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FirstService

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FY2021 Annual Report · FirstService
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2021 Annual Report

A Message From Our CEO

FirstService has 
grown revenues  
and earnings at a 
compounded annual 
rate of 19% for more 
than 25 years. 

This remarkable track record of growth is a strong reflection on our people and culture and on our 
ability to consistently win share in our markets. The durability of our business model has never been 
more evident than the past two pandemic years and we are very proud and thankful to have extended 
our impressive track record through 2020 and 2021. 

In 2020, we grew revenues by 15% and EBITDA by 21%. We followed it up this past year with  
17% top-line growth and 15% growth in EBITDA. This stellar performance is a direct result of the 
commitment and agility of our amazing teams who continued to navigate through pandemic-related 
challenges, while also facing widespread labor shortages and unprecedented supply chain interruptions. 
I am humbled and deeply proud to be part of the FirstService family – 25,000 strong – with a high 
proportion working on the front lines delivering essential services every day. The past two years  
have been taxing on our operating teams, yet they have been unwavering in their resolve to deliver 
on our service promise. Through their dedication, we were able to weather the myriad of operating 
challenges and exceed our projections for the year.

Here are just some of our highlights from 2021: 

First Onsite Rebranding
Early in the year, we united our eight commercial restoration brands under one North American 
name, First Onsite, with a shared purpose: to help our clients Restore, Rebuild and Rise. The  
new brand is the culmination of two years of research and preparation. It has generated a high  
level of excitement internally across First Onsite and FirstService and considerable buzz in the  
marketplace. Today, First Onsite enjoys the combined expertise and resources of all the legacy 
companies and offers industry-leading capabilities and response time to its clients through 100 
branches across North America.

FirstService 2021 Annual ReportStrategic Acquisitions
We fully capitalized on our acquisition opportunities in 2021 completing 18 transactions and 
deploying over $160 million in capital. Our partnership model, people-first approach and long-term 
horizon continues to resonate with founders and family-owned businesses that are exploring estate 
planning alternatives.

Half of our transaction activity during the year was in support of our restoration brands: First Onsite 
and Paul Davis. We continue to expand our geographic footprint, add new capabilities and strengthen 
our teams. The largest of these deals was the acquisition of Maxons, the leading provider of 
emergency response and restoration services within New York City. The addition of this platform is 
representative of our strategy to expand our footprint in key markets to better serve our national 
accounts.

At FirstService Residential, we extended our leadership position in the South Florida high-rise 
market with the acquisition of the Condominium Management Division of Atlantic/Pacific Companies 
(“APAM”). APAM added 100 marquee properties to our management portfolio and strengthened our 
talent pool with the addition of its experienced and tenured team members.

Towards the end of the year at Century Fire, we completed the acquisition of Chesapeake Sprinkler 
Company, a full-service fire protection operation serving the Baltimore and DC metropolitan areas. 
This transaction expanded our presence and capability in the Mid-Atlantic region, fulfilling a key 
strategic priority for Century.

We are very pleased with our acquisition activity in 2021. We acquired well-run operations and 
partnered with quality teams. Integration is well underway across our platforms and we feel 
confident that we have added considerable long-term value through the 2021 additions.

Social Purpose
It was quite evident during 2021 that the pandemic has not diminished our mission to serve others 
and make a difference every day with our colleagues and customers and within our communities. 
Our teams organized and participated in a broad range of activities in support of issues and causes 
that were important to them and their communities. We expect even more activity in 2022. With 
cross-border travel opening up, I am looking forward to once again attending and participating in  
as many events as I can in the upcoming year.

Through the FirstService Relief Fund, we awarded 418 total grants in 2021 to help team members 
facing personal financial hardship. Many of these were Immediate Response Program grants to help 
employees impacted by Hurricane Ida. 

Our Social Purpose continues to evolve and thrive across our three pillars - Our People, Our Community 
and Our Environment. We encourage all members of the FirstService family to #FirstServeOthers in 
their daily lives.

Board Changes
After years of tenure and stability, we have some changes on the FirstService Board as we move into 
2022. Brendan Calder and Mike Stein are both retiring as Directors and will not stand for re-election. 
Brendan has been on the Board for 26 years and Mike for eight. They have both been diligent, 
hardworking and engaged directors, and instrumental in helping guide the organization and me 
personally in my position as CEO. We thank them both for their years of service and wish them well.

We took action early in the year to get in front of the pending retirements by seeking out experienced 
and successful executives to augment the Board. Last May, we announced the appointment of  
Steve Grimshaw, Executive Chairman of Caliber Collision. For our upcoming annual general meeting, 

FirstService 2021 Annual Reportour Board has nominated Yousry Bissada, CEO of Home Capital, for election by shareholders of 
FirstService. Steve and Yousry both bring extensive experience as CEOs of growing organizations 
and we look forward to their valuable insights and contributions.

Look Forward
We enter 2022 with momentum and optimism. Our markets remain robust and our teams and 
operating model have never been stronger. Our aspiration is to create iconic service brands defined 
by service excellence. We have a relentless focus on the customer and are committed to continuous 
improvement in our day-to-day service delivery. This dedicated approach to customer experience is 
our long-term differentiator and the principal driver behind our impressive track record. It is also the 
reason why we are confident in our ability to drive consistent growth for the foreseeable future. Of 
course, none of it is possible without the belief and engagement of our teams across the company.

I am thankful every day for the people and culture that define FirstService. I also thank our loyal 
customers for their business and referrals, and our Board and shareholders for their support of our 
long-term aspirations.

D. Scott Patterson
Chief Executive Officer

FirstService 2021 Annual ReportOur teams and  
operating model 
have never been 
stronger. 

FirstService 2021 Annual ReportAdjusted 

Adjusted 

EBITDA 

EBITDA 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

$327

$327

$284

$284

$235

$235

$191

$191

$159

$159

$130

$130

$103

$103

Growth

2020 – 2021

Growth

2020 – 2021

15%

15%

CAGR

2015 – 2021

CAGR

2015 – 2021

21%

21%

Adjusted EPS 

Adjusted EPS 

(US$)

(US$)

$4.57

$4.57

$3.46

$3.46

$3.00

$3.00

$2.61

$2.61

$1.99

$1.62

$1.99

$1.62

$1.20

$1.20

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

Growth

2020 – 2021

Growth

CAGR

2015 – 2021

CAGR

2020 – 2021

32%

32%

2015 – 2021

25%

25%

Financial Highlights

Revenues 
Revenues 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

$3,249
$3,249

$2,772

$2,772

$2,407

$2,407

$1,932

$1,729

$1,932

$1,483

$1,729

$1,264

$1,483

$1,264

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

Growth
2020 – 2021
Growth
2020 – 2021

17%
17%

CAGR
2015 – 2021
CAGR
2015 – 2021

17%
17%

Annual Organic 
Annual Organic 
Revenue Growth 
Revenue Growth 

10%
10%

8%

8%

7%

7%

6% 6% 6%

6% 6% 6%

4%

4%

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

Annual Average 
Organic Growth
Annual Average 
2015 – 2021
Organic Growth
2015 – 2021

7%
7%

$0.81

$0.81

$0.73

$0.73

Annual 

Annual 

Dividends 

Dividends 

(US$)

(US$)

$0.49

$0.54

$0.44

$0.49

$0.40

$0.40

$0.44

$0.66

$0.60

$0.66

$0.54

$0.60

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2022

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2022

Cumulative

Dividend Growth

Cumulative

2015 – 2022

Dividend Growth

2015 – 2022

103%

103%

Revenues 

(US$ millions)

$3,249

$2,772

Revenues 

(US$ millions)

$2,407

$3,249

$1,932

$1,729

$2,772

$1,483

$1,264

$2,407

$1,932

$1,729

$1,483

$1,264

Adjusted 

EBITDA 

(US$ millions)

Adjusted 

EBITDA 

(US$ millions)

$327

$284

$235

$327

$191

$284

$159

$130

$235

$103

$191

$159

$130

$103

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

Growth

2020 – 2021

CAGR

2015 – 2021

Growth

2020 – 2021

CAGR

2015 – 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

Growth

2020 – 2021

CAGR

2015 – 2021

Growth

2020 – 2021

CAGR

2015 – 2021

15%
15%

21%
21%

Adjusted EPS 

Financial Highlights

$4.57

(US$)

Adjusted EPS 

(US$)

$3.00

$2.61

$3.46

$4.57

$1.99

$3.46

$1.62

$3.00

$1.20

$2.61

$1.99

$1.62

$1.20
2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

Growth
2020 – 2021

CAGR
2015 – 2021

2016 2017 2018 2019

2015

Growth
2020 – 2021

32%
32%

2020 2021

CAGR
2015 – 2021

25%
25%

We were able  
to weather  
the myriad  
of operating  
challenges  
and exceed  
our projections  
for the year.

17%
17%

17%
17%

Annual Organic 
Revenue Growth 

Adjusted 
Annual Organic 
8%
EBITDA 
Revenue Growth 
6% 6% 6%

(US$ millions)

7%

$284

10%

$327
10%

8%

$235

7%

$191

4%

6% 6% 6%

$159

$130

$103

4%

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

Annual Average 
Organic Growth
2015
2015 – 2021
2015
Growth
2020 – 2021
Annual Average 
Organic Growth
2015 – 2021

7%
15%
7%

2020 2021

2020 2021

CAGR
2015 – 2021

21%

Annual 
Adjusted EPS 
Dividends 

(US$)
(US$)

$4.57

$0.81

$0.73

Annual 
Dividends 

$0.54

$0.60

$3.00

$0.66
$3.46

$0.81

(US$)

$0.40

$0.44

$0.49

$2.61

$0.73

$0.66

$1.99

$0.60

$1.62

$0.54

$0.49

$1.20

$0.44

$0.40

Revenues 

(US$ millions)

$3,249

$2,772

$2,407

$1,932

$1,729

$1,483

$1,264

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

Growth

2020 – 2021

CAGR

2015 – 2021

17%

17%

Annual Organic 

Revenue Growth 

10%

8%

7%

6% 6% 6%

4%

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2015
2015

2016 2017 2018 2019
2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021
2020 2021

2022

CAGR
2015 – 2021

2020 2021

25%

2022

Growth
Cumulative
2020 – 2021
Dividend Growth
2015 – 2022
2016 2017 2018 2019
2015

Cumulative
Dividend Growth
2015 – 2022

32%
103%
103%

Annual Average 

Organic Growth

2015 – 2021

7%

$0.81

$0.73

$0.66

$0.60

Annual 

Dividends 

(US$)

$0.54

$0.49

$0.44

$0.40

2015

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020 2021

2022

Cumulative

Dividend Growth

2015 – 2022

103%

We enter 
2022 with 
momentum 
and 
optimism.

FirstService.com

Notice of Shareholders’ Meeting

The annual meeting of the 
shareholders will be held on 
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 
11:00 a.m. (ET)

Corporate Information

Registrar and Transfer Agent
Canada – TSX Trust Company
Phone: 1.866.600.5869
E-mail: tmxeinvestorservices@tmx.com

U.S. co-transfer agent – Computershare 
Phone: 1.800.368.5948
E-mail: webqueries@computershare.com

Stock Exchange Listings
NASDAQ Global Select Market – FSV 
Toronto Stock Exchange – FSV

FirstService common shares are included 
in the S&P/TSX 60 and Composite Indices.

Head Office

1255 Bay Street, Suite 600 
Toronto, Ontario  M5R 2A9
Canada

Phone: 1.416.960.9566

FirstService.com