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FirstService

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FY2022 Annual Report · FirstService
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Creating
value
one step
at a time

2022 Annual Report

A Message From Our CEO

2022 proved to be another excellent year for 
FirstService across a number of qualitative 
and quantitative measures. I am extremely 
pleased and proud of our accomplishments 
this past year which were driven by the  
efforts of our operating teams and are a  
reflection of the strength and resilience  
of our brands and business model.

The 2022 highlights are many and include the following: 

Organic Growth
We grew our revenue by 15% with organic growth accounting 
for two-thirds of the total. It is the second consecutive year 
with organic growth at approximately 10%. Our teams are 
relentless in their pursuit of service excellence knowing  
that it improves customer retention, repeat business and 
referrals – the fuel driving organic growth. We differentiate 
our brands in the marketplace through service delivery and 
a focus on customer experience. Winning day to day and 
taking share is our highest priority and organic growth is  
our measuring stick.

People
We are 27,000 strong at FirstService and our people are 
very clearly our greatest asset. The pandemic was a difficult 
time for our teams and we were not immune to the labor 
challenges experienced across North America. We doubled 
down on our efforts around culture and people development 
and saw material improvement through 2022 in our ability 
to attract and retain talent. Of particular note was the 
significant number of “rehires” – former associates returning, 
a trend which continues into this year. It is more than double 
the rate we have seen before and a wonderful endorsement 
of the culture at our brands and our continuous efforts to be 
the “employer of choice”.

inflation knowing that we would not immediately be in a 
position to recoup the cost increases through price. In 
addition, we continued to invest in our brands understanding 
that the returns would not be realized for months or years. 
We do not manage quarter to quarter. We aspire to build 
iconic brands that will withstand the test of time and we 
know that on average our earnings will grow with revenues. 
We have proven that for over 30 years.

Acquisitions
During 2022, we completed a number of strategic  
acquisitions that improved our market position, broadened 
our service offering and/or expanded our geographic 
footprint. Of particular note were the additions we made  
to our restoration brands and to FirstService Residential.  
At Paul Davis, we partnered with the teams in Lincoln, 
Nebraska and Salt Lake City, Utah; two of the largest 
franchises in the Paul Davis system. First Onsite added four 
tuck-under acquisitions during the year as we continue to 
build out our footprint across North America. Our FirstService 
Residential brand acquired two businesses in New York City 
which together added 350 marquee properties to our market 
leading portfolio in New York. We are excited about our 2022 
additions and welcome our new partners and associates.

Profitability
Our EBITDA margins were down 70 basis points in 2022 –  
not something you would ordinarily see highlighted in an 
Annual Report. Our teams were battling cost inflation and 
margin headwinds all year and the resulting profitability 
margin is impressive and a reflection on our long-term 
perspective. We moved early to adjust our wages with 

Balance Sheet
Maintaining balance sheet strength and flexibility has 
always been a cornerstone of FirstService’s operating  
and financial success. We further demonstrated these  
key elements in 2022 by entering into new financing 
arrangements with our long-standing lenders. First, we 
upsized and extended our five-year revolving credit facility 

for up to $1 billion with our bank syndicate. Subsequently, 
we entered into three-year master shelf facilities with our 
senior noteholders providing a potential $450 million of 
additional debt financing. We currently have a very ample 
$520 million of immediate liquidity to fund our growth and 
significant additional debt capacity with our leverage at a 
conservative level of 1.6 times net debt to adjusted EBITDA.

Board Changes
After 18 years on the Board, Bernie Ghert is retiring and  
will not stand for re-election at our upcoming shareholders’ 
meeting. Bernie has acted as Chair of the Audit Committee 
for most of his tenure and has provided a steady hand  
and strong guidance throughout. We thank him for his 
commitment and years of dedicated service.

Early in 2022, we were honored to announce the  
appointment of Elizabeth Carducci to our Board. Elizabeth is 
recently retired from a 21-year career at Medallia, a leading 
provider of customer experience software solutions. Her 
experience with technology-driven organizations is relevant 
and timely as we increasingly look to drive tech-enabled 
growth across our brands. In addition, Elizabeth will 
certainly add to our continuous improvement efforts in  
the areas of customer and employee experience. We look 
forward to her advice and guidance in the coming years.

Social Purpose
2022 marked the fifth year of our Social Purpose initiative 
which we launched to create greater awareness and 
visibility of the many ways our teams give back. Throughout 
the year, our team members continued our important 
mission to #FirstServeOthers within their communities and 
for our customers and colleagues. 

During the year, we awarded over 350 grants through the 
FirstService Relief Fund to team members experiencing 
personal financial hardship. Since the Fund’s inception, we 
have now granted $1.2 million to our own people in their 
time of need.

Every year, our resolve to #FirstServeOthers grows, and we 
are committed to continue our efforts to positively impact 
our communities, our people and our environment.

Summary and Look Forward
We wrapped up 2022 with a very strong fourth quarter and 
enter 2023 with momentum across our brands.

We have publicly stated that our long-term goal is to grow 
our revenues at an average rate of at least 10% per year 
with incremental growth at the earnings lines. We have 
achieved and exceeded this goal for many years and feel 
confident that 2023 will deliver more of the same. 

I want to thank our operating partners and teams for their 
ongoing commitment to drive growth through service 
excellence. Together, we are successfully building iconic, 
winning brands. I also express thanks to our loyal customers 
and long-time shareholders for their continued support.

D. Scott Patterson
Chief Executive Officer

Revenues 

Revenues 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted EBITDA 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

Adjusted EPS 

Adjusted EPS 

(US$)

(US$)

$3,746

$3,746

$3,249

$3,249

$2,772

$352

$352

$327

$327

$284

$284

$235

$4.571

$4.571

$4.24

$4.24

$3.46

$3.46

$3.00

$2,772

$2,407

$2,407

$1,931

$1,729

$1,931

$1,729

$1,483

$1,483

$235

$191

$191

$159

$159

$130

$130

$3.00

$2.61

$2.61

$1.99

$1.99

$1.62

$1.62

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2022

Growth

Growth

2021 – 2022

2021 – 2022

15%

15%

Growth

Growth

2021 – 2022

2021 – 2022

7%

7%

Growth

Growth

2021 – 2022

2021 – 2022

-7%

-7%

CAGR

CAGR

2017 – 2022

2017 – 2022

16%

16%

Adjusted EPS 

Adjusted EPS 

(US$)

(US$)

$4.571

$4.571

$4.24

$4.24

$3.46

$3.46

$3.00

$3.00

$2.61

$2.61

CAGR
2017 – 2022

CAGR
2017 – 2022

17%

17%

CAGR
2017 – 2022

CAGR
2017 – 2022

17%

17%

Financial Highlights

Revenues 

Revenues 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

$3,746

$3,746

$3,249

$3,249

$2,772

$2,772

$2,407

$2,407

$1,931
$1,729

$1,729

$1,931

$1,483

$1,483

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020
2016 2017 2018 2019

2021
2020

2021
2022

2022

Growth
2021 – 2022

Growth
2021 – 2022

15%

15%

CAGR
2017 – 2022

CAGR
2017 – 2022

17%

17%

Annual Organic 
Revenue Growth 

Annual Organic 
Revenue Growth 

10%

10%
9%

9%

Annual Organic 
Adjusted EBITDA 
Revenues 
Revenue Growth 

Adjusted EBITDA 
Revenues 
Annual Organic 
Revenue Growth 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

Adjusted EPS 

Annual Dividends 
Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted EBITDA 
Adjusted EPS 
Annual Dividends 

(US$)
(US$ millions)
(US$)

(US$ millions)

(US$)

(US$)

10%
$3,746
$3,746
$352
$352
10%
9%
9%
$327
$3,249

$3,249

$327

$284

$284
7%
$2,772

$2,772

$0.90

$4.571

$0.90
$352
$352
$4.571
$0.81
$4.24
$4.24
$0.81
$327
$327
$0.73

$0.73
$0.66

$284

$284
$3.46

$0.60
$0.66

$3.46

$3.00

$0.54
$0.60

$235
$3.00

$235

$0.49
$0.54

$2.61

$0.44
$0.49

$2.61
$191

$191

$0.44

$1.99

$159
$1.99

$159

$1.62

$130
$1.62

$130

$1.99

$1.99

$1.62

$1.62

7%
6% 6% 6%
$235
$2,407

$235

$2,407

6% 6% 6%

$191

$191
$1,931

$1,931

$1,729
$159
$1,483

$159
$1,483
$130

$130

$1,729

4%

4%

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020
2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019
2020

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021
2020

2021

2020
2021

2021
2022

2022

2021
2022

2022

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019
2020
2016 2017 2018 2019
2021
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2020
2021
2021
2022

2022

2021
2022
2022

2023

2022

Annual Average 
Organic Growth
Growth
Growth
2017 – 2022
2021 – 2022
2021 – 2022

Growth
2021 – 2022

Annual Average 
Organic Growth
2017 – 2022

Growth
2021 – 2022

7%
7%
15%
7%
15%
7%

Cumulative
Cumulative
Dividend Growth
Growth
Growth
Growth
Dividend Growth
2016 – 2022
2021 – 2022
2021 – 2022
2021 – 2022
2016 – 2022

Growth
2021 – 2022

7%
7%
105%
-7%
-7%
105%

CAGR
2017 – 2022

CAGR
CAGR
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022

CAGR
2017 – 2022

CAGR
2017 – 2022

CAGR
CAGR
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022

CAGR
2017 – 2022

17%
17%
17%
17%

16%

17%
16%

17%

Annual Dividends 
Annual Dividends 
Annual Organic 
Annual Organic 
Revenue Growth 
Revenue Growth 

(US$)

(US$)

Annual Dividends 

Annual Dividends 

(US$)

(US$)

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2022

2021

2022

Growth

Growth

2021 – 2022

2021 – 2022

-7%

-7%

CAGR

CAGR

2017 – 2022

2017 – 2022

16%

16%

10%

$0.81

$0.90
10%
9%
$0.81

$0.90
9%

$0.90

$0.90
$0.81

$0.81

7%

7%

6% 6% 6%

6% 6% 6%

$0.44

$0.73

$0.73

$0.66
7%
$0.60

$0.66
7%

$0.60

$0.54

$0.54
6% 6% 6%
$0.49

6% 6% 6%
$0.49
$0.44

$0.73

$0.73

$0.66

$0.66
$0.60

$0.60

$0.54

$0.54
$0.49

$0.49
$0.44

$0.44

4%

4%

4%

4%

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020
2016 2017 2018 2019

2021
2020

2021
2022

2022

Annual Average 
Annual Average 
Organic Growth
Organic Growth
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022

7%

7%

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020
2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019
2020

2021
2020

2020
2021

2022
2021

2022
2023
2021
2022

2022

2023

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019
2020

2020
2021

2021
2022

2022
2023

2023

Cumulative
Cumulative
Annual Average 
Annual Average 
Dividend Growth
Dividend Growth
Organic Growth
Organic Growth
2016 – 2022
2016 – 2022
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022

105%

105%

7%

7%

Cumulative
Cumulative
Dividend Growth
Dividend Growth
2016 – 2022
2016 – 2022

105%

105%

Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted EPS 

(US$ millions)

Adjusted EPS 

(US$)

$352

$327

$4.571

$4.24

$3.46

$3.00

$2.61

$1.99

$1.62

$4.571
Adjusted EPS 
Adjusted EPS 
$284
Adjusted EPS 

$4.24

(US$)

(US$)

$352

$1.99

(US$)

$3.46

$235

$3.00

$191

$2.61

$159

$130

$4.571

$4.571
$4.571

$4.24

$4.24
$4.24

$3.46

$3.46
$3.46

$3.00

$3.00
$3.00

$2.61

$2.61
$2.61

$1.99
2016 2017 2018 2019

$1.99
$1.99

$1.62
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2022

$1.62
$1.62

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2022

Growth
2021 – 2022

-7%

CAGR
2017 – 2022

16%

2022

$327
$327

$352
$352
$327

Growth
2021 – 2022

15%

(US$)

$3,746

$352

$3,249
Adjusted EBITDA 
Adjusted EBITDA 
Adjusted EBITDA 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

$2,772

$327

$284

(US$ millions)

$2,407

$2,772

$2,772

$2,772

$2,407

$2,407

$2,407

$284

$284

$284

$1.62

$235

$235

$235

$191

$191

$191

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

$159

$159

Revenues 

(US$ millions)

Revenues 

Adjusted EBITDA 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

$3,746

Revenues 

Revenues 

Revenues 

(US$ millions)

(US$ millions)

$3,249

(US$ millions)

$2,772

$1,931

$1,931

$1,729

$1,729

$1,931

$1,483

$1,483

$1,729

Growth

2021 – 2022

15%

CAGR

2017 – 2022

17%

$2,407

$1,931

$1,729

$1,483

$235

$1,483

$1,931

$1,729

$3,746

$3,746

$3,746

$191

$3,249

$3,249

$159

$3,249

$130

2016 2017 2018 2019

$1,483

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2020

2021

2021

2022

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2020

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

$130

$130

$159

$130

Growth

2021 – 2022

7%

CAGR

2017 – 2022

17%

Growth

Growth

2021 – 2022

Growth

2021 – 2022

2021 – 2022

15%

15%

15%

CAGR

CAGR

2017 – 2022

2017 – 2022

CAGR

2017 – 2022

17%

17%

17%

(US$)

Annual Organic 

Revenue Growth 

10%

9%

Annual Organic 

Annual Organic 

Annual Organic 

Revenue Growth 

Revenue Growth 

Revenue Growth 

7%

6% 6% 6%

4%

7%

7%

7%

6% 6% 6%

6% 6% 6%

6% 6% 6%

$0.54

10%

10%

10%

$0.49

9%

$0.44

9%

9%

4%

$0.66

$0.66

$0.60

$0.60

$0.66

$0.54

$0.54

$0.60

$0.49

$0.49

$0.54

$0.44

$0.44

$0.49

Annual Average 

Organic Growth

2017 – 2022

7%

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2020

2021

2021

2022

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

Dividend Growth

2016 – 2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

105%

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2020

Annual Organic 

Annual Dividends 

Revenue Growth 

CAGR
CAGR
CAGR
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022

17%
17%
17%

10%

$0.90

9%

$0.81

Annual Dividends 

Annual Dividends 
Annual Dividends 

$0.73

(US$)

(US$)

7%

$0.66

(US$)

6% 6% 6%

$0.60

17%
7%
7%
7%

Annual Average 
Organic Growth
2017 – 2022

Cumulative

2021
2021
2022
CAGR
2021
2017 – 2022
Growth
Growth
Growth
2021 – 2022
2021 – 2022
2021 – 2022

7%

$0.81
$0.81

$0.73
$0.73

$0.73

2022

2022

2022

2021

2021

2023

2023

Annual Average 

Annual Average 

Annual Average 

Organic Growth

Organic Growth

Organic Growth

2017 – 2022

2017 – 2022

2017 – 2022

7%

7%

7%

2020

2021

2022

2023

Cumulative
Cumulative
Cumulative
Dividend Growth
Dividend Growth
Dividend Growth
2016 – 2022
2016 – 2022
2016 – 2022

105%
105%
105%

$0.90

$0.90
$0.90
$0.81

Growth
2021 – 2022

7%

Growth
2021 – 2022

-7%

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

CAGR
2017 – 2022

16%

1Excluding two one-time gains on sale,    
  normalized EPS would be $4.24.

2021

2022

2021
2022
CAGR
2021
2022
2017 – 2022
Growth
Growth
Growth
2021 – 2022
2021 – 2022
2021 – 2022

17%
-7%
-7%
-7%

CAGR
CAGR
CAGR
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022
2017 – 2022

16%
16%
16%

Annual Dividends 

(US$)

$0.90

$0.81

$0.73

$0.66

$0.60

$0.54

$0.49

$0.44

Cumulative
Dividend Growth
2016 – 2022

105%

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

4%

4%

4%

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

$0.44

2016 2017 2018 2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

We aspire to 
build iconic 
brands that will 
withstand the 
test of time.

Notice of Shareholders’ Meeting

The annual meeting of the shareholders  

will be held virtually on Thursday,  

April 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (ET)

A complete digital version of the Annual Report  

is available in the investors area of our website,  

www.firstservice.com.

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