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De La Rue plc

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Industry Paper, Lumber & Forest Products
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FY2018 Annual Report · De La Rue plc
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A MORE  
SECURE  
WORLD

De La Rue plc 
Annual Report 2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Inside this year’s  
Annual Report

02

52

99

Strategic report

Corporate governance

Accounts

52  Chairman’s introduction
54  Leadership
62  Effectiveness

– Nomination Committee report

66  Accountability

– Audit Committee report
– Risk Committee report
– Ethics Committee report
74  Directors’ remuneration report
95  Directors’ report

Introduction from the Chairman

02  Financial highlights
02 
04  Our business at a glance
05  Our global footprint
06  Our role in the world economy
14  Our markets
18  Our business model
20  The resources we rely on
22  Our fundamental plan
23  Chief Executive Officer’s review
29  Operational and financial review
34  How we performed
36  Risk and risk management
42  A responsible business

04

Our business at a glance

Currency
£371.8m Revenue £45.1m Adjusted operating profit*

Identity Solutions
£82.0m Revenue £8.3m Adjusted operating profit*

Product Authentication & Traceability
£40.1m Revenue £9.4m Adjusted operating profit*

34

23

Independent auditor’s report

99 
106  Group income statement
107   Group statement of 

comprehensive income

108  Group balance sheet
109  Group statement of changes in equity
110  Group cash flow statement
111  Accounting policies
114  Notes to the accounts
152  Company balance sheet
153  Company statement of changes in equity
154  Accounting policies – Company
155  Notes to the accounts – Company
157  Non-IFRS measures
158  Five year record
159  Shareholders’ information

06
OUR ROLE  
IN THE WORLD  
ECONOMY

Q&AQ&A

How we performed

Chief Executive Officer’s review

Revenue
£m
2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£493.9m

493.9

461.7

454.5

422.8

460.1

We made good 
progress in our 
strategic plan 
in the year.

*  This is a non-IFRS measure. See further explanations and reconciliation to the comparable IFRS measure on page 157.

 
 
 
 
Our purpose

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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We want to enable every citizen to 
participate in the global economy.

We live in a world that is crying out 
for trust and integrity to help make it 
a more secure place to live and work. 
We work closely with governments, 
central banks and commercial 
organisations in over 140 countries 
around the world. 
We invest in innovation, developing new 
advanced security products, software 
solutions and other specialist services 
that underpin the integrity of trade, 
personal identity and the movement 
of goods and services.

We use the UN SDG logos to illustrate 
how our activities support each goal. 

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

 
 
02

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

A solid performance
Financial highlights

Continuing the  
good momentum
Introduction from  
the Chairman

Revenue

£493.9m

2017: £461.7m

Dividend per share

25.0p

2017: 25.0p

Adjusted EBITDA*1

Reported EBITDA

£87.3m

2017: £97.4m

£148.2m

20174: £96.0m

Adjusted operating profit*2

Reported operating profit

£62.8m

2017: £70.7m

£123.0m

2017: £70.2m

Adjusted basic earnings  
per share*3

Reported basic earnings per share 
from continuing operations4

42.9p

2017: 47.1p

93.7p

2017: 47.2p

*  This is an non-IFRS measure. See further explanations 
and reconciliations to the comparable IFRS measures 
on page 157. ‘Reported’ measures are on an IFRS basis.

1  Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings from continuing 

operations before the deduction of interest, tax, 
depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items.

2  Adjusted operating profit represents operating profit from 
continuing operations adjusted to exclude exceptional 
items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets.

3  Adjusted earnings per share are the earnings attributable 

to equity shareholders, excluding exceptional items, 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets and 
discontinued operations divided by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

4  Continuing operations only, excluding the Cash Processing 

Solutions business which was sold on 22 May 2016.

We made good progress 
against the strategic plan 
outlined in May 2015 to 
transform the Group into 
a less capital intensive, 
more technology led 
business. The sale of 
the paper business was 
a significant milestone 
towards achieving this 
goal. The strong focus 
on R&D and product 
management in the last 
three years has also 
strengthened the Group’s 
product portfolio and 
ensured a strong pipeline 
that will drive sustainable 
growth in the future. 

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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of £80.5m following the indexation 
change less the exceptional charges 
primarily relating to the paper disposal.

Adjusted basic earnings per share* 
were 9% lower at 42.9p due to lower 
adjusted operating profit in the current 
year. Reported basic earnings per share 
were up 99% to 93.7p, reflecting the 
impact of the significant exceptional gain 
explained above.

The Group delivered strong cash 
flows in the year with cash generated 
from operating activities of £73.5m, 
14% higher than the prior year 
(2016/17: £64.3m). The lower profit 
in the year was compensated by the 
significant improvement in working 
capital as a result of successful inventory 
management and strong cash collections 
from debtors. Inventory and trade 
debtors, excluding the exited paper 
business, were £13m and £10m lower 
than the prior year. 

More details of the Group’s financial 
performance is covered in the operational 
and financial review on page 29 to 33.

Dividend
The Board is recommending a 
final dividend of 16.7p per share 
(2016/17: 16.7p per share). This, together 
with the 8.3p paid in January 2018, will 
make a full year dividend of 25.0p per 
share. Subject to shareholders’ approval, 
the final dividend will be paid on 3 August 
2018 to shareholders on the register 
on 6 July 2018.

Outlook
The Board was disappointed that the 
Group did not win the new UK Passport 
tender. While this clearly is a setback, 
it does not change the Group’s goals set 
out in May 2015. The strong underlying 
performance and good strategic 
progress in the past three years gives 
the Board confidence in the future of the 
business. Viability assessment of the 
business can be found on page 41. 

Philip Rogerson
Chairman

The year under review
Although the failure to win the UK 
Passport contract announced in March 
2018 was a blow, the Group has made 
good progress in the year against the 
strategic plan outlined in May 2015 to 
transform the Group into a less capital 
intensive, more technology led business. 
The sale of the paper business – 
Portals De La Rue – was a significant 
milestone towards achieving this goal. 
The strong focus on R&D and product 
management in the last three years has 
also strengthened the Group’s product 
portfolio and ensured a strong pipeline 
that will drive sustainable growth in the 
future. Martin Sutherland will comment 
more fully on this progress in his Chief 
Executive Officer’s review on page 23 
to 28.

I am pleased to report significant 
progress in strengthening the Group’s 
balance sheet. Net debt of £49.9m at 
the end of the period (25 March 2017 
£120.9m) was the lowest in five years, 
benefiting from the proceeds of the sale 
of the paper business together with a 
small net cash inflow from overall trading. 
The deficit of the Group’s UK defined 
benefit pension scheme reduced from 
£237.0m to £87.6m in the past year, 
mostly reflecting the change of indexation 
linked to future pension increases from 
RPI to CPI. The stronger balance sheet 
gives us greater flexibility in allocation 
of capital in order to deliver long term 
shareholder value. 

We are proud participants of the UN 
Global Compact since late 2016, 
reflecting the alignment of our strategy 
and operations with its principles on 
human rights, labour, environment 
and anti-corruption, as well as the 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 
We have used the UN SDG logos in 
the report to show this alignment. 
We have also made good progress in 
embedding broader social, ethical, and 
sustainable practices across our day-to-
day business. Further information can 
be found in our responsible business 
section on pages 42 to 51.

The Board
The Board has undergone a few changes 
and added new skills and experience in 
the last few years and I feel that we have 
the right balance of capabilities, expertise 
and experience to support and challenge 
management in the most effective way.

As previously announced, Jitesh Sodha, 
Chief Financial Officer, decided to 
step down and resigned as a Director 
on 19 March. We are grateful for his 
contribution and wish him well for his 
future. A search has commenced to 
identify a suitable successor. 

Our people
Our people are our greatest assets and 
are vital to the successful execution of 
our strategy and to fulfilling our purpose. 
They provide products and services that 
enable people’s participation in social, 
economic and commercial activities in 
the many countries in which we operate. 
On behalf of the Board, I would like to 
express our thanks for their continuing 
hard work and dedication. 

In its gender pay gap statistics 
published in January 2018, the Group 
reported a gender pay gap of 10%. 
This is less than the UK average of 
17% but still far from our goal of zero. 
The Board has welcomed the launch 
of our strategy which in part aims to 
eliminate the gender pay gap while 
creating an inclusive and diverse 
workforce at De La Rue. 

The safety and wellbeing of our 
people are of great importance to 
the Board, and we shall continue to 
support the efforts being made to 
ensure consistent improvement in 
the Group’s performance.

Financial performance
Group revenue increased by 7%, 
with growth across all three segments. 
Adjusted operating profit* was 11% 
lower at £62.8m, reflecting the write off 
of the one off bid costs associated with 
the UK Passport retender, the ongoing 
investment programme and the relatively 
poor performance of the paper business, 
which were offset in part by additional 
margin from increased sales and certain 
provision and accrual releases, where 
we now have additional information as 
to the likelihood and amount of potential 
liabilities. On an IFRS basis operating 
profit was £123.0m, 75% higher than 
the prior year. This reflected the £60.9m 
net exceptional gain relating to the 
re-measurement of the pension liability 

 
 
04

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

At a glance
We have three key areas of focus. Currency, 
identity solutions and product authentication. 

Revenue £m 

Adjusted operating profit* £m 

Currency 75%
Identity Solutions 17%
Product Authentication 8%

Currency 72%
Identity Solutions 13%
Product Authentication 15%

£493.9

£62.8

Each area shares a focus on research and development, finding effective 
solutions for customers, and world class manufacturing facilities.

Currency 

Banknote Print

Polymer

Security Features

We design, manufacture and deliver 
banknotes to customers around 
the world.

We are the only vertically integrated 
producer of polymer substrate 
and banknotes.

We create features that underpin the 
integrity of our currency, identity and 
security label products.

 7.3bn notes

 810 tonnes

 1.6m kms

Banknotes sold in 2017/18 
(2016/17: 7.1bn notes) 

Polymer substrate sold in 2017/18 
(2016/17: 380 tonnes)

Security threads sold in 2017/18 
(2016/17: 1.2m kms)

Identity Solutions

Product Authentication

We create and deliver passports and identity solutions 
for governments.

We create and deliver secure labels and track and trace 
solutions for governments and commercial customers.

 12.0m

Passports sold in 2017/18  
(2016/17: 13.7m)

 1.6bn

Security labels sold in 2017/18  
(2016/17: 1.7bn)

*  This is a non-IFRS measure. See further explanations and reconciliation to the comparable IFRS measure on page 157.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

05

Our global footprint
We have a global footprint and work with 
governments, central banks and commercial 
organisations in over 140 countries.

Malta  
Banknote and security printing

Dubai, UAE 
Regional hub

Beijing, China 
Country office

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Malwana, Sri Lanka 
Banknote printing

Gateshead, UK  
Banknote and security printing

Westhoughton, UK  
Polymer substrate and security features

Debden, UK  
Banknote printing managed service

Overton, UK  
Technology Centre

Basingstoke, UK  
Design Centre

Logan, Utah, US  
Security features, 
printing and identity

Miami, Florida, US 
Regional hub

Wilmington, Delaware, US 
Research and development

In progress

Sales support office

Manufacturing facility and regional office

Nairobi, Kenya 
Banknote and 
security printing

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
Regional hub

In banknote and passport markets by volume.

 #1
 158 years
1/3

Longest customer relationship (with Mauritius).

Of the world’s total banknote denominations 
in circulation in 2017 were designed 
by De La Rue.

40 countries

For whom we produce passports.

Revenue by region % 

Employees by region % 

£493.9m

2,763

UK – 21%
Rest of Europe – 5%
The Americas – 14%
Middle East & Africa – 34%
Asia – 25%
Rest of world – 1%

UK – 57%
Rest of Europe – 18%
The Americas – 2%
Middle East & Africa – 11%
Asia – 12%

Find out more about our business
www.delarue.com/ar2018

 
 
06

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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OUR ROLE  
IN THE WORLD 
ECONOMY

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THE FUTURE 
OF CASH

Q&A with Martin Sutherland, our Chief Executive Officer

INNOVATING  
A SECURE WORLD

Q&A with Selva Selvaratnam, our Chief Technology Officer

PARTNERING WITH  
OUR CUSTOMERS

Q&A with Richard Hird, our Chief Commercial Officer

 
 
08

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

01

Martin Sutherland
Our Chief Executive Officer clears up 
some misconceptions about cash.

Cash to total payment transactions %

Egypt
Peru
Saudi Arabia
Malaysia
Thailand
Kenya
India
Columbia
Greece
Mexico
Russia
Poland
South Africa
Italy
Taiwan
UAE
China
Japan
Brazil
Spain
Eurozone
South Korea
Germany
Australia
US
UK
Belgium
Canada
Sweden
France
Netherlands
Singapore
10

0

99
99
99
99

98
98
98
98
98

96
96
95
94
94
94

92

90

86
85
84

79

71

67

65

55

48

44
43

41
41
40

39

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: McKinsey/Mastercard Advisers

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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THE FUTURE 
OF CASH

Q: Everywhere you look, people are 
paying electronically. Isn’t it a fact that 
cash is dead?

A: Absolutely and unarguably no. Have a 
peek outside the bubble of middle-class 
western democracies and you’ll find 
that cash is still king. Seventy five per 
cent of the world’s population live in 
countries where 95% of all transactions 
are cash based. Cash accounts for eight 
and a half out of every ten transactions 
worldwide. It remains by far the 
predominant method of payment.

Even in the developed world, cash plays 
a vital role in the payment ecosystem. 
Sixty per cent of European citizens don’t 
have a credit card. Even in the UK, 7% of 
us don’t have a bank account. Check out 
the queues at ATMs on any Saturday 
afternoon. You’ll quickly understand 
why even in the UK and Europe cash in 
circulation is rising by about 5% a year. 
The most popular payment method in 
the world isn’t about to curl up its toes.

Q: But why not? What’s the attraction 
of cash in a digital world?

A: Firstly, some people don’t have the 
choice. Thirty eight per cent of the world’s 
population don’t have a bank account. 
If you aren’t able to open a bank account 
– for whatever reason – cash is your only 
option. It’s the most universal, classless 
and socially inclusive payment method. 

Cash is instantaneous and free to use. 
It’s also a store of wealth that people 
turn to in times of trouble. One other 
important point: there’s no hidden 
agenda with cash. You know that nobody 
is tracking your whereabouts or picking 
through your personal data. This is an 
increasingly big issue.

This isn’t about cash versus the rest of 
the payment methods. This is about 
inclusivity, availability and security, but 
above all, freedom of choice. Cash has 
played an irreplaceable role in the payment 
ecosystem in the past and will continue 
to do so for many years to come. 

Q: Could cryptocurrency replace 
cash eventually?

A: A number of central banks are 
exploring the possibility of creating their 
own cryptocurrencies. However I can 
envisage a number of hurdles that will 
need overcoming. 

First of all, money needs to be a medium 
of exchange, a unit of account and a 
store of value. Cryptocurrency in its 
current form simply doesn’t meet all the 
criteria. Secondly, in order for people 
to transact cryptocurrency requires 
the extensive availability of technology 
and infrastructure. With more than 
50% of the world’s population still not 
being connected to internet, this is a 
big ask. There are also questions about 
security. How secure can the system be 
under increasingly sophisticated cyber 
attacks? How well are your crypto assets 
protected from fraud and theft?

So, still early days for cryptocurrency. 
But one thing we can be sure about is 
that cash will continue to exist.

Q: How about mobile money systems 
such as M-Pesa?

A: M-Pesa promotes financial inclusion 
– and that’s closely aligned with our 
own purpose at De La Rue and we 
welcome it. M-Pesa, in effect, acts as a 
mobile bank account and a mobile ATM. 
It allows users to deposit and withdraw 
money from a network of agents. 
It encourages greater usage of cash 
because money transfer becomes easier 
and faster. While the number of M-Pesa-
registered users in Kenya increased 
from zero to 24m in the decade to 
2017, Kenya’s currency in circulation 
increased around 10% per year over the 
same period*. M-Pesa is in fact a great 
example of how cash and digital finance 
can co-exist to promote social and 
financial inclusion. 

*  Source: Central Bank of Kenya. 

Cash accounts for eight 
and a half out of every ten 
transactions worldwide. 
It remains by far the 
predominant method 
of payment.

Watch video online at  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

 
 
10

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

INNOVATING 
A SECURE WORLD

Q: Why is innovation important 
for De La Rue?

A: Innovation is nothing new at 
De La Rue. Going back to the envelope 
folding machine, the perforated stamp 
and the ATM, we have a long history of 
being first. And innovation is right at the 
heart of what we do and how we do it. 

Why innovate? Because it’s what the 
counterfeiters do. We need to stay 
ahead of them, and that requires serious 
investment, great people with great 
skills, and a lot of commitment. And as 
the world changes we need to invest 
in new products and services that our 
customers require. Doubling R&D spend 
by 2020 is our recognition that it’s our 
intellectual property and technology that 
sets us apart. That’s what customers pay 
for – so that’s what we’re building as our 
platform for the future. 

Q: How is De La Rue moving to be 
more technology-driven?

A: Our R&D programme focuses on 
two areas: digital solutions and the 
more traditional but highly skilled area 
of material science which De La Rue is 
renowned for. 

Our team of material scientists needs to 
continue to produce secure, distinctive 
and easily recognisable features. 
We have a systematic approach that 
ensures we bring new products to 
market faster and more regularly. 

The digital innovation that is happening 
at De La Rue is perhaps less well 
known. We offer a suite of digital 
solutions that complement our more 
traditional products. 

Our software development team has 
doubled in size this year, and we are 
sourcing experts and highly skilled 
employees around the world to ensure 
we deliver excellence. 

We also see opportunities to accelerate 
our technology development through 
partnerships and acquisitions. 

Our acquisition of DuPont Authentication 
and the strategic partnerships with 
Opalux and Optel Group, are great 
examples – they all have unique 
technologies that work well with 
our products.

Q: So what are the new opportunities?

A: Number one, automation. How can 
we use technology to improve the way 
we work? Clearly, there are opportunities 
in the manufacturing stage, especially in 
how we handle or finish banknotes. 

We have seen a major shift in the 
application of data and insights. 
Our customers appreciate being able 
to work with us and draw insights from 
the data we generate as a business to 
help them make decisions. Our DLR 
Analytics™ software is an example 
of this. 

Data is also enabling us to improve the 
way we work. Analysis of our processes 
helps to drive manufacturing efficiencies 
which also open up possibilities to save 
energy and resources.

Q: What’s your view on disruptive 
technologies, such as blockchain 
and 3D printing?

A: We believe blockchain technology 
will have most impact for our product 
authentication customers. Why? 
Because it can track products from 
source to customer, assuring authenticity 
across continents through checkpoints 
and other interventions. Blockchain could 
also have implications for our identity 
business. We see limited application 
for a central bank digital currency 
using blockchain.

3D printing is another area where the 
upside is qualified by the potential 
downside. Yes, using it to create 
banknote printing plates could help 
us be more efficient – but if we can 
print our own plates, so too can 
others. Used unwisely, it could be a 
counterfeiter’s dream.

It’s our intellectual 
property and technology 
that sets us apart. 
They underpin the 
products and services 
we offer – so that’s what 
we’re building as our 
platform for the future.

Watch video online at  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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02

Selva Selvaratnam 
Our Chief Technology Officer  
explains how innovation is shaping 
the future of De La Rue.

PureImage™ – Our latest holographic thread based on secure and 
proven technology. It can integrates with covert features such as UV 
fluorescence and machine readable materials

Ignite™ – A new premium feature combining liquid crystal colour-shift 
with complex microstructures to create dynamic and distinctive effect 
for public authentication

 
 
12

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

03

Richard Hird
Our Chief Commercial Officer 
provides insight into our new 
approach to partnerships.

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De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

13

PARTNERING WITH 
OUR CUSTOMERS

Q: Why do customers buy from 
De La Rue?

A: Our customers value partnership over 
a supplier relationship. We have many 
experiences of long term partnerships 
with our customers. These are defined 
by continued investment, dedication to 
their vision and our commitment to deliver 
on promises. 

The products and services we provide 
are critical to our customers and we treat 
them with utmost respect. We deliver 
our high standard products along with 
ambitious service level agreements. 
A partnership approach means we work 
with customers from design, through to 
delivery and ongoing service. 

A new banknote design or a new 
passport or identity scheme is always a 
high profile activity. These require public 
awareness and education campaign 
planning – extra support that we provide. 

Unfortunately our customers sometimes 
need disaster recovery support, whether 
due to natural disasters or other shocks. 
At these times, customers need a trusted 
partner who delivers no matter what. 

Q: Can you give practical examples 
of how De La Rue does that little bit 
more for customers?

A: There are many instances of where 
we’ve done a lot more. Sierra Leone 
during the Ebola crisis is a case in 
point. The central bank had an urgent 
need for currency, but no airlines 
were actually willing to deliver. So we 
chartered our own aircraft and met the 
bank’s deadlines. Some other examples 
include Haiti, after the 2012 earthquake, 
countries needing urgent supply during 
times of hyper-inflation and South Sudan 
during independence; the list is endless 
throughout our 200 year history.

We’re creative, flexible and reliable no 
matter what the challenge – that’s why 
customers trust us and want to work 
with us.

Our industry needs to be built on trust 
and integrity. De La Rue’s strong ethics, 
our embedded values-driven culture 
and our awareness and engagement 
in sustainable development efforts by 
countries means that we are a partner 
they can really trust to achieve their social 
and economic goals. 

Q: So what’s new about the approach 
to partnership?

A: Firstly, we see ourselves as a strategic 
partner of our customers to help them 
achieve their own social and economic 
goals, whether that’s social inclusion, 
building capacity of local staff, economic 
stability, establishing nationhood or 
tackling counterfeit currency and goods. 
Our joint venture partnership with the 
Government of Sri Lanka, and the partner 
programme in Rwanda and Sierra Leone 
are excellent examples of that.

We’ve reshaped our sales organisation 
to transform the way in which we engage 
with customers. We’re reducing our 
reliance on third party partners, replacing 
them where possible with a more 
dynamic, more focused De La Rue hired 
and trained sales team that reflects the 
diversity of our customers in terms of 
language, ethnicity and cultural outlook. 
This team is now working out of a series 
of regional hubs, so we stay as close as 
possible to our customers. 

Innovation is another way in which we’re 
getting closer to customers. The Cash 
Cycle Partnership programme powered 
by our latest software product DLR 
Analytics™ helps central banks to 
better understand their cash cycles and 
forecast cash demands so they don’t 
need to worry about running out of cash. 
It is a great example of how providing 
better service to customers with data 
insight goes hand in hand with driving 
better quality revenue. 

Customers are looking 
for long-term strategic 
partnerships based on 
mutual respect, deep 
understanding and 
reliable, flexible support.

Watch video online at  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

 
 
14

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Our markets
We operate in three main markets – currency, identity 
and product authentication, all of which have strong 
prospects for long term sustainable growth.

Currency market

The total amount of cash 
in circulation has been 
growing at c3% a year 
globally over the past 
decade and is expected 
to continue to increase 
at a similar rate in 
future years.

The total amount of cash in circulation 
has been growing at c3% a year1 globally 
over the past decade and is expected 
to continue to increase at a similar rate 
in future years. Population growth and 
increasing number of ATMs are amongst 
the main drivers for cash growth. 

Most banknotes and the substrates on 
which they are printed are produced by 
state print works (SPWs) and state paper 
mills (SPMs) of the respective issuing 
countries. The rest of the demand is 
fulfilled by commercial banknote printers 
and paper or alternative substrate 
makers. This situation has remained 
relatively stable over the past decade. 

While many customers buy finished 
banknotes from one supplier, some 
follow a multi-supplier model which 
involves disaggregating their note buying 
into individual components: substrate, 
security features and printing. 

Global banknote issuance
Billions of notes

2021E

2020E

2019E

2018E

2017E

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

194

192

183

178

CAGR
3%

174

171

168

157

157

153

CAGR
3%

Source: De La Rue estimates

Commercially available markets 
%

c171bn

Commercial print
11%
Commercial paper
42%
Overspill print 4%

Commercial 
security features
69%

Polymer 3%

State print works 85%

State paper mills 55%

ZSST (China) 31%

Source: De La Rue estimates

Commercial print market 
by volume %

De La Rue – 27%
G&D – 23%
Oberthur – 17%
Crane – 7%
Goznak – 7%
Other – 19%

Source: De La Rue estimates. Excluding overspill orders

 
 
 
De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Security features
While pricing in print and paper remains 
stable, customers are increasingly 
seeking to access the benefits of added-
value security features such as threads 
and holograms and this is making 
the ownership of such innovations an 
attractive opportunity. 

Almost all countries buy security features 
or IP licences on the commercial market. 
Some 90% of the c171bn banknotes 
issued in 2017 incorporated security 
threads, while only 13% included 
features such as holographic patches 
and stripes. However, we believe growth 
in holographic features will accelerate 
as the polymer banknote adoption 
rate increases. 

Compared to print and polymer, the 
security features market is fragmented, 
with more than a dozen suppliers ranging 
from banknote printers to pure play 
security features firms. De La Rue is 
the third largest commercial supplier of 
security threads and the fourth largest 
of holographic features. 

Printing
The number of countries outsourcing 
their banknote production has been 
stable in the past decade and this is 
expected to remain unchanged in the 
near future. Around 11% of the c171bn 
banknotes issued globally1 in 2017 were 
commercially available. The commercial 
banknote print market is highly 
concentrated, with four major operators 
sharing two thirds of the market. 
De La Rue is the market leader, with 27% 
market share.

While the increase of cash in circulation 
drives growth in the commercial 
banknote printing market, the timing of 
orders can be unpredictable. The degree 
of uncertainty is exacerbated by overspill 
caused by the SPWs being unable to 
meet internal demand. Overspill orders 
typically account for 2% to 4% of the total 
banknote market and therefore have a 
noticeable effect on the commercial print 
and paper markets. 

Polymer substrate 
Of the banknotes in circulation, c3% are 
printed on next generation substrates 
such as polymer1. As central banks 
seek to reduce the ‘cost of cash’, 
polymer is becoming more popular 
due to its durability, sustainability and 
greater security2. 

More economies are switching or 
considering switching paper banknotes 
to polymer notes. Thirty eight countries 
have already issued or are about to issue 
one or more denominations on polymer. 
We expect the market to double in size 
in the next five years1. 

Currently there are only two commercial 
suppliers of polymer substrate. 
Although second to the market, 
De La Rue has been growing fast and 
has 11% share by volume1. Polymer also 
offers opportunities to access the 
countries printing their own banknotes 
but sourcing substrate from the 
commercial market, thus increasing 
the size of its addressable market.

Security features market 
by volume %

De La Rue – 7%
ZSST (China) – 31%
Crane – 17%
G&D – 12%
Kurz – 5%
Fabriano – 3%
Generic/Other – 25%

Source: De La Rue estimates

Polymer market by number 
of issuing authorities No.

13

12

9

5

2017

2017

2016

2016

2015

2015

2014

2014

2013

3

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

19

16

De La Rue

CCL

Source: De La Rue estimates

Polymer market by volume 
%

25

25

24

24

23

22

22

De La Rue – 11%

CCL – 89%

Source: De La Rue estimates

1  De La Rue estimate. 

2  According to the Bank of England’s study in 2013, polymer 

notes are more secure and last 2.5 times longer than 
cotton-based banknotes.

 
 
16

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Our markets continued

Identity market

The global identity 
market is valued at 
around £3.9bn today 
and expected to grow 
at c6% a year.

Against a background of increasing 
population and greater globalisation, 
demand for identity products 
and services continues to rise as 
governments increasingly focus on 
improving border security, authentication 
and their citizens’ access to services. 

While physical tokens such as passports 
and ID cards are important, there is 
a growing emphasis on end-to-end 
solutions that combine secure tokens 
with systems and services which help 
to create and validate unique, trusted 
legal identities.

The global identity market, including 
passports, ID cards, and the associated 
digital solutions, is valued at around 
£3.9bn today and expected to grow at 

c6% a year1. Although many countries 
have in-house security print capabilities, 
many still choose to source printing 
or individual components from the 
commercial market. More than half 
of the identity market is available to 
commercial manufacturers.

With an annual growth of c8%, the 
passport market remains attractive. 
Around 165m passports are issued 
globally each year, 25% of which are 
available to commercial security printers. 
Customers increasingly value security 
features and the systems and services 
surrounding the physical product. 
While we believe demand for physical 
passports will remain for the long 
term, the market is transitioning from 
Machine Readable Passports to chip-
based ePassports. This further drives 
demand for full integration of end-to-
end solutions.

Globally, around 100 countries have 
compulsory identity card schemes. 
The national ID market is expected to 
grow at 5%. Today, over 70% of the 
national IDs in circulation globally are 
chip-based. Technological advances in 
recent years have enabled new types 
of ID schemes, combining traditional ID 
functionality with payment methods. 

1  De La Rue estimate.

Global passport market 
£bn

2020E

2019E

2018E

2017

2016

3.2

3.0

2.9

2.7

2.6

Passport: 8% CAGR

Source: De La Rue estimates

Global identity card market 
£bn

2020E

2019E

2018E

2017

2016

National ID: 5% CAGR

Source: De La Rue estimates

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

Commercial passport market 
by volume %

De La Rue – 32%
Gemalto – 12%
CBN – 12%
IDEMIA – 9%
G&D – 8%
Other – 27%

Source: De La Rue estimates

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Global brand protection market
$bn

2020E

2017

2010

4.2

2.7

CAGR 16%

2.1

CAGR 9%

Source: The Future of Anti-Counterfeiting, Brand Protection 
and Security Packaging to 2020, Smithers Pira

Product authentication market

The global market for 
brand protection is 
forecast to grow at 16% 
a year, rising to $4.2bn 
in 2020.

Globally, the significant increase in 
counterfeit goods and illicit trade 
means that governments are losing 
billions of dollars in tax revenues. 
Legitimate businesses and brand 
owners are being undermined. 
Consumer confidence is being eroded 
and their health put at risk. 

Excisable fast moving consumer goods 
such as tobacco and alcohol are widely 
recognised to be among the most 
illegally traded products in the world. 
One in every 10 cigarettes lit up in the 
world is illicit, valued at almost $40bn, 
with an equivalent tax loss to global 
governments1. The need for protecting 
tax revenue, together with continuing 
changes to government policy worldwide 
driven by international treaties such as 
the WHO Framework Convention on 
Tobacco Control, remain the key drivers 
for growth in the tax stamp market.

The rise of counterfeit goods, 
unauthorised production and sales 
channel diversion also means that 
businesses and brand owners are losing 
revenue and brand equity. The rapid 
growth of eCommerce and easy global 

shipping have exacerbated the problem, 
with 90% of online retailers having 
experienced up to a 10% loss of revenue 
due to online counterfeit sales2. The total 
value of counterfeit and pirated goods 
globally is expected to be $2.8tr in 2022, 
a 150% increase from 20133. The global 
market for brand protection is forecast 
to grow at c16% a year, rising to $4.2bn 
in 20204. 

Both the tax stamp and brand protection 
markets are highly fragmented, with most 
operators offering only partial solutions 
such as serialised labels and tamper-
evident packaging. However, there is 
a growing trend towards integrated, 
end-to-end solutions that provide a 
combination of highly secure labels 
and unique ID together with systems 
that can track, trace and authenticate 
products throughout the supply chain. 
As technologies advance and costs 
reduce, features such as printed 
electronics and RFID5 tags in packaging 
and labels are gaining popularity. 
Online shopping is also driving 
authentication through a touchpoint 
of consumer smartphones.

1  Euromonitor International.

2  Global Online Shopping Report.

3  The Economic Impacts of Counterfeiting and Piracy, 

Frontier Economics.

4  The future of anti-counterfeiting, brand protection 
and security packaging to 2020, Smithers Pira.

5  Radio Frequency Identification.

 
 
18

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Our business model
We create value by providing solutions to our customers’ 
unique challenges. This is driven by our focus on 
innovation, our expertise and our manufacturing skills.

The resources we rely on

Our customers and what they buy from us

2,763 skilled employees
Our people
We have 2,763 dedicated and passionate 
employees across four continents and we 
are moving to be closer to our customers.

1,000+ patents
Intellectual property and shared knowledge
Our knowledge is underpinned by over 200 years 
of continuous innovation. Ideas that derive from our 
R&D are patented and applied across the various 
services and products we offer. 

7 centres of excellence
Manufacturing excellence
Our seven centres of excellence give us a global 
presence with consistent operating experience 
at the highest quality, health, safety, security and 
management standards.

1 global supply chain
Suppliers and partners
We work with suppliers and partners all over 
the world to ensure sustainability and reliable 
delivery to our customers. We hold these suppliers 
and partners to the same high ethical standards 
that we adopt ourselves.

£73.5m cash flow
Financial strength
We generated cash flows from operating 
activities of £73.5m in 2017/18. This allows 
us to invest in new technology and machines, 
fund potential strategic acquisitions and 
support business operations to secure long 
term value for shareholders.

To find out more see resources  
Page 20

Our products 
and services

Central and 
commercial banks 
need a supplier they can trust 
to provide data-driven insights 
and to design and manufacture 
secure currency

Currency

Banknote printing

Paper and polymer substrate

Security features

Cash cycle analytics

Our solutions

Intellectual property 

We have invented over 100 security features for currency 
and register around 30 patents per year. Our security 
features are embedded in more than 25% of the world’s 
circulating denominations.

Digital solutions 

Our end-to-end digital solutions for identity management 
and product track and trace give our customers strong 
infrastructure, governance frameworks and flexibility to meet 
their individual needs.

Training 

We provide our customers and their stakeholders with 
supporting services such as counterfeit analysis, public 
education and awareness campaigns, technical workshops 
and training courses.

Our values

drive change 
and innovate

act with  
integrity

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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The value we create

The world around us

Enabling everyone’s secure 
participation in the economy

Helping deliver confidence in the 
economy by ensuring a secure 
cash cycle

Supporting social and financial 
inclusion by securing legal 
identities and providing currency

Contributing to economic growth 
and stability by protecting tax 
revenues and tackling illicit trade

Our people

Engaging and developing a world 
class workforce

Building local skills and capabilities 
with strong partnerships in key 
countries

Our business

£62.8m

Adjusted operating profit*

42.9p

Adjusted basic earnings per share*

25.0p

Full year dividend

Governments
increasingly need to monitor, 
validate and control identity 
to improve security, social 
inclusion and domestic and 
international trade

Brand owners/
governments/ 
tax authorities
need to protect tax revenues 
and brands from illicit trade and 
counterfeit and harmful goods

Identity  
Solutions

Product Authentication 
Solutions

Physical identity documents 

Tax revenue protection

Software systems

Brand protection

Software systems

Data analytics 

We use analytics and intelligence derived from our award 
winning software to deliver insight to support customers’ 
decision-making.

Design 

Our 50-strong design team is recognised as the best in class. 
Its banknote and passport designs have won 14 international 
awards since 2007. We work with over 140 countries 
on designing and producing banknotes and passports.

Consulting 

We help countries with our expertise in cash cycle 
management, physical and digital security, and 
operational excellence. 

take 
responsibility

excel in 
what we do

work 
together

*  This is a non-IFRS measure. See further explanations and reconciliation 

to the comparable IFRS measure on page 157.

 
 
20

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

The resources we rely on
The business model on the previous pages shows how we provide 
solutions to our customers’ challenges. Here, we look in more detail 
at the resources and relationships we rely on to do so.

Our people 

We invest in training and 
development programmes to 
help our people be the best 
they can be. We encourage 
them to strive for and attain 
ambitious goals and to be 
passionate about both our 
company and our local 
communities. This approach 
can only flourish in a 
supportive, transparent 
and collaborative working 
environment. We have 
high ethical standards, 
extensive health, safety and 
wellbeing programmes.

Our business depends on 
the skills, experience and 
commitment of over 2,760 
employees at 20 locations. 
We’re careful to maintain 
a mix of ‘home-grown’ 
talent that we’ve developed 
ourselves with people 
from outside the industry. 
Such individuals bring with 
them a range of skill sets and 
perspectives that add a new 
dimension to our business.

We hire talented people 
and reward them through a 
performance-based incentive 
scheme. Every employee is 
offered the opportunity to 
grow his or her knowledge 
and abilities. 

Find out more about our employees  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Intellectual property and shared knowledge

Innovation is the driving force 
behind De La Rue. Over 200 
years, we’ve amassed a 
huge store of expertise in 
how to stay ahead of the 
counterfeiter, whether through 
physical security or digital 
solutions. And we’re adding 
to that resource every day – 
we’ve committed to doubling 
our R&D spend by 2020 
and have more than 1,000 
current patents, with another 
500 pending. Our increased 
investment and focus on R&D 
means that we’re launching 
more products and services, 
faster and more regularly. 
Product development is 
also accelerated through 
partnerships and, where 
appropriate, mergers 
and acquisitions. 

We aim to develop once and 
use multiple times, deploying 
a platform-based approach 
to share technologies across 
our three segments – which 
means that all our customers 
can benefit from De La Rue’s 
innovation. We also share our 
expertise with customers, 
regulators and policymakers 
through international forums 
such as ICAO1, WCO2, 
the Global Compact for 
Migration, through industry 
affiliations such as the Secure 
Identity Alliance and through 
collaborations such as our 
Joint Charter with the Bank of 
England. This creates a more 
secure world for everyone. 

Find out more about innovation  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

1  ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organisation.

2  WCO – World Customs Organisation.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

21

Financial strength

We are a cash generative business 
with a five year cash conversion 
average standing at 135%. 
The business has generated cash 
flows of £323m over the last five years 
and our net debt/EBITDA is at 0.66x 
versus our bank covenant of 3.0x. 
During the last year we sold our paper 
business and improved our cash flow 
through better cash management – 
together, these have reduced our net 
debt by £71m. 

 £323m

Cash flow generated over the last five years

We use our financial strength to 
support business operations, fund 
strategic acquisitions such as the 
purchase of DuPont Authentication 
in 2017, and enable us to deliver 
on our commitment to double R&D 
spend by 2020.

Find out more about our financials  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

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Manufacturing excellence

We manufacture through seven 
centres of excellence on three 
continents. Our objective is 
to maintain stable and flexible 
operations in order to manage 
factors such as fluctuations in 
demand and product mix.

We continue to invest in our 
manufacturing capabilities. 
In the last two years, we’ve 
invested more than £20m in 
new machinery and equipment, 
including a polycarbonate line 
and security print line in our 
Malta plant and a banknote 
varnishing line in our Kenya 
plant. We also work closely with 
our manufacturing partners to 
ensure high quality products 
and efficient delivery.

Each site maintains strict 
international health and 
safety standards to support 
employees, and in October 
2017 we launched a new 
SAFE campaign to increase 
safety awareness across the 
business. Quality is assured by 
ISO standards and common 
working practices which are 
shared across all operations 
and which have established 
De La Rue as a beacon of 
manufacturing excellence. 
Our plant in Kenya is the only 
site in Africa to have achieved 
ISO14298 – the highest 
possible level of secure 
printing accreditation. 

Find out more about our capability  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Suppliers and partners

We depend on suppliers 
to provide timely and cost-
effective delivery of high 
quality components for 
banknotes, ID documents and 
product authentication labels. 
We secure these supplies 
by entering into strong and 
long-lasting relationships with 
trusted suppliers and other 
partners, all of whom we 
expect to comply to our ethical 
and environmental standards. 

We recognise the value of 
close partnerships and work 
with our industry’s leading 
suppliers to encourage and 
support innovations that lead 
to benefits for society at large. 
For example, we operate 

technical partnerships with ink 
suppliers and manufacturers of 
printing equipment to develop 
secure print features and 
identify efficiency savings.

We also collaborate with our 
manufacturing and commercial 
partners to ensure that we 
provide the best quality 
products and services to our 
customers. Just as suppliers 
and partners support our 
aims, so we support theirs 
– sharing best practice in 
order to boost efficiency and 
achieve common goals. All our 
suppliers and partners are 
required to adhere to our Code 
of Business Principles.

Find out more about our supply chain  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

 
 
22

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Our Plan
In May 2015 we set out a plan to transform the business. 
As this plan has unfolded, we have simplified and 
rationalised our goals into four strategic priorities:

Optimise and Flex 
Improve efficiency and drive flexibility in the 
business lines that face unpredictable markets, 
such as Banknote Print, or slow growth 
prospects, such as Banknote Paper

Invest and Build 
Invest in the business lines that are exposed to high growth 
markets, namely Polymer, Security Features, Identity Solutions and 
Product Authentication

Currency

Banknote Print 

Identity Solutions

Polymer  
Security Features

Product  
Authentication

Our strategic priorities

2020 goals

1 Deliver operational excellence

Find out more
See page 24

•  Divest non core business

•  Standardised footprint with flexibility to deal with 

•  Limit exposure to volatile paper market

•  Reduce banknote print volatility

•  Drive efficiency

2 Invest for growth

demand surges

•  Improved return on capital employed (ROCE)

•  Better quality of earnings

Find out more
See page 26

•  Invest in skills and new capabilities 

•  Mid-single digit revenue growth 2015–2020 CAGR

•  Invest in new technologies and service solutions

•  More diversified revenue streams

•  Accelerate growth through partnerships and acquisitions

•  Double R&D investment by 2020

3 Strengthen balance sheet

•  Manage working capital more efficiently

•  Maintain prudent capital investment

•  Manage pension deficit effectively

4 Drive culture change

•  Improved cash flow

•  Reduced pension deficit

Find out more
See page 27

Find out more
See page 27

•  Improve performance management

•  Dynamic, high performing culture

•  Training and development

•  Diverse skilled workforce with high ethical standards

Strategic focus see pages 24 to 28

Principal risks see pages 36 to 41

Strategic measures see pages 34 to 35

Chief Executive Officer’s review 

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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We have made 
good progress 
against our 
strategic 
objectives.

Martin Sutherland
Chief Executive Officer

An overview

In May 2015, we announced a five year plan to transform De La Rue into a less 
capital intensive, more technology led security product and services provider, 
with a more balanced business portfolio that will deliver growth, improve quality  
of earnings as well as reduce volatility in the business. I identified two areas that  
required attention. We had to ‘Optimise and Flex’ the parts of the business 
facing unpredictable markets or slow growth. At the same time, we needed to  
‘Invest and Build’ in the areas where we saw high growth opportunities. 

We are half way through our plan and, despite some headwinds along the way 
such as the ending of a material contract at the end of 2015, we have made good 
progress in delivering our strategic objectives. Excluding the exited paper business, 
Group revenue and adjusted operating profit have been growing on average at 
3% and 4% a year, respectively. We have also made good progress in diversifying 
our revenue streams and improving business mix over the last three years. 
The ‘Invest and Build’ product lines now contribute around a third of the Group’s 
revenue and half of its operating profit. 

The four strategic priorities shown opposite will guide us towards completing 
the plan by 2020, in line with our targets. On the following pages, I review each 
priority in detail and outline some examples that show our progress.

Watch the interview with CEO Martin Sutherland
https://www.delarue.com/investors/new-investors-report

 
 
24

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Chief Executive Officer’s review continued

1
Deliver operational 
excellence 

This priority is about optimising and 
flexing those elements of our business 
that present the greatest downside risk. 
We sold the underperforming Cash 
Processing Solutions business in 2016. 
During the last 12 months our attention 
turned to our Banknote Paper and 
Banknote Print businesses – and we 
have made good progress in both areas.

Finding a long term solution for our 
paper business was one of our top 
strategic priorities. The sale of our paper 
business – Portals De La Rue Limited – 
and a ten year supply agreement have 
reduced our exposure to the volatility 
of the oversupplied paper market, 
as well as secured paper supply for 
our print business over the long term. 
The capital investment related to the 
paper business can now be redeployed. 
This, combined with the cash proceeds 
from the transaction, gives us greater 
flexibility in allocating capital in order 
to generate better returns and drive 
sustainable growth.

There is more to do regarding our 
print business, where we are exposed 
to market volatility. Here, again, we 
can report steady progress. We’ve 
reconfigured our manufacturing footprint 
in the last two years. Although machine 
upgrades are still ongoing in Kenya and 
Sri Lanka, our production capacity is 
now more closely aligned with average 
annual demand. Working with our 
external partners gives us the flexibility 
we need to cope with additional demand, 
and it’s already working well – over the 
last year we outsourced over 100m notes 
to our long term partners. In short, we’re 
now able to do more with less. In 2017/18 
we produced more banknotes with 
fewer print lines than we managed in the 
previous years, and we expect this trend 
to continue.

Additionally, DLR Analytics™ launched 
in May 2017 helps central banks to 
better understand their cash cycle and 
requirements. The new module released 
in May 2018 will help them to forecast 
future demands, thus reducing the peaks 
and troughs on demand side.

1

Securing a strategic relationship 
for our paper business
In February, we agreed to sell 
our paper business Portals 
De La Rue, comprising both the 
Overton and Bathford mills, to 
private equity house Epiris Fund II 
for around £61m. 

The banknote paper market has 
been oversupplied for a number of 
years, a factor that we expected 
to continue. While we pursued 
cutting production costs and 
driving efficiencies as short-term 
fixes, we continued to explore 
other more strategic options 
during the year – culminating in 
the deal with Epiris. 

This is a significant milestone 
in delivering our strategy to 
transform De La Rue into a less 
capital intensive, more technology 
led product and service provider. 
It limits our exposure to the 
volatility of the paper market, 
strengthens our balance sheet 
and enables further investment in 
innovative technology solutions for 
the currency, identity and brand 
protection markets. 

At the same time, we secured the 
long term paper supply for our 
print requirements with a ten year 
supply contract.

All affected staff were transferred 
in accordance with TUPE 
regulations and rights.

Find out more about us  
www.delarue.com

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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We are working hard to improve 
efficiency in our factories as well 
as at the corporate level so that we 
can remain price competitive while 
protecting margins. 

During the year, we have reassessed 
our supply chain management and 
launched a procurement transformation 
programme. The goal is to build a 
strong supply chain through forming 
strategic partnerships with our key 
suppliers. In addition, we’ve introduced 
an advanced manufacturing engineering 
function to reduce cost of quality and the 
time it takes to bring new products to 
market over time. 

We are making progress in driving 
efficiency and reducing costs across 
our factories, but recognise that there is 
more to do in meeting our goal of being 
a world class manufacturer. We plan to 
roll out monitoring and note inspection 
systems into all sites in the next 
18 months in order to improve quality 
and reduce wastage. In the meantime, 
we are exploring opportunities of 
automating certain processes to improve 
operational efficiency. 

We are investing in new IT infrastructure 
to improve the way we work. 
This has begun in the Finance function, 
where we are half way through a 
transformation programme which will 
see SAP implementation across the 
Group. The programme will continue 
in the coming year, which will drive 
efficiency and improve decision making 
once complete.

2

Collaborating to stay ahead 
of the counterfeiters
In order to stay ahead of the 
counterfeiters, we seek to 
accelerate technology and product 
development through partnerships 
and acquisitions. In October 
2017, we teamed up with Opalux 
to create a strategic partnership 
that will add new capabilities to 
our security features portfolio. 
Together, we’re going to explore 
product development and sales 
opportunities across the world.

Opalux develops and 
manufactures tunable photonic 
crystals, smart materials that 
change colour in response to 
external stimuli.

We anticipate that the first product 
developed by our new partnership 
will be launched later in 2018.

In April 2018, we entered into a 
strategic partnership with another 
Canadian technology firm Optel 
Group, a market leader in track 
and trace technology which is 
used for supply chain management 
as well as brand protection in a 
number of industries, including 
pharmaceutical and health care. 
We will closely collaborate in 
product development and sales. 
This partnership will enhance 
our product offering and extend 
our market reach in our Product 
Authentication business. 

Find out more about our partnerships  
www.delarue.com

 
 
26

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Chief Executive Officer’s review continued

2
Invest for growth

Our second strategic priority is to invest 
in order to drive our future growth, 
and here we see opportunities in four 
key areas: in security features and 
polymer for the Currency market; and 
also across our Identity Solutions (IDS) 
and Product Authentication & Traceability 
(PA&T) businesses. 

Innovation is a key differentiator for us 
– we aim to counter the counterfeiters 
at every turn, and that means having 
access to the best technology. 
We continue to invest product 
management, R&D and sales, with 
R&D investment up 13% in FY17/18. 
We are on track to double our R&D 
investment which is up 74% since 2015. 
The investments and improved focus 
in R&D have increased the number of 
patents filed and granted last year to 33 
and 46, respectively. In addition to the 
six new products launched last year, the 
Group introduced two more in May 2018 
– Ignite™ and PureImage™. We launched 
more products in the last two years than 
the previous five years combined.

In May 2017, our significant and ongoing 
investment in digital expertise led to 
the launch of DLR Analytics™, which 
in January 2018 won the 5th Central 
Banking Awards for Consultancy and 
Advisory Services. DLR Analytics™ 
provides analysis on banknote lifespan 
and distribution trends, which helps 
central banks to better understand 
what is happening within their cash 
cycles. Such data allows institutions 
to make better-informed decisions on 
their banknote issuance policy, such 
as switching from paper to polymer 
or withdrawing high-denomination 
banknotes. For us, the advantages 
go beyond providing better customer 
service. DLR Analytics™ takes a little 
more volatility out of the market – 
because an improved understanding 
of upcoming needs means that we can 
plan our resources more effectively. 
This will support our drive to generate 
recurring revenue by building longer 
term partnerships. To date, 70 issuing 
authorities – almost half of the world’s 
total – have signed up to DLR Analytics™, 
one third of which are new to De La Rue. 

2

Tracking the supply chain, from 
manufacturer to consumer
We are proud to be providing the 
first tax stamp solution to meet 
the demanding criteria of the 
WHOs Framework Convention on 
Tobacco Control (FCTC). Set to be 
implemented by the UAE in early 
2019, this highly secure label and 
track and trace system comply 
with the FCTC’s strict protocol to 
eliminate all forms of illicit trade in 
tobacco products. The FCTC aims 
to achieve this via several ways, 
in particular the establishment 

of an international tracking and 
tracing system. Our technology 
supports this capability in full, 
enabling the tobacco to be tracked 
from manufacturer right through 
to consumer, thereby giving 
governments the tools to ensure 
that the relevant tax revenue is 
collected. In short, we are well-
positioned to capture the growth 
opportunities in this market.

Find out more about our products  
www.delarue.com

The trend towards polymer banknotes 
is a good example of innovation driving 
growth as we continue to take share in 
this fast growing market. Our volumes 
of polymer more than doubled to 810 
tonnes in the year, with future growth 
underpinned by new contracts including 
with the Bank of England for the new £20 
note which is due to be issued in 2020. 
Including the notes on order, our polymer 
substrate Safeguard® has now been 
adopted by 24 out of 38 polymer note 
issuing authorities.

We also see opportunities to accelerate 
technology development through 
partnerships and acquisitions. In October 
2017, we entered into a strategic 
partnership with Opalux, a Canadian 
authentication firm, to explore its tunable 
photonic crystals technology for the 
identity market. And in April 2018, 
we partnered with another Canadian 
technology firm Optel Group, a market 
leader in track and trace technology, 
further enhancing our product offering. 

The acquisition of DuPont Authentication 
in 2017 brought world-leading Lippmann 
hologram technology into De La Rue. 
Currently being applied in the identity 
and product authentication sectors, 
we are now working hard to modify 
this technology for the currency market. 

We are putting more efforts in sales 
and marketing in the growth areas, 
particularly in IDS and PA&T. Since 2016 
sales investments in these two segments 
are up 79% and 47%, respectively. 
Given the typical 18-24 months sales 
cycle of public services contracts, early 
signs of returns on these investment have 
just started to emerge. Order intakes in 
IDS excluding the UK Passport contract 
increased by 117% and in PA&T by 97% 
in FY17/18, including some long term 
contracts. Implementation of some of 
these contracts is expected to start in 
the second half of FY18/19, which will 
generate stable revenue and profit from 
FY19/20 onwards.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

27

3
Strengthen our 
financial position

We are committed to strengthening our 
financial position through improving profit 
and managing cash prudently.

The additional effort put into 
managing cash better has borne fruit. 
During the year, inventory and trade 
debtors, excluding the exited paper 
business, reduced by £13m and £10m, 
respectively. The £60.3m cash proceeds 
from the sale of Portals De La Rue 
completed on 29 March 2018 has further 
reduced our net debt at the year end to 
£49.9m (25 March 2017: £120.9m), the 
lowest in five years. Cash conversion rate 
in the year was 163% (2016/17: 114%). 
The year on year increase was driven by 
lower inventory due to structural changes 
and a focus on inventory management, 
and lower account receivable on strong 
cash collections in the last two months of 
the year. See more details on page 34.

In November 2017, we announced that 
the Group’s pension trustee had decided 
to change indexation linked to future 
pension increases from RPI to CPI for 
our UK defined benefit pension scheme. 
This change has reduced the pension 
liabilities and the corresponding deficit 
by £80.5m. The pre-tax pension deficit 
at the year end was £87.6m, substantially 
lower than the £237.0m a year ago. 

The stronger balance sheet gives us 
greater flexibility in allocating resources 
and enables us to continue investing for 
growth. We are sharpening our focus on 
the deployment of capital. Our disciplined 
approach to capital investments means 
our capex programme is more targeted. 

The purchase of DuPont Authentication 
has already proved to be a successful 
transaction for us. It’s given us market-
leading and differentiating technology, 
and a great team of skilled people who 
are making a real difference across 
the organisation. 

The Group’s return on capital employed 
in the year was 36% (2016/17: 39%), 
demonstrating our ability to generate 
good returns on our investments. 
See more details on page 34.

3

Reducing our liabilities
Addressing the Company’s 
pension deficit has played a key 
role in strengthening our financial 
position. Our Pension Trustee has 
agreed that from April 2018, the 
indexation for future increases in 
the Group’s UK defined benefit 
pension scheme should be 
changed from RPI to CPI. This has 
the effect of reducing the scheme’s 
liabilities and corresponding deficit 
by £80.5m, which is reflected in 
the full year financial accounts. 
See more details on pages 143 
to 146. 

At the time of its last triennial 
valuation in April 2015, the 
scheme’s underlying actuarial 
funding deficit had increased to 
£252m, £92m higher than in 2012, 
despite contributions of around 
£70m being made by the company 
in that period. Clearly this was 
unsustainable – the change in 
indexation has reduced risks for 
the members and put the scheme 
on a stronger footing, while helping 
to secure pensions for current and 
deferred pensioners. At the same 
time, it will enable us to continue to 
invest in jobs and R&D and attract 
sufficient investment for the long-
term growth of the business.

Find out more about our employees  
www.delarue.com

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4
Drive culture change

Our culture underpins every aspect of 
our business. It’s the strategic priority 
that enables all the other priorities to be 
delivered effectively.

When I joined in 2014, I quickly learnt that 
De La Rue was a great organisation with 
a long history of quality service that had 
led to enduring customer relationships, 
some of which went back – and still do 
– well over a century. But I also realised 
that things had to change. There was a 
clear disconnect between the strategy 
we needed to pursue and how people 
here were actually working. De La Rue 
simply couldn’t do what it needed to 
do without a dramatic shift in culture 
– so we set a goal of creating a high 
performance, accountable and results-
based culture. 

Today, De La Rue is a business 
transformed. Every individual but one of 
my Executive Leadership Team is new in 
the last two or three years. Among the 
senior leadership team, we have seen 
turnover of around 50% over the same 
period and a fall in numbers too, which 
has helped us on the cost side. The sales 
force is also unrecognisable from its 
composition in 2015, with around 40% 
being relatively new faces.

But a change in culture needs more 
than just new faces, some nice values, 
mugs and mousemats. It needs solid 
foundations. We now have a marked 
emphasis on performance. Our people 
have objectives aligned to the strategy, 
and we have refreshed the entire 
incentive framework. 

We are also investing in training and 
development. These place a key role in 
identifying and supporting internal talent 
pools so we can reach the point where 
80% of management positions are filled 
by internal candidates. At the same 
time, our salesforce is being upskilled to 
help them focus on the ID and product 
authentication sectors where the sales 
process is more consultative. 

 
 
28

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Chief Executive Officer’s review continued

They acknowledge the work we are 
doing to reduce the gender pay gap, 
which at 10% is good but needs to be 
zero. And they see all the other good 
work taking place around diversity, 
health and wellbeing.

Looking ahead
While losing the new UK Passport tender 
was disappointing, it does not change 
our goals. We will continue to seek out 
every opportunity to improve operational 
efficiency during the year ahead, while 
investing in the innovation that will keep 
our business one step ahead of the 
counterfeiters as well as the competition. 
This twin-track approach will be 
supported and enabled by our ongoing 
focus on strengthening our financial 
position and driving a positive, results-
led culture.

The strong 12 month order book gives 
good revenue coverage for the year 
ahead. Operating profit is expected to 
be in line with FY17/18 as we continue 
to invest in R&D and sales to drive long 
term sustainable growth.

The sale of the paper business and 
the associated long term paper supply 
agreement have reduced our exposure 
to the volatility of the oversupplied 
paper market, while securing the 
surety of supply for our print business. 
Through this, and good cash generation 
from the business, we have significantly 
strengthened our balance sheet with 
net debt now at its lowest in five years. 
The stronger balance sheet provides 
the Group with greater flexibility to 
allocate capital to deliver long term 
shareholder value.

Martin Sutherland
Chief Executive Officer

4

Valuing and respecting 
our people
We know that diverse organisations 
perform better and are more 
engaging places to work.

During the year, we launched our 
first inclusion and diversity strategy, 
which aims to ensure that all our 
people feel they have a perspective 
that is valued and a voice that is 
listened to and respected. Our first 
action was to increase awareness 
of unconscious bias – what it is, 
why we have it, and where we 
see it in De La Rue. Among other 
initiatives, we’ve also identified 
and implemented changes in our 
recruitment methods to remove 
barriers to inclusion. For example, 
we’ve started to reviewed job 
descriptions and adverts to remove 
any language or tone that may 
create a barrier. 

We have a number of specific 
programmes around gender 
diversity, including a target that 
women should account for 25% 
of our senior leadership team by 
2020. For the last financial year, 
that figure was 18%. We’ve also 
established a Women’s Network 
to explore potential benefits of 
greater inclusion. Specific initiatives 
include: supporting managers to 
enable them to champion flexible 
working; reviewing our existing 
flexible working policies; and 
establishing a culture of flexible 
working through our employee 
value proposition to attract talent 
to De La Rue.

We recognise that we’re just 
starting out on this journey – 
as we learn we’ll develop our 
strategy further. 

Find out more about our employees  
www.delarue.com

It almost goes without saying that ethics 
are absolutely central to what we do 
and how we do it. We apply the highest 
standards and expect our supply chain 
to follow our lead, at all times and without 
exception. De La Rue has always worked 
like this – but we are strengthening 
our emphasis on ethics to ensure we 
maintain the full respect of the banks 
and leading organisations we work with. 

We are also supporting a drive towards 
a more diverse workforce – more 
aligned with the cultural and ethnic 
diversity of our customers. We launched 
an inclusion and diversity strategy in 
October 2017, encouraging inclusivity 
through changes in recruitment practices 

and training programmes. In addition, 
we’ve moved away from an agent-led 
sales function towards a more direct 
approach, with locally based sales teams 
who understand the local markets and 
cultures, working out of regional hubs. 
We have already opened hubs in Dubai 
and Miami and are close to doing the 
same in Kuala Lumpur.

It’s been a long and at times challenging 
journey, for the Company and for our 
people. But there is evidence that it has 
been worthwhile – the latest employee 
engagement survey indicated a shift 
in culture. People have bought into 
what we are doing. They appreciate 
reward and thank you programmes. 

Operational and financial review

Operational review

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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In FY17/18, we outsourced the printing 
of 115m banknotes and are expecting 
the outsource volume to increase in 
the current financial year. Separately, 
a plan to roll out quality control systems, 
including note inspection machines, 
to improve quality and reduce costs 
is now in place.

Banknote Paper
Banknote Paper revenue grew by 
5%, driven by the higher volumes of 
12,200 tonnes (2016/17: 11,700 tonnes). 
However high raw material cost, 
compounded with production issues, 
resulted in a decline in profitability. 
Banknote Paper, as part of Portals 
De La Rue, was sold on 29 March 2018.

Polymer
Polymer volumes more than doubled 
to 810 tonnes (2016/17: 380 tonnes) 
in the year. In January 2018, we helped 
Botswana transition its 10 Pula note 
from paper to polymer, which was also 
designed and printed by De La Rue. 
Following the award of the milestone 
contract in October 2017 to supply 
polymer substrate for the Bank of 
England’s new £20 note, we also 
secured a contract to provide polymer 
substrate to a state print works of 
a West African country. 

Security features
Security thread volume was up 23% 
year on year. There was good uptake 
on Kinetic StarChrome™ launched 
in 2014 with multiple wins, including 
the Macedonia 2000 Denar and the 
Bangladesh 100 and 500 Taka. We also 
secured the first order of Starchrome 
Portrait™, one of the four new features 
launched in May last year. In addition, 
we have further strengthened our 
product portfolio through the launch of 
two new features in May 2018 – Ignite™ 
and PureImage™. 

A number of joint development projects 
with customers and partners are 
underway, including the personalisable 
security feature for identity products with 
Opalux, which is expected to launch 
within the current financial year. 

At the year end, the 12 month order book 
for Currency excluding the paper orders 
was £272m (2016/17: £265m). 

Banknote print volume  
Billion notes

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Polymer volume   
Tonnes

2018

2017

2016

100

380

Currency revenue  
£m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

6.5

6.2

7.3

7.1

7.1

810

Group revenue increased by 7% to 
£493.9m, with solid performance across 
all three segments. Adjusted operating 
profit was 11% lower at £62.8m. 
A significant reduction in the profitability 
of the paper business was the major 
factor causing the profit decline, with the 
write off of the UK Passport bid costs as 
well as planned investments in R&D and 
sales being offset in part by additional 
margin from increased sales and certain 
provision and accrual releases, where 
we now have additional information 
as to the likelihood and amount of 
potential liabilities.

Excluding the exited paper business, 
Group revenue was up 4% to £426.4m 
and adjusted operating profit was up 7% 
to £56.9m.

371.8

349.5

352.5

317.1

340.8

Currency
The Currency business comprises 
Banknote Print, Banknote Paper, 
Polymer and Security Features.

Currency adjusted operating profit* 
£m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

45.1

50.3

55.1

50.5

61.0

*  This is an non-IFRS measure. See further explanations 
and reconciliations to the comparable IFRS measures 
on page 157. 

The Currency business delivered 
6% growth in revenue to £371.8m 
(2016/17: £349.5m), benefiting from 
the high volumes from Banknote Print, 
Banknote Paper as well as Polymer. 
Adjusted operating profit was £45.1m 
(2016/17: £50.3m). A significant reduction 
in the profitability of the paper business 
was the major factor causing the profit 
decline, offset in part by additional 
margin from increased sales and 
certain provision and accrual releases, 
where we have additional information 
as to the likelihood and amounts of 
potential liabilities. 

Excluding the exited paper business, 
revenue was up 2% to £312.0m and 
operating profit was 11% higher to £40.5m.

Banknote Print
Banknote Print volume increased by 
3% to 7.3bn notes (2016/17: 7.1bn), and 
revenue was up 5%, reflecting both the 
higher volumes and higher average price. 
The manufacturing footprint programme 
completed its second year, with 
refurbishment of banknote print lines in 
Kenya and Sri Lanka progressing slower 
than expected. A new varnishing line 
which makes printed banknotes more 
durable has been added to the Kenya 
factory, providing more operational 
flexibility in line with other sites. 

 
 
30

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Operational and financial review continued

Identity Solutions
Identity Solutions performed as 
expected, with revenue up 2% to £82.0m 
(2016/17: £80.6m). Adjusted operating 
profit was 27% lower than the prior year 
due to the £3.7m write off of the bid 
costs associated to the UK Passport 
retender. Excluding the bid costs, 
operating profit was up 5%.

Excluding the exited paper business, 
revenue was up 4% to £76.4m and 
operating profit was 20% lower to £7.1m, 
or 21% higher excluding the one off UK 
Passport bid costs. 

We have made good progress in our 
core markets as countries are switching 
from Machine Readable Passport to 
ePassport. During the year, we helped 
Kenya to launch its first polycarbonate 
ePassport with production starting in 
January 2018. It was the first adoption 
amongst the East Africa Community 
members. The momentum continued 
with two new wins in East Africa 
transitioning to ePassport, as well as 
a new eID end-to-end solution contract 
with the Government of Malta.

The project with Note Printing Australia 
to design and develop Australia’s next 
generation passport due to be launched 
in 2020 is progressing well. 

While losing the new UK Passport 
tender will not affect the financial 
performance of this segment in the next 
18 months as we will continue to fulfil 
our existing ten year contract with Her 
Majesty’s Passport Office and assist with 
transitioning to the new supplier, we are 
reassessing our capabilities and cost 
base in order to remain competitive in 
this market.

Product Authentication 
& Traceability
Product Authentication & Traceability 
(PA&T) continued to perform well. 
Revenue increased by 27% to 
£40.1m (2016/17: £31.6m), driven by 
De La Rue Authentication Solutions 
(DAS, previously DuPont Authentication). 
Adjusted operating profit in the period 
was up 4% to £9.4m (2016/17: £9.0m). 
Increased investment in sales and R&D, 
particularly software solutions, resulted 
in a lower margin. 

Excluding the exited paper business, 
revenue was up 31% to £38.0m and 
operating profit was 16% higher at £9.3m.

We made good progress in the 
government revenue services (GRS) 
area, winning a contract with an initial 
five year term under a build, operate, 
transfer model to implement a full 
FCTC compliant track and trace tax 
stamp solution for the Federal Tax 
Authority in the UAE. The scheme 
is expected to roll out in early 2019, 
initially applying to the tobacco industry. 
Successful implementation will give 
us an excellent reference in the Gulf 
Cooperation Council region. 

On brand protection, DAS exceeded 
management’s expectations in the first 
year post-acquisition, with both revenue 
and operating profit ahead of plan. 
Operating costs of £3m were in line 
with plan and the business benefited 
from the investment and sales synergy 
of being part of the Group.

To enhance our product and service 
offering, we have partnered with 
Canadian firm Optel Group, one of the 
leaders in track and trace technology 
being used in pharmaceutical and health 
care industries, the most mature and 
regulated brand protection market. 
The two groups will closely collaborate 
on product development and sales to 
accelerate growth.

Identity Solutions revenue1   
£m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

82.0

80.6

76.5

75.9

87.1

Identity Solutions adjusted 
operating profit*1   
£m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

8.3

8.3

11.4

12.2

Product Authentication 
& Traceability revenue1   
£m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

31.6

28.8

32.7

36.7

21.9

40.1

Product Authentication 
& Traceability adjusted 
operating profit*1 
£m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

7.0

6.4

9.4

9.0

10.6

*  This is a non-IFRS measure. See further explanations 
and reconciliations to the comparable IFRS measures 
on page 157.

1  The Group reclassified the results of one of its 

manufacturing sites in FY2016/17 in order to align the 
external and internal reporting. The historic revenue 
and operating profit numbers (except 2014 adjusted 
operating profit) in IDS and PA&T have been adjusted 
to reflect this change. 

Financial review

Underlying effective tax rate 
(before exceptional items) 
%

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

15.5

15.8

14.7

17.6

19.5

Bank covenants 
Times

2018

2017

2018

2017

14.0

16.1

1.27

0.66

Adjusted EBIT/net interest covenant >= 4.0
Adjusted net debt/EBITDA covenants <= 3.0

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Adjusted EBITDA was £87.3m down 
from £97.4m in 2016/17. 

Operating profit on an IFRS basis was 
higher at £123.0m compared to £70.2m 
in 2016/17 as the impact of lower adjusted 
operating profit was offset by the £80.5m 
gain on the re-measurement of the 
pension liability following the change in 
indexation from RPI to CPI. This gain was 
partly offset by the impairment of the 
disposal group relating to the sale of the 
paper business (Portals De La Rue) of 
£9.3m in addition to costs associated with 
the transaction and higher site relocation 
and restructuring costs in the current year. 

See commentary below for further details 
on exceptional items. 

Adjusted profit before tax was lower than 
the prior year at £53.4m (2016/17: £58.7m) 
as the impact of lower adjusted operating 
profit was partially offset by lower net 
finance expense of £9.4m compared to 
the prior year (2016/17: £12.0m) primarily 
due to a lower IAS 19 interest charge. 
Profit before tax on an IFRS basis was 
£113.4m (2016/17: £58.2m).

Profit from continuing operations on an 
IFRS basis was £96.8m compared to 
£49.5m in the prior year the increase 
being accounted for by the credit of 
£60.9m on exceptional items.

Finance charge
The Group’s net interest charge was 
£3.8m a reduction on the prior year. 
The reduction was due to a release of 
accruals for potential interest charges 
relating to tax liabilities. The IAS 19 
related finance cost, which represents 
the difference between the interest on 
pension liabilities and assets was £5.6m 
(2016/17: £7.4m). The charge is lower in 
the current year reflecting the fall in the 
pension liability which was effective from 
November 2017 when the Trustees of the 
main scheme agreed to the change in 
indexation method from RPI to CPI. 

Financial performance
Overview
The Group has made good progress in 
improving working capital management 
during the year with successful 
initiatives in inventory management and 
strong cash collections. We have also 
significantly strengthened our balance 
sheet following the receipt of £60.3m for 
the disposal of the Portals De La Rue 
paper business which has resulted in 
significantly lower net debt of £49.9m 
compared to £120.9m last year. Finally, 
following the indexation change from 
RPI to CPI on the Group’s UK defined 
benefit pension scheme, the liability has 
substantially reduced to £87.6m from 
£237.0m last year. The Group generated 
revenues of £493.9m which was a 7% 
increase on last year. Adjusted operating 
profit was £62.8m which was down on 
the £70.7m in the prior year. A number 
of factors have impacted operating 
profit during the year and further details 
on these are set out below. All figures 
and commentary in this section are 
for continuing operations only unless 
otherwise stated.

Revenue and profit
Group revenue was £493.9m 
representing a 7% increase over the prior 
year (2016/17: £461.7m). Good growth 
was generated by the Currency division 
with revenue up £22m in particular 
relating to banknote sales due to both 
higher volumes and average price. 
The PA&T and IDS divisions both saw 
revenue growth following the acquisition 
of DuPont Authentication Inc in January 
2017 of £8.5m and £1.4m respectively. 

Adjusted operating profit was £62.8m, 
down from the £70.7m last year. 
The reduction was due to the write-off 
relating to capitalised bid costs for the 
UK Passport retender of £3.7m, the 
impact of the poor performance of the 
paper business in addition to the impact 
of higher operating costs due to planned 
increases in sales and marketing and 
research and development activity as 
we invest in the business for the future. 
During the year adjusted operating profit 
also benefited from certain provision and 
accrual releases where we now have 
additional information as to the likelihood 
and amount of the potential liabilities. 

 
 
32

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Operational and financial review continued

Exceptional items relates to the 
disposal of Portals De La Rue
In March 2018 the Group disposed of the 
Portals De La Rue paper business for 
cash consideration of £60.3m. In addition 
the group received further consideration 
in the form of loan notes valued at 
£3.8m and holdings of shares in parent 
company of Portals De La Rue valued 
at £2.8m. In accordance with IFRS 5 
prior to the sale an impairment of the 
disposal group of £9.3m was recorded 
representing the difference between the 
carrying value of the assets and liabilities 
of the disposal group and the fair value 
less costs to sell. 

Costs associated with the transaction 
of £4.2m were also recorded primarily 
relating to advisor and professional fees. 
In addition a loss of £0.9m was incurred 
relating to the early close out of some 
derivatives prior to the sale.

The Group has entered into a relationship 
agreement with Portals De La Rue which 
provides guaranteed supply to meet our 
paper needs going forwards.

Other exceptional items
Excluding items related to the paper 
disposal the group incurred other 
exceptional items, which on a net basis 
totalled a gain of £75.3m (2016/17: net 
charges of £0.4m).

Exceptional items comprise: A gain of 
£80.5m on the revaluation of the defined 
benefit pension scheme liability following 
the change of indexation from RPI to 
CPI. Costs of £1.0m were also recorded 
relating to professional advisor and other 
costs directly associated with this change.

Site relocation and restructuring costs 
of £4.0m (2016/17: £0.2m) which relate 
the manufacturing footprint review 
announced in December 2015 of £1.8m 
and costs relating to the upgrading of our 
finance systems and processes of £2.2m.

Costs of £0.2m have been incurred during 
the year in relation to the acquisition of 
DuPont Authentication Inc in January 2017.

See note 4 “exceptional items” for 
further details.

Taxation
The net tax charge in respect of 
continuing operations for the year was 
£16.8m (2016/17: £8.7m). The effective tax 
rate before exceptional items and tax on 
the movement of acquired intangibles was 
15.5% (2016/17: 15.8%). 

A net tax charge relating to exceptional 
items, on continuing operations, arising 
in the period were £9.7m (2016/17 credit 
of £0.6m).

Earnings per share
Adjusted basic earnings per share was 
42.9p compared to 47.1p in 2016/17 
lower due to lower adjusted operating 
profit in the current year.

Reported basic earnings per share were 
93.7p compared to 47.2p in 2016/17 
due to the impact of the gain of £80.5m 
on the re-measurement of the defined 
benefit pension scheme following the 
change in indexation.

Loss from discontinued operations
The loss from discontinued operations 
in the year was £1.8m and included 
charges of £3.6m relating to costs 
incurred on a loss making contract which 
the Group had to retain post the disposal 
of the Cash Processing Solutions (CPS) 
business and other costs associated 
with the closure of the business. 
These charges were offset by the receipt 
of £1.4m in further consideration for sale 
of CPS for which a receivable was not 
recorded due to the likelihood of this 
amount being paid. 

A net tax credit on discontinued operations 
of £1.2m.

Dividend
The Board is recommending a 
final dividend of 16.7p per share 
(2016/17: 16.7p per share). Together with 
the interim dividend paid in January 
2018 of 8.3p per share, this will give 
a total dividend for the year of 25.0p 
per share (2016/17: 25.0p per share). 
Subject to approval by shareholders, 
the final dividend will be paid on 3 August 
2018 to shareholders on the register 
on 6 July 2018. 

Capital expenditure relative 
to depreciation 
£m

2018

2017

2016

19.9

24.0

25.0

25.2

26.8

26.2

Capital expenditure
Depreciation and amortisation

Group trade working capital*
£m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

68.5

71.1

83.6

96.1

94.0

*  Trade working capital comprises inventories plus trade 

receivables less trade payables and advance payments. 
Amounts stated for 2018 are before the impact of the 
portals disposal. 2013-15 comparatives have not be 
restated for discontinued operations.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

33

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The charge to operating profit in 
respect of the UK defined benefit 
pension scheme in 2017/18 was £2.3m 
(2016/17: £1.5m). This amount was 
higher due to costs associated with 
the indexation change. The element of 
the £2.3m which directly relates to the 
indexation change (£1.0m) has been 
recorded in exceptional items consistent 
with where the gain on re-measurement 
has been recorded. In addition, under 
IAS 19 there was a finance charge 
of £5.6m arising from the difference 
between the interest cost on liabilities 
and the interest income on scheme 
assets (2016/17: £7.4m). This charge 
was lower following the reduction in the 
pension deficit following the CPI change 
becoming effective in November 2017.

Capital structure
At 31 March 2018 the Group had net 
liabilities of £20.7m (25 March 2017 
(restated): £142.8m). The significant 
reduction reflects the fall in the pension 
deficit recognised during the year. 

The Company had shareholders’ funds 
of £210.5m (25 March 2017: £230.5m) 
and had 102.4m fully paid ordinary 
shares in issue (26 March 2017: 101.4m) 
at the year end.

Financial position
Cash generation and cash conversion
The group delivered strong cash flows 
in the year with cash generated from 
operating activities of £73.5m higher 
than the £64.3m recorded in 2016/17. 
The increase was due to a significant 
reduction in inventory holdings compared 
to the prior year (a £13m benefit 
excluding the impact of the disposal of 
Portals De La Rue) due to successful 
initiatives to manage inventory holdings 
and strong cash collections from 
debtors (a £10m benefit in the year). 
Cash generated from operating activities 
is also stated after special pension 
funding payments of £13.5m. 

Cash conversion ratio for the year was 
163%. The improvement resulting from 
the improvement in working capital 
levels during the year which more than 
offset the lower adjusted operating profit 
reported in the year. Cash conversion 
is the ratio of adjusted operating profit 
adjusted for depreciation, amortisation 
and the movement in working capital 
over adjusted operating profits.

Investing and financing 
cashflows and net debt
In addition to the £60.3m proceeds 
received from the sale of Portals 
De La Rue, £3.0m was also received in 
relation to the sale of the CPS business. 
These amounts related to £0.8m of 
deferred consideration which was 
payable on the first anniversary of the 
transaction in May 2017 and £0.8m 
working capital adjustment. These were 
in addition to the £1.4m received in 
the current year as referred to in the 
discontinued section above. 

These proceeds in addition to the strong 
operating cashflows generated in the 
year have resulted in us being able to 
repay £67.0m of debt and invest £24.7m 
in capex. The Group ended the year 
with substantially lower net debt of 
£49.9m down by £71.0m from £120.9m 
at 25 March 2017. 

The Group utilises a £275m revolving 
credit facility which expires in December 
2021. The Group has operated well 
within the key financial covenants on this 
facility. These are that the ratio of EBIT to 
net interest payable be greater than four 
times and the net debt to EBITDA ratio 
be less than three times. At the period 
end the specific bank covenant tests 
were as follows: EBIT/net interest payable 
of 14.0 times and Net debt/EBITDA 
of 0.66 times.

Pension deficit and funding
In November 2017 it was announced 
that the Group’s pension trustee had 
decided to change the indexation of 
future increases from RPI to CPI for its 
UK defined benefit pension scheme 
effective from April 2018. At the time of 
the Group’s last triennial in April 2015, the 
Scheme’s underlying actuarial funding 
deficit increased to £252m, £92m higher 
than in 2012 despite c£70m contributions 
made to the scheme by the Group in 
that period. The funding plan agreed in 
June 2016 to eliminate the deficit over a 
12 year period will remain in place until 
the conclusion of the next triennial review 
commencing in April 2018. The agreed 
funding plan was for payments of £13.5m 
in 2018, increasing to £20.5m in 2019 
and then rising by 4% per annum to 
2022. It will be frozen at £23.0m per year 
between 2023 and 2028. 

On a pre-tax basis the net pension deficit 
was £87.6m (25 March 2017: £237.0m) 
The decrease results primarily from the 
change in indexation method which has 
accounted for £80.5m of the reduction 
in the pre-tax pension deficit. However in 
addition the scheme benefited from 
positive investment returns on assets 
and favourable changes in assumptions 
for the long term rate of inflation and 
life expectancy which resulting in an 
actuarial gain of £58.8m presented 
within reserves. 

 
 
34

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

How we performed
We measure our performance using both financial KPIs and 
strategic indicators that we believe provide a meaningful 
assessment of our performance against our strategy.

Financial KPIs

Revenue
£m
2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£493.9m

Adjusted EBITDA1
£m
2018

493.9

461.7

454.5

422.8

460.1

2017

2016

2015

2014

£87.3m

87.3

97.4

96.4

93.8

117.7

Revenue demonstrates our ability to deliver growth. Revenue increased by 7% in the 
year, with solid growth across three segments. Excluding the paper business sold on 
29 March 2018, revenue was up 4% to £426.4m.

Adjusted EBITDA provides an underlying picture of our performance by excluding the 
non-operating factors such as financing and changes to tax environment. The year on 
year decline was due to lower adjusted operating profit as well as lower depreciation and 
amortisation in the current year. 

Adjusted operating profit2
£m
2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£62.8m

62.8

70.7

70.4

69.1

Basic earnings per share 
Pence

67.3

65.2

2014

93.4

46.1

31.8

2015

Basic earnings per share

48.1

46.8

47.2

47.1

2016

2017
Adjusted earnings per share3

93.7

42.9

2018

Adjusted operating profit was 11% lower than the prior year, reflecting the £3.7m write 
off of the UK Passport bid costs, the planned investment programme, and the poor 
performance in the paper business. Excluding the exited paper business, adjusted 
operating profit was up 7% to £56.9m.

Growth in earnings per share demonstrates our ability to create value for our 
shareholders. The year on year decrease in adjusted earnings per share was due 
to decline in profit. The year on year increase in basic earnings per share was due 
to the £60.9m exceptional gain relating primarily to the pension indexation change.

Return on capital employed4
%
2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

36%

36

39

39

42

Cash conversion5
%
2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

56

163%

163

160

114

123

111

Return on capital employed shows how efficiently and effectively we use our assets and 
resources to generate return for shareholders. The year on year decline was primarily 
driven by lower adjusted operating profit in year.

We are focusing on better managing our cash through effective inventory planning and 
credit control. The year on year increase was driven by lower inventory due to structural 
changes and a focus on inventory management, and lower account receivable on strong 
cash collections in the last two months of the year. 

1  Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before the deduction of interest, tax, depreciation, 

amortisation and exceptional items.

2  Adjusted operating profit represents operating profit adjusted to exclude exceptional items 

and amortisation of acquired intangible assets.

3  Adjusted basic earnings per share are the earnings attributable to equity shareholders 

excluding exceptional items, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
outstanding during the year.

4  ROCE is calculated as the ratio of adjusted operating profit over average capital employed 
(where capital employed equals net assets excluding liabilities for pension, tax interest and 
long term liabilities).

5  Cash conversion is the ratio of operating cash flow (adjusted operating profit plus 

depreciation and amortisation and working capital movement) divided by the adjusted 
operating profit.

See page 157 for further explanations of non-IFRS measures and reconciliations 
to comparable amounts.

 
De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

35

Linking to performance

Performance measures which directly affect  
the remuneration of our Directors 

See Directors’ remuneration report on pages 74 to 94

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Strategic measures

Adjusted EBITDA margin1
%
2018

17.7

Net debt/EBITDA covenant ratio
Times
2018

0.66

2017

2016

2015

2014

17.7%

21.1

21.2

22.2

2017

2016

2015

2014

25.6

0.66

1.27

1.25

1.23

0.83

This measurement provides an underlying picture of our performance by excluding 
the non-operating factors such as financing and accounting decisions, or tax 
environments. Adjusted EBITDA margin decline due to the higher revenue combined 
with the decline in profit.

Net debt/EBITDA is a bank covenant which excludes pension liabilities. The year on year 
decrease was primarily due to a lower net debt of £50.0m (25 March 2017: £120.9m), 
reflecting the £61m cash proceeds from the disposal of the paper business as well as 
favourable working capital movement as result of good cash management.

Identity Solutions revenue 
£m
2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£82.0m

82.0

80.6

76.5

75.9

87.1

Product Authentication & Traceability revenue  
£m
2018

40.1

2017

2016

2015

2014

£40.1m

31.6

28.8

32.7

36.7

Identity Solutions is one of our key growth product lines in which we are investing to 
build capabilities and focusing resources. Revenue grew by 2% year on year primarily 
driven by increasing sales from existing customers as well as the acquisition of DuPont 
Authentication Inc completed in January 2017.

Product Authentication & Traceability is one of our key growth product lines in which 
we are investing to build capabilities and focusing resources. Revenue was up 16% 
year on year, reflecting the acquisition of DuPont Authentication Inc completed in 
January 2017.

Percentage of revenue from long term agreements (LTAs) 
%
2018

51

Total number of patents granted
Number
2018

46

2017

2016

51%

44

35

2017

2016

2015

2014

46

26

22

29

18

Increasing long term recurring revenues as a proportion of total sales enables us to 
improve the visibility as well as the quality of earnings. LTAs are contracts that have 
a duration of two or more years and a regular call-off value. This was a new measure 
in 2017 and therefore historic data are not available.

We have a strong track record of innovation, with more than 1,000 granted patents 
and 500 pending applications. Our commitment to double our R&D investment in the 
five years to 2020 will ensure a strong product pipeline and enhance differentiation. 

Group 12 month order book   
£m
2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£363m

341

363

365

226

283

Group 12 month order book is a record of received customers’ orders that are due to 
be delivered in the next 12 months following the reporting date. The numbers include 
committed orders and regular call-off orders on contracts. Excluding the paper orders, 
Group 12 month order book increased by 6% year on year.

1  Adjusted EBITDA margin represents adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales.

 
 
36

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Risk and risk management
How we manage our principal risks and uncertainties

How we manage risk 
Risk management is the responsibility 
of the Board, supported by the Risk 
Committee which comprises members 
of our Executive Leadership Team (ELT). 
The Risk Committee is accountable for 
identifying, mitigating and managing risk. 
Further details about the Committee 
can be found on page 70. Our formal 
risk identification process evaluates and 
manages our significant risks in accordance 
with the requirements of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. Our Group risk register 
identifies the risks, their potential impact 
and likelihood of occurrence, the key 
controls and management processes we 
have established to mitigate these risks, 
and the investment and timescales agreed 
to reduce the risk to an acceptable level 
within the Board’s risk appetite.

The Risk Committee meets twice a year to 
review risk management and monitor the 
status of key risks as well as the actions we 
have taken to address these at both Group 
and functional level. Any material changes 
to risk are highlighted at the monthly ELT 
meetings, while the Audit Committee also 
reviews the Group’s risk report. The ELT 
undertakes a risk workshop each year 
to challenge whether it has identified 
the principal risks that could impact the 
business in the context of the environment 
in which we operate.

Management is responsible for 
implementing and maintaining controls, 
which have been designed to manage 
rather than eliminate risk. These controls can 
only provide reasonable but not absolute 
assurance against material misstatement 
or loss. See page 68 for further information 
regarding internal controls.

Principal risks and uncertainties 
The following pages set out the principal 
risks and uncertainties that could 
crystallise over the next three years. 
The Board has undertaken a robust risk 
assessment to identify these risks, which 
are listed in order of potential impact. 
There may be other risks that we currently 
believe to be less material. These could 
become material, either individually or 
simultaneously, and significantly affect our 
business and financial results. We have 
modelled potential scenarios of these risks 
crystallising to support the disclosures 
in the Viability Statement and assess the 
Group’s risk capacity. See page 41 for 
further details. Due to the nature of risk, 
the mitigating factors stated cannot be 
viewed as assurance that the actions 
taken or planned will be wholly effective.

De La Rue’s risk management framework

Board of Directors and Company Secretary

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

•  Responsible for risk management and internal controls 
•  Defines risk appetite and tolerance 
•  Approves the risk profile

Audit Committee
•  Reviews the effectiveness 

of internal controls

Risk Committee
•  Reviews and proposes the 

business risk profile

•  Approves the annual internal 

•  Monitors the management 

and external audit plans

•  Reviews findings from 

selected assurance providers

of key risks

•  Tracks implementation of 
actions to mitigate risks

Ethics Committee
•  Reviews ethical risks, 
policies and standards

Health, Safety and 
Environment (HSE) 
Committee
•  Sets HSE standards
•  Agrees and monitors 
implementation of 
HSE strategy

•  Monitors HSE performance

Executive Leadership Team
•  Accountable for the design and implementation 

of the risk management process and the 
operation of the control environment

Group policies
•  Policies for highlighting and managing risks
•  Procedures and internal controls

Functional management
•  Ensures that risk management is embedded into 

business culture, practice and operations

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Risk appetite 
The Board has reviewed our principal 
risks and considered whether they reflect 
an acceptable level of risk. Where this 
is not the case, the Board has also 
considered what further investment is 
being made to reduce the likelihood and 
potential impact of the risk. The Board 
either approves the level of risk being 
taken, or requires management to reduce 
the risk exposure. 

For core areas of the business, the Board 
uses a number of methods to ensure 
that management operates within an 
accepted risk appetite. These include 
delegated authority levels, the approval 
of specific policies and procedures and 
the approval of the annual insurance 

programme. The Board receives 
regular feedback on the degree 
to which management is operating 
within acceptable risk tolerances.

This feedback includes regular 
operational and financial management 
reports, internal audit reports, external 
audit reporting and any reports to the 
whistleblowing hotline. All members 
of the ELT have individual ownership 
for one or more of the principal risks. 
Management of those risks forms part 
of their personal objectives.

Key for strategic focus

1   Deliver operational excellence

2   Invest for growth

3   Strengthen balance sheet

4   Drive culture change

Key for risk outlook

  Increasing

  No change

  Decreasing

Principal risks and uncertainties ranked by net predicted impact

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Mitigation

Impact on 
strategy

Outlook

Breach of legal 
and regulatory 
requirements

It is possible that our 
employees or overseas 
representatives, either 
individually or in collusion 
with others, could act in 
contravention of our stringent 
requirements in relation to 
bribery and corruption, anti-
competitive behaviours and 
management of third party 
partners (TPPs).

Major reputational 
and financial damage.

A successful 
prosecution under 
Anti-Bribery 
legislation could see 
the Company barred 
from participating in 
major tenders.

Mergers and 
Acquisitions

We are seeking to grow our 
business both organically 
and through appropriate 
partnerships and acquisitions.

Acquiring or 
partnering with third 
parties carries a 
level of inherent risk 
that the transaction 
may not achieve the 
expected business 
benefits over the 
medium to long term.

We are accredited to the Banknote Ethics Initiative, 
which provides governments and central banks 
with assurance regarding our ethical standards 
and business practices.

4

Our commitment to ethical standards is 
articulated in the Code of Business Principles. 
This is supported by underlying policies which 
are reviewed regularly and enforced robustly. 
Where necessary, non-compliance is dealt 
with through disciplinary procedures.

We have a particular focus on raising awareness 
as well as training on anti-bribery and corruption, 
and competition law. Our policies and processes 
are independently audited.

Our process for the appointment, management 
and remuneration of TPPs operates independently 
of the sales function. The behaviours of TPPs 
are strictly monitored and the TPP process is 
overseen by the General Counsel and Company 
Secretary, who reports directly to the Board on 
these matters. To reduce the exposure of TPPs, 
we are working on migrating them to employee 
relationships. 

Our whistleblowing policy and associated 
procedures are integral aspects of the 
compliance framework.

We have a controlled process for reviewing all 
opportunities that have to meet certain criteria 
before being able to progress to full due diligence 
and offer stage. The Board has to approve all 
such transactions before they can proceed.

2

 
 
38

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Risk and risk management continued

Principal risks and uncertainties ranked by net predicted impact

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Mitigation

Impact on 
strategy

Outlook

Failure to maintain 
and exploit 
competitive and 
technologically 
advanced 
products, services 
and manufacturing 
processes

We operate in competitive 
markets. Our products and 
services are characterised by 
continually evolving industry 
standards and changing 
technology, driven by the 
demands of our customers. 
Longer term threats could 
include the growth of 
eCommerce, the emergence 
of cashless societies and lower 
barriers to manufacturing.

Failure to maintain 
and exploit technical 
innovation and 
intellectual property 
may result in lower 
demand, loss of 
market share and 
lower margins.

Quality 
management 
failure

Each of our contracts has 
a unique specification on 
product quality and delivery. 
Some of these contracts 
demand a high degree of 
technical specification.

A shortfall in quality 
management 
may expose us to 
additional cost to 
remake as well as to 
any associated fines 
or warranty costs.

Supply chain 
failure

We have close trading 
relationships with a number 
of key suppliers, including 
unique producers of 
specialised components 
that we incorporate into our 
finished products.

With the sale of Portals 
De La Rue Limited, our 
paper supplier now moves to 
become a third party supplier. 

Failure of a key 
supplier, the inability 
to source critical 
materials or poor 
supplier performance 
in terms of quality or 
delivery could disrupt 
our supply and ability 
to deliver on time 
and in full.

We maintain sustained levels of investment in 
research and development to ensure a steady 
flow of ideas into our innovation pipeline. 
Our product roadmaps are designed to meet our 
customers’ needs. Our materials science expertise 
and software science team are centralised in 
the UK. These teams follow defined technology 
management processes, which include regular 
pipeline and portfolio reviews.

We continue to invest in new technologies to 
enable us to advance our R&D and manufacturing 
capabilities, and have increased our focus on 
digital technologies since the strategy review 
in 2015.

We aim to double our R&D investment in the five 
years to 2020.

We operate an established quality management 
system across all production sites. All major sites 
are certified to ISO9001 quality management 
standards.

In 2012, we introduced an Operational Excellence 
programme to further drive continuous 
improvement across our manufacturing sites. 
In 2017-18, we introduced further capital and 
operational investment to increase quality 
management in response to increasing quality 
standards demanded by our customers. 

Where we rely on external supply, we have 
established procedures for identifying possible 
risks for each supplier. Key suppliers are managed 
through a supplier relationship management 
programme. This incorporates checks on their 
financial strength and their ability to deliver to our 
quality standards and security, as well as their 
business continuity arrangements. Key suppliers 
are audited on a rotational basis.

As a contingency, alternative suppliers are pre-
qualified wherever possible and where necessary 
we retain higher levels of stocks.

Unpredictability 
in the timing and 
size of substantial 
contract awards

Political and other factors 
can delay government 
procurement decisions for 
sensitive products such as 
banknotes and passports.

The timing and size 
of contract awards 
is often uncertain. 
Delays lead to 
volatility in our order 
book and variance 
against our predicted 
financial performance.

We maintain close and regular contact with 
customers so that any changes in timing and 
requirements are recognised promptly.

We monitor our sales activity, order pipeline 
and forward order book to optimise production 
planning and ensure that delivery to customers 
is on time and in full.

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We also monitor any delays in order 
confirmation on a weekly basis. This enables 
us to maintain flexibility in the supply chain 
as far as possible, and to accommodate any 
changes to production planning.

To minimise future unpredictability, we proactively 
pursue longer term commitments from customers. 
We also aim to grow recurring revenues by 
expanding our digital and service offerings.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Principal risks and uncertainties ranked by net predicted impact

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Mitigation

Impact on 
strategy

Outlook

Failure to win or 
renew a material 
contract

While we operate globally and 
have a diversified geographic, 
product and customer profile, 
we rely heavily on a small 
number of medium and longer 
term material contracts.

Failure to win or 
renew a key contract 
could restrict growth 
opportunities and 
have a material 
impact on our 
financial performance 
and reputation.

Our business involves tendering for long term 
contracts on a constant basis. We have dedicated 
bid specialists and where necessary contract 
in additional resources for the largest strategic 
bids. We employ complex sales methodologies to 
identify and qualify opportunities. These measures, 
along with our focus on customer service and 
quality mean that we are well positioned to win or 
renew strategic or significant contracts. 

Capacity for 
change

Our business has seen 
a considerable level of 
organisation change over the 
last three years. The Board 
expects there to be a similar 
level of change over the next 
two to three year period.

Pension fund 
deficit

The Group’s UK defined benefit 
pension scheme (the Scheme) 
is in deficit. As at 31 March 
2018 the deficit as accounted 
for under IAS 19 was £87.6m 
(25 March 2017: £237.0m).

Loss of a key site

All our manufacturing sites 
are exposed to business 
interruption risks.

All grades of staff may 
become demoralised 
by the level of 
constant change 
in the organisation. 
Processes, 
procedures, and 
control environments 
may suffer as the 
ELT continues to 
implement change. 

We have created a 
joint working group 
with the pension 
trustees to proactively 
manage our pension 
obligations. If at 
the next triennial 
valuation in 2018 
the deficit increases 
further under 
actuarial valuation, 
the future cash flow 
commitments may 
put future capital 
investment and 
dividends at risk. 

The total loss of any 
one of these sites 
could have a major 
financial impact, 
particularly where 
the site represents 
a single source 
of supply.

We are focused on retaining key contracts, as and 
when they fall due for renewal, and on winning 
new opportunities as they arise. However, as the 
UK Passport contract award announced in March 
2018 shows, there can be no certainty that we will 
win all major contract tenders. 

Our order book as at March 2018 was 6% above 
that of March 2017. 

Our change goals are incorporated into the annual 
objectives each year, so that all staff understand 
and are familiar with our priorities. All change 
initiatives are reviewed and approved by the ELT 
following risk analysis. All change initiatives are 
managed through programme managers with 
progress monitored and reported to the ELT 
and Board. 

We continue to work with the pension trustees 
to explore methods of improving the return of the 
Scheme’s assets and reducing the Scheme’s 
liabilities. As announced in November 2017, the 
trustees changed the primary index for increased 
Scheme benefits to the Consumer Prices Index. 
The movements in the assets and liabilities as 
measured under IAS 19 are in note 24 of the 
financial statements. 

Our head office and the banknote production 
operations in Debden and Gateshead UK are 
both accredited to the ISO22301:2012 Business 
Continuity standard. 

We maintain a degree of interoperability across 
our banknote production and security printing 
sites. We aim to minimise risk by adopting the 
highest standards of risk engineering in our 
production processes. 

In recognition of our customers’ increasingly 
high requirements regarding business continuity, 
we continue to enhance the resilience of our 
major facilities in line with the ISO standard.

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De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Risk and risk management continued

Principal risks and uncertainties ranked by net predicted impact

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Mitigation

Impact on 
strategy

Outlook

Health, safety or 
environmental 
failure

All of our activities are subject 
to extensive internal health, 
safety and environmental 
(HSE) procedures, 
processes and controls. 
Nevertheless, there is a risk 
that any failure of an HSE 
management process could 
result in a serious incident.

Failure of an HSE 
management process 
could lead to a 
serious injury or an 
environmental breach.

Functionality 
and information 
security risk

Any compromise 
in the software 
functionality or 
confidentiality of 
information could 
impact our reputation 
with current and 
potential customers.

Increasingly, our business 
involves providing software 
to customers. Poor quality 
of the functionality and 
information security built into 
the software and associated 
hardware could affect the 
confidentiality and integrity 
of our customer, employee 
and business data. Factors 
that could potentially impact 
functionality and information 
security include human error, 
ineffective design or operation 
of key data security controls, 
or the breakdown of IT 
control processes.

At all major facilities, we have a robust HSE 
management system which is internally 
audited and certified to the OHSAS18001 
and ISO14001 standards. 

All of our activities are subject to extensive internal 
HSE procedures, processes and controls.

The Group HSE Committee regularly reviews HSE 
performance. This is also monitored by the Chief 
Operating Officer’s leadership team and reported 
to the Board monthly.

Each manufacturing facility has clear HSE action 
plans which are prioritised, monitored and subject 
to review by local senior management to ensure 
that health and safety standards are maintained.

Our corporate information systems are accredited 
to the ISO27001 Information Security standard. 
We strengthened governance processes in 2017 
with the introduction of an Information Security 
Steering Group.

We maintain a strict control environment to enforce 
disciplined software development and information 
security practices and behaviours. A number of 
key technical controls are in place to manage 
this risk, including agile software development 
techniques, quality reviews, regular testing, 
network segregation, access restrictions, system 
monitoring, security reviews and vulnerability 
assessments of infrastructure and applications.

We regularly review all aspects of information 
security arrangements, and our employees 
undertake mandatory information security 
e-learning.

Product security

Loss of product or high 
security components from a 
manufacturing site could occur 
as a result of negligence or 
theft. Loss of product while 
in transit, particularly during 
transhipment, through the 
failure of freight companies or 
through the loss of an aircraft 
or vessel as a result of an 
accident or natural disaster, 
is also possible.

Any loss of product 
or high security 
components has 
the potential to 
cause reputational 
and financial 
damage. In certain 
circumstances, 
customer contracts 
may mean that we are 
liable for those losses.

We have robust physical security and materials 
control procedures at our production sites, which 
reduce the risk of inadvertent loss or theft during 
manufacturing. We apply stringent operational 
procedures – and use carefully selected carriers 
and personnel – to handle movements of 
security materials between our sites and onward 
delivery to customers. All movements are risk 
managed and monitored globally on a 24/7 
basis. We also maintain a comprehensive global 
insurance programme.

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Risks and uncertainties where the net impact has reduced since prior year, 
and which are no longer regarded as principal risks and uncertainties

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Mitigation

Cultural change

In order to ensure our 
continued success 
and growth, an internal 
organisational redesign 
took place in 2015/16. 
The focus is on achieving 
sustained cultural change 
in our organisation to be 
able to adapt to a rapidly 
changing market environment.

Without the culture 
change we seek to 
achieve, we may not 
be able to execute 
the strategy laid out 
in May 2015.

Failure to secure 
a partner for 
the banknote 
paper business, 
or a strategic 
print partner for 
the Banknote 
print business

Our ability to address the 
material issues of volatile 
demand in banknotes 
and over capacity in the 
banknote paper business 
will not be achieved without 
third party agreements.

Predictability of future 
revenue streams and 
the ability to increase 
the ROCE may be 
compromised.

Viability statement

The Directors have considered the longer-term viability 
of De La Rue plc in line with the recommendations under 
the UK Corporate Governance code.

While the Group has a five-year strategic planning horizon, 
our financial performance is inherently less predictable in 
years four and five because good visibility of the order book 
is over a shorter-term horizon. Therefore, the Directors believe 
that an appropriate period to consider the Group’s viability 
is over three years. 

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have 
reviewed the principal risks as set out in pages 37 to 40 
and considered foreseeable scenarios of one or more of 
the principal risks crystallising in the same time period in 
the context of our strategic plan. The scenarios have been 
modelled on year end net debt as well as forecast average 
net debt over the next three fiscal years.

The forward looking financial information upon which the 
impact of the risks was modelled, accounted for the loss 
of the UK Passport contract and the sale of Portals De La Rue 
paper business announced in March 2018. 

As reported in 2017, our 2016/17 leadership training built on the 2015/16 
strategic leadership skills with a focus on cross functional working, 
especially in the areas of influencing and managing competing interests. 

The strategic plan envisaged a three year programme of training, 
communication and recruitment to fill capability gaps. The outcome 
is expected to be a change in behaviours and skills that will allow 
De La Rue to be a more dynamic, agile and high performing organisation. 
The plan remains on track and has delivered substantial cultural change. 
The Executive Leadership Team now considers change fatigue to 
be a greater risk to the business. Consequently this risk is no longer 
seen as a principal risk, although it continues to be monitored at 
a functional level. 

The sale of Portals De La Rue Limited to Epiris has mitigated this risk 
such that it is no longer a principal risk.

The Directors have focused on principal risks that could 
plausibly occur and result in the Group’s future operational 
results, financial condition and future prospects differing 
materially from current expectations, including the ability 
to maintain a dividend, meet current investment plans and 
comply with liquidity ratios. 

Scenarios that the Directors see as implausible (or outside 
of the Group’s control e.g. a terrorist attack or an event 
of nature) have not been modelled, nor have all potential 
mitigating responses. The Directors have assumed that the 
current revolving credit facility remains in place with the same 
covenant requirements through to December 2021. 

The outcome of modelling the principal risks crystallising in a 
plausible combination showed that the Group’s credit facilities 
were not exhausted. The Board also considered a reverse 
stress test; the extent of EBITDA the Group would have to 
lose against its strategic plan forecast in order to breach its 
credit facilities. 

The result of reviewing plausible scenarios and the reverse 
stress test is that the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group is viable and will be able to meet its obligations 
as they fall due up to March 2021. 

 
 
42

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

A responsible business
De La Rue provides governments with the products, 
services and insights to enable participation, 
protection and the implementation of standards.

Being responsible is at  
the core of our business.

Martin Sutherland
Chief Executive Officer

Sustainable development lies at the heart of our 
business – to enable everyone to participate 
securely in the global economy. We provide 
governments and commercial organisations with 
the products and services that enable countries 
to trade, companies to sell, economies to grow 
and people to move securely around an ever-more 
connected world.

We increasingly hear from our 
customers that we can achieve 
the greatest impact on sustainable 
development efforts by active 
collaboration. We can amplify the 
impact of our sustainability initiatives 
while supporting the highest standards 
of governance and ethics. 

As part of our continued commitment 
to the UN Global Compact and its 
principles, we have assessed our 

materiality against the UN Global 
Compact Sustainable Development 
Goals (SDGs) with some of our key 
partners and stakeholders and gained 
a detailed understanding of where 
we have most impact, both positive 
and negative. The following illustrates 
our SDG alignment. I am proud to 
acknowledge the fundraising and 
charitable giving of employees around 
the world. This has a great impact on 
our local communities.

Find out more about UN Global Compact  
www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/

Lead
SDGs where our impact is significant 
and where we will continue to lead

Focus and Improve
SDGs where we have the opportunity 
to improve and achieve great impact

Maintain Momentum
SDGs where we must maintain our 
strategies in order to ensure we 
continue to make an impact 

Watch the interview about responsible business
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Maintain Foundations
SDGs which we continue to support

Enabling participation

Financial and social inclusion are 
two of the biggest challenges today. 
According to the World Bank, 38% of 
the world’s population do not have a 
bank account. Eighty five per cent of 
worldwide payments are still made with 
cash. One in six women say that a lack 
of identity documents is the reason why 
they can’t open a bank account.1 

In 2017, there were an estimated 
258m international migrants2 globally. 
665.6m people were forcibly displaced, 
of which 22.5m were refugees3. 
International cooperation and trust in 
legal identities has never been more 
important to ensure that people’s human 
rights are protected wherever they are.

Now more than ever, it is critical for 
governments to be able to support their 
populations with robust and efficient 
cash cycle logistics and legal identity 
management systems. These systems 
enable participation in society and 
protection from fraud and mistreatment. 
Accessibility of cash and the provision 
of secure and trusted legal identities 
underpin the integrity of society 
and enable it to function efficiently. 
We, at De La Rue,

•  work to ensure banknotes are secure, 
trusted and available for use in 140 
countries around the world

•  have provided 22m people with identity 
documents this year, enabling secure, 
safe and orderly migration as well as 
access to services 

•  provide the largest food agency in 

the world with secure food vouchers 
which enable humanitarian rations 
to be delivered 

•  work with ICAO4, UNHCR5 and 
IOM6 on international standards 
and approaches to migration 
and documentation 

Over the last year, we have created 
new tools and products which equip 
governments to understand the needs of 
their populations and to make decisions 
based on data. You can read more in 
our case studies on DLR Analytics™ and 
new civil registration system for Antigua 
and Barbuda. 

1  The World Bank. 

2  International Migration Report 2017, UN DESA. 

3  UNHCR figures.

4  ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organisation.

5  UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner 

for Refugees.

6  IOM – International Organisation for Migration.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Award winning DLR Analytics™ 
Access to trusted banknotes 
whether in a rural location or in a 
city, is critical for those who rely 
on it. This is particularly evident 
in times of crisis when people 
require humanitarian aid. However, 
even in stable environments, 
cash always enables economic 
growth, stability and financial 
inclusion, particularly for women, 
who are less likely to have a bank 
account. Making sure that cash 
is available and of an acceptable 
quality is essential. De La Rue has 
a long history of helping central 
banks in times of crisis, whether 
it is after the fall of an old regime 
or the emergence of a new state. 
The cash cycles and factors 
impacting the demand for cash 
are hugely complex to monitor 
and manage. In 2017 De La Rue 
launched DLR Analytics™, which 
helps issuing authorities improve 
demand forecasting and budget 

planning. This service standardises 
the language and calculations 
behind cash cycle analytics, 
enabling issuing authorities to more 
directly learn from the experiences 
of others. DLR Analytics™ can 
help issuing authorities ensure 
that banknotes are available and 
consequently that businesses can 
continue to participate in both the 
local and the global economy. 
Analytics also offers central banks 
the opportunity to be transparent 
and to qualify their decision-
making regarding their cash 
cycle management.

Helping our customers with 
forecasting and analytics also 
helps our business. We are able 
to plan resources more effectively 
because we can analyse trends 
in the whole market. To date, 70 
issuing authorities have signed up 
to DLR Analytics™ – almost half 
of the world’s total.

Find out more about the Future of Cash  
See page 08

Enabling participation 
through identity
The Government of Antigua and 
Barbuda has decided that it would 
like to make it simpler for people 
in the country to interact with the 
government and to improve the 
ease of doing business. To do 
this, they have chosen to work 
with De La Rue and a local IT 
company (ACT) to transform the 
Civil Registration and Vital Statistics 
system. This will provide people 
with a trusted legal identity from 

birth. Midwives will be able to notify 
the government that a birth has 
taken place on mobile technology 
and the birth will be verified and 
registered centrally. With their 
legal identity, people will be able 
to access key services, pay taxes 
and set-up businesses more easily. 
De La Rue and local firm ACT have 
based the solution on local laws 
and are proud to be able to build 
and deploy replicable models in 
the region and globally, bolstering 
Antiguan skills and industry. 

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

 
 
44

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

A responsible business continued 

Enabling protection

Illicit trade is a hindrance to economic 
growth. One in ten cigarettes consumed 
globally are thought to be illicit and 
cost governments billions in lost tax 
revenue. Counterfeit goods are on the 
rise. The estimated value of the global 
counterfeit market is expected to reach 
$2.8tr in 2022. The consequences of 
illicit trade are far reaching and damaging 
for society. They include the stunting 
of socio-economic growth, increased 
risk to citizens’ health, the fuelling of 
criminal activity and damage to brand 
reputations. To combat illicit trade, the 
authenticity of products needs to be 
guaranteed from source to consumption.

Differing tobacco and alcohol taxation 
levels across regions and borders 
leads to tax evasion and avoidance. 
Worldwide tax non-compliance has been 
estimated to cause 164,000 premature 
deaths a year1. The World Bank states 
that new consensus seems to be 
emerging to globally enforce corrective 
tax instruments, on goods whose 
consumption creates social negative 
externalities, such as tobacco2. 

De La Rue has a long established history 
of combating illicit trade and tax evasion:

•  We secure $30bn of commercial 

supply chain goods each year with 
some of the world’s biggest brands
•  We produce 1.6bn uniquely traceable 

identifiers each year enabling 
governments and organisations to 
trace goods around the world
•  We work with governments to 

implement product authentication and 
traceability solutions to reduce the 
volume of illicit dangerous cigarettes 
and alcohol available to buy in 
the country 

•  A tax stamp scheme on tobacco in 
Kosovo recouped $12m in tax and 
reduced smuggling by 61% in the first 
year of implementation 

Raising charitable funds through 
innovation with Disney and the 
UK Government’s GREAT 
Campaign
The release of Star Wars: The Last 
Jedi caused great public interest 
during 2017. To celebrate this 
event while showcasing the best of 
British innovation and raising funds 
for a worthwhile cause, we teamed 
up with the UK Government’s 
GREAT campaign and the Walt 

Disney Company. We produced 
1,000 limited edition and 50 
premium exquisitely designed 
Star Wars™ commemorative 
banknotes, which were sold 
and auctioned for £186,000. 
All proceeds were donated to 
Together for Short Lives, a UK-
based charity which supports 
children’s hospices and the 49,000 
children with life-threatening and 
life-limiting conditions in the UK, 
and their families. 

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Enabling protection through 
track and trace solutions
Our authentication and traceability 
solutions help governments clamp 
down on illicit trade of tobacco, 
alcohol and other goods, and 
effectively recover tax from the sale 
of genuine products in their country. 
We have worked hard to create 
both a product and commercial 
solution that offer sustainability 
for our customers. The approach 
we have come up with requires 
no upfront capital investment 
from the government and ensures 
that proceeds of the scheme are 
reinvested into the solution and 
its expansion. This in turn helps 
the government collect more tax 
revenue. We also make sure that 
the implementation causes minimal 
disruption across the tobacco 
and alcohol organisations that are 

1  Joossens L, Merriman D, Ross H, et al. How eliminating 

the global illicit cigarette trade would increase tax 
revenue and save lives. Paris: International Union against 
Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2009.

2  The World Bank

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

impacted and provide transparent 
reporting mechanisms to build trust 
between government, De La Rue 
and product suppliers. 

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

45

Implementing standards

As the largest commercial security printer 
in the world, we take our responsibility 
seriously. We recognise that our influence 
can help ensure that international 
standards and best practice become the 
norm. Being a member of the Banknote 
Ethics Initiative (BnEI) as well as the 

Secure Identity Alliance provide us with 
platforms to drive positive changes in our 
industries towards the highest product 
and ethical standards. Below are a 
couple of examples of the work we have 
done this year.

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Edward Peppiatt
Company Secretary and 
General Counsel 
ELT sponsor for responsible business

At De La Rue, we recognise the 
importance of integrating sustainability 
into daily businesses. This is the 
only way to achieve the UN’s SDGs. 
Over the last year, we engaged our 
employees, customers, investors and 
suppliers in order to help understand 
our impacts, our responsibilities, our 
associated risks and opportunities. 
We have begun incorporating our 
sustainability thinking into different 
functional teams and are working to 
measure and report our impact and 
actions to meet both statutory and 
non-statutory requirements.

Last year’s materiality assessment 
enabled us to identify that we can 
have significant positive impacts in 
delivering strong institutions (SDG16) 
and Quality Education (SDG4). 
Alongside these, we recognised we 
had to focus and improve in the areas 
of Health and Wellbeing (SDG3), 
Gender Equality (SDG5) and Innovation 
(SDG9). We committed to maintaining 
momentum across the environmental 
goals and providing decent work and 
economic growth (SDG8), and to 
acting as a responsible producer and 
consumer (SDG12). Collaborating for 
the goals (SDG17), to end poverty 
(SDG1) and reduce inequalities (SDG10) 
remain the foundations of our business. 

Over the next pages, we offer some 
highlights of our activities and our 
statutory reporting in areas including 
human rights, labour rights, the 
environment and anti-corruption.

Watch the full interview with  
Edward Peppiatt here 
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Working with our suppliers to 
understand ethics in our 
supply chain
We conducted a key supplier survey 
with PricewaterhouseCoopers 
LLP to identify the level of 
understanding of social, economic 
and environmental impacts in our 
supply chain. We evaluated their 
approach to ethics so that we could 
fully understand any issues and 
drive responsible business activity 
in our supply chain. Suppliers were 
assessed for their understanding 
of Corporate Social Responsibility 

(CSR). A series of questions 
helped determine the suppliers’ 
understanding of CSR, the KPIs 
or metrics they used to assess 
their impact, and how they control 
their supply chain – as well as their 
policies and procedures on slavery 
and human trafficking. Based on our 
findings, we are creating a specific 
De La Rue supplier CSR policy, and 
will embed this into our procurement 
governance processes. This robust 
approach is supported by building 
awareness of sustainability issues 
in the procurement team.

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Working with the Bank of 
England on Responsible 
business activities
Through our Joint Charter with the 
Bank of England, we have identified 
opportunities for collaboration 
at our Debden manufacturing 
facility over the coming 12 months. 

These include medium-term 
plans to share knowledge about 
sustainability, to work together to 
engage our people in wellbeing 
initiatives, and to protect the 
environment by introducing joint 
energy reduction plans and waste 
management strategies.

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

 
 
46

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

A responsible business continued

Implementing standards

Human Rights

We treat our employees fairly and equally 
irrespective of their gender, transgender 
status, sexual orientation, religion or 
belief, marital status, civil partnership 
status, age, colour, nationality, national 
origin, disability or trade union affiliation. 
Our focus this year has been on 
deepening our understanding of what 
inclusion and diversity means in practice 
and how it impacts our business. 
We have also concentrated on identifying 
why getting this right is so critical to 
wider society as well as our business, 
and on providing our managers with 
further tools and training to recognise 
and be ready to respond to any issues. 

Our aspiration, as detailed last 
year, is to have an inclusive and 
diverse workforce. We aim to:
•  employ a diverse workforce 

which reflects our communities 
and customers
By working with our recruitment 
partner Optamor we have introduced 
changes to our recruitment process, 
which seeks to remove bias. 
For example, CVs are now provided 
to our managers absent of details not 
relevant for the role, such as gender 
and name. By working with Optamor 
we are also starting to see a richness 
of management information allowing 
us to assess our talent acquisition 
process and start using data to 
inform decisions. 

•  benefit from advantages of a 

diverse workforce, where inclusion 
becomes the normal way of working
The De La Rue Board, the Executive 
Leadership Team, Senior Leaders, 
HR Managers, Union Representatives 
and Ethics Champions have all 
received an introductory training 
session on unconscious bias. 
In addition to this we have run 
a number of open sessions across 
the organisation which will continue 
over the coming year. 

We have also provided an infographic 
on unconscious bias that is accessible 
to all employees. We view this training 
as a key step in developing an inclusive 
culture but acknowledge that the 
true value comes from exploring our 
organisational biases and putting 
in place action plans to remove 
any barriers.

•  celebrate diversity by recognising 
that everyone is an individual and 
has a contribution to make
We have held a number of Women’s 
Network Events this year, providing 
both men and women with the 
opportunity to hear external 
speakers, create informal networks 
with colleagues and to discuss and 
debate topical issues relating to 
inclusion. De La Rue uses Insights 
Colourworks profiling which helps our 
employees to understand themselves 
and the teams that they work within. 
This enables employees to recognise 
the value of diversity of thought and 
communication style and improve their 
ability to communicate with others.

•  eliminate the gender pay gap 

As at 5 April 2017, we had a gender 
pay gap of 10.04% (mean) or 9.74% 
(median). This is better than the UK 
figure of 17.4% (ONS provisional mean) 
or 18.4% (ONS provisional median, 
October 2017), but far from our goal 
of zero. As part of our Inclusion and 
Diversity Strategy we have a long-term 
commitment to eliminate this gap. 
We can confirm that the data published 
in our report satisfied the requirements 
of the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay 
Gap Information) Regulations 2017.

De La Rue has ambitions to improve 
female representation at senior 
and executive management levels 
of the business to 25% by 2020. 
As at the end of this financial year, 
the percentage was 18%.

Richard Hird
Chief Commercial Officer 
ELT sponsor for inclusion & diversity

Our products and services provide 
trust and security to billions of people 
around the world. We must ensure 
that we provide that same sense of 
trust and security to our staff and 
those helping to deliver our products 
and services within our supply chains. 
We are continuously striving to ensure 
that wellbeing, human rights and 
labour rights are protected in our 
supply chain, in our business and 
in our customer solutions.

Jo Easton
Group Director of Human Resources

Watch the full interview with  
Richard Hird and Jo Easton here 
www.delarue.com/ar2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

47

Gender diversity as at 31 March 2018
Employees
Senior Management
Executive Management

Female
845
7
1

Male
1,874
30
6

Female
31%
19%
14%

Male
69%
81%
86%

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Accessible training and 
support for our employees 
around the world
Within 2017/18, we have 
broadened our educational 
offering to all levels in the 
business. We have rolled out 
unconscious bias awareness 
sessions across the business to 
help our people understand more 
about themselves and how they 
can reinforce inclusivity through 
their actions. Other new courses 
included storytelling, presenting 

with charisma, influencing 
and stakeholder management 
skills. In 2018 we will continue 
the offering and focus on team 
and individual performance. 
We will build technical skills and 
capability through utilisation of 
the apprenticeship levy where 
practical. A big focus will be the 
implementation of a Learning 
Management System and an 
increase in bite-sized learning 
which will improve the accessibility 
of content for all employees. 

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Understanding migrant rights
As a specially accredited 
organisation, De La Rue 
participates in the preparatory 
process for the Global Compact 
for Safe, Orderly and Regular 
Migration. In July 2017, we 
took part in a panel discussion 
on International Cooperation 

and Governance of Migration 
in the Trusteeship Council 
Chamber at UNHQ in New York. 
We continue to help identify best 
practice approaches to create 
secure and accessible identities 
across borders. 

View our accreditation at  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

We fully support the principles set 
out in the UN Declaration of Human 
Rights, in particular with regards to 
equal opportunity and freedom from 
discrimination. We have effective 
management systems in place to 
protect human rights. Our Code of 
Business Principles (see our Corporate 
Governance report on page 72) 
covers human rights issues including 
employment principles, health and 
safety, anti-bribery and corruption and 
the protection of personal information. 
The Code also embraces whistleblowing 
– we seek to provide an environment 
where employees can raise concerns 
via a variety of mechanisms, including 
a CodeLine which is managed by 
an external third party, an internal 
Ethics Committee to which issues can 
be flagged and a network of Ethics 
Champions across the Group where 
issues can be raised in confidence. 

Every manager and employee has 
responsibility for the implementation 
of our equal opportunity policy and 
training is provided to employees and 
newly appointed line managers in 
equal opportunities and associated 
policies and procedures such as 
stress management, grievance and 
anti-harassment.

On a regular basis we conduct 
employee surveys. We work closely 
with the relevant trade unions and 
other employee representatives and 
report to all employees the outcomes 
of these meetings. 

We communicate all relevant news, 
business and financial updates. To do 
this we hold regular town hall meetings, 
conduct conference calls, update our 
Sharepoint intranet, send email blasts 
and publish monthly site magazine style 
news updates. These are adapted to the 
audience, whether all staff, a country, 
a site or department.

The business has remedial processes 
in place should there be any human 
rights’ infringements. These include 
claims procedures and trade union 
engagement procedures.

 
 
48

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

A responsible business continued

Implementing standards

We are pleased to report that we 
achieved the following health and safety 
objectives for 2017/18: 
• To maintain a world class Lost Time 
Injury Frequency Rate per 200,000 
worked hours below 0.62 (LTIFR)

• To continue to demonstrate 

manufacturing site improvements 
within our internal HSE audit 
levels programme

• To continue to drive a good level of 
health and safety training across all 
employee levels within our business 
including NEBOSH certificates, IOSH 
Managing Safely and more Making 
Good Safety Decisions modules
• To ensure that all new machinery meets 
good safety standards prior to use. 
In addition, ensure that all machines 
being moved or refurbished as a result of 
the footprint restructuring project undergo 
independent safety assessments, 
with safety upgrades as required 
The following objective is in progress 
to complete by the end of 2019:
• To bring all the manufacturing 

sites under the central 
OHSAS18001 certification 

During the year, we experienced zero 
prosecutions for infringing health and 
safety laws or regulations. All our main 
manufacturing sites have maintained 
OHSAS18001 certification for their 
health and safety management systems, 
following external audits by accredited 
providers. More details on our Company 
policies and procedures around health 
and safety and wider labour rights can 
be found on our website.

We have set the following new objectives 
for health and safety and labour rights for 
2018/19: 

•  To maintain a world class LTIFR per 

200,000 worked hours of less than 0.6 

•  To maintain our strong HSE training 

delivery performance of over 
2,000 man-days per year

•  To achieve >92% of conformance 

to our Zone ‘SAFE’ EHS 
inspections programmes

•  To cascade more certified (e.g. 

NEBOSH, IOSH) health and safety 
training and deliver four ‘SAFE’ 
training modules

SAFE campaign promotes 
health and mental wellbeing
As per our strategy, we focused 
on building greater understanding 
of health and wellbeing. 
Education has centred on two 
principal themes: musculoskeletal 
(keeping active) and mental 
wellbeing. Events have varied by 
site, led by the local management 
teams, understanding what it is 
most relevant to their employees. 
Activities such as ‘Working body’ 
seminars led by a physiotherapist 
at our Overton site, supporting 
care of the musculoskeletal system 
and line manager workshops at 
our Gateshead site to help identify 
mental wellbeing issues and how 
to support employees. We held 
an outdoor team building event 
promoting activity at our site in 
Kenya and 16 people across 

our UK sites have also been 
accredited as Mental Health First 
Aiders. We will look to raise further 
awareness in the coming year, as 
part of our journey towards greater 
integration of both physical and 
mental wellbeing in our health and 
safety policy and practices. 

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Collective bargaining in Malta
During the year, we successfully concluded an 
agreement with the local trade union in Malta 
regarding our employees. This agreement 

ensures a further three years of good working 
conditions and higher than local average 
wages for our people, as well as a positive 
outcome for our organisation.

Bryan Gray
Chief Operating Officer 
ELT sponsor for labour rights

We directly employ over 2,700 people 
and provide livelihood to thousands 
more indirectly across our global 
supply chain. Improving health and 
safety and protecting labour rights 
for people in our supply chain as well 
as in our business is a priority for 
us. We are proud that we have the 
highest health and safety standards 
and that we can influence our local 
communities by sharing best practice 
on labour rights.

Labour Rights

Zero tolerance of modern slavery 
and human trafficking
Recognising that our responsibilities 
extend beyond our own organisation, 
we work closely with main suppliers and 
contractors to ensure that their health 
and safety processes are robust. 

We take a firm approach to slavery and 
human trafficking. We are absolutely 
committed to preventing slavery and 
human trafficking in our corporate 
activities, and in our supply chains. 
Our Modern Slavery Transparency 
statement sets outs our stance in 
compliance with the Modern Slavery 
Act 2015. Suppliers are obliged to abide 
by the United Nations Convention on 
the Rights of the Child and International 
Labour Organisation Conventions 
138 and 182. As part of our ongoing 
procurement programme, we monitor our 
key cotton comber and linter suppliers. 

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

49

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Bryan Gray
Chief Operating Officer 
ELT sponsor for environment

By planning ahead, we are able to 
minimise risk and our impact on our 
local environment, while ensuring 
the sustainability of the products we 
offer and securing the future of our 
manufacturing sites.

Protecting the 
environment

Delivering against objectives: 
We were pleased to have 
met the following 2017/18 
environmental objectives:
• To continue with our ISO14001 
certification alignment for all 
manufacturing sites to ensure all sites 
are covered by the central certificate 
and one external audit process. 
Apart from Sri Lanka & Kenya which 
are scheduled for end of 2019, 
all sites have the central certificate.  
We will be meeting the new 
ISO14001:2015 standard as 
recommended for transition
• To reduce our greenhouse gas 

emissions in tCO2e related to output 
by 2% per annum over a three year 
period ending 2017/18 

• To reduce solid waste sent to landfill by 
2% related to output per annum over a 
three year period ending 2017/18 
• To develop a wider sustainability 

programme covering HSE, tracked 
by KPIs. We are now tracking several 
environmental KPIs and working to 
set new science-based targets at end 
of 2018/19

Polymer vs cotton: Measuring 
the environmental footprint of 
the new £5 and £10 with the 
Bank of England
The Bank of England is taking 
steps to reduce the environmental 
impact of banknotes, including 
recycling the vast majority of 
banknotes that are no longer fit to 
use. The Bank’s decision to move 
to polymer banknotes will have 
lasting environmental benefits. 

In 2017, we helped the Bank obtain 
independent certification from 
the Carbon Trust on the carbon 
reduction delivered by switching 
£5 and £10 banknotes from paper 
to polymer. We continue to work in 
partnership with the Bank on other 
responsible business activities. 

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

Our goals/objectives for 2018/19 are: 

•  To measure key environmental KPIs in 
the changed business during the year 
to enable the business to set science-
based targets that are realistic for the 
next two to three years

•  To review all products and main 

processes, identifying all significant 
carbon impacts in order to drive an 
investment and change programme
•  To review our supply chain in order to 
improve our sustainable procurement 
and reduce carbon impact

•  To include Sri Lanka and Kenya in our 
ISO14001:2015 Group Certification by 
the end of 2019

Energy saving at Gateshead
At our Gateshead site, we have commenced 
a £1.9m five year energy saving contract with 
Siemens. Covering chillers, compressed 
air systems, lighting, boilers and building 
management system improvements, the 
agreement will deliver an estimated 5MWh 
energy saving each year from year two 
onwards, based on predicted electricity and 
gas usage.

 
 
50

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

A responsible business continued

Greenhouse gas emissions year on year comparison for FY 2017/2018
2017-18

2016-17

Type of emissions
Direct (Scope 1)

Indirect (Scope 2)

Indirect other (Scope 3)

Total gross emissions (tCO2e)
Renewable electricity (tCO2e)
Electricity exported to grid (tCO2e)
Total net emissions (tCO2e)

Intensity metric

Activity
Natural gas
Other fuels
Process emissions
Fugitive emissions
Owned vehicles
Subtotal
Electricity
Subtotal
Rail travel
Air travel
Non-owned vehicles
Water
WTT all scopes
Subtotal

tCO2e % of total
32.2
0.9
1.5
0.5
0.1
35.2
37.4
37.4
0.0
8.6
0.0
1.9
17.0
27.5

26,156
707
1,197
393
99
28,552
30,350
30,350
5
6,961
0
1,538
13,801
22,306
81,208 
0 
238 
80,970 

tCO2e
39,240
888
1,197
75
119
41,520
36,084
36,084
5
7,426
0
1,900
17,357
26,689
104,294
0
949
103,345

% of total
37.6
0.9
1.1
0.1
0.1
39.8
34.6
34.6
0.0
7.1
0.0
1.8
16.6
25.6

Total gross emissions (tCO2e)
Total net emissions (tCO2e)
Revenue (£m)
Tonnes of gross CO2e per million GB £ turnover
Tonnes of net CO2e per million GB £ turnover

The numbers have been re-based following best practice.

2017-18
81,208
80,970

2016-17
104,294
103,345
474,000,000 461,800,000
226
224

171
171

% 
Difference in 
emissions
(33.3)
(20.5)
0.0
422.2
(16.8)
(31.2)
(15.9)
(15.9)
(0.9)
(6.3)

(19.1)
(20.5)
(16.4)
(22.1)

(74.9)
(21.7)

% 
Difference
(22)
(22)
3
(24)
(24)

Methodology: The table and the calculations has been created using the most recent DEFRA emission factors and complies with 
DEFRA mandatory greenhouse gas reporting guidelines. 

Scope 1, 2 and significant Scope 3 emissions have been calculated and reported. To comply with recent changes to DEFRA 
2014 emission factors guidelines we have also provided a breakdown of ‘well to tank’ emissions that fall into an additional Scope 
3 category. Emissions associated with water consumption have also been calculated. All raw data, calculations and emissions 
factors have been internally audited by Carbon Clear.

Further environmental stewardship

As a business, we take a precautionary 
approach to environmental challenges:

We undertake initiatives to promote 
greater environmental responsibility:

•  We are aiming towards zero to landfill
•  We have delivered consistent 2% 
reduction strategies and are now 
moving towards science based goals 
where possible

•  We have a Group HSE Sustainability 
policy and ISO 14001 certification

•  We install LED lighting at sites as we 

refurbish our facilities

•  Our research and development 
function reviews and assesses 
environmental impacts of new 
products being developed according 
to a technical manual. Examples exist 
but due to commercial sensitivities are 
not available for disclosure

•  Instead of shredding and incinerating 
our Safeguard® polymer notes we 
provide our customers with the 
opportunity to recycle them with Yes 
Recycling Ltd

For further details about our ongoing 
environmental stewardship and 
accreditations can be found at 
www.delarue.com

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

51

Implementing standards

Anti-corruption and ethics
We continue to support Global anti-
corruption efforts through the provision 
of our core products and services. 
In order to function, central government 
cash, identity and authentication services 
require integrity, robustness and trust 
to be built-in. This not only determines 
how we act as a supplier, but also means 
that we strive to design solutions that 
can be implemented by the customer. 
Whether digital services or physical 
documents, our solutions have anti-
corruption and anti-counterfeit features 
built into their core.

Our membership of the UNGC helps us 
to amplify our efforts with our customers 
as well as our ethical behaviour in our 
business, our industry and our supplier 
base. Membership helps to ensure that 
governance and ethics remain at the 
heart of the products and services we 
provide to customers.

Selva Selvaratham
Chief Technology Officer

We help to build strong institutions, 
creating trust and encouraging 
inclusive and fair societies. 
It’s what we do and have done 
for over 200 years.

Transforming our sales 
partner remuneration
We are now three years into a 
five year programme to change 
the way our sales partners are 
remunerated. Our aim is to 
reduce risk to the business while 
recognising all the work carried 
out by our partners. A rolling 
Agent Transition Plan is being 

implemented to change partner 
remuneration as agreements 
become due for renewal. 
The majority of partners are now 
engaged under the new scheme, 
which is based on the Banknote 
Ethics Initiative commitments – and 
we believe that we are one of the 
Initiative’s leading members in 
this respect.

Visit us online  
www.delarue.com/ar2018

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Further examples of  
anti-corruption and ethics
•  We are members of the International 

Chamber of Commerce Anti-corruption 
Committee and the Banknote Ethics 
Initiative (BnEI). We regularly participate 
in high level round table discussions 
with the UK Government to discuss 
how they can work more effectively 
and collaboratively with UK businesses 
to tackle corruption associated with 
exports to countries with high ratings 
on the corruption index (SDG 16 
and 17) 

•  We work to ensure that we drive best 
practice in our industry through our 
board memberships of the BnEI and 
the Secure Identity Alliance. Both have 
strong codes of conduct and we 
will continue to use our influence to 
push for further transparency and 
accountability in our sector

•  We are working in collaboration with 
the Bank of England to align and 
improve the implementation of our 
approaches to embed sustainability 
principles in our supply chains, as part 
of our Joint Charter (SDG 12) 

•  Goals and objectives for the BnEI, 

and for our own ethics management 

•  Continue to advocate for better 

collaboration between UK 
Government and businesses to 
tackle corruption and to export British 
integrity standards 

•  Advocate for countries to include 

weighted ethical requirements and 
support of relevant SDGs in their 
central government tender processes 

•  Help central banks implement 
DLR Analytics™ to enable 
accurate data-driven forecasting 
and procurement 

•  Implement an Anti-Bribery and 

Corruption annual affirmation to be 
conducted by the Senior Leadership 
Group and customer facing personnel. 
The aim is to remind people of their 
obligations and confirm that they 
comply with legislation and our Code 
of Business Principles 

•  Create and roll-out a Supplier Code 

of Conduct 

Full details of our ongoing governance 
and anti-corruption activities, 
our policies, procedures and 
legislative alignment can be found at 
www.delarue.com

 
 
52

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance
Chairman’s introduction

Philip Rogerson
Chairman

Dear Shareholder
At De La Rue we believe that establishing 
and maintaining the highest standards 
of corporate governance is vitally 
important to the long term success and 
sustainability of the business. The Board 
recognises that good governance is 
about more than just compliance with 
rules and regulations; it is about culture, 
behaviours and how we do business 
and the Board is therefore committed 
to ensuring that the Group’s values and 
high standards are set from the top 
and embedded throughout the Group. 
We are committed to having best in class 
corporate governance and our Board is 
structured to provide shareholders with a 
strong voice. Integrity and accountability 
are at the heart of everything that we do 
and I believe that this, together with our 
robust governance framework, allows the 
Board to lead the Company in the right 
direction as we pursue our strategy, while 
ensuring that good governance principles 
and practices are adhered to.

Last year we submitted our remuneration 
policy to the vote at the AGM in July 2017. 
We consulted extensively with our largest 
shareholders and their representative 
bodies and this resulted in our policy 
being approved by an overwhelming 
majority at the AGM. Details of the policy 
and how it was applied during the period 
are set out in the Directors’ remuneration 
report on page 74.

Succession planning
Succession planning is an important 
element of good governance, ensuring 
that we are fully prepared for planned or 
sudden departures from key positions 
throughout the year. During the period, 
the Nomination Committee reviewed 
the succession plans for the Board, the 
Executive Leadership Team and other key 
roles within the organisation. This review 
also provided visibility of the Group’s talent 
pipeline and the leadership development 
programme in place to ensure we are 
maximising the potential of our people. 
The Nomination Committee has started 
the search for a Chief Financial officer 
following the resignation of Jitesh Sodha.

Board effectiveness
As detailed on page 62, an externally 
facilitated evaluation of the Board and its 
Committees was once again undertaken 
during the year and I am pleased to 
report that as a result of the evaluation, 
the Board concluded that both it and 
its Committees continue to operate 
effectively. The Board continues to work 
closely with the executive management 
team and offers support and robust 
challenge as appropriate. All Directors 
play an active role in overseeing 
management of the business.

The Board agenda will continue to 
balance the need to improve oversight 
and governance of all aspects of the 
business with the ability to debate 
and examine forward looking strategy, 
including changes to the business 
environment and markets in which 
we operate and compete.

Structure of the corporate 
governance statement
The Company is subject to the Financial 
Reporting Council’s (FRC) UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘Code’), which 
was last updated in April 2016. The Code 
contains broad provisions together with 
more specific provisions which set out 
standards of good practice in relation 
to Board leadership and effectiveness, 
accountability, remuneration and 
relations with shareholders. 

The report that follows provides an 
overview of the work undertaken by the 
Board and its Committees in fulfilling 
our governance responsibilities and 
describes how the principles of the Code 
have been applied during the period to 
31 March 2018. The Code is issued by 
the FRC and is available for review on 
the FRC website: https//www.frc.org.uk

Philip Rogerson
Chairman
30 May 2018

Compliance statement
The Board encourages a culture of 
strong governance across the business, 
and continues to adopt the principles 
of good governance and adhere to 
requirements of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. The Board considers 
that it and the Company has, throughout 
the period to 31 March 2018, complied 
in all respects with the provisions of 
the Code. The Company’s auditors, 
Ernst and Young LLP, are required to 
review whether this statement reflects 
the Company’s compliance with those 
provisions of the Code specified for 
their review by the Financial Conduct 
Authority’s Listing Rules. 

Board composition
As at 31 March 2018, the Board was 
made up of six members comprising 
a Chairman, Chief Executive Officer 
and four independent Non-executive 
Directors. Rupert Middleton, our former 
Chief Operating Officer, stepped down 
from the Board following the conclusion 
of the Company’s AGM on 20 July 2017. 
Jitesh Sodha, Chief Financial Officer, 
resigned from the Board on 19 March 
2018. Brief biographies and skills and 
experience of the Board are contained 
on pages 54, 55 and 57 and the roles 
of the Board is on page 59. None of the 
Company’s Non-executive Directors 
had any previous connection with the 
Company or its Executive Directors on 
appointment to the Board and all of 
them are considered by both the Board 
and the criteria set out in the Code 
to be independent. Philip Rogerson 
was considered independent at the 
date of his appointment. His external 
appointments are set out on page 
54. The Chairman and each of the 
Non-executive Directors have a breadth 
of strategic, management and financial 
experience gained in each of their 
own fields in a range of multinational 
businesses. In accordance with the 
terms of the Code, each of the Directors 
will be subject to re-election at the 
forthcoming AGM. 

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De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

53

The Board encourages a culture of strong governance 
across the business, and continues to adopt the 
principles of good governance and adhere to 
requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code. 

We are committed to the highest standards of corporate governance:

Leadership 
The Board sets the tone at the top of the Company through:

•  A clear definition of the roles of the individual members 

of the Board

•  A comprehensive corporate governance framework
•  Defined processes to ensure the independence of 

Directors and the management of conflicts of interest

Accountability 
The Board delegates some of its detailed work to the 
Board Committees:

•  Each Committee meets regularly 
•  The terms of reference of each Committee may be found 

on the Company’s website at www.delarue.com
•  A report from the Chairman of each Committee is 

included in this annual report

Find out more on leadership  
see pages 54 to 61

Find out more on accountability  
see pages 66 to 73

Effectiveness
The Board carries out its duties through:

•  Regular meetings focusing on the oversight of strategy, 

risk (including viability) and succession planning
•  An annual review into the effectiveness of the Board

Relations with shareholders
Maintaining strong relationships with both private and 
institutional shareholders is crucial in helping us achieve 
our aims. We hold events throughout the year to maintain 
an open and transparent dialogue with them.

Find out more on effectiveness  
see pages 62 to 65

Find out more on relations with shareholders  
see page 63

Remuneration
The Remuneration Committee ensures that there is a formal and transparent 
process for determining and reporting on the pay of our Executive Directors:

•  The remuneration policy was approved by shareholders at the 20 July 

2017 AGM

•  The Remuneration Committee ensures that: performance measures are 

linked to our strategic priorities; there is alignment between executive and 
shareholder interests; and our arrangements are simple to understand

Find out more on remuneration  
see pages 74 to 94

 
 
54

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Leadership Board of Directors 

1   Philip Rogerson
  Chairman

Appointment to the Board
Appointed to the Board on 
1 March 2012 and became 
Chairman on 26 July 2012.

Committees
•  Ethics Committee (Chairman)
•  Nomination Committee 

(Chairman)

•  Remuneration Committee 

Current directorships 
and business interests
•  Bunzl plc, chairman
•  Blancco Technology Group plc,  

non-executive director 
(senior independent director)

•  Advisory Board of the 

North and East London 
Commissioning Support 
Unit (NELCSU) of the 
NHS, chairman

2   Martin Sutherland
  Chief Executive Officer

Appointment to the Board
Appointed to the Board 
on 13 October 2014.

Committees
•  Nomination Committee
•  Risk Committee 

Current directorships 
and business interests
•  International Currency 

Association, board member
•  Forterra plc, non-executive 

director 

3   Sabri Challah

4   Maria da Cunha

Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

Appointment to the Board
Appointed to the Board 
on 23 July 2015.

Committees
•  Audit Committee
•  Ethics Committee
•  Nomination Committee
•  Remuneration Committee 

(Chairman)

Current directorships 
and business interests
•  CogitalGroup Limited, 

deputy chairman
•  Robert Kime, advisor
•  Contemporary Art 
Society, trustee
•  Actis, senior advisor

Appointment to the Board
Appointed to the Board 
on 23 July 2015.

Committees
•  Audit Committee
•  Ethics Committee
•  Nomination Committee
•  Remuneration Committee

Current directorships 
and business interests
•  British Airways, director 
of people and legal 
•  Community Integrated 

Care, trustee

 
 
De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

55

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5   Nick Bray

Independent Non-executive Director

6   Andrew Stevens
  Senior Independent Non-executive Director

Current directorships 
and business interests
•  Sophos Group plc, 
chief financial officer

Appointment to the Board
Appointed to the Board 
on 21 July 2016. 

Committees
•  Audit Committee (Chairman)
•  Ethics Committee
•  Nomination Committee
•  Remuneration Committee 

Appointment to the Board
Appointed to the Board 
on 2 January 2013.

Committees
•  Audit Committee
•  Ethics Committee
•  Nomination Committee
•  Remuneration Committee

Current directorships 
and business interests
•  CAE Inc., non-executive 

director

•  Hèroux-Devtek Inc., 

non-executive director

•  Praesidiad Group Limited,  
non-executive director/
Chairman

•  Erpe Topco Limited, non-

executive director

7   Edward Peppiatt
  General Counsel and Company Secretary

Appointment to the Board
Appointed as General Counsel on 
1 March 2009 and as Company 
Secretary with effect from 
1 April 2009.

Committees
•  Risk Committee (Chairman)

 
 
 
56

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Leadership Board of Directors 

Governance principle
The Board is collectively accountable to the Company’s shareholders 
for good corporate governance and all Directors are responsible for 
complying with their legal and fiduciary obligations. The Board is 
committed to ensuring the highest standard of corporate governance 
which is critical to creating value. The diverse range of experience 
offered by the Chairman and the Non-executive Directors means 
that they are well qualified to scrutinise performance, assess the 
Group’s risk management and control processes, provide constructive 
challenge and to support the Executive Directors.

Matters reserved for the 
Board’s decision 
•  Group strategy, long term objectives, 

annual budgets

•  Approval of the annual and 

interim results

•  Acquisitions, disposals
•  Approval of risk appetite
•  Ensuring that a sound system of 

internal control and risk management 
is maintained

•  Changes to the Group’s 

capital structure

•  Approval of dividend policy
•  Changes to Board composition

The Board has established certain 
principal Board Committees to assist it 
in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, 
providing dedicated focus on particular 
areas, as set out on pages 64 to 94. 
The Board Committees play an important 
governance role through the work they 
carry out to fulfil the responsibilities 
delegated to them. The matters reserved 
to the Board and the terms of reference 
for each of its Committees, which are 
reviewed on an annual basis, can be 
found on the Company website at 
www.delarue.com. These were last 
reviewed on 21 March 2018.

Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
Matters that are not reserved to 
shareholders, the Board or one of its 
Committees are the responsibility of 
the Chief Executive Officer who has 
established and maintains a schedule 
of delegations of authority to members 
of the ELT and other management as 
approved by the Board. 

The Chief Executive Officer reports 
on the activities through his (and the 
Chief Financial Officer’s) regular reports 
to the Board. The Board and each 
Committee receives sufficient, reliable 
and timely information in advance 
of meetings and are provided with 
access to all necessary resources and 
expertise to enable them to fulfil their 
responsibilities and undertake their 
duties in an effective manner. The ELT 
comes together to communicate, review 
and agree on issues and actions of 
Group-wide significance. It develops, 
implements and monitors strategic and 
operational plans, and considers the 
continuing applicability, appropriateness 
and impact of risk. It leads the Group’s 
culture and aids decision-making of 
the Chief Executive Officer in managing 
the business in the performance of 
his duties.

Diversity
The Board recognise the importance 
of having an inclusive culture and 
the value that diversity brings to 
De La Rue. We aim to reflect this 
within the composition of the Board. 
The Chairman seeks to ensure that 
the composition of the Board includes 
individuals whose varied backgrounds, 
experience, knowledge and expertise 
bring a wide range of perspectives 
to the business.

Following the departure of Rupert 
Middleton and Jitesh Sodha, and as 
at 31 March 2018, the percentage 
of women on the Board was 16.7%. 

The Group’s inclusion strategy is 
discussed further on page 46.

The role of the Board
The Board is ultimately responsible 
to shareholders for the direction, 
management, performance and long 
term success of the Company. It sets 
the Group’s strategy and objectives 
and overseas and monitors internal 
controls (in conjunction with the Audit 
Committee), risk management, principal 
risks, governance and viability of the 
Company. In doing so the Directors 
comply with their duties under section 
172 Companies Act 2006. 

To ensure Directors maintain overall 
control over strategic, financial, 
operational and compliance issues, 
the Board meets regularly throughout 
the year and has formally adopted a 
schedule of matters which are required 
to be brought to it for decision. 

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

57

1   Philip Rogerson
  Chairman

2   Martin Sutherland
  Chief Executive Officer

3   Sabri Challah

Independent Non-executive Director

Career, skills and experience
Philip was an executive director of BG plc 
(formerly British Gas plc) from 1992 to 1998, 
latterly as deputy chairman. Since then he 
has been both a non-executive director and 
chairman of a number of companies.

Career, skills and experience
Martin joined De La Rue from BAE Systems 
Applied Intelligence, where he was managing 
director since its acquisition by BAE Systems 
in 2008. At BAE Systems Applied Intelligence 
(formerly Detica), Martin was responsible 
for the strategic expansion of the business 
internationally through both organic growth 
and acquisitions. Prior to joining Detica in 1996, 
Martin worked for Andersen Consulting (now 
Accenture) and British Telecom.

Career, skills and experience
Sabri was a Partner at Deloitte from 1991 to 
2013, where he had a varied career. He served 
as a member of both the Deloitte UK board, 
where he acted as chairman of the remuneration 
committee, and the Deloitte Global board, 
where he was chairman of the succession 
planning committee. Sabri was also chairman 
of Igneus UK Limited, a leading provider of 
welfare to work services. Sabri has significant 
and wide ranging experience in organisational 
design, change management, strategy, 
and corporate development.

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4   Maria da Cunha

5   Nick Bray

Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

Career, skills and experience
Maria has spent her career in a range of legal 
roles as a solicitor and in-house at Lloyds of 
London and since 2000, with British Airways 
where she is director of people and legal and is 
a member of the executive board and corporate 
security board. Maria is experienced at working 
with international regulators and governments 
and has a deep understanding of operational 
risk, including cyber security, data and mobile 
risk. She also has significant geo-political, 
multi-channel distribution, acquisition and post-
merger integration experience.

Career, skills and experience
Nick has extensive international experience in the 
technology and information security industries 
and for the last six years has been chief financial 
officer of security software firm, Sophos Group 
plc. Before joining Sophos, he was chief financial 
officer at Micro Focus International plc, Fibernet 
Group plc, and Gentia Software plc. Prior to 
that, he held various senior financial positions 
at Comshare Inc. and Lotus Software.

6   Andrew Stevens

 Senior Independent  
Non-executive Director

7   Edward Peppiatt

 General Counsel and  
Company Secretary

Career, skills and experience
Andrew has extensive international experience in 
the technology and engineering sectors, having 
spent over 30 years operating across the globe, 
including in North America, Europe, the Middle 
East and Asia. He was a director of Cobham 
plc between 2003 and 2012, where he held a 
range of positions, becoming chief executive in 
2010 until stepping down from that role in June 
2012. Before that he held senior positions in 
Rolls Royce, Messier Dowty International and 
Spirent plc.

Career, skills and experience
Edward has many years of experience as a 
general counsel and company secretary in 
publicly quoted businesses and his roles in 
the past have included responsibility for risk, 
security, insurance, HSE and HR. He was 
previously general counsel and corporate 
secretary of Christian Salvesen PLC and prior 
to that practised as a corporate lawyer at 
Stephenson Harwood. He is a qualified solicitor 
and holds an MBA from Cranfield School 
of Management.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Leadership Our governance framework

Certain Board responsibilities are delegated to formal Board Committees which play an important governance 
role through the work they carry out:

Remuneration Committee
Sets the remuneration 
policy for the Chairman and 
Executive Directors and 
monitors the policies and 
practices applied to senior 
management remuneration

Risk Committee
Oversees the risk management 
framework for the Group. 
Identifies, evaluates and 
monitors principal risks 
facing the Group

See pages 74 to 94

See page 70

Audit Committee
Reviews and monitors the 
integrity of the Company’s 
financial reports, risk processes 
and internal controls and the 
effectiveness of the internal audit 
function and external auditors

See pages 66 to 69

Ethics Committee
Makes recommendations 
to the Board on ethical 
matters and reinforces the 
Group’s commitment to 
ensuring business ethics are 
a fundamental and enduring 
part of the Group’s culture

See pages 71 to 73

Board of Directors and 
Company Secretary

1.

4.

3.

6.

2.

5.

7.

Nomination Committee
Reviews the structure, size 
and composition of the Board 
and its Committees with 
regard to diversity and to 
ensuring a balance of skills, 
knowledge and experience

See pages 64 to 65

Disclosure Committee
Oversees the implementation 
of the governance procedures 
associated with the assessment, 
control and disclosure of inside 
information in accordance with 
the Market Abuse Regulation

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Leadership Team
•  Operates under the direction and authority of the Chief Executive Officer
•  Manages the day-to-day running of the Group
•  Develops and implements strategy, monitoring the operating and financial 

performance and the prioritisation and allocation of resources

See page 56

Group Health, Safety and Environment Committee
•  Makes recommendations on HSE strategy
•  Monitors compliance with HSE obligations
•  Reports on key HSE KPIs 
•  Recommends appropriate training

See pages 48 to 50

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Leadership Board roles

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Board composition and roles
The following table summarises the role and responsibilities of the different members of the Board:

Chairman

Other Executive Directors

•  Providing leadership to the Board, setting its agenda, style 
and tone to promote constructive debate and challenge 
between Executive Directors and Non-executive Directors
•  Ensuring good information flows from the Executive Directors 

to the Board, and from the Board to its key stakeholders

The Chief Financial Officer supports the Chief Executive Officer 
and is responsible for managing the Group’s finance strategy, 
financial reporting, risk management and internal controls, 
investor relations programme and the leadership of the 
finance function.

•  Supporting and advising the Chief Executive Officer, 

particularly in the development of strategy

•  Chairing the Nomination Committee and building an 

effective and complementary Board, regularly considering its 
composition and balance, diversity and succession planning
•  Ensuring high standards of corporate governance and probity 

throughout the Group are established and maintained

Chief Executive Officer

•  Maintaining a senior leadership team with the appropriate 
knowledge, experience, skills, attitude and motivation to 
manage the Group’s day-to-day activities

•  Exercising personal leadership and developing, on an 

ongoing basis, a management style which encourages 
excellent and open working relationships at all levels within 
the Group

•  Ensuring, through the Chief Financial Officer, the 

implementation, control and coordination of the Group’s 
financial and funding policies approved by the Board
•  Ensuring that the Group has in place appropriate risk 

management and control mechanisms

•  Setting the operating plans and budgets required to deliver 

the agreed strategy 

•  Implementing and reviewing health, safety and environment 
policy and, supported by the Executive Leadership Team, 
overseeing improvements and performance

•  Identifying acquisitions and monitoring competitive forces

Senior Independent Director

A key role of the Senior Independent Director is to be available 
to shareholders if they have concerns which contact through 
the normal channels of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or 
Chief Financial Officer has failed to resolve or for which such 
contact is inappropriate. The Senior Independent Director 
is also available to the other Directors should they have any 
concerns which are not appropriate to raise with the Chairman 
or which have not been satisfactorily resolved by the Chairman.

Independent Non-executive Directors

The Non-executive Directors play a key role in corporate 
governance and accountability through their attendance at 
Board meetings and their membership of Board Committees. 
The Non-executive Directors bring a broad range of business 
and financial expertise to the Board which complements and 
supplements the experience of the Executive Directors.

General Counsel and Company Secretary

The General Counsel and Company Secretary advises the 
Board on matters of corporate governance and supports the 
Chairman and Non-executive Directors. He is also the point 
of contact for investors on matters of corporate governance 
and ensures good governance practices at Board level and 
throughout the Group.

There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, which is set out in writing 
and has been agreed by the Board. 

Executive and Non-executive 
Director balance No.

Board tenure No.

Gender of Board No.

Executive Directors
Independent Non-executive Directors
Chairman

1
4
1

More than 5 years
3 to 5 years
1 to 3 years

Male
Female

2
1
3

5
1

 
 
60

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Leadership The Board’s area of focus

Board activity during the year
The Board has a programme of meetings during the year and also meets on an ad hoc basis as required. In the period under 
review, the Board’s focus has been on progress with strategy and ensuring that the structures, capabilities and reports are 
in place to support the Group strategy. The Board has received regular reports from both the Chief Executive Officer and 
the Chief Financial Officer.

In particular the Board:

Strategy

•  Received presentations from different parts of the business on progress with agreed 

strategy and opportunities

•  Held the annual strategy review meeting in October 2017 
•  Approved updated budget and medium term plans in the context of the 

agreed strategy

•  Reviewed progress with implementation of the strategy through regular reports from 

the Chief Executive Officer 

•  Approved the strategic paper partnership
•  Reviewed the manufacturing footprint restructuring programme
•  Considered the Kenya joint venture 
•  Received presentations on technology and innovation and on cyber security

 For more information 
on our strategy 
 see page 22 

Shareholder  
engagement

•  Reviewed reports from brokers on shareholder feedback following meetings with 

the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during the period

 For more information 
 see page 63 

•  Received presentations from brokers on the market perception of De La Rue plc
•  Consulted with shareholders and proxy voting bodies on resolutions put to the AGM

Performance  
monitoring

•  Reviewed performance reports from the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 

Financial Officer

•  Reviewed reports on the Group’s financial position
•  Reviewed the year end and interim results

 For more information 
 see pages 34 to 35

People

•  Visited the Malta and Sri Lanka sites during Board meetings in March 2017 and 

September 2017 respectively 

•  Reviewed progress on the culture change journey
•  Received presentations from the Group Director of Human Resources 

on succession planning

•  Reviewed the operation of the apprenticeship levy

Governance 
and risk

•  Received reports from the Director of Audit, Risk and Assurance
•  Approved principal risks and the risk appetite for those risks
•  Discussed the results of the Board performance evaluation 
•  Received reports from the Chairs of the Audit, Remuneration, 

Ethics and Nomination Committees

•  Approved changes to composition of the Board
•  Carried out the annual corporate governance review

 For more information 
on principal risks 
 see pages 36 to 41

 For more information 
on Board Committee  
reports 
 see pages 64 to 94

Other

•  Approved the 2017 annual report and accounts and the 2017 notice of AGM
•  Approved the 2017/18 annual budget 
•  Reviewed the Group’s insurance programme renewal
•  Reviewed HSE performance
•  Approved capital expenditure projects and other matters reserved for the Board
•  Approved Non-executive Directors’ fees
•  Received an update on the proposed changes to pension fund indexation

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Leadership Board attendance

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Board and Board Committee meetings
The Board and Board Committee attendance during the year is shown in the table below. In addition to the schedule of 
Board meetings, the Board meets for dinners that give the Directors additional time together to discuss issues more broadly. 
For further information regarding when the Board members joined or stepped down from Committees during the year, 
please refer to the relevant Board Committee report. 

Directors’ attendance 2017/181
Nick Bray
Sabri Challah
Maria da Cunha 
Rupert Middleton (stepped down from the Board 20 July 2017)
Philip Rogerson
Jitesh Sodha (resigned from the Board on 19 March 2018)
Andrew Stevens
Martin Sutherland

Notes
1  Figures in brackets denote the maximum number of meetings that could have been attended.

Board2
14(15)
13(15)
12(15)
4(4)
15(15)
13(14)
14(15)
14(15)

Nomination 
Committee
0(1)
1(1)
1(1)
–
1(1)
–
1(1)
1(1)

Ethics 
Committee
2(2)
2(2)
2(2)
–
2(2)
–
2(2)
–

Audit 
Committee
5(5)
5(5)
3(5)
–
–
–
5(5)
–

Remuneration 
Committee
5(6)
6(6)
6(6)
–
6(6)
–
6(6)
–

2  Of the meetings detailed within the table, six Board meetings were convened on an ad hoc basis to consider matters in between scheduled Board meetings.

Unscheduled meetings
The unscheduled meetings of the Board during the year were to discuss the strategic paper partnership and the resignation 
of the Chief Financial officer.

Non-attendance
Some Board members were unable to participate in Board and Board Committee meetings due to these being held at short 
notice as noted in the table above. If any directors are unable to attend a meeting they communicate their opinions and 
comments on the matters to be considered via the Chairman of the Board or the relevant Board Committee Chairman.

 
 
62

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Effectiveness

Risk management and 
internal control
The Board retains overall responsibility 
for identifying, evaluating, managing and 
mitigating the principal risks faced by the 
Group and for monitoring the Group’s 
risk management and internal control 
systems. However, such systems are 
designed to manage rather than eliminate 
the risk of failure to business objectives 
and can only provide reasonable and 
not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. In accordance 
with principle C.2 of the Code and the 
related guidance, the Company has 
established the procedures necessary to 
ensure that there is an ongoing process 
for identifying, evaluating, managing and 
mitigating the principal risks it is willing 
to take to achieve its strategic objectives 
(its risk appetite). The Directors confirm 
that such procedures have been in 
place for the period ended 31 March 
2018 and up to the date of approval of 
these financial statements and that the 
Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems have been monitored 
during the period. Further details on the 
ongoing risk management and internal 
control systems can be found in both 
the risk management section of this 
annual report and the Audit Committee 
report on pages 36 to 41 and pages 66 
to 69 respectively.

This review does not extend to 
associated companies or joint ventures 
where the Group does not have 
management control. 

Assessment of the prospects 
of the Company and its 
viability statement
In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the 
Code, the Directors set out on page 41 
how they have assessed the prospects 
of the Company, over what period the 
prospects have been assessed, and the 
Company’s formal viability statement.

Conflicts of interests 
and independence
The Board has established a process 
to review at least annually and, if 
appropriate, authorise any conflict of 
interest and has carried out such a 
review during the year and authorised 
all Directors’ situational conflicts. 
Any transactional conflicts are reviewed 
as they arise. Directors are asked to 
review and confirm reported conflicts of 
interests as part of the year end process.

Culture and values
The Board considers leadership, culture 
and good governance as essential 
considerations in the Group’s ongoing 
transformation. As the business seeks 
to build a high performance culture 
across the Company to deliver our 
strategy, the Board recognises the role 
it plays in providing leadership and tone 
from the top. The Board is developing 
a framework through the Executive 
Leadership Team for regular oversight 
of the culture within the Company. 
The intention is to ensure the De La Rue 
values are integral to the performance 
management of the senior leadership 
group and other employees and that the 
incentive structure in place supports and 
encourages behaviours consistent with 
those values. 

Performance evaluation
The Board and its Committees 
undertake an annual evaluation of their 
effectiveness. In 2017, the performance 
evaluation involved the use of an external 
independent facilitator, Lintstock Limited.

The review process involved completion 
of online questionnaires which focused 
on Board composition, expertise 
and dynamics, quality of decisions 
made, Board support and processes, 
structure, behaviours and other key 
issues such as strategy and succession. 
The review also addressed delivery of 
the Board’s objectives and any issues 
identified during the previous review 
or which became relevant during the 
year. A report on the performance of 
the Board and each of the principal 
Committees was compiled by Lintstock. 
The results of the questionnaire as they 
applied to the Board were discussed 
collectively and it was concluded that 
the Board worked well with a good 
breadth of skills, backgrounds and 
experience. The culture was open and 
collaborative and the Board meetings 

covered the right topics across the 
annual cycle. The administrative support 
was welcomed. 

The Chairman and each Committee 
Chairman have discussions with each 
Director or Committee member based on 
the responses. The Senior Independent 
Director is responsible for appraising the 
Chairman’s performance in discussions 
with the Non-executive Directors and the 
Executive Directors in the absence of the 
Chairman. The Chairman holds one-to-
one meetings with all Directors. 

The reviews undertaken in the year have 
concluded that the performance of the 
Board, its Committees and individual 
Directors was effective. A number of 
positive points were noted as well as 
areas for improvement and focus for the 
coming year, which will be monitored 
and progressed at the Board meetings 
scheduled for the year. 

Whistleblowing
A whistleblowing telephone hotline – 
CodeLine service allows De La Rue 
employees to raise concerns in relation to 
dishonesty or malpractice on an entirely 
confidential basis. The hotline is operated 
by a third party which is independent 
of De La Rue. Incoming reports are 
provided to the General Counsel and 
Company Secretary who ensures 
that the matters are appropriately 
investigated. The Ethics Committee 
and the Audit Committee receive 
regular reports on any matters raised 
through the hotline and monitor the use 
throughout De La Rue. 

Induction and professional 
development
All new Directors receive a tailored 
induction on joining the Board, including 
meetings with senior management and 
visits to some of the Group’s locations. 
They also receive a detailed information 
pack which includes details of Directors’ 
duties and responsibilities, procedures 
for dealing in De La Rue plc shares 
and a number of other governance 
related issues. Directors are continually 
updated on the Group’s businesses 
and their markets and changes to the 
competitive and regulatory environments 
in which they operate. All Directors are 
encouraged to undertake additional 
training where it is considered 
appropriate for them to do so and 
to visit the Group’s facilities on an 
ongoing basis.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

63

Relations with shareholders
As required by the relevant laws and 
regulations the Company reports 
formally to its shareholders twice a year, 
with the half year results announced 
normally at the end of November and 
the annual results normally at the end of 
May. In addition, the Board continues to 
value the importance of building strong 
investor relations, delivered through an 
active investor relations communication 
programme. We have significantly 
enhanced disclosure and transparency 
through improved reporting in the last 
two years.

In the reporting period, our engagement 
programme has focused on improving 
investors’ understanding of the 
Company’s strategy, operations 
and performance, in particular the 
latest development on products 
and technology.

During the period, an extensive investor 
programme has been undertaken 
involving formal events, including site 
visits. The Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer and Head of 
Investor Relations have regular calls 
and one-to-one investor meetings 
with representatives of institutional 
shareholders and potential investors. 
On governance-related matters there 
was a very significant consultation 
programme in advance of the 
remuneration policy vote at the AGM 
in July 2017.

The Chairman, Senior Independent 
Director and other members of the Board 
make themselves available to meet with 
institutional investors when requested. 

All holders of ordinary shares may 
attend the Company’s AGM at which the 
Chairman presents a review of the key 
business developments during the year. 
This year’s AGM will be held at 10:30 on 
Thursday 26 July 2018 at The Hampshire 
Court Hotel, Centre Drive, Great Binfields 
Road, Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 
8FY. The notice of AGM accompanies 
this annual report. Shareholders can ask 
questions of the Board on the matters 
put to the meeting, including the annual 
report and the running of the Company 
generally. All Directors are invited to 
attend each AGM and all Committee 
Chairmen will be present to take 
questions at the AGM.

The Company sends the notice of 
AGM and relevant related papers to 
shareholders at least 20 working days 
before the meeting. The notice of AGM is 
available to view on the Group’s website.

A poll is conducted on each resolution 
at all Company general meetings. 
All shareholders have the opportunity to 
cast their vote in respect of proposed 
resolutions by proxy, either electronically 
or by post. Following the AGM, the voting 
results for each resolution are published 
and are made available on our website.

Information in the Directors’ report
Information fulfilling certain requirements 
of the corporate governance statement 
can be found in the Directors’ report 
and is incorporated into this corporate 
governance section by reference.

For reference, relevant sections of 
the directors’ report are:

•  Substantial shareholdings
•  Deadlines for voting rights
•  Amendment of the Company’s 

articles of association

•  Appointment and replacement 

of Directors

•  Powers of Directors
•  Authority to issue shares
•  Repurchase of shares

By order of the Board

Edward Peppiatt
Company Secretary
30 May 2018

The Board values the 
importance of building 
strong relationship 
with shareholders 
and investors.

Shareholders by location 
%

UK
North America
Rest of Europe
Rest of World

Shareholders concentration 
%

Top 1 to 5
Top 6 to 10
Top 11 to 20
Top 21 to 60
The remainder

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Principal responsibilities
The key areas of responsibility of the 
Committee are:

•  To review the structure, size and 
composition of the Board and 
its Committees, to ensure they 
remain appropriate, and to make 
recommendations to the Board
•  To consider succession plans for 
Directors and senior executives
•  To review the time commitment 

required of Non-executive Directors 
at least once a year

•  To review the independence of the 

Non-executive Directors

64

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Effectiveness Nomination Committee

Philip Rogerson
Chairman of the 
Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee ensures that the Board and its Committees 
maintain the appropriate balance of skills, knowledge, experience and 
diversity to ensure compliance with all legal and fiduciary obligations 
and to deliver value to shareholders and other stakeholders.

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the 2018 Nomination Committee report.

Composition of the Committee

Member
Philip Rogerson (Chairman)
Martin Sutherland
Nick Bray
Sabri Challah
Maria da Cunha
Andrew Stevens

Date of appointment  
to Committee
1 March 2012
13 October 2014
21 July 2016
23 July 2015
23 July 2015
2 January 2013

Directors’ attendance 
2017/18
1(1)
1(1)
0(1)
1(1)
1(1)
1(1)

Note
Figures in brackets denote the maximum number of meetings that could have been attended.

Biographical details of the members of the Board who held office up to the date 
of this report can be found on pages 54, 55 and 57.

Activities during the period
This year the Committee’s main activity was focused on Board succession 
planning, which it did through formal meetings and frequent informal exchanges.

Other areas of focus included:

•  Review of the composition of the Board and the range of skills and experience 

on the Board

•  Board and management succession
•  Review of Board diversity
•  Non-executive Directors’ periods of appointment and confirmation that 

all should stand for election and re-election at the AGM following a formal 
performance appraisal process

•  Review of senior leadership talent, succession and development
•  Review of the composition of Board Committees
•  Evaluation and effectiveness review 
•  External commitments

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

65

Further details on the Group’s approach 
to inclusion and diversity and the gender 
pay gap are set out on pages 46 and 47.

Succession planning and talent
The Committee recognises that 
having the right Directors and senior 
management is crucial for the Group’s 
success and a key task of the Committee 
is to ensure that there is a robust and 
rigorous succession process to ensure 
that there is the right mix of skills and 
experience as the Group evolves. 
During the period, the Chief Executive 
Officer and Group HR Director led 
a comprehensive talent review and 
succession planning presentation to 
the Board. The review focused on the 
executive pipeline from which future 
leaders of the Company were likely to 
emerge, both at Executive Leadership 
Team level and other key management 
areas. Strong successors and a diverse 
pipeline of ‘ready later’ emerging talent 
have been identified. 

The Board meets ELT members and 
other key managers formally and 
informally to exchange views and ideas.

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Board changes
Rupert Middleton stepped down from 
the Board at the conclusion of the 2017 
AGM and the Board decided that the 
Chief Operating Officer replacement 
would not be a Board appointment. 
Jitesh Sodha resigned from the Board 
on 19 March 2018 and in its search 
for a replacement for Jitesh Sodha, 
the Board retained Russell Reynolds 
Associates, an independent executive 
search firm which does not have any 
other connections with the Company. 
The Committee agreed the process, 
timetable and mandate for Russell 
Reynolds Associates. 

Election and re-election
As in previous years, and in accordance 
with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, all Directors will stand for re-
election at the AGM. 

The Board, having carried out the 
effectiveness and evaluation process, 
considers the performance of each of 
the Directors standing for re-election at 
this year’s AGM to be fully satisfactory 
and is of the opinion that they have 
demonstrated ongoing effectiveness 
and continued commitment to the 
role. The Board strongly supports 
their re-election and recommends 
that shareholders vote in favour of 
the resolutions at the AGM.

Philip Rogerson
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
30 May 2018

Operation of the Committee
The Committee leads the process 
for nominations to the Board, making 
recommendations to the Board as 
appropriate. It gives full consideration 
to the composition of the Board and 
succession planning for Directors and 
senior executives. The Chairman and the 
independent Non-executive Directors 
together with the Chief Executive Officer 
are members of the Committee.

Committee meetings
The Committee is required, in 
accordance with its terms of reference, 
to meet at least once a year, and it did 
so during the year.

The Committee’s annual evaluation 
involved the use of an external 
independent facilitator, Lintstock Limited. 
It was concluded that the Committee 
continued to operate effectively.

Diversity policy
The aim this year has been to deepen 
understanding in our organisation of 
what inclusion and diversity means 
in practice, how it is advantageous 
to our business and why getting this 
right is so critical for our business 
and to wider society. In considering 
appointments to the Board and to senior 
executive positions, it is the policy of 
the Committee to evaluate the skills, 
experience and knowledge required by 
a particular role with due regard for the 
benefit of diversity. We will continue to 
aim to ensure the strength of the Board’s 
composition is maintained having regard 
to all the different stakeholders that the 
Group has as a global organisation, while 
ensuring that the Board members are 
able to provide a range of perspectives, 
insights and challenge to support 
effective decision-making.

The Group has formally approved an 
Inclusivity policy describing De La Rue’s 
commitment to a working environment 
where all people feel valued and 
respected as individuals. The policy 
includes detailed requirement and 
elements of diversity.

As at 31 March 2018, the Company has 
one female Non-executive Director on 
the Board. 

 
 
66

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Accountability Audit Committee

Nick Bray
Chairman of the 
Audit Committee

The Audit Committee provides an independent overview of the 
effectiveness of the internal financial control systems and financial 
reporting processes.

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the 2018 Audit Committee report. This report describes 
the Committee’s ongoing responsibilities and key tasks as well as its major 
activities in the period ended 31 March 2018.

Composition of the Committee

Member
Nick Bray
Sabri Challah
Maria da Cunha
Andrew Stevens

Date of appointment  
to Committee
21 July 2016
23 July 2015
23 July 2015
2 January 2013

Directors’ attendance 
2017/18
5(5)
5(5)
3(5)
5(5)

Note
Figures in brackets denote the maximum number of meetings that could have been attended.

Activities during the period
During the period, the Audit Committee met on five occasions and dealt with 
the following matters:

•  Group half year results
•  Group preliminary announcement and annual results
•  Principal judgemental accounting matters affecting the Group based on reports 

from management and the external auditors

•  External audit plans and reports
•  Risk and assurance plans and reports including:

 – Group risk profile
 – Internal audit plan
 – Internal audit reports
 – Follow up of internal audit recommendations
 – Annual review of the system of internal controls
 – Quality and security internal assurance reviews
 – Internal control self assessment review
 – HSE legal assurance and compliance audits

•  Group disclosure and whistleblowing policy
•  Review of controls concerning the management of capital expenditure proposals 
•  Going concern and viability assessment
•  External auditor effectiveness, independence, and fees
•  Review of the new regulatory requirements regarding external audit firm 

and audit partner rotation

•  Audit Committee effectiveness

Principal responsibilities
•  The appointment of the external 
auditors including the agreement 
of the terms of engagement at the 
start of each audit, the audit scope 
and the external audit fee
•  Monitoring and reviewing the 

effectiveness of internal financial 
controls and internal control and 
risk management systems and 
the effectiveness of the internal 
audit function

•  Reviewing the integrity of the interim 
and full year financial statements

•  Reviewing significant financial 

reporting issues and judgements 
contained in the financial statements

•  Reviewing and monitoring the 

external auditor’s effectiveness, 
independence and objectivity 
including the nature and 
appropriateness of any 
non-audit fees

•  Reviewing reports on the 

effectiveness of the Group’s 
whistleblowing procedures and 
arrangements, details of which 
are set out on page 62

•  Advising the Board on whether 

taken as a whole, the annual report 
is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s performance, 
business model and strategy

The terms of reference of the Audit 
Committee are available on the 
Group’s website.

All members of the Committee are 
Independent Non-executive Directors. 
The Board is satisfied that the 
membership of the Audit Committee 
meets the requirement for relevant and 
recent financial experience.

I have continued with the practice of 
inviting the Chairman, Chief Executive 
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief 
Operating Officer, General Counsel and 
Company Secretary, Director of Audit, 
Risk and Assurance and the external 
and internal auditors to join meetings 
of the Committee. The Director of Audit, 
Risk and Assurance, who is the chief 
internal auditor, and external auditors 
each meet the Committee without 
Executive Directors or other employees 
being present.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Significant accounting matters 
The Audit Committee is responsible for 
reviewing whether suitable accounting 
policies have been adopted and whether 
management has made appropriate 
estimates and judgements in the 
preparation of the financial statements. 
In respect of the financial statements 
for the period ended 31 March 2018, 
the significant issues reviewed and 
how these issues were addressed is 
summarised below:

Revenue recognition in 
the Currency division
The Committee considered the Group’s 
revenue recognition and contract 
accounting policies and procedures to 
ensure that they remained appropriate 
and that the Group’s internal controls 
were operating effectively in this area. 
Feedback was also sought from the 
external auditors over the application of 
the revenue recognition policy including 
a specific review of shipments pre and 
post year end. Following a review of the 
varied sources of information received, 
the Committee concluded that the 
accounting treatments were reasonable 
and appropriate.

Post-retirement benefit obligations
The Committee received and considered 
reports from management and the 
external auditors in relation to the 
valuation of the defined benefit pension 
scheme and challenged the key actuarial 
assumptions used in calculating the 
scheme liabilities, especially in relation 
to discount rates, RPI and CPI inflation 
rates and mortality. 

The Committee discussed the reasons 
for the decrease in the net pension 
deficit and was satisfied that the 
assumptions used were appropriate 
and were supported by independent 
actuarial specialists. Details of the key 
assumptions used are set out in note 24. 

Valuation of inventory in Currency 
The Committee reviewed the Group’s 
policies and procedures over the 
valuation and recoverability of inventory 
in Currency (£24.7m). The Committee 
received confirmation that the valuation 
principles had been consistently 
applied and noted that the majority of 
inventory items were made to order 
rather than held for generic stock and 
hence the recoverability risk was low. 
Accordingly, the Committee concluded 
that the accounting treatments were 
reasonable and appropriate.

Estimation of accruals 
and provisions
The Group holds a number of provisions 
relating to warranties including present 
obligations for defective products and 
known claims as well as anticipated 
claims that had not been reported at 
the balance sheet date. The Committee 
reviewed and discussed reports from 
management and the external auditors 
concerning the significant provisions held 
for such matters including any provisions 
with notable movements. The Committee 
considered the background to all material 
accruals and provisions and challenged 
management over the judgements 
applied in determining the value of 
provisions required. The Committee 
enquired of management and the 
external auditors as to the existence 
of other matters potentially requiring a 
provision to be made. The Committee 
concluded that it was satisfied with the 
value of accruals and provisions carried.

Classification of exceptional items
As part of the Committee’s deliberations 
over whether the annual report and 
accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable, the 
Committee also considered the 
amounts disclosed as exceptional items. 
The nature of the items classified as 
operating exceptional items during the 
period is described in note 2 and 4. 

In particular, the Committee reviewed the 
accounting treatment of the £79.5m net 
gain from the re-measurement of pension 
liabilities following the decision by the 
Trustees of the scheme to use CPI as the 
indexation measure from 1 April 2018. 

The Committee considered the 
accounting treatment and disclosure of 
these items in the financial statements 
including seeking the views of the 
external auditors. On the basis of this 
review, the Committee concluded 
that the accounting treatment and 
disclosures in relation to these items 
were appropriate.

Disposal accounting 
following the disposal of 
Portals De La Rue Limited
The Committee reviewed the disposal 
accounting following the disposal 
of Portals De La Rue Limited. 
The Committee reviewed the:

•  assessment of discontinued 

operations treatment

•  critical accounting estimates used in 
the estimate of potential recompense 
of consideration

•  accounting treatment for the “disposal 

group” under IFRS 5

•  appropriate accounting treatment for 

the remaining interest De La Rue has in 
the disposal group

Following presentations by management 
and discussions with the external 
auditors, the Committee was satisfied 
with the disclosures relating to the 
disposal of Portals De La Rue Limited.

Independence and objectivity 
of external auditors
The Committee ensures that the 
external auditors (Ernst & Young LLP) 
remain independent of the Group. 
The Audit Committee has a detailed 
policy covering: 

•  Choosing the statutory auditors and 

approving the audit fee

•  Commissioning non-audit work
•  Defining circumstances in which it 
is appropriate or inappropriate for 
incumbent auditors to be allowed to 
provide or be prohibited from providing 
non-audit work

•  De La Rue’s procedures for procuring 

non-audit services from external 
sources, which specifically prohibits 
Ernst & Young LLP from undertaking 
certain types of service (including but 
not limited to services where it would 
audit its own work, where it would act 
in an advocacy role for the Group or 
where it would participate in activities 
normally undertaken by management) 

 
 
68

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Accountability Audit Committee continued

The Audit Committee 
believes that this annual 
report is fair, balanced 
and understandable 
and provides the 
information necessary for 
shareholders to assess 
the Group’s position and 
performance, business 
model and strategy.

The scope and key focus of 
the forthcoming year’s audit is 
discussed with, and approved by, 
the Audit Committee. 

Appointment of auditors
The Audit Committee assesses 
annually the qualification, expertise, 
resources and independence of the 
external auditors and the effectiveness 
of the audit process. The Audit 
Committee’s assessment is performed 
by an audit satisfaction questionnaire 
completed by the Chairman, relevant 
senior management and Audit 
Committee members. 

Following the conclusion of the tender 
process reported in last year’s Annual 
Report and Accounts, the Board 
confirmed its intention to propose to 
shareholders, for approval at the 2017 
AGM, to appoint Ernst & Young LLP as 
the Group’s auditor. Ernst & Young LLP 
were subsequently appointed.

Internal control and 
risk management 
As noted above, the Committee is 
responsible for reviewing, on behalf 
of the Board, the effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal financial controls and 
the assurance procedures relating to 
the Group’s risk management systems. 
These controls and procedures are 
designed to manage, but not eliminate, 
the risk of failure of the Group to meet 
its business objectives and, as such, 
provide reasonable but not absolute 
assurance against material misstatement 
or loss. The key elements of the Group’s 
risk management framework and 
procedures are set out on pages 36 to 
41. The Committee reviews these topics 
at each meeting and considers that none 
of the areas identified for enhancement 
during the year constituted a significant 
failing or weakness for the Group. 

However, it may be cost-effective for 
Ernst & Young LLP to perform certain 
non-audit services, in particular where 
the skills and experience required make 
Ernst & Young LLP the most suitable 
supplier. Certain categories of non-
audit services, including corporation 
tax compliance and due diligence 
services must be subject to competitive 
tender unless it is justifiable in the 
circumstances not to do so. Areas which 
would not normally be acceptable 
non-audit services but in exceptional 
circumstances may be considered 
appropriate, such as litigation and 
compliance services, require my prior 
approval. The selection criteria include 
detailed proposals, timescales, local 
resource, cost and the safeguards 
put in place by Ernst & Young LLP to 
avoid conflicts of interest or loss of 
independence. In addition, the Group’s 
policy is for any individual assignment 
to be undertaken by Ernst & Young LLP 
where the fee is likely to be in excess of 
£50,000 to be approved by me prior to 
commencement of work. During 2017/18 
the amount of non-audit fees paid to 
Ernst & Young LLP was £0.3m.

The safeguards Ernst & Young LLP 
put in place avoid compromising 
their objectivity and independence. 
They provide a written report to the Audit 
Committee on how they comply with 
professional and regulatory requirements 
and best practice designed to ensure 
their independence. Key members of 
the Ernst & Young LLP audit team rotate 
and the firm ensures, where appropriate, 
that confidentiality is maintained between 
different parts of the firm providing 
services to De La Rue.

The Audit Committee places great 
emphasis on the objectivity of the 
Company’s auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, 
in reporting to shareholders.

The Ernst & Young LLP audit partner is 
present at Audit Committee meetings 
to ensure communication of matters 
relating to the audit. The Audit 
Committee has discussions with the 
auditors, without management being 
present, on the adequacy of controls 
and on judgemental areas and receives 
and reviews the auditors’ highlights 
reports and management letters, which 
are one of the main outputs from the 
external audit.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Internal audit 
Assurance over the design and operation 
of internal controls across the Group 
is provided through a combination of 
techniques. The Board, through the Audit 
Committee, monitors the effectiveness 
of internal control systems through 
reports received from the internal audit 
function during the period. The internal 
audit function has been outsourced since 
2009. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
have performed this role since the start 
of 2013/14. 

Internal audit continued to ensure that 
their efforts were better aligned to 
the operational risks that the Group 
faces while maintaining an emphasis 
on reviewing the adequacy and 
effectiveness of general finance and IT 
controls across the Group on a cyclical 
basis. In addition to internal audit work, 
there is a system of self assessment 
internal control reviews by which 
management are required to detail and 
certify that controls are in operation 
to ensure the control environment in 
their business areas is appropriate. 
Actions agreed are followed up by senior 
management to ensure that satisfactory 
control is maintained. The internal audit 
plan is set and reviewed by the Audit 
Committee. Additionally, the Audit 
Committee reviews reports from the 
external auditors on internal control 
matters noted as part of their audit work.

The 2018/19 Internal Audit plan was 
approved by the Committee in April 2018. 

Fair, balanced and 
understandable view
At its May 2018 meeting, the Committee 
reviewed the content of this annual 
report and accounts and advised the 
Board that, in its view, taken as a whole, 
it is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

In making its recommendation to 
the Board the Committee continued 
its robust existing governance 
arrangements by:

•  Comprehensive Group and 

subsidiary accounts process, with 
written confirmations provided by 
business unit senior management 
teams on the health of the financial 
control environment

•  Reviews of the annual report 

undertaken at different levels of the 
Group and by the senior management 
team that aim to ensure consistency 
and overall balance
•  External audit review
•  Clear guidance and instruction of the 
requirement provided to contributors
•  Written confirmation that information 
provided by executive management 
has been done on a fair and 
balanced basis

•  Additional reviews by the Audit 

Committee Chairman of the draft 
annual report in advance of the 
final sign-off in the context of the 
Code provision

Final sign-off is provided by the 
Board, on the recommendation 
of the Committee.

Nick Bray
Chairman of the Audit Committee
30 May 2018

 
 
70

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Accountability Risk Committee

Edward Peppiatt
Chairman of the 
Risk Committee

The Board has delegated to the Risk Committee the responsibility for 
identifying, evaluating and monitoring the risks facing the Group and 
for deciding how these are managed.

Dear Shareholder
On behalf of the Risk Committee, I am pleased to present the 2018 
Risk Committee report. This report sets out the composition, role and 
activities of the Committee in the period ended 31 March 2018.

Composition of the Committee

Member
Edward Peppiatt (Chairman)
Steve Brown
Jo Easton
Richard Hird
Rupert Middleton (stepped down 
from the Board 20 July 2017)
Selva Selvaratnam
Jitesh Sodha (resigned from the 
Board 19 March 2018)
Martin Sutherland
Martin Sutton

Date of appointment  
to Committee
20 October 2009
22 September 2015
22 September 2014
22 September 2015

Members’ attendance 
2017/18
1(1)
1(1)
1(1)
1(1)

20 March 2012
22 September 2015

10 August 2015
13 October 2014
22 September 2015

0(0)
0(1)

1(1)
1(1)
1(1)

Note
Figures in brackets denote the maximum number of meetings that could have been attended. 

A meeting which was scheduled to take place in March 2018 had to be moved to April 2018 and therefore fell outside 
of the period ended 31 March 2018.

Activities during the period
During the period, the Risk Committee considered reports on:

•  The principal risks of the Group (see the risk and risk management 

report on pages 36 to 41)

•  Risk appetite
•  Outputs from executive and functional risk workshops
•  Specific operational risks of concern and the mitigations in place
•  General Data Protection Regulation requirements

Principal responsibilities
•  Recommend the risk management policy and strategy
•  Oversee development and maintenance of a Group-wide risk management 

framework for identifying and managing risks

•  Identify and review all major risks faced by the Group and ensure that 

appropriate controls are in place to manage those risks

•  Review the Group’s ability to identify and manage new types of risks
•  Promote a risk management culture and control environment 
•  Review the effectiveness of the Group’s non-financial internal control systems 

in the management and reporting of risks

The Committee comprises all Executive 
Directors of the Board, the rest of the 
Executive Leadership Team members 
including Customer and Commercial 
Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief 
Technology Officer and Group Director 
of Human Resources, and Group 
Director of Audit, Risk and Assurance, 
as well as Group Director of Security. 
The Committee meets and reports to 
the Board at least annually. 

Any Director may attend meetings and 
the Board may direct other members 
to join. 

The Directors acknowledge that they 
have overall responsibility for the Group’s 
system of internal control for managing 
risks associated with the business and 
markets within which the Company 
operates. Further details relating to how 
the Directors maintain overall control of 
significant strategic, financial, operational 
and compliance issues is set out in the 
risk and risk management report on 
pages 36 to 41.

In addition, the Board has delegated to 
the Risk Committee the responsibility for 
identifying, evaluating and monitoring the 
risks facing the Group and for deciding 
how these are managed. 

At the period end, following review by the 
Audit Committee of internal controls and 
of the processes covering these controls, 
the Board evaluates the effectiveness 
of the risk management procedures 
conducted by senior management.

The Committee is assisted by Group 
Committees, which deal with specific 
areas of risk, such as health, safety and 
environment and security.

The Committee met once during 
the year. 

Edward Peppiatt
Chairman of the Risk Committee 
30 May 2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Principal responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Ethics 
Committee are to: 

•  Assist the Board in fulfilling its 

oversight responsibilities in respect 
of ethical matters

•  Ensure that De La Rue conducts 

business with integrity and honesty 
and in accordance with relevant 
legislation and regulations
•  Advise the Board on the 

development of strategy and policy 
on ethical matters

•  Advise the Board on steps to be 

taken to embed a culture of integrity 
and honesty in all of the Group’s 
business dealings

•  Oversee the development and 
adoption of Group policies and 
procedures for the identification, 
assessment, management and 
reporting of ethical risk

•  Oversee the investigation of any 

material irregularities of an ethical 
or non-financial fraudulent nature 
and review subsequent findings 
and recommendations 

Accountability Ethics Committee

Philip Rogerson
Chairman of the 
Ethics Committee

The Committee is responsible, on the Board’s behalf, for reviewing 
compliance with the Group’s Code of Business Principles (CBP). 
The Committee considers ethical matters and makes recommendations 
to the Board on how they should be addressed and reinforces the 
Group’s commitment to ensuring business ethics are a fundamental 
and enduring part of the Group’s culture.

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the 2018 Ethics Committee report.

Composition of the Committee

Member
Philip Rogerson (Chairman)
Nick Bray
Sabri Challah
Maria da Cunha
Andrew Stevens

Date of appointment  
to Committee
27 September 2012
21 July 2016
23 July 2015
23 July 2015
2 January 2013

Directors’ attendance 
2017/18
2(2)
2(2)
2(2)
2(2)
2(2)

Note
Figures in brackets denote the maximum number of meetings that could have been attended.

Activities during the period
During the period to 31 March 2018 the Committee focused on the 
following activities:

•  Key updates and trends in business ethics
•  Status of the restructuring of the management of third party partners 

(TPPs) programme
•  CBP activity update
•  Review of incidents with an ethical dimension
•  Review of the internal audit findings of the implementation of actions arising 
from the Banknote Ethics Initiative (BnEI) re-accreditation confirmed in 2017

•  Review of the gift register for Executive Directors
•  Evaluation and effectiveness review
•  Review of reports on issues raised through the whistleblowing hotline – 
CodeLine and other channels and review of results of any investigations 
into ethical or compliance breaches or allegations of misconduct

 
 
72

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued

Accountability Ethics Committee continued

De La Rue’s ethical framework
The Group delivers high profile security 
print products and services to customers 
across the world. It is essential that 
the Group conducts its business with 
integrity, honesty and transparency to 
maintain the trust and confidence of its 
customers, and everyone it deals with 
both inside and outside the Group. 

The Group has clear core values 
and principles which govern how all 
employees and business partners 
must behave and we believe that by 
committing to these values the business 
will be well placed to deliver its strategic 
objectives with the expected behaviours.

We recognise that our business is 
exposed to risks of unethical conduct 
because of the nature and value of 
many of our contracts and because 
the standards of integrity may not be 
consistent across all the countries in 
which we operate. We have a robust 
compliance programme in place 
which allows us to manage these risks 
effectively as explained below.

The Group’s ethical framework is 
supported by the standards, policies, 
internal controls and communication as 
highlighted on page 73. We expect all 
our employees, consultants and those 
acting on our behalf to adopt these 
standards. We are participants of the UN 
Global Compact initiative which we are 
using as a guide to align our Company 
strategies and operations with business 
principles on human rights, environment 
and anti-corruption. We also collaborate 
with the International Chamber of 
Commerce corporate responsibility and 
anti-corruption committee.

Our ethics and 
compliance programme
Code of Business Principles (CBP)
The CBP was reviewed and relaunched 
in 2016 and our nine core principles are 
regularly reviewed to ensure that they 
continue to underpin the way in which 
we conduct ourselves and work on a 
daily basis.

If an employee is found to have acted 
in breach of the CBP, the Group takes 
appropriate action to address that 
breach including disciplinary action and 
ultimately terminating employment in 
the most serious cases.

Gifts and hospitality
We have a clear approval process for 
gifts, entertainment and hospitality 
offered by or given to our employees. 
All employees are required to comply 
with the gifts and hospitality policy 
which requires all gifts, entertainment 
and hospitality above a nominal value to 
be recorded on a central Gift Register 
which is reviewed on a monthly basis. 
The Committee receives a report 
on the gifts received or given by the 
Executive Directors. 

Banknote Ethics Initiative (BnEI)
De La Rue is one of the founding 
members of the BnEI. BnEI sets out 
a rigorous framework for promoting 
high ethical standards in the industry 
and requires members to commit to 
the Code of Ethical Business Practice 
that was developed in partnership 
with the Institute of Business Ethics. 
The initiative was established to promote 
ethical business practice, with a focus 
on the prevention of corruption and on 
compliance with anti-trust law within the 
banknote industry. Compliance with the 
code is rigorously tested through an audit 
framework developed in conjunction with 
GoodCorporation, recognised worldwide 
as a leading company in the field of 
corporate responsibility assurance 
and business ethics. De La Rue’s 
re-accreditation was confirmed at Level 1 
in April 2017 and recognised the level of 
improvement implemented in this area.

The audit focuses on anti-bribery and 
corruption and anti-trust processes, 
procedures and controls. The findings 
of the triennial BnEI audit confirm that 
De La Rue continues to perform strongly 
or above GoodCorporation benchmarks.

Third party partners (TPPs)
We recognise that it is not just our 
employees who could be exposed to 
ethics risks but also TPPs. Their conduct 
remains one of our most significant risks 
and there is a continuing requirement for 
TPPs to undergo our mandatory training 
programme and to conduct business in 
compliance with the standards set by the 
Company. Due diligence is undertaken 
on all our TPPs before they are engaged 
and this process is reviewed on a regular 
basis. TPPs are given regular training 
to ensure they remain alert to potential 
risks. We have risk management 
measures and controls in place including 
in relation to remuneration of TPPs and 

we monitor all payments to ensure that 
the remuneration structure does not 
incentivise unethical behaviour.

The Committee receives regular reports 
on payments made to sales consultants, 
together with an update on the progress 
in moving TPPs away from the traditional 
commission-only model. This is part 
of a five year plan and reflects the 
Group’s aim to reduce risk and manage 
partner performance and reflects the 
recommendation of the BnEI.

Ethics Champions
The Group’s network of Ethics 
Champions ensures that each site has 
local support and representation for 
CBP matters and continues to play 
an integral part in ensuring that strong 
De La Rue values are embedded 
across the business. An Ethics 
Champions’ conference was held in 
May 2017 and included representatives 
from recently acquired sites.

Whistleblowing
We encourage all employees and people 
acting on our behalf to speak up if they 
have any concerns. The Audit Committee 
reviews our whistleblowing policy and 
procedures each year. Ethical questions 
or concerns raised by employees or third 
parties through the De La Rue CodeLine 
are investigated and all findings and 
remedial actions are reported in detail 
in periodic reports prepared for and 
reviewed by the Ethics Committee. 

Training
The Committee attaches significant 
importance to regular, relevant and 
focused training. Training during the 
period included:

•  Face-to-face introduction to 
TPP training sessions to new 
TPP stakeholders

•  Competition law training where 

relevant for all new starters

•  Online training modules for TPPs 

and relevant employees 

•  Security awareness training including 
guiding principles on ethical behaviour 
for employees travelling overseas

Philip Rogerson
Chairman of the Ethics Committee
30 May 2018

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Code of Business Principles 9 Topics

Bribery & 
corruption

Competition 
& anti-trust

Gifts & 
hospitality

HSE

Employment 
principles

Records 
and reports

Personal 
information

Insider  
trading

Conflicts 
of interest

Backed up by policies

• ABC
• Gifts and 

entertainment

• Charitable 

giving

• Competition 

• Gifts and 

• Health 

• Equal 

and 
anti-trust

entertainment

• Expenses
• ABC
• Conflict 

of interests

and safety
• Environment
• Fire safety

opportunities

• Anti-

harassment

• Diversity

• Group 
finance 
manual

• Data 

protection

• Share 

dealing, 
market 
abuse and 
insider 
trading

• Conflicts 
of interest
• Gifts and 

entertainment

Supported by processes

• TPP
• Gift register
• Expenses 
vetting

• Legal 

Department 
Guidelines

• Gift register
• Expenses 
vetting

• Monthly 
reporting
• Global HSE 
standards

• ISO 

management 
systems

• Grievance 
procedure
• Disciplinary 
process

• Compliance 
declarations

• External 

monitoring
• Separation 
of duties

• Annual data 
protection 
returns

• Procedure 
for dealing 
with inside 
information

• Dealing 

approvals

• Gifts  

register

Underpinned by oversight, controls and communication

Specialist audits

Benchmarking

CodeLine

Employee surveys

Ethics Committee

External audit

Internal audits

Training/induction

Risk reviews

SharePoint

BnEI accreditation

ICC CR & Anti-Corruption Committee

UN Global Compact

 
 
74

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual statement from the Chairman 
of the Remuneration Committee

Sabri Challah
Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee

We believe our remuneration policy is critical to delivering both 
planned performance each year and the longer term transformation 
of De La Rue.

Composition of the Committee
The Remuneration Committee consists exclusively of Non-executive Directors, 
all of whom are regarded as independent, and the Chairman of the Board, 
who was regarded as independent on his appointment as Chairman. 

Member

Sabri Challah (Chairman)
Philip Rogerson
Nick Bray
Maria da Cunha
Andrew Stevens

Date of appointment  
to Committee

Directors’ attendance 
2017/18

23 July 2015
26 July 2012
21 July 2016
23 July 2015
2 January 2013

6(6)
6(6)
5(6)
6(6)
6(6)

Note
Figures in brackets denote the maximum number of meetings that could have been attended.

Activities during the period
The Committee follows a cycle of activities during the year and in 2017/18 this 
covered amongst other things the following matters:

•  Review of the Directors’ remuneration policy and a consultation with major 

shareholders and institutional bodies

•  Approval of the Executive Leadership Team Group and strategic individual 

objectives for the year

•  Review of performance targets against short and long term incentive plans
•  Approval of pay awards for Executive Directors and the Executive 

Leadership Team 

•  Benchmarking of Executive Directors’ and Executive Leadership Team pay 

and benefits

•  Determination of remuneration for new Chief Operating Officer
•  Determination of retention arrangements for key senior executives
•  Review and approval of the Directors’ remuneration report 
•  Awards under the UK Sharesave employee share scheme
•  Review of the report on gender pay gap and action plan 
•  An effectiveness review of the Committee
•  In addition the Committee went through a tender and selection process for 

the appointment of independent remuneration advisers

Principal responsibilities
The Committee’s responsibilities are 
outlined in its terms of reference which 
can be found at www.delarue.com. 
The responsibilities are reviewed 
annually and referred to the Board 
for approval. A summary of the 
responsibilities are as follows:

•  Recommendations to the Board 

on Group policy regarding 
executive remuneration

•  Determination of the specific 

remuneration packages of the 
Chairman, Executive Directors and 
senior executives who report to the 
Chief Executive Officer

•  Determination of the design, 

conditions and coverage of annual 
and long term incentive plans for 
senior executives and approval of 
total and individual awards under 
the plans

•  Determination of targets for any 
performance related pay plans
•  Determination of the issue and 
terms of all share based plans 
available to all employees

•  Oversight of any major changes 

in remuneration

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Changes to the operation of the 
Performance Share Plan 
•  Re-weighting of the performance 

measures under the PSP from 75% 
EPS: 25% ROCE to 50% EPS: 50% 
ROCE. This re-weighting reflects the 
strategic importance of strong capital 
management and generation of 
efficient returns during this period of 
growth and investment

•  Significant increase to the stretch of 
the ROCE performance targets at 
threshold and maximum to reflect 
recent and forecast performance, and 
our strategic plan (from 30% – 36%, 
to 34% – 40%)

•  Widened the EPS growth target range 
to better reflect recent and forecast 
performance, and our strategic plan 
(from 5% – 10% to 4% – 12%)

No other changes are being made to the 
award opportunities under our variable 
pay plans. 

The changes proposed are within the 
scope of the existing remuneration policy. 

The changes are set out on page 89. 
We will continue to keep all aspects 
of our reward policy under review 
and be prepared to respond to 
changing circumstances.

We will not be seeking approval for any 
changes to the policy this year and are 
not required to submit a new policy 
until the 2020 AGM. We will therefore 
operate in accordance with our existing 
remuneration policy in 2018. A copy of 
our current remuneration policy can be 
found on pages 77 to 85. 

Committee meetings
The Committee met six times during the 
period and details of attendance can be 
found on page 74. The Chief Executive 
Officer and the Group Director of Human 
Resources also attended meetings. 
The General Counsel and Company 
Secretary, who is also secretary to the 
Committee, advised on governance issues.

No Executive Director or employee is 
present or takes part in discussions in 
respect of matters relating directly to their 
own remuneration.

Structure of Directors’ 
remuneration report
This report is presented in three main 
sections: an annual statement from 
the Chairman of the Committee; the 
Directors’ remuneration policy; and 
the annual report on remuneration for 
2017/18. The Directors’ remuneration 
policy was approved by shareholders 
at the AGM on 20 July 2017 and had a 
binding effect at that date. The policy is 
not subject to a vote at the 2018 AGM.

2018 review of implementation of 
the executive remuneration policy 
and shareholder consultation
This year the Committee, with support 
from our independent remuneration 
consultants, has reviewed the way 
in which our remuneration policy is 
implemented, with particular focus on our 
variable pay plans, to assess the degree 
to which the performance measures 
and targets remain aligned to our Group 
strategy and forecast performance.

As part of this review, we have consulted 
with our largest shareholders and have 
actively taken on board their comments 
and views. 

The changes proposed to the 
implementation of the policy from 
2018/19 are set out in more detail within 
the annual report on remuneration and 
are summarised below. 

Dear Shareholder
As Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, I am pleased to present the 
report on the work of the Committee 
during the period to 31 March 2018. 

We continue to regard our remuneration 
policy as critical to delivering both 
planned performance each year and the 
longer term transformation of De La Rue. 
In 2017/18, we continued in our progress 
towards the delivery of our strategic 
plan to transform the business into a 
less capital intensive, more technology 
orientated business. The sale of our 
paper business was a significant 
milestone towards achieving this goal. 
This year also saw significant progress 
in strengthening the Group’s balance 
sheet with net debt at £49.9m being the 
lowest in five years. Our reward model 
aims to incentivise the achievement 
of the specific short and long term 
objectives set out in our strategic plan, 
and reinforces the desired behaviours 
and culture that will sustain the success 
of De La Rue.

We aim to ensure that executive 
remuneration is fair and competitive 
so that the Group can attract, motivate 
and retain the highly talented people 
required to deliver the operational and 
strategic transformation of the business 
that we have committed to. Above all, 
the Committee’s objective is to ensure 
that our Directors’ remuneration policy 
incentivises and rewards delivery of 
sustainable shareholder value. 

As reported last year, during 2016/17 
the Remuneration Committee 
carried out a thorough review of the 
remuneration policy and implemented 
changes to enhance the level of 
disclosure associated with variable 
pay, changed holding arrangements 
for long term incentives and developed 
the conditions for malus and clawback. 
The Remuneration Committee is 
not proposing any changes to the 
remuneration policy for the year 
ahead. However, the Committee does 
propose to make some changes to 
the implementation of the executive 
remuneration policy from 2018/19. 
These changes are explained later 
in this letter. 

 
 
76

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual statement from the Chairman  
of the Remuneration Committee

Outcomes 2017/18
Annual Bonus Plan (ABP)
The maximum opportunity for Executive 
Directors under the ABP is 135% of 
salary for the Chief Executive Officer 
and 115% for the Chief Financial Officer. 
For 2017/18, the bonus opportunity was 
based 80% on financial performance 
and 20% on achievement of strategic 
personal objectives. The weighting of 
the financial performance objectives was 
as follows:

•  Group revenue 20%
•  Group underlying operating profit 40%
•  Group cash conversion 20%

Despite some of the financial and 
strategic personal targets being achieved 
the profit underpin was not met and 
therefore no bonus was payable to the 
Executive Directors under any element 
of the plan. Details of the measures and 
targets are set out on page 88.

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Awards under the PSP in 2015/16 had 
three year performance criteria based 
on EPS and ROCE. Seventy five per 
cent of the award was based on EPS 
average compound growth of between 
5% and 10% and twenty five per cent of 
the award was based on average ROCE 
of between 26% and 32%. The EPS 
performance criteria were not met, 
however average ROCE over the three 
years of 38.9% was above the target 
range. This achievement delivers a 
maximum payout against this measure. 
The 2015/16 PSP therefore pays out 
at 25% of maximum. The details for 
Martin Sutherland and Jitesh Sodha are 
included on page 89. 

ABP and PSP awards 2017
The Remuneration Committee made 
awards under the ABP and PSP in 2017 
and details of award levels and the 
performance conditions are on pages 88 
to 89. 

2018 salary review
The Committee has reviewed the 
salary levels of the Executive Directors. 
The Chief Executive Officer’s salary has 
been increased by 2.4%. Details are 
provided on page 87. Increases are in 
line with those made to other employees. 
All salary increases are deferred until 
1 July 2018.

Board changes
Rupert Middleton stepped down from the 
Board at the conclusion of the AGM in 
2017. We announced that Jitesh Sodha 
resigned from the Board on 19 March 
2018. Neither Director was eligible for a 
cash bonus for 2017/18. Share awards 
are treated in accordance with the 
relevant Plan and Scheme Rules. 
Share awards not eligible for release up 
until the date of ceasing employment 
will lapse.

Gender pay
In line with the new UK regulations 
we published our gender pay gap 
data and narrative in January 2018. 
Further information is provided on 
page 46 within our Responsible 
business section. 

I would like to thank shareholders 
who contributed to the Committee’s 
discussions during the year. 

In accordance with the regulations 
we will be asking shareholders for an 
advisory vote on the annual report 
on remuneration.

Sabri Challah
Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee
30 May 2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Directors’ remuneration policy

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Introduction
In this section we summarise the key principles that underpin our remuneration policy and how we will apply our policy in 2018. 

Remuneration policy 
The Group’s remuneration policy was approved by shareholders at the AGM on 20 July 2017 and took effect from that date. 
The policy is reproduced here for information only. 

The overriding objective is to ensure that our executive remuneration policy encourages, reinforces and rewards the delivery 
of sustainable shareholder value. The Remuneration Committee believes that performance related pay and incentives should 
account for a significant proportion of the overall remuneration of Executive Directors so that their reward is aligned with 
shareholder interests and the Group’s performance, without encouraging excessive risk-taking. Performance related elements of 
remuneration therefore form a significant proportion of the total remuneration packages. The Committee also has discretion to 
take into account performance on environmental, social and governance matters.

Policy table 
The remuneration package for Executive Directors consists of fixed base salary, pension and other benefits and a significant 
proportion of variable pay including annual bonus and long term share based incentives. The following table summarises each 
element of the proposed remuneration policy for the Executive Directors and explains how each works and is linked to the 
corporate strategy. 

Base salary

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential opportunity

Performance metrics

Fixed competitive 
remuneration set at 
levels to recruit and 
retain talent. Determination 
informed, but not led, 
by reference to the market 
place for companies of 
similar size and complexity.

Reflects individual skills, 
experience and responsibility 
necessary to deliver 
business strategy.

Rewards individual 
performance.

Reviewed annually and fixed 
for 12 months (but may be 
reviewed more frequently).

Influenced by:

•  Role, experience, responsibilities 

and performance
•  Change in broader 
workforce salary 

•  Group profitability and prevailing 

market conditions

•  Salary levels across the 

Group generally

•  Eliminating the gender pay gap

Increases are not automatic.

Individual performance is the 
primary consideration in setting 
salary alongside overall Group 
performance, affordability and 
market competitiveness.

To avoid creating expectations 
of Executive Directors 
and other employees, no 
maximum base salary has 
been set. Increases will not 
normally exceed the average 
of increases awarded within 
the rest of the Group in 
the UK.

Larger increases may 
be awarded in certain 
circumstances including, 
but not limited to:

•  Increases in scope 
or responsibility

•  Where market conditions 

indicate a lack of 
competitiveness and 
risk to attracting or 
retaining executives

Where the Remuneration 
Committee exercises its 
discretion to award increases 
above the average for 
other employees, a full 
explanation will be provided 
in the next annual report 
on remuneration.

 
 
 
 
78

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Directors’ remuneration policy continued

Benefits

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential opportunity

Performance metrics

Market competitive 
benefits sufficient to recruit 
and retain the talent necessary 
to develop and execute 
the business strategy.

Provision of car allowance, life 
assurance and private medical 
scheme. Executive Directors are 
also provided with permanent 
health insurance. Executive 
Directors can also participate in the 
annual leave flexibility scheme.

Other benefits may be provided on 
an individual basis such as, but not 
limited to, relocation allowances 
including transactional and legal 
costs, disturbance and travel and 
subsistence costs.

Not applicable.

While the Remuneration 
Committee has not set an 
absolute maximum, benefits 
will be market competitive 
taking into account role and 
individual circumstances.

Pension

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential opportunity

Performance metrics

To provide market competitive 
pensions sufficient to recruit 
and retain executives.

Not applicable.

Executive Directors are offered 
membership of a defined 
contribution pension plan. 
The contribution rates offered are 
reflective of market practice and 
based on base salary only.

If contributions to the plan 
would cause an Executive Director 
to exceed the HM Revenue and 
Customs (HMRC) annual allowance 
or lifetime allowance limits, a 
cash allowance in lieu of pension 
contribution will be offered.

The contribution rates for the 
Executive Directors are 30% 
of base salary for the Chief 
Executive Officer and 20% 
of base salary for the Chief 
Financial Officer. 

The Executive Directors 
may choose to receive a 
cash allowance in lieu of 
contributions. The allowance 
is equal to the pension 
contribution that would 
otherwise have been paid 
less the Company’s national 
insurance contribution 
to ensure cost neutrality.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Annual Bonus Plan (ABP)

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential opportunity

Performance metrics

The current annual maximum 
bonus opportunity of 135% of 
salary for the Chief Executive 
Officer and 115% of salary 
for the Chief Financial 
Officer linked to business 
performance will continue 
to apply.

The bonus payout level is 
determined by achievement of 
Group financial performance 
measures with an element 
based on personal objectives. 
The metrics, while stretching, 
do not encourage inappropriate 
risks to be taken.

The Remuneration Committee 
has the discretion to increase 
the overall maximum bonus 
level to 150% of salary, subject 
to this not being above the 
competitive market range.

The Remuneration Committee will 
maintain discretion to consider 
the financial underpin in respect 
of awards under the ABP. 
Financial targets and weightings 
will be disclosed in the annual 
report on remuneration.

To incentivise and reward 
delivery of financial and 
personal performance targets 
that address the distinct 
commercial and strategic 
needs of the business, 
and align with shareholder 
interests.

To ensure a consistent and 
stable reward structure 
throughout the management 
group that will remain fit 
for purpose. 

To support a pay for 
performance philosophy.

To help attract and retain top 
talent and be cost-effective.

Executive Directors are 
required to hold a level 
of shareholding of 100% 
of salary as described 
on page 81.

Compulsory deferral of shares 
supports alignment with 
shareholder interests and also 
provides a retention element.

The Remuneration Committee 
sets Group financial targets and 
agrees personal objectives for 
each Executive Director at the start 
of each year. Reference is made 
to the prior year and to budgets 
and business plans while ensuring 
the levels set are appropriately 
challenging but do not encourage 
excessive risk-taking. 

Payments are determined by 
the Remuneration Committee 
after the year end. The bonus plan 
is non-contractual and may be 
offered on a year by year basis.

Sixty per cent of annual bonus is 
payable immediately in cash. Forty 
per cent of annual bonus is payable 
in deferred shares and released 
in tranches, subject to continued 
employment (with early release in 
certain circumstances). There are 
no further performance conditions.

Fifty per cent of deferred shares 
are released one year after cash 
payout and the remaining 50% two 
years after cash payout.

The Remuneration Committee may 
increase the number of shares 
subject to a deferred share award 
to reflect dividends that would have 
been paid over the deferral period 
on shares that vest.

The deferred share element will be 
disclosed in the annual report on 
remuneration.

The cash and deferred share 
element are subject to malus and 
clawback provisions to allow the 
Company to recoup three years 
from award in the event of material 
financial misstatement of results 
or gross misconduct and other 
acts or omissions that could bring 
the business into disrepute and or 
cause reputational damage.

 
 
80

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Directors’ remuneration policy continued

Performance Share Plan (PSP)

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential opportunity

Performance metrics

The maximum number of 
shares which may be subject 
to an award granted to eligible 
employees in any financial 
year shall be an amount 
equal to such percentage, 
not exceeding 100% of salary 
as at the award date, as 
may be determined by the 
Remuneration Committee. 
The Committee retains 
discretion in exceptional 
circumstances to grant 
awards with a face value 
of up to 150% of salary.

A share based long term 
incentive is aligned closely 
with business strategy and 
interests of shareholders 
through the performance 
measures chosen.

To increase the time 
over which rewards are 
earned to four years 
and support a pay for 
performance philosophy.

To retain key executives over 
a longer term measurement 
period. Executive Directors 
are encouraged to hold a level 
of shareholding as described 
on page 81.

To ensure a consistent and 
stable reward structure 
throughout the management 
group that will remain fit 
for purpose.

To attract and retain top 
talent and continue to be 
cost-effective.

To ensure overall 
cost-efficiency. 

To ensure any payout 
is supported by sound 
profitability by link to 
EPS growth.

To support the strategic 
focus on growth and margins 
by the link to ROCE.

Annual share award with a 
three year performance period and 
performance metrics which, while 
challenging, will not encourage 
excessive risk-taking.

Sixty per cent of the award vests 
after three years provided Group 
performance (two metrics) criteria 
are met and the balance will vest 
after a further one year subject to 
continued employment.

The Remuneration Committee 
may add dividend shares accrued 
only on vested shares during 
the performance and extended 
vesting period. 

Vesting of awards is subject to 
continued employment until the 
vesting date but, as described 
on page 83, PSP awards may 
also vest early in ‘good leaver’ 
circumstances. Awards under 
the PSP will vest early on a 
change of control (or other similar 
event) subject to satisfaction 
of the performance conditions 
and, unless the Remuneration 
Committee determines otherwise, 
pro-rating for time.

The Remuneration Committee 
has the right to clawback any 
PSP awards within three years 
of an award vesting to the 
extent there has been material 
financial misstatement of results, 
gross misconduct or any act or 
omission that could bring the 
business into disrepute and or 
cause reputational damage. 
Malus provision also applies.

Awards will vest subject to the 
achievement of Group performance 
over a period of three years 
against key metrics set by the 
Remuneration Committee which 
are aligned to commercial 
business needs and strategy. 

For proposed awards in 2017/18, 
the vesting of PSP awards will 
be subject to EPS and return 
on capital employed (ROCE) 
performance conditions.

The Remuneration Committee 
must be satisfied that vesting 
reflects the underlying performance 
of the Group and retains the 
flexibility to adjust the vesting 
amount to ensure it remains 
appropriate to the business 
performance achieved.

The Remuneration Committee 
regularly reviews the performance 
conditions and targets to ensure 
they continue to be aligned with 
the Group’s business objectives 
and strategy and retains the 
discretion to change the measures 
and their respective weightings to 
ensure continuing alignment with 
such objectives and strategy.

The Remuneration Committee 
maintains the ability to adjust or set 
different performance measures 
if events occur or circumstances 
arise which cause the Committee 
to determine that the performance 
conditions have ceased to be 
appropriate. If varied or replaced, 
the amended performance 
conditions must, in the opinion of 
the Committee, be fair, reasonable 
and materially no more or less 
difficult than the original condition 
when set and these will be 
disclosed in the annual report 
on remuneration.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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All employee share plans

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential opportunity

Performance metrics

No performance measures but 
employment conditions apply.

The maximum savings amount 
currently offered is £500 per 
month over a three or five year 
period under the Company’s 
Sharesave scheme. The rules 
of the scheme provide for 
savings up to the legislative 
limit of £500 per month.

To encourage employees 
including the Executive 
Directors to build a 
shareholding through the 
operation of all employee 
share plans such as the 
HMRC approved De La Rue 
Sharesave scheme in the UK.

Executive Directors may participate 
in the Sharesave scheme on the 
same terms as other employees.

Under the UK Sharesave scheme, 
the option price may be discounted 
by up to 20%. Accumulated 
savings through payroll may be 
used to exercise an option to 
acquire shares.

Under the Employee Share 
Purchase Plan, employees in the 
US may be offered the opportunity 
to purchase the Company’s 
shares at a 15% discount to the 
market price. Any purchases are 
funded through accumulated 
payroll deductions.

Shareholders approved the Rules 
of Sharesave and the ESPP at the 
2012 AGM.

Shareholding requirement for 
Executive Directors
The Remuneration Committee believes 
that it is important that the interests of 
Executive Directors should be closely 
aligned with those of shareholders. 
The Committee has adopted a policy 
that Executive Directors are required to 
build up a shareholding equivalent to one 
times salary. It is intended that this is met 
by Executive Directors retaining 100% of 
vested post-tax deferred bonus shares, 
restricted shares and performance 
shares until the requirement is met in full. 

Pay policy for other employees
When determining the remuneration 
arrangements for Executive Directors, 
the Remuneration Committee takes into 
consideration the pay and conditions 
of employees throughout the Group. 
In particular, the Committee is kept 
informed of:

•  Salary increases for the general 

employee population

•  Overall spend on annual bonus
•  Participation levels in the ABP

The remuneration policy applied to the 
Executive Leadership Team and the 
most senior executives in the Group is 
similar to the policy for the Executive 
Directors in that a significant element of 
remuneration is dependent on Group 
and individual performance. The key 
principles of the remuneration are applied 
consistently across the Group below 
this level, taking account of seniority and 
local market practice. The Group aims to 
offer competitive levels of remuneration, 
benefits and incentives to attract and 
retain employees. The Remuneration 
Committee consults with the Chief 
Executive Officer on the remuneration 
of executives directly reporting to him 
and other senior executives and seeks 
to ensure a consistent approach across 
the Group taking account of seniority 
and market practice and the key 
remuneration policies outlined above. 
On authority of the Committee, the 
Chief Executive Officer has discretion 
to make awards to a limited number of 
employees not being Executive Directors 
or Executive Leadership Team members.

All UK employees may join the 
Company’s HMRC approved 
Sharesave scheme. Options are 
granted over De La Rue plc shares, 
at an exercise price, at the discretion 
of the Remuneration Committee, of 
a maximum of 80% of the prevailing 
market share price at the time of grant. 
Eligible US employees may participate 
in the ESPP. The purchase price is 
85% of the lower of the market value 
of a De La Rue plc share either at the 
beginning or end of the offering period. 
Offerings under the Sharesave and 
the ESPP are at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee.

The Remuneration Committee 
considered that it would be impractical to 
consult with employees when drawing up 
the remuneration policy.

 
 
82

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Directors’ remuneration policy continued

Non-executive Directors
Philip Rogerson, Chairman, was 
initially appointed as a Non-executive 
Director and Chairman designate 
on 1 March 2012. 

All Directors offer themselves for annual 
re-election at each AGM in accordance 
with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code. Service contracts for Executive 
Directors and letters of appointment for 
Non-executive Directors are available 
for inspection at the registered office 
address of the Company.

Payment for loss of office 
In determining compensation for early 
termination of a service contract, the 
Remuneration Committee carefully 
considers the specific circumstances, 
the Company’s commitments under 
the individual’s contract and the 
individual’s obligation to mitigate loss. 
The table below outlines the framework 
for contracts for Executive Directors. 
Should additional compensation 
matters arise, such as a settlement 
or compromise agreement, the 
Remuneration Committee will exercise 
judgement and will take into account the 
specific commercial circumstances.

Remuneration Committee 
discretion
The Remuneration Committee reserves 
the right to adjust or set different 
performance measures for both short 
and long term plans if events occur 
or circumstances arise in which 
performance conditions have ceased 
to be appropriate. These events include 
substantial changes in business structure 
or strategy, acquisition or divestment. 
The Committee may also make 
discretionary adjustments, up and down, 
to the formulaic outcome of short and 
long term plans if there is misalignment 
with the Group’s strategic goals or 
shareholder interests. This discretion 
will be applied in exceptional cases only 
and disclosed.

Shareholder views
The Remuneration Committee engages 
in regular dialogue with shareholders 
to discuss and take feedback on its 
remuneration policy and governance 
matters. During the last year the 
Committee has consulted with 
De La Rue’s largest UK shareholders 
and the main UK institutional investor 
bodies on the proposals for the new 
Directors’ remuneration policy subject 
to a binding vote at the AGM on 20 July 
2017. The Committee welcomes an 
open dialogue with shareholders and 
intends to continue to consult with major 
shareholders before implementing any 
significant change to the directors’ 
remuneration policy.

Service contracts
The Board’s policy for current and 
new Executive Directors is that service 
contracts are one year rolling contracts 
with a notice period that should not 
exceed one year. 

The Remuneration Committee 
recognises that in the case of 
appointments to the Board from outside 
the Group, it may be necessary to offer a 
longer initial notice period, which would 
subsequently reduce to 12 months after 
that initial period.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Policy

Notice period on 
termination by 
the Company

Twelve calendar months. The Remuneration Committee recognises that in the case of appointment 
to the Board from outside the Group, it may be necessary to offer a longer initial notice period, 
which would subsequently reduce to 12 months.

Termination payment 
at the Company’s 
sole discretion

On termination by either the Company or the relevant Executive Director, the Company retains 
the discretion to make a payment in lieu of notice not exceeding 12 months’ basic salary, 
excluding bonus but including benefits in kind (including company car or car allowance and 
private health insurance) and pension contributions (which may include salary supplement).

Benefits provided in connection with termination payments may also include, but are not limited to, 
outplacement and legal fees.

Change of control

Under the ABP, share awards will vest in full on change of control. Awards under the PSP will vest 
early on a change of control (or other similar event) subject to satisfaction of the performance 
conditions and, unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise, pro-rating for time.

Vesting of incentives 
for leavers

The Remuneration Committee has the discretion to determine appropriate bonus amounts taking into 
consideration the circumstances in which an Executive Director leaves. Typically for ‘good leavers’, 
bonus amounts (as estimated by the Remuneration Committee) will be pro-rated for time in service 
to termination and will be subject to performance, paid at the usual time. 

The vesting of share awards is governed by the rules of the appropriate incentive plan approved 
by shareholders. Typically for ‘good leavers’:

•  Under the ABP, the provisions allow awards to vest in full at the normal vesting date or earlier 

at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee

•  Under the PSP, awards pro-rated (unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise) 
to the date of departure, will vest at the normal vesting date if the relevant performance targets 
have been met. The Remuneration Committee has the discretion to test the performance targets 
early and accelerate vesting

•  Good leavers under the Sharesave scheme, which is HMRC approved, are entitled to exercise 

options, pro-rated to the savings made

•  If awards are made on recruitment the treatment on leaving would be determined at the time 

at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion in accordance with the relevant plan rules

Pension benefits

These will be paid in accordance with the rules of the pension scheme. Where an early retirement 
pension is paid from a legacy UK defined benefit arrangement, a reduction will be made to the 
pension to reflect early receipt using factors determined and set by the Trustees from time to time.

 
 
84

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Directors’ remuneration policy continued

Remuneration policy for the Chairman and Non-executive Directors

Element

Operation by the Company

Chairman fees

The remuneration of the Chairman is set by the Remuneration Committee. Fees are set at a 
level which reflects the skills, knowledge and experience of the individual, while taking into 
account market data.

Non-executive 
Director fees

Non-executive Directors do not have service contracts but are appointed for fixed terms of three 
years renewable for a further three years. Terms beyond this period are considered on a case by 
case basis.

The Board (excluding Non-executive Directors) is responsible for setting Non-executive Directors’ 
fees. Fees are structured as a basic fee for Board and Committee membership. Committee 
Chairmen and the Senior Independent Director receive an additional fee. Reasonable expenses 
for attending Board meetings are reimbursed by the Company and the Group may pay any tax due 
on such benefits.

Total fees paid to Non-executive Directors will remain within the limit set out in the Company’s 
articles of association of £750,000 per annum.

Non-executive Directors are not eligible for pension scheme membership and do not participate in 
any of the Group’s annual incentive arrangements, or share option schemes. No compensation is 
payable to the Chairman or to any Non-executive Director if the appointment is terminated.

Remuneration policy for 
new appointments
When considering the appointment of 
Executive Directors, the Committee 
balances the need to attract candidates 
of sufficient calibre while remaining 
mindful of the need to pay no more than 
necessary. The Committee will typically 
align the remuneration package with the 
above remuneration policy. Base salary 
may be set at a higher or lower level than 
previous incumbents. Where possible, 
salary may be set at an initially lower level 
with the intention of increasing it over 
the following two years dependent on 
performance in the role and experience 
gained. In certain circumstances, to 
facilitate the recruitment of individuals 
of the required calibre, incentive 
arrangements and awards may also be 
higher. The Remuneration Committee 
retains the discretion to make payments 
or awards which are outside the 
policy to facilitate the recruitment of 
candidates of the appropriate calibre 
to implement the Group’s strategy. 
In addition, remuneration forfeited on 
resignation from a previous employer 
may be compensated. The form of this 
compensation would be considered on 

a case by case basis and may comprise 
either cash or shares. Generally (though 
not necessarily in all circumstances) the 
Committee will favour share awards with 
appropriately stretching performance 
targets attached and, at a minimum, 
expects that:

•  If forfeited remuneration was in the 

form of shares, compensation will be 
in the form of shares 

•  If forfeited remuneration was subject 

to achievement of performance 
conditions, compensation will 
be subject to no less challenging 
performance conditions 

•  The timing of any compensation will, 
where practicable, match the vesting 
schedule of the remuneration forfeited

A newly appointed Executive Director 
may be provided with reasonable 
relocation support.

Internal appointments will receive 
a remuneration package that is 
consistent with the remuneration policy. 
Legacy terms and conditions would be 
honoured, including pension entitlements 
and any outstanding incentive awards.

Subject to the limit on additional 
maximum variable remuneration set 
out below, incentive awards may be 
granted within the first 12 months of 
appointment above the maximum 
award opportunities set out in the policy 
table above. Excluding payments or 
awards to compensate for remuneration 
forfeited on resignation from a previous 
employer, the maximum level of variable 
remuneration which may be awarded 
to a new Executive Director, above the 
maximum levels set out in the policy 
table above, is one times base salary. 

The Remuneration Committee will ensure 
that variable remuneration is linked to 
the achievement of appropriate and 
challenging performance measures 
and will be forfeited if performance or 
continued employment conditions are 
not met.

Fees payable to a newly appointed 
Chairman or Non-executive Director will 
be in line with the fee policy in place at 
the time of appointment.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Illustration of the application of remuneration policy
The following charts illustrate the potential value of the Executive Directors’ remuneration package in various scenarios in a typical 
year. Salary levels are as at 1 July 2018. 

Performance scenarios for the ABP and PSP assume the following:

Minimum

Target

Maximum

There is no cash bonus or deferred 
share award under the ABP or 
vesting under the PSP.

Target cash bonus and deferred 
shares under the ABP, target vesting 
under PSP.

Maximum cash bonus, maximum 
deferred shares under the ABP, 
maximum vesting under the PSP.

CEO
(£’000)

2,000

1,750

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

0

1,146
11%
12%
18%

59%

682

100%

1,861

27%

15%

22%

36%

CFO
(£’000)

2,000

1,750

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

0

418

100%

691
12%
11%
16%
61%

1,130
29%

14%
20%

37%

Minimum

Target

Maximum

Minimum

Target

Maximum

PSP

Deferred Shares (bonus)

Cash Bonus

Salary and Benefits (fixed)

PSP

Deferred Shares (bonus)

Cash Bonus

Salary and Benefits (fixed)

Assumptions for the scenario charts

Minimum performance

Fixed pay (base salary, 
benefits and pension)

No bonus payout

No vesting under ABP  
or PSP

Target performance

Fixed pay (base salary, 
benefits and pension)

50% of maximum bonus 
opportunity (67.5% of salary for 
CEO, 57.5% of salary for CFO)

60% will be payable immediately 
in cash and 40% will be deferred 
in shares

Maximum performance

Fixed pay (base salary, 
benefits and pension)

100% of maximum bonus 
opportunity (135% of salary for 
CEO, 115% of salary for CFO)

60% will be payable immediately 
in cash and 40% will be deferred 
in shares

25% of PSP shares vesting 
(25% of salary for CEO and CFO)

100% of PSP shares vesting 
(100% of salary for CEO and CFO)

Executive Director remuneration mix 2018/19
Based on the above performance scenarios the table below illustrates that a significant proportion of Executive Directors’ 
remuneration is biased towards variable pay at maximum:

CEO

CFO

Fixed
Variable
Fixed
Variable

% of pay at  
minimum achieved
100
–
100
–

% of pay at  
target achieved
59
41
61
39

% of pay at  
maximum achieved
36
64
37
63

The remuneration mix above is based on the remuneration policy as it was intended to be operated for 2018/19.

 
 
86

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration

The Directors’ remuneration policy for the period ended 31 March 2018 was consistent with the policy approved by shareholders 
at the AGM in 2017. This section of the Directors’ remuneration report gives information on how the Remuneration Committee 
implemented the policy on Directors’ remuneration and the incentive outturns for 2017/18. 

Single figure of remuneration for each Director (audited)
The table below shows how we have applied the current remuneration policy during 2017/18. It discloses all the elements of 
remuneration received by the Directors during the period. 

Salary and feesa

Benefits 
(excluding 
pensions)b

Long term 
incentive (PSP) 
(vested)d

Bonusc

Pensionse

Other 
Paymentsf

Total

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

Executive Directors
Martin Sutherland
Jitesh Sodha 
(resigned from the Board 19 March 2018)
Rupert Middleton 
(stood down from the Board 
with effect from 20 July 2017)

Chairman
Philip Rogerson
Non-executive Directors
Nick Bray 
Sabri Challah
Maria da Cunha
Victoria Jarman
(stepped down from the Board 
with effect from 21 July 2016)
Andrew Stevens 
Aggregate emoluments

477

469

314

320

99

324
890 1,113

193

189

58
58
50

40
57
49

–
58

17
57
1,307 1,522

29

21

5
55

–

–
–
–

–
–
55

31

24

16
71

–

–
–
–

–
–
71

Notes
The figures in the single figure table above are derived from the following:

–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

256

 148

151

113

–
407

–
261

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
407

–
–
261

–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

129

132

56

57

17
202

61
250

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
202

–
–
250

–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

11

–

–
11

–

–
–
–

783

899

504

552

121

401
1,408 1,852

193

189

58
58
50

40
57
49

–
–
11

–
58

17
57
1,825 2,261

a  Base salary and fees: the actual salary and fees received during the period. The Executive Directors’ salaries are normally reviewed, but not necessarily increased, with effect from 1 July 

each year.

i  Martin Sutherland has a salary of £490,000 per annum effective 1 July 2017 and the salary shown above is to the period 31 March 2018. Martin Sutherland took advantage of the annual 

leave flexibility scheme and purchased an additional 5 days’ annual leave entitlement during the period at a cost of £9,279 and he also participates in the Company’s cycle-to-work scheme 
at a cost of £1,000 which is reflected in the table above. 

ii  Jitesh Sodha had a salary of £331,000 per annum effective 1 July 2017 and the salary shown above is to the period 19 March 2018. Jitesh Sodha took advantage of the annual leave flexibility 

scheme and purchased an additional 5 days’ annual leave entitlement during the period at a cost of £4,687 which is reflected in the table above.

iii  Rupert Middleton had a salary of £325,000 per annum effective 1 July 2017 and the salary shown above is to the period 20 July 2017. 

iv  Philip Rogerson’s Chairman’s fee is £194,000 effective from 1 July 2017 and the fee shown is the fee to the end of the financial period. 

b  Benefits (excluding pensions): the gross value of all taxable benefits received in the period, including for example car or car allowance and private medical and permanent health insurance. 

c  Bonus: No bonus was payable for 2017/18 as the performance underpin was not met. A description of the performance measures that applied for the year 2017/18 is provided on page 88. 

Jitesh Sodha and Rupert Middleton were not entitled to any bonus payments for 2017/18.

d  PSP: the estimated value of the shares due to vest in June 2018 (23 September 2018 in the case of Jitesh Sodha) (including dividend shares accrued to date) that was subject to 

performance over the three year performance period ending 31 March 2018 based on the number of shares that will vest multiplied by the average share price of 610.04p over the quarter 
ending 31 March 2018 (as the vesting price is not known at the date of the Directors’ remuneration report). The performance conditions that applied to the PSP awards vesting are described 
on page 89

e  Pension allowance and contributions to defined contribution section. See page 90 for further details of pension arrangements.

f  Other payments to:

  2017: Martin Sutherland: dividend equivalent payments made under the CEO Share Award at the point of vesting. See 2017 annual report.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Individual elements of remuneration
Base salary and fees (audited)
Base salaries for Executive Directors are reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee and are set with reference to 
individual performance, experience and responsibilities, Group performance, affordability and market competitiveness. An annual 
salary review was carried out by the Remuneration Committee on 26 April 2018. Following that review the Committee agreed an 
increase in salary for Martin Sutherland for 2018/19 payable from 1 July 2018 as follows:

Martin Sutherland 
Rupert Middleton1 
Jitesh Sodha2

1  Rupert Middleton stepped down from the Board after the AGM on 20 July 2017.

2  Jitesh Sodha resigned from the Board on 19 March 2018. 

Base salary 
2018  
£’000
502
–
–

Base salary 
2017  
£’000
490
325
331

Increase  
%
2.4
–
–

The Directors’ remuneration policy, approved by shareholders at the 2017 AGM, is that increases in salary for Executive Directors 
will not normally exceed the range of increases awarded to other employees in the Group except in the specific circumstances 
listed in the binding policy. 

The remuneration policy for Non-executive Directors, other than the Chairman, is determined by the Board. Fees reflect the 
responsibilities and duties of Non-executive Directors while also having regard to the market place. The Non-executive Directors 
do not participate in any of the Group’s share incentive plans nor do they receive any benefits or pension contributions. 
The Chairmen of the Remuneration Committee and Audit Committee and the Senior Independent Director received a further fee of 
£8,000 to reflect their additional duties in 2017/18. Basic fees payable to Non-executive Directors remain unchanged for 2018/19. 

The fees are as follows:

Non-executive Director fees
Basic fee
Additional fee for chairmanship of Audit and Remuneration Committees and Senior Independent Director

2018  
£’000
50
8

2017  
£’000
50
8

The Chairman’s fee will remain at £194,000 for 2018 and will be reviewed again in the normal way in April 2019.

External directorships of Executive Directors
The Board considers whether it is appropriate for an Executive Director to serve as a non-executive director of another company. 
Martin Sutherland was appointed a non-executive director of Forterra plc with effect from 23 May 2017 and received a fee in 
respect of this appointment for the period to 31 March 2018 of £43,313. 

 
 
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De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Performance against targets (audited)
Annual bonus
The annual bonus is delivered under the Annual Bonus Plan (ABP). 

ABP performance measures 2017/18
The ABP was operated on similar terms with respect to structure, financial measures and weightings as in 2016/17. The bonus 
opportunity was based on an element of strategic personal objectives (20%) and a number of financial performance metrics 
apportioned as follows:

•  Group revenue (20%)
•  Group adjusted operating profit (40%)
•  Group cash conversion (20%)

No payments will be made on any element of bonus (including the strategic personal element) if a minimum operating profit 
threshold is not achieved. In addition, the Remuneration Committee has discretion to consider other factors, such as ethical 
behaviours, corporate responsibility, environment and health and safety matters as it sees fit when determining awards. 

Disclosure of 2017/18 bonus targets 
The following table sets out the financial performance targets and achievements for 2017/18.

Measure
Group revenue
Group adjusted operating profit
Group cash conversion

Threshold
£490m
£70.5m
135%

Target
£510m
£74.5m
145%

Max
£530m
£78.5m
155%

Actual
£494.1m
£62.8m
163%

% of maximum 
achieved
2.1
0
20

Strategic personal objectives are based on Group objectives and comprise both tactical and transformational targets. 
The objectives focus attention on the achievement of core strategic priorities and encompass improved efficiency, strengthened 
financial performance, product innovation and culture change. For the year in question, the successful sale of the paper business 
has secured its long term future. The balance sheet has been strengthened through more effective management of inventory 
reducing net debt to £49.9m and a change in indexation from RPI to CPI reducing the Company’s pension liability. In addition, 
progress in developing innovative products and services has supported strategic growth in the invest and build portfolio.

The underlying operating profit underpin for 2017/18 was not achieved and, as an operating profit threshold must be achieved 
in order to qualify for any payment against the ABP, both financial and personal, no bonus is payable to Executive Directors 
for 2017/18.

Jitesh Sodha and Rupert Middleton were not eligible for a cash payment or deferred share award for 2017/18.

ABP 2018/19
The Remuneration Committee has decided not to introduce any changes to the structure and weightings to the annual bonus 
for 2018/19 and the Committee has determined that the bonus will be operated on similar terms of structure, financial measures 
(Group revenue, Group adjusted operating profit, Group cash conversion) and weightings as in 2017/18. However, the Committee 
will review introducing the strategic personal objectives with a 30% weighting as disclosed in the recent shareholder consultation 
when the Committee consider it to be appropriate to do so. No payments will be made on any element of bonus (including 
the personal element) if a minimum operating profit threshold is not achieved. There will be no change to the maximum bonus 
opportunities for Executive Directors. The specific performance points are not disclosed while still commercially sensitive, but are 
disclosed the following year.

Long term incentive – Performance Share Plan (PSP) 
The PSP is a share based long term incentive aligned closely with business strategy and interests of shareholders through the 
performance measures chosen. The PSP is designed to provide Executive Directors and selected senior managers with a long 
term incentive that promotes annual and long term performance and reinforces alignment between participants and shareholders. 

Performance measures applying to PSP Awards 
The awards made under the PSP were subject to a combination of compound average growth in underlying basic EPS and 
average ROCE. EPS growth ensures any payout is supported by sound profitability. ROCE supports the strategic focus on growth 
and margins ensuring cash is reinvested to generate the appropriate returns. 

All awards are made as performance shares based on a percentage of salary and the value is divided by the average share price 
over a period before the date of grant in accordance with the rules of the PSP. In addition, the Remuneration Committee must be 
satisfied that the vesting reflects the underlying performance of the Group and retains the flexibility to adjust the vesting amount 
to ensure it remains appropriate. Any adjustments will depend on the nature, timing and materiality of any contributory factors.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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A summary of the performance measures and award vesting levels that apply to awards under the PSP is shown in the table below:

Year of award
2015

2016

2017 

2018 

Measure
EPS1
ROCE
EPS1
ROCE2
EPS1
ROCE
EPS1
ROCE

Vesting % of element  
at threshold
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25

Vesting % of element  
at maximum
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Growth % required  
for threshold
5
26
5
30
5
30
4
34

Growth % required  
for maximum
10
32
10
36
10
36
12
40

Notes
1  Underlying earnings per share. Based on average annual cumulative growth during the performance period. 

2  The vesting levels under ROCE have been adjusted to take account of the impact of a discontinued operation held for sale as described in note 2 to the financial statements. 

The Remuneration Committee is satisfied that the performance measures which are appropriately weighted support the Group’s strategy and business objectives.

EPS and ROCE remain the most appropriate long term incentive measures and provide a strong line of sight between strategy, 
business performance and executive reward. The Remuneration Committee believes that the performance necessary to achieve 
awards is sufficiently stretching.

PSP award vesting in 2018
Awards under the PSP had three year performance criteria based on EPS and ROCE. Seventy five per cent of the award was 
based on underlying EPS average compound growth above 5% and twenty five per cent was based on ROCE of over 26%. 

The performance period for the 2015 PSP awards ended on 31 March 2018. Over the period:

•  The Group’s underlying EPS growth was below the threshold growth of 5% per annum, under this performance measure this 

element of the PSP will not pay out

•  De La Rue’s average ROCE for the period was 38.9%. Since this was above the threshold of 26% and exceeded the maximum 

of 32%, under this performance measure this element of the PSP will pay out at 100%

Sixty per cent of this portion of the award vests in June 2018 in the case of Martin Sutherland and the balance will vest after a 
further one year subject to continued employment. Sixty per cent of the award to Jitesh Sodha will vest on 23 September 2018 
provided he remains in employment as of that date and the balance will lapse.

PSP awards made in June 2017 (audited)
Executive Directors received PSP awards in line with the existing Directors’ remuneration policy as follows:

Martin Sutherland
Jitesh Sodha

Number of  
shares awarded
70,577
47,787

Date of award
27 June 2017
27 June 2017

% of salary
100
100

Face value  
£’000
488
330

Vesting at threshold  
(as a % of maximum)
25
25

Performance  
period end date
March 2020
March 2020

All awards are made as performance shares based on a percentage of salary and the value is divided by the average share price 
over a five day period prior to the date of award, being 680.10p for the award. Face value is the maximum number of shares that 
would vest multiplied by the share price (692p on 27 June 2017) at the date of grant. 

Performance measures applying to PSP awards to be made in 2018
The Remuneration Committee has given detailed consideration, following shareholder consultation during 2016, to the potential 
reintroduction of a relative TSR performance measure but concluded that the measures of EPS growth and ROCE remain the 
most appropriate measures for De La Rue. 

Having undertaken a thorough analysis to review the target ranges, the Remuneration Committee has decided to significantly 
increase the stretch of the target range for ROCE to incentivise Executive Director behaviour in delivering the strategy and 
encouraging investment in products and services that generate returns efficiently and deliver bottom line growth and to reflect 
recent and forecast performance. The ROCE range for the 2018 PSP is 34% to 40%.

The Committee also concluded that the existing target range for EPS is relatively narrow, and would most likely result in ‘all or 
nothing’ payouts and therefore the range should be broadened to reflect recent and forecast performance. The EPS range for 
the 2018 PSP is 4% to 12%.

In addition, given the importance of managing capital efficiently to deliver bottom line growth, the Remuneration Committee 
believes that a rebalancing of the weightings between EPS and ROCE is necessary to ensure an appropriate balance of focus 
between in-year profitability and investment and growth. 

For the PSP awards to be made in 2018 the weighting will be 50% EPS and 50% ROCE.

 
 
90

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Executive Directors’ service contracts
The table below summarises the notice periods contained in the service contracts for Executive Directors in office 
as at 31 March 2018.

Martin Sutherland

Date of contract
28 August 2014

Date of appointment
13 October 2014

Notice from Company
12 months

Notice from Director
6 months

Non-executive Directors’ letters of appointment
The Chairman and Non-executive Directors have letters of appointment rather than service contracts.

Non-executive Director
Nick Bray
Sabri Challah
Maria da Cunha
Philip Rogerson 
Andrew Stevens

Date of appointment
21 July 2016
23 July 2015
23 July 2015
1 March 2012
2 January 2013

Current letter of  
appointment end date
20 July 2019
22 July 2018
22 July 2018
28 February 2021
2 January 2019

Total pension entitlements (audited)
The Group’s UK pension schemes are funded, HMRC registered and approved schemes. They include both defined contribution 
and defined benefit pension schemes. 

None of the Executive Directors in the period were a member of the legacy defined benefit schemes. All of the Executive Directors 
have opted out of the defined contribution plan and receive a cash allowance in lieu of a pension contribution.

During the year Martin Sutherland received a cash allowance of 30% of his basic salary in lieu of a pension contribution and Jitesh 
Sodha and Rupert Middleton each received a cash allowance of 20% of basic salary in lieu of pension contributions. The cash 
allowances were reduced by the amount of the Company’s national insurance contribution to ensure cost neutrality with making 
the same contribution to the pension plan. 

Details of the payments made to the Executive Directors are included on page 86.

Payments for loss of office (audited)
There were no payments for loss of office during the period.

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Payments to past Directors (audited)
Rupert Middleton
Rupert Middleton stepped down from the Board at the conclusion of the AGM in July 2017. In order to ensure a smooth 
changeover he remained an employee of the Group until 1 September 2017 and in line with the terms of his service contract 
continued to receive a salary, pension and benefits totalling £45,323 until the date of cessation of his employment. Share awards 
not eligible for release up until the date of ceasing employment lapsed. The treatment of share awards to him under the ABP 
and PSP can be found in the Directors’ interest table on page 92.

Rupert Middleton has a consultancy agreement with the Company from 1 September 2017 until 20 July 2018 for the provision of 
advisory services relating to operational matters for a period of not more than 20 days during the period for a fee of a daily rate 
of £1,500 plus expenses incurred and payable in accordance with the consultancy agreement.

Jitesh Sodha
Jitesh Sodha resigned from the Board on 19 March 2018. Under the terms agreed for his departure, De La Rue plc paid 
£3,500 in respect of Mr Sodha’s legal fees. Jitesh Sodha is not eligible for a bonus for 2017/18. Share awards will be treated 
in accordance with the relevant plan and scheme rules. Share awards under the ABP and PSP not eligible for release up until 
the date of ceasing employment will lapse. Details of share awards can be found in the Directors’ interest table on page 92.

Share retention policy
The Remuneration Committee believes it is important that the interests of Executive Directors should be closely aligned with those 
of shareholders. The Committee has adopted a policy that Executive Directors are required to build up a shareholding equivalent 
to one times salary. It is intended that this be met by the Executive Directors retaining 100% of post-tax deferred bonus shares, 
restricted shares and performance shares until the requirement is met in full.

Directors’ interests in shares (audited)
The Directors and their connected persons had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the Company at 31 March 2018:

Unvested awards

Subject to 
performance 
conditions

Not subject to performance 
conditions

Current 
shareholding 
ordinary shares 
(held outright)

Current 
shareholding as 
% of salary

Performance 
Share Plan

Annual 
Bonus Plan

SAYE (subject 
to continued 
employment)

Vested shares

Vested 
SAYE shares 
unexercised 
during the 
period

Vested shares 
exercised during 
the period

49,274

53

247,065

28,100

1,567

2,876

16,0061

13,000

–
3,400
4,735
2,327

n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

–
–
–
–

Executive Directors
Martin Sutherland 
Non-executive Chairman
Philip Rogerson 
Non-executive Directors
Nick Bray 
Sabri Challah
Maria da Cunha
Andrew Stevens

There have been no changes in Directors’ outright interests in ordinary shares in the period 31 March 2018 to 30 May 2018. 
All interests of the Directors and their families are beneficial. 

The current shareholdings as a percentage of salary during the period are calculated using the closing De La Rue plc share price 
of 509p on 29 March 2018 (31 March 2018 and 30 March 2018 being a Saturday and Bank Holiday respectively). 

Note
1  Includes a total of 1,167 dividend shares on vested award under the ABP. All shares on exercise retained by Martin Sutherland after disposal to meet tax liabilities pursuant to the share 

retention policy.

Former Executive Directors’ share interests
At the time of leaving the Company, the former Executive Directors and their connected persons held the following interest in the 
ordinary shares of the Company:

Jitesh Sodha: 12,278

Rupert Middleton: 7,781

 
 
92

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Directors’ interest in vested and unvested share awards (unaudited)
The awards over De La Rue plc shares held by Executive Directors under the ABP and PSP and Sharesave scheme during the 
period are detailed below:

Total award 
as at 
25 March 
2017

Date of 
award

Awarded 
during  
year

Exercised 
during  
year

Lapsed 
during 
year

Awards  
held at  
31 March 
2018 

Awards 
vested 
(unexercised)
during year

Mid-market 
share price at 
date of award 
(pence)

Market price 
per share at 
exercise date 
(pence)

Martin Sutherland
Annual Bonus Plan1 Jun 15
Jun 16
Jun 16
Jun 17
Jun 17
Jun 15
Jun 15
Jun 16
Jun 16
Jun 17
Jun 17

Performance 
Share Plan

Sharesave options1 Jan 15
Jan 16

1,615
13,224
13,224
–
–
51,405
34,270
54,488
36,325

1,6152
–
– 13,2242
–
–
–
7,438
–
7,438
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
– 42,346
–
– 28,231
204,551 85,453 14,839
–
–

2,876
1,567

–
–

Jitesh Sodha6 (resigned from the Board 19 March 2018)
Annual Bonus Plan1 Jun 16
Jun 16
Jun 17
Jun 17
Sep 15
Sep 15
Jun 16
Jun 16
Jun 17
Jun 17

4,366
4,366
–
–
40,255
26,837
36,863
24,575
–
–

Performance 
Share Plan

–
–
4,399
4,399
–
–
–
–
28,672
19,115
137,262 56,585
–
–

Sharesave options1 Jan 16
Jan 17

2,613
1,289

4,3667
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
4,366
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

Performance 
Share Plan

Rupert Middleton (stood down from the Board with effect from 20 July 2017)
1,5898
Annual Bonus Plan1 Jun 15
–
6,6278
Jun 16
–
–
Jun 16
6,627
– 21,108
Jun 14
– 14,073
Jun 14
– 32,384
Jun 15
– 21,590
Jun 15
– 36,863
Jun 16
– 24,575
Jun 16
157,220

1,589
6,627
6,627
21,108
14,073
32,384
21,590
36,863
24,575
165,436

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
13,224
7,438
7,438
51,405
34,270
54,488
36,325
42,346
28,231
275,165
2,876
1,567

–
4,366
4,399
4,399
40,255
26,837
36,863
24,575
28,672
19,115
189,481
2,613
1,289

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

514.503
546.603
546.603
680.103
680.103
541.003
541.003
520.853
520.853
680.103
680.103

653.9
653.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Date of 
vesting

Expiry 
date

Jul 174 Jun 25
Jul 174 Jun 26
Jul 18 Jun 26
Jul 18 Jun 27
Jul 19 Jun 27
Jun 18 Jun 25
Jun 19 Jun 25
Jun 19 Jun 26
Jun 20 Jun 26
Jun 20 Jun 27
Jun 21 Jun 27

2,876
–

438.005
344.405

– Mar 18 Aug 18
– Mar 19 Aug 19

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

546.603
546.603
688.203
688.203
476.953
476.953
520.853
520.853
680.103
680.103

344.405
441.065

514.503
546.603
546.603
830.003
830.003
541.003
541.003
520.853
520.853

Jul 174 Jun 26
644.5
Jul 18 Jun 26
–
Jul 18 Jun 27
–
–
Jul 19 Jun 27
– Sep 18 Sep 25
– Sep 19 Sep 25
Jun 19 Jun 26
–
Jun 20 Jun 26
–
Jun 20 Jun 27
–
Jun 21 Jun 27
–

– Mar 19 Aug 19
– Mar 20 Aug 20

653.9
653.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Jul 174 Jun 25
Jul 174 Jun 26
Jul 18 Jun 26
Jun 17 Jun 24
Jun 18 Jun 24
Jun 18 Jun 25
Jun 19 Jun 25
Jun 19 Jun 26
Jun 20 Jun 26

Notes
1  These awards do not have any performance conditions attached. 

2  Includes an additional 1,167 dividend shares on vesting (2015:199; 2016:968). Martin Sutherland made an aggregate taxable gain (after dealing costs excluding PAYE/NI) of £98,155. 

The balance of shares (8,455) following disposal to meet all liabilities were retained by Martin Sutherland.

3  Mid-market share value of an ordinary share averaged over the five dealing days immediately preceding award date. 

4  The closing mid-market price of the Company’s ordinary share on 10 July 2017 was 650p (the vesting date).

5  For Sharesave options the share price shown is the exercise price which was 80% of mid-market value of an ordinary share averaged over the three dealing days immediately preceding 

award date.

6  Jitesh Sodha resigned from the Board on 19 March 2018. The awards shown are to the date of his resignation. The awards are preserved to the date of termination of employment in 

accordance with the Rules of the relevant Plan and Scheme Rules.

7  Includes an additional 318 dividend shares on vesting. Jitesh Sodha made a taxable gain of £30,188. All shares were retained by Jitesh Sodha on payment of the PAYE/NI from private funds.

8  Includes an additional 679 dividend shares on vesting (2015:195; 2016:484). Rupert Middleton made an aggregate taxable gain (after dealing costs excluding PAYE/NI) of £58,055. 

The balance of shares (4,697) following disposal to meet all liabilities were retained by Rupert Middleton.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Dividend shares on unvested awards
Dividend shares are an additional award of shares that may be released by the Remuneration Committee on the vesting date in 
respect of awards under the ABP and PSP equivalent in value to the amount of dividends that would have been received pursuant 
to the relevant Plan Rules or Agreement. As at 31 March 2018 and based on the prevailing market share price on the respective 
dividend record date, the dividend shares accrued and assuming vesting as appropriate were as follows:

Martin Sutherland: 11,902 ordinary shares 

Chief Executive Officer pay, total shareholder return (TSR) and all employee pay
This section of the report enables our remuneration arrangements to be seen in context by providing:

•  De La Rue’s TSR performance for the nine years to 31 March 2018
•  A history of De La Rue’s Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration for the current and previous eight years 
•  A comparison of the year on year change in De La Rue’s Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration with the change in the average 

remuneration across the Group

•  A year on year comparison of the total amount spent on pay across the Group with profit before tax and dividends paid

Chief Executive Officer pay

Period ended March
Chief Executive Officer

2010
James
 Hussey1

2011
James
 Hussey1

2011
Tim

 Cobbold2,3

2012
Tim 
Cobbold

2013
Tim 
Cobbold

2014
Tim
 Cobbold2

2015
Martin 
Sutherland4

2016
Martin 
Sutherland

2017
Martin 
Sutherland

2018
Martin 
Sutherland

Single figure of total 
remuneration £’000
Annual bonus payout as a 
% of maximum opportunity
LTIP vesting against 
maximum opportunity (%)

843

433

604

1,053

634

1,071

1,107

998

899

783

46

44

100

100

Nil

Nil

80

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

60

14

Nil

57

Nil

40

Nil

Nil

25

Notes
1  Role as Chief Executive Officer ended on 12 August 2010. 

2  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 January 2011 and resigned on 29 March 2014.

3  Includes award to the value of £450,000 at the date of award under the Recruitment Share Award (which vested on 31 January 2014).

4  Appointed 13 October 2014.

TSR performance 
The graph below shows the value, at 31 March 2018, of £100 invested in De La Rue plc on 28 March 2009 compared with the 
value of £100 invested in the FTSE 250 index excluding investment trusts, assuming in each case the reinvestment of dividends. 
The other points plotted are the values at intervening financial year ends. The FTSE 250 has been chosen as it is the index 
of which De La Rue was a constituent for a majority of the period reported (source: Thomson Reuters). TSR is not used as a 
performance measure for any benefits provided to Executive Directors.

Total shareholder return
Source: FactSet

)

d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(

)
£
(
e
u
a
V

l

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

387.41

409.42

310.30

335.54

335.80

255.58

197.28

202.76

168.52

103.03

91.27

109.05

123.49

105.83

78.53

66.07

80.96

96.81

March 09

March 10

March 11

March 12

March 13

March 14

March 15

March 16

March 17

March 18

De La Rue plc

FTSE 250 (excluding investment trusts)

 
 
 
 
94

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Percentage change in Chief Executive Officer remuneration 
The table below compares the percentage change in the Chief Executive Officer’s salary, bonus and benefits to the average 
change in salary, bonus and benefits for all UK employees between 2016/17 and 2017/18. UK employees were chosen as a 
comparator group to avoid the impact of exchange rate movements over the year. UK employees make up approximately 57.17% 
of the total employee population.

Chief Executive Officer
UK employee average

Salary  
%
2.08
2.16

Benefits  
%
0
0

Annual bonus  
%
(100)
(0.36)

Relative spend on pay 
The following table sets out the percentage change in payments to shareholders and the overall expenditure on pay across 
the Group.

Dividends (note 9) to the financial statements)
Overall expenditure on pay (note 25 to the financial statements)

2018  
£m
25.4
151.8

2017  
£m
25.4
136.1

Change  
%
–
11

Statement of shareholder voting 2017

Approval of 2017 remuneration policy
Approval of 2017 remuneration report

Notes
1  The votes ‘For’ include votes given at the Chairman’s discretion.

Total votes cast
81,796,628
81,783,527

For1
80,461,069
80,258,348

(%)
98.37
98.14

Against
1,335,559
1,525,179

(%)
1.63
1.86

Votes withheld2
1,544,071
1,557,172

2  A vote ‘Withheld’ is not a vote in law and, as such, is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes ‘For’ and ‘Against’. 

De La Rue carefully monitors shareholder voting on the remuneration policy and implementation and the Company recognises the 
importance of ensuring that shareholders continue to support the remuneration arrangements. All voting at the AGM is undertaken 
by poll.

Remuneration advice
The Remuneration Committee consults with the Chief Executive Officer on the remuneration of executives directly reporting to him 
and other senior executives and seeks to ensure a consistent approach across the Group taking account of seniority and market 
practice and the key remuneration policies outlined in this report. During 2017/18, the Committee also received advice from Willis 
Towers Watson. Willis Towers Watson has been formally appointed by the Remuneration Committee and advised on the structure, 
measures and target setting for incentive plans, executive remuneration levels and trends and Directors’ remuneration report 
preparation. The Remuneration Committee requests Willis Towers Watson to attend meetings periodically during the year.

Willis Towers Watson is a member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group and has signed up to the code of conduct relating 
to the provision of executive remuneration advice in the UK. In light of this, and the level and nature of the service received, the 
Committee remains satisfied that the advice has been objective and independent. 

Total fees for advice provided to the Remuneration Committee during the year by Willis Towers Watson were £87,130.

Dilution limits
The share incentives operated by the Company comply with the institutional investors’ share dilution guidelines.

The Directors’ remuneration report was approved by the Board on 30 May 2018 and signed on its behalf.

Statutory requirements 
The Directors’ remuneration report has been prepared on behalf of the Board by the Committee.

The Directors’ remuneration report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. It also meets the requirements of the UK Listing 
Authority’s Listing Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules. 

The Companies Act 2006 and the Listing Rules require the Company’s auditor to report on the audited information in their report 
on pages 99 to 105 and to state that this section has been properly prepared in accordance with these regulations.

Sabri Challah
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
30 May 2018

Directors’ report

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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The Directors present their annual report 
on the affairs of the Group, together with 
the financial statements and auditor’s 
report, for the period ended 31 March 
2018. The following also form part of 
this report:

•  Pages 54, 55 and 57, which show 
the names of all persons who were 
Directors of the Company, together 
with their biographical details, at 
31 March 2018. In addition, Rupert 
Middleton served as a Director of 
the Company until he stepped down 
from the Board on 20 July 2017 and 
Jitesh Sodha resigned from the Board 
on 19 March 2018 

•  The reports on corporate governance 

set out on pages 52 to 94

•  Information relating to financial 

instruments, as provided in the notes 
to the financial statements

•  Related party transactions as set out 
in note 28 to the financial statements
•  Greenhouse gas emissions, set out 

on pages 49 and 50

Details of Committee membership for 
each Director are set out on page 61. 
Details of Directors’ interests are 
set out on page 91 of the Directors’ 
remuneration report.

Directors’ report and 
Strategic report
The Directors of the Company are 
aware of their responsibilities in respect 
of the Annual Report and Accounts. 
The Directors consider that the Annual 
Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, 
is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s 
position and performance, business 
model and strategy. Further information 
regarding related processes can be 
found in the Audit Committee report 
and Risk management sections of this 
annual report on pages 66 and 36 
respectively. The Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities appears on page 98.

Under the Companies Act 2006, a safe 
harbour limits the liability of Directors in 
respect of statements in and omissions 
from the Strategic report and the 
directors’ report. Under English law, 
the Directors would be liable to the 
Company, but not to any third party, if the 
Strategic report or the Directors’ report 
contain errors as a result of recklessness 
or knowing misstatement or dishonest 
concealment of a material fact, but would 
not otherwise be liable.

Share capital 
As at 31 March 2018, there were 
102,389,688 ordinary shares of 44152/175p 
each and 111,673,300 deferred shares 
of 1p each in issue.

Deferred shares carry limited economic 
rights and no voting rights. They are not 
transferable except in accordance with 
the articles of association. 

The ordinary shares are listed on the 
London Stock Exchange.

Management report
The Strategic report and this Directors’ 
report together with other sections 
of this annual report incorporated by 
reference, when taken as a whole, form 
the management report as required 
for the purposes of Disclosure and 
Transparency Rule 4.1.5R. 

Strategic report
The Board has prepared a Strategic 
report which provides an overview of 
the development and performance of 
the Group’s business for the period 
ended 31 March 2018 and which 
covers likely future developments in the 
Group. The Chairman’s overview, Chief 
Executive Officer’s statement, business 
overviews, the strategic priorities, key 
performance indicators, regulation and 
market place report, functional and 
performance overviews, corporate 
responsibility report, financial review and 
managing our risks sections together 
provide information which the Directors 
consider to be of strategic importance 
to the Group.

Dividends
An interim dividend of 8.3p was paid on 
3 January 2018 in respect of the half year 
ended 30 September 2017. The Board 
is recommending a final dividend of  
16.7p per share, making a total for the 
year of 25p per share (2016/17: 25.00p 
per share). 

Dividend details are given in note 9 
of the financial statements. Subject to 
approval of shareholders at the AGM 
on 26 July 2018, the final dividend 
will be paid on 3 August 2018 to 
those shareholders on the register 
on 6 July 2018.

Rights and restrictions on shares 
and transfers of shares
The rights and obligations attaching to 
the Company’s ordinary and deferred 
shares, in addition to those conferred 
on their holders by law, are set out in 
the Company’s articles of association, 
copies of which can be obtained from 
Companies House in the UK or the 
Group’s website www.delarue.com. 
The key points are summarised below.

Voting
On a show of hands at a general 
meeting of the Company, each holder 
of ordinary shares present in person 
and entitled to vote shall have one vote 
and, on a poll, every member present in 
person or by proxy and entitled to vote 
shall have one vote for every ordinary 
share held. Electronic and paper proxy 
appointments, and voting instructions, 
must be received by the Company’s 
Registrar no later than 48 hours before 
a general meeting.

Exercise of rights of shares in 
employee share schemes
Awards held by relevant participants 
under the Company’s various share 
plans carry no voting rights until the 
shares are issued. The Trustee of the 
De La Rue Employee Share Ownership 
Trust does not seek to exercise voting 
rights on existing shares held in the 
employee trust. No shares are currently 
held in trust.

 
 
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De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ report continued

Dividends and distributions to 
shareholders on winding up 
Holders of ordinary shares may receive 
interim dividends approved by Directors 
and dividends declared in general 
meetings. On a liquidation and subject to 
a special resolution of the Company the 
liquidator may divide among members 
in specie the whole or any part of the 
assets of the Company and may, for 
such purpose, value any assets and may 
determine how such division shall be 
carried out.

Transfers of shares
The Company’s articles of association 
place no restrictions on the transfer of 
ordinary shares or on the exercise of 
voting rights attached to them except 
in very limited circumstances (such as 
a transfer to more than four persons). 
Certain restrictions, however, may 
from time to time be imposed by laws 
and regulations, such as the Financial 
Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules, the 
City Code on Takeovers and Mergers or 
any other regulations.

Dealings subject to the Listing Rules 
and EU Market Abuse Regulation
In accordance with the Listing Rules of 
the Financial Conduct Authority and EU 
Market Abuse Regulation, Directors and 
other persons discharging managerial 
responsibilities of the Company, and 
in each case, any persons closely 
associated with them, are required to 
seek the prior approval of the Company 
to deal in the ordinary shares of 
the Company. 

Shareholder agreements and 
consent requirements
There are no known arrangements under 
which financial rights carried by any of 
the shares in the Company are held 
by a person other than holders of the 
shares. The Company is not aware of 
any agreements between shareholders 
that may result in any restriction on 
the transfer of shares or exercise of 
voting rights.

Authority to purchase own shares
At the 2017 AGM, shareholders gave 
the Company authority to purchase up 
to 10,178,507 of its own ordinary shares 
representing 10% of its issued ordinary 
share capital either for cancellation or 
to be held in treasury (or a combination 
of these). No purchases have been 
made pursuant to this authority and a 
resolution will be put to shareholders at 
the 2018 AGM to renew the authority for 
a further period of one year.

Directors
Details of Directors’ remuneration are 
provided in the Directors’ remuneration 
report on pages 74 to 94. The interests 
of the Directors and their families in 
the share capital of the Company are 
shown on page 91 of the Directors’ 
remuneration report which also includes 
information on the Company contracts of 
service with its Directors on page 90.

Appointment and removal of Directors
Rules regarding the appointment and 
removal of Directors are set out in the 
Company’s articles of association.

Power to issue and allot 
The Directors are generally and 
unconditionally authorised under 
authorities granted at the 2017 AGM 
to allot shares in the Company up 
to approximately one third of the 
Company’s issued share capital or 
two thirds in respect of a rights issue. 
The Directors were also given the power 
to allot ordinary shares for cash up to a 
limit representing 10% of the Company’s 
issued share capital as at 23 May 2017, 
without regard to the pre-emption 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006 
(however, more than 5% can only be 
used in connection with an acquisition or 
specified capital investment).

No such shares were issued or allotted 
under these authorities and at present 
the Directors have no intention of 
exercising this authority, other than 
to satisfy share options under the 
Company’s share option schemes and, 
if necessary, to satisfy the consideration 
payable for businesses to be acquired.

These authorities are valid until the 
conclusion of the forthcoming AGM and 
the Directors again propose to seek 
equivalent authorities at such AGM.

Details of shares issued during the year 
and outstanding options are given in 
notes 20 and 21 on pages 139 to 142 
which form part of this report. Details of 
the share incentives in place are provided 
on pages 88 to 89 of the Directors’ 
remuneration report.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 30 May 2018, the Company had received formal notification of the following 
holdings in its shares under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial 
Conduct Authority. It should be noted that these holdings may have changed since 
the Company was notified, however notification of any change is not required until 
the next notifiable threshold is crossed.

Persons notifying
Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.
Majedie Asset Management Limited
Schroders plc
Aberforth Partners LLP
Neptune Investment Management Limited
Artemis Investment Management LLP
Crystal Amber Fund Limited
Norges Bank
Royal London Asset Management Limited

Date last TR1 
notification made
19/07/2016
17/12/2015
13/11/2017
09/04/2018
17/05/2017
09/01/2018
30/04/2018
12/10/2017
17/01/2017

% of issued 
ordinary share 
capital held at 
notification date
9.97
5.60
5.15
5.11
5.09
4.91
3.11
3.03
3.02

Nature  
of interest
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Direct
Indirect
Direct
Direct
Direct

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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Powers of Directors
Subject to the Company’s articles 
of association, the Companies Act 
2006 and any directions given by the 
Company in general meeting by a special 
resolution, the business of the Company 
is managed by the Board who may 
exercise all the powers of the Company, 
whether relating to the management of 
the business of the Company or not. 
The powers of the Board are described 
in the corporate governance statement 
on pages 56 to 60.

Indemnity
At the date of this report, the Company 
has agreed, to the extent permitted by 
the law and the Company’s articles of 
association, to indemnify Directors and 
officers in respect of all costs, charges, 
losses, damages and expenses arising 
out of claims made against them in the 
course of the execution of their duties as 
a Director or officer of the Company or 
any associated company. The Company 
may advance defence costs in civil or 
regulatory proceedings on such terms 
as the Board may reasonably determine 
but any advance must be refunded if 
the Director or officer is subsequently 
convicted. The indemnity will not provide 
cover where the Director or officer has 
acted fraudulently or dishonestly. 

The Group also maintains Directors’ and 
officers’ liability insurance cover for its 
Directors and officers. This cover extends 
to directors of subsidiary companies.

Amendment of articles 
of association
The articles of association may be 
amended by special resolution of 
the shareholders. 

Change of control 
Contracts
There are a number of contracts which 
allow the counterparties to alter or 
terminate those arrangements in the 
event of a change of control of the 
Company. These arrangements are 
commercially sensitive and confidential 
and their disclosure could be seriously 
prejudicial to the Group.

Banking facilities
The credit facility between the Company 
and its key relationship banks contains 
a provision such that, in the event of a 
change of control, any lender may, if it so 
requires, notify the agent that it wishes 
to cancel its commitment whereupon 
the commitment of that lender will be 
cancelled and all its outstanding loans, 
together with accrued interest, will 
become immediately due and payable.

Shareholders at the 2017 AGM approved 
a proposal to increase the borrowing limit 
in the articles of association from £250m 
to £325m.

Employee share plans
In the event of a change of control, 
automatic vesting would occur in 
accordance with the relevant scheme 
or plan rules.

Political donations
The Group’s policy is not to make any 
political donations and none were 
made during the period. However, it is 
possible that certain routine activities 
may unintentionally fall within the broad 
scope of the Companies Act 2006 
provisions relating to political donations 
and expenditure. As in previous years, 
the Company will therefore propose to 
shareholders at the forthcoming AGM 
that the authority granted at the AGM in 
July 2017 regarding political donations 
be renewed.

Essential contracts or 
other arrangements
The Group has a number of suppliers 
of key components, the loss of which 
could disrupt the Group’s ability to deliver 
on time and in full. See more details 
on page 38.

Branches
De La Rue is a global company and 
our activities and interests are operated 
through subsidiaries, branches of 
subsidiaries and associates which are 
subject to the laws and regulations 
of many different jurisdictions. 
Our subsidiaries and associates are 
listed on pages 148 to 149.

Acquisitions and disposals
On 29 March 2018, the Company 
completed the sale of Portals De La Rue 
Limited, the Group’s paper business, 
to EPIRIS Fund II (see note 5 to the 
financial statements for more details).

Going concern
As described on page 111, the Directors 
continue to adopt the going concern 
basis (in accordance with the guidance 
‘Going Concern and Liquidity Risk 
Guidance for Directors of UK Companies 
2009’ issued by the FRC) in preparing 
the consolidated financial statements.

Disclosures required under 
UK Listing Rule 9.8.4
There are no disclosures required to be 
made under the UK Listing Rule 9.8.4 
not already reported by reference within 
the Annual Report. 

Auditor and disclosure of 
information to auditor
Each of the persons who is a Director 
at the date of approval of this report 
confirms that:

•  So far as the Director is aware, there is 
no relevant audit information of which 
the Company’s auditor is unaware 
•  The Director has taken all the steps 

that he or she ought to have taken as 
a Director in order to make himself 
or herself 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.

Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP have expressed 
their willingness to be re-appointed as 
auditor of the Company. A resolution 
to re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the 
Company’s auditor will be proposed at 
the forthcoming AGM.

 
 
98

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Corporate governance continued
Directors’ report continued

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient to show and explain the Parent 
Company and Group’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any 
time the financial position of the Parent 
Company and enable them to ensure 
that its financial statements comply with 
the Companies Act 2006. They have 
general responsibility for taking such 
steps as are reasonably open to them 
to safeguard the assets of the Group 
and to prevent and detect fraud and 
other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, 
the Directors are also responsible for 
preparing a Strategic report, Directors’ 
report, Directors’ remuneration report 
and corporate governance statement 
that comply with that law and 
those regulations. 

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

Directors’ responsibility statement 
Each of the persons who is a Director 
at the date of approval of this report 
confirms that to the best of his or 
her knowledge:

•  The Group financial statements, 

prepared in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the EU, 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

•  The Strategic report on pages 1 to 51 
and the Directors’ report on pages 
52 to 98 include a fair review of the 
development and performance of 
the business and the position of the 
Group and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole, 
together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that 
they face

•  The Annual Report and Accounts, 

taken as a whole, are fair, balanced 
and understandable and provide the 
information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group’s financial 
position, performance, business 
model and strategy

The Strategic report and the Directors’ 
report were approved by the Board 
on 30 May 2018.

By order of the Board

Edward Peppiatt
Company Secretary
30 May 2018

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities in respect 
of the annual report and 
the financial statements
The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the annual report and the 
Group and Parent Company financial 
statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations. 

Under that law they are required to 
prepare the Group financial statements 
in accordance with IFRS as adopted 
by the EU and applicable law and have 
elected to prepare the Parent Company 
financial statements in accordance with 
UK Accounting Standards, including FRS 
102 The Financial Reporting Standard 
applicable in the UK and Republic of 
Ireland, and applicable law. 

Under company law the Directors must 
not approve the financial statements 
unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs of 
the Group and Parent Company and of 
their profit or loss for that period. 

In preparing each of the Group and 
Parent Company financial statements, 
the Directors are required to: 

•  Select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently

•  Make judgements and estimates that 

are reasonable and prudent

•  For the Group financial statements, 

state whether they have been prepared 
in accordance with IFRS as adopted 
by the EU

•  For the Parent Company financial 

statements, state whether applicable 
UK Accounting Standards have 
been followed, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and 
explained in the Parent Company 
financial statements

•  Prepare the financial statements on 
the going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the 
Group and the Parent Company will 
continue in business

Independent auditor’s report to the members of De La Rue plc

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

99

Opinion
In our opinion:

•  De La Rue plc’s group financial statements and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and 
fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2018 and of the group’s profit for the 
period then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 
•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 

Accounting Practice.

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and, as regards 

the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

We have audited the financial statements of De La Rue plc which comprise:

Group
Group balance sheet at 31 March 2018
Group income statement for the period then ended

Group statement of comprehensive income for the 
period then ended
Group statement of changes in equity for the 
period then ended
Consolidated cash flow statement for the period then ended
Related notes 1 to 32 to the financial statements, 
including a summary of significant accounting policies

Parent company
Company balance sheet as at 31 March 2018
Company statement of changes in equity for the 
period then ended
Related notes 1 to 9 to the financial statements 
including a summary of significant accounting policies

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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, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report below. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied 
to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Use of our report
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. 

Conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and viability statement

We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the annual report, in relation to which the ISAs(UK) require us 
to report to you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to:

•  the disclosures in the annual report that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated;
•  the directors’ confirmation in the annual report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 

the entity, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;

•  the directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties to the entity’s ability to continue 
to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements

•  whether the directors’ statement in relation to going concern required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 

9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or 

•  the directors’ explanation set out on page 41 in the annual report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the entity, 
over what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether 
they have a reasonable expectation that the entity will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall 
due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications 
or assumptions.

 
 
100

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Independent auditor’s report to the members of De La Rue plc continued

Overview of our audit approach

Key audit matters

Audit scope

•  Specific judgemental accruals
•  Revenue recognition (cut-off)
•  Post-retirement benefits – Liabilities
•  Valuation of inventory
•  Disposal of paper business
•  We performed an audit of the complete financial information of four components, consolidation 

adjustments, and audit procedures on specific balances for a further two components. 

•  The components and consolidation adjustments where we performed full or specific audit procedures 

accounted for 105.7% of adjusted profit before tax, 95.3% of Revenue and 81.8% of Total assets.

Materiality

•  Overall Group materiality of £2.7m which represents 5.1% of adjusted profit before tax.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to 
fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation 
of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context 
of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 
these matters.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Specific judgemental accruals – £58.2m (FY17 – £85.9m)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 67); 
Accounting policies (page 111); and Note 17 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (page 138)

De La Rue have certain agency commissions agreements 
which need to be accrued for based on the legal or 
contractual obligation arising. In relation to un-settled historic 
amounts these involve a level of estimation and judgement 
which is both material to the financial statements and 
susceptible to management override and manipulation.

We have also identified a significant number of smaller, 
individually insignificant accruals that have a higher 
opportunity to be used to manipulate the financial statements 
due to several layers of ownership and lower levels of 
management oversight. We have therefore identified an 
additional risk that these accruals could be utilised to 
smooth profit across periods.

Misstatements that occur in relation to the risk over specific 
judgemental accruals affect the accrued expenses account 
on the balance sheet as well as the cost of sales and 
administrative expenses accounts in the income statement.

Revenue recognition (cut-off) – £493.9m (FY17 – 461.7m) 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 67); 
Accounting policies (page 111); and Note 1 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 114–115)

We have identified that there is a risk that revenue is 
manipulated at or near to the period end to meet income 
statement targets through management override of controls. 
In particular certain contracts include specific terms, for 
example, complex acceptance criteria or “bill and hold” 
criteria which adds to the risk that revenue may be recorded 
in the incorrect reporting period.

Misstatements that occur in relation to this risk would impact 
the revenue recognised in the income statement as well as 
any revenue related balance sheet account such as trade 
debtors, deferred income etc.

We have ensured that we understand all contractual terms and 
conditions relevant to agent commission accruals and evaluated 
the best estimates of these liabilities based on the terms of the 
contract, past practise and where relevant external legal advice 
(evaluating the provider of such advice for competence as an expert 
used by management). We also evaluated management’s judgement 
applied in the assumptions used and the accuracy of previous 
estimated positions.

During the completion of the Half-year Interim Review, we performed 
an analysis of accruals for indicators of judgement. Based on this 
analysis, we identified varying levels of judgement that management 
may influence in order to manipulate the financial statements 
(ranging from significant to minimal) and have executed our audit 
procedures directly in response to this risk assessment.

For accruals deemed more susceptible to manipulation we have 
determined a sample size to test and obtained corroborative 
third party support based on testing thresholds responsive to 
the risk identified.

In March 2018, the group announced it expected to be at the lower 
end of the forecasted consensus range. In response we placed 
further emphasis on income statement credits resulting from 
accrual adjustments during the month of March in our journal entry 
procedures and assessed the adequacy of the disclosures of the 
transactions made.

We have performed testing to a reduced materiality threshold on 
revenue recognised around the period end date ensuring that the 
relevant customer acceptance terms have been met and third party 
evidence of delivery existed as applicable.

We have performed reviews of significant revenue generating 
contracts held on the balance sheet at the period end, to ensure 
the accounting treatment is in line with the contract terms, including 
acceptance and “bill and hold” conditions.

At each full scope audit location with significant revenue streams 
(4 components including consolidation adjustments), we performed 
audit procedures which covered 95.3% of the Group’s Revenue.

Key observations 
communicated to 
the Audit Committee 

Based on the results 
of our work, we agree 
with management’s 
judgements and 
estimates in relation to 
significant judgemental 
accruals. We note that 
the assumptions and 
judgements applied in 
some calculations mean 
that the range of possible 
outcomes is broad.

Based on the procedures 
performed, including 
those in respect of 
revenue recognition cut 
off, we did not identify 
any evidence of material 
misstatement in the 
revenue recognised in 
the period or revenue 
accrued or deferred 
at 31 March 2018.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

101

Risk

Our response to the risk

Post-retirement benefit Liabilities – £1,061.6m  
(FY17 – £1,204.7m)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 67); 
Accounting policies (page 111); and Note 24 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 143–146)

Small changes in the assumptions and estimates used 
to calculate the defined benefit pension obligation have 
a significant impact on the financial statements.

In November 2017 the company, for certain of its schemes 
changed the Indexation rate applied from RPI to CPI inflation 
rates, effective to rises from 1st April 2018. This resulted in 
an £80m gain in the IAS 19 liability recorded as a past service 
cost in the income statement. As a result, we have identified 
an additional risk in respect of the legal evidence supporting, 
and the accounting performed for the change in Indexation.

Misstatements that occur in relation to this risk would affect 
the retirement benefit obligations account in the balance 
sheet as well as related accounts in the income statement 
account and other comprehensive income.

Valuation of inventory – £37.0m (FY17 – £67.8m)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 67); 
Accounting policies (page 111); and Note 12 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (page 126)

The nature of the business requires bank notes and other 
security products to be produced to near exact specifications 
which are often bespoke to each product. A risk therefore 
exists that certain amounts of inventory will fail quality checks 
and require re-work or be scrapped. The group provides 
for this through allowances based on past experience 
and known issues but there is a risk that this allowance 
will be misstated. 

There is also a risk that fluctuations in production efficiencies 
and spoilage rates could affect the allocated cost absorption 
and carrying amount of inventory.

In March 2018, the group announced it expected to be at the 
lower end of the forecasted consensus range. In response 
we have place further emphasis on absorption costing being 
inappropriately capitalised in the valuation of inventory, 
as this is a significant component of forecasted results 
and could be susceptible to manipulation.

Misstatements that occur in relation to this risk would affect 
the inventory account on the balance sheet account and cost 
of sales in the income statement.

Disposal of paper business 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 67); 
Accounting policies (page 111); and Note 5 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (page 119)

On 29 March 2018, management completed a transaction 
with Epiris for the Group’s paper business, comprising the 
Overton paper mill and the Bathford paper mill.

Under the terms of the agreement, Epiris, together with 
management, acquired a 90% shareholding in Portals 
De La Rue Ltd (which the paper business was transferred 
into before disposal) for a cash consideration of circa £61m 
payable upon completion.

The sale includes a long term contract to purchase paper 
from the sold company into the future at a pre-agreed cost. 
There is also minimum purchase requirements and minimum 
contributions to fixed operational costs within this agreement 
and a recompense clause, triggered by the failure to win 
identified tenders. These points needed to be considered in 
respect of the impact on deferred consideration calculations.

Together with our EY Pension specialists, we have coordinated 
with the actuaries of the pension scheme to thoroughly understand 
the valuation process and challenged the basis for setting key 
assumptions, such as the discount rate. 

We have assessed the competency of the third parties used in 
determining the valuation.

We obtained the company’s legal advice with respect to the change 
in indexation rate and assessed management’s disclosure of the 
contingent liability of the possible obligation that arises from this.

We have evaluated the competency of the third parties engaged to 
provide the legal advice, as an expert.

We also considered the treatment of the indexation gain as an 
income statement item, considering the time lapsed since the UK 
government changed its main rate of indexation to CPI. 

Key observations 
communicated to 
the Audit Committee 

Based on the results 
of our work, we 
have concluded 
that the actuarial 
assumptions applied 
within the valuation 
of post-retirement 
benefits at period-end 
are appropriate.

As a result, and in tandem 
with the results of all other 
procedures performed 
on post-retirement 
benefits, we did not 
identify any evidence of 
material misstatement in 
the retirement obligation 
as at 31 March 2018.

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Through scrutiny of the management’s calculation, we have gained 
a thorough understanding of the provision calculation and process 
used by management to estimate this position.

We have tested the accuracy of key assumptions in the calculation 
(such as spoilage rates and excess production) as well as assessing 
the historic accuracy of the provision.

We have challenged management’s forecasting process to identify 
specific issues that impacts the absorption of labour and overhead 
and performed recalculations of standard cost based on actual 
cost and activity and ensured that the amount absorbed remains 
appropriate given the nature of the variances recorded.

At each full scope audit location with significant inventory 
(4 components including consolidation adjustments), we performed 
audit procedures which covered 91.5% of the Group’s inventory.

Based on the results of 
our work, we assessed 
that the methodology 
applied to allocate the 
valuation of inventory is 
appropriate and that the 
assumptions used to 
determine the absorption 
of other costs outside of 
raw materials is consistent 
with the evolution of 
business processed.

As a result we have 
concluded that the 
valuation of inventory 
is fairly stated as 
at 31 March 2018.

Based on the procedures 
performed, including 
those in respect of the 
disclosure relating to the 
transaction, we did not 
identify any evidence of 
material misstatement in 
the accounting treatment 
or presentation in the 
financial statements 
relating to the disposal 
of the paper business 
for the period ending 
31 March 2018.

We have obtained supporting documentation (including the 
agreement with Epiris) which corroborates the terms of the 
sale as presented in the financial statements.

We have performed testing on the transactions costs relating to 
the sale of the paper business as well as verifying the entries in the 
accounting step plan for the reorganisation to supporting evidence.

The key judgements we focussed on included the decision by 
management not to record the paper results as a discontinued 
operation and the date at which the business became held for sale, 
impacting depreciation charged in the period. Both of these were 
tested against the criteria set out in IFRS 5.

We evaluated management’s assessment of the economic impact of 
the long term paper supply arrangement with Portals De La Rue Ltd, 
considering the arm’s length nature of this agreement

We assessed the judgements made by management in determining 
the provision for the recompense contract clause set out in Note 5 
of the accounts.

To gain assurance on the impairment loss recorded before disposal 
the UK team have audited the assets disposed of within the UK trading 
company at the date of disposal.

All audit considerations pertaining to the sale of the paper business 
was subject to full scope audit procedures by the UK audit team.

 
 
102

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Independent auditor’s report to the members of De La Rue plc continued

An overview of the scope of our audit
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope 
for each entity within the Group. Taken together, this enables us to form an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. 
In selecting the components to be brought into audit scope, we assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial 
statements based on size, complexity and risk, including the risk of fraud, and designed and implemented appropriate responses 
to the assessed risks.

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative 
coverage of significant accounts in the financial statements, of the fifty-seven reporting components of the Group, we selected 
six components covering entities within the United Kingdom, Malta, Sri Lanka, Kenya and the USA which represent the principal 
business units within the Group.

Of the six components selected, we performed an audit of the complete financial information of four components (“full scope 
components”) which were selected based on their size or risk characteristics. For the remaining two components (“specific scope 
components”), we performed audit procedures on specific accounts within that component that we considered had the potential 
for the greatest impact on the significant accounts in the financial statements either because of the size of these accounts or their 
risk profile. We also performed full scope procedures on consolidation adjustments.

The reporting components where we performed audit procedures, as well as the consolidation adjustments, accounted 
for 105.7% of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax, 95.3% of the Group’s Revenue and 81.8% of the Group’s Total assets. 
The specific scope component contributed 0.0% of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax, 0.0% of the Group’s Revenue and 1.1% 
of the Group’s Total assets. The audit scope of these components may not have included testing of all significant accounts of the 
component but will have contributed to the coverage of significant tested for the Group.

Of the remaining fifty-one components that together represent (5.7)% of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax, none are 
individually greater than 13.6% of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax (based on statutory contribution to group before 
intercompany eliminations). For these components, we performed other procedures, including analytical review, tests of details 
on balances considered significant due to size or risk and foreign currency translation recalculations to respond to any potential 
risks of material misstatement to the Group financial statements.

The table below illustrate the coverage obtained from the work performed by our audit teams.

Full scope components
Specific scope components
Other procedures
Total

Adjusted profit 
before tax  
(%)
105.7
0
(5.7)
100.0

Revenue  
(%)
95.3
0
4.7
100.0

Total Assets  
(%)
80.7
1.1
18.2
100.0

Involvement with component teams 
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at each 
of the components by us, as the UK audit engagement team, or by component auditors from other EY global network firms 
operating under our instruction. Of the four full scope components, audit procedures were performed on one of these directly 
by the UK audit team which comprises over 84% of adjusted profit before tax, we also audited the consolidation adjustments. 
The audit procedures on the remaining three full scope components were carried out by our audit teams in Malta, Sri Lanka, 
and Kenya. For the two specific scope components, all audit work performed for the purposes of the audit was undertaken 
by the UK audit team. 

During the current period’s audit cycle, a visit was undertaken by the UK audit team to the component team in Malta, where we 
had identified the greatest number of potential accounting issues and complexities from our planning and interim procedures 
performed. This visit involved discussing the audit approach with the component team and any issues arising from their work, 
meeting with local management, a tour of the key production facility, attending an audit status update meeting, and reviewing 
key audit working papers on risk areas. The UK team interacted regularly with all the component teams where appropriate during 
various stages of the audit, holding multiple conference calls, reviewed key working papers and were responsible for the scope 
and direction of the audit process. This, together with the additional procedures performed at Group level, gave us appropriate 
evidence for our opinion on the Group financial statements.

.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

103

Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements 
on the audit and in forming our audit opinion. 

Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and extent 
of our audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the Group to be £2.70 million, which is 5.1% of adjusted profit before tax. We believe that the 
materiality basis provides us with reference to an appropriate benchmark of Group profit from continuing operations before tax, 
normalised to remove the impact of separately identified exceptional items (as disclosed in note 4 of the financial statements) of 
which it represents 5.1%. We believe this provides us with a consistent year on year basis for determining materiality and is the 
most relevant performance measure to the stakeholders of De La Rue plc. In their prior period audit KPMG adopted a materiality 
of £2.30 million based on 3.9% of group profit before tax, continuing and discontinued, normalised to exclude exceptional items.

We determined materiality for the Parent Company to be £4.60 million, which is 2.0% of Equity. 

Our materiality is based on the Group’s adjusted profit before tax amount in order to exclude exceptional items. 
We have determined the final materiality amount applied in our audit procedures below:

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•  Group profit before tax – £113.60m

Starting  
basis

Adjustments

Materiality

•  deduct net continuing exceptional income (before tax) of £60.90m (as disclosed in note 4 of the 

financial statements) and add back Amortisation of acquired intangible assets of £0.7m

•  5.1% of this adjusted profit before tax of £53.40m, gives materiality of £2.70m

Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately low 
level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement 
was that performance materiality was 50% of our planning materiality, namely £1.35million. We have set performance materiality 
at this percentage because we have integrated an additional level of audit risk relating to FY18 being an initial audit. 

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is 
undertaken based on a percentage of total performance materiality. The performance materiality set for each component is based 
on the relative scale and risk of the component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of misstatement at that 
component. In the current period, the range of performance materiality allocated to components was £337,500 to £1,350,000. 
In their prior period audit KPMG adopted a range of performance materiality allocated to components of £100,000 – £1,800,000.

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of £135,000, 
which is set at 5.0% of planning materiality, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting 
on qualitative grounds. In their prior period audit KPMG adopted a reporting threshold of £115,000.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in light 
of other relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion.

 
 
104

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Independent auditor’s report to the members of De La Rue plc continued

Other information 
The other information comprises the 
information included in the annual report 
other than the financial statements 
and our auditor’s report thereon. 
The directors are responsible for the 
other information. 

Our opinion on the financial statements 
does not cover the other information 
and, except to the extent otherwise 
explicitly stated in this report, we do 
not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the 
financial statements, our responsibility 
is to read the other information and, in 
doing so, consider whether the other 
information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our 
knowledge obtained in the audit or 
otherwise appears to be materially 
misstated. If we identify such material 
inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to 
determine whether there is a material 
misstatement in the financial statements 
or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we 
have performed, we conclude that there 
is a material misstatement of the other 
information, we are required to report 
that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to 
report in regard to our responsibility to 
specifically address the following items 
in the other information and to report 
as uncorrected material misstatements 
of the other information where we 
conclude that those items meet the 
following conditions:

•  Fair, balanced and understandable 
set out on page 98 – the statement 
given by the directors that they 
consider the annual report and 
financial statements taken as a whole 
is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess 
the group’s performance, business 
model and strategy, is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit; or 

•  Audit committee reporting set out 
on pages 66 to 69 – the section 
describing the work of the audit 
committee does not appropriately 
address matters communicated by 
us to the audit committee; or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance 
with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code set out on pages 52 to 98 – 
the parts of the directors’ statement 
required under the Listing Rules 
relating to the company’s compliance 
with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code containing provisions specified 
for review by the auditor in accordance 
with Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not 
properly disclose a departure from a 
relevant provision of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

Opinions on other matters 
prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006
In our opinion, the part of the directors’ 
remuneration report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work 
undertaken in the course of the audit:

•  the information given in the strategic 

report and the directors’ report for the 
financial period for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent 
with the financial statements and 
those reports have been prepared 
in accordance with applicable 
legal requirements;

•  the information about internal control 
and risk management systems in 
relation to financial reporting processes 
and about share capital structures, 
given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 
and 7.2.6 in the Disclosure Rules and 
Transparency Rules sourcebook made 
by the Financial Conduct Authority 
(the FCA Rules), is consistent with 
the financial statements and has 
been prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements; and
•  information about the company’s 
corporate governance code and 
practices and about its administrative, 
management and supervisory bodies 
and their committees complies with 
rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the 
FCA Rules.

Matters on which we are required 
to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and 
understanding of the group and the 
parent company and its environment 
obtained in the course of the audit, 
we have not identified material 
misstatements in:

•  the strategic report or the directors’ 

report; or

•  the information about internal control 
and risk management systems in 
relation to financial reporting processes 
and about share capital structures, 
given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 
and 7.2.6 of the FCA Rules

We have nothing to report in respect of 
the following matters in relation to which 
the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:

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

•  the parent company financial 

statements and the part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited are not in agreement with the 
accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ 

remuneration specified by law are 
not made; or

•  we have not received all the 

information and explanations we 
require for our audit

•  a Corporate Governance Statement 

has not been prepared by 
the company

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ 
responsibilities statement set out on 
page 98, the directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that 
they give a true and fair view, and for 
such internal control as the directors 
determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that 
are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the 
directors are responsible for assessing 
the group and parent company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related 
to going concern and using the going 
concern basis of accounting unless the 
directors either intend to liquidate the 
group or the parent company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative 
but to do so.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

105

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A further description of our 
responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements is located on 
the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at https://www.frc.org.uk/
auditorsresponsibilities. This description 
forms part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters we are required to address

•  We were appointed by the company 
on 20 July 2017 to audit the financial 
statements for the period ending 
31 March 2018 and subsequent 
financial periods. We were appointed 
as auditors by the Board of Directors 
and signed an engagement letter on 
21 September 2017. 

•  The non-audit services prohibited by 
the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not 
provided to the group or the parent 
company and we remain independent 
of the group and the parent company 
in conducting the audit.

•  The audit opinion is consistent 
with the additional report to the 
audit committee

Kevin Harkin (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, 
Statutory Auditor
Reading
30 May 2018

Auditor’s responsibilities for the 
audit of the financial statements 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the financial 
statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s 
report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level 
of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance 
with ISAs (UK) will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud 
or error and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected 
to influence the economic decisions 
of users taken on the basis of these 
financial statements. 

Explanation as to what extent 
the audit was considered 
capable of detecting irregularities, 
including fraud 
The objectives of our audit, in respect 
to fraud, are; to identify and assess 
the risks of material misstatement of 
the financial statements due to fraud; 
to obtain sufficient appropriate audit 
evidence regarding the assessed risks 
of material misstatement due to fraud, 
through designing and implementing 
appropriate responses; and to respond 
appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud 
identified during the audit. However, the 
primary responsibility for the prevention 
and detection of fraud rests with both 
those charged with governance of the 
entity and management. 

Our approach was as follows: 

•  We obtained an understanding of 

the legal and regulatory frameworks 
that are applicable to the group and 
determined that the most significant 
are those that relate to the reporting 
framework (IFRS, Companies 
Act 2006, the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, and the Listing 
Rules of the UK Listing Authority) 
and the relevant tax compliance 
regulations in the jurisdictions in 
which De la Rue plc operates. 

•  We understood how De La Rue plc 
is complying with those frameworks 
by making enquiries of management, 
internal audit, those responsible for 
legal and compliance procedures 
and the Company Secretary. 
We corroborated our enquiries through 
our review of Board minutes, papers 
provided to the Audit Committee 
and correspondence received from 
regulatory bodies and noted that there 
was no contradictory evidence. 

•  We assessed the susceptibility of the 

group’s financial statements to material 
misstatement, including how fraud 
might occur by considering the risk of 
fraud through management override 
and, in response, we incorporated 
data analytics across manual journal 
entries into our audit approach. 
Where instances of risk behaviour 
patterns were identified through 
our data analytics, we performed 
additional audit procedures to address 
each identified risk. These procedures 
included testing of transactions back to 
source information and were designed 
to provide assurance that the financial 
statements were free from fraud 
or error. 

•  Based on this understanding we 
designed our audit procedures to 
identify non-compliance with such 
laws and regulations. Our procedures 
involved journal entry testing, with 
a focus on journals meeting our 
defined risk criteria based on our 
understanding of the business; 
enquiries of legal counsel, group 
management, internal audit and all full 
and specific scope management. 
•  If any instance of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations were 
identified, these were communicated 
to the relevant local EY teams who 
performed sufficient and appropriate 
audit procedures supplemented by 
audit procedures performed at the 
group level.

Notes:

1.  The maintenance and integrity of the De La Rue plc web 
site is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried 
out by the auditors does not involve consideration of 
these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no 
responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to 
the financial statements since they were initially presented 
on the web site.

2.  Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 

preparation and dissemination of financial statements 
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

 
 
106

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Group income statement
for the period ended 31 March 2018

Revenue
Operating expenses – ordinary
Operating income/(expenses) – exceptional
Total operating expenses
Operating profit
Comprising:
Adjusted operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Exceptional items 

Profit before interest and taxation
Interest income
Interest expense
Retirement benefit obligation net finance expense 
Net finance expense
Profit before taxation
Comprising:
Adjusted profit before tax
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Exceptional items 
Taxation
Profit from continuing operations
Comprising:
Adjusted profit for the year 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets net of tax
Profit for the year on exceptional items 
Loss from discontinued operations
Profit for the year
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
Profit for the year from continuing operations
Loss for the year from discontinued operations
Total profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests
Profit for the year from continuing operations
Profit for the year from discontinued operations
Total profit attributable to non-controlling interests
Profit for the year

Profit for the year attributable to the Company’s equity holders
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic
Basic EPS continuing operations
Basic EPS discontinued operations
Total Basic Earnings per share
Diluted
Diluted EPS continuing operations
Diluted EPS discontinued operations
Total Diluted Earnings per share

*  See page 112 for details of the prior period restatement.

Notes
1

3

4,5

4 ,5

6

6

6, 24

4,5

7

4,5

2

8

8

2018  
£m
493.9
(431.8)
60.9
(370.9)
123.0

62.8
(0.7)
60.9

123.0
–
(3.8)
(5.6)
(9.4)
113.6

53.4
(0.7)
60.9
(16.8)
96.8

45.1
0.5
51.2
(1.8)
95.0

95.4
(1.8)
93.6

1.4
–
1.4
95.0

93.7p
(1.8p)
91.9p

92.8p
(1.8p)
91.0p

(restated)* 

2017  
£m
461.7
(391.1)
(0.4)
(391.5)
70.2

70.7
(0.1)
(0.4)

70.2
–
(4.6)
(7.4)
(12.0)
58.2

58.7
(0.1)
(0.4)
(8.7)
49.5

49.4
(0.1)
0.2
(6.4)
43.1

47.9
(6.4)
41.5

1.6
–
1.6
43.1

47.2p
(6.3p)
40.9p

46.6p
(6.2p)
40.4p

Group statement of comprehensive income
for the period ended 31 March 2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

107

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Items that are not reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Remeasurement gain/(losses) on retirement benefit obligations
Tax related to remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges
Other movements
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to profit or loss
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to non-current assets
Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year
Comprehensive income for the year attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Notes

24

7

7

2018 
£m
95.0

61.5
(10.4)

(0.1)
(1.9)
0.4
(1.2)
0.2
0.4
48.9
143.9

142.5
1.4
143.9

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(restated) 

2017 
£m
43.1

(25.2)
2.3
–
2.6
7.8
–
(8.0)
(0.2)
0.2
(20.5)
22.6

21.0
1.6
22.6

 
 
108

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Group balance sheet
at 31 March 2018

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investment
Investments in associates and joint ventures
Deferred tax assets
Derivative financial assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities
Provisions for liabilities and charges

Non-current liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations
Deferred tax liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Other non-current liabilities

Total liabilities
Net liabilities

EQUITY
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Hedge reserve
Cumulative translation adjustment
Other reserve
Retained earnings
Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

*  See page 112 for details of the prior period restatement.

Approved by the Board on 30 May 2018

Philip Rogerson 
Chairman 

Martin Sutherland
Chief Executive Officer

Notes

2018  
£m

(restated)* 

2017  
£m

10

11

5

16

14

12

13

14

15

18

17

14

19

24

16

14

19

17

20

112.8
29.5
6.6
0.1
19.8
0.2
169.0

37.0
99.1
4.6
3.4
15.5
159.6
328.6

(63.9)
(167.1)
(13.3)
(4.3)
(4.1)
(252.7)

(89.6)
(3.0)
(0.1)
(3.9)
–
(96.6)
(349.3)
(20.7)

47.1
38.4
5.9
(0.5)
7.2
(83.8)
(43.9)
(29.6)
8.9
(20.7)

167.2
31.3
–
0.1
43.7
0.6
242.9

67.8
109.7
–
15.3
15.4
208.2
451.1

(136.3)
(175.1)
(15.8)
(7.7)
(10.4)
(345.3)

(239.4)
(5.3)
(0.6)
(2.0)
(1.3)
(248.6)
(593.9)
(142.8)

46.8
36.7
5.9
2.0
7.3
(83.8)
(165.6)
(150.7)
7.9
(142.8)

S

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Group statement of changes in equity
for the period ended 31 March 2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

109

Attributable to equity shareholders

Non-controlling  
Interests

Total  
equity

Share 
capital  
£m

Share 
premium 
account  
£m

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
£m

Hedge 
reserve  
£m

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment  
£m

Other 
reserve  
£m

Retained 
earnings  
£m

£m

£m

Balance at 26 March 2016 – 
as previously reported

Prior period adjustment (see page 110)
Reclassification of historical cumulative 
translation adjustment
Balance at 26 March 2016 (restated)
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income for the 
year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners of the 
Company recognised directly in equity:
Share capital issued 
Employee share scheme:
 – value of services provided
Income tax on income and expenses 
recognised directly in equity
Dividends paid
Balance at 25 March 2017 (restated)
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income for the 
year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners of the 
Company recognised directly in equity:

Share capital issued 
Employee share scheme:
 – value of services provided
Income tax on income and expenses 
recognised directly in equity
Dividends paid
Balance at 31 March 2018

46.6

35.7

–

–

–
46.6
–

–
–

–
35.7
–

–
–

0.2

1.0

–

–

–
–
46.8
–

–
–

–
–
36.7
–

–
–

0.3

1.7

–

–

–

–

5.9

–

–
5.9
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
5.9
–

–
–

–

–

–

2.3

–

–
2.3
–

(0.3)
(0.3)

–

–

–
–
2.0
–

(2.5)
(2.5)

–

–

–

(12.3)

(83.8)

(146.6)

6.6

(145.6)

–

–

2.2

–

2.2

17.0
4.7

2.6
2.6

–

–

–
–
7.3
–

(0.1)
(0.1)

–

–

–

–
(83.8)
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
(83.8)
–

–
–

–

–

–

(17.0)
(161.4)
41.5

(22.8)
18.7

–

1.5

1.0
(25.4)
(165.6)
93.6

51.5
145.1

–

2.2

(0.2)
(25.4)
(43.9)

–
6.6
1.6

–
1.6

–

–

–
(143.4)
43.1

(20.5)
22.6

1.2

1.5

–
(0.3)
7.9
1.4

1.0
(25.7)
(142.8)
95.0

–
1.4

48.9
143.9

–

–

2.0

2.2

–
(0.4)
8.9

(0.2)
(25.8)
(20.7)

47.1

38.4

5.9

(0.5)

7.2

(83.8)

Share premium account
This reserve arises from the issuance of shares for consideration in excess of their nominal value.

Capital redemption reserve
This reserve represents the nominal value of shares redeemed by the Company.

Hedge reserve
This reserve records the portion of any gain or loss on hedging instruments that are determined to be effective cash flow hedges. 
When the hedged transaction occurs, the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is transferred out of equity to the income 
statement. If a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss on the related hedging instrument previously 
recognised in equity is transferred to the income statement. 

Other reserve
On 1 February 2000, the Company issued and credited as fully paid 191,646,873 ordinary shares of 25p each and paid cash 
of £103.7m to acquire the issued share capital of De La Rue plc (now De La Rue Holdings Limited), following the approval 
of a High Court Scheme of Arrangement. In exchange for every 20 ordinary shares in De La Rue plc, shareholders received 
17 ordinary shares plus 920p in cash. The other reserve of £83.8m arose as a result of this transaction and is a permanent 
adjustment to the consolidated financial statements.

Cumulative translation adjustment (CTA)
This reserve records cumulative exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign entities 
since transition to IFRS. Upon disposal of foreign operations, the related accumulated exchange differences are recycled to the 
income statement. This reserve also records the effect of hedging net investments in foreign operations. 

Reclassification to the cumulative translation adjustment reserve
The historical CTA position has been reviewed in year and we consider it appropriate to move an amount of £17.0m from CTA to 
net earnings relating to fx on non CPS subsidiary companies that left the group in periods before 2010.

 
 
110

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Group cash flow statement
for the period ended 31 March 2018

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax*
Adjustments for:
Finance income and expense
Depreciation
Amortisation
Decrease in inventory
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
(Decrease) in trade and other payables
(Decrease) in provisions
Non-cash gain on the defined benefit pension indexation change
Special pension fund contributions
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and software intangibles
Impairment of disposal group
Share based payment expense
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations
Other non-cash movements
Cash generated from operating activities
Tax paid
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations
Transaction costs relating to the sale of discontinued operations
Proceeds from the sale of subsidiary (net of cash disposed)
Purchases of property, plant, equipment and software intangibles 
Development assets capitalised 
Advanced payment – non trading
Acquisition of subsidiary (net of cash acquired)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Net cash flows from investing activities
Net cash flows before financing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital
Repayments of borrowings
Interest paid
Payment of revolving credit facility fees
Dividends paid to shareholders
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Net cash flows from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Exchange rate effects
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash at bank and in hand
Short term deposits
Bank overdrafts

Notes

15

15

22

2018 
£m 

110.6

9.4
21.9
3.3
13.3
21.0
(16.5)
(6.2)
(80.5)
(13.5)
–
9.3
2.2
–
(0.8)
73.5
(10.1)
63.4

3.0
–
55.8
(19.9)
(4.8)
5.0
(1.1)
–
38.0
101.4

2.0
(67.0)
(5.4)
(1.0)
(25.4)
(0.4)
(97.2)
4.2
11.2
(0.2)
15.2

15.2
0.3
(0.3)
15.2

2017  
£m

51.8

12.0
24.3
2.5
3.4
(4.6)
(11.9)
(3.6)
–
(14.6)
1.4
–
0.9
4.1
(1.4)
64.3
(5.7)
58.6

2.1
(2.5)
–
(24.0)
(2.1)
–
(17.9)
0.2
(44.2)
14.4

1.2
(12.4)
(4.2)

(25.4)
(0.3)
(41.1)
(26.7)
37.9
–
11.2

13.2
2.2
(4.2)
11.2

*  Profit before tax includes continuing and discontinued operations. The cash flows relating to discontinued operations are included within note 2.

Accounting policies

The Company
De La Rue plc (the Company) is a 
public limited company incorporated 
and domiciled in the United Kingdom. 
The address of its registered office is 
disclosed on page 159 of this Annual 
Report. The consolidated financial 
statements of the Company for the 
period ended 31 March 2018 comprise 
the Company and its subsidiaries 
(together referred to as the Group) 
and the Group’s interest in associates. 
The Company financial statements 
present information about the Company 
as a separate entity and not about its 
Group. The principal activities of the 
Group are described in note 1. 

Statement of compliance
European Union (EU) law (IAS Regulation 
EC 1606/2002) requires that the 
consolidated financial statements, for 
the period ended 31 March 2018, be 
prepared in accordance with international 
financial reporting standards (IFRS) as 
adopted by the EU. These consolidated 
financial statements have been 
approved by the Directors and prepared 
in accordance with IFRS including 
interpretations issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board.

Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements 
have been prepared under the historical 
cost convention with the exception of 
certain items which are measured at 
fair value as disclosed in the accounting 
policies below. The accounts have been 
prepared as at 31 March 2018, being the 
last Saturday in March. The comparatives 
for the 2016/17 financial period are for 
the period ended 25 March 2017.

The Company has elected to prepare its 
financial statements in accordance with 
FRS 102 Financial Reporting Standard 
applicable in the UK and Republic of 
Ireland. They are set out on pages 152 
to 156 and the accounting policies 
in respect of the Company financial 
statements are set out on page 154.

The principal accounting policies 
adopted in the preparation of these 
consolidated financial statements are 
set out below or have been incorporated 
with the relevant notes to the accounts 
where appropriate. These policies 
have been consistently applied to 
all the periods presented, unless 
otherwise stated.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

111

The Group’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position 
are set out on pages 4 to 32 of the 
Strategic report. In addition, pages 128 
to 136 include the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for financial 
risk management, details of its financial 
instruments and hedging activities and 
its exposure to credit risk, liquidity risk 
and commodity pricing risk. The financial 
position of the Group, its cash flows, 
liquidity position and borrowing facilities 
are described on page 34 of the 
Strategic report. 

The Group meets its funding 
requirements through cash generated 
from operations and a revolving credit 
facility which expires in December 
2021. The Group’s forecasts and 
projections, which cover a period of more 
than 12 months, taking into account 
reasonably possible changes in normal 
trading performance, show that the 
Group should be able to operate within 
its currently available facilities. The Group 
has sufficient financial resources 
together with assets that are expected to 
generate cash flow in the normal course 
of business. 

As a consequence and notwithstanding 
the net liability position being reported 
in the consolidated balance sheet, 
which has primarily arisen due to the 
value of the deficit in the retirement 
benefit obligations, the Directors have 
a reasonable expectation that the 
Company and the Group are well placed 
to manage their business risks and to 
continue in operational existence for 
the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the 
Directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the annual 
report and accounts.

Accounting developments 
during the period
During the period a number of 
amendments to IFRS became effective 
and were adopted by the Group, none 
of which had a material impact on the 
Group’s net cash flows, financial position, 
total comprehensive income or earnings 
per share.

Changes to IFRS not yet adopted
A number of other new and amended 
IFRS were issued during the period, 
which do not become effective until after 
30 March 2018.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers (effective for the year 
ending 30 March 2019, provides a single, 
principles based, five step model to be 
applied to all sales contracts. The group 
continues to assess the impact of the 
new standard.

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The group has undertaken a diagnostic 
evaluation of the impact of IFRS 15 
on the way that revenue is currently 
recognised and is in the process of 
finalising the impact analysis. Based on 
this preliminary assessment the group 
does not anticipate a material impact 
from the adoption of the new standard. 
The revenue in the Currency segment 
is primarily derived from the supply 
of goods and whilst the group will be 
required to recognise revenue against 
other performance obligations such as 
design and storage, the relative values of 
these amounts are not anticipated to be 
material to the group. Within ID and PAT, 
current revenue recognition policies will 
not change materially when the standard 
is implemented.

IFRS 16 Leases was issued by the IASB 
in January 2016 (effective for the year 
ending 28 March 2020) replaces IAS 
17. Under the new standard it requires 
lessees to recognise a lease liability and 
a right of use asset for all leases unless 
the lease term is 12 months or less or 
the underlying asset has a low value. 
Interest expense on the lease liability and 
depreciation on the right of use asset will 
be recognised in the income statement, 
resulting in a higher total charge to the 
income statement in the initial years of 
a lease. IFRS 16 is not expected at the 
current time to have a significant impact 
on the results of the group. The group 
continues to assess the impact 
during 2017/18.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments was 
issued by the IASB in July 2014. 
IFRS 9 introduces new requirements 
for the classification, measurement and 
impairment of financial instruments and 
hedge accounting, and is required to be 
adopted by 29 March 2019. The group 
is reviewing the standard to determine 
the likely impact.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements 
incorporate the financial statements of 
the Company and entities controlled 
by the Company (its subsidiaries) up 
to 31 March 2018. Control exists when 
the Group has the power to direct the 
activities of an entity so as to affect 
the return on investment. The results 
of subsidiaries acquired or disposed 
of during the period are included in the 
consolidated financial statements from 
the date that control commences or until 
the date that control ceases. The majority 
of the subsidiaries prepare their financial 
statements up to 31 March.

 
 
112

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Accounting policies continued

Business combinations
Acquisitions of subsidiaries and 
businesses are accounted for using 
the acquisition method of accounting. 
The Consideration transferred in the 
acquisition is measured at fair value 
as are the identifiable assets and 
liabilities acquired.

The excess of the fair value of 
consideration transferred over the fair 
value of net assets acquired is accounted 
for as goodwill. Any goodwill that arises 
is tested annually for impairment. 

Transaction costs are expensed 
as incurred. 

Financial statements of foreign operations
Assets and liabilities of foreign 
operations, including goodwill and 
intangible assets, are translated at the 
exchange rate prevailing at the balance 
sheet date. Income and expenses 
are translated at average exchange 
rates (which approximate to actual 
rates). Exchange differences arising 
on re-translation are recognised in the 
Group’s translation reserve, which is a 
component of equity. When a foreign 
operation is sold, exchange differences 
that were recorded in equity are 
recognised in the income statement 
as part of the gain or loss on sale.

Significant accounting policies
The significant accounting policies 
adopted in the preparation of these 
consolidated financial statements have 
been incorporated into the relevant notes 
where possible. General accounting 
policies which are not specific to an 
accounting note, for example foreign 
exchange, are set out below.

Foreign currency
Foreign currency transactions
These financial statements are presented 
in sterling, which is the functional and 
presentational currency of the Company. 
The functional currency of Group entities 
is principally determined by the primary 
economic environment in which the 
respective entity operates. 

Transactions in foreign currencies 
entered into by Group entities are 
translated into the functional currencies 
of those entities at the rates of 
exchange at the date of the transaction. 
Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies at 
the balance sheet date are translated 
at the rate of exchange ruling at that 
date. Foreign exchange differences 
arising on translation are recognised 
in the income statement.

Foreign currency non-monetary items 
measured in terms of historical cost 
are translated at the rate of exchange 
at the date of the transaction. 
Exchange differences on non-monetary 
items are recognised in line with whether 
the gain or loss on the non-monetary 
item itself is recognised in the income 
statement or in equity.

In order to hedge its exposure to certain 
foreign exchange risks, the Group enters 
into forward contracts. Refer to note 14 
for details of the Group’s accounting 
policies in respect of such derivative 
financial instruments.

Net investment in foreign operations
Foreign currency differences arising 
on the re-translation of a financial 
liability designated as a hedge of a 
net investment in foreign operations 
are recognised in the translation 
reserve to the extent the hedge is 
effective. To the extent that the hedge 
is ineffective, such differences are 
recognised as finance income or costs in 
the income statement. Cumulative gains 
or losses in equity arising since the date 
of transition to Adopted IFRS are taken 
to the income statement on disposal 
of the foreign operation.

Revenue recognition
Group revenue predominantly represents 
sales to external customers of 
manufactured products which fall within 
the Group’s ordinary trading activities. 
This excludes VAT and other sales taxes.

Revenue is recognised in the income 
statement to the extent that it is probable 
that the economic benefits associated 
with the transaction will flow into the 
Group and the amount can be reliably 
measured. In practice, the timing of 
the transfer of risks and rewards varies 
depending on the individual terms of the 
sales agreement. For sales of products 
and associated components, when sold 
separately, the transfer usually occurs 
on loading the goods onto the relevant 
carrier or, at an earlier point in time when 
conditions are met for recognition of 
revenue on a bill and hold basis.

Revenue is recognised on a bill and 
hold basis when a formal contract is 
in place, the product is in hand and 
ready for delivery, the customer has 
acknowledged acceptance of the bill and 
hold transaction and normal payment 
terms apply.

Revenue on service based contracts 
is recognised as services are 
provided. If the services under a 
single arrangement are rendered in 
different reporting periods, or under 
an arrangement that also includes the 
sale of goods, then the consideration 

is allocated on a relative fair value 
basis between the sale of goods and 
rendering of services and then allocated 
to the appropriate reporting periods in 
accordance with the transfer of risks and 
rewards and the contractual life of the 
service contract. 

Revenues and costs on a small 
number of project based contracts 
are recognised by reference to the 
stage of completion, based on the 
work performed to date and the overall 
contract profitability. The assessment 
of the stage of completion is dependent 
on the nature of the contract and is 
assessed by reference to reviews of work 
performed, achievement of contractual 
milestones and costs incurred.

Held to maturity investments
As part of the consideration received for 
the disposal of the Portals De La Rue 
paper business the group has received 
loan notes, preference shares and 
ordinary shares in Mooreco Limited, 
a parent company of the purchaser. 
As these instruments will be repaid 
or redeemed on the earlier of their 
contractual life or a sale or liquidity 
event they are accounted for as held 
to maturity investments. See note 5 for 
further details. 

Prior period adjustments
During the period the following prior 
period adjustments have been made:

1) A restatement of £3.8m credit relating 
to tax on discontinued operations to 
reflect the release of uncertain tax 
provisions relating to the CPS business 
which should have been recorded 
in the prior year. The impact on the 
financial statements at 25 March 2017 
is a decrease in current tax liabilities of 
£3.8m, a decrease in the loss for the year 
from discontinued operations of £1.6m 
and increase in the brought forward 
retained earnings as at 26 March 2016 
by £2.2m;

2) A reclassification adjustment £17.0m 
has been made between the cumulative 
translation reserve and retained earnings 
at 26 March 2016 and 25 March 2017. 
(see page 109 for further details);

3) During the year the purchase price 
accounting for the Group’s acquisition 
of DuPont Authentication (subsequently 
renamed De La Rue Authentication 
Solutions) has been completed. This has 
resulted in a change in the net assets 
recognised on acquisition. In accordance 
with IFRS 3 the prior year balance 
sheet amounts have been restated. 
There has been no impact on the prior 
year income statement.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

113

Critical accounting judgements 
and key sources of 
estimation uncertainty
Management has discussed with the 
Audit Committee the development, 
selection and disclosure of the Group’s 
critical accounting policies and estimates 
and the application of these policies 
and estimates. Management is required 
to exercise significant judgement 
in the application of these policies. 
Estimates are made in many areas 
and the outcome may differ from 
that calculated. The key assumptions 
concerning the future and other key 
sources of estimation uncertainty at the 
balance sheet date that have a significant 
risk of causing a material adjustment 
to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year 
are set out below.

Revenue recognition  
and cut-off in Currency 
Customer contracts within the Currency 
business will often include specific 
terms that impact the timing of revenue 
recognition. The timing of the transfer 
of risks and rewards varies depending 
on the individual terms of the sales 
agreement. For sales of products 
and associated components, when 
sold separately, the transfer usually 
occurs on loading the goods onto the 
relevant carrier or, at an earlier point 
in time when conditions are met for 
recognition of revenue on a bill and 
hold basis. Judgement is used in 
interpreting these terms and conditions 
in assessing when the risks and rewards 
have been transferred to the customer 
especially where they include complex 
acceptance criteria. 

Valuation of inventory in Currency
At any point in time, the Group 
has significant levels of inventory, 
including work in progress. 
Currency manufacturing is a complex 
process and the final product is required 
to be made to exacting specifications 
and tolerance levels. In valuing the work 
in progress at the balance sheet date, 
assessments are made over the level 
of waste contained within the product 
based on the production performance to 
date and past experience. In assessing 
the recoverability of finished stock 
assessments are made to validate 
that inventory is correctly stated at the 
lower of cost and net realisable value 
and that obsolete inventory, including 
inventory in excess of requirements, 
is provided against.

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Classification of exceptional items
The Directors consider items of income 
and expenditure which are both 
material by size and/or by nature and 
non-recurring should be disclosed 
separately in the financial statements 
so as to help provide an indication 
of the Group’s underlying business 
performance. The Directors label these 
items collectively as ‘exceptional items’. 
Determining which transactions are to 
be considered exceptional in nature 
is often a subjective matter. However, 
circumstances that the Directors believe 
would give rise to exceptional items for 
separate disclosure would include: gains 
or losses on the disposal of businesses 
(other than those within the scope of 
IFRS 5), curtailments on defined benefit 
pension arrangements, restructuring 
of businesses, asset impairments and 
costs associated with the acquisition and 
integration of business combinations. 
All exceptional items are included in the 
appropriate income statement category 
to which they relate. Refer to note 4 on 
page 118 for further details.

Post-retirement benefit obligations
Pension costs within the income 
statement and the pension obligations 
as stated in the balance sheet are 
both dependent upon a number of 
assumptions chosen by management. 
These include the rate used to discount 
future liabilities, the expected longevity 
for current and future pensioners and 
estimates of future rates of inflation.

The discount rate is the interest rate that 
should be used to determine the present 
value of estimated future cash outflows 
expected to be required to settle the 
pension obligations. In determining 
the appropriate discount rate, the 
Group considers the interest rates of 
high quality corporate bonds that are 
denominated in the currency in which the 
benefits will be paid, and that have terms 
to maturity approximating to the terms of 
the related pension liability. See page 145 
for detail of the relative sensitivity of the 
value of the scheme liabilities to changes 
in the discount and inflation rates. 

Estimation of warranty provisions
The Group measures warranty provisions 
at the Directors’ best estimate of the 
amount required to settle the obligation 
at the balance sheet date, discounted 
where the time value of money is 
considered material. These estimates 
take account of available information, 
historical experience and the likelihood 
of different possible outcomes. 
Both the amount and the maturity of 
these liabilities could be different from 
those estimated. Refer to note 19 on 
page 138 for further details. 

Impairment of disposal group 
held for sale
During the year the Group disposed of 
the Portals De La Rue paper business. 
Judgement was applied by the directors 
in assessing when criteria for recognising 
a disposal group as held for sale were 
met, and the paper business was not 
treated as a discontinued operation. 
Further judgement was required in 
estimating fair value less costs to sell 
when determining the remeasurement of 
assets and liabilities within the disposal 
group based on the lower of the carrying 
amount and fair value less costs to 
sell. Refer to note 5 on page 119 for 
further details.

Business combinations
During the 2016/17 year end 
De La Rue has acquired of DuPont 
Authentication Inc (subsequently 
renamed to De La Rue Authentication 
Solutions). Determination of the balance 
sheet fair value of assets acquired is 
dependent upon the understanding of 
the circumstances at acquisition and 
estimates of the future results of the 
acquired business and management 
judgement is a factor in making these 
determinations. Refer to note 32 on 
page 150 for further details.

Tax
The Group is subject to income 
taxes in numerous jurisdictions and 
significant judgement is required in 
determining the worldwide provision for 
those taxes. The level of current and 
deferred tax recognised is dependent 
on subjective judgements as to the 
outcome of decisions to be made by 
the tax authorities in the various tax 
jurisdictions around the world in which 
the Group operates. It is necessary 
to consider which deferred tax assets 
should be recognised based on an 
assessment of the extent to which they 
are regarded as recoverable, which 
involves assessment of the future trading 
prospects of individual statutory entities. 
The actual outcome may vary from that 
anticipated. Where the final tax outcomes 
differ from the amounts initially recorded, 
there will be impacts upon income tax 
and deferred tax provisions and on the 
income statement in the period in which 
such determination is made.

The Group has current tax provisions 
recorded within Current tax liabilities, 
in respect of uncertain tax positions. 
Provisions are recognised where there 
are specific uncertainties identified and 
it is considered probable that there will 
be a future outflow of funds to a taxing 
authority, and are measured based on 
management’s best estimate of the 
likely outcome.

 
 
114

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts

1 Segmental analysis
The continuing operations of the Group have three main operating units: Currency, Identity Solutions and Product Authentication 
and Traceability. The Board, which is the Group’s Chief Operating Decision Maker, monitors the performance of the Group at this 
level and there are therefore three reportable segments. The principal financial information reviewed by the Board is revenue and 
adjusted operating profit.

The Group’s segments are:

•  Currency – provides printed banknotes, banknote paper and polymer substrates and banknote security components
•  Identity Solutions – involved in the provision of passport, ePassport, national ID and eID, driving licence and voter 

registration schemes

•  Product Authentication and Traceability – produces security documents, including authentication labels, brand licensing 

products, government documents, cheques and postage stamps

Inter-segmental transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. 

On 29 March 2018, the Group disposed of the Portals De La Rue paper business. The results of the paper business are included 
within the currency segment until the date of disposal.

2018
Total revenue
Less: inter-segment revenue
Revenue
Adjusted operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Exceptional items – operating (note 4 and 2) 
Operating profit
Net interest expense 
Retirement benefit obligations net finance expense 
Profit before taxation 
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment
Capital expenditure on intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of disposal group

Currency  
£m
372.0
(0.2)
371.8
45.1
–
(14.4)
30.7
–
–
30.7
160.8
(89.4)
6.2
1.5
13.7
2.3
9.3

Identity 
Solutions 
£m
82.0
–
82.0
8.3
(0.6)
(0.2)
7.5
–
–
7.5
58.4
(41.1)
1.4
0.4
5.0
0.6
–

Product 
Authentication 
and Traceability 
£m
40.1
–
40.1
9.4
(0.1)
(1.6)
7.7
–
–
7.7
25.4
(7.6)
7.2
1.0
1.5
0.1
–

Unallocated 
£m
–
–
–
–
–
77.1
77.1
(3.8)
(5.6)
67.7
84.0
(211.3)
5.1
1.9
1.7
0.3
–

Total of 
Continuing 
operations 
£m
494.1
(0.2)
493.9
62.8
(0.7)
60.9
123.0
(3.8)
(5.6)
113.6
328.6
(349.3)
19.9
4.8
21.9
3.3
9.3

Unallocated assets principally comprise deferred tax assets of £19.8m (2016/17: £43.7m), cash and cash equivalents of £15.5m 
(2016/17: £15.4m) which are used as part of the Group’s financing offset arrangements and derivative financial instrument assets 
of £3.6m (2016/17: £15.9m) as well as current tax assets, associates and centrally managed property, plant and equipment.

Unallocated liabilities principally comprise retirement benefit obligations of £89.7m (2016/17: £239.4m), borrowings of £63.9m  
(2016/17: £136.3m), current tax liabilities of £13.3m (2016/17: £19.6m) and derivative financial instrument liabilities of £4.5m 
(2016/17: £8.3m) as well as deferred tax liabilities and centrally held accruals and provisions.

 
De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

115

Currency  
£m
350.6
(1.1)
349.5
50.3
–
1.9
52.2

243.4
(113.0)
13.1
2.1
17.6
–
1.7
–

Identity  
Solutions 
£m
80.6
–
80.6
11.4
–
–
11.4

Product 
Authentication  
and Traceability 
£m
34.6
(3.0)
31.6
9.0
(0.1)
(0.9)
8.0

46.3
(30.3)
4.5
0.6
3.3
–
0.6
–

23.1
(10.4)
2.6
0.1
1.5
–
0.2
–

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Total of 
Continuing 
operations 
£m
465.8
(4.1)
461.7
70.7
(0.1)
(0.4)
70.2
(4.6)
(7.4)
58.2
450.7
(597.3)
23.5
2.8
24.3
–
2.5
–

2017 
£m
161.0
93.3
98.4
75.4
29.6
4.0
461.7

2017 
£m
139.1
23.2
18.7
14.2
3.0
198.2

Unallocated 
£m
–
–
–
–
–
(1.4)
(1.4)
(4.6)
(7.4)

137.9
(443.6)
3.3
–
1.9
–
–
–

2018 
£m
166.8
121.7
103.3
70.7
27.8
3.6
493.9

2018 
£m
94.3
19.6
16.4
15.7
2.9
148.9

1 Segmental analysis continued

2017
Total revenue
Less: inter-segment revenue
Revenue
Adjusted operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Exceptional items – operating (note 4 and 2) 
Operating profit/(loss)
Net interest expense 
Retirement benefit obligations net finance expense 
Profit before taxation 
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment
Capital expenditure on intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets

Geographic analysis of revenue by destination

Middle East and Africa 
Asia 
UK
The Americas
Rest of Europe
Rest of World

Geographic analysis of non-current assets

UK 
Malta 
USA
Sri Lanka 
Other countries 

Deferred tax assets and derivative financial instruments are excluded from the analysis shown above. 

Major Customers
The Group has a major customer from which it derived revenues of £55.4m in the Currency segment which equates to 11.2% 
of the Group total revenues (2016/2017: £47.2m and 10.2%). 

 
 
116

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

2 Discontinued operations
The Group completed the sale of the entire issued share capital of Cash Processing Solutions Limited and related subsidiaries 
(together ‘CPS’) to CPS Topco Limited, a company owned by Privet Capital on 22 May 2016.

Under the terms of the agreement, De La Rue received £2.1m upon completion of the transaction on 22 May 2016. During the 
current year a deferred consideration payment £0.8m has been received which was payable on the first anniversary of the 
transaction in addition to £0.9m relating to a closing working capital adjustment. In addition a further £1.4m has been received in 
the current year relating to additional consideration received for the sale of CPS for which a receivable was not recorded due to 
the likelihood of this being paid. 

A further deferred consideration amount of £0.8m is payable on the second anniversary of the transaction. The Group is entitled 
to further contingent consideration following the sale of up to £6m if certain performance related and event driven milestones 
are achieved by CPS. No value has been assigned to this consideration based on the probability assessment of the associated 
milestones being reached.

The loss in the period from discontinued operations primarily relates to costs incurred on a loss making contract which relates 
to the CPS business that was not novated post disposal. These costs were offset by the receipt of £1.4m of contingent 
consideration received. 

No pension liability was transferred as part of the disposal. 

Results of the discontinued operations

Revenue
Operating expenses
Operating loss
Gain/loss on disposal of discontinued operations
Loss before taxation from discontinued operations
Taxation
Loss from discontinued operations

2018 
£m
–
(4.4)
(4.4)
1.4
(3.0)
1.2
(1.8)

(restated)

2017 
£m
4.9
(7.2)
(2.3)
(4.1)
(6.4)
–
(6.4)

The tax on discontinued operations for 2016/17 has been restated to reflect the release of uncertain tax provisions relating to the 
CPS business. Prior to restatement the tax charge in 2016/17 was £1.6m.

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

Amounts paid/payable by purchaser
Disposal costs paid/accrued
Reserves recycled on disposal
Net assets and liabilities disposed
Total loss on disposal

2018 
£m
1.4
–
–
–
1.4

2017 
£m
4.4
(4.2)
(4.5)
0.2
(4.1)

Accumulated foreign currency translation gains and losses within the disposal group held for sale
The Group has accumulated foreign currency translation gains and losses in relation to the entities included within the disposal 
group. IAS 21 requires recycling of these foreign currency translation gains or losses, which have previously been taken direct 
to reserves, through the income statement at the point of disposal. This amount was recycled in 2016/17.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

117

3 Expenses by nature 

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense 
Net decrease in impairment of inventories 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of disposal group
Amortisation of intangibles 
Operating leases: 
 – Hire of plant and equipment 
 – Hire of property 
Amounts payable to EY and its associates and KPMG in 2016/2017: 
 – Audit of these consolidated financial statements
 – Audit of the financial statements of subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
 – Non-Audit Services
 – Taxation services
Research and non-capitalised development expense 
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Employee costs (including Directors’ emoluments) (note 25)
Foreign exchange gains

2018 
£m
244.5
(0.8)
21.4
9.3
3.3

0.3
2.2

0.4
0.3
0.3
–
11.8
–
151.8
(7.8)

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2017 
£m
217.5
(0.6)
24.3
–
2.5

0.3
2.5

0.2
0.3
–
0.2
10.4
(1.4)
136.1
(12.4)

 
 
118

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

4 Exceptional items

Accounting Policies 
Exceptional items are disclosed separately in the financial statements where the Directors consider it necessary to do so to 
provide further understanding of the financial performance of the Group. They are material items of income or expense that 
have been shown separately due to the significance of their nature or amount.

Gain on revaluation of measurement of pension scheme deficit
Costs associated with the indexation change on the pension scheme
Site relocation and restructuring
Sale of land
Warranty provisions
Acquisition related
Costs associated with disposal of subsidiary
Impairment of disposal group
Exceptional items in operating profit 
Tax (charge)/credit on exceptional items 

2018 
£m
80.5
(1.0)
(4.0)
–
–
(0.2)
(5.1)
(9.3)
60.9
(9.7)

2017 
£m
–
–
(0.2)
0.2
0.5
(0.9)
–
–
(0.4)
0.6

Gain on revaluation of pension scheme deficit 
A gain of £80.5m has been recorded on the revaluation of the UK defined benefit pension scheme following the change in 
indexation method from RPI to CPI. This is in relation to a past service cost and not an actuarial gain and as a result has been 
recognised in the income statement during the period. In addition costs of £1.0m have been incurred relating to professional 
advisor and other costs directly related to the indexation change. For further details on the indexation change please see note 24 
Retirement benefit obligations. 

Site relocation and restructuring costs
Site relocation and restructuring costs in 2017/18 included net charges of £1.8m relating to the manufacturing footprint review 
announced in December 2015. These charges include staff compensation payments and costs incurred training employees 
on new machinery and technology. In addition ‘dual running’ costs for the period when the group was running both the new 
PA&T manufacturing facility in Malta and the old facility in Gateshead whilst the transition was completed have been recorded as 
exceptional items. The net charges of £1.8m are after deduction of £1.1m of grant income received which as this amount was in 
relation to restructuring items, it has been recognised in exceptional items. 

In addition costs of £2.2m have been incurred relating to the upgrade of our finance systems and processes. These costs included 
staff compensation payments, consultancy fees in addition to employee to employee salary costs where those employees are 
working solely on this project and their previous roles have been back filled.

Sale of land
The gain in 2016/17 related to several individually small land sales.

Warranty provisions
Surplus warranty provisions of £0.5m were credited to exceptional items in 2016/17 consistent to where the cost of the original 
provisions was presented in the Annual Report. 

Acquisition related 
Costs of £0.2m have been incurred during the year relating to the acquisition of DuPont Authentication Inc in January 2017. 
Costs in 2016/17 relating to the acquisition were also incurred relating to £0.5m of professional advisor fees. In addition an amount 
of £0.4m was recorded in exceptional items relating to the ‘unwind’ of the fair value adjustment to acquired inventory recognised 
on the opening day balance sheet as the related inventory was fully sold by year end. The Directors’ considered that this non-
cash item was distortive to underlying profit levels compared to the expected cost of inventories recognised as an expense for this 
subsidiary going forward. 

Costs associated with disposal of subsidiary
Cost of £4.2m have been incurred relating to professional advisor and other transaction related fees. In addition costs of £0.9m 
were incurred in the early close out of some derivatives prior to disposal.

Tax credits relating to exceptional items
Tax credits relating to continuing exceptional items arising in the period were £10.0m (2016/17: tax credit of £0.6m). In addition, 
there was an exceptional tax credit of £0.3m in the year in respect of the determination of the tax treatment of prior year 
exceptional items.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

119

4 Exceptional items continued
Impairment of disposal group
In December 2017 the Group committed to a plan to sell the Group’s paper business, and accordingly presented the paper 
business’ assets and liabilities as a disposal group held for sale. Depreciation of property plant and equipment also ceased from 
the point the assets and liabilities were transferred into the disposal group. In accordance with IFRS 5, prior to sale the disposal 
group’s carrying value was compared to its fair value less costs to sell the resulting Impairment loss of £9.3m has been included 
in exceptional items. The impairment losses have been applied to reduce the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment 
within the disposal group (see note 5 below for further details). 

5 Disposal of paper business
On 26 March 2018 prior to the external sale, the Group transferred the trade and assets of the paper business into a newly 
created wholly-owned subsidiary Portals De La Rue Limited. The Group completed the sale of Portals De La Rue Limited to 
EPIRIS Fund II on 29 March 2018. Under the terms of the agreement De La Rue received £60.3m cash upon completion of the 
transaction plus £6.6m in loan notes issued by the purchaser. Of the £6.6m of loan notes received, £2.6m was immediately 
converted to a preference share holding and £0.2m to an ordinary share holding of 10% in Mooreco Limited, a parent company 
of the purchasers. An additional £3.0m is estimated as being receivable relating to a closing working capital adjustment.

Management believes the transaction provides an opportunity to create greater long term value for shareholders and enables 
the Group to focus on their strategy of driving growth organically and through partnerships and acquisitions. As part of the 
transaction Portals De La Rue Limited will supply security paper to meet the Group’s anticipated internal requirements with pre 
agreed volumes and price mechanisms for the next 10 years. Based on the terms of the agreement the Company has a capital 
commitment of approximately £626m over the next 10 years.

No pension liability transferred as part of the disposal.

The Group’s paper business does not meet the IFRS 5 definition of a discontinued operation and as such its results have been 
included within continuing operations. 

The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities as at the date of sale (29 March 2018) post impairment of disposal group were:

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Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Trade and other payables
Total liabilities
Net assets

The loss on disposal on the sale of the subsidiary was:

Total net consideration received/receivable:
Cash
Loan notes and shares received
Estimated recompense contract provision
Estimated working capital adjustment
Total disposal consideration
Net assets and liabilities disposed
Gain/(loss) on disposal group

2018  
£m
36.6
16.1
29.8
4.6
87.1
(19.2)
(19.2)
67.9

2018  
£m

60.3
6.6
(2.0)
3.0
67.9
(67.9)
–

Disposal consideration includes an estimate for total amounts payable under the recompense contract provision of £2.0m. 
As part of the sale of the paper business the company agreed to compensate the buyer, within certain limits, in the event 
of certain commercial outcomes arising which were prejudicial to the buyer. An amount of £2.0m has been recorded at the 
balance sheet date to reflect the risk weighted exposure to the Company from within the overall range of possible outcomes. 
The provision is included within other provisions in note 19. 

 
 
120

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

6 Interest income and expense

Accounting Policies 
Interest income/expense is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate 
applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash flows through the expected life of the financial asset/
liability to the net carrying amount of that asset/liability.

Recognised in the income statement 
Interest income:
 – Cash and cash equivalents
Interest expense:
 – Bank loans
 – Other, including amortisation of finance arrangement fees
Total interest expense calculated using the effective interest method
Retirement benefit obligation net finance expense (note 24)

2018  
£m

–

(4.2)
0.4
(3.8)
(5.6)

2017  
£m

–

(3.7)
(0.9)
(4.6)
(7.4)

All finance income and expense arises in respect of assets and liabilities not restated to fair value through the income statement.

The gain to the income statement in respect of the ineffective portion of derivative financial instruments was £nil (2016/17: £nil).

7 Taxation

Accounting Policies 
The tax expense included in the income statement comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax is the expected tax payable 
on the taxable income for the year, including adjustments in respect of prior periods, using tax rates enacted or substantively 
enacted by the balance sheet date. Tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items 
recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and that are expected to apply when the asset is realised or the 
liability is settled.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised 
to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilised. 
Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill not deductible for tax purposes, 
or result from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that 
affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except 
where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary 
difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no 
longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are only offset to the extent that there is a legally enforceable right to offset 
current tax assets and current tax liabilities, they relate to taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends 
to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis or to realise an asset and settle a liability simultaneously.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

121

7 Taxation continued

Consolidated income statement
Current tax
UK corporation tax:
 – Current tax
 – Adjustment in respect of prior years

Overseas tax charges:
 – Current year
 – Adjustment in respect of prior years

Total current income tax charge
Deferred tax:
 – Origination and reversal of temporary differences, UK
 – Origination and reversal of temporary differences, overseas
Total deferred tax charge/(credit)
Income tax expense reported in the consolidated income statement in respect of continuing operations
Income tax expense/(credit) in respect of discontinued operations (note 2)
Total income tax charge in the consolidated income statement
Tax on continuing operations attributable to:
 – Ordinary activities
 – Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
 – Exceptional items
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income:
 – On remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
 – On cash flow hedges
 – On foreign exchange on quasi-equity balances
Income tax (credit)/charge reported within other comprehensive income
Consolidated statement of changes in equity:
 – On share options
Income tax charge reported within equity

The tax on the Group’s consolidated profit before tax differs from the UK tax rate of 19 per cent as follows:

2018 
£m

6.8
(1.7)
5.1

2.9
(1.4)
1.5
6.6

10.6
(1.6)
9.0
16.8
(1.2)
15.6

8.3
(1.2)
9.7

10.4
(0.5)
0.1
10.0

0.2
0.2

Profit before tax
Tax calculated at UK tax rate of 19 per cent  
(2016/17: 20 per cent)
Effects of overseas taxation
(Credits)/charges not allowable for tax purposes
(Utilisation)/increase in unrecognised tax losses
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Change in UK and overseas tax rate
Tax charge/(credit)

Before 
exceptional 
items  
£m
53.4

Exceptional 
items  
£m
60.9

Movement 
on acquired 
intangibles 
£m
(0.7)

10.1
0.5
(0.1)
(0.5)
(1.8)
0.1
8.3

11.6

(0.1)

0.7
(0.8)
(0.3)
(1.5)
9.7

(1.1)
(1.2)

2018

Total  
£m
113.6

21.6
0.5
0.6
(1.3)
(2.1)
(2.5)
16.8

Before 
exceptional 
items  
£m
58.7

Exceptional 
items  
£m
(0.4)

11.7
(0.1)
(1.8)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.3)
9.3

(0.1)
–
(0.5)
–
–
–
(0.6)

The underlying effective tax rate was 15.5 per cent (2016/17: 15.8 per cent).

*  Please refer to the accounting policies on page 110 for further details of the restatement of £3.8m credit relating to tax on discontinued operations. 

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(restated)*

2017 
£m

8.4
(0.6)
7.8

3.7
(1.8)
(1.9)
9.7

(0.7)
(0.3)
(1.0)
8.7
–
8.7

9.3
–
(0.6)

(2.3)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(2.5)

(1.0)
(1.0)

2017

Total  
£m
58.3

11.6
(0.1)
(2.3)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.3)
8.7

 
 
122

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

8 Earnings per share

Accounting Policies 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity shareholders by the weighted average number 
of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, excluding those held in the employee share trust which are treated as cancelled.

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted for the impact of the dilutive 
effect of share options. 

The Directors are of the opinion that the publication of the adjusted earnings per share, before exceptional items, is useful to 
readers of the accounts as it gives an indication of underlying business performance.

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share 
Adjusted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

2018  
Continuing 
operations 
pence per  
share

2018 
Discontinued 
operations 
pence per  
share

2018  
Total  
pence per  
share

2017 
Continuing 
operations  
pence per  
share

2017 
Discontinued 
operations 
pence per  
share

(restated)

93.7
92.8

42.9
42.5

(1.8)
(1.8)

n/a
n/a

91.9
91.0

n/a
n/a

47.2
46.6

47.1
46.5

(6.3)
(6.2)

n/a
n/a

Reconciliations of the earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below:

Earnings

Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Exceptional items
Less: tax on amortisation of acquired intangibles
Less: tax on exceptional items
Earnings for adjusted earnings per share

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

For basic earnings per share
Dilutive effect of share options
For diluted earnings per share

2018  
Continuing 
operations  
£m
95.4
0.7
(60.9)
(1.2)
9.7
43.7

2018 
Discontinued 
operations  
£m
(1.8)
–
–
–
–
(1.8)

2017 
Continuing 
operations  
£m
47.9
0.1
0.4
–
(0.6)
47.8

(restated)

2017 
Discontinued 
operations  
£m
(4.2)
–
–
–
–
(4.2)

2018  
Total  
£m
93.6
0.7
(60.9)
(1.2)
9.7
41.9

2018 
Number  
m
101.9
0.9
102.8

(restated)

2017 
Total  
pence per  
share

40.9
40.4

n/a
n/a

(restated)

2017 
Total  
£m
43.7
0.1
0.4
–
(0.6)
43.6

2017  
Number  
m
101.6
1.2
102.8

9 Equity dividends
Final dividends proposed by the Board of Directors and unpaid at the year end are not recognised in the financial statements until 
they have been approved by the shareholders at the annual general meeting. Interim dividends are recognised in the period that 
they are paid.

Final dividend for the period ended 26 March 2016 of 16.7p paid on 3 August 2016
Interim dividend for the period ended 24 September 2016 of 8.3p paid on 11 January 2017
Final dividend for the period ended 25 March 2017 of 16.7p paid on 30 June 2017
Interim dividend for the period ended 30 September 2017 of 8.3p paid on 3 January 2018

2018  
£m
–
–
17.0
8.4
25.4

2017 
£m
16.9
8.5
–
–
25.4

A final dividend per equity share of 16.7p has been proposed for the period ended 31 March 2018. If approved by shareholders 
the dividend will be paid on 3 August 2018 to ordinary shareholders on the register at 6 July 2018.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

123

10 Property, plant and equipment

Accounting Policies 
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated provision for impairment 
in value. Assets in the course of construction are included in property, plant and equipment on the basis of expenditure 
incurred at the balance sheet date.

No depreciation is provided on freehold land. Freehold and long leasehold buildings are depreciated over their estimated 
useful economic lives of 50 years. Other leasehold interests are depreciated over the lesser of the unexpired period of the 
lease and 50 years.

The Group’s policy is to write off the cost or valuation of all other plant and equipment evenly over their estimated remaining 
useful life at rates which vary between 4 per cent and 50 per cent per annum. The principal annual rate of depreciation 
used is 10 per cent on plant and machinery and on fixtures and fittings. No depreciation is provided for assets in the course 
of construction.

Depreciation methods, residual values and useful lives are reviewed at least at each financial year end, taking into account 
commercial and technical obsolescence as well as normal wear and tear, provision being made where the carrying value 
exceeds the recoverable amount. 

Where borrowing costs are attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset, such costs are 
capitalised as part of the specific asset.

S

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A
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t
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Cost
At 26 March 2016
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Transfers from assets in the course of construction
Disposals 
Acquisitions (see note 31)
At 25 March 2017
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Transfers from assets in the course of construction
Reclassification
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary
At 31 March 2018
Accumulated depreciation 
At 26 March 2016
Exchange differences 
Depreciation charge for the year 
Impairment
Disposals 
At 25 March 2017
Exchange differences 
Depreciation charge for the year 
Reclassification
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary
At 31 March 2018
Net book value at 31 March 2018
Net book value at 25 March 2017
Net book value at 26 March 2016

Land and 
buildings  
£m

Plant and 
machinery  
£m

Fixtures and 
fittings and Motor 
Vehicles  
£m

In course of 
construction  
£m

61.5
0.2
0.2
2.3
–
–
64.2
–
0.2
1.7
4.0
–
(21.0)
49.1

26.9
0.1
1.7
–
–
28.7
–
1.9
1.6
–
(5.7)
26.5
22.6
35.5
34.6

369.4
6.8
6.2
2.3
(5.5)
2.1
381.3
(0.1)
1.0
16.4
(17.9)
(2.5)
(135.8)
242.4

256.4
5.6
19.6
–
(4.5)
277.1
(0.3)
12.7
(5.5)
(2.0)
(109.5)
172.5
69.9
104.2
113.0

26.1
0.3
0.2
1.3
(4.0)
–
23.9
–
0.1
1.6
4.9
(0.1)
(3.1)
27.3

16.7
0.2
3.0
–
(3.8)
16.1
–
7.3
(2.0)
(0.1)
(2.9)
18.4
8.9
7.8
9.4

10.0
0.2
16.9
(5.9)
(1.5)
–
19.7
–
12.9
(19.7)
3.1
(0.9)
(3.7)
11.4

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11.4
19.7
10.0

Total  
£m

467.0
7.5
23.5
–
(11.0)
2.1
489.1
(0.1)
14.2
–
(5.9)
(3.5)
(163.6)
330.2

300.0
5.9
24.3
–
(8.3)
321.9
(0.3)
21.9
(5.9)
(2.1)
(118.1)
217.4
112.8
167.2
167.0

 
 
124

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

11 Intangible assets

Accounting Policies 
All intangible assets, except goodwill, are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses. 

Goodwill
Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of net 
assets acquired. 

After initial recognition, goodwill is not amortised and is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. At the date 
of acquisition, the goodwill is allocated to cash generating units for the purpose of impairment testing and is tested annually 
for impairment or when there are indications of impairment. Any impairment loss is recognised immediately in the income 
statement and is not subsequently reversed.

Gains and losses on the disposal of a business include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the business. 
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries is presented in goodwill, and goodwill arising on the acquisition of associates 
is presented in investments in associates. Internally generated goodwill is not recognised as an asset. Goodwill arising on 
acquisitions before 27 March 2004 (the date of transition to IFRS) has been retained at the previous amounts subject to being 
tested for impairment at that date.

Other intangible assets
Intangible assets purchased separately, such as software licences that do not form an integral part of related hardware, are 
capitalised at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Software intangibles are amortised on a straight 
line basis over the shorter of their useful economic life or their licence period at rates which vary between three and five years. 
Expenditure incurred in the development of products or enhancements to existing product ranges is capitalised as an intangible 
asset only when the future economic benefits expected to arise are deemed probable and the costs can be reliably measured. 
Development costs not meeting these criteria are expensed in the income statement as incurred. Capitalised development 
costs are amortised on a straight line basis over their estimated useful economic lives, which vary between five and ten years, 
once the product or enhancement is available for use. Product research costs are written off as incurred.

Distribution rights are capitalised at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses and are amortised over their 
useful economic lives as determined by the life of the products to which they relate.

Intangible assets purchased through a business combination are recognised separately from goodwill and are initially 
recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost). Subsequent to initial acquisition, intangible 
assets acquired through a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses, 
on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

Intellectual property is amortised over its expected life of 15 years.

Customer relationships are amortised over their expected lives of 10 to 15 years. 

Trade names are amortised over their expected lives of 15 years.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

125

11 Intangible assets continued

Cost
At 26 March 2016
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Disposals
Acquisitions (see note 32) (restated)
At 25 March 2017 (restated)
Exchange differences 
Reclassification
Additions 
Disposal of subsidiary
At 31 March 2018
Accumulated amortisation
At 26 March 2016
Exchange differences 
Amortisation for the year
Disposals
At 25 March 2017 
Reclassification
Exchange differences 
Amortisation for the year
Disposal of subsidiary
At 31 March 2018
Carrying value at 31 March 2018
Carrying value at 25 March 2017 (restated)
Carrying value at 26 March 2016

Goodwill  
£m

Development 
costs  
£m

Software 
assets  
£m

Distribution 
rights  
£m

Intellectual 
property 

Customer 
relationships 

Trade 
Names 

–
(0.2)
–
–
9.0
8.8
(0.8)
–
–
–
8.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
8.0
8.8
–

21.0
0.1
2.1
–
–
23.2

(3.9)
3.6
(1.3)
21.6

11.2
–
1.6
–
12.8
(3.7)
–
1.8
(0.9)
10.0
11.6
10.4
9.8

9.5
0.2
0.7
(0.4)
–
10.0
–
(1.7)
1.2

9.5

5.9
–
0.7
(0.4)
6.0
(1.0)
–
0.8

5.8
3.7
4.0
3.6

0.1
–
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–
0.1

0.1
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–

–
(0.2)
–
–
3.8
3.6
(0.5)
–
–
–
3.1

–
–
0.1
–
0.1
–
–
0.2
–
0.3
2.8
3.5
–

–
(0.1)
–
–
4.5
4.4
(0.7)
–
–
–
3.7

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
0.5
–
0.5
3.2
4.4
–

–
–
–
–
0.2
0.2
–
–
–
–
0.2

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
0.2
0.2
–

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Total  
£m

30.6
(0.2)
2.8
(0.4)
17.5
50.3
(1.7)
(5.6)
4.8
(1.3)
47.5

17.2
–
2.4
(0.4)
19.0
(4.8)

3.3
(0.9)
16.7
29.5
31.3
13.4

Amounts as at 25 March 2017 have been restated following the finalisation of the purchase price accounting for the acquisition 
of De La Rue Authentication during the year.

 
 
126

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

11 Intangible assets continued

Accounting Policies 
Impairment testing
The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets are reviewed at each 
balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists then the asset’s 
recoverable amount is estimated. For goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives or that are not yet ready 
for use, the recoverable amount is estimated at each reporting date.

Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the 
carrying value may not be recoverable. In addition, goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment. Impairment tests are 
performed for all Cash Generating Units (CGUs) to which goodwill has been allocated at the balance sheet date or whenever 
there is indication of impairment. For all other intangible assets, an impairment test is performed whenever an indicator of 
impairment exists.

An impairment loss is recognised immediately in the income statement for the amount by which the asset’s carrying value 
exceeds its recoverable amount, the latter being the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use and, 
in the case of goodwill, is not subsequently reversed. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted 
to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the 
risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

For other intangible assets, at each balance sheet date an assessment is made to determine whether there is any indication 
that an impairment loss recognised in prior periods may no longer exist or has decreased. Where such an indication exists, 
an impairment loss is reversed to the extent that the asset’s carrying value does not exceed the carrying amount that would 
have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised. 

Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s CGUs identified according to business segment.

Acquisition amounts of £7.5m during 2016/17 (previously disclosed as £9.8m prior to finalisation of the purchase price allocation) 
relate to the Group’s purchase of DuPont Authentication Inc (see note 32 for further details). 

12 Inventories

Accounting Policies 
Inventories and work in progress are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined on a weighted 
average cost basis and comprises directly attributable purchase and conversion costs, including direct labour and an allocation 
of production overheads based on normal operating capacity that have been incurred in bringing those inventories to their 
present location and condition. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less estimated costs of completion and 
selling costs.

Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 

2018 
£m
17.4
9.8
9.8
37.0

2017  
£m
26.9
17.4
23.5
67.8

The replacement cost of inventories is not materially different from original cost.

An income statement charge in respect of the recognition of inventory provisions of £0.8m was recognised in operating expenses 
– ordinary in 2017/18 (2016/17: £1.7m). 

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

127

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13 Trade and other receivables 

Accounting Policies 
Trade and other receivables are measured at cost net of allowances for impairments, which approximates to fair value.

Trade receivables 
Provision for impairment 
Net trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income

2018  
£m
68.8
(5.5)
63.3
22.3
13.5
99.1

2017 
£m
92.5
(3.0)
89.5
13.1
7.1
109.7

There is no other concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables as the Group has a large number of customers, 
internationally dispersed.

The ageing of trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments) at the reporting date was:

Not past due 
Past due 0-30 days 
Past due 31-120 days 
Past due more than 120 days 

Gross  
2018 
£m
31.0
32.3
7.3
15.2
85.8

Impairment  
2018  
£m
–
–
–
(5.5)
(5.5)

Gross  
2017 
£m
45.9
29.6
13.4
16.7
105.6

Impairment  
2017 
£m
–
–
(0.2)
(2.8)
(3.0)

The provision for impairment in respect of trade receivables is used to record losses unless the Group is satisfied that no 
recovery of the amount owing is possible; at that point the amounts considered irrecoverable are written off against the financial 
asset directly.

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

Balance at beginning of year 
Impairment losses recognised
Impairment losses reversed 
Transferred to assets held for resale
Balance at end of year

2018  
£m
(3.0)
(2.5)
–
–
(5.5)

2017  
£m
(3.5)
(0.6)
1.1
–
(3.0)

Amounts can go past due before collection in situations where the customer may have raised queries over contractual 
compliance. Such issues arise in the normal course of business and are routinely addressed to the satisfaction of the customer. 
The Group believes that the unimpaired amounts that are past due by more than 30 days are still collectible in full, based on 
historic payment behaviour and analysis of customer credit risk, including underlying customers’ credit ratings if they are available.

 
 
128

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

14 Financial risk
Financial risk management
Overview
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks, the most significant of which are liquidity risk, market risk and 
credit risk.

The Group’s financial risk management policies are established and reviewed regularly to identify and analyse the risks faced by 
the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. The use of financial derivatives 
is governed by the Group’s risk management policies approved by the Board of Directors, which provide written principles on the 
use of financial derivatives consistent with the Group’s risk management strategy. The Group’s treasury department is responsible 
for the management of these financial risks faced by the Group.

Group treasury identifies, evaluates and in certain cases hedges financial risks in close cooperation with the Group’s operating 
units. Group treasury provides written principles for overall financial risk management as well as policies covering specific areas, 
such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, use of derivative financial instruments and the investment of excess liquidity.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s approach 
to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities where due, 
under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation.

The Group manages this risk by ensuring that it maintains sufficient levels of committed borrowing facilities and cash and cash 
equivalents. The level of headroom needed is reviewed annually as part of the Group’s planning process. 

A maturity analysis of the carrying amount of the Group’s borrowings is shown below in the reporting of financial risk section 
together with associated fair values.

Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates, will affect the Group’s 
income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The Group uses a range of derivative instruments, including forward 
contracts and swaps to hedge its risk to changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates with the objective of controlling 
market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return. Derivative financial instruments are only used 
for hedging purposes.

(a) Currency risk
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily 
with respect to the US dollar and the euro. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised assets 
and liabilities, unrecognised firm commitments and investments in foreign operations.

To manage their foreign exchange risk arising from future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities, entities 
in the Group use forward contracts, transacted with Group treasury. Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial 
transactions or recognised assets or liabilities are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency. 
Group treasury is responsible for managing the net position in each currency via foreign exchange contracts transacted 
with financial institutions.

The Group’s risk management policy aims to hedge firm commitments in full, and between 60 per cent and 100 per cent 
of forecast exposures in each major currency for the subsequent 12 months to the extent that forecast transactions are 
highly probable.

The Group has certain investments in foreign operations, whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation risk. 
The Group’s policy is to manage the currency exposure arising from the net assets of the Group’s foreign operations primarily 
through borrowings denominated in the relevant foreign currencies and through foreign currency swaps.

The Group’s policy is not to hedge net investments in subsidiaries or the translation of profits or losses generated 
in overseas subsidiaries.

(b) Interest rate risk
All material financial assets and liabilities are maintained at floating rates of interest. Where the Group has forecast average levels 
of net debt above £50.0m on a continuing basis, the policy is to use floating to fixed interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate 
on a minimum of 50 per cent of the Group’s forecast average levels of net debt for a period of at least 12 months.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

129

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14 Financial risk continued
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its 
contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers and investment securities.

The Group’s exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. The demographics 
of the Group’s customer base, including the default risk of the industry and country in which customers operate, has less of 
an influence on credit risk. Geographically, there is no concentration of credit risk. Where appropriate, letters of credit are used 
to mitigate the credit risk from customers.

The Group has established a credit policy that ensures that sales of products are made to customers with an appropriate 
credit history. The Group has a policy to procure advance payments during order negotiation which further reduces credit risk. 
Derivative counterparties and cash transactions are limited to high credit quality financial institutions and the Group has policies 
that limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution.

Financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value at each balance sheet date. The gain or loss on subsequent fair value measurement is recognised 
in the income statement unless the derivative qualifies for hedge accounting when recognition of any resultant gain or loss 
depends on the nature of the item being hedged. 

Cash flow hedges 
Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and are effective as hedges of future 
cash flows are recognised directly in equity and the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the income statement. 
Amounts accumulated in equity are recycled to the income statement in the period in which the hedged item also affects 
the income statement. However, if the hedged item results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or liability, the amounts 
accumulated in equity on the hedging instrument are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost 
of the asset or liability. Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, exercised, 
or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, for forecast transactions, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging 
instrument recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecasted transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is transferred to the income statement. Changes in the 
fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement 
as they arise.

Fair value hedges 
For an effective hedge of an exposure to changes in fair value of a recognised asset or liability or an unrecognised firm 
commitment, the hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk being hedged with the corresponding 
entry in net income. Gains or losses from remeasuring the derivative or, for non-derivatives, the foreign currency component 
of its carrying value, are recognised in net income.

Embedded derivatives
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other non-financial host contracts are treated as separate derivatives 
when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contracts and the host contracts are not carried 
at fair value. Any unrealised gains or losses on such separated derivatives are reported in the income statement within revenue 
or operating expenses in line with the host contract.

 
 
130

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

14 Financial risk continued
Fair values
The fair value of financial assets and liabilities, together with the carrying amounts shown in the balance sheet, are as follows:

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables1
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments: 
 – Forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges 
 – Short duration swap contracts designated as fair value hedges
 – Foreign exchange fair value hedges – other economic hedges 
 – Embedded derivatives 
 – Interest rate swaps 
Total financial assets
Financial liabilities
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts2 
Trade and other payables3
Derivative financial instruments:
 – Forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges
 – Short duration swap contracts designated as fair value hedges
 – Foreign exchange fair value hedges – other economic hedges
 – Embedded derivatives
 – Interest rate swaps
Total financial liabilities

1  Excluding prepayments.

Fair value 
measurement 
basis

Total fair  
value 
2018 
£m

Carrying  
amount 
2018 
£m

(restated)  
total fair  
value 
2017  
£m

(restated)  
carrying  
amount  
2017  
£m

85.8
15.5

1.8
0.1
1.3
0.4
–
104.9

(65.4)
(151.9)

(3.2)
(0.2)
(0.4)
(0.6)
–
(221.7)

85.8
15.5

1.8
0.1
1.3
0.4
–
104.9

(65.4)
(151.9)

(3.2)
(0.2)
(0.4)
(0.6)
–
(221.7)

102.6
15.4

4.5
0.2
0.9
10.3
–
133.9

(136.3)
(172.9)

(1.6)
(0.1)
(5.5)
(0.7)
(0.4)
(317.5)

102.6
15.4

4.5
0.2
0.9
10.3
–
133.9

(136.3)
(172.9)

(1.6)
(0.1)
(5.5)
(0.7)
(0.4)
(317.5)

Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2

Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2

2  The unsecured bank loans and overdrafts above is presented excluding unamortised pre-paid borrowing.

3  Excluding deferred income and taxes. The prior period comparatives have been restated to include accrued expenses and payments received on account.

Fair value measurement basis for derivative financial instruments
Fair value is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of 
interest at the reporting date. The valuation bases are classified according to the degree of estimation required in arriving at the 
fair values. Level 1 valuations are derived from unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets, level 
2 valuations use observable inputs for the assets or liabilities other than quoted prices, while level 3 valuations are not based 
on observable market data and are subject to management estimates. There has been no movement between levels during 
the current or prior periods.

Forward exchange contracts used for hedging
The fair value of forward exchange contracts has been determined using quoted forward exchange rates at the balance 
sheet date.

Interest rate swaps
Interest rate swaps are measured by reference to third party bank confirmations and discounted cash flows using the yield curves 
in effect at the balance sheet date.

Embedded derivatives
The fair value of embedded derivatives is calculated based on the present value of forecast future exposures on relevant sales 
and purchase contracts and using quoted forward foreign exchange rates at the balance sheet date.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

131

14 Financial risk continued 
Determination of fair values of non-derivative financial assets and liabilities
Non-derivative financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value and changes therein, including 
any interest, are recognised in profit or loss. Directly attributable transaction costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. 
Non-derivative financial assets not classified as at fair value through profit or loss are assessed at each reporting date 
to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. 

Non-derivative financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value less any directly attributable transaction costs. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, these liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

Hedge reserves
The hedge reserve balance on 31 March 2018 was (£0.5m), (25 March 2017: £2.0m). Net movements in the hedge reserve 
are shown in the Group statement of changes in equity. 

Comprehensive income after tax was £2.5m comprising a gain of £1.9m of fair value movements on new and continuing cash 
flow hedges, a loss of £0.1m on maturing cash flow hedges for capital expenditure and a £1.8m gain to the income statement to 
match the recognition of the related cash flows in effective cash flow hedge relationships. Deferred tax on the net gain of £3.0m 
amounted to £0.5m. Hedge reserve movements in the income statement were as follows:

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 – Maturing cash flow hedges 
 – Ineffectiveness on de-recognition of cash flow hedges

25 March 2017
 – Maturing cash flow hedges 
 – Ineffectiveness on de-recognition of cash flow hedges

Revenue  
£m

Operating 
expense  
£m

Interest  
expense  
£m

(0.4)

2.2

(2.1)
–
(2.1)

10.1
–
10.1

–

–
–
–

Total  
£m

1.8

8.0
–
8.0

The ineffective portion of fair value hedges that was recognised in the income statement amounted to £nil (2016/17: £nil). 
The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges that was recognised in the income statement within Exceptional items was (£0.9m) 
(2016/17: £nil).

Liquidity risk
The following are the contractual undiscounted cash flow maturities of financial liabilities, including contractual interest payments 
and excluding the impact of netting agreements.

Due within  
1 year  
£m

Due between  
1 and 2 years 
£m

Due between  
2 and 5 years 
£m

Total 
undiscounted 
cash flows  
£m

Impact of 
discounting 
and netting  
£m

31 March 2018
Non-derivative financial liabilities 
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts 
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial liabilities 
Gross amount payable from currency derivatives:
 – Forward exchange contracts designated as cash 

flow hedges 

 – Short duration swap contracts designated as fair 

value hedges

 – Fair value hedges – other economic hedges
Interest rate swaps 

65.4

151.9

144.9

40.3
61.6

464.1

–

–

0.4

–
–

0.4

–

–

–

–
–

–

Carrying 
amount  
£m

65.4

151.9

65.4

151.9

–

–

145.3

(142.1)

40.3
61.6

(40.1)
(61.2)

3.2

0.2
0.4

464.5

(243.4)

221.1

 
 
132

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

14 Financial risk continued
Liquidity risk continued

25 March 2017 (restated)
Non-derivative financial liabilities 
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts 
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial liabilities 
Gross amount payable from currency derivatives:
 – Forward exchange contracts designated as cash 

flow hedges 

 – Short duration swap contracts designated as fair 

value hedges

 – Fair value hedges – other economic hedges
Interest rate swaps 

Due within  
1 year 
 £m

Due between  
1 and 2 years  
£m

Due between  
2 and 5 years  
£m

Total 
undiscounted 
cash flows  
£m

Impact of 
discounting  
and netting  
£m

–
–

136.3
172.9

–
–

Carrying 
amount  
£m

136.3
172.9

136.3
171.6

101.4

14.4
99.9
0.2
523.8

–
1.3

0.9

–
2.4
0.2
4.8

0.2

–
–
–
0.2

102.5

(100.9)

1.6

14.4
102.3
0.4
528.8

(14.3)
(96.8)
–
(212.0)

0.1
5.5
0.4
316.8

The following are the contractual undiscounted cash flow maturities of financial assets, including contractual interest receipts and 
excluding the impact of netting agreements.

31 March 2018
Non-derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial assets 
Gross amount receivable from currency derivatives:
 – Forward exchange contracts designated as cash 

flow hedges 

 – Short duration swap contracts designated as fair 

value hedges

 – Fair value hedges – other economic hedges
Interest rate swaps 

Due within  
1 year  
£m

Due between  
1 and 2 years 
£m

Due between  
2 and 5 years 
£m

Total 
undiscounted 
cash flows  
£m

Impact of 
discounting 
and netting  
£m

Carrying 
amount  
£m

15.5
85.2

119.2

37.2
69.3

326.4

–
–

7.3

0.7

8.0

–
–

–

–
–

–

15.5
85.2

–
–

15.5
85.2

126.5

(124.7)

37.2
70.0

(37.1)
(68.7)

1.8

0.1
1.3

334.4

(230.5)

103.9

Due within  
1 year  
£m

Due between  
1 and 2 years  
£m

Due between  
2 and 5 years  
£m

Total 
undiscounted 
cash flows  
£m

Impact of 
discounting  
and netting  
£m

Carrying 
amount  
£m

15.4
102.6

15.4
102.6

–
–

25 March 2017 (restated)
Non-derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial assets 
Gross amount receivable from currency derivatives:
 – Forward exchange contracts designated as cash 

flow hedges 

 – Short duration swap contracts designated as fair 

value hedges

 – Fair value hedges – other economic hedges
Interest rate swaps 

15.4
102.6

128.7

58.5
69.5
–
374.7

–
–

1.8

–
2.5
–
4.3

–
–

–

–
0.2
–
0.2

130.5

(126.0)

4.5

58.5
72.2
–
379.2

(58.3)
(71.3)
–
(255.6)

0.2
0.9
–
123.6

The fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the hedged item 
is more than 12 months and as a current asset or liability if the maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

133

14 Financial risk continued
Liquidity risk continued
Cash and cash equivalents, trade and other current receivables, bank loans and overdrafts, trade payables and other current 
liabilities have fair values that approximate to their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature.

As at 31 March 2018, the Group has a total of undrawn committed borrowing facilities, all maturing in more than one year, 
of £210.0m (25 March 2017: £118.0m in more than one year). The amount of loans drawn on the £275.0m facility is £65.0m 
(25 March 2017: £132.0m). Guarantees of £nil (25 March 2017: £nil) have been drawn using the facility.

During the year the Group extended the revolving credit facility by two years to a maturity date of December 2021 and also 
increased the facility size from £250m to £275m. It is subject to the same financial covenants which require that the ratio of EBIT 
to net interest payable be greater than four times and the net debt to EBITDA ratio be less than three times. At the period end the 
specific covenant tests were as follows: EBIT/net interest payable of 14.2 times, net debt/EBITDA of 0.66 times.

Forward foreign exchange contracts
The net principal amounts of the outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts at 31 March 2018 are US dollar 34.1m, 
euro 27.6m, Swiss franc (32.0m), Japanese yen (15.0m), Canadian dollar (0.7m), Hong Kong dollar 10.9m, Singapore dollar 25.2m 
and Australian dollar 0.2m.

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The net principal amounts outstanding under forward contracts with maturities greater than 12 months are euro 3.7m, US 
dollar 2.4m and Singapore dollar 4.2m. These forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges 
as appropriate. 

Gains and losses recognised in the hedging reserve in equity on forward foreign exchange contracts at 31 March 2018 
will be released to the income statement at various dates between one month and 18 months from the balance sheet date. 

Short duration swap contracts
(i) Cash management swaps
The Group uses short duration currency swaps to manage the level of borrowings in foreign currencies. The fair value of cash 
management currency swaps at 31 March 2018 was £nil (2016/17: £nil). Gains and losses on cash management swaps are 
included in the consolidated income statement.

The principal amounts outstanding under cash management currency swaps at 31 March 2018 are US dollar 20.5m, euro (11.6m), 
Swiss franc (9.8m), South African rand 12.8m, Australian dollar 0.2m, Japanese yen (333.7m), Canadian dollar 0.5m, Hong Kong 
dollar 2.7m and Mexican peso 2.6m.

(ii) Balance sheet swaps
The Group uses short duration currency swaps to manage the translational exposure of monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies. The fair value of balance sheet swaps as at 31 March 2018 was (£0.1m) (2016/17: £0.1m). 
Gains and losses on balance sheet swaps are included in the consolidated income statement.

The principal amounts outstanding under balance sheet swaps at 31 March 2018 are US dollar 42.4m, euro 12.0m, 
Swiss franc 0.9m, South African rand 7.0m.

Embedded derivatives
Embedded derivatives relate to sales and purchase contracts denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of 
the customer/supplier, or a currency that is not deemed to be a commonly used currency of the country in which the customer/
supplier is based. The net fair value of embedded derivatives at 31 March 2018 was (£0.2m) (2016/17: £9.6m).

Gains and losses on fair value hedges
The gains and losses recognised in the year on the Group’s fair value hedges were (£0.1m) relating to balance sheet hedges 
(2016/17: £0.2m), (£8.9m) relating to other fair value hedges (2016/17: (£12.5m), and £nil relating to cash management 
hedges (2016/17: £nil). 

Market risk: Currency risk
Exposure to currency risk
The following significant exchange rates applied during the year:

US dollar
Euro

Average rate

Reporting date spot rate

2018
1.33
1.13

2017
1.32
1.20

2018
1.41
1.14

2017
1.25
1.16

 
 
134

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

14 Financial risk continued
Interest rate risk
At the reporting date the interest rate profile of the Group’s interest bearing financial instruments was:

Variable rate instruments 
Financial assets 
Financial liabilities 

Carrying amount

2017  
£m

15.4
(136.3)
(120.9)

2018 
£m

15.5
(65.4)
(49.9)

At the year ending 31 March 2018 the Group had sterling £65m of floating to fixed interest rate swaps with financial institutions and 
with maturities of October and November 2018.

Sensitivity analysis
A change of 100 basis points in interest rates at the reporting date would have increased/(decreased) equity and profit and loss by 
the amounts shown below. The analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant. 

Profit and loss

100bp 
 increase  
£m

100bp  
decrease  
£m

Equity

100bp  
increase  
£m

100bp  
decrease  
£m

Variable rate instruments cash flow sensitivity (net)
31 March 2018
26 March 2017

(0.8)
(0.5)

0.9
0.7

Credit risk
Exposure to credit risk
The carrying amount of financial assets represents the credit exposure at the reporting date. The exposure to credit risk at the 
reporting date was:

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Forward exchange contracts used for hedging 
Embedded derivatives 
Interest rate swaps

Notes
13

15

Carrying amount

2018 
£m
100.9
15.5
3.2
0.4
–
120.0

2017  
£m
102.6
15.4
5.6
10.3
–
133.9

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

135

14 Financial risk continued
Credit risk continued
The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments) by geographic region was:

UK 
Rest of Europe 
The Americas 
Rest of world 

Carrying amount

2017  
£m
28.9
5.1
5.0
63.6
102.6

2018 
£m
17.2
4.7
15.5
48.4
85.8

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments) by type of customer was:

Banks and financial institutions 
Government institutions 
Distributors 
Retail customers 
End user customers 
Other

Carrying amount

2017  
£m
17.1
53.0
4.3
–
2.0
26.2
102.6

2018 
£m
60.3
22.4
–
–
–
3.1
85.8

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Fair value adjustment to credit risk on derivative contracts
The impact of credit related adjustments being made to the carrying amount of derivatives measured at fair value and used for 
hedging currency and interest rate risk has been assessed and considered to be immaterial. These derivatives are transacted with 
investment grade financial institutions. Similarly, the impact of the credit risk of the Group on the valuation of its financial liabilities 
has been assessed and considered to be immaterial.

Capital management
The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base in order to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain 
future development of the business. 

The Group finances its operations through a mixture of equity funding and debt financing, which represent the Group’s definition 
of capital for this purpose.

Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company
Add back long term pension deficit liability
Adjusted equity attributable to shareholders of the Company
Net debt
Group capital

Note

22

2018 
£m
(43.9)
89.6
45.7
49.9
95.6

(restated) 2017  
£m
(165.6)
239.4
73.8
120.9
194.7

The long term pension deficit has been removed as a separate agreement is in place regarding the funding for this deficit which 
is paid out of cash flows from continuing operations. The Group’s debt financing is also analysed in notes 18 and 22. 

Included within the Group’s net debt are certain cash and cash equivalent balances that are not readily available for use by the 
Group. These balances are not significant, and are not readily available due to restrictions within some of the countries in which 
we operate.

Earnings per share and dividend payments are the two measures which, in the Board’s view, summarise best whether the 
Group’s objectives regarding equity management are being met. The Group’s earnings and dividends per share and relative 
rates of growth illustrate the extent to which equity attributable to shareholders has changed. Both measures are disclosed 
and discussed within the strategic report and notes 8 and 9.

 
 
136

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

14 Financial risk continued
Capital management continued
The Group’s objective is to maximise sustainable long term growth of the earnings per share. 

De La Rue’s dividend policy is to provide shareholders with a competitive return on their investment, while assuring sufficient 
reinvestment of profits to enable the Group to achieve its strategy. During the period, the Group invested £24.8m in ongoing 
research and development and capital expenditure. The proposed total dividend for the year is covered 1.7 times. The ratio 
is calculated as total adjusted earning as per note 8 over the dividend for the year.

The decision to pay dividends, and the amount of the dividends, will depend on, among other things the earnings, financial 
position, capital requirements, general business conditions, cash flows, net debt levels and share buyback plans. 

There were no changes to the Group’s approach to capital management during the year.

15 Cash and cash equivalents 

Accounting Policies 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise bank balances and cash held by the Group and short term deposits with an original 
maturity of three months or less. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form part of the Group’s cash 
management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the cash flow statement.

Cash at bank and in hand
Short term bank deposits

2018 
£m
15.2
0.3
15.5

2017 
£m
13.2
2.2
15.4

An analysis of cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts is shown in the Group cash flow statement.

Certain cash and deposits are of a floating rate nature and are recoverable within three months.

The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets and liabilities are disclosed in note 14.

16 Deferred taxation
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority. The offset amounts are as follows:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

The gross movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

Beginning of the year
Exchange differences
Income statement credit/(charge)
Acquisitions (see note 31)
Tax credit/(charge) to equity
End of the year

2018 
£m
19.8
(3.0)
16.8

2018 
£m
38.4
0.4
(9.0)
–
(13.0)
16.8

2017 
£m

(restated)
43.7
(5.3)
38.4

2017 
£m

(restated)
40.0
0.4
0.8
(3.6)
0.8
38.4

The prior year deferred tax liability has been restated following the finalisation in the year of the purchase price accounting for the 
Group’s acquisition of De La Rue Authentication Solutions.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

137

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The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances 
within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

Liabilities
At 26 March 2016
Recognised in the income statement
Acquisitions (see note 31)
Recognised in equity
At 25 March 2017
Recognised in the income statement
Recognised in equity
Exchange differences
At 31 March 2018

Assets
At 26 March 2016
Recognised in the income statement
Recognised in equity
Exchange differences
At 25 March 2017
Recognised in the income statement
Recognised in equity
Exchange differences
At 31 March 2018

Property,  
plant and 
equipment  
£m

Fair value  
gains 

(restated) 
£m

Development 
costs  
£m

(8.2)
1.1
(0.7)
–
(7.8)
4.2
–
–
(3.6)

–
–
(2.9)
–
(2.9)
1.2
–
0.3
(1.4)

(1.7)
–
–
–
(1.7)
0.1
–
–
(1.6)

Other  
£m

(0.5)
–
–
0.1
(0.4)
–
0.4
–
–

Share  
options  
£m

Retirement 
benefits  
£m

Tax losses  
£m

Other  
£m

0.5
0.1
1.0
–
1.6
0.2
(0.6)
–
1.2

39.9
1.4
(0.3)
–
41.0
(12.8)
(12.9)
–
15.3

0.8
(0.4)
–
–
0.4
(0.2)
–
–
0.2

9.2
(1.4)
–
0.4
8.2
(1.7)
0.1
0.1
6.7

Total  
£m

(10.4)
1.1
(3.6)
0.1
(12.8)
5.5
0.4
0.3
(6.6)

Total  
£m

50.4
(0.3)
0.7
0.4
51.2
(14.5)
(13.4)
0.1
23.4

Other deferred assets and liabilities include tax associated with provisions of £0.9m (2016/17: £1.7m) and in respect of overseas 
tax credits £5.9m (2016/17: £5.9m).

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses available to carry forward to the extent that the realisation of the related tax 
benefit through future taxable profits is probable.

The Group has not recognised deferred tax assets of £7.2m (2016/17 restated: £4.7m) in respect of losses amounting to £26.7m 
(2016/17 restated £26.3m) that can be carried forward against future taxable income. Similarly, the Group has not recognised 
deferred tax assets of £8.9m (2016/17: £9.4m) in respect of overseas tax credits that are carried forward for utilisation in 
future periods.

Unremitted foreign earnings totalled £151.3m at 31 March 2018 (2016/17: £134m). Deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised 
for the withholding tax and other taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries where the timing 
of the reversal can be controlled and it was considered unlikely that dividends would be paid from those subsidiaries.

UK capital losses of £307m are carried forward at 31 March 2018 (2016/17: £320.6m). No deferred tax asset has been recognised 
in respect of these losses.

US tax rate
A reduction in the US federal tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent (effective from January 2018) was substantively enacted 
on 22 December 2017. This will reduce the US group’s future current tax charge accordingly. The US deferred tax assets and 
liabilities at 31 March 2018 have been calculated based on the rate of 21 per cent substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

UK tax rate
A reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax from 19 per cent to 17 per cent (effective from April 2020) was substantively 
enacted on 6 September 2016. This will reduce the UK Group’s future current tax charge accordingly. The UK deferred tax assets 
and liabilities at 31 March 2018 have been calculated based on the rate of 17 per cent (25 March 2017: 17 per cent) substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date.

 
 
138

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

17 Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables are measured at carrying value which approximates to fair value.

Current liabilities
Payments received on account 
Trade payables 
Amounts owed to associated companies 
Social security and other taxation 
Deferred income 
Accrued expenses 
Other payables 

Non-current liabilities
Other payables

2018 
£m

2017 
£m

29.7
59.6
–
1.0
14.1
58.2
4.5
167.1

–
–

27.2
46.5
–
3.1
0.4
85.9
12.0
175.1

1.3
1.3

Payments received on account relate to monies received from customers under contract prior to commencement of production 
of goods or delivery of services.

The Group’s exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to trade and other payables is disclosed in note 14.

18 Borrowings 

Accounting Policies 
Interest bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, interest bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value 
being recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

For more information about the Group’s exposure to interest rate, foreign currency and liquidity risk, see note 13.

Current liabilities 
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts
Total interest bearing liabilities

Currency

EUR
GBP
USD
Other

Nominal  
interest  
rate

–
2.02%
–
–

Year of  
maturity

2018
2018
2018
2018

Face  
value  
2018  
£m

–
65.0
–
0.4
65.4

Carrying 
amount  
2018  
£m

Face  
value  
2017  
£m

Carrying 
amount  
2017  
£m

–
65.0
–
0.4
65.4

–
136.0
–
0.3
136.3

–
136.0
–
0.3
136.3

The total interest bearing liabilities above is presented excluding unamortised pre-paid borrowing fees of £1.5m.

As at 31 March 2018, bank overdrafts of £223.1m (2016/17: £112.5m) were offset for interest purposes against credit balances.

As at 31 March 2018, the Group has committed borrowing facilities, all maturing in more than one year, of £275m. Up to £100m 
of the £275m facility can be utilised for either loans or guarantees.

As the draw downs on these loans are typically rolled over on terms of between one and three months subject to conditions, 
the borrowings are disclosed as a current liability. This is notwithstanding the long term nature of this facility which expires 
in December 2021.

19 Provisions for liabilities and charges

Accounting Policies 
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation in respect of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of 
resources will be required to settle the obligation, and where the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are measured at 
the Directors’ best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the balance sheet date and are discounted where 
the time value of money is considered material.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

139

19 Provisions for liabilities and charges continued

At 25 March 2017
Exchange differences
Charge for the year
Utilised in year

Released in year
At 31 March 2018
Expected to be utilised within 1 year
Expected to be utilised after 1 year

Restructuring  
£m
2.5
–
1.2
(3.2)

–
0.5
0.5
–

Warranty  
£m
7.0
–
4.4
(6.6)

(3.1)
1.7
1.7
–

Other  
£m
2.9
(0.2)
3.6
(0.5)

–
5.8
1.9
3.9

Total  
£m
12.4
(0.2)
9.2
(10.3)

(3.1)
8.0
4.1
3.9

Restructuring provisions
Restructuring provisions principally relate to the manufacturing footprint review announced in December 2015 and the upgrade 
of our finance systems and processes. The fall in the provision reflects the fact that these initiatives are nearing completion. 
These provisions include amounts for staff compensation and site exit costs, which are expected to be utilised within one year.

Warranty provisions
Warranty provisions relate to present obligations for defective products and include known claims as well as anticipated claims 
that had not been reported at the balance sheet date. The provisions are management judgements based on information currently 
available, past history and experience of the products sold. However, it is inherent in the nature of the business that the actual 
liabilities may differ from the provisions. The precise timing of the utilisation of these provisions is uncertain but is generally 
expected to fall within one year. 

Other provisions
Other provisions comprise a number of liabilities with varying expected utilisation rates. As part of the disposal accounting for 
the of the sale of Portals De La Rue Limited to EPIRIS Fund II on 29 March 2018, an amount of £2.0m has been recognised for 
the potential amount payable under the recompense contract clause. Refer to note 5 for further details. The utilisation of this is 
expected after 1 year.

Other provisions also includes an amount of £1.3m in relation to a onerous contract that was not transferred as part of the sale 
of Cash Processing Solutions Limited. The expected utilisation of this is after 1 year. 

20 Share capital

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Issued and fully paid
102,389,688 ordinary shares of 4452/175p each (2016/17: 101,767,263 ordinary shares of 44152/175p each)
111,673,300 deferred shares of 1p each (2016/17: 111,673,300 deferred shares of 1p each)

2018  
£m

46.0
1.1
47.1

2017  
£m

45.7
1.1
46.8

Allotments during the year
Shares in issue at 25 March 2017/26 March 2016
Issued under Savings Related Share Option Scheme
Issued under Annual Bonus Plan
Issued under Performance Share Plan
Shares in issue at 31 March 2018/25 March 2017

2018

2017

Ordinary  
shares ‘000

Deferred  
shares ‘000

Ordinary  
shares ‘000

Deferred  
shares ‘000 

101,767
439
160
24
102,390

111,673
–
–
–
111,673

101,359
253
62
93
101,767

111,673
–
–
–
111,673

The deferred shares carry limited economic rights and no voting rights. They are unlisted and are not transferable except 
in accordance with the articles.

 
 
140

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

21 Share based payments 

Accounting Policies 
The Group operates various equity settled and cash settled option schemes. For equity settled share options, the services 
received from employees are measured by reference to the fair value of the share options. The fair value is calculated at grant 
date and recognised in the consolidated income statement, together with a corresponding increase in shareholders’ equity, 
on a straight line basis over the vesting period, based on the numbers of shares that are actually expected to vest, taking 
into account non-market vesting conditions (including service conditions). Vesting conditions, other than non-market based 
conditions, are taken into account when estimating the fair value.

For cash settled share options, the services received from employees are measured at the fair value of the liability for options 
outstanding and recognised in the consolidated income statement on a straight line basis over the vesting period. The fair value 
of the liability is remeasured at each reporting date and at the date of settlement with changes in fair value recognised in the 
consolidated income statement. 

At 31 March 2018, the Group has a number of share based payment plans, which are described below. The compensation cost 
and related liability that have been recognised for the Group’s share based plans are set out in the table below:

Annual Bonus Plan
Performance Share Plan
Restricted Share Award
Savings Related Share Option Scheme

Expense recognised for the year

2018 
£m
0.7
0.3
–
1.2
2.2

2017  
£m
0.7
(0.3)
0.1
0.4
0.9

The fair value of share options is estimated at the date of grant using a lattice based option valuation model. The significant 
assumptions used in the valuation model are disclosed below:

Arrangement
Dates of current year grants
Number of options granted
Exercise price
Contractual life (years)
Settlement 
Vesting period (years)
Dividend yield
Risk free interest rate
Share price volatility
Fair value per option at grant date

Performance 
Share Plan
27 June 2017
6,763
n/a
9
Cash
3 or 4
n/a
n/a
n/a
6.80

Performance 
Share Plan
27 June 2017
677,277
n/a
9
Shares
3 or 4
n/a
n/a
n/a
6.80

Annual Bonus 
Plan
7 June 2017
71,841
n/a
10
Shares
1
n/a
n/a
n/a
6.88

Savings Related 
Share Option Scheme
18 Dec 2017
654,352
520.26
3
Shares
3
25p pa
0.51% pa
30% pa
1.47

For the Savings Related Share Option Scheme (SAYE) an expected volatility rate of 30 per cent (2016/17: 30 per cent) has been 
used for grants in the period. This rate is based on historical volatility over the last three years to 18 December 2017. The expected 
life is the average expected period to exercise. The risk free rate of return is the yield on zero coupon UK government bonds of 
a term consistent with the assumed option life. The rate applied during the year was 0.51 per cent pa (for a period of 3 years). 
(2016/17: 0.53 per cent).

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

141

21 Share based payments continued
Reconciliations of option movements over the period to 31 March 2018 for each class of share awards are shown below:

Annual Bonus Plan
For details of the Annual Bonus Plan, refer to the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 74 to 94.

Options outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited 
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at end of year

During the period the weighted average share price on share awards exercised in the period was 616.00p.

Performance Share Plan
For details of the Performance Share Plan, refer to the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 74 to 94.

Options outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited 
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at end of year

2018 
Number of  
options  
‘000
243
72
(9)
(146)
–
160

2018  
Number of  
options  
‘000
1,722
684
(290)
(20)
(150)
1,946

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Number of  
options  
‘000
181
123
(3)
(58)
–
243

2017 
Number of  
options  
‘000
1,092
799
(78)
(79)
(12)
1,722

During the period the weighted average share price on share awards exercised in the period was 628.00p.

The awards have been allocated based on a share price of 559.50p for the 26 November 2010 grants, 686.50p for the 31 January 
2011 grants, 759.80p for the 23 June 2011 grants, 892.90p for the 4 December 2013 grants, 830.00p for the 27 June 2014 grants, 
541.00p for the 29 June 2015 grants, 476.95p for the 23 September 2015 grants, 520.85p for the 27 June 2016 grants and 680.10 
for the 27 June 2017 grants.

Restricted Share Award

Options outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited 
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at end of year
Exercisable at year end

Restricted Share Award

2018 
Number of  
options  
‘000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2017 
Number of  
options  
‘000
19
–
–
(19)
–
–
–

 
 
142

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

21 Share based payments continued
Savings Related Share Option Scheme
The scheme is open to all UK employees. Options are granted at the prevailing market price at the time of the grant (with a 
discretionary discount to the market price) to employees who agree to save between £5 and the maximum savings amount 
offered per month over a period of three or five years. 

There are no performance conditions attaching to the options. After the three or five year term has expired, employees normally 
have six months in which to decide whether or not to exercise their options. A pre-vesting forfeiture rate of 10 per cent has been 
assumed on new options granted in the year based on historic experience.

Options outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at end of year

2018

2017

Weighted 
average  
exercise  
price pence  
per share
395.63
520.26
382.74
435.60
513.30
410.18

Number of 
options  
‘000
2,944
654
(86)
(464)
(192)
2,856

Weighted  
average  
exercise  
price pence  
per share
397.36
441.06
384.77
438.02
553.77
395.63

Number of 
options  
‘000
3,129
599
(368)
(252)
(164)
2,944

The range of exercise prices for the share options outstanding at the end of the year is 344.40p – 775.34p (2017: 344.40p – 
775.34p). The weighted average remaining contractual life of the outstanding share options is 1.62 years (2017: 1.91 years). 

During the period the weighted average share price on options exercised in the period was 616.00p.

Market share purchase of shares by Trustee De La Rue Employee Share Ownership Trust 
The De La Rue Employee Share Ownership Trust (Trust) is a separately administered trust established to administer shares 
granted to Executive Directors and senior employees under the various discretionary share option plans established by the 
Company. Liabilities of the Trust are guaranteed by the Company and the assets of the Trust mainly comprise shares in the 
Company. Equiom (Guernsey) Limited is the Trustee. The own shares held by the Trust are shown as a reduction in shareholders’ 
funds. The shares will be held at historical rates until such time as they are disposed of. Any profit or loss on the disposal of own 
shares is treated as a movement in reserves rather than as an income statement item. 

The Trustee held no shares at 31 March 2018.

22 Analysis of net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Short term bank deposits
Bank overdrafts
Total cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings due within one year
Net debt

Net debt above is presented excluding unamortised pre-paid borrowing fees of £1.5m.

2018  
£m
15.2
0.3
(0.3)
15.2
(65.1)
(49.9)

2017  
£m
13.2
2.2
(4.2)
11.2
(132.1)
(120.9)

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

143

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23 Operating leases

Accounting Policies 
A lease is defined as an agreement whereby the lessor conveys to the lessee the right to use a specific asset for an agreed 
period of time in return for a payment or a series of payments.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of 
ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the lease term. 
Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an operating lease are also spread on a straight line basis over 
the lease term.

Total commitments due:
 – Within one year 
 – Between one and five years 

 – Over five years 

24 Retirement benefit obligations

2018 
Property  
£m

2018 
 Plant and 
equipment  
£m

2017  
Property  
£m

2017 
Plant and 
equipment  
£m

3.0
7.6

25.5
36.1

–
–

–
–

2.5
8.9

28.9
40.3

–
–

–
–

Accounting Policies 
The Group operates retirement benefit schemes, devised in accordance with local conditions and practices in the country 
concerned, covering the majority of employees. The assets of the Group’s schemes are generally held in separately 
administered trusts or are insured. The major schemes are defined benefit pension schemes with assets held separately 
from the Group. The cost of providing benefits under each scheme is determined using the projected unit credit actuarial 
valuation method. The major defined benefit pension scheme is based in the UK and is now largely closed to future accrual. 
The current service cost and gains and losses on settlements and curtailments are included in operating costs in the Group 
income statement. The interest income on the plan assets of funded defined benefit pension schemes and the imputed 
interest on pension scheme liabilities are disclosed as retirement benefit obligation net finance expense respectively in the 
income statement.

Return on plan assets excluding assumed interest income on the assets, changes in the retirement benefit obligation due to 
experience and changes in actuarial assumptions are included in the statement of comprehensive income in full in the period 
in which they arise.

The liability recognised in respect of defined benefit pension schemes is the present value of the defined benefit obligation less 
the fair value of the scheme assets, as determined by actuarial valuations carried out at the balance sheet date.

The Group’s contributions to defined contribution plans are charged to the income statement in the period to which the 
contributions relate.

A Trustee board has been appointed to operate the UK defined benefit scheme in accordance with its governing documents 
and pensions law. The scheme meets the legal requirement for member nominated trustees representation on the trustee board 
and a professional independent trustee has been appointed as chair of the board. The members of the trustee board undertake 
regular training to ensure they are able to fulfil their function as trustees and have appointed professional advisers to give them 
specialist expertise where required.

The Group has calculated the value of the minimum funding commitments to its schemes and determined that no additional 
liability under IFRIC 14 is required at 31 March 2018. No significant judgements were involved in making this determination.

In November 2017 the Trustee of the Defined Benefit Scheme decided to change indexation of future increases to the Defined 
Benefit Scheme benefits from the Retail Prices Index (‘RPI’) to the Consumer Prices Index (‘CPI’), effective from April 2018. 
The decision was made following a request from the Company and a detailed legal review upon which the Trustee concluded 
that CPI is currently a more suitable index for the calculation of annual increases in the Scheme. This change led to a past service 
credit of £80.5m. The directors continue to assess any residual impact from this change.

 
 
144

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

24 Retirement benefit obligations continued
(a) Defined benefit pension schemes
Amounts recognised in the consolidated balance sheet:

Equities
Bonds
Gilts
Diversified Growth Fund
Liability Driven Investment Fund
Multi Asset Credit
Other
Fair value of scheme assets
Present value of funded obligations
Funded defined benefit pension schemes
Present value of unfunded obligations
Net liability

2018 
UK  
£m
199.9
273.9
–
208.6
230.1
52.2
15.3
980.0
(1,061.1)
(81.1)
(6.5)
(87.6)

2018 
Overseas  
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(2.0)
(2.0)

2018 
Total  
£m
199.9
273.9
–
208.6
230.1
52.2
15.3
980.0
(1,061.1)
(81.1)
(8.5)
(89.6)

2017 
UK  
£m
222.9
270.0
–
199.4
222.2
38.1
21.9
974.5
(1,204.7)
(230.2)
(6.8)
(237.0)

Amounts recognised in the consolidated income statement: 

Included in employee benefits expense:
 – Current service cost
 – Administrative expenses and taxes
Included in interest on retirement benefit obligation 
net finance expense:
 – Interest income on scheme assets
 – Interest cost on liabilities
Retirement benefit obligation net finance expense 
Total recognised in the consolidated income statement
Return on scheme assets excluding assumed interest income
Remeasurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit 
pension obligations
Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income

2018 
UK  
£m

2018 
Overseas  
£m

–
(2.3) 

(0.5)
–

26.7
(32.3)
(5.6)
72.6
21.1

40.4
61.5

–
–
–
–
–

0.1
0.1

Major categories of scheme assets as a percentage of total scheme assets:

Equities
Bonds
Gilts
Diversified Growth Fund
Liability Driven Investment Fund
Multi Asset Credit
Other

2018  
UK  
%
20.0
28.0
–
21.0
24.0
5.0
2.0

2018 
Overseas  
%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2018 
Total  
£m

(0.5)
(2.3)

26.7
(32.3)
(5.6)
72.6
21.1

40.5
61.6

2018 
Total  
%
20.0
28.0
–
21.0
24.0
5.0
2.0

2017 
UK  
£m

–
(1.5)

29.6
(37.0)
(7.4)
(8.9)
114.7

(140.0)
(25.3)

2017  
UK  
%
22.9
27.7
–
20.5
22.8
3.9
2.2

2017 
Overseas  
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(2.4)
(2.4)

2017 
Overseas  
£m

(0.2)
–

–
–
–
(0.2)
–

0.1
0.1

2017  
Overseas  
%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2017  
Total  
£m
222.9
270.0
–
199.4
222.2
38.1
21.9
974.5
(1,204.7)
(230.2)
(9.2)
(239.4)

2017  
Total  
£m

(0.2)
(1.5)

29.6
(37.0)
(7.4)
(9.1)
114.7

(139.9)
(25.2)

2017  
Total  
%
22.9
27.7
–
20.5
22.8
3.9
2.2

The Diversified Growth Fund is a diversified asset portfolio which includes investments in equities, emerging market bonds, 
property, high yield credit and structured finance and smaller holdings in other asset classes. The Liability Driven Investment (LDI) 
fund consists of fixed interest bond holdings (approximately 49 per cent), index linked bond holdings (approximately 37 per cent) 
and cash (approximately 14 per cent). Interest rate swaps and floating rate notes are employed to complement the role of the LDI 
fund for liability risk management. Derivatives have been valued on a mark to market basis. The LDI is designed to proportionally 
counterbalance the effect/impact of a decrease/increase in interest rates/inflation on 50% of the funded obligations. The Multi-
Asset Credit Fund invests in a variety of debt instruments. 

Multi Asset Credit, Diversified Growth Funds and LDI asset categories include certain assets which are not quoted in an active 
market and are stated at fair value estimates provided by the manager of the investment fund.

Other UK assets comprise cash, interest rate swaps and floating rate notes.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

145

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24 Retirement benefit obligations continued
(a) Defined benefit pension schemes continued
Principal actuarial assumptions:

Future pension increases – past service
Discount rate
CPI inflation rate
RPI inflation rate

2018 
UK  
%

2.65
2.00
3.10

2018 
Overseas  
%
–
–
–
–

2017 
UK  
%
3.65
2.75
2.20
3.30

2017 
Overseas  
%
–
–
–
–

The financial assumptions adopted as at 31 March 2018 reflect the duration of the scheme liabilities which has been estimated 
to be 16 years assuming CPI linked benefits.

At 31 March 2018 mortality assumptions were based on tables issued by Club Vita, with future improvements in line with the 
CMI model, CMI_2017 (2017: CMI_2015) and a long term rate of 1.25 per cent per annum (2016/17: long term rate of 1.25% per 
annum). The resulting life expectancies within retirement are as follows:

Aged 65 retiring immediately (current pensioner)

Aged 50 retiring in 17 years (future pensioner)

Male
Female
Male
Female

2018
22.4
23.8
22.8
24.9

2017
22.7
24.2
23.3
25.5

The defined benefit pension schemes expose the Group to the following main risks:

Mortality risk – an increase in the life expectancy of members will increase the liabilities of the schemes. The mortality 
assumptions are reviewed regularly, and are considered appropriate.

Interest rate risk – A decrease in bond yields will increase the liabilities of the scheme. Liability driven investment strategies are 
used to hedge part of this risk.

Investment risk – The value of pension scheme assets vary with changes in interest rates, inflation expectations, credit spreads, 
exchange rates, and equity and property prices. There is a risk that asset returns are volatile and that the value of pension scheme 
assets may not move in line with changes in pension scheme liabilities. To mitigate against investment risk the pension scheme 
invests in derivatives which aim to hedge a proportion of the movements in assets and liabilities. The pension scheme invests in a 
wide range of assets to provide diversification in order to reduce the risk that a single investment or type of asset class could have 
a materially adverse impact on total scheme assets. The investment strategy and performance of investment funds are reviewed 
regularly to ensure the asset strategy of the pension schemes continues to be appropriate.

Inflation risk – The liabilities of the scheme are linked to inflation. An increase in inflation will result in an increase in liabilities. 
There are caps in place for UK scheme benefits to mitigate the risk of extreme increases in inflation. Liability driven investment 
strategies are used to hedge part of this risk. Any increase in the retirement benefit obligation could lead to additional funding 
obligations in future years. 

The table below provides the sensitivity of the liability in the scheme to changes in various assumptions:

Assumption change
0.25% decrease in discount rate
0.25% increase in CPI inflation rate
Increasing life expectancy by one year

Approximate impact on liability
Increase in liability of c£41m
Increase in liability of c£17m
Increase in liability of c£45m

The liability sensitivities have been derived using projected cash flows for the Scheme valued using the membership profile as 
at 5 April 2015 and assumptions chosen for the 2018 year end. The sensitivity analysis does not allow for changes in scheme 
membership since the 2015 actuarial valuation or the impact of the Scheme or Group’s risk management activities in respect 
of interest rate and inflation risk on the valuation of the Scheme assets.

The largest defined benefit pension scheme operated by the Group is in the UK. The Group’s formal triennial funding valuation 
of the UK defined benefit pension scheme was finalised in June 2016. The underlying funding deficit as at 5 April 2015 was 
valued at £252m. 

Changes in the fair value of UK scheme assets:

At 25 March 2017/26 March 2016
Assumed Interest income on scheme assets
Scheme administration expenses
Return on scheme assets less interest income
Employer contributions and other income
Benefits paid (including transfers)
At 31 March 2018/25 March 2017

2018 
£m
974.5
26.7
(2.3)
18.4
15.3
(55.3)
977.3

2017 
£m
861.9
29.6
(1.5)
114.7
14.8
(45.0)
974.5

 
 
146

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

24 Retirement benefit obligations continued
(a) Defined benefit pension schemes continued
Changes in the fair value of UK defined benefit pension obligations:

At 25 March 2017/26 March 2016
Interest cost on liabilities
Past service cost 
Effect of changes in financial assumptions
Effect of changes in demographic assumptions
Effect of experience items on liabilities
Benefits paid (including transfers)
At 31 March 2018/25 March 2017

2018 
£m
(1,211.5)
(32.3)
80.5
11.9
24.1
4.4
55.3
(1,067.6)

2017 
£m
(1,079.5)
(37.0)
–
(168.9)
12.9
16.0
45.0
(1,211.5)

During 2015/16, the Group made special funding payments of £19.1m (including scheme administration fees). The Group’s formal 
triennial valuation of the UK defined benefit Scheme was finalised in June 2016. The underlying funding deficit was valued at 
£252m. The Group agreed a revised funding plan with the Trustee to eliminate the deficit over a period of 12 years from 31 March 
2016. The plan will see the existing funding payment schedule extended from 2022 to 2028.

The cash contributions to the Scheme of £13.5m have been made in the current year and £20.5m will be made in 2019 and then 
rising by 4% per annum to 2022. It will be frozen at £23.0m per year between 2023 and 2028. The Group will continue to pay 
annual fees of £1.6m for managing the Scheme in addition to the cash contributions.

(b) Defined contribution pension plans
The Group operates a number of defined contribution plans for which the charge in the consolidated income statement for the 
year was £8.9m (2016/17: £8.8m).

25 Employee information

Average number of employees 
United Kingdom and Ireland 
Rest of Europe 
The Americas 
Rest of world 

Employee costs (including Directors’ emoluments) 
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Share incentive schemes 
Sharesave schemes 
Pension costs 

2018 
number

2017  
number

2,041
450
59
638
3,188

2,041
447
30
633
3,151

2018 
£m

2017  
£m

128.3
12.4
1.0
1.2
8.9
151.8

116.1
10.3
0.5
0.4
8.8
136.1

More detailed information regarding the Directors’ remuneration, shareholdings, pension entitlement, share options and other 
long-term incentive plans is shown in the directors’ remuneration report on pages 74 to 94.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

147

26 Capital commitments

The following commitments existed at the balance sheet date: 
 – Contracted but not provided for in the accounts 

2018  
£m

630.4

2017  
£m

6.5

Included in the table above is an amount in relation to the sale of Portals De La Rue Limited to EPIRIS Fund II on 29 March 2018.

As part of the transaction Portals De La Rue Limited will supply security paper to meet the Group’s anticipated internal 
requirements with pre agreed volumes and price mechanisms for the next 10 years. Based on the terms of the agreement 
the Group has a capital commitment of approximately £626m over the next 10 years. Refer to note 5 for further details.

27 Contingent liabilities
De La Rue has extensive international operations and is subject to various legal and regulatory regimes, including those covering 
taxation matters from which, in the ordinary course of business, contingent liabilities can arise.

As part of the sale of the CPS business the company gave certain warranties which were usual for a transaction of this nature. 
The buyer has indicated that it intends to claim under certain of these warranties but as insufficient evidence has been received 
to establish whether the claim has any merit no amount has been provided for at this stage.

During 2017 an employee at the Paper Mill in Bathford suffered a serious injury. The investigation by the enforcing authorities 
is ongoing. At the date of the statement of financial position no amounts have been provided in respect of this matter. It is not 
practicable to provide an estimate of the financial effect and there is uncertainty relating to the amount or timing of any outflow.

The group also provides guarantees and performance bonds which are issued in the ordinary course of business. In the event 
that a guarantee bond is called, provision may be required subject to the particular circumstances including an assessment of 
its recoverability.

28 Related party transactions
During the year the Group traded on an arms length basis with the associated company Fidink S.A. (33.3 per cent owned). 
The Group’s trading activities with this company included £24.6m (2016/17: £20.8m) for the purchase of security ink and other 
consumables. At the balance sheet date there were creditor balances of £0.7m (2016/17: £6.4m) with Fidink S.A.

Intra-Group transactions between the parent and the fully consolidated subsidiaries or between fully consolidated subsidiaries are 
eliminated on consolidation.

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Key management compensation

Salaries and other short term employee benefits 
Termination benefits 
Retirement benefits: 
 – Defined contribution 
Share based payments 

2018  
£m
3.0
–

0.1
0.1
3.2

2017  
£m
3.0
–

0.1
0.2
3.3

Key management comprises members of the Board (including the fees of Non-executive Directors) and the Executive Leadership 
Team. Termination benefits include compensation for loss of office, ex gratia payments, redundancy payments, enhanced 
retirement benefits and any related benefits in kind connected with a person leaving office or employment.

29 Post balance sheet events 
Since the year end there are no material events that have occurred.

 
 
148

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

30 Subsidiaries and associated companies as at 31 March 2018 
A full list of subsidiary and associated undertakings is below. Unless otherwise stated all Group owned shares are ordinary.

Activities

De La Rue interest %

Country of incorporation and operation
Europe
United Kingdom DLR (No.1) Limited

DLR (No.2) Limited*
De La Rue Holdings Limited
De La Rue International Limited
De La Rue Overseas Limited
De La Rue Finance Limited
De La Rue Investments Limited
Portals Group Limited
Bradbury Wilkinson Holdings Limited (in liquidation)
De La Rue Consulting Services Limited
De La Rue Healthcare Trustee Limited
De La Rue Pension Trustee Limited
De La Rue Scandinavia Limited
Harrison & Sons Limiteda
Portals Holdings Limited
Portals Property Limited
De La Rue House Jays Close Viables Basingstoke Hampshire RG22 4BS, 
United Kingdom

Holding company
Holding company
Holding and general commercial activities
Trading
Holding company
Internal financing
Holding company
Holding company
(in liquidation)
Trading
Dormant
Dormant
Holding company
Non-trading
Dormant
Trading

Channel Islands The Burnhill Insurance Company Limited

Insurance

Level 5, Mill Court, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, GY1 1EJ, Guernsey

Ireland

Malta

De La Rue (Guernsey) Limited
PO Box 142, The Beehive, Rohais, St Peter Port, GY1 3HT, Guernsey

Non-trading

Thomas De La Rue and Company (Ireland) Limited Dormant
Suite 3, One Earlsfort Centre, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

De La Rue Currency and Security Print Limited
De La Rue Services Limited
B40/43 Industrial Estate, Bulebel, Zejtun, Malta

The Netherlands De La Rue BV

Hoogoorddreef 15, 1101 BA, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Poland

Sweden

Harrison & Sons Sp. Z o.o
Mokotowska 24, 00-561, Warsaw, Poland

De La Rue (Sverige) AB
Box 14055, 104 40, Stockholm, Sweden

Switzerland

Thomas De La Rue A.G.
Rue de Morat 11, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland

Trading
Trading

Trading

Dormant

Non-trading

Holding company

North America
USA

De La Rue North America Holdings Inc.b
8333 N.W. 53rd Street, Suite 502, Doral, Florida 33166, United States

Holding company

De La Rue Authentication Solutions Inc.
1750 North 800 West, Logan, Utah 84321, USA

Canada

De La Rue Canada One Limited
1400-340 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON KIR 0AS, Canada

Trading

Trading

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

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

149

30 Subsidiaries and associated companies as at 31 March 2018 continued

Country of incorporation and operation
South America
Brazil

De La Rue Cash Systems Industrias Limitadac
De La Rue Cash Systems Limitadac
Rua Boa Vista, 254, 13th Floor, Suite 41, Centro, Sao Paulo, 01014-907, Brazil

Saint Lucia

De La Rue Caribbean Limited
Meridan Place, Choc Estate, Castries, Saint Lucia

Activities

Non-trading
Trading

Trading

Africa
Kenya

Angola

Nigeria

Senegal

South Africa

Australia  
and Oceania
Australia

Far East  
and Asia
China

Hong Kong

Sri Lanka

India

Singapore

United Arab 
Emirates

De La Rue Currency and Security Print Limited
De La Rue Kenya EPZ Limited
De La Rue Kenya Limited
ABC Towers, 6th Floor, ABC Place, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, Kenya

De La Rue Angola Limitada
Rua Engrácia Fragoso 60, Edifcio Kalunga Atrium, Escritòrio 104, Letra D, 
Distrito Urbano da Ingombota, Luanda, Angola
De La Rue Commercial Services Limited
7th Floor, Marble House, 1 Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

De La Rue West Africa SARL
VDN Keur Gorgui Imm Hermes 1, 2e Etage No 16 Dakar-Liberte,  
BP 10700, Senegal
De La Rue Global Services (SA) (Pty) Limited
3rd Floor, 54 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, Gauteng, 2196, South Africa

Trading
Dormant
Trading

Trading

Trading

Trading

Non-trading

De La Rue Australia Pty Limited
Level 22, MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Trading

De La Rue Security Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd
1011, 10F Office Building No.1 Guanghua Road Chaoyang District,  
Beijing, China
Thomas De La Rue (Hong Kong) Limited
Suite 1106-8, 11/F Tai Yau Building, No 181 Johnson Road, 
Wanchai, Hong Kong
De La Rue Lanka Currency and Security Print 
(Private) Limited
No 9/5 Thambiah Avenue, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka

De La Rue India Private Limited
1404, 14 Floor, Tower B, Signature Towers, South City 1, 
Gurgaon, Haryana, India
De La Rue Currency and Security Print Pte Ltd 
80 Raffles Place, #32-01, UOB Plaza, 048624, Singapore

De La Rue FZCO

Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, Building 6 West Wing A, Office #820, 
PO Box 371683, Dubai

Trading

Trading

Trading

Trading

Non-trading

Trading

Trading

Associates
Switzerland

Fidink S.A.

*  Ordinary shares held directly by De La Rue plc.

a  Ordinary shares, cumulative preference shares and deferred shares.

b  Common stock.

c  Quotas.

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De La Rue interest %

100
100

100

100
100
100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

60

100

100

100

33

 
 
150

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts continued

31 Non-controlling interest
The Group’s only subsidiary with a material non-controlling interest is De La Rue Lanka Currency and Security Print (Private) 
Limited, whose country of incorporation and operation is Sri Lanka. The accumulated non-controlling interest of the subsidiary 
at the end of the reporting period is shown on the Group balance sheet. The following table summarises key information relating 
to this subsidiary, before intra-group eliminations:

Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net assets (100%)
Revenue 
Profit for the year
Non-controlling interest percentage
Profit allocated to non-controlling interest
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investment activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

2018  
£m
15.7
16.2
(0.4)
(8.9)
22.6
37.5
3.5
40%
1.4
0.3
1.7
(1.9)
0.3
0.1

2017  
£m
14.2
18.5
(1.8)
(10.7)
20.2
41.8
4.0
40%
1.6
0.3
2.0
(1.1)
(10.7)
(9.8)

32 Business Combinations
On 12 December 2016, De La Rue entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (‘SPA’) to acquire 100% of the outstanding capital 
stock of DuPont Authentication Inc (subsequently renamed to De La Rue Authentication Solutions (‘DAS’). The acquisition 
completed on 6 January 2017, for a total consideration of $26.2m (£21.3m). This included the initial cash payment of $24.8m 
(equivalent to £20.2m) and a closing working capital adjustment of $1.4m (£1.1m) as per the terms of the SPA.

DAS is a leading global producer of photopolymer holographic films and 3D holograms and associated software. Its technology 
is used to authenticate products ranging from consumer electronics to spirits and also to secure identity documents. Its products 
are based on the highly specialised and secure Lippmann holography technology. Based in Utah, USA and with operations in 
Delaware, DAS has a well established global customer base in brand protection and identity authentication. This acquisition 
is in line with De La Rue’s five year strategic plan to transform the Group into a technology led Security product and service 
provider. It will strengthen De La Rue’s Security Features, Product Authentication & Traceability, and Identity Solutions product 
lines. DuPont Authentication’s proprietary technology will also provide a solid platform for De La Rue to create new applications 
for the Currency market. 

In 2016/17 net assets recognised in the financial statements were based on provisional values utilising the forecasts available at 
that time. During 2017/18 the purchase price accounting has been finalised utilising more detailed financial forecasts which provide 
greater visibility into the respective split of intangibles assets on the date of acquisition between the Izom and Omnidex intangible 
assets. This split is considered important as from 2017/18 management are reporting the Izom product within the PA&T segment 
and Omnidex within the IDS segment. During the year the purchase price accounting for the Group’s acquisition of DuPont 
Authentication (subsequently renamed to De La Rue Solutions Inc) has been completed. This has resulted in a change to net 
assets recognised on acquisition. Goodwill recognised on acquisition has decreased by £0.8m, intellectual property intangibles 
have decreased by £0.9m, Customer relationship intangibles recognised on acquisition have increased by £2.3m and Trade name 
intangibles have decreased by £0.1m. Deferred tax liabilities that had been recognised on acquisition have increased by £0.4m.

Valuation techniques and key valuation assumptions and estimates 
The principle intangible assets recognised were intellectual property £3.8m and customer relationships £4.6m. The key 
assumptions used in valuing these were:

Intellectual property 
Valued on a ‘relief from royalty basis’. Key valuation assumptions were the appropriate third party royalty rate used to calculate the 
royalties saved from owning this intellectual property and estimations of future forecast sales levels. Management has also made 
judgements on the useful economic life of this asset and consequently the period of time over which forecasted cash flows should 
be estimated. Discount rate has been determined using the ‘internal rate of return’ for the transaction with an incremental risk 
premium added based on the perceived additional risk for this asset as compared to the acquired business as a whole.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

151

32 Business Combinations continued
Customer relationships 
Valued using the ‘multi-excess earnings method’. Key valuation assumptions were the future attrition rate for customers existing 
at the acquisition date and the expected growth in sales from the remaining customers in the future. Judgements have also 
been made with regards to estimated future forecast sales and cost levels. Management has also made judgements on the 
useful economic life of this asset and consequently the period of time over which forecasted cash flows should be estimated. 
Discount rate has been determined using the ‘internal rate of return’ for the transaction with an incremental risk premium added 
based on the perceived additional risk for this asset as compared to the acquired business as a whole.

Goodwill 
The goodwill recognised represents the expected synergies to be derived from the acquisition, the value of the assembled 
workforce on acquisition and assets that do not qualify for separate recognition at the acquisition date.

Consideration was fully satisfied in cash. The closing working capital adjustment of $1.4m (£1.1m) was paid in April 2017.

Acquisition related costs of £0.2m were recognised in the Income Statement (See Note 4 ‘exceptional items’). 

DAS contributed £10.9m of revenue and an operating profit of £1.2m to the Group in the year which was in line with expectations.

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152

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Company balance sheet
at 31 March 2018

Fixed assets
Investments in subsidiaries

Current assets
Debtors receivable within one year
Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors

Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings
Total shareholders’ funds

Approved by the Board on 30 May 2018

Philip Rogerson 
Chairman  

Martin Sutherland
Chief Executive Officer 

Notes

2018  
£m

2017  
£m

4a

5a

6a

7a

154.5
154.5

52.1
4.7
56.8

(0.8)
(0.8)
56.0
210.5
210.5

47.1
38.4
5.9
119.1
210.5

152.4
152.4

80.6
1.7
82.3

(4.2)
(4.2)
78.1
230.5
230.5

46.8
36.7
5.9
141.1
230.5

Company statement of changes in equity
for the period ended 31 March 2018

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

153

Balance at 26 March 2016
Share capital issued 
Profit for the financial year 
Dividends paid 
Employee share scheme: 
 – value of services provided 
Balance at 25 March 2017
Share capital issued 
Profit for the financial year 
Dividends paid 
Other movements
Employee share scheme: 
 – value of services provided 
Balance at 31 March 2018

Share  
capital  
£m
46.6
0.2
–
–
–
–
46.8
0.3
–
–
–

–
47.1

Share  
premium  
account  
£m
35.7
1.0
–
–
–
–
36.7
1.7
–
–
–

–
38.4

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
£m
5.9
–
–
–

–
5.9
–
–
–
–

–
5.9

Retained  
earnings  
£m
86.2
–
79.7
(25.4)
–
0.6
141.1

0.8
(25.4)
0.4

2.2
119.1

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Total  
equity  
£m
174.4
1.2
79.7
(25.4)
–
0.6
230.5
2.0
0.8
(25.4)
0.4

2.2
210.5

Share premium account
This reserve arises from the issuance of shares for consideration in excess of their nominal value.

Capital redemption reserve
This reserve represents the nominal value of shares redeemed by the Company.

 
 
154

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Accounting policies – Company

Basis of preparation
The financial statements of De La Rue 
plc (the Company) have been prepared 
in accordance with Financial Reporting 
Standard 102 The Financial Reporting 
Standard applicable in the UK and 
Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) as issued 
in August 2014. The amendments 
to FRS 102 issued in July 2015 and 
effective immediately have been applied. 
The presentation currency of these 
financial statements is sterling. 

Under section s408 of the Companies 
Act 2006 the company is exempt from 
the requirement to present its own profit 
and loss account. 

In the transition to FRS 102 from 
old UK GAAP, the Company 
made no measurement and 
recognition adjustments.

FRS 102 grants certain first-time 
adoption exemptions from the full 
requirements of FRS 102. The following 
exemption was taken in these financial 
statements: Separate financial 
instruments – carrying amount of 
the Company’s cost of investment 
in subsidiaries is its deemed cost at 
transition date, 30 March 2014.

In these financial statements, the 
company is considered to be a qualifying 
entity (for the purposes of this FRS) 
and did apply the exemptions available 
under FRS 102 in respect of the 
following disclosures: 

•  Reconciliation of the number of shares 
outstanding from the beginning to end 
of the period 

•  Cash Flow Statement and 

related notes

•  Key Management 

Personnel compensation 

As the consolidated financial statements 
of the Company include the equivalent 
disclosures, the Company has also taken 
the exemptions under FRS 102 available 
in respect of the following disclosures:

•  Certain disclosures required by FRS 

102.26 Share Based Payments
•  The disclosures required by FRS 

102.11 Basic Financial Instruments and 
FRS 102.12 Other Financial Instrument 
Issues in respect of financial 
instruments not falling within the fair 
value accounting rules of Paragraph 
36(4) of Schedule 1

•  The Company proposes to continue 
to adopt FRS 102 with the above 
disclosure exemptions in its next 
financial statements 

The accounting policies set out below 
have, unless otherwise stated, been 
applied consistently to all periods 
presented in these financial statements. 

On first time adoption of FRS 102, the 
Company did not retrospectively change 
its accounting under old UK GAAP for 
derecognition of financial assets and 
liabilities before the date of transition, 
hedge accounting for any hedging 
relationships that no longer existed 
at the date of transition, accounting 
estimates or discontinued operations. 

Judgements made by the directors, 
in the application of these accounting 
policies that have significant effect 
on the financial statements and 
estimates with a significant risk of 
material adjustment in the next year 
are discussed on page 113.

The accounts have been prepared 
as at 31 March 2018, being the last 
Saturday in March. The comparatives 
for the 2016/17 financial period are 
for the period ended 25 March 2017.

The following accounting policies have 
been applied consistently in dealing 
with items which are considered 
material in relation to the Company 
financial statements. 

Measurement convention
The financial statements are prepared on 
the historical cost basis except that the 
following assets and liabilities are stated 
at their fair value: derivative financial 
instruments, and financial instruments 
classified at fair value through the profit 
or loss.

Foreign currencies
Amounts receivable from overseas 
subsidiaries which are denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated into 
sterling at the appropriate period end 
rates of exchange. Exchange gains and 
losses on translating foreign currency 
amounts are included within the interest 
section of the profit and loss account 
except for exchange gains and losses 
associated with hedging loans that are 
taken to reserves.

Transactions in foreign currencies are 
translated into the functional currency 
at the rates of exchange prevailing at 
the dates of the individual transactions. 
Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are 
subsequently retranslated at the rate 
of exchange ruling at the balance sheet 
date. Such exchange differences are 
taken to the profit and loss account.

Dividends
Under FRS 102, final ordinary dividends 
payable to the shareholders of the 
Company are recognised in the period that 
they are approved by the shareholders. 
Interim ordinary dividends are recognised 
in the period that they are paid.

Investments in subsidiaries
These are separate financial statements 
of the company. Investments in 
subsidiaries are carried at deemed cost.

Employee benefits
Defined benefit plans
The pension rights of the Company’s 
employees are dealt with through a 
self administered scheme, the assets 
of which are held independently of the 
Group’s finances. The scheme is a 
defined benefit scheme and is closed to 
future accrual. The Group agrees deficit 
funding with the scheme Trustees and 
Pension Regulator. The Company is a 
participating employer but the Group 
has adopted a policy whereby the 
scheme funding and deficit are recorded 
in the main UK trading subsidiary of 
the Company, De La Rue International 
Limited, which pays all contributions 
to the scheme and hence these are 
not shown in the Company accounts. 
Full details of the scheme and its deficit 
(measured on an IAS 19R basis) can 
be found in note 24 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Share-based payment transactions
Full details of the share based payments 
Schemes operated by the Group are 
found in note 21 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Taxation
The charge for taxation is based on 
the result for the period and takes into 
account taxation deferred because of 
timing differences between the treatment 
of certain items for taxation and 
accounting purposes.

Deferred tax is recognised, without 
discounting, in respect of all timing 
differences between the treatment 
of certain items for taxation and 
accounting purposes which have arisen 
but not reversed by the balance sheet 
date, except as otherwise required 
by FRS 102.

Financial guarantee contracts
Where the Company enters into financial 
guarantee contracts to guarantee the 
indebtedness of other companies within 
the Group, the Company considers 
these to be insurance arrangements 
and accounts for them as such. 
In this respect, the Company treats 
the guarantee contract as a contingent 
liability until such time as it becomes 
probable that the Company will be 
required to make a payment under 
the guarantee.

Notes to the accounts – Company

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

155

1a Employee costs and numbers
Employee costs are borne by De La Rue Holdings Limited. For details of Directors’ remuneration, refer to disclosures in the 
directors’ remuneration report on pages 74 to 92.

Average employee numbers 

2018  
Number
4

2017  
Number
5

2a Auditor’s remuneration
Auditor’s remuneration is borne by De La Rue Holdings Limited. For details of auditor’s remuneration, see note 3 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

3a Equity dividends
For details of equity dividends, see note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.

4a Investments
Investments are stated at deemed cost in the balance sheet, less provision for any permanent diminution in the value of 
the investment.

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Investments comprise:
Investments in subsidiaries 

Cost at 31 March 2018 and 25 March 2017
Additions
Cost at 31 March 2018 and 25 March 2017

2018  
£m

2017  
£m

154.5

152.4

2018  
£m
152.4
2.1
154.5

2017  
£m
152.4
–
152.4

Where the Company grants share options over its own shares to the employees of its subsidiary undertakings these awards 
are accounted for by the Company, as an additional investment in its subsidiary. The costs are determined in accordance 
with FRS 102. Any payments made by the subsidiary undertaking in respect of these arrangements are treated as a return 
of this investment.

Share based payments were previously recharged to subsidiaries and recorded via the intercompany loan account. 

For details of investments in Group companies, refer to the list of subsidiary and associated undertakings on pages 148 to 149.

5a Debtors
Other receivables are measured at amortised cost, which approximates to fair value. Trade and other receivables are discounted 
when the time value of money is considered material.

Amounts due within one year 
Amounts owed by Group undertakings 

2018  
£m

2017  
£m

52.1

80.6

 
 
156

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Notes to the accounts – Company continued

6a Other creditors

Amounts falling due within one year 
Amounts due to Group undertakings 
Accruals and deferred income 
Other creditors 

2018  
£m

–
0.8
0.8

2017  
£m

2.9
1.3
4.2

7a Share capital
For details of share capital, see note 20 to the consolidated financial statements.

8a Share based payments
The Company operates various equity and cash settled option schemes although the majority of plans are settled by the issue of 
shares. The services received from employees are measured by reference to the fair value of the share options. The fair value is 
calculated at grant date and recognised in the profit and loss account, together with a corresponding increase in shareholders’ 
funds, on a straight line basis over the vesting period, based on an estimate of the number of shares that will eventually vest. 
Vesting conditions, other than market conditions, are not taken into account when estimating the fair value. FRS 102 has been 
applied to share settled share options granted after 7 November 2002.

Where the Company grants options over its own shares to the employees of its subsidiary undertakings these awards are 
accounted for by the Company, as an additional investment in its subsidiary. The costs are determined in accordance with 
FRS 102. Any payments made by the subsidiary undertaking in respect of these arrangements are treated as a return of 
this investment.

For details of share based payments, see note 21 to the consolidated financial statements and the directors’ remuneration report 
on pages 74 to 94.

9a Related party transactions
The Company has no transactions with or amounts due to or from subsidiary undertakings that are not 100 per cent owned either 
directly by the Company or by its subsidiaries.

For details of key management compensation, see note 27 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Non-IFRS measures

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

157

De La Rue plc publishes certain additional information in a non-statutory format in order to provide readers with an increased 
insight into the underlying performance of the business. The Directors are of the opinion that these measures give a better 
understanding of the underlying performance of the business. Amortisation of acquired intangible assets is a non-cash item and 
by excluding this from the adjusted operating profit metrics this is deemed to be a more meaningful metric of the contribution from 
the underlying business. The measures the Group uses along with appropriate reconciliations where applicable are shown below. 

Adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating profit represents earnings from continuing operations adjusted to exclude exceptional items and amortisation 
of acquired intangible assets.

Operating profit from continuing operations on an IFRS basis 
 – Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
 – Exceptional items (Gain)/Loss
Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations

2016 
£m
66.8
–
3.6
70.4

2017 
£m
70.2
0.1
0.4
70.7

2018 
£m
123.0
0.7
(60.9)
62.8

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Adjusted basic earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share are the earnings attributable to equity shareholders, excluding exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangible assets and discontinued operations divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares dual share in 
issue. It has been calculated by dividing the De La Rue plc’s adjusted operating profit from continuing operations for the period by 
the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue excluding share held in the employee share trust. 

Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company from continuing 
operations on an IFRS basis
 – Exceptional items 
 – Amortisation of acquired intangibles
 – Tax on amortisation of acquired intangibles
 – Tax on exceptional items 
Adjusted profit attributable to equity shareholders  
of the Company from continuing operations 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings 

Basic earnings per ordinary share continuing operations on an IFRS basis 
Basic adjusted earnings per ordinary share for continuing operations

2016 
£m

47.4
3.6
–
–
(2.3)

2017 
£m

47.9
0.4
0.1
–
(0.6)

48.7
101.3

47.8
101.6

2018 
£m

95.4
(60.9)
0.7
(1.2)
9.7

43.7
101.9

2016 
pence per  
share
46.8p
48.1p

2017 
pence per  
share
47.2p
47.1p

2018 
pence per  
share
93.7
42.9

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin
Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings from continuing operations before the deduction of interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation 
and exceptional items. The EBITDA margin percentage takes the applicable EBITDA figure and divides this by the continuing 
revenue in the period.

Profit before interest and taxation from continuing operations on an IFRS basis 
 – Depreciation 
 – Amortisation 
EBITDA on an IFRS basis
 – Exceptional items (Gain)/Loss
Adjusted EBITDA 

EBITDA margin on an IFRS basis
Adjusted EBITDA margin 

2016 
£m
66.8
23.0
3.0
92.8
3.6
96.4

2017 
£m
70.2
24.3
2.5
97.0
0.4
97.4

2018 
£m
123.0
21.9
3.3
148.2
(60.9)
87.3

20.4%
21.2%

21.0%
21.1%

30.0%
17.7%

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
Return of capital employed is the ratio of the operating profit before exceptional items and adjusting items over capital employed, 
where capital employed equals net assets, excluding pensions, tax interest and long term liabilities. 

Cash conversion
Cash conversion is the ratio of adjusted operating cash flow divided by the adjusted operating profit. 

 
 
158

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

Five year record

Income statement

Revenue
Operating profit 
 – Adjusted operating profit 
 – Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
 – Exceptional items – operating 
Total 
Share of profits of associated companies 
Exceptional items – non-operating 
Profit before interest 
Net interest expense
Retirement benefit obligation net finance expense
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Profit after taxation from continuing operations
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations
Equity non-controlling interests 
Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders
Dividends
Retained (loss)/profit for the period 

Basic earnings per ordinary share continuing operations
Basic earnings per ordinary share discontinued operations
Diluted earnings per share continuing operations
Diluted earnings per share discontinued operations
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share continuing operations
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share discontinued operations
Dividends per ordinary share2 
Adjusted profit before taxation

Balance sheet

Non-current assets 
Net current liabilities3
Net debt 
Non-current liabilities 
Equity non-controlling interests 
Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company

20141
£m
513.3

2015 
£m
422.8

2016  
£m
454.5

89.3
–
(17.5)
71.8
–
–
71.8
(4.7)
(7.3)
59.8
(11.9)
47.9
–
(0.6)
47.3
(42.2)
5.1

47.3p
–
47.0p
–
60.7p
–
42.3p
77.3

£m
240.4
(40.8)
(89.9)
(180.1)
(5.1)
(75.5)

69.1
–
(16.9)
52.2
–
–
52.2
(4.6)
(7.0)
40.6
(7.7)
32.9
2.2
(0.8)
34.3
(36.8)
(2.5)

31.8p
2.2.p
31.3p
2.1p
46.1p
(0.8p)
25.0p
57.5

£m
244.0
(30.7)
(111.0)
(249.2)
(5.7)
(152.6)

70.4
–
(3.6)
66.8
–
–
66.8
(4.8)
(7.1)
54.9
(6.3)
48.6
(31.0)
(1.2)
16.4
(25.3)
(8.9)

46.8p
(30.6p)
46.2p
(30.2p)
48.1p
(7.1p)
25.0p
58.5

£m
226.5
(35.0)
(106.1)
(231.0)
(6.6)
(152.2)

(restated)

2017  
£m
461.7

70.7
(0.1)
(0.4)
70.2
–
–
70.2
(4.6)
(7.4)
58.2
(8.7)
49.5
(6.4)
(1.6)
41.5
(25.4)
16.1

47.2
(6.3)
46.6
(6.2)
47.1
n/a
25.0p
58.7

£m
242.9
(16.2)
(120.9)
(248.6)
(7.9)
(150.7)

2018  
£m
493.9

62.8
(0.7)
60.9
123.0
–
–
123.0
(3.8)
(5.6)
113.6
(16.8)
96.8
(1.8)
(1.4)
93.6
(25.4)
68.2

93.7
(1.8)
92.8
(1.8)
42.9
n/a
25.0p
53.4

£m
169.0
(43.2)
(49.9)
(96.6)
(8.9)
(29.6)

Notes

1  Not restated in respect of discontinued operations.

2  Includes proposed final dividend which, in accordance with IFRS accounting requirements, has not been accrued.

3  Excludes amounts included in net debt.

Shareholders’ information

Registered office
De La Rue House 
Jays Close 
Viables 
Basingstoke 
Hampshire 
RG22 4BS

Telephone: +44 (0)1256 605000 
Fax: +44 (0)1256 605336

Registered number: 3834125 
Company Secretary: Mr E H D Peppiatt

Registrar
Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol  
BS99 6ZZ 

Telephone: +44 (0)370 703 6375 
Fax: +44 (0)370 703 6101

Annual general meeting
The AGM will be held at 10:30am on 
26 July 2018 at The Hampshire Court 
Hotel, Centre Drive, Great Binfields Road, 
Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8FY. 
Each shareholder is entitled to attend 
and vote at the AGM, the arrangements 
for which are described in a separate 
notice to shareholders. The notice of 
AGM can also be found in the investors 
section on the Group’s website.

Electronic shareholder 
communications
Shareholders can register online at 
www.investorcentre.co.uk/ecomms 
to receive statutory communications 
electronically rather than through the 
post. Shareholders who choose this 
option will receive an email notification 
each time the Group publishes new 
shareholder documents on its website. 
Shareholders will need to have their 
shareholder reference number (‘SRN’) 
available when they first log in. This 11 
character number (which starts with 
the letter C or G) can be found on 
share certificates and dividend tax 
confirmations. Shareholders who 
subscribe for electronic communications 
can revert to postal communications or 
request a paper copy of any shareholder 
document at any time in the future.

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

159

Electronic voting
All shareholders can submit proxies 
for the AGM electronically by logging 
onto Computershare’s website at 
www.investorcentre.co.uk/eproxy

Shareholder enquiries 
Enquiries regarding shareholdings or 
dividends should, in the first instance, 
be addressed to Computershare Investor 
Services PLC. Details of shareholdings 
and how to make amendments to 
personal details can be viewed online 
at www.investorcentre.co.uk 

Shareholder helpline telephone: 
+44 (0)370 703 6375

Dividends
Shareholders are encouraged to 
have dividends paid directly into their 
bank accounts to ensure an efficient 
payment method on the payment date. 
Shareholders selecting this payment 
method will receive a dividend confirmation 
in respect of each dividend payment.

Consolidation of shares 
Where registered shareholdings are 
represented by several individual share 
certificates, shareholders may wish to 
have these replaced by one consolidated 
certificate. The Company will meet the 
cost for this service. Share certificates 
should be sent to the Company’s registrar 
together with a letter of instruction.

Internet
The Group has a wide range of 
information that is available on its website 
www.delarue.com including:

•  Finance information – annual and interim 

reports, financial news and events

•  Share price information
•  Shareholder services information
•  Press releases both current and historical

Capital gains tax
March 1982 valuation
The price per share on 31 March 1982 
was 617.5p.

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Shareholders are advised to refer to their 
brokers/financial advisers for detailed 
advice on individual capital gains 
tax calculations.

Share dealing facilities
Computershare Investor Services PLC
Computershare, the Company’s registrar, 
provides a simple way to sell or purchase 
De La Rue plc shares.

Internet share dealing 
Available 24 hours a day/seven days 
a week with real time pricing in market 
hours. Commission is charged at  
1%, subject to a minimum charge 
of £30, with no set-up or annual 
management fees. Further information 
can be obtained by logging on to: 
www.computershare.trade

Telephone share dealing 
Commission is charged at 1% plus £35, 
with no set-up or annual management 
fees. The telephone share dealing service 
is available from 08:00 to 16:30 Monday 
to Friday, excluding bank holidays, on 
telephone number: +44 (0)370 703 0084

Financial calendar

Ex-dividend date for 
2017/18 final dividend
Record date for 
final dividend
Payment of 2017/18 
final dividend

5 July 2018

6 July 2018

3 August 2018

Warning to shareholders 
– boiler room fraud
We are aware that some shareholders 
might have received unsolicited telephone 
calls or correspondence concerning 
investment matters. These are typically 
from overseas based ‘brokers’ who target 
UK shareholders, offering to sell them what 
often turn out to be worthless or high risk 
shares or investments. These operations 
are commonly known as ‘boiler rooms’. 
These ‘brokers’ can be very persistent and 
extremely persuasive. You should always 
check any firm calling you about investment 
opportunities is properly authorised by 
the FCA. You will find useful advice and 
information about protecting yourself from 
investment scams on the FCA website 
www.fca.org.uk/consumers.

Analysis of shareholders at 31 March 2018

By range of holdings
0 – 1,000
1,001 – 5,000
5,001 – 10,000
10,001 – 100,000
100,001 – 500,000
500,001 and above
Total

Shareholders

Shares

Number
4,153
949
110
134
71
34
5,451

%
76.19
17.41
2.02
2.46
1.3
0.62

Number
1,352,395
1,900,060
777,359
4,935,156
16,600,778
76,823,940
100.00 102,389,688

%
1.32
1.86
0.76
4.82
16.21
75.03
100.00

 
 
160

De La Rue  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

De La Rue is a registered trademark 
of De La Rue Holdings Limited

DLR Analytics™, DLR Certify™, 
DLR Identify™, Kinetic StarChrome™, 
Kinetic StarChrome Portrait™, Gemini™, 
Ignite™ and PureImage™ are trademarks 
of De La Rue International Limited

Safeguard® is a registered trademark 
of De La Rue International Limited

This report is printed on Magno 
Satin paper. This paper has been 
independently certified as meeting the 
standards of the Forest Stewardship 
Council (FSC®), and was manufactured 
at a mill that is certified to the ISO14001 
and EMAS environmental standards.  

Designed and produced by 
Radley Yeldar 
www.ry.com 

Printed at
CPI Colour Printing Company which 
is ISO14001 certified, CarbonNeutral®, 
Alcohol Free Printer, FSC and PEFC 
chain of custody certified. The inks used 
are all vegetable oil based.

Visit us online 
www.delarue.com

De La Rue plc

De La Rue House 
Jays Close 
Viables 
Basingstoke 
Hampshire 
RG22 4BS

T +44 (0)1256 605000 
F +44 (0)1256 605004
www.delarue.com