Chief Executive Officer (and 
other Executive Directors) and shareholders and ensuring that the views 
of shareholders are made known to the Board. This includes feedback 
prepared by the Group’s brokers on meetings held with institutional 
shareholders and, in addition, the Board is provided with an investor relations 
report at each Board meeting. The Company recognises the importance of 
ensuring effective communication with all of its shareholders. The Board 
seeks to present the Company’s position and prospects clearly. An annual 
financial report is distributed to all shareholders and to other parties who 
may have an interest in the Group’s performance. This report, together with 
a wide range of other information, including the half-yearly financial report, 
interim management statements, regulatory announcements and current 
details of the Company’s share price, is made available on the Company’s 
website at www.cppgroupplc.com. 

Insurance 

The Company has arranged appropriate insurance cover in respect of any 
potential litigation against Directors. 

Conflicts of Interest 

A register of conflicts of interest is maintained by the Company Secretary. 
Entries in the register are discussed by the Board as required.  

Governance structure

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Governance 
Committee

CPPGroup Plc
Board of Directors

Risk & Compliance 
Committee

Audit Committee

Board committees 

The Audit Committee, the Risk & Compliance Committee, the Nomination 
Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Governance Committee 
are standing committees of the Board. The Company Secretary acts as 
Secretary to all of the Board Committees. The written terms of reference 
of the committees, including their objectives and the authority delegated to 
them by the Board, are available upon request from the Company Secretary 
or via the Group’s website at www.cppgroupplc.com and are reviewed at 
least annually by the relevant committee and the Board. All committees 
have access to independent expert advice. The chairman of each committee 
reports to the Board.  

 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

17

Directors’ attendance at Board and committee meetings 

The Directors’ attendance record for the year at the Board and committee meetings was as follows: 

Charles Gregson 
Paul Stobart 
Shaun Parker 

Duncan McIntyre* 
Hamish Ogston 
Les Owen 
Patrick De Smedt** 

Non-Executive Chairman 
Chief Executive Officer 
Chief Financial Officer 

Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director 

Audit 
Committee 

7 (7) 

7 (7) 

7 (7) 

Risk & 
Compliance 
Committee 

6 (7) 

7 (7) 

6 (7) 

6 (7) 

Board 

34 (34) 
34 (34) 
33 (34) 

29 (34) 
34 (34) 
30 (34) 
23 (30) 

Remuneration 
Committee 

Nomination 
Committee 

Governance 
Committee 

6 (6) 

2 (2) 

7 (7) 

7 (7) 

2 (2) 

6 (6) 
4 (4) 

2 (2) 
1 (1) 

*  Appointed as Chair of the Remuneration Committee 15 November 2012. 

** Resigned from the Board, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee 15 November 2012. 

The figures in brackets represent the maximum number of meetings for which the individual was a Board or committee member. 

Audit Committee 

Chairman: 
Les Owen (Independent Non-Executive Director) 

Members: 
Charles Gregson (Company Chairman) 
Duncan McIntyre (Independent Non-Executive Director) 

Key objective 
Assist the Board in discharging its duties and responsibilities for financial 
reporting, corporate governance and internal control, to include monitoring 
the integrity of financial reporting systems and providing an interface 
between management and the external auditors. 

Key responsibilities  
–  Review financial statements and any financial information contained in 

certain other documents; 

–  Keep under review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal financial 

controls and risk management systems; 

–  Review the Group’s procedures for preventing and detecting fraud 
and bribery and the arrangements for employees to raise concerns, 
in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in these or other financial 
reporting matters; 

–  Monitor and review the effectiveness of the Company’s Internal Audit 
function in the context of the Company’s overall assurance system; 

–  Oversee the relationship with the external Auditor, including 

recommendations to the Board in relation to the appointment, re-
appointment and removal of the external Auditor;  

–  Approve the Auditor’s remuneration and terms of engagement, 

keep under review the scope and results of the audit work, its cost 
effectiveness and the independence and objectivity of the Auditor, 
together with the volume and nature of non-audit services provided  
by the Auditor; and 

–  Consideration of accounting policies. 

Membership and meetings  
It is a requirement of the Code that at least one member of the Audit 
Committee has recent and relevant financial experience. The Board 
considers that Duncan McIntyre meets this requirement. 

In addition to Committee members, other individuals attend at the request 
of the Committee Chairman and during the year the external Auditor,  
senior management, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and 
Head of Internal Audit would usually attend meetings to report to the Audit 
Committee and provide clarification and explanations where appropriate.  
The Audit Committee also meets with the Head of Internal Audit and the 
external Auditor without executive management present on a regular basis.  

Main activities of the Committee during the year: 
During the year the Audit Committee discharged its responsibilities by 
performing the following activities: 

Financial statements 

During the financial year and up to the date of this report, the Audit 
Committee reviewed and discussed the financial disclosures made in the 
annual results announcement, the Annual Report and Accounts, and the 
half-yearly financial report, together with any related management letters, 
letters of representation and reports from the external Auditor. Significant 
financial reporting issues and judgements were considered, together with 
any significant accounting policies and changes proposed to them. 

External Auditor 

The Audit Committee has responsibility for overseeing the relationship with 
the external Auditor and approves the external Auditor’s engagement letter, 
audit fee and audit and client services plan (including the planned levels of 
materiality). The external Auditor attends the Audit Committee meetings as 
appropriate and meets at least annually with the Audit Committee without 
executive management. The Chairman of the Audit Committee also meets 
privately with the external Auditor. 

During the year, the Audit Committee received regular detailed reports 
from the external Auditor including a formal written report dealing with 
the audit objectives, the Auditor’s qualifications, expertise and resources, 
effectiveness of the audit process, procedures and policies for maintaining 
independence and compliance with the ethical standards issued by the 
Auditing Practices Board. The external Auditor’s management letter is 
reviewed, as is management’s response to issues raised. The Audit 
Committee monitors the latest ethical guidance regarding rotation of 
audit partners. Non-audit services provided by the external Auditor are 
monitored by the Audit Committee.  

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18 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Corporate Governance statement continued 

During the year the Audit Committee has reviewed detailed reports covering 
the planning and results of external audit work, which included challenge to 
management’s assumptions. In addition, the Audit Committee considered a 
review of the external Auditor’s client service provision and arrangements 
for partner rotation. In line with ethical standards, having completed the 
maximum term allowed under the regulations, Stephen Williams stepped 
down as lead audit partner following completion of the 2011 audit report, 
and the role was taken up by Chris Powell. The Audit Committee is satisfied 
with the performance of the external Auditor during the year and the policies 
and procedures in place to maintain their objectivity and independence. 
Having considered the quality, objectivity and independence of the audit 
teams and their work completed across the Group, the external Auditor’s 
reporting and the levels of communication and service, the Audit Committee 
has recommended that Deloitte be re-appointed at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting. 

Auditor’s independence and objectivity 

The external Auditor provides some non-audit services, primarily in 
the provision of taxation and in relation to corporate transactions that 
may arise from time to time. The level of non-audit fees as a proportion of 
the total fees paid to Deloitte was higher in 2012 due to an unusual level of 
non-recurring reporting, regulatory and corporate activity, all of which is work 
that would normally fall to the Company’s auditors. 

In order to ensure that Auditor objectivity and independence are safeguarded 
the following controls have been implemented: 

–  Formal guidance on the use of the Auditor for non-audit work has been 
agreed by the Audit Committee. In summary, this ensures that work 
would usually only be awarded when, by virtue of the Auditor’s 
knowledge, skills or experience, the Auditor is clearly to be preferred 
over alternative suppliers; 

–  The Audit Committee receives and reviews each year an analysis of all 
non-audit work awarded to the Auditor over the financial period; and 

–  The Audit Committee receives each year a report from the external 
Auditor as to any matters that the Auditor considers bear on its 
independence and which need to be disclosed to the Audit Committee.  

Internal Audit 

The Audit Committee approves the annual internal audit plan and 
methodology, monitors progress against the plan and receives reports 
after each audit. Progress against actions identified in these reports and 
the external Auditor’s management letter, as well as other control related 
actions raised by third parties, are monitored by the Audit Committee 
at quarterly intervals. 

The current Head of Internal Audit is an interim manager who has worked  
in internal audit in the financial services sector for 22 years and the team 
comprises a further two auditors. The Audit Committee has assessed the 
resources the department has to complete its remit and has approved the 
use of external consultants to supplement it, particularly in areas requiring 
specialist skills, including Information Technology, Remuneration Policy and 
Prudential Regulation. 

The appointment and removal of the Head of Internal Audit is the 
responsibility of the Audit Committee. The Internal Audit Department 
continues to have unrestricted access to all Group documentation, 
premises, functions and employees, as required. The Head of Internal 
Audit has direct access to the Board and the Audit Committee Chairman  
and is accountable to the Audit Committee, meeting regularly with it, 
without executive management present. 

Following the separation of Internal Audit from Risk Management on 
30 June 2012 an internal audit methodology was field tested, then revised 
by 31 October 2012.  

Other activities 

During the year other significant activities addressed by the Audit 
Committee were as follows: 

–  Review of Internal Audit terms of reference; 

–  Review of regular reports from the Head of Internal Audit;  

–  Review of the Audit Committee’s own terms of reference; 

–  Review of the Group’s Going concern status; 

–  Renewal of the Group’s lending arrangements; and 

–  FCA interactions. 

Regular updates are provided to the Audit Committee on developments 
in financial reporting, and related legal and corporate governance matters. 

The Audit Committee is charged with ensuring that appropriate 
arrangements are in place for employees to be able to raise matters of 
possible impropriety in confidence.  

A formalised whistle-blowing policy and procedure for staff to raise  
issues regarding possible improprieties in matters of financial reporting or 
other matters has been established and was reviewed during the year.  
An alternative reporting channel also exists whereby perceived wrongdoing 
may be reported via telephone to an external third party.  

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the 
Group’s whistle-blowing procedures and any notifications made. 

The Audit Committee has access to the services of the Internal Audit and 
Company Secretarial departments and is authorised to obtain independent 
professional advice if it considers it necessary. 

Risk & Compliance Committee 

Chairman: 
Duncan McIntyre (Independent Non-Executive Director) 

Members: 
Charles Gregson (Company Chairman) 
Les Owen (Independent Non-Executive Director) 
Shaun Parker (Chief Financial Officer) 

Key objective: 
To assist and advise the Board in identifying the Group’s overall appetite 
for risk, to review and monitor the Group’s risk profile, risk concentrations 
and exposures as well as emerging and future risks and to oversee the 
effectiveness and timeliness of management actions.  

Key responsibilities: 
–  Review reports and recommendations regarding the Group’s overall 

strategy, appetite, policies, capacity and tolerances and make 
recommendations to the Board;  

–  Review the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Group’s 

management systems and controls; 

–  Review appropriateness of the governance functions’ policies 

and procedures; 

–  Review reports from each governance function, including those on 

adherence to the Group’s policies and standards and the maintenance 
of a risk & compliance culture; 

–  Review any significant new business partners; sectors or channels; 

and new products or material variation to existing products to ensure 
that appropriate assessment of the risk impact has been undertaken 
alongside commercial aspects and capital requirements; 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

19

–  Keep under review the Group’s Information Security Policy, and 

appropriate accreditations; and 

–  Keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s Control 
functions and the timeliness and effectiveness of management actions. 

Membership and meetings 
The Risk & Compliance Committee met for the first time on 22 March 2012 
and a total of six meetings were held during the year. 

In addition to Committee members, other individuals attend at the request 
of the Committee Chairman and during the year, senior management, the 
Head of Risk, Head of Compliance and Head of Information Security have 
attended meetings to report to the Committee and provide clarification and 
explanations where appropriate. 

Main activities of the Committee during the year: 
Specific matters dealt with during the year include: 

Membership and meetings 
Patrick De Smedt was a member of the Committee during the year 
until his resignation on 15 November 2012, Paul Stobart was appointed 
to the Committee with effect from 30 January 2013, and Charles Gregson 
and Les Owen served as members throughout the year. In addition to 
Committee members, other individuals and external advisers attend at the 
request of the Committee Chairman. During the year, the Chief Financial 
Officer, Chief Executive Officer (prior to his appointment to the Committee) 
and the Group HR Director, have attended meetings to report to the 
Committee and provide clarification and explanations where appropriate. 

Main activities of the Committee during the year: 
During the year the Nomination Committee considered the following 
principal items: 

–  A review of the current structure, size and composition of the UK 

Regulated Companies’ Boards; and 

–  Approval of the Committee’s terms of reference; 

–  Leadership and succession planning. 

–  A review of the Group’s internal control and risk management systems; 

–  Review and update of the Group’s Risk Strategy and Risk Appetite 

statements to reflect the current operating environment of the Group; 

–  Appointment of a dedicated Head of Risk; 

–  Oversight of re-structuring of QA and Compliance functions; and 

–  Oversight of a project to review UK governance and compliance 

arrangements. 

Nomination Committee 

Chairman: 
Charles Gregson (Company Chairman) 

Members: 
Les Owen (Independent Non-Executive Director) 
Paul Stobart (Chief Executive Officer) 

Key objective: 
To assist the Board in ensuring that the Board and its Committees comprise 
individuals with the requisite skills, knowledge and experience to ensure 
they are effective in discharging their responsibilities. 

Key responsibilities: 
–  Carry out a formal selection process for Executive and Non-Executive 
Directors and propose to the Board any new appointments (including 
recommending Directors appointed during the year for election by 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting after their appointment). 
Ultimate responsibility for the appointment of Directors resides with 
the Board; 

–  Oversee succession planning for Directors and senior managers below 

Board level;  

–  Regularly review the structure, size and composition (including the skills, 
knowledge experience and diversity) required of the Board and make 
recommendations to the Board with regard to any change; 

–  Make recommendations to the Board in respect of membership of the 
Audit, Risk & Compliance, Remuneration and Governance Committees 
in consultation with the Chairmen of those Committees; and  

–  Make recommendations to the Board on the reappointment of any Non-

Executive Director at the conclusion of their specified term of office, with 
due regard to their performance and ability to continue to contribute to the 
Board in the light of the knowledge, skills and experience required. 

Diversity 

The Board considers itself diverse in terms of the background and 
experience each individual member brings to the Board, although recognises 
the benefits that greater diversity at the most senior levels of the Company 
may bring. With this in mind, the Terms of Reference of the Nomination 
Committee require that in each appointment to the Board, the Nomination 
Committee must “consider candidates on merit and against objective 
criteria, and with due regard for the benefits of diversity on the Board, 
including gender” in identifying and recommending candidates. 

Governance Committee 

Chairman: 
Charles Gregson (Company Chairman) 

Members: 
Duncan McIntyre (Independent Non-Executive Director) 
John Titchener (Group General Counsel and Company Secretary) 

Key objective: 
To review governance procedures in the Group to ensure they are fit 
for purpose and consistent with current best practice and to make 
recommendations to the Board about governance procedures. 

Key responsibilities: 
–  Recommend governance arrangements to the Board that enable the 

Group to have sound and effective systems and controls for governance 
and oversight, comply with relevant legislation and regulations, and adopt 
proportionality in recommended best practice in corporate governance; 

–  Consider, determine and review governance policies with regard to 

corporate governance, ethics, business principles, international trading 
regulation issues and data preservation and protection in the UK and  
other territories; 

–  Receive regular reports on the effectiveness of, and compliance with, 

governance policies by the legal entities, committees, lines of business, 
management, employees and agents; 

–  Review the governance structure within lines of business, including the 
approval of the terms of reference of any committee or forum; and 

–  Manage conflicts of interest. 

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20 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Corporate Governance statement continued 

Membership and meetings 
In addition to Committee members, other individuals and external advisers 
attend at the request of the Committee Chairman. During the year, senior 
management, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Group Legal Director, have 
attended meetings to report to the Committee and provide clarification and 
explanations where appropriate. 

Main activities of the Committee during the year 
During the year the Committee has dealt with the following matters: 

–  Composition of Regulated Company Boards and Conflicts of Interest 

management; 

–  The Group’s compliance procedures and controls; 

–  The form and content of Board reporting and management information; 

–  Oversight of a project to review the UK compliance and 

governance framework; 

–  Review of governance of the overseas businesses; and 

–  FCA interactions. 

Remuneration Committee 

The full details of the composition and work of the Remuneration 
Committee are provided in the Remuneration Report set out on  
pages 30 to 35. 

Internal control 

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of internal 
control and for monitoring its effectiveness. The Audit Committee has been 
in operation throughout the year and the Risk & Compliance Committee 
since March 2012. These Committees oversee the Group’s system of 
internal control. Material risk or control matters, together with the 
appropriate remedial action, are reported to the Board by the Risk & 
Compliance Committee and/or the Audit Committee. The Board monitors 
the on-going process by which critical risks to the business are identified, 
evaluated and managed. This process is consistent with the Turnbull 
Guidance on Internal Control and the revised guidance issued by the 
Financial Reporting Council in October 2005, and has been in place for the 
year under review and up to the date of approval of the Annual Report and 
Accounts. The key elements of the Group’s system of internal control 
include regular meetings of the subsidiary company boards, together with 
annual budgeting, monthly financial reporting, key performance indicators 
and operational reporting for all businesses within the Group.  

Compliance is monitored by management, the Group’s Compliance and Risk 
Management departments, Internal Audit and, to the extent it considers 
necessary to support its audit report, the external Auditor. Included in the 
description of Regulatory risk on page 25 are the actions and initiatives taken 
by the Board to improve the effectiveness of its regulatory compliance, 
some of which are currently in train.  

The Board assesses the effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal 
control (including financial, operational and compliance controls and risk 
management systems) on the basis of: 

–  Established procedures, including those already described, which are in 

place to manage perceived risks; 

–  Reports by management to the Board on specific aspects of the Group 

system of internal control and significant control issues; 

–  The continuous Group-wide process for formally identifying, evaluating 
and managing the significant risks to the achievement of the Group’s 
objectives; and 

–  Reports to the Audit Committee and the Risk & Compliance Committee 
on the results of internal audit reviews and work undertaken by other 
departments including Risk Management, Compliance and Information 
Security. 

The Group’s system of internal control is designed to manage rather than 
eliminate risk of failure to achieve the Group’s objectives and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material mis-
statement or loss. In assessing what constitutes reasonable assurance,  
the Board considers the materiality of financial and non-financial risks  
and the relationship between the cost of and benefit from the system  
of internal control. 

The Board regularly reviews the actual and forecast performance of  
the business compared with the annual plan, as well as other key 
performance indicators. 

Lines of responsibility and delegated authorities are clearly defined.  

The Group’s policies and procedures are regularly updated and distributed 
throughout the Group. The Audit Committee and the Risk & Compliance 
Committee receive reports on a regular basis on compliance with the 
Group’s policies and procedures. 

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee and the Risk & Compliance 
Committee confirm that through discharging their responsibilities under  
their terms of reference as described on pages 17 to 19, they have reviewed 
the effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal controls and are able  
to confirm that necessary actions have been or are being taken to remedy 
any identified failings or weaknesses. In response to some of the findings  
of the FCA investigation, significant investment was made during 2012  
to review and improve the Governance of the business. Working with 
external consultants, we implemented a new Governance framework and 
strengthened the Compliance function in the UK. During 2013 we continue 
to work towards embedding these changes throughout the Group. 

Homecare Insurance Limited and Card Protection Plan Limited (insurance 
and insurance intermediary companies of the Group respectively) are  
subject to regulation by the FCA and as such undertake a solvency/capital 
adequacy assessment process on a regular basis. Outputs from these 
assessments are subject to review and approved by the individual Boards  
of these companies and are reviewed by the FCA from time to time.  
The assessments include consideration of the risks that the Group’s 
business faces in its operating environment, the assessment of the 
likelihood of the risks crystallising and their potential materiality and the 
effectiveness of the control framework in mitigating each risk. 

The purpose of each assessment is to establish the level of capital 
resources that the business should maintain, both under current market 
conditions and under a range of scenarios, in order to ensure that financial 
resources are sufficient to successfully manage the effects of any risks that 
may crystallise.  

Homecare Insurance Limited is subject to the European Commission’s 
Solvency II Directive. The Directive is aimed at producing a more  
consistent solvency standard for insurers across Europe, ensuring that 
capital requirements are more reflective of the risks being accepted.  
The implementation date for the Directive is uncertain. 

During the year Homecare Insurance Limited entered into a three year 
outsourcing contract with a reputable third party to secure operational 
capability independent from other Group companies. This investment 
significantly reduces the operational risk that Homecare Insurance Limited 
faced in relying entirely on other Group operations. The outsourcing  
contract also gives Homecare Insurance Limited independent Business 
Continuity Protection in case its existing operations are disrupted. 

 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

21

The Risk Management and Internal Audit departments’ review the  
extent to which the system of internal control is effective, is adequate to 
manage the Group’s significant risks and safeguard the Group’s assets  
and, in conjunction with the Company Secretary and the Group’s Legal  
and Compliance teams, ensure compliance with legal and regulatory 
requirements. It provides independent and objective assurance on risks  
and controls to the Board and senior management. 

Internal Audit’s work is focused on areas of greatest risk to the Group, as 
determined by a structured risk assessment process involving Executive 
Directors and senior management. The output from the process is 
summarised in an annual audit plan, which is approved by the Audit 
Committee. The Head of Internal Audit reports regularly to the Audit 
Committee and Chief Financial Officer. 

The role of Internal Audit and the scope of its work continue to evolve to 
take account of changes within the business and emerging best practice. 

In June 2012 the FCA presented a Risk Mitigation Plan (RMP) to the Boards 
of Card Protection Plan Limited and Homecare Insurance which identified 
certain weaknesses in the internal control systems of those companies. 
Specific actions taken to address those perceived weaknesses include: 

–  A full review of the Group’s Governance and Compliance functions, 

resulting in the implementation of a new governance framework and a  
re-structuring of the Group’s Compliance and Quality Assurance teams,  
to ensure greater independence and objectivity; 

–  Implementation of new Board reporting packs with improved 
management information ensuring greater transparency; 

–  Separation of Risk and Internal Audit functions and appointment of 

dedicated heads of each of those teams; 

–  Appointment of an independent third party to provide a Business 

Continuing Plan for Homecare Insurance Limited (described in more detail 
on page 20); 

–  Group Risk & Compliance and Audit Committees separated and a UK-

specific Risk Committee appointed; 

–  New Business Incident Management system implemented in the UK; and 

–  A detailed transition plan, including these and other actions, agreed with 

the FCA and progress reviewed with them on a regular basis. 

Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2010 

The Directors consider that the Company has been in full compliance 
throughout the year with the provisions set out in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the Code), as published by the Financial Reporting 
Council in May 2010 and available on its website www.frc.org.uk except as 
described below: 

The Board has not appointed a Senior Independent Non-Executive Director. 
A decision as to who should take up the role of Senior Independent Non-
Executive Director remains under consideration by the Board.  

Following the resignation of Patrick De Smedt the Board does not meet the 
requirement that at least half of the Board members should be independent, 
non-executive directors, although it continues to meet the Code requirement 
for smaller companies that at least two members of the Board are 
independent non-executive directors. 

The Directors are not subject to annual re-election. The Articles of 
Association of the Company require a Director appointed during the year  
to be reappointed at the next annual general meeting of the Company.  
In addition, all Directors are reappointed no less frequently than every third 
annual general meeting. The Board, however, has agreed to be subject  
to annual election at this year’s Annual General Meeting as referred to  
on page 16.  

Going concern 

In reaching their view on the preparation of the Group’s financial statements 
on a going concern basis, the Directors are required to consider whether  
the Group can continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 
Having taken external advice in this regard, the Directors have considered 
the risks and uncertainties facing the Group, which include trading, customer 
redress, liquidity and the ability to finance and repay debt together with 
actions taken by the Directors to address them. In this assessment the 
Directors have inter alia taken the following into consideration:  

Operational and trading matters 

–  The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect 
its future development, performance and position which are set out in 
pages 1 to 13. The trading results, particularly in the UK, have been and 
will continue to be adversely affected by the agreement of the Group’s 
subsidiaries Card Protection Plan Ltd (CPPL) and Homecare Insurance 
Limited (HIL) with the FCA to the VVOPs in November 2012. Amongst 
other requirements, the VVOPs do not permit CPPL or HIL to make new 
sales of regulated retail products. CPPL and HIL make up the majority of 
the Group’s sales in the UK and in certain EEA countries specifically, Italy, 
Ireland and Portugal. In addition, the CPPL customer redress exercise 
agreed with the FCA and scheduled to be implemented later in 2013, 
together with the associated publicity, will have an adverse impact on  
the Group’s ability to generate new business and renew business with 
existing customers. 

–  Actions taken by the Group to right-size operations including the closure 
of the Chesterfield site in the UK, redundancy programmes in the UK, 
some streamlining of the Group’s organisational structure to remove 
redundant management roles and reductions in planned capital 
expenditure, all of which have reduced costs. The Group expects to  
carry out a number of further cost reduction initiatives and there is a risk 
that following these initiatives, operational resources may be impacted 
adversely in the short term, preventing the business from continuing to 
operate effectively. 

Regulatory issues and customer redress uncertainties 

–  The potential impact of customer redress on the continued resources 

which may be required by the business, including a number of 
assumptions around the size of population and customer response rates 
within a redress exercise. There is a risk that the response rates and the 
size of population may reach a level which cannot be funded under the 
revised funding arrangements. Although it is anticipated that the Scheme 
will become effective in the second half of 2013, it is not certain that the 
Scheme will proceed. 

–  The Directors have identified and disclosed contingent liabilities which are 
detailed in note 35 of the financial statements. These contingencies relate 
to uncertainty in some of the Group’s operations and the industry in which 
it operates in the UK. These include possible industry-wide action by the 
FCA with regard to products that the UK business sells together with an 
industry-wide thematic review by the FCA into MPI products which  
could result in other claims or matters being raised against the Group. 
However, at present the FCA has not expressed any final view and as a 
result the Directors have determined that no definitive conclusions can  
be formed at this stage. 

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22 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Corporate Governance statement continued 

Uncertainties relating to liquidity and funding 

–  The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and 
existing borrowing facilities which are described on pages 9 to 13.  
The Group’s liquidity has been impacted by the maturity of the revolving 
credit facility, the requirement to fund redress, and the CPPL and HIL 
VVOPs which restrict the disposition of their assets, which has resulted  
in significant cash balances being held and maintained in these entities. 
The Group’s liquidity is further restricted by the terms of the extended 
short term financing facility by an undertaking to maintain £12 million in  
a blocked account within CPPL. It is anticipated that this restriction will  
be removed as part of any longer term financing and the Directors have  
a reasonable expectation that liquidity will be sufficient, noting that if 
negotiations relating to the longer term financing become protracted 
beyond the expected timetable it will become more difficult to meet  
the undertaking in relation to the aforementioned £12 million.  

–  Following the maturity of the existing debt facility at 31 March 2013,  
the Group has agreed to an extension of its borrowing facilities to 30 
September 2013. The extension of the funding agreement is dependent 
on the completion of the disposal of the North American business as a 
condition subsequent, this disposal is subject to shareholder approval at a 
General Meeting scheduled for 3 May 2013. The gross cash consideration 
of the disposal of $40 million (approximately £26.1 million) will be utilised 
in part to reduce the Group’s borrowings from £43.5 million at 31 
December 2012 to £25 million. The majority of costs associated with  
the disposal have already been incurred. Although the Group’s majority 
shareholder, Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston CBE, has made an 
irrevocable commitment to vote in favour of the disposal, there remains a 
residual risk that circumstances prevent the completion of the disposal, 
for example due to a material adverse change to the North American 
business. However, the Directors consider this is unlikely. The Directors 
believe that there is a reasonable prospect that they will be able to secure 
longer term funding during the extended debt facility and before the date 
of its expiry on 30 September 2013. The Group continues to engage in 
discussions with Barclays, RBS and Santander, together with its major 
shareholder to refinance the Group for a three year term. There is a risk 
that the lenders or Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston CBE cannot agree to 
the conditions of the three year financing.  

Given the possible impact of the operational and trading uncertainties, 
regulatory issues and customer redress uncertainties, and uncertainties 
relating to liquidity and funding as noted above, there is material uncertainty 
that casts significant doubt as to the Group and Company's ability to 
continue as a going concern, and therefore it may be unable to realise  
its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.  
As a result of this material uncertainty the Audit report on page 36,  
whilst unqualified, includes an emphasis of matter in this regard. 

However, having considered the above uncertainties and all the available 
information, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has 
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future and accordingly the Directors have continued to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 

 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

23

The Group’s risk management framework  
is designed to identify and assess the 
likelihood and consequences of risk and to 
manage the actions necessary to mitigate 
their impact.  

In 2012, the Group split the responsibilities for risk management and internal 
audit and set up the new Group Risk & Compliance Committee (GR&C).  
In addition the risk management function has spent considerable time 
working with the business, particularly in the UK, to embed a robust risk 
management culture and approach. The result of this has been greater focus 
on root cause analysis and greater transparency of the risks reported to and 
considered by the GR&C. 

Set out below are the known principal risks and uncertainties which could 
have a material impact on the Group, together with the corresponding 
mitigating actions that have been taken. Additional risks not currently known, 
or which are currently regarded as immaterial, could also affect future 
performance.  

Going concern 

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

Financial, 
Regulatory, 
Operational 

The Group has faced, and continues to face, a 
number of significant financing, operational, 
regulatory and strategic challenges. The Group 
faces these challenges at the same time, 
increasing the risk that the Group at some point in 
the future, may not be able to continue to operate 
as a going concern. The risks described below 
detail the matters that the Directors are seeking to 
resolve. If one or a combination of these risks fully 
crystallises, this will challenge the going concern 
status of the Group. The refinancing arrangements 
currently in place are subject to conditions, the 
meeting of which would be threatened by the 
risks below increasing or crystallising. 

Mitigation 
Improvements already made and planned for the 
future in the Group’s governance, operations and 
relationships with regulators in the UK, reduce the 
likelihood of the risks materialising. The possible 
de-listing of the Group and the potential to secure 
a longer term refinancing may provide solutions  
to the on-going issues faced by the Group. 

Risk profile increased year-on-year 

Risk profile no change year-on-year 

Risk profile decreased year-on-year 

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24 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Principal risks and uncertainties continued 

Financial risks 

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

Liquidity/Capital 

Details of the Group’s arrangements to address its 
working capital requirements are included in the 
publicly available shareholder circular dated 17 
April 2013. Details of the risks associated with  
the re-financing of the Group are incorporated in 
this document, which include the risk to liquidity 
resulting from any possible de-listing and the 
relatively short term nature of the Group’s 
financing arrangements. The revised arrangement 
provides short term financing for the Group, 
although there can be no longer term certainty 
that the Group will remain a going concern. At the 
same time there can be no absolute certainty that 
the potential agreements tabled in the circular will 
be satisfactorily concluded. The Group may face 
additional risk from reputational damage as a 
result of adverse publicity which may impact on 
the revised business model being capable of 
generating sufficient revenue. The on-going 
uncertainty increases the likelihood that other  
risks highlighted in this report will crystallise  
during 2013 with the likelihood of reduced 
revenue, a less diversified business and reduced 
operating costs leading to the possible loss of  
key personnel. 

Market risks 

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

Economic and 
political 

The Group operates in a number of countries 
including some in the Eurozone. This means that 
the Group is exposed to economic, political and 
business risks such as global recession, sudden 
regulatory change, currency controls and volatility 
of taxes. 

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

Competitive 
markets 

The Group operates in a very competitive market 
place where customer decisions are typically 
based on quality, price and service. New entrants 
or consolidation of existing competitors could 
restrict the Group’s ability to meet its strategic 
objectives. There is a risk going forward that the 
Group may place reliance on operating with new 
products in new, untested markets which may  
not prove successful. 

Mitigation 
Leading up to the expiry of its existing credit 
facility on 31 March 2013 the Group was in 
lengthy discussion with its lenders and potential 
investors. As reported elsewhere, this resulted  
in the sale of the North American business  
and the agreement of an extended facility to  
30 September 2013. The Group is discussing  
a potential three year refinancing arrangement 
with its lenders and with Mr Hamish Macgregor 
Ogston CBE, who has also made an approach  
and is considering buying the shares not already 
owned by him and returning the firm to private 
ownership. The extended facility will allow the 
Group time to reduce its cost base and reposition 
the business model in order to achieve this longer 
term strategic financing solution. 

Mitigation 
The Group Executive Committee (GEC) and  
Group Operations Committee (GOC) monitor 
macro-economic trends, industry specific and 
internal indicators. 

Operating in diversified geographic markets 
mitigates the risk of over-exposure to any one 
country. 

As part of its business planning process the  
Board reviews contingency planning and  
scenario modelling. 

Mitigation 
The GEC keep a close watch on market activity. 

The Group’s strategy is to place the customer at 
the heart of its consideration of any potential 
developments 

The Group constantly seeks new distribution 
partners and conducts research and strategy 
planning towards innovative product development.

The UK business is developing a suite of 
assistance products to sell through a range  
of distribution channels. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

25

Operational risks 

Status 

  Risk 

Regulatory 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

FCA fine and VVOP restrictions: As reported  
in updates through the year, 2012 saw the 
conclusion to the FCA investigation. As  
publicised, this has resulted in a significant fine  
of £10.5 million, an extensive customer redress 
programme, yet to commence, and the restriction 
on the Group’s UK based regulated subsidiaries 
preventing the sale of their retail products in  
the UK and EEA European Economic Area) 
jurisdictions. There are still a number of 
outstanding matters to be addressed with the 
FCA before the UK can be confident that the 
VVOP restrictions will be lifted and there will be  
no further intervention from FCA in respect of 
regulatory breaches. The new sales restrictions  
on the UK business continue to have a significant 
negative impact on revenue. 

Customer redress: Current work on the  
Scheme of Arrangement to manage the redress 
programme for the mis-selling of Card Protection 
and Identity Protection products in the UK has 
made certain assumptions around the size of the 
population and the anticipated customer response 
rates. There is a risk that these assumptions will 
be materially exceeded and result in the Group  
not being able to meet its liabilities for customer 
redress with an associated impact on the Group’s 
going concern status.  

Future FCA action: Although the Group has 
worked closely to address issues identified by the 
regulator, there can be no certainty the FCA will 
not seek to pursue further action against parts  
of the Group. There is still a risk that the FCA’s 
thematic review of the sale of MPI could result  
in new action against HIL and that this action 
could impair HIL’s regulatory capital position. 

Licence to trade: The Group has a legal obligation 
to have sufficient insurance arrangements in place 
to cover the potential risks associated with the 
nature of the business. There is a risk that, as a 
direct result of the legacy issues currently being 
managed in the UK, the Group will be unable to 
acquire the Professional Indemnity insurance 
required for it to continue to carry out business. 

Operations outside the UK: Given that the 
Group operates in a number of different regions 
across the world, there is the risk that an 
operating unit may not be in compliance with  
local regulations and that it may suffer an 
investigation from local regulators. 

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Mitigation 
The Group Board and senior management  
are in constant communication with the FCA  
with a view to concluding the necessary 
outstanding actions. 

A separately managed team, led by an 
experienced senior executive, has been 
established to work closely with the 
administrators of the Scheme of Arrangement  
to ensure a properly managed conclusion to the 
redress programme and to manage the impacts  
of any variation in anticipated claims.  

The UK business has worked closely with the  
FCA on a series of agreed improvement activities 
and to date has delivered in excess of 90% of the 
agreed improvements. 

The Group Board is committed to providing 
customers with value for money products and 
services. As such, during 2012, a complete review 
of the product development and sales process  
has been conducted in the UK. In addition the 
Group has strengthened its internal governance 
processes, increasing the resources in 
Compliance, separated Risk Management and 
Internal Audit, employed experienced interim 
resources to manage the risk and audit functions 
and restructured reward packages across the 
Group to reflect the importance of risk and 
compliance. 

New processes have been introduced in the UK  
to support the identification and addressing of 
systemic weaknesses to ensure that the UK 
business is positioned to operate in a fully 
compliant manner. 

At the same time the Board recognises the need 
to further improve its oversight of activities in  
the territories outside the UK and has already 
taken steps to ensure that it has improved 
management information. 

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26 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Principal risks and uncertainties continued 

Operational risks continued 

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

Key Supplier 
Contracts 

The business model remains as previously 
reported and as such the Group places 
considerable reliance on suppliers external to the 
Group for the fulfilment of services. Due to the 
nature of the operations there are occasions 
where the Group has an exposure to a single 
supplier and is at risk from the failure of that 
supplier. This risk is currently crystallising in the 
UK where suppliers are expressing concerns 
about the financial stability of the Group. There 
remains the risk that on-going uncertainty could 
result in key suppliers withdrawing services or 
materially altering credit terms. Such changes 
could also impact on the liquidity of the Group. 

Mitigation 
The Group has taken the opportunity, as part of 
the operational review above, to improve its 
controls over suppliers and where possible 
consider ways to mitigate the risks posed by 
exposure to a single supplier. This has included 
identifying and contracting with alternative 
suppliers. 

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

Business Partner 
Retention/ 
Attraction 

The reputational damage arising from the publicity 
of the regulatory actions in the UK and, in addition, 
the sales restrictions on the Group in the UK and 
EEA jurisdictions may result in increased difficulty 
to retain commercial relationships or create new 
partnerships. Clearly this may have a detrimental 
impact on anticipated future revenue. 

Mitigation 
The Board and senior management team are 
working on a new strategy for the UK that 
includes the development of new innovative 
products, new market sectors and diversified 
channels to market. 

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

Data Security 

The nature of the Group’s business means that 
either the Group or its key Business Partners 
retain a considerable amount of sensitive data on 
behalf of its customers. Any breach of data 
security may result in a significant adverse impact 
on customers and damage to the reputation of  
the Group.  

Status 

  Risk 

  Nature of risk and potential impact 

People & 
Resources 

There is a risk that the repositioning and 
subsequent restructuring of the Group required  
to address its on-going running costs may result  
in key resources leaving the Group. The potential 
significant restructuring of the Group will inevitably 
result in a significant loss of capability and 
business knowledge as changes are made at  
all levels within the Group. Furthermore, the  
on-going uncertainty surrounding the future of  
the Group may make it difficult to attract and 
retain the skilled employees required to take  
the Group forward. 

Mitigation 
As previously reported, the Group continues to 
invest considerable time and resources into the 
protection of customer data. The Group has a 
dedicated information security team that support 
the design and implementation of solutions which 
meet PCI DSS standards. 

The Group continues to progress 
recommendations to further improve the security 
of business and customer data and to address 
recently identified areas for improvement. 

Mitigation 
Any organisational restructure will go through a 
rigorous risk assessment to ensure that the Group 
is positioned to deliver both its short and longer 
term objectives. The announced loss of Business 
Partners, particularly in the UK, provides the Group 
with the opportunity to re-evaluate the resource 
requirements and the skills required for the 
business. These will be matched against new 
products being developed by the business. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

27

The Directors present their Annual Report and audited financial statements 
of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2012. 

Principal activities 

The principal activities of the Group during the year were the provision of 
Life Assistance products with operations in the UK and overseas. CPP’s 
products and services are designed to meet a range of consumer needs,  
in particular relating to credit and debit card ownership, personal identity, 
mobile telephones, travel and the home. CPP is also active in the provision 
of Packaged Accounts where products and services are sourced to create  
a tailored package for bank account customers. The activities of the Group 
primarily focus on providing customer assistance during stressful life events 
such as loss or theft of a wallet, purse, mobile telephone or keys, as well as 
support in the event of identity theft. 

Further details of the Group’s activities and a review of the business are set 
out in the Group overview and Operating review sections of the Annual 
Report on pages 1 to 13. 

Details of the key performance indicators used by the Directors to assist in 
management of the business and to provide evidence of the achievement  
of its strategies are included on page 1. 

A description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group  
is included in the Principal Risks section of the Annual Report on  
pages 23 to 26. 

Information relating to the environment and employees is included in the 
Chief Executive Officer’s review on pages 3 and 4. 

These sections are by reference part of the Directors’ report. 

Dividends 

The Directors recommend that no final dividend be paid in respect of 2012. 
The total dividend paid for the year is nil (2011: 2.42 pence per ordinary 
share).  

Directors 

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, Paul Stobart,  
who was in his first year in office, retired from the Board at the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2012. Being eligible, he offered himself 
for re-election and was re-appointed on 16 May 2012. All other serving 
Directors also retired from the Board at the Annual General Meeting on  
16 May 2012 and, being eligible, all offered themselves for re-election  
and were re-appointed on 16 May 2012. 

The Directors who served throughout the year except as noted were as 
follows: 

Charles Gregson 
Paul Stobart 
Shaun Parker 
Hamish Ogston 
Les Owen 
Patrick De Smedt 

Chairman 
Chief Executive Officer 
Chief Financial Officer 
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director  

Duncan McIntyre 

Non-Executive Director 

(resigned  
15 November 2012) 

Details of powers of Directors, procedures for appointment and re-election 
of Directors, Directors’ indemnity insurance and procedures for managing 
Directors’ conflicts of interest are included in the Corporate Governance 
statement on pages 15 to 22. 

Biographical details for each Director are set out on page 14. Details of 
committee memberships are set out on pages 15 to 21 of the Corporate 
Governance statement. 

Details of Directors’ beneficial interests in and options over the Company’s 
shares are set out in the Remuneration report on pages 30 to 35. 

These sections are by reference part of the Directors’ report. 

AGM 

The Annual General Meeting of the Company is to be held on 17 June 2013. 
The notice of the Annual General Meeting and an explanation of the non-
routine business are set out in the explanatory circular that accompanies  
this Annual Report. The notice of the Annual General Meeting specifies 
deadlines for exercising voting rights and appointing a proxy or proxies to 
vote in relation to resolutions to be passed at the meeting.  

Capital structure 

Details of the issued share capital, together with movements in the 
Company’s issued share capital for the period, can be found in note 32 to 
the financial statements. The Company has one class of capital, ordinary 
shares, which carry no right to fixed income. Each fully paid share carries  
the right to one vote at a general meeting of the Company. 

Details of the Group’s employee share schemes are set out in note 33.  

A special resolution was passed at the Company’s Annual General Meeting 
on 16 May 2012 which allows the Directors to allot shares up to an 
aggregate amount equal to one third of the Company’s existing issued 
ordinary share capital.  

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Company's Articles of Association and subject  
to the provisions of the applicable regulations, statutes and subordinate 
legislation, the Company is entitled to purchase its own shares. 

The Company did not purchase any of its own shares during the year. 

Change of control provisions 

Some agreements to which the Company or its subsidiaries are a party may 
be at risk of termination by counterparties in certain restricted circumstances 
in the event of a change of control of the Company. Furthermore, the 
Directors are not aware of any agreements between the Company and its 
Directors or employees that provide for compensation for loss of office or 
employment that occurs because of a takeover bid.  

Supplier payment policy 

The Group’s policy is to agree terms of payment with all suppliers, ensure 
that these terms are understood, and abide by the agreed terms of 
payment. At 31 December 2012 invoiced trade creditors were equivalent  
to 20 days’ purchases (2011: 18 days), based on the average daily amount 
invoiced by suppliers during the year.  

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28 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Directors’ report continued 

Charitable and political donations 

Auditor 

During the year donations to local charities made by the Group amounted to 
£21,000 (2011: £31,000).  

Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this report 
confirms that: 

No political donations were made during the year (2011: £nil). 

–  So far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of 

which the Company’s Auditor is unaware; and  

–  The Director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a 

Director in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information 
and to establish that the Company’s Auditor is aware of that information. 

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the 
provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006. 

Deloitte LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office as 
Auditor. Accordingly, a resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at  
the Annual General Meeting. 

By order of the Board 

John Titchener  
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary 

29 April 2013  

Substantial shareholdings 

On 29 April 2013, the Company had been notified, in accordance with the 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority, of the 
notifiable interests in the ordinary share capital of the Company set out in the 
table below. As far as the Directors are aware, as at 29 April 2013 no person 
had a beneficial interest in 3% or more of the voting share capital except for 
the following: 

Name 

Hamish Ogston 
Schroder Investment Management Ltd 

Ordinary 
shares 
(thousands) 

98,021 
26,502 

% 

57% 
15% 

Hamish Ogston holds 57% of the issued shares of the Company. Under  
the terms of a Relationship Agreement between Hamish Ogston and the 
Company dated 18 March 2010, for so long as Hamish Ogston (or any 
person connected to him) holds, in aggregate, 30 per cent. or more of the 
ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (or the attached voting rights in 
these shares) Hamish Ogston (and each person connected to him) shall not: 

–  Vote in favour of, or propose, any resolution to amend the Company's 
Articles of Association which would be contrary to the principle of the 
independence of the Company from Hamish Ogston (and each person 
connected to him); 

–  Take any action which precludes any member of the Group from carrying 

on its business independently of Hamish Ogston (and each person 
connected to him); and 

–  Take any action (or omit to take any action) to prejudice the Company's 
status as a listed company or its suitability for listing, or the Company's 
compliance with the Listing Rules and Disclosure Rules, save in 
circumstances of a takeover or merger of the Company.  

Going concern 

The Directors have prepared the financial statements on a going concern 
basis consistent with their views, formed after making appropriate enquiries, 
as outlined in the Corporate Governance statement on pages 21 and 22, 
which is by reference part of the Directors’ report. 

 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

29

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts 
in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each 
financial year. Under that law the Directors are required to prepare the 
consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS’) and Article 4 
of the IAS Regulation and have elected to prepare the Company financial 
statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable 
law). Under company law the Directors must not approve the accounts until 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs  
of the Company and the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for  
that period. 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: 

–  The financial statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant 

financial reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and 

–  The business review, which is incorporated into the Directors’ report and 
the Group overview and Operating review sections of 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 consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, International Accounting 
Standard 1 requires that Directors: 

By order of the Board 

Paul Stobart 
Chief Executive Officer 

29 April 2013 

Shaun Parker 
Chief Financial Officer 

29 April 2013

–  Properly select and apply accounting policies; 

–  Present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that 

provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information; 

–  Provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific 

requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand  
the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on  
the Group’s financial position and financial performance; and 

–  Make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a  

going concern. 

In preparing the Company financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

–  Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

–  Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

–  State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, 

subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 
statements; and 

–  Prepare the Company financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue  
in business.  

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 
are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose 
with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company 
and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the 
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets 
of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate and financial information included on the Company's website. 
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in  
other jurisdictions. 

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30 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Remuneration report 

This report has been prepared on behalf of 
the Board by the Remuneration Committee 
and is in accordance with the provisions  
of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) and 
schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) Regulations 2008. The report  
also meets the relevant requirements of  
the Listing Rules. In accordance with the 
Act, a resolution will be proposed at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting  
of the Company to approve this report. 

The Act requires the independent Auditor to report to the members of 
the Company on certain information contained in the report and to state 
whether, in the Auditor’s opinion, that information has been properly 
prepared in accordance with the Act. The report has, therefore, been 
divided into two sections, showing the audited and unaudited 
information separately. 

Throughout the year, the Remuneration Committee has complied with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 2010. This report sets out the policy  
for the financial year just ended, for the forthcoming year and, subject to  
on-going review, for subsequent years. 

Remuneration Committee 

Advisers 
New Bridge Street (NBS) has served as independent adviser to the 
Committee throughout the year (NBS being a brand of Aon Hewitt Limited). 
In addition to advising the Committee, NBS also provides advice to the 
Company on implementing decisions made by the Committee. Neither NBS 
nor any other part of the Aon Corporation Group provides any other services 
to the Group.  

The Committee met six times in the year and is scheduled to meet four 
times in the forthcoming financial year. Additional meetings may be held 
should any matters arise that require the consideration of the Committee. 

Remuneration policy 
The remuneration of Executive Directors comprises both fixed and variable 
elements. Fixed remuneration is basic salary, pension and flexible benefits, 
and variable performance-related remuneration is in the form of an annual 
cash bonus (partly paid in cash and partly deferred in shares) and long term 
incentive arrangements. Significant weighting is given to the variable 
element of pay which will be derived from the Company’s performance, 
which is strongly aligned to shareholder value creation.  

Both the Board and the Committee recognise the importance of an effective 
remuneration policy in the achievement of the Group’s successful financial 
performance. The aim of the remuneration policy is to: 

–  Provide overall remuneration to Executive Directors that is competitive 
and sufficient to attract, motivate and retain individuals of the quality 
required to deliver successful performance; and 

–  Align rewards with the Group’s performance. 

It is the intention of the Committee to ensure the remuneration policy 
strongly aligns the interests of the Executive Directors with those 
of shareholders and the Company. For example, this is demonstrated 
by the payment of no annual bonus for the 2012 financial year and the 
absence of any base salary increase for the Executive Directors for 
the forthcoming year.  

Chairman: 
Duncan McIntyre (Independent Non-Executive Director) 

It is the Remuneration Committee’s view that the current executive 
remuneration policies are in line with best practice.  

In determining executive remuneration, the Committee has regard to 
pay levels and structures elsewhere in the Group in ensuring that pay 
is coherent overall. Regular interaction between the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee and the Company’s HR function ensures 
that this is the case. 

The Company’s approach to non-executive remuneration is set by the Board 
with account taken of the time and responsibility involved in each role, 
including where applicable the Chairmanship of Board Committees.  

In line with the Association of British Insurers’ Guidelines on Responsible 
Investment Disclosure, the Committee will ensure that the incentive 
structure for the Executive Directors and senior management will not  
raise environmental, social or governance (ESG) risks by inadvertently 
motivating irresponsible behaviour. More generally, with regard to the  
overall remuneration structure, there is no restriction on the Committee 
which prevents it from taking account of ESG matters. 

Members: 
Charles Gregson (Company Chairman) 
Les Owen (Independent Non-Executive Director) 

Unaudited information 

Key objective 
The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) has responsibility for, on 
behalf of the Board, determining the remuneration policies and practices 
for the Executive Directors, the Group Operations Committee, the  
Company Chairman and the Group-wide remuneration policy more broadly. 
In implementing these policies and practices the Company aims to  
support the implementation of a business strategy which creates value  
for shareholders over time.  

The Committee’s terms of reference are available from the Company 
Secretary on request or on the Company’s website www.cppgroupplc.com. 

Membership and meetings 
Patrick De Smedt was a member and Chairman of the Committee until 
his resignation on 15 November 2012, at which time Duncan McIntyre 
was appointed as a member and Chairman of the Committee in his place. 
The Chief Executive Officer, the Group HR Director and the Director of Tax 
& Treasury assisted both the Board and the Committee as required, albeit 
taking no part in discussions directly relating to their own remuneration. 
The Company Chairman absents himself from discussions with respect 
to his own pay. 

 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

31

Key activities 
Key activities of the Committee are to: 

–  Carry out an annual strategic review of the remuneration framework  
for Executive Directors and the Group Operations Committee to  
ensure that the remuneration policy supports the Company’s strategic 
goals as explained in the Group overview section of the Annual  
Report & Accounts; 

–  Determine the remuneration and benefits packages of individual 

Executive Directors and senior executives within the framework of  
the Group’s agreed remuneration policy; 

–  Determine the remuneration of the Chairman; 

–  Review remuneration arrangements for the Group; 

–  Set and review performance targets for Executive Directors and the 

Group Operations Committee; 

–  Assess annually the Company’s and individuals’ performance against 

targets to determine the level of executive bonus;  

–  Approve and grant awards under the Company’s long term  

incentive plans; 

–  Determine and review the contractual terms of Executive Directors; and 

–  Review the governance arrangements for global remuneration. 

Remuneration for Executive Directors 
The main components of the remuneration package for Executive  
Directors are: 

Basic salary 
Basic salary for each Executive Director is determined by the Committee 
taking into account the roles, responsibilities, performance and experience  
of the individual and pay levels elsewhere in the Group. The Committee’s 
policy is to adopt a broadly median base salary positioning vis à vis 
appropriate comparable benchmark companies. 

Executive Bonus Scheme 
The Company’s senior executives, including the Executive Directors, 
participate in the Executive Bonus Scheme. For the 2012 financial year, the 
maximum bonus award that could be achieved was 100% of basic salary, 
with the on-target amount 50% of basic salary. The Executive Bonus 
Scheme payment was dependent upon the overall Group performance and 
individual performance measures. For the 2012 financial year, 70% of an 
executive’s bonus was based on Group performance and 30% was based 
on the achievement of personal objectives and KPIs set for the role. 

Group performance, which determined 70% of an Executive Director’s 
maximum bonus, was based upon the Group’s underlying operating profit 
against stretching targets set at the start of the year. This element could  
also be subject to a quality of earnings adjustment as determined by  
the Committee.  

The criteria used to determine the remaining 30% were based on  
personal objectives such as customer satisfaction and retention,  
product development and international expansion.  

In light of the Group’s financial performance in 2012, no Executive Director, 
and no member of the Group Executive Committee, received a bonus in 
relation to the 2012 financial year. 

Whilst all Group Operations Committee members contribute to the overall 
Group performance, the performance of the relevant region is also taken  
into consideration for those below Board Executives with regional 
responsibilities. Regional performance is assessed following a review of  
the regional growth, delivery of regional objectives and a judgement of the 
financials against a quality of earnings assessment. The exact percentage 
award is agreed by the Committee and approved by the Board on an 
individual basis. 

The concept of annual bonus clawback applies to bonuses, which permits 
the Company to reclaim or reduce payments if it subsequently comes to 
light that the performance upon which bonuses were paid was incorrect or 
is required to be restated. 

Salaries were reviewed in January 2013, following which, the Committee 
decided there should be no increase in Executive Directors’ salary (as per 
the table below) or for senior management. Across the Group as a whole, no 
basic pay increases are planned, except in certain of our overseas operations 
where there is a market requirement or a contractual or statutory obligation.  

The Company intends that the senior executives, including the Executive 
Directors, will participate in an Executive Bonus Scheme for the 2013 
financial year. This Scheme will be structured on the same basis as the 
Scheme for the 2012 financial year in terms of maximum bonus opportunity 
and the use of financial and personal objectives.  

Salary to  
31 December 
2012  
£’000 

Current salary 
effective from 
1 January 
2013 
£’000 

450 
268 

450 
268 

% 

0% 
0% 

P Stobart 
S Parker 

Pension arrangements  
An employer contribution of up to 15% of base salary is paid into a private 
pension scheme of the Executive Director’s choice. Where it is not tax 
efficient to receive a pension payment, the Executive may request a cash 
payment in lieu. The Committee does not compensate for changes in the 
tax consequences of the payment. 

Benefits 
Each Executive Director is a member of the Company’s flexible benefits 
fund. Paul Stobart is entitled to an allowance of £20,000 per annum and 
Shaun Parker to a £15,000 allowance per annum. In addition Paul Stobart  
is entitled to a sum, after the deduction of income tax and employees’ 
National Insurance Contributions, equal to £1,500 per month to cover travel 
expenses. Each Executive Director is entitled to 30 days’ holiday per annum. 

Part of the 2013 bonus will reward achievement of milestones relating to the 
Group’s recovery. It is hoped that these milestones will be achieved during 
the course of the year and, if so, the Committee envisages that it may be 
appropriate to make payment of elements of the bonus relating to such 
achievements as and when they occur.  

The Committee acknowledges that the Executive Directors have  
performed very well under difficult conditions, achieving many of their 
personal objectives. 

Deferred Share Bonus Plan 
The Committee supports the principle that the payment of a proportion of 
any annual bonuses paid in future periods should be deferred and paid in 
Company shares as it further aligns executives with shareholders. 

Accordingly, annual bonuses awarded under the Executive Bonus Scheme 
are also subject to the Deferred Share Bonus Plan (DSBP) arrangements. 
Any bonuses awarded up to 50% of maximum potential (i.e. up to target 
bonus) will be paid as cash. Where the bonus exceeds 50% of maximum 
potential (i.e. is above target), half of the additional bonus above target will 
be paid as cash and half will be deferred into awards over shares under the 
DSBP. Deferred shares will vest on the third anniversary of grant subject to 
continued employment at the Company. 

As under the Executive Bonus Plan, the concept of clawback applies to 
DSBP awards. 

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32 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Remuneration report continued 

Long term incentive schemes 
For Executive Directors, only one long term incentive plan operates, which 
can be summarised as follows:  

2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
Under this plan, Executive Directors and key individuals may each year be 
issued awards over ordinary shares in the Company up to a maximum of 
200% of salary. However, the Committee’s normal policy is to grant LTIP 
awards not exceeding a face value of 125% of salary and 100% of salary  
to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer respectively.  
Lower levels of awards are made to less senior executives. 

The normal policy prior to 2012 has been for awards to have a three year 
vesting period and be subject to performance conditions relating to adjusted 
Earnings Per Share (EPS) and Total Shareholder Return (TSR) as follows: 

–  75% of the award has been dependent on the satisfaction of an EPS 
performance target. EPS is measured over the three years following  
grant and vesting will occur on the following basis: 

EPS growth over the performance period 

Less than 12% p.a. 
Equal to 12% p.a. 
Equal to or greater than 17% p.a. 
Between 12% p.a. and 17% p.a. 

Vesting percentage of 75%  
of the total award 

0% 
25% 
100% 
On a straight-line basis 

The above EPS targets, at the discretion of the Committee, may be 
amended if RPI over the performance period is negative or greater than  
4% p.a. The EPS calculation is based on a fully diluted basis, adjusted for 
taxation and other items to reflect underlying financial performance. 

25% of the award has been dependent upon the Company’s TSR 
performance over a single three year period against the constituents of  
the FTSE 250 (excluding any Investment Trusts). Vesting for this portion  
of the award will occur on the following basis: 

TSR ranking against the comparator group 

Below median 
Median 
Upper quintile 
Between median and upper quintile 

Vesting percentage of 25 
% of the total award 

0% 
25% 
100% 
On a straight-line basis 

In addition, and notwithstanding the Company’s TSR performance, this  
part of the award subject to the TSR condition will only vest to the extent 
that the Committee is satisfied that the underlying financial performance 
over the vesting period warrants the level of vesting under the TSR 
performance condition. 

The Committee considered that this combination of performance conditions 
was the most appropriate way of rewarding Executive Directors because  
it took into account both the long term returns to shareholders and the 
Group’s financial growth. The TSR performance condition is monitored on 
the Committee’s behalf by NBS whilst the Group’s EPS growth is derived 
from the audited financial statements. 

LTIP Awards made in 2012 were subject to different performance conditions 
to the above. At its meeting on 16 May 2012, the Committee agreed that 
the following two interdependent performance conditions would apply to 
the Award: 

–  The Award would be subject to a performance condition under the terms 
of which the Company’s TSR performance would be ranked against the 
TSR of a comparator group comprising the companies constituting the 
FTSE SmallCap (excluding investment trusts) on the date of grant of  
the Award.  

–  The TSR based performance condition would normally be measured over 
a three year period starting on the date of grant of the Award and would 
be satisfied if the Company’s TSR was at least at the median of a ranking 
of the TSR of each of the members of the comparator group over the 
same period. 

If the TSR condition is not satisfied then no part of the Award would be 
capable of vesting and the Award would lapse. If the TSR condition is 
satisfied, then the number of shares capable of vesting under the Award 
shall be determined by reference to a performance condition based on the 
achievement of absolute average share price targets measured at the end  
of a three-year performance period commencing on the date of grant of  
the Award.  

As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the performance period, 
the Committee shall determine the highest average share price and the 
number of shares (if any) in respect of which the Award may vest in 
accordance with the following table: 

Highest Average Share Price 

Percentage of Award Vesting 

Below 75 pence 
75 pence (the “Threshold Target”) 
150 pence or higher (the “Maximum Target”)  100% 
Between 75 pence and 150 pence 

0% 
25% 

Between 25% and 100%  
on a straight-line basis 

It is anticipated that any future LTIP Awards will be subject to the same 
performance conditions as the 2012 awards. 

Paul Stobart’s 2011 LTIP Award was granted subject to whatever 
performance conditions would apply to 2012 grants, so long as he was 
made a further award in 2012 prior to the end of six weeks from the day 
after the announcement of the Company’s 30 June 2012 half year results.  
If no award was made to him in this time period, the performance  
conditions which would apply to his 2011 grant would be those subject  
to all other 2011 LTIP awards. Since he was granted an award in 2012  
in the stated time period, his 2011 award became subject to the 2012 
performance conditions. 

Other share plans 
2010 Restricted Stock Plan (RSP) 
The RSP is a non-performance based share plan aimed at incentivising the 
second level of management across the Group and Executive Directors are 
not eligible to participate. Employment is the only performance condition 
attached to this plan. 

UK Save As You Earn Scheme (SAYE) 
The Company launched a Save As You Earn scheme (ShareSAVE Plan)  
in September 2010 and made an additional offer in September 2011.  
All employees in the UK, including Executive Directors, are eligible to 
participate in the SAYE scheme. Options were granted under this scheme  
in September 2010 at an option price of 198 pence and in September 2011 
at an option price of 125 pence, in each case representing a discount of  
20% to the market value applicable at the time of grant. Consistent with 
HMRC rules, the scheme is not subject to any performance criteria other 
than employment. No offer was made under this scheme in 2012. 

 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

33

extended at the liberty of the Board) normally terminable on one month’s 
notice by either party. Non-Executive Directors are included in the 
requirement for all Directors to stand for election by the shareholders at  
the Annual General Meeting following their initial appointment and to  
stand for re-election on a three year rolling basis thereafter. 

With regard to the current Non-Executive Directors, Charles Gregson 
entered into a Non-Executive appointment letter with CPPGroup Plc on  
14 January 2010. It had been agreed that from Admission the terms of his 
engagement be transferred to the Company. Hamish Ogston entered into a 
Non-Executive appointment letter with the Company which was conditional 
on and effective from Admission on 24 March 2010, although he was 
appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the new holding Company at the 
date of incorporation on 9 February 2010. Les Owen was appointed on 21 
September 2010 and Duncan McIntyre was appointed on 1 January 2011. 

Share ownership guidelines 
Pursuant to a letter agreement with Hamish Ogston dated 18 March 2010, 
Charles Gregson has agreed, from Admission, to apply all of the net fees he 
receives from his position as Chairman of the Company to making on-market 
purchases of shares in the Company, until he has committed, in total, at 
least £250,000 in purchasing shares.  

Paul Stobart, the Chief Executive Officer, agreed to commit 50% of the 
post-tax gain from any vested shares in the form of shares held until the 
qualifying holding of the equivalent of one and a half year’s salary is met.  

Shaun Parker, the Chief Financial Officer, agreed to commit 50% of the 
post-tax gain from any vested shares in the form of shares held, until the 
qualifying holding of the equivalent of one year’s salary is met. These 
arrangements only apply to share awards made on or after Admission  
and not to any awards under the legacy plans. 

Each Non-Executive Director has agreed to commit to making on-market 
purchases of shares in the Company, within a two year period from the date 
of their appointment, until they have committed in total to at least £50,000 in 
the purchasing of such shares.  

Although it remains their intention, the Directors have been limited in their 
ability to fulfil the above commitments by the restrictions on insider share-
dealing imposed by the Listing Rules. 

Performance graph 
Total shareholder return (£’m)

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150

120

90

60

30

0

18 March
2010

31 December
2010

31 December
2011

31 December
2012

●  CPPGroup Plc  ● FTSE 250 Index  ● FTSE SmallCap Index
This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2012, of £100 invested in 
CPPGroup Plc at the Offer Price as stated in the Prospectus, compared 
with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE 250 and the FTSE Small Cap 
Indices from the start of trading. 

Source: Thomson Reuters

The graph illustrates the TSR performance on a cumulative basis with 
dividends reinvested as at the end of the financial year compared with the 
FTSE 250 and FTSE SmallCap Index, being the equity market indexes in 
which CPPGroup Plc has been a member since Admission. 

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Dilution limits 
In line with the ABI guidelines the rules of the above incentive schemes 
provide that: 

Commitments to issue new shares or re-issue treasury shares, when 
aggregated with awards under all of the Company’s other schemes, must 
not exceed 10% of the issued ordinary share capital in any rolling 10 year 
period commencing on Admission of the Group’s shares to the London 
Stock Exchange (Admission); and  

Commitments to issue new shares or re-issue treasury shares under 
executive (discretionary) schemes should not exceed 5% of the issued 
ordinary share capital of the Company in any rolling 10 year period 
commencing on Admission.  

Current headroom under these limits is 5.7% and 0.9% respectively.  

Service contracts 
Shaun Parker is employed under a service agreement with CPPGroup Plc 
dated 1 January 2010 which is subject to a notice period to and from the 
Company of six months. 

Paul Stobart is employed under a service agreement with CPPGroup Plc 
dated 16 September 2011 which is subject to a notice period to and from 
the Company of 12 months. 

The Company may terminate the employment of Executive Directors by 
making a payment in lieu of notice equivalent to basic salary and fixed 
benefits only. 

Currently neither of the Executive Directors holds a non-executive director 
role elsewhere. 

The Articles of Association require a Director to stand for election by 
shareholders at the first Annual General Meeting following their appointment 
and by rotation every three years thereafter.  

Non-Executive Directors 
Non-Executive Directors receive a fixed fee for their services to the Group. 
These fees are set for each individual Non-Executive Director by the Board 
on an annual basis. Fee levels for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors 
reflect the time commitment in preparing for and attending meetings and 
the responsibility and duties of the positions. The policy is to pay a market 
rate against other companies of a similar size and complexity. Non-Executive 
Directors are not entitled to any other benefits, pension arrangements or to 
participate in the Group’s share incentive schemes.  

Details of annual fees for 2012 are provided in the table below: 

Basic 
annual 
fee 
£’000 

Audit 
Committee 
Chairman 
£’000 

Remuneration 
Committee 
Chairman 
£’000 

Risk & 
Compliance 
Committee 
Chairman 
£’000 

Charles 
Gregson 
Duncan 
McIntyre* 
Hamish 
Ogston 
Les Owen  Non-Executive 

Non-Executive 
Chairman 
Non-Executive 
Director 
Non-Executive 
Director 

Patrick De 
Smedt* 

Director 
Non-Executive 
Director 

125 

40 

40 

40 

40 

10 

10 

10 

*  Patrick De Smedt was the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee until his resignation from the 
Board on 15 November 2012 at which time Duncan McIntyre was appointed as Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee. 

There are no service agreements for Non-Executive Directors. However, a 
formal letter of appointment is issued to all Non-Executive Directors to 
confirm the terms of their appointment. Non-Executive appointment terms 
provide for an initial period of appointment of three years (which may be 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Governance 

Remuneration report continued 

Audited information 

The remuneration and benefits payable to each Director in respect of their services for the year ended 31 December 2012 are set out in the following table. 

Executive Directors 
Paul Stobart 
Shaun Parker 
Non-Executive Directors 
Charles Gregson 
Duncan McIntyre 
Hamish Ogston 
Les Owen 
Patrick De Smedt* 
Aggregate emoluments 

2012 
Basic annual 
salary 
£’000 

2012 
Annual 
Benefits 
£’000 

2012 
Annual 
Bonus** 
£’000  

2012  
Annual 
pension 
contribution  
£’000 

450 
268 

125 
50 
40 
50 
44 
1,027 

58 
15 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
73 

– 
 –  

–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
– 

68 
40 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
108 

2012 
Total 
£’000 

576 
323 

125 
50 
40 
50 
44 
1,208 

2011 
Total 
£’000 

144 
323 

125 
40 
40 
50 
50 
772 

*  Patrick De Smedt resigned from the Board on 15 November 2012. 

** Annual bonus awards are subject to the provisions of the Deferred Share Bonus Plan. 

Note: Eric Woolley resigned from the Board on 1 October 2011 and his employment ceased on 22 March 2012. During the period from 1 January 2012 until 22 March 2012 he received a salary of £94,000, 
pension contributions of £15,000 and other benefits of £5,000. 

Share options, long term incentives and potential future awards and entitlements to shares 
Long Term Incentive Plans 
Details of awards held, granted and exercised in respect of the LTIPs are detailed below. 

Director 

Paul Stobart 

Shaun Parker 

As at 
1 January 
2012 

566,794 

190,978 

Granted 
in year 

801,862 

381,758 

Exercised  
in year 

– 

– 

Lapsed 
in year 

– 

– 

As at 
31 December 
2012 

1,368,656 

572,736 

The 2012 LTIP awards for Paul Stobart and Shaun Parker were granted as nil cost options on 16 May 2012 and vest on 16 May 2015 subject to 
performance conditions. When awards were granted the market value of shares was £0.48. Awards vest subject to continued employment and the 
satisfaction of performance conditions as set out on page 32. 

The market price of ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2012 was 13p and the range during the year was 5.5p to 119p. 

Deferred Share Bonus Plan 

Director 

Shaun Parker 

As at 
1 January 
2012 

9,967 

Granted 
in year 

– 

Exercised  
in year 

– 

Lapsed 
in year 

– 

As at 
31 December 
2012 

9,967 

The market price of ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2012 was 13p and the range during the year was 5.5p to 119p. 

SAYE Share Option Plan 
Details of options held, granted and exercised in respect of the SAYE scheme are detailed below. 

Director 
Shaun Parker 

As at 
1 January 
2012 

4,545 

Granted 
in year 

– 

Exercised 
in year 

– 

Lapsed  
in year 

– 

As at 
31 December 
2012 

4,545 

Exercise 
Price 
£ 

1.98 

There were no additional grants to Executive Directors under the SAYE scheme during the year.  

The market price of ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2012 was 13p and the range during the year was 5.5p to 119p. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

35

Legacy Plans  
Prior to Admission, the Company operated the CPP Executive Share Option Plan 2005 (the 2005 Plan) and the CPP Group Holdings Exit Plan 2008 (the 2008 
Plan) for which options were outstanding. Conditional upon Admission, all outstanding options under the Legacy Plans (the Old Options) were automatically 
surrendered in consideration for the grant of an equivalent new option over Ordinary Shares (the New Options). The exchange was determined on the basis 
that for every one share in CPPGroup Plc held under the Old Options immediately prior to the Share for Share Exchange, the holder of that Old Option was 
granted a New Option over 16 Ordinary Shares in CPPGroup Plc. The exercise price per share of the New Options was equal to the exercise price per share 
of the Old Options reduced by a factor of 16, so that immediately following the surrender and exchange of Old Options for New Options the aggregate 
exercise cost of the New Option is the same as the aggregate exercise cost of the Old Option. The rules of the Legacy Plans were applied to the New 
Options save that references in the rules to the “Company” and “Shares” are construed as meaning the Company and Ordinary Shares. 

The options in the Legacy Plans were exercisable as follows: 50% on 24 March 2010, 25% on 24 March 2011 and 25% on 24 March 2012. There are no 
performance conditions attached to these shares other than those relating to employment. 

The following options are held by Shaun Parker under the 2005 Plan and the 2008 Plan.  

Director 

Shaun Parker 

Legacy Plan 

2005 
2008 
Loan note1 

Option price 

£2.28 
£1.79 
n/a 

As at 
1 January 
2012 

415,648 
352,000 
117,613 

Granted 
in year 

– 
– 
– 

Exercised 
in year 

– 
– 
117,613 

Lapsed  
in year 

As at 
31 December 
2012 

– 
– 
– 

415,648 
352,000 
– 

Expiry date 

21/12/19 
19/06/18 
n/a 

Certain option holders in the 2005 Plan hold loan notes which have similar vesting conditions to the options under the 2005 Plan. The above table shows the 
value of these loan notes. 

The market price of ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2012 was 13p and the range during the year was 5.5p to 119p. 

Directors’ shareholdings 
The Directors of the Company have beneficial interests in the Company’s ordinary shares as follows: 

Interest in ordinary shares of 10 pence each 

Executive Directors 
Paul Stobart 
Shaun Parker 
Non-Executive Directors 
Charles Gregson 
Duncan McIntyre 
Hamish Ogston  
Les Owen 

31 December 
2012  
Beneficial 

31 December 
2012 
Non-beneficial 

– 
9,600 

157,873 
13,340 
98,021,288 
22,984 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

Total 

– 
9,600 

157,873 
13,340 
98,021,288 
22,984 

There have been no purchases of shares by Directors since 31 December 2012 to the date of this report.  

Approval of report 

The Committee considers that the various components of the Directors’ remuneration set out above combined to produce an overall package that achieves 
an appropriate alignment between the interests of the Directors and those of the shareholders and the Company. 

The Directors’ Remuneration report was approved by the Board on 29 April 2013 and signed on behalf of the Board by 

Duncan McIntyre 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

29 April 2013

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36 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Independent Auditor’s report to the  
members of CPPGroup Plc 

We have audited the financial statements of CPPGroup Plc for the year 
ended 31 December 2012 which comprise the consolidated income 
statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the 
consolidated and Company balance sheets, the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity, the consolidated cash flow statement and the related 
notes 1 to 52. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in  
the preparation of the group financial statements is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied  
in the preparation of the parent company financial statements is applicable 
law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice). 

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit 
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s 
members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 
report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we 
do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company 
and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, 
or for the opinions we have formed. 

Respective responsibilities of Directors and Auditor 

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

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 

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

Opinion on financial statements 

In our opinion: 

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

Group’s and of the Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2012 and of  
the Group’s loss for the year then ended; 

–  the consolidated financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 

–  the Company financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice; and 

–  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 

requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
consolidated financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

–  Page 22 and note 35 regarding material uncertainties in relation to the 

quantification of the provision in relation to customer redress and possible 
future contingent expenditures.  

–  The total financial impact in relation to these issues is subject to 

significant uncertainty, in particular the regulatory and redress issues 
which are dependent on certain factors outside of the control of the 
Group. In addition, the Group’s ability to remain a going concern relies 
upon its compliance with the terms of the extension to the revolving 
credit facility and the securing of longer term funding on expiry of that 
facility on 30 September 2013, both of which eventualities are open to 
significant uncertainty relating to the successful implementation of certain 
strategic and financing options. These conditions indicate the existence of 
a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, that it may be  
unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal 
course of business.  

–  Having considered these matters, the Directors have concluded that it  
is appropriate to prepare these financial statements on a going concern 
basis. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that  
would result if the Group or the Company were unable to continue as a 
going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of these matters. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 

–  In our opinion: 

–  the part of the Remuneration report to be audited has been properly 

prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and 

–  the information given in the Directors’ report for the financial year for 
which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the 
financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following: 

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

–  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or 
returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches  
not visited by us; or 

–  the Company financial statements and the part of the Remuneration 

report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records 
and returns; or 

–  certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not 

made; or 

–  we have not received all the information and explanations we require  

for our audit. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

–  the Directors’ statement, contained within the Corporate Governance 

statement, in relation to going concern;  

–  the part of the Corporate Governance statement relating to the 

Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code; and 

–  certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on  

Directors’ remuneration. 

Emphasis of matter 

–  In forming our opinion on the financial statements, which is not modified, 

we have considered the adequacy of the following disclosures: 

–  Pages 21 and 22 of the Annual Report and Accounts concerning 

operational and trading uncertainties; regulatory issues and customer 
redress uncertainties; uncertainties relating to liquidity and funding; and 
the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in the light of these 
factors; and  

Chris Powell 
(Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
Leeds, United Kingdom 

29 April 2013 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated income statement 

For the year ended 31 December 2012 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

37

Continuing operations 
Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Administrative expenses 
Exceptional items 
Other administrative expenses 

Total administrative expenses 
Share of loss of joint venture 
Operating (loss)/profit 

Operating profit before exceptional items 

Operating (loss)/profit after exceptional items 
Investment revenues 
Other gains and losses 
Finance costs – non-derivative instruments 

(Loss)/profit before taxation 
Taxation 

(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 
Profit for the year from discontinued operations 

(Loss)/profit for the year 

Attributable to: 
Equity holders of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share  
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Total 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Total 

Note 

2012 
£’000 

269,869 
(162,295) 

107,574 

(43,942) 
(80,902) 

(124,844) 
(477) 

26,195 

(17,747) 
580 
(891) 
(1,869) 

(19,927) 
(1,474) 

(21,401) 

4,171 

(17,230) 

(17,118) 
(112) 

(17,230) 

 Pence  

(12.42) 
2.43 

(9.98) 

 Pence  

(12.13) 
2.38 

(9.75) 

6 

20 

10 
11 
12 

13 

7 

16 

15 
15 

15 
15 

2011 
restated  
(note 3) 
£’000 

300,384 
(175,146) 

125,238 

(17,990) 
(83,151) 

(101,141) 
(1,181) 

40,906 

22,916 
407 
– 
(1,749) 

21,574 
(9,647) 

11,927 

6,124 

18,051 

18,215 
(164) 

18,051 

 Pence  

7.06 
3.58 

10.64 

 Pence  

7.03 
3.56 

10.59 

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38 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

For the year ended 31 December 2012 

(Loss)/profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income and expenses 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year net of taxation 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Attributable to: 
Equity holders of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

2012 
£’000 

(17,230) 

(616) 

(616) 

2011 
£’000 

18,051 

120 

120  

(17,846) 

18,171 

(17,734) 
(112) 

(17,846) 

18,335 
(164) 

18,171 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet 

As at 31 December 2012 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

39

Non-current assets 

Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment in joint venture 
Deferred tax asset 

Current assets 

Insurance assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Assets classified as held for sale 

Total assets 
Current liabilities 

Insurance liabilities 
Income tax liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank loans 
Provisions 

Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale 

Net current (liabilities)/assets 
Non-current liabilities 

Bank loans 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 

Total liabilities 
Net assets 

Equity 

Share capital 
Share premium account 
Merger reserve 
Translation reserve 
Equalisation reserve 
ESOP reserve 
Retained earnings 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 

Non-controlling interest 

Total equity 

Approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 April 2013 and signed on its behalf by: 

Paul Stobart 
Chief Executive Officer 

Shaun Parker 
Chief Financial Officer 

Company registration number: 07151159

Note 

17 
18 
19 
20 
29 

21 
22 
23 
24 

16 

25 

26 
27 
28 

16 

27 
29  
26 
28 

32 

25 

2012 
£’000 

1,478 
15,458 
13,316 
– 
2,902 
33,154 

27,241 
299 
29,034 
53,198 
109,772 
20,007 
129,779 
162,933 

(7,525) 
(2,379) 
(56,587) 
(43,408) 
(28,967) 
(138,866) 
(7,130) 
(145,996) 
(16,217) 

– 
(716) 
(6,500) 
– 
(7,216) 
(153,212) 
9,721 

17,111 
33,297 
(100,399) 
1,840 
7,984 
11,638 
38,250 
9,721 
– 
9,721 

2011 
£’000 

16,521 
22,626 
14,473 
– 
1,987 
55,607 

24,552 
329 
30,667 
54,924 
110,472 
– 
110,472 
166,079 

(8,878) 
(2,818) 
(67,884) 
– 
(11,393) 
(90,973) 
– 
(90,973) 
19,499 

(43,041) 
(634) 
– 
(4,279) 
(47,954) 
(138,927) 
27,152 

17,106 
33,300 
(100,399) 
2,456 
6,423 
11,606 
56,824 
27,316 
(164) 
27,152 

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40 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

For the year ended 31 December 2012 

Share  
capital 
£’000 

Share 
premium 
account 
£’000 

  Note 

Merger 
reserve 
£’000 

Translation 
reserve 
£’000 

Equalisation 
reserve 
£’000 

ESOP 
reserve 
£’000 

Retained 
earnings 
£’000 

Non-
controlling 
interest 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

Total 
Equity 
£’000 

At 1 January 2011 

  17,024 

32,301  

(100,399) 

2,336 

6,196 

9,599 

52,728 

19,785 

– 

19,785 

Total comprehensive 
income 

Movement on 
equalisation reserve 
Current tax credit on 
equalisation reserve 
movement 
Equity settled share 
based payment charge 
Deferred tax on share 
based payment charge 
Exercise of share 
options 
Dividends 

25 

13 

13 

32 
14 

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

82  
– 

 999 
–  

–  

120 

–  

–  

18,215 

18,335 

(164)  

18,171 

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
–  

227 

–  

–  

–  

–  
–  

–  

–  

(227) 

–  

60 

60 

2,169 

–  

2,169 

–  

(1,027) 

(1,027) 

(162) 
– 

–  
(12,925) 

919 
(12,925) 

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
–  

– 

60 

2,169 

(1,027) 

919 
(12,925) 

At 31 December 2011 

  17,106 

33,300  

(100,399) 

2,456 

6,423 

11,606 

56,824 

27,316 

(164) 

27,152 

Total comprehensive 
income 

Movement on 
equalisation reserve 
Current tax credit on 
equalisation reserve 
movement 
Equity settled share 
based payment charge 
Deferred tax on share 
based payment charge 
Exercise of share 
options 
Adjustment arising  
from change in non-
controlling interest 

At 31 December 2012 

–  

–  

–  

– 

–  

5 

25 

13 

13 

32 

–  
  17,111 

–  

–  

–  

 – 

–  

(3) 

–  

–  

(616) 

–  

–  

(17,118) 

(17,734) 

(112) 

(17,846) 

1,561 

–  

(1,561) 

–  

–  

382 

382 

34 

–  

 (2) 

– 

(1) 

– 

34 

(1) 

– 

–  

–  

–  

–  

– 

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

– 

–  

–  

–  

–  

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

382 

34 

(1) 

– 

– 

9,721 

33,297 

(100,399) 

1,840 

7,984 

11,638 

38,250 

–  

(276) 

(276) 

9,721 

276 

– 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated cash flow statement 

For the year ended 31 December 2012 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

41

Net cash from operating activities 
Investing activities 
Interest received 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment 
Purchases of intangible assets 
Costs associated with disposal of discontinued operations 
Investment in joint venture 

Net cash used in investing activities 
Financing activities 
Dividends paid 
Repayment of bank loans 
Proceeds from new bank loans 
Interest paid 
Issue of ordinary share capital 

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

Analysed as: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Note 

34 

24 
16 

2012 
£’000 

11,086 

589 
(2,485) 
(3,807) 
(905) 
(477) 

(7,085) 

– 
– 
– 
(1,520) 
2 

(1,518) 

2,483 
(372) 
54,924 

57,035 

53,198 
3,837 

57,035 

2011 
£’000 

41,547 

423 
(3,297) 
(9,334) 
– 
(997) 

(13,205) 

(12,925)  
(1,500) 
17,000  
(1,452) 
1,081 

2,204 

30,546 
(662) 
25,040 

54,924 

48,682 
6,242 

54,924 

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42 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

1. General information 

CPPGroup Plc is a company incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 and domiciled in the United Kingdom. Its registered office  
is Holgate Park, York, YO26 4GA. The Group comprises CPPGroup Plc and its subsidiaries. The Group’s principal activity during the year was the provision  
of Life Assistance products. 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling, the functional currency of the Company. Foreign operations are included in 
accordance with the policies set out in note 3. 

2. Adoption of new Standards 

New Standards adopted 
The following Standards and Interpretations have become effective and have been adopted in these financial statements. Their adoption has not had any 
material impact on the Group. No Standards or Interpretations have been adopted early in these financial statements. 

Standard/Interpretation 

Subject 

Amendments to IFRS 7 (October 2010) 
Amendments to IFRS 1 (December 2010) 
Amendments to IAS 12 (December 2010) 

Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets 
Severe Hyper-inflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters 
Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets 

Standards not yet applied 
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied in these financial 
statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases have not yet been adopted by the EU): 

Standard/Interpretation 

Subject 

Period first applies (Year ended) 

IAS 27 (revised May 2011) 
IAS 28 (revised May 2011) 
IFRS 10 
IFRS 11 
IFRS 12 
IFRS 13 
IAS 19 (revised June 2011) 
Amendments to IAS 1 (June 2011) 
Amendments to IFRS 1 (March 2012) 
Amendments to IFRS 7 (December 2011) 

Annual improvements to IFRSs 
Amendments to IAS 32 (December 2011) 
IFRS 9 

Separate Financial Statements 
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Joint Arrangements 
Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities 
Fair Value Measurement 
Employee Benefits 
Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income 
Government Loans 
Disclosures – Offsetting Financial Assets and  
Financial Liabilities 
(2009-2011) Cycle 
Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities 
Financial Instruments 

31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 

31 December 2013 
31 December 2013 
31 December 2014 
31 December 2015 

The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have a material impact on the Group. 

3. Significant accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 
These consolidated financial statements on pages 37 to 75 present the performance of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2012. The financial 
statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU, IFRIC interpretations and  
with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation. 
The consolidated financial statements have also been prepared under the historical cost basis. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements the comparative amounts have been restated to reflect the North American operation as discontinued. 

 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

43

3. Significant accounting policies continued 

Going concern 
The Board of Directors have, at the time of approving the consolidated financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group  
have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting 
in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Further details of the Directors’ assessment are set out in the Corporate Governance statement on 
pages 21 and 22.  

Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements include the results, cash flows and assets and liabilities of the Company and the entities under its control. Control is 
defined as the ability to govern the financial and operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. 

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition 
or up to the effective date of disposal. Adjustments are made, where necessary, to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies 
into line with Group policies. All intra-Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. 

Joint ventures 
Investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Group share of the net assets of joint ventures, including 
associated goodwill, is included in the consolidated balance sheet. 

The Group’s share of its joint ventures’ post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the consolidated income statement. When the Group’s share of 
losses in a joint venture equals or exceeds its interest in the joint venture, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or 
made payments on behalf of the joint venture. 

Non-controlling interests 
Non-controlling interests represent the portion of profit or loss and net assets in subsidiaries that is not held by the Group and is presented within equity in 
the consolidated balance sheet, separately from the Company’s equity holders. 

Exceptional items 
Items which are exceptional, being material in terms of size and/or nature, are presented separately from underlying business performance in the 
consolidated income statement. The separate reporting of exceptional items helps provide an indication of the Group’s underlying business performance. 

Government grants 
Grants receivable from government bodies are recognised to the extent that the Group has substantively met the conditions of the grant. Grants received in 
respect of which Group obligations are on-going are deferred and recognised over the period in which the conditions are fulfilled. Government grants are 
presented as a reduction in applicable expenses. 

Provisions 
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle  
that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the 
consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. 
Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows. 

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised as an 
asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably. 

Share based payments 
Prior to the Company’s shares being listed on the London Stock Exchange on 24 March 2010, the Group issued share options to certain of its  
employees through the Executive Share Option Plan (ESOP). Costs in relation to the ESOP are presented within exceptional items in the consolidated 
income statement.  

Subsequent to its listing, the Group has issued share options to certain of its employees under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), the Restricted Stock 
Plan (RSP), the Deferred Share Bonus Plan (DSBP) and the ShareSAVE Plan. Costs in relation to these plans are presented within other administrative 
expenses in the consolidated income statement. 

Share options are treated as equity settled if the Group has the ability to determine whether to settle exercises in cash or by the issue of shares.  
Share options are measured at fair value at the date of grant, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest, and adjusted for the  
effect of non-market based vesting conditions each year. Non-market vesting conditions include a change in control of the Group and are considered by  
the Directors at each year end. The fair value of equity settled share based payments is expensed in the consolidated income statement on a straight line 
basis over the vesting period, with a corresponding increase in equity, subject to adjustment for forfeited options. 

Share options are treated as cash settled if the terms of the scheme require or the Directors intend to settle share options with a cash payment.  
Cash settled options are measured at fair value at date of grant and then subsequently revalued at each year end. For cash settled share based payments,  
a liability is recognised for a proportion, based on the vesting period, of the fair value as calculated at the balance sheet date. Movements in the provision  
are charged to the consolidated income statement. 

The fair value of share options is measured by use of the Black Scholes option pricing model and Monte Carlo simulation model. 

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44 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

3. Significant accounting policies continued 

Assistance products  
Recognition of revenue  
Revenue attributable to the Group’s assistance products is generally comprised of the prices paid by customers for the assistance products net of 
underwriting fees and exclusive of any sales taxes.  

Revenue is generally split into two categories: introduction fees and claims management fees. Introduction fees are recognised on inception of the 
arrangement. Claims management fees are recognised over the period of the underlying contract and, where revenue is deferred to match the Group’s 
future servicing obligations under assistance product contracts, the amount deferred corresponds to the relevant fair values of the un-provided services.  
The amount deferred is sufficient to cover future claims handling costs and an appropriate profit margin, and is calculated by reference to historical 
experience of claims handling costs and incidence. Provisions for cancellations are made at the time revenue is recorded and are deducted from revenue. 

In the US, and for certain other of the Group’s assistance products, there are no introduction fees. In these arrangements, revenue is comprised of the 
subscriptions received from members, net of underwriting fees and exclusive of any sales taxes. These subscriptions are recognised over the life of the 
service provided. 

Wholesale, Packaged Accounts and other revenue is generally comprised of fees billed directly to Business Partners, exclusive of any sales taxes, and is 
recognised as those fees are earned. 

Non-policy revenue is comprised of fees billed directly to customers or Business Partners for services provided under separate non-policy based 
arrangements. Such revenue is recognised, exclusive of any sales taxes, as those fees are earned. 

Cost of sales  
Cost of sales attributable to the Group’s assistance products represents the costs of acquiring customers and includes marketing costs and commissions 
paid to Business Partners. Commissions are recognised in line with the revenue to which they relate. Marketing costs include all telemarketing, direct mail 
and fulfilment costs. These costs are expensed as incurred. 

Cost of sales attributable to the assistance elements of the Group’s Packaged Account and wholesale products represents the costs of providing those 
services including third party costs. This includes all mailing and fulfilment costs which are expensed as incurred. Third party costs relate to relationships 
with suppliers who provide elements of the service and are expensed as incurred. 

Insurance contracts 
Insurance contracts are those contracts that transfer significant insurance risk at the inception of the contract. Insurance risk is transferred when the Group 
agrees to compensate a policyholder if a specified uncertain future event (other than a change in a financial variable) adversely affects the policyholder.  

Recognition of revenue 
Revenue attributable to the Group’s insurance contracts comprises premiums paid by customers and is exclusive of any sales taxes and similar duties. 
Premiums from insurance policies are recognised as revenue on a straight line basis over the life of the policy. 

Provisions for unearned premiums are made, representing the part of gross premiums written that is estimated to be earned in the following or subsequent 
financial periods, on a straight line basis for each policy. The provision for unearned premiums is recorded under insurance liabilities on the consolidated 
balance sheet. 

Cost of sales 
Cost of sales attributable to the Group’s insurance contracts consists of the costs, both direct and indirect, of acquiring insurance policies, commissions, 
reinsurance premiums payable to third parties and insurance claims incurred (net of reinsurance recoveries). 

Acquisition costs are amortised over the life of the average policy. Acquisition costs which are expensed in the following or subsequent accounting periods 
are recorded in the balance sheet as deferred acquisition costs and include a proportionate allowance for commissions and post sale set up costs incurred in 
respect of unearned premium not amortised at the balance sheet date. 

Reinsurance premiums are accounted for in the same accounting period as the premiums for the related business.  

Insurance claims provisions 
Claims incurred comprise the Group’s claims payments and internal settlement expenses during the period together with the movement in the Group’s 
provision for outstanding claims over the period, including an estimate for claims incurred but not reported. Differences between the estimated cost and 
subsequent settlement of claims are recognised in the consolidated income statement in the year in which they are settled. 

Reinsurance recoveries are accounted for in the same accounting period as the related claims. 

Equalisation reserve 
An equalisation reserve has been established in accordance with the requirements of the Equalisation Reserve Rules contained within the Prudential 
Sourcebook for Insurers and the General Prudential Sourcebook. Movements on the reserve are shown as a movement between retained earnings and the 
equalisation reserve. 

Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale and discontinued operations 
Assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale when their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction and the sale is highly 
probable. Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. They are not depreciated 
or amortised from the point they are recognised as held for sale. Operations are classified as discontinued when they are either disposed or are part of a 
single co-ordinated plan to dispose, and represent a major line of business or geographical area of operation. 

 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

45

3. Significant accounting policies continued 

Goodwill 
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of an entity represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the entity recognised at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost  
and is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. 

Goodwill is not subject to amortisation but is tested for impairment annually. 

On disposal of a subsidiary or joint venture operation, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the gain or loss on disposal. 

Impairment 
For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to cash generating units. If the recoverable amount of a cash generating unit is less than its 
carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit. An impairment loss recognised  
for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period. 

Intangible assets 
Externally acquired software 
Externally acquired software is measured at purchase cost and is amortised on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life of four years. 

Internally generated software 
Internally generated intangible assets arising from the Group’s software development programs are recognised from the point at which the following 
conditions are met: 

–  An asset is created that can be identified; 

–  It is probable that the asset created will generate future economic benefits; and  

–  The development cost of the asset can be measured reliably. 

Internally generated software is amortised on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life of four years. 

Contractual arrangements with third parties 
Some of the Group’s contractual arrangements give rise to intangible assets. Where a contractual payment gives access to and control of future economic 
benefits, in the form of future renewal income streams, this amount is recognised as an asset and then amortised in line with the forecast benefits over the 
shorter of the contractual arrangement and the period when benefits are expected to arise. 

Intangible assets arising on business combinations 
Intangible assets arising from business combinations are initially stated at their fair values and amortised over their useful economic lives as follows: 

Business Partner relationships:  

In line with projected related revenues 

Business Partner relationships represent the present value of net revenues and costs expected to arise from contractual arrangements and  
non-contractual relationships with existing and pipeline Business Partners at the date of acquisition. 

Amortisation of contractual arrangements with third parties is charged to cost of sales, amortisation of all other intangible assets is charged to other 
administrative expenses. 

Impairment 
Annually the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its intangible assets to determine whether there is indication that those assets have suffered an 
impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if 
any. Recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted at their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific  
to the assets for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.  

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-
generating unit is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately. 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit may be increased to the revised estimate of its 
recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment 
loss been recognised for the asset or cash-generating unit in prior years.  

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46 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

3. Significant accounting policies continued 

Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment are shown at purchase cost, net of accumulated depreciation. 

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the costs, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its expected useful life as follows: 

Freehold property:  
Computer systems: 
Furniture and equipment: 
Leasehold improvements:  

Freehold land is not depreciated. 

40 years straight line 
4 years straight line 
4 years straight line 
Over the shorter of the life of the lease and the asset 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and bank deposits with a term from inception of three months or less, less bank overdrafts where there is 
a right to offset. Bank overdrafts are presented as current liabilities to the extent that there is no right to offset with cash balances in the same currency. 

Leases 
Operating lease rentals are charged to the consolidated income statement on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. 

Taxation 
The current tax payable is based on the taxable profit for the year. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted  
or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial 
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. 
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are regarded as recoverable and therefore 
recognised only to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiary undertakings and jointly controlled entities 
except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged 
or credited in the consolidated income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is 
also dealt with in equity. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they 
relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 

Pension costs 
Pension costs represent contributions made by the Group to defined contribution pension schemes. These are expensed as incurred. 

Foreign currencies 
In preparing the financial information of the individual entities that comprise the Group, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency 
are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the date of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of 
historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. 

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income 
and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. Exchange differences are classified as equity and transferred to the Group’s 
translation reserve.  

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

On disposal of foreign operations, the cumulative amount of exchange differences previously recognised directly in equity for that foreign operation are to 
be transferred to the consolidated income statement as part of the profit or loss on disposal. Cumulative retranslation differences have been reset to zero at 
1 January 2007, the date of transition to IFRS. 

 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

47

3. Significant accounting policies continued 

Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the consolidated balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of 
the instrument. 

Financial assets 
Trade receivables, loans, other receivables, cash, and cash equivalents that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market  
are classified as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less allowance for any 
estimated irrecoverable accounts.  

Equity instruments 
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments 
issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. 

Financial liabilities 
Financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. They are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis. 

Derivative financial instruments 
The Group’s activities expose it to the financial risks of changes in interest rates. For material risks the Group evaluates and considers the use of derivative 
financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, to reduce its exposure to interest rate movements.  

When derivatives are used they are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured to 
their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in the consolidated income statement immediately unless the derivative  
is designated and effective as a hedging instrument. 

4. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty  

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of assumptions, estimates and judgements about future 
conditions. The use of available information and application of judgement are inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual results in the future may differ 
from those reported. The key estimates and assumptions used in these consolidated financial statements are set out below. 

Critical judgements in applying accounting policies 
Going concern 
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, as the Board of Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and  
the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The going concern assessment considered the risks  
and uncertainties facing the Group, which include trading, customer redress and liquidity and the ability to finance and repay debt. Further details of the 
assessment are provided in the Corporate Governance statement on pages 21 and 22. 

Recognition of deferred tax assets 
The recognition of deferred tax assets is based upon whether it is more likely than not that sufficient and suitable taxable profits will be available in the 
future, against which the reversal of temporary differences can be deducted. Recognition, therefore, involves judgement regarding the future financial 
performance of the particular legal entity or tax group in which the deferred tax asset has been recognised.  

Key sources of estimation uncertainty 
Amortisation of deferred insurance acquisition costs 
Determining the amortisation period for deferred acquisition costs of insurance revenues requires estimation of the lives of insurance policies and 
cancellation profiles based on historical information, taking account of known events impacting on forecast lives and cancellations. Details of assumptions 
made are given in note 8. 

Changes to assumed policy lives or cancellation profiles would change the periods in which the acquisition costs are charged to the consolidated income 
statement. 

Goodwill impairment reviews 
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash generating units to which goodwill has been allocated.  
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. Details of key assumptions made are given in note 17. 

Any shortfall between the carrying amount of goodwill and its fair value is recognised as an impairment charge in the consolidated income statement. 

Customer redress and associated costs 
A customer redress and associated costs provision was established in 2011 for costs associated with the FCA investigation into the Group’s sales 
processes in the UK. At 31 December 2012 the remaining balance of the provision is £29.0 million. The provision includes anticipated compensation  
payable to customers through a customer redress exercise together with professional fees associated with the customer redress exercise.  

Approximately 75% of the remaining provision relates to an estimate for the agreed redress, this element of the provision could vary depending upon 
assumptions regarding customer response rates or size of populations. 

Contingent liabilities 
The Group has recognised contingent liabilities in respect of uncertainty in some of the Group’s operations and the industry in which it operates in the UK. 
These include possible industry wide action by the FCA with regard to products that the UK business sells together with an industry wide thematic review 
by the FCA into MPI products which could result in claims or other matters being raised against the Group, as detailed in note 35. Should the FCA seek to 
require redress for customers in relation to these matters the cost would be charged to the consolidated income statement. 

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48 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

4. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty continued 

Intangible assets arising from contractual arrangements with third parties 
Where contractual payments have given rise to future economic benefits, these amounts are carried in intangible assets and amortised over the contract 
terms. The amortisation profile is calculated in line with the forecast future benefits over the shorter of the contractual arrangement and the period when 
benefits are expected to arise. The future economic benefits are estimated by reference to future renewal performance, taking into account historical 
renewal performance and the latest assumption of response rates in a customer redress exercise. 

Changes to the estimates of renewal performance or the response rates in a customer redress exercise would change the periods in which the contractual 
payments are charged to the consolidated income statement. 

Current tax 
The Group is required to estimate the corporation tax payable for the year in each of the territories in which it operates. Applicable tax regulations are 
complex and require that judgement be exercised in calculating the taxable profit. In many countries in which the Group operates, filed tax positions remain 
open to challenge by local tax authorities for several years. Corporation tax is therefore accrued based on the Directors’ assessment of territory specific tax 
law and likelihood of settlement. 

Any changes to estimates of uncertain tax positions would be reflected in the consolidated income statement. 

5. Segmental analysis 

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the  
Board of Directors to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance. 

The Group is managed on the basis of three broad geographical regions: 

–  Northern Europe (UK, Ireland, Germany and Turkey); 

–  Southern Europe and Latin America (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Mexico and Brazil); 

–  Asia Pacific (Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, India and China). 

Segment revenues and performance have been as follows: 

Year ended 31 December 2012 
Continuing operations 
Revenue – external sales 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Depreciation and amortisation 
Other administrative expenses 

Regional operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items and joint ventures 
Share of loss of joint venture 

Exceptional items (note 6) 

Operating loss after exceptional items and joint ventures 
Investment revenues 
Other gains and losses 
Finance costs – non-derivative instruments 

Loss before taxation 
Taxation 

Loss for the year from continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 
Profit for the year from discontinued operations (note 16) 

Loss for the year 

Northern 
Europe 
2012 
£’000 

Southern 
Europe and 
Latin America 
2012 
£’000 

225,775 
(140,503) 

85,272 
(7,436) 
(58,167) 

19,669 

37,550 
(18,654) 

18,896 
(316) 
(10,470) 

8,110 

Asia 
Pacific 
2012 
£’000 

6,544 
(3,138) 

3,406 
(35) 
(4,478) 

(1,107) 

Total 
2012 
£’000 

269,869 
(162,295) 

107,574 
(7,787) 
(73,115) 

26,672 

(477) 

(43,942) 

(17,747) 
580 
(891) 
(1,869) 

(19,927) 
(1,474) 

(21,401) 

4,171 

(17,230) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

49

5. Segmental analysis continued 

Year ended 31 December 2011 – restated (note 3) 
Continuing operations 
Revenue – external sales 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Depreciation and amortisation 
Other administrative expenses 

Regional operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items and joint ventures 
Share of loss of joint venture 

Exceptional items (note 6) 

Operating profit after exceptional items and joint ventures 
Investment revenues 
Finance costs – non-derivative instruments 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation 

Profit for the year from continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 
Profit for the year from discontinued operations (note 16) 

Profit for the year 

Northern 
Europe 
2011 
£’000 

Southern 
Europe and 
Latin America 
2011 
£’000 

249,487 
(149,051) 

100,436 
(7,884) 
(58,945) 

33,607 

44,356 
(22,411) 

21,945 
(304) 
(11,011) 

10,630 

Asia 
Pacific 
2011 
£’000 

6,541 
(3,684) 

2,857 
(33) 
(4,974) 

(2,150) 

Total 
2011 
£’000 

300,384 
(175,146) 

125,238 
(8,221) 
(74,930) 

42,087 

(1,181) 

(17,990) 

22,916 
407 
(1,749) 

21,574 
(9,647) 

11,927 

6,124 

18,051 

For the purposes of resource allocation and assessing performance, operating costs and revenues are allocated to the regions in which they are earned or 
incurred. The above does not reflect additional net charges of central costs of £1,542,000 (2011: £1,185,000) presented within Northern Europe in the tables 
above which have been charged to other regions for statutory purposes. 

Segment assets 

Northern Europe 
Southern Europe and Latin America 
Asia Pacific 

Total segment assets 
Assets relating to discontinued operations 
Unallocated assets 

Consolidated total assets 

Goodwill, deferred tax and investments in joint ventures are not allocated to segments. 

2012 
£’000 

127,732 
8,244 
2,570 

138,546 
7,783 
16,604 

162,933 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

124,740 
9,348 
2,346 

136,434 
11,137 
18,508 

166,079 

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50 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

5. Segmental analysis continued 

Capital expenditure 

Continuing operations 
Northern Europe 
Southern Europe and Latin America 
Asia Pacific 

Additions from continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 
Additions for discontinued operations 

Consolidated total additions 

Revenues from major products 

Continuing operations 
Retail assistance policies 
Retail insurance policies 
Packaged and wholesale policies 
Non-policy revenue 

Revenue from continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

8,992 
8 
21 

9,021 

396 

9,417 

2012 
£’000 

3,309 
142 
55 

3,506 

43 

3,549 

2012 
£’000 

1,767 
122 
42 

1,931 

246 

2,177 

2012 
£’000 

163,766 
41,174 
56,649 
8,280 

269,869 
49,802 

319,671 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

1,994 
322 
20 

2,336 

99 

2,435 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

212,982  
38,454 
41,867 
7,081  

 300,384  
45,752 

346,136 

Major product streams are disclosed on the basis monitored by the Board of Directors. For the purpose of this product analysis, “retail assistance policies” 
are those which may be insurance backed but contain a bundle of assistance and other benefits; “retail insurance policies” are those which protect against 
a single insurance risk; “packaged and wholesale policies” are those which are provided by Business Partners to their customers in relation to an on-going 
product or service which is provided for a specified period of time; “non-policy revenues” are those which are not in connection with providing an on-going 
service to policyholders for a specified period of time. 

Disclosures in notes 8, 21 and 25 regarding accounting for insurance contracts provide information relating to all contracts within the scope of IFRS 4, and 
therefore include both retail insurance policies and the insurance components of retail assistance and packaged and wholesale policies. 

Geographical information 
The Group operates across a wide number of territories, of which the UK and Spain are considered individually material. Revenue from external customers 
and non-current assets (excluding investments in joint ventures and deferred tax) by geographical location are detailed below: 

Continuing operations 
UK 
Spain 
Other 

Total continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

External revenues 

Non-current assets 

2012 
£’000 

211,186 
21,620 
37,063 

269,869 
49,802 

319,671 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

233,859 
26,717 
39,808 

300,384 
45,752 

346,136 

2012 
£’000 

28,159 
529 
1,564 

30,252 
12,481 

42,733 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

38,698 
551 
1,084 

40,333 
13,287 

53,620 

Information about major customers 
Included in revenue arising from Northern Europe is revenue of approximately £28.8 million (2011: £13.3 million) which arose from sales to the Group’s 
largest customer. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

51

6. Exceptional items 

Customer redress and associated costs 
Regulatory penalties 
Restructuring costs 
Strategic project costs 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 
Legacy scheme share based payments 

Exceptional items included in operating (loss)/profit 
Tax on exceptional items 

Total exceptional items after tax 

Note 

28 

9 

17,18 
33 

2012 
£’000 

26,273 
8,500 
4,874 
388 
3,711 
196 

43,942 
(5,663) 

38,279 

2011 
£’000 

14,892 
2,000 
– 
– 
– 
1,098 

17,990 
(3,916) 

14,074 

The customer redress and associated costs of £26,273,000 (2011: £14,892,000) relates to the further costs required to compensate customers and 
professional fees associated with the customer redress exercise. 

Regulatory penalties of £8,500,000 (2011: £2,000,000) represents the fine imposed by the FCA as a result of its investigation into the Group’s sales 
processes in the UK. 

The restructuring costs of £4,874,000 (2011: £nil) relate to redundancy programmes and associated costs across the Group, the majority of which were 
located in the UK. 

Strategic project costs of £388,000 (2011: £nil) relate to professional costs incurred in relation to the evaluation of options available as the Group considered 
its refinancing. 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of £3,711,000 (2011: £nil) relates to the write down of the CPP Travel Services Limited goodwill and business 
relationship intangible asset balances of £3,120,000 in total, a decision taken by the Directors as a result of the historical trading performance of the 
company. £591,000 impairment relates to the contractual arrangement intangible, which reflects the impact the expected response rates in a customer 
redress exercise would have on the discounted forecast cash flows of the arrangement. 

7. (Loss)/profit for the year 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Total 

(Loss)/profit for the year has been arrived at after 
charging/(crediting): 
Operating lease charges 
Net foreign exchange gains 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets  
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant  
and equipment 
Customer redress and associated costs 
Regulatory penalties 
Strategic project costs 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 

Share based payments 
Restructuring costs 
Other staff costs 

Total staff costs 

Movement on allowance for doubtful  
insurance receivables 
Government grant income 

19 
18 

6 
6 
6 
6 
33 
6 

9 

21 

Note 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

2,407 

(203)   

3,119 
8,766 

(14)   

14,892 
2,000 
– 
– 
2,190 
– 
54,505 

56,695 

2,318 
(41) 
2,652 
8,648 

135 
26,273 
8,500 
388 
3,711 
37 
4,874 
49,294 

54,205 

– 
– 

(125)   
(325)   

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

216 

(2)   

121 
84 

1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
69 
– 
8,867 

8,936 

– 
– 

2012 
£’000 

202 
– 
246 
102 

– 
– 
– 
2,715 
– 
– 
– 
8,920 

8,920 

– 
– 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

2,520 
(41) 
2,898 
8,750 

135 
26,273 
8,500 
3,103 
3,711 
37 
4,874 
58,214 

63,125 

– 
– 

2,623 
(205) 
3,240 
8,850 

(13) 
14,892 
2,000 
– 
– 
2,259 
– 
63,372 

65,631 

(125) 
(325) 

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52 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

7. (Loss)/profit for the year continued 

Fees payable to Deloitte LLP and their associates for audit and non-audit services are as follows: 

Payable to the Company’s Auditor for the audit of the Company and consolidated financial statements 

Fees payable to the Company’s Auditor and their associates for other services to the Group: 

– Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries, pursuant to legislation 

Total audit services 
Audit related assurance services 
Taxation compliance services 
Other taxation advisory services 
Corporate finance services 
Other services 

Total non-audit services 

2012 
£’000 

65 

349 

414 

242 
52 
28 
246 
37 

605 

1,019 

2011 
£’000 

 58 

 429 

 487 

59 
 39  
9 
–  
64 

 171  

 658 

Included in fees payable to Deloitte LLP and their associates is £289,000 (2011: £111,000) in relation to discontinued operations. This includes £226,000  
of audit related assurance services which was for the audit of the US GAAP accounts of CPPNA Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries for the period to  
30 September 2012. This audit was associated with preparing the Group’s North American business for disposal. 

Corporate finance services of £246,000 (2011: £nil) relates to the preparation of a working capital report on the Group to support the issue of the circular 
seeking approval of the disposal of CPPNA Holdings Inc. which is a Class 1 transaction for the Group. 

8. Insurance revenues and costs 

Revenues and costs arising from all of the Group’s insurance contracts as defined by IFRS 4 are set out below. An analysis of the Group’s retail insurance 
only policies is set out in note 5. 

Revenue earned from insurance activities 

Gross premiums written 
Change in provision for unearned premiums 

Earned premiums 

Costs incurred from insurance activities 

Reinsurance premiums incurred 
Claims paid 

– Gross amount 
– Reinsurer’s share 
– Increase/(decrease) in provision for gross claims 
– Decrease in provision for reinsurance claims 

Acquisition costs 
– Costs incurred 
– Movement in deferred acquisition costs 

Other expenses 

2012 
£’000 

86,625 
2,242 

88,867 

2012 
£’000 

7,299 

38,331 
(5,155) 
960 
(225) 

33,911 

15,782 
5,085 

20,867 
18,602 

80,679 

2011 
£’000 

 77,044  
 1,425 

 78,469  

2011 
£’000 

 6,289  

 25,824  
 (3,572) 
 (180)  
 (607)  

 21,465 

 20,707  
 (139)  

 20,568 
 15,773  

 64,095  

The following assumptions have a significant impact on insurance revenues and costs: 

–  Unearned premiums on prepaid insurance policies are recognised as revenue on a straight line basis over the life of the policy. 

–  Deferral of acquisition costs: Post sale set up costs are recognised on a straight line basis over the expected life of the policy. Commission costs are 
recognised on a straight line basis from the end of the initial acceptance period over the expected life of the relevant policies, taking account of the 
expected levels of cancellations. 

Changes to the expected life of classes of policies will therefore impact the period in which these items are recognised.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

53

9. Staff costs 

Staff costs during the year (including Executive Directors) 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Total 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Restructuring costs 
Share based payments (see note 33) 
Pension costs 

Average number of employees 

Continuing operations 
Northern Europe 
Southern Europe and Latin America 
Asia Pacific 

Total continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

47,312 
5,803 
– 

 2,190    
 1,390    
56,695 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

8,032 
661 
– 
69 
174 

8,936 

2012 
£’000 

8,019 
643 
– 
– 
258 

8,920 

2012 
£’000 

42,934 
5,102 
4,874 
37 
1,258 

54,205 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

50,953 
5,745 
4,874 
37 
1,516 

63,125 

2012 

1,218 
263 
51 

1,532 
179 

1,711 

 55,344  
 6,464  
– 
 2,259  
 1,564  

 65,631  

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 

1,577 
275 
48 

1,900 
191 

2,091 

Details of remuneration of Directors are included in the Remuneration report on pages 30 to 35. 

10. Investment revenues 

Interest on bank deposits 

11. Other gains and losses 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Total 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

407 

2012 
£’000 

580 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

16 

2012 
£’000 

9 

2012 
£’000 

589 

2011 
£’000 

 423 

2012 
£’000 

891 

2011 
£’000 

–  

On 31 December 2012 the Group disposed of I-Deal Promotions Limited and Concepts for Travel Limited which resulted in a loss on disposal of £891,000. 
Further details are provided in note 31. 

12. Finance costs – non-derivative instruments 

Bank loan interest 

Amortisation of capitalised loan issue costs 
Other 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Total 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

1,316 

366 
67 

2012 
£’000 

1,458 

367 
44 

1,869 

1,749 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

– 
– 
46 

46 

2012 
£’000 

– 

– 
18 

18 

2012 
£’000 

1,458 

367 
62 

2011 
£’000 

1,316 

366 
113 

1,887 

1,795 

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54 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

13. Taxation 

Continuing operations 
Current tax charge: 
UK corporation tax 
Foreign tax 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total current tax 

Deferred tax (credit)/charge: 
Origination and reversal of timing differences 
Impact of change in UK tax rates 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total deferred tax 

Total continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

5,370 
3,435 
(82) 

8,723 

1,169 
164 
(409) 

924 

9,647 
608 

10,255 

2012 
£’000 

610 
2,211 
(1,019) 

1,802 

(788) 
306 
154 

(328) 

1,474 
3,191 

4,665 

UK corporation tax is calculated at 24.5% (2011: 26.5%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year. Taxation for other jurisdictions is calculated at the 
rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The Finance Act 2012, which provides for a reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax to 23% effective 
from 1 April 2013 was enacted on 17 July 2012. As this rate was substantively enacted prior to 31 December 2012, it has been reflected in the UK deferred 
tax balance at 31 December 2012. 

The UK Government has indicated that it intends to enact further reductions in the main tax rate to 21% from 1 April 2014 and 20% from 1 April 2015. 
These changes to the main tax rate have not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and, therefore, are not included in these financial 
statements. 

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the (loss)/profit per the consolidated income statement as follows: 

(Loss)/profit before tax on continuing operations 

Effects of:  
Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 24.5% (2011: 26.5%) 
Regulatory penalties 
Movement in unprovided deferred tax 
Derecognition of deferred tax asset previously provided 
Net expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Overseas tax losses not recognised 
Higher tax rates on overseas earnings 
Joint venture results presented net of taxation 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Impact of change in future tax rates on deferred tax 
Shortfall of share option charge compared to tax allowable amount 

Total tax charged to income statement 

2012 
£’000 

(19,927) 

(4,882) 
2,083 
843 
1,436 
1,156 
463 
418 
117 
(865) 
306 
399 

1,474 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

21,574 

5,717 
530 
– 
– 
741 
705 
315 
313 
(491) 
164 
1,653 

9,647 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

55

13. Taxation continued 

Income tax (credited)/charged to reserves during the year was as follows: 

Current tax credit: 
Movement on equalisation reserve 

Total current tax 

Deferred tax charge/(credit): 
Timing differences on equity settled share based charge 
Other short term timing differences 

Total deferred tax 

Total tax (credited)/charged to reserves 

14. Dividends 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year are as follows: 

Final dividend paid for the year ended 31 December 2011 of nil pence per share (2010: 5.12 pence per share) 
Interim dividend paid for the year ended 31 December 2012 of nil pence per share (2011: 2.42 pence per share) 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period 

The Directors have not proposed a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012. 

2012 
£’000 

(382) 

(382) 

4 
(3) 

1 

(381) 

2012 
£’000 

– 
– 

– 

2011 
£’000 

 (60) 

 (60) 

1,027  
– 

 1,027  

 967 

2011 
£’000 

 8,776 
 4,149  

12,925 

15. (Loss)/earnings per share 

Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share have been calculated in accordance with IAS 33 “Earnings per Share”. Underlying earnings per share have also 
been presented in order to give a better understanding of the performance of the business. 

(Loss)/earnings 

(Loss)/earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted  
earnings per share 
Exceptional items (net of tax) 

Earnings for the purposes of underlying basic and diluted 
earnings per share 

Number of shares 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Total 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
£’000 

2012 
£’000 

(21,289) 
38,279 

12,091 
14,074 

2011 
restated 
(note3)  
£’000 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

6,124 
69 

(17,118) 
40,887 

18,215 
14,143 

2012 
£’000 

4,171 
2,608 

16,990 

26,165 

6,779 

6,193 

23,769 

32,358 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic (loss)/earnings per share 
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares: share options 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted (loss)/earnings per share 

Number 
(thousands) 

Number 
(thousands) 

171,457 
4,095 

175,552 

171,210 
787 

171,997 

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56 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

15. (Loss)/earnings per share 

Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share: 
Basic 
Diluted 

Basic and diluted underlying earnings per share: 
Basic 
Diluted 

16. Discontinued operations 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Total 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
Pence 

7.06 
7.03 

2012 
Pence 

(12.42) 
(12.13) 

9.91 
9.68 

15.28 
15.21 

2011 
restated 
(note 3) 
Pence 

3.58 
3.56 

3.62 
3.60 

2012 
Pence 

2.43 
2.38 

3.95 
3.86 

2012 
Pence 

(9.98) 
(9.75) 

2011 
Pence 

10.64 
10.59 

13.86 
13.54 

18.90 
18.81 

As at 31 December 2012 the Board was committed to the disposal of CPPNA Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, which carried out all of the Group’s  
North American operations, and had initiated a sale process with reasonable expectation of shareholder approval. Subsequent to the year end the Group 
announced that it had reached agreement to sell CPPNA Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, subject to shareholder approval. The disposal is expected to 
complete in the second quarter of 2013 for gross consideration of $40 million (approximately £26.1 million), further details are provided in notes 37 and 38. 

In accordance with IFRS5 ‘Non-Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’ the business has been classified in the consolidated balance 
sheet within assets and associated liabilities classified as held for sale, and presented as discontinued operations. 

The consolidated income statement, analysis of exceptional items, summary of cash flows and assets and liabilities of this business are set out below: 

(i) Consolidated income statement 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Administrative expenses 
Exceptional items 
Other administrative expenses 

Total administrative expenses 
Operating profit 

Operating profit before exceptional items 

Operating profit after exceptional items 
Investment revenues 
Finance costs – non-derivative instruments 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation 

Profit for the year 

(ii) Exceptional items 

Costs associated with disposal 
Legacy scheme share based payments 

Exceptional items included in operating profit 
Tax on exceptional items 

Total exceptional items after tax 

(iii) Summary of cash flows 

Net cash flows from operating activities 
Net cash flows from investing activities 
Net cash flows from financing activities 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow 

2012 
£’000 

49,802 
(26,578) 

23,224 

(2,715) 
(13,138) 

(15,853) 

10,086 

7,371 
9 
(18) 

7,362 
(3,191) 

4,171 

2012 
£’000 

(2,715) 
– 

(2,715) 
107 

(2,608) 

2012 
£’000 

3,703 
320 
(6,973) 

(2,950) 

2011 
£’000 

45,752 
(27,084) 

18,668 

(69) 
(11,837) 

(11,906) 

6,831 

6,762 
16 
(46) 

6,732 
(608) 

6,124 

2011 
£’000 

– 
(69) 

(69) 
– 

(69) 

2011 
£’000 

4,468 
(647) 
(3,003) 

819 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

57

2012 
£’000 

11,934 
204 
343 
290 

12,771 

3,399 
3,837 

7,236 

20,007 

(6,530) 
(469) 

(6,999) 

(131) 

(131) 

(7,130) 

12,877 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

16,521 
(539) 
(2,570) 
(11,934) 

1,478 

16,536 
(15) 
– 
– 

16,521 

16. Discontinued operations continued 

(iv) Assets and liabilities 

Assets 

Non-current assets 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets held for sale 

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Income tax liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Other creditors 

Total liabilities held for sale 

Net assets held for sale 

17. Goodwill 

Cost and carrying value: 
At 1 January  
Exchange adjustments 
Impairment 
Transfer to assets classified as held for sale 

At 31 December  

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated, at acquisition, to the cash generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit from that business 
combination. The carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated as follows: 

Homecare (Holdings) Limited 
CPP North America LLC 
CPP Travel Services Limited 

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. 

2012 
£’000 

1,478 
– 
– 

1,478 

2011 
£’000 

1,478 
12,473 
2,570 

16,521 

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58 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

17. Goodwill continued 

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs are determined from value in use calculations. The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those 
regarding the discount rates, growth rates and expected changes to selling prices and direct costs during the period. Management estimates discount rates 
using rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGUs. The growth rates are based on detailed 
business plans, and do not take account of any long term growth after this plan period of up to three years. Changes in selling prices and direct costs are 
based on past practices and expectations of future changes in the market. The pre-tax rate used to discount the forecast cash flows from the relevant CGUs 
at 31 December 2012 is 16% (2011: 14%). 

At 31 December 2012, the Directors decided to recognise a full impairment of the CPP Travel Services Limited goodwill balance and associated intangible 
assets as shown in note 18. This reflected the historical trading performance of the company. The resulting impairment loss of £3,120,000 in total has been 
recognised as an exceptional item in the consolidated income statement. 

18. Other intangible assets 

Cost: 

At 1 January 2011 
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 January 2012 
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 
Transfer to assets classified as held for sale 

At 31 December 2012 

Accumulated amortisation: 

At 1 January 2011 
Provided during the year 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 January 2012 
Provided during the year 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 
Impairment 
Transfer to assets classified as held for sale 

At 31 December 2012 

Carrying amount: 

At 31 December 2011 

At 31 December 2012 

Contractual 
arrangements 
with third 
parties 
£’000 

Business 
relationships 
£’000 

Internally 
generated 
software 
£’000 

Externally 
acquired 
software 
£’000 

 12,853  
 4,275  
– 
 –  

 17,128  
292 
– 
– 
– 

17,420 

 3,069  
 3,663  
– 
 –  

 6,732  
3,490 
– 
– 
591 
– 

 2,118  
 –  
– 
 –  

 2,118  
– 
(907) 
– 
– 

1,211 

 158  
 478  
– 
 –  

 636  
525 
(500) 
– 
550 
– 

10,813 

1,211 

 14,509  
 2,397  
– 
–  

 16,906  
1,571 
– 
(10) 
(237) 

18,230 

9,876  
 2,425  
– 
–  

 12,301  
2,400 
– 
(11) 
– 
(233) 

14,457 

 16,199  
 2,745  
(107) 
 (16) 

 18,821  
1,686 
(112) 
(129) 
(1,027) 

19,239 

 10,521  
 2,284  
(107) 
 (20) 

 12,678  
2,335 
– 
(25) 
– 
(827) 

14,161 

Total 
£’000 

 45,679  
 9,417  
(107) 
 (16) 

 54,973  
3,549 
(1,019) 
(139) 
(1,264) 

56,100 

 23,624  
 8,850  
(107) 
 (20) 

 32,347  
8,750 
(500) 
(36) 
1,141 
(1,060) 

40,642 

 10,396  

6,607 

 1,482  

– 

 4,605  

3,773 

 6,143  

5,078 

 22,626  

15,458 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

59

19. Property, plant and equipment 

Cost: 

At 1 January 2011 
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 January 2012 
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 
Transfer to assets classified as held for sale 

At 31 December 2012 

Accumulated depreciation: 

At 1 January 2011 
Provided during the year 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 January 2012 
Provided during the year 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 
Transfer to assets classified as held for sale 

At 31 December 2012 

Carrying amount 

At 31 December 2011 

At 31 December 2012 

Freehold land & 
property 
£’000 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000 

Computer 
systems 
£’000 

Furniture & 
equipment 
£’000 

5,434 
235 
(1) 
(18) 

5,650 
553 
(60) 
(19) 
(240) 

5,884 

3,842 
230 
–  
(15) 

4,057 
326 
(52) 
(20) 
(174) 

4,137 

30,766 
1,771 
(1,969) 
(69) 

30,499 
1,386 
(234) 
(159) 
(1,912) 

29,580 

23,663 
2,449 
(1,957) 
(18) 

24,137 
2,057 
(223) 
(115) 
(1,718) 

24,138 

7,288 
429 
(38) 
(52) 

7,627 
238 
(41) 
(70) 
(585) 

7,169 

6,250 
396 
(38) 
(8) 

6,600 
350 
(32) 
(48) 
(502) 

6,368 

Total 
£’000 

50,766 
2,435 
(2,008) 
(139) 

51,054 
2,177 
(335) 
(248) 
(2,737) 

49,911 

35,377 
3,240 
(1,995) 
(41) 

36,581 
2,898 
(307) 
(183) 
(2,394) 

36,595 

7,278 
–  
–  
–  

7,278 
– 
– 
– 
– 

7,278 

1,622 
165 
–  
–  

1,787 
165 
– 
– 
– 

1,952 

5,491 

5,326 

1,593 

1,747 

6,362 

5,442 

1,027 

801 

14,473 

13,316 

Included in freehold land and property is freehold land at its cost value of £759,000 (2011: £759,000), which is not depreciated. 

20. Investment in joint venture 

Movements in the Group’s share in its joint venture are as follows: 

Carrying amount at 1 January 
Increase in investment 
Share of losses for the year 

Carrying amount at 31 December 

2012 
£’000 

– 
477 
(477) 

– 

2011 
£’000 

 184  
 997  
 (1,181) 

–  

The Group has a 50% economic interest in Home 3 Assistance Limited (Home 3), with 49% of the issued ordinary share capital being allotted to the Group. 
The Group has provided Home 3 with a subordinated loan facility of £1,700,000 during the year. This has been accounted for as an investment in Home 3 to 
the extent that losses have been incurred in the current year.  

Home 3 is incorporated in England and Wales. Its principal activity is provision of services in connection with assistance and insurance. This investment is 
considered to be jointly controlled based on the incorporation documents, shareholder agreement and the composition of the Board of Directors of Home 3. 

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60 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

20. Investment in joint venture continued 

The Group has a 50% interest in the assets of Home 3, as follows: 

Non-current assets 
Current assets 
Current liabilities 

Net liabilities 

Group’s share of net liabilities 

The Group has a 50% interest in the revenue and expenses of Home 3 as follows:  

Revenue 
Expenses 

Loss before taxation 
Taxation 

Loss after taxation 

Group’s share of loss after taxation 

21. Insurance assets 

Amounts due from policyholders and intermediaries 
Deferred acquisition costs 
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers in respect of outstanding claims 

Reconciliation of movement in deferred acquisition costs 

At 1 January 
Incurred during the year 
Amortised during the year 

At 31 December 

2012 
£’000 

91 
3,873 
(6,911) 

(2,947) 

(1,474) 

2012 
£’000 

9,901 
(12,038) 

(2,137) 

1,208 

(929) 

(477) 

2012 
£’000 

15,642 
10,291 
1,308 

27,241 

2012 
£’000 

15,376 
15,623 
(20,708) 

10,291 

2011 
£’000 

168 
1,556 
(3,718) 

(1,994) 

(997) 

2011 
£’000 

1,774 
(4,726) 

(2,952) 

596 

(2,356) 

(1,181) 

2011 
£’000 

 8,093  
 15,376  
 1,083  

 24,552  

2011 
£’000 

 15,237  
 10,702  
 (10,563) 

 15,376  

Of the above balance, £2,104,000 (2011: £3,675,000) relates to a period greater than 12 months from 31 December 2012. 

Amounts due from policyholders and intermediaries and amounts recoverable from reinsurers represent the total exposure to credit risk in respect of 
insurance activities. 

Credit is not generally offered to retail customers on insurance premiums. Where credit is offered to wholesale insurance customers, the average credit 
period on insurance premiums is 45 days. The average credit period on amounts recoverable from reinsurers is 90 days. No interest is charged on insurance 
receivables at any time. 

Individually or collectively material insurance receivables are reviewed for recoverability when an adverse change in credit quality is identified or when  
they become overdue. Credit risk is reduced  as insurance receivables are dispersed amongst a broad customer base and where concentration exists the 
Group’s main counterparties are typically large companies with established credit records. Credit risk is mitigated through maintaining and managing the 
customer base. 

Included in the Group’s insurance receivable balance are debtors with a carrying amount of £1,782,000 (2011: £1,329,000) which are past due at the 
balance sheet date, for which the Group has not provided as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the Group believes that the 
amounts are still considered recoverable.  

The average age of overdue but un-provided debts is 65 days (2011: 67 days). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

61

2012 
£’000 

1,694 
6 
82 

1,782 

2012 
£’000 

–  
– 

– 

2012 
£’000 

299 

2012 
£’000 

14,842 
12,358 
1,834 

29,034 

2011 
£’000 

 1,260  
7  
 62  

 1,329  

2011 
£’000 

 125  
(125)  

 – 

2011 
£’000 

 329  

2011 
£’000 

13,587 
15,614 
1,466 

30,667 

21. Insurance assets continued 

Ageing of past due but not impaired insurance receivables 

Days outstanding since date of sales invoice: 

45 – 90 days 
91 –120 days 
Over 120 days 

Movement in the allowance for doubtful insurance receivables 

Balance as at 1 January 
Decrease in allowance recognised in income statement 

Balance as at 31 December 

22. Inventories 

Consumables and supplies 

23. Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Other debtors 

Trade and other receivables are predominantly non-interest bearing. 

An element of the Group’s trade receivables continue to relate to retail customer payments awaiting collection. Since the timing of collection is controlled  
by the Group and is received within a specified period of processing the transaction, credit risk is considered low for these items.  

Where credit is offered to customers, the average credit period offered is 37 days (2011: 34 days). No interest is charged on trade receivables at any time. 
Disclosures regarding credit risk below relate only to counterparties or customers offered credit. 

The credit profile of the business has changed in recent years, with wholesale counterparties becoming a larger proportion of the trade receivable base. 
Individually or collectively material trade receivables are reviewed for recoverability when an adverse change in credit quality is identified or when they 
become overdue. The Group has low historical levels of customer and counterparty credit defaults, due in part to the quality of relationship it has with its 
counterparties and their credit ratings.  

Overall exposure continues to be mainly spread over a large number of customers but where concentration exists this is with highly rated counterparties. 

Included in the Group’s trade receivable balance are debtors with a carrying amount of £1,045,000 (2011: £1,368,000) which are past due at the reporting 
date, for which the Group has not provided as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the Group believes that the amounts are  
still recoverable.  

The average age of overdue but un-provided debts is 83 days (2011: 89 days). 

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62 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

23. Trade and other receivables continued 

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables 

Days outstanding since date of invoice: 
Up to 90 days 
91 – 120 days 
Over 120 days 

Movement in the allowance for doubtful receivables 

Balance as at 1 January and 31 December 

24. Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash on demand 
Short term deposits 

2012 
£’000 

620 
236 
189 

2011 
£’000 

 812  
 221  
 335  

1,045 

 1,368  

2012 
£’000 

– 

2012 
£’000 

31,470 
21,728 

53,198 

2011 
£’000 

–  

2011 
£’000 

 37,081  
 17,843  

 54,924  

Short term deposits of £21,728,000 (2011: £17,843,000) represents cash deposits maintained by the Group’s insurance businesses for solvency purposes.  

Concentration of credit risk is reduced by placing cash on deposit across a number of institutions with high credit ratings. Credit quality of counterparties are 
as follows: 

AA 
A 
BBB 
BB 
B 
Rating information not available 

2012 
£’000 

6,570 
42,782 
3,480 
294 
63 
9 

53,198 

2011 
£’000 

11,219 
41,851 
1,657 
– 
78 
119 

54,924 

Ratings are measured using Fitch’s long term ratings, which are defined such that ratings “AAA” to “B-” denote investment grade counterparties, offering 
low to moderate credit risk. “AAA” represents the highest credit quality, indicating that the counterparty’s ability to meet financial commitments is highly 
unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

63

25. Insurance liabilities 

Claims reported 
Claims incurred but not reported 

Total claims 
Unearned premium 
Amounts payable to reinsurers 

Total insurance liabilities 

2012 
£’000 

3,291 
323 

3,614 
3,773 
138 

7,525 

2011 
£’000 

 2,450 
 203  

 2,653  
 6,015  
 210  

 8,878  

Provisions for claims reported and processed are based on estimated costs from third party suppliers. Provisions for claims incurred but not reported are an 
estimate of costs for the small number of claims not yet processed at the year end. Claims outstanding at the year end are expected to be settled within 
the following 12 months. 

Amounts payable to reinsurers fall due for payment within one month. 

Provision for unearned premiums 

At 1 January 
Written in the year 
Earned in the year 

At 31 December 

2012 
£’000 

6,015 
86,625 
(88,867) 

3,773 

2011 
£’000 

 7,440 
 77,044  
 (78,469) 

 6,015  

Unearned premiums are released as revenue on a straight line basis over the life of the relevant policy. 

Reinsurance cover 
The Group reinsures certain of its insurance contracts. Claims provisions are stated gross of reinsurance in the consolidated balance sheet. The impact of 
reinsurance on the year end claims provision is as follows: 

Notified claims 
Incurred but not reported claims 

As at 31 December 2011 

Notified claims 
Incurred but not reported claims 

As at 31 December 2012 

Gross  
£’000 

 2,450  
 203  

 2,653  

3,291 
323 

3,614 

Reinsurance 
£’000 

 (1,066) 
 (17) 

 (1,083) 

(1,294) 
(14) 

(1,308) 

Net 
£’000 

 1,384  
 186  

 1,570  

1,997 
309 

2,306 

Movements in the claims provision, gross and net of reinsurance, are as follows. There have been no significant differences between year end claims 
provisions and the amounts settled in the subsequent year. 

As at 1 January 2011 
Cash (paid)/received for claims settled in the year 
Increase/(reduction) in liabilities arising from current year claims 

As at 1 January 2012 
Cash (paid)/received for claims settled in the year 
Increase/(reduction) in liabilities arising from current year claims 

As at 31 December 2012 

Gross  
£’000 

Reinsurance 
£’000 

 2,833  
 (25,825) 
 25,645  

 2,653  
(38,330) 
39,291 

3,614 

 (476) 
 3,572  
 (4,179) 

 (1,083) 
5,155 
(5,380) 

(1,308) 

Net 
£’000 

 2,357 
 (22,253) 
 21,466  

 1,570  
(33,175) 
33,911 

2,306 

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64 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

25. Insurance liabilities continued 

Equalisation reserve 

At 1 January 
Transfer from retained earnings 

At 31 December 

2012 
£’000 

6,423 
1,561 

7,984 

2011 
£’000 

6,196 
227 

6,423 

Equalisation reserves are established in accordance with Chapter 7.5 of the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook (PRU) and are in addition to the provisions 
required to meet the anticipated ultimate cost of settlement at the balance sheet date. As no actual liability exists at the balance sheet date, no provision  
is made in relation to movements in the claims equalisation reserve. However, as a claims equalisation reserve is still a requirement of PRU, an amount 
equal to the claims equalisation reserve is transferred from retained earnings to other reserves in the shareholders’ funds. Deferred tax is not included in  
this transfer. 

26. Trade and other payables 

Current liabilities 
Trade creditors and accruals 
Other tax and social security 
Other payables 
Deferred income 

Non-current liabilities 
Other payables 

2012 
£’000 

35,533 
6,305 
7,016 
7,733 

56,587 

6,500 

6,500 

2011 
£’000 

44,438 
5,711 
5,050 
12,685 

67,884 

– 

– 

Total trade and other payables 

63,087 

67,884 

Trade creditors and accruals comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and on-going costs. The average credit period for trade purchases is  
20 days (2011: 18 days). Interest is not suffered on trade payables. The Group has financial management policies in place to ensure that all payables are 
settled within the pre-agreed credit terms. 

27. Bank loans 

The carrying value of the Group’s financial liabilities, for short term borrowings and long term borrowings, are as follows: 

Repayments due within one year 
Less: unamortised issue costs 

Bank loans due within one year 
Repayments due outside of one year 
Less: unamortised issue costs 

Bank loans due outside of one year 

Analysis of repayments: 

Within one year 
In the second year 
In the third to fifth years 

Total repayments 
Less: unamortised issue costs 

Total carrying value 

2012 
£’000 

43,500 
(92) 

43,408 

– 
–  

– 

2012 
£’000 

43,500 
– 
– 

43,500 
(92) 

43,408 

2011 
£’000 

–  
–  

–  

 43,500  
 (459) 

 43,041  

2011 
£’000 

 –  
 43,500  
–  

 43,500 
 (459) 

 43,041 

The Group’s bank debt is in the form of a revolving credit facility (RCF). The Group is entitled to roll over repayment of amounts drawn down, subject to all 
amounts outstanding falling due for repayment on expiry of the facility on 31 March 2013. The Group has extended the term of the existing bank facility to 
30 September 2013, further details are provided in note 37. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

65

27. Bank loans continued 

The RCF bears interest at a variable rate of LIBOR plus a variable margin dependant on the net debt to EBITDA ratio of the Group. It is secured by fixed and 
floating charges on certain assets of the Group. The financial covenants of the RCF are based on the interest cover and leverage of the Group. The Group 
has been in compliance with these covenants since inception of the RCF. 

The weighted average interest rates paid during the year were as follows: 

Bank loans 

Weighted average 

2012 
% 

3.4 

3.4 

2011 
% 

3.3 

3.3 

At 31 December 2012 the Group had available £35.6 million (2011: £35.6 million) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities which expire on 31 March 2013 
and on which all conditions precedent had been met. 

28. Provisions 

At 1 January 
Charged to the income statement 
Customer redress and associated costs paid  
in the year 
Loan notes repaid in the year 

At 31 December 

Cash settled 
share based 
payments 
2012 
£’000 

 894  
3 

– 
(897) 

– 

Customer 
redress and 
associated 
costs 
2012 
£’000 

14,778 
26,273 

(12,084) 
– 

28,967 

Cash settled 
share based 
payments 
2011 
£’000 

1,719 
72 

– 
(897) 

894 

Total 
2012 
£’000 

 15,672  
26,276 

(12,084) 
(897) 

28,967 

Customer 
redress and 
associated 
costs 
2011 
£’000 

– 
16,892 

(2,114) 
– 

14,778 

Total 
2011 
£’000 

 1,719 
 16,964  

(2,114) 
(897) 

 15,672  

Provisions in respect of cash settled share based payments represent loan notes issued by employees to the Group. Further details are provided in note 33. 

The loan notes became fully vested in March 2012 and were redeemed in full at that time. 

The customer redress and associated cost provision comprises anticipated compensation payable to customers through a customer redress exercise and 
professional fees associated with the customer redress exercise. 

Customer redress and associated costs are expected to be settled within one year of the balance sheet date. 

Provisions are expected to be settled in the following periods: 

Within one year 
Outside of one year 

At 31 December 

Cash settled 
share based 
payments 
2012 
£’000 

– 
– 

– 

Customer 
redress and 
associated 
costs 
2012 
£’000 

28,967 
– 

28,967 

Cash settled 
share based 
payments 
2011 
£’000 

894 
– 

894 

Total 
2012 
£’000 

28,967 
– 

28,967 

Customer 
redress and 
associated 
costs 
2011 
£’000 

10,499 
4,279 

14,778 

Total 
2011 
£’000 

 11,393  
 4,279  

 15,672 

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66 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

29. Deferred tax 

The following are the major deferred tax assets/(liabilities) recognised by the Group and the movements thereon during the current and prior years: 

At 1 January 2011 
Credited/(charged) to income statement 
Credited to equity 

At 1 January 2012 
Credited/(charged) to income statement 
(Charged)/credited to equity 
Transfer to assets classified as held for sale 

At 31 December 2012 

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances 
£’000 

Tax losses 
£’000 

Share based 
payments 
£’000 

Other short 
term timing 
differences 
£’000 

 663 
 368  
 –  

 1,031  
1,507 
– 
(135) 

2,403 

 46 
 (46) 
 –  

–  
– 
– 
– 

– 

 3,503  
 (1,846)  
 (1,027) 

 630  
(626) 
(4) 
– 

– 

 (862) 
 554  
 –  

 (308) 
243 
3 
(155) 

(217) 

Total 
£’000 

 3,350 

 (970)  
 (1,027) 

 1,353  
1,124 
(1) 
(290) 

2,186 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are stated at tax rates expected to apply on the forecast date of reversal, based on tax laws substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date.  

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset where the Group is entitled to and intends to settle tax liabilities on a net basis. The following is 
the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes: 

Deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities 

2012 
£’000 

2,902 
(716) 

2,186 

2011 
£’000 

 1,987 
 (634) 

 1,353 

At the balance sheet date the Group has unused tax losses of £11,349,000 (2011: £9,245,000) available for offset against future profits. No deferred tax 
asset has been recognised in respect of these losses due to the unpredictability of future profit streams in the underlying companies and restrictions on 
offset of taxable profits and losses between Group companies. Included in unrecognised deferred tax assets are losses of £463,000 (2011: £457,000) that 
will expire in 2015, £969,000 (2011: £969,000) that will expire in 2016, £61,000 that will expire in 2017 (2011: £nil) and £3,525,000 (2011: £2,629,000) that 
will expire in 2020. Other losses will be carried forward indefinitely. 

The Group’s share of tax losses carried forward in the Home 3 joint venture amount to £45,000 (2011: £1,495,000).  

There is no deferred tax liability on unremitted foreign earnings. 

30. Financial instruments 

Capital risk management 
The Group manages its capital to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern. 

The Group does not have a target level of gearing but seeks to maintain an appropriate balance of debt and equity while providing returns for shareholders 
and benefits for other stakeholders. During 2012 the Group maintained sufficient debt facilities to ensure its objectives were met. The Group’s principal  
debt facility during the year was its £80 million revolving credit facility, which was due to expire on 31 March 2013 and was extended for a period to  
30 September 2013, further details are provided in note 37. 

The Group makes adjustments to its capital structure in light of economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the capital structure the Group may adjust the 
dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. The Directors’ have considered the capital requirements of the Group, 
including as a result of the customer redress obligations, the availability of cash reserves and its debt facilities and have not proposed a final dividend in 
respect of the current year. 

Externally imposed capital requirement 
Two of the Group’s principal subsidiaries, Card Protection Plan Limited and Homecare Insurance Limited, have capital requirements imposed by the FCA  
in the UK. Both subsidiaries have complied with their respective imposed capital requirements throughout the current and previous year. 

 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

67

30. Financial instruments continued 

Card Protection Plan Limited 
Card Protection Plan Limited is regulated by the FCA as an insurance intermediary, and is required to hold a minimum level of capital resources relative to 
regulated business revenue.  

The ratio of current and future capital resources to regulated business revenue is reported monthly to management to ensure compliance. There have been 
no instances of non-compliance in either the current or previous years. 

The Group has agreed with the FCA, as part of the VVOP, to additional restrictions on the disposition of assets by Card Protection Plan Limited. 

Homecare Insurance Limited 
Homecare Insurance Limited is regulated by the FCA as an insurance underwriter, and therefore maintains its capital resources in accordance with the 
FCA’s risk-based solvency regime, Individual Capital Adequacy Standards (ICAS). 

The current and future capital levels are reviewed each month and reported to the FCA to ensure on-going compliance and to support the quarterly FCA 
returns. There have been no instances of non-compliance in either the current or previous years.  

The Group has agreed with the FCA, as part of the VVOP, to additional restrictions on the disposition of assets by Homecare Insurance Limited. 

Fair value of financial instruments 
The fair value of non-derivative financial instruments is determined using pricing models based on discounted cash flow analysis using prices from 
observable current market transactions. Financial assets and liabilities are carried at the following amounts: 

Financial assets 

Loans and receivables 

Loans and receivables comprise cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other receivables and taxes receivable. 

There is no significant difference between the fair value and carrying amount of any financial asset. 

Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost 

2012 
£’000 

69,874 

2011 
£’000 

69,977 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

(130,200) 

(116,295) 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost comprise bank loans, trade creditors, accruals, taxes payable and provision for customer redress and associated costs. 

There is no significant difference between the fair value and carrying amount of any financial liability, since liabilities are either short term in nature or bear 
interest at variable rates. 

Financial risk management objectives 
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the risks of changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Board of Directors determines the 
Treasury Policy of the Group and delegates the authority for execution of the policy to the Director of Tax & Treasury. Any changes to the Treasury Policy 
are authorised by the Board of Directors. The limited use of financial derivatives is governed by the Treasury Policy and derivatives are not entered into for 
speculative purposes. 

Interest rate risk 
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk to the extent that short and medium term interest rates fluctuate. The Group manages this risk through the use  
of interest rate swaps when appropriate, in accordance with its Treasury Policy. The interest cover (being defined as the ratio of EBITDA to interest paid) at 
31 December 2012 is 2 (2011: 29), which is reflective of the exceptional items recognised in the year.  

Interest rate sensitivity analysis 
The Group is mainly exposed to movements in LIBOR. The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 2% increase in LIBOR rates throughout the 
year. 2% represents the Directors’ assessment of a reasonably possible change in LIBOR rates. The sensitivity analysis includes the impact of changes in 
LIBOR on yearly average cash and bank loans. 

Decrease in loss/increase in profit before tax 
Increase in shareholders’ equity 

2012 
£’000 

236 
236 

2011 
£’000 

 21  
 21 

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68 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

30. Financial instruments continued 

Foreign currency risk 
The Group has exposure to foreign currency risk where it has investments in overseas operations which have functional currencies other than Sterling and 
are affected by foreign exchange movements. The carrying amounts of the Group’s principal foreign currency denominated assets  
and liabilities are as follows: 

Euro 
US Dollar 

Liabilities 

Assets 

2012 
£’000 

8,673 
3,719 

2011 
£’000 

9,487 
4,398 

2012 
£’000 

8,647 
6,454 

2011 
£’000 

9,684 
9,005 

The Group’s US Dollar operations have been classified as discontinued in the current period with agreement to sell the operation having been reached, 
pending shareholder approval, further detail is provided in note 37. The Group’s exposure to US Dollar foreign currency movements are therefore expected 
to significantly reduce.  

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis 
The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 20% decrease in Euro against Sterling and 15% decrease in US Dollars against Sterling exchange 
rates. These represent the Directors’ assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only 
outstanding foreign currency denominated financial instruments and adjusts their translation at the year end for a change in foreign currency rates. 

(Loss)/profit before tax 
Shareholders’ equity 

Euro currency impact 

US Dollar currency impact 

2012 
£’000 

(139) 
4 

2011 
£’000 

 (50)   
 (33)    

2012 
£’000 

(51) 
(357) 

2011 
£’000 

 (7) 
 (601) 

Eurozone sensitivity analysis 
The Group operates in countries with Euro denominated currencies, and the potential for the Eurozone to break up represents a risk to the Group. Eurozone 
operations are in Germany, Ireland, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain. The total carrying amount of the Group’s net assets and profit before tax originating in 
the Eurozone are as follows: 

Net liabilities 
Profit before tax 

2012 
£’000 

(4,764) 
8,006 

2011 
£’000 

 (4,510)  
 10,758 

A 20% deterioration in the Sterling: Euro exchange rate throughout the year would have increased Group operating loss by £1,334,000 (2011: profit 
reduction of £1,793,000). 

Credit risk 
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty defaults on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group does not actively 
hedge its credit risk. The credit profile of the business has changed in recent years; whilst retail trade and retail insurance receivables continue to represent  
a high proportion of the receivable base, the increase of Packaged Account and Wholesale activities has increased the Group’s credit risk. 

The Group’s retail trade and insurance receivables are mainly with a broad base of individual customers and are therefore not generally exposed to any one 
customer, resulting in low credit risk. 

The Group’s Packaged Account and Wholesale activities can result in material balances existing with a small number of counterparties and therefore 
increased credit risk exists. The Group considers that it mitigates this increased credit risk through good quality relationships with counterparties and only 
partnering with counterparties with established credit ratings.  

Counterparty credit limits are determined in accordance with the Treasury Policy for cash and cash equivalents and the Counterparty and Credit Risk Policy 
for receivables. Any balance that falls into an overdue status is monitored. Further details of the monitoring of and provision for overdue debts is outlined for 
insurance receivables in note 21 and other receivables in note 23. 

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the consolidated financial statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the Group’s 
maximum exposure to credit risk. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

69

30. Financial instruments continued 

Liquidity risk 
The Group has a policy of repatriation and pooling of funding where possible in order to maximise the return on surplus cash or minimise the level of debt 
required. Group Treasury continuously monitors the level of short term funding requirements and balances the need for short term funding with the long 
term funding needs of the Group. Additional undrawn facilities that the Group had at its disposal through the period to further reduce the liquidity risk are 
included in note 27. The terms of the extension of the RCF to 30 September 2013, have led to the amount committed being reduced to £25 million which  
is fully drawn (refer to note 37), liquidity risk will therefore increase in future periods. 

Compliance with financial ratios and other covenant obligations of the Group’s bank loans is monitored on a monthly basis by the Board of Directors. 

Liquidity and interest risk tables 
Liabilities 
The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities, based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities 
and the earliest date at which the Group can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows and assumes no changes in future 
LIBOR rates. 

2011 
Non-interest bearing liabilities 
Variable rate instruments 

2012 
Non-interest bearing liabilities 
Variable rate instruments 

Less than 
1 month 
£’000 

 26,625 
 99  

 26,724  

23,698 
83 

23,781 

1-3 
months 
£’000 

 19,389 
 298  

 19,687  

14,990 
43,666 

58,656 

3 months 
to 1 year 
£’000 

 16,487  
 795  

 17,282  

37,452 
– 

37,452 

1-5  
years 
£’000 

 9,875  
 43,566  

 53,441  

10,289 
– 

10,289 

Over 
5 years 
£’000 

419  
 –  

 419 

271 
– 

271 

Total 
£’000 

 72,795 
 44,758  

 117,553 

86,700 
43,749 

130,449 

Assets 
The following table details the Group’s expected maturity for its non-derivative financial assets, based on the undiscounted contractual maturities of the 
financial assets. 

2011 
Non-interest bearing assets 
Variable interest rate instruments 

2012 
Non-interest bearing assets 
Variable interest rate instruments 

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate 
% 

n/a 
1.0% 

n/a 
1.0% 

Less than 
1 month 
£’000 

11,876 
54,738 

66,614 

11,546 
36,345 

47,891 

1-3 
months 
£’000 

2,744 
23 

2,767 

2,294 
16,713 

19,007 

3 months 
to 1 year 
£’000 

187 
163 

350 

2,006 
140 

2,146 

1-5  
years 
£’000 

246 
–  

246 

830 
– 

830 

Over 
 5 years 
£’000 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

Total 
£’000 

15,053 
54,924 

69,977 

16,676 
53,198 

69,874 

Insurance risk 
The Group applies a prudent approach to its management of potential exposure to risks arising from its insurance contracts. 

The lines of policies underwritten are limited to General Insurance Classes underwritten by an entity within the Group which is authorised by the FCA.  
The lines of risk underwritten are restricted by the Group to those lines where the Group either has substantial experience or lines where the Group wishes 
to move into where it can enter such a line of business in a risk-controlled manner after appropriate Board consideration. 

The Group’s lines of insurance business and thus its insurance risk portfolio are primarily focused on high volume, low transaction value, short term 
individual lines. 

The Group has in place reinsurance arrangements to transfer a level of claims risk to third parties. The level reinsured is determined by periodic, and at least 
annual reviews. 

The Group’s policy is to establish a specific claims reserve at any point in time on each line of business, based on claims reported up to and including the 
last day of each accounting period including an element to represent claims incurred but not yet reported. Details of claims reserves carried are provided in 
note 25. 

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70 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

30. Financial instruments continued 

The Directors consider the following to be the principal insurance risks and actions taken reducing risk to an acceptable level: 

Changes in rates of claims 
Trends in claim rates and other market data are reviewed on a regular basis and premiums for new contracts adjusted accordingly. Each class of contract 
has a large population of homogeneous policyholders and no insurance contracts are subject to concentration risk. 

A 10% deterioration in the loss ratio during the year would have resulted in a £2,809,000 increase in loss before tax and reduction in shareholders’ equity 
(2011: reduction in profit and shareholders’ equity of £1,568,000), 10% representing the Directors’ assessment of the reasonably possible change in the 
loss ratio. 

Changes in settlement cost per claim 
The quantum or nature of settlement amounts is specified in policy documentation and the Group is not exposed to significant open ended commitments. 
Although settlement costs are not capped they generally vary within a small range, limiting the Group exposure.  

Reliance on key suppliers 
The Group makes use of third party suppliers to settle the majority of claims. The performance and financial position of key suppliers is regularly monitored 
and alternative lines of supply sourced as necessary. 

The Group therefore considers its exposure to risk arising from its insurance contracts to be appropriately managed. 

31. Disposal of a subsidiary 

On 31 December 2012 the Group disposed of I-Deal Promotions Limited and Concepts for Travel Limited for consideration of £1 each. The disposals 
resulted in a loss to the Group of £891,000 in total. 

There were no disposals of subsidiaries made in 2011. 

32. Share capital 

Called-up and allotted: Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each 
At 1 January  
Issue of shares in connection with: 

Exercise of share options 

At 31 December 

2012 
Number 
(thousands) 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
Number 
(thousands) 

2011 
£’000 

171,430 

17,106 

170,616 

17,024 

57 

5 

 814  

171,487 

17,111 

171,430 

 82  

17,106 

During the year the Company issued 57,387 shares to option holders for total consideration of £2,000. Further details relating to share options are provided 
in note 33.  

Of the 171,486,890 ordinary shares issued at 31 December 2012, 170,986,891 are fully paid and 499,999 are partly paid. 

The ordinary shares are entitled to the profits of the Company which it may from time to time determine to distribute in respect of any financial year  
or period. 

All holders of ordinary shares shall have the right to attend and vote at all general meetings of the Company. On a return of assets on liquidation the  
assets (if any) remaining, after the debts and liabilities of the Company and the costs of winding up have been paid or allowed for, shall belong to,  
and be distributed amongst, the holders of all the ordinary shares in proportion to the number of such ordinary shares held by them respectively. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

71

33. Share based payment 

Legacy schemes 
Legacy scheme share based payment charges in the income statement of £196,000 (2011: £1,167,000) arise from the Group’s 2005 and 2008 ESOP 
Schemes and share based loan notes, which had been implemented in previous years to incentivise certain employees. Options in these schemes are 
exercisable at a price determined by the Board of Directors on the date of grant. The vesting conditions of the loan notes were broadly consistent with the 
options they replaced. The loan notes have been accounted for as cash settled share based payments.  

The IPO during 2010 represented a trigger event for the 2005 and 2008 ESOP Schemes. On the date of the IPO, 50% of the options outstanding vested, 
with 25% vesting in 2011 and 25% in 2012. Options lapse if not exercised within ten years of original grant and may lapse if the employee leaves the 
Group. The loan notes became fully vested in March 2012 and were redeemed in full at that time. 

Details of share options outstanding during the year under the legacy schemes are as follows: 

2005 ESOP Scheme 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 
Exercisable at 31 December 

2008 ESOP Scheme 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 
Exercisable at 31 December 

2012 

2011 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price  
(£) 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
(£) 

 3,135  
(773) 
(4) 

2,358 

2,358 

 3,866 
(2,501) 
– 

1,365 

1,365 

2.03 
2.22 
0.82 

1.97 

1.97 

1.79 
1.79 
– 

1.79 

1.79 

 3,619  
 (38) 
(446) 

 3,135  

1,016  

 4,504  
 (270) 
(368)  

 3,866 

2,820  

1.93 
1.22 
1.24 

2.03 

2.08  

1.79 
1.79 
1.79  

1.79 

1.79  

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise during the year was £1.12 (2011: £2.84). 

The options outstanding at 31 December 2012 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of nil years (2011: nil years) in the 2008 Scheme and nil 
years (2011: nil years) in the 2005 Scheme. 

No options were granted in the year under the legacy schemes (2011: nil).  

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72 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

33. Share based payment continued 

Post IPO plans 
Other administrative expenses include a credit of £159,000 (2011: £1,092,000 charge) arising from the Long Term Incentive Plan, the Restricted  
Stock Plan, the Deferred Share Bonus Plan and the ShareSAVE Plan. Options have been granted during the year under the LTIP and RSP to incentivise 
certain employees. 

Details of share options outstanding during the period under these plans are as follows: 

LTIP 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 

RSP 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 
Exercisable at 31 December 

DSBP 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 
Exercisable at 31 December 

ShareSAVE Plan 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited / cancelled during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 

2012 

2011 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price  
(£) 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
(£) 

2,904 
4,542 
(1,535) 

5,911 

200 
588 
(106) 
(39) 

643 

57 

61 
– 
(18) 
(14) 

29 

9 

1,235 
– 
(901) 

334 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

1.35 
– 
1.35 

1.34 

 1,271  
 1,809  
(176) 

2,904 

 135  
 106  
(41) 
– 

200 

– 

 –  
 61  
– 
– 

 61 

– 

 800  
1,073 
(638) 

1,235 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
– 

 –  

– 

 –  
 –  
– 
– 

 –  

– 

 1.98  
1.25 
1.98 

1.35 

Nil-cost options and conditional shares granted during the year under the LTIP normally vest after three years, lapse if not exercised within 10 years of grant 
and may lapse if option holders cease to be employed by the Group. Vesting of LTIP options and shares are also subject to achievement of performance 
criteria including total shareholder return and an absolute share price measure over a three year period. 

Nil-cost options and conditional shares granted during the year under the RSP normally vest after three years, lapse if not exercised within 10 years of grant, 
and may lapse if option holders cease to be employed by the Group. 

Nil-cost options and conditional shares granted during 2011 under the DSBP normally vest after three years, lapse if not exercised within 10 years of grant 
and may lapse if option holders cease to be employed by the Group. The DSBP is a scheme to retain and further incentivise senior management by 
awarding a portion of their annual bonus in the form of share options. 

Options granted during 2011 under the ShareSAVE Plan entitle option holders to contribute up to £250 per month to the plan. At the vesting date of either 
three or five years, option holders choose between return of their contributions in cash or purchase of shares at a discount to the market price on the date 
of grant. Options normally lapse and cash deposited is returned to option holders who cease to be employed by the Group during the vesting period. 

The options outstanding at 31 December 2012 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of two years (2011: two years) in the LTIP, two years 
(2011: two years) in the RSP, one year in the DSBP (2011: two years) and two years (2011: three years) in the ShareSAVE Plan. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

73

33. Share based payment continued 

The principal assumptions underlying the valuation of the options granted during the year at the date of grant are as follows: 

Weighted average share price 
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk free rate 
Dividend yield 

ShareSAVE 

2012 

2011 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

£1.33 
£1.25 
35.72% 
3 years 
1.16% 
5.68% 

LTIP 

RSP 

DSBP 

2012 

£0.48 
£nil 
75.19% 
3 years 
0.47% 
n/a 

2011 

£2.17 

£nil    

36.95% 
3 years 
1.49% 
n/a 

2012 

£0.45 
£nil 
n/a 
3 years 
n/a 
n/a 

2011 

£2.79 

£nil    
n/a 
3 years 
n/a 
n/a 

2012 

2011 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

£3.00 
£nil  
n/a 
3 years 
n/a 
n/a 

The aggregate estimated fair value of the options and shares granted in the year under the LTIP, RSP, DSBP and ShareSAVE is £329,000 (2011: 
£4,230,000). 

Expected volatility for the 2011 awards was determined by calculating the historical volatility of comparable quoted companies’ share prices. 

34. Reconciliation of operating cash flows 

(Loss)/profit for the year 
Adjustment for: 
Depreciation and amortisation 
Equity settled share based payment expense 
Impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Costs associated with disposal of discontinued operation 
Share of loss of joint venture 
Investment revenues 
Other gains and losses 
Finance costs – non-derivative instruments 
Income tax expense 

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 
Decrease/(increase) in inventories 
Increase in receivables 
Increase in insurance assets 
Increase in payables 
Decrease in insurance liabilities 
Increase in provisions 

Cash generated by operations 
Exercise of share options 
Income taxes paid 

Net cash from operating activities 

2012 
£’000 

(17,230) 

11,648 
34 
3,711 
135 
2,715 
477 
(589) 
891 
1,887 
4,665 

8,344 
30 
(2,063) 
(2,689) 
916 
(1,353) 
14,192 

17,377 
(899) 
(5,392) 

11,086 

2011 
£’000 

18,051 

12,090 
2,169 
– 
13  
– 
1,181 
(423) 
– 
1,795  
10,255 

45,131  
(40) 
(770) 
(3,059) 
605 
(1,539) 
14,850 

55,178 
(1,059) 
(12,572) 

41,547  

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74 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

35. Contingent liabilities 

Having regard to the disclosure in note 28, although agreement has been reached with the FCA it remains unclear what further steps the FCA may wish to 
take, if any, and against whom in relation to UK sales of the Group’s Card Protection and Identity Protection products that are not within the scope of the 
Group's past business review, or in respect of any similar products available to the market from other providers. There can be no guarantee that the FCA will 
not seek to take action on a wider industry basis. Until such time as the FCA makes a determination on these issues, and the repercussions are understood 
for the industry as a whole, it is possible that other claims or matters may arise against the Group which could take a number of forms and therefore have a 
financial effect that cannot presently be estimated.  

The FCA is currently conducting a thematic review in relation to the sale of MPI products and the Group has been co-operating with the FCA as part of this 
project in relation to sales of MPI products by one of its companies. The thematic review is being conducted on an industry wide basis and is looking at 
whether MPI is designed with consumers’ interests in mind, and evaluating the sales, administration and claims handling processes across a population of 
firms who have a significant market share. The FCA has not at present expressed any final view in relation to matters arising from the Group’s involvement 
in the thematic review and has not indicated that it will seek to take regulatory action against the Group. Given that the thematic review is being conducted, 
the Directors cannot be certain that the FCA may not seek to take steps against the Group in the future relating to sales of MPI products and seek to require 
redress for customers who purchased MPI products. However, at this time it is unclear whether any present obligation exists, and as such no provision has 
been recognised. 

In addition the Group commissioned an independent report on the process used by one of its companies to sell MPI policies through voice channels.  
This report identified some potential compliance failings in the sales process and further work is being conducted to determine if there has been any 
customer detriment which may require redress. The Group is in discussions with the FCA on this matter but no conclusion can yet be formed and at  
this time it is unclear that any present obligation exists. As such no provision has been recognised. 

The Directors have considered the probability of such claims or matters crystallising, and as a result do not deem them probable enough to recognise  
a provision. 

36. Commitments 

Operating lease commitments 
The Group has entered into commercial leases on certain properties, motor vehicles and items of machinery. The leases have normal terms, escalation 
clauses and renewal rights. 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases expiring: 

Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 
After five years 

37. Events after the balance sheet date 

2012 
£’000 

681 
4,931 
4,422 

2011 
£’000 

 351  
 4,163  
 6,093  

10,034 

 10,607 

On 17 April 2013 the Group announced that it had entered into an agreement to dispose of the entire issued and outstanding share capital of CPPNA 
Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, which carried out all of the Group’s North American operations. The gross cash consideration for the disposal is  
$40 million (approximately £26.1 million). Completion of the disposal remains conditional on the passing of a resolution by the shareholders at a  
General Meeting. Details of the retention arrangements entered into with key employees in contemplation of the disposal are included in note 38. 

On 17 April 2013 the Group announced that it had agreed to extend the term of its existing bank facility to 30 September 2013. The amended facility 
contains certain undertakings and covenants that are customary for a facility of this nature. In particular this includes covenants relating to CPPNA Holdings 
Inc. and its subsidiaries which required the Group to enter into a disposal agreement on or before 16 April 2013 and to ensure that disposal is completed on 
or before 31 May 2013 (or such later date as agreed with the lenders). It was also agreed that £16.5 million of the disposal proceeds will be used to repay 
the current borrowings, reducing the total commitment under the amended facility to £25 million. The amended facility contains certain additional financial 
covenants which include covenants in respect of cancellation rates and a requirement for the Group to maintain a minimum balance of £12 million in a 
blocked account that is secured in favour of the lenders. 

Following the announcement in February 2013 that RBS would be ending its MPI contract with the Group, it was decided that the lease on the Chesterfield 
office would not be renewed upon expiry in May 2013 leading to the controlled closure of the office in 2013. Under the terms of the lease the Group is  
liable for dilapidation works to the building. Employees at the Chesterfield office have been given the opportunity to transfer to the new RBS provider, 
where employees have not accepted this transfer redundancy costs will be incurred. The cost for dilapidations and redundancy are currently estimated  
at £0.4 million in total. In addition, certain grant funding received may be subject to re-negotiation. 

 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

75

38. Related party transactions and control 

Ultimate controlling party 
The Group is controlled by the Company’s majority shareholder, Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston CBE. 

Transactions with associated undertakings 
Transactions between the Group and its joint venture represent related party transactions. 

The Group has undertaken the following transactions with its joint venture entity, Home 3: 

Costs rechargeable to Home 3 incurred by the Group 
Balance receivable from Home 3 at 31 December 

2012 
£’000 

743 
2,565 

2011 
£’000 

361 
1,090 

Amounts receivable from Home 3 include £1,700,000 (2011: £1,200,000) of subordinated loan notes, £1,200,000 of which fall due for repayment on  
30 December 2013 and £500,000 falls due for repayment on 31 May 2014. 

Transactions with related parties 
On 31 December 2012, the Group disposed of its 51% interest in I-Deal Promotions Limited (I-Deal) and its 100% interest in Concepts for Travel Limited 
(Concepts) to Mark Koch. Mr Koch was, and continues to be, a director and shareholder of I-Deal. The consideration under the sale and purchase agreement 
was nominal, being £1 for the 51 shares held by the Group in I-Deal and £1 for the 30,000 shares held by Group in Concepts. 

As part of the transaction, the Group has also extended a loan of £350,000 to I-Deal to meet the working capital requirements of I-Deal, secured by a 
debenture granted in favour of the Group. The loan will be written off by the Group provided I-Deal meets pre-existing contractual commitments to its 
customers (which are also Business Partners of the Group). This loan has been provided in full by the Group and forms part of the loss on disposal 
recognised by the Group, included in note 11. 

On 23 March 2013 the Group entered into an agreement with Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston CBE to reimburse on demand any legal fees, costs and 
expenses which Mr Hamish Macgregor Ogston CBE has incurred or may be incurred on his behalf in relation to the refinancing activities of the Group.  
The aggregate amount of costs to be reimbursed by the Group is limited to £470,000, although it is acknowledged in the agreement that should costs 
exceed the limit, revised arrangements will be required. 

In contemplation of the disposal of CPPNA Holdings Inc., and in order to incentivise and retain certain key employees of the North American companies, 
agreements were entered into with certain key employees in October 2012 (the Arrangements). The key employees who entered into the Arrangements 
included David Pearce and Gregory Mazza who are directors of CPP North America LLC, a subsidiary of CPPNA Holdings Inc. 

The Arrangements provide (amongst other things) for the payment of a “sale” retention bonus of approximately 1.5 times annual salary in the event the 
disposal is consummated prior to 1 July 2013. The Arrangements also provide for a success bonus payable in the event the total purchase price for the 
disposal exceeds certain parameters. This success bonus is capped at an upper limit and has not become payable. 

Under the terms of the Arrangements, the aggregate amount payable is $465,000 in the case of David Pearce and $312,000 in the case of Gregory Mazza.  

Remuneration of key management personnel 
The remuneration of the Directors and senior management team, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below: 

Short term employee benefits 
Post employment benefits 
Termination benefits 
Share based payments  

Required disclosures regarding remuneration of the Directors are included in the Remuneration Report on pages 30 to 35.

2012 
£’000 

3,782 
229 
684 
(91) 

4,603 

2011 
£’000 

 3,436 
 231  
 142  
 1,153  

 4,962  

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76 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Company balance sheet 

For the year ended 31 December 2012 

Fixed assets 

Tangible fixed assets 
Investment in subsidiaries 

Current assets 

Debtors 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Net current assets 
Total assets less current liabilities 
Provisions 

Net assets 

Capital and reserves 

Called up share capital 
Share premium account 
Share based payment reserve 
Profit and loss reserve 

Equity shareholders’ funds 

Approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 April 2013 and signed on its behalf by: 

Paul Stobart 
Chief Executive Officer 

Shaun Parker 
Chief Financial Officer 

Company registration number: 07151159 

Note 

42 
43 

44 

46 

47 

48 
49 
49 
49 

2012 
£’000 

5 
15,717 

15,722 

49,322 
14,454 

63,776 

(15,010) 

48,766 
64,488 
(408) 

64,080 

17,111 
33,297 
5,012 
8,660 

64,080 

2011 
£’000 

5 
15,787 

15,792 

59,477 
9,901 

69,378 

(12,128) 

57,250 
73,042 
(2,176) 

70,866 

17,106 
33,300 
4,980 
15,480 

70,866 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Company financial statements 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

77

39. Parent company profit and loss account 

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in the Companies Act 2006, Section 408, not to present its own profit and loss account. The Company 
reported a loss after tax for the year of £6,820,000 (2011: £23,543,000 profit) including dividends received from subsidiary undertakings of £nil (2011: 
£30,000,000) during the year. 

40. Significant accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 
The Directors have chosen to present these Company financial statements under the historical cost basis in accordance with applicable law and accounting 
standards generally accepted in the United Kingdom (UK GAAP).  

Cash flow statement 
Under FRS 1 (revised) “Cash Flow Statements” the Company is not required to include a cash flow statement within these Company financial statements, 
since a consolidated cash flow statement for the Group is publicly available. 

Dividend income 
Dividend income from investments is recognised when the Company’s right to receive payment has been established. 

Provisions 
Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle 
that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the 
consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. 
Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows. 

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised as an 
asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably. 

Share based payments 
Prior to the Company’s shares being listed on the London Stock Exchange on 24 March 2010, the Company issued share options to certain of the Group’s 
employees through the ESOP. Subsequent to its listing, the Company has issued share options to certain of the Group’s employees under the LTIP, the 
RSP, the DSBP and the ShareSAVE Plan. 

Share options are treated as equity settled if the Company has the ability to determine whether to settle exercises in cash or by the issue of shares. Share 
options are measured at fair value at the date of grant, based on the Company’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest, and adjusted for the effect of 
non-market based vesting conditions each period. The fair value of equity settled share based payments is charged to the profit and loss account on a 
straight line basis over the vesting period, with a corresponding increase in reserves, subject to adjustment for forfeited options. 

Share options are treated as cash settled, if the terms of the scheme require or the Directors intend to settle share options with a cash payment. Cash 
settled options are measured at fair value at date of grant and subsequently revalued at each period end. For cash settled share based payments, a liability is 
recognised for a proportion, based on the vesting period, of the fair value as calculated at the balance sheet date. Movements in the provision are charged 
to the profit and loss account. 

The fair value of the options are measured by use of the Black Scholes option pricing model and Monte Carlo simulation model. 

Pension costs 
Pension costs represent contributions made by the Company to defined contribution pension schemes. These are expensed as incurred. 

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78 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

40. Significant accounting policies continued 

Taxation 
Current tax, including UK corporation tax and foreign tax, is provided at amounts expected to be paid or recovered using the tax rates and laws that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

Deferred taxation is provided in full on timing differences which result in an obligation at the balance sheet date to pay more tax, or a right to pay less tax at 
a future date, at rates expected to apply when they crystallise based on tax rates and law. Timing differences arise from the inclusion of items of income 
and expenditure in taxation computations in periods different from those in which they are included in financial statements. Deferred tax assets are 
recognised to the extent that it is regarded as more likely than not that they will be recovered. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted. 

Tangible fixed assets 
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the 
cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: 

Computer systems:   

4 years straight line 

Investment in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for impairment. As permitted by Section 615 of the Companies Act 2006, shares issued as 
consideration for acquisition of a subsidiary already under common control are deemed to have been issued at their par value. 

Cash at bank and in hand 
Cash at bank and in hand comprises cash in hand and bank deposits with a term from inception of three months or less, less bank overdrafts where there is 
a right to offset. Bank overdrafts are presented as current liabilities to the extent that there is no right to offset with cash balances in the same currency. 

Financial assets 
Financial assets of the Company are classified according to their nature and purpose which is determined at the time of initial recognition. All of the financial 
assets held by the Company are classified as “loans and receivables”. 

Financial liabilities and equity 
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. All financial liabilities of the 
Company are classified as “other financial liabilities”. 

Equity instruments 
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments 
issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. 

41. Dividends 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year are as follows: 

Final dividend paid for the period ended 31 December 2011 of nil pence per share (2010: 5.12 pence per share) 
Interim dividend paid for the year ending 31 December 2012 of nil pence per share (2011: 2.42 pence per share) 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year 

The Directors have not proposed a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012.  

2012 
£’000 

– 
– 

– 

2011 
£’000 

8,776 
4,149 

12,925 

 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

79

Computer 
systems 
£’000 

6 
2 

8 

1 
2 

3 

5 

5 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

15,787  
– 
(70) 

15,717 

 15,321  
 466  
– 

 15,787  

42. Tangible fixed assets 

Cost: 

At 1 January 2012 
Additions 

At 31 December 2012 

Accumulated Depreciation: 

At 1 January 2012 
Provided during the year 

At 31 December 2012 

Carrying amount: 

At 31 December 2011 

At 31 December 2012 

43. Investment in subsidiaries 

Cost and carrying value: 
At 1 January 
Acquisitions 
Disposals 

At 31 December 

The disposal of £70,000 during the year (2011: £466,000 acquisition) relates to the reversal of share based payment charges in relation to share options  
held by overseas employees. This is treated as a reduction to the capital contribution reserve of the employing subsidiaries and therefore recognised as  
a reduction in the investments in subsidiary companies. 

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80 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

43. Investment in subsidiaries continued 

Investments in Group entities at 31 December 2012 are as follows: 

Investments in subsidiary undertakings held directly 
CPP Group Plc 
CPP Worldwide Holdings Limited 

Investments in subsidiary undertakings held through an  
intermediate subsidiary 
Airport Angel Limited 
Card Protection Plan Limited 
CPP Assistance Limited 
CPP Assistance Services Limited 
CPP European Holdings Limited 
CPP Group Finance Limited 
CPP Holdings Limited 
CPP Insurance Administration Limited 
CPP International Holdings Limited 
CPP Services Limited 
Detailregion Limited 
Green Suite Limited 
Homecare Assistance Limited 
Homecare (Holdings) Limited 
Homecare Insurance Limited 
CPP Travel Services Limited 
CPP Brasil Servicos de Assistencia Pessoal LTDA 
CPP Commercial Consulting Services (Shanghai) Co Limited 
CPP France SA 
CPP Creating Profitable Partnerships GmbH 
one call GmbH 
White Rock Limited 
CPP Asia Limited 
CPP Assistance Services Private Limited 
CPP Italia Srl 
Servicios de Asistencia a Tarjetahabientes CPP Mexico, S.de R.L.de C.V 
Profesionales en Proteccion Individual, S.de R.L de C.V 
CPP Mediacion Y Proteccion SL 
CPP Proteccion Y Servicios de Asistencia SAU 
Key Line Auxiliar SL 
CPP Real Life Services Support SL 
CPP Sigorta Aracilik Hizmetleri Anonim Sirketi 
CPP Yardim ve Destek Hizmetleri Anonim Sirketi 
CPP Direct LLC 
CPP Florida LLC 
CPP Insurance Agency LLC 

Country of 
incorporation/registration 

Class of shares held 

Percentage 
of share 
capital held 

England & Wales 
England & Wales 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100% 
100% 

England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
Brazil 
China 
France 
Germany 
Germany 
Guernsey 
Hong Kong 
India 
Italy 
Mexico 
Mexico 
Spain 
Spain 
Spain 
Spain 
Turkey 
Turkey 
United States 
United States 
United States 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
* 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
99.99% 
99.99% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

81

43. Investment in subsidiaries continued 

CPPNA Holdings Inc 
CPP North America LLC 
CPP Travel LLC 
CPP Warranties LLC 

Country of 
incorporation/registration 

United States 
United States 
United States 
United States 

Class of shares held 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Percentage 
of share 
capital held 

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

Investments in joint venture undertakings held via an intermediate subsidiary
Home 3 Assistance Limited 
*   Quasi-subsidiary Protected Cell Company 

England & Wales 

Ordinary Shares 

49% 

The principal activity of all of the subsidiaries is to provide services in connection with the Group’s major product streams. 

44. Debtors 

Amounts due from Group entities 
Prepayments 
Deferred tax asset 
Other debtors 

2012 
£’000 

49,142 
119 
– 
61 

49,322 

2011 
£’000 

58,532 
69 
745 
131 

59,477  

Amounts receivable from Group entities are unsecured, have no fixed date of repayment and bear interest at LIBOR plus a variable margin. 

45. Deferred tax 

Movements in deferred tax assets recognised by the Company are as follows: 

At 1 January 
Charged to profit and loss account 

At 31 December 

Share based 
payments 
2012 
£’000 

Share based 
payments 
2011 
£’000 

 745  
(745) 

– 

894 
(149) 

745 

Deferred tax assets are stated at the UK corporation tax rate of 23% expected to apply on the forecast date of reversal, based on tax laws substantively 
enacted at 31 December 2012. 

46. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Trade creditors 
Amounts payable to Group entities 
Accruals 

2012 
£’000 

542 
12,757 
1,711 

15,010 

2011 
£’000 

140 
10,702 
1,286 

12,128 

Amounts payable to Group companies are unsecured, have no fixed date of repayment and suffer interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a variable margin. 

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82 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

47. Provisions 

At 1 January 
Charged to the profit and loss account 
Customer redress and associated costs paid in the 
year 
Repayment of loan notes 

At 31 December 

Cash settled 
share based 
payments 
2012 
£’000 

Customer 
redress and 
associated 
costs 
2012 
£’000 

894 
3 

– 
(897) 

– 

1,282 
973 

(1,847) 
– 

408 

Cash settled 
share based 
payments 
2011 
£’000 

 1,719 
72 

– 
(897)  

894 

Total 
2012 
£’000 

2,176 
976 

(1,847) 
(897) 

408 

Customer 
redress and 
associated 
costs 
2011 
£’000 

 –  
 2,109  

(827) 
–  

 1,282 

Total 
2011 
£’000 

1,719 
2,181 

(827) 
(897) 

2,176 

Cash settled share based payments represent loan notes issued to employees of Group entities. Further details are provided in note 51. 

As a consequence of the IPO, 50% of the loan notes fell due for repayment during 2010, 25% fell due for repayment in 2011 and 25% fell due in 2012. 

The customer redress and associated costs provision comprises other costs and professional fees associated with the customer redress exercise. 

Customer redress and associated costs are anticipated to be settled within one year of the balance sheet date. 

48. Share capital 

Issued: 
At 1 January 
Issue of shares: 

Exercise of share options 

At 31 December 

2012 
Number 
(thousands) 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
Number 
(thousands) 

2011 
£’000 

171,430 

17,106 

170,616 

 17,024  

57 

5 

814 

171,487 

17,111 

171,430 

82 

17,106 

During the year 57,387 10 pence ordinary shares have been issued to option holders for total consideration of £2,000. Further details relating to share 
options are provided in note 51. 

Of the 171,486,890 ordinary shares issued at 31 December 2012, 170,986,891 are fully paid and 499,999 are partly paid. 

49. Reserves 

At 1 January 2012 
Loss for the year 
Equity settled share based payment charge 
Exercise of share options 

At 31 December 2012 

Share premium 
account 
£’000 

Share based 
payment 
reserve 
£’000 

Profit 
and loss reserve 
£’000 

33,300 
– 
– 
(3) 

33,297 

4,980 
– 
32 
– 

5,012 

15,480 
(6,820) 
– 
– 

8,660 

Total 
£’000 

53,760 
(6,820) 
32 
(3) 

46,969 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

83

50. Reconciliation of movement in equity shareholders’ funds 

(Loss)/profit for the year 

Dividends paid 
Equity settled share based payment charge 

Exercise of share options 

Movement in equity shareholders’ funds 

Equity shareholders’ funds at 1 January 

Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December 

51. Share based payment 

2012 
£’000 

(6,820) 

– 
32 

2 

(6,786) 

70,866 

64,080 

2011 
£’000 

23,543 

(12,925) 
2,007 

1,081 

 13,706  

57,160 

 70,866 

Legacy schemes 
Legacy schemes comprise the 2005 and the 2008 ESOP Schemes, including the related loan notes (see note 47), which had been implemented in previous 
years, to incentivise certain employees. Details of options outstanding held by the Company’s employees under these schemes are as follows: 

2005 ESOP Scheme 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Forfeited in the year 
Exercised during the year 
Transferred in from other Group companies 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

2008 ESOP Scheme 
Outstanding at 1 January 

Forfeited in the year 
Exercised during the year 
Transferred in from other Group companies 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

2012 

2011 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price  
£ 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
£ 

 2,373  
(406) 
– 
20 

1,987 

1,987 

2.02 
2.28 
– 
2.28 

1.98 

1.98 

 2,253  
 (16) 
 (299) 
 435  

 2,373  

633 

1.84 
 0.82  
1.12 
 2.28  

2.02 

2.05 

2012 

2011 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price  
£ 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
£ 

 3,022 

(2,103) 
– 
126 

1,045 

1,045 

1.79 

1.79 
– 
1.79 

1.79 

1.79 

 3,216 

 (116)  
 (162) 
84 

 3,022  

2,356 

1.79 

 1.79  
1.79 
1.79 

1.79 

1.79 

The IPO during 2010 represented a trigger event for the 2005 and 2008 ESOP Schemes. On the date of the IPO 50% of the options outstanding vested, 
with 25% vesting in 2011 and 25% in 2012. Options lapse if not exercised within 10 years of original grant and may lapse if the employee leaves the Group. 

The options outstanding at 31 December 2012 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of nil years (2011: nil years) in the 2008 Scheme and nil 
years (2011: nil years) in the 2005 Scheme. 

The weighted average share price at the dates of exercise during the year was £nil (2011: £2.81). 

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84 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements 

Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

51. Share based payment continued 

Post IPO plans 
Options have been granted by the Company to Group employees during the year under the LTIP and RSP to incentivise certain employees. 

Details of share options outstanding during the year held by the Company’s employees under the plans are as follows: 

LTIP 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Transferred in from other Group companies 

Outstanding at 31 December 

RSP 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Transferred in from other Group companies 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

DSBP 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Transferred in from other Group companies 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

ShareSAVE Plan 
Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited / cancelled during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 

2012 

2011 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price  
£ 

Number of 
share options 
(thousands) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
£ 

 2,152 
3,414 
(1,063) 
80 

4,583 

 72 
228 
(32) 
(18) 
12 

262 

7 

46 
– 
(13) 
(14) 
5 

24 

9 

 114  
– 
(52) 

62 

 –    
– 
– 
– 

– 

 –    
 – 
 – 
– 
– 

 – 

– 

– 
 –    
– 
– 
– 

 –    

– 

 1.31    
 –    

1.31 

1.30 

 848 
 1,373  
(120) 
 51  

2,152 

 45  
 45  
 (18)  
– 
– 
72 

– 

 –  
 46  
– 
– 
– 

 46  

– 

 57  
105 
 (48)  

114 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
– 
– 

 –  

– 

 –  
 –  
– 
– 
– 

 –  

– 

 1.98  
1.25 
 1.98  

1.31 

Nil-cost options and conditional shares granted during the year under the LTIP normally vest after three years, lapse if not exercised within 10 years of grant 
and may lapse if option holders cease to be employed by the Group. Vesting of LTIP options and shares are also subject to achievement of performance 
criteria including total shareholder return and an absolute share price measure over a three year period. 

Nil-cost options and conditional shares granted during the year under the RSP normally vest after three years, lapse if not exercised within 10 years of grant 
and may lapse if option holders cease to be employed by the Group. 

Nil-cost options and conditional shares granted during 2011 under the DSBP normally vest after three years, lapse if not exercised within 10 years of grant 
and may lapse if option holders cease to be employed by the Group. The DSBP is a scheme to retain and further incentivise senior management by 
awarding a portion of their annual bonus in the form of share options. 

Options granted in 2011 under the ShareSAVE Plan entitle option holders to contribute up to £250 per month. At the vesting date of either three or five 
years, option holders choose between return of their contributions in cash or purchase of shares at a discount to the market price on the date of grant. 
Options normally lapse and cash deposited is returned to option holders who cease to be employed by the Group during the vesting period. 

The options outstanding at 31 December 2012 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of two years (2011: two years) in the LTIP, two years 
(2011: two years) in the RSP, one year in the DSBP (2011: two years) and two years (2011: three years) in the ShareSAVE Plan. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

85

51. Share based payment continued 

The principal assumptions underlying the valuation of the options granted during the year at the date of grant are as follows: 

Weighted average share price 
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk free rate 
Dividend yield 

ShareSAVE 

2012 

2011 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

£1.33 
£1.25 
35.75% 
3 years 
1.15% 
5.68% 

LTIP 

RSP 

2012 

£0.48 
£nil 
75.19% 
3 years 
0.47% 
n/a 

2011 

£2.08 

£nil    

36.88% 
3 years 
1.45% 
n/a 

2012 

£0.45 
£nil 
n/a 
3 years 
n/a 
n/a 

2011 

£2.70 

£nil    
n/a 
3 years 
n/a 
n/a 

DSBP 

2012 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

2011 

£3.00 
£nil  
n/a 
3 years 
n/a 
n/a 

The aggregate estimated fair value of the options and shares granted in 2012 under the LTIP, RSP, DSBP and ShareSAVE is £152,000 
(2011: £2,837,000). 

Expected volatility for the 2011 awards was determined by calculating the historical volatility of comparable quoted companies’ share prices. 

52. Related parties and control 

Certain bank loans taken out by Group entities are secured against the assets of the Company. The total amount outstanding on these loans at  
31 December 2012 amounted to £43,500,000 (2011: £43,500,000). The Company is party to a cross-guarantee in respect of a bank account netting 
arrangement in which it is a participant alongside certain other Group companies. Cash and cash equivalents of £8,400,000 (2011: £2,200,000) are  
held in bank accounts subject to this arrangement. 

The Company has taken the exemption available under FRS 8 “Related Party Transactions” not to disclose transactions with subsidiaries all of whose 
shares are held within the Group. 

The Company’s ultimate controlling party is set out in note 38 to the consolidated financial statements. Emoluments of the Company’s Directors are set  
out in the Remuneration Report on pages 30 to 35. 

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86 

CPPGroup Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

Company office addresses 

Group Head Office 

CPPGroup Plc 
Holgate Park 
York 
YO26 4GA 
United Kingdom 
Tel: +44 (0)1904 544500 
Fax: +44 (0)1904 544933 
www.cppgroupplc.com  

www.cppdirect.co.uk 

Northern Europe 

York Contact Centre 
Holgate Park 
York 
YO26 4GA 

United Kingdom  
Tel: +44 (0)1904 544500 
Fax: +44 (0)1904 544933 

Tamworth Contact Centre 
Centurion Court,  
Centurion Way 
Watling Street 
Wilnecote 
Tamworth 
Staffordshire 
B77 5PN 
United Kingdom 
Tel: +44 (0)1827 725023 
Fax: +44 (0)1827 725030 

CPP Travel Services Limited 
CPP Group Plc 
2 Castle Street  
Manchester  
M3 4LZ 
United Kingdom  
Tel: +44 (0)161 8271483 
Fax: +44 (0)161 8271433 

CPP Germany 
Große Elbstraße 39 
22767 Hamburg 
Germany 
Tel: +49 40 76 99 67 0 
Fax: +49 40 76 99 67 111 

CPP Turkey 
Degirmen Sokak. Nida Kule Plaza. 
Kat:13 Ofis: 22 
34742 Kozyatagı 
Istanbul 
Turkey 
Tel: +90 216 665 25 25 
Fax: +90 216 665 25 24 

Southern Europe & Latin America 

Asia Pacific  

CPP Spain 
Parque Empresarial Alvento 
Via de los Poblados 1 
Edif. B, 2ª Planta 
28033 Madrid 
Spain 
Tel: +34 91 121 16 00 
Fax: +34 91 121 16 16 

CPP Italy 
Centro Direzionale Colleoni 
Via Paracelso, 22 – 50 Piano 
20041 Agrate Brianza 
Milan 
Italy 
Tel: +39 039 657801 
Fax: +39 039 6894 293 

CPP France 
120 rue Jean Jaurés 
92300 Levallois-Perret 
France 
Tel: +33 1 47 30 56 20 
Fax: +33 1 47 30 56 28 

CPP Portugal 
Avenida da Liberdade, 40–7º 
1269-041 Lisbon 
Portugal 
Tel: +351 213 241 730 
Fax: +351 213 479 688 

CPP Mexico 
Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena 
No. 1000 Piso 1 
Centro Ciudad Santa fe 
Mexico, D.F.C.P.05120  
Tel: +55 8000-3147 
Fax: +55 8000-3148 

CPP Brazil 
Alameda Mamore 
989-10th Floor 
06454-040 Alphaville 
Barueri 
São Paulo 
Brazil 
Tel: +55 11 4689 5757 
Fax: +55 11 4208 2942 

North America 

CPP North America 
5100 Gamble Drive, Suite 600 
St. Louis Park 
MN 55416 
USA  
Tel: +1 952 541 5800 
Fax: +1 952 541 5973 

CPP Hong Kong 
14/F Chung Nam Building 
1 Lockhart Road 
Wanchai 
Hong Kong 
Tel: +852 3653 0000 
Fax: +852 3653 0050  

CPP Singapore 
(Registered Office address) 
80 Robinson Road 
#02-00, Singapore 068898 
Tel: +65 6333 6986 
Fax: +65 6333 8637 

CPP Malaysia 
(Registered Office address) 
3-2 3rd Mile Square, 
No. 151 Jalan Kelang Lama, 
Batu 3 ½, 
58100 Kuala Lumpur 
Malaysia 
Tel: +60 3-7987 9200 
Fax: +60 3-7987 5200 

(Business address) 
Suite 1631, Level 16, 
1 Sentral, Jalan Stesen 
Sentral 5, 
KL Sentral 
50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
Tel: +60 3 2168 5600 
Fax: +60 3 2168 5799 

CPP Commercial Consulting Services 
(Shanghai) Company Ltd 
6/F, The 21st Century Building,  
210 Century Avenue,  
Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai 200120  
Line: +(86) 21 5172 7312  
Fax: +(86) 21 5172 7325 

CPP India 
114-117 Bestech Chambers 
Radisson Blu Suites 
B Block, Sushant Lok – I 
Gurgaon – 122002 
Haryana 
India 
Tel: +91 124 409 3900 
Fax: +91 124 404 1004 

CPP China 
CPP Commercial Consulting Services (Shanghai) 
Co., Ltd. 
Room 531, 5/F Standard Chartered Tower 
No 201 Shiji Avenue 
Lujiazui, Pudong 
Shanghai 200120 
Tel: +86 21 6182 6783 
Fax: +86 21 6182 6752 

 
 
 
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) is an international 
network which promotes responsible management of the 
world’s forests. Forest certification is combined with a 
system of product labelling that allows consumers to readily 
identify timber-based products from certified forests. 

Designed and produced by Black Sun Plc.  
Printed in England by the Pureprint Group. 

 
www.cppgroupplc.com