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Fuller, Smith & Turner

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FY2015 Annual Report · Fuller, Smith & Turner
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Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C.
Annual Report 2015

My Fuller’s...
‘Great experience at any time of the day.’

Nina Dahl 
The Blue Boat, Fulham Reach

Fuller Smith & Turner 

Operating from the historic Griffin Brewery site 
in Chiswick, Fuller’s is an independent family 
brewer and pub company whose brands include 
the world-famous ESB and London Pride, the UK’s 
best selling premium cask ale.

Fuller’s has an estate of 391 pubs and hotels – split 
between Managed and Tenanted houses – located 
primarily in London and the South of England.

Overview
Financial Highlights
Chairman’s Statement

1 
2 

Strategic Report
At a Glance
Strategy and Progress
Chief Executive’s Review
Financial Review
Principal Risks and Uncertainties

4 
7 
8 
18 
22 
24  Corporate Social Responsibility

Governance
32 
Board of Directors
34  Directors’ Report
37  Directors’ Statement
38  Corporate Governance Report
43  Directors’ Remuneration Report

Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report

58 
62  Group Income Statement
63 

 Group and Company Statements of 
Comprehensive Income

64  Group and Company Balance Sheets
 Group and Company Statements of  
65 
Changes in Equity

67  Group and Company Cash Flow Statements
68  Notes to the Financial Statements

Additional Information

109  Directors and Advisors
110  Shareholder Information
111  Glossary
113 

Five Years’ Progress

You can help us to minimise our environmental  
impact by opting to view our report online at  
www.fullers.com

Revenue

Adjusted profit1

EBITDA

£321.5m+12%

£36.4m+7%

£58.7m+8%

2015 

2014 

2013 

£m

321.5

2015 

288.0

2014 

271.5

2013 

£m

36.4

2015 

34.1

2014 

31.1

2013 

£m

58.7

54.5

51.2

1   Adjusted profit before tax excluding exceptionals. The Directors believe that this measure provides useful information for shareholders as to the internal measures of the performance of the Group.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Highlights

This year we brewed 215,000 barrels of award-
winning ale at the Griffin Brewery, beside the 
Thames in Chiswick. From here we supply our 
estate, which comprises 188 Managed Pubs 
and Hotels and 203 Tenanted Inns, as well as 
pubs, clubs and supermarkets across the UK 
and overseas.

Managed Pubs and Hotels like for like sales 
up 6.3% and profits up 11%.

Tenanted Inns like for like profits up 5% 
and average EBITDA per pub up 5%.

The Fuller’s Beer Company revenue up 6% 
and total beer and cider volumes up 4%.

Adjusted earnings per share

Total dividend per share

Pro forma net debt to EBITDA 2

51.51p+10%

16.60p+10%

2.7 times

2015 

2014 

2013 

p

51.51

2015 

46.94

2014 

42.18

2013 

p

16.60

2015 

15.10

2014 

13.70

2013 

Times

2.7

2.5

2.6

2   Pro forma net debt to EBITDA is adjusted as appropriate for the pubs acquired or disposed in the period.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

1

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
 
 
 
Chairman’s Statement

My Fuller’s...
 ‘Quality in absolutely everything.’

Michael Turner 
Chairman

2  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

It has also been a good year for the Fuller’s Beer  
Company, with total beer and cider volumes  
rising by 4% and profits rising by 2%. The Made of 
London campaign for our flagship ale London 
Pride has driven sales, we launched a delicious 
new golden ale, Oliver’s Island, grew Frontier 
Craft Lager sales to make it our second biggest  
brand in the UK and expanded distribution of  
the premier American craft beer, Sierra Nevada.  
I would also like to thank The Chancellor for his  
third consecutive cut in beer duty, which has  
done much to reverse the damage done by the  
dreaded duty escalator.

Dividend
The Board is pleased to announce a final dividend 
of 10.20p (2014: 9.30p) per 40p ‘A’ and ‘C’ ordinary 
share and 1.02p (2014: 0.93p) per 4p ‘B’ ordinary 
share. This will be paid on 27 July 2015 to shareholders 
on the share register as at 26 June 2015. The total  
dividend per share of 16.60p per 40p ‘A’ and ‘C’ 
ordinary share and 1.66p per 4p ordinary share 
represents a 10% increase on last year and will 
be covered more than three times by adjusted 
earnings per share. 

Michael Turner 
Chairman

4 June 2015

This year sees the 170th anniversary of the Fuller, Smith & 
Turner partnership – and I’m delighted to announce that 
we are celebrating with another set of excellent results and 
a business that is in great shape to embark on the next chapter 
in our story. The team has yet again delivered in all areas and 
I congratulate them all for their dedication, creativity and 
hard work.

Our Made of London campaign has 
helped to drive sales of our flagship 
brand and we were delighted when 
it received two awards in the inaugural 
Beer Marketing Awards this year.

By continuing to focus on our clear vision,  
to create and operate the most stylish pubs 
and hotels whilst brewing Britain’s most coveted 
premium brands for discerning customers 
both at home and abroad, we have seen total  
revenue increase by 12% to £321.5 million (2014:  
£288.0 million) and a resulting increase in  
adjusted profit before tax of 7% to £36.4 million  
(2014: £34.1 million). One of the key figures for our 
shareholders is adjusted earnings per share, which 
I am pleased to say has risen by 10% to 51.51p  
(2014: 46.94p). 

Once again, we have outperformed the market 
with our Managed Pubs and Hotels, which have 
seen total sales grow 15%, like for like sales increase 
by 6.3%, and profits 3 rise by 11%. We have invested 
significantly in our estate and added eight new 
pubs in a variety of interesting locations including 
our first airside pub, at Heathrow Terminal 2,  
and two new sites on the River Thames. A new  
recruitment website has improved the way we  
attract and hire team members and, having invested 
in our training and development programmes for 
some years, I am delighted to see some high profile 
internal promotions during the year.

Our Tenanted Inns have been star performers 
with exceptional results and like for like profits 
rising by 5%. Total profits have risen by 2% and 
this has come during a difficult period for the 
tenanted model. Tenanted Director Mike Clist 
has played a lead role in representing both Fuller’s 
and the wider industry in recent negotiations 
with Government and I was delighted to see his 
commitment honoured when he was recognised 
for his Outstanding Contribution to the Industry 
at the Publican Awards.

3   Operating profit before exceptional items.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  3

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
At a Glance

Group operating profit by division1

Managed and Tenanted houses

Total beer and cider barrels by channel

Fuller’s Managed Pubs and Hotels 
Fuller’s Tenanted Inns 
Fuller’s Beer Company 

1Excludes central costs.

£m
25.0
12.6
8.7

Managed pubs within M25 
Tenanted pubs within M25 
Tenanted pubs outside M25 
Managed pubs outside M25 

113
58
145
75

Fuller’s Tenanted Inns 
Fuller’s Managed Pubs and Hotels 
Free On Trade 
Off Trade 
Exports 

%
11.4
22.1
39.5
13.4
13.6

Managed Pubs and Hotels

Tenanted Inns

The Fuller’s Beer Company

Managed Pubs and Hotels are operated 
by Fuller’s employees and include  
188 pubs and hotels. Our acquisitions  
are carefully targeted towards prime 
locations in market towns with our target 
demographics, high footfall locations in 
transport hubs and iconic pubs in our 
home city of London.

Our estate is primarily in the South and 
South East of the UK and includes 113 pubs 
within the M25. We focus on freshly 
prepared seasonal food and an aspirational 
premium drinks range, delivered with 
exceptional service and in a stylish and 
comfortable environment. This year we 
acquired The Stable, a craft cider and 
gourmet pizza business, which operates 
seven sites in the South West of the UK.

The Tenanted Inns division has 203 pubs, 
where the individual pubs are run by 
self-employed entrepreneurs, who work 
in partnership with us, selling our beer 
and operating under the Fuller’s brand.

We offer our tenants a high level of support, 
including a variety of tools and services   
to help them grow their businesses.  
This includes a bespoke website,  
a property compliance package,  
free WiFi and subsidised training for  
their staff.

As London’s longest standing brewer,  
we continually bring new products to 
market whilst proudly brewing the UK’s 
No.1 premium ale, London Pride.  
We proactively develop our portfolio  
of beers, providing variety and interest  
for consumers, producing a different 
seasonal ale every month. 

Cornish Orchards produces a range 
of premium award-winning ciders and 
a range of distinctive soft drinks.

We directly deliver our own beer and 
cider, as well as other drinks products to 
our pubs and our free trade customers in 
the South East. Our customers value the 
high quality service we provide.

188

Managed Pubs and Hotels

203

Tenanted Inns

No. 1

Premium ale in the UK

Nikki Cooper, Founder, The Stable
Nikki Cooper, with husband Richard and brother 
in law Andy, founded The Stable in 2009 when they 
decided to put to use a dilapidated outbuilding at 
their Bridport Hotel. Focusing on an extensive range 
of craft ciders and gourmet pizzas made with local 
ingredients, the trio had six restaurants in 2014 when 
Fuller’s took a 51% stake. This investment will take 
The Stable to a wider audience with two more 
restaurants already open and exciting growth plans 
for the future.

4  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My Fuller’s...
 ‘ Helping us realise our 
dreams of expansion.’

Nikki Cooper 
Founder, The Stable 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  5

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
My Fuller’s...
 ‘ An active part of the 
local  community.’

Reverend Andrew Downes 
Curate, St Nicholas Church

6  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Strategy and Progress

Distinctive Pub  
and Hotel Experience

Targeted Acquisitions  
and Developments

Premium  
Brand Portfolio

Investing in:
— Our people

— Our retail offer

— Behind the scenes

— Customer experience

— Customer feedback

Targeted acquisitions and 
developments in:
— High footfall transport hubs

— Iconic London pubs

— Affluent market towns

Focusing on:
— Well-invested equipment and processes

— Skilled brewers

— Constant innovation

— Putting flavour first

Progress in FY 2015
—  Excellent like for like (“LFL”) Managed sales up 

6.3% driven by a superior food offering

—  Tenanted LFL profits up 5% – best performance 
in a decade driven by increased investment 
in repairs

—  New recruitment website now live and attracting 

best in class applicants

—  Launched the Chef Scholarship Programme to 

further distinguish our food offering 

Progress in FY 2015
—  Two new riverside pub developments: 
The Blue Boat, Fulham Reach opened 
March 2015 and One Over the Ait, 
Kew Bridge opened November 2014

—  Acquired the iconic pub The Harp, Covent 
Garden and five additional pubs for a total 
of £21.5 million

—  Acquired a majority investment in The Stable 

to complement our existing offering

—  Over £18.0 million invested to sustain the 

quality of our existing estate 

Progress in FY 2015
—  Successful launch of Oliver’s Island, a new 

golden cask ale

—  Completed the integration of Sierra Nevada 

with distribution more than doubled

—  Westside Drinks making inroads to new 

high-end markets with Sierra Nevada, Frontier 
and Cornish Orchards 

—  Secured new listings in on and off trades for 

Fuller’s, Cornish Orchards and agency brands 

Priorities for FY 2016
—  Continue to invest through the business 
cycle helping to drive LFL sales growth 
and gross margins

—  Focus on developing our people to become 

managers and chefs of the future

—  Integrate new sites and support The Stable 

with systems and evolving its offer

Market influence
Current consumer trends include a focus on 
the provenance of food, authenticity of brands, 
healthier options and good value

Priorities for FY 2016
—  Development of The Sail Loft, Greenwich

Priorities for FY 2016
—  Drive sales of Cornish Orchards and Frontier 

—  Expanding The Stable operations to at least 

12 sites in total

—  Further refurbishments to sustain quality 

through all channels

—  Continue to build on successful London 

Pride advertising

or reposition properties 

—  Capitalise on the Rugby World Cup 

Market influence
London and the South East continue to  
outperform the rest of the UK market  

Market influence
Consumers increasingly want more interesting 
choices and are prepared to pay a premium 
for authentic, quality craft products

Reverend Andrew Downes, Curate, 
St Nicholas Church
The Reverend Andrew Downes is the curate of St 
Nicholas church in Chiswick. It’s next door to the 
Griffin Brewery and was built by Henry Smith, one 
of our founding fathers. The church has launched an 
appeal to raise £1.1 million for a new organ and stone 
work renovations and we’re doing our bit to help. 
It  does help that Father Andrew is such a big fan 
of London Pride and a great supporter of Fuller’s.

The Strategic Report, encompassing pages 7 to 31, was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf  
on 4 June 2015: 

Simon Emeny 
Chief Executive 

James Douglas 
Finance Director

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  7

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive’s Review

It has been another year of excellent progress for the Company 
and I am delighted to be reporting growth in all three areas of 
the business. Our Managed Pubs and Hotels business continues 
to outperform the industry, the Fuller’s Beer Company 
has seen growth in all channels and our Tenanted business 
has had an outstanding year.

We have a robust business model that has 
continuously evolved over time, keeping us at the 
forefront of our industry and providing a base for 
us to always look for new opportunities to keep 
the business fresh, relevant and in a strong position 
to grow for the future. These opportunities have 
to complement our overall vision to provide a first 
class experience for discerning customers.

To that end, we have built on our acquisition 
of Cornish Orchards Cider in 2013 with the 
acquisition of a 51% stake in The Stable, a craft 
cider and gourmet pizza business. This unique 
operation, which comprised six sites when we 
initially invested, is a perfect fit with our Company. 
Run by the inspirational founders, Richard and 
Nikki Cooper, we have already opened more sites 
and The Stable has an exciting future ahead. 

Following our acquisition of the UK distribution 
rights in 2014, we have more than doubled 
distribution of Sierra Nevada. Founded by 
Ken Grossman in Chico, California in 1979, Sierra 
Nevada is another like-minded family business 
and is revered by the beer fraternity worldwide. 
It complements our own and agency ranges, 
offering yet another original and authentic brand 
for customers both in our own pubs and the wider 
free trade.

All of this activity is supported by the best people 
in the industry. This year has seen a big advance 
in the way we recruit team members for our pubs 
and we have increased the investment we make 
in training and developing our people across all 
parts of the business. This combination of a clear 
strategy, the flexibility and financial firepower 
to take advantage of new opportunities and 
the recruitment, development and retention 
of excellent people will ensure Fuller’s continues 
to lead the market.

Fuller’s Inns
Fuller’s Inns has again led the Company’s growth 
with like for like sales in our Managed Pubs and 
Hotels rising by 6.3% and operating profit4 growing 
by 11% to £25.0 million (2014: £22.5 million). Our 
Tenanted Inns have also had a fantastic year, with 
like for like profits rising by 5% and average EBITDA 
per pub rising by 5%. We have long extolled the 
virtues of having a balanced business and it is 
very pleasing to see both parts of the retail business 
performing at a high level. At the year end, we had 
188 Managed Pubs and Hotels and 203 Tenanted 
Inns, making a total estate of 391 sites.

During the year, we have added eight new sites to 
our estate. Two of these, The Blue Boat on Fulham 
Reach and One Over the Ait on Kew Bridge, have 
fantastic views across the River Thames, while 
The Windmill in Portishead overlooks the Severn 
Estuary. We also took on the The Cromwell Arms 
in Romsey and The Bull Hotel in Bridport, which 
added a further 29 bedrooms to our business, and 
we opened two more sites at transport hubs – The 
Three Guineas, an acquisition at Reading Station 
and London’s Pride, a new development at The 
Queen’s Terminal (Terminal 2), Heathrow. The eighth 
site is a true icon – The Harp in Covent Garden, 
a former CAMRA Pub of the Year where we are 
committed to maintaining the wide and interesting 
range of breweries represented on the bar.

In addition, we have invested a record amount in 
our largest ever number of projects across our 
existing estate. Over £18 million has been invested 
in projects in both our managed and tenanted 
businesses. Of particular note is The Admiralty, 
the only pub on Trafalgar Square, which we  
opened on Trafalgar Day in October last year.  
The pub beautifully evokes the history and  
heritage of its location and, with its Ale & Pie  
format, is already proving very popular with  
Londoners and tourists alike.

Tenanted like for like profits

Managed like for like sales

+5%

2015 

2014 

2013 

+6.3%

%

5

2

1

2015 

2014 

2013 

%

6.3

8.3

2.1

4   Operating profit before exceptional items.

8  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

 
 
My Fuller’s...
 ‘ Leading the best team 

in the industry.’

Simon Emeny 
Chief Executive

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  9

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Chief Executive’s Review continued

My Fuller’s...
 ‘A great career in a flagship pub.’

Kate Ross 
Manager, One Over the Ait, Kew Bridge

10  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Every pint of our Seafarer’s Ale bought 
helps raise money for Seafarers UK, 
a charity vital to supporting the UK’s 
maritime community. Last year’s sales 
raised over £32,000 for the charity. 

Kate Ross, Manager, One Over the Ait, Kew Bridge
Kate Ross joined Fuller’s three years ago as deputy 
manager at the Turk’s Head in Twickenham. After 
just 18 months, she was appointed to her first 
management position. Today, Kate is the manager at 
One Over the Ait – a flagship, riverside development 
on Kew Bridge. With two trading floors, plenty of 
outside seating and a team of 30 to support her, 
the future has never looked brighter.

Managed Pubs and Hotels
Our Managed Pubs and Hotels continue to 
outperform the industry with another year of 
strong like for like growth of 6.3%, generating total 
revenues of £213.8 million (2014: £186.0 million) – 
an increase of 15%. Our operating profits increased 
by 11% to £25.0 million (2014: £22.5 million),  
reflecting the increased capital investment in our 
estate and 108 weeks of closure while these  
redevelopments took place. Next year, we intend 
to continue this programme with an even greater 
number of projects scheduled. 

Acquisitions and investment in our current pubs 
have helped to realise our vision of creating and 
operating stylish pubs with a focus on delicious, 
fresh cooked food and an excellent portfolio 
of premium drinks. Our sales have increased  
in all areas of the business – like for like food sales  
are up by 7.8%, drinks sales are up 5.6% and  
accommodation has risen by 7.3%. 

The performance of our Managed Pubs was 
recognised by the industry at this year’s Publican 
Awards, where we took the title of Managed Pub 
Company of the Year. We also picked up a second 
award in recognition of the high standard of our food 
and the way in which we train our chefs and work 
with our suppliers. In addition, we were recognised 
for the quality of our capital investment programme 
at the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, where 
both The Vintry at Cannon Street and the Tap on 
the Line at Kew Gardens station picked up trophies. 
Finally, London’s Pride at Heathrow’s Terminal 2 was 
awarded the title Best Destination Opening at the 
CGA Peach Hero & Icon Awards. 

Digital marketing of both food and occasions 
has increased during the year and we have had a 
particular focus on responding to online feedback. 
We offer new customers who sign up to our  
database a welcome email with a free pint on  
offer and we are seeing opening rates of 70%, way 
above the norm. Fuller’s was one of the very early 
adopters of online table bookings in the pub  
sector and, combined with our dedicated events 
sales team, our managers have the tools they  
need to attract diners and functions and the  
customer has a simple and quick route to finding 
and booking a suitable venue.

Our food sales continue to be a key driver in our 
Managed Pubs and Hotels. Over the last four 
years, we have been improving the way we recruit 
and train chefs and kitchen teams and this has 
included the chef scholarship programme, which 
offers three levels aimed at developing the head 
chefs of the future. The programme has been very 
well received with 70 team members taking part 
in at least one level in the last year – bringing the  
total since the programme started in 2012 to over 
200. We are one of the only companies where 
everyone from the kitchen porter upwards  
benefits from a training programme and this  
year two of our head chefs were promoted to 
management roles as executive chefs.

This investment in training extends right through 
service, food, cellar and beer quality and even 
coffee – where The Fields, our one and only coffee 
shop, located in Ealing, provides a venue for barista 
training. We are now selling around 1.2 million cups 
of hot beverages every year and this has grown by 
10% in the last year. Our coffee is also available 
Only at Fuller’s and the blend was chosen by the 
coffee masters at Matthew Algie, the gourmet 
coffee roaster, in conjunction with the Fuller’s 
brewing manager, Georgina Young. 

Working with our suppliers has also enabled us to 
offer a series of master classes to our chefs on 
topics from butchery to strawberries. This continued 
commitment to fresh food, cooked to a high 
standard of taste and presentation, developing our 
people through formal training and informal sessions 
with suppliers, has resulted in higher customer 
advocacy and sales growth. We have also improved 
our food marketing, with interesting campaigns 
revolving around seasonal ingredients and flavours.

Finally, we also continued with our Only at Fuller’s 
range, introducing a delicious Sipsmith’s Gin 
Lemon Cake among other products. Our  
London Porter Smoked Salmon was available at 
the Cheltenham Festival and during the year we 
sold over 70,000 Vintage Ale Sticky Toffee  
Puddings. We also launched  the Fuller’s Chip Off 
to find the best chips in our Managed Pubs – The 
Pilot in Chiswick is the current holder of this title.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

11

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Chief Executive’s Review continued

The success of our pubs is totally dependent 
on our people and this year we launched a new 
recruitment website, with full mobile optimisation, 
which we believe is a game changer in the hunt 
to secure the best talent. The online recruitment 
process includes a situational judgement test that 
identifies people with a talent for exceptional 
customer service. The system ensures that our 
managers only interview suitable candidates 
and, by hiring better, we are already seeing team 
members staying longer which, we believe, has 
been a key driver of the significant increase in our 
Net Promoter Score. In the first 10 months of the 
new recruitment website, over 17,000 completed 
applications were received and over 1,700 candidates 
were hired. 

In line with our growth, I am particularly delighted 
this year to see an increasing number of internal 
promotions, both to general manager within our 
pubs and also into head office positions. Having 
the right people in the right places is the key to 
a successful business. Nowhere is this personified 
better than in Gerry O’Brien who has been the 
manager of The Churchill Arms in Kensington 
for 30 years. We were delighted this year when 
he was nominated for a Tourism Superstar Award 
by the Daily Mirror.

Our acquisition of a 51% stake in The Stable in June  
2014 was a new direction for Fuller’s, although one 
that had much in common with our vision and 
ethos. The Stable is a craft cider and gourmet 
pizza business, based in the South West of England. 
It had, at the time of our investment, six sites and  
we opened one more during the year – in Falmouth. 
In addition, we have opened a site in Plymouth, 
right on the Barbican waterfront, since the year end. 

Exports
Asia Pacific 
Africa 
North America 
South America  
Europe 
Middle East 

17.0%
0.3%
21.9%
7.3%
50.1% 
3.4%

While the concept appeals to a younger, more 
female demographic than our traditional estate, 
the commitment to quality, fresh ingredients and 
local produce is synonymous with our existing 
business. We have already helped to grow this 
brand by adding depth to the head office support 
team and using our property expertise to identify 
new sites. We now have agreed or completed 
deals on six sites in Winchester, Whitechapel, 
Southampton, Cardiff, Exeter and Cheltenham, 
as well as moving from our existing location to 
a larger and more prominent site in Bath.

We believe The Stable is a logical step in Fuller’s 
evolution, following on from our acquisition of 
Cornish Orchards. The brand broadens our appeal 
and exposure to growing parts of the market in a 
way that is totally aligned to our commitment to 
authenticity and quality. It is also a fitting showcase 
for the Cornish Orchards’ brands and for Fuller’s 
brands such as Frontier Craft Lager. There has 
been some considerable up front investment but 
the potential for The Stable to deliver good returns 
in the future offers a great opportunity. 

Tenanted Inns
It has been a fantastic year for our Tenanted Inns 
business with like for like profits rising by 5% and 
total profits rising by 2% to £12.6 million (2014: 
£12.3 million). Average EBITDA per pub has also 
risen by 5%, with total EBITDA increasing by 2% 
to £14.2 million (2014: £13.9 million). Three pubs, 
The Duke of York in Tunbridge Wells, The Bear & 
Ragged Staff in Romsey and Grand Central in 
Brighton, have been transferred to the managed 
estate and two pubs have been sold. 

It has been a turbulent time for many tenanted 
businesses and, although we are well below the 
500 pub threshold for Market Only Rent to become 
a reality, we will be watching the changes to the 
market place with interest. In the meantime, 
we continue to focus on building a strong and 
supportive partnership with our tenants and this is 
reflected in the fact that almost 90% of our estate 
is on a substantive agreement and over 80% of 
tenants are signed up for our service charge 
package, which provides a number of services 
including health and safety workplace assessments, 
chimney flue maintenance and fire risk assessments. 

12  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Cookie, Severn & Wye Smokery
We teamed up with Richard Cook, or Cookie as he’s 
better known, in 2012. He took a range of our beers 
and decided to see what flavours they could create 
when smoked with his excellent salmon. Our 
London Porter came out tops and now London 
Porter smoked salmon is the best-selling starter in 
our managed pubs and it’s available in Fortnum & 
Mason too.

My Fuller’s...
 ‘ My fish, your beer –  
the perfect combination.’

Cookie 
 Severn & Wye Smokery

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

13

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Chief Executive’s Review continued

My Fuller’s...
 ‘ Bringing the world of wine 

to your local pub.’

Pippa Penny 
Wine Development Manager

14  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

As with any business, the key to success is attracting 
and retaining the right tenants. To provide better 
support to new tenants, we have changed the way 
we operate so our recruiter also manages the 
tenant relationship for the first six months to add 
some continuity to the process. New tenants are 
given a tenant mentor to help answer any questions 
and our ever-improving extranet provides helpful 
services such as menu templates and wine list 
planning. We also offer a free WiFi service to 
our Tenanted Inns and 92% of our tenants take 
advantage of this service.

We provide full training and tenants have to  
undertake a number of courses within the first six 
months. Two thirds of the cost of this is returned 
to the tenants, so long as they complete the  
courses in the suggested timescale. Well trained 
tenants run more successful businesses, 
completing a virtuous circle.

Other tenant benefits that have recently been 
introduced include an improved website service 
for their own pub websites and, following the duty 
cuts on alcohol in the last budget, we immediately 
passed all these duty savings on in full. Our new 
beers are proving popular with our tenants and 
provide yet another point of difference for their pubs.

In addition, by investing in our tenanted business 
through our capital expenditure programme during 
the recession, our tenants are better placed to build 
trade in a stronger economy and it is this joint 
commitment to building successful, sustainable 
businesses that has resulted in a good financial 
return for both the Company and the tenant. 

The Fuller’s Beer Company
The Fuller’s Beer Company has also had a good 
year with total beer and cider volumes up 4%  
and revenue up by 6% to £122.9 million (2014:  
£115.8 million). Operating profit grew 2% to  
£8.7 million (2014: £8.5 million), after increased 
marketing costs of £0.4 million. Sales are up across 
all channels and London Pride has seen volume 
grow by 1% against a cask ale market decline of 4%.  
We have also won several awards, increased sales 
across our product range, rebranded two of our 
popular beers and launched Oliver’s Island, an exciting 
new golden ale. 

The London Pride Made of London advertising 
campaign entered phase four during the year, 
which included a very successful media promotion 
with the Evening Standard. The package involved 
a series of intimate events with celebrities such as 
Blur bassist Alex James, rugby legend Jason Leonard 
and DJ Jo Whiley, with tickets available only 
through the Evening Standard. The events were 
a resounding success and it was supported with 
a series of features on ordinary Londoners who 
bring style, interest and dedication to our Capital. 

This activity was supported by a poster campaign 
across London and on tube platforms with iconic 
photography and social media support such as 
#DropOfPride and #EmptyPint. The first of these 
encourages offices and companies to put themselves 
forward for a delivery of London Pride on the last 
Friday of every month. Recipients have comprised 
a variety of businesses including the set of 
Downton Abbey. The #EmptyPint promotion was a 
short term Twitter promotion where drinkers who 
tweeted a photo of their empty pint glass, 
immediately received a code to get a free pint. It 
was our most successful digital campaign to date 
and gained over five million impressions and a 
redemption rate of 54%. 

We were delighted when the Made of London 
campaign was recognised at the inaugural Beer 
Marketing Awards. It picked up the prize for Best 
Media Campaign – Print as well as the Grand Prix 
Award for the best overall marketing campaign, 
garnering high praise from the judges in the process. 

Our other beer brands have also fared well. 
Organic Honey Dew is the number one organic 
ale in both on and off trade markets and we have 
given it a more up to date look and livery, with new 
glassware, to enhance its organic credentials. 
Seafarers continues to sell well and over £37,000 
was raised during the year for the Seafarers charity 
through sales of this beer. Frontier also performed 
well, with sales and distribution increasing and the 
brand continues to be a firm favourite at numerous 
food and music events, as well as festivals in general, 
bringing Fuller’s beer to a younger market. Frontier 
is now our second biggest brand in the UK.

Cornish Orchards has seen cider sales rise during 
the year with increased distribution through new 
trading channels in the on and off trades. The 
investments we have made in additional capacity 
are now on stream and our ciders are picking up 
awards including a gold medal for Cornish Gold 
at the International Cider Awards. 

Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew – the 
UK’s number one selling Organic Beer 
– has been given a more modern look, 
with lighter colours to convey natural 
ingredients, and the golden ale 
description more visible to appeal 
to a wider audience.

Pippa Penny, Wine Development Manager
Pippa started at Fuller’s in 2010 when she joined the 
team at The Vintry, a pub with an extensive list of 160 
wines, as deputy manager. She has now progressed 
her love of grape by taking a head office role, 
bringing great wines to all our Managed Pubs. One of 
Pippa’s favourites is the Les Cents Verres Grenache 
Rosé – available Only at Fuller’s.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

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We have launched phase five of the Made of 
London campaign for London Pride and used our 
passion for quality and the brewers daily tasting of 
London Pride at 12 noon to launch #Tweetat12. 
This latest social media promotion offered our 
fans a chance to tweet between 12.00 and 12.12 to 
receive a pint of London Pride with our compliments. 

We have taken on new companies, new brands 
and new ideas over the last two years and while 
they have all started well, the best is yet to come.  
We are looking forward to completing the  
integration of these new businesses and building 
for our future. We will also continue to invest  
heavily in our existing pub estate and develop  
our range of brands.

We have a successful business model, interesting 
fledgling opportunities, a first class, predominately 
freehold estate, a team with passion and ability 
and a very healthy balance sheet. This gives me 
confidence that we will continue to deliver strong 
results for our customers, our employees and 
our shareholders.

Simon Emeny 
Chief Executive

4 June 2015

Fuller’s brand new Golden Ale, Oliver’s 
Island, is a harmony of citrus, floral hops 
and golden malt. Drawing inspiration 
from a local landmark less than three 
miles from the brewery, it was launched 
at the opening of the Blue Boat on 
Fulham Reach in March 2015 and is 
already proving popular.

Chief Executive’s Review continued

The integration of Sierra Nevada has also proved 
successful and sales are rising. The creation  
of Westside Drinks as a stand-alone business,  
supported by Fuller’s, to sell Frontier and our  
agency brands to a very vibrant end of the market 
is proving successful and we are looking forward 
to developing this further. In addition, our wine 
business has also benefited from the long term 
trend of better quality food in pubs and our free 
trade wine sales have grown during the year. 

Finally, we also launched a new golden ale – 
Oliver’s Island. Named after an island in the 
Thames close to our Chiswick Brewery, Oliver’s 
Island has had a very good initial reception and is 
selling better than our most optimistic forecast. 
Oliver’s Island is brewed with golden malt, orange 
peel and floral and citrus hops, and is supported 
with eye-catching branding and bespoke glassware. 

Final Salary Scheme
We closed our final salary pension scheme to new 
members in August 2005. During the year, the 
Company concluded a period of consultation 
with the Trustees and Members of that scheme. 
As a result, the scheme closed to future accrual 
with effect from 1 January 2015. The closure 
resulted in a one-off curtailment gain of £1.2 million 
in the year, which has been recognised as an 
exceptional item. 

Current Trading and Prospects
The new financial year has got off to a good start 
with solid sales for the nine weeks to 30 May 2015.  
Like for like sales in our Managed Pubs and Hotels 
have risen by 5.5% and like for like profits in our 
Tenanted Inns have risen by 2%. Beer and cider 
volumes have decreased by 2%.

Since the year end, we have purchased The King’s 
Head in Earl’s Court Village and opened a new site 
for The Stable on the waterfront in Plymouth. We 
are looking forward to opening another riverside 
pub, The Sail Loft on Greenwich Reach, later this 
year and we have plans to open at least another 
four sites for The Stable. 

Beer Company total beer & cider barrels

Capital expenditure

348,400+4%

£56.9m+49%

2015 

2014 

2013 

(’000) Brls

348.4

2015 

334.1

2014 

332.1

2013 

16  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

£m

56.9

38.1

31.1

Joe Clarke, The Sun, Richmond
Joe, and wife Margy, have been the tenants at 
The Sun for 30 years and over those years the pub 
has become synonymous with rugby. No trip to 
Twickenham is complete without a pint or two in 
The Sun. Jason Leonard even donated his first ever 
professional pay cheque to adorn the pub’s walls. 
Margy’s BBQs, served in the pub’s exceptional beer 
garden, are just as legendary and help satisfy the 
appetites of the rugby fraternity.

 
 
My Fuller’s...
‘Beer, BBQs and boisterous rugby boys.’

Joe Clarke 
The Sun, Richmond

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

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GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Financial Review

My Fuller’s...
 ‘Investing for the long term.’

James Douglas 
Finance Director

18  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Our operating profits before exceptional items grew  
by 6% and EBITDA increased by 8%. Year end net debt was 
£162.6 million and the pro forma net debt ratio was 2.7 times.

The Vintry picked up the Imbibe 2015 Short Wine 
List of the Year  award. The list features 30 of the 
pub’s vast range, which totals 160 on the full wine list. 
This commitment to great wines for our managed 
and tenanted pubs is supported by a specialist in 
house wine team.

Our Operating Results
We have grown revenue by 12% on the prior year 
with the majority of the growth driven by strong 
like for like trading within the Managed and 
Tenanted estate. Our operating profits before 
exceptional items grew by 6% to £42.3 million 
(2014: £39.9 million), with the largest contribution 
to growth again coming from the Managed Pubs 
and Hotels division. Total EBITDA increased by 8% 
to £58.7 million (2014: £54.5 million).

Finance Costs
Despite our net debt level increasing significantly 
to £162.6 million (2014: £139.8 million), our net 
finance costs before exceptional items increased 
only marginally from £5.8 million to £5.9 million. 
This is a result of the terms of our new bank loan  
facilities and the impact of continuing historical 
low interest rates allowing us to achieve low 
interest rates on our variable rate debt, and 
includes £0.2 million of arrangement fees on the 
previous facilities that were written off in the year. 
Further details of the new arrangements are 
included below. The net interest expense on our 
defined benefit pension scheme is shown as an 
exceptional item as the charge is driven by market 
conditions and is not associated with our underlying 
trading. Our blended cost of borrowings has 
decreased to 2.9% due to low rates on the variable 
rate portion of our debt. We expect this blended 
rate of interest to increase marginally in the coming 
year as interest rates begin to rise and we continue 
to pay down our cheaper variable rate borrowing.

Exceptional Items
Net exceptional costs before tax of £0.3 million 
comprised £0.8 million profit on property disposals, 
£1.2 million relating to the pension fund curtailment 
gain offset by £1.2 million of acquisition costs 
expensed, £0.3 million of onerous lease charges 
and a net interest charge on our pension deficit 
of £0.8 million. The curtailment gain relates to the 
January 2015 closure in of the defined benefit 
pension plan to future accrual. This is a one-off 
reduction in the year end pension deficit. After 
exceptional items, profit before tax was therefore 
£36.1 million (2014: £33.5 million). 

Tax
A full analysis of the tax charge for the year is set out 
in note 7 to the financial statements. Tax has been 
provided for at an effective rate of 21.7% (2014: 
23.2%) on adjusted profits. The overall effective tax 
rate of 21.6% benefits from non-taxable 
exceptional items. The prior year effective tax rate 
of 13.1% was impacted by the deferred tax credit of 
£3.4 million relating to the stepped reduction in 
the UK corporation tax rate from 23% down to 21% 
from 1 April 2014, and from 21% to 20% on 1 April 2015.

Pensions
The deficit on the defined benefit pension 
scheme increased by £7.2 million to £24.4 million 
(2014: £17.2 million). This was principally driven by 
the assumed discount rate applied to the long 
term liability decreasing from 4.45% to 3.25%, 
resulting in an increase in the calculated present 
value of pension obligations from £110.8 million to 
£127.9 million. This was partly offset by a greater 
than expected return on the plans assets, resulting 
in an increase in the fair value from £93.6 million 
to £103.5 million. Deficit recovery payments of 
£0.8 million were made during the year. 

Shareholders’ Return
Adjusted earnings per share was 10% higher than 
last year at 51.51p (2014: 46.94p). The proposed 
final dividend of 10.20p per 40p ‘A’ ordinary share, 
together with the interim dividend of 6.40p per 
share already paid makes a total of 16.60p and 
compares with a total dividend of 15.10p last year. 
The total dividend per share has grown by 10% 
and will be covered 3.1 times by adjusted earnings 
per share (2014: 3.1 times). Shareholders’ equity at 
the year end was £284.8 million.

During the period 291,500 ‘A’ ordinary 40p 
shares and 3,558,009 ‘B’ ordinary 4p shares were 
repurchased into treasury for a total of £6.2 million 
(2014: 445,819 ‘A’ ordinary shares for £4.2 million). 
In addition 72,500 ‘A’ ordinary 40p shares and 
248,089 ‘B’ ordinary 4p shares were purchased 
for £0.9 million by or on behalf of the Trustees 
of the Share Incentive Plan and the LTIP Trustees 
to cover future issuance (2014: 69,000 ‘A’ shares, 
414,854 ‘B’ shares and 5,000 ‘C’ shares for  
£1.1 million). The average price paid was 959.5p 
per ‘A’ ordinary 40p share. The middle-market 
quotation of the Company’s ordinary shares 
at the end of the financial year was 1,020p. The 
highest price during the year was 1,035.0p, while 
the lowest was 882.5p. The Company’s market 
capitalisation at 28 March 2015 was £ 569.4 million 
(2014: £507.9 million).

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

19

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Financial Review continued

Cash Flow

Cash flow

EBITDA

Interest

Tax

Working capital and other

Cash available for discretionary spend

Capital expenditure on estate

Acquisitions* 

Pub development

Acquisition costs and other exceptional items paid

Property disposals

Dividends and share transactions

Cash flow

Non cash movement

Net debt movement

2015
£m

58.7

(5.2)

(8.3)

2.5

47.7

(23.0)

(27.3)

(6.0)

(1.7)

3.3

(14.9)

(21.9)

(0.9)

(22.8)

2014
£m

54.5

(5.3)

(8.0)

4.9

46.1

(16.4)

(17.6)

(4.1)

(2.1)

2.6

(11.8)

(3.3)

(0.9)

(4.2)

*    Includes acquired debt on acquisition of The Stable and purchase of freeholds. In the prior year, this included acquired debt on  

the acquisition of Cornish Orchards Limited.

Cash available for discretionary spend was 
£47.7 million (2014: £46.1 million). The increase was 
largely due to increased EBITDA and positive 
movements in working capital, mainly due to the 
timing of payments around the year end. Group 
net debt increased from £139.8 million at the 
start of the year to £162.6 million as a result of 
acquisitions and the continued investment in our 
existing estate. Our capital spending increased to 
£56.3 million (2014: £38.1 million). This included 
the acquisition of The Stable (including £0.6 
million of assumed debts) and adding eight new 
pubs to our estate (exclusive of acquisition fees 
and stamp duty) – London’s Pride at Heathrow 
Terminal 2, The Blue Boat, Fulham Reach; 
The Windmill, Portishead; The Harp, Covent 
Garden; The Cromwell Arms, Romsey; The 
Three Guineas, Reading; The Bull Hotel, 

Bridport and One Over The Ait, Kew Bridge. We 
have invested significantly in the refurbishment of 
our existing estate – The George IV, Chiswick; The 
Duke of York and The Admiralty, Trafalgar Square.

Asset disposals raised a total of £3.3 million and 
we recorded an exceptional gain on disposal of 
£0.8 million which was largely attributable to the 
disposal of a single property. EBITDA increased 
by 8% to £58.7 million (2014: £54.5 million). The 
increased capital spend was financed through the 
incremental EBITDA and drawing on our new 
bank facilities. This has resulted in the pro forma 
net debt ratio increasing slightly to 2.7 times 
(2014: 2.5 times). This level of debt allows us 
continued flexibility to invest in future opportunities 
as they arise. 

Sources of Finance

Sources of finance

Bank debt

Other debt

Cash

Total net debt

Available committed facilities

% total borrowings fixed/hedged

Net debt/EBITDA

2015
£m

2014
£m

140.0

116.2

27.7

(5.1)

27.7

(4.1)

162.6

139.8

59.0

75%

2.7x

33.5

78%

2.5x

to continue to borrow a portion of our bank debt 
at a fixed interest rate until 2022. The Group’s 
financing is a mix of bank debt, debentures, 
cumulative preference shares, overdraft, cash and 
short term deposits as disclosed in notes 22, 24 
and 26. Other financial assets and liabilities such 
as trade receivables and payables arise through 
the Group’s operating activities. The Group does 
not trade in financial instruments. The Group is 
able to operate with negative working capital – 
trade and other payables were £20.9 million 
greater than the aggregate of inventories and 
trade and other receivables at the year end 
(2014: £17.2 million greater).

Financial Risks and Treasury Policies
The Group Treasury Team consists of the Finance 
Director and the Group Financial Controller. 
The objectives of the Treasury Team are to 
manage the Group’s financial risk; to secure cost 
effective funding for the Group’s operations; and 
to minimise the adverse effects of fluctuations in 
the financial markets on the value of the Group’s 
financial assets and liabilities, on reported 
profitability and on the cash flows of the Group. 
The Group Treasury Team monitors the overall 
level of financial gearing weekly, with our short 
and medium term forecasts showing underlying 
levels of gearing which remain within our targets.

Going Concern Statement
The financial position of the Group including the 
various sources of finance available and its cash 
flows have been described herein. In addition, 
note 26 to the financial statements includes 
detailed disclosure on the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its capital; 
its financial risk management objectives; details 
of its financial instruments and hedging activities; 
and its exposures to credit and liquidity risk. 

The Group is vertically integrated, is diversified 
across a wide range of sales channels and is strongly 
cash generative. We have performed well throughout 
the recent economic cycles. Our financial position 
is strong as we have always borrowed prudently. 
We had approximately £59.0 million of undrawn 
bank facilities in place at the year end which is 
considered more than sufficient to meet cash 
flow requirements over the coming 12 months. 

On the basis of current financial projections 
and having considered the facilities available, 
the Directors are confident that the Group and 
Company have adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 
Accordingly, the Directors consider that it is 
appropriate to continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
financial statements.

During the year, the Group successfully arranged 
new £180.0 million bank loan facilities and a further 
£20.0 million one-year fixed term loan. The new 
£180.0 million facilities have a five-year term 
expiring in August 2019, have no amortisation 
requirements and provide £30.0 million of 
additional funding over and above the former 
arrangements which expired in May 2015.

£105.0 million of our borrowings are hedged 
of which £65.0 million is swapped at a blended 
interest rate of 1.8% (excluding bank margin) and 
£20.0 million is subject to a cap of 4.0%. This cap 
expires in August 2015. In December 2014 we 
entered into a further interest rate cap arrangement 
for £20.0 million at 2.1% from 2015 to 2020. The 
interest rate swap agreement in place will allow us  

James Douglas 
Finance Director

4 June 2015

20  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

My Fuller’s...
 ‘ Ensuring that every  

customer leaves happy.’

Bernard Kulwazi 
The Hereford Arms, South Kensington

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  21

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties

In the course of its normal business, the Group 
continually assesses and takes action to mitigate 
the various risks encountered that could impact 
the achievement of its objectives. As detailed in the 
Corporate Governance Report, there are systems 
and processes in place to enable the Board to 
monitor and control the Group’s management 
of risk. The Audit Committee regularly reviews 
the effectiveness of this process and seeks to 
ensure that management’s response is adapted 
appropriately to the changing environment.

Risk

Regulatory Risks

The following sets out what the Board considers 
to be the principal risks which affect the Group 
at present, although it is not intended to be a 
comprehensive analysis of all the risks that the 
business may face. In addition, the key financial 
risks to the Group are detailed in note 26c to the 
financial statements.

Mitigation and Monitoring

Fuller’s operates in a highly regulated sector where government legislation 
controls much of the way we do business and therefore the business model.  
Any significant changes in policy could lead to a sudden change or the long  
term decline of the business. The two key areas of consideration are the  
regulation of the sale of alcohol and the Beer Tie.

We carefully monitor legislative developments and review sales trends and 
consumer habits to gauge the impact on our business.

We participate in industry initiatives aimed at the responsible promotion 
and retailing of alcohol. 

We have diversified our offering to include soft drinks, coffee, food and  
accommodation to reduce our reliance on alcohol based revenue.

We continue to monitor ongoing dialogue between the government 
and industry bodies. Our directors are members of key industry bodies 
and committees.

The industry maintains a voluntary code of practice with tenants, which 
is regularly reviewed and updated in consultation with numerous pub 
companies and industry groups. Fuller’s operates an internal code of 
practice that is more rigorous than the current industry code to ensure  
the transparency and openness of our Tied agreements. We also provide 
marketing, training and promotional support to help tenants run profitable 
and long term businesses.

Enforced changes to our tied arrangements by the Government would 
necessitate changes to our business model, with higher property rents 
and lower prices for the supply of drinks being charged. 

Health and Safety

The health and safety of the Group’s employees and customers is a key  
concern to us. We are required to comply with health and safety legislation,  
including fire safety and food hygiene. Operating a large number of houses  
and sites increases the complexity of ensuring the highest health and safety  
standards are adhered to at all times.

A Health and Safety Committee oversees the operation of the Group’s 
health and safety policies and procedures, and regularly updates its policies 
and training programme to ensure all risks are identified and properly assessed 
and that relevant regulation is adhered to. We report and investigate all  
accidents and near misses. 

Loss of premium position

The Group operates in a premium market for both Fuller’s Inns and  
The Fuller’s Beer Company. This positioning is key to the success of the  
business and the achievement of the Group’s strategic goals. The loss of  
the position would have a significant impact on the Group’s business 
model and financial performance.

In our Managed Pubs and Hotels we have automatic fire suppression systems 
in most of our kitchens to reduce fire risk. 

All staff receive food hygiene training as standard and regular kitchen 
audits/checks ensure they comply with the standards expected from them. 
Quality assurance checks on our core suppliers ensure hygiene standards 
have been adhered to before produce even reaches our kitchens.

This strategy has been agreed by the Board and communicated to key  
senior staff in the Company. In addition the Executive Committee approves  
all significant new product development and acquisition decisions and 
therefore controls key changes to the Group.

There is a customer complaints system to track and monitor the perception  
of our products and houses in the market place to ensure we are meeting  
our premium position.

22  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Risk

Griffin Brewery Site

Mitigation and Monitoring

The Group’s headquarters and sole brewing facility are based at the Griffin  
Brewery site in Chiswick. A disaster at this site would seriously disrupt  
operations which would impact on the profitability of the Company.

We take various measures to mitigate the impact of such an event. We continually 
monitor fire safety and invest in capital projects to reduce the risk of failure.

We store recipes and yeast off-site and have informal arrangements in place  
to use alternative facilities.

Brands and Reputation

Fuller’s has a wide portfolio of brands and has established an excellent  
reputation in the market. Principally, there is a risk that the Group’s beer and  
food offerings could become contaminated at source or outlet, which could  
damage the reputation of the brand and deter customers.

Information Technology

The Group is increasingly reliant on its information systems to operate on  
a daily basis and trading would be affected by any significant or prolonged  
failure of these systems.

The data held by the Group is a key business asset and personal data  
protection is key. Any significant loss of data could lead to a considerable  
interruption for the business and fines.

Loss of Key Management and Staff

The Group have a number of key staff who are critical to its success and  
therefore there is a risk that if a number of these individuals were to leave  
at the same time it may risk the delivery of the Group’s strategy.

The Group reduces product contamination risks to an acceptable level by  
ensuring that the business is operated to the highest standards by maintaining 
long term relationships with suppliers and by significant investment in 
security, quality control and cleaning. The Group has in place product recall  
procedures together with insurance coverage in the event of contamination. 
In addition, the Group runs an active and continuous training programme 
covering all aspects of the pub operations and provides its pubs with on-site  
technical support.

To minimise this risk the IT function has a range of facilities and controls  
in place to ensure that in the event of an issue normal operation would be  
restored quickly. These include a formal Disaster Recovery Plan, on-line 
replication of systems and data to a third party recovery facility and external  
support for hardware and software.

The IT systems in place follow appropriate date protection guidelines to ensure 
the risk of both personal and Company data loss is at an acceptable level.

The Group performs detailed succession planning to ensure that key 
roles are considered to ensure appropriate cover is available. In addition  
the remuneration policy is set up to ensure the key members of staff  
are appropriately remunerated so they are not attracted to other 
competitor businesses.

Loss of Company Values or a Failure to Adhere to Them

 Fuller’s is a company based on a strong set of values which are key to its  
success and future. Should these be undermined or not adhered to, the  
Company’s unique position and long term future would be jeopardised.

The Company has a unique culture due to its share structure and history  
which ensures business decisions are taken for the long term benefit of  
the Company. 

This culture also promotes a long term and collaborative approach that 
does not lead to excessive risk taking.

The share structure of the Company and Family shareholder representation 
on the Board and involvement in the Company’s management ensure the 
values are maintained and followed. Disruptive and short-term third parties 
cannot easily gain significant holdings and influence.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  23

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Corporate Social Responsibility

My Fuller’s...
 ‘Being inspired by the best.’

Dave Evans 
Trainee Brewer

24  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Doing things the right way is a key value at Fuller’s and,  
to that end, good corporate social responsibility has always 
been a part of our culture.

We have a strong commitment to our people and 
we celebrate the individuality of our pubs and the 
way they involve themselves in their immediate 
neighbourhoods. We are very aware of the 
environmental impact of our business and work 
both internally and with our suppliers to mitigate 
this where possible. Finally, as a Company with a 
long history, we have a duty to protect the 
heritage of which we are the custodians. 

Community
Pubs are the heart of community fundraising – and 
Fuller’s pubs are no exception. We have two main 
charities that are beneficiaries of our day to day 
activities – Seafarers and Shooting Star Chase. 
The Seafarers charity continues to benefit from 
sales of Gales Seafarer, a beer we have brewed 
since our acquisition of Gales in 2005. We donate 
£5 per barrel to the charity, which uses it to benefit 
all those with a link to the sea and sailing. Last year  
we raised over £32,000 from sales of this beer 
and it has just had a makeover with a new look 
pump clip and glassware, so we hope to see this 
amount rise further in the coming 12 months.

Our other main charity is Shooting Star Chase. 
This is a children’s hospice charity that cares for 
over 600 families living in West London, Surrey 
and West Sussex. For every children’s meal we sell 
in 93 of our managed pubs, we donate 30p to the  
charity and this year we have donated just under 
£35,000. In addition, we support the charity with 
events for its fundraisers and with other events 
during the year. 

Frontier has been gaining new fans on 
the summer festival circuit and is now 
our second biggest brand in the UK.

Dave Evans, Trainee Brewer
Just over four years ago, Dave was in a job with limited 
opportunities for promotion – and he was a dedicated 
lager drinker. Luckily, he regularly played football 
with one of the managers at the Griffin Brewery, 
who suggested a job in brewing. Dave’s not looked 
back since. He’s now got a whole new career and his 
taste buds are celebrating too.

Some of our pubs got behind activities to raise 
awareness about ways to help customers with 
Parkinson’s. Everyday activities can become a real 
trial for people affected by the condition and 
around 50 staff members across three pubs took 
part in an awareness session to understand the 
symptoms and how they could adapt their service 
to make these guests more comfortable. The 
session was well received and it is an area we will 
be looking at further. 

It’s not just our pubs that are excellent at supporting 
good causes though. The Brewery continues to 
support a range of local charities in Chiswick and 
Horndean as well as other organisations across a 
wide range of activities such as medical charities, 
historic buildings and charities for those affected 
by alcohol. Fuller’s is also continuing its support for 
the Hammer Cancer Walk – a 10 km walk to raise 
money for the cancer care unit at Hammersmith 
Hospital. Long term support is a key element of 
our community activities – we have supported 
the Hammer Cancer walk for 19 years, raising over 
£1 million, and our support for the Surrey Cricket 
League and the Head of the River IVs rowing 
event has been continuous in both cases for over 
two decades. 

We also supply hundreds of brewery tour vouchers 
each year for school fetes and other fundraising 
events. We have continued to provide a regular 
donation of free beer to the Hospital of St Cross 
almshouse and we provide sponsorship to ensure 
the continuation of a number of running races, 
carnivals and local activities. Finally, we reinstated 
the popular Pride and Passion Open Day in 2014 
when we throw open our doors to local residents 
and visitors. It proved very successful and we will 
be repeating the event on 5 September 2015. 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  25

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Corporate Social Responsibility continued

Board of Directors

Senior Managers

All employees

Male 
Female 

9
1

Male 
Female 

40
23

Male 
Female 

2,483
1,874

Responsible Retailing
Fuller’s has always believed that a well-run pub is 
the home of responsible drinking and we are 
clearly seeing that the purpose of visiting a Fuller’s 
pub is as likely to be for food or a coffee as it is for  
an alcoholic drink. We are signatories to the 
Government’s Responsibility Deal and regularly 
update on progress to our commitments.

We do take our role as a retailer of alcohol seriously 
and we are active members of the British Beer 
and Pub Association and the British Institute of 
Innkeeping. Fuller’s is also a supporter of Drinkaware 
– the government sponsored trust that aims to 
promote responsible drinking and help reduce 
alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harm.

Across the Company, we have invested heavily in 
training – and our bar staff training includes details 
of initiatives such as the Challenge 21 scheme 
to prevent underage drinking and, of course, how 
to politely refuse those who have had too much to 
drink. These measures are audited throughout the 
year via unannounced test purchases. 

This year also saw the arrival of allergen labelling 
and we have introduced a very thorough set of 
procedures, processes and training to ensure 
we are providing the correct information for 
customers. We have worked with our suppliers 
and our Star Chef system, which includes a menu 
database, to give our chefs a safe and simple way 
of ensuring that we know the allergens for any 
new dishes and combinations. We also have an 

environmental health consultancy on a retained 
basis so we can immediately and thoroughly 
investigate any allegations of food poisoning and 
take corrective action swiftly if necessary.

People
Being part of the family underpins much of the 
way we work at Fuller’s and it is evident throughout 
the business. Many employees stay with Fuller’s 
for much of their working life as demonstrated 
every year by the numerous recipients of our 
long service awards. 

To meet our strategic aims, we require a highly 
motivated and talented workforce, who are fully 
engaged and share our passion for quality and 
customer service. The training and development 
of our people is paramount. We launched our 
Graduate Programmes in 2011 and these have 
gone from strength to strength. Increasingly,  
Fuller’s is being viewed as a place for talented 
graduates to develop into the leaders of the future 
and our 2015 programmes attracted over 1,000 
applications. We are now reaping the benefits of 
these programmes. The 2011 and 2012 graduate 
intakes are now working in their first or second 
substantive roles within our marketing, sales and 
operations teams.

Fuller’s other development programmes support 
a career journey from apprenticeship to general 
management. In September we launch our 
Learning to Lead programme, which aims to turn 
the best team members into supervisors.

Sylvia La Porte, Corporate Relationship Manager, 
Shooting Star Chase
Fuller’s has been working with Shooting Star Chase 
for three years, helping to raise money for children 
with life-limiting conditions. This amazing charity 
provides bespoke support, free of charge, to families 
from diagnosis to end of life and throughout 
bereavement. It’s locally based and last year Fuller’s 
donated just under £35,000.

26  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My Fuller’s...
 ‘ Helping improve the lives of children 
with life-limiting conditions.’

Sylvia La Porte 
Corporate Relationship Manager, Shooting Star Chase

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  27

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Corporate Social Responsibility continued

My Fuller’s...
 ‘ The freedom to express  

my love of  food.’

Gavin Sinden 
The Castle, Harrow

28  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Carbon reporting

Fuel type

Electricity and gas

Petrol and diesel

Total

CO2 emissions per  
£100,000 of turnover

Fuel type

Electricity and gas

Petrol and diesel

Total

CO2 emissions per  
£100,000 of turnover

52 weeks
ended
28 March 2015
CO2 tonnes

29,504

1,189

30,693

9.6

52 weeks
ended
29 March 2014
CO2 tonnes

27,493

1,126

28,619

9.9

The greenhouse gas intensity ratio for each year 
is calculated by dividing our total CO 2 emissions 
(in metric tonnes) by our annual turnover (in 
£100,000s). Our total CO2 emissions are derived 
from the electricity and gas consumption of both 
our Managed pub estate and the Griffin Brewery 
plus emissions from all company vehicles, including 
company cars. Vehicle emissions are calculated 
from the data gathered by our fuelcard supplier.

Our general manager development programme 
continues to grow the best assistant managers 
into new leaders for our pub estate. Around 50% 
of the general managers in our managed pub 
estate are now home grown. Our three chef 
scholarships, which will develop talented chefs 
from commis chef to head chef positions, are also 
going from strength to strength, with numbers 
developed due to double in May 2015. This has 
also inspired many of those who join as kitchen 
porters to develop their skills further and we will 
nurture this desire wherever possible. Our Service 
Coach network is also building momentum with 
over 100 Lead Service and Service Coaches 
working throughout our business, championing 
service at house level. 

We are committed to developing our home-
grown talent and providing structured career 
paths for our most talented people. The numbers 
who have completed, or are progressing on, a 
development programme is now in the hundreds 
and we intend to grow this further. Fuller’s has also 
raised the training bar with significant investment 
in a programme for the sales team and a full 
training calendar now in place for managers 
throughout the head office and brewery function.

We value loyalty very highly and offer a range of 
benefits to encourage employees to take a stake 
in the Company’s long-term success, such as the 
Save As You Earn scheme and Share Incentive 
Plan. We also endeavour to recognise great 
efforts with the 100 club, a select group of team 
members in our pubs and hotels who have 
exceeded our customer service expectations, 
and through the use of Caught in the Act scratch 
cards to provide an instant award to team 
members who are exhibiting any one of our 
Five Golden Rules of service.

Environment
A commitment to reducing energy consumption 
is a key philosophy for Fuller’s and we continue to 
explore new and improving technologies to achieve 
this. Through weekly consumption reports,  
guidance on energy saving, reward incentives, 
a competitive element and operational visibility, 
we continue to reduce electricity consumption, 
with usage down by 3% and gas consumption 
down 6% on average in participating pubs.

We continue to roll-out LED lighting and are 
seeing significant energy and carbon savings, 
combined with benefits due to managers 
spending less time changing bulbs.

We have also continued to convert houses 
to waterless urinals whenever toilet areas are 
refurbished and food waste recycling has been 
implemented in every house where there is 
space for additional bins.

Within the Brewery, we have been working 
on auto-dimming lighting around the site and 
we are looking at a further effluent reduction 
project. A recent audit carried out by our trade 
association, the British Beer and Pub Association, 
reported that we were on top of our energy 
management – but there is still more to be done. 
We also continue to ensure that the by-products 
of brewing are reused, wherever possible, in 
particular for the production of Marmite or as 
animal feed.

We are fulfilling our Energy Savings Opportunity 
Scheme (“ESOS”)commitment, reporting 
regularly on our energy consumption across 
the business. Through working with our ESOS 
consultants, we will continue to identify  
opportunities to make further energy savings 
and further reduce our carbon footprint. 

Suppliers
It is no longer enough to examine the social 
impact of our own business – we have to consider 
that of our suppliers too and we execute our 
responsibility by ensuring the products we source 
are sustainable and, where possible, local.

We look to build long-term relationships. It is our 
belief that this stability allows our suppliers to 
sensibly invest in and protect their businesses. 
For example, we have contracts with our hop and 
barley farmers both to secure our own supply and 
to give the farmers the confidence to invest in the 
future. In addition, we consider the human rights, 
health and safety and other ethical measures of 
our suppliers when making our buying decisions. 
All suppliers are required to provide us with a 
copy of their Corporate and Social Responsibility 
policy and we look for those with similar values 
to our own. 

Gavin Sinden, The Castle, Harrow
Gavin’s love of cooking is inspired by his nan. After 
working in two Michelin-starred establishments 
on the South Coast, Gavin joined Fuller’s at the 
Wykeham Arms in Winchester – a pub with a very 
good food reputation. He’s now bought his passion 
and skill to the London suburbs and has taken up 
residency at the Castle in Harrow. With this talent, 
it won’t be long before the pub is more famous than 
the school.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  29

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Corporate Social Responsibility continued

Wherever possible, our menus will reflect the 
seasonality of local produce and we try to buy 
British. All our chips are from British Farmers and 
our fresh meat is sourced from within the UK 
through trusted butchers with a fully traceable 
supply chain. Our eggs meet Lion Quality 
standards and again all come from British farms. 
We have also just signed up as member of the 
Sustainable Seafood Coalition.

We continue to source only Fair Trade coffee and 
we support UK food initiatives such as the New 
Forest Marque and Hampshire Fare.

As we become a bigger player on the global stage, 
we have tried to ensure that we have sensible 
supplier arrangements in place. To this end, we 
have a keg arrangement with Sierra Nevada in 
the US, for which we are the UK importer. This 
arrangement avoids the transportation of empty 
kegs by ensuring that we use the same kegs that 
take Chiswick-brewed Fuller’s beers to the US 
to bring US-brewed Sierra Nevada back across 
the Atlantic.

Heritage
As we celebrate our 170th year, our heritage really 
is top of our minds. We are now the oldest brewer  
in London and we carry the weight of this history 
with pride. We continue to invest in the fabric of 
our historic building and we still support many 
other organisations that form part of that rich 
history – for instance Chiswick House, Hogarth’s 
House and St Nicholas’ Church, which is adjacent 
to the Brewery and was rebuilt by our founding 
father Henry Smith in the late 1800s. 

Our wisteria – the oldest in the country – still 
attracts many visitors when it blossoms in April 
and, although a much more recent addition to 
the Chiswick landscape, we have been actively 
involved in supporting a replanting programme 
on the Hogarth Roundabout in front of the 
Brewery site. 

During the year, we have also been fortunate 
enough to take on some fantastic heritage pubs 
including The Harp in Covent Garden and the 
Admiralty on Trafalgar Square. The latter has been 
redesigned in tribute to the triumphant Admiral 
Nelson, under whose shadow the pub sits. We 
even purchased an original Napoleonic cannon to 
sit within the pub and it is now a favourite among 
the Square’s visitors. Cannons featured again 
when we sponsored the restoration of one of the 
cannons that forms part of the Waterloo Battery 
at the Tower of London. 

The Harp, located just off Trafalgar Square on the 
edge of Covent Garden, is a former CAMRA Pub 
of the Year and there was much rumour following 
Fuller’s acquisition that the pub would change 
forever. We have proved the lengths we will go to 
protect a pub’s heritage by carrying out an 
incredible “non-refurbishment”. This involved 
removing all the artefacts (including hundreds of 
beer mats) from the walls, repainting and repairing 
the building and paintwork, and then putting 
everything back just as we had found it. 

It’s been a great year for our Bottle 
Conditioned beers – 1845, 2014 Vintage 
Ale and Bengal Lancer took the Gold, 
Silver & Bronze sweep at the CAMRA 
London & South East Beer of Britain 
Awards for bottled conditioned beer.

Dave Hay, Manager, The Red Lion, Whitehall
When we refurbished the Red Lion in Whitehall, 
Dave Hay took on a pub that really is at the heart of 
politics. Local resident George Osborne came and 
cut the opening ribbon for us and the pub even has 
its own Division Bell. When the bell rings, the MPs 
put down their pints and pies and rush back to the 
House to vote on matters of state. Like all Dave’s 
customers though – they soon come back.

30  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

My Fuller’s...
 ‘Controlling unruly MPs.’

Dave Hay 
The Red Lion, Whitehall

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  31

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Board of Directors

7

9

10

11

5

3

6

8

1

2

4

1  Alastair Kerr

7  Ian Bray

2  John Dunsmore

8  Lynn Fordham

3  Richard Fuller

9  Jonathon Swaine

4  James Douglas

10  Sir James Fuller Bt.

5  Michael Turner

11  Séverine Garnham

6  Simon Emeny

32  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Simon Emeny  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Experience 
Aged 49. Joined in 1996 from Bass plc where he 
held a variety of senior operational and strategic 
planning roles. Appointed to the Board as Retail 
Director in May 1998, Managing Director, Fuller’s 
Inns in July 2006, Group Managing Director in 
November 2010 and Chief Executive in July 2013. 
Non-Executive Director of Dunelm Group plc. 
An Economics graduate and alumni of Harvard 
Business School.

James Douglas 
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Experience 
Aged 49. Appointed in 2007 from LSE-listed 
telecoms operator Fibernet Group plc, where 
he was Finance Director. Spent eight years with 
Deutsche Bank as an investment banker. Qualified 
as a prize-winning Chartered Accountant with 
PricewaterhouseCoopers. Holds a first degree 
in Physics and a Master’s degree in Economics.

Ian Bray  
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF 
THE FULLER’S BEER COMPANY
Experience 
Aged 51. Appointed in 2011. Previously European 
Marketing Director of Bunge S.A., a Switzerland-
based global foods and agricultural business. Has 
held FMCG marketing and senior management 
roles at both international and domestic level, 
working with companies such as Wrigley, Müller and 
SmithKline Beecham. A Business Studies graduate.

Jonathon Swaine  
MANAGING DIRECTOR  
OF FULLER’S INNS
Experience 
Aged 44. Appointed to the Board in 2012. Joined 
the Company in 2005 and appointed as Operations 
Director for Fuller’s Inns in 2007. Has previously 
held positions at Carlton Communications and 
Molson Coors. An Arts graduate with a Master’s 
degree in Marketing and alumni of Columbia 
Business School.

John Dunsmore  
SENIOR INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Committees
Member of the Remuneration Committee. 
Member of the Audit Committee. 
Member of the Nominations Committee.

Lynn Fordham  
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR
Committees
Chairman of the Audit Committee.  
Member of the Remuneration Committee. 
Member of the Nominations Committee.

Experience 
Aged 56. Appointed in 2009. Senior Non-
Executive Director. Deputy Chairman of Genius 
Foods Ltd., Founder and CEO of The Hothouse 
Investment Club and Non-Executive Chairman 
of Chapel Down Group plc. Director of The 
Edinburgh Beer Factory Limited. Former Chief 
Executive of C&C Group plc and former Chief 
Executive of Scottish & Newcastle plc prior to its 
takeover by Heineken and Carlsberg in 2008.

Experience 
Aged 52. Appointed in 2011. Chief Executive of 
SVG Capital and Aberdeen SVG Ltd. Previous 
appointments include CFO SVG Capital, Deputy 
CFO at BAA plc, Director of Audit and Risk at 
Boots Group plc and Finance Director of ED & F 
Man Sugar. In addition, she spent 10 years at Mobil 
Oil in a number of financial and operational roles, 
predominantly internationally. An accountancy 
graduate and Chartered Accountant.

Sir James Fuller Bt.  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Experience
Aged 44. Appointed in 2010. Served in The Life 
Guards 1991- 1998. Employed by the Company 
from 1998-2003, working in the Tied and  
Managed Pub estate and has since been running 
his own business.

Michael Turner  
NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN 
Committees
Chairman of the Nominations Committee.

Experience 
Aged 63. Joined in 1978. A Chartered Accountant 
with international experience. Initially ran the Wine 
Division as Wine Director. Appointed Marketing 
Director in 1988, Managing Director in 1992,  
Chief Executive in 2002 and Chairman in 2007. 
Chairman of the British Beer and Pub Association 
2008-2010. Master of the Worshipful Company  
of Vintners 2011-2012.

Richard Fuller  
CORPORATE AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR
Experience 
Aged 55. Joined the Company in 1984. Appointed 
a Divisional Director in 1992 and to the Board in 
December 2009 with responsibility initially for 
Sales then additionally Personnel. Now responsible 
for Corporate Affairs and Government Relations. 
A GMP Graduate of Harvard Business School.

Séverine Garnham  
COMPANY SECRETARY 

Experience 
Aged 45. Appointed in 2014 after nearly ten years 
as Group Company Secretary of Eurotunnel. 
Previously worked as a Solicitor in private practice 
and then as Company Secretary to various UK 
and international companies.

Alastair Kerr  
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR
Committees
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. 
Member of the Audit Committee.

Experience 
Aged 65. Appointed in 2011. Non-Executive 
Director and Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee at Havelock Europa PLC, Senior 
Independent Director and Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee at Alliance Trust 
PLC, Non-Executive Director of Fenwick Ltd. and 
Steamer Trading Ltd. and Chairman of private 
holding company Drilton Ltd. He is also a Public 
Member of Network Rail. He has previously held 
senior roles at Mothercare and Kwik-Fit, and was 
Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and 
Africa for The Body Shop and Managing Director 
Europe for Virgin. He was previously Chairman 
of Arran Aromatics Ltd. and a Non-Executive 
Director of White Stuff.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  33

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Auditors and Disclosure of Information 
to Auditors
The directors who held office as at the date of 
approval of this Directors’ Report, confirm that, 
so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant 
audit information (as defined in Section 418(2) of 
the Companies Act 2006) of which the Company’s 
auditors are unaware and each director has taken 
all the steps that they ought to have taken as 
director to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information to establish that the Company’s 
auditors are aware of that information. 

The auditors, Grant Thornton UK LLP, have indicated 
their willingness to continue in office, and a resolution 
that they be re-appointed will be proposed at the 
Annual General Meeting.

Indemnity Provisions
The Articles of Association provide the Directors 
with indemnities in relation to their duties as 
Directors, including qualifying third party indemnity 
provisions (within the meaning of the Companies 
Acts). All of the Executive Directors’ contracts 
contain a clause which states: “the Executive shall 
be indemnified out of the assets of the Company 
against any liability incurred by him as a Director 
or other officer of the Company in defending any 
proceedings (whether civil or criminal) in which 
judgement is given in his favour or in which he is 
acquitted or in connection with any application 
under the Companies Acts in which relief from 
liability is granted to him by the Court from liability 
for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach 
of trust he may be guilty of in relation to the affairs  
of the Company.” The Company purchases 
Directors and Officers liability insurance which 
gives appropriate cover for any legal action 
brought against its directors. This insurance also 
covers the Trustees of the Company’s defined 
benefit pension scheme. James Douglas is 
a Trustee of the Scheme.

Political Donations
The Group does not make political donations. 

Purchase of Own Shares 
At the Annual General Meeting held on 24 July 2014, 
the Company was given authority to purchase 
up to 4,848,083 ‘A’ ordinary shares to be held as 
treasury shares to be used in connection with, 
among other purposes, the Long Term Incentive 
Plan (“LTIP”) and/or other share option schemes. 
This authority will expire at the Annual General 
Meeting and shareholders will be asked to give 
a similar authority to purchase shares up to 15% 
of the ‘A’ ordinary capital at that date. 

The Company’s maximum issued ordinary share 
capital during the year was £22,793,726 comprising 
33,518,679 40p A ordinary shares, 89,052,625 4p B 
ordinary and 14,560,373 C 40p C ordinary shares. 

During the year, the Company purchased a total 
of 291,500 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares at a total cost of  
£2,740,300 (exclusive of stamp duty). These share 
purchases represented 0.21% of the maximum 
issued ordinary shares and 0.87% of the Company’s 
issued ‘A’ ordinary share capital. 

110,255 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares held in treasury, 
with a value of £857,983, were transferred to the 
Trustee of the Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). 
188,463 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares held in treasury 
were allocated to participants of the Savings 
Related Share Option Scheme, the Executive 
Share Option Scheme and the Senior Executive 
Share Option Scheme on exercise of options, 
generating net cash proceeds of £1,000,330. 
A total of 1,163,539 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares at 
27 May 2015 are held as treasury shares.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 24 July 2014, 
the Company was also given authority to purchase 
3,558,009 4p ‘B’ ordinary shares at a total cost of 
£3,406,793 (exclusive of stamp duty). These are 
held as treasury shares. They represent 2.59% of 
the maximum issued ordinary shares and 4% of 
the Company’s issued ‘B’ ordinary share capital.

The Company employee share ownership trusts 
purchased a total of 72,500 40p ‘A’ ordinary 
shares at a total cost of £688,750 (exclusive of 
stamp duty) for the Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”) 
and 248,089 4p ‘B’ ordinary shares at a total cost 
of £251,368 (exclusive of stamp duty) for the LTIP.

Employees
The Group gives a high priority to communication 
with all its employees and pensioners thus 
encouraging a common awareness of the financial 
and economic factors affecting the Group. 
Increasingly, the Company’s intranet and e-mail 
systems facilitate this, and we will continue to 
search for ways to exploit these media to best 
effect. Twice a year, all Brewery-based employees 
are invited to a results presentation led by the 
Chief Executive. Once a year the Company also 
runs ‘Connection Week’ where one person from 
each pub is invited to a conference at which a 
number of messages are communicated. That 
employee returns to their pub and shares the 
information with their colleagues. Regular 
newsletters are also generated for both The Fuller’s 
Beer Company and Fuller’s Inns employees and 
ad hoc news is regularly communicated via both 
traditional notice boards and e-mail distributions. 
The communications policy, which is in operation 
throughout the business, is designed to ensure the 
successful cascading of information. A structure 
of consultation committees at both Divisional and 
Corporate level is in place to facilitate a dialogue 
between the Group and representatives of all 
employees including union members. Taken 
together, these communications have allowed 
the Group to engage successfully with all our 
employees, wherever they are employed.

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report to shareholders 
together with the audited financial statements for 
the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015. 

Strategic Report
The statements and reviews on pages 8 to 31 
comprise the Strategic Report which includes 
information about the Group’s strategy and 
business model as well as providing an update on 
the business and financial performance during the 
year and indications of likely future developments, 
KPIs, principal risks and uncertainties and the Group’s 
financial management and treasury policies. 

Directors 
A list of all Directors who served during the financial 
year, together with biographical details, is given 
on pages 32 and 33. 

Lynn Fordham and John Dunsmore, whose terms 
of office expired on 18 January 2015 and 
20 January 2015 respectively, were reappointed 
by the Board of Directors at their meeting on 
29 January 2015. In accordance with the Articles 
of Association, their appointment will be subject 
to the approval of shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting.

Jonathon Swaine and Richard Fuller retire by 
rotation at the Annual General Meeting and offer 
themselves for re-election. Both are Executive 
Directors and have a rolling service contract of 
12 months’ duration. 

Details of all directors’ interests as at the end of 
the financial year are set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on page 53. 

Dividends
The Company paid an interim dividend of 6.40p 
per ‘A’ and ‘C’ ordinary share of 40p each and 
0.640 pence per ‘B’ ordinary share of 4p each on 
2 January 2015. The Directors now recommend 
a final dividend of 10.20p per ‘A’ and ‘C’ ordinary 
share of 40p each and 1.02p per ‘B’ ordinary share 
of 4p each. This makes a total dividend for the 
financial year of 16.60p per ‘A’ and ‘C’ ordinary 
share of 40p each and 1.66p per ‘B’ ordinary 
shares of 4p each.

The total proposed final dividend on ordinary 
shares will be £5.6 million which together with 
the 2015 interim dividend paid of £3.5 million and 
the £120,000 of cumulative preference dividends 
paid will make total dividends of £9.2 million.

34  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
34  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

The Company is also aware of the following interests in 3% or more of the voting rights in the two classes  
of its unlisted share capital:

% ‘B’ ordinary shares of 4p each

% ‘C’ ordinary shares of 40p each

As at 28 March 2015
and 27 May 2015

As at 28 March 2015
and 27 May 2015

Sir J H F, Messrs A F and E F Fuller 

16.93

Sir J H F, Messrs A F and E F Fuller

30.81

Mr T J M Turner

Mr H D Williams

Miss S M Turner

Mrs J Fuller

Fuller Family Members Trust

Mrs D M Turner

6.16

6.01

5.16

4.27

3.99

3.07

J F Russell-Smith Charitable Trust 

Mr A G F Fuller

A B Earle Charitable Trust 

Dunarden Limited 

Mr R D Inverarity

Mr G F Inverarity 

Mr M J Turner

Miss S M Turner

Mr H D Williams

Mr R H F Fuller

Mr T J M Turner

7.97

5.96

4.82

3.75

3.67

3.63

3.46

3.45

3.35

3.32

3.12

Articles of Association
The Articles of Association state that the Board 
may appoint Directors and that at the subsequent 
Annual General Meeting, shareholders may elect 
any such Director. Alternatively the Company 
may directly appoint a Director. The Articles also 
contain the power for the Company to remove 
any Director by special resolution and appoint 
someone in his place by ordinary resolution. 
There are various other circumstances under 
the Articles which would mean that the office 
of a Director would be vacated, including if he 
resigns, becomes of unsound mind or bankrupt.

At every Annual General Meeting one-third of 
the Directors who are subject to retirement by 
rotation or, if their number is not three or any 
multiple of three, then the number nearest to 
but not exceeding one-third shall retire from office 
but, if there is only one Director who is subject to 
retirement by rotation, he shall retire. In addition, 
if any Director has at the start of the Annual 
General Meeting been in office for more than 
three years since his last appointment or 
re-appointment he shall retire at that Annual 
General Meeting.

The Articles do not contain any specific provisions 
about amendments to the Articles which are 
therefore governed by the relevant Companies 
Act 2006 requirements which state that the 
Articles may only be amended by Special Resolution.

Subject to the Company’s Memorandum and 
Articles of Association and UK legislation, the 
business of the Company is managed by the 
Board which may exercise all the powers of the 
Company. The Articles of the Company have a 
section entitled “Powers and Duties of the Board” 
which sets out powers such as the rights to establish 
local boards, to appoint agents, to delegate and to 
appoint persons with the designation “director” 
without implying that the person is a Director of 
the Company. There are further sections of the 
Articles entitled “Allotment of Shares” setting out 
the Board’s power to issue shares and purchase 
the Company’s own shares, and entitled 
“Borrowing Powers” setting out the provisions 
concerning the Company’s power to borrow and 
give security. The Directors have been authorised 
to allot and issue ordinary shares. These powers 
are exercised under authority of resolutions of the 
Company passed at its Annual General Meeting.

The Group’s recruitment policy is designed 
to ensure that all applications for employment, 
including those made by disabled persons, are 
given full and fair consideration, in light of the 
applicants’ particular aptitudes and abilities. Our 
online recruitment portal has been tested for the 
potential for discrimination, and passed. The Group 
also has an equal opportunities policy which is 
designed to ensure that all employees are treated 
equally in terms of training, career development 
and promotion. Where employees develop a 
disability during their employment by the Group, 
every effort is made to continue their employment 
and arrange for appropriate training, career 
development and promotion as far as is reasonably 
practicable. Development and training of our 
employees at all levels has always been a priority 
at Fuller’s.

The Company continues to offer qualifying staff 
a Savings Related Share Option Scheme, a SIP 
and a variety of performance related bonus 
arrangements, which serve to encourage staff 
interest in the Group’s performance. Staff 
throughout the Group are given an ‘Indulgence’ 
card allowing them to benefit from a staff 
discount scheme in the Group’s managed pubs.

Share Capital
Information on the Company’s capital structure 
and related restrictions is given in note 27 to 
the financial statements. Details of significant 
shareholdings are given in the tables on this page.

Computershare Trustees Limited holds a total 
of 408,811 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares on behalf of 
employees of the Company who are participants 
in its SIP. This represents 1.22% of the issued ‘A’ 
ordinary share capital. In respect of the shares that 
have been allocated, Computershare Trustees 
Limited exercises voting rights in relation to those 
shares, having consulted with the participants 
about their voting intentions.

Substantial shareholdings
The Company has been advised under the 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules that the 
following held an interest in 3% or more of the 
voting rights of its listed issued share capital:

% ‘A’ ordinary shares of 40p each

As at 28 March 2015
and 27 May 2015

BlackRock, Inc

Aberdeen Asset Management 
PLC and its subsidiaries

Ameriprise Financial, Inc

Kames Capital and 
associated entities

Dunarden Limited

10.43

10.19

5.78

4.06

3.04

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  35

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Directors’ Report continued

The Group has entered into a number of  
agreements with the major brewers operating in 
the UK under which it both buys and sells beers 
and these agreements may be terminated by the 
other party should the Group undergo a change 
of control.

In the event of a change of control the Company 
is obliged to notify its main bank Lenders of such. 
The Lenders shall not be obliged to fund any new 
borrowing requests and the facilities will lapse 
after 30 days from the change of control if terms 
on which they can continue have not been 
agreed. All borrowings including accrued interest 
will become repayable within ten days of such 
a lapse.

Information required under  
the Listing Rules
There is no information to disclose in this Annual 
Report and Accounts pursuant to Listing Rule 9.8.4.

Corporate Governance
The Group’s report on Corporate Governance 
is set out on pages 38 to 42. The Corporate 
Governance Report forms part of this Directors’ 
Report and is incorporated into it by reference.

Corporate Social Responsibility
The Group’s report on Corporate Social 
Responsibility is set out on pages 24 to 31. 
It contains information on greenhouse gas 
emissions and gender diversity.

By order of the Board

Séverine Garnham 
Company Secretary

4 June 2015

Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. 
Griffin Brewery 
Chiswick Lane South 
London W4 2QB

Registered in England under number: 241882

36  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
36  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Directors’ Statements

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
in Respect of the Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the Strategic Report, the Annual Report, the 
Remuneration Report and the Group and 
Company financial statements in accordance 
with applicable United Kingdom law and those 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the European Union.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year. Under 
that law the directors have elected to prepare the 
financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union. Under company 
law the directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they 
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs 
and profit or loss of the Group and Company for 
the financial period. In preparing the Group and 
Company financial statements, the directors are 
required to:

• select suitable accounting policies in accordance 

with IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in 
Accounting Estimates and Errors and then apply 
them consistently;

• present information, including accounting policies, 

in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, 
comparable and understandable information;

• provide additional disclosures when compliance 

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

• state that the Group and Company have 

complied with IFRSs, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements; and

• make judgements and estimates that are  

reasonable and prudent.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and 
explain the Group’s transactions and disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the Group and Company and enable 
them to ensure that the financial statements and 
the Remuneration Report comply with the 
Companies Act 2006 and applicable regulations, 
including the requirements of the Listing Rules 
and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules 
(“DTR”) and in the case of the Group financial 
statements, with Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 
They are also responsible for safeguarding the 
assets of the Group and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection 
of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for preparing the 
Annual Report in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations. The Directors consider the Annual 
Report and the financial statements, taken as a 
whole, provides the information necessary to assess 
the Company’s performance, business model and 
strategy and is fair, balanced and understandable. 

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

Statement as to Preparation 
of Financial Statements
The Directors confirm, to the best of their knowledge:

• that these financial statements, prepared 

in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of 
the Group and Company taken as a whole; and

• that the Annual Report and the Strategic Report 
includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position 
of the Group and Company taken as a whole, 
together with a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face.

The Directors of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. are 
listed on pages 32 and 33.

Directors’ Statement as to Disclosure 
of Information to Auditors
The Directors who were members of the Board 
at the time of approving the Directors’ Report are 
listed on pages 32 and 33. Having made enquiries 
of fellow Directors and of the Company’s auditors, 
each of these Directors confirms that:

• to the best of each Director’s knowledge and 
belief, there is no information relevant to the 
preparation of this report of which the Company’s 
auditors are unaware; and

• each Director has taken all the steps a Director 
might reasonably be expected to have taken to 
be aware of any relevant audit information and 
to establish that the Company’s auditors are 
aware of that information.

On behalf of the Board

Michael Turner 
Chairman

4 June 2015

James Douglas 
Finance Director

4 June 2015

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  37

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Corporate Governance Report

We believe that you can only have an effective 
Board when all members understand what is 
required of them and when they all have time 
to conduct their duties. All of our Directors have 
detailed appointment letters or contracts which 
set out their duties. We confirm that appointment 
letters for Non-Executive Directors set out the 
expected time commitment required. We also 
have a policy that the Directors can only take on 
additional roles with Board approval. In line with 
the Code, the terms of appointment for all our 
Non-Executives specifically state that the role of 
the Non-Executive Directors is to challenge and 
help develop strategy.

Finally I would like shareholders to understand 
that I am in charge of our annual Board evaluation 
process. I am aware that larger PLCs are required 
to seek external assistance with this process but 
do not believe that such a process would be likely 
to add extra value as long as our own process is  
robust. I believe that we have that robustness and 
that the process encourages a healthy debate on 
things that could be improved.

Michael Turner 
Chairman

4 June 2015

Michael Turner, 
Chairman

I am pleased to confirm that I see it as the  
Chairman’s responsibility to lead the Board and 
make sure it is working effectively. This year we 
are able to report full compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”). There 
are several key issues that I wanted to comment 
on. One of these is the issue of succession planning. 
This is a complex topic for a business that has very  
low turnover amongst its senior management and 
is still very much a family controlled concern whilst 
also being a listed public company. However, 
succession plans continue to be discussed both at 
Executive Committee and Board level. Throughout 
the rest of the business, succession plans are 
in place at departmental level and are reviewed 
regularly by the relevant Directors in conjunction 
with their Executive colleagues and their 
personnel advisors. Furthermore, all department 
plans are compiled into a Company succession 
plan which provides effective review of cross-
departmental promotion and opportunities. 

In terms of Board balance, I chair the Nominations 
Committee and am personally involved in all Board 
level recruitment so I am able to ensure that we 
continue to have a good balance of skills, experience, 
independence and knowledge on our Board and 
our Board Committees. I am satisfied that our 
Board is comprised of the right individuals who 
have the skills required to run this type of business 
and to respond to the challenges presented by 
the continually changing environment in which 
we operate. The Board recognises the importance 
of all types of diversity for Board effectiveness. 
We continue to believe that appointments should 
be made on the basis of merit against the selection 
criteria for any particular role. 

38  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
38  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Introduction and Compliance
The Board of Directors is committed to the 
highest standards of corporate governance and 
believes that such standards are critical to overall 
business integrity and performance. This report 
explains how the Company applies the principles 
of the Code which shareholders can find on 
the Financial Reporting Council’s website at  
www.frc.org.uk.

The Company has complied with the requirements 
of the Code, as applicable to a smaller quoted 
company, throughout the financial year.

The information that is required by Code 
provision C.1.2 on the business model and the 
strategy for delivering the Company’s objectives 
can be found in the Strategic Report on pages 7 
to 31. The information relating to the share capital 
of the Company that is required by DTR 7.2.6R 
can be found within the Directors’ Report on 
page 35.

The Board

The Board’s Role
The Board of Directors is collectively responsible 
to the shareholders for the performance and 
long-term success of the Group. Its role includes 
the establishment, review and monitoring of 
strategic objectives, approval of major acquisitions, 
disposals and capital expenditure, ownership of 
the corporate values, overseeing the Group’s 
systems of internal controls, governance and risk 
management and ensuring that the appropriate 
resources are in place to deliver these and fulfil 
the Company’s obligations to its stakeholders.

How the Board Works
The Board governs through its executive 
management, and formally via its other clearly 
mandated Committees. Each standing Board 
Committee has specific written terms of reference 
which are reviewed by the Board annually and 
there is a formal list of Matters Reserved for the 
Board (which is also reviewed annually). This 
distinguishes between matters reserved for the 
Board and Executive Committee decisions. The 
terms of reference of the Audit, Remuneration 
and Nominations Committees are available on 
the Company’s website. All Committee Chairmen 
report orally on the proceedings of their Committees 
at the next meeting of the Board, and the minutes 
of the meetings of all Board Committees (with 
some exceptions on remuneration matters) are 
provided to Board members. The Chairman 
ensures that the Executive Directors provide 
accurate and timely information for Board 
meetings which is then open to debate and 
challenge by all. Meetings enjoy open dialogue 
and constructive challenge on all issues is 
encouraged. With a good information flow 
between and prior to Board meetings, decisions 
are made in a timely manner after appropriate 
questions are dealt with. The Board has adopted 
a procedure, in accordance with the Company’s 
Articles, to consider and, if it sees fit, to authorise 
situations where a Director has an interest that 
conflicts, or may possibly conflict, with the 
interests of the Company.

Board Meetings
The Board meets formally at least six times a year 
with papers circulated a week in advance and the 
agenda and papers for these meetings are subject 
to the scrutiny of the Chairman and the Company 
Secretary. However the Board regularly considers 
matters on an ad hoc basis between scheduled 
meetings. The Executive Committee meets 
formally at least eleven times a year and also 
meets informally most weeks. There is thus a 
regular flow of information at Board and Executive 
Committee level.

At Board meetings, the agendas cover projects, 
analysis of the market in which the Group operates 
and performance. Each of the Executive Directors 
and the Company Secretary also update the 
Board at each meeting on matters for which they 
are responsible. The Board is responsible for 
approving the annual budget and the annual and 
half-year results. The Board also meets away from 
the Griffin Brewery every year for an in-depth 
review of corporate strategy, and other agenda 
items might include an update on the economy 

and a review of the Group’s competitors. The 
Non-Executive Directors from time to time meet 
with members of the senior management team at 
the Brewery and also spend days out in the trade 
with individual members of that team. This helps 
to keep the Non-Executive Directors up to date 
with the operations of the Group and also provides 
the Executive Directors with valuable feedback 
about the Company’s people and its operations.

The Executive Committee is chaired by Simon 
Emeny and its meetings focus on the detail of the 
Group’s performance. The Finance Director leads 
a review of the Group’s management accounts 
and presents updates on treasury and credit control. 
Each Executive Director and the Company 
Secretary update their colleagues on the key 
issues facing their part of the business. There is 
a good level of consultation and debate at these 
meetings. The list of Matters Reserved for the 
Board sets out which matters need Board approval 
and which decisions can be made at Executive 
Committee level. Most significant business decisions 
are made by the Board, but matters such as health 

and safety policy and approving major contracts 
are taken at Executive Committee level. At the 
beginning of most Executive Committee 
meetings a Senior Manager is invited to join the 
meeting and talk to the Committee about the 
issues in their department. Three times a year, all 
of the divisional directors and financial controllers 
join together with the Executive Committee to 
conduct a detailed review of the half-year and 
full-year accounts, and to construct the annual 
budget, before these are debated at Board level. 

As well as the dialogue within the boardroom, 
the Non-Executive Directors meet privately, 
under the leadership of the Senior Independent 
Director, without the Executive Directors present. 
They also meet with the Chairman and the Chief 
Executive on a regular basis. These meetings allow 
for the review of issues faced by the business, the 
continuation of dialogue on strategic issues, the 
discussion of Board appointments when appropriate, 
succession planning, and the provision of support 
to the Chairman and the Chief Executive in 
their roles.

Attendance 2014/2015

Number of formal meetings

Director

Michael Turner

Simon Emeny

James Douglas

Richard Fuller

Ian Bray

Jonathon Swaine

Sir James Fuller

John Dunsmore

Lynn Fordham

Alastair Kerr

Board

Executive

Audit

Remuneration

11

11

10

11

11

11

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

4

*

*

*

4

4

4

4

 *

 *

4

4

4

*   These Directors are not members of the Committees but are invited to be in attendance at meetings.

Attendance at Board and 
Committee Meetings
The table above gives details of attendance at 
Board and Committee meetings during the year.

The Board believes that all of its members have 
sufficient time to discharge their duties effectively. 
All Directors are required to seek permission before 
accepting any external appointments, therefore 
Board members are kept fully aware of their 
colleagues’ other commitments.

Composition and Balance of the Board
There were no changes to the composition of the 
Board in the period. Michael Turner is responsible 
for leading the Board and ensuring its effectiveness 
and openness, and that communications with 
shareholders are valuable. The Chairman does 
not have any commitments which constrain his 
ability to fulfil his role. Simon Emeny is responsible 
for all operational aspects of the Group.

Currently the Company has four Non-Executive 
Directors, one of whom (Sir James Fuller) is a family 
member. This representation is very important 
in a Company with a high proportion of family 
shareholders. The other three Non-Executive 
Directors, all of whom are deemed independent 
under the Code, are experienced business leaders 
and all of the Non-Executives bring a wide range 
of skills and experiences to the Board. The Directors 
consider that the Board is well-balanced as it has 
the right number of members for the size of the 
Group and the Directors agree that no one 
individual dominates discussions and that 
each makes a full and positive contribution. 
The Directors’ biographies are on pages 32 and 
33. John Dunsmore is the Senior Independent 
Director and an industry expert who brings 
knowledge, support and advice to the Chairman 
and all the other Board members; he is in regular 
dialogue with all Board members outside of Board 
meetings and co-ordinates the views of the 
Non-Executive Directors as and when required. 
All of the Independent Non-Executive Directors 
are determined by the Board to be independent 

in character and judgement and there are no 
relationships or circumstances which could affect 
or appear to affect their judgement; all are appointed 
for specified terms. The details of the Non-
Executive Directors’ respective arrangements are 
as set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
on pages 43 to 57 and are available for inspection 
at the Company’s registered office.

Advice for the Board
There is in place a procedure under which 
Directors can obtain independent professional 
advice. The Directors also have access to the 
advice and services of the Company Secretary 
who is responsible to the Board for ensuring 
that Board procedures are complied with. The 
Directors are satisfied that any concerns they raise 
at Board meetings are recorded in the minutes. 
The Company maintains appropriate insurance 
cover in respect of legal action against its 
Directors and Officers.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  39

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report continued

Professional Development
All Directors attend training courses, industry 
forums and specialist briefings relevant to their 
role throughout the year. Occasionally, specialists 
such as the Company’s actuary or corporate 
lawyer join a Board meeting to brief the Board 
on a particular topic. Both the Board and the 
Executive Committee visit Group pubs and hotels 
as part of the Board meeting programme. On 
these and on other occasions, Board meetings 
may be held in the Group’s pubs, with the aim 
of keeping the Directors familiar with the Group’s 
estate. Executive Directors are permitted to hold 
one other paid directorship, with the Board’s 
consent, as the Board believes that experience 
of how other boards work enhances the Directors’ 
contribution to Fuller’s. Simon Emeny currently 
holds such a directorship at Dunelm Group plc.

Board Evaluation
The Chairman conducts an annual evaluation of 
the Board, where all Board members are asked to 
rate the Board’s work across a number of different 
topics, with constructive criticism encouraged, via 
the medium of a questionnaire. The questionnaire 
includes questions on the balance of skills,  
experience, independence and knowledge,  
diversity (including gender diversity), how the 
Board works as a unit and other factors relevant to 
its effectiveness. Where necessary the Chairman 
seeks clarification on the responses given; he then 
consolidates the responses and reports back to 
the Board, highlighting significant improvements 
and deteriorations in any particular area by 
comparing results with previous years’ outputs 
and agreeing actions to tackle any areas requiring 
improvement. Unattributed comments of 
significance are shared with all. This year the 
results were fractionally higher than last year’s 
scores. The results did provide some insight into 
areas that could still be improved further and 
these were debated at a Board meeting and were 
the Chairman’s focus in terms of follow up. The 
Audit and Remuneration Committees conduct 
similar assessments and their work is also  
commented upon in the evaluation conducted 
by the Chairman. The Senior Non-Executive 
Director annually appraises the Chairman’s 
performance, having first consulted with the other 
Non-Executive Directors and also the Executive 
team. The appraisal of the other Executive 
Directors and the Company Secretary is conducted 
annually by the Chairman or Chief Executive and, 
as part of the appraisal process, individual training 
and development needs are discussed. The annual 
appraisal of the Non-Executive Directors is conducted 
by the Chairman, following consultation with the 
Executive team.

Board Re-election
The Articles of Association of the Company 
ensure that all Directors are subject to election by 
shareholders at the first Annual General Meeting 
after their appointment and to re-election at three 
yearly intervals.

Board Committees

The Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee Chairman is 
Michael Turner and the other members are John 
Dunsmore and Lynn Fordham. It is responsible 
for nominating candidates for appointment as 
Directors, for approval by the Board although 
the full Board will also typically informally discuss 
Board appointments. The Committee did not 
meet during the year as no appointments were 
made. The Board has recently reviewed the 
Company’s equal opportunities policy which 
requires that all who work for the Company have 
appropriate regard for diversity in their decision 
making. The Board also discussed Lord Davies’ 
recommendations, but does not believe that 
setting percentage targets for the number of 
women on the Board is appropriate, given the 
key principle of appointing on merit. As and when 
board vacancies arise and should the support of 
an executive search firm be required, the Board 
and the Nominations Committee will ensure that 
it only uses firms that have signed up to their 
industry’s Voluntary Code of Conduct (prepared 
in response to Lord Davies’ report). Further 
information on gender diversity across the 
business can be found in the Corporate and 
Social Responsibility Report on page 26.

The Remuneration Committee
Information about the Remuneration Committee 
and Remuneration Policy is given in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

The Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board, chaired by 
Lynn Fordham, comprises the three Independent 
Non-Executive Directors and meets at least four 
times a year. The members of the Audit Committee 
consider that they have the requisite skills and 
experience to fulfil the responsibilities of the 
Committee. In addition, the Chairman, the Chief 
Executive, the Finance Director and members 
of the finance team join the meetings on a 
regular basis as do the external Audit Partner 
and Audit Manager.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee 
encourages comprehensive debate and scrutiny 
of management’s and auditors’ reports by the 
Committee members. She also meets with the 
manager responsible for internal audits, the 
external Audit Partner and the Finance Director 
outside of Audit Committee meetings to give 
them the opportunity to raise any concerns they 
may have about their work or their roles and to 
provide advice and support as required. 

The Audit Committee’s responsibilities are 
outlined in the Committee’s terms of reference 
and cover all those matters required by the Code. 
The Committee has a meeting planner which 
sets out the key items to be covered at its regular  
meetings which include reviewing the financial 
statements and announcements, monitoring 
changes in accounting practices and policies and 
reviewing decisions with a significant element of 
judgement. In addition, the Audit Committee is 
responsible for ensuring that the Company’s risk 
monitoring programme, internal audit processes 
and regulatory compliance are appropriate.  
At all meetings an update on risk management 
is presented. The Chairman of the Committee 
encourages debate and discussion of topical 
issues outside of the routine agenda items and 
ensures that such discussions are held at least 
twice a year. The Audit Committee has 
responsibility for the oversight of the external 
audit function. At the request of the Board, the 
Audit Committee provides confirmation to the 
Board as to how it has discharged its responsibilities 
so that the Board can be satisfied that information 
presented in the Annual Report is fair, balanced 
and understandable. 

During its review of the Group’s financial 
statements for the year to 28 March 2015, the 
Audit Committee considered the following 
significant issues, including those communicated 
by the Auditors during their reporting:

40  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
40  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Significant Issue

Impairment testing

Acquisition of a majority interest in 
The Stable Pizza and Cider Limited

Exceptional items

How the issue was addressed.

The Committee considered the proposed impairment of property assets for both the Half Year Report and 
the Annual Report. The Committee was satisfied with the approach presented by management and the 
judgements made for those properties at risk of impairment.

The Committee was satisfied with the proposed accounting treatment and disclosures in the financial statements.

The Committee considered the nature of items classified as ‘Exceptional’ in the financial statements. The 
Committee was satisfied that the items management proposed to show as exceptional are not linked to the 
underlying trading of the Group. 
Exceptional items continue to include:
• Profit or loss on property disposals
• Business acquisition costs expensed
• Changes to onerous leases provisions
• Net charge on property impairment
• Net interest expense on the Group’s defined benefit pension plan.
It was also decided to show the one-off pension curtailment gain recognised in the year as an exceptional 
item as it is not associated with underlying trading.

The Board was made fully aware of any significant 
financial reporting issues and judgements made 
in connection with the preparation of the 
financial statements. 

Other items discussed in the year included the 
accounting for taxation, discussion of the Company’s 
risk management process, consideration of 
selected individual risks from the risk register, 
discussion of the internal audit work completed 
during the year and progress on actions arising 
from both risk management and internal audits.

The Audit Committee has a primary responsibility 
for making recommendations to the Board on the 
re-appointment and removal of external auditors. 
The Company’s year ended 28 March 2015 is the 
second of a five-year maximum term that the 
current Audit Partner has been in the role for 
the Company.

There is in place a whistle blowing policy, which 
is overseen by the Audit Committee, and which 
allows staff to raise any concerns in confidence, 
directly with the Chairman of the Audit Committee. 
Posters reminding staff about the existence of 
the policy and how it may be used are reissued 
annually in order to maintain a good awareness 
of the whistle blowing arrangements throughout 
the Company. 

The Committee also reviewed its own effectiveness 
during the year.

The Directors’ statement on the Company’s 
system of internal controls is set out on this page.

Accountability

Auditors
The Committee is happy for the Board to 
recommend to shareholders the re-election 
of Grant Thornton UK LLP who were appointed 
in September 2013 following a formal tender 
process. Their effectiveness will be formally 
reviewed by the Committee at the September 
2015 meeting, although there are no issues of 
concern with their performance to date.

The Group’s auditors may from time to time 
provide non-audit services to the Company. The 
fees paid to Grant Thornton UK LLP for audit 
services were £100,000, for audit related services 
were £16,000 and for non-audit related services 
were £3,600. The Committee imposes an upper 
limit of £50,000 per annum on the amount that 
the finance team can spend with the auditors 
for non-audit items without specific approval 
from the Committee. It is Group policy to seek 
quotations from multiple providers for significant 
non-audit services and only to appoint the provider 
(which could then be the Auditors) that offers the 
best combination of price and expertise. The 
non-audit services were provided in the year by a 
team independent of those providing audit services.

Internal Control and Risk Management
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s 
system of internal control and management of 
risks and reviewing its effectiveness. The system 
is designed to provide reasonable but not absolute 
assurance of:

• the mitigation of risks which might cause the 

failure of business objectives;

• no material misstatements or losses;

• the safeguarding of assets against unauthorised 

use or disposition;

• the maintenance of proper accounting records 
and the reliability of financial information used 
within the business or for publication; and

• compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Company maintains business continuity plans, 
and exercises these plans on an annual basis.

Management within the Finance Department are 
responsible for the appropriate maintenance of 
financial records and processes that ensure that 
all financial information is relevant, reliable, 
in accordance with the applicable laws and 
regulations, and distributed both internally and 
externally in a timely manner. A review of the 
financial statements is completed by management 
to ensure that the financial position and results of 
the Group are appropriately reflected. All financial 
information published by the Group is subject to 
the review of the Audit Committee.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  41

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
The Board supports the use of the Annual 
General Meeting to communicate, in particular, 
with private investors, and the Chairman and 
Chief Executive make a detailed presentation to 
shareholders updating them on the Company’s 
performance and progress. The Public Relations 
team also attends the Annual General Meeting 
and provides further information to shareholders 
about the Company through photo boards 
featuring pub and product information. The Board 
is also keen to encourage institutional investors 
to attend the meeting. In line with the duties set 
out in the Stewardship Code for institutional 
shareholders published in July 2010. Should they 
have concerns over any issues being voted upon 
at the Annual General Meeting, they can then 
meet all the Directors and discuss them in person, 
particularly, if they have declined an invitation for 
an individual meeting. The Chairman arranges 
for the Chairman of each of the Company’s 
Board Committees to answer relevant questions 
at the meeting and encourages all Directors to 
be present.

By order of the Board

Séverine Garnham 
Company Secretary

4 June 2015

Griffin Brewery 
Chiswick Lane South 
Chiswick, London W4 2QB

Corporate Governance Report continued

The Board has reviewed the effectiveness of the 
Group’s system of internal control which has also 
been discussed in detail by the Audit Committee, 
including taking account of material developments 
since the year end. The review covers all material 
controls including financial and operational controls, 
compliance and risk management systems. Where 
weaknesses are identified, actions to address 
them are agreed. 

The Board has procedures in place necessary to 
follow the Turnbull Guidance (“Internal Control: 
Guidance for Directors on the Combined Code”) 
for the full financial year. The Group Risk Manager 
co-ordinates this process by leading regular risk 
assessment workshops in which new risks are 
identified and added to the risk register, and 
existing risks re-evaluated by the risk owners. 
Regular meetings, chaired by the Executive 
Directors, are held in addition to the workshops 
in order to assess the effectiveness of the controls 
that are in place, identify new risks and review 
existing risk mitigation plans. 

Key elements of the system of internal control 
designed to address significant risks and 
uncertainties, as documented on pages 22  
and 23, include:

• clearly defined levels of responsibility and 

delegation throughout the Group, together with 
well-structured reporting lines up to the Board;

• the preparation of comprehensive annual budgets 
for each division, including commentary on key 
business opportunities and risks, approved by 
the Executive Directors and further reviewed 
by the Board on a consolidated basis;

• an Executive Committee review of actual 
monthly results against budget, together 
with commentary on significant variances 
and updates of both profit and cash flow 
expectations for the year;

• a detailed investment approval process requiring 
Board authorisation for all major investments;

• detailed post-implementation appraisals of major 

capital expenditure projects;

• regular reporting of legal and accounting  

developments to the Board;

• regular review of the Group’s risk register 

and discussion of significant risks by the Board 
and Audit Committee, which among other 
things takes account of the significance of 
environmental, social and governance matters 
to the business;

• monitoring of accident statistics and the results 

of health and safety audits; and

• maintenance of an ISO 900 certified quality 

control system.

The Group does not have a formal internal audit 
function and, after a review by the Audit Committee 
and the Board, the Board has confirmed that 
it believes that the existing arrangements for 
internal audit are appropriate. Management may 
from time to time augment the internal resource 
for these audits with specialist external resources. 
The Group carries out internal audits on financial 
areas according to a programme agreed between 
the Audit Committee and the Finance Director 
and with input from the other Executive Directors 
and the external auditors as appropriate. The 
audits are co-ordinated by an experienced senior 
member of the finance team and are undertaken 
by other members of the finance team; in each 
case the person undertaking the audit is 
independent of the area which is the subject 
of the audit. The internal audit reports, the 
management responses and the recommended 
actions are presented in summary form to the 
Audit Committee on a regular basis. There are 
also procedures in place to ensure recommended 
actions are implemented. During the year, audits 
were performed on the Brewery cash controls, 
the company car scheme controls and the duty 
payable controls, as well as a number of reviews 
on other internal processes. 

In addition, the Group employs a team of retail 
business auditors who monitor the controls in 
place in the Managed Pub estate, in particular 
those over stock and cash. This team reports 
directly to the Fuller’s Inns Financial Controller 
but their Manager attends Audit Committee 
meetings twice a year to discuss the progress 
his team is making and the issues they are 
dealing with.

Relations with Shareholders

The Company has an ongoing programme of 
individual meetings with institutional shareholders, 
allowing the Company to update shareholders on 
the performance of the business and the strategy 
for the future, and to give shareholders an 
opportunity to discuss corporate governance 
matters. The Company’s brokers contact key 
shareholders to establish if they would like to see 
the Chief Executive and Finance Director in the 
days following their presentation to the City on 
the preliminary and half year results. The Chairman, 
Richard Fuller and Sir James Fuller are the key 
contacts with the Company’s family shareholders 
and Sir James Fuller has a specific role to keep 
in touch with those shareholders. The Senior 
Independent Director and the other Non-Executive 
Directors are all willing to attend meetings with 
shareholders or to be contacted by shareholders 
should they have any concerns which have not 
been resolved through the usual channels. 
The Non-Executive Directors have had no such 
requests during the last financial year. All Board 
members receive copies of feedback reports 
from the City presentations and meetings with 
shareholders, thus keeping them in touch with 
shareholder opinion.

42  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
42  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Alastair Kerr 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Statement of the Remuneration 
Committee Chairman

Dear Shareholder 

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present 
the Remuneration Report for the 52 weeks ended 
28 March 2015. 

The report follows last year’s presentation in two 
separate sections. The first covers the Company’s 
Remuneration Policy for all of its Main Board 
Directors (set out on pages 32 and 33) as approved 
by shareholders at last year’s Annual General 
Meeting for a period of three years. It is designed 
to explain to shareholders how that policy 
supports the Company’s strategy. There are no 
changes being proposed to the policy and there 
have been no payments made outside of the 
approved policy in the reporting period.

The second part of the report shows you the detail 
of how the policy was applied in the last financial 
year. That part of the report will be subject to your  
approval in the same way as it was last year.

Whilst there has not been any change to 
remuneration during the financial year and 
therefore we have not engaged with shareholders, 
I would be happy to receive any comments you 
may have on this report. I hope that you find the  
report clear and comprehensive and that it helps 
demonstrate how the remuneration of your  
Directors is very much linked to the performance 
of your Company, and that you are able to support 
the resolutions on remuneration being presented 
to you at this year’s Annual General Meeting. 

Alastair Kerr 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

4 June 2015

Report on Directors’ Remuneration Policy
This policy, approved by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting held on 24 July 2014, was 
prepared in compliance with Part 4 of Schedule 8 
to the Large and Medium-sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) 
Regulations 2013. The Company intends to make 
all future payments to its Directors consistent with 
this policy for the three years following the date 
of approval of the policy unless amended by the 
shareholders at an intervening general meeting.

The Remuneration Policy is designed to support 
the Company’s business strategy of creating 
shareholder value and increasing earnings per share 
(“EPS”) in the longer term for its shareholders. In 
order to do so it must attract, retain and motivate 
high-calibre Executive Directors. The policy is 
therefore to provide competitive packages for 
the Executives, through reflecting the Group’s 
performance against financial objectives and 
rewarding above average performance. 
Accordingly, the key elements are:

• a significant proportion of performance-related 
pay that rewards Executives in line with Company 
performance and strongly aligns their interests 
with those of shareholders;

• personal bonus targets for operational Directors 
that focus on delivery of the strategic drivers for 
growth in the Company’s business strategy;

• base pay that rewards above-average performance 

and remains competitive;

• a competitive range of benefits; and

• participation in a range of share schemes including 

a long-term incentive plan.

When setting the Remuneration Policy the 
Committee considered the Group’s performance 
on environmental, social and governance matters. 
The Committee does not believe that the existing 
incentive structure raises any environmental, 
governance or social risks by inadvertently 
motivating irresponsible behaviour.

The Committee believes that the Remuneration 
Policy is consistent with its risk management 
policy in that existing remuneration structures do 
not encourage management to take inappropriate 
risks to achieve targets. It is felt that there is a very  
low risk of short-term decisions driving annual 
bonus pay-outs and the focus is very much based 
on a long-term remuneration model, delivering 
value through the Company’s various share plans.

Here are the various elements of the Directors’ 
remuneration and the different performance 
conditions that apply to them.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  43

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Executive Directors (“Executives”)

Element

Base Salary 

Purpose – how the element supports the short and 
long-term strategic objectives of the Company

Operation

To recruit, retain and reward high calibre Executives to 
deliver the Company’s strategy. The salary will reflect 
each role, the importance of that role to the business 
and the experience the individual brings to it.

Benefits

To recruit and retain Executives by providing competitive 
benefits which also protect Executives and provide 
preventative care for them. 

Annual Bonus

To incentivise Executives to deliver performance in line 
with the Group strategy and to align their interests with 
those of shareholders.

The Committee sets the base salary and this is reviewed taking into 
account inflation, individual and corporate performance.
From time to time, advisors are commissioned to obtain benchmarking 
data for companies in the sector and/or of a similar size, to check 
market positioning.

The Company offers Executives a range of benefits which include:
• Car allowance
• Paid holidays
• Life assurance
• Private medical insurance
• Product allowance
• A private account which allows the purchase of goods at cost price 

plus VAT

• Subscriptions to professional bodies or other relevant organisations
• Regular medical check-ups
• Permanent health insurance.

Bonus targets are set annually in relation to the profit achieved by 
The Fuller’s Beer Company, Fuller’s Inns and the Group. The performance 
measures are weighted dependent on the responsibilities of each 
Executive and are designed to be stretching.
The target for the bonus includes the cost of the bonus itself.

Opportunity

Performance measures 

and reason for selection

Annual salary reviews take effect from 1 June in any year. 

Not applicable.

The Committee expects to target salaries around the 

median to upper quartile of similar-sized businesses.

The benefits offered are those typically offered at this 

Not applicable.

level. Car allowances are reviewed every January. 

Product allowances are reviewed from time to time but 

not typically increased every year. The cost of providing 

the insurance products varies from year to year.

Change in year and provisions 

for malus and clawback (if any)

Executive salaries were increased  

by between 1.93% and 12.68% 

in June 2014.

The benefit is unchanged but the 

cost of insurance products varies 

from year to year.

The maximum pay-out under the bonus scheme is 75% 

The actual performance measures for 2015 are linked to 

New bonus targets were agreed 

of salary. No pay-out would be made if the minimum 

the EPS and profit targets contained in the Group budget 

in May 2015 for the financial year 

threshold on the bonus target schedules is not achieved. 

for Fuller’s Inns and The Fuller’s Beer Company. Current 

2015/2016 subject to the revised 

If profits have declined to a specified degree in the year 

and previous targets are considered commercially 

bonus rules approved the previous 

bonuses are due to be paid, the Committee will assess 

confidential and will not be published. These targets 

year including malus and 

the performance of the Group relative to a selected peer 

have been selected as the Committee believes they 

clawback provisions.

group. Payments will only be authorised if the Group has 

reward Executives in line with Company performance  

performed better than the average of the peer group and 

and strongly align their interests with those of shareholders.

where the Group’s performance represents outperformance.

Share Options

Executive 
Share Option 
Scheme (ESOS)

Senior Executive 
Share Option 
Scheme (SESOS)

Save As You 
Earn Share 
Option Scheme 
(SAYE scheme)

Share Incentive 
Plan (SIP)

To align the interests of Executives with those 
of shareholders. 

A tax-advantaged executive share option scheme under which options 
may be granted to Executives periodically up to a maximum total value 
set by HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”). Once options have vested 
they must be exercised before the tenth anniversary of grant.

Executives may be issued and hold share options up to 

ESOS options vest when growth in EPS adjusted 

No change.

the current maximum value set by HMRC of £30,000 

principally to exclude exceptional items (“Adjusted EPS”) 

at any one time.

A non-tax-advantaged executive share option scheme under which 
options were granted to Executives but which has now expired.

SESOS was 20% of salary per annum.

The maximum benefit granted to Executives under the 

SESOS options vest at 40% (minimum) when growth in 

No change.

exceeds growth in RPI by at least 9% over the three-year 

performance period. The Committee is authorised to 

make appropriate amendments to Adjusted EPS.

Adjusted EPS exceeds growth in RPI by at least 9% over 

the three-year performance period. Maximum vesting 

(100% of grant) occurs when growth in Adjusted EPS 

exceeds inflation by 21% over the three-year period.

The performance targets and restrictions are considered  

to be a realistic test of management performance and 

were chosen because they are consistent with corporate 

profit growth objectives and ensure that options only 

become exercisable against the background of a 

sustained real increase in the financial performance  

of the Group.

All employees of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. with at least one year’s 
service in July in any year are eligible under this tax-advantaged scheme 
to receive options to subscribe for 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares at a discount 
of 20% on the prevailing market price at the time of the grant having 
entered into a three or five-year savings contract for the exercise price.

All employees of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. with at least five months’ 
service in November in any year are eligible under this tax-advantaged 
scheme to receive free 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares in December of that 
year. Shares are held by the SIP Trustees for a minimum of three years 
and a maximum of five years before being available to be passed 
to participants.

Under the SAYE Scheme rules eligible employees may 

None. There is no requirement for performance targets 

The current SAYE Scheme expires 

agree to save up to £250 per month over a period of 

in SAYE schemes.

three or five years and then purchase shares within six 

months of the end of the term.

in July this year and a resolution 

for the adoption of a new SAYE 

Scheme will be put forward  

at the forthcoming Annual  

General Meeting.

Shares are awarded based on length of service and base 

None. There is no requirement for performance targets 

No change.

salary. The maximum value of the shares allowable under 

in SIPs.

the Scheme is £3,000 in any one year.

44  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
44  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
Executive Directors (“Executives”)

Element

Purpose – how the element supports the short and 

long-term strategic objectives of the Company

Operation

Base Salary 

To recruit, retain and reward high calibre Executives to 

The Committee sets the base salary and this is reviewed taking into 

deliver the Company’s strategy. The salary will reflect 

each role, the importance of that role to the business 

and the experience the individual brings to it.

account inflation, individual and corporate performance.

From time to time, advisors are commissioned to obtain benchmarking 

data for companies in the sector and/or of a similar size, to check 

Benefits

To recruit and retain Executives by providing competitive 

The Company offers Executives a range of benefits which include:

benefits which also protect Executives and provide 

preventative care for them. 

market positioning.

• Car allowance

• Paid holidays

• Life assurance

• Private medical insurance

• Product allowance

plus VAT

• Regular medical check-ups

• Permanent health insurance.

• A private account which allows the purchase of goods at cost price 

• Subscriptions to professional bodies or other relevant organisations

Annual Bonus

To incentivise Executives to deliver performance in line 

Bonus targets are set annually in relation to the profit achieved by 

with the Group strategy and to align their interests with 

The Fuller’s Beer Company, Fuller’s Inns and the Group. The performance 

those of shareholders.

measures are weighted dependent on the responsibilities of each 

Executive and are designed to be stretching.

The target for the bonus includes the cost of the bonus itself.

Opportunity

Annual salary reviews take effect from 1 June in any year. 
The Committee expects to target salaries around the 
median to upper quartile of similar-sized businesses.

Performance measures 
and reason for selection

Not applicable.

The benefits offered are those typically offered at this 
level. Car allowances are reviewed every January. 
Product allowances are reviewed from time to time but 
not typically increased every year. The cost of providing 
the insurance products varies from year to year.

Not applicable.

Change in year and provisions 
for malus and clawback (if any)

Executive salaries were increased  
by between 1.93% and 12.68% 
in June 2014.

The benefit is unchanged but the 
cost of insurance products varies 
from year to year.

The maximum pay-out under the bonus scheme is 75% 
of salary. No pay-out would be made if the minimum 
threshold on the bonus target schedules is not achieved. 
If profits have declined to a specified degree in the year 
bonuses are due to be paid, the Committee will assess 
the performance of the Group relative to a selected peer 
group. Payments will only be authorised if the Group has 
performed better than the average of the peer group and 
where the Group’s performance represents outperformance.

The actual performance measures for 2015 are linked to 
the EPS and profit targets contained in the Group budget 
for Fuller’s Inns and The Fuller’s Beer Company. Current 
and previous targets are considered commercially 
confidential and will not be published. These targets 
have been selected as the Committee believes they 
reward Executives in line with Company performance  
and strongly align their interests with those of shareholders.

New bonus targets were agreed 
in May 2015 for the financial year 
2015/2016 subject to the revised 
bonus rules approved the previous 
year including malus and 
clawback provisions.

Share Options

Executive 

Share Option 

Scheme (ESOS)

Senior Executive 

Share Option 

Scheme (SESOS)

Save As You 

Earn Share 

Option Scheme 

(SAYE scheme)

Share Incentive 

Plan (SIP)

To align the interests of Executives with those 

of shareholders. 

A tax-advantaged executive share option scheme under which options 

may be granted to Executives periodically up to a maximum total value 

set by HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”). Once options have vested 

they must be exercised before the tenth anniversary of grant.

Executives may be issued and hold share options up to 
the current maximum value set by HMRC of £30,000 
at any one time.

A non-tax-advantaged executive share option scheme under which 

options were granted to Executives but which has now expired.

The maximum benefit granted to Executives under the 
SESOS was 20% of salary per annum.

Under the SAYE Scheme rules eligible employees may 
agree to save up to £250 per month over a period of 
three or five years and then purchase shares within six 
months of the end of the term.

ESOS options vest when growth in EPS adjusted 
principally to exclude exceptional items (“Adjusted EPS”) 
exceeds growth in RPI by at least 9% over the three-year 
performance period. The Committee is authorised to 
make appropriate amendments to Adjusted EPS.

SESOS options vest at 40% (minimum) when growth in 
Adjusted EPS exceeds growth in RPI by at least 9% over 
the three-year performance period. Maximum vesting 
(100% of grant) occurs when growth in Adjusted EPS 
exceeds inflation by 21% over the three-year period.
The performance targets and restrictions are considered  
to be a realistic test of management performance and 
were chosen because they are consistent with corporate 
profit growth objectives and ensure that options only 
become exercisable against the background of a 
sustained real increase in the financial performance  
of the Group.

None. There is no requirement for performance targets 
in SAYE schemes.

No change.

No change.

The current SAYE Scheme expires 
in July this year and a resolution 
for the adoption of a new SAYE 
Scheme will be put forward  
at the forthcoming Annual  
General Meeting.

Shares are awarded based on length of service and base 
salary. The maximum value of the shares allowable under 
the Scheme is £3,000 in any one year.

None. There is no requirement for performance targets 
in SIPs.

No change.

All employees of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. with at least one year’s 

service in July in any year are eligible under this tax-advantaged scheme 

to receive options to subscribe for 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares at a discount 

of 20% on the prevailing market price at the time of the grant having 

entered into a three or five-year savings contract for the exercise price.

All employees of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. with at least five months’ 

service in November in any year are eligible under this tax-advantaged 

scheme to receive free 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares in December of that 

year. Shares are held by the SIP Trustees for a minimum of three years 

and a maximum of five years before being available to be passed 

to participants.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  45

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Element

Long-Term  
Incentive  
Plan (LTIP)

Purpose – how the element supports the short and 
long-term strategic objectives of the Company

Operation

Opportunity

Performance measures 

and reason for selection

Change in year and provisions 

for malus and clawback (if any)

To reward the efforts of Executives in line with the 
Company’s objective of creating shareholder value 
and increasing EPS in the longer term.

The rules of the LTIP allow for discretionary annual awards of ‘A’ (listed), 
and ‘B’ and ‘C’ (unlisted) ordinary shares. Grants are calculated by 
reference to the middle market quotation at close the day before. In all 
cases shares will vest, subject to performance criteria being attained, 
within 72 days of the publication of results for the last financial year in 
the performance period.
The Remuneration Committee determines whether the Adjusted EPS 
performance condition has been met using the EPS information which 
is published in the Group’s Annual Reports and Accounts. BDO LLP 
confirms the level of vesting of awards based on EPS calculations 
provided by the Group.

Pension

To provide Directors with long-term pension provisions  
on a competitive basis.

The Company operates a variety of pension benefits. Executives 
are either deferred members of the defined benefit Company pension 
plan – now closed to future accruals – or the Company’s defined 
contribution stakeholder pension plan, or receive a salary supplement  
or a mixture of these. Further details are available on page 52 of 
this report.

Malus and 
Clawback

The malus and clawback provisions act as a disincentive  
to overstate the metrics that determine the rewards the 
Executive Directors receive.

Non-Executive Directors

Basic and  
Additional  
Fees

To attract and retain high calibre Non-Executive Directors  
by offering market competitive fee levels that recognise  
the time that the Non-Executive Directors commit to their 
various roles.

Benefits

To encourage Non-Executive Directors to keep  
up to date with the Company’s product range  
and to reimburse expenses.

These were introduced last year to the bonus scheme and to LTIP 
awards made from last year. They will enable the Committee not to  
pay bonuses or allow LTIP awards to vest where misconduct occurs 
during the relevant financial year or before a bonus is paid or an LTIP 
award vests. They will also enable the Committee to recover bonuses  
or awards where it is discovered that the Company materially misstated 
its results for the last whole financial year or a material error was made 
in assessing the relevant performance conditions.

The fees paid to the Chairman are determined by the Remuneration 
Committee.
The fees paid to the other Non-Executive Directors are determined 
by the Chairman and the Executive Committee.
Fees may be paid for specific duties such as the fee paid to 
Sir James Fuller for his work in liaising with family shareholders.
Non-Executive Directors do not participate in bonus schemes, share 
options or LTIPs. None of the Non-Executive Directors are members 
of any Group pension scheme, with the exception of Michael Turner, 
who is a pensioner of the Directors section of the defined benefit 
Company pension plan.

Non-Executive Directors receive a modest product allowance and are 
entitled to buy additional products at cost plus VAT. They are reimbursed 
for travel and other business related expenses. 
The Chairman, Michael Turner, also benefits from life insurance cover 
and private medical insurance.

46  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
46  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

The maximum value of shares for which an award may 

To assess the awards, the average growth in Adjusted 

No change.

be made to an Executive in any financial year is 110% 

EPS is compared with the growth in inflation over the 

of salary and will vary depending on seniority. 

performance period. The performance period covers 

Actual vesting will depend on how well the Company 

three financial years starting from the start of the financial 

performs against the LTIP’s performance conditions.

year in which the award is made. No vesting occurs if the 

Adjusted EPS growth fails to exceed the RPI by at least 

9%. 40% of the award vests if the target is hit and there is 

a sliding scale above that point. For 100% of an award 

of shares to vest, growth in Adjusted EPS needs to exceed 

the growth in RPI by 24% or more over the period. The 

Committee feels that since underlying long term freehold 

property growth is not being included in the calculation, 

9% over inflation is a testing target, and one that merits 

a 40% vesting level. The Committee further believes that 

the 40% vesting threshold at 9% in excess of inflation is 

triggering vesting at a value that is still below that being 

employed by many other companies and that it is the 

value of the vest that should be considered and not the 

percentage. Please see the graph on page 56 for 

further details.

Defined benefit Company pension plan Main section:

Not applicable.

Until closure, accrued at 1.7% of basic salary less lower 

earnings limit (up to a pensions cap) per year of service. 

Additional salary supplement of 17.5% paid over the 

earnings cap. This applied only to Simon Emeny.

Defined benefit Company pension plan Directors’ section:

Richard Fuller withdrew from this scheme on 31 March 

2014 and now receives a salary supplement of 17.5% 

of his salary for use in his retirement planning.

Pension contributions: For the other Executives the 

Company will contribute a total of 17.5% of the 

Executive’s salary to the defined contribution Company 

pension plan and/or their nominated pension scheme 

or pay a salary supplement for them to use as part of 

their retirement planning subject to the Executive making 

a net contribution of 8% themselves.

The Company’s defined benefit 

pension plan closed to future 

accruals from January 2015. 

Simon Emeny was the only  

Executive still in this scheme  

and was offered a salary 

supplement of 17.5% of salary  

in line with other Executives 

not in that scheme.

The malus and clawback principles apply to the bonuses 

Not applicable.

that may be paid from 2015 onwards and option grants 

made from 2014 onwards.

No change.

All Non-Executive Directors receive a basic fee. 

The Senior Independent Director receives a fee for 

that role and there are additional fees for chairing 

and being a member of the Audit and Remuneration 

Committees and other specific roles.

Non-Executive Directors’ fees are not usually reviewed 

every year but at periods of two to three years when 

market data on the level of fees is consulted.

There are no specific measures set but appraisals 

The fees were reviewed in January 

are carried out as explained in the Corporate 

Governance report on pages 38 to 42.

2015 as they had last been 

reviewed in January 2013.

The basic fee increased by 5.13%. 

The fee for the chairmanship of the 

Audit and Remuneration Committees 

increased by 11.1% and 16.67% 

respectively. The fee for the 

Senior Independent Director 

increased by 12.5%.

Product allowances are reviewed from time to time  

Not applicable.

None.

but not typically increased every year.

 
 
 
Element

Long-Term  

Incentive  

Plan (LTIP)

Purpose – how the element supports the short and 

long-term strategic objectives of the Company

Operation

To reward the efforts of Executives in line with the 

Company’s objective of creating shareholder value 

and increasing EPS in the longer term.

The rules of the LTIP allow for discretionary annual awards of ‘A’ (listed), 

and ‘B’ and ‘C’ (unlisted) ordinary shares. Grants are calculated by 

reference to the middle market quotation at close the day before. In all 

cases shares will vest, subject to performance criteria being attained, 

within 72 days of the publication of results for the last financial year in 

the performance period.

The Remuneration Committee determines whether the Adjusted EPS 

performance condition has been met using the EPS information which 

is published in the Group’s Annual Reports and Accounts. BDO LLP 

confirms the level of vesting of awards based on EPS calculations 

provided by the Group.

Opportunity

The maximum value of shares for which an award may 
be made to an Executive in any financial year is 110% 
of salary and will vary depending on seniority. 
Actual vesting will depend on how well the Company 
performs against the LTIP’s performance conditions.

Defined benefit Company pension plan Main section:
Until closure, accrued at 1.7% of basic salary less lower 
earnings limit (up to a pensions cap) per year of service. 
Additional salary supplement of 17.5% paid over the 
earnings cap. This applied only to Simon Emeny.
Defined benefit Company pension plan Directors’ section:
Richard Fuller withdrew from this scheme on 31 March 
2014 and now receives a salary supplement of 17.5% 
of his salary for use in his retirement planning.
Pension contributions: For the other Executives the 
Company will contribute a total of 17.5% of the 
Executive’s salary to the defined contribution Company 
pension plan and/or their nominated pension scheme 
or pay a salary supplement for them to use as part of 
their retirement planning subject to the Executive making 
a net contribution of 8% themselves.

The malus and clawback principles apply to the bonuses 
that may be paid from 2015 onwards and option grants 
made from 2014 onwards.

Performance measures 
and reason for selection

To assess the awards, the average growth in Adjusted 
EPS is compared with the growth in inflation over the 
performance period. The performance period covers 
three financial years starting from the start of the financial 
year in which the award is made. No vesting occurs if the 
Adjusted EPS growth fails to exceed the RPI by at least 
9%. 40% of the award vests if the target is hit and there is 
a sliding scale above that point. For 100% of an award 
of shares to vest, growth in Adjusted EPS needs to exceed 
the growth in RPI by 24% or more over the period. The 
Committee feels that since underlying long term freehold 
property growth is not being included in the calculation, 
9% over inflation is a testing target, and one that merits 
a 40% vesting level. The Committee further believes that 
the 40% vesting threshold at 9% in excess of inflation is 
triggering vesting at a value that is still below that being 
employed by many other companies and that it is the 
value of the vest that should be considered and not the 
percentage. Please see the graph on page 56 for 
further details.

Not applicable.

Change in year and provisions 
for malus and clawback (if any)

No change.

The Company’s defined benefit 
pension plan closed to future 
accruals from January 2015. 
Simon Emeny was the only  
Executive still in this scheme  
and was offered a salary 
supplement of 17.5% of salary  
in line with other Executives 
not in that scheme.

Not applicable.

No change.

All Non-Executive Directors receive a basic fee. 
The Senior Independent Director receives a fee for 
that role and there are additional fees for chairing 
and being a member of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees and other specific roles.
Non-Executive Directors’ fees are not usually reviewed 
every year but at periods of two to three years when 
market data on the level of fees is consulted.

There are no specific measures set but appraisals 
are carried out as explained in the Corporate 
Governance report on pages 38 to 42.

The fees were reviewed in January 
2015 as they had last been 
reviewed in January 2013.
The basic fee increased by 5.13%. 
The fee for the chairmanship of the 
Audit and Remuneration Committees 
increased by 11.1% and 16.67% 
respectively. The fee for the 
Senior Independent Director 
increased by 12.5%.

Product allowances are reviewed from time to time  
but not typically increased every year.

Not applicable.

None.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  47

Pension

To provide Directors with long-term pension provisions  

The Company operates a variety of pension benefits. Executives 

on a competitive basis.

are either deferred members of the defined benefit Company pension 

plan – now closed to future accruals – or the Company’s defined 

contribution stakeholder pension plan, or receive a salary supplement  

or a mixture of these. Further details are available on page 52 of 

this report.

Malus and 

Clawback

The malus and clawback provisions act as a disincentive  

These were introduced last year to the bonus scheme and to LTIP 

to overstate the metrics that determine the rewards the 

awards made from last year. They will enable the Committee not to  

Executive Directors receive.

Non-Executive Directors

Basic and  

Additional  

Fees

To attract and retain high calibre Non-Executive Directors  

The fees paid to the Chairman are determined by the Remuneration 

by offering market competitive fee levels that recognise  

Committee.

the time that the Non-Executive Directors commit to their 

various roles.

pay bonuses or allow LTIP awards to vest where misconduct occurs 

during the relevant financial year or before a bonus is paid or an LTIP 

award vests. They will also enable the Committee to recover bonuses  

or awards where it is discovered that the Company materially misstated 

its results for the last whole financial year or a material error was made 

in assessing the relevant performance conditions.

The fees paid to the other Non-Executive Directors are determined 

by the Chairman and the Executive Committee.

Fees may be paid for specific duties such as the fee paid to 

Sir James Fuller for his work in liaising with family shareholders.

Non-Executive Directors do not participate in bonus schemes, share 

options or LTIPs. None of the Non-Executive Directors are members 

of any Group pension scheme, with the exception of Michael Turner, 

who is a pensioner of the Directors section of the defined benefit 

Company pension plan.

Non-Executive Directors receive a modest product allowance and are 

entitled to buy additional products at cost plus VAT. They are reimbursed 

for travel and other business related expenses. 

The Chairman, Michael Turner, also benefits from life insurance cover 

and private medical insurance.

Benefits

To encourage Non-Executive Directors to keep  

up to date with the Company’s product range  

and to reimburse expenses.

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Consideration of Employment Conditions Elsewhere in the Company
The Committee is advised of the proposed annual pay review for staff in advance of them considering the proposed pay reviews for Directors, so that this can  
be taken into account when determining Directors’ remuneration for the relevant financial year. Salary increases will ordinarily be (in percentage terms) in line  
with those of the wider workforce, and significant variances would only be expected where there had been a significant change in an individual’s responsibilities 
or a market review had been conducted which suggested that an individual’s salary was no longer competitive, or where the Committee wanted to take  
account of an individual’s performance or experience. The Committee would also be advised if there were any other key changes to the terms and conditions  
on which staff are employed. 

Consideration of Employee Views
The Committee does not formally consult directly with employees on executive pay or in drawing up the Remuneration Policy but does receive periodic updates 
from the Personnel Director. Share ownership amongst the Company’s employees is encouraged through the SAYE Scheme and SIP. These tax-advantaged  
schemes allow employees to participate as shareholders and align their interests with those of the shareholders.

Consideration of Shareholder Views
Shareholder views are sought when there is any significant change to Directors’ remuneration. Should shareholders have any concerns about the Remuneration 
Policy, the Committee Chairman would endeavour to meet with them, as appropriate, to understand and respond to any issues they may have.

Discretion Employed by the Committee 
The Committee will operate the annual bonus, the LTIP, the ESOS and SESOS, in accordance with their applicable rules and in accordance with the Listing  
and Disclosure Rules where relevant. The Committee retains discretion, consistent with market practice, in a number of regards to the operation and administration 
of these schemes. These include, but are not limited to, routine matters such as who participates in them, the timing of awards and vests, the size of awards/
pay-outs, the determination of vesting, and the setting and application of targets. Other non-routine matters where the Committee may need to use its  
discretion include but are not limited to making adjustments to targets and/or pay-outs when there has been a change in accounting policy, making adjustments 
required when dealing with a change of control or restructuring of the Group, determination of the treatment of leavers and adjustments required in certain  
circumstances such as rights issues and corporate restructuring events. Any use of the above discretions would, where relevant, be explained in the annual  
Remuneration Report and may, as appropriate, be the subject of consultation with the Company’s major shareholders.

Illustration of the Application of the Remuneration Policy
A significant proportion of remuneration is linked to performance, particularly at maximum performance levels. The following charts demonstrate the key  
elements of the remuneration package for the Executives under the Remuneration Policy for the year ended 28 March 2015:

Chief Executive

Finance Director

Corporate Affairs Director

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

£000

1,273

37%

23%

1,063

36%

17%

504

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

356

944

40%

22%

786

39%

16%

100%

47%

40%

Minimum

In line with 
expectation

Maximum

200

0

£000

100%

45%

38%

Minimum

In line with 
expectation

Maximum

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

£000

455

32%

17%

51%

543

34%

24%

42%

In line with 
expectation

Maximum

229

100%

Minimum

Managing Director – The Fuller’s Beer Company

Managing Director – Fuller’s Inns

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

£000

535

33%

17%

50%

265

100%

636

34%

24%

42%

Minimum

In line with 
expectation

Maximum

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

£000

48  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
48  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

527

29%

18%

53%

627

31%

25%

44%

227

100%

Fixed1
Bonus2
LTIP/Options3

Minimum

In line with 
expectation

Maximum

1   ‘Fixed’ includes salary, benefits and pension.
2   ‘Bonus’ includes Executive Bonus scheme.
3   ‘LTIP/Options’ includes LTIP, ESOS and SESOS schemes.

In illustrating the potential reward the following assumptions have been made:

Minimum performance – fixed remuneration only with no pay-out under the bonus scheme or LTIP/share options.

In line with expectation – this is based on what Executives could receive if bonuses pay out at 60% of the maximum bonus allowance (i.e. 45% of salary) for  
achieving target performance, LTIP pay-out at 80% of maximum vesting, pay-out under the ESOS at 100% and pay-out under the SESOS at 90%.  

Maximum – 100% of the bonus (i.e. 75% of salary) and 100% of LTIP awards and Executive and Senior are realised.

Recruitment and Promotion
The Company wishes to attract talented individuals to Executive positions either from the industry/market or from internal succession. It would not expect  
any new Director to receive salary or any other part of their remuneration package that is more than 50% higher than current maximum payments which  
could be received by the previous role holder. The various components of the package for a new Executive are those already on offer to existing Executives as  
set out in the table above and they are salary, benefits, bonuses, share schemes and pension. The approach to each component is as set out in the tables on  
pages 44 to 47, subject to existing rule constraints. Contracts would be offered on the basis that on early termination a payment equal to the salary due for  
the unexpired period of their notice would be made, payable in monthly instalments. For the period of their notice the Executive would be expected to seek  
alternative income, and if they are successful, that income would be notifiable to the Company and would be set off against the remaining instalments. The  
Company is only likely to offer a cash amount on recruitment, payment of which may be staggered, to reflect the value of benefits a new recruit may have  
received from a former employer. Relocation expenses and accommodation might be provided if necessary.

In respect of Non-Executive Directors, the Company would not expect any new Director to receive fees that are more than 50% higher than the fees which  
could be received by the previous role-holder.

On the appointment of a new Chairman or Non-Executive Director, the fees will be set taking into account the experience and calibre of the individual and  
the fees paid to existing Non-Executive Directors.

Service Contracts/Payments on Loss of Office 
Executive Directors have rolling service contracts terminable on no more than one year’s notice served by the Company or Director.  

Ian Bray and Jonathon Swaine are entitled on early termination of their contracts to a payment equal to the salary due for the unexpired period of their notice.  
This is payable in monthly instalments and for the period of their notice these Executives are expected to seek alternative income, and if they are successful,  
that income must be notified to the Company and will be set off against the remaining instalments.  

The contracts of the other Executives (which were all in place before 27 June 2012 and are different from those that would be offered to any new Executives  
and are therefore not in line with the approach to recruitment remuneration as set out above) state that they are entitled to a payment equal to salary and the  
value of all benefits for the unexpired period of their notice, without any reduction for mitigation. Benefits in kind would be valued with reference to their P11D  
value or cost to the Company. Pension benefits would be valued on a transfer value basis to be calculated and confirmed by the Company’s pension advisors.  

The Committee has considered whether they should attempt to negotiate a change to the contracts of these Executives but do not believe that this is  
currently appropriate.

The rules of the bonus scheme and LTIP and other share option schemes set out what happens to awards if a participant ceases to be employed before the  
end of a bonus year or performance period. Generally, any outstanding share awards will lapse on such cessation, except in certain circumstances when a  
Director might be deemed a “good leaver” which could include on redundancy or retirement (these are examples and are not intended to be a definitive list).  
In determining whether an Executive Director should be treated as a good leaver and the extent to which bonuses, awards and share options vest or become  
exercisable, and/or a pro-rated bonus is due, the Committee will take into account the circumstances of an individual’s departure and his performance.

Service Contracts and Fee Letters
The obligations contained in the Executives’ service contracts are described in the section entitled “Service Contracts/Payments on Loss of Office”.

Executive Directors

Simon Emeny

James Douglas

Richard Fuller

Ian Bray

Jonathon Swaine

Non-Executive Directors

Michael Turner

John Dunsmore

Sir James Fuller

Lynn Fordham

Alastair Kerr

*   Subject to approval of the re-appointment by the Board of Directors during the period at the Annual General Meeting.

Date of contract

Notice period

13 January 1999

31 July 2007 

8 December 2009 

12 December 2011 

20 March 2012 

Date of letter of appointment
or re-appointment

1 July 2013

12 months

12 months

12 months

12 months

12 months

Term expires

June 2016

15 November 2011

January 2018*

1 June 2010

May 2016

15 November 2011

January 2018*

19 July 2011

August 2015

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  49

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Remuneration Implementation Report 
The information on pages 50 to 56 has been audited.

The Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee consists entirely of Independent Non-Executive Directors and the members are currently Alastair Kerr (Chairman), John Dunsmore 
and Lynn Fordham. The Chairman of the Company, Michael Turner, and the Chief Executive, Simon Emeny, are invited to attend the Committee meetings  
and to advise, where appropriate, on the remuneration and performance of the Executive Directors and related matters. The Committee is advised internally  
by the Company Secretary, Séverine Garnham, who also acts as Secretary to the Committee.

The Committee’s terms of reference state that the Committee is responsible for determining the total remuneration package (including pensions, service  
agreements and termination payments) of the Executive Directors. The Committee also reviews the remuneration of the Company’s divisional directors in  
consultation with the Chief Executive. Members of the Committee have no personal financial interest in the Company, other than as shareholders and Directors. 

The Committee’s Advisors
Xafinity Consulting Limited provides the Committee and the Company with advice on matters relating to pensions. BDO LLP provides the Committee  
and the Company with advice in connection with the Company’s LTIP and share option schemes and other remuneration matters. Both of these consultants  
have been providing advice to the Company for some years and were not specifically appointed by the Committee. Xafinity Consulting Limited is authorised  
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and its actuaries are also separately required to abide by Actuarial Profession Standards which include the  
requirement for it to provide objective and independent advice. BDO abides by the Remuneration Consultants Code of Conduct, which requires them to  
provide objective and independent advice. Other advisors did not charge fees for services provided in respect of Directors’ remuneration during the year.

Statement of Implementation of Remuneration Policy in the Current Financial Year
The Executive Directors’ salaries with effect from 1 June 2015 are:

Simon Emeny – £410,000

James Douglas – £286,000

Richard Fuller – £177,500

Ian Bray – £211,000

Jonathon Swaine – £220,000

The Non-Executive Directors’ fees were reviewed in January 2015 and changes were effective from 1 January 2015.

The annual bonus for the financial year 2015/2016 will operate on the same basis as the previous financial year and will be consistent with the policy detailed  
in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy above. As explained on page 45 the Company does not publish bonus targets since these are considered commercially  
sensitive. However, details of other performance measures which will operate are given on page 45 and details of the relative weightings of each are given on  
page 52. 

The awards under the LTIP are expected to be made at 110% of salary for the Chief Executive and Finance Director and 82.5% for the other Executives. The LTIP 
awards for the financial year 2015/2016 are subject to the following performance condition:

LTIP Awards

Percentage 
of shares 
comprised in an 
award to be 
released

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

%
0
.
9
<

%
0
.
9

%
0
.
0
1

%
0
.
1
1

%
0
.
2
1

%
0
.
3
1

%
0
.
4
1

%
0
.
5
1

%
0
.
6
1

%
0
.
7
1

%
0
.
8
1

%
0
.
9
1

%
0
.
0
2

%
0
.
1
2

%
0
.
2
2

%
0
.
3
2

%
0
.
4
2

Extent to which the percentage growth in Adjusted EPS
exceeds the increase in RPI over the performance period

50  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
50  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Single Total Figure of Remuneration Table
The following table shows a breakdown of the remuneration of individual Directors who served in all or part of the year:

Salary/Fees

Taxable benefits1

Annual bonus2

LTIP/Options3

Pensions4

Total

2015
£000

2014
£000

2015
£000

2014
£000

250

383

279

173

210

196

58

45

59

56

288

365

270

170

206

177

57

44

58

55

25

25

22

22

22

22

–

1

–

1

24

22

22

21

21

21

–

1

1

1

2015
£000

–

223

163

81

97

2014
£000

61

213

159

74

89

121

103

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2015
£000

2014
£000

–

512

407

201

209

238

–

–

–

–

363

288

233

122

–

47

–

–

–

–

2015
£000

–

101

49

30

37

34

–

–

–

–

2014
£000

–

89

47

50

35

31

–

–

–

–

2015
£000

275

1,244

920

507

575

611

58

46

59

57

2014
£000

736

977

731

437

351

379

57

45

59

56

Michael Turner5

Simon Emeny

James Douglas

Richard Fuller

Ian Bray

Jonathon Swaine

John Dunsmore

Sir James Fuller

Lynn Fordham

Alastair Kerr

1   Taxable benefits include car allowances, product allowances and health cover.
2   Bonus refers to the annual bonus scheme based on performance in the period under review and the value of free shares awarded under the SIP (£3,000).
3     LTIP/Options includes the value transferred to Directors from the LTIP, ESOS, SESOS and SAYE Schemes. Benefit is calculated as the share price at the year end less the exercise price multiplied by  
the number of vested options. Options are considered to have vested if substantially all of the performance criteria have been met in the financial year, in which case the number of vested options is  
estimated based on performance against performance measures. The table below sets out how the award is linked to performance of the Group.

4     Pensions includes benefit transferred on defined contribution and defined benefit schemes. Refer to “Total Pension Entitlement” section below for detail on individual Directors’ pension  

entitlements. Benefit transferred on defined benefit pension entitlement is equivalent to the increase in accrued pension as at 28 March 2015 (excluding an increase for inflation) multiplied by 20.
5   Michael Turner became Non-Executive Chairman on 1 July 2013. Michael Turner reached retirement age on 12 June 2011 and thereafter was drawing his pension and so accrues no further benefit.

The following table shows how variable pay elements are linked to the performance of the Group in 2015:

Target set

Performance measure

Minimum

Maximum

Value of award

LTIP

EPS vs RPI

EPS exceeds
RPI by + 9%

EPS exceeds
RPI by +24%

Senior Executive Share 
Options

EPS vs RPI

EPS exceeds
RPI by + 9%

EPS exceeds
RPI by +21%

% vest of original grant1:
Minimum – 40%
Maximum – 100%

% vest of original grant2:
Minimum – 40%
Maximum – 100%

Actual
performance

23.7%

23.7%

Value
of award

96% of
maximum
award

100% of
maximum
award

1   Maximum grant equates to 100% of salary.
2   Maximum grant equates to 20% of salary.

Percentage Change in Remuneration of Chief Executive 
The table below shows the percentage change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive compared to that of the average of all of the Group’s employees  
taken as a whole between the financial years ended 29 March 2014 and 28 March 2015:

Change in annual salary

Change in taxable benefits

Change in annual bonus1

Chief Executive 

Employees

4.9%

13.6% 

(0.5)% 

2.5%

0%

1.9% 

1     The ‘Change in annual bonus’ reflects the increase or decrease in the percentage of annual salary paid out as bonus and excludes the value of free shares awarded under the SIP. The employee comparator 

group excludes hourly paid pub staff who receive bonus incentives through tips via a tronc system as opposed to other bonus incentive schemes.

Salary 
The Committee sets the base salary for each Executive Director by reference to individual and corporate performance, competitive market practice and  
independent salary survey information. Last year, base pay was increased by approximately 3% for all Directors. This was broadly in line with the median of  
increases paid to head office staff. 

External Directorship Fees
The Board may give approval for Executives to have one non-executive role and to retain any related fees paid. Simon Emeny is the Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director of Dunelm Group plc. He retains fees of £50,000 per annum in respect of this position.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  51

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Bonus
Actual performance against targets is shown above. Performance measures for the annual bonus were weighted for each Director as follows:

Simon Emeny

James Douglas

Richard Fuller

Ian Bray

Jonathon Swaine

Group
profit

100%

100%

60%

60%

60%

Fuller’s Beer
Company
profit

Fuller’s Inns
profit

–

–

40%

40%

–

–

–

–

–

40%

For the year under review, Simon Emeny and James Douglas each earned a bonus of 57% of salary, Ian Bray and Richard Fuller each earned a bonus of 45% of  
salary and Jonathon Swaine earned a bonus of 60% of salary.

Total Pension Entitlements
Michael Turner is a pensioner of the defined benefit Company pension plan, under the Directors’ section.  

Richard Fuller became a deferred member of the defined benefit Company pension plan, under the Directors’ section, on 31 March 2014 when he withdrew  
from the plan. He is in receipt of a 17.5% salary supplement in lieu of employer’s pension contribution. Richard Fuller has confirmed that he will use his  
supplement as part of his retirement planning. With effect from 1 April 2015, he opted to draw his pension benefits early under the defined benefit Company  
pension plan. 

Simon Emeny became a deferred member of the defined benefit Company pension plan, under the Main section when the plan closed to future accruals on  
1st January 2015. Prior to closure, he received a salary supplement of 17.5% of the excess of his base salary over the earnings cap for use as part of his retirement  
planning. Following closure of the defined benefit Company pension plan to future accruals from January 2015, Simon Emeny is in receipt of a 17.5% salary  
supplement in lieu of contributions to a pension plan, which he is expected to use as part of his retirement planning.  

The details of pensions accrued under the defined benefit scheme as at 28 March 2015 were:  

Simon Emeny 

Richard Fuller

Increase in accrued pension
(allowing for inflation)1
£

Total accrued pension
at end of year2
£

Normal retirement date

Additional pension accrued
upon early retirement
£

2,497

2,524

26,767

96,081

62

62

–

–

1     Increase in accrued pension (allowing for inflation) – this is the accrued pension at the year-end less the accrued pension at the start of the year adjusted for inflation over the year.  
2     Total accrued pension at end of year or retirement age date if earlier – this is what the Director is entitled to receive as an annual pension based on service to date.  

James Douglas is paid a contribution of 17.5% of his salary by the Company which he is required to use as part of his overall retirement planning. He is also required 
to contribute 8% of his net salary to his pension or another investment vehicle.

The Company makes a contribution of 17.5% of salary to Ian Bray and Jonathon Swaine’s nominated pension schemes. They are also required to make contributions 
of 8% themselves. 

Scheme Interests Awarded During the Financial Year
In respect of the 52 week period ended 28 March 2015 the following LTIPs, Share Options and SIP awards were granted:

Director

Scheme

Simon Emeny

LTIP

SIP

Number of
A shares

Number of
B shares

Exercise price
per A share

Exercise price
per B share

Face
value at
grant/award

Date of
grant/award

Performance
period ends

% of award/
grant vesting
at minimum
threshold

35,108

87,772

£9.65

£0.965 £423,492 30/06/2014 29/06/2017

309

–

£9.69

–

£2,994 04/12/2014

n/a

Total

35,417

87,772

£426,486

James Douglas

LTIP

25,533

63,834

£9.65

£0.965 £307,993 30/06/2014 29/06/2017

Total

Richard Fuller

SAYE

SIP

LTIP

ESOS

SAYE

SIP

1,204

309

–

–

£7.47

£9.69

–

–

£8,994 01/09/2014 01/09/2017

£2,994 04/12/2014

n/a

27,046

63,834

£319,981

11,900

29,751

£9.65

£0.965 £143,545 30/06/2014 29/06/2017

2,588

401

309

–

–

–

£9.65

£7.47

£9.69

–

–

–

£24,974 30/06/2014 30/06/2017

£2,995 01/09/2014 01/09/2017

£2,994 04/12/2014

n/a

Total

15,198

29,751

£174,508

52  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
52  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

40%

n/a

40%

100%

n/a

40%

n/a

100%

n/a

Director

Ian Bray

Total

Jonathon Swaine

Scheme

LTIP

SAYE

SIP

LTIP

SIP

Number of
A shares

Number of
B shares

Exercise price
per A share

Exercise price
per B share

Face
value at
grant/award

Date of
grant/award

Performance
period ends

% of award/
grant vesting
at minimum
threshold

14,431

36,077

£9.65

£0.965 £174,073 30/06/2014 29/06/2017

722

309

–

–

£7.47

£9.69

–

–

£5,393 01/09/2014 01/09/2017

£2,994 04/12/2014

n/a

15,462

36,077

£182,460

13,678

34,196

£9.65

£0.965 £164,992 30/06/2014 29/06/2017

309

–

£9.69

–

£2,994 04/12/2014

n/a

40%

100%

n/a

40%

n/a

Total

13,987

34,196

£167,986

1     Face values have been calculated using the actual grant prices also shown in the table except for SAYE. For the SAYE Scheme this is based on an average price for the three days before grant  

(shown above) although options are granted at a 20% discount.

2     Executives may be awarded up to 20% of their salary through the tax-advantaged Executive Share Option Scheme and – until its expiry – the non-tax-advantaged Senior Executive Share Option  

Scheme. Under the former scheme only options worth £30,000 may be held at any time.

Share Scheme Interests Outstanding at the Year End

Shares
The Company has Share Ownership Guidelines for Directors which state that Executives should hold shares worth at least 100% of their salary. Accordingly  
Executives are required to retain:

a)  All shares they hold in the SIP

b)  All shares they acquire as a result of exercising SAYE options

c)  All shares that they acquire as a result of exercising options under the tax-advantaged Executive Share Option Scheme net of the cost of those options

d) 

 At least 75% of any shares that they acquire as a result of exercising options under the non-tax-advantaged Senior Executive Share Option Scheme net of  
the cost of those options and the costs of settling related tax and NI thereon  

e)  At least 75% of any post-tax and NI vested shares under the LTIP until their guideline is met.  

All of the Executive Directors’ shareholdings already meet the guideline with the exception of Ian Bray who joined the Company in 2011.

Directors’ Shareholdings

Directors’ Share Interests

Michael Turner

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

C ordinary 40p shares

2nd Preference £1 shares

Simon Emeny

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

James Douglas

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

Richard Fuller

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

C ordinary 40p shares

2nd Preference £1 shares

Ian Bray

A ordinary 40p shares

Beneficial
Interest at
28 March
2015

Non-beneficial
Interest
at 28 March
2015

Beneficial
Interest at
29 March
2014

Non-beneficial
Interest at
29 March
2014

271,378

2,988,394

624,260

71

98,730

738,883

48,449

178,583

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

271,378

2,988,394

624,260

71

95,421

677,208

40,501

132,005

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8,106

500,000

6,996

500,000

3,253,744

10,935,015

3,351,606

10,935,015

25,000

303

2,266

–

–

–

25,000

303

1,957

–

–

–

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  53

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Directors’ Share Interests

Jonathon Swaine

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

John Dunsmore

A ordinary 40p shares

Sir James Fuller

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

C ordinary 40p shares

Lynn Fordham

A ordinary 40p shares

Alastair Kerr

A ordinary 40p shares

There were no changes in the beneficial interests of any director to 27 May 2015.

Director’s Share Options

Director

Simon Emeny

As at
29 March
2014

Scheme

Exercised

Lapsed

Granted

SESOS

2,007

(2,007)

SESOS

4,285

(4,285)

SESOS

9,990

(9,990)

SESOS

9,916

(9,916)

SESOS

5,190

SAYE

2,530

SESOS

515

SESOS

9,139

SESOS

9,446

ESOS

3,296

SESOS

4,945

SAYE

497

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,742)

–

–

–

–

Total

61,756

(26,198)

(2,742)

–

–

–

–

(2,183)

–

–

–

–

James Douglas

SESOS

2,391

SESOS

8,625

SESOS

4,504

SESOS

628

SESOS

7,277

SESOS

7,517

SESOS

2,659

ESOS

3,296

SAYE

–

36,897

Total

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

54  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
54  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Beneficial
Interest at
28 March
2015

Non-beneficial
Interest
at 28 March
2015

Beneficial
Interest at
29 March
2014

Non-beneficial
Interest at
29 March
2014

18,827

62,688

23,305

88,942

9,143,952

2,702,003

13,098

3,941

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

14,934

52,461

23,305

88,942

9,143,952

2,702,003

3,182

3,941

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

As at
28 March
2015

–

–

–

–

5,190

2,530

Exercise
price

Date of
grant

Exercisable
from

Price at
exercise
date

Expiry
date

£4.98 18/07/06 18/07/09 18/07/16 £9.72

£7.51 18/07/07 18/07/10 18/07/17 £9.72

£4.05 15/07/08 15/07/11 15/07/18 £9.72

£4.80 16/07/09 16/07/12 16/07/19 £9.72

£5.78 12/07/10 12/07/13 12/07/20

£4.64 01/09/10 01/09/15 01/03/16

515

£6.30 30/11/10 30/11/13 30/11/20

6,397

9,446

3,296

4,945

£7.09 20/07/11 20/07/14 19/07/21

£7.05 12/07/12 12/07/15 11/07/22

£9.10 01/07/13 01/07/16 01/07/23

£9.10 01/07/13 01/07/16 01/07/23

497

£7.24 01/09/13 01/09/18 01/03/19

32,816

2,391

8,625

4,504

£4.05 15/07/08 15/07/11 15/07/18

£4.80 16/07/09 16/07/12 16/07/19

£5.78 12/07/10 12/07/13 12/07/20

628

£6.30 30/11/10 30/11/13 30/11/20

5,094

7,517

2,659

3,296

£7.09 20/07/11 20/07/14 19/07/21

£7.05 12/07/12 12/07/15 11/07/22

£9.10 01/07/13 01/07/16 01/07/23

£9.10 01/07/13 01/07/16 30/06/23

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,204

1,204

£7.47 01/09/14 01/09/17 01/03/18

(2,183)

1,204

35,918

Director

Richard Fuller

Total

Ian Bray

Total

Total

TOTAL

As at
29 March
2014

Scheme

Exercised

Lapsed

Granted

SAYE

801

(801)

SESOS

2,592

ESOS

SAYE

869

665

SESOS

4,612

SAYE

563

SESOS

4,765

SESOS

3,747

SAYE

ESOS

SAYE

828

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,384)

–

–

–

–

–

–

As at
28 March
2015

Exercise
price

Date of
grant

Exercisable
from

Price at
exercise
date

Expiry
date

–

£3.88 01/09/09 01/09/14 01/03/15 £9.41

2,592

£5.78 12/07/10 12/07/13 12/07/20

869

665

12/07/10 12/07/13 12/07/20

£4.64 01/09/10 01/09/15 01/03/16

3,228

£7.09 20/07/11 20/07/14 19/07/21

563

£5.47 01/09/11 01/09/16 01/03/17

4,765

3,747

£7.05 12/07/12 12/07/15 11/07/22

£9.10 01/07/13 01/07/16 01/07/23

828

£7.24 01/09/13 01/09/18 01/03/19

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,588

2,588

£9.65 30/06/14 30/06/17 30/06/24

401

401

£7.47 01/09/14 01/09/19 01/03/20

19,442

(801)

(1,384)

2,989

20,246

SESOS

1,503

ESOS

4,255

SESOS

4,549

SAYE

SAYE

497

–

10,804

–

–

–

–

–

–

SESOS

709

ESOS

4,255

SESOS

3,901

–

–

–

10,514

(1,649)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

722

1,503

4,255

4,549

497

722

722

11,526

£7.05 12/07/12 12/07/15 11/07/22

£7.05 12/07/12 12/07/15 12/07/22

£9.10 01/07/13 01/07/16 01/07/23

£7.24 01/09/13 01/09/16 01/03/17

£7.47 01/09/14 01/09/17 01/03/18

–

–

–

–

–

–

£5.47 01/09/11 01/09/14 01/03/15 £9.30

709

£7.05 12/07/12 12/07/15 11/07/22

£7.05 12/07/12 12/07/15 12/07/22

£9.10 01/07/13 01/07/16 01/07/23

4,255

3,901

8,865

139,413

(28,648)

(6,309)

4,915 109,371

Jonathon Swaine

SAYE

1,649

(1,649)

Note: The Executive Share Option Scheme (ESOS), Savings-related share option scheme (SAYE) and Share Incentive Plan (SIP) are all tax-advantaged share option scheme. The Senior Executive Share  
Option Scheme (SESOS) is not a tax-advantaged share option scheme. 

  Vested but unexercised options

Directors’ Long Term Incentive Plan Allocations

Director

Simon Emeny

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

James Douglas

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

Richard Fuller

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

Ian Bray

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

Jonathon Swaine

A ordinary 40p shares

B ordinary 4p shares

Total at
29 March
2014

Awarded
during the
year

Vested
during the
year

Lapsed
during the
year

Total held at
28 March
2015

Monetary
value of vest

£000*

107,312

35,108

(23,397)

(13,161)

105,862

268,281

87,772

(58,493)

(32,903)

264,657

83,005

25,533

(18,631)

(10,480)

79,427

207,515

63,834

(46,578)

(26,200)

198,571

39,374

11,900

(8,855)

(4,981)

98,438

29,751

(22,138)

(12,452)

37,438

93,599

30,924

14,431

77,311

36,077

–

–

–

–

45,355

113,388

32,988

13,678

(4,091)

(2,301)

40,274

82,472

34,196

(10,227)

(5,753)

100,688

223

56

177

45

85

22

–

–

39

10

*   The market price of ‘A’ ordinary shares on 30 July 2014 for the LTIP awards that vested and were released to participants was £9.50, the price of ‘B’ ordinary shares is assumed to be £0.95.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  55

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

The performance conditions for the LTIP are set out in the tables on pages 52 and 53 of this report.

Payments to Past Directors

Anthony Fuller, former Chairman and now President, receives an annual royalty of £15,000 which is paid in recognition of the fact that Mr Fuller has given the  
Company ongoing exclusive permission to use his name and signature on any Company product.  

Nigel Atkinson, former Non-Executive Director, receives annual fees of £7,500 which are paid because Mr Atkinson continues to act for the Company as our  
ambassador in the Hampshire area, attending various events as the Company’s representative.  

Payments for Loss of Office
There were no payments to Directors or former Directors for loss of office.

Performance Graph and Table
The graph below shows a comparison of the Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) for the Company’s listed ‘A’ ordinary shares for the last 10 financial years against  
the TSR for the companies in the FTSE Travel & Leisure Index. The Company is a constituent of this Index and therefore it is an appropriate choice for this report.

Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C.
FTSE All-Share Travel & Leisure (rebased)

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Mar-10

Jul-10

Nov-10

Mar-11

Jul-11

Nov-11

Mar-12

Jul-12

Nov-12

Mar-13

Jul-13

Nov-13

Mar-14

Jul-14

Nov-14

Mar-15

Source: Thomson Datastream

The table below shows the total remuneration figure for the Chief Executive over the last five financial years and the annual bonus and LTIP pay-out for each  
year as a percentage of the maximum available.

Single figure total remuneration

Annual bonus1

LTIP

20112

1,518

70%

85%

2012

944

56%

92%

2013

1,088

41%

56%

20143

977

77%

64%

2015

1,244

76%

96%

1   Annual bonus as a percentage of the maximum available.
2     The single total remuneration figure includes an increase in the accrued benefit under the defined benefit Company pension plan to the value of £44,000, equating to a benefit of £880,000.  

Michael Turner did not receive such an increase in the other years disclosed. Excluding this pension benefit reduces the single total figure to £638,000 for the year.

3     Simon Emeny was appointed as Group Chief Executive in July 2013. The single total figure comprises of the remuneration received by Simon Emeny in the financial year, hence includes  

remuneration for the three months prior to this promotion.

56  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015
56  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Relative Importance of Spend on Pay
The table below shows the total remuneration for the Group’s employees compared to other key financial indicators:

£m

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

2015

2014

Remuneration

Taxes 
payable to 
HMRC1

Capital 
Expenditure & 
Business 
Combinations2

Dividends3

Share 
buybacks

1     Taxes payable to HMRC is based upon tax incurred in the year and includes corporation tax, VAT, PAYE, NI, duty, stamp duty, non-domestic rates, property licences, environmental levies and machine  
game duty. It has increased due to increased VAT and duty payments resulting from the continued growth of the Group. This measure has been selected as it reflects a significant outflow for the Group.

2     Capital expenditure (including business combinations) represents cash paid, is consistent with the numbers disclosed in the financial statements and has increased due to the conversion of The  

Lamb & Flag from leasehold to freehold in the year. This measure has been selected as it reflects a significant outflow for the Group.

3   Dividends represents the interim dividend for 2014 paid in the year and the final dividend for 2014 that has been proposed but not paid in the year.

Statement of Voting at the Last Annual General Meeting
At the Annual General Meeting held on 24 July 2014, votes cast by proxy in respect of the approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report were as follows:  

Resolution text 

Approval of 
Remuneration Report 

Number of votes 
cast for

Percentage of votes 
cast for

Number of votes 
cast against

Percentage of votes 
cast against 

Total votes cast

Number of 
votes withheld 

91,441,071

98.70%

1,207,896

1.30%

92,648,967

4,423,373

The Directors’ Remuneration Report, encompassing pages 43 to 57, was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf.

Alastair Kerr 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

4 June 2015

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  57

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C.

Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified
In our opinion:

• the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 28 March 2015 and of the Group’s profit  

for the 52 week period then ended; 

• the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the  

European Union; 

• the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as applied in  

accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial statements, 

Article 4 of the International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) Regulation.

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

What we have audited
Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C.’s financial statements for the 52 week period ended 28 March 2015 comprise the Group Income Statement, the Group and Company 
Statements of Comprehensive Income, the Group and Company Balance Sheets, the Group and Company Statements of Changes in Equity, the Group and  
Company Cash Flow Statements and the related notes 1 to 31. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European  
Union and, as regards the Parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

Our assessment of risk
In arriving at our opinions set out in this report, we highlight the following risks that are, in our judgement, likely to be most important to users’ understanding  
of our audit.

Assessment of impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill
The risk: As more fully explained in note 11, the Directors are required to make an impairment assessment for property, plant and equipment when there is  
an indication that an asset may be impaired and for goodwill annually. The process for measuring and recognising impairment under IAS  36 Impairment of 
Assets is complex and highly judgemental, particularly as each individual trading outlet is treated as a separate cash-generating unit for impairment purposes. 
We therefore identified the valuation of property, plant and equipment and goodwill as a significant risk requiring special audit  consideration. 

Our response: Our audit work included, but was not restricted to, using our valuation specialists to evaluate the methodology and assumptions used by the  
Directors to perform the impairment assessment, in particular those relating to the forecasted growth and discount rates for each cash-generating unit, and  
the allocation of goodwill to groups of cash-generating units. We compared the methodologies applied and the assumptions used to our expectations and  
emerging market activity. We also used our valuations specialists, to challenge the key assumptions used by management.

The Group’s accounting policy on impairment is included in note 1, with further disclosure given in respect of property, plant and equipment in note 11 and  
goodwill in note 10. The Audit Committee also identified impairment testing of property assets as a significant issue in its report on page 41, where the  
Committee also describes how it addressed this issue.

58  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

The risk of fraud in revenue recognition
The risk: Under International Standards on Auditing (“ISAs”) (UK and Ireland), there is a presumed risk of fraud in revenue recognition. As the Group records  
a substantial proportion of sales in cash and through point of sale transactions, we identified fraud in revenue recognition as a significant risk requiring special  
audit consideration.

Our response: Our audit work included, but was not restricted to, an evaluation of the revenue recognition policies for each of the Group’s three operating  
segments in accordance with the Group’s stated accounting policies and IAS 18 Revenue. For each segment, we tested a sample of revenue transactions to proof of 
delivery documentation to assess whether the Group’s revenue recognition policy was being applied consistently in each case. This was supported by further 
substantive tests of detail in respect of trade receivables, through a combination of third party confirmations, testing of subsequent receipts or proof of delivery.  

The Group’s accounting policy on revenue recognition is included in note 1, with disclosure of revenues in note 3.

Management override of controls
The risk: Under ISAs (UK and Ireland), for all of our audits we are required to consider the risk of management override of controls. Due to the unpredictable  
nature of this risk, we have assessed it as a significant risk requiring special audit consideration.

Our response: Our audit work included, but was not restricted to, specific procedures relating to this risk that are required by ISA (UK and Ireland) 240  
The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of Financial Statements. This included tests of journal entries using computer assisted analytical  
techniques, and in particular an assessment of both unusual transactions and an analysis of the initiators of journal entries. Our work also included the  
evaluation of judgements and assumptions in management’s estimates, assessing the extent of estimation uncertainty using sensitivity analysis, and tests  
of significant transactions outside the normal course of business. 

In particular, we assessed each of the critical judgements and estimates as set out in the Group’s accounting policies in note 1, with a particular focus on the  
assessment of impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill, as set out above.  

Fair value measurement of The Stable entities acquisition
The risk: As a significant business combination in the period, there is a requirement to recognise the acquisition in line with IFRS 3 Business Combinations.  
The risk is that inappropriate valuation and accounting treatment may be applied due to the complex nature of the acquisition and specifically the terms of the  
put and call option. We therefore considered the fair value measurement of The Stable entities acquired as a significant risk requiring special audit consideration.

Our response: Our audit work included, but was not restricted to, an evaluation of the acquisition accounting paper provided by management in conjunction  
with IFRS 3 Business Combinations and a review of the Share Purchase Agreement and other relevant signed documentation relating to the acquisition. In  
addition, we have assessed the recognition and valuation of the contingent consideration including the put and call options in line with IFRS 3 Business Combinations.

Business Combination disclosure given in respect of the acquisition is detailed in note 17. The Audit Committee also identified the acquisition of a majority  
interest in The Stable as a significant issue in its report on page 41, where the Committee also describes how it addressed this issue.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  59

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Independent Auditor’s Report continued
to the Members of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C.

Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit

Materiality
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 determined materiality for the audit of the Group financial statements as a whole to be £1.7 million, 
which is 5% of a forecast of the period’s profit before taxation. As the profit before taxation for the period is not substantially different from the forecast, we  
have not revised our assessment of materiality. This benchmark is considered the most appropriate because it is one of the most important key performance  
indicators for the Board and its shareholders as well as being a crucial component of the earnings per share calculation and the value of Directors’ bonuses.  
We use a different level of materiality, performance materiality, to drive the extent of our testing and this was set at 75% of financial statement materiality for the  
audit of the Group financial statements. We also determine a lower level of specific materiality for certain areas such as Directors’ remuneration and related  
party transactions. 

We determined the threshold at which we will communicate misstatements in respect of the Group financial statements to the Audit Committee to be £86,000. 
In addition we will communicate misstatements below that threshold that, in our view, warrant reporting on qualitative grounds.

Overview of the scope of our audit
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described 
in the ‘Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit’ section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and  
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We are independent of the Group in accordance with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors, and we have fulfilled our other ethical  
responsibilities in accordance with those Ethical Standards.

The Group is organised into three principal operating divisions: Managed Pubs and Hotels, Tenanted Inns and The Fuller’s Beer Company. Although the  
Group financial statements are a consolidation of three trading subsidiaries, over 99% of the Group’s revenue and profit before taxation arose in the Parent  
Company. The subsidiaries are subject to analytical procedures. Our audit approach was based on a thorough understanding of the Group’s business and is  
risk-based consisting of substantive testing on significant transactions, balances and disclosures, the extent of which was based on various factors such as our  
overall assessment of the control environment, the design effectiveness of controls over individual systems and the management of specific risks.

Other reporting required by regulations

Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 is unmodified
In our opinion:

• the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and  

• the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with  

the financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the ISAs (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, information in the Annual Report is:
• materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or

• apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of performing our audit; or

• otherwise misleading.

60  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

In particular, we are required to report to you if:
• 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; or 

• the Annual Report does not appropriately disclose those matters that were communicated to the Audit Committee which we consider should have been disclosed.

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not  

visited by us; or

• the Parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting  

records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.  

Under the Listing Rules, we are required to review:
• the Directors’ statement, set out on page 20, in relation to going concern; and

• the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the 10 provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code  

specified for our review.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit

What an audit of financial statements involves
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.

What the directors are responsible for
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 37, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial  
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.  

What we are responsible for
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.

Charles Hutton-Potts
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
London

4 June 2015

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  61

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Group Income Statement
for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Revenue

Operating costs 

Operating profit

Profit on disposal of properties

Pension fund curtailment gain

Finance costs

Profit before tax

Taxation

Profit for the year 

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the Parent Company

Non-controlling interests

52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

52 weeks ended 29 March 2014

Before
exceptional
items
£m

Exceptional
items
£m

Note

Before
exceptional
items
£m

Total
£m

Exceptional
items
£m

Total
£m

3 

 321.5 

 – 

 321.5 

 288.0 

 – 

 288.0 

4,5

(279.2) 

5 

5 

5,6

5,7

 42.3 

 – 

 – 

(5.9) 

 36.4 

(7.9) 

28.5

28.6

(0.1) 

(1.5) 

(1.5) 

 0.8 

 1.2 

(0.8) 

(0.3) 

0.1

(280.7) 

(248.1) 

 40.8 

 39.9 

 0.8 

 1.2 

(6.7) 

 – 

 – 

(5.8) 

 36.1 

 34.1 

(7.8) 

(7.9) 

(0.2) 

 28.3 

 26.2 

(1.9) 

(1.9) 

 1.9 

 – 

(0.6) 

(0.6) 

 3.5 

 2.9 

(250.0) 

 38.0 

 1.9 

 – 

(6.4) 

 33.5 

(4.4) 

 29.1 

(0.2) 

 28.4

 26.2 

 2.9 

 29.1 

 – 

(0.1) 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Earnings per share per 40p ‘A’ and ‘C’ ordinary share

Pence

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted

Diluted adjusted

Earnings per share per 4p ‘B’ ordinary share

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted

Diluted adjusted

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

51.51

50.78

5.15

5.08

Pence

51.15

50.42

5.12

5.04

Pence

 46.94 

 46.27 

 4.69 

 4.63 

Pence

 52.14 

 51.39 

 5.21 

 5.14 

The results and earnings per share measures above are all in respect of continuing operations of the Group.

62  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Group and Company Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Group

Profit for the year

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Net (losses)/gains on valuation of financial assets and liabilities

Tax related to items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Net actuarial losses on pension schemes

Tax related to items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

Note

26 

23 

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

28.3

29.1

(3.0) 

0.6

(8.3) 

1.7

(9.0) 

 2.4 

(0.6) 

(4.1) 

0.4 

(1.9) 

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax, attributable to equity shareholders of the Parent Company

19.3

 27.2 

Total comprehensive income attributable to

Equity shareholders of the Parent Company

Non-controlling interest

Company

Profit for the year

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Net (losses)/gains on valuation of financial assets and liabilities

Tax related to items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Net actuarial losses on pension schemes

Tax related to items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

19.4

(0.1) 

27.2

 –

27.0

26.4 

(3.0) 

0.6

(8.3) 

1.7

(9.0) 

2.4 

(0.6) 

(4.1) 

0.4 

(1.9) 

18.0

24.5 

26 

23 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  63

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Group and Company Balance Sheets
28 March 2015

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investment properties

Derivative financial assets

Other non-current assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and short term deposits

Total current assets

Assets classified as held for sale

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Current tax payable

Provisions

Borrowings

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial liabilities

Retirement benefit obligations

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Other non-current payables

Total non-current liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Own shares

Hedging reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Approved by the Board and signed on 4 June 2015.

M J Turner, FCA
Chairman

64  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Group
2015
£m

Group
2014
£m

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

Note

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

25 

18 

19 

22 

20 

38.7 

34.4 

8.5 

7.9 

471.9

434.8 

466.7

433.1 

4.6

0.3 

0.3 

 – 

8.4

4.7 

0.8 

0.4 

 – 

6.2 

4.6 

0.3

0.3 

94.8

8.2

4.7 

0.8 

0.4 

94.8 

6.1 

524.2

481.3 

583.4

547.8 

10.6 

17.7 

5.1 

33.4 

 – 

10.6 

18.3 

4.1 

33.0 

1.2 

10.6 

26.4

4.8

41.8

 – 

10.6 

18.3 

4.1 

33.0 

1.2 

21 

49.2 

46.1 

145.9

140.4 

25 

22 

22 

13 

23 

25 

25 

21 

27 

27 

27 

27 

27 

3.9

0.4 

20.0 

73.5

3.9 

1.2 

 – 

3.9

0.4 

20.0 

3.9 

1.2 

–

51.2 

170.2

145.5 

147.7 

143.9 

147.5

143.7 

6.1

24.4 

21.3

2.5 

0.4 

202.4

281.7

0.8 

17.2 

22.6 

2.2 

0.4 

187.1 

277.2 

3.1

24.4 

21.3

2.5 

 – 

198.8

256.2

0.8 

17.2 

22.6 

2.2 

 – 

186.5 

250.0 

22.8 

22.8 

22.8 

22.8 

4.8 

3.1 

(13.5)

(2.4)

270.0

284.8

(3.1)

4.8 

3.1 

(9.7)

 – 

256.2 

277.2 

 – 

4.8 

3.1 

(13.5)

(2.4)

241.4

256.2

 – 

4.8 

3.1 

(9.7)

 – 

229.0 

250.0 

 – 

281.7

277.2 

256.2

250.0 

Group and Company Statements of Changes in Equity
for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Share
capital
(note 27)
£m

22.8 

Share
premium
account
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Own
shares
(note 27)
£m

Hedging
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Total
£m

4.8 

3.1 

(8.7)

(1.8)

239.2 

259.4 

Group

At 30 March 2013

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive 
income/(loss) for the year

Total comprehensive 
income/(loss) for the year

Shares purchased to be held 
in ESOT or as treasury

Shares released from ESOT 
and treasury

Dividends (note 9)

Share-based payment charges

Tax credited directly to equity 
(note 7)

Total transactions with owners

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

At 29 March 2014

22.8 

4.8 

3.1 

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive  
income for the year

Shares purchased to be held 
in ESOT or as treasury

Shares released from ESOT 
and treasury

Dividends (note 9)

Share-based payment charges

Tax credited directly to equity 
(note 7)

Adjustments arising from 
change in non-controlling 
interest (note 16)

Total transactions with owners

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

At 28 March 2015

22.8 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

4.8 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(5.3) 

 4.3 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(1.0) 

(9.7)

 – 

 – 

 – 

(7.1) 

 3.3 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(3.8) 

 – 

29.1 

29.1 

1.8 

(3.7)

(1.9)

 1.8 

 25.4 

 27.2 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(2.4) 

 – 

(5.3) 

(2.9)

(7.9)

1.8 

0.6 

(8.4) 

1.4 

(7.9)

1.8 

0.6 

(9.4) 

256.2 

277.2 

28.4 

(6.6) 

28.4 

(9.0)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(7.1)

(2.3)

(8.7) 

2.6 

1.0 

(8.7)

2.6 

 0.4 

0.4

 – 

 – 

(8.0) 

(11.8) 

Non-
controlling
interest
(note 16)
£m

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(0.1) 

 – 

Total
equity
£m

259.4 

29.1 

(1.9)

 27.2 

(5.3) 

1.4 

(7.9)

1.8 

0.6 

(9.4) 

277.2 

28.3 

(9.0)

S
t
r
a
t
e
g
i
c
R
e
p
o
r
t

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(7.1)

1.0 

(8.7)

2.6 

0.4

(3.0) 

(3.0) 

(3.1)

(3.0)

(14.8) 

281.7

(2.4)

21.8

19.4

(0.1)

19.3

3.1 

(13.5)

(2.4)

270.0

284.8

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  65

GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
Company Statements of Changes in Equity
for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Company

At 30 March 2013

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Shares purchased to be held in ESOT or as treasury

Shares released from ESOT and treasury

Dividends (note 9)

Share–based payment charges

Tax credited directly to equity 

Total transactions with owners

At 29 March 2014

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Shares purchased to be held in ESOT or as treasury

Shares released from ESOT and treasury

Dividends (note 9)

Share-based payment charges

Tax credited directly to equity 

Total transactions with owners

At 28 March 2015

Share
capital
(note 27)
£m

22.8 

Share
premium
account
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Own
shares
(note 27)
£m

Hedging
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Total
£m

4.8 

3.1 

(8.7)

(1.8)

214.7 

234.9

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

22.8 

4.8 

3.1 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(5.3) 

 4.3 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(1.0) 

(9.7)

 – 

 – 

 – 

(7.1) 

 3.3 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(3.8) 

 – 

1.8 

1.8 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

(2.4) 

(2.4) 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

26.4 

(3.7)

22.7 

 – 

(2.9)

(7.9)

1.8 

0.6 

(8.4) 

26.4

(1.9)

24.5 

(5.3)

1.4 

(7.9)

1.8 

0.6

(9.4)

229.0 

250.0 

27.0

(6.6)

20.4

–

(2.3)

(8.7)

2.6 

0.4

27.0

(9.0)

18.0

(7.1)

1.0

(8.7)

2.6

0.4

(8.0) 

(11.8)

22.8 

4.8 

3.1 

(13.5)

(2.4)

241.4

256.2

66  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Group and Company Cash Flow Statements
for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Profit before tax

Net finance costs before exceptional items

Exceptional items

Depreciation and amortisation

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Difference between pension charge and cash paid

Share-based payment charges

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in inventories

Change in trade and other payables

Cash impact of operating exceptional items

Cash generated from operations

Tax paid

Cash generated from operating activities

Cash flow from investing activities

Business combinations

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Overdraft acquired on acquisition

Sale of property, plant and equipment

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Purchase of own shares

Receipts on release of own shares to option schemes

Interest paid

Preference dividends paid

Equity dividends paid

Drawdown of bank loans

Repayment of other loans

Loans to subsidiary companies

Cost of refinancing

Cost of new derivative instruments

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net movement in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

Group
52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

Group
52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

36.1 

33.5 

Note

Company
52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

Company
52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

34.2

8.8

0.3

15.8

–

30.0 

9.0 

0.6 

14.5 

(0.1) 

 59.1 

 54.0 

(0.7)

2.6

(0.4)

–

0.9

(1.7)

59.8

(8.3)

51.5

(21.6)

(28.2) 

 – 

3.3

(0.5)

1.8 

1.0 

(0.1)

2.8 

(2.1)

 56.9 

(8.0)

48.9 

(9.6)

(28.1) 

 – 

2.6 

5.9 

0.3 

16.4

–

58.7

(0.7)

2.6

(0.6)

–

1.7

(1.7)

60.0

(8.3) 

51.7

(25.2)

(31.1)

(0.1)

3.3

5.8 

0.6 

 14.7 

(0.1)

 54.5 

(0.5) 

 1.8 

 1.0 

(0.1) 

 2.8 

(2.1) 

 57.4 

(8.0) 

 49.4 

(9.6) 

(28.5) 

(0.1) 

 2.6 

(53.1)

(35.6) 

(46.5) 

(35.1) 

(7.1) 

 1.0 

(5.2)

(0.1) 

(8.7) 

24.5

(0.5)

–

(1.1)

(0.4)

2.4

1.0

 4.1 

5.1

(5.3) 

 1.4 

(5.2)

(0.1) 

(7.9) 

 3.4 

(0.3)

–

–

–

(14.0) 

(0.2) 

 4.3 

 4.1 

(7.1)

1.0 

(5.2)

(0.1)

(8.7)

24.5

–

(7.2)

(1.1)

(0.4)

(4.3)

0.7

4.1 

4.8

(5.3)

1.4 

(5.2)

(0.1)

(7.9)

3.4 

(0.3)

–

–

–

(14.0) 

(0.2)

4.3 

4.1 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  67

5 

17 

27 

9 

9 

22 

22 

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Authorisation of Financial Statements and Accounting Policies

Authorisation of Financial Statements and Statement of Compliance with IFRSs
The financial statements of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 were authorised for issue by  
the Board of Directors on 5 June 2015 and the Balance Sheet was signed on the Board’s behalf by M J Turner. Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. is a public limited  
company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The Company’s ordinary ‘A’ shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.

The Group’s and Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted for  
use in the European Union and applied to the financial statements of the Group and the Company for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015, in accordance with  
the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group and by the Company are set out in the accounting policies below.  

Profit attributable to members of the Parent Company
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 a separate Income Statement for the Parent Company has not been prepared. The profit attributable 
to ordinary shareholders and included in the financial statements of the Parent Company was £27.0 million (2014: £26.4 million). There was no dividend from  
subsidiary companies during the current year (2014: £nil).   

Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation
The accounting policies which follow set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015.

The Group and Company financial statements are presented in Sterling and all values are shown in millions of pounds (£m) rounded to the nearest hundred  
thousand, except when otherwise indicated.

The Directors have considered a number of cash flow scenarios and have determined that the Group has adequate resources, an appropriate financial  
structure and suitable management arrangements in place to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

Adoption of New Standards and Interpretations:
The following new and amended IFRS and IFRIC interpretations are effective for the Group’s period commencing 30 March 2014:

• IAS 39 (June 2013) Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting 

• IAS 36 (May 2013) Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets 

• IFRIC 21 Levies 

• IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 (October 2012) Investment Entities 

• IAS 32 (December 2011) Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities 

• IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities 

• IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements 

• IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements 

• IAS 28 (revised May 2011) Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures 

• IAS 27 (revised May 2011) Separate Financial Statements 

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

17 June 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

Basis of Consolidation
The Group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. and the entities it controls (its subsidiaries) drawn up for  
the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: 52 weeks ended 29 March 2014).

Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date of their acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until  
the date that such control ceases. Control comprises the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee so as to obtain benefit from its  
activities and is achieved through direct or indirect ownership of voting rights; currently exercisable or convertible potential voting rights; or by way of contractual 
agreement. The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the Parent Company, using consistent accounting policies.  
All intercompany balances and transactions, including unrealised profits arising from them, are eliminated.

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are carried  
initially at cost. An intangible asset acquired as part of a business combination is recognised outside goodwill if the asset is separable or arises from contractual  
or other legal rights and its fair value can be measured reliably. Payments made to acquire operating leases from third parties are classified as intangible assets  
and amortised over the expected life of the lease and recognised in the Income Statement.  

Goodwill
Business combinations are accounted for under IFRS 3 using the purchase method. Any excess of the consideration of the business combination over the  
Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities is recognised in the Balance Sheet as goodwill and is not  
amortised. To the extent that the net fair value of the acquired entity’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities is greater than the cost of the  
investment, a gain is recognised immediately in the Income Statement.

After initial recognition, goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses, with the carrying value being reviewed for impairment, at least  
annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. Any impairment of goodwill made cannot be  
reversed if circumstances subsequently change.

Any contingent considerations recognised on business combinations are measured at fair value using Level 3 valuation techniques.

68  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

1. Authorisation of Financial Statements and Accounting Policies continued
For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the related cash-generating units (or group of cash-generating units) monitored by management. 
Where the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, an impairment loss is recognised in the  
Income Statement.

The carrying amount of goodwill allocated to a cash-generating unit is taken into account when determining the gain or loss on disposal of the unit, or of an  
operation within it.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost or deemed cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. Depreciation is calculated on  
a straight-line basis down to the estimated residual value over the expected useful life of the asset as follows:

Freehold buildings – Hotel accommodation and offices 

Up to 50 years

Freehold buildings – Licensed retail property, unlicensed property and brewery 

50 to 100 years

Leasehold improvements 

Roofs 

The term of the lease

From 10 to 50 years

Plant, machinery and vehicles, containers, fixtures and fittings 

From three years up to 25 years

As required under IAS 16 Property Plant and Equipment, expected useful lives and residual values are reviewed every year. Land is not depreciated.

Government Grants
Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the conditions attaching to them and that the  
grants will be received.

Government grants are recognised in profit or loss on a systematic basis over the periods in which the Group recognises as expenses the related costs for  
which the grants are intended to compensate. Specifically, government grants whose primary condition is that the Group should purchase, construct or  
otherwise acquire non-current assets are recognised as deferred revenue in the Balance Sheet and transferred to the Income Statement on a systematic  
basis over the useful economic life of the related assets. 

Investment Property
The Group owns properties that are not used for the production of goods or services but are held for capital appreciation or rental purposes. These properties  
are classified as investment properties and their carrying values are based on cost. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis down to the estimated  
residual value over the expected useful life of the asset, which for investment properties is 50 to 100 years.

Impairment
Carrying values are reviewed for impairment if events indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. If such an indicator exists and where  
the carrying values exceed the estimated recoverable amount, the assets or cash-generating units are written down to their recoverable amounts. An asset’s  
recoverable amount is the greater of the fair value less costs to sell, and the value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted 
to present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market assessments of the time value of money and risks specific to the asset. For an  
asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest cash-generating unit to which the asset  
belongs. Impairment losses, and any reversal of such losses, are recognised in the Income Statement.

Leases

Group as a lessee
Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset are classified as operating leases and rentals payable are  
charged in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  

Group as a lessor
Assets leased under operating leases are included in property, plant and equipment and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Rental income,  
including the effect of lease incentives, is recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Assets Held for Sale
Assets are classified as held for sale when the carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than continuing use. To be  
classified as such management need to have initiated a sales plan as at the Balance Sheet date and must expect the sale to qualify for recognition as a completed 
sale within one year. Assets held for sale are valued at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. No depreciation is charged whilst assets  
are classified as held for sale.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the First In First Out method. The cost of own beer consists of  
materials with the addition of relevant overhead expenses. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less estimated  
costs of completion and the costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  69

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
1. Authorisation of Financial Statements and Accounting Policies continued

Financial Instruments

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables and loans to customers do not carry any interest and are recognised at their original invoiced amounts, less an allowance for any amounts  
that are not considered to be collectible. Increases to the allowance account are recognised in the Income Statement within operating costs. At the point  
a trade receivable is written off the ledger as uncollectible, the cost is charged against the allowance account and any subsequent recoveries of amounts  
previously written off are credited to the Income Statement.

Cash and short term deposits
Cash and short term deposits comprise cash at bank and in hand and short term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognised where the rights to receive cash  
flows from the asset have expired.

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables do not bear interest and are carried at original cost.

Bank loans, overdrafts and debentures
Interest-bearing bank loans, overdrafts and debentures are initially recorded at the fair value of proceeds received, net of direct issue costs, and thereafter at amortised 
cost. Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an effective interest rate basis in the 
Income Statement. Finance charges are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. Where an existing financial liability is replaced  
by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification 
is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, such that the difference in the respective carrying amounts together  
with any costs or fees incurred are recognised in profit or loss.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging
In order to hedge its exposure to certain foreign exchange transaction risks, the Group enters into forward foreign exchange contracts. In order to hedge its  
exposure to interest rate risks, the Group enters into interest rate derivative contracts. The Group uses these contracts in order to hedge known borrowings.  
The Group does not use any derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured 
at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative. The fair value of forward currency  
contracts is calculated by reference to current forward exchange rates for contracts with similar maturity profiles. The fair value of interest rate swap and cap  
contracts are determined by reference to market values for similar instruments. This represents a Level 2 fair value under the hierarchy in IFRS 7.

For those derivatives designated as hedges and for which hedge accounting is desired, the hedging relationship is documented at its inception. This documentation 
identifies the hedging instrument, the hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how effectiveness will be measured throughout its  
duration. Such hedges are expected at inception to be highly effective. For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified as cash flow hedges when  
hedging exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability or a highly probable  
forecast transaction.

Interest rate swaps are classified as cash flow hedges. If they are effective hedges, then any changes in fair value are deferred in equity until the hedged  
transaction occurs, when any changes in fair value will be recycled through the Income Statement together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged  
item. If the hedges are not effective hedges, then any changes in fair value are recognised in the Income Statement immediately.

If a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, amounts previously recognised in equity are transferred to profit or loss. If the hedging instrument  
expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover, or if its designation as a hedge is revoked, amounts previously recognised in equity  
remain in equity until the forecast transaction occurs and are transferred to the Income Statement.

Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are taken to the Income Statement.

The put and call option for the remaining 49% of The Stable Pizza and Cider Limited is recognised as a derivative financial instrument measured using a Level 3 fair value 
valuation technique.

Classification of Shares as Debt or Equity
When shares are issued, any component that creates a financial liability of the Company or Group is presented as a liability in the Balance Sheet; measured  
initially at fair value net of transaction costs and thereafter at amortised cost until extinguished on conversion or redemption. The corresponding dividends  
relating to the liability component are charged as interest expense in the Income Statement. The initial fair value of the liability component is determined  
using a market rate for an equivalent liability without a conversion feature.

The remainder of the proceeds on issue is allocated to the equity component and included in shareholders’ equity, net of transaction costs. The carrying  
amount of the equity component is not remeasured in subsequent years.

70  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued1. Authorisation of Financial Statements and Accounting Policies continued
The Group’s ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments. For the purposes of the disclosures given in note 26, the Group considers its capital to  
comprise its ordinary share capital, share premium, capital redemption reserve, hedging reserve and accumulated retained earnings plus its preference shares  
which are classified as a financial liability in the Balance Sheet. There have been no changes to what the Group considers to be capital since the prior year.

O
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e
r
v
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Upon initial recognition, the fair value of the put and call option is recognised directly in equity within non-controlling interest. Subsequent remeasurement  
of the option is taken to the income statement.

Preference Shares
The Group’s preference shares are reported under non-current liabilities. The corresponding dividends on preference shares are charged as interest in the  
Income Statement. Preference shares carry interest at fixed rates.

Revenue
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and revenue can be reliably measured. It is measured  
at the fair value of consideration received or receivable, net of discounts and VAT.

Sales of goods are recognised when the goods are delivered and title has passed. Rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  
Revenue for bedroom accommodation is recognised at the point the services are rendered. Amusement machine revenue is recognised in the accounting  
period to which the income relates.

Operating Profit
Operating profit is revenue less operating costs. Revenue is as detailed above and as shown in note 3. Operating costs are all costs excluding finance costs,  
costs associated with the disposal of properties and the tax charge.

Finance Revenue
Finance revenue is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest method.

Borrowing Costs
Borrowing costs are generally recognised as an expense when incurred. Interest expenses directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of an asset  
that takes a substantial period of time to get ready for use are capitalised as part of the cost of the assets being created. This is applied to development projects  
where the development is expected to last in excess of six months at the commencement of the project.

Taxation
The current tax payable is based on taxable profit for the year using UK tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the Balance Sheet date and any adjustment 
to tax payable in respect of previous years. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the Income Statement because it excludes items of income  
or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years or are never taxable or deductible.

Tax is charged or credited directly to equity if it relates to items that are credited or charged to equity. Otherwise tax is recognised in the Statement of  
Comprehensive Income or the Income Statement, as applicable.

Deferred tax is provided on all temporary differences at the Balance Sheet date between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for  
financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences except where the liability arises from the initial recognition 
of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor  
taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax is not recognised in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, where the timing of the reversal of the  
temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax assets and unused tax losses, to the extent that it is  
probable that taxable profit will be available against which they can be utilised except where the deferred tax asset arises from the initial recognition of goodwill 
or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable  
profit or loss. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each Balance Sheet date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods when the asset is realised  
or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the Balance Sheet date.

Foreign Currencies
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the rates of exchange ruling at the dates of the transactions.

Monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the year end exchange rates and the resulting exchange differences are taken to the Income Statement, except  
where hedge accounting is applied.

Pensions and Other Post-Employment Benefits

Defined contribution schemes
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged to the Income Statement as they fall due.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  71

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
1. Authorisation of Financial Statements and Accounting Policies continued

Defined benefit schemes
The Group operated a defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees where contributions are made into a separate fund administered by trustees.  

The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit plan is determined using the projected unit credit method calculated by qualified actuaries. This  
attributes entitlement to benefits to the current period (to determine current service cost) and to the current and prior periods (to determine the present value  
of defined benefit obligation) and is based on actuarial advice. Past service costs are recognised in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the  
vesting period or immediately if the benefits have vested.

When a settlement (eliminating all obligations for benefits already accrued) or a curtailment (reducing future obligations as a result of a material reduction in  
the scheme membership or a reduction in future entitlement) occurs, the obligation and related plan assets are remeasured using current actuarial assumptions 
and the resultant gain or loss is recognised in the Income Statement during the period in which the settlement or curtailment occurs.

The Group determines the net interest charge on the net defined benefit liability/(asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the  
defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the period to the net pension liability/(asset) at the beginning of the period. The net interest charge is recognised  
immediately as an exceptional finance cost/(income) in the Income Statement. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the Statement of Comprehensive 
Income in the period in which they occur.

The defined benefit pension asset or liability in the Balance Sheet comprises the total of the present value of the defined benefit obligation (using a discount  
rate based on high quality corporate bonds), less any past service cost not yet recognised and less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are  
to be settled directly. Fair value is based on market price information and in the case of quoted securities is the published bid price. The value of a net pension  
benefit asset is restricted to the sum of any unrecognised past service costs and the present value of any amount the Group expects to recover by way of  
refunds from the plan or reductions in the future contributions.

Exceptional Items
The Group presents as exceptional items on the face of the Income Statement, those material items of income and expense which, because of the nature  
or expected infrequency of the events giving rise to them, merit separate presentation to allow shareholders to understand better the elements of financial  
performance in the year, so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to better assess trends in financial performance.

Share-Based Payments
The Group has an employee Share Incentive Plan, that awards shares to employees based on the reported profits of the Group for the year, and a Long Term  
Incentive Plan which awards shares to Directors and Senior Executives subject to specific performance criteria. The Group also issues equity-settled  
share-based payments to certain employees under approved and unapproved share option schemes and a Savings Related Share Option Scheme.

The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted and is recognised as an  
expense over the vesting period, which ends on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award. Fair value is determined using  
an appropriate pricing model. In valuing equity-settled transactions, no account is taken of any vesting conditions. The Group has no equity-settled transactions 
that are linked to the price of the shares of the Company (market conditions).

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest. At each Balance Sheet date before vesting, the cumulative expense is calculated, representing  
the extent to which the vesting period has expired and management’s best estimate of the achievement or otherwise of non-market conditions and of the number 
of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The movement in cumulative expense since the previous Balance Sheet date is recognised in the Income  
Statement, with a corresponding entry in equity.

Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified or a new award is designated as replacing a cancelled or settled award, the cost based on the original  
award terms continues to be recognised over the original vesting period. In addition, an expense is recognised over the remainder of the new vesting period  
for the incremental fair value of any modification, based on the difference between the fair value of the original award and the fair value of the modified award,  
both as measured on the date of the modification. No reduction is recognised if this difference is negative.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled (including when a non-vesting condition within the control of the entity or employee is not met), it is treated as if it  
had vested on the date of cancellation, and any cost not yet recognised in the Income Statement for the award is expensed immediately. Any compensation  
paid up to the fair value of the award at the cancellation or settlement date is deducted from equity, with any excess over fair value being treated as an expense 
in the Income Statement.

Own Shares
Shares to be awarded under employee incentive plans and those that have been awarded but have yet to vest unconditionally are held at cost by an employee  
share ownership trust and shown as a deduction from equity in the Balance Sheet.

In addition to the purchase of shares by the various employee share ownership trusts for specific awards, the Group also from time to time acquires own  
shares to be held as treasury shares. These shares are occasionally but not exclusively used to satisfy awards under various share option schemes. Treasury  
shares are held at cost and shown as a deduction from total equity in the Balance Sheet.

Consideration received for the sale of such shares is also recognised in equity, with any difference between the proceeds from sale and the original cost being  
taken to revenue reserves. No gain or loss is recognised in the performance statements on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of treasury shares.

Dividends
Dividends recommended by the Board but unpaid at the year end are not recognised in the financial statements until they are paid (in the case of the interim  
dividend) or approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (in the case of the final dividend).

72  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued1. Authorisation of Financial Statements and Accounting Policies continued

Financial Guarantee Contracts
Where the Company enters into contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other companies within the Group, the Company considers these to be  
insurance arrangements, and accounts for them as such. In this respect the Company treats the guarantee contracts as a contingent liability until such time as it 
becomes probable that the Company will be required to make a payment under the guarantee.

The Company’s Investments in Subsidiaries
The Company recognises its investments in subsidiaries at cost. Income is recognised from these investments only in relation to distributions received from  
post-acquisition profits. Distributions received in excess of post-acquisition profits are deducted from the cost of the investment.

New Standards and Interpretations Issued But Not Yet Applied
The IASB and IFRIC have issued the following standards and interpretations with an effective date for periods starting on or after the date on which these  
financial statements start. The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of any of these standards and interpretations, wherever relevant to the Group,  
will have a significant impact on the Group’s results or assets and liabilities in the period of initial application and are not expected to require significant  
additional disclosure:

• Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements regarding disclosure initiative

• Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS 38 Intangible Assets regarding clarification of acceptable methods of depreciation  

and amortisation

• Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS 41 Agriculture regarding bearer plants

• Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits regarding defined benefit plans

• Amendments to IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements regarding the equity method

• Annual improvements to IFRS 2010-2012 cycle

• Annual improvements to IFRS 2011-2013 cycle

• Annual improvements to IFRS 2012-2014 cycle

• IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

• Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures regarding sale or contribution of assets  

between an investor and its associate or joint venture

• Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint  

Ventures regarding investment entities applying the consolidation exception

• Amendment to IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements on acquisition of an interest in a joint operation

• IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts

• IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgements
The judgements, estimates and assumptions which are considered to be significant are as follows:

The Group determines whether goodwill is impaired on an annual basis and this requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to  
which the goodwill is allocated. This involves estimation of future cash flows and choosing a suitable discount rate. Full details are supplied in note 10, together  
with an analysis of the key assumptions.

The Group reviews for impairment all property, plant and equipment at cash-generating unit level where there is any indication of impairment. This requires  
an estimation of the value in use and involves estimation of future cash flows and choosing a suitable discount rate. See note 11, which describes the assumptions 
used together with an analysis of the key assumptions.

Measurement of defined benefit pension obligations requires estimation of future changes in salaries and inflation, as well as mortality rates, the expected  
return on assets and the selection of a suitable discount rate. These have been determined on advice from the Group’s qualified actuary. The estimates used  
and the key assumptions are provided in note 23.

Judgement is required when determining the provision for taxes as the tax treatment of some transactions cannot be finally determined until a formal  
resolution has been reached with the tax authorities. Tax benefits are not recognised unless it is probable that the benefit will be obtained. Tax provisions are  
made if it is possible that a liability will arise. The Group reviews each significant tax liability or benefit to assess the appropriate accounting treatment. See  
notes 7 and 25.

The assessment of fair values for the assets and liabilities recognised in the financial statements on the acquisition of a business and additional consideration,  
and the date that control is obtained, require significant judgement. Management assesses fair values, particularly for property, plant and equipment, with  
reference to current market prices. See note 17 for business combinations made in the year.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  73

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
2. Segmental Analysis

Operating Segments
For management purposes, the Group’s operating segments are:

• Managed Pubs and Hotels, which comprises managed pubs and managed hotels;

• Tenanted Inns, which comprises pubs operated by third parties under tenancy or lease agreements; and

• The Fuller’s Beer Company, which comprises the brewing and distribution of beer, wines and spirits.

The Group’s business is vertically integrated. The most important measure used to evaluate the performance of the business is adjusted profit, which is the  
profit before tax, adjusted for exceptional items. The operating segments are organised and managed separately according to the nature of the products and  
services provided, with each segment representing a strategic operating unit. More details of these segments are given in the Strategic Review on pages 8 to 31  
of this report. Segment performance is evaluated based on operating profit before exceptional items and is measured consistently with the operating profit  
before exceptional items in the consolidated financial statements.

Transfer prices between operating segments are set on an arm’s length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties. Segment revenue, segment  
expense and segment result include transfers between operating segments. Those transfers are eliminated on consolidation. Group financing, including  
finance costs and revenue, and taxation are managed on a Group basis.

As segment assets and liabilities are not regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker, the Group has elected, as provided under IFRS 8  
Operating Segments (amended), not to disclose a measure of segment assets and liabilities.

52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Revenue

Segment revenue

Inter-segment sales

Revenue from third parties

Segment result

Operating exceptional items

Operating profit 

Profit on disposal of properties

Pension fund curtailment gain

Net finance costs

Profit before tax

Managed
Pubs and
Hotels
£m

Tenanted
Inns
£m

The Fuller’s
Beer
Company
£m

Unallocated1
£m

Total
£m

 213.8 

 31.4 

 122.9 

–

–

(46.6) 

 213.8 

25.0 

 31.4 

 12.6 

 76.3 

 8.7 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 368.1 

(46.6) 

 321.5 

(4.0) 

 42.3 

(1.5) 

 40.8 

 0.8 

 1.2 

(6.7) 

 36.1 

31.1

25.2

 16.4 

 0.7 

(0.7) 

Other segment information

Capital expenditure: Property, plant and equipment

Business combinations (note 17)

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of property

Reversal of impairment on property

1   Unallocated expenses represent primarily the salary and costs of central management.

24.6

22.7

 11.5 

 0.4 

(0.6) 

2.1

2.5

 1.6 

 0.3 

(0.1) 

4.4

–

 3.3 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

74  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued2. Segmental Analysis continued

52 weeks ended 29 March 2014

Revenue 

Segment revenue 

Inter-segment sales

Revenue from third parties

Segment result

Operating exceptional items

Operating profit

Profit on disposal of properties

Net finance costs

Profit before tax

Other segment information

Managed
Pubs and
Hotels
£m

Tenanted
Inns
£m

The Fuller’s
Beer
Company
£m

Unallocated1
£m

Total
£m

 186.0 

 31.3 

 115.8 

 – 

 – 

(45.1) 

 186.0 

 22.5 

 31.3 

 12.3 

 70.7 

 8.5 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 333.1 

(45.1) 

 288.0 

(3.4) 

 39.9 

(1.9) 

 38.0 

 1.9 

(6.4) 

 33.5 

 28.5 

 11.3 

 14.7 

 1.8 

(1.3) 

Capital expenditure: Property, plant and equipment

Business combinations (note 17)

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of property

Reversal of impairment on property

25.4 

4.9 

10.0 

 0.9 

(0.3) 

 1.6 

 2.2 

 1.7 

 0.9 

(1.0) 

 1.5 

 4.2 

 3.0 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1   Unallocated expenses represent primarily the salary and costs of central management.

Geographical Information
The majority of the Group’s business is within the UK and the Group identifies two distinct geographic markets:

52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Revenue

Sales to external customers

52 weeks ended 29 March 2014

Revenue

Sales to external customers

UK
£m

Rest of the
World
£m

Total
£m

313.4 

 8.1 

321.5 

UK
£m

Rest of the
World
£m

Total
£m

280.2 

 7.8 

 288.0 

Sales to external customers disclosed in geographical information are based on the geographical location of the customer. All of the Group’s assets, liabilities  
and capital expenditure relate to the UK only.

3. Revenue

Revenue disclosed in the Income Statement is analysed as follows:

Sale of goods and services

Rental income

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

311.9 

278.4 

9.6 

9.6 

321.5 

288.0 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  75

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
4. Operating Costs

Production costs and cost of goods used in retailing 

Change in stocks of finished goods and beer in progress

Staff costs

Repairs and maintenance

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangibles

Operating lease rentals – minimum lease payments1

– contingent rents2

Exceptional items (note 5) 

Other

1   Included within minimum lease payments are sublease payments of £0.6 million (2014: £0.6 million).  
2   Contingent rents are dependent on turnover levels.

Details of income and direct expenses relating to rental income from investment properties are shown in note 12.

a) Auditors’ Remuneration

Fees payable to Company’s auditors:

– Statutory audit fees of Group financial statements

Other audit related services, comprising of a half year review and iXBRL tagging, of £19,600 were incurred in the year.

b) Staff Costs1

Wages and salaries2

Social security costs

Pension benefits

1Includes Directors. 
2Includes share-based payment expense.

c) Average Number of Employees3

The average monthly number of persons employed by the Group (including part-time staff) was as follows:

Fuller’s Inns

The Fuller’s Beer Company

Central Services

3   Includes Directors.

d) Directors’ Emoluments
Full details are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report and tables on pages 43 to 57.

76  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

105.7

–

83.0

9.8

 52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

 97.5 

 0.5 

 72.9 

9.2 

 15.5 

 14.1 

0.9 

7.8

2.7

1.5 

 0.6 

7.5 

1.8 

 1.9 

53.8

 44.0 

280.7 

 250.0 

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

 52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

£m

75.6

5.4

2.0

83.0

£m

66.2 

4.9 

 1.8 

 72.9 

Number

Number

3,717

 3,269 

328

13 

328 

13

4,058 

3,610 

Notes to the Financial Statements continued5. Exceptional Items

Amounts included in operating profit:

Acquisition costs

Impairment of properties

Reversal of impairment on property

Onerous lease provision (charge)/release (note 25)

Reorganisation costs

Total exceptional items included in operating profit

Profit on disposal of properties

Pension fund curtailment gain

Exceptional finance costs:

Finance charge on net pension liabilities

Total exceptional finance costs

Total exceptional items before tax

Exceptional tax:

Change in corporation tax rate (see note 7)

Profit on disposal of properties

Pension fund curtailment gain

Other items

Total exceptional tax

Total exceptional items

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

 52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

(1.2) 

(0.7) 

0.7 

(0.3) 

–

(1.5) 

0.8 

1.2 

(0.8) 

(0.8) 

(0.3) 

–

(0.2)

(0.2)

0.5

0.1

(0.2) 

(1.1) 

(1.8) 

 1.3 

 0.9 

(1.2) 

(1.9) 

 1.9 

–

(0.6) 

(0.6) 

(0.6) 

3.4 

(0.3)

–

0.4 

 3.5 

 2.9 

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

Acquisition costs of £1.2 million during the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: £1.1 million) related to transaction costs on pub and business acquisitions  
which qualify as business combinations (see note 17).

The property impairment charge of £0.7 million during the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: £1.8 million) relates to the write down of licensed properties  
to their recoverable value. The reversal of impairment credit of £0.7 million during the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: £1.3 million) relates to the write  
back of previously impaired licensed properties to their recoverable value.

The onerous lease provision charge of £0.3 million during the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: £0.9 million release) relates to the change in circumstances 
of three previously onerous leasehold properties.

The reorganisation costs of £1.2 million for the 52 weeks ended 29 March 2014 were principally incurred within The Fuller’s Beer Company and relate to staff  
and the proposed closure of the defined benefit pension scheme to future accrual.

The profit on disposal of properties of £0.8 million during the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: £1.9 million) relates to the disposal of four licensed  
properties (2014: five licensed and unlicensed properties). 

The pension fund curtailment gain of £1.2 million for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 relates to the closure in January 2015 of the defined benefit pension  
scheme to future accrual.

The cash impact of operating exceptional items before tax for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 was a £1.7 million cash outflow (2014: £2.1 million outflow).

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  77

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
6. Finance Costs

Interest expense arising on:

Financial liabilities at amortised cost – loans and debentures

Financial liabilities at amortised cost – preference shares

Total interest expense for financial liabilities

Unwinding of discounts on provisions

Total finance costs before exceptional items

Finance charge on net pension liabilities (note 5)

Total interest expense

7. Taxation

a) Tax on Profit on Ordinary Activities

Group

Tax charged in the Income Statement

Current income tax:

Corporation tax

Amounts over provided in previous years

Total current income tax

Deferred tax:

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Change in corporation tax rate (note 5)

Amounts underprovided in previous years

Total deferred tax

Total tax charged in the Income Statement

Tax relating to items charged/(credited) to the Statement of Comprehensive Income

Deferred tax:

Change in corporation tax rate

Net gains/(losses) on valuation of financial assets and liabilities

Net actuarial gains/(losses) on pension scheme

Tax charge included in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

78  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

 52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

5.6 

0.1 

5.7 

0.2 

5.9 

0.8 

6.7 

5.4

0.1

 5.5 

 0.3 

 5.8 

 0.6 

 6.4

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

8.6

–

8.6

(0.8)

–

–

(0.8)

7.8 

 8.8 

(0.3) 

 8.5 

(0.8) 

(3.4) 

0.1 

(4.1) 

 4.4 

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

–

0.6

1.7

2.3

0.6 

0.4 

(0.8) 

 0.2 

Notes to the Financial Statements continued7. Taxation continued

Tax relating to items charged/credited directly to equity

Deferred tax:

Reduction in deferred tax liability due to indexation

Share-based payments

Current tax:

Share-based payments

Tax credit included in the Statement of Changes in Equity

Deferred tax in the Income Statement

Decelerated tax depreciation

Rolled over capital gains

Retirement benefit obligations

Tax losses carried forward

Employee share schemes

Others

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

(0.3)

0.1

(0.2)

(0.4)

(0.3) 

0.1 

(0.4) 

(0.6) 

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

(0.8)

–

0.1

–

(0.1)

–

 (0.8) 

(2.9) 

(1.0) 

0.1 

– 

(0.1) 

(0.2) 

(4.1) 

The rate of UK corporation tax reduced from 21% to 20% from 1 April 2015. To the extent that this rate change will affect the amount of future cash tax  
payments to be made by the Group, this will reduce the size of both the Group’s Balance Sheet deferred tax liability and deferred tax asset. In the 52 weeks  
to 29 March 2014, the reduction in the rate from 23% to 21% resulted in an exceptional credit to the Income Statement of £3.4 million, and a charge to the  
Statement of Comprehensive Income of £0.6 million.

b) Reconciliation of the Total Tax Charge
The tax expense in the Income Statement for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in UK of 21% (2014: 23%). The differences are  
reconciled below:

Profit from continuing operations before taxation

Accounting profit multiplied by the UK standard rate of corporation tax of 21% (2014: 23%)

Items not deductible for tax purposes

Current and deferred tax overprovided in previous years

Change in corporation tax rate

Other

Total tax charged in the Income Statement

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

36.1 

 7.6 

0.1

– 

–

0.1 

7.8 

 52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

 33.5 

 7.7 

0.1 

(0.2) 

(3.4) 

 0.2 

 4.4

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  79

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
8. Earnings Per Share

Profit attributable to equity shareholders

Exceptional items net of tax

Adjusted earnings attributable to equity shareholders

Weighted average share capital

Dilutive outstanding options and share awards

Diluted weighted average share capital

40p ‘A’ and ‘C’ ordinary share

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

Diluted adjusted earnings per share

4p ‘B’ ordinary share

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

Diluted adjusted earnings per share

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

 52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

28.4 

0.2 

28.6 

 29.1 

(2.9) 

 26.2 

Number

 Number

55,521,000  55,815,000 

804,000 

 812,000 

56,325,000  56,627,000 

Pence 

 Pence

51.15

50.42

51.51

50.78

Pence 

5.12 

5.04 

5.15 

5.08 

 52.14 

 51.39 

 46.94 

 46.27 

 Pence

 5.21 

 5.14 

 4.69 

4.63 

For the purposes of calculating the number of shares to be used above, ‘B’ shares have been treated as one tenth of an ‘A’ or ‘C’ share. The earnings per share  
calculation is based on earnings from continuing operations and on the weighted average ordinary share capital which excludes shares held by trusts relating  
to employee share options and shares held in treasury of 1,463,761 (2014: 1,170,610).

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated using the same earnings figure as for basic earnings per share, divided by the weighted average number  
of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive  
potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares. Adjusted earnings per share are calculated on profit before tax excluding exceptional items and on the same  
weighted average ordinary share capital as for the basic and diluted earnings per share. An adjusted earnings per share measure has been included as the  
Directors consider that this measure better reflects the underlying earnings of the Group.

9. Dividends

Declared and paid during the year

Equity dividends on ordinary shares:

Final dividend for 2014: 9.30p (2013: 8.35p)

Interim dividend for 2015: 6.40p (2014: 5.80p)

Equity dividends paid 

Dividends on cumulative preference shares (note 6)

Proposed for approval at the Annual General Meeting:

Final dividend for 2015: 10.20p (2014: 9.30p)

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

5.2 

3.5 

8.7 

 4.7 

 3.2 

 7.9 

0.1 

 0.1 

5.6

 5.2 

The pence figures above are for the 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares and 40p ‘C’ ordinary shares. The 4p ‘B’ shares carry dividend rights of one tenth of those applicable  
to the 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares. Own shares held in the employee share trusts do not qualify for dividends as the trustees have waived their rights. Dividends are  
also not paid on own shares held as treasury shares.

80  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued10. Intangible Assets

Cost

At 30 March 2013

Acquisitions (note 17)

At 29 March 2014

Acquisitions (note 17)

At 28 March 2015

Amortisation and impairment

At 30 March 2013

Provided during the year

At 29 March 2014

Provided during the year

At 28 March 2015

Net book value at 28 March 2015

Net book value at 29 March 2014

Net book value at 30 March 2013

Group and
Company
Lease
assignment
premiums
£m

Group
Goodwill
£m

Distribution
rights
£m

Group
Total
£m

Company
Total
£m

24.5 

2.6 

27.1 

3.7 

30.8 

0.6

– 

0.6

– 

0.6 

 30.2 

26.5 

23.9 

 7.0 

 1.1 

 8.1 

 1.5 

 9.6 

 0.8 

 0.6 

 1.4 

 0.6 

 2.0 

 7.6 

 6.7 

 6.2 

 – 

 31.5 

 1.2 

 1.2 

 – 

 1.2 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 0.3 

 0.3 

 0.9 

 1.2 

 – 

 4.9 

 36.4 

 5.2 

 41.6 

 1.4 

 0.6 

 2.0 

 0.9 

 2.9 

 38.7 

 34.4 

 30.1 

 7.0 

 2.3 

 9.3 

 1.5 

 10.8 

 0.8 

 0.6 

 1.4 

 0.9 

 2.3 

 8.5 

 7.9 

 6.2 

Lease Assignment Premiums
Amounts paid to acquire leasehold property (“lease assignment premiums”) are amortised on a straight-line basis over the remaining useful life of the lease.  
The amortisation is charged in the Income Statement in the line item “Operating costs” (note 4).

There are five pubs on which we carry lease assignment premiums at 28 March 2015 (2014: four).

Distribution Right
Amounts paid to acquire the exclusive import and distributions rights to Sierra Nevada products within the UK. Details of the amounts paid are included in  
note 17. The amortisation is charged in the Income Statement in the line item “Operating costs” (note 4).

Goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units as follows:

Gales estate

Jacomb Guinness estate

Cornish Orchards

The Stable Pizza and Cider Limited

2015
£m

22.7 

 1.2 

2.6 

3.7 

2014
£m

 22.7 

 1.2 

 2.6 

 – 

30.2 

 26.5 

Of the £22.7 million of goodwill relating to the Gales estate, £9.1 million relates to the Managed Pubs and Hotels division and £13.6 million relates to the Tenanted 
Inns division. All of the Jacomb Guinness goodwill relates to the Managed Pubs and Hotels division. All of the Cornish Orchards goodwill relates to The Fuller’s  
Beer Company. All of the Stable Pizza and Cider Limited goodwill relates to the Managed Pubs and Hotels division.

Key assumptions used in value in use calculations:

Long term growth rate – Managed

Long term growth rate – Tenanted

Long term growth rate – Cornish Orchards

Long term growth rate – Stable Pizza and Cider Limited

Pre-tax discount rate – Freehold

Pre-tax discount rate – Leasehold

Pre-tax discount rate – Cornish Orchards

Pre-tax discount rate – Stable Pizza and Cider Limited

1.0%

1.0%

2.0%

2.0%

6.0%

8.1%

10.3%

17.4%

2.0%

1.5%

2.0%

 – 

7.0%

9.6%

10.3%

 – 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  81

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
10. Intangible Assets continued
Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated for impairment testing on an estate and divisional cash-generating unit level. This  
represents the lowest level within the Group at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. Recoverable amount is based on a calculation  
of value in use based upon the budget for the forthcoming financial year approved by senior management. For the Gales and Jacomb Guinness Estate cash flows 
beyond the budget period are extrapolated in perpetuity on the assumption that the growth rate does not exceed the average long term growth rate for the  
relevant markets. For Cornish Orchards the cash flows beyond the budget period are based on a five-year plan that was approved by senior management and  
reflect the long term growth of the business following the significant investment and expansion strategy currently in place for the business. The pre-tax discount 
rate applied to cash flow projections is based on the Directors’ assessment of the Group’s weighted average cost of capital and current market conditions.

The calculation of value in use is most sensitive to the assumptions in respect of achievement of budgeted cash flows, growth rate and discount rate. The  
calculation of value in use is also dependent upon the following assumptions: sales volume; gross margin in managed premises; barrelage and rent projections  
in tenanted premises; wage cost in managed premises; and capital expansion in Cornish Orchards. Gross margins are based on historical performance levels.  
All of the key assumptions above have their assigned values based on management knowledge and historical information.

Sensitivity to Changes in Assumptions
Management have considered reasonable changes in key assumptions used in their calculations of value in use. They have concluded that such changes will  
not result in an impairment to the Jacomb Guinness, Gales, Cornish Orchards or the Stable Pizza and Cider Limited cash-generating units at 28 March 2015.

11. Property, Plant and Equipment

Group 

Cost

At 30 March 2013

Additions

Acquisitions (note 17)

Disposals

Transfer to assets held for sale

At 29 March 2014

Additions

Acquisitions (note 17)

Disposals

At 28 March 2015

Depreciation and impairment

At 30 March 2013

Provided during the year

Impairment loss net of reversals

Transfer to assets held for sale

Disposals

At 29 March 2014

Provided during the year

Disposals

At 28 March 2015

Net book value at 28 March 2015

Net book value at 29 March 2014

Net book value at 30 March 2013

82  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Land &
buildings
£m

Plant,
machinery
& vehicles
£m

Containers,
fixtures &
fittings
£m

Total
£m

 390.8 

 33.5 

 113.4 

 537.7 

 15.5 

 5.9 

(1.7) 

(1.4) 

 1.5 

 1.1 

(0.3) 

 – 

 12.9 

 29.9 

 – 

(5.6) 

(0.2) 

 7.0 

(7.6) 

(1.6) 

 409.1 

 35.8 

 120.5 

 565.4 

11.2

19.7

 2.7 

 – 

18.6

 1.8 

32.5

21.5

(1.2) 

(0.7) 

(12.2) 

(14.1) 

438.8

 37.8 

 128.7 

605.3

 24.7 

 20.9 

 77.3 

 122.9 

 2.5 

 0.5 

(0.3) 

(1.0) 

 2.0 

 9.6 

 14.1 

 – 

 – 

(0.3) 

 – 

(0.1) 

(5.2) 

 0.5 

(0.4) 

(6.5) 

 26.4 

 22.6 

 81.6 

 130.6 

 2.8 

(0.3) 

 2.0 

(0.6) 

 10.7 

 15.5 

(11.8) 

(12.7) 

 28.9 

 24.0 

 80.5 

 133.4 

409.9

 382.7 

 366.1 

 13.8 

 13.2 

 12.6 

 48.2 

471.9

 38.9 

 434.8 

 36.1 

 414.8 

Notes to the Financial Statements continued11. Property, Plant and Equipment continued

Company 

Cost

At 30 March 2013

Additions

Acquisitions (note 17)

Disposals

Transfer to assets held for sale

At 29 March 2014

Additions

Acquisitions (note 17)

Disposals

At 28 March 2015

Depreciation and impairment

At 30 March 2013

Provided during the year

Impairment loss net of reversal

Transfer to assets held for sale

Disposals

At 29 March 2014

Provided during the year

Disposals

At 28 March 2015

Net book value at 28 March 2015

Net book value at 29 March 2014

Net book value at 30 March 2013

Group and Company

Land &
buildings
£m

Plant,
machinery
& vehicles
£m

Containers,
fixtures &
fittings
£m

Total
£m

 390.7 

 33.4 

 111.9 

 536.0 

 15.5 

 1.1 

 12.9 

 29.5 

 5.5 

(1.7) 

(1.4) 

 – 

(0.3) 

 – 

 – 

(5.6) 

(0.2) 

 5.5 

(7.6) 

(1.6) 

 408.6 

 34.2 

 119.0 

 561.8 

10.8

19.7

(1.2)

437.9

2.1

–

(0.6)

35.7

16.7

0.4

29.6

20.1

(12.2)

 (14.0) 

123.9

597.5

 24.6 

 20.9 

 75.7 

 121.2 

 2.4 

 0.5 

(0.3) 

(1.0) 

 1.9 

 9.6 

 13.9 

 – 

 – 

(0.3) 

 – 

(0.1) 

(5.2) 

 0.5 

(0.4) 

(6.5) 

 26.2 

 22.5 

 80.0 

 128.7 

2.6

(0.3)

28.5

409.4

 382.4 

 366.1 

1.8

(0.6)

23.7

12.0

 11.7 

 12.5 

10.5

(11.9)

78.6

14.9

(12.8)

130.8

45.3

466.7

 39.0 

 433.1 

 36.2 

 414.8

Interest capitalised
The amount of interest capitalised to date is £194,000 (2014: £164,000). The amount of interest capitalised in the year was £30,000 (2014: £64,000) at a rate  
of 2%.

Assets under construction
Included in the cost of property, plant and equipment at 28 March 2015 are amounts of £0.4 million (2014: £1.7 million) relating to one (2014: three) property  
development in the course of construction.

Impairment
The Group considers each trading outlet to be a cash-generating unit (“CGU”) and each CGU is reviewed annually for indicators of impairment. In assessing  
whether an asset has been impaired, the carrying amount of the CGU is compared to its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of its fair  
value less costs to sell and its value in use. In the absence of any information about the fair value of a CGU, the recoverable amount is deemed to be its value  
in use.

During the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015, the Group recognised an impairment loss of £0.7 million (2014: £1.8 million) in respect of the write down of  
licensed properties purchased in recent years where their asset values exceeded either fair value less costs to sell or their value in use. The impairment losses  
were driven principally by changes in the local competitive environment in which the pubs are situated. Following an improvement in trading performance  
and an increase in the amounts of estimated future cash flows of certain previously impaired sites, reversals of £0.7 million were recognised during the  
52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: £1.3 million). 

The key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are those detailed in note 10.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  83

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
11. Property, Plant and Equipment continued

Sensitivity to Changes in Assumptions
The value in use calculations are sensitive to the assumptions used. The Directors consider a movement of 1% in the discount rate and 0.5% in the growth rate  
to be reasonable with reference to current market yield curves and the current economic conditions. The impact is set out as follows:

Impact on impairment of asset at risk – increase/(decrease)

Increase discount rate by 1%

Decrease discount rate by 1%

Increase growth rate by 0.5%

Decrease growth rate by 0.5%

12. Investment Properties

Cost

At 30 March 2013

Acquisitions (note 17)

At 29 March 2014

At 28 March 2015

Depreciation and impairment

At 30 March 2013

At 29 March 2014

Provided during the year

At 28 March 2015

Net book value at 28 March 2015

Net book value at 29 March 2014

Net book value at 30 March 2013

Fair value at 28 March 2015

Fair value at 29 March 2014

Fair value at 30 March 2013

2015
£m

1.4

(0.6)

(1.5)

0.6

2014
£m

 1.5 

(0.6) 

(0.6) 

 0.4 

Group and
Company
Freehold
and leasehold
properties
£m

5.0 

 0.5 

5.5 

5.5

0.8 

 0.8 

0.1

0.9

4.6 

4.7 

4.2 

10.9 

 10.7 

8.2

The fair value of investment properties has been estimated by the Directors, based on the rental income earned on the properties during the year and average  
yields earned on comparable properties from publicly available information, which is a Level 3 fair value valuation technique. An independent valuation of the  
properties has not been performed.

84  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued12. Investment Properties continued

Impairment
The Group considers each trading outlet to be a CGU and each CGU is reviewed annually for indicators of impairment. In assessing whether an asset has  
been impaired, the carrying amount of the CGU is compared to its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell  
and its value in use. 

During the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015, the Group did not impair any investment properties (2014: £nil).

Investment Property Income
The properties are let on both landlord and tenant repairing leases. Amounts recognised in the profit for the financial year relating to rental income from  
investment properties are as follows:

Group and Company

Rental income 

Direct operating expenses

All direct operating expenses relate to properties that generate rental income.

13. Derivative Financial Instruments

Group and Company

Interest rate swaps

Total financial assets within non-current assets 

Stable share purchase option

Interest rate swaps

Foreign currency contracts

Total financial liabilities within non-current liabilities

Details of the interest rate swap and cap are provided in note 26 C(i).

14. Other Non-Current Assets

Group and Company

Loans to customers due after one year

15. Investments in Subsidiaries

Company

At 30 March 2013

Additions

At 29 March 2014 and at 28 March 2015

2015
£m

0.5

(0.2)

2014
£m

0.5

(0.3)

Group
2015
£m

0.3 

0.3 

(3.0) 

(2.9) 

(0.2)

(6.1) 

Group
2014
£m

 0.8 

 0.8 

 – 

(0.8) 

 – 

(0.8) 

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

0.3 

0.3 

–

(2.9) 

(0.2)

(3.1) 

 0.8 

 0.8 

 – 

(0.8) 

 – 

(0.8) 

2015
£m

0.3 

2014
£m

 0.4 

Cost
£m

 Provision
£m

Net book
value
£m

92.0 

3.0 

95.0 

(0.2) 

 91.8 

 – 

(0.2) 

 3.0 

 94.8 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  85

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
15. Investments in Subsidiaries continued

Principal subsidiary undertakings

Holding

Griffin Catering Services Limited

£1 ordinary shares

Stable Pizza and Cider Limited

£0.01 ordinary shares

£3.50 ‘B’ ordinary shares

Proportion held

100% (indirect)

54%

100%

Nature of business

Managed houses service company

Holding company

Stable Bar and Restaurant Limited

£1 ordinary shares

51% (indirect)

Restaurant ownership and management

Cornish Orchards Limited

George Gale & Co. Limited

Jacomb Guinness Limited

45 Woodfield Limited

£1 ordinary shares

£1 ordinary shares

25p ‘A’ ordinary shares

£10 preference shares

£1 ordinary shares

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

£1 ordinary shares

100% (indirect)

Grand Canal Trading Limited

£1 ordinary shares

100% (indirect)

The above companies are registered and operate in England and Wales.

Production of cider and soft drinks

Non-trading subsidiary

Non-trading subsidiary

Non-trading subsidiary

Non-trading subsidiary

16. Non-Controlling Interest
Set out below are the movements in the minority interest for the Stable Pizza and Cider Limited group in the year.

At 29 March 2014

Share of loss

Adjustments arising from change in non-controlling interest

At 28 March 2015

£m

 –

(0.1) 

(3.0) 

(3.1) 

The adjustment relates to the initial recognition of The Stable Pizza and Cider Limited put and call option, which fully vests in two to five years.

17. Business Combinations
During the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 the Company has individually acquired seven new pubs for a combined consideration of £21.6 million, all of which  
have been treated as business combinations as they were operating as a business at the point the Company acquired them.  

On 9 June 2014 the Company purchased a 51% holding in the Stable Pizza and Cider Limited which is a casual dinning restaurant specialising in pizzas and  
cider. The business was purchased as it complements the Group’s current business whilst diversifying the business and increasing the geographic footprint.

Number of pubs purchased

Provisional fair value

Property, plant and equipment

Investment properties

Intangible assets

Current assets

Net debt

Deferred revenue, trade and other payables

Goodwill

Consideration

Satisfied by:

Cash

Contingent consideration

Total

86  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

2015

Stable Pizza
and Cider
Limited

£m

 1.4 

 – 

 – 

 0.3 

(0.6) 

(1.2) 

 3.7 

 3.6 

 3.6 

 – 

 3.6 

Pubs

7

£m

20.1

–

 1.5 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 21.6 

 21.6 

 – 

 21.6 

2014

Sierra
Nevada
distribution
rights

Cornish
Orchards

Pubs

3

£m

 5.5 

 0.5 

 1.1 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

£m

 – 

 – 

 1.2 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1.2 

 7.1 

 0.4 

 0.8 

 1.2 

 7.1 

 – 

 7.1 

£m

 1.5 

 – 

 – 

 0.7 

(0.5) 

(1.3) 

 2.6 

 3.0 

 2.1 

 0.9 

 3.0 

Notes to the Financial Statements continued17. Business Combinations continued
Goodwill recognised on acquisition of Stable Pizza and Cider Limited reflects the future growth of the company.

Costs associated with the acquisitions of £1.2 million have been charged to operating exceptional items in the Consolidated Income Statement for the 52 weeks 
ended 28 March 2015. These comprised primarily stamp duty, legal and other property fees (note 5).

The acquisitions have contributed the following operating profit to the Group in the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 from the date of acquisition:

Operating (loss)/profit

2015

Stable Pizza
and Cider
Limited
£m

(0.4) 

2014

Sierra
Nevada
distribution
rights
£m

Cornish
Orchards
£m

 0.1 

 – 

Pubs
£m

 0.8 

Pubs
£m

 0.1 

It is not practical to identify the related cash flows, revenue and profit on an annualised basis as the months for which the businesses have been owned are not  
representative of the annualised figures. The pre-acquisition trading results are not indicative of the trading expected going forwards following the significant  
redevelopment of the pubs and capital investment in Stable Pizza and Cider Limited by the Group, therefore pro forma trading results have not been included.

18. Inventories

Group and Company

Raw materials, beer and cider in progress

Beer, wines and spirits

Stock at retail outlets

The difference between purchase price or production cost and their replacement cost is not material.

19. Trade and Other Receivables

Group and Company

Trade receivables

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

2015
£m

1.7

5.7

3.2

2014
£m

1.5 

6.4 

 2.7 

 10.6 

 10.6 

Group
2015
£m

 12.6 

 – 

 1.6 

 3.5 

Group
2014
£m

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

 12.6 

 12.5 

 12.6 

 – 

 1.3 

4.4

9.0

 1.6 

 3.3 

 – 

 1.3 

 4.4 

 17.7 

 18.3 

 26.4 

 18.3 

Company amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings of £8.8 million (2014: £nil million) have no fixed repayment date. Interest is payable on the balance at the  
higher of the Bank of England base rate plus 4% or 8%.  

The trade receivables balance above is shown net of the provision for bad debts. As a general rule the Group provides fully against all trade receivables which  
are over six months overdue. In addition to this there are individual specific provisions against balances which are considered by management to be at risk  
of default. 

The movements on this bad debt provision during the year are summarised below:

Group and Company

Trade receivables provision at 29 March 2014

Increase in provision recognised in profit and loss

Amounts written off during the year

Trade receivables provision at 28 March 2015

2015
£m

1.5 

0.1

(0.2)

 1.4 

2014
£m

 1.4 

 0.1 

–

 1.5 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  87

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
19. Trade and Other Receivables continued
The provision for trade receivables is recorded in the accounts separately from the gross receivable. The contractual ageing of the trade receivables balance  
is as follows:

Current

Overdue up to 30 days

Overdue between 30 and 60 days

Overdue more than 60 days

Trade receivables before provision

Less provision

Trade receivables net of provision 

Group
2015
£m

 13.4 

 0.2 

 0.1 

 0.3 

Group
2014
£m

13.2

0.2

0.1

0.6

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

 13.3 

13.2

 0.2 

 0.1 

 0.3 

0.2

0.1

0.6

 14.0 

 14.1 

 13.9 

 14.1 

(1.4) 

12.6

 (1.5) 

12.6

(1.4) 

(1.5) 

 12.5 

 12.6 

Included in the Group’s trade receivables balance are trade receivables with a carrying value of £0.3 million (2014: £0.3 million) which are overdue at the  
Balance Sheet date for which the Group has not provided as the Group considers these amounts to be recoverable.

In addition, there are loans to customers included in other receivables of £0.3 million (2014: £0.3 million) due within one year and £0.4 million (2014: £0.6 million) 
due in more than one year, against which there is a provision of £0.3 million (2014: £0.3 million).

20. Assets Classified as Held For Sale

Investment property

Property, plant and equipment

The movements in assets classified as held for sale during the year are summarised below:

Assets held for sale at the start of the year

Assets disposed during the year

Transfer from property, plant and equipment

Assets held for sale at the end of the year

Group
2015
£m

 – 

 – 

– 

Group
2015
£m

 1.2 

(1.2) 

 – 

 – 

Group
2014
£m

 – 

 1.2 

 1.2 

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1.2 

 1.2 

Group
2014
£m

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

 0.6 

(0.6) 

 1.2 

 1.2 

 1.2 

(1.2) 

 – 

 – 

 0.6 

(0.6) 

 1.2 

1.2

88  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued21. Trade and Other Payables

Due within one year:

Trade payables

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings

Other tax and social security

Other payables

Accruals

Group
2015
£m

 19.4 

 – 

 9.1 

 9.2 

 11.5 

49.2 

Group
2014
£m

 18.0 

 – 

 8.4 

 8.2 

 11.5 

 46.1 

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

18.9

 97.6 

 9.1 

 9.1 

 18.0 

 94.5 

 8.4 

 8.2 

 11.2 

 11.3 

145.9

 140.4 

Company amounts due to subsidiary undertakings of £97.5 million (2014: £94.5 million) have no fixed repayment date. Interest is payable on the balance at 3%  
above the Bank of England base rate. All other significant trade and other receivables and trade and other payables balances are due within one year and are at  
nil rate of interest.

Due in more than one year:

Deferred revenue

Group
2015
£m

 0.4 

Group
2014
£m

 0.4 

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

–

–

Deferred revenue relates to government grants received for the purchase and construction of plant, property and equipment by Cornish Orchards Limited.  
There are no unfulfilled conditions and contingencies attached to these amounts.

22. Cash, Borrowings and Net Debt

Cash and Short Term Deposits

Cash at bank and in hand

Group
2015
£m

 5.1 

Group
2014
£m

 4.1 

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

4.8

 4.1 

For the purposes of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand, as above. Cash at bank earns interest  
at floating rates.

Borrowings 

Bank loans

Other loans

Debenture stock

Preference shares

Total borrowings

Analysed as:

Borrowings within current liabilities

Borrowings within non-current liabilities

Group
2015
£m

Group
2014
£m

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

 140.0 

 116.2 

 140.0 

 116.2 

 0.2 

 25.9 

 1.6 

 0.2 

 25.9 

 1.6 

–

 25.9 

 1.6 

–

 25.9 

 1.6 

 167.7 

 143.9 

 167.5 

 143.7 

 20.0 

–

 20.0 

–

 147.7 

 143.9 

 147.5 

 143.7 

167.7

 143.9 

167.5

 143.7 

All borrowings at both year ends are denominated in Sterling and where appropriate are stated net of issue costs. Further information on borrowings is given  
in note 26.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  89

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
22. Cash, Borrowings and Net Debt continued

Bank Loans

Group and Company
On 19 August 2014 the Company entered into £160.0 million of new bank facilities to replace its existing facilities. The new facilities were drawn down and  
the existing facilities repaid in August 2014. The new facilities have a five-year fixed term expiring in August 2019 and have no amortisation requirements.   
At 28 March 2015, £39.0 million (2014: £33.5 million) of the total of £160.0 million (2014: £150.0 million) committed bank loan facility was available and undrawn.

On 19 August the Company entered into a £20.0 million facility with a one-year fixed term expiring in August 2015. At 28 March 2015 the facility was fully drawn.

The bank loans at 28 March 2015 are unsecured, and are repayable as shown in the table below. Interest is payable at LIBOR plus a margin, which varies  
dependent on the ratio of net debt to EBITDA. The variable rate interest payments under the loans have been partially swapped for fixed interest payments  
and a proportion of the remaining variable interest payments have also been capped. Details of the swap and cap arrangements are given in note 26.

The bank loans are repayable as follows:

On demand or within one year

Current liabilities

In the first to second years inclusive

In the third to fifth year inclusive

Less: bank loan arrangement fees

Non-current liabilities

Debenture Stock

Group and Company
The debenture stocks are secured on specified fixed and floating assets of the Company and are redeemable on maturity.

Debenture stock repayable after five years:

10.70% 1st Mortgage Debenture Stock 2023

6.875% Debenture Stock 2028 (1st floating charge)

Less: discount on issue

Non-current liabilities

2015
£m

 20.0 

 20.0 

2014
£m

 – 

 – 

 – 

 116.5 

 121.0 

(1.0) 

 – 

(0.3) 

 120.0 

 116.2 

2015
£m

 6.0 

2014
£m

 6.0

 20.0 

 20.0

(0.1) 

(0.1) 

 25.9 

 25.9

Preference Shares
The Company’s preference shares are classified as debt. The shares are not redeemable and are included in borrowings within non-current liabilities.
See note 24 for further details of the preference shares. 

Analysis of Net Debt

Group

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and short term deposits

Debt

Bank loans 

Other loans

Debenture stock

Preference shares

Net debt

At 29 March
2014
£m

Cash flows
£m

Non-cash1
£m

At 28 March
2015
£m

4.1 

4.1 

1.0 

1.0 

–

–

5.1 

5.1 

(116.2)

(0.2)

(25.9)

(1.6)

(143.9)

(139.8)

(23.4)

0.5

–

–

(22.9)

(21.9)

(0.4)

(0.5)

–

–

(0.9)

(0.9)

(140.0)

(0.2)

(25.9)

(1.6)

(167.7)

(162.6)

1   Non-cash movements relate to the amortisation of arrangement fees, arrangement fees accrued and the acquisition of The Stable Pizza and Cider Limited during the year.

90  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued 
22. Cash, Borrowings and Net Debt continued

Group

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and short term deposits

Debt

Bank loans

Other loans

Debenture stock

Preference shares

Net debt

At 30 March
2013
£m

Cash flows
£m

Non-cash1
£m

At 29 March
2014
£m

4.3 

4.3 

(112.5)

–

(25.8)

(1.6)

(139.9)

(135.6)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(3.4)

0.3 

–

–

(3.1)

(3.3)

–

–

4.1 

4.1 

(0.3)

(0.5)

(0.1)

–

(0.9)

(0.9)

(116.2)

(0.2)

(25.9)

(1.6)

(143.9)

(139.8)

1   Non-cash movements relate to the amortisation of arrangement fees, arrangement fees accrued and the acquisition of Cornish Orchards Limited.

The Company net debt is as above excluding ‘Other Loans’ and cash of £0.3 million (2014: £nil) which are held by subsidiary companies. Company net debt as at 
31 March 2015 was £162.7 million (2014: £139.6 million).

23. Pensions

a) Retirement Benefit Plans – Group and Company
The Group operates one funded defined benefit pension scheme, the Fuller Smith & Turner Pension Plan (the ”Scheme”). The plan is defined benefit in nature, 
with assets held in separate professionally managed, trustee-administered funds. The Scheme is an HM Revenue & Customs registered pension plan and subject 
to standard United Kingdom pension and tax law. On 1 January 2015 the plan was closed to future accrual resulting in a curtailment gain of £1.2 million.

The Group also operates three defined contribution stakeholder pension plans for its employees. The Fuller’s Stakeholder Pension Plan was set up for new  
employees of the Parent Company after the closure of the Fuller, Smith & Turner Pension Plan to new entrants on 1 August 2005. The Griffin Stakeholder  
Pension Plan operates for those employees of a Group subsidiary. The Gales 2001 scheme was set up following the closure of the Gales defined benefit  
scheme in 2001. The Group offers workplace pensions to all employees who are not members of the three defined contribution stakeholder pension plans.  
The Group offers these pensions through the National Employment Savings Trust (“NEST”).

The Group also pays benefits to a number of former employees which are unfunded. The Directors consider these benefits to be defined benefit in nature  
and the full defined benefit liability is recognised on the Balance Sheet.

Group and Company

Total amounts charged in respect of pensions in the period

Charged to income statement:

Defined benefit scheme – operating profit

Defined benefit scheme – exceptional items

Defined benefit scheme – net finance charge

Defined contribution schemes – total operating charge

Charge/(credit) to equity:

Defined benefit schemes – net actuarial losses

Total pension charge

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

1.2 

(1.2)

0.8 

0.8

1.6

8.3

9.9

 1.5 

–

 0.6 

0.3 

 2.4 

 4.1 

 6.5 

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  91

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
23. Pensions continued

b) Defined Contribution Stakeholder Pension Plans – Group and Company
The total cost charged to income in respect of the defined contribution stakeholder schemes is shown above.

c) Defined Benefit Plans – Group and Company
The Scheme provides pensions and lump sums to members on retirement and to their dependants upon death.

Trustees are appointed by both the Company and the Scheme’s membership and act in the interest of the Scheme and all relevant stakeholders, including the  
members and the Company. The Trustees are also responsible for the investment of the Scheme’s assets.  

The Company pays the costs as determined by regular actuarial valuations. The Trustees are required to use prudent assumptions to value the liabilities and  
costs of the Scheme whereas the accounting assumptions must be best estimates.

Responsibility for making good any deficit on the Scheme lies with the Company and this introduces a number of risks for the Company. The major risks are:  

• Interest and investment risk – The value of the Scheme’s assets are subject to volatility in equity prices. The Scheme has diversified its investments to reduce  

the impact of volatility and variable interest return rates.

• Inflation risk – The defined benefit obligation is linked to inflation so higher rates would result in a higher defined benefit obligation.  

• Longevity risk – An increase over the assumptions applied will increase the defined benefit obligation.

The Company and Trustees are aware of these risks and manage them through appropriate investment and funding strategies. The Trustees manage governance 
and operational risks through a number of internal controls policies. 

The Scheme is subject to regular actuarial valuations, which are usually carried out every three years. The next actuarial valuation is due to be carried out on 30 July 
2016. These actuarial valuations are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Pensions Act 2004 and so include deliberate margins for prudence. 

A formal actuarial valuation was carried out as at 30 July 2013. The results of that valuation have been projected to 28 March 2015 by a qualified independent  
actuary. The figures in the following disclosures were measured using the Projected Unit Method.

The Scheme has not invested in any of the Group’s own financial instruments nor in properties or other assets in use by the Group.

Key assumptions
The key assumptions used in the 2015 valuation of the Scheme are set out below:

Mortality assumptions

Current pensioners (at 65) – males

Current pensioners (at 65) – females

Future pensioners (at 65) – males

Future pensioners (at 65) – females

2015
Years

22.2

24.4

23.5

25.9

2014
Years

22.1

24.3

23.5

25.8

The Scheme is now closed to future accrual. The average ago of members who were active at closure is 54 for males and 49 for females. The average age of all  
non-pensioners is 55.

Key financial assumptions used in the valuation of the Scheme

Rate of increase in salaries

Rate of increase in pensions in payment

Discount rate

Inflation assumption – RPI

Inflation assumption – CPI

The present value of the Scheme liabilities is sensitive to the assumptions used, as follows:

Impact on Scheme liabilities – increase/(decrease)

Increase rate of salaries by 0.5%

Increase rate of pensions in payment by 0.5%

Increase discount rate by 1.0%

Increase inflation assumption by 0.5%

Increase life expectancies by 1 year

2015

2.50%

3.00%

3.25%

3.00%

2.00%

2015
£m

n/a1

6.4

2014

3.10%

3.30%

4.45%

3.30%

2.60%

2014
£m

1.6 

5.2 

(20.0)

(16.5) 

3.82

5.3

1.5 

 3.9 

1     Due to the Scheme closing to future accrual on 1 January 2015, there are no longer any active members in the Scheme. As the members who were active at closure did not maintain a salary link on  

their past service benefits, the future salary increase assumptions no longer has an impact on the Scheme’s liabilities.

2     For members who were active at closure, their pensions now increase in deferment in line with CPI inflation. This has had an impact on the inflation sensitivity increasing it significantly compared to  

the sensitivity quoted for the 29 March 2014 figures as it now affects more members.

92  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued23. Pensions continued

Assets in the Schemes

Corporate bonds

UK equities

Overseas equities

Absolute return fund

Property

Cash

Annuities

Total market value of assets

Fair value of Scheme assets

Present value of Scheme liabilities

Deficit in the Scheme

28 March
2015
£m

29 March
2014
£m

20.7 

37.0 

13.2 

29.5 

0.9 

0.9 

1.3 

17.8

34.3

11.1

27.9

0.7

0.6

1.2

103.5

93.6

2015
£m

103.5

2014
£m

93.6

(127.9)

(110.8)

(24.4)

(17.2)

Included within the total present value of Group and Company Scheme liabilities of £127.9 million (2014: £110.8 million) are liabilities of £3.1 million  
(2014: £2.9 million) which are entirely unfunded.

Balance at beginning of the year

Included in profit and loss

Current service cost

Curtailment gain

Net interest cost

Included in Other Comprehensive Income

Actuarial gains/(losses) relating to:

Actual return less expected return on Scheme assets

Experience gains arising on Scheme liabilities

Losses arising on changes in demographic assumptions

Other

Employer contributions

Employer special contributions

Employee contributions

Benefits paid

Defined benefit obligation

Fair Scheme of plan assets

Net defined benefit (deficit)

2015
£m

2014
£m

(110.8)

(101.9)

2015
£m

93.6

2014
£m

88.9

2015
£m

(17.2)

2014
£m

(13.0)

(1.1)

1.2

(4.9)

(4.8)

 – 

(16.3)

 – 

(16.3)

 – 

 – 

(0.3)

4.3

4.0

(1.5)

 – 

(4.7)

(6.2)

–

0.5

(6.5)

(6.0)

 – 

 – 

(0.4)

3.7

3.3

 – 

 – 

4.1

4.1

8.0

 – 

 – 

8.0

1.0

0.8

0.3

(4.3)

(2.2)

 – 

 – 

4.1

4.1

1.9

 – 

 – 

1.9

1.3

0.7

0.4

(3.7)

(1.3)

(1.1)

1.2

(0.8)

(0.7)

8.0

(16.3)

–

(8.3)

1.0

0.8

 – 

 – 

1.8

(1.5)

 – 

(0.6)

(2.1)

1.9

0.5

(6.5)

(4.1)

1.3

0.7

 – 

 – 

2.0

Balance at end of the year

(127.9)

(110.8)

103.5

93.6

(24.4)

(17.2)

The weighted average duration of the Scheme’s liabilities at the end of the period is 20 years (2014: 20 years).

The total contributions to the Scheme in the next financial year are expected to be £1.1 million for the Group and the Company. These payments are to be  
made as part of a deficit recovery plan in place until March 2021 as agreed between the Trustees and the Group.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  93

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
24. Preference Share Capital

Group and Company

Authorised, issued and fully paid share capital

Number authorised and in issue:

First 6%
cumulative
preference
share
of £1 each

Second 8%
cumulative
preference
share
of £1 each

Number
000’s

Number
000’s

Total

Number
000’s

At 30 March 2013, 29 March 2014 and 28 March 2015

400 

 1,200 

 1,600 

Monetary amount:

At 30 March 2013, 29 March 2014 and 28 March 2015

£m 

0.4 

 £m 

 1.2 

 £m 

 1.6

The first 6% cumulative preference shares of £1 each are entitled to first payment of a fixed cumulative dividend and on winding up to a return of paid capital  
plus arrears of dividends. The second 8% cumulative preference shares of £1 each are entitled to second payment of a fixed cumulative dividend and on  
winding up a return of capital paid up (plus a premium calculated by reference to an average quoted price on the Stock Exchange for the previous six months)  
plus arrears of dividends.

Preference shareholders may only vote in limited circumstances: principally on winding up, alteration of class rights or on unpaid preference dividends.  
Preference shares cannot be redeemed by the holders, other than on winding up.

25. Provisions

a) Onerous Lease and Contingent Consideration

Group and Company

At 29 March 2014

Arising during the year

Released during the year

Utilised

Unwinding of discount

At 28 March 2015

Analysed as:

Due within one year

Due in more than one year

Onerous lease

Contingent 
consideration

Total

2015
£m

 1.7 

 0.3 

 – 

(1.0) 

 0.1 

 1.1 

£m

 0.2 

 0.9 

1.1 

2014
£m

 2.8 

 – 

(0.9) 

(0.4) 

 0.2 

 1.7 

£m

 0.9 

 0.8 

 1.7 

2015
£m

 1.7 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 0.1 

 1.8 

£m

 0.2 

 1.6 

 1.8 

2014
£m

 – 

 1.7 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1.7 

£m

 0.3 

 1.4 

 1.7 

2015
£m

 3.4 

 0.3 

 – 

(1.0) 

0.2

2.9

£m

 0.4 

 2.5 

2.9

2014
£m

 2.8 

 1.7 

(0.9) 

(0.4) 

 0.2 

 3.4 

£m

 1.2 

 2.2 

 3.4 

The onerous lease provision is recognised in respect of leasehold properties where the lease contracts are deemed to be onerous. Provision is made for the  
discounted value of the lower of the unavoidable lease costs and the losses expected to be incurred by the Group.

The contingent consideration is recognised in respect of the fair value of additional amounts which are only payable on completion of certain performance  
targets for business combinations.

94  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued25. Provisions continued

b) Deferred Tax Provision
The deferred tax included in the Balance Sheet is as follows:

Group

Deferred tax

Retirement benefit obligations

Tax losses carried forward

Employee share schemes

Financial (liabilities)/assets

Accelerated tax depreciation

Rolled over capital gains

Others

Asset 
2015
£m

Liability
2015
£m

Asset 
2014
£m

Liability
2014
£m

Net
2015
£m

4.9

0.4

1.0

0.6

(12.4)

(8.9)

1.5

–

–

–

–

(12.4)

(8.9)

–

4.9

0.4

1.0

0.6

–

–

1.5

8.4

(21.3)

(12.9)

Net
2014
£m

 3.4 

 0.6 

 0.8 

(0.1) 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(0.2) 

(13.2)

(13.2) 

(9.2)

 – 

(9.2) 

 1.3 

(22.6) 

(16.4) 

Liability
2014
£m

Net
2014
£m

 – 

 0.5 

(22.6) 

(16.5)

3.4 

0.6 

0.8 

 0.1 

 – 

 – 

1.3 

 6.2 

Asset 
2014
£m

 0.5 

 6.1 

The deferred tax included in the Company Balance Sheet is the same as the Group with the following exceptions:

Company

Deferred tax 

Tax losses carried forward

Total deferred tax asset/(liability)

Asset 
2015
£m

Liability
2015
£m

Net
2015
£m

0.2

8.2

–

0.2

(21.3)

(13.1)

26. Financial Instruments
Details of the Group’s Treasury function are included in the Financial Review’s discussion of financial risks and treasury policies on page 20.

The accounting treatment of the Group’s financial instruments is detailed in note 1.  

a) Capital Management – Group and Company
As described in note 1, the Group considers its capital to comprise the following:

Capital 

Ordinary share capital

Share premium

Capital redemption reserve

Hedging reserve

Retained earnings

Preference shares

Group
2015
£m

22.8

4.8

3.1

(2.4)

Group
2014
£m

22.8

4.8

3.1

–

Company
2015
£m

22.8

4.8

3.1

(2.4)

Company
2014
£m

22.8

4.8

3.1

–

270.0

256.2

241.4

229.0

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

299.9

288.5

269.7

269.7

In managing its capital the primary objective is to ensure that the Group is able to continue to operate as a going concern and to maximise return to shareholders 
through a combination of capital growth, distributions and the payment of preference dividends to its preference shareholders. The Group seeks to maintain  
a ratio of debt and equity that balances risks and returns at an acceptable level and maintains sufficient funds to meet working capital targets, investment  
requirements and comply with lending covenants. The Group bought back £7.1 million of shares in the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 (2014: £5.3 million),  
of which £0.9 million related to purchases made by or on behalf of employee share ownership trusts (2014: £1.1 million). As a minimum, the Board reviews  
the Group’s dividend policy twice yearly and reviews the treasury position at every Board meeting.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  95

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
26. Financial Instruments continued

b) Categories of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The Group’s financial assets and liabilities as recognised at the Balance Sheet date may also be categorised as follows:

Non-current assets

Derivative financial assets hedge accounted

Loans and other receivables in scope of IAS 39

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Loans and other receivables:

Trade and other receivables in scope of IAS 39

Cash and short term deposits

Total current assets

Total financial assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables in scope of IAS 39

Total carried at amortised cost

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Derivative financial liabilities hedge accounted

Put and call option

Carried at amortised cost:

Other payables in scope of IAS 39

Loans and debenture stock

Preference shares

Total carried at amortised cost

Total non-current liabilities

Total financial liabilities

Group
2015
£m

Group
2014
£m

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

0.3 

0.3 

0.6 

 12.8 

5.1 

17.9 

18.5 

 31.3 

31.3 

31.3 

3.1

3.0

 0.8 

 0.4 

 1.2 

 12.8 

 4.1 

 16.9 

 18.1 

 30.7 

 30.7 

 30.7 

0.8

–

 0.3 

 0.3 

 0.6 

21.5

4.8

26.3

26.9

 0.8 

 0.4 

 1.2 

 12.8 

 4.1 

 16.9 

 18.1 

 128.0 

 125.0 

 128.0 

 125.0 

 128.0 

 125.0 

3.1

–

0.8

–

 0.9 

 0.8 

 0.9 

 0.8 

 146.1 

 142.3 

 145.9 

 142.1 

1.6 

 1.6 

 1.6 

 1.6 

 148.6 

 144.7 

 148.4 

 144.5 

154.7

186.0

 145.5 

 151.5 

145.3

 176.2 

 279.5 

 270.3 

There is no set off of financial assets and liabilities as shown above.

c) Financial Risks – Group And Company
The main risks associated with the Group’s financial assets and liabilities are set out below, as are the Group’s policies for their management. Derivative  
instruments are used to change the economic characteristics of financial instruments in accordance with Group policy.

(i) Interest Rate Risk
The Group manages its cost of borrowings using a mixture of fixed rates, variable rates and interest rate caps. The current Group policy is that a minimum of  
50% of total outstanding borrowings should be at a fixed or capped rate of interest. This is achieved by both taking out interest rate swaps and caps with third  
parties and by loan instruments that require the Group to pay a fixed rate. Fixed rates do not expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk, but do not enjoy a 
reduction in borrowing costs in markets where rates are falling. Interest rate caps limit the maximum rate payable but require payment of a lump sum  
premium. The fair value risk inherent in fixed rate borrowings means that the Group is exposed to unplanned costs if debt is paid off earlier than anticipated. Floating 
rate borrowings, although not exposed to changes in fair value, expose the Group to cash flow risk following rises in interest rates and cost.

The debentures totalling £25.9 million (2014: £25.9 million) are at fixed rates. The bank loans totalling £141.0 million (2014: £116.2 million), net of arrangement  
fees, are at floating rates. At the year end, after taking account of interest rate swaps and caps, 75% (2014: 73%) of the Group’s bank loans and 79% (2014: 78%)  
of gross borrowings were at fixed or capped rates.

Interest rate swaps 
The Group has entered into interest rate swap agreements, where the Group pays a fixed rate and receives 1 month or 3 month LIBOR, in order to hedge the  
risk of variation in interest cash flows on its borrowings. At the Balance Sheet date £65.0 million of the Group and Company’s borrowings (2014: £65.0 million)  
were hedged by interest rate swaps at a blended fixed rate of 1.75% (2014: 1.75%). Of the swaps active at 28 March 2015 £40.0 million expire in 2015 and
£25.0 million expire in 2017. Additionally, the Group has entered into interest rate swap arrangements with forward start dates. In December 2012 the Group  
entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge the risk of interest rate variation on £20.0 million of the Group’s borrowings at a rate of 2.25%,
commencing in 2015 and expiring in 2022. In July 2013 the Group also entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge the risk of interest rate variation  
on a further £20.0 million of the Group’s borrowings at a rate of 2.55%, commencing in 2015 and expiring in 2020.

96  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued 
 
26. Financial Instruments continued

Interest rate cap
The Group has entered into interest rate cap agreements in order to hedge the risk of variation in interest cash flows on its borrowings. At the Balance Sheet  
date £20.0 million (2014: £20.0 million) of the Group and Company’s borrowings were hedged by an interest rate cap at a fixed rate of 4.00% (2014: 4.00%).  
The cap expires in 2015. A further £20.0 million of the Group and Company’s borrowing were hedged by an interest cap at a fixed rate of 2.1%, commencing  
in 2015 and expiring in 2020.

The interest rate swaps and cap are expected to impact the Income Statement in line with the liquidity risk table shown in section (iv) below. The interest rate  
swap cash flow hedges were assessed as being highly effective at 28 March 2015 and a net unrealised gain of £3.0 million (2014: £2.4 million loss) has been  
recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. The interest rate cap cash flow hedge is not designated as a cash flow hedge for hedge accounting purposes and  
no net unrealised gain/loss (2014: £nil) was recorded in the Income Statement.

Sensitivity – Group and Company
The Group borrows in Sterling at market rates. 3 month Sterling LIBOR rate during the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 ranged between 0.53% and 0.57%. The  
Directors consider 1.0% to be a reasonable possible increase in rates and 0.5% to be a reasonable possible decrease in rates, with reference to market yield  
curves and the current economic conditions.

The annualised effect of these changes to interest rates on the floating rate debt at the Balance Sheet date, all other variables being constant, are as follows:

Impact on post-tax profit and net equity – increase/(decrease)

Decrease interest rate by 0.5%

Increase interest rate by 1.0%

*The Company has substantial interest bearing payables due to subsidiary companies (note 21).

Group
2015
£m

0.3

(0.6)

Group
2014
£m

0.2 

(0.4) 

Company*
2015
£m

0.7

(1.4)

Company*

2014
£m

 0.6 

(1.1) 

(ii) Foreign Currency Risk
The Group buys and sells goods and services denominated in non-Sterling currencies principally US dollar, Euro and Australian dollar. As a result, movements  
in exchange rates can affect the value of the Group’s revenues and purchases.

The Group policy on covering foreign currency exposure is included in the Financial Review’s discussion of financial risks and treasury policies on page 20.   
As a minimum it buys or sells forward the net known value of all committed purchase or sales orders. In addition, the Group will usually buy or sell a proportion  
of the estimated sale or buy orders for the remaining part of the year to minimise its transactional currency exposures in non-Sterling currencies. Forward currency 
contracts must be in the same currency as the hedged items. The Group does not trade in forward currency hedges.

At 28 March 2015 the Group and Company had open forward contracts to buy  €4.9 million (2014: buy €3.7 million). These have a Sterling equivalent of 
£3.8 million (2014: £3.1 million) and a net gain of £0.2 million (2014: £nil) when comparing the contractual rates with the year end exchange rates. At 28 March  
2015 the Group and Company had open forward contracts to pay $1.0 million (2014: $nil). These have a Sterling equivalent of £0.7 million (2014: £nil) and a net  
gain of £nil (2014: £nil) when comparing the contractual rates with year end exchange rates.

At 28 March 2015 the only significant foreign currency assets or liabilities were the following:

Group and Company

Euro assets/(liabilities)

US dollar assets/(liabilities)

Cash deposits

Trade receivables

Trade payables

2015
£m

1.1

0.2

2014
£m

0.2 

0.4 

2015
£m

–

0.4

2014
£m

 – 

 0.5 

2015
£m

(0.7)

(0.2)

2014
£m

(0.4) 

(0.1)

(iii) Credit Risk
The risk of financial loss due to a counter party’s failure to honour its obligations arises principally in relation to transactions where the Group provides goods  
and services on deferred payment terms, deposits surplus cash and enters into derivative contracts.  

Group policies are aimed at minimising losses and deferred terms are only granted to customers who demonstrate an appropriate payment history and satisfy  
credit worthiness procedures. Individual customers are subject to credit limits to control debt exposure. Credit insurance is taken out where appropriate for  
wholesale customers and goods may also be sold on a cash with order basis.  

Cash deposits with financial institutions for short periods and derivative transactions are only permitted with financial institutions approved by the Board.  
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Group. The maximum credit risk exposure relating to financial assets is represented by their  
carrying value as at the Balance Sheet date.

Trade and other receivables
The Group records impairment losses on its trade receivables separately from gross receivables. Further detail is included in note 19.

(iv) Liquidity Risk
The Group minimises liquidity risk by managing cash generation, applying debtor collection targets, monitoring daily cash receipts and payments and setting  
rolling cash forecasts. Investments have cash payback periods applied as part of a tightly controlled investment appraisal process. The Group’s rating with  
credit agencies is excellent.

The Group has a mixture of long and short term borrowings and overdraft facilities. 16% (2014: 19%) of the Group’s borrowings are repayable after more than  
five years, nil (2014: 81%) within the second to third years and 84% (2014: nil) within the third to fifth years.  

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  97

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
26. Financial Instruments continued
The tables below summarise the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities at 28 March 2015 based on undiscounted contractual cash flows, including  
interest payable. Floating rate interest is estimated using the prevailing interest rate at the Balance Sheet date.

Group at 28 March 2015

Interest bearing loans and borrowings1

Preference shares2

Trade and other payables

On
demand
£m

Less than
3 months
£m

–

–

10.9

1.2

–

18.4

3 to 12
months
£m

3.6

0.1

0.1

1 to 5
years
£m

133.2

0.5

0.5

More than
5 years
£m

Total
£m

42.7

180.7

3.4

0.7

4.0

30.6

1   Bank loans are included after taking account of the following cash flows in relation to the interest rate swap and cap held in respect of these borrowings:

Interest rate swaps and cap

–

0.2

0.6

2.4

1.7

4.9

Group at 29 March 2014

Interest bearing loans and borrowings1

Preference shares2

Trade and other payables

 – 

– 

 1.3 

 – 

12.6 

 18.0 

 3.7 

 0.1 

 0.1 

 128.4 

 42.7 

 176.1 

 0.5 

 0.5 

 3.4 

 0.8 

 4.0 

 32.0 

1   Bank loans are included after taking account of the following cash flows in relation to the interest rate swap and cap held in respect of these borrowings:  
2   The preference shares have no contractual repayment date. For the purposes of the table above interest payments have been shown for 20 years from the Balance Sheet date but no further.

Interest rate swaps and cap

 – 

 0.2 

 0.6 

 3.3 

 1.8 

 5.9 

The Company figures are as for the Group, except as follows:

Company at 28 March 2015

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings3

Trade and other payables

Company at 29 March 2014

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings3

On
demand
£m

97.5 

10.2

Less than
3 months
£m

 – 

18.4

3 to 12
months
£m

 – 

0.1

1 to 5
years
£m

 – 

0.5

More
than 5
years
£m

 – 

0.7

Total
£m

 97.5 

29.9

94.5 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 94.5 

3   Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings have no fixed repayment date. Interest is payable on the balance at 3% above the Bank of England base rate.

Security – Group and Company
The 10.7% debentures 2023 are secured on property, plant and equipment with a net book value of £12.5 million (2014: £12.5 million). The 6.875% debentures  
2028 are secured by a floating charge over the assets of the Company.

Covenants – Group and Company
The Group and Company are subject to a number of covenants in relation to their borrowing facilities which, if contravened, would result in its loans becoming 
immediately repayable. These covenants inter alia specify maximum net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, and minimum  
earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to interest.

98  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued26. Financial Instruments continued

d) Fair Value

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities
Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying amounts and fair values of all the financial instruments that are carried in the financial statements.

Group

Financial assets

Cash

Trade and other receivables due within one year in scope of IAS 39

Loans and other receivables due in more than one year in scope of IAS 39

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate cap

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables in scope of IAS 39

Fixed rate borrowings

Floating rate borrowings

Preference shares

Interest rate swaps

Put and call option

Forward currency contract

The Company figures are as for the Group above, except as follows:

Company

Financial liabilities

Book value
2015
£m

Book value
2014
£m

Fair value
2015
£m

Fair value
2014
£m

Fair
value
Level

5.2 

12.7 

0.3 

–

0.3

 4.1 

 12.8 

 0.4 

 0.8 

 – 

 5.2 

 12.7 

 0.3 

–

0.3

 4.1 

 12.8 

 0.4 

 0.8 

 – 

(32.4) 

(26.1) 

(31.5) 

(26.1) 

(32.4) 

(31.0) 

(31.5) 

(31.0) 

(120.0) 

(116.2) 

(116.2) 

(116.2) 

(1.6) 

(2.9)

(3.0)

(0.2)

(1.6) 

(0.8)

–

–

(1.8) 

(2.9)

(3.0)

(0.2)

(1.8) 

(0.8)

–

–

1

3

3

2

2

3

3

3

3

2

3

2

Book value
2015
£m

Book value
2014
£m

Fair value
2015
£m

Fair value
2014
£m

Fair
value
Level

Trade and other payables in scope of IAS 39

(129.4) 

(125.8) 

(129.4) 

(125.8) 

3

Level 1 fair values are valuation techniques where inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at  
measure data.

Level 2 fair values are valuation techniques where all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly,  
but are not derived directly from quoted prices in active markets. The Group bases its valuations on information provided by financial institutions, who use  
a variety of estimation techniques based on market conditions, such as interest rate expectations, existing at each balance sheet date.

Level 3 fair values are valuation techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are not observable. Derivative fair  
values are obtained from quoted market prices in active markets. The fair values of borrowings have been calculated by discounting the expected future cash  
flows at prevailing interest rates. The fair values of preference shares have been calculated using the market interest rates. The fair values of cash, trade and  
other receivables, loans and other receivables and trade and other payables are equivalent to their carrying value. The fair value of the put and call option has  
been calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows of The Stable Pizza and Cider Limited.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015  99

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
27. Share Capital and Reserves

a) Share Capital

Authorised, issued and fully paid

Number in issue

At 30 March 2013

Share conversions

At 29 March 2014

Share conversions

At 28 March 2015

Proportion of total equity shares at 28 March 2015

Monetary amount

At 30 March 2013

Share conversions

At 29 March 2014

Share conversions

At 28 March 2015

A’ ordinary
shares of
40p each

‘C’ ordinary
shares of
40p each

‘B’ ordinary
shares of
4p each

Total

Number
000’s

 Number
000’s

 Number
000’s

 Number
000’s

33,424 

14,657 

89,052 

137,133 

64 

(64) 

 – 

 – 

33,488 

14,593 

89,052 

137,133 

31

(31)

 – 

 – 

33,519

14,562 

89,052 

137,133 

24.5%

10.6%

64.9%

100%

 £m 

13.3 

0.1

13.4 

–

13.4 

 £m 

5.9 

(0.1)

5.8 

 – 

5.8 

 £m 

3.6 

 – 

3.6 

 – 

3.6 

 £m 

 22.8 

 – 

 22.8 

 – 

 22.8

Share capital represents the nominal value proceeds received on the issue of the Company’s equity share capital, comprising 40p and 4p ordinary shares.  
The Company’s preference shares are classified as non-current liabilities in accordance with IFRS (see note 24).

The ordinary shareholders are entitled to be paid a dividend out of any surplus profits and to participate in surplus assets on winding up in proportion to the  
nominal value of each class of share (‘B’ shares have one tenth of the nominal value of ‘A’ and ‘C’ shares).

All equity shares in the Company carry one vote per share, save that shares held in treasury have their voting rights suspended. The ‘A’ and ‘C’ shares have a  
40p nominal value and the ‘B’ shares have a 4p nominal value so that a ‘B’ share dividend will be paid at 10% of the rate applying to ‘A’ and ‘C’ shares. The ‘A’  
shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The ‘C’ shares carry a right for the holder to convert them to ‘A’ shares by written notice in the 30 day period  
following the half year and preliminary announcements. The ‘B’ shares are not listed and have no conversion rights. In most circumstances the value of a ‘B’  
share is deemed to be 10% of the value of the listed ‘A’ shares. The Trustee holding shares for participants of the LTIP currently waives dividends for shares held  
during the initial three-year period. Dividends are not paid on shares held in treasury.

The Articles include provisions relating to the Company’s ‘B’ and ‘C’ shares which provide that shareholders who wish to transfer their shares may only do so if  
the transfer is to another ‘B’ or ‘C’ shareholder, or if the transfer is to certain of that shareholder’s family members or their executors or administrators or, where  
shares are held by trustees, to new trustees, or to the trustees of any employee share scheme, or if the Company is unable to identify another shareholder of  
that class willing to purchase the shares within the specified period, to any person.

100  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued27. Share Capital and Reserves continued

b) Own Shares
Own shares relate to shares held by independently managed employee share ownership trusts (“ESOTs”) together with the Company’s holding of treasury  
shares. Shares are purchased by the ESOTs in order to satisfy potential awards under the Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) and Share Incentive Scheme (“SIP”).  
Treasury shares are used, inter alia, to satisfy options under the Company’s share options schemes. The LTIP ESOT has waived its rights to dividends on
the shares it holds. Treasury shares have voting and dividend rights suspended. All own shares held, as below, are excluded from earnings and net assets
per share calculations.

Treasury shares

LTIP ESOT

SIP ESOT

Total

Number

‘A’ ordinary
40p shares
000’s

‘B’ ordinary
4p shares
000’s

‘A’ ordinary
40p shares
000’s

‘B’ ordinary
4p shares
000’s

C’ ordinary
40p Shares
000’s

‘A’ ordinary
40p shares
000’s

‘A’ ordinary
40p shares
000’s

‘B’ ordinary
4p shares
000’s

‘C’ ordinary
40p shares
000’s

At 30 March 2013

 1,206 

Shares purchased

Shares transferred

Shares released

446

(167)

(314)

At 29 March 2014

 1,171 

–

–

–

–

–

Shares purchased

Shares transferred

Shares released

 292 

 3,558 

(110) 

(190) 

–

–

At 28 March 2015

 1,163 

3,558

£m

 8.2 

 4.2 

(1.1) 

(2.2) 

 9.1 

 2.8 

(0.9) 

(1.5) 

 9.5 

£m

–

–

–

–

–

3.4

–

–

3.4

Monetary amount

At 30 March 2013

Shares purchased

Shares transferred

Shares released

At 29 March 2014

Shares purchased

Shares transferred

Shares released

At 28 March 2015

Market value at 28 March 
2015

c) Other Capital Reserves

 – 

 – 

 167 

(167)

 – 

 – 

 110 

(110) 

 – 

£m

 – 

 – 

 1.1 

(1.1) 

 – 

–

 0.9 

(0.9) 

 – 

693

 415 

 – 

(417)

 691 

 248 

 – 

(266) 

 673 

£m

 0.5 

 0.4 

 – 

(0.4) 

 0.5 

 0.2 

 – 

(0.2) 

 0.5 

 5 

 5 

 – 

 – 

 10 

–

 – 

 – 

2

69

 – 

(71)

 – 

 73 

 – 

1,208

 515 

 – 

(552) 

 1,171 

693

 415 

 – 

(417) 

 691 

 365 

3,806

 – 

 – 

(72) 

(372) 

(266) 

 5 

 5 

 – 

 – 

 10 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 10 

 1 

 1,164 

4,231

 10 

£m

 – 

 0.1 

 – 

 – 

 0.1 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 0.1 

£m

 – 

 0.6 

 – 

(0.6) 

 – 

 0.7 

 – 

(0.7) 

 – 

 £m

 8.2 

 4.8 

 – 

(3.9) 

 9.1 

 3.5 

 – 

(3.1) 

 9.5 

 £m

 0.5 

 0.4 

 – 

(0.4) 

 0.5 

3.6

 – 

(0.2) 

3.9

 £m

 – 

 0.1 

 – 

 – 

 0.1 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 0.1 

 11.9 

3.6

 – 

 0.7 

 0.1 

 – 

 11.9 

4.3

 0.1 

Share Premium Account
The balance in the share premium account represents the proceeds received above the nominal value on the issue of the Company’s equity share capital.

Capital Redemption Reserve
The capital redemption reserve balance arises from the buy-back of the Company’s own equity share capital.

Hedging Reserve
The hedging reserve contains the effective portion of the cash flow hedge relationships incurred at the Balance Sheet date, net of tax.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

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GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
 
 
28. Share Options and Share Schemes
The key points of each of the Group’s share schemes for grants up to 28 March 2015 are summarised below. All schemes are equity-settled. All disclosure  
relates to both Group and Company. For the purposes of option and LTIP schemes, “Adjusted EPS” will normally be consistent with the post-tax earnings  
per share excluding exceptional items as presented in the financial statements. However, the Remuneration Committee is authorised to make appropriate  
adjustments to Adjusted EPS as applied to these schemes.

Savings Related Share Option Scheme (“SAYE”)
This scheme grants options over shares at a discount of 20% on the average market price over the three days immediately prior to the date of offer. Employees  
must save a regular amount each month. Savings are made over three or five years, at the participant’s choice. The right to buy shares at the discounted price  
lasts for six months after the end of the savings contract. There are no performance conditions, other than continued employment.

Senior Executive Share Option Scheme
This is an unapproved Executive Share Option Scheme. If growth in Adjusted EPS exceeds growth in the Retail Price Index (“RPI”) by 9% over the performance  
period of the option, then 40% of the award will vest. Vesting levels are then on a sliding scale, with 100% vesting occurring if growth in Adjusted EPS exceeds  
growth in RPI by more than 21%. The performance period for grants under this scheme is three years. Options must be exercised within seven years of the end  
of the performance period.

Executive Share Option Scheme
This is an approved Executive Share Option Scheme. The options vest if growth in Adjusted EPS exceeds the growth in RPI by 9% or more, over the three-year  
performance period of the option. The options must then be exercised within seven years after the end of the performance period.

LTIP
This plan awards free shares. Vesting is conditional on growth in Adjusted EPS exceeding growth in RPI by 9% or more over the three-year initial performance  
period of the award. Vesting levels are on a sliding scale from 40% up to 100%, if growth in Adjusted EPS exceeds growth in RPI by 24% or more. An independent 
firm of advisors verify the vesting level each year. The initial vesting period is three years. After this time the shares may be passed to the plan participants,  
as long as vesting conditions are met. 

SIP
This plan awards free shares. The number of shares awarded, up to a maximum value of £3,000 per person per year, is based on length of service and salary.  
The life of each plan is five years, after which shares are released to participants. There are no performance conditions as in almost all circumstances participants 
can retain the shares awarded (although there may be tax consequences if within five years of the award).  

Share-Based Payment Expense Recognised in the Year
The expense recognised for share-based payments in respect of employee services received during the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 is £2.6 million  
(2014: £1.8 million). The whole of that expense arises from equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

Movements in the Year
The following tables illustrate the number and weighted average exercise prices (“WAEP”) of, and movements in, each category of share instrument during  
the year. 

Market Value
The market value of the shares at 28 March 2015 was £10.20 (2014: £9.10).

A) SAYE

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted

Lapsed

Exercised

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted average share price for options exercised in the year

Weighted average contractual life remaining for share options outstanding at the year end

Weighted average share price for options granted in the year

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year

Range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the year end

– from

– to

2015
Number
000’s

394 

 110 

(29) 

(127) 

348 

– 

£9.52

4.02 years

£9.32

£2.01

£4.64

£7.47

2015
WAEP

£5.63

£7.47

£6.03

£4.89

£6.43

n/a

2014
Number
000’s

 501 

 102 

2014
WAEP

£4.69

£7.24

(46) 

£5.24

(163) 

£3.97

 394

£5.63

 – 

n/a

£9.46

2.54 years

£9.43

£1.97

£3.88

£7.24

102  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued28. Share Options and Share Schemes continued
Outstanding share options granted to employees under the Saving Related Share Option Scheme are as follows:

Exercisable at

September 2014

September 2014

September 2015

September 2015

September 2016

September 2016

September 2017

September 2017

September 2018

September 2019

B) Share Option Schemes

Senior Executive Share Option Scheme

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted

Lapsed

Exercised

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted average share price for options exercised in the year

Weighted average contractual life remaining for share options outstanding at the year end

Weighted average share price for options granted in the year

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year

Range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the year end

– from

– to

Number of ‘A’
ordinary
shares
under
option
2015
000’s

 Number of ‘A’
ordinary
shares
under
option
2014
000’s

 Exercise price
40p shares
£

3.88

5.47

4.64

5.63

5.47

7.24

5.63

7.47

7.24

7.47

2015
WAEP

£6.56

£9.10

£6.46

£4.92

£9.14

£5.97

 – 

 – 

 52 

 58 

 25 

 59 

 20 

 80 

 28 

 26 

 48 

 78 

 58 

 63 

 27 

 66 

 22 

 32 

–

–

348 

394

2014
WAEP

£5.67

£9.10

£6.46

£4.92

£6.56

£5.12

2014
Number
000’s

 202 

 20 

(29) 

(78) 

 115 

 51 

£9.17

6.71 years

£8.98

£1.07

£4.05

£9.10

2015
Number
000’s

 115 

–

(6) 

(26) 

83 

39 

£9.80

6.61 years

n/a

n/a

£4.05

£9.10

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

103

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
28. Share Options and Share Schemes continued

Executive Share Option Scheme

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted

Lapsed

Exercised

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted average share price for options exercised in the year

Weighted average contractual life remaining for share options outstanding at the year end

Weighted average share price for options granted in the year

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year

Range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the year end

– from

– to

2015
Number
000’s

 162 

54 

(12) 

(35) 

169

45 

£9.52

7.45 years

£9.65

£1.15

£4.05

£9.10

2015
WAEP

£7.39

£9.10

£9.10

£9.88

£6.73

£6.23

2014
Number
000’s

 185 

 44 

 – 

2014
WAEP

£5.58

£9.10

 – 

(67) 

£4.98

£7.39

£6.02

 162 

 37 

£9.18

7.50 years

£8.98

£0.92

£4.05

£9.10

Outstanding options which are capable of being exercised between three and ten years from date of issue and their exercise prices are shown in the table below:

Exercisable in/between

2009 and 2016

2010 and 2017 

2011 and 2018

2012 and 2019

2013 and 2020

2013 and 2020

2014 and 2021

2015 and 2022

2016 and 2023

2017 and 2024

Total

Senior Executive Share Option Scheme

Executive Share Option Scheme

 Number of
‘A’ ordinary
shares
under
option
2015
000’s

 Number of
‘A’ ordinary
shares
under
option
2014
000’s

 Exercise price
40p shares
£

 Number of
‘A’ ordinary
shares
under
option
2015
000’s

 Number of
‘A’ ordinary
shares
under
option
2014
000’s

 Exercise price
40p shares
£

 4.98 

 7.51 

 4.05 

 4.80 

 5.78 

 6.30 

 7.09 

 7.05 

 9.10 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2 

9 

12 

1 

15 

24 

20 

 – 

83

 4.98 

 7.51 

 4.05 

 4.80 

 5.78 

 – 

 7.09 

 7.05 

 9.10 

 9.65 

 2 

 4 

 12 

 19 

 12 

 1 

 21 

 24 

 20 

 – 

115

3 

7 

4 

3 

12 

 – 

15 

38 

33 

54 

 3 

 12 

 4 

 3 

 15 

 – 

 39 

 42 

 44 

 – 

169

 162

104  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued28. Share Options and Share Schemes continued

C) LTIP

Shares

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted 

Lapsed

Vested 

Outstanding at the end of the year

2015
‘A’ shares
Number
000’s

478 

147 

(80) 

(110) 

2015
‘B’ shares
Number
000’s

 1,195 

 367 

(199) 

(275) 

2014
‘A’ shares
Number
000’s

 694 

 155 

(204) 

(167) 

2014
‘B’ shares
Number
000’s

 1,733 

 388 

(509) 

(417) 

435 

 1,088 

 478 

 1,195 

Weighted average share price for shares vested in the year

£9.53

£0.95

£9.23

£0.92

For shares outstanding at the year end, the weighted average contractual life remaining is

1.22 years

1.22 years 1.28 years 1.28 years

Weighted average share price for shares granted in the year

Weighted average fair value of shares granted during the year

£9.25

£8.74

£0.92

£0.87

£8.98

£8.38

£0.90

£0.84

All LTIPs have a vesting price of £nil. LTIP shares do not receive dividends until vested.

D) SIP

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted

Lapsed

Released

Outstanding at the end of the year

Weighted average share price for shares released in the year

For shares outstanding at the year end, the weighted average contractual life remaining is

Weighted average share price for shares granted during the year

Weighted average fair value of shares granted during the year

2015
Number
000’s

2014
Number
000’s

322 

 369 

74 

(2) 

(97)

297 

 71 

(1) 

(117) 

 322 

£9.36

£9.31

2.86 years 2.85 years

£9.50

£9.59

£9.60

£9.17

Outstanding SIP shares represent shares allocated and held by the SIP Trustees on behalf of employees, which remain in the trust for between three and five  
years. All SIPs have a vesting price of £nil. SIP shares receive dividends once allocated.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

105

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
28. Share Options and Share Schemes continued

E) Fair Value of Grants

(i) Equity-settled options and LTIPs
The fair value of equity-settled share options granted is estimated as at the date of grant, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the awards  
were granted. The following table lists the inputs to the model used for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2015 and 52 weeks ended 29 March 2014, except exercise 
price and for the weighted average share price for grants in the year, which are disclosed in sections a) to e) above.

Fair value inputs

Dividend yield (%)

Expected share price volatility (%)

Risk-free interest rate (%)

Expected life of option/award (years)

Model used

LTIP scheme

Save as you earn scheme

Executive and Senior Executive 
option schemes

2015

1.7%

n/a

2014

1.6%

n/a

1.4%

0.7%

3 years

3 years

Black 
Scholes

Black 
Scholes

2015

1.7%

19%

1.4 to 
2.0%

3 to 
5 years

Black 
Scholes

2014

1.6%

17%

0.9 to 
1.6%

3 to 
5 years

Black 
Scholes

2015

1.7%

19%

1.7%

3 years

Black 
Scholes

2014

1.6%

17%

1.1 to 
1.4%

4 to 
5 years

Black 
Scholes

(ii) SIPs Granted
The fair value of SIPs is the share price at the date of allocation. The value of SIPs awarded is a fixed rate based on the Group’s performance in the preceding  
financial year. The number of shares awarded is therefore dependent on the share price at the date of the award.  

29. Guarantees and Commitments

a) Operating Lease Commitments

Operating leases where the Group is the lessee
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases are due as follows:

Within one year

Between one year and five years

After five years

Group
2015
£m

11.2

26.9

59.6

97.7

Group
2014
£m

 8.0 

26.2 

39.8 

 74.0 

Company
2015
£m

Company
2014
£m

10.9

25.7

54.0

90.6

 8.0 

26.2 

39.8 

 74.0 

Commercial operating leases are typically for 20 to 25 years, although certain leases have lease periods extending up to 40 years.

Operating leases where the Group is the lessor
The Group earns rental income from two sources. Licensed property included within property, plant and equipment is rented under agreements where  
lessees must also purchase goods from the Group. Additionally there are a smaller number of agreements in respect of investment properties where there  
is no requirement for the lessee to purchase goods.

Investment properties are let to third parties on leases that have remaining terms of between one and ten years.

At 28 March 2015 future minimum rentals receivable by the Group are as follows:

Investment properties

Other property, 
plant & equipment

2015
£m

0.3

0.7

0.3

1.3

2014
£m

0.4 

0.7 

0.4 

 1.5 

2015
£m

7.5

15.1

10.9

33.5

2014
£m

 7.7 

 16.7 

 8.8 

 33.2 

Group

Within one year

Between one year and five years

After five years

106  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continued29. Guarantees and Commitments continued

Company

Within one year

Between one year and five years

After five years

Investment properties

Other property, 
plant & equipment

2015
£m

0.3

0.7

0.3

1.3

2014
£m

 0.4 

 0.7 

 0.4 

 1.5 

2015
£m

7.6

15.4

11.4

34.4

2014
£m

 7.7 

 16.7 

 8.8 

 33.2 

The Group and Company’s commercial leases on property are principally for licensed outlets. The terms of the leases are normally for either three, five or ten  
years with the maximum being 30 years. The agreements allow for annual inflationary increases and full rental reviews occur on renewal of the lease, or every  
five years for a ten-year lease.

At 28 March 2015 future minimum rentals receivable under non-cancellable sub-leases included in the figures above were £7.1 million (2014: £5.2 million).

b) Other Commitments

Group and Company

Capital commitments – authorised, contracted but not provided for

2015
£m

2.3

2014
£m

3.9 

The Company has accepted various duty deferment bonds in connection with HM Revenue & Customs. The total outstanding commitment at 28 March 2015 
was £720,000 (2014: £720,000) for the Group and Company.

30. Related Party Transactions

Group and Company
During the current and prior years the Company provided various administrative services to the Fuller, Smith & Turner Pension Plan free of charge. In addition,  
the Company settled costs totalling £200,000 (2014: £170,000) relating to the provision of actuarial, consulting and administrative services by third parties to  
the Fuller, Smith & Turner Pension Plan.

Compensation of key management personnel (including Directors)

Short term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

Company Only
During the year the Company entered into the following related party transactions:

52 weeks
ended
28 March
2015
£m

52 weeks
ended
29 March
2014
£m

4.9

0.4

2.4

7.7

4.9

0.5

1.5

6.9

52 weeks ended 28 March 2015

Subsidiaries

52 weeks ended 29 March 2014

Subsidiaries

Sales to
related
parties
£m

Purchases
from
related
parties
£m

Interest
due from
related
parties
£m

Interest paid
to related
parties
£m

Amounts
owed to
related
parties
£m

Amounts
owed by
related
parties
£m

 – 

44.8

0.3

3.2

(97.5) 

9.0

Sales to
related
parties
£m

Purchases
from
related
parties
£m

Interest paid
to related
parties
£m

Amounts
owed to
related
parties
£m

 – 

42.9

 3.2

(94.5) 

Interest is payable on the majority of the amounts due to subsidiaries at 3% above the Bank of England base rate. All amounts outstanding are unsecured and  
repayable on demand.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

107

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
30. Related Party Transactions continued
Subsidiaries of parent companies established within the European Economic Area are exempt from an audit if a guarantee is provided by the parent for the  
subsidiary liabilities and the shareholders are in unanimous agreement. The Group will be exempting the following companies from an audit in 2015 for the  
period ending 28 March 2015 under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006, all of which are fully consolidated in these financial statements:

Griffin Catering Services Ltd 
Jacomb Guinness Ltd 
George Gale & Co. Ltd 
45 Woodfield Ltd 
Cornish Orchards Ltd 

01577632
02934979
00026330 
04279254
04871687

The Group will be exempting the following companies from the preparation and delivering of accounts to Companies House under section 394A of the  
Companies Act 2006, all of which are fully consolidated in these financial statements:

Griffin Inns Ltd 
Ringwoods Ltd 
F.S.T Trustee Ltd 
Fuller, Smith & Turner Estate Ltd 

00495934
00178536
03163480
01831674 

31. Post Balance Sheet Event
Since 28 March 2015 the Group has exchanged on the purchase of one licensed property.

108  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedDirectors and Advisors
as at 4 June 2015

Directors
Michael Turner, FCA, Chairman*
Simon Emeny, Chief Executive
James Douglas, ACA
Richard Fuller
Ian Bray
Jonathon Swaine
John Dunsmore*
Sir James Fuller*
Lynn Fordham, CA*
Alastair Kerr*
*Non-Executive.

President
Anthony Fuller, CBE
Chairman from 1982-2007, Anthony Fuller retired from the Board in 2010  
after a long career with Fuller’s and continues as President.

Secretary and Registered Office
Séverine Garnham
Griffin Brewery
Chiswick Lane South
London W4 2QB
Tel: 020 8996 2105
Registered Number 241882

Auditors
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Grant Thornton House
Melton Street
London NW1 2EP

Stockbrokers
Numis Securities Limited
10 Paternoster Square
London EC4M 7LT

Registrars
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZZ
Tel: 0870 889 4096
Please note you can now advise
Computershare of changes to your address
or set up a dividend mandate online at
www.computershare.com/investor/uk

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

109

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Shareholder Information

2015 Diary

Friday, 26 June
Record Date

Wednesday, 1 July
Preference dividends paid

Thursday, 23 July
Annual General Meeting
Hock Cellar, Griffin Brewery

Monday, 27 July
Final dividend paid

Friday, 20 November
Half year results announcement

2016 Diary

January
Preference dividends paid
Interim dividend paid

June
Preliminary results announcement

Shareholder Privileges
Individual shareholders with at least 500 ‘A’ or ‘C’ ordinary shares or 5,000 ‘B’ ordinary shares are eligible to receive a shareholder indulgence card entitling  
them to a 15% discount on food and drinks in Fuller’s Managed Pubs and Hotels and when visiting the Brewery Store in Chiswick as well as a 10% discount on  
the best available rate in Fuller’s hotels. Information is available from the Company Secretariat on 020 8996 2105 or company.secretariat@fullers.co.uk.

Redesignation of ‘C’ Shares
‘C’ ordinary shares can be redesignated as ‘A’ ordinary shares within 30 days of the preliminary and half year announcements by sending in your certificates  
and a written instruction to redesignate prior or during the period to the Company’s Registrars:
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZZ

ShareGift
The Orr Mackintosh Foundation operates a charity share donation scheme for shareholders with small parcels of shares whose value makes it uneconomic   
to sell them. If you have a small number of shares and would like to donate them to charity, details of the scheme can be found on the ShareGift website   
www.sharegift.org, or by contacting the Company Secretariat on 020 8996 2105.

110  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Glossary

• Adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) – this is earnings per share, adjusted for exceptional items. The Directors believe that this measure provides useful  

information for shareholders as to the internal measures of the performance of the Group.  

• Adjusted profits – this is profit before tax, adjusted for exceptional items.

• Beer and cider volumes – this is the volume of beer and cider sold, in number of barrels; a brewing term representing 288 pints.

• EBITDA – this is the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, loss on disposal of plant and equipment and amortisation, adjusted for exceptional items.

• Foreign Beer – this is sales made by the Company of beer produced by other brewers, the majority of which is lager.

• Like for like barrels sold – this is measured on the same basis as “Tenanted like for like profit growth”.

• LTIP – Long Term Incentive Plan.

• Managed Pubs and Hotels invested like for like sales growth – this is the sales growth calculated to exclude those pubs which have not been trading  
throughout the two years for the corresponding period in both years. The principal exclusions from this measure are: pubs purchased or sold in the last  
12 months; sites which are closed; and pubs which are transferred to tenancy.

• Market capitalisation – only the Company’s 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares are listed. The Company calculates its market capitalisation as the sum total of all  

classes of ordinary shares; i.e. listed 40p ‘A’ ordinary shares, unlisted 4p ‘B’ ordinary shares and unlisted 40p ‘C’ ordinary shares plus all potentially awardable  
share options and LTIP awards less any shares held in treasury. For the purposes of the calculation of market capitalisation a 4p ‘B’ ordinary share is treated as  
having 10% of the market value of a quoted 40p ‘A’ ordinary share and a 40p ‘C’ ordinary share is treated as having an equivalent value to a 40p ‘A’ ordinary share. 

• Net debt – this comprises cash, bank loans, other loans, debenture stock and preference shares.

• Own beer and cider – this is sales of own brand beer and cider brewed by the Company in Chiswick and Cornwall.

• SIP – Share Incentive Plan.

• Tenanted like for like profit growth – this is the profits growth of Tenanted Inns calculated to exclude from both years those pubs which have not been  
trading throughout the two years. The principal exclusions from this measure are: pubs purchased or sold; pubs which have closed; and pubs transferred to  
or from our Managed business. Bad debt expense is included but head office costs are excluded.

• Total annual dividend – the total annual dividend for a financial year comprises interim dividends paid during the financial year and the final dividend  

proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting after the completion of the financial year.

• Wet, food and accommodation like for like sales growth – this is measured on the same basis as “Managed Pubs and Hotels invested like for like sales growth”.

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

111

GovernanceFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOverview 
Shareholder Notes

112  Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015

Five Years’ Progress

Income Statement

Revenue

Operating profit before exceptional items

Net finance costs*

Adjusted profit*

Exceptional items*

Profit before tax*

Taxation*

Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Parent Company*

EBITDA 

*   Comparatives have been restated for changes to IAS 19.

Assets employed

Non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Assets classified as held for sale

Cash and short term deposits

Current borrowings

Other current liabilities

Non-current borrowings

Other non-current liabilities

Net assets

Per 40p ‘A’ ordinary share

Adjusted earnings

Basic earnings

Dividends (interim and proposed final)

Net assets

Net debt (£ million)

Net debt/EBITDA1

Gross capital expenditure (£ million)

Average number of employees

1   Net debt/EBITDA is adjusted as appropriate for the pubs acquired in the period.

2015
£m

2014
£m

Restated*
2013
£m

Restated*
2012
£m

Restated*
2011
£m

321.5 

288.0 

271.5 

253.0 

241.9 

42.3 

(5.9)

36.4 

(0.3)

36.1 

(7.8)

28.3 

58.7 

39.9 

(5.8)

34.1 

(0.6)

33.5 

(4.4)

29.1 

54.5 

37.0 

(5.9)

31.1 

2.6 

33.7 

(5.6)

28.1 

51.2 

34.9 

(4.9)

30.0 

(1.9)

28.1 

(4.9)

23.2 

47.8 

34.1 

(4.7)

29.4 

1.0 

30.4 

(6.0)

24.4 

46.6 

524.2 

481.3 

455.6 

444.1 

382.7 

10.6 

17.7 

 – 

5.1 

557.6 

(20.0)

(53.5)

484.1 

10.6 

18.3 

1.2 

4.1 

10.1 

18.3 

0.6 

4.3 

10.5 

18.3 

5.3 

3.9 

8.8 

18.8 

0.2 

3.7 

515.5 

488.9 

482.1 

414.2 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(51.2)

(45.7)

(51.6)

(43.6)

464.3 

443.2 

430.5 

370.6 

(147.7)

(143.9)

(139.9)

(142.1)

(43.2)

(43.9)

(53.1)

(92.2)

(42.2)

(54.7)

281.7 

2015

51.51p

51.15p

16.60p

£5.09 

(162.6)

2.7 

56.3

277.2 

259.4 

235.3 

236.2 

2014

2013

2012

2011

46.94p

42.18p

39.47p

37.54p

52.14p

50.43p

41.24p

43.41p

15.10p

13.70p

12.65p

11.80p

£4.98 

£4.65 

£4.22 

£4.19 

(139.8)

(135.6)

(138.2)

(88.5)

2.5 

38.1 

2.6 

31.1 

2.7 

76.3 

1.9 

12.0 

4,058 

3,610 

3,477 

3,392 

3,363 

Design, consultancy and production by Luminous
www.luminous.co.uk

Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. Annual Report 2015 

113

 
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Fuller Smith & Turner Plc 
Registered Office:  
Griffin Brewery  
Chiswick Lane South 
London W4 2QB

Registered number  
241882

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8996 2000 
Email: Fullers@fullers.co.uk 
www.fullers.co.uk