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FBD HOLDINGS PLC

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FY2015 Annual Report · FBD HOLDINGS PLC
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STANDING WITH THE COMMUNITY

FBD HOLDINGS PLC   
ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Strengthening our RootsCover Photo by Agtel

Contents

2

4

8

20

21

26

38

47

48

Financial Highlights 

Chairman’s Statement 

Review of Operations 

Corporate Information

Report of the Directors 

Corporate Governance

Report on Directors’ Remuneration

Directors’ Responsibilities Statement

Independent Auditor’s Report

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

54

55

56

58

59

60

61

62

63

Consolidated Income Statement 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Company Statement of Financial Position

Company Statement of Cash Flows

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes to the Financial Statements

130 Letter from the Chairman in relation to the  

Annual General Meeting

136 Notice of Annual General Meeting

1

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Financial Highlights

Gross premium written

Net premium earned

2015
€000s

363,263

313,154

Restated **
2014
€000s

363,735

303,444

Result for the year – continuing operations

(74,235)

(3,924)

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

Net asset value per share

Ordinary dividend per share

2015
Cent

(215)

623

-

2013
€000s

351,195

296,387

44,892

2013
Cent

131

823

Restated
2014
Cent

(13)

786

51.00

49.00

Restated*
2012
€000s

344,255

300,625

44,704

Restated
2012
Cent

131

721

42.25

2011
€000s

351,111

300,920

41,618

2011
Cent

123

630

34.50

*   2012 fi gures restated to refl ect changes to IAS19 “Employee Benefi ts”.
**  2014 fi gures restated to refl ect a change in accounting policy in relation to other provisions and curtailments of defi ned 

benefi t pension.

Calendar

Preliminary announcement

Annual General Meeting

29 February 2016

29 April 2016

2

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

1.  Full Year

€363m €96m

GWP stable at €363m

Total prior year claims 
reserve strengthening 
of €96m

110-
130%

Capital within target 
range of Solvency II 
Coverage Ratio (SCR)

2.2%

Investment return

2.  Strategic Developments
FBD has stabilised during the second half of 2015

Key second half goals have 
been achieved

Signifi cant governance 
changes announced

Viable path to full year 
profi tability in 2017

Clear strategy articulated 
- continue to strengthen 
customer base in the Irish 
agricultural and small 
business sectors and pursue 
a single brand consumer 
strategy

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

3

Chairman’s Statement
Michael Berkery

Performance
2015 was an exceptionally challenging 
year for FBD. As your Chairman, it is with 
regret that I report our overall fi nancial 
performance in 2015 was so 
unsatisfactory.

The Irish insurance industry faces a 
signifi cantly changed claims environment, 
from a variety of structural factors 
aff ecting the courts system in Ireland, 
including the new Court of Appeal, 
changes in court jurisdiction limits and 
a reduction in the discount rate used in 
valuing severe personal injury claims. 
All these factors led to an increase in 
the cost of claims and a slowdown in 
settlement rates.

Recognising this, the Board took decisive 
action during the year and, following a 
review of prior year claims reserves, set 
aside a further €96 million to provide 
for these.

Economic Capital
Following the signifi cant additional 
provision for prior year claims, the 
Board embarked upon a programme to 
replenish FBD’s available capital levels in 
anticipation of the coming into eff ect, on 
1 January 2016, of the Solvency II capital 
regime. This included the following 
initiatives:

n  The sale of the Group’s 50% interest 
in the FBD Property & Leisure Limited 
joint venture for €48.5 million to the 
Group’s joint venture partner, 
Farmer Business Developments plc, 
a related party;

n  The closure to future accrual of the 
Company’s defi ned benefi t pension 
scheme on 30 September 2015 and 
the derisking of the scheme’s asset 
allocation which together reduced 
signifi cantly the level of volatility in 
the Group’s economic capital 
position; and

n  The issue of a Solvency II compliant 
Tier 2 Bond, to Fairfax Financial 
Holdings, raising €70 million. 
Shareholders later approved a 
mechanism under which this debt 
instrument would convert into 
ordinary shares in the Group at 
a conversion price of €8.50, 
representing a 37% premium to the 
price of the Group’s shares on the 
date before the issue of the Bond 
was announced.

Fairfax is a Canadian headquartered 
property and casualty insurance group. 
Their investment in FBD Group is a 
signifi cant and welcome vote of 
confi dence by a global insurance player 
in the strength of our business model and 
the relationships we have fostered since 
our foundation with our core customers. 
We are pleased to have the support of 
Fairfax and we look forward to a long 
relationship for the benefi t to the Group 
and our shareholders.

Dividend
In light of the deteriorating claims 
environment, the Board decided early in 
2015 that no interim or fi nal dividend 
would be paid for 2015. This was 
immediately announced to shareholders.

4

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

The Board appreciates the importance of 
the dividend to our shareholders, and did 
not make these decisions lightly, but 
stability and financial strength were 
prioritised.

The preservation of capital levels remains 
the strategic priority and the Group is 
unlikely to resume dividend payments until 
full year profitability has been achieved, 
which is currently expected in 2017.

Management Changes
On 31 July 2015 the Board announced the 
resignation of Mr. Andrew Langford, Group 
Chief Executive, after nineteen years with 
the Group. Andrew said on his departure 
that he believed this was the right time for 
someone else to lead FBD through its next 
phase of development. Andrew made a 
significant contribution to FBD during his 
time with the Group and we wish him every 
success in the future.

The Board moved decisively to appoint  
a new Chief Executive and, following an 
external search and selection process, 
appointed Ms. Fiona Muldoon to the role 
on 7 October 2015. Fiona was pivotal to the 
execution of the capital raising initiatives  
I mentioned earlier and very significant 
credit is due to her for the strong capital 
position which FBD now enjoys.

Since her appointment Fiona has,  
with input and support from the Board  
and Nomination Committee, been 
strengthening her senior management 
team to ensure the Group is well 
positioned for the future.

Mr. Cathal O’Caoimh, former Finance 
Director, retired from FBD and the Board 
on 30 September 2015 following seven 
years in the role during which he lead the 
implementation of a number of initiatives 
to de-risk FBD’s balance sheet and simplify 
and focus its operations. He also made  
a significant contribution to FBD and we 
wish him well in retirement.

Board Reorganisation and 
Governance Changes
FBD Group is today a more streamlined 
business than at any time since I have 
been Chairman, following the disposal of 
our non-core activities over recent years. 
The Group’s operations are now 
concentrated in our general insurance 
subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc, and our life, 
pensions and investment intermediary, 
FBD Financial Solutions.

This requires an equally streamlined 
governance structure and in 2016, the 
Group i.e. FBD Holdings plc and its 
principal subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc, 
will have a board comprised of the same 
directors, with the dual board structure 
currently in operation retired.

Subject to re-election at the 2016 AGM,  
I intend to use my last year as Chairman to 
complete these changes and to ensure an 
orderly handover of responsibility to the 
next chairman.

I want to record my own and the Board’s 
deep appreciation to Ms. Emer Daly,  
Mr. Eddie Downey, Ms. Brid Horan and  
Mr. Ruairí O’Flynn for their valued input to 
the Group since their appointments. They 
have indicated that they will not be putting 
themselves forward for re-election at the 
AGM in April 2016. They have contributed 
hugely to FBD and I want to wish each of 
them continued success in the future.

Personal Injury Awards in 
Ireland
In the late 1990s the Irish Government 
recognised the unsustainable level of 
personal injury costs in Ireland and 
commissioned a wide ranging review which 
culminated in the establishment of the 
Injuries Board (previously PIAB). I urge the 
next Government to again take decisive 
action and try to tackle both the excessive 
cost of personal injury awards and the 
prevalence of insurance fraud.

As a society we must make a choice 
between affordable insurance costs for 
consumers and businesses or excessive 
awards to claimants for relatively minor 
injuries. We cannot have both. Everyone 
pays for excessive awards through 
increased premiums. The sooner the 
Government, insurance industry, the legal 
profession and consumers face that reality 
the better. For example, in Ireland, the 
average cost of a soft tissue whiplash  
claim is €15,000 compared to about 
€5,000 in the UK. But even this lower  
cost is considered too high and the UK  
is moving to limit compensation to actual 
loss, consistent with most other countries 
in Europe.

FBD will continue to work closely with the 
industry and the next government to tackle 
the cost of claims for the benefit of all our 
customers.

Conclusion
I want to record my sincere thanks to the 
Board for their active involvement and 
support during 2015. I also want to thank 
the management team and our dedicated 
staff for their commitment to our plans 
and their hard work throughout 2015.

Finally I would like to thank our customers, 
many of whom are also shareholders, for 
their loyalty, trust and confidence in us. 
FBD’s brand and reputation for customer 
service remain strong and these factors, 
along with FBD’s core financial strength 
underpin my confidence that with the 
business now stabilised, the Group is well 
positioned to return to profitability in the 
near future.

Michael Berkery 
Chairman

26 February 2016

5

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20156

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

Chief Executive 
Fiona Muldoon

During the second half of 2015 the 
Group delivered on the important 
capital and strategic initiatives 
previously announced. There remains 
further work to return the business to 
profitability and we have set our 
business firmly on that path. 

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

7

Review of Operations 
Fiona Muldoon

During the second half of 2015 the Group delivered on  
the important capital and strategic initiatives previously 
announced. There remains further work to return the 
business to profitability and we have set our business 
firmly on that path. 

Following the strengthening of prior year 
reserves as reported in the Group’s 2015 
half yearly report, substantial progress 
has been made in improving price 
adequacy and in strengthening the 
Group’s capital position. 

The Group is focused on what it does 
best, servicing the insurance needs of 
FBD’s agricultural and small business 
customers as well as a single brand 
consumer strategy for motorists and 
home owners. Important actions to 
reduce expenditure in line with this 
simplified strategy were successfully 
effected during the second half of the 
financial year.

Significant progress has been made by 
the Group during the second half of 2015:

n  Focused on serving the insurance 

needs of core agricultural and small 
business customers. FBD will 
continue to invest in strengthening its 
customer relationships in the Irish 
agricultural and business sector.

n	

Implementation of the single brand 
consumer strategy has begun, FBD 
will service the needs of consumer 
car and home customers exclusively 
through the FBD brand.

n	 FBD has implemented decisive rating 

and pricing actions to restore 
profitability. This will continue as 
necessary in 2016.

n	 The Group has identified and 

implemented cost savings of €8m,  
as targeted in the 2015 half yearly 
report. A voluntary redundancy 
program was completed in the 
second half of 2015. The majority of 
savings will be realised from the end 
of the first quarter of 2016.

In August 2015, the Group outlined a 
number of measures to strengthen its 
capital position; divesting its stake in FBD 
Property & Leisure Limited, overhauling 
the legacy staff pension scheme and 
exploring options for raising regulatory 
capital in debt capital markets.

The Group has completed each of these 
steps successfully:

n	 On 24 August 2015, the Group 
announced that it had reached 
agreement with Farmer Business 
Developments plc to divest its half of 
the Property & Leisure joint venture 
for €48.5m. This was approved by 
shareholders on 22 October 2015,  
and closed immediately afterwards.

8

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015n	 On 16 September 2015, the Group 
announced that it had reached an 
agreement with Fairfax Financial 
Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”), whereby 
Fairfax invested €70m in FBD 
Insurance plc by private placement of 
a convertible bond instrument. This 
convertible bond (convertible into 
equity of FBD Holdings plc) was 
approved by shareholders on 30 
December 2015.

n	 The Group reached agreement with 
its staff in relation to the future of its 
defined benefit pension scheme. 95% 
of the active members in the scheme 
chose to leave the scheme in 
exchange for an enhanced transfer 
value to a defined contribution 
arrangement. The impact of the 
change in benefits coupled with the 
reduced number of members in the 
scheme has resulted in the 
elimination of the deficit of €54.3m  
as reported at 31 December 2014.  
A surplus of €9.1m was recorded at 
year end. The change in scheme 
benefits, net of the payment of 
enhanced transfer values has 
resulted in a credit to the income 
statement of €28.3m.

Business Review
The Group recorded a loss before tax 
from continuing and discontinued 
operations of €84.8m in 2015 (2014: 
€3.0m). This is after an exceptional 
charge of €11.4m relating to restructuring 
costs and an exceptional gain of €28.3m 
relating to the restructure of the defined 
benefit pension scheme. Excluding these 
exceptional items, the Group made a loss 
of €101.7m in 2015, with €96.4m of this 
loss recorded in the first half of the 
financial year and €5.3m in the second 
half of the financial year.

Underwriting

Premium income

FBD has continued to prioritise 
profitability over volume and while policy 
volumes have declined by 8.9% in 2015, 
this has been offset by average rate 
increases of 8.9%. The net result is that 
gross written premium levels remained 
stable at €363.3m. FBD continues to 
maintain its focus on the insurance needs 
of its agricultural, small business and 
consumer customers and this delivered 
growth in premium during the period.  
Net earned premium was €313.2m, an 
increase of 3.2% on 2014, reflecting the 
earning through of the rate increases 
implemented throughout 2014 and 2015.

Claims

Net claims incurred increased to €341.3m 
(2014: €252.1m). Included in this was a 
full year charge of €95.8m relating to the 
strengthening of prior year reserves and 
an increase in the margin for uncertainty.

Adverse claims development

As set out in the Group’s half yearly 
report, an adverse claims development 
pattern, first evident in the second half of 
2014, was significantly more pronounced 
in 2015. It was driven by a number of 
structural changes in the claims 
environment. These changes included:

n	 A new Court of Appeal was 

n	

established on 28 October 2014 with 
9 judges who previously sat in the 
High Court. The positions left by 
these departures were backfilled 
mainly from existing judges in the 
Circuit Court which in turn created 
new vacancies in the Circuit Court. In 
all over 20 new judicial appointments 
were made between the Circuit and 
High Courts. Many of these new 
appointments were made in 2015.

In February 2014 the District Court 
jurisdiction over claims increased 
from €6,400 to €15,000 whilst the 
Circuit Court limit increased from 
€38,000 to €60,000 for personal 
injury claims and €75,000 for 
property damage. This was widely 
flagged in the media and by the 
Minister for Justice at the time as a 
cost saving measure. This increased 
jurisdiction applied to all new 
proceedings issued after that date 
and as such very few cases were seen 
for trial in 2014 under the new 
jurisdiction limits. It was during the 
course of 2015 that the volume of 
cases began to be heard in the Circuit 
Court and trends began to emerge in 
relation to higher Court awards.

9

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Dedica
ated

Dedicated to our Customers
For over 45 years we have been looking after the insurance needs of our farmers, consumers 
and business owners. Established in the 1960s by farmers for farmers, we have since built on 
those roots in agriculture to become Ireland’s leading general insurer, serving the needs of 
our customers throughout the country. Our nationwide network of 33 branches allows us to 
know our customers and understand their needs. This ensures that our quality customer 
service is never more than a few steps away and we are there for customers when and 
where they need us.

10

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

Review of Operations continued

In addition, from August 2014 the 
introduction of the Recovery of Benefit 
and Assistance Scheme enables the 
Department of Social Protection to 
recover some welfare payments from 
personal injury awards directly from the 
insurer. Very significantly, the discount 
rate used in valuing personal injury 
awards was reduced from the previous 
3% to between 1% and 1.5% following  
the Russell vs HSE case in December  
2014 also.

Taken together during the course of 2015, 
FBD began to see strong trends emerging 
in relation to the level of damages being 
awarded. Volatility in court awards has 
led claimants’ expectations to increase  
as court awards, in turn, influence out  
of court settlement levels.

In addition, in 2015:

n	 The Heads of Bill for Periodic 

Payment Orders (“PPOs”) were 
published. Submissions were invited 
before 31 July 2015. The finalised bill 
has not been published. The 
proposed introduction of PPOs  
will bring about the effective 
annuitisation of lump sum awards.

n	 The Injuries Board is collating data  
on personal injury awards and 
settlements from the Insurance 
Industry, and it is likely a revised Book 
of Quantum will be published over 
the next 12 months.

n	 The Group experienced a significant 
increase in motor injury claims 
frequency in 2014 and also began  
to see a shift in the claimant culture 
with more claimants likely to make  
an injury claim arising out of rear end 
motor collisions and reporting a 
greater degree of injury than in  
the past. 

The combination of the above factors 
suggested that significant claims inflation 
was underway in the Irish market and at 
30 June 2015 led FBD to increase prior 
year reserves by €88m.

In November 2015 a Court of Appeal 
judgement was delivered following the 
appeal of the Russell vs HSE ruling on  
the discount rate applied to settlement 
awards. The outcome of the appeal was 
to broaden the judged application, with 
the lower discount rate now applicable to 
a broader range of claims than envisaged 
in the original judgement. This has 

Movement in reserves

Opening Reserves (restated)

Prior Year Strengthening 

Current Year Claims

Payments

Increase/(decrease) in UPR

Closing Reserves (insurance contract liabilities less reinsurance assets)

resulted in an increase in FBD’s prior year 
reserves of €8m in the second half of the 
year. While the Group had provided for 
this within the margin for uncertainty at 
30 June 2015, given the level of 
uncertainty still prevalent in the claims 
environment, the Group has decided not 
to release this element from the margin 
for uncertainty at 31 December 2015.  
As a result prior year reserves have been 
increased by a further €8m in the second 
half of 2015, bringing the total prior year 
reserve and margin for uncertainty charge 
in 2015 to €95.8m. Other than the impact 
of this discount rate judgement the prior 
year development since 30 June 2015 has 
been negligible. The clarity provided by 
the November 2015 Court of Appeal 
judgement has led to some early 
indications of an emerging willingness  
by claimants to settle since that date.

The Group is engaged with policy makers, 
through the Government Working Group 
and Insurance Ireland to investigate ways 
of improving the claims environment, to 
ensure that Government policy and the 
legal system is effective at working to 
reduce the cost of insurance and of 
insurance legal costs for all customers 
and policyholders.

H1 2015
€m

Full year 2015
€m

716.3

87.9

123.2

(96.6)

4.4

835.2

716.3

95.8

245.4

(210.6)

(0.4)

846.6

11

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Focused
ed

Focused on what matters 
In the last year we simplifi ed our strategy, to focus on doing fewer things, better than 
ever. We dedicate our eff orts to our direct agricultural, small business and consumer 
customers, and concentrate on those markets where we have a signifi cant competitive 
advantage.

12

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

Review of Operations continued

Weather, Claims Frequency  
and Large Claims

Ireland was hit by a number of storms 
during November and December 2015. 
Individually, none of the storms were of 
sufficient size to breach the Group’s 
catastrophe reinsurance retention limit  
of €5m. The total net cost of these 
weather events in the last quarter  
was €11.4m.

Motor injury frequency declined as the 
underwriting and risk selection actions 
taken by the Group since the second half 
of 2014 started to prove effective.

While large claims (greater than €1m) 
were in line with average historic norms in 
the first half of 2015, the experience in the 
second half of 2015 was less favourable. 
The net cost of large claims for 2015 was 
€6.8m higher than the average over the 
previous three years.

Expenses

The Group’s expense ratio was 27.4% 
(2014: 27.0%). Net expenses increased  
by €3.9m to €85.7m (2014: €81.8m).

Much of this was driven by the movement 
in deferred acquisition costs arising from 
the earn through of higher levels of broker 
channel business in 2015 compared to 
2014. Net earned premium increased  
by 3.2%.

General

FBD’s combined operating ratio, 
excluding prior year reserve 
strengthening and the increase in the 
margin for uncertainty, was 105.8%  
for 2015.

The Group’s charge for the Motor Insurers 
Bureau of Ireland (“MIBI”) was €11.6m 
(2014: €7.3m). This charge was previously 
included within claims incurred, however, 
following the adoption of new Irish GAAP 
by FBD Insurance plc, this is no longer 
included as a technical provision but is 
instead included in other provisions. The 
Group now provides for its share of the 
estimated levy call for the following year. 
Previously the Group provided for its 
share of the total outstanding claims of 
MIBI. Prior year comparatives have been 
restated to reflect this change in 
accounting policy.

Investment return

FBD’s actual investment return for 2015 
was 2.2% or €20.3m (2014: €26.1m).  
This better than expected performance 
reflected a number of one off gains from 
the sale of investment property in the UK, 
revaluation of Irish commercial property 
and equity gains. The outlook for 
investment income remains very 
challenging, as world-wide monetary 
policy keeps interest rates low. As long  
as quantitative easing persists as the 
cornerstone of the European Central 
Bank’s monetary policy, a prolonged 
period of low investment returns appears 
likely. Therefore, the investment income 
outlook continues to be poor and the 
returns the Group expects to deliver in 
the near term are likely to be below the 
returns achieved over the last 5 years.

The Group recognised a loss of €1.8m 
(2014: profit of €1.0m) within the 
statement of other comprehensive 
income relating to mark to market 
movements on available for sale 
investments, in accordance with its 

accounting policy. This reflects net 
investment returns of €18.5m in 2015 
(2014: €27.1m).

Financial Services

The Group’s financial services operations 
include premium instalment services and 
life, pension and investment broking  
(FBD Financial Solutions) less holding 
company costs. These generated a solid 
performance in a tough environment, 
delivering a profit of €3.9m (2014: €5.2m) 
before exceptional items.

Property and Leisure Joint Venture

On 24 August 2015, the Group announced 
that it had reached an agreement with 
Farmer Business Developments plc to sell 
its 50% share of the Property and Leisure 
joint venture for €48.5m, representing fair 
value of the Group’s share of the joint 
venture’s net assets. The proceeds of  
the sale were invested in equity in FBD 
Insurance plc, in order to fulfil its capital 
requirement on transition to Solvency II 
on 1 January 2016.

Loss per share

FBD is no longer reporting an operating 
EPS based on the longer term rate of 
investment return. This brings FBD in line 
with practice in most general insurers.

The diluted loss per share was 213 cent 
per ordinary share, compared to a loss  
of 7 cent (restated) per ordinary share  
in 2014.

13

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Delive
Delive
Delive
ring
ring

Delivering on our Promises
We have a long history of delivering to all our stakeholders. During the second half of the 
year we delivered on the important initiatives we announced in August, by streamlining the 
business, cutting costs and strengthening our capital. We have a proud track record of 
profi table business and excellent relationships with our agriculturual, small business and 
consumer customers. We are confi dent we are on the path to recovery.

14

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

Review of Operations continued

Statement Of  
Financial Position

Capital Position

Ordinary shareholders’ funds at 31 
December 2015 amounted to €215.9m 
(2014: €270.6m restated). The reduction 
in shareholders’ funds for the full year is 
mainly attributable to the losses in the 
period of €74.2m and the payment of the 
final 2014 dividend of €11.8m offset by 
both other comprehensive income of 
€12.9m and the accounting treatment of 
a portion of the convertible bond 
recognised in equity of €18.2m. Net 
assets per ordinary share are 623 cent, 
compared to 786 cent per share 
(restated) at December 2014. In the 
second half of the year the NAV per share 
increased from 512c to 623c, an increase 
of 111c per share.

The Group’s net asset value has benefited 
by €32m following a change in accounting 
policy for the Group’s share of the MIBI 
outstanding claims. This follows a change 
in accounting standards framework 
applicable to the Group’s principal 
subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc. Previously 
FBD Insurance plc provided for its market 
share of the total outstanding claims of 
MIBI. Under new accounting standards 
applicable from 1 January 2015, FBD 
Insurance plc may only provide for its 
share of the following year’s MIBI levy. 
This change increased the net asset  
value per share by 93c.

As announced on 16 September 2015, the 
Group reached an agreement with Fairfax 
Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”), 
whereby Fairfax would invest €70m in 
FBD by private placement of a convertible 

bond instrument in FBD Insurance plc. 
This was approved by shareholders on  
30 December 2015.

The Convertible Bond is a 10 year 
Solvency II compliant instrument and 
carries a coupon of 7.0% per annum 
which is payable semi-annually. The 
conversion price has been set at €8.50,  
a 37% premium over the closing share 
price on 15 September 2015. Unless 
previously redeemed, the Convertible 
Bond is exercisable from year 3 to year 10 
and, in the event that the 30 day volume 
weighted average share price exceeds the 
conversion price for a period of 180 days, 
the Convertible Bond will automatically 
convert into ordinary shares in FBD 
Holdings plc at the conversion price. It 
has been accounted for in accordance 
with IFRS, whereby it is split into a liability 
component and an equity component. 
The fair value of the liability component 
has been determined with reference to 
the fair value of a similar liability without 
an equity conversion option. The equity 
component is recognised initially as the 
difference between the fair value of the 
convertible note as a whole and the fair 
value of the liability component. This 
investment is a significant vote of 
confidence in the Group from a very well 
established global insurance investor.

Solvency

Solvency I:

FBD Insurance plc had a Solvency I level 
of 46.9% of net premium earned at 31 
December 2015, which represents 209% 
(2014: 366%) of the Solvency I minimum 
solvency margin, and had a reserving 
ratio of 270% (2014: 240%).

Solvency II:

The solvency capital requirement (“SCR”) 
is the amount of capital which the 
company needs to hold to withstand a 1 
in 200 year event or series of events. This 
is a risk based calculation which stresses 
the main risks faced by a general 
insurance company, namely underwriting 
and reserving risk, catastrophe risk, 
market risk, operational risk and default 
risk. The solvency capital ratio is the ratio 
of the capital available to the capital 
requirement. A solvency capital ratio of 
over 100% means that FBD has sufficient 
capital within the business to withstand  
a 1 in 200 year event as described by 
Solvency II.

Solvency II became effective from  
1 January 2016 and is a higher capital 
standard and one which creates more 
volatility in the solvency calculation.  
The capital actions taken by the Group 
over the past number of months, which 
included the issue of the €70m Solvency 
II compliant convertible bond, the 
divestment of its share in the property 
and leisure joint venture for €48.5m  
and the subsequent investment of the 
proceeds as equity in FBD Insurance plc, 
and the restructuring of the Group’s 
defined benefit pension scheme, have led 
to a substantial increase in the Group’s 
economic capital over the course of  
the second half of 2015. The Group’s 
economic capital is within its long term 
target range of 110-130% of SCR.

15

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Review of Operations continued

Investment Allocation

This table shows the assets of the Group.

Underwriting investment assets

Deposits and cash

Corporate bonds

Government bonds 

Equities

Unit trusts

Own land & buildings

Investment property

31 December 2015

31 December 2014

€m

398

432

101

24

25

16

15

%

39%

43%

10%

2%

2%

2%

2%

%

58%

25%

5%

5%

3%

2%

2%

100%

€m

511

224

46

41

25

16

20

883

118

57

47

47

1,152

Underwriting investment assets

1,011

100%

Working capital & other assets

Reinsurers’ share of provisions

Investment in joint venture

Plant and equipment

Total assets

117

80

-

56

1,264

Investment Background

FBD’s Investment Allocation

The introduction of quantitative easing by 
the ECB and continuing low interest rates 
for the Euro area present challenging 
investment yield conditions. The 
divergence in monetary policy between 
Europe and the US brings market 
volatility. This divergence, when coupled 
with uneven global growth and elevated 
geopolitical risks, justifies our cautious 
strategy that seeks to minimise volatility 
in our investment portfolio.

In early 2015 the Group reduced 
allocation to equities due to our 
perception of stretched valuations and 
the poor macro-economic outlook. The 
Group also divested some development 
land. Both actions reduced risk assets 
from 9% to 6%. The Group believes this  
is an appropriate strategy at this time. 
The Group holds 92% of its underwriting 
assets in cash and short dated bonds at 
31 December 2015. This large liquid 
position creates flexibility to act as 
conditions change and as investment 
opportunities present themselves.  
The interest rate environment and the 

introduction of Solvency II in 2016 
provides an opportunity to further 
develop our strategic asset allocation  
and reposition the portfolio to deliver 
sustainable returns over the medium 
term. The sell-off in financial markets in 
Q4 allowed the Group to reposition its 
allocation to corporate bonds at modestly 
improved book yields.

Dividends

As noted in the half yearly report 
published in August 2015, the Board has 
decided that no final dividend will be 
recommended for 2015.

16

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Review of Operations continued

FBD has a proud track record of profitable 
business and excellent customer 
relationships with its farming, small 
business and consumer customers. 
Although 2015 has been a very 
challenging year and market conditions 
remain difficult in an inherently cyclical 
industry, we are confident that FBD is on 
the right path to recovery.

Fiona Muldoon 
Group Chief Executive

26 February 2016

Outlook
Economic indicators continue to point to 
an expanding domestic economy. This 
improved outlook for Ireland will be 
positive for FBD in the medium term.  
The Irish insurance market continued to 
grow in 2015, as insurers increased rates 
following market losses. There was 
increasing evidence of claims inflation 
coupled with the higher increased level  
of frequency experienced in a recovering 
economy. Insurance rates have hardened 
considerably in 2015 for both motor 
insurance and business insurance.  
The Group expects this trend to continue 
into 2016.

Despite rate hardening, industry 
profitability continues to be challenging, 
and the Group believes that the industry 
will continue to be loss making for 2016, 
as the market has not yet increased rates 
sufficiently to compensate for the 
significant deterioration in the claims 
environment. The Group’s weather loss 
experience since the start of 2016 was  
not severe.

A lot of progress has been made in 
delivering the key intermediate objectives 
outlined in 2015. There is still 
considerable work to be undertaken to 
return the Group to profitability. The 
Group’s simplified strategy will enable it 
to focus on achieving its goals. FBD will 
dedicate its resources primarily to its 
direct agricultural, small business and 
consumer customers, and will 
concentrate on those markets where it 
has developed a significant competitive 
advantage. The Group will also focus on  
a single FBD brand strategy. This strategy 
will deliver sustainable efficiencies and 
better returns. FBD’s business model 
remains sound, and it has the customers, 
infrastructure and underwriting 
experience to return to profitability.

The Group is committed to taking 
whatever action is required to return  
the business to profitability. The Group 
intends to maintain underwriting 
discipline and to deliver sustainable 
shareholder value through growth in  
book value.

17

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Looking 
back at 
2015

1

2

In , FBD’s continued focus on 
farm safety was centred around a new 
campaign we called ‘Champions for 
Change’. The aim of the campaign is to 
encourage a change in attitudes towards 
farm safety. To capture the imagination 
of all ages within the rural community, 
FBD worked on the ground at events 
and through partners to distribute farm 
safety packs and signage. To connect 
with the younger generation of farmers 
FBD created a new digital platform 
www.championsforchange.ie and used 
social media channels to create a 
nationwide community of interest, 
discussion and support around all 
of the issues involved.

18

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

4

5

1. Seán O’Brien urges everyone 
to stand together in the battle 
against farm fatalities

Coming on board as leading ambassador to 
launch www.championsforchange.ie, O’Brien 
said of the campaign; “It’s not about telling 
farmers what to do, it’s about us as farmers 
taking responsibility to keep our farms safe”.
In , over  young farmers signed up to 
become Champions for change and over  million 
people engaged with the Champions for Change 
tips and content on social media channels.

2. Donegal GAA Team sport a 
Champions for Change jersey

In 2014, Donegal had the second highest rate 
of farm fatalities in the country. To highlight the 
paramount importance of farm safety and to show 
support for Champions for Change, Donegal’s 
Senior Footballers wore a specially commissioned 
jersey in their fi rst Championship match of the year.

3. New Child Safety Sponsorship at 
National Ploughing Championships

Anna May McHugh, NPA and Christy Doherty, 
Head of Farm & Business at FBD launch new 
pioneering Child Safety Wristband initiative for 
the National Ploughing Championships. The white 
wristbands, which were handed out at all of the 
event entrances allowed for a contact phone 
number to be written on the band in the event 
that the wearer got lost in the crowd.

4.  Community Spirit

Approaching the winter months, FBD focused 
on the importance of community with the motto 
“let’s look out for each other”. To inspire people 
to nominate their community champion for change, 
FBD launched the story of farmer, Francis Fannon 
and his neighbours from Kilteevan, Roscommon. 
Francis tragically lost his wife to illness in the 
springtime, the height of calving and lambing 
season. With four children to care for, as 
well as all the work on the farm, it was 
twenty of Francis’ neighbours who set about 
establishing a rota to help him back on track.

5.  FBD CEO Fiona Muldoon 
Opens the Women & Agriculture 
Conference 2015

Fiona Muldoon’s fi rst speaking engagement 
as new Chief Executive of FBD took place in 
October when she addressed the 700 Irish 
farming women attending the FBD Women & 
Agriculture Conference. 

6.  FBD Continues to Support 
Local Clubs

FBD continued its sponsorship of the Terenure 
College Mini & Youth rugby club as part of its 
commitment to having a strong presence 
within the communities of the greater 
Dublin area.

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015

19

3

6

Bankers

Allied Irish Banks plc

Bank of Ireland

Barclays Bank plc

BNP Paribas

Close Brothers International

Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank

Credit Suisse (UK) Limited

Deutsche Bank AG

Lloyds TSB Bank plc

Mizuho Bank Limited London Branch

Nordea Bank Finland London Branch

Permanent TSB plc 

Rabodirect Ireland

Societe Generale

Stockbrokers

Goodbody Stockbrokers

Ballsbridge Park

Ballsbridge

Dublin 4

Ireland

Shore Capital

The Corn Exchange

Fenwick Street

Liverpool L2 7RB

United Kingdom

Corporate Information

Registered Office and Head Office

FBD House

Bluebell

Dublin 12

D12 Y0HE 

Ireland

Independent Auditors for 2015 

Deloitte

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm

Deloitte & Touche House

Earlsfort Terrace

Dublin 2

Ireland

Solicitors

Dillon Eustace

33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay

Dublin 2

Ireland

Registrar

Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited

Heron House

Corrig Road

Sandyford Industrial Estate

Dublin 18

Ireland

20

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Report of the Directors

The Directors present their report and the audited Financial 
Statements for the financial year 2015.

Principal Activities
FBD is one of Ireland’s largest property and casualty insurers 
looking after the insurance needs of farmers, private individuals 
and business owners through its principal subsidiary, FBD 
Insurance plc. The Group also has financial services operations 
including a successful life and pensions brokerage, FBD Financial 
Solutions. The Company is a holding company incorporated  
in Ireland.

Business Review
The review of the performance of the Group, including an 
analysis of financial information and the outlook for its future 
development, is contained in the Chairman’s Statement on page 
4 and in the Group Chief Executive’s Review of Operations on 
pages 8 to 17. Information in respect of the significant events 
since the financial year end and a review of the key performance 
indicators are also included in these sections. The key 
performance indicators include gross premium written, 
operating earnings, profit for the year and net asset value  
per share.

The Group has continued to invest substantially in its IT 
infrastructure during 2015.

Results
The results for the year are shown in the Consolidated Income 
Statement on page 54. The loss, which was transferred from 
reserves, is shown in Note 25 on page 103.

Subsequent Events
There have been no subsequent events that would have a 
material impact on the Financial Statements.

Risk and Uncertainties
Risk Management is embedded across the Group through our 
Risk Management Framework. The Directors consider that the 
principal risk factors that could materially and adversely affect 
the Group’s future operating profits or financial position are  
as follows:

General Insurance Risk

The risk attached to any general insurance policy written is the 
possibility that an insured event occurs and the uncertainty of 
the amount of the resulting claim. The frequency and severity of 
claims can be affected by several factors, most notably weather 
events, the level of awards and inflation on settling claims.

When estimating the cost of claims outstanding at financial year 
end, the principal assumption underlying the estimates is the 
Group’s past development pattern. This includes assumptions in 
respect of certain historic average claims costs, claims handling 
costs and claims inflation factors.

Profitability of general insurance is, by its nature, cyclical and can 
vary because of the actions or omissions of market participants, 
particularly inappropriate pricing decisions.

The extent of the Group’s exposure to general insurance risk  
is controlled within defined parameters by means of strict 
underwriting criteria, analysis of historical underwriting 
experience, formalised pricing structures and appropriate 
reinsurance treaties.

The past 18 months has seen increased volatility and 
deterioration in the claims environment driven by a number  
of factors:

n 

Introduction of the Court of Appeal;

n	 Change in the court jurisdiction limits;

n	

Introduction of the Recovery of Benefit Assistance Scheme;

n	 Reduction in the discount rate to be used following the  

Russell vs HSE case;

n	 Proposed introduction of Periodic Payment Orders;

n	 Shift in settlement approach of claimants’ solicitors;

n	 Potential impact on the MIBI reserve; and

n	 Significant court award inflation.

21

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Report of the Directors (continued)

The claims environment is very uncertain and this is leading to 
difficulties in reaching settlement agreements, with settlements 
slowing down. Given this uncertainty, a detailed review of the 
actuarial best estimate methods, models and assumptions was 
conducted at year-end 2014. This was done again at 30 June 
2015 to ensure that the best estimate at 30 June 2015 fully 
reflected what was known about the deteriorating claims 
environment. As at 30 June 2015 reserves were strengthened by 
€88m primarily attributable to prior year development (liability 
and motor bodily injury) affecting outstanding claims from 2011 
onwards mainly. Reserves were strengthened by a further €8m in 
the second half of 2015. This was due to an increase in the best 
estimate reserves arising from the impact of the discount rate 
appeal judgement in November 2015 and also partially due to  
an increase in the reserving risk margin.

Private motor rates are hardening across the Industry and FBD 
Insurance has taken considerable pricing and underwriting 
action throughout 2015.

Capital Management Risk

The Group is committed to managing its capital so as to 
maximise return to shareholders. The risk is that inappropriate 
management of the Group’s capital could result in losses, 
erosion of capital or inadequate solvency. The Board reviews the 
capital structure frequently to determine the appropriate level  
of capital required to pursue the Group’s growth plans. The 
Solvency II directive, applicable from 1 January 2016, introduces 
a requirement for undertakings to conduct a Forward Looking 
Assessment of Own Risks (“FLAOR”). The FLAOR is a very 
important process as it provides the Board with a comprehensive 
view and understanding of the risks to which FBD Insurance plc 
is exposed or could face in the future and how they translate into 
capital needs or alternatively require mitigation actions.

To aid in the assessment of the overall solvency needs and 
business and capital planning process, a number of stress and 
scenarios were tested to assess their potential impact on capital 
requirements and solvency cover. The stress and scenarios were 
chosen to ensure the material risks to which FBD Insurance is 
exposed to are sufficiently wide ranging and challenging, to 
provide an adequate basis for the assessment of overall solvency 
needs. Each FLAOR is presented by the Risk Function to both the 
Board Risk Committee and the FBD Insurance plc Board. The 
output from the FLAOR assists the Board in making strategic 
decisions including in relation to:

22

n	 Capital Management;

n	 Adequacy of risk appetite;

n	 Business planning; and

n	 Product development.

Management actions taken in 2015 have significantly reduced  
the capital requirement relating to the Defined Benefit Pension 
Scheme under Solvency II. These actions are detailed in note 40 
Risk Management.

Operational Risk

Operational risk could arise as a result of inadequately controlled 
internal processes or systems, human error or from external 
events. Operational risks are regularly assessed against financial, 
operational and reputational criteria.

A new insurance policy administration system is being 
implemented in FBD Insurance plc in 2016. Following programme 
delays in 2015, significant improvements were made in 
programme structure, governance and control with significant 
design and development completed during 2015.

The Company launched a Voluntary Severance and Early 
Retirement Scheme in August 2015. Given the high level of 
organisational change the potential impact on operations  
will continue to be monitored.

Liquidity Risk

The Group is exposed to daily calls on its cash resources, mainly 
from claims. The Board sets limits on the minimum proportion of 
maturing funds available to meet such calls.

Market Risk

The Group has invested in quoted debt securities, quoted shares 
and investment properties. These investments are subject to 
market risk, whereby the value of the investments may fluctuate 
as a result of changes in market prices, changes in market 
interest rates or changes in the foreign exchange rates of the 
currency in which the investments are denominated. The extent 
of the exposure to market risk is mitigated by the formulation of, 
and adherence to, strict investment policies, as approved by the 
Board of Directors, and the employment of appropriately 
qualified and experienced personnel to manage the Group’s 
investment portfolio.

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Credit Risk

n	 The risk that processes and techniques to protect computer 

Credit risk is the risk of loss in the value of financial assets due to 
counterparties failing to meet all or part of their obligations.

All of the Group’s current reinsurers have credit ratings of A- or 
better. The Group has assessed these credit ratings as being 
satisfactory in diminishing the Group’s exposure to the credit risk 
of its reinsurance receivables.

Concentration Risk

Concentration risk is the risk of loss due to overdependence on a 
singular entity or category of business. While all of the Group’s 
underwriting business is conducted in Ireland, it is spread over a 
wide geographical area with no concentration in any one county 
or region. The Group adheres to a strict investment policy and 
actively manages its investment portfolio to ensure that there is 
an optimum spread and duration of investments and that these 
investments are only with institutions with an acceptable credit 
rating.

Macro-economic Risk

These are the risks faced by the Group as a result of macro-
economic changes including economic downturn, increasing 
competition, changing market trends and the risk associated 
with changes in the taxation laws in the jurisdiction in which the 
Group operates. The success of the Group depends on its ability 
to react appropriately to these changes.

Other Risks

n	 The risk that the strategy adopted by the Board is incorrect 
or not implemented appropriately resulting in sub-optimal 
performance;

n	 The risk that the loss of a key executive officer or other key 
employee, the adoption of inappropriate HR policies or 
regulatory changes affecting the work force or the limited 
availability of qualified personnel may disrupt operations or 
increase cost structures;

n	 The risk that an interruption or failure of information systems 

may result in a significant loss of business, assets, or 
competitive position;

n	 The impact of climate change may result in increased volatile 
weather patterns and more frequent severe weather events; 
and

systems and information assets from unintended or 
unauthorised access, changes or destruction are 
inadequate.

All of the foregoing risks are dealt with in further detail in  
note 40.

The Group has controls embedded within its systems to limit 
each of these potential exposures. The Board confirms that it has 
carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the 
Group, including those that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity.

FBD uses the three lines of defence model in the management of 
risk. Under the three lines of defence model:

n	 Primary responsibility for risk management lies with line 

management;

n	 Line management is supported by the Risk, Compliance and 

Actuarial Functions; and

n	 The third and final line of defence is the Internal Audit 

function, which provides independent assurance to the  
Audit Committee of the Board on risk-taking activities.

FBD has developed a suite of risk policies to assist in the 
management of risk which include roles and responsibilities, risk 
management processes, risk limits and metrics and escalation 
processes. The risk policies including the Risk Management 
Framework and Risk Appetite Framework are reviewed at least 
annually by the FBD Insurance Risk Committee and the Board or 
more frequently if the system, or area concerned undergoes 
significant change. FBD has a framework in place to identify, 
assess, manage and monitor risk which is actively reported and 
reviewed at Executive Risk Committee meetings and quarterly 
Board Risk Committee meetings.

Subsidiaries
The Company’s principal subsidiaries, as at 31 December 2015, 
are listed on page 114 (note 35).

Directors
The present Directors of the Company, together with a biography 
on each, are set out on pages 27 and 28. The Board has decided 
that all Directors continuing in office will submit themselves for 
re-election at each Annual General Meeting.

23

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Report of the Directors (continued)

The Directors who served at any time during 2015 were  
as follows:

Appointed 1 September, 2015

Michael Berkery
Emer Daly
Sean Dorgan
Eddie Downey
Liam Herlihy
Brid Horan
Andrew Langford Resigned 31 July, 2015
Fiona Muldoon 
Dermot Mulvihill Resigned 14 January, 2015
Cathal O’Caoimh Retired 30 September, 2015
Ruairí O’Flynn
Padraig Walshe

Appointed 19 January, 2015

Appointed 14 May, 2015

Annual General Meeting
The notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which 
will be held at 11 a.m. on 29 April 2016 in the Irish Farm Centre, 
Old Naas Road, Bluebell, Dublin 12, is set out on pages 136 to 138.

A letter from the Chairman detailing the business to come before 
the Annual General Meeting is included at pages 130 to 135.

Directors’ and Company Secretary’s 
interests
The interests of the Directors and Company Secretary (together 
with their respective family interests) in the share capital of the 
Company, at 31 December 2015 and 1 January 2015 (or date of 
appointment, if later) were as follows:

Beneficial

Michael Berkery

Liam Herlihy  
(appointed 01/09/2015)

Brid Horan

Padraig Walshe

Conor Gouldson  
(Company Secretary)

Number of ordinary shares 
of €0.60 each

31 December 
2015

1 January 
2015*

30,000

30,000

3,000

3,000

1,100

-

-

1,100

13,800

13,800

*or at date of appointment, if later

24

The interests of the Directors and the Company Secretary in 
share options and conditional awards over the share capital of 
the Company under the shareholder approved share schemes 
are detailed in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 
38 to 46.

European Communities (Takeover Bids 
(Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations 2006
For the purposes of Regulation 21 of the European Communities 
(Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations 2006, the 
information on the Board of Directors on pages 27 and 28, Share 
Option Schemes and the Performance Share Plan in note 38 and 
the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 38 to 46 are 
deemed to be incorporated in this part of the Report of the 
Directors.

Substantial Shareholdings
As at 26 February 2016, the Company has been notified of the 
following interests of 3% or more in its share capital:

Ordinary shares of €0.60 each

No. % of Class

Farmer Business Developments plc

8,531,948

24.6

FBD Trust Company Limited

FMR LLC

Prudential plc*

Schroders plc

FIL Limited

2,984,737

1,787,843

1,489,791

1,322,887

1,056,660

8.6

5.7

4.3

3.8

3.0

*including the holdings of M&G Group Limited and subsidiaries

14% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each

Farmer Business Developments plc

1,340,000

100.0

8% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each

FBD Trust Company Limited

2,062,000

Farmer Business Developments plc

1,470,292

58.4

41.6

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Accounting Records
The Directors have taken appropriate measures to ensure 
compliance with Sections 281 to 285 of the Companies Act, 2014 
– the requirement to keep proper accounting records – through 
the employment of suitably qualified accounting personnel and 
the maintenance of appropriate accounting systems. The 
accounting records are located at FBD House, Bluebell,  
Dublin 12, Ireland.

Corporate Governance
The Corporate Governance Report on pages 26 to 37 forms part 
of this report and in this the Board has set out how it has applied 
the principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
which was adopted by both the Irish Stock Exchange and the UK 
Listing Authority, and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex.

Going Concern
The Directors’ statement on going concern is set out in the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 37.

Approval of Financial Statements
The Financial Statements were approved by the Board on  
26 February 2016.

Signed on behalf of the Board

Michael Berkery 
Chairman

Fiona Muldoon 
Group Chief Executive

26 February 2016

Share Capital
The Company had four classes of shares in issue at the end of 
the year. These classes and the percentage of the total issued 
share capital represented by each are as follows:

Voting shares

Number 
in issue

Ordinary shares of €0.60 each

34,648,122*

14% Non-cumulative preference 
shares of €0.60 each

8% Non-cumulative preference 
shares of €0.60 each

1,340,000

3,532,292

% of 
Total

87.7

3.4

8.9

39,520,414

100.0

* excluding 813,084 shares held in treasury

The Company’s ordinary shares of €0.60 each are listed on the 
Main Securities Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and have a 
premium listing on the UK Listing Authority. They are traded on 
both the Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. 
Neither class of preference share is traded on a regulated 
market.

Each of the above classes of share enjoys the same rights to 
receive notice of, attend and vote at meetings of the Company.

Non-voting shares

Number in issue

‘A’ ordinary shares of €0.01 each

13,169,428

The rights attaching to the ‘A’ ordinary shares are clearly set out 
in the Articles of Association of the Company. They are not 
transferable except only to the Company. Other than a right to a 
return of paid up capital of €0.01 per ‘A’ ordinary share in the 
event of a winding up, the ‘A’ ordinary shares have no right to 
participate in the capital or the profits of the Company.

Independent Auditors
During the year the Board appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers as 
independent auditors with effect from 2016. Accordingly the 
2015 financial statements will be the last upon which Deloitte 
shall express an opinion as independent auditors. The Board is 
very grateful to Deloitte for their services since the establishment 
of the Company.

25

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Corporate Governance

Your Board of Directors is committed to the highest standards of 
corporate governance. Good governance stems from a positive 
culture and well embedded values. FBD’s core values of integrity, 
entrepreneurship, customer focus and ambition are central to 
how the Board conducts its business and discharges its 
responsibilities. Equally, however, these values are as relevant to 
every employee working throughout the Group in their 
interactions with each other, and with our customers, 
shareholders and other stakeholders.

UK Corporate Governance Code and the Irish 
Corporate Governance Annex
The UK Corporate Governance Code (“the Code”) and the Irish 
Corporate Governance Annex (“the Annex”) codify the 
governance arrangements which apply to listed companies such 
as FBD. Combined, these represent corporate governance 
standards of the highest international level.

Throughout 2015 and to the date of this report, we applied the 
principles of the Code and except where otherwise expressly 
stated complied with the provisions of both the Code and the 
Annex.

This section of the Annual Report sets out the governance 
arrangements in place in FBD Holdings plc.

The Board of Directors and its Role
The Group is managed by the Board of Directors.

The primary role of the Board is to provide leadership and 
strategic direction while maintaining effective control over the 
activities of the Group.

The Board has approved a Corporate Governance Framework 
setting out its role and responsibilities. This is reviewed annually 
as part of the Board’s evaluation of its performance and 
governance arrangements. The Framework includes a formal 
schedule of matters reserved to the Board for its consideration 
and decision, which includes:

n	

the approval of the Group’s objectives and strategy;

n	 approval of the annual budget including capital expenditure 
and the review of the Group’s systems of internal control;

n	 maintenance of the appropriate level of capital, the 

allocation thereof and decisions as to the recommendation 
or payment of dividends;

26

n	 approval of Financial Statements; and

n	

the appointment of Directors and the Company Secretary.

This schedule ensures that the skills, expertise and experience of 
the Directors are harnessed to best effect and ensures that any 
major opportunities or challenges for the Group come before the 
Board for consideration and decision. The schedule was last 
reviewed in January 2016.

Other specific responsibilities of the Board are delegated to 
Board appointed Committees, details of which are given later  
in this report.

Board Composition and Independence
During 2015 the Board comprised two executive Directors and 
eight non-executive Directors, including the Chairman. This 
structure was deemed appropriate by the Board.

The Board deemed it appropriate that it should have between  
9 and 11 members and that this size is appropriate, being of 
sufficient breadth and diversity to ensure that there is healthy 
debate and input on the main business to be dealt with by it. 

Six of the non-executive Directors in office at the end of 2015 
were considered to meet all of the criteria indicating 
independence set out in the Code.

Date first 
elected by 
share-holders

Years from 
first election 
to the 
2016 AGM

Considered 
to be 
independent

E Daly

S Dorgan

E Downey

L Herlihy

B Horan

R O’Flynn

May 2015

Apr 2008

May 2015

-

Apr 2012

-

1

8

1

0

4

0

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Neither Mr. Walshe, who is chairman of the Group’s largest 
shareholder, Farmer Business Developments plc, nor the Board 
Chairman, Mr. Berkery, were considered to be independent.

The Group has announced that the Company and its principal 
subsidiary, FBD insurance plc, will have a Board comprised of the 
same directors and the dual board structure in operation up to 
the end of 2015 will be retired. This new structure will be 
implemented over the first half of 2016.

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015The skills and experience identified by the Board as critical to its 
composition and that of its Committees at this time include 
expertise in insurance or other financial services, general and 
farming/agri industry experience, corporate finance, corporate 
governance, regulatory and other compliance, financial 
accounting and executive reward principles and practice.  
The Board also considers it desirable to attract individuals with 
technology and consumer goods and services experience.

Directors’ Biographies
Biographical details of the Directors in office on the date of this 
Report are as follows:

Michael Berkery, Chairman

Michael Berkery (aged 67) was elected Chairman of the 
Company in 1996. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Irish 
Farmers’ Association for 25 years until his retirement in March 
2009. He served on the National Economic and Social Council 
for over 20 years and was a director of the Agricultural Trust 
(publisher of the Irish Farmers Journal). He is chairman of FBD 
Trust Company Limited, and a Director of Enable Ireland and a 
number of other companies. In September 2015 Mr. Berkery  
was appointed as a member of the EU High Level Group on 
simplification of European Structural & Investment Funds.  
Mr. Berkery joined the Board in October 1988.

Mr. Berkery’s extensive career at leadership level in the Irish 
Agriculture and Food Industry brings to the Board deep insights 
into the Irish farming and agri-related community, which 
together comprise a substantial customer base for the Group’s 
underwriting subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc. He brings to the 
Board and to its Committees his facilitation and communication 
skills, business and economic knowledge, independence of mind 
and experience of management and motivation of people.

Emer Daly, independent non-executive Director

Emer Daly (aged 52) is currently non-executive Director of 
Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc, and Permanent TSB plc 
where she also serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee.  
She also serves as a non-executive Director of Friends Provident 
International Limited and Lombard S.A. and as Chairman of the 
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee for both companies.  
Ms. Daly joined the Board, the Audit Committee and the 
Remuneration Committee in November 2014.

Ms. Daly is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and has 
valuable experience of the general insurance industry, having 
previously worked in senior roles with PricewaterhouseCoopers 
and AXA Insurance. She served as a Director with Axa between 
2000 and 2006 with responsibility for Financial Operations, 
Strategy and Risk Management.

Ms. Daly is also a member of the audit committee of the 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and lectures in risk 
management in the UCD Graduate Business School. She 
previously held non-executive roles with Eigrid p.l.c., Payzone 
p.l.c, the Property Registration Authority and the Dublin Dental 
Hospital where she was board chairman for seven years.  
Ms. Daly brings to the Board extensive skills, expertise and 
experience in insurance, accounting, risk management and 
governance.

Sean Dorgan, independent non-executive Director

Sean Dorgan (aged 64) is currently non-executive Chairman of 
the Irish Management Institute and is a non-executive Director  
of Short Brothers plc. He has previously served as chairman and 
non-executive director of a number of companies and 
organisations in the private and public sectors. He was Chief 
Executive of IDA Ireland for nine years until his retirement at the 
end of 2007. Prior to joining IDA he was Secretary General of the 
Departments of Industry and Commerce and of Tourism and 
Trade and was Chief Executive of The Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in Ireland. Mr. Dorgan joined the Board, and the 
Audit Committee, in January 2008. He was appointed as 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee in December 2011, 
and as Chairman of the Audit Committee and Senior 
Independent Director in April 2014.

Mr. Dorgan is a very experienced non-executive Director and 
brings to the Board, and to its Committees, substantial 
experience of corporate governance, compliance, accounting, 
HR and executive reward and general industry experience at 
leadership level.

Eddie Downey, independent non-executive Director

Eddie Downey (aged 54) was the 14th President of the Irish 
Farmers’ Association up until his resignation in November 2015. 
He is a director of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, an organisation 
which develops international markets for Irish food produce. 

27

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Corporate Governance (continued)

He is also a Director of the Agricultural Trust (publisher of the 
Irish Farmers Journal). Mr. Downey joined the Board, and the 
Audit Committee, in April 2014. He was appointed to the 
Nomination Committee in February 2015. He stepped down  
from the Audit Committee in May 2015.

Fiona Muldoon, Group Chief Executive

Fiona Muldoon (aged 48) joined the Group in January 2015 as 
Group Finance Director Designate and was appointed as an 
executive Director and member of the Board. In October 2015, 
Ms. Muldoon was appointed as Group Chief Executive.

In addition to his commercial acumen, Mr. Downey brings to the 
Board a deep knowledge of Ireland’s agricultural sector and is at 
the forefront of thinking and strategy for this important sector of 
Ireland’s economy, a sector in which the Group, through its 
insurance subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc, has substantial interest.

Liam Herlihy, independent non-executive Director

Liam Herlihy (aged 64) was, until May of 2015, Group Chairman 
of Glanbia plc, a leading Irish based performance nutrition and 
ingredients group, having served in that role for 7 years during 
which he presided over a period of significant structural change 
and unprecedented growth for Glanbia. Mr. Herlihy joined the 
Board in September 2015.

Mr. Herlihy completed the Institute of Directors Development 
Programme and holds a certificate of merit in Corporate 
Governance from University College Dublin. He brings to the 
Board a wealth of commercial experience and some deep 
insights into the farming and general agricultural industries  
in Ireland which, together, comprise the Group’s core  
customer base.

Brid Horan, independent non-executive Director

Brid Horan (aged 62) is a member of the Governing Authority of 
DCU and a Council Member of the Irish Management Institute. 
Ms. Horan was up until 2014 Deputy Chief Executive of ESB, 
Ireland’s leading energy company, having been an Executive 
Director of ESB since 2006. Before joining ESB in 1997 as Group 
Pensions Manager, Ms. Horan headed KPMG Pension & Actuarial 
Consulting. An Actuary and a Chartered Director, Ms. Horan was 
a Commissioner of the National Pensions Reserve Fund from its 
establishment in 2001 to 2009 and a Board member of IDA 
Ireland from 1996 to 2006. Ms. Horan joined the Board, the 
Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee in 
December 2011.

Ms. Horan brings to the Board broad strategic and commercial 
experience, an in-depth understanding of HR and reward issues 
and her experience of corporate governance and risk 
management.

28

A Chartered Accountant, Ms. Muldoon was Director of Credit 
Institutions and Insurance Supervision at the Central Bank of 
Ireland from August 2011 until May 2014. Prior to this she was 
with XL Group for seventeen years and held a number of senior 
roles with this NYSE listed Property & Casualty Insurance firm in 
Ireland, London and Bermuda, including two years as Group 
Treasurer until July 2010. On 12 June 2015, Ms. Muldoon was 
appointed as a non-executive Director of the Governor and 
Company of the Bank of Ireland.

Ruairí O’Flynn, independent non-executive Director

Mr. O’Flynn (aged 58) is Chairman of Canada Life International 
Reinsurance and London Life and General Reinsurance. He is 
also a non-executive Director of Irish Life Investment Managers 
and Setanta Asset Management and a member of the Board of 
Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE). He joined the Board and the Audit 
Committee in May 2015.

Mr. O’Flynn has over 20 years’ experience at CEO and Board level 
in the financial services industry in Ireland and the UK. He was 
formerly CEO at Canada Life Ireland, Setanta Asset Management 
and Lifetime Assurance. 

Mr. O’Flynn was also a full time member of faculty at the Irish 
Management Institute and he lectures in Corporate Governance 
and Leadership. He graduated from Trinity College Dublin with 
the degrees of Bachelor of Business Studies and MSc.(Mgt.) in 
Organisational Behaviour. He has completed the Program for 
Management Development at Harvard Business School, and the 
International Directors Programme at Insead Business School. 

He brings to the Board extensive experience at senior executive 
level in the financial services industry together with his expertise 
in the areas of strategy, leadership and corporate governance.

Padraig Walshe, non-executive Director

Padraig Walshe (aged 58) is Chairman of Farmer Business 
Developments plc, the Company’s largest shareholder. He is a 
past President of COPA, the European Farmers’ Organisation and 
of the Irish Farmers’ Association. Mr. Walshe previously served 
on the Board of FBD between 2006 and 2010, and rejoined the 
Board in December 2011.

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Mr. Walshe’s extensive leadership experience at national and 
international level and his deep understanding of Ireland’s 
farming community and the Irish food sector are of immense 
benefit to the Board.

Experience and skills

The percentage of the Board having the requisite skills and 
experience were as follows:

Board Diversity
The Board values the major contribution which a mix of 
backgrounds, skills and experience brings to the Group and  
sees merit in increasing diversity at Board level in achieving the 
Group’s strategic objectives. Differences in background, skills, 
experience and other qualities, including gender, will continue  
to be considered in determining the optimal composition of the 
Board, the principal aim being to achieve an appropriate balance 
between them.

While all appointments to the Board will have due regard to 
diversity, they will be made on merit, ensuring that the skills, 
experience and traits noted by the Board as being of particular 
relevance at any time are present on the Board and included in 
any planned refreshment. 

Over the coming years and as opportunities to appoint arise,  
the Board will continue to seek candidates who have both the 
requisite skills and experience and who will help the Board 
achieve greater diversity.

As at the date of this report, the Board was comprised as follows:

Tenure of Director

0 – 2 years

3 – 6 years

7 – 9 years 

Over 9 years

Gender

Male

Female

Executive/non-executive

Non-executive

Executive

55%

22%

11%

11%

67%

33%

89%

11%

Insurance or financial services

General industry

Agri/farming

Corporate finance

Regulatory and compliance

Financial accounting

Executive reward

55%

67%

44%

44%

67%

55%

67%

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Chairman

The role of the Chairman is set out in writing in the Corporate 
Governance Framework. He is responsible, inter alia, for:

n	

the effective running of the Board, setting its agenda and 
ensuring that it receives accurate, timely and clear 
information;

n	 ensuring that the Board as a whole plays a full and 

constructive part in the development and determination of 
the Group’s strategy and overall commercial objectives; and

n	 ensuring that the views of shareholders are communicated 

to the Board.

Group Chief Executive

The role of the Group Chief Executive is set out in writing in the 
Corporate Governance Framework. She is responsible, inter alia, 
for:

n	

running the Group’s business;

n	 proposing and developing the Group’s strategy and overall 
objectives in close consultation with the Chairman and the 
Board; and

n	

implementing the decisions of the Board and its 
Committees.

29

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Corporate Governance (continued)

Senior Independent Director

The Senior Independent Director is responsible for:

n	 being available to shareholders if they have concerns which 
they have not been able to resolve through the normal 
channels of the Chairman, the Group Chief Executive or the 
Finance Director, or for which such contact is inappropriate;

n	 conducting an annual review of the performance of the 

Chairman;

n	 acting as a sounding board for the Chairman; and

n	

serving as an intermediary for the other non-executive 
Directors as required.

Company Secretary

The Company Secretary acts as Secretary to the Board and to its 
Committees. In so doing, he:

n	 assists the Chairman in ensuring that the Directors have 

access, in a timely fashion, to the papers and information 
necessary to enable them to discharge their duties;

n	 assists the Chairman by organising and delivering induction 

and training programmes as required; and

n	

is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are 
followed and that the Directors are fully briefed on corporate 
governance matters.

Board effectiveness and performance 
evaluation
Board effectiveness is reviewed annually as part of the Board’s 
performance evaluation process. The Chairman is responsible 
for ensuring that each Director receives an induction on joining 
the Board and that he or she receives any additional training he 
or she requires. The induction itself is organised and delivered by 
the Company Secretary and other members of the management 
team.

Board Evaluation

Every year the Board evaluates its performance and that of its 
Committees. Directors are expected to take responsibility for 
identifying their own training needs and to take steps to ensure 
that they are adequately informed about the Group and about 
their responsibilities as a Director. The Board is confident that all 
of its members have the requisite knowledge and experience and 
support from within the Company to perform their role as a 
Director of the Group.

30

Towards the end of 2015, the Board had its evaluation process 
externally facilitated by Praesta Ireland, an independent 
consultancy which has no other connections with the Group. The 
main conclusion from the evaluation process was that the Board, 
its Committees, the Chairman and individual Directors are 
performing very effectively with some suggestions made for 
further improvement. 

The evaluation process for 2015 took place in December 2015 
and January 2016. The purpose of the process was to identify 
areas which the Board can identify for improvement and to affirm 
positively those areas where it is playing an effective role in 
leading the Group. 

Key recommendations from the evaluation process include:

n	

n	

n	

the amalgamation of the two Boards of the Group’s principal 
entities – FBD Holdings plc and FBD Insurance plc;

the appointment of highly experienced insurance executives 
and non-executives to this Board;

improvements in certain of the management information 
coming to the Board;

n	 making appointments to the senior management team as 

quickly as possible; and

n	

improvements in succession planning, executive 
development and Director training.

Re-election of Directors

The Board has, since 2011, adopted the practice that all Directors 
will submit themselves for re-election at each Annual General 
Meeting regardless of length of service or the provisions of the 
Company’s Articles of Association.

Access to advice

All members of the Board have access to the advice and the 
services of the Company Secretary who is responsible for 
ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that applicable 
rules, regulations and other obligations are complied with.

In addition members of the Board may take independent 
professional advice at the Company’s expense if deemed 
necessary in the furtherance of their duties.

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Attendance at Board and Board Committee Meetings  
during 2015

Each of these Committees has provided a report in the sections 
following.

Board

Audit Nomination Remuneration

M Berkery

E Daly

S Dorgan

E Downey

L Herlihy

B Horan

15/15

14/15

15/15

13/15

8/8

13/15

A Langford

4/4

F Muldoon

13/13

C O’Caoimh

9/9

-

6/6

6/6

1/2

-

-

-

-

-

R O’Flynn

P Walshe

12/12

14/15

4/4

-

4/4

-

1/1

2/3

-

4/4

1/1

-

-

-

-

1/1

3/3

3/3

-

-

3/3

-

-

-

-

-

If a Director is unable for any reason to attend a Board or 
Committee meeting, he or she will receive Board papers in 
advance of the meeting and is given an opportunity to 
communicate any views on or input into the business to  
come before the meeting to the Chairman.

Board Committees
The Board has established three Committees to assist it in the 
execution of its responsibilities. These are:

n	

n	

n	

the Audit Committee;

the Nomination Committee; and

the Remuneration Committee.

Each of the Committees has written terms of reference which 
were approved by the Board and set out the Committees’ 
powers, responsibilities and obligations. These are available  
on the Group’s website www.fbdgroup.com.

The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committees. 
Minutes of all of the Committees’ meetings are either circulated 
to all of the Directors in the case of the Audit Committee or are 
available to any Director on request in the case of the other  
two Committees.

Report of the Audit Committee

Membership during the year

CURRENT 

S Dorgan

Independent non-executive Director, Committee 
Chairman 

E Daly

Independent non-executive Director

R O’Flynn

Independent non-executive Director, appointed to 
the Committee on 14 May 2015

PREVIOUS 

E Downey

Independent non-executive Director, stepped 
down from Committee on 14 May 2015

The Committee members have been selected to ensure that the 
Committee has available to it the range of skills and experience 
necessary to discharge its responsibilities.

The Board has resolved that each of Ms. Daly, Mr. Dorgan and  
Mr. O’Flynn have recent and relevant financial experience.

Objective of Committee

To assist the Board of the Group in fulfilling its oversight 
responsibilities for such matters as financial reporting, the 
system of internal control and management of financial risks,  
the audit process and the Group’s process for monitoring 
compliance with laws and regulations.

Key responsibilities delegated to the Committee

n	

reviewing the Group’s financial results announcements and 
Financial Statements;

n	 overseeing the relationship with the external auditors 
including reviewing their terms of engagement, 
independence and fees;

n	

reviewing the scope, resources, results and effectiveness of 
the Group’s internal audit function; and

n	 performing detailed reviews of specific areas of financial 
reporting as required by the Board or the Committee.

31

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Corporate Governance (continued)

Meetings

The Committee met on six occasions during 2015. Meetings are 
attended by Committee members and, on occasion, by 
invitation, the Chief Financial Officer. The statutory Auditor and 
the Head of Group Internal Audit are invited to attend all 
scheduled meetings of the Committee. The Committee regularly 
meets separately with the statutory auditor and with the Head of 
Group Internal Audit, without members of management present.

The minutes of Committee meetings are circulated routinely to 
the Board. The Committee chairman also provides a verbal 
report to the Board after each Committee meeting. The 
Committee reports formally to the Board annually on the overall 
work undertaken and the degree to which it discharged the 
responsibilities delegated to it.

Activities of the Committee during 2015

During the year the following were the main activities 
undertaken:

n	 assessment of financial and other risks facing the Group and 

of the operation of internal controls; 

n	

review of all aspects of the relationship with the external 
auditors, including the statutory audit plan, audit findings 
and recommendations and consideration of the 
independence of the external auditors and the arrangement 
in place to safeguard this, including partner rotation, 
prohibition on share ownership and levels of fees payable to 
the statutory auditor for non-audit assignments;

n	 consideration of issues of financial reporting, particularly 

those involving substantial judgment and the risk of material 
misstatement including claims estimates and provisions;

n	

n	

review of drafts of Annual Report and Half Yearly Report 
prior to their consideration by the Board;

review of correspondence between the Company and IAASA, 
the Irish financial reporting regulator, in relation to the 
Annual and Half Yearly Reports;

n	 appraisal of the Internal Audit function, plan, work, report 

and issues arising and monitoring the scope and 
effectiveness of the function;

n	 assessment of compliance with laws, regulations, codes and 

financial reporting requirements; and

32

n	

reporting to the Board on its activities and confirming the 
degree to which the Committee’s delegated responsibilities 
had been discharged through verbal reports to the Board 
after each meeting and a formal written report presented 
annually.

The specific judgements and estimates used in the formulation 
of the financial statements and considered by the Committee 
included:

n	 claims best estimate and the margin for uncertainty;

n	 change in the accounting treatment of MIBI reserve;

n	 asset valuations;

n	 accounting treatment of the convertible bond instrument;

n	

revenue recognition and the treatment of unearned premium 
reserve;

n	 accounting for the defined benefit pension scheme; and

n	

recoverability of deferred tax asset following losses incurred 
in 2015.

The Committee considered specific comprehensive papers on 
these issues presented by management and was satisfied with 
the treatment proposed in each case.

Having put the provision of audit services out to competitive 
tender during 2015 the Committee recommended that 
PricewaterhouseCoopers be appointed as statutory auditor in 
respect of the 2016 Financial Statements. This was approved by 
the Board. This change was implemented as a result of 
requirements under the new European Audit Directive and 
Regulations to rotate audit firms every ten years.

The Committee retains direct oversight over the activities of  
the Audit Committee of the Group’s principal subsidiary, FBD 
Insurance plc, and routinely receives the minutes of that 
committee’s meetings once they are approved.

Evaluation

The Committee’s activities formed part of the Board’s evaluation 
process which found the Committee to be operating effectively.

Sean Dorgan 
On behalf of the Audit Committee

26 February 2016

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Report of the Nomination Committee

Evaluation

Membership during the year

CURRENT

M Berkery 

Committee Chairman, non-executive Director, 
Board chairman 

B Horan 

Independent non-executive Director

The Committee’s activities formed part of the Board’s evaluation 
process which found the Committee to be operating effectively.

The composition of the Committee at the end of 2015 fully met 
the requirements of the Code as a majority of Committee 
members were Directors considered to be independent.

E Downey

Independent non-executive Director, appointed to 
the Committee on 27 February 2015

Michael Berkery 
On behalf of the Nomination Committee

PREVIOUS

A Langford 

Chief Executive Officer stepped down from 
Committee on 27 February 2015

26 February 2016

Objective of Committee

To ensure that the Board and its Committees are made up of 
individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience 
to ensure that the Board is effective in discharging its 
responsibilities.

Key responsibilities delegated to the Committee

n	

reviewing the structure, size and composition of the Board 
and making recommendations to the Board for any 
appointments or other changes;

n	

recommending changes to the Board’s committees; and

n	 advising the Board in relation to succession planning both 
for the Board and the senior executives in the Group.

During the year the Committee consulted a number of external 
firms to assist it in the identification of suitable individuals for 
appointment to executive and non–executive positions and in 
the drafting of employment contracts.

Meetings

The Committee met four times during 2015 to consider potential 
candidates for appointment to the Board to fulfil vacancies 
which arose during the year and to oversee the detailed 
succession planning process undertaken in the Group’s principal 
subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc. At its meeting in May, the 
Committee reviewed and approved the Board succession plan.

33

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Corporate Governance (continued)

Report of the Remuneration Committee

Activities of the Committee during 2015

The principal activities undertaken by the Committee during 
2015 include:

n	 annual review of remuneration arrangements for executive 
Directors and other senior executives, including bonuses 
paid for performance in 2014 and the conditions attaching to 
the 2015 bonus plan;

n	

review and approval of the Report on Directors’ 
Remuneration for 2014;

n	 making of two conditional awards of shares under the FBD 

Performance Share Plan and setting the conditions attached; 
and

n	 approving the terms and conditions of appointment of the 

Group Chief Executive in Q4 2015.

The Committee Chairman consulted a number of external firms 
in the drafting of the CEO employment contract and in selecting 
appropriate conditions to attach to the LTIP awards.

Full details of Directors’ Remuneration are set in the Report on 
Directors’ Remuneration on pages 38 to 46.

Evaluation

The Committee’s activities formed part of the Board’s evaluation 
process which found the Committee to be operating effectively.

Sean Dorgan 
On behalf of the Remuneration Committee

26 February 2016

Membership during the year

CURRENT

S Dorgan 

E Daly

B Horan 

PREVIOUS

M Berkery 

Committee Chairman, and independent 
non-executive Director

Independent non-executive Director

Independent non-executive Director

Non-executive Director, stepped down from 
the Committee on 27 February 2015

Objective of Committee

To assist the Board of the Company in ensuring that the level of 
remuneration in the Group and the split between fixed and 
variable remuneration are sufficient to attract, retain and 
motivate executive Directors and senior management of the 
quality required to run the Company in a manner which is fair 
and in line with market norms, while not exposing the Company 
to unnecessary levels of risk.

Key responsibilities delegated to the Committee

n	 determining the broad policy for the remuneration of the 
Company’s executive Directors, Company Secretary and 
other senior executives;

n	 determining the total remuneration packages for the 
foregoing individuals, including salaries, variable 
remuneration, pension and other benefit provision and any 
compensation on termination of office;

n	 ensuring that the Company operates to recognised good 

governance standards in relation to remuneration;

n	 making awards of shares under the Group’s approved share 

scheme; and

n	 preparation of the detailed Report on Directors’ 

Remuneration.

Meetings

The Group Chief Executive may attend meetings of the 
Committee but only by invitation and not at a time when his  
or her individual remuneration arrangements are discussed.  
The Committee met three times during 2015.

34

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Corporate 

Corporate 

Governance 

Governance 

(continued)

(continued)

Shareholder Engagement
The Board is committed to ensuring that excellent lines of 
communication exist and are fostered between the Group and its 
shareholders.

A planned programme of investor relations activities is 
undertaken throughout the year which includes:

n	 briefing meetings with all major shareholders after the full 

year and half yearly results announcements;

n	

regular meetings between institutional investors and 
analysts with the Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial 
Officer and/or Head of Investor Relations to discuss business 
performance and strategy and to address any issues of 
concern; and

n	

responding to letters and queries received directly from 
shareholders and from proxy adviser firms.

Should a significant proportion of votes be cast against a 
resolution at any general meeting, the Board will endeavour to 
identify the shareholders concerned and will initiate a contact 
with them with the view to understanding the reasons for the 
adverse vote.

The Board receives a regular report from the Head of Investor 
Relations which includes details of all meetings held, feedback 
received and issues either of interest or of concern raised.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting is held each year in 
Dublin. The 2016 meeting will be held on 29 April.

Who attends?

n	 All of the Directors;

n	 Senior Group executives;

n	 Shareholders; and

n	 Company Advisers

Members of the media are also invited and permitted to attend.

What business takes place at the meeting?

n	

the Group Chief Executive makes a presentation on the 
results and performance to the meeting prior to the 
Chairman dealing with the formal business of the  
meeting itself;

n	 all shareholders present, either in person or by proxy can 
question the Chairman, the Committee Chairmen and the 
rest of the Board during the meeting and afterwards; and

n	

the Chairman then deals with the formal business of  
the meeting.

All shareholders are encouraged to ask questions and to raise 
any issues at the meeting.

When this part of the meeting has concluded, all formal 
resolutions are dealt with on a show of hands. Once the vote is 
declared by the Chairman, the votes lodged with the Company in 
advance of the meeting are displayed prominently in the venue 
for those present to see. Immediately after the meeting is 
concluded the results are published on the Group’s website 
www.fbdgroup.com and also via the Irish and London  
Stock Exchanges.

The notice of the Annual General Meeting is issued to 
shareholders at least 20 working days in advance of the meeting.

Internal Control
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of 
internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a 
system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk  
of failure to achieve business objectives and can provide only 
reasonable and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

In accordance with the revised FRC guidance for directors on 
internal control published in September 2014, “Guidance on Risk 
Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting”, the Board confirms that there is an ongoing 
process for identifying, evaluating and managing any significant 
risks faced by the Group, that it has been in place for the year 
under review and up to the date of approval of the Financial 
Statements and that this process is regularly reviewed by  
the Board.

35

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Corporate Governance (continued)

The key risk management and internal control procedures which 
covers all material controls include:

n	

n	

skilled and experienced management and staff in line with fit 
and proper requirements;

roles and responsibilities including reporting lines clearly 
defined with performance linked to company objectives;

n	 an organisation structure with clearly defined lines of 

responsibility and authority;

n	 a comprehensive system of financial control incorporating 

budgeting, periodic financial reporting and variance analysis;

n	 a Risk Committee of the Board of FBD Insurance plc, the 
Group’s principal subsidiary, and a Risk Management 
Framework comprising a Risk Function headed by a Chief 
Risk Officer, a clearly stated risk appetite and risk strategy 
supported by approved risk management policies and 
processes in the areas of underwriting, reinsurance, claims 
reserving, investment and treasury;

n	 an Executive Risk Committee in FBD Insurance plc 

comprising senior management whose main role includes 
reviewing and challenging key risk information and to assist 
the Risk Committee, described earlier, in the discharge of its 
duties between meetings;

n	 an Actuarial function;

n	 a Compliance function;

n	 an Internal Audit function;

n	 an Audit Committee whose formal terms of reference include 
responsibility for assessing the significant risks facing the 
Group in the achievement of its objectives and the controls 
in place to mitigate those risks;

n	 disaster recovery framework in place and regularly tested;

n	 business continuity framework in place and regularly tested;

n	

the risk strategy, framework and appetite are articulated in  
a suite of policies covering all risk types and supported by 
detailed procedural documents. Each of these documents  
is subject to annual review and approval by the Board; and

n	 performance of a Forward Looking Assessment of Own Risk 
(“FLAOR”) linking of risk management strategy and capital 
management.

36

The Annual Budget, Half Yearly Report and Annual Report are 
reviewed and approved by the Board. Financial results with 
comparisons against budget are reported to executive Directors 
on a monthly basis and are reported to the Board at each  
Board Meeting. 

The risk management, internal control, reporting and forecasting 
processes are important to the Board in the exercise of its 
governance and oversight role. It constantly strives to further 
improve their quality.

The Group has established a “Speak Up” Policy for employees 
the purpose of which is to reassure employees that it is safe  
and acceptable to raise any concern that they may have about 
malpractice and to enable them to raise such concerns safely 
and properly. This policy is reviewed by the Audit Committee 
annually and circulated thereafter to all Group employees.

The Board has reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s system 
of internal control. This review took account of the principal risks 
facing the Group, the controls in place to manage those risks and 
the procedures in place to monitor them. The Board is satisfied 
that the controls and procedures in place were effective 
throughout the period covered by this report and up to  
the date of its approval.

Viability Statement
The Directors have assessed the prospects of the Group and its 
ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due in the medium term. 
The Directors selected a three year timeframe as this 
corresponds with the Board’s strategic planning process. The 
objectives of the strategic planning process are to consider the 
key strategic choices facing the Group and to build a financial 
model with various scenarios. This assessment has been made 
with reference to the Group’s current position and prospects, the 
Group’s strategy, the Board’s risk appetite and the principal risks 
and uncertainties facing the Group, as outlined on pages 118  
to 129.

The Directors review and renew the Group’s three year plan at 
least annually. Progress against the strategic plan is reviewed 
regularly by the Board and senior management. Associated risks 
are considered within the Board’s risk management framework.

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015The Group has experienced very significant challenges during 
2015 and has taken decisive action to return the business to 
profitability. This includes focusing its resources on its farming 
and small business customers together with pursuing a 
consumer strategy under a single brand. In parallel FBD has 
taken significant underwriting and rating action to reduce risk  
in its book.

The Group took decisive action to improve its capital position 
during 2015, which included the issuing of a Solvency II 
compliant tier II convertible bond of €70m, the divestment of its 
property and leisure joint venture for €48.5m and the investment 
of the net proceeds as equity in FBD Insurance plc and the 
de-risking of the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme, which 
was closed to future accrual in September 2015. These actions 
have ensured that the Group’s principal subsidiary, FBD 
Insurance plc, met its Solvency II capital requirements  
before the effective date of 1 January 2016.

The strategic plan has been tested for a number of scenarios 
which assess the potential impact of some of the strategic and 
commercial risks facing the Group. The Group performs a FLAOR 
at least annually which subjects FBD’s solvency capital levels to a 
number of extreme stress scenarios. This was last performed in 
December 2015. Based on the results of these tests the Directors 
confirm that they have performed a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Group, including those that would 
threaten its business model, its future performance and solvency 
and that they can have a reasonable expectation that the Group 
will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as 
they fall due over the period of the assessment.

Going Concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to 
affect its future development, performance and financial 
position are set out in the Chairman’s Statement and the Review 
of Operations, as are the financial position of the Group, its cash 
flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities. In addition, note 
40 of the Financial Statements includes the Group’s policies and 
processes for risk management.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company 
and the Group have adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future being a period of 
at least twelve months from the date of this report. As a result 
they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the Financial Statements. In forming this view, the 
Directors have reviewed the Group’s budget for 2016 and 
forecast for 2017 and 2018, which take account of reasonably 
foreseeable changes in trading performance, the key risks facing 
the business and the medium-term plans approved by the Board 
in its review of the Group’s corporate strategy along with the 
Group’s capital projections and requirements under the new 
Solvency II regime effective from 1 January 2016. The Directors 
have concluded that there are no material uncertainties that cast 
significant doubt over the company’s and the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern.

37

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ Remuneration

Letter from the Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholder,

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee and the Board, I am pleased to set out in the section following, the details of the Directors’ 
Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Executive Director Salary Levels

In light of the challenging economic and operating environment which faced the Group in 2015 which has continued into 2016,  
pay restraint for executive Directors has continued. There were no bonuses awarded to senior Executives. Salary levels for executive 
Directors continue to be well below those pertaining at the beginning of 2008.

Paying for Performance

There has always been a clear link between the performance of the Group and the remuneration of senior Executives. Arrangements  
for salaries and Annual Performance Bonuses, as described later in the Report, fully reflect the challenges which faced the Group 
throughout 2014 and 2015, while balancing the necessity to attract, retain and reward strong capable insurance talent in our markets.

External Advice

The Group participates in an independent executive reward survey which is published by Towers Watson, the results from which are 
considered by the Committee and help to shape the Committee’s views on market trends, the Group’s relative positioning and any 
developments emerging in remuneration policy. The Committee has access to independent professional advisers should it deem 
appropriate. During the year the Committee consulted Towers Watson to advise on market practice in the formulation of the 
performance conditions to be attached to an award under the LTIP.

Share Ownership

The Committee approved a share ownership policy in 2010 for senior Executives. This policy is intended to closely align the economic 
interests of senior Executives with those of shareholders by encouraging Executives to build up a shareholding in the Group which is 
material to their income and net worth.

Shareholder Dialogue and Support

The Remuneration Report for this year has been compiled, mindful of any improvements suggested by shareholders and others in 2015.

Despite the fact that there is no obligation to do so under Irish law, the Board, on the recommendation of this Committee, has tabled 
the Report on Directors’ Remuneration at the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) each year since 2010 for an advisory vote. At the 2015 
AGM, this report received 93.9% support from shareholders.

The Committee requests shareholders to consider and approve the annual remuneration report set out on the pages following at the 
2016 AGM.

Sean Dorgan 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

26 February 2016

38

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Role of Remuneration Committee
Responsibility for determining the levels of remuneration of the senior Executives has been delegated by the Board to the Remuneration 
Committee whose membership is set out in the Corporate Governance Report on page 34.

Policy

It is the policy of the Group to provide all members of executive management, middle management and employees of the Group with 
appropriate remuneration and incentives that reward performance and ensure that they are, in a fair and responsible manner, rewarded 
for specific contributions closely aligned to the financial success of the Group. This is done whilst also ensuring that the principles of 
sound, prudent risk management are fully reflected and that excessive risk taking is neither encouraged nor rewarded.

It is also the policy of the Group to provide a remuneration framework which will attract, reward, motivate and retain Executives of the 
highest calibre who can bring experience to the strategic decisions and the management of FBD and who will perform in the long term 
interests of the Group and its shareholders.

The following table sets out the key elements of pay policy for executive Directors and senior Executives, their purpose and how they 
link to strategy.

Element and link to 
strategy

Policy and operation

Base Salary (fixed remuneration)

Changes to 
policy

To help recruit and retain 
senior experienced 
Executives

Base salaries are reviewed annually with effect from 1 April taking the following factors  
into account:

No change to 
policy.

n  The individual’s role and experience

n  Company performance

n  Personal performance

n  Market practice and benchmarking

Although salaries are reviewed annually there is no automatic right for any  
Executive to receive a salary increase.

Benefits (fixed remuneration)

To provide market 
competitive benefits

Benefits provided take the form of a motor allowance and an agreed percentage 
contribution to health and other insurance costs.

No change to 
policy.

39

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ Remuneration (continued)

Element and link to 
strategy

Policy and operation

Pension Provision (fixed remuneration)

To provide market 
competitive benefits and 
reward performance over 
a long period, enabling 
Executives to save for 
retirement

The Group closed its defined benefit pension scheme to new members from September 
2005. The scheme was closed to future accrual from 30 September 2015 and the small 
number of senior Group Executives who were active members of the scheme up until that 
date, are provided with retirement benefits under a defined contribution arrangement 
from 1 October 2015.

Neither Mr. O’Caoimh nor Ms. Muldoon were members at any time of the defined benefit 
pension scheme. They have accrued benefits under a defined contribution scheme since 
they joined the Group in 2008 and 2015 respectively.

Mr. Langford received a taxable cash allowance in lieu of pension benefits foregone having 
withdrawn from the defined benefit pension scheme in 2010.

Changes to 
policy

No change to 
policy.

Annual Performance Bonuses (variable remuneration)

To reward achievement  
of company targets, 
personal performance  
and contribution

The performance measures for annual performance bonuses for the executive Directors and 
other senior Executives are based on attainment of the profitability targets of combined 
operating ratio and return on equity and also for targets for premium income growth.

The maximum bonus potential, as a percentage of base salary for the Chief Executive for 
2015, was 70%.

More detail on the actual operation of the Annual Performance Bonus arrangements appear 
later in this Report.

There have 
been no 
changes to 
either the 
policy or the 
operation of 
annual 
performance 
bonuses.

Longer Term Incentives – the FBD Performance Share Plan (“LTIP”) (variable remuneration)

To align the financial 
interests of Executives 
with those of shareholders 

The FBD Performance Share Plan (“LTIP”) was approved by shareholders in 2007.

Under the LTIP, the Remuneration Committee may, at its sole discretion, make conditional 
awards of shares to Executives. Conditional awards of shares under the LTIP are limited to 
10% of the Company’s issued ordinary shares of €0.60 each over a 10 year period.

The market value of the shares which are the subject of a conditional award to an 
individual may not, in any financial year, normally exceed 100% of the participant’s base 
salary as at the date of grant.

The period over which the performance conditions applying to a conditional award under 
the LTIP are measured may not be less than three years. The extent to which a conditional 
award may vest in the future will be determined by the Remuneration Committee by 
reference to the performance conditions set at the time of the award. These conditions 
were designed so as to ensure alignment between the economic interests of the plan 
participants and those of shareholders. Different conditions, or the same conditions in 
differing proportions, can be used by the Remuneration Committee for future awards 
under the LTIP rules, provided that the Committee remains satisfied that they are 
challenging and are aligned with the interests of the Company’s shareholders.

No changes are permitted to the conditions attaching to a particular award once they are set by the Remuneration Committee.

40

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ 

Remuneration

Conditional Awards of Shares in 2015
During 2015 two Conditional Awards of Shares were made under the LTIP: in March 2015 to executive directors and senior management, 
and in October 2015 to the newly appointed CEO. The Performance Conditions attaching to the March 2015 award, and the 
corresponding conditions attaching to the 2014 awards, were as follows:

a) TSR performance condition

Up to 50% (2014 Grant: 40%) of the shares subject to an award may vest depending on the Group’s Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) 
over the performance period commencing on 1 January in the year the award is made compared to the TSR of a designated peer group. 
This peer group comprises the constituent companies of the Irish Stock Exchange ISEQ Overall Index excluding companies in the 
technology, pharmaceutical and exploration sectors. The extent to which an award vests will be determined according to the following 
table:

Company’s TSR Ranking

Below median

Median (50th percentile)

Between median and 75th percentile

75th percentile or higher 

b) Market share condition

Proportion of Award Vesting

2015 Grant

2014 Grant

0%

25%

0%

20%

Straight line between  
25% and 50%

Straight line between  
20% and 40%

50%

40%

For the grant in 2015, no market share condition was applied. In 2014, 20% of the shares subject to the award may vest according to the 
share of the Irish non-life insurance market held by FBD Insurance plc in the Financial Year 2016. The extent to which an award vests will 
be determined according to the following table:

FBD Insurance plc’s share of the Irish non-life insurance market

Less than 13.5%

13.5%

Between 13.5% and 15.0%

15.0% or higher 

Proportion of Award Vesting

2014 Grant only

0%

10%

Straight line between 10% and 20%

20%

41

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ Remuneration (continued)

c) Combined ratio performance condition

Up to 50% (2014 Grant: 40%) of the shares subject to an award may vest depending on the combined ratio performance of FBD 
Insurance plc over the performance period (of three financial years) in comparison to the median combined ratio of other European 
non-life insurance companies. The extent to which an award vests will be determined according to the following table:

FBD Insurance plc’s Combined Ratio in comparison with median company

2015 Grant

2014 Grant

Greater than median company

Equal to median company

Between median company and 4 percentage points below median company

0%

25%

0%

20%

Straight line between  
25% and 50%

Straight line between  
20% and 40%

4 or more percentage points below the median company

50%

40%

Proportion of Award Vesting

The Committee made a conditional award of shares under the LTIP to the Chief Executive on her appointment to this role in October 
2015 and the Committee and Ms. Muldoon agreed that the conditional award granted on 2 March 2015 would be cancelled.

The conditions attached to the new award, which reflect the Board’s turnaround plans, were as follows:

n	 One third based on TSR, expressed in terms of FBD Holdings plc share price on 31 December 2018;

n	 One third based on a weighted average Combined Operating Ratio over the three years ending 31 December 2018; and

n	 One third based on a comprehensive, stretching business scorecard specific to the Board’s turnaround plan, the conditions for 

which will also be measured over the three years ending 31 December 2018. These are considered commercially sensitive and are 
not disclosed.

The targets for the other conditions and the thresholds for vesting are as follows:

TSR

COR

Threshold Level

Proportion vesting

Upper Level

Proportion vesting

€8.25

100%

50%

50%

€11.50

95%

100%

100%

Performance between the threshold and upper levels will result in the proportion vesting to increase on a straight line basis.

Outstanding Conditional Awards
During 2015, no previous conditional award under the LTIP fell due for measurement to determine the extent to which it had vested.

42

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ and Company Secretary’s Conditional LTIP Awards
Details of the conditional share awards made under the LTIP in 2013, 2014 and 2015 to the executive Directors, and the Company 
Secretary, are given in the table below. The number of shares is the maximum possible number which could vest for the individual 
concerned if all of the performance conditions previously described are met.

At 1 
January
 2015

Granted 
during 
year

Vested 
during 
year

Cancelled 
during 
year

At 31
Dec
2015

Performance Period

Earliest 
vesting 
date

Market 
price on 
award €

Executive Directors

Fiona Muldoon

Andrew Langford

-

-

17,778

54,545

23,150

21,000

-

-

-

31,111

Cathal O’Caoimh

Company Secretary

Conor Gouldson

14,331

10,706

4,819

4,500

-

-

-

-

-

7,523

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(17,778)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

54,545

23,150

21,000

31,111

14,331

10,706

4,819

4,500

7,523

N/A

N/A

01.01.16 – 31.12.18

Mar 2019

01.01.13 – 31.12.15

Mar 2016

01.01.14 – 31.12.16

Mar 2017

01.01.15 – 31.12.17

Mar 2018

01.01.13 – 31.12.15

Mar 2016

01.01.14 – 31.12.16

Mar 2017

01.01.13 – 31.12.15

Mar 2016

01.01.14 – 31.12.16

Mar 2017

01.01.15 – 31.12.17

Mar 2018

10.80

6.60

12.70

17.00

10.80

12.70

17.00

12.70

17.00

10.80

The total number of shares subject to conditional awards outstanding under the LTIP amounts to 386,943 being 1.1% of the Company’s 
ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) at 31 December 2015 (2014: 249,571 shares and 0.7% of ordinary share capital).

The aggregate limit over the number of shares over which conditional awards are permitted under the Scheme Rules is 10% of the 
Company’s issued ordinary share capital. Since the establishment of the Scheme in 2007, there have been six conditional awards made 
over an aggregate of 822,048 shares or 2.4% of the Company’s ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares).

The Committee agreed good leaver status for both Mr. Langford and Mr. O’Caoimh who left employment on 31 July 2015 and 30 
September 2015 respectively. In accordance with the Scheme Rules, the unvested awards listed above will vest in line with the normal 
vesting timetable pro-rated for time and for the achievement of the performance conditions attached on grant.

Share Ownership Policy
The Group incentivises its executive Directors and senior Executives with equity based awards under the Group’s shareholder approved 
share schemes. Central to the philosophy underlying awards under these schemes is the goal of aligning the economic interests of 
those individuals with those of shareholders. Executive Directors and senior Executives are expected to maintain a significant long-term 
equity interest in the Company. The requirement, which is set out in the policy document which was approved by the Remuneration 
Committee on 23 December 2010, is to build and retain a shareholding with a valuation relative to base salary, at a minimum, as noted 
hereunder. Until such time as this requirement has been met, those to whom the Policy applies are precluded from disposing of any 
shares issued to them under the Group’s share schemes.

43

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ Remuneration (continued)

Executive

Group Chief Executive

Other executive Directors

Other senior Executives 

Share ownership requirement

2 times annual salary

1.5 times annual salary

1 times annual salary

Non-executive Director Remuneration
The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is determined by the Board, and reflects the time commitment and responsibilities of 
their role. In setting the level of this remuneration, the Board has full regard to the fees payable to the non-executive Directors of the 
other Irish publicly listed companies and also to the developments and policy for the remuneration of the management and staff in the 
wider Group.

The basic non-executive Director fee amounted to €39,600 per annum in 2015 (2014: €39,600) and remains below the level pertaining 
at the beginning of 2008.

The Chairman, Mr. Michael Berkery received fees of €126,225 during the year (2014: €126,225) inclusive of the basic non-executive 
Director fee. The Senior Independent Director, Mr. Sean Dorgan, received fees of €104,000 during the year inclusive of his basic 
non-executive Director fee, which reflects his additional responsibilities as Chairman of the Audit Committee and as Chairman of  
FBD Insurance plc, roles which he took on during the course of 2014 when his total remuneration amounted to €79,000.

Non-executive Directors are not members of the Group’s pension schemes and are not eligible for participation in the Group’s long-term 
incentive scheme or any share option schemes.

Service Contracts
The service contracts for the Group Chief Executive provide for the following periods of notice of termination of employment:

Fiona Muldoon

From Company

From Director

12 months

6 months

Payments to Directors for loss of office
Mr. Andrew Langford resigned as Group Chief Executive and from the Company on 31 July 2015. He had a six month contractual notice 
period, and, following his employment ending, he was paid in lieu of notice a sum of €269,000 representing six month’s salary and 
benefits. Mr. Langford agreed to make his experience and services available to the Company from 1 February 2016 until 31 December 
2016 for a fee of €16,300 per month so long as he was not in full-time employment elsewhere. In the event that his input on this basis  
is utilised, he may be in receipt of such consultancy fees during 2016, full details of which will be published in the 2016 Annual Report.

External appointments held by the executive Directors
In recognition of the benefits to both the Group and to our executive Directors of serving as non-executive Directors of other companies, 
our executive Directors are, subject to advance agreement in each case, permitted to take on an external non-executive appointment 
and to retain any related fees paid to them.

During the year, Mr. Andrew Langford served as a non-executive Director of KBC Insurance N.V. In the period up to 31 July 2015,  
he earned fees amounting to €75,833 from this appointment. Ms. Fiona Muldoon was appointed as a non-executive Director of  
the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland on 12 June 2015. Over the remainder of 2015 she earned fees of €35,321 from  
this appointment.

44

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Determination of Annual Performance Bonus for the year ended 31 December 2015
As previously noted, the overall Annual Performance Bonus arrangements, the targets and their achievement are approved by the 
Remuneration Committee each year.

While the component of the bonus scheme relating to Gross Written Premium would ordinarily result in that element of the annual 
bonus being earned for 2015, the overall scheme provides for a minimum level of profitability to be attained in any year failing which no 
bonus may be paid at all. In view of the performance of the Group during 2015, the Remuneration Committee has determined that no 
annual performance bonus will be paid.

Executive and non-executive Directors’ Remuneration details
The following table sets out in detail the remuneration payable by the Group in respect of any Director who held office for any part of the 
financial year:

Fees1
€000s

Salary2
€000s

Other
Payments3
€000s 

Benefits4
€000s

Pension
Contribution5
€000s

2015
Total
€000s

Executive Directors:
Fiona Muldoon6
Andrew Langford3
Cathal O’Caoimh3
Non-executive Directors:
Michael Berkery (Chairman)
Emer Daly
Sean Dorgan
Eddie Downey
Liam Herlihy7
Brid Horan 
Dermot Mulvihill8
Ruairí O’Flynn9
Padraig Walshe 

Notes (2015 Only)

-
-
-

126
40
104
40
13
40
3
26
40
432

360
257
195

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
812

-
269
37

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
306

29
19
29

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
77

60
49
36

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
 145

449
594
297

126
40
104
40
13
40
3
26
40
1,772

Fees are payable to the non-executive Directors only.
Salaries are paid to executive Directors only.

1 
2 
3  Mr. Langford, who resigned from executive office on 31 July 2015 received pay in lieu of notice under his contract of employment in 
the amount of €269,000, representing six month’s salary and benefits. A bonus of €37,000 was awarded to Mr. O’Caoimh on the 
successful completion of a strategic project for which he had responsibility prior to his retirement on 30 September 2015, in 
accordance with Mr. O’Caoimh’s short term incentive arrangements approved by the Committee earlier in 2015.

4  Benefits relate exclusively to a motor allowance and contribution towards health insurance costs.
5  Pension contributions relate to contributions either to a defined contribution pension scheme or, in the case of Mr. Langford, 

payments to the Director concerned, on a defined contribution basis, in lieu of continued accrual in the Group’s defined benefit 
pension plan.

6  Ms. Fiona Muldoon was appointed as a Director on 19 January 2015, as Interim Group Chief Executive on 31 July 2015 and as Group 

Chief Executive on 7 October 2015.

7  Mr. Liam Herlihy was appointed as a Director on 1 September 2015.
8  Mr. Dermot Mulvihill resigned as a Director on 14 January 2015.
9  Mr. Ruairí O’Flynn was appointed as a Director on 14 May 2015.

45

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ Remuneration (continued)

The following table sets out the detail for the previous financial year:

Fees1
€000s

Salary2 
€000s

Performance
Bonus3
€000s 

Benefits4
€000s

Pension
Contribution5
€000s

2014
Total
€000s

Executive Directors:

Andrew Langford3

Cathal O’Caoimh

Non-executive Directors:

Michael Berkery (Chairman)

John Bryan 

Emer Daly

Sean Dorgan

Eddie Downey

Brid Horan 

Dermot Mulvihill 

Vincent Sheridan

Johan Thijs

Padraig Walshe 

Notes (2014 Only)

-

-

126

7

7

79

30

40

40

38

7

40

414

420

260

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

680

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

34

27

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

84

49

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

538

336

126

7

7

79

30

40

40

38

7

40

61

133

1,288

Fees are payable to the non-executive Directors only.
Salaries are paid to executive Directors only.

1 
2 
3  While bonuses of €28,000 to Mr. Langford and €10,000 to Mr. O’Caoimh were earned under the terms of the performance bonus 

arrangements, the Committee and the Executives agreed that no bonuses be paid to them in light of the overall performance of the 
Group in 2014.

4  Benefits relate exclusively to a motor allowance and contribution towards health insurance costs.
5  Pension contributions relate to contributions either to a defined contribution pension scheme or, in the case of Mr. Langford, 

payments to the Director concerned, on a defined contribution basis, in lieu of continued accrual in the Group’s defined benefit 
pension plan.

46

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Directors’ Responsibilities Statement

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and Financial Statements, in accordance with the Companies Act 
2014 and the applicable regulations.

Irish company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under the law, the Directors 
have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by 
the European Union (“relevant financial reporting framework”). 
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 assets, liabilities and financial position of the 
company as at the financial year end date and of the profit or 
loss of the company for the financial year and otherwise comply 
with the Companies Act 2014.

In preparing each of the Company and Group Financial 
Statements, the Directors are required to:

n	

select suitable accounting policies for the Company and the 
Group Financial Statements and then apply them 
consistently;

n	 make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and 

prudent;

n	

state whether the financial statements have been prepared 
in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, 
identify those standards, and note the effect and the reasons 
for any material departure from those standards; and

n	 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will 
continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for ensuring that the Company and 
the Group keeps or causes to be kept adequate accounting 
records which correctly explain and record the transactions of 
the Company and the Group, enable at any time the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company 
and the Group to be determined with reasonable accuracy, 
enable them to ensure that the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements comply with the Companies Act 2014 and the Listing 
Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and enable the financial 
statements to be audited.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the 
company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are also required by the Transparency (Directive 
2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 (as amended by the 
Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) (Amendment) 
Regulations, 2012) to include a management report containing a 
fair review of the business and a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties facing the Group.

Under applicable law and the requirements of the Listing Rules 
issued by the Irish Stock Exchange, the Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report and reports relating 
to Directors’ remuneration and corporate governance that 
comply with that law and those Rules. The Directors are 
responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate 
and financial information included on the Company’s website. 
Legislation in Ireland governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions.

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and 
belief:

n	

n	

n	

the Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and 
financial position for the Group as at 31 December 2015 and 
of the result for the financial year then ended;

the Report of the Directors, the Chairman’s Statement and 
the Review of Operations include a fair review of the 
development and performance of the Group’s business and 
the state of affairs of the Group at 31 December 2015, 
together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group; and

the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a 
whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to access the 
performance, strategy and business model of the Company.

On behalf of the Board

Michael Berkery 
Chairman

Fiona Muldoon 
Group Chief Executive

26 February 2016

47

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Independent Auditor’s Report 
To the Members of FBD Holdings Plc

Opinion on the financial 
statements of FBD 
Holdings plc

Going concern and the 
directors’ assessment of 
the principal risks that 
would threaten the 
solvency or liquidity of 
the Group

In our opinion, the financial statements:

n	 give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group and the 

Company as at 31 December 2015 and of the Group’s loss for the financial year then ended; and

n	 have been properly prepared in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework and in 
particular, with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014 and, as regards the Group financial 
statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

The financial statements comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Financial Position, the 
Company Statement of Cash Flows, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes 
1 to 41. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group and 
Parent Company financial statements is Irish law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.

As required by the Listing Rules we have reviewed the directors’ statement contained within the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 37 that the Group is a going concern.

We have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

n	

n	

n	

n	

the directors’ confirmation on page 23 that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity;

the disclosures on page 21 to 23 that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed 
or mitigated;

the directors’ statement in note 2 to 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 Group’s ability to continue to do so over a period 
of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements; and

the director’s explanation on page 37 as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 
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 Group 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.

We agreed with the directors’ adoption of the going concern basis of accounting and we did not identify 
any such material uncertainties. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, 
this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

48

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Our assessment of risks of material misstatement

The assessed risks of material misstatement described below are those 
that had the greatest effect on our audit strategy, the allocation of 
resources in the audit and directing the efforts of the engagement 
team:

Risk of material misstatement

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Claims Outstanding and Reinsurance Claims 
Outstanding 
This risk related to the estimation of the liability for claims 
outstanding under insurance contracts written. The Group 
has significant claims outstanding totaling €748 million, 
with a related reinsurance asset of €65 million, as at 31 
December 2015. The valuation of claims outstanding is the 
key judgmental area for management given the level of 
subjectivity inherent in estimating the impact of claims 
events that have occurred but for which the ultimate 
outcome remains uncertain. This risk of material 
misstatement is heightened given the uncertainty and 
volatility in the current claims environment.

Revenue Recognition 
This risk of material misstatement in the financial 
statements related to the recognition of premium revenue 
and the judgement in the deferral of unearned premium in 
line with the expiration of risk. The Group earned net 
premium income of €313 million.

Capital 
This risk related to whether the outcomes of the actions 
taken by the Group to improve the capital position of its’ 
principal underwriting subsidiary, FBD Insurance Plc, were 
not sufficient to meet the capital requirements of the new 
Solvency II regime and as a result the carrying values of 
the assets and liabilities in the Statement of Financial 
Position are inappropriate, as assets may not be 
recoverable or realised, and liabilities may not be 
recognised.

We examined the process used by management to estimate the 
liabilities for claims outstanding and the related reinsurance asset. 
Our procedures included understanding and testing the operating 
effectiveness of controls in the reserving process, including controls 
over the completeness and accuracy of the claim estimates recorded. 
We performed substantive tests on the amounts recorded for a 
sample of claims notified.

Using actuarial reserving specialists we assessed the 
appropriateness of actuarial techniques used by management in 
estimating the liability and related asset, and, in particular, the 
tailoring of those techniques to the current claims environment.

We evaluated the completeness and accuracy of data, the key 
assumptions used and the results of liability adequacy tests.

Our procedures included an assessment of the design of controls over 
premium recording and collection, and testing their operating 
effectiveness. We carried out tests of detail on a statistical sample  
of policies and also used analytical procedures to assess the 
completeness of premium income. In addition we tested the 
calculation of unearned premium and considered the adequacy  
of the provision for unearned premium.

Our procedures included an evaluation of management’s conclusions 
regarding FBD Insurance Plc’s ability to maintain an adequate level  
of capital. Our procedures included an assessment of the design of 
controls over the budgeting and forecasting process used, and tests 
of details on the completeness and accuracy of the data used by 
management. We considered and challenged the key assumptions 
supporting management’s conclusion.

We also carried out tests of details on the specific management 
actions taken to improve the capital position, including the sale of 
the Joint Venture, the issuance of the convertible bond and the 
restructuring of the pension scheme arrangements.

49

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Independent Auditor’s Report (continued)

Policy Administration IT System 
This risk related to the recoverability of the new policy 
administration system asset recognised in the financial 
statements at €36.9 million. There is a level of subjectivity 
inherent in estimating whether the asset is impaired which 
may give rise to a material misstatement in the financial 
statements.

Convertible Bond Instrument 
This risk related to the valuation and accounting treatment 
of the convertible bond instrument issued during 2015. The 
valuation and accounting treatment of the convertible 
bond instrument is a key judgmental area for management 
which may lead to a material misstatement in the financial 
statements.

Our procedures included an initial evaluation of management’s 
judgement regarding the timeframe to implementation of the 
system, the related projected costs, and the specific risks 
impacting implementation.

We carried out tests of detail on management’s process to identify 
any indicators of impairment and subsequently on the calculation 
of the recoverable amount. This included tests of detail on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data used by management.  
We considered and challenged the key assumptions supporting 
management’s conclusion.

Our procedures also included an assessment of the design of 
controls over the budgeting and forecasting process used to 
support the calculation of the recoverable amount.

Our procedures included an assessment of the design of controls 
over the valuation of the convertible bond instrument, and the 
accounting and financial reporting treatment of the transaction.

We assessed the appropriateness of management’s conclusions 
regarding the treatment of the bond as a compound instrument, 
in accordance with the contractual documentation. We also 
performed tests of detail on management’s valuation of the total 
instrument and the liability element, in accordance with the 
accounting policies.

The description of risks above should be read in conjunction with the significant issues considered by 
the Audit Committee set out on page 32.

Our audit procedures relating to these matters were designed in the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and not to express an opinion on individual accounts or disclosures. Our opinion 
on the financial statements is not modified with respect to any of the risks described above, and we do 
not express an opinion on these individual matters.

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it 
probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or 
influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results 
of our work.

We determined planning materiality for the Group to be €4 million (2014: €4 million) using consolidated 
Shareholders Equity and Revenue as the key determining factors. The planning materiality chosen is 
below 2% of consolidated Shareholder Equity and below 1% of Revenue.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee any audit differences in 
excess of €200,000, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting 
on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure matters that we identified 
when assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

Our application of 
materiality

50

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015An overview of the scope 
of our audit

Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including 
Group-wide controls, and assessing the risks of material misstatement at the Group level. Based on that 
assessment, we focused our Group audit scope primarily on the audit work in two principal subsidiaries 
operating in the Republic of Ireland and the Joint Venture operating in the Republic of Ireland and 
Spain, including its disposal. These components comprise the principal business units of the Group and 
account for the majority of the Group’s revenue and total assets. These components were also selected 
to provide an appropriate basis for undertaking audit work to address the risks of material 
misstatement identified above. The remaining non-significant components were subject to review 
procedures to confirm there were no significant risks of material misstatement in the Group financial 
statements. Our audit work on all components, both significant and non-significant, was executed at 
levels of materiality applicable to each individual entity which were lower than Group materiality.

At the Parent Company level we also tested the consolidation process and carried out analytical 
procedures to confirm our conclusion that there were no significant risks of material misstatement of 
the aggregated financial information of the remaining components not subject to audit.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2014

Report of the Directors 
and Corporate Governance 
Report

In our opinion the information given in the Report of the Directors is consistent with the financial 
statements and, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the description in the 
Corporate Governance Report of the main features of the internal control and risk management 
systems in relation to the financial reporting process, and the information required under Regulation 
21(2)(c), (d), (f), (h) and (i) of the European Communities (Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) 
Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 255 of 2006), are consistent with the financial statements and have been 
prepared in accordance with section 1373 of the Companies Act 2014. Based on our knowledge and 
understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not 
identified any material misstatements in this information. In our opinion, the information required 
pursuant to section 1373(2)(a), (b), (e) and (f) of the Companies Act 2014 is contained in the company’s 
Corporate Governance Report.

Adequacy of explanations 
received and accounting 
records

n	 We have obtained all the information and explanations which we consider necessary for the 

purposes of our audit.

n	

In our opinion, the accounting records of the company were sufficient to permit the financial 
statements to be readily and properly audited.

n	 The Parent Company statement of financial position is in agreement with the accounting records.

51

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Independent Auditor’s Report (continued)

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Our duty to read other 
information in the Annual 
Report

Directors’ remuneration

Under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if, in our 
opinion, information in the annual report is:

n	 materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or

n	 apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the 

Group acquired in the course of performing our audit; or

n	 otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified any inconsistencies between our 
knowledge acquired during the audit and the directors’ statement that they consider the annual report 
is fair, balanced and understandable, and whether the annual report appropriately discloses those 
matters that we communicated to the audit committee which we consider should have been disclosed. 
We confirm that we have not identified any such inconsistencies or misleading statements.

Under the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange we are required to review the six specified elements 
of disclosures in the report to shareholders by the board on directors’ remuneration. Under the 
Companies Act 2014 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, the disclosures of directors’ 
remuneration and transactions specified by law are not made. We have nothing to report arising from 
our review of these matters.

Corporate Governance 
Report

Under the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange we are also required to review the part of the 
Corporate Governance Report relating to the company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code and the provisions of the Irish Corporate Governance Annex specified for 
our review. We have nothing to report arising from our review.

Respective responsibilities 
of directors and auditor

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and 
otherwise comply with the Companies Act 2014. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on 
the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK 
and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical 
Standards for Auditors.

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 391 of the 
Companies Act 2014. 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.

52

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Scope of the audit of the 
financial statements

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

Brian O’Callaghan 
For and on behalf of Deloitte 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm 
Dublin 
26 February 2016

53

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Consolidated Income Statement
For the financial year ended 31 December 2015

Continuing Operations

Revenue
Income
Gross premium written
Reinsurance premiums

Net premium written
Change in provision for unearned premiums

Net premium earned
Net investment return
Financial services income
Total income

Expenses
Net claims and benefits
Other underwriting expenses
Movement in other provisions
Financial services expenses
Revaluation of property, plant and equipment
Restructuring and other costs
Finance Costs
Pension Curtailment

Result before taxation from continuing operations
Income taxation credit

Result for the financial year from continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Result for the financial year from discontinued operations,  
including loss from sale
Result for the financial year

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

Loss per share
From continuing operations
Basic
Diluted

From continuing and discontinued operations
Basic
Diluted

Notes
4(a)

4(c)
4(c)

4(c)
4(c)

4(c)
5
4(a)

4(c)
4(c)
29
4(e)
14
6
30
31(c)

8
11

7

27

13
13

13
13

2015
€000s
403,532

363,263
(50,497)

312,766
388

313,154
20,260
14,277
347,691

(341,260)
(85,725)
(11,581)
(10,325)
175
(11,415)
(1,357)
28,340

(85,457)
11,222

(74,235)

668
(73,567)

(73,685)
118
(73,567)

2015
Cent
(215)
(215)

(213)
(213)

Restated
2014
€000s
406,263

363,735
(52,312)

311,423
(7,979)

303,444
26,068
15,380
344,892

(252,091)
(81,786)
(7,259)
(10,173)
1,480
-
-
-

(4,937)
1,013

(3,924)

1,930
(1,994)

(2,089)
95
(1,994)

Restated
2014
Cent
(13)
(13)

(7)
(7)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Financial Statements. 
The above results derive from continuing operations and discontinued operations. 
The Financial Statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 February 2016.

54

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the financial year ended 31 December 2015

Result for the financial year

Items that will or may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:

Net (loss)/gain on available for sale financial assets during the year

Taxation credit/(charge) relating to items that will or may be reclassified to 
profit or loss in subsequent periods

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:

Actuarial gain/ (loss) on retirement benefit obligations

Taxation (charge)/credit relating to items not to be reclassified in  
subsequent periods

Other comprehensive income/(expense) after taxation

Total comprehensive expense for the financial year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Notes

11

31(d)

31(d)

27

2015
€000s

(73,567)

(1,762)

698

Restated
2014
€000s

(1,994)

1,028

(257)

15,914

(25,058)

(1,989)

12,861

(60,706)

(60,824)

118

(60,706)

3,214

(21,073)

(23,067)

(23,162)

95

(23,067)

55

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
At 31 December 2015

Notes

14

15

7

16

17

18(a)

18(a)

18(a)

28(e)

28(e)

31(f)

19

20

21

22

2015
€000s

72,617

14,550

-

832

13,139

489,837

94,375

371,333

955,545

15,332

64,751

80,083

9,110

8,813

27,545

59,506

22,244

Restated
2014
€000s

62,625

19,959

47,167

971

5,572

224,977

116,428

494,909

836,314

16,010

41,300

57,310

-

8,742

28,427

58,951

26,190

1,263,984

1,152,228

ASSETS

Property, plant and equipment

Investment property

Investment in joint venture

Loans

Deferred taxation asset

Financial assets

Available for sale investments

Investments held for trading

Deposits with banks

Reinsurance assets

Provision for unearned premiums

Claims outstanding 

Retirement benefit asset

Current taxation asset

Deferred acquisition costs

Other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets 

56

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (continued)
At 31 December 2015

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Equity

Called up share capital presented as equity

Capital reserves

Retained earnings

Other reserves

Shareholders’ funds - equity interests 

Preference share capital 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Liabilities

Insurance contract liabilities

Provision for unearned premiums 

Claims outstanding 

Other provisions

Convertible debt

Retirement benefit obligation

Deferred taxation liability

Payables

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Notes

23

24(a)

25

30

26 

27

28(d)

28(c)

29

30

31(f)

32 

33(a)

2015
€000s

21,409

18,553

157,670

18,232

215,864

2,923

218,787

451

219,238

178,584

748,144

926,728

10,938

50,036

-

2,990

54,054

1,044,746

1,263,984

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Financial Statements. 
The Financial Statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 February 2016.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Michael Berkery 
Chairman 

Fiona Muldoon 
Group Chief Executive

Restated
2014
€000s

21,409

18,756

230,444

-

270,609

2,923

273,532

483

274,015

179,650

593,983

773,633

7,920

-

54,254

5,266

37,140

878,213

1,152,228

57

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the financial year ended 31 December 2015

Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before taxation
Adjustments for: 
Profit on disposal of investments held for trading
Loss on investments held to maturity
Loss on investments available for sale
Interest and dividend income
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Share-based payment (credit)/expense
Revaluation of investment property
Revaluation of property, plant and equipment
Profit on the sale of investment property
Decrease in insurance contract liabilities
Decrease in other provisions
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Joint venture trading result
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital
Decrease in receivables and deferred acquisition costs
Decrease in payables
Cash generated from operations
Interest and dividend income received
Income taxes refunded /(paid)
Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of investments held for trading
Sale of investments held for trading
Realisation of investments held to maturity
Purchase of available for sale investments
Sale of available for sale investments
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Sale of property, plant and equipment
Sale of investment property 
Decrease in loans and advances
Decrease/(increase) in deposits invested with banks
Net cash inflow from sale of joint venture
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Ordinary and preference dividends paid 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Proceeds from issue of convertible bond
Proceeds of re-issue of ordinary shares
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Financial Statements.

58

Notes

14
38
15
14
15

29
15

7

14

15
16
18(a)
7(d)

34
27
30

22
22

2015
€000s

(84,789)

(535)
-
5,493
(13,123)
8,392
(203)
(3,450)
(175)
(8,915)
130,320
3,018
(485)
-
(1,461)
34,087
1,004
(30,408)
4,683
12,339
126
17,148

(32,561)
55,149
-
(408,318)
136,202
(18,209)
-
18,259
139
123,577
48,500
(77,262)

(11,950)
(150)
68,268
-
56,168
(3,946)
26,190
22,244

Restated
2014
€000s

(3,007)

(3,709)
288
2,284
(13,352)
8,197
944
(9,261)
(1,480)
(324)
63,523
(920)
(160)
(19)
(1,930)
41,074
3,900
(3,229)
41,745
16,795
(2,684)
55,856

(45,545)
143,057
30,000
(129,453)
45,117
(24,094)
339
1,353
65
(56,932)
-
(36,093)

(17,505)
(75)
-
2,421
(15,159)
4,604
21,586
26,190

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the financial year ended 31 December 2015

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€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

Balance at 1 January 2014 - Restated

21,409

17,812

268,690

Loss after taxation - restated

Other comprehensive expense

Dividends paid and approved on ordinary 
and preference shares

Reissue of ordinary shares

Recognition of share based payments

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

(2,089)

(21,073)

21,409

17,812

245,528

-

-

-

-

-

-

944

-

(17,505)

2,421

-

-

Balance at 31 December 2014 - Restated 21,409

18,756

230,444

Loss after taxation

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

(73,685)

12,861

21,409

18,756

169,620

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

307,911

2,923

463

311,297

(2,089)

(21,073)

-

-

95

-

(1,994)

(21,073)

284,749

2,923

558

288,230

(17,505)

2,421

944

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(75)

(17,505)

2,421

944

(75)

270,609

2,923

483

274,015

(73,685)

12,861

-

-

118

(73,567)

-

12,861

209,785

2,923

601

213,309

Issue of convertible bond

Dividends paid and approved on ordinary 
and preference shares

Recognition of share based payments

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

(203)

-

-

18,232

18,232

(11,950)

-

-

-

-

-

(11,950)

(203)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(150)

18,232

(11,950)

(203)

(150)

Balance at 31 December 2015

21,409

18,553

157,670

18,232

215,864

2,923

451

219,238

59

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Financial Position
At 31 December 2015

ASSETS 

Investments

Investment in subsidiaries 

Financial assets

Deposits with banks

Investment in joint venture

Cash and cash equivalents

Current taxation

Other receivables

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Equity

Called up share capital presented as equity

Capital reserves

Retained earnings

Other reserves

Shareholders’ funds – equity interests

Preference share capital 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Payables

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

35(b)

23

24(b)

30

26

33(b) 

2015
€000s

106,079

1,248

8,195

-

115,522

64

-

3,435

119,021

21,409

18,553

52,246

18,232

110,440

2,923

113,363

5,658

119,021

2014
€000s

38,975

6,155

18,947

46,088

110,165

117

161

1,832

112,275

21,409

18,756

64,142

-

104,307

2,923

107,230

5,045

112,275

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Financial Statements. 
The Financial Statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 February 2016.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Michael Berkery 
Chairman 

Fiona Muldoon 
Group Chief Executive

60

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Company Statement of Cash Flows
For the financial year ended 31 December 2015

Cash flows from operating activities

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Adjustments for: 

Profit on disposal of investments held for trading

Share-based payment (credit)/expense

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

Operating cash flows before movement in working capital

Increase in receivables 

Increase/(decrease) in payables

Cash (used in)/generated from operations

Income taxes refunded

Net cash (used in)/from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of investments held for trading

Sale of investments held for trading

Increase in investment in subsidiaries

Decrease in deposits invested with banks

Net cash inflow from sale of joint venture

Net cash from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Ordinary and preference dividends paid 

Proceeds of re-issue of ordinary shares

Net cash used in financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Financial Statements.

The layout of the Company Statement of Cash Flows has changed from the prior year, providing greater information.

2015
€000s

2014
€000s

(2,355)

14,661

(143)

(203)

-

(2,701)

(1,603)

611

(3,693)

161

(3,532)

(144)

5,193

(48,872)

10,752

48,500

15,429

(11,950)

-

(11,950)

(53)

117

64

-

944

(24)

15,581

(764)

(54)

14,763

-

14,763

(2,509)

3,145

(694)

413

-

355

(17,505)

2,421

(15,084)

34

83

117

61

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Company Statement Of Changes In Equity
For the financial year ended 31 December 2015

l
a
t
i
p
a
c
e
r
a
h
s
p
u
d
e
l
l
a
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i
u
q
e
s
a
d
e
t
n
e
s
e
r
p

s
e
v
r
e
s
e
r

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t
i
p
a
C

e
v
r
e
s
e
r
n
o
i
t
p
o
e
r
a
h
S

i

s
g
n
n
r
a
e
d
e
n
i
a
t
e
R

s
e
v
r
e
s
e
r

r
e
h
t
O

i

y
r
a
n
d
r
o
o
t
e
l
b
a
t
u
b
i
r
t
t
A

s
r
e
d
l
o
h
e
r
a
h
s

l
a
t
i
p
a
c
e
r
a
h
s
e
c
n
e
r
e
f
e
r
P

y
t
i
u
q
e
l
a
t
o
T

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

Balance at 1 January 2014

21,409

11,593

6,219

64,565

Profit after taxation

Reissue of ordinary shares

Recognition of share based payments

Ordinary and preference 
dividends paid and approved

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

944

14,661

2,421

-

-

(17,505)

Balance at 31 December 2014

21,409

11,593

7,163

64,142

Profit after taxation

Issue of convertible bond

Recognition of share based payments

Ordinary and preference 
dividends paid and approved

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(203)

54

-

-

-

(11,950)

103,786

2,923

106,709

14,661

2,421

944

(17,505)

-

-

-

-

14,661

2,421

944

(17,505)

104,307

2,923

107,230

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

54

18,232

18,232

-

-

(203)

(11,950)

-

-

-

-

54

18,232

(203)

(11,950)

Balance at 31 December 2015

21,409

11,593

6,960

52,246

18,232

110,440

2,923

113,363

62

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the financial year ended 31 December 2015

1 

GENERAL INFORMATION

FBD Holdings plc is an Irish registered public limited company. The address of the registered office is given on page 20. The 
nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are set out in the Report of the Directors on pages 21 to 25 and in the 
Review of Operations on pages 8 to 17.

2 

GOING CONCERN

The Directors have, at the time of approving the Financial Statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the 
Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Financial Statements. Further detail is contained in the Corporate 
Governance Report on page 37.

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The Group and Company Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRSs”) adopted by the European Union and therefore the Group Financial Statements comply with Article 4 of the 
EU IAS Regulation. The Group and Company Financial Statements are prepared in compliance with the Companies Acts 2014.

ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (“IFRSs”)

Standards adopted during the period

In the current year, the Group has applied a number of amendments to IFRSs issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB) that are mandatorily effective for an accounting period that begins on or after 1 January 2015.

n	 Amendments to IAS 19 Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions.

n	 Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010 – 2012 Cycle and 2011 – 2013 Cycle.

Amendments to IAS 19 Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions.

The amendments require the Group to account for employee contributions as follows:

n	 Discretionary employee contributions are accounted for as a reduction of the service cost upon payments to the plans.

n	 Employee contributions specified in the defined benefit plans are accounted for as a reduction of the service cost, only if 
such contributions are linked to services. Specifically, when the amount of such contribution depends on the number of 
years of service, the reduction to service cost is made by attributing the contributions to periods of service in the same 
manner as the benefit attribution. On the other hand, when such contributions are determined based on a fixed percentage 
of salary (i.e. independent of the number of years of service), the Group recognises the reduction in the service cost in the 
period in which the related services are rendered.

Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010 – 2012 Cycle and 2011 – 2013 Cycle

The Group has applied the amendments to IFRSs included in the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010 – 2012 Cycle and 2011 
– 2013 Cycle for the first time in the current year.

63

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Standards and Interpretations not yet effective

IFRS 9

IFRS 15

Financial Instruments2 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers2

Amendments to IFRS 11

Accounting for Acquisitions of Interest in Joint Operations1

Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38

Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation1

Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 41

Agriculture: Bearer Plants1

Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28 

Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception1

Amendments to IAS 1

Disclosure Initiative1

Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2012-2014 Cycle Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2012-2014 Cycle1

Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28

Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or 
Joint Venture3

1   Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016, with earlier application permitted.
2   Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with earlier application permitted.
3   Effective date has been deferred indefinitely.

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of the Standards and Interpretations listed above will have no material impact (other 
than presentation and disclosure) on the Financial Statements of the Group in future periods.

The Group has changed its treatment of the provision relating to the Motor Insurer’s Bureau of Ireland, the impact of which is 
described as follows.

Change in basis of measurement in the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland provision

The basis of measurement of the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland “MIBI” provision in the Group’s largest subsidiary, FBD 
Insurance plc, has changed effective from 1 January 2015 and hence, 2014 comparatives have been restated. Previously, FBD 
Insurance plc, calculated this provision based on the estimated current market share of the Irish motor insurance market and 
the current outstanding claims of MIBI.

Under the revised market convention, insurance companies writing motor business will provide for their share of the MIBI levy 
for the following year only, based on their estimated market share in the current financial year at the balance sheet date. 
Therefore this change in measurement basis has also been reflected in the Group financial statements. The provision for the 
MIBI levy has been disclosed separately as “other provisions” on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Other changes

The layout of the Company Statement of Cash Flows has changed from the prior year, providing greater information.

64

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20153 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

This change in the basis of measurement has resulted in the following adjustments to the opening reserves in the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position at 1 January 2014:

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at 1 January 2014

Equity: Retained earnings

Liabilities: Claims outstanding

Liabilities: Other provisions 

Liabilities: Deferred taxation liability 

01/01/14
as previously
 stated
€000s

01/01/14
Impact of 
change
€000s

237,993

565,611

-

691

30,697

(43,921)

8,840

4,385

01/01/14
Restated
€000s

268,690

521,690

8,840

5,076

This change in the basis of measurement has resulted in the following adjustments to the December 2014 comparatives within 
the Group Consolidated Income Statement:

Consolidated Income Statement

Expenses

Net claims and benefits

Movement in other provisions

Result before taxation

Income taxation credit/(charge)

Result for the period

(Loss)/earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at 31 December 2014

Equity: Retained earnings

Liabilities: Claims outstanding 

Liabilities: Other provisions

Liabilities: Deferred taxation liability 

2014
as previously 
stated
€000s

2014
Impact of 
change
€000s

2014
Restated
€000s

(260,870)

-

(4,527)

1,203

(3,324)

Cent

(11)

(11)

198,417

638,504

-

691

8,779

(7,259)

1,520

(190)

1,330

(252,091)

(7,259)

(3,007)

1,013

(1,994)

Cent

Cent

4

4

32,027

(44,521)

7,920

4,575

(7)

(7)

230,444

593,983

7,920

5,266

65

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Board are:

A)  ACCOUNTING CONVENTION

The Group and Company Financial Statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation 
of property, investments held for trading, available for sale investments and investment property, which are measured at fair 
value.

B)  BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings,  
made up to 31 December. Control is achieved when the Company:

n	 has power over the investee;
n	
n	 has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if the facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes 
to one or more of the elements of control listed above.

When the Company has less than a majority of the voting rights of an investee, it has power over an investee when the voting 
rights are sufficient to give it the practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee unilaterally. The Company 
considers all the relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company’s voting rights in an investee are 
sufficient to give it power, including:

n	

the size of the Company’s holding of voting rights relative to the size and dispersion of holdings of the other vote holders;

n	 potential voting rights held by the Company, other vote holders or other parties;

n	

rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and

n	 any additional facts and circumstances that indicate that the Company has, or does not have, the current ability to direct 
the relevant activities at the time that decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous shareholders’ 
meetings.

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company 
loses control of the subsidiary.

Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the Company and to the 
non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Company and to the 
non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

All intra Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

Changes in the Group’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control over the subsidiaries are 
accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amount of the Group’s interests and the non-controlling interests are 
adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the 
non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity 
and attributed to the owners of the Company.

66

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the acquisition is measured as the 
aggregate of the fair values, at the date of exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments 
issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree, plus any costs directly attributable to the business combination. 
The acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 are 
recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date, except for non-current assets (or disposal groups), that are classified as 
held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5, Non Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, which are recognised 
and measured at fair value less costs of sale.

Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the 
business combination over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities 
recognised. If, after reassessment, the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business combination, the excess is recognised immediately in the Consolidated 
Income Statement.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity therein. The interests of non-
controlling shareholders may be initially measured at fair value or at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the 
fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis. 
Subsequent to acquisition, the carrying amount of non-controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial 
recognition plus the non-controlling interests’ share of subsequent changes in equity. Total comprehensive income is attributed 
to non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on the sale is calculated as the difference between (i) the 
aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying 
amount of the assets (including goodwill), less liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. Amounts 
previously recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in relation to the subsidiary are accounted for 
(i.e. reclassified to profit or loss or transferred directly to retained earnings) in the same manner as would be required if the 
relevant assets or liabilities are disposed of. The fair value of any investment retained in the former subsidiary at the date when 
control is lost is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement or, when applicable, costs on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or jointly 
controlled entity.

The Group’s share of the results and net assets of a joint venture are included based on the equity method of accounting. A joint 
venture is an entity subject to joint control by the Group and other parties. Under the equity method of accounting, the Group’s 
share of the post-acquisition profits and losses of joint ventures is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement and its 
share of post acquisition movements in reserves is recognised directly in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income. In the Group’s holding company the joint venture is held at cost less provision for impairment.

When the Group disposes of its interest in a joint venture, the profit or loss on the sale is calculated as the difference between 
the consideration received and the share of the net assets of the joint venture at the date of disposal less costs associated with 
the sale.

67

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

C)  REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents gross premiums written, 
broking commissions, fees, other commissions, interest and dividends receivable, rents receivable, net of discounts, levies,  
VAT and other sales related taxes.

Revenue from insurance contracts is accounted for in accordance with Accounting Policy (D).

Interest income is accrued on a time basis with reference to the principal outstanding at the effective interest rate applicable.

Insurance agency commissions that do not require any further services are recognised as revenue on the effective 
commencement or renewal date of the related policies. If further services are to be rendered, the commission, or part of it,  
is deferred and recognised over the period during which the policy is in force.

Fees for liability claims handling are recognised in the year to which they relate.

Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders’ rights to receive payment have been established.

Rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

D) 

INSURANCE CONTRACTS

(i)  Premiums written

Premiums written relate to business incepted during the year, together with any difference between booked premiums for 
prior years and those previously accrued, and include estimates of premiums due. Premiums written exclude taxes and 
duties levied on premiums and directly related expenses e.g. commissions.

(ii)  Unearned premiums

Unearned premiums are those portions of premium income written in the year that relate to insurance cover after the 
year end. Unearned premiums are computed on a 365th of premium written. At 31 December each year, an assessment is 
made of whether the provision for unearned premiums is adequate.

(iii)   Deferred acquisition costs

Deferred acquisition costs represent the proportion of net acquisition costs that are attributable to the unearned 
premiums. Acquisition costs comprise the direct and indirect costs of obtaining and processing new insurance business. 
These costs are recognised as a deferred acquisition cost asset and amortised on the same basis as the related premiums 
are earned, and are tested for impairment at 31 December each year.

(iv)  Unexpired risks

At 31 December each year, an assessment is made of whether the provision for unearned premiums is adequate. Provision 
for unexpired risks is made where the expected claims, related expenses and deferred acquisition costs are expected to 
exceed unearned premiums, after taking account of future investment income. At each reporting date, the Group reviews 
its unexpired risks and carries out a liability adequacy test for any overall excess of expected claims and deferred 
acquisition costs over unearned premiums, using the current estimates of future cash flows under its contracts after 
taking account of the investment return expected to arise on assets. If these estimates show that the carrying amount  
of its insurance liabilities (less related deferred acquisition costs) is insufficient in light of the estimated future cash flows, 
the deficiency is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement by setting up a provision in the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position.

68

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20153 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

C)  REVENUE RECOGNITION (CONTINUED)

(v)  Claims incurred

Claims incurred comprise the cost of all insurance claims occurring during the year, whether reported or not, and any 
adjustments to claims outstanding from previous years.

Full provision, net of reinsurance recoveries, is made at the reporting date for the estimated cost of claims incurred but 
not settled, including claims incurred but not yet reported and expenses to be incurred after the reporting date in settling 
those claims. The Group takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it has appropriate information regarding notified claims 
and uses this information when estimating the cost of those claims.

The Group uses estimation techniques, based on statistical analysis of past experience, to calculate the estimated cost of 
claims outstanding at the year end. It is assumed that the development pattern of the current claims will be consistent 
with previous experience. Allowance is made, however, for any changes or uncertainties that may cause the cost of 
unsettled claims to increase or reduce. These changes or uncertainties may arise from issues such as the effects of 
inflation, changes in the mix of business or the legal environment.

Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost, after recognising any revaluation loss to reflect estimated irrecoverable 
amounts.

(vi)  Reinsurance

Premiums payable in respect of reinsurance ceded, are recognised in the period in which the reinsurance contract is 
entered into and include estimates where the amounts are not determined at the reporting date. Premiums are expensed 
over the period of the reinsurance contract, calculated principally on a daily pro rata basis.

A reinsurance asset (reinsurers’ share of claims outstanding and provision for unearned premium) is recognised to reflect 
the amount estimated to be recoverable under the reinsurance contracts in respect of the outstanding claims reported 
under insurance liabilities. The amount recoverable from reinsurers is initially valued on the same basis as the underlying 
claims provision. The amount recoverable is reduced when there is an event arising after the initial recognition that 
provides objective evidence that the Group may not receive all amounts due under the contract and the event has a 
reliably measurable impact on the expected amount that will be recoverable from the reinsurer.

The reinsurers’ share of each unexpired risk provision is recognised on the same basis.

E)   OTHER PROVISIONS

The Group estimates its obligation to pay its share of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (‘MIBI’) levy call for the financial year, 
based on its share of the Irish motor market in the previous year.

69

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

F)   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
(i)  Property

Property held for own use in the supply of services or for administrative purposes is stated at revalued amounts, being  
the fair value at the date of revaluation which is determined by professional valuers. Revaluations are performed with 
sufficient regularity such that the carrying amount does not differ materially from that which would be determined using 
fair values at the reporting date. Any revaluation increase arising on the revaluation of such property is credited to the 
revaluation reserve except to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease for the same asset previously recognised. 
A decrease on revaluation is charged as an expense to the extent that it exceeds the balance, if any, held in the revaluation 
reserve relating to previous revaluation of that asset.

It is the Group’s policy and practice to maintain all Group properties in a continual state of sound repair. As a result,  
and taking into consideration the regular revaluations undertaken, depreciation is not provided on these properties.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

(ii)   Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated revaluation losses. 

(iii)   Depreciation

Depreciation is provided in respect of all plant and equipment, and is calculated in order to write off the cost or valuation 
of the assets over their expected useful lives on a straight line basis over a five to ten year period. Depreciation on assets 
in development commences when the assets are ready for their intended use.

G) 

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is recognised initially at cost and 
stated at fair value at the reporting date being the value determined by qualified independent professional valuers. Gains or  
losses arising from changes in the fair value are included in the Consolidated Income Statement for the period in which they arise.

An investment property is derecognised upon disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use 
and no future economic benefits are expected. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the property (calculated as the 
difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in the Consolidated Income 
Statement for the period in which the property is derecognised.

H)  JOINT VENTURE

The joint venture is accounted for in accordance with the equity method. Under the equity method, the investment in a joint 
venture is initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter for the post acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net 
assets of the jointly controlled entity.

Joint ventures are ownership interests where a joint influence is obtained through agreement. In prior years the Group’s share  
of results before taxes was reported in “Share of results of joint venture”, included in profit before taxation in the Consolidated 
Income Statement. Shares in earnings of joint ventures included in consolidated equity are reported in retained earnings in  
the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The value of the share of the net assets of the joint venture at the date of 
acquisition is reflected in the Company Statement of Financial Position. The value is reviewed for impairment on an annual 
basis. The profit or loss on the disposal of a joint venture is calculated as the difference between the consideration received  
and the share of the net assets of the joint venture at the date of disposal less costs associated with the sale.

70

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20153 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

I) 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position when the Group 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows of the asset expire, or when it 
transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of the ownership of the asset to another entity. If the 
Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risk and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred 
asset, the Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for amounts it may have to pay. If the 
Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Group continues to 
recognise the financial asset.

The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they 
expire.

(i)  

Investments held for trading at fair value

Investments held for trading are stated at fair value and include quoted shares, quoted debt securities and UCITS. They 
are recognised on a trade date basis at fair value and are revalued at subsequent reporting dates at fair value, using the 
closing bid price, with gains and losses being included in the Consolidated Income Statement in the period in which they 
arise.

Investments are held for trading if:

n	 they have been acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the near future; or

n	 they are part of an identified portfolio of financial instruments that the Group manages together and have a recent 

actual pattern of short-term profit-making; or

n	 they are derivatives that are not designated and effective as hedging instruments.

Investments other than investments held for trading may be designated at FVTPL (fair value through profit or loss) upon 
initial recognition if:

n	 such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise 

arise; or

n	 the investment forms part of a group of investments or financial liabilities or both, which is managed and its 

performance is evaluated on a fair value basis, in accordance with the Group’s documented investment policy.

Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognised in the 
Consolidated Income Statement. The net gain or loss recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement incorporates  
any dividend or interest earned on the financial asset and is included in the ‘net investment return’ line item in the 
Consolidated Income Statement.

(ii) 

Investments held to maturity

Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturity 
dates that the Group has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Subsequent to initial recognition, held 
to-maturity investments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method less any impairment.

71

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

I) 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

(iii)  Available for sale investments

Available for sale investments include quoted debt securities and unquoted investments, and are stated at fair value 
where fair value can be reliably measured. Fair value is calculated using bid prices. They are recognised on a trade date 
basis at fair value, and are subsequently revalued at each reporting date to fair value, with gains and losses being included 
directly in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income until the investment is disposed of or determined to be 
impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income, is included in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year.

(iv)   Loans and other receivables

Loans 
Loans are recognised on a trade date basis at fair value plus transaction costs and are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. When it is not possible to estimate reliably the cash flows  
or the expected life of a loan, the projected cash flows over the full term of the loan are used to determine fair value.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest 
income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash 
receipts through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying 
amount at initial recognition.

Other receivables 
Amounts arising out of direct insurance operations and other debtors are measured at initial recognition at fair value and 
are subsequently measured at amortised cost, after recognising any revaluation loss to reflect estimated irrecoverable 
amounts.

(v)  Deposits with banks

Term deposits with banks comprise cash held for the purpose of investment. Demand deposits with banks are held for 
operating purposes and included in cash and cash equivalents.

J) 

LEASES

All of the Group’s leases are classified as operating leases.

(i) 

The Group as Lessor

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct 
costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(ii)  The Group as Lessee

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. 
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.

K)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash 
commitments rather than for investment or other purposes.

72

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20153 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

L) 

TAXATION

Income taxation expense or credit represents the sum of the taxation currently payable or receivable and that element of 
deferred taxation charged or credited to the Consolidated Income Statement. Deferred taxation charged or credited to equity  
is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The taxation currently payable or receivable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit or loss differs from profit or 
loss as reported in the Consolidated Income Statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or 
deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current 
taxation is calculated using taxation rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or 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 taxation is recognised on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the Financial 
Statements and the corresponding taxation bases used in the computation of taxable profit or loss, and is accounted for using 
the balance sheet liability method. Deferred taxation liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, and 
deferred taxation assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable 
profits will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred taxation liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries except 
where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the temporary differences 
will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

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

M)  RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Group provides either defined benefit or defined contribution retirement benefit schemes for the majority of its employees.

(i)  Defined benefit scheme

A full actuarial valuation of the scheme is undertaken every three years and is updated annually to reflect current 
conditions in the intervening periods for the purposes of preparing the Financial Statements. Scheme assets are valued  
at fair value. Scheme liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis and discounted at the current rate of return on a high 
quality corporate bond of equivalent term and currency to the liability. The projected unit credit method is used to 
calculate scheme liabilities. The surplus or deficit on the scheme is carried in the Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position as an asset or liability. Any asset resulting from this calculation is limited to past service cost, plus the present 
value of available refunds and reductions to future contributions to the scheme. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised 
immediately in equity through the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The current service cost and past service cost of the scheme are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement under 
other underwriting and financial services expense. Credit resulting from the curtailment of the pension is disclosed 
seperately in the Consolidated Income Statement.

Past service cost is recognised as an expense when plan amendments or curtailments occur.

73

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

M)  RETIREMENT BENEFITS (CONTINUED)

(ii)  Defined Contribution Schemes

Costs arising in respect of the Group’s defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged to the Consolidated 
Income Statement as an expense as they fall due.

N)  CURRENCY

The individual Financial Statements of each Group company are presented in the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which it operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the 
results and financial position of each Group company are expressed in euro, which is the functional currency of the Company, 
and the presentation currency for the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In preparing the Financial Statements of the individual companies, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional 
currency (foreign currencies) are recognised at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each 
balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates 
prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at 
the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined.

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s non Euro-zone operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing 
on the reporting date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period unless exchange 
rates fluctuate significantly, in which case the exchange rates at the date of transactions are used. Exchange differences that are 
classified as equity are transferred to the translation reserve. Such translation differences are recognised as income or expense 
in the period in which the operation is disposed.

O)  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS AND LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLANS

The Group operates share option schemes and long-term incentive plans based on market and non-market vesting conditions. 
The fair value of the options is determined at the date of grant using either the Black Scholes or Monte Carlo Simulation models 
and expensed in the Consolidated Income Statement over the vesting period at the conclusion of which the employees become 
unconditionally entitled to the options. The corresponding amount to the expense is credited to a separate reserve in the 
Consolidated Statement of Financial position. At each period end, the Group reviews its estimate of the number of options that 
it expects to vest and any adjustment relating to current and past vesting periods brought to the Consolidated Income 
Statement. Share options are all equity settled.

P) 

TREASURY SHARES

Where any Group company purchases the Company’s equity share capital, the consideration paid is shown as a deduction from 
ordinary shareholders’ equity. Consideration received on the subsequent sale or issue of treasury shares is credited to ordinary 
shareholders’ equity. Treasury shares are excluded when calculating earnings per share.

74

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20153 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Q) 

IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

(i)  

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether 
there is any indication that those assets have suffered a revaluation loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable 
amount of the asset is estimated to determine the extent of the revaluation loss, if any. Where the asset does not generate 
cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash generating 
unit to which the asset belongs.

The recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the 
estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-taxation 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.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount,  
the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. A revaluation loss is 
recognised as an expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the 
revaluation loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Where a revaluation loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to 
the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying 
amount that would have been determined had no revaluation loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) 
in prior years. A reversal of a revaluation loss, other than in relation to goodwill, is recognised as income immediately, 
unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the revaluation loss is treated  
as a revaluation increase.

(ii)   Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those at FVTPL (fair value through profit or loss), are assessed for indicators of impairment  
at each reporting date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more 
events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial assets, the estimated future cash flows of the investment 
have been impacted. For listed and unlisted equity investments classified as Available for Sale (“AFS”), a significant or 
prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered to be objective evidence of impairment.

For all other financial assets, objective evidence of impairment could include:

n	 significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or

n	 default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or

n	

it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organisation.

For certain categories of financial asset, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be impaired  
individually are, in addition, assessed for impairment on a collective basis.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the asset’s  
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective 
interest rate.

75

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Q) 

IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS (CONTINUED)

(ii)   Impairment of financial assets (continued)

The carrying amount of a financial asset is directly reduced by the impairment loss for all financial assets.

When an AFS financial asset is considered to be impaired, cumulative gains or losses previously recognised in the 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income are reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement in the period.

With the exception of AFS equity instruments, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases 
and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously 
recognised impairment loss is reversed through the Consolidated Income Statement, to the extent that the carrying 
amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would have 
been had the impairment not been recognised.

In respect of AFS equity securities, impairment losses previously recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement are 
not reversed through the Consolidated Income Statement. Any increase in fair value subsequent to an impairment loss  
is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

R)  BORROWING COSTS

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that 
necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, 
until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

To the extent that variable rate borrowings are used to finance a qualifying asset and are hedged in an effective cash flow hedge 
of interest rate risk, the effective portion of the derivative is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income and released to the Consolidated Income Statement when the qualifying asset impacts profit or loss. To the extent that 
fixed rate borrowings are used to finance a qualifying asset and are hedged in an effective fair value hedge of interest rate risk, 
the capitalised borrowing costs reflect the hedged interest rate.

Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets 
is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in the period in which they are incurred.

S)  RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER COSTS

The costs of the fundamental restructuring of the Group’s operations, such as redundancy costs, provision for lease termination 
costs or other rationalisation costs, are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement when the decision to restructure is 
irrevocable and has been communicated to the parties involved.

T) 

FINANCIAL SERVICES INCOME

Financial income comprises income earned from premium instalment services and life, pension and investment broking.

76

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20153 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

U)   COMPOUND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Compound financial instruments issued by the Group comprise convertible notes that can be converted to share capital at the 
option of the holder, when the number of shares to be issued is fixed.

The liability component of a compound financial instrument is recognised initially at the fair value of a similar liability that does 
not have an equity conversion option. The equity component is recognised initially as the difference between the fair value of 
the compound financial instrument as a whole and the fair value of the liability component.

Subsequent to initial recognition, the liability component of a compound financial instrument is measured at amortised cost 
using the effective interest rate method. The equity component of a compound financial instrument is not remeasured 
subsequent to initial recognition.

Interest relating to the financial liability is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. On conversion, the financial 
liability is reclassified to equity and no gain or loss is recognised.

V)  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group are set out on pages 63 to 77. In the application of these accounting 
policies, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and 
liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical 
experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised 
in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future 
periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

(i)   Critical judgements in applying accounting policies

The following are the critical judgments, apart from those involving estimations (see note V (ii) on page 79) that the 
Directors have made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect 
on the amounts recognised in the Financial Statements.

Property, plant & equipment 
Property held for own use in the supply of services or for administrative purposes is included in the Statement of Financial 
Position at fair value. Property valuations are affected by general economic and market conditions. The fair value of 
property held for own use is determined by valuations conducted at the reporting date by independent professional 
valuers, CB Richard Ellis, Valuation Surveyors. A decrease in the valuation of the property is charged as an expense to the 
Consolidated Income Statement to the extent that it exceeds the balance, if any, held in the revaluation reserve relating to 
previous revaluation of that asset.

As properties are valued on a regular basis and the Group policy is to maintain them in a state of sound repair, 
depreciation is not provided on them.

Depreciation is provided in respect of all plant and equipment and is calculated to write off the cost or valuation of the 
assets over their expected useful lives. The useful life of plant and equipment is estimated to be five to ten years dependent 
on the asset. Depreciation on assets in development commences when the assets are ready for their intended use.

The Directors have carried out an impairment review of the investment in a new policy administration system which is 
currently under the course of construction. They have concluded that the asset will deliver economic benefits into the 
future and that future cash flows from the asset will be sufficient to recover the carrying value of the asset.

77

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

V)  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(i)   Critical judgements in applying accounting policies (continued)

Investment property 
Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is recognised initially at cost 
and stated in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value at the reporting date. The fair value of investment property 
in Ireland is determined by valuations conducted at the reporting date by qualified independent professional valuers,  
CB Richard Ellis, Valuation Surveyors. The fair value of investment property in the United Kingdom is determined by 
valuations conducted at the reporting date by qualified independent professional valuers, Colliers International. Gains or 
losses arising from changes in the fair value are included in the Consolidated Income Statement for the period in which 
they arise.

Recoverability of trade and other receivables 
Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations are considered by the Directors to have a low credit risk and 
therefore no provision for bad or doubtful debts has been made. The Directors consider that the carrying amount of 
receivables approximates to their fair value. All other receivables are due within one year and none are past due.

Reinsurance recoveries 
The Group spends substantial sums to purchase reinsurance protection from third parties and substantial claims 
recoveries from these reinsurers are included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at the reporting date.  
A reinsurance asset (reinsurers’ share of claims outstanding and provision for unearned premium) is recognised to reflect 
the amount estimated to be recoverable under the reinsurance contracts in respect of the outstanding claims reported 
under insurance liabilities. The amount recoverable from reinsurers is initially valued on the same basis as the underlying 
claims provision. The amount recoverable is reduced when there is an event arising after the initial recognition that 
provides objective evidence that the Group may not receive all amounts due under the contract and the event has a 
reliably measurable impact on the expected amount that will be recoverable from the reinsurer. To minimise default 
exposure, the Group’s policy is that all reinsurers should have a credit rating of A- or better or have provided alternative 
satisfactory security.

Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (“MIBI”) 
From January 2015 the Group estimates its obligation to pay its share of the MIBI levy call for the financial year based on 
its share of the Irish Motor market in the previous year. Prior to this the Group used the estimated current market share to 
estimate the total outstanding claims of the MIBI.

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

The carrying amount of deferred taxation assets is reviewed at each reporting 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 taxation is measured at the taxation rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the temporary 
differences are expected to reverse based on taxation rates and laws enacted or substantially enacted at the  
reporting date.

78

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20153 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

V)  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(i)   Critical judgements in applying accounting policies (continued)

Recoverability of pension asset 
The Directors have concluded that when all members have left the scheme, any surplus remaining would be returned to 
the employers in accordance with the trust deed. As such the full economic benefit of the surplus under IAS19 is deemed 
available to the employer and is recognized in the Statement of Financial Position.

Convertible Bond 
The Directors have assessed the contractual requirements of the convertible bond and in particular have considered 
whether the settlement of the bond can be achieved in ways other than by delivery of a fixed number of shares for a fixed 
consideration. The Directors have concluded that the Fixed for Fixed criteria has been materially met, and therefore the 
equity component of the Financial Instrument should be included in equity.

(ii)   Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The following are the key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the end 
of the reporting period, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year.

Claims provisions 
Claims provisions represent the estimation of the cost of claims outstanding under insurance contracts written.  
Actuarial techniques, based on statistical analysis of past experience, are used to calculate the estimated cost of claims 
outstanding at year end. Allowance is made for any changes or uncertainties that may cause the cost of unsettled claims 
to increase or reduce. At each reporting date liability adequacy tests are performed to ensure the adequacy of the 
liabilities. In determining the provision for outstanding claims, the Directors take into consideration the advice of the 
independent reporting actuary, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Any deficiency is recognised in the Consolidated Income 
Statement. Further details are set out in note 28 to the Financial Statements.

Valuation of financial instruments 
As described in note 18, the Group uses valuation techniques that include inputs that are not based on observable market 
data to estimate the fair value of certain types of financial instruments. Note 18 provides detailed information about the 
key assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of financial instruments. The Directors believe that the chosen 
valuation techniques and assumptions used are appropriate in determining the fair value of financial instruments.

As described in note 30, the Group has determined fair value of the liability component of its convertible bond with 
reference to the fair value of a similar liability without an equity conversion option. The equity component has been 
calculated as the difference between the fair value of the financial instrument as a whole and the value of the liability 
component. The Directors believe that the valuation technique used and the classification of the components of the 
convertible bond between liability and equity are appropriate.

Deferred acquisition costs 
Deferred acquisition costs represent the proportion of net acquisition costs which are attributable to the unearned 
premiums. Acquisition costs comprise the direct and indirect costs of obtaining and processing new insurance business. 
These costs are recognised as a deferred acquisition cost asset and amortised on the same basis as the related premiums 
are earned, and are tested for impairment at 31 December each year. 

Note 40, Risk Management identifies the Group’s key sensitivity factors and tests the impact of a change in each one of 
these factors has on pre-taxation profit and shareholders’ equity.

79

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

4 

SEGMENTAL INFORMATION

(a)  

OPERATING SEGMENTS

The principal activities of the Group are underwriting of general insurance business and financial services.

For management purposes, the Group is organised in two operating segments - underwriting and financial services. These two 
segments are the basis upon which information is reported to the chief operating decision maker, the Group Chief Executive, for 
the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segmental performance. Discrete financial information is prepared and 
reviewed on a regular basis for these two segments.

The following is an analysis of the Group’s revenue and results from continuing operations by reportable segment.

2015

Revenue 

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Income taxation credit

(Loss)/profit after taxation

Other information

Capital additions

Revaluation of other assets

Depreciation and amortisation

Statement of Financial Position

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Underwriting 
€000s

389,255

(90,265)

10,924

(79,341)

18,185

3,625

8,274

Financial 
services
€000s

14,277

4,808

298

5,106

24

-

118

Total 
€000s

403,532

(85,457)

11,222

(74,235)

18,209

3,625

8,392

1,249,387

1,038,528

14,597

6,218

1,263,984

1,044,746

80

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20154 

SEGMENTAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(a)  

OPERATING SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)

2014

Revenue 

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Income taxation credit/(charge)

(Loss)/profit after taxation

Other information

Capital additions

Revaluation of other assets

Depreciation and amortisation

Statement of Financial Position

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Restated
Underwriting 
€000s

390,883

(10,144)

1,041

(9,103)

24,069

(10,741)

8,071

Financial 
services
€000s

15,380

7,137

(28)

7,109

25

-

126

Total 
€000s

406,263

(3,007)

1,013

(1,994)

24,094

(10,741)

8,197

1,073,697

868,236

78,531

9,977

1,152,228

878,213

The investment in the joint venture totalling €47,167,000 is included in financial services assets in 2014.

Included above are non-cash revaluations relating to investment property and property held for own use of €3,625,000  
(2014: €10,741,000), all of which relate to underwriting.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group accounting policies. Segment profit represents 
the profit earned by each segment. Central administration costs and Directors’ salaries are allocated based on actual activity. 
Restructuring costs and income taxation are direct costs of each segment. Segment profit is the measure reported to the chief 
operating decision maker, the Group Chief Executive, for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of segmental 
reporting.

In monitoring segment performance and allocating resources between segments:

n  all assets are allocated to reportable segments. Assets used jointly by reportable segments are allocated on the basis of 

activity by each reportable segment; and

n  all liabilities are allocated to reportable segments. Liabilities for which reportable segments are jointly liable are allocated  

in proportion to segment assets.

81

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

4 

SEGMENTAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(a)  

OPERATING SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)

An analysis of the Group’s revenue by product is as follows:

Direct insurance – motor

Direct insurance – fire and other damage to property

Direct insurance – liability

Direct insurance – interest and other revenue

Direct insurance – other

Financial services revenue

Total revenue

2015
€000s

164,343

121,242

71,710

25,991

5,969

14,277

2014
€000s 

167,841

121,542

68,648

27,148

5,704

15,380

403,532

406,263

The Group’s customer base is diverse and it has no reliance on any major customer. Insurance risk is not concentrated on any 
one area or on any one line of business.

(b)  

GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

The Group’s operations are located in Ireland.

82

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20154 

SEGMENTAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(c)  

UNDERWRITING RESULT

2015
€000s

2015
€000s

Restated
2014
€000s

Restated
2014
€000s

Earned premiums, net of reinsurance

Gross premium written

Outward reinsurance premiums

Net premium written

Change in provision for unearned premium

Gross amount

Reinsurers’ share

Change in net provision for unearned premium

363,263

(50,497)

312,766

1,066

(678)

388

363,735

(52,312)

311,423

(4,269)

(3,710)

(7,979)

Premium earned, net of reinsurance

313,154

303,444

Claims paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

Claims paid

Gross amount

Reinsurers’ share

Claims paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

Change in provision for claims

Gross amount

Reinsurers’ share

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

Claims incurred net of reinsurance

Management expenses

Deferred acquisition costs

Gross management expenses

Reinsurers share of expenses

Broker commissions payable

Net operating expenses

Underwriting result

(225,541)

14,991

(210,550)

(154,161)

23,451

(130,710)

(92,307)

(882)

(93,189)

12,799

(5,335)

(234,468)

37,920

(196,548)

(72,293)

16,750

(55,543)

(91,089)

1,998

(89,091)

13,121

(5,816)

(252,091)

(341,260)

(85,725)

(113,831)

(81,786)

(30,433)

Net claims incurred in 2015 were €341,260,000, up 35% on the net claims incurred of €252,091,000 in 2014 and one of the 
main contributors to the Groups loss for the year. As detailed in The Review of Operations (pages 8 to 17) this adverse claims 
development pattern was driven by a number of structural changes in the claims environment including over 20 new judicial 
appointments made between the Circuit and High Courts, the introduction of the Recovery of Benefit and Assistance Scheme 
which enables the Department of Social Protection to recover some welfare payments from personal injury awards directly for 
the insurer and the introduction of Heads of Bill for Periodic Payment Orders. Volatility in court awards has led claimants’ 
expectations to increase as court awards in turn influence out of court settlement levels.

83

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

4 

SEGMENTAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(c)  

UNDERWRITING RESULT (CONTINUED)

All reinsurance contracts are for no more than one year so have no material effect on the amount, timing and uncertainty of 
cash flows. The Group’s reinsurance policy dictates that all of the Group’s reinsurers must have a credit rating of A- or better,  
or provide appropriate security. The impact of buying reinsurance was a credit to the Consolidated Income Statement of  
€66,000 (2014: credit of €11,769,000).

2015
€000s

59,131

7,165

8,268

17,743

92,307

2015
€000s

5,456

1,603

124

3,142

10,325

2014
€000s 

57,740

7,662

8,071

17,616

91,089

2014
€000s 

6,324

2,363

126

1,360

10,173

(d)  

UNDERWRITING MANAGEMENT EXPENSES

Employee benefit expense

Rent, rates, insurance and maintenance

Depreciation

Other

Total underwriting management expenses

(e)  

FINANCIAL SERVICES EXPENSES

Employee benefit expense

Rent, rates, insurance and maintenance

Depreciation

Other

Total financial services expenses

84

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20155 

INVESTMENT INCOME 

Actual return

Interest and similar income

Income from investment properties

Realised profits on investments 

Dividend income

Revaluation of investment properties 

Loss on financial investments

Total investment income 

By Classification of investment

Deposits with banks

Investments held to maturity

Investments held for trading

Investment properties

Available for sale investments

Total investment income 

2015
€000s

12,276

410

7,330

506

3,450

(3,712)

20,260

2,832

-

2,801

13,260

1,367

20,260

Interest and similar income received by the Group’s underwriting segment during the period was €11,918,000  
(2014: €15,667,000).

6 

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER COSTS

Restructuring costs

Total restructuring and other costs

2015
€000s

11,415

11,415

These costs relate to a voluntary redundancy program which was completed in the second half of 2015.

2014
€000s 

11,938

1,189

7,418

901

9,744

(5,122)

26,068

3,148

313

10,753

11,064

790

26,068

2014
€000s 

-

-

85

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

7 

JOINT VENTURE

(a)  

SHARE OF RESULTS OF JOINT VENTURE

On 24 August 2015, the Group announced that it had entered into a conditional agreement for the divestment of all of its  
stake in its joint venture, FBD Property & Leisure Ltd, through a sale of the Group’s entire shareholding to Farmer Business 
Developments plc, the other shareholder in FBD Property & Leisure Ltd, and the redemption of all of its loan notes in FBD 
Property & Leisure Ltd. The sale was approved by shareholders on 23 October 2015.

Total consideration received for the sale of the joint venture was €48,500,000.

The property and leisure joint venture was owned 50%/50% by FBD and Farmer Business Developments plc, the Group’s  
largest shareholder. The two joint venture partners held a combination of equity and convertible loan notes.

The key benefits resulting from the sale of the joint venture are:

n	

n	

n	

the Group can now focus its resources on insurance underwriting, its core strategic business in line with the strategy put 
forward at the establishment of the joint venture in 2011;

this divestment significantly reduces exposure to fluctuations in property values; and

the proceeds have been used by the Group to subscribe for new equity capital in the Group’s core general insurance 
underwriting subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc. The issue of this new equity increases the capital available in FBD Insurance plc 
to provide an additional capital buffer ahead of the introduction of the Solvency II regime in January 2016.

(b)  

INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE

At start of year

Share of results of joint venture

Share of joint venture at date of disposal/end of year

At date of 
disposal 2015
€000s

47,167

1,461

48,628

(c)  

SHARE OF RESULTS OF JOINT VENTURE

The Group’s share of the results of the joint venture was equity accounted and presented as a single line item in the 
Consolidated Income Statement.

At date of 
disposal 2015
€000s

2,315

(854)

1,461

Operating profit 

Finance costs

Group’s share of results of joint venture

86

2014
€000s

45,237

1,930

47,167

2014
€000s

2,900

(970)

1,930

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 20157 

JOINT VENTURE (CONTINUED)

(d)  

LOSS ON THE SALE OF THE JOINT VENTURE:

Consideration received

Less investment in Joint Venture

Less costs associated with sale

Loss on the sale of the Joint Venture

Share of profits for the year

Result for financial year including loss on the sale

8 

LOSS BEFORE TAXATION

Loss before taxation has been stated after charging:

Depreciation 

2015
€000s

48,500

(48,628)

(665)

(793)

1,461

668

2015
€000s

2014
€000s 

8,392

8,197

The remuneration of the Directors is set out in detail in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 38 to 46.

9 

INFORMATION RELATING TO AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

Analysis of fees payable and associated out of pocket expenses to the statutory audit firm, Deloitte, is as follows:

2015

2014

Company
€000s

Group
€000s

Company
€000s

Group
€000s

Description of service

Audit of individual accounts

Other assurance services

Taxation advisory services

Other non-audit services

Auditors remuneration

93

118

82

40

333

211

75

166

40

492

41

126

18

12

197

Fees payable by the Company are included with the fees payable by the Group in each category above.

167

-

55

12

234

87

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

10 

STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS

The average number of full time equivalent persons employed by the Group by reportable segment was as follows:

2015

967

56

1,023

2015
€000s

52,262

5,514

7,014

(203)

64,587

2015
€000s

273

(185)

88

11,134

11,222

2014

928

60

988

2014
€000s

51,444

5,457

6,219

944

64,064

Restated
2014
€000s

1,460

4

1,464

(451)

1,013

Underwriting

Financial services

Total

The aggregate employee benefit expense was as follows:

Wages and salaries 

Social welfare costs 

Pension costs

Share based payments

Total employee benefit expense

11 

INCOME TAXATION CREDIT

Irish corporation taxation

Adjustments in respect of prior financial years

Current taxation charge

Deferred taxation credit/(debit)

Income taxation credit

88

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201511 

INCOME TAXATION CREDIT (CONTINUED)

The taxation charge in the Consolidated Income Statement is higher than the standard rate of corporation taxation in Ireland. 
The differences are explained below:

Loss before taxation

Corporation taxation charge at standard rate of 12.5% (2014: 12.5%)

Effects of:

Differences between capital allowances for period and depreciation

Non-taxable income/unrealised gains/losses not chargeable/deductible  
for taxation purposes

Higher rates of taxation on other income

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Income taxation credit

Taxation as a percentage of loss before taxation

2015
€000s

(84,789)

(10,599)

(152)

(741)

85

185

(11,222)

13.24%

In addition to the amount credited to the Consolidated Income Statement, the following taxation amounts have been 
recognised directly in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income:

Deferred taxation

Actuarial (gain)/loss on retirement benefit obligations

Loss/(gain) on available for sale investments

Total income taxation recognised directly in the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

2015
€000s

(1,989)

698

(1,291)

Restated
2014
€000s

(3,007)

(376)

(105)

(539)

11

(4)

(1,013)

33.69%

2014
€000s 

3,214

(257)

2,957

12 

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

The Company’s profit for the financial year determined in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the European Union, is €54,000 
(2014: €14,661,000 profit).

In accordance with section 148(8) of the Companies Act 2014, and section 7(1A) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, the 
Company is availing of the exemption from presenting its individual Income Statement to the Annual General Meeting and from 
filing it with the Registrar of Companies.

89

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

13 

LOSS PER €0.60 ORDINARY SHARE

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the ordinary shareholders is based on the following 
data:

Earnings

Loss for the year

Non-controlling interests

Preference dividends

Loss for the purpose of basic and diluted earnings per share 

Adjustments to exclude profit for the year from discontinued operations

2015
€000s

(73,567)

(118)

(169)

(73,854)

(668)

Restated
2014
€000s

(1,994)

(95)

(282)

(2,371)

(1,930)

Earnings from continued operations for the purpose of basic and diluted earnings per 
share excluding discontinued operations

(74,522)

(4,301)

Number of shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of  
basic earnings per share (excludes treasury shares)

2015

2014

34,648,122

34,414,709

From continuing operations

Basic loss per share 

Diluted loss per share

From discontinued operations

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Cent

(215)

(215)

Cent

2

2

Cent

(13)

(13)

Cent

6

6

90

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201514 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2014

Additions

Disposals

At 1 January 2015

Additions

At 31 December 2015

Comprising:

At cost

At valuation

At 31 December 2015

Accumulated depreciation and revaluation

At 1 January 2014

Depreciation charge for the year

Elimination on disposal

Revaluations

At 1 January 2015

Depreciation charge for the year

Revaluations

At 31 December 2015

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2015

At 31 December 2014

Property held 
for own use
€000s

Plant and
 equipment
€000s

Total property 
plant and 
equipment
€000s

21,295

-

(320)

20,975

100

21,075

-

21,075

21,075

103,221

24,094

(150)

127,165

18,109

145,274

145,274

-

145,274

124,516

24,094

(470)

148,140

18,209

166,349

145,274

21,075

166,349

Property held 
for own use
€000s

Plant and
 equipment
€000s

Total property, 
plant and 
equipment
€000s

6,380

72,568

-

-

(1,480)

4,900

-

(175)

4,725

16,350

16,075

8,197

(150)

-

80,615

8,392

-

89,007

56,267

46,550

78,948

8,197

(150)

(1,480)

85,515

8,392

(175)

93,732

72,617

62,625

91

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

14 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

Property held for own use

Property held for own use at 31 December 2015 and 2014 were valued at fair value which is determined by independent external 
professional valuers CB Richard Ellis, Valuation Surveyors. The valuers confirm that the properties have been valued by a valuer 
who is qualified for the purpose of the valuation in accordance with RICS Valuation – Professional Standards 2012 (Red Book).

The valuation report states that the valuations have been prepared on the basis of “Market Value” which is defined in the report 
as “the estimated amount for which an asset or liability should exchange on valuation date between a willing buyer and a 
willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction, after proper marketing where the parties had each acted knowledgeably, 
prudently and without compulsion”. The report also states that the market value “has been primarily derived using comparable 
recent market transactions on arm’s length terms”. It also states that the properties have been valued individually and no 
account taken of any discount or premium that may be negotiated in the market if all or part of the portfolio was to be marketed 
simultaneously either as lots or as a whole.

The valuers state that they made various assumptions as to tenure, letting and town planning, condition and repair of buildings 
and sites, including ground and groundwater contamination. They have determined market value using a range of capital values 
per square metre ranging from between €549psm - €3,132psm, based on local evidence. The valuer states that they have not 
viewed any tenancy agreements and have assumed for the purposes of valuation that the properties (with the exception of  
FBD House, Naas Road, Dublin 12) are subject to vacant possession. The valuers assumed that FBD House would be a sale  
and leaseback to FBD.

The Directors believe that the market value, determined by independent professional valuers is not materially different to  
fair value.

Had the property been carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated revaluation losses,  
their carrying amount would have been as follows:

Property held for own use

2015
€000s

14,966

2014
€000s

15,446

The most significant investment in plant and equipment over the past two years was in the underwriting policy administration 
system.

Assets amounting to €36,917,000 (2014: €26,222,000) included within plant and equipment have not been depreciated as they 
are in the course of construction.

Fair value hierarchy disclosures required by IFRS13 Fair Value Measurement have been included in note 18, Financial 
Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.

92

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
15 

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Fair value of investment property

At 1 January

Fair value movement during the year

Sale of investment property

Gain on disposal of investment property

Effect of movement in foreign exchange

At 31 December

2015
€000s

19,959

3,450

(18,259)

8,915

485

14,550

2014
€000s

11,567

9,261

(1,353)

324

160

19,959

The investment property held for rental in Ireland was valued at fair value at 31 December 2015 and at 31 December 2014 by 
independent external professional valuers, CB Richard Ellis, Valuation Surveyors. The valuation was prepared in accordance 
with the RICS Valuation – Professional Standards 2012 (Red Book). The valuers confirm that they have sufficient current local 
and national knowledge of the particular property market involved and have skills and understanding to undertake the 
valuations competently.

The valuation statement received from the external professional valuers state that the valuations have been prepared on the 
basis of “Market Value” which they define as “the estimated amount for which a property should exchange on the date of 
valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the 
parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion”. The valuer also states that landlord’s fixtures such 
as central heating and other normal service installations have been treated as an integral part of the building and are included 
within the valuation while process plant and machinery, tenants’ fixtures and specialist trade fittings have been excluded. 
Assumptions have been made that the property is not contaminated and is not adversely affected by any existing or proposed 
environmental law. In the absence of any information to the contrary, it has been assumed that there are no abnormal ground 
conditions nor archaeological remains, the property is free from rot, infestation, structural or latent defect, no hazardous 
materials or suspect techniques have been used in the construction or alteration and the services are in working order and  
free from defects.

The investment property held for rental in the UK was valued at fair value at 31 December 2014 by independent external 
professional valuers, Colliers International. The valuation of the property was prepared in accordance with RICS Valuation – 
Professional Standards January 2014 (The Red Book). The valuations were prepared by a suitably qualified valuer, as defined by 
PS 2.3 of the Professional Standards.

The valuation statement received from the external professional valuer states that the valuations have been prepared on the 
basis of “Market Value” which they define as “the estimated amount for which an asset or liability should exchange on the date 
of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the 
parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion”.

The valuers stated that while they have not carried out building surveys of the property or tested drainage or service installations 
they have assumed that no deleterious materials have been used in the construction or subsequent alteration of the building.

They commented that the UK commercial property investment market has recently emerged from its most severe and 
prolonged downturn since reliable records began and cite the improving economy, which rebounded more quickly than 
expected, as the main catalyst for increased property values.

93

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

15 

INVESTMENT PROPERTY (CONTINUED)

The Directors believe that market value, determined by independent external professional valuers, is not materially different  
to the fair value.

There was an increase in the fair value in 2015 of €3,450,000, while the gain in 2014 was €9,261,000.

The rental income earned by the Group from its investment properties amounted to €1,419,000 (2014: €1,927,000).  
Direct operating costs associated with investment properties amounted to €1,009,000 (2014: €680,000).

The historical cost of investment property is as follows:

Historical cost at 1 January 

Disposals

Historical cost at 31 December

Non-cancellable operating lease receivables

Not longer than 1 year

Longer than 1 year and not longer than 5 years

Total non-cancellable operating lease receivables

2015
€000s

22,266

(2,186)

20,080

2015
€000s

797

4,904

5,701

Fair value hierarchy disclosures required by IFRS13 Fair Value Measurement have been included in note 18, Financial 
Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.

16 

LOANS

Other loans

Total loans

2015
€000s

832

832

Fair value hierarchy disclosures required by IFRS13 Fair Value Measurement have been included in note 18, Financial 
Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.

2014
€000s

22,266

-

22,266

2014
€000s

321

1,284

1,605

2014
€000s

971

971

94

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201517 

DEFERRED TAXATION ASSET

Unrealised
 losses on
 investments 
& loans
€000s

Retirement 
benefit asset
€000s

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances
€000s

Insurance 
Contracts
€000s

Losses 
carried
 forward 
€000s

At 1 January 2014

3,567

(1,046)

Credited/(debited) to the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income

(Debited)/credited to Consolidated 
Income Statement

At 31 December 2014

Credited to the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income

Credited to Consolidated Income 
Statement

Reclassified to deferred taxation 
liability

At 31 December 2015

Total
€000s

3,255

2,958

(641)

5,572

698

-

-

-

-

-

(257)

(1,236)

(2,539)

698

3,215

-

6,782

-

-

734

-

595

1,329

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,538

(138)

15,826

18,226

(6,782)

-

-

697

-

1,191

(4,575)

-

(11,357)

(4,575)

15,826

13,139

A deferred taxation asset of €6,782,000 was recognised in 2014 in respect of the retirement benefit obligation €54,254,000.  
In 2015, a deferred taxation liability has been recognised of €1,139,000 on the retirement benefit asset of €9,110,000. A deferred 
taxation asset of €15,826,000 has been recognised in respect of losses carried forward.

The Directors have considered and are satisfied that the deferred taxation asset will be fully recoverable against future taxable 
profits.

95

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

18 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

(a)  

Financial assets

(i) At amortised cost

Deposits with banks

(ii) At fair value

Available for sale investments – unquoted investments

Available for sale investments – quoted debt securities

Available for sale investments

Investments held for trading – quoted shares

Investments held for trading – quoted debt securities

Investments held for trading – UCITS

Investments held for trading 

(iii) At cost

Cash and cash equivalents

2015
€000s

371,333

371,333

844

488,993

489,837

25,671

44,082

24,622

94,375

2014
€000s

494,909

494,909

948

224,029

224,977

46,110

45,808

24,510

116,428

22,244

26,190

96

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201518 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

(a)  

Financial assets (continued)

Fair value measurement

The following table compares the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities with their carrying values:

Financial assets

Loans

Financial instruments

Other receivables

Cash & cash equivalents

Financial liabilities

Payables

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Financial assets

Loans

Financial instruments

Other receivables

Cash & cash equivalents

Financial liabilities

Payables

2015
Fair value
€000s

2015
Carrying value
€000s

998

955,545

59,506

22,244

54,054

50,036

832

955,545

59,506

22,244

54,054

50,036

2014
Fair value
€000s

2014
Carrying value
€000s

1,126

836,314

58,951

26,190

971

836,314

58,951

26,190

37,140

37,140

The following tables provide an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair 
value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.

n	 Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or 

liabilities.

n	 Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are 

observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

n	 Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability 
that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). Among the valuation techniques used are cost, net 
asset or net book value or the net present value of future cash flows based on conservative operating projections.

97

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

18 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

(a)  

Financial assets (continued)

2015

Assets

Investment property

Loans

Other receivables

Financial assets

Level 1
€000s

-

-

-

Investments held for trading - quoted shares

25,671

Level 2
€000s

14,550

998

59,506

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Level 3
€000s

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

844

-

-

Total
€000s

14,550

998

59,506

25,671

44,082

24,622

488,993

844

371,333

22,244

75,054

844

1,052,843

44,082

24,622

488,993

-

371,333

22,244

976,945

-

-

-

54,054

50,036

104,090

-

-

-

54,054

50,036

104,090

Investments held for trading - quoted debt 
securities

Investments held for trading - UCITS

AFS investments - quoted debt securities

AFS investments - unquoted investments

Deposits with banks

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Payables

Convertible debt

Total liabilities

98

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201518 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

(a)  

Financial assets (continued)

2014

Assets

Investment property

Loans

Other receivables

Financial assets

Level 1
€000s

-

-

-

Investments held for trading - quoted shares

46,110

Investments held for trading - quoted debt 
securities

Investments held for trading - UCITS

AFS investments - quoted debt securities

AFS investments - unquoted investments

Deposits with banks

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Payables

Total liabilities

45,808

24,510

224,029

-

494,909

26,190

861,556

-

-

Level 2
€000s

19,959

1,126

58,951

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

80,036

37,141

37,141

A reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurement of financial assets is shown in the table below:

At 1 January

Additions

Disposals

Unrealised (losses)/gains recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement

At 31 December

Level 3
€000s

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

948

-

-

948

-

-

2015
€000s

948

-

(103)

(1)

844

Total
€000s

19,959

1,126

58,951

46,110

45,808

24,510

224,029

948

494,909

26,190

942,540

37,141

37,141

2014
€000s

1,368

145

(1,115)

550

948

Available for sale investments grouped into Level 3 comprise unquoted securities and consist of a number of small investments. 
The values attributable to these investments are derived from a number of valuation techniques including net asset or net book 
value or the net present value of future cash flows based on conservative operating projections. A change in one or more of 
these inputs could have an impact on valuations. The maximum exposure the Group has in relation to Level 3 valued financial 
assets is €844,000 (2014: €948,000). The Directors do not consider it necessary to provide a sensitivity analysis on financial 
investments grouped into Level 3 as they do not consider them material. 

(b)  

Financial liabilities

The Group had no financial liabilities at 31 December 2015 or 2014 except for those disclosed in note 33(a) payables and note 30 
convertible debt.

99

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

19 

CURRENT TAXATION ASSET

Income taxation receivable 

This balance relates to corporation taxation refunds due.

20 

DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS

The movements in deferred acquisition costs during the financial year were:

At 1 January

Net acquisition costs deferred during the year

At 31 December

All deferred acquisition costs are expected to be recovered within one year from 31 December 2015.

21 

OTHER RECEIVABLES

Policyholders

Intermediaries

Other debtors

Accrued interest and rent

Prepayments and accrued income

Total other receivables

2015
€000s

40,154

3,447

7,630

1,650

6,625

59,506

Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations are considered by the Directors to have low credit risk and therefore no 
provision for bad or doubtful debts has been made. There is no significant concentration of risk in receivables arising out of 
direct insurance operations or any other activities.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of receivables approximates to their fair value. All receivables are due within 
one year and none are past due.

100

2015
€000s

8,813

2014
€000s

8,742

2015
€000s

28,427

(882)

27,545

2014
€000s

26,429

1,998

28,427

2014
€000s

41,082

6,121

3,639

2,919

5,190

58,951

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201522 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Demand deposits*

Cash in hand

Total cash and cash equivalents

*There are no restrictions on the use of demand deposits.

23 

CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL PRESENTED AS EQUITY

2015
€000s

21,034

1,210

22,244

2014
€000s

24,861

1,329

26,190

Number

2015
€000s

2014
€000s

(i) Ordinary shares of €0.60 each

Authorised:

At the beginning and the end of the year

51,326,000

30,796

30,796

Issued and fully paid:

At the beginning and the end of the year

35,461,206

21,277

21,277

(ii) ‘A’ Ordinary shares of €0.01 each

Authorised:

At the beginning and the end of the year

120,000,000

1,200

1,200

Issued and fully paid:

At the beginning and the end of the year

13,169,428

132

132

Total – issued and fully paid

21,409

21,409

The ‘A’ ordinary shares of €0.01 each are non-voting. They are non-transferable except only to the Company. Other than a right 
to a return of paid up capital of €0.01 per ‘A’ ordinary share in the event of a winding up, the ‘A’ ordinary shares have no right to 
participate in the capital or the profits of the Company.

The holders of the two classes of non-cumulative preference shares rank ahead of the two classes of ordinary shares in the 
event of a winding up (see note 26). Before any dividend can be declared on the ordinary shares of €0.60 each, the dividend  
on the non-cumulative preference shares must firstly be declared or paid.

The number of ordinary shares of €0.60 each held as treasury shares at the beginning (and the maximum number held during 
the year) was 813,084. This represented 2.3% of the shares of this class in issue and had a nominal value of €487,850. There 
were no ordinary shares of €0.60 each purchased by the Company during the year. No shares were re-issued from treasury 
during the year under the FBD Holdings plc Executive Share Option Scheme or the FBD Performance Share Plan. Therefore  
there was a balance of 813,084 ordinary shares of €0.60 each in treasury at the end of the year which had a nominal value of 
€487,850 and represented 2.3% of the ordinary shares of €0.60 each in issue.

The weighted average number of ordinary shares of €0.60 each in the earnings per share calculation has been reduced by the 
number of such shares held in treasury.

All issued shares have been fully paid.

101

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

24 

CAPITAL RESERVES

(a)  

GROUP

Share
premium
€000s

Capital 
conversion
reserve
€000s

Capital 
redemption
reserve
€000s

Balance at 1 January 2014

Recognition of share-based payments

Balance at 31 December 2014

Recognition of share-based payments

Balance at 31 December 2015

5,540

-

5,540

-

5,540

1,627

-

1,627

-

1,627

4,426

-

4,426

-

4,426

(b)  

COMPANY

Share
premium
€000s

Capital 
conversion
reserve
€000s

Capital 
redemption
reserve
€000s

Balance at 1 January 2014

Recognition of share-based payments

Balance at 31 December 2014

Recognition of share-based payments

Balance at 31 December 2015

5,540

-

5,540

-

5,540

1,627

-

1,627

-

1,627

4,426

-

4,426

-

4,426

Share 
option
reserve
€000s

6,219

944

7,163

(203)

6,960

Share 
option
reserve
€000s

6,219

944

7,163

(203)

6,960

Total
Group
€000s

17,812

944

18,756

(203)

18,553

Total
Company
€000s

17,812

944

18,756

(203)

18,553

The capital conversion reserve arose on the redenomination of ordinary, 14% and 8% non-cumulative preference shares from 
IR£0.50 into ordinary or non-cumulative preference shares of 63.4869 cent. Each such share was then renominalised to an 
ordinary or a non-cumulative preference share of €0.60, an amount equal to the reduction in the issued share capital was 
transferred to the capital conversion reserve fund.

Capital redemption reserve arose on the buyback and cancellation of issued share capital.

Share option reserve arose on the recognition of share-based payments.

102

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201525 

RETAINED EARNINGS

Balance at 1 January

Result attributable to equity holders of the parent

Dividends paid and approved

Exercise of share options

Balance at 31 December

26 

PREFERENCE SHARE CAPITAL

2015
€000s

230,444

(60,824)

(11,950)

-

Restated
2014
€000s

268,690

(23,162)

(17,505)

2,421

157,670

230,444

Number

2015
€000s

2014
€000s

Authorised: 

At the beginning and the end of the year

14% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each

8% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each

1,340,000

12,750,000

Issued and fully paid: 

At the beginning and the end of the year

14% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each

8% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each

1,340,000

3,532,292

804

7,650

8,454

804

2,119

2,923

804

7,650

8,454

804

2,119

2,923

The rights attaching to each class of share capital are set out in the Company’s Articles of Association. In the event of the 
Company being wound up, the holders of the 14% non-cumulative preference shares rank ahead of the holders of the 8% 
non-cumulative preference shares, who in turn, rank ahead of the holders of both the ‘A’ ordinary shares of €0.01 each and  
the holders of the ordinary shares of €0.60 each.

27 

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

At 1 January

Share of result for the financial year

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

At 31 December

2015
€000s

483

118

(150)

451

2014
€000s

463

95

(75)

483

103

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

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105

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

28 

CLAIMS OUTSTANDING (CONTINUED)

(b)  

Net Claims Outstanding 2015 (continued)

Full provision, net of reinsurance recoveries, is made at the reporting date for the estimated cost of claims incurred but not 
settled, including claims incurred but not yet reported and expenses to be incurred after the reporting date in settling those 
claims. The Group takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it has appropriate information regarding notified claims and uses 
this information when estimating the cost of those claims.

The Group uses estimation techniques, based on statistical analysis of past experience, to calculate the estimated cost of 
claims outstanding at the year end. It is assumed that the development pattern of the current claims will be consistent with 
previous experience. Allowance is made, however, for any changes or uncertainties that may cause the cost of unsettled claims 
to increase or reduce. These changes or uncertainties may arise from issues such as the effects of inflation, changes in the mix 
of business or the legal environment.

At each reporting date, liability adequacy tests are performed to ensure the adequacy of the insurance liabilities. In performing 
these tests, current best estimates of future cash flows and claims handling and administration expenses are used. Any 
deficiency is immediately recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

As detailed in the Review of Operations the adverse claims development pattern was driven by a number of structural changes 
in the claims environment including over 20 new judicial appointments made between the Circuit and High Courts, the 
introduction of the Recovery of Benefit and Assistance Scheme which enables the Department of Social Protection to recover 
some welfare payments from personal injury awards directly for the insurer and the introduction of Heads of Bill for Periodic 
Payment Orders. Volatility in court awards has led claimants’ expectations to increase as court awards in turn influence out of 
court settlement levels.

(c)  

Reconciliation of claims outstanding

Balance at 1 January 2014 – restated 

Change in provision for claims

Balance at 31 December 2014 - restated

Change in provision for claims

Balance at 31 December 2015

(d)  

Reconciliation of provision for unearned premium

The following changes have occurred in the provision for unearned premium during the year:

Balance at 1 January

Net premium written

Net premium earned

Changes in provision for unearned premium – reinsurers’ share

Provision for unearned premium at 31 December

106

Gross
€000s

521,690

72,293

593,983

154,161

748,144

2015
€000s

179,650

312,766

Net
€000s

496,540

56,143

552,683

130,710

683,393

2014
€000s

175,381

311,423

(313,154)

(303,444)

(678)

178,584

(3,710)

179,650

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201528 

CLAIMS OUTSTANDING (CONTINUED)

(e)  

Reconciliation of reinsurance assets

Balance at 1 January 2014

Movement during year

Balance at 31 December 2014

Movement during year

Balance at 31 December 2015

29 

OTHER PROVISIONS

Balance at 1 January 

Provision for MIBI levy

Levy paid

Balance at 31 December

Claims 
outstanding
€000s

24,550

16,750

41,300

23,451

64,751

2015
€000s

7,920

11,581

(8,563)

10,938

Unearned 
premium 
reserve
€000s

19,720

(3,710)

16,010

(678)

15,332

Restated
 2014
€000s

8,840

7,259

(8,179)

7,920

The share of the Group’s Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland “MIBI” levy is based on its estimated market share in the current year 
at the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date.

30 

CONVERTIBLE DEBT

Financial liabilities carried at amortised cost comprise convertible notes.

Proceeds from issue of convertible notes net of costs

Amount classified as equity

Carrying amount of liability at 31 December

2015
€000s

68,268

(18,232)

50,036

2014
€000s

-

-

-

On 23 September 2015, FBD Insurance plc issued a non-convertible bond of €70,000,000 carrying an interest rate of 11.66%. 
On 30 December 2015, following shareholder approval, this non-convertible bond was replaced with a convertible note carrying 
an interest rate of 7% and convertible into equity shares of FBD Holdings plc.

107

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

30 

CONVERTIBLE DEBT (CONTINUED)

The notes carry an interest rate of 7% and are convertible into equity of FBD Holdings plc at a conversion price of €8.50  
per share, and are convertible at any time between 23 September 2018 and 23 September 2025 at the option of the holder.  
A mandatory conversion of the notes occurs if the 30 day volume weighted average price of FBD Holdings plc exceeds €8.50  
for 180 days after 23 September 2018. On conversion, 8,235,294 new shares will be issued to the holder.

Unconverted notes will become repayable on 23 September 2025.

The carrying value of the notes has been determined with reference to the fair value of a similar liability without an equity 
conversion option. The equity component is recognised initially as the difference between the fair value of the convertible note 
as a whole and the fair value of the liability component.

Interest costs associated with the non-convertible bond up to 30 December totalling €1,357,000 (2014: nil) were incurred 
during the financial year.

31 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT ASSET/OBLIGATION

The Group operates a funded defined benefit retirement scheme and defined contribution schemes for qualifying employees. 
The defined benefit plans are administered by a separate Trustee Company that is legally separated from the entity. The Trustee 
Company, who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Pensions Act 1990 and other relevant legislation, is composed of 
representatives from both the employers and current and former employees. The Trustees are required by law and by its 
articles of association to act in the interest of the fund and of all relevant stakeholders in the scheme, i.e. active employees, 
inactive employees, retirees, employers. They are responsible for the investment policy with regard to the assets of the fund.

During 2015 the Group completed a review of the defined benefit pension scheme with the primary goals to reduce the IAS19 
deficit of the scheme and the inherent volatility of the scheme. The outcome of the review was as follows:

n	 The defined benefit scheme ceased for future accrual of benefits.
n	 The link to future salary increases was replaced with deferred pension increases.
n	 FBD will no longer fund for future discretionary pension increases.
n	 Current employees within the scheme were offered membership in a new defined contribution arrangement for future 

service.

n	 Current employees within the scheme were provided with the option to take an enhanced transfer value of their past 

benefits into the new defined contribution scheme. A significant majority took up this option.

n	 The investments in the scheme were significantly de-risked to reduce the volatility of the IAS19 balance sheet position  

in the future.

Under the defined benefit plan, qualifying employees are entitled to retirement benefits of 1/60th of final salary for each year of 
service on attainment of a retirement age of 65. A full actuarial valuation of the defined benefit scheme was carried out on 1 July 
2013, using the projected unit credit method, and the minimum funding standard was updated to 31 December 2015 by the 
schemes’ independent and qualified actuary and confirms that the scheme continues to satisfy the minimum funding standard. 
The next full actuarial valuation of the scheme is expected to be carried out during 2016 with a valuation date of 1 July 2016.

The long-term investment objective of the Trustees and the Group is to limit the risk of the assets failing to meet the liabilities  
of the scheme over the long term and to maximise returns consistent with an acceptable level of risk so as to control the 
long-term costs of the scheme. To meet these objectives, the scheme’s assets are primarily invested in bonds with a smaller 
level of investment in diversified growth funds and property. These reflect the current long-term asset allocation ranges, having 
regard to the structure of liabilities within the scheme. The scheme typically exposes the Group to actuarial risks such as: 
investment risk, interest rate risk, longevity risk and salary inflation risk.

108

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201531 

(a) 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT ASSET/OBLIGATION (CONTINUED)

Assumptions used to calculate scheme liabilities

Inflation rate increase

Salary rate increase

Pension payment increase

Discount rate

2015
%

1.50*

N/A**

0.00

2.40

2014
%

 1.50

0.00 - 2.50

0.00 - 1.50

2.20

* Inflation assumed to be 0% p.a. for the next 2 years and 1.50% p.a. thereafter.
** No longer applicable as the scheme closed to future accrual with removal of salary link at 30 September 2015.

(b)   Mortality Assumptions

The average life expectancy of current and future retirees used in the scheme  
at age 65 is as follows: 

Male

Female

2015
Years

21.0

23.6

2014
Years

20.8

23.4

The weighted average duration of the expected benefit payments from the scheme is circa 17 years.

During 2011, the Finance (No. 2) Act introduced an annual levy of 0.6% on the market value of assets held in pension schemes 
in Ireland from 2011 to 2014. The levy is payable on the value of assets at 30 June or the previous year end date. The levy for 
2015 was €210,048 (2014: €966,213) and was paid out of the pension funds on or before September 2015 and will be recovered 
from members’ pensions in future years.

The basis used to determine the expected return on plan assets is the money weighted rate of return achieved on the asset 
values used for the purpose of calculating the long-term funding rate. The actual return on the scheme assets for the year was a 
gain of €6,275,000 (2014: €11,263,000).

(c)  

Consolidated Income Statement

Charged to Consolidated Income Statement:

Service cost: employer’s part of current service cost 

Past service gains

Gain on curtailments and settlement

Net interest expense

Costs associated with curtailment

(Credited)/charged to Consolidated Income Statement

2015
€000s

4,220

(11,010)

(18,430)

870

1,100

(23,250)

2014
€000s

4,100

(912)

-

1,102

-

4,290

Charges to the Consolidated Income Statement have been included in other underwriting and financial services expenses while 
the credit of €28,340,000 relating to the curtailment has been reflected separately.

109

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

31 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT ASSET/OBLIGATION (CONTINUED)

(d)  

Analysis of amount recognised in Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Net actuarial (gains)/losses in the year due to:

 Changes in financial and demographic assumptions

 Experience adjustments on benefit obligations

Actual return on plan assets less interest on plan assets

Actuarial (gain)/loss

Deferred taxation charge/(credit)

Actuarial (gain)/loss net of deferred taxation

(e)  

History of experience gains and losses 

Present value of defined benefit obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Net pension (asset)/liability

Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities

2015
€000s

106,490

115,600

(9,110)

(401)

2014
€000s

195,669

141,415

54,254

1,786

Actuarial gain/(loss)

15,914

(25,058)

2013
€000s

158,769

130,231

28,538

3,406

2,851

2015
€000s

(13,060)

401

(3,255)

(15,914)

1,989

(13,925)

2012
€000s

149,520

118,754

30,766

1,660

2014
€000s

33,180

(1,786)

(6,336)

25,058

(3,214)

21,844

2011
€000s

127,620

105,928

21,692

1,993

(9,345)

(14,323)

The cumulative charge to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income is €84,508,000 (2014: €107,758,000).

(f)  

Assets in scheme at market value

Equities

Bonds

Property

Managed funds

Cash deposits and other

Scheme assets

Actuarial value of liabilities

Net pension asset/(obligation)

2015
€000s

-

76,730

7,530

27,190

4,150 

115,600

(106,490)

9,110

2014
€000s

51,334

13,152

6,505

43,838

26,586

141,415

(195,669)

(54,254)

The assets are part of unitised funds which have a broad geographical and industry type spread with no significant 
concentration in any one geographical or industry type. These unitised funds are managed by eight investment managers.

110

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201531 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT ASSET/OBLIGATION (CONTINUED)

(g)  

Movement from deficit to surplus during the year

Net deficit in scheme at 1 January

Current service cost

Past service gain

Employer contributions

Interest on scheme liabilities

Interest on scheme assets

Gains on curtailments and settlement

Actuarial gain/(loss)

Net surplus/(deficit) at 31 December

(h)   Movement on assets and liabilities

Assets

Assets in scheme at 1 January

Actual return less interest on scheme assets

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Interest on scheme assets

Assets paid as part of ETV exercise 

Benefits paid

Assets in scheme at 31 December

Liabilities

Liabilities in scheme at 1 January

Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities

Changes in financial and demographic assumptions

Current service cost

Past service gain

Employee contributions

Interest on scheme liabilities

Liabilities extinguished as part of ETV exercise

Gain on curtailments (closure to future accrual)

Benefits paid

Liabilities in scheme at 31 December

2015
€000s

(54,254)

(4,220)

11,010

23,100

(3,890)

3,020

18,430

15,914

9,110

2015
€000s

141,415

3,255

23,100

40

3,020

(50,780)

(4,450)

115,600

195,669

401

(13,060)

4,220

(11,010)

40

3,890

(54,330)

(14,880)

(4,450)

106,490

2014
€000s

(28,538)

(4,100)

912

3,632

(6,029)

4,927

-

(25,058)

(54,254)

2014
€000s

130,231

6,336

3,632

68

4,927

-

(3,779)

141,415

158,769

(1,786)

33,180

4,100

(912)

68

6,029

-

-

(3,779)

195,669

111

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

31 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT ASSET/OBLIGATION (CONTINUED)

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are as follows:

n	 A 1% increase in the discount rate would reduce the value of the scheme liabilities by €16.2m. A 1% reduction in the 

discount rate would increase the value of the scheme liabilities by €21.1m.

n	 A 1% increase in inflation would increase the value of the scheme liabilities by €7.3m. A 1% reduction in inflation would 

reduce the value of the scheme liabilities by €5.3m.

n	 The effect of assuming all members of the scheme will live one year longer would increase the scheme’s liabilities by €3.3m.

n	 The current best estimate of 2016 contributions to be made by the Group to the pension fund is €1,240,000  

(2015: €2,250,000).

The Group also operates defined contribution retirement benefit plans for qualifying employees who opt to join. The assets of 
the plans are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of Trustees. The Group recognised an expense 
of €1,600,711 (2014: €1,929,000) relating to these pension schemes.

32 

DEFERRED TAXATION LIABILITY

Retirement 
benefit asset
€000s

Insurance 
Contracts
€000s

Revaluation
 surplus on 
investment
 properties
€000s

At 1 January 2014 - restated

Credited to Consolidated  
Income Statement

At 31 December 2014 - restated

Credited to the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

Credited to Consolidated Income Statement

-

-

-

1,989

5,932

4,385

190

4,575

-

-

Reclassified to deferred taxation asset

(6,782)

(4,575)

At 31 December 2015

1,139

-

-

-

-

-

1,155

-

1,155

Other timing 
differences
€000s

Total
€000s

691

5,076

-

691

-

5

-

190

5,266

1,989

7,092

(11,357)

696

2,990

In 2015, a deferred taxation liability of €1,139,000 has been recognised on the retirement benefit asset of €9,110,000.

112

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201533 

PAYABLES

(a)  

GROUP

Amounts falling due within one year:

Payables and accruals 

Restructuring accrual

PAYE/PRSI

Proposed dividends on preference shares 

Payables arising out of direct insurance operations

Total payables

(b)  

COMPANY

Amounts falling due within one year:

Payables and accruals 

Proposed dividends on preference shares 

Total payables

34 

DIVIDENDS

Paid during year:

2014 final dividend of 34.0 cent (2013: 33.25 cent) per share on ordinary  
shares of €0.60 each

2015 interim dividend of nil cent (2014: 17.00 cent) per share on ordinary  
shares of €0.60 each

Dividend of 4.8 cent (2014: 4.8 cent) per share on 8% non-cumulative  
preference shares of €0.60 each

Dividend of nil cent (2014: 8.4 cent) per share on 14% non-cumulative  
preference shares of €0.60 each

2015
€000s

27,751

8,180

1,375

169

16,579

54,054

2015
€000s

5,489

169

5,658

2015
€000s

11,781

-

169

-

2014
€000s

25,125

-

1,296

169

10,550

37,140

2014
€000s

4,876

169

5,045

2014
€000s

11,333

5,890

169

113

Total dividends paid

11,950

17,505

113

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

34 

DIVIDENDS (CONTINUED)

Proposed:

Dividend of 4.8 cent (2014 only) per share on 8% non-cumulative preference shares of 
€0.60 each

Final dividend of 34.0 cent (2014 only) per share on ordinary shares of €0.60 each

Total dividends proposed

No final dividend has been proposed for 2015.

35 

PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES

2015
€000s

2014
€000s

-

-

-

169

11,780

11,949

(a) Subsidiaries 

FBD Insurance plc 

Nature of Operations 

General insurance underwriter 

FBD Life & Pensions Limited

Investment services, pensions and life brokers

% Owned

100

100

The Registered Office of each of the above subsidiaries is at FBD House, Bluebell, Dublin 12.

All shareholdings are in the form of ordinary shares.

The financial year end for the Group’s principal subsidiaries is 31 December.

FBD Holdings plc is an Irish registered public limited company. The Company’s ordinary shares of €0.60 each are listed on the 
Irish Stock Exchange and the UK Listing Authority and are traded on both the Irish Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange.

(b)  In the Company Statement of Financial Position on page 60, €47,834,145 of the increase in the investment in subsidiaries 
relates to an additional investment in the Group’s underwriting subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc using the proceeds of 
€48,500,000 from the sale of the joint venture less associated costs. A further €18,232,000 of the increase relates to the 
issue of convertible notes.

36 

CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

Capital commitments at 31 December authorised by the Directors but not provided  
for in the Financial Statements:

Contracted for

Not contracted for

2015
€000s

2014
€000s

8,083

-

573

875 

The above capital commitments relate to an investment in the underwriting policy administrative system that commenced in 
2013 and is being undertaken over a two to three year period.

114

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201537 

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENT ASSETS

There were no contingent liabilities or contingent assets at either 31 December 2015 or 31 December 2014.

38 

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

FBD Holdings Plc Executive Share Option Scheme

The Company’s parent, FBD Holdings plc operates an equity settled executive share option scheme, the FBD Holdings plc 
Executive Share Option Scheme (“ESOS”), under which options to purchase Ordinary Shares of €0.60 each (“ordinary shares”) 
in FBD Holdings plc are granted to certain executive directors and senior management. Under the terms of the ESOS, the 
options are exercisable at the market price prevailing at the date of the grant of the option (the “option price”). Under the terms 
of an amendment to the ESOS approved by shareholders in April 2006, the option price may be reduced by the amount of any 
special dividends paid to shareholders. Options were granted under the ESOS in September 1989, September 1995, May 2000, 
October 2003 and August 2009. The exercise of options granted since 18 April 2000 is conditional on growth in earnings per 
share of at least 2% per annum, compound, over the increase in the consumer price index over not less than three years from 
the date of grant. 

A summary of the options outstanding under the ESOS during the year is as follows:

2015
Weighted 
average 
exercise price
 in € per share

2014
Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
in € per share

2015
Options

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7.45

-

7.45

-

-

-

2014
Options

325,000

-

(325,000)

-

-

-

At 1 January

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed

At 31 December

Total exercisable at 31 December

FBD Group Performance Share Plan

The FBD Group Performance Share Plan (the “LTIP”) was approved by shareholders in May 2007. Conditional awards of ordinary 
shares under the LTIP are dependent on the Group meeting onerous performance targets in terms of EPS growth, total 
shareholder returns and maintenance of the combined operating ratio ahead of peer companies in the European general 
insurance sector. The extent to which these conditions have been met and any award (or part of an award) has therefore vested 
will be determined in due course by the Remuneration Committee.

115

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

38 

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

Fair value calculations

Conditional awards were made in November 2011 over 252,077 ordinary shares, in March 2013 over 140,940 ordinary shares,  
in April 2014 over 108,631 ordinary shares, in March 2015 over 167,706 shares and October 2015 over 54,545 shares.

The fair values of these conditional share awards have been calculated as follows using the assumptions noted in a Monte Carlo 
simulation model:

Share price at grant

Initial option/award price

Expected volatility

Expected life in years

Risk free interest rate

Expected dividend yield %

Fair value

LTIP award
November 2011

LTIP award
March 2013

LTIP award 
April 2014

LTIP award 
March 2015

LTIP award 
October 2015

€6.55

 €6.55

30%

2.37

1.2%

 n/a

€6.18

€12.70

 €12.70

30%

3

 0.5%

 n/a

€11.54

€17.00

 €17.00

25%

3

 0.3%

 n/a

€14.25

€10.80

 €10.80

30%

3

 0.0%

 n/a

€8.49

€6.65

 €6.60

35%

3

0.0%

n/a

€5.39

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous two to 
three years preceding the date of grant.

Accounting charge for share based payments

Vesting 
period
(years)

Number
of options 
granted

2.37

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

252,077

140,940

108,631

167,706

54,545

Grant date

18.11.2011 LTIP

04.03.2013 LTIP

14.04.2014 LTIP

02.03.2015 LTIP

09.10.2015 LTIP

Total

Number 
outstanding 
at 31 
December 
2015

-

112,969

91,227

128,202

54,545

% of options 
expected to 
vest
%

Market 
value at 
grant date
€

Fair value 
at grant 
date
€

100

18

0

0

90

6.55

12.70

17.00

10.80

6.65

6.18

11.54

14.25

8.49

5.39

2015
€000s

2014
€000s

-

(215)

(115)

107

20

145

470

329

-

-

(203)

944

Given the performance of the Company over the vesting period, the Directors estimate that only 18% of the 2013 award will vest 
and that 0% of the 2014 award will vest. Consequently, the charge relating to the non-market based vesting conditions taken in 
previous years relating to the shares that are now unlikely to vest, has been reversed in the current year.

For the March 2015 award, 0% of the award is expected to vest, therefore only the charge relating to the market based 
conditions for the outstanding shares granted has been charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

116

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
39 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Farmer Business Developments plc has a substantial shareholding in the Group at 31 December 2015, details of which are set 
out in the Report of the Directors.

Included in the Financial Statements at the year end is € Nil (2014: €67,500) due from Farmer Business Developments plc.  
This balance is made up of recharges for services provided and recoverable costs. The amount due is repayable on demand.

Transactions with Farmer Business Developments plc

Opening balance

Management charges

Payments by related party

Closing balance

2015
€000s

67

75

(142)

-

2014
€000s

530

67

(530)

67

On 24 August 2015, the Group announced that it had reached an agreement with Farmer Business Developments plc to sell  
to it the Group’s 50% share of the Property and Leisure joint venture. The proceeds of the sale were invested in equity in FBD 
Insurance plc. in order to fulfil its capital requirement on transition to Solvency II on 1 January 2016. For further details on the 
sale please see note 7.

For the purposes of the disclosure requirements of IAS 24, the term “key management personnel” (i.e. those persons having 
authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company) comprises of the Board of 
Directors and Company Secretary of FBD Holdings plc and the Group’s primary subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc and the members 
of the Executive Management Team.

The remuneration of key management personnel (“KMP”) during the year was as follows:

Short term employee benefits1

Post-employment benefits

Share based payments

Charge to the Consolidated Income Statement

2015
€000s

2,594

249

552

3,395

2014
€000s

2,476

294

466

3,236

1  Short term benefits include fees to non-executive Directors, salaries and other short-term benefits to all members of the KMP.

Full disclosure in relation to the 2015 and 2014 compensation entitlements and share options of the Board of Directors is 
provided in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration.

In common with all shareholders, Directors received payments/distributions related to their holdings of shares in the Company 
during the year, amounting in total to €56,280 (2014: €70,292).

117

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

40 

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group has in place a risk management process the objective of which is to provide a systematic, effective and efficient  
way to manage risk in the organisation and to ensure the risks to which the Group is exposed to is consistent with the overall 
business strategy and the risk appetite of the Group. The key components of the Risk Management Framework include Risk 
Appetite; Risk Governance; Risk Process; People.

Risk Appetite

Risk appetite is a measure of the amount and type of risks the Group is willing to accept or not accept over a defined period of 
time in pursuit of its objectives. The Group’s risk appetite seeks to encourage measured and appropriate risk-taking to ensure 
that risks are aligned to business strategy and objectives.

The risk appetite in the Group’s underwriting subsidiary is driven by an over-arching desire to protect its solvency at all times. 
Through the proactive management of risk, it ensures that it does not take on an individual risk or combination of risks that 
could threaten its solvency. This ensures that it has and will have in the future sufficient capital to pay its policyholders and  
all other creditors in full as liabilities fall due.

Risk Governance

Risk is governed through business standards, risk policies, oversight committees and clear role and responsibilities and 
delegated authorities.

FBD uses a ‘three lines of defence’ framework in the delineation of accountabilities for risk governance.

n	

1st Line – Accountable for the management of all risks relevant to the business of the function

n	 2nd Line – Provide objective challenge and oversight of 1st line management of risks

n	 3rd Line - Internal Audit provides independent assurance to the Audit Committee of the Board on risk-taking activities.

Risk Process

Identify and Measure

Risk is identified and assessed through a combination of top-down and bottom-up risk assessment processes. Top-down 
processes focus on broad risk types and common risk drivers rather than specific individual risk events, and adopt a forward-
looking view of perceived threats over the planning horizon. Bottom-up risk assessment processes are more granular, focusing 
on risk events that have been identified through specific qualitative or quantitative measurement tools. Top-down and 
bottom-up views of risk come together through a process of upward reporting of, and management response to, identified and 
emerging risks. This ensures that the view of risk remains sensitive to emerging trends and common themes. Risks are recorded 
on the Group Risk Register. FBD measures risk on the basis of economic capital and other bases (where appropriate) to 
determine materiality, potential impact and management.

Monitor and Report

FBD regularly monitors risk exposures against risk appetite, risk indicators, risk tolerances and limits and monitors the 
effectiveness of controls in place to manage risk. Risk reporting is dynamic and includes material risks, risk appetite, trends, 
changes in risk profile, risk mitigation programmes, strategy and emerging risks.

People

Risk Management is embedded in the Group through leadership, governance and transparency, rewarding appropriate risk 
taking, risk resources and training.

118

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
40 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

For the purposes of managing risks, the Group classifies risks into the following categories:

n	 General Insurance

n	 Capital Management

n	 Operational

n	 Liquidity

n	 Market

n	 Credit

n	 Concentration

n	 Macro – Economic

(a)  

GENERAL INSURANCE RISK

The risk attached to any insurance policy written is the possibility that an insured event occurs and the uncertainty of the 
amount of the resulting claim. The frequency and severity of claims can be affected by several factors, most notably economic 
activity, the level of awards and inflation on settling claims. The history of claims development is set out, both gross and net of 
reinsurance in note 28, claims outstanding.

Underwriting

The Group has developed its insurance underwriting and reserving strategy to diversify the type of insurance risks written and, 
within each of the types of cover, to achieve a sufficiently large population of risks to reduce the variability of the expected 
outcome. The principal insurance cover provided by the Group include motor, employers’ and public liability and property.

The Group manages these risks through its underwriting strategy, proactive claims handling and its reinsurance arrangements. 
The Group has developed its insurance underwriting strategy to diversify the type of insurance risks written and to reduce the 
variability of the expected outcome by each risk category. The only significant concentration of insurance risk is that all of the 
Group’s underwriting business is conducted in Ireland. Within Ireland there is no significant concentration risk in any one area.

The Group’s underwriting strategy is incorporated in the overall corporate strategy which is approved by the Board of Directors 
and includes the employment of appropriately qualified underwriting personnel; the targeting of certain types of business that 
conform with the Group’s risk appetite and reinsurance treaties; constant review of the Group’s pricing policy using up-to-date 
statistical analysis and claims experience; and the surveying of risks carried out by experienced personnel. All risks 
underwritten are within FBD Insurance plc underwriting policies and within the terms of FBD Insurance plc reinsurance treaties.

The Group competes against major international groups with similar offerings. At times, a minority of these groups may choose 
to underwrite for cash flow or market share purposes at prices that sometimes fall short of the break-even technical price. The 
Group is firm in its resolve to reject business that is unlikely to generate underwriting profits. To manage this risk, pricing levels 
are monitored on a continuous basis.

Reserving

While the Group’s risk appetite is constantly reviewed and managed, there is no certainty that the cost of claims will not rise 
due to abnormal weather events, increased claims frequency, increased severity, changes in regulatory environment, change in 
economic activity or any other reason. Such an increase could have a material impact on the results and financial position of 
the Group.

119

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

40 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(a)  

GENERAL INSURANCE RISK (CONTINUED)

The Group establishes provisions for unpaid claims, legal costs and related expenses to cover its ultimate liability in respect of 
both reported claims and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims. These provisions take into account both the Group’s and the 
industry’s experience of similar business, historical trends in reserving patterns, loss payments and pending levels of unpaid 
claims and awards, as well as any potential changes in historic rates arising from market or economic conditions. The provision 
estimates are subject to rigorous review and challenge by senior management and the reserving committee. The provision 
includes a risk margin to minimise the risk that actual claims exceed the amount provided.

The estimation and measurement of claims provisions is a major determining factor in the Group’s results and financial position. 
The Group uses modern statistical and actuarial methods to calculate the quantum of claims provisions and uses independent 
actuaries to review its liabilities to ensure that the carrying amount of the liabilities is adequate. Where the liabilities, net of any 
related deferred acquisition costs, are deemed to be inadequate, the deficiency is recognised immediately in the Consolidated 
Income Statement. There is no certainty that the amount provided is sufficient – further claims could arise or settlement costs 
could increase as a result, for example of claims inflation, periodic payments or the size of court awards. Such an increase could 
have a material impact on the results and financial condition of the Group.

The Group has experienced an adverse claims development environment during 2015. It was driven by a number of structural 
changes in the claims environment. These changes included:

n	 A new Court of Appeal was established on the 28th October 2014 with 9 judges who previously sat in the High Court. The 

positions left by these departures were backfilled mainly from existing judges in the Circuit Court which in turn created new 
vacancies in the Circuit Court. In all over 20 new judicial appointments were made between the Circuit and High Courts. 
Many of these new appointments were made in 2015.

n	

n	

In February 2014 the District Court jurisdiction over claims increased from €6,400 to €15,000 whilst the Circuit Court limit 
increased from €38,000 to €60,000 for personal injury claims and €75,000 for property damage. This was widely flagged 
in the media and by the Minister for Justice at the time as a cost saving measure. This increased jurisdiction applied to all 
new proceedings issued after that date and as such very few cases were seen for trial in 2014 under the new jurisdiction 
limits. It was during the course of 2015 that the volume of cases began to be heard in the Circuit Court and trends began to 
emerge in relation to higher Court awards.

In addition, from August 2014 the introduction of the Recovery of Benefit and Assistance Scheme enables the Department 
of Social Protection to recover some welfare payments from personal injury awards directly from the insurer. The discount 
rate used in valuing personal injury awards was reduced from the traditional 3% to between 1% and 1.5% following the 
Russell vs HSE case in December 2014.

n	 Taken together during the course of 2015 FBD began to see strong trends emerging connected to these factors in relation to 

the level of damages being awarded. Volatility in court awards has led claimants’ expectations to increase as court awards 
in turn influence out of court settlement levels. 

Other risks to claims awards have arisen during 2015:

n	 The introduction of Heads of Bill for Periodic Payment Orders.

n	 On the 27th May 2015 the Heads of Bill for Periodic Payment Orders (PPOs) were published. Submissions were invited before 

the 31st July 2015. The finalised bill has not been published. The proposed introduction of PPOs will bring about the 
effective annuitisation of lump sum awards.

n	 Revision of the Book of Quantum.

120

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201540 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(a)  

GENERAL INSURANCE RISK (CONTINUED)

The Injuries Board are collating data on personal injury awards and settlements from the Insurance Industry, and it is likely  
the revised Book will be published over the next 12 months. The Group experienced a significant increase in motor injury claim 
frequency in 2014 and also began to see a shift in the claimant culture with more claimants a) likely to make an injury claim 
arising out of rear end motor collisions and b) reporting a greater degree of injury than in the past. 

These structural changes have led to a broad slowdown in the settlement of claims. The combination of the above factors 
suggested significant claims inflation was underway in the Irish market.

Reinsurance

The Group purchases reinsurance protection to limit its exposure to single claims and the aggregation of claims from 
catastrophic events. For its motor, employers’ liability and public liability business, the Group has in place excess of loss 
reinsurance treaties and for its property business surplus, quota share and catastrophe reinsurance treaties. The Group’s 
retention on all reinsurance treaties is approved by the Board of Directors on an annual basis. The Group only places 
reinsurance with companies that it believes are strong financially and operationally. Credit exposures to these companies are 
closely managed by senior management. All of the Group’s current reinsurers have either a credit rating of A- or better. The 
Group has assessed these credit ratings and security as being satisfactory in diminishing the Group’s exposure to the credit  
risk of its reinsurance receivables.

(b)  

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT RISK

The Group is committed to managing its capital so as to maximise returns to shareholders. The capital of the Group comprises 
of issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as detailed in notes 23 to 25. The Board of Directors reviews the capital 
structure frequently to determine the appropriate level of capital required to pursue the Group’s growth plans. The Group’s 
overall strategy remains unchanged from 2014.

Following the very significant challenges faced by the Group in 2015, the Group took decisive action to improve its capital 
position. These actions included the following:

n	 On 24 August 2015, the Group announced that it had reached agreement with Farmer Business Developments plc to divest 
its half of the Property & Leisure joint venture for €48.5m. This was approved by shareholders on 23 October 2015, and 
closed immediately afterwards.

n	 On 16 September 2015, the Group announced that it had reached an agreement with Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited 
(“Fairfax”), whereby Fairfax invested €70m in FBD Insurance plc by private placement of a convertible bond instrument. 
This convertible bond (convertible into equity of FBD Holdings plc) was approved by shareholders on 30 December 2015.

n	 The Group reached agreement with its staff in relation to the future of its defined benefit pension scheme. 95% of the active 
members in the scheme chose to leave the scheme in exchange for an enhanced transfer value to a defined contribution 
arrangement. The impact of the change in benefits coupled with the reduced number of members in the scheme has 
resulted in the elimination of the deficit of €54.3m as reported at 31 December 2014. A surplus of €9.1m was recorded at 
year end. The change in scheme benefits, net of the payment of enhanced transfer values has resulted in a credit to the 
income statement of €28.3m.

The Group’s principal subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc, must maintain an adequate regulatory solvency position and must satisfy 
the Central Bank of Ireland that it has done so. The capital position of FBD Insurance plc is reviewed frequently by its Board of 
Directors and is actively managed and monitored through the Capital Management Policy. To provide protection against 
material events or shocks, the Group ensures that its insurance subsidiary holds sufficient capital to maintain significant 
regulatory surpluses.

121

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

40 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(b)  

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT RISK (CONTINUED)

As at 31 December 2015, FBD Insurance plc had admissible assets to cover the required solvency margin of €147,246,000  
(2014: €204,997,000) versus a requirement of €70,374,000 (2014: €59,806,000) as calculated by reference to the European 
Communities (Non-Life Insurance) Framework (Amendment) Regulations 2004. FBD Insurance plc maintained its robust 
capital position and complied with all regulatory solvency margin requirements throughout both the year under review and the 
prior year.

The Solvency II directive introduced a requirement for undertakings to conduct a Forward Looking Assessment of Own Risks 
(“FLAOR”). In advance of this, the Group has updated its risk and capital management processes. The FLAOR is a very important 
process as it provides a comprehensive view and understanding of the risks to which the Company is exposed or could face in 
the future and how they translate into capital needs or alternatively require mitigation actions.

FBD Insurance plc has developed and implemented processes to ensure compliance with all aspects of the new Solvency II 
regime and has conducted tests that show it has sufficient capital to meet the Solvency II Capital Requirement as determined 
under the Solvency II standard formula.

FBD Insurance plc has an investment committee, a pricing committee, an audit committee, a reserving committee and a risk 
committee, all of which assist the Board in the identification and management of exposures and capital.

The Group uses a number of sensitivity based risk-analysis tools as part of its decision making and planning processes to 
understand and manage the volatility of earnings and capital requirements more efficiently. The Group measures key 
performance indicators, including compliance with minimum statutory solvency requirements, under a number of economic 
and operating scenarios so as to identify and quantify the risks to which the business and its capital are exposed.

In preparation for the Board’s annual review of the internal control system, senior management carry out a self assessment,  
in compliance with the Irish Stock Exchange Listing Rules as well as the U.K. Corporate Governance Code, of the significant 
risks, including capital risks, facing the organisation and the controls in place to mitigate or manage such exposures.

The Group regularly benchmarks each of its operating businesses relative to its peers. In this process the Group focuses on its 
capital requirement and efficiency as well as profitability, cost structures and market position.

The Group also devotes considerable resources to managing its relationships with the providers of capital within the capital 
markets, for example, existing and potential shareholders, financial institutions, stockbrokers, corporate finance houses, etc.

(c)  

OPERATIONAL RISK

Operational risk could arise as a result of inadequate or failed internal processes, or from personnel or systems or from external 
events.

This definition is intended to include all risks to which the Group is exposed and that are not considered elsewhere. Hence, 
operational risks include for example, information technology, information security, human resources, project management, 
outsourcing, taxation, legal, fraud and regulatory risks.

FBD Insurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and must ensure that it conducts its business in accordance with 
regulatory requirements at all times. FBD Insurance plc has no appetite for confirmed and quantified breaches of compliance 
with regulatory requirements and has established a compliance control group who provide assurance to the Board that 
compliance controls are operating effectively in the Company.

122

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201540 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(c)  

OPERATIONAL RISK (CONTINUED)

In accordance with Group policies, business unit management has primary responsibility for the effective identification, 
management, monitoring and reporting of risks. There is an annual review by executive management of all major risks. The 
Audit Committee review executive management’s risk assessment to ensure that all risks are identified and evaluated. Each 
operational risk is assessed by considering the potential impact and the probability of the event occurring. Impact assessments 
are made against financial, operational and reputational criteria.

The Group is dependent upon the quality, ability and commitment of key personnel in order to sustain, develop and grow its 
business. There can be no assurance that the Group will be able to retain all of its key employees. The success of the Group will 
depend upon its ability to retain, attract, motivate and develop key personnel.

The Group has taken significant steps to minimise the impact of business interruption that could result from a major external 
event. A formal disaster recovery plan is in place for both workspace recovery and retrieval of communications, IT systems and 
data. If a major event occurs, these procedures will enable the Group to move the affected operations to alternative facilities 
within very short periods of time. The disaster recovery plan is tested regularly and includes disaster simulation tests. In the 
event of a loss of staff, for example as a result of a pandemic, a plan is in place to re-assign key responsibilities and transfer 
resources to ensure key business functions can continue to operate. 2016 will see the implementation of a new policy 
administration system in FBD Insurance plc.

(d)  

LIQUIDITY RISK

The Group is exposed to daily calls on its cash resources, mainly for claims payments. The Group manages liquidity risk by 
continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and ensuring that the maturity profile of its financial assets is shorter 
than or equal to the maturity profile of its liabilities and maintaining a minimum amount available on term deposit at all times.

The following tables provide an analysis of assets and liabilities into their relevant maturity groups based on the remaining 
period to contractual maturity. The contracted value below is the undiscounted cash flow.

Assets – 2015

Financial assets

Reinsurance assets

Loans and receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Carrying 
value
total
€000s

904,408

80,083

60,338

22,244

Contracted
Value
€000s

932,281

80,083

60,338

22,244

Total

1,067,073

1,094,946

Liabilities – 2015

Insurance contract liabilities

Payables

Other provision

Convertible debt

Total

926,728

54,054

10,938

50,036

926,728

54,054

10,938

119,000

1,041,756

1,110,720

362,206

Cashflow
within
1 year
€000s

409,153

28,494

59,672

22,244

519,563

292,311

54,054

10,938

4,900

Cashflow
1-5 years
€000s

364,312

41,231

666

-

Cashflow
after
5 years
€000s

158,816

10,358

-

-

406,209

169,174

520,197

114,220

-

-

19,600

539,797

-

-

94,500

208,720

123

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

40 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(d)  

LIQUIDITY RISK (CONTINUED)

Carrying 
value
total
€000s

764,747

57,310

59,922

26,190

908,169

773,633

7,920

37,140

818,693

Contracted
Value
€000s

778,332

57,310

59,922

26,190

921,754

773,633

7,920

37,140

818,693

Cashflow
within
1 year
€000s

454,145

24,876

59,215

26,190

564,426

215,640

7,920

37,140

260,700

Cashflow
1-5 years
€000s

291,160

27,502

707

-

Cashflow
after
5 years
€000s

33,027

4,932

-

-

319,369

37,959

447,299

110,694

-

-

-

-

447,299

110,694

Assets – 2014

Financial assets

Reinsurance assets

Loans and receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

Liabilities – 2014 – restated

Insurance contract liabilities 
– restated

Other provision

Payables

Total

(e)  

MARKET RISK

The Group has invested in quoted debt securities, investment property and quoted and unquoted shares. These investments 
are subject to market risk, whereby the value of the investments may fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices, changes 
in market interest rates or changes in the foreign exchange rates of the currency in which the investments are denominated. 
The extent of the exposure to market risk is managed by the formulation of, and adherence to, an investment policy 
incorporating clearly defined investment limits and guidelines, as approved annually by the Board of Directors and employment 
of appropriately qualified and experienced personnel to manage the Group’s investment portfolio. The overriding philosophy of 
the investment policy is to protect and safeguard the Group’s assets and to ensure its capacity to underwrite is not put at risk.

124

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201540 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(e)  

MARKET RISK (CONTINUED)

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk arises primarily from the Group’s investments in quoted debt securities and deposits. The level of exposure  
to interest rate risk from trading is reviewed regularly to ensure it is appropriate. Factors taken into consideration are yield, 
volatility and historical returns.

At 31 December 2015, the Group held the following deposits and quoted and unquoted debt securities:

2015

2014

Weighted
average
interest
rate
%

0.77

4.93

1.75

1.47

1.84

2.17

Market
value
€000s

394,495

117,167

61,469

78,958

92,897

159,422

904,408

Weighted
average
interest
rate
%

0.86

2.09

4.03

2.08

1.53

2.04

Market
value
€000s

442,826

165,287

77,233

17,619

27,722

34,060

764,747

Time to maturity

In one year or less

In more than one year, but not more than two years

In more than two years, but not more than three years

In more than three years, but not more than four years

In more than four years, but not more than five years

More than five years

Total

Equity price risk

The Group is subject to equity price risk due to daily changes in the market values of its holdings of quoted shares. Equity price 
risk is actively managed using the framework set out in the Group’s investment policy which is approved annually by the Board 
of Directors. The Group places limits on the type of shares held, liquidity of shares, size of share-holding and exposure to any 
one sector. In addition, local asset admissibility solvency regulations require the Group to hold a diversified portfolio of assets, 
thereby reducing exposure to individual sectors. The amounts exposed to equity price risk are set out in note 18(a).

Foreign currency risk

The Group holds investment assets and equities in foreign currencies and therefore is exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. 
The impact of exchange rate fluctuations are monitored regularly. The Group is primarily exposed to Sterling and US dollars.

125

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

40 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(e)  

MARKET RISK (CONTINUED)

The Group did not hold any derivative instruments at 31 December 2015 or 31 December 2014.

The carrying amount of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets at the reporting date is as follows:

GBP

USD

Other

(f)  

CREDIT RISK

2015
€000s

5,771

4,500

1,580

2014
€000s

7,595

4,515

3,549

Credit risk is the risk of loss in the value of financial assets due to counterparties failing to meet all or part of their obligations.

Financial assets are graded according to current credit ratings issued. AAA is the highest possible rating. Investment grade 
financial assets are classified within the range of AAA to BBB ratings. Financial assets which fall outside this range are classified 
as speculative grade. All of the Group’s bank deposits are either with financial institutions which have a minimum A- rating or 
have a sovereign guarantee. Quoted debt securities comprise €44,082,000 government bonds (2014: €45,808,000) with 
investment grade. Available for sale investments comprise €488,993,000 (2014: 224,029,000) of listed corporate bonds  
with an average duration of 3 years and carry an average rating of A or have a government guarantee and a number of small 
investments many of which are unrated. The total exposure the Group has in relation to of these unrated investments is 
€844,000 (2014: €948,000).

All of the Group’s current reinsurers either have a credit rating of A- or better. The Group has assessed these credit ratings and 
security as being satisfactory in diminishing the Group’s exposure to the credit risk of its reinsurance receivables. The maximum 
balance owed to the Group by an individual reinsurer at 31 December 2015 was € 203,000 (2014: €308,000).

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the Financial Statements, net of any allowances for losses, represents the 
Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk. There are no financial assets past due but not impaired.

Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations are considered by the Directors to have low credit risk and therefore  
no provision for bad or doubtful debts has been made. All other receivables are due within one year and none are past due.

(g)  

CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risk is the risk of loss due to overdependence on a singular entity or category of business. The only concentration 
risks to which the Group is exposed are as follows:

n	 Listed corporate bonds carry an average credit rating of A with 9% of the listed corporate bonds being invested in bonds 

with a rating of BBB+. The average duration of the fund is 2 years. Given the ratings, spread of investments and the duration 
of the listed corporate bond fund, the Group deems any concentration risk to be acceptable.

n	 All of the underwriting business is conducted in Ireland over a wide geographical spread with no concentration in any 

county or region. The resultant concentration risk from adverse weather events, i.e. floods, storms or freezes in Ireland,  
are mitigated by a flood mapping solution and an appropriate reinsurance strategy as outlined in note 40(a).

Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations are a low credit risk and there is no significant concentration of risk.  
There is no significant concentration of risk in other receivables.

126

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201540 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(h)  

MACRO-ECONOMIC RISK

Economic downturn

Fluctuations in demand or supply of insurance and any downturn in any of the markets in which the Group operates may have 
an adverse effect on the demand for its products and therefore could affect its overall financial condition. A deterioration or 
delay in economic recovery represents a material risk to the operating performance and financial position of the Group.

Increasing competition

The Group faces significant competition. Actions by existing competitors or new entrants may place pressure on the Group’s 
margins and profitability. In response to a changing competitive environment or the actions of competitors, the Group may from 
time to time make certain pricing, service or marketing decisions that could have a material effect on the revenues and results 
of their operations.

Changing market trends

The Group is exposed to changes in consumer trends. Although demand for insurance cover is expected to remain broadly 
stable, consumers’ purchasing patterns tend to change over time and especially when the economy is weak. To the extent that 
there is a negative shift in consumption, such changes in consumer demand may have materially adverse effects on the Group’s 
financial position.

The Group operates in competitive markets. Success is dependent on anticipating changes in consumer preferences and on 
successful new product development and product launches in response to such changes in consumer behaviour. The Group 
invests in research and development to introduce new products and to position itself well in its chosen markets. The Group’s 
future results will depend on its ability to successfully identify, develop, market and sell new or improved products in these 
changing markets.

The success of the Group depends on its ability to react to changing trends with appropriate innovation to drive growth and 
performance. Failure to do so may result in material adverse effects on the operational performance and financial position of 
the Group.

Taxation risk

If taxation laws were to be amended in the jurisdiction in which the Group operates this could have an adverse effect on its 
results. The Group continually takes the advice of external experts to help minimise this risk. Changes in taxation could 
decrease the post-taxation returns to shareholders.

Sensitivity analysis

The table below identifies the Group’s key sensitivity factors. For each sensitivity test the impact of a change in a single factor  
is shown, with other assumptions left unchanged.

Sensitivity factor

Description of sensitivity factor applied

Interest rate and investment return The impact of a change in the market interest rate by an increase of 1% or a decrease of 
0.25%. For example if a current interest rate is 2%, the impact of an immediate change  
to 3% and 1.75%.

Exchange rates movement

The impact of a change in foreign exchange rates by ± 10%.

Equity market values

The impact of a change in equity market values by ±10%.

Available for sale investments

The impact of a change in corporate bond market values by ±5%.

Property market values

The impact of a change in property market values by ±10%.

Net loss ratios 

The impact of an increase in underwriting net loss ratios by 5%.

127

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

40 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(h)  

MACRO-ECONOMIC RISK (CONTINUED)

The pre-taxation impacts on profit and shareholders’ equity at 31 December 2015 and at 31 December 2014 of each of the 
sensitivity factors outlined overleaf are as follows:

Interest rates

Interest rates

FX rates

FX rates

Equity

Equity

Available for sale investments

Available for sale investments

Investment property 

Investment property

Net loss ratio

2015
€000s

4,878

(1,220)

1,185

(1,185)

2,567

(2,567)

22,492

(22,492)

1,455

(1,455)

(15,658)

1.0%

(0.25%)

10%

(10%)

10%

(10%)

5%

(5%)

10%

(10%)

5%

2014
€000s

5,048

(1,262)

1,566

(1,566)

4,611

(4,611)

11,249

(11,249)

1,996

(1,996)

(15,172)

The sensitivity of changes in the assumptions used to calculate general insurance liabilities are set out in the table below:

31 December 2015

Injury claims IBNR

Other claims IBNR

Legal fees revert to pre PIAB levels

31 December 2014

Injury claims IBNR

Other claims IBNR

Legal fees revert to pre PIAB levels

Change in
assumptions

+10%

+10%

+10%

+10%

Increase
in gross
technical
reserves
€000s

Increase
in net
technical
reserves
€000s

Impact on
profit
before
taxation
€000s

Reduction
in
 shareholders’
equity
€000s

3,594

1,038

8,597

2,495

675

9,080

3,561

864

7,737

1,936

463

8,172

(3,561)

(864)

(7,737)

(1,936)

(463)

(8,172)

3,116

756

6,770

1,694

405

7,151

128

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 201540 

RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(h)  

MACRO-ECONOMIC RISK (CONTINUED)

Limitations of sensitivity analysis

The tables overleaf demonstrate the effect of a change in a key assumption while other assumptions remain unchanged. In 
reality, there is a correlation between the assumptions and other factors. It should also be noted that these sensitivities are 
non-linear, and larger or smaller impacts should not be interpolated or extrapolated from these results. The sensitivity analysis 
does not take into consideration that the Group’s assets and liabilities are actively managed. Additionally, the financial position 
of the Group may vary at the time that any actual market movement occurs.

Other limitations in the above sensitivity analysis include the use of hypothetical market movements to demonstrate potential 
risk. They represent the Group’s view of possible near-term market changes that cannot be predicted with any certainty and 
assume that all interest rates move in an identical fashion.

41 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

There have been no subsequent events which would have a material impact on the Financial Statements.

129

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
FBD Holdings plc

FBD House 
Bluebell 
Dublin 12 
Ireland 

T:  +353 1 409 3200 
F: +353 1 455 4303 
www.fbdgroup.com

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN IN RELATION TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

31 March 2016

Dear Shareholder,

The Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company, which will be held at 11.00 a.m. on 29 April 2016 in the Irish Farm Centre,  
Old Naas Road, Bluebell, Dublin 12, follows this letter.

I want to set out in this letter details of the business to come before the meeting.

ORDINARY BUSINESS (RESOLUTIONS 1 TO 4)

Resolution 1 deals with the consideration of the Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Resolution 2 deals with the approval of the Report on Directors’ Remuneration. This Report is set out on pages 38 to 46 of the Annual 
Report and it has been the practice of the Board since 2010 to put the Report on Directors’ Remuneration to a shareholder vote. 
Shareholders should note that there is no legal obligation on the Company to put such a resolution to Shareholders. While it is therefore 
an “advisory” resolution and not binding on the Company, the Board recognises that the tabling of such a resolution is best practice in 
this area and is an acknowledgement of Shareholders’ rights to have a “say on pay”.

Resolution 3 deals with the proposed re-election of all of the Directors who are going forward for re-election. The Board has adopted 
the practice that all Directors continuing in office will submit themselves for re-election at each Annual General Meeting. This was done 
for the first time in 2011. Biographies of all the Directors proposed for re-election are set out on pages 27 to 28 of the Annual Report in 
the Corporate Governance Section. A formal evaluation of the performance of each of the Directors has been undertaken. I can confirm 
that each of the Directors continues to perform effectively and demonstrates commitment to the role.

Mr. Walter Bogaerts was appointed as a Director on 26 February 2016. He is proposed for re-election at the Annual General Meeting.  
Mr. Bogaerts was appointed as an independent non-executive Director of FBD Insurance plc in January 2013 and is chairman of its risk 
committee and a member of both its audit and remuneration committees.

Mr. Bogaerts is the holder of a Masters Commercial Engineer Degree from the Economic University of Brussels. He worked for the KBC 
Insurance Group in Belgium for 34 years. He retired from a senior executive role in 2013 having served in a variety of roles during his 
career in underwriting, reinsurance, sales and general management. Between 2006 and 2012, Mr. Bogaerts was a member of the 
supervisory board of KBC’s central European insurance business.

Resolution 4 is a standard resolution which authorises the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditors. During the year ended  
31 December 2015 the Audit Committee put the provision of independent audit services out to tender and supervised the tender 
process. As a result of a recommendation from the Audit Committee, the Board appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to the role.  
The purpose of resolution 4 is to authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration for the year ending 31 December 2016.

Registered in Ireland, Registration Number: 135882

Registered Office: FBD House, Bluebell, Dublin 12, Ireland.

Directors: M Berkery (Chairman), W Bogaerts, E Daly, S Dorgan, E Downey, L Herlihy, B Horan, F Muldoon (Group Chief Executive), R O’Flynn, P Walshe

130

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
SPECIAL BUSINESS (RESOLUTIONS 5 TO 10)

Resolution 5 will be proposed as a Special Resolution to renew the Directors’ authority, usually sought every year, to issue shares for 
cash other than strictly pro-rata to existing shareholdings. The proposed authority is limited to the allotment of shares in specific 
circumstances relating to rights issues and other issues up to an aggregate nominal value of €1,063,836 (representing approximately  
5% of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital at the date of this letter).

The Board will only exercise this authority if it considers it to be in the best interests of Shareholders generally at that time.  
This authority will, if renewed, expire on the earlier of the date of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or 29 July 2017.

Resolution 6 will be proposed as a Special Resolution to renew the authority, usually sought every year, for the Company, or any 
subsidiary of the Company, to make market purchases of the Company’s ordinary shares up to 10% of the aggregate nominal value of 
the Company’s total issued share capital. The text of the resolution sets out the minimum and maximum prices which may be paid for 
ordinary shares purchased in this manner.

The total number of conditional awards over ordinary shares in the Company outstanding on 31 March 2016 is 386,943 representing 
0.98% of the total issued share capital. If the Directors were to exercise the authority being renewed by this resolution up to the 
maximum allowed and to cancel such shares and all other shares held in treasury, these conditional awards would represent 1.12%  
of the total issued share capital.

The Board will only exercise this authority if it considers it to be in the best interests of Shareholders generally at that time.  
This authority will, if renewed, expire on the earlier of the date of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or 29 July 2017.

Resolution 7 will be proposed as a Special Resolution to set the price ranges at which the Company may re-issue treasury shares 
off-market.

The Board will only exercise this authority if it considers it to be in the best interests of Shareholders generally at that time.  
This authority will, if renewed, expire on the earlier of the date of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or 29 July 2017.

Resolution 8 will be proposed as a Special Resolution to maintain the existing authority in the Company’s Articles of Association which 
permits the convening of an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company on 14 days’ notice where the purpose of the meeting is to 
consider an Ordinary Resolution only.

The Board will only exercise this authority if it considers it to be in the best interests of Shareholders generally at that time.

Resolution 9 is being proposed as a Special Resolution to make minor amendments to paragraphs 2 and 3(iii) of the Memorandum of 
Association so as to update the statutory references in these Clauses for consistency with the new Companies Act 2014 and to delete 
the word ‘The’ and the inverted commas in paragraph 5 which were included in error.

131

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Resolution 10 is being proposed as a Special Resolution. Under this resolution, it is proposed to make the following amendments to the 
Articles of Association:

COMPANIES ACT 2014 AMENDMENTS

(a)  Articles 1, 2(g), 3, 8, 29, 30, 52, 100 and 108 contain references to sections in the previous Irish Companies Acts. This resolution will 
amend these statutory references in order to ensure that they refer to the corresponding provisions in the Companies Act 2014.

(b)  The Companies Act 2014 adopts a new approach with respect to the articles of association of all companies. Instead of making 

provision for an optional, model set of articles of association as was provided under Table A of the First Schedule to the Companies 
Act 1963 (“Table A”), the Companies Act 2014 now contains specific statutory provisions that apply to all companies unless the 
company’s articles of association specifically exclude them. As those provisions deal with matters that are already dealt with in the 
Company’s existing Articles of Association (which also disapply the model set of articles of association provided in Table A), it is 
proposed that a new provision will be included in the opening clause of the revised Articles of Association to disapply those optional 
sections of the Companies Act 2014. As Table A is no longer relevant, its disapplication in Article 1 is no longer necessary. A 
summary of each of the provisions which are being specifically excluded by the new Article 1 is set out below:

(i) 

(ii) 

Section 43(2) deals with use of a company’s seal. This section is being disapplied as provision for use of the Company’s seal is 
made in Articles 100 to 101;

Sections 65(2) to (7) deal with the power of a company to convert shares into stock and to reconvert stock into shares. These 
sections are being disapplied as the matter is already provided for in Articles 39 to 42;

(iii)  Sections 77 to 81 deal with the making of calls in respect of unpaid amounts due on shares issued by a company. These 

sections are being disapplied as the matter is already provided for in Articles 18 to 24;

(iv)  Section 95(1)(a) is being disapplied as the Directors’ discretion to decline a transfer of shares is dealt with more restrictively in 

Article 31;

(v) 

Section 95(2)(a) is being disapplied as Article 34 provides that no fee shall be charged for the registration of any instrument of 
transfer or other document relating to or affecting the title to any share;

(vi)  Sections 96(2) to (11) deal with the transmission of shares in a company. These sections are being disapplied as the matter is 

already provided for in Articles 36 to 38;

(vii)  Sections 124 and 125 deal with the declaration and payment of dividends by a company. These sections are being disapplied 

as the relevant subject matter is already provided for in Articles 102 to 111;

(viii)  Sections 144(3) and 144(4) deal with the appointment of directors of a company. These sections are being disapplied as the 

matter is already provided for in Articles 81 to 84;

(ix)  Section 148(2) deals with how the office of a director of a company may be vacated early. This section is being disapplied as 

the matter is already provided for in Article 85;

(x) 

Section 158(3) deals with the borrowing powers of the directors of a company. This section is being disapplied as the matter is 
already provided for in Article 80;

(xi)  Sections 159 to 165 deal with the appointment of a managing director, the establishment of board committees, matters 

relating to board procedure and the appointment of alternate directors. These sections are being disapplied as these matters 
are already provided for in Articles 87 to 97;

(xii)  Section 181(1) is being disapplied as the notice period for calling general meetings is already provided for by Article 50;

132

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015(xiii)  Section 182(2) and (5) deal with the quorum required for a meeting of the Company. These sections are being disapplied as 

the matter is already covered by Article 51;

(xiv)  Section 183(3) is being disapplied as otherwise it would prohibit the appointment of multiple proxies, which is permitted by 

the new language in Article 66;

(xv)  Section 187 deals with the conduct of general meetings of a company. This section is being disapplied as the matter is already 

provided for in Articles 51 to 70;

(xvi)  Section 188 deals with voting at general meetings of a company. This section is being disapplied as the matter is already 

provided for in Articles 60 to 66;

(xvii)  Sections 218(3), (4) and (5) deal with the service of notice on members of a company. These sections are being disapplied as 

detailed provision in this regard is made in respect of the Company by Articles 115 to 122;

(xviii) Sections 229, 230 and 1113 deal with the interests of directors of a company. These sections are being disapplied as the matter 

is already provided for in Articles 88 to 90;

(xix)  Sections 338(5) and 338(6) deal with the delivery of the financial statements of the company. These sections are being 

disapplied as delivery methods are already dealt with in Article 116;

(xx)  Section 618(1)(b) deals with the distribution of property on a winding up of a company. This section is being disapplied as the 

matter is already provided for in Articles 123 and 124;

(xxi)  Section 1090 deals with the rotation of directors of a company. This section is being disapplied as the matter is already 

provided for in Article 81; and

(xxii)  Section 1092 deals with the remuneration of the directors of a company. This section is being disapplied as the matter is 

already provided for in Articles 72 to 74 and Articles 78 and 87.

(c)  The definition of “Auditors” in Article 1(b) is being amended to include the word “statutory” (which is consistent with the Companies 

Act 2014).

(d)  In various places in the Articles of Association, references to “stock exchange nominee” are being deleted as this term is no longer 

in use following the repeal of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1977.

(e)  In various places in the Articles of Association, the expression “undenominated capital” is being inserted as this expression is now 
used in the Companies Act 2014 to refer to that part of a company’s issued share capital that is not represented by the nominal 
value paid up on issued shares.

(f)  In various places in the Articles of Association, the expression “statutory financial statements” is being inserted as this expression is 
now used in the Companies Act 2014 and replaces the term “accounts” – the new expression includes a balance sheet, a profit and 
loss account and other statements and notes.

(g)  Chapter 2 of Part 6 of the Companies Act 2014 uses new terminology and introduces some new provisions with regard to accounting 
records including the ability to send summary financial statements in lieu of the full statutory financial statements. It is proposed to 
include a new Article 47(b) to provide that the Company may send summary financial statements provided that, where the 
Directors elect to do so, any shareholder may request a full copy of the financial statements of the Company to be sent to him or 
her.

(h)  Section 186(3) of the Companies Act 2014 provides that a member can only appoint one proxy. In addition to disapplying Section 

186(3), Article 66 is amended to clarify that members may appoint more than one proxy.

133

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015(i)  Section 228(1)(d) is an entirely new restriction regarding the use of company property by directors. A new Article 74(b) is therefore 
being adopted in order to ensure that Directors can continue to use Company property, subject to such conditions as may be 
approved or delegated by the Board.

(j)  Sections 228(1)(e) and 228(2) are entirely new. It is proposed therefore to include a new Article 88(c) in order to make it clear that 
Section 228(1)(e) will not restrict anything that may be done by any Director in accordance with the authorisation of the Board or a 
Board committee.

(k)  Article 120 is being amended to provide that the company secretary (together with any other person entitled to receive notice 
under the Companies Act 2014) is entitled to receive notice of general meetings as provided for under Section 180(1)(d) of the 
Companies Act 2014.

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENTS

(l)  A number of additional “housekeeping” changes are provided for in the revised Articles of Association, including:

(i) 

Articles 8(b) and (c) are deleted to eliminate any confusion between these provisions and the resolutions of the Company 
pursuant to which the Directors have been granted authority to allot shares and to disapply pre-emption rights (the Directors’ 
current authority is derived from to the resolutions passed at the EGM of the Company on 30 December 2015 and, if approved, 
Resolution 5 as proposed at this AGM);

(ii)  Reference to a ‘printed’ copy of the statutory financial statements together with directors’ and auditors’ reports in Article 47 is 
deleted to remove any ambiguity in relation to the service of documents electronically by the Company as permitted by 
Article 116;

(iii) 

the reference at the beginning of Article 95 to ‘any appointment to the office of Chairman made pursuant to these Articles’ is 
being deleted to eliminate any confusion as Article 95 contains the only provision in the Articles for appointing the Chairman 
of the Board;

(iv) 

references to Article 120 (contained Article 1(b) and Article 116(iv)) were incorrect and have been amended to refer to Article 
122; and

(v) 

references to Article 57 (contained in Article 118) were incorrect and have been amended to refer to Article 64.

AMENDMENT TO DIRECTOR RETIREMENT AGE

(m) It is proposed to amend sub-clause (d) of Article 81 by the deletion of the words “as and from 1st January 2000” and the 

amendment of reference to a director’s 65th birthday to 70th birthday.

The effect of this proposed amendment is to provide for the compulsory retirement of directors no later than the date of the AGM 
following their 70th birthday and to remove the existing carve out relation to directors appointed before 1 January 2000. This 
represents a change from the existing provision which provides for compulsory retirement of all directors appointed to the Board of 
Directors after 1 January 2000 no later than the AGM following their 65th birthday. This resolution is being proposed in order to 
enable the Board to benefit from the wealth of experience directors can continue to bring and in recognition of the change in work 
practices since the existing limitation was introduced in 2000.

134

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
FORM OF PROXY

Those shareholders unable to attend the Meeting may appoint a proxy. The appointment may be submitted by post by completing the 
enclosed Form of Proxy and returning it to the Company’s Registrar, Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited, PO Box 954, 
Heron House, Corrig Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18, Ireland. Your Form of Proxy may also be submitted through the 
internet. Instructions on how to do this are set out on the Form of Proxy. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies  
via the CREST electronic proxy appointment service should refer to footnote 5 on page 8 of that document.

All Proxy votes must be received by the Company’s Registrar not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the Meeting.  
The submission of a Form of Proxy will not prevent you attending and voting at the Meeting should you wish to do so.

RECOMMENDATION

The Directors are satisfied that the resolutions set out in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting are in the best interests 
of the Company and its Shareholders. Accordingly the Directors unanimously recommend that you vote in favour of each of 
the resolutions set out in the Notice of Annual General Meeting, as they intend to do in respect of all of the ordinary shares 
which they own or control in the capital of the Company.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Berkery 
Chairman

135

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015Notice of Annual General Meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held in the Irish Farm Centre, Old Naas Road, 
Bluebell, Dublin 12, Ireland on Friday 29 April 2016, at 11 a.m. for the following purposes:

AS ORDINARY BUSINESS

1 

2 

To receive and consider the Report of the Directors and the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.

To approve the Report on Directors’ Remuneration appearing in the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 
(Advisory Resolution).

3 

To re-appoint the following persons as Directors of the Company:

(a)  Michael Berkery

(b)  Sean Dorgan

(c) 

Liam Herlihy

(d)  Fiona Muldoon

(e)  Padraig Walshe

(f)  Walter Bogaerts

4  To authorise the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditors.

AS SPECIAL BUSINESS

5 

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Special Resolution:

“That the Directors be and they are hereby empowered pursuant to Section 1023 of the Companies Act 2014 to allot equity 
securities (within the meaning of Section 1023 of the said Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred on them by the ordinary 
resolution of the Company passed on 30 December 2015 as if sub-section (1) of Section 1022 of the said Act did not apply to any 
such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities up to but not exceeding an aggregate 
nominal amount of €1,063,836 and shall expire at the close of business on the earlier of the date of the next Annual General Meeting 
of the Company in 2017 or the date 15 months from the date of the passing of this resolution, and provided that the Company may 
before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and 
the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power hereby conferred had not expired.”

6  To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Special Resolution:

“That the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries (as defined by Section 7 of the Companies Act 2014) be and are hereby generally 
authorised to make market purchases (as defined in Section 1072 of the Companies Act 2014) of shares of any class of the Company 
(“the Shares”) on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Directors may from time to time determine but subject, 
however, to the provisions of the Companies Act 2014, the Articles of Association of the Company and to the following restrictions 
and provisions:

(a) 

the aggregate nominal value of the Shares authorised to be acquired pursuant to the terms of this resolution shall not exceed 
10 per cent of the aggregate nominal value of the issued share capital of the Company as at the close of business on the date 
of the passing of this resolution;

(b) 

the minimum price which may be paid for any Share shall be the nominal value of the Share;

136

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
(c) 

the maximum price which may be paid for any Share (a “Relevant Share”) shall be an amount equal to 105 per cent of the 
average of the five amounts resulting from determining whichever of the following ((i), (ii) or (iii) specified below) in relation  
to the Shares of the same class as the Relevant Share shall be appropriate for each of the five consecutive business days 
immediately preceding the day on which the Relevant Share is purchased, as determined from the information published  
in the Irish Stock Exchange Daily Official List reporting the business done on each of those five business days;

(i) 

if there shall be more than one dealing reported for the day, the average of the prices at which such dealings took place; 
or

(ii) 

if there shall be only one dealing reported for the day, the price at which such dealing took place; or

(iii) 

if there shall not be any dealing reported for the day, the average of the closing bid and offer prices for the day

and if there shall be only a bid (but not an offer) or an offer (but not a bid) price reported, or if there shall not be any bid or 
offer price reported, for any particular day then that day shall not count as one of the said business days for the purposes of 
determining the maximum price. If the means of providing the foregoing information as to dealings and prices by reference to 
which the maximum price is to be determined is altered or is replaced by some other means, then a maximum price shall be 
determined on the basis of the equivalent information published by the relevant authority in relation to dealings on the Irish 
Stock Exchange or its equivalent.

The authority hereby conferred will expire at the close of business on the date of the next Annual General Meeting of the 
Company or the date which is fifteen months after the date on which this resolution is passed or deemed to have been passed 
whichever is the earlier, unless previously varied, revoked or renewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1074 of the 
Companies Act 2014. The Company or any such subsidiary may before such expiry enter into a contract for the purchase of 
Shares which would or might be wholly or partly executed after such expiry and may complete any such contract as if the 
authority conferred hereby had not expired.”

7 

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Special Resolution:

“That for the purposes of Section 1078 of the Companies Act 2014 the re-issue price range at which any treasury shares (as defined 
by the said Companies Act 2014) for the time being held by the Company may be re-issued off-market shall be as follows:

(a) 

the maximum price shall be an amount equal to 120 per cent of the Appropriate Price as defined in paragraph (c); and

(b) 

subject to paragraph (c) hereof, the minimum price shall be:

(i) 

(ii) 

in the case of an Option Scheme (as defined in paragraph (d) below), an amount equal to the option price as provided 
for in such Option Scheme; or

in all other cases and circumstances where treasury shares are re-issued off-market, an amount equal to 95% of the 
Appropriate Price (as defined in paragraph (c)); and

(c) 

“Appropriate Price” means the average of the five amounts resulting from determining whichever of the following ((i), (ii) or 
(iii) specified below) in relation to shares of the class of which such treasury shares to be re-issued shall be appropriate in 
respect of each of the five business days immediately preceding the day on which the treasury share is re-issued, as 
determined from information published in the Irish Stock Exchange Daily Official List reporting the business done on each of 
those five business days;

(i) 

if there shall be more than one dealing reported for the day, the average of the prices at which such dealings took place; 
or

(ii) 

if there shall be only one dealing reported for the day, the price at which such dealing took place; or

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FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

(iii) 

if there shall not be any dealing reported for the day, the average of the closing bid and offer prices for the day

and if there shall be only a bid (but not an offer) or an offer (but not a bid) price reported, or if there shall not be any bid 
or offer price reported for any particular day, then that day shall not count as one of the said business days for the 
purposes of determining the Appropriate Price. If the means of providing the foregoing information as to dealings and 
prices by reference to which the Appropriate Price is to be determined is altered or is replaced by some other means, 
then the Appropriate Price shall be determined on the basis of the equivalent information published by the relevant 
authority in relation to dealings on the Irish Stock Exchange or its equivalent; and

(d) 

“Option Scheme” means any scheme or plan which involves either the issue of options to acquire ordinary shares in the 
Company or the conditional award of ordinary shares in the Company which has been approved by the Company’s 
shareholders in General Meeting.

The authority hereby conferred shall expire at the close of business on the date of the next Annual General Meeting of the 
Company, or the date which is fifteen months after the date on which this resolution is passed or deemed to have been 
passed whichever is the earlier, unless previously varied or renewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1078 of the 
Companies Act 2014.”

8  To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Special Resolution:

“That it is hereby resolved, in accordance with Section 1102 of the Companies Act 2014, the Directors be and they are hereby 
authorised to call a General Meeting, other than an Annual General Meeting or a meeting for the passing of a special resolution, on 
not less than 14 days’ notice and accordingly that the provision in Article 50(a) of the Company’s Articles of Association shall 
continue to be effective.”

9  To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Special Resolution:

“That the wording in the Memorandum of Association of the Company be updated as follows:

(a)  by the deletion in paragraph 2 of the words “The Company is to be a public limited company” and the substitution therefore of 

the words “The Company is a public limited company for the purposes of Part 17 of the Companies Act 2014”;

(b) 

in paragraph 3(iii), by the deletion of the words “Section 155, Companies Act, 1963” and the substitution therefore of the words 
“the Companies Act 2014”; and

(c) 

in paragraph 5, by the deletion of the word ‘The’ and the use of inverted commas.”

10  To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Special Resolution:

“That the Articles of Association produced to the meeting (a copy of which regulations are signed by the Chairman for identification 
purposes) be adopted as the new Articles of Association of the Company in substitution for and to the exclusion of the existing 
Articles of Association of the Company.”

By order of the Board

Conor Gouldson 
Company Secretary

FBD House, Bluebell, Dublin 12, Ireland

31 March 2016

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FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
Information for Shareholders Pursuant  
to the Shareholders’ Rights Directive

The following information is provided to Shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the Shareholders’ Rights  
(Directive 2007/36/EC) Regulations 2009:

1.  Conditions for Participating in the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)

Every shareholder, irrespective of how many FBD Holdings plc shares he/she holds, has the right to attend, speak, ask questions 
and vote at the AGM. Completion of a form of proxy will not affect your right to attend, speak, ask questions and/or vote at the 
meeting in person. The right to participate in the AGM is subject to the registration of the shares prior to the record date for the 
meeting (the “Record Date”) – see note 3 following.

2.  Appointment of Proxy

If you cannot attend the AGM in person, you may appoint a proxy (or proxies) to attend, speak, ask questions and vote on your 
behalf. For this purpose a Form of Proxy has been sent to all registered shareholders. A proxy need not be a member of the 
Company. You may appoint the Chairman of the Company or another individual as your proxy. You may appoint a proxy by 
completing the Form of Proxy, making sure to sign and date the form at the bottom and return it in the pre-paid envelope provided 
to the Company’s Registrar, Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited, P.O. Box 954, Heron House, Corrig Road, Sandyford 
Industrial Estate, Dublin 18, Ireland to be received no later than 11 a.m. on 27 April 2016. If you are appointing someone other than 
the Chairman as your proxy, then you must fill in the details of that person in the box located underneath the wording “I/We hereby 
appoint the Chairman of the Meeting OR the following person” on the Form of Proxy.

Alternatively, you may appoint a proxy via CREST, if you hold your shares in CREST, or you may do so electronically, by visiting the 
website of the Company’s Registrar at www.eproxyappointment.com. You will need your shareholder reference number, control 
number and your PIN number, which can be found on the Form of Proxy.

To appoint one or more proxies or to give an instruction to a proxy (whether previously appointed or otherwise) via the CREST 
system, CREST messages must be received by the issuer’s agent (ID number 3RA50) not later than 11 a.m. on 27 April 2016. For this 
purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp generated by the CREST system) from 
which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message. The Company may treat as invalid a proxy appointment sent by CREST in 
the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Companies Act, 1990 (Uncertificated Securities) Regulations 1996.

If you appoint the Chairman or another person as a proxy to vote on your behalf, please make sure to indicate how you wish your 
votes to be cast by ticking the relevant boxes on the Form of Proxy.

Completing and returning a Form of Proxy will not preclude you from attending and voting at the meeting should you so wish.

3.  Record Date for AGM

Pursuant to Section 1105 of the Companies Act, 2014 and pursuant to Regulation 14 of the Companies Act, 1990 (Uncertificated 
Securities) Regulations, 1996, the Company hereby specifies that only those Shareholders registered in the Register of Members of 
the Company as at 6 p.m. on the day which is two days before the date of the meeting shall be entitled to attend or vote at the 
Annual General Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at that time. Changes in the Register after that 
time will be disregarded in determining the right of any person to attend and/or vote at the meeting or the number of votes any 
Shareholder may have in the case of a poll vote.

4.  How to exercise your voting rights

As a Shareholder, you have several ways to exercise your right to vote:

n	

n	

n	

By attending the AGM in person;
By appointing the Chairman or some other person as a proxy to vote on your behalf;
By appointing a proxy via the CREST System if you hold your shares in CREST.

In the case of joint holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, will be accepted to the 
exclusion of the votes of the other registered holder(s) and, for this purpose, seniority will be determined by the order in which the 
names stand in the register of members.

139

FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information for Shareholders Pursuant to the Shareholders’ Rights Directive (continued)

5.  Tabling Agenda Items

If you or a group of Shareholders hold 1,185,613 or more ordinary or preference shares of €0.60 each in FBD Holdings plc (i.e. at least 
3% of the issued share capital of the Company carrying voting rights), you or the group of Shareholders acting together have the 
right to put an item on the agenda for the AGM. In order to exercise this right, written details of the item you wish to have included 
on the agenda for the AGM together with a written explanation setting out why you wish to have the item included on the agenda, 
and evidence of the shareholding, must have been received by the Company Secretary at FBD Holdings plc, FBD House, Bluebell, 
Dublin 12, Ireland or by e-mail to company.secretary@fbd.ie no later than 11 a.m. on Thursday 18 March 2016 (i.e. 42 days before the 
time scheduled for the holding of the AGM). An item cannot be included on the agenda for the AGM unless the foregoing conditions 
are satisfied and it is received by the stated deadline.

6.  Tabling Draft Resolutions

If you or a group of Shareholders hold 1,185,613 or more ordinary and/or preference shares of €0.60 each in FBD Holdings plc (i.e. at 
least 3% of the issued share capital of the Company carrying voting rights), you or the group of Shareholders acting together have 
the right to table a draft resolution for inclusion on the agenda for the AGM subject to any contrary provision in company law.

In order to exercise this right, the text of the draft resolution and evidence of shareholding must have been received by post by the 
Company Secretary at FBD Holdings plc, FBD House, Bluebell, Dublin 12, Ireland or by email to company.secretary@fbd.ie no later 
than 11 a.m. on Thursday 18 March 2016 (i.e. 42 days before the time scheduled for the holding of the AGM). A resolution cannot be 
included on the agenda for the AGM unless it is received in either of the foregoing manners by the stated deadline. Furthermore, 
Shareholders are reminded that there are provisions in company law, and otherwise, which impose other conditions on the right of 
shareholders to propose resolutions at a general meeting of a company.

7.  Right to ask questions

Pursuant to Section 1104 of the Companies Act 2014, shareholders have a right to ask questions related to items on the AGM agenda 
and to have such questions answered by the Company subject to any reasonable measures the Company may take to ensure the 
identification of shareholders.

8.  How to request/inspect documentation relating to the meeting

The annual financial statements, reports of the Directors and the Auditors and the Report of the Remuneration Committee are 
contained in the Company’s Annual Report which was dispatched to Shareholders on 31 March 2016. The Annual Report is also 
available on the Company’s website www.fbdgroup.com.

Should you not receive a Form of Proxy, or should you wish to be sent copies of any documents relating to the meeting, you may 
request these by telephoning the Company’s Registrar on +353 1 4475 101 or by writing to the Company Secretary either by post at 
FBD House, Bluebell, Dublin 12, Ireland or by e-mail to company.secretary@fbd.ie.

The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company together with a copy of the proposed Memorandum and Articles of 
Association of the Company showing the amendments that would be made if all of the Resolutions on the agenda for the AGM are 
approved, are available on the Company’s website www.fbdgroup.com and may also be inspected during usual business hours on 
any weekday (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays excepted) at the Company’s Registered Office at FBD House, Bluebell,  
Dublin 12, Ireland up to and including the date of the Annual General Meeting and at the Annual General Meeting itself.

9.  Further Information

This AGM notice, details of the total number of shares and voting rights at the date of giving this notice, the documents to be 
submitted to the meeting, copies of any draft resolutions and a copy of the Form of Proxy are available on the Company’s website  
at www.fbdgroup.com.

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FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Printed on paper sourced from sustainably managed forests.

 
 
FBD Holdings plc 
FBD House 
Bluebell 
Dublin 12 
Ireland 
T:   +353 1 409 3200 
W:  www.fbdgroup.com