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Greencore Group

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FY2012 Annual Report · Greencore Group
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A              Convenience  
Foods Business

Greencore Group plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Our UK and Irish Locations

Our US Locations

Key

  Convenience Foods
  Ingredients & Property
  Office Locations

Key

  Convenience Foods
  Office Location

 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  01

Business Review

01-29

01 
02 
04 
06 
08 
10 
11 
13 
16 
18 
22 

Highlights of the Year
At a Glance
Chairman’s Statement
Strategy
Chief Executive’s Review
Group Executive Board
Summary of Key Performance Indicators
Risks and Risk Management
Operating Review
Financial Review
Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Corporate Governance

30-53

30 
33 
36 
42 
52 

Board of Directors
Directors’ Report
Corporate Governance Report
Report on Directors’ Remuneration
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Financial Statements

54-120

54 
56 

66 
67 

Independent Auditor’s Report
 Group Statement of  
Accounting Policies
Group Income Statement
Group Statement of Recognised 
Income and Expense
Group Balance Sheet
Group Cash Flow Statement
Group Statement of Changes in Equity
 Notes to the Group Financial  
Statements
 Company Statement of  
Accounting Policies
116  Company Balance Sheet
117  Notes to the Company Balance Sheet
IBC 

Shareholder and Other Information

68 
69 
70 
72 

114 

Highlights of the Year

Focused on 
performing for  
our shareholders

  Growth of 44.5% in reported revenue to  
£1,161.9 million, due to acquisition activity  
and business momentum

  Revenue from Convenience Foods continuing activity 1 
of £1,036.9 million up by 11.2% or 7.4% excluding 
acquisitions, despite challenging market conditions

  Group operating profit 1 up 37.3% to £70.7 million

  Adjusted earnings 1 of £49.2 million, up 70.9%  
and adjusted EPS 1 of 12.8 pence, up 21.9%

  Net Debt of £258.0 million, resulting in a leverage  
of under 2.5 times 2

  Uniq integrated with delivery in line with our 
business case

  Established a scale food to go focused business  
in the US following two acquisitions and a new  
supply agreement signed with Starbucks

Revenue (£m)

+44.5%

2012

2011

1,161.9

804.2 

Operating Profit 1  (£m)

+37.3%

2012

2011

Adjusted EPS 1 (pence) 

+21.9%

70.7

2012

12.8

51.5 

2011

10.5 

 As defined in the Summary of Key Performance Indicators on page 11. 

1 
2  As calculated on the basis used for bank covenant purposes.

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

02
Business Review
At a Glance

Food to Go

Greencore’s Food to Go business in the UK is  
one of the world’s leading manufacturers of 
pre-packed sandwiches, producing in excess  
of 360 million sandwiches, baguettes and wraps  
each year. Its range of products also includes 
broader food to go items such as salads and sushi. 
We have six Food to Go facilities in the UK situated  
in Bow, Crosby, Manton Wood, Northampton, Park 
Royal and Spalding. The business also operates  
a unique radial distribution network which covers  
the length and breadth of mainland UK.

F a s t   F a c t :
1 5 0 m  

G r e e n c o r e   p r o d u c e s  
m e a l s   a   y e a r  

n e a r l y   1 5 0   m i

i o n   p r e p a r e d  

l

l

Ambient Grocery  
& Frozen Foods

Greencore’s Grocery business in the UK, 
manufactures ambient cooking sauces, table  
sauces and pickles for most of the major retailers.  
It is distinctive to other manufacturers in these  
areas in that it focuses on manufacturing under  
the private label of its customers rather than under 
its own brand. The business operates out of its 
facility in Selby, which is the largest facility of its kind 
in Europe. Greencore’s Frozen Food business is based 
at its facility in Leeds and is a leading manufacturer 
of private label frozen Yorkshire puddings. 

Fast Fact:
360m 
Greencore produces  
360 million sandwiches, 
baguettes and wraps in  
the UK each year

Prepared Meals

Greencore’s Prepared Meals business produces 
chilled ready meals, pasta sauces, soup and quiche 
for the major retailers in the UK. The business, like 
most of the categories it operates in, is largely 
private label although Greencore also produces 
under license for the Weight Watchers brand, the 
leading non-private label brand in the ready meal 
category. The business operates out of five facilities, 
based at Bristol, Consett, Kiveton, Warrington,  
and Wisbech. It holds strong market positions  
across all the categories it operates in. 

Fast Fact:
200m 
Greencore produces in excess 
of 200 million jars of cooking 
sauces, pickles and 
condiments each year

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  03

Fast Fact:
70m 
70 million food to go  
products to its customers  
in the coming year

Cakes & Desserts

Greencore has three distinct ‘sweet’ businesses in 
the UK. Its largest business, based in Hull, produces 
ambient cakes and chilled baked desserts for the 
major retailers sold under their own private label. 
Our business in Evercreech specialises in premium 
dairy based desserts for one of the leading UK 
retailers. Finally, our Ministry of Cake business in 
Taunton is a leading supplier of cakes and desserts  
to the foodservice sector in UK.

US

Greencore entered the US market with our first 
acquisition in 2008 and our second acquisition  
in 2010. Two more acquisitions were completed in 
FY12 and the business now has six manufacturing 
facilities based across the five states of 
Massachusetts, Virginia, Illinois, Florida and Utah.  
Its primary business in the US is the manufacture  
and distribution of sandwiches and other food to  
go products to convenience store and food service 
outlets across the East Coast of the US and beyond.

F a s t   F a c t :
3 m  
T h i s   y e a r   G r e e n c o r e   w i
i o n   C h r i s t m a s  
p r o d u c e   3   m i
c a k e s   f o r   U K   c o n s u m e r s

l

l

l

l

Ingredients  
& Property

Greencore’s Ingredients activities are legacy 
businesses from our agribusiness heritage. Trilby 
Trading is Ireland’s leading importer and distributor 
of vegetable oil and fats for the food processing 
industry. Premier and United Molasses are Ireland’s 
leading importers and distributors of molasses for 
animal feed and industrial use. This division also 
manages the surplus property assets of the Group.

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

04
Business Review
Chairman’s Statement
Ned Sullivan

Introduction
FY12 has been the year in which our 
portfolio, strategy and culture came  
together both to deliver strong financial 
performance and to build robust foundations 
for further progress in the years ahead.  
The integration of Uniq was successfully 
delivered and our competitive position in  
the US has been transformed. At the same 
time, the Group delivered strong underlying 
growth against the backdrop of challenging 
market conditions. The business now  
has a focused portfolio of private label 
convenience food businesses with clear  
scale and a balanced customer mix. 

Financial Performance 1
The Group delivered a strong financial 
performance against the backdrop of some 
of the most challenging market conditions 
in many years. Group revenue increased by 
44.5% to £1,161.9 million, reflecting both 
strong underlying revenue momentum  
in the base businesses and the impact  
of acquisitions. In the Convenience Foods 
division, revenue growth in continuing 
activity 1 was 11.2% and 7.4% excluding  
the contribution from bolt-on acquisitions  
in the period. 

Group operating profit 1 increased by 37.3%  
to £70.7 million whilst adjusted earnings 1  
of £49.2 million were 70.9% ahead of FY11. 
Adjusted earnings per share 1 increased  
by 21.9% despite the substantial increase  
in issued share capital as a result of the 
rights issue in August 2011 to part fund  
the acquisition of Uniq.

While we have invested £152.2 million in 
acquisitions during the period, our net debt 
to EBITDA as calculated under our financial 
arrangements, is under 2.5 times, reflecting 
strong cash generation in the period as we 
continue to focus on de-leveraging from  
the peak position in October 2011. This will 
remain an area of focus throughout FY13.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  05

44.5%

Revenue growth

21.9%

Adjusted EPS 1 growth

Revenue by Division

Convenience 
Foods – 94%

Ingredients  
& Property – 6%

Convenience 
Foods – 98%

Ingredients  
& Property – 2%

Operating Profit 1 by Division

label convenience foods business in its 
chosen markets of the UK and the US.  
We have strong customer relationships  
and a stable and dedicated workforce. 
However, market conditions remain 
challenging with like-for-like volume 
pressures in the UK grocery market,  
little economic growth and a consumer 
under considerable financial pressure.  
Poor harvests in the northern hemisphere 
mean that we will be again confronted  
with input cost inflation during FY13. 
Notwithstanding this background, the  
Group remains well positioned to deliver 
further progress in FY13 and beyond. 

Final Note
I step down as Chairman of your Group  
on 31 January 2013 following ten years  
in the role. The business and portfolio has 
seen significant change over that time to  
the extent that today it is now a leading 
international food company delivering a 
great financial performance as evidenced  
by this year’s outcome. This is a testament to 
the vision, capabilities and drive of its people 
and its management team led by Chief 
Executive, Patrick Coveney. I would like to 
thank my Board colleagues and all of those 
with whom I have worked in Greencore for 
their commitment and courtesy over the 
past ten years. In particular, and on behalf of 
the Board, I would like to thank Pat McCann 
who is also retiring from the Board at the 
forthcoming AGM after serving for nine years 
as a Non-Executive Director. Pat has shown 
unswerving commitment to the Group in 
that period and we wish him all the best  
for the future. Finally, I wish my successor, 
Gary Kennedy, who brings a wealth of 
experience to the role, the very best as he 
assumes the Chairmanship of the Board. 

Uniq Integration
The integration of Uniq is now largely 
complete. The Spalding salads business  
was fully integrated into the Greencore  
Food to Go category business and the 
Northampton sandwich business is operating 
as a separate category business. The chilled 
desserts business has been restructured  
as envisaged with the exit of loss-making 
activities, the transfer of premium dessert 
lines from Minsterley to Evercreech largely 
completed and the agreement of the disposal 
of the Minsterley trade and assets to Müller. 
We still anticipate the delivery of £10 million 
of synergies in FY13 having slightly exceeded 
the target for FY12 due to an early removal  
of divisional and head office costs.

US Development
During the financial year, the Group took 
steps to transform the strategic position  
of its US business into a focused, six site, 
food to go, convenience channel business  
of increasing scale. In April 2012, we 
announced the acquisition of MarketFare 
Foods LLC (MarketFare), a business which 
predominantly supplies 7-Eleven. Then, in 
June 2012, the Group acquired H.C. Schau  
& Son Inc. (Schau), another profitable food 
to go business. The Group also created a 
new customer partnership with Starbucks.  
Taken together, the Group’s US operations 
now have annualised pro-forma revenues of 
over $200 million with over 85% of revenues 
in food to go products and focused on the 
convenience and small store channel.

Dividend and Outlook
The Board of Directors is recommending a 
final dividend of 2.5 pence per share. This will 
result in a total dividend for the year of 4.25 
pence per share representing an increase in 
dividend distribution of 24.6% compared to 
FY11, a little ahead of the growth in adjusted 
earnings per share. Following the extensive 
reshaping of its portfolio of businesses over 
the last three years, the Group is now well 
positioned as a focused and growing private 

Ned Sullivan
Chairman
26 November 2012

1 

 As defined in the Summary of Key Performance Indicators 
on page 11.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

06
Business Review
Strategy

Vision:

To be a fast growing international 
convenience food leader

Strategy:

To win in convenience foods 
in the UK and the US

Model:

To focus on convenience food 
categories that capitalise on 
the favourable, long term 
consumer and customer 
trends in the UK and the US

To deliver great and safe  
food through a culture of 
continuous improvement 

To be the industry leaders  
for quality, food safety, 
efficiency and innovation

To focus on private label  
and on building enduring 
customer partnerships

To build market leading 
positions in the product 
categories in which  
we operate 

To drive value from our 
existing well invested assets 

To deliver sustained organic 
growth and to complement 
this with strategic corporate 
development

To be a great place to  
work and to strive to be the 
employer of choice within  
our relevant competitive set

To drive enhanced returns  
to shareholders through 
growth in earnings and 
return on invested capital

To read about our strategy in action see pages 16 and 17.

 
 
Consumer understanding and 
a passion for good food are 
what we are about. 

We have a team of highly skilled chefs and product developers 
who monitor global food trends to ensure that our products 
continually meet and exceed the needs of our consumers.

Focused on Quality, Innovation, Efficiency and Food Safety

FOCUSED ON INNOVATION

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

08
Business Review
Chief Executive’s Review
Patrick Coveney

Against a tough market backdrop, the Group 
delivered a 45% increase in revenues, with  
convenience foods revenue growth from 
continuing activity 1 and before acquisition 
activity growth of 7.4%, and increased 
operating profits and adjusted EPS 1 by 37% 
and 22% respectively. Importantly, this growth 
was achieved while improving ROIC 1 by 120 
basis points and holding leverage below 2.5 
times 2. Critically, this performance is not an 
end in itself, but a platform for further 
progress, progress that can unleash the  
full potential of our Group.

Our Strategy
Our strategy is a simple one – to win in 
convenience foods. Underpinning this strategy 
are two core beliefs: (1) that consumers and 
customers will continue to seek out and value 
ever more convenient food propositions; and 
(2) that our Group has the people, the culture 
and the capabilities to capitalise on these 
trends – especially in the UK and US markets. 
Delivering this strategy has required us to:
 – Sustain the strong continuing activity 1 

revenue momentum across the portfolio.
 –
Flawlessly integrate the Uniq business.
 – Reshape our strategy and footprint in the US.
 – Deliver strong cash flows to deleverage the 

Group in an uncertain market. 

I am pleased that we have made excellent 
progress against each of these areas. In 
particular, the delivery of the targeted Uniq 
synergies, not only the cost synergies but also 
the commercial, operational, tax and working 
capital integration, and the restructuring of  
the desserts business, has materially improved  
the scale, the performance, the prospects and 
the confidence of our Group. Furthermore, we 
have learnt the right lessons in America, and 
reshaped our US business into a larger scale, 
channel focused, regional food to go leader. 
Importantly this business strategy is being 
delivered while strengthening our Balance Sheet.

Our Consumer
Following two years of above market growth  
in FY10 and FY11, we have seen consumers 
sustain a healthy demand for our food 
offerings throughout FY12 with sales growth 
from continuing activity 1 and before acquisition 
activity of 7.4% recorded in the Convenience 
Foods division. There remains strong evidence 
that many of the lifestyle changes and food 
consumption patterns seen in recent years  
are now embedded, with consumers having 
adjusted to the new economic environment.  
In particular, the macro trends of increased 
consumption of food on the go, as well as for 
prepared meals at home, strongly support 
demand for our food products. With our 
markets constantly changing and our need to 
be immediately responsive to evolving tastes 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  09

We continued to reshape our UK portfolio during the 
year with the agreed disposal of Minsterley desserts 
to Müller in June and the acquisition of International 
Cuisine in August.

and preferences, we innovate continuously – 
approximately 40% of our products are less 
than a year old at any point in time. Looking 
ahead, while we are seeing some pressures  
on food market volumes generally and 
increased competitive intensity between  
food retailers, we would be confident of being 
able to deliver consumer-led growth at above 
the levels of the overall food market in the 
years ahead.

Our Portfolio
Our strategy drives the portfolio choices that 
we make. We have consistently sought to build 
further scale in our core convenience food 
categories, both through strong growth and 
development in our core businesses, and, 
where financially and strategically attractive, 
through corporate development initiatives.  
We have continued to deliver new business 
wins across our group, most notably in our 
Food to Go business in the UK.

We acquired Uniq plc in FY11. This acquisition 
offered outstanding strategic, commercial and 
financial merits and I am delighted that we 
have successfully executed on all elements of 
the acquisition case. Specifically, we have built 
further scale in Food to Go, integrated Marks & 
Spencer as a large new customer and delivered  
the targeted synergies.

We continued to reshape our UK portfolio 
during the year with the agreed disposal  
of Minsterley desserts to Müller and the 
acquisition of ICL. The latter increases our  
scale in the strategically important UK  
ready meals market, creates clear synergy 
opportunities, and will offer further capacity  
to our Group at an attractive price. 

In FY12, we reshaped our US convenience foods 
portfolio with the acquisitions of MarketFare 
and Schau and the addition of Starbucks as  
an impending, new multi-site customer for the 
Group. We now have a larger scale, coherent,  
six site, food to go, convenience channel 
business with a clear path in place to bring 
returns broadly in line with Group levels over  
the next two years.

Our People
The industry that we are in, whilst simple  
in many ways, is enormously complex in 
others. In many of our category businesses,  
we assemble raw ingredients into a finished 
food proposition for consumption within  
48 hours of manufacture. We have to ‘get  
it right’ at every critical step along the way, 
from sourcing and supply chain to safe 
manufacture, logistics and customer 
relationship management. The fact that  
we do this consistently is testament to the 
quality of the people we have in Greencore.  

We are particularly pleased to have brought 
colleagues from the former Uniq, MarketFare, 
Schau and ICL into our Group. They have 
already brought innovation skills, channel  
and customer specific knowledge, new 
perspectives and a freshness to our teams. 
People matter in every industry but perhaps, 
most of all, in the food industry.

We are a competitive group in every respect 
and I am always proud when Greencore not 
only performs strongly from a financial point of 
view, but is also acknowledged for its good work 
at the numerous industry and customer award 
ceremonies that we partake in. For example, 
our businesses in Selby and Northampton were 
both recent recipients of ‘Food Manufacturing 
Excellence Awards’ – the so-called ‘Oscars’ of 
the UK food and drink industry!

I am also delighted when we, as a business, 
step up and show that we are responsible 
corporate citizens by supporting those less 
fortunate than ourselves – whether it be 
providing food for the victims of Hurricane 
Sandy, which had a devastating effect on the 
east coast of the US, or by inviting hundreds  
of unemployed young people to our sites in  
the UK to give them targeted skills training 
– something that will tangibly improve their 
prospects of employment and enhance their 
role in their local communities.

Our Well-Invested Facilities
Manufacturing is a core competence at 
Greencore. We strive to obtain competitive 
advantage through having the lowest per unit 
manufacturing cost in our key manufacturing 
sites. To this end, factory and category scale 
matters. By way of example, our Manton Wood 
manufacturing facility is the largest fresh 
sandwich facility globally, our Kiveton facility 
has industry-leading scale in quiche production 
and our Selby facility is the largest cooking 
sauce facility in Europe. The integration of  
the Northampton sandwich facility, capital 
investments into Evercreech and Kiveton, and 
the scale of our new Fredericksburg sandwich 
facility are consistent with this theme. Our 
manufacturing scale provides a backbone onto 
which we continue to invest in the best people, 
technology, assets and processes to produce 
great food and continuously offers optimal  
per unit costs to our customers. 

Our Profitability, Cashflows  
and Returns on Capital
We have had a strong year of financial delivery. 
Group operating profit 1 grew by 37% to £70.7 
million, with our enlarged Convenience Foods 
division delivering an operating margin 1 of  
6.3% – which is better than the prior year 
margin of the combined portfolio. Over the past 
four years, we have been on a path of profit and 

margin expansion, and while we strive to do 
better still, we believe our margin levels now 
represent an appropriate return on our invested 
capital. Importantly, we have also delivered 
strong after tax cashflows in the year, with 
excellent working capital efficiencies, lower 
financing costs year on year, and negligible 
cash tax driving a reduction in net debt of £34 
million before taking account of the £152 million 
outflow to finance acquisitions. The effects  
of this strong business performance, cash 
generation and capital management have  
been to enhance ROIC by 120 basis points to 
11.9% and to hold the leverage of the Group  
below 2.5 times 2.

The Future
It is an honour to be the Chief Executive of this 
Group and I am more excited than ever about 
the prospects for Greencore. We now have the 
right combination of portfolio, people, balance 
sheet and strategy to drive our Group forward. 
We will continue to build on this and will never 
accept the status quo. One change that I have 
made to capitalise on the momentum and 
opportunities open to us is the creation of a 
Group Executive Board (details of which are  
on the next page) to bring more creativity  
and alignment to our strategic and capability 
building agenda.

I would like to thank all of our stakeholders  
for their continued support and efforts in  
a very busy year, including our colleagues,  
our business leaders, our board of directors,  
our customers and our investors.

On behalf of all of these stakeholders, I would 
like to pay a particular tribute to our outgoing 
Chairman, Ned Sullivan. Ned chaired our Board 
of Directors for ten years through a period of 
enormous strategic, regulatory, marketplace, 
cultural and people changes. He steps down in 
January. He was appointed Chairman to an Irish 
based sugar ‘monopoly’ that had ‘put its toe in 
the water’ of the UK convenience foods market. 
He passes on a focused, high performing 
international convenience food business. His 
wisdom, food sector knowledge, resilience, 
collegial spirit, lack of ego and ‘business first’ 
mindset has been hugely appreciated by all  
his board colleagues but perhaps most of all  
by me. Thank you Ned and good luck!

Patrick Coveney
Chief Executive
26 November 2012

1 

 As defined in the Summary of Key Performance Indicators  
on page 11. 

2  As calculated on the basis used for bank covenant purposes.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

10
Business Review
Group Executive Board
The Group’s Executive Board is responsible for driving the strategic, 
organisational and capability performance and direction for the 
Group. It reports into the Greencore Group plc Board.

Patrick 
Coveney * 
CEO, Greencore Group

Chris Kirke 
MD, Greencore  
Food to Go

Liam 
McClennon 
CEO, Greencore USA

Kevin Moore 
MD, Greencore 
Prepared Meals

Patrick chairs the Group Executive 
Board. Patrick has been Chief 
Executive Officer since 2008. He 
joined Greencore in 2005 as Chief 
Financial Officer having previously 
served as a partner at management 
consulting firm, McKinsey and 
Company. 

Chris is the Managing Director of 
Greencore Food to Go which is the 
leading manufacturer of sandwiches, 
salads and sushi for major retailers  
in the UK. Chris joined Greencore in 
2008. Prior to joining Greencore, Chris 
worked for ten years in a number of 
senior management roles within the 
food industry.

Liam has been Chief Executive Officer 
for Greencore USA since 2010, having 
joined Greencore USA in 2008. Liam  
is responsible for our fast growing 
business in the US, which is becoming 
a leading manufacturer of fresh  
food to go products. Liam has more 
than 25 years food manufacturing 
experience prior to joining Greencore. 

Kevin is the Managing Director for 
Greencore Prepared Meals, which is a 
leading manufacturer of chilled ready 
meals, quiche, soups and sauces in 
the UK. Kevin joined Hazlewood 
Foods (now Greencore) in 1999. 
Before joining the business, Kevin 
worked for more than a decade  
in senior roles in management 
consultancy and retail.

Phil Taylor 
MD, Greencore Grocery

Eoin Tonge 
CSO, Greencore Group

Di Walker * 
COO, Greencore Group

Alan Williams * 
CFO, Greencore Group

Phil is Managing Director for 
Greencore Ambient Grocery &  
Frozen Foods in the UK, which 
manufactures ambient cooking 
sauces, table sauces, pickles and 
frozen Yorkshire puddings. Phil joined 
Hazlewood Foods (now Greencore)  
in 1999 and has worked in various 
senior roles for the Group. Prior  
to joining, Phil worked in a number  
of commercial roles in a variety of 
non-food branded businesses.

Eoin is Chief Strategy Officer with 
responsibility for Group Strategy, 
Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate 
Affairs and Communications. Eoin  
is also responsible for our Ministry  
of Cake foodservice business in the 
UK. Eoin joined Greencore in 2006 
having previously worked within the 
financial services area for 12 years  
in many locations around the world.

Di is Chief Operating Officer with 
responsibility for all Group processes. 
Di is also responsible for our Cakes & 
Desserts business at Hull and our 
Northampton and Evercreech 
facilities. Di joined Greencore in 2004. 
She served as UK Chief Executive 
Officer for four years before 
becoming Chief Operating Officer. 
Prior to joining Greencore, Di held  
senior roles within the chilled food 
industry including six years at 
Hazlewood Foods.

Alan is Chief Financial Officer. Alan 
has responsibility for Group Finance, 
Risk Management, Group IT, Group 
Secretariat & Legal, as well as our 
Ingredients & Property Division.  
Alan joined Greencore in 2011 from 
Cadbury Group, where he served in  
a number of significant financial and 
management roles for 18 years. 

* Greencore Group plc Board Director.

Summary of Key Performance Indicators

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  11

The Group uses a set of 
headline key performance 
indicators to measure  
the performance of its 
operations and of the  
Group as a whole.

Although the measures are separate,  
the relationship between all five is also 
monitored. In addition, other performance 
indicators are measured at individual 
business unit level. 

#02.
Operating Margin2
The Group’s pre-exceptional operating 
margin 2 in FY12 was 6.1% compared to 
6.4% in FY11.  
In Convenience Foods, the operating  
margin 2 was 6.3% compared to 6.7% in 
FY11. This decline in operating margin was 
anticipated following the Uniq acquisition 
and reflects the mix of profits in the 
enlarged Group together with the impact  
of pronounced input cost inflation where  
we seek to offset the cash margin impact  
in the period and rebuild percentage  
margin over time. 

Group Operating Margin 2

6.1%

Convenience Foods Operating Margin 2

6.3%

#03. 
Cash Flow
Net cash inflow from operating activities 
was £72.1 million, up £60.4 million  
versus FY11. 

Net Cash Inflow

£72.1m

#01. 
Sales Growth1
Group revenue from continuing activity 1 
increased by 10.4% in FY12 before 
acquisition activity and by 6.9% taking  
into account these acquisitions. In our 
Convenience Foods business, the Group 
measures weekly sales growth. In FY12,  
we recorded continuing activity revenue 1 
growth of 11.2% or 7.4% excluding the 
contribution from acquisitions.

In the Ingredients & Property division, we 
track monthly sales however this is not the 
primary measure of performance for this 
division. In FY12, the division recorded a 
2.9% increase in revenue on a constant 
currency basis. 

Continuing Activity Revenue 1 (£m)

2012

2011

1,107.7 

1,003.7 

1 

 Continuing activity revenue growth assumes Uniq had formed part of the Group throughout the prior year and excludes 
Desserts product lines in Uniq which have been or are being exited. FY11 was a 53 week accounting year for the legacy 
Greencore business with the additional week occurring in Q3. Continuing activity growth comparisons have been adjusted  
to remove this extra week. The FY11 comparative figure reflects Greencore reported revenues for the year excluding the  
53rd week and Uniq continuing activity pro-forma revenues for the comparable 52 week period. 

2  Operating profit and margin are stated before exceptional items and acquisition related amortisation. 
3 

 Adjusted earnings are stated before exceptional items, pension finance items, acquisition related amortisation, FX on inter-company 
and certain external balances and the movement in the fair value of all derivative financial instruments and related debt 
adjustments. Adjusted EPS is presented as it is considered more reflective of the Group’s underlying performance.

4  Market growth rates are based on Nielsen data for the 52 weeks to 15 September 2012 and Greencore retail sales figures.

#04.
Return on  
Invested Capital
The Group’s return on invested capital in 
FY12 was 11.9% (FY11: 10.7%). The return  
is calculated as net operating profit after 
tax (‘NOPAT’) divided by average invested 
capital. NOPAT is calculated as operating 
profit, including share of associates, less  
tax at the effective rate in the income 
statement of 4%. Invested Capital  
is the sum of all current and non-current 
assets (including intangibles), less current 
and non-current liabilities with the 
exception of net debt items, derivatives  
and retirement benefit obligations. The 
average is calculated by adding together 
Invested Capital from the opening and 
closing Balance Sheets and dividing by two. 
The FY11 calculation was further adjusted 
to exclude balance sheet items related to 
Uniq as there was no trading contribution 
from Uniq in the FY11 financial statements. 
An adjustment was also made in FY12 to 
the opening invested capital to exclude the 
consideration payable to Uniq shareholders.

Return on Invested Capital

2012

2011

11.9

10.7

#05. 
Adjusted Earnings  
per Share 3
Adjusted earnings per share is 12.8 pence 
compared to 10.5 pence in FY11, an 
increase of 21.9%. Adjusted earnings per 
share is stated before exceptional items,  
the effect of foreign exchange (FX) on 
inter-company balances and external loans 
where hedge accounting is not applied, the 
movement in the fair value of all derivative 
financial instruments and related debt 
adjustments, the amortisation of acquisition 
related intangible assets and the effect of 
pension financing. 

Adjusted EPS (pence)

2012

2011

12.8

10.5

We operate to the highest technical 
standards across all of our facilities, 
producing award-winning, great 
tasting products that are valued  
by our customers and consumers.

To read more about our high technical standards  
and awards and recognition go to pages 22 to 29.

Focused on Quality, Innovation, Efficiency and Food Safety

Risks and Risk Management

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  13

Business Risk Management Table

Greencore Group Plc Board

Audit Committee

Risk Management Group

Integrated Business Risk Management System

Strategic Risks

Commercial Risks

Operational Risks

Financial Risks

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

14
Business Review
Risks and Risk Management
(continued)

Risks

Description of Risks

Measures to Reduce Risks

Strategic Risks

Competitor Activity

Expansion

Commercial Risks

Changes in Consumer  
Behaviour and Demand 

Loss of Key Customer Relationships 

The Group operates in highly competitive 
markets, particularly within the Convenience 
Foods division. Significant product innovations, 
technical advances or the intensification of 
price competition by competitors could 
adversely affect the Group’s results. 

The Group invests in research and 
development and ensures that the 
introduction of both new products and 
improved production processes places the 
Group at the forefront of its chosen markets. 
The Group also continually works to streamline 
its cost base to ensure it remains competitive.

In order for the Group to continue its strategy 
of growth and expansion, it is necessary that  
it identifies and pursues suitable corporate 
development opportunities, both organic  
and through acquisition, and integrates  
these successfully into the Group’s existing 
operations in an efficient and sustainable 
manner.

The Board and the Group Executive Board 
engage in a robust, formal and thorough 
process for identifying, measuring and 
deciding on the suitability of corporate 
development opportunities. In the case of 
acquisitions, an integration team reporting to 
Senior Group Management and the Board is 
established to ensure a successful integration.

In common with other food industry 
manufacturers, unforeseen changes in food 
consumption patterns and/or amendments  
to government legislation regarding the 
composition of food products may impact  
the Group. In addition, demand for a number 
of the Group’s products can be adversely 
affected by the global economic recession. 

The Group benefits from close commercial 
relationships with a number of key customers. 
The loss of any of these key customers, or a 
significant worsening in commercial terms, 
could result in a material impact on the  
Group’s results. 

The Group works closely with its customers  
to adapt to changing consumer trends  
and invests in innovation and new product 
development to ensure regulatory, customer 
and consumer requirements are addressed. 

The Group invests significant resources to 
maintain deep, multi-level relationships which 
drive value and minimise risk for both itself 
and its key customers. The Group continues  
to focus on a broad range of customers  
and the exploration of other geographic 
markets such as the US where the Group  
has continued to expand its service offering 
during the year.

The Group maintains a strong commercial 
focus on purchasing, process and cost 
improvement to manage and mitigate  
these risks. In addition, the Group adopts 
strategies that diversify risk, thereby 
improving the positioning of its businesses 
and the defensibility of its margins.

The Group maintains a strong technical 
function which sets high standards for 
hygiene, health and safety systems and 
environmental controls. The Group also 
regularly audits supplier facilities to ensure 
both product traceability and compliance 
with Group standards. In addition, Greencore 
closely monitors emerging issues in an 
ever-changing regulatory environment to 
address increasing compliance requirements, 
particularly in the areas of health and safety, 
emissions and effluent control.

Commodity Price/Input Cost Fluctuations 

The Group’s cost base can be affected by 
fluctuating raw material and energy prices. 

Operational Risks

Food Safety, Environmental  
and Health and Safety 

As a producer of convenience foods and 
ingredients, Greencore is subject to general 
market related risks, including product 
contamination and general food scares.  
In addition, Greencore is subject to rigorous 
and constantly evolving regulations and 
legislation in the areas of environmental 
protection and employee health and safety.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  15

Risks

Description of Risks

Measures to Reduce Risks

Operational Risks (continued)

Loss of Manufacturing Capability 

Loss of Key Personnel 

Financial Risks

Interest Rates, Foreign Exchange Rates, 
Liquidity and Credit 

Employee Retirement Obligations 

Other

Property Development 

The loss of a significant manufacturing/
operational site through fire, natural 
catastrophe, act of vandalism or critical  
plant failure could potentially have a  
material impact on the Group. 

The ongoing success of the Group is dependent 
on attracting and retaining high quality senior 
management and staff who have the ability to 
effectively manage the Group’s operations in a 
period of economic stability and in a downturn. 

In the multi-currency and multi-national 
trading environment in which the Group 
operates, there are inherent risks associated 
with fluctuations in both foreign exchange 
rates and interest rates. In addition, in the 
current economic climate, the Group’s credit 
rating and its related ability to obtain funding 
for future development and expansion are 
specific risks. 

The Group’s defined benefit pension funds  
are exposed to the risk of changes in interest 
rates and the market values of investments,  
as well as inflation and the increasing 
longevity of scheme members. The recent 
volatility in world-wide equity markets has 
brought the risk of employee retirement 
obligations to the fore. 

The Group mitigates these risks through  
robust security and comprehensive operational 
disaster recovery plans. In addition, the Group 
undertakes regular reviews of all sites with 
external insurance and risk management 
experts, with these reviews being aimed  
at improving the Group’s risk profile. 

The Group mitigates the risk associated  
with loss of key personnel through robust 
succession planning, strong recruitment 
processes, long term management incentives 
and retention initiatives. In addition, the 
Group has also established the Group 
Executive Board which will support succession 
planning at the senior management level.

These risks are actively managed by the  
Group’s Treasury Department. The Treasury 
function operates within the framework of 
strict Board-approved policies and procedures 
which are explained further in Note 20 to the 
Group Financial Statements.

These risks are mitigated by paying 
appropriate contributions into the funds and 
through balanced investment strategies which 
are designed to avoid a material worsening  
of the current surplus or deficit in each fund. 
In addition, the Group has closed all defined 
benefit pension schemes to future accrual. 
The assumptions used in calculating the 
funding position of the pension funds are 
shown in detail in Note 23 to the Group 
Financial Statements.

The Group has a considerable land-bank for 
future development. The value of this holding 
is directly related to the macro-economic 
environment in Ireland and the UK, the 
successful environmental clean-up of the 
brownfield sugar factory sites and the nature 
and timing of any zoning and subsequent 
planning permission obtained.

The Group manages these opportunities  
and the related risks through a clear property 
development strategy, the centralisation  
of all property development related issues 
under the Chief Financial Officer, the use of 
property specialists, detailed site-specific 
plans and regular engagement with  
the Board.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

16
Business Review
Operating Review

Prepared Meals
The Prepared Meals category comprises 
chilled ready meals, chilled soup and sauces 
and quiche. It represents approximately 20% 
of Convenience Foods revenues. The chilled 
ready meals market recorded 10.1% 2 growth  
in the year. Whilst the chilled soup category 
grew by almost 6% 2, chilled sauces recorded  
a modest decline and the quiche market  
was essentially flat given the poor summer. 
The Prepared Meals business grew by  
8.1% including a modest contribution  
from the acquired ICL business which was 
consolidated for six weeks of the financial 
year. We delivered good growth across the 
customer and product portfolio in ready 
meals and in soups through product line 
extensions and refreshment of existing 
ranges. We experienced modest revenue 
declines in both chilled sauces and quiche. 
The business experienced significant input 
cost inflation, primarily in proteins and in 
egg; despite achieving some headline price 
increases and generating significant cost 
savings, we were unable to fully offset this 
impact in the period. 

In August 2012, the Group completed the 
acquisition of ICL, a private label chilled 
ready meals business based in Consett,  
Co. Durham. The majority of its revenue of 
approximately £45 million is derived from 
existing Greencore ready meal customers. 
The site brings additional capacity for 
Greencore in one of the fastest growing 
categories within chilled foods. The business 
is performing in line with expectations  
and has been fully integrated within the 
Prepared Meals category business.

Grocery and Frozen
The Grocery and Frozen businesses are  
under common management and provide 
meal components with Grocery activity 
focused on cooking sauces, table sauces  
and pickles and the Frozen business 
supplying Yorkshire puddings. Despite 
significant branded cooking sauce 
promotional activity in the year, the  
private label cooking sauce category grew  
by 3.2% 2 while branded cooking sauces 
experienced a 1.5% 2 decline. The Yorkshire 
puddings market declined by 3.8% 2. The 
businesses performed well with overall 
revenue growth of 5.7% as we expanded  
our customer and product portfolios in 
cooking and table sauces. The businesses 
continued to generate efficiencies to  
help manage input cost inflation.

Convenience Foods

FY12 
£m

FY11 
£m

Change

Revenue 
(as reported)
Operating profit
Operating margin 1

732.2

1,091.1
+49.0%
69.1
49.3 +40.2%
6.3% 6.7% -40bps

Input cost inflation was again a factor in 
FY12 at around 4%, similar to the level in 
FY11. In most categories, the Group broadly 
offset the cash margin impact on inflation  
in the year through a combination of internal 
efficiency initiatives and price increases. 

Operating profit 1 in the division was  
ahead of FY11 by £19.8 million or 40.2%  
and operating margin 1 was 6.3%, 40 basis 
points lower than in FY11. This decline was 
anticipated given the lower margin Uniq 
business. At 6.3%, margin is better than  
the combination of the two stand alone 
businesses in FY11, driven principally  
by synergy delivery and on underlying 
performance and improvement in  
the Uniq business. 

UK Convenience Foods
Food to Go, Including Greencore 
Northampton
The Food to Go category includes both 
Greencore Food to Go and the Northampton 
business and comprises sandwiches, sushi, 
snack and side of plate salads. It is the 
Group’s largest category and represents 
approximately 40% of Convenience Foods 
revenues. The sandwich category again 
performed well in FY12 with market  
growth of 6.1% 2 despite the poor summer. 
The combined UK Food to Go activity grew 
by 9.8%. The legacy Greencore Food to  
Go activity grew by 10.5% in the period 
benefitting from the annualisation of 
customer wins in FY11 and the addition of 
further new business in the year. Growth 
was largely volume led with little evolution 
in average retail price per pack and an 
increase in promotional activity through 
‘Meal Deal’ offers. The Spalding side of  
plate salads business was fully integrated 
into the Greencore Food to Go business and 
performed strongly with new business gains 
in both retail and food service customers. 
Taken together, the acquired Uniq Food  
to Go businesses grew by 8.9%. In the 
Northampton sandwich business, growth 
was more driven by price and mix as we 
undertook a significant upgrade of the  
core product range to best-in-class. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  17

US Convenience Foods
The US business was transformed during 
the year with the acquisitions of MarketFare 
and Schau. Both these businesses have  
now been integrated and performed well 
during the period of ownership. The legacy 
business experienced a modest decline in 
revenues as we continued to evolve the 
portfolio towards food to go products and 
convenience/small store channels and 
exited some loss-making lines. During the 
period, the business exited the Cincinnati 
test facility following the termination of the 
lease. The decision was also taken to exit 
production of WeightWatchers ready meals 
in the US market which remained sub-scale. 

Convenience Foods Revenue (£m)

+49.0%

2012

2011

1,091.0 

732.2 

Convenience Foods Operating Profit 1 (£m)

+40.2%

2012

2011

69.1 

49.3 

Ingredients & Property

Convenience Foods Operating Margin 1 (%)

FY12 
£m

FY11 
£m

Change 
Actual 
Currency

Change 
Constant 
Currency

-40bps

Revenue
Operating profit 1

70.8 72.0

-1.7% +2.9%
2.2 -28.0% -22.6%

1.6

The Ingredients and Property division 
represented 6% of Group revenue in the  
year and a smaller proportion of Group 
profits. The ingredients business delivered  
a creditable performance in the period with 
good operating profit 1 growth in constant 
currency. Property disposal gains were  
lower year on year, which, coupled with the 
weakening of the euro against sterling, led to 
a £0.6 million reduction in operating profit. 

During the year, the Group made good 
progress on its legacy property portfolio.  
In December 2011, outline planning 
permission was obtained for mixed use 
development at the Littlehampton site in  
the UK. The definitive planning agreement  
is now well advanced and we will be in a 
position to commence the marketing of  
the site in the Spring. In Ireland, a number  
of peripheral agricultural land sales were 
completed. Work also continued in line  
with our obligations on the environmental 
remediation of the Carlow site.

6.3

6.7 

70.8 

72.0 

2012

2011

Ingredients & Property Revenue (£m)

-1.7%

2012

2011

Ingredients & Property  
Operating Profit 1 (£m)

-28.0%

2012

2011

1.6

2.2

Cakes and Desserts, Including 
Foodservice Desserts
The ambient cake market grew by 2.7% 2  
in value terms with celebration cake, our 
largest sub-category, ahead by 4.5% 2. Our 
Cakes and Desserts activity delivered strong 
growth of 13.3% with growth in all major 
retailers and the introduction of a celebration 
cakes range in another major retailer. While 
there was some modest input cost recovery, 
returns within the category continue to lag 
the rest of the Group due to unrecovered 
inflation over a number of years and  
industry over capacity. 

The Foodservice desserts business delivered 
modest growth despite the difficult trading 
environment exacerbated in foodservice by 
the poor summer weather.

Chilled Desserts
The Chilled Desserts category business was 
acquired as part of the Uniq business and 
comprises the Minsterley and Evercreech 
facilities. The portfolio was radically reshaped 
in the year. Following the exit of cottage 
cheese production in Evercreech under Uniq 
management in August 2011, a significant 
investment programme was undertaken  
to refurbish the site to facilitate the transfer 
of premium desserts lines from Minsterley. 
These transfers have now been successfully 
completed with the exception of a few 
seasonal lines which will transfer at the  
end of December. At the Minsterley facility, 
loss-making yoghurt and everyday desserts 
ranges were exited during the year leaving 
the site focused on the contract packing  
of chocolate desserts under the Cadbury 
brand for Müller. In June, we announced  
our intention to sell the facility to Müller upon 
the completion of the transfer of premium 
desserts from Minsterley to Evercreech. This 
will complete the restructuring of the Chilled 
Desserts business leaving the Group focused 
on premium desserts at the Evercreech 
facility. Performance of the premium desserts 
business was broadly flat in the year.

 As defined in the Summary of Key Performance Indicators on page 11. 

1 
2  Market growth rates are based on Nielsen data for the 52 weeks to 15 September 2012 and Greencore retail sales figures.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

18
Business Review
Financial Review 
Alan Williams

Group operating profit 1 of £70.7 million 
increased by £19.2 million or 37.3% versus 
FY11. Group operating margin 1 was 6.1%,  
30 basis points below the prior year. This 
decline in operating margin was anticipated 
following the Uniq acquisition and reflects 
the mix of profits in the enlarged Group 
together with the impact of pronounced 
input cost inflation where we seek to offset 
the cash margin impact in the period and 
rebuild percentage margin over time.

Following the change in reporting currency 
to sterling to align external reporting with 
the profile of the Group, the impact of 
movement in currency is immaterial. 

Interest Payable
The Group’s bank interest payable in FY12 
was £16.4 million, a decrease of £0.5 million 
despite the increase in average net debt  
to fund acquisition activity. This decrease 
was driven by a lower effective interest rate 
following the refinancing of the Group in 
May 2011 and lower market interest rates. 
The composition of the charge was £15.1 
million of interest payable, commitment 
fees for undrawn facilities of £0.7 million 
and an amortisation charge in respect of 
facility fees of £0.6 million.

Non-Cash Finance  
Charges/Credit
The Group’s non-cash finance charge in 
FY12 was £1.8 million (£3.0 million credit  
in FY11). The change in the fair value of 
derivatives and related debt adjustments 
was a non-cash credit of £2.8 million (£4.6 
million credit in FY11) reflecting the mark  
to market of the Group’s interest rate swap 
portfolio. The non-cash pension financing 
charge of £4.7 million was greater than  
the charge in FY11 of £1.8 million reflecting 
a reduction in interest rates and a lower 
expected return on pension assets. The 
credit in respect of the increase in the 
present value of assets and liabilities held 
was £0.1 million (£0.2 million credit in FY11). 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  19

Group operating profit 1 of £70.7 million  
increased by £19.2 million or 37.3%  
versus FY11.

Operating Profit 1 (£m)

Convenience Foods

2012

2011

Ingredients & Property

2012

2011

Total

2012

2011

49.3

1.6

51.5

Bank Interest Payable (£m) 

2012

2011

69.1

2.2

70.7

Taxation 
The Group’s effective tax rate in FY12 was 
4% (including the tax impact associated 
with pension finance items) compared to  
a rate of 13% in FY11. 

The effective tax rate has decreased largely 
as a result of the Uniq acquisition. The Uniq 
businesses brought considerable tax 
attributes to the Group, the carrying value  
of which is reassessed periodically and can 
have a significant impact on the overall 
effective tax rate. 

As part of the assessment of fair values 
upon the acquisition of Uniq, the Group 
recognised significant intangible assets  
and an associated deferred tax liability  
with a value of £9.1 million. As the 
intangible asset is amortised, this deferred 
tax liability is proportionately credited to  
the Income Statement. 

Cash tax in the period was an inflow of £2.0 
million driven by a net reimbursement of 
payments on account made in the prior year. 

16.4

16.9

Exceptional Costs
The Group incurred a net exceptional  
charge of £5.6 million (FY11: £11.7 million) 
largely related to acquisition integration 
activity and acquisition transaction costs.  
The breakdown is as follows:

Adjusted Basic EPS 1 

2012

2011

12.8

10.5

+21.9%

Effective Tax Rate

4%
-9ppts

 – a charge of £7.6 million related to 

integration activity in the UK, of which 
£7.5 million related to Uniq and the 
balance to ICL;

 – a charge of £3.1 million related to the 
integration of MarketFare and Schau  
into the Group and the subsequent 
reorganisation of the product portfolio  
in the US;

 – a charge of £2.2 million was incurred  

for transaction costs on the acquisitions  
of MarketFare, Schau and ICL;

 – a charge of £1.1 million relating to a 

provision for an onerous lease obligation  
in connection with a business which was 
sold a number of years ago;

 – a tax credit of £2.1 million on exceptional 

costs above; and

 – a credit of £6.3 million related to the 
resolution of an overseas tax case.  
The cash received on this settlement is 
reflected in the net exceptional payment 
in the cash flow statement.

Earnings per Share 
Adjusted earnings 1 of £49.2 million were 
70.9% or £20.4 million above prior year. 
Adjusted earnings 1 per share of 12.8 pence 
were 21.9% ahead of FY11 despite the 
substantial increase in issued share capital 
following the rights issue in August 2011  
to part fund the Uniq acquisition.

Cash Flow and Net Debt
A net cash inflow from operating activities of 
£72.1 million was recorded compared to an 
inflow of £11.6 million in FY11. This increase 
of £60.4 million was driven primarily by the 
growth in earnings, a £23.4 million inflow in 
working capital (FY11: £1.6 million outflow) 
and a reduction in outflow on exceptional 
items, interest and tax of £13.6 million.

Capital expenditure of £30.4 million was 
incurred in the year compared to £23.0 
million in FY11. The increase was driven  
by the increase in the size of the Group,  
in particular investment in the Evercreech 
chilled desserts facility. Interest costs of  
£15.7 million were paid in the year (FY11: 
£19.9 million) with cash dividends to equity 
holders of £9.2 million (FY11: £10.8 million).

The Group’s net debt at 28 September  
2012 was £258.0 million, an increase of 
£118.2 million from 30 September 2011. 
£152.2 million was attributable to the 
payment of consideration driven by the 
acquisitions of Uniq, MarketFare, Schau  
and ICL. 

During the period, the Group drew down  
on the bilateral debt facility of £60 million 
which was arranged as part of the financing 
of the Uniq acquisition. £5 million of the 
facility was repaid during the year. As at  
28 September 2012, the weighted average 
maturity of committed debt facilities of 
£438 million was 3.3 years.

The net debt of £258.0 million at  
28 September 2012 represents a simple net 
debt: EBITDA leverage of 2.75 times. The 
covenant calculation under our financing 
arrangements permits the inclusion in the 
calculation of the EBITDA contribution from 
acquired businesses on a 12 month basis; 
together with other permitted adjustments, 
this results in leverage below 2.5 times.

 As defined in the Summary of Key Performance Indicators on page 11. 

1 
2  Market growth rates are based on Nielsen data for the 52 weeks to 15 September 2012 and Greencore retail sales figures.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

20
Business Review
Financial Review
(continued)

258.0

Pensions
The net pension deficit (before related 
deferred tax) increased to £141.8 million  
at 28 September 2012 from £130.4 million 
at 30 September 2011. The net pension 
deficit after related deferred tax was  
£115.9 million, an increase of £10.0 million 
from 30 September 2011.

The fair value of total plan assets relating to 
the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes 
(excluding associates) increased to £345.7 
million at 28 September 2012 from £314.7 
million at 30 September 2011. The present 
value of the total pension liabilities for these 
schemes increased to £486.9 million from 
£444.9 million over the same period. 

All defined benefit pension scheme plans 
are closed to future accrual and the Group’s 
pension policy with effect from 1 January 
2010 is that future service for current 
employees and new entrants is provided 
under defined contribution pension 
arrangements.

Net Debt (£m)

2012

2011

139.8

+84.6%

Defined Benefit Pension Liability (£m)

Assets

2012

345.7

2011

314.7

Liabilities

(486.9)

(444.9)

Net Liabilities

2012

2011

(141.8)

2012

(130.4)

2011

Alan Williams
Chief Financial Officer
26 November 2012

We set high standards to ensure 
that we continue to stand out in the 
highly competitive markets in which 
we operate.

Our world class lean manufacturing capabilities are embedded in our DNA, 
to ensure that efficiency, without compromise on quality, is at the forefront  
of everything we do.

Focused on Quality, Innovation, Efficiency and Food Safety

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

22
Business Review
Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Introduction
We believe ‘our responsibilities’ start  
with Greencore’s values which are well 
embedded within the organisation –  
we encourage all colleagues to work in 
accordance with them and indeed each 
employee’s individual performance is 
measured against them. 

Environmental, ethical and social issues have 
become evermore prevalent and complex  
in recent years, which is why we continue to 
work closely with our colleagues, customers, 
suppliers, government bodies, industry 
experts and trade organisations to ensure 
that Greencore develops a relevant and 
proactive sustainability programme which 
works alongside our values.

We have recently introduced ‘The Greencore 
Way’, which is a framework we use to  
drive, measure and communicate the four 
overriding areas of focus in sustainability and 
corporate and social responsibility activities. 

The following review demonstrates 
Greencore’s commitment to its corporate 
social responsibility agenda and provides 
clear examples of The Greencore Way in 
action. Although most of these examples 
relate to our more mature UK businesses, 
we expect to grow and replicate these 
activities in our fast growing US business 
over time.

In summary, we believe that a values driven 
business that maintains good corporate and 
social responsibility is key to a long-lasting, 
sustainable and successful business. To that 
end, the Greencore Way fully encompasses 
how we do things within Greencore and  
is fully aligned with our operational and 
commercial strategy.

Patrick Coveney
Chief Executive

Our Values

Greencore conducts its business in a manner that is  
in line with its culture and values, which are centred  
on the following overriding principles:

Performance
 (cid:70) We expect and reward results.
 (cid:70) We never accept the status quo and  
we continuously seek a better way.
 We always do what we say we will do.
 We set, measure and monitor  highly 
ambitious targets.
 We maintain the highest manufacturing/
technical standards.

 (cid:70)
 (cid:70)

 (cid:70)

 (cid:70) We adhere to a strict financial rigour.

Passion
 (cid:70) We maintain the highest levels of  

 (cid:70)

customer-focused service.
 The quality of our products is the best  
in the industry.
 We have fun and enjoy the work we do.

 (cid:70)
 (cid:70) We are passionate about good food.

People
 (cid:70) We believe that people make  

 (cid:70)

 (cid:70)

the difference.
 We treat one another with respect  
and dignity. Individuals at all levels of  
the business feel valued and valuable.
 We provide ample opportunities for 
professional growth and development.

Responsibility
 (cid:70) We leave responsibility with the people  

 (cid:70)

 (cid:70)

at the level where it can be best exercised.
 We treat Greencore’s resources  
(i.e. money/time/reputation) as if they  
were our own.
 We maintain the highest levels of ethics 
and integrity.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  23

H

E

AA

LL

TT

H

&

S

A

F

E

T

Y

N
O
B
R
A
C
& 
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We have recently introduced ‘The Greencore Way’,  
a framework we use to manage, measure  
and communicate the four overriding areas of  
focus in sustainability activities. This framework  
fully encompasses the way we do things within 
Greencore and is integrated with our operational  
and commercial strategy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

24
Business Review
Corporate Social Responsibility Report
(continued)

Workplace
‘A Great Place to Work’
Health & Safety
The Greencore Way is to have industry leading 
standards of health and safety to ensure the 
safest conditions for our colleagues, visitors 
and contractors at all Greencore facilities.

Greencore regularly conducts detailed  
health and safety risk management audits 
across the entire business demonstrating  
our commitment to continuous improvement 
in our health and safety systems and 
procedures. These audits have resulted in a 
19% improvement from FY11 to FY12 against 
the Greencore risk rating model. In addition, 
our businesses, which are independently 
certified to OHSAS 18001: 2007 in the UK, 
have continued to successfully maintain  
their prestigious certifications. All of our US 
facilities have monthly health and safety 
inspections and each site has a colleague 
that is responsible for driving continuous 
improvement and health and safety 
programme management.

We work closely with our insurers and 
brokers and, during the year, we updated our 
policy for ‘Design, Build & Refurbishment and 
Change of Use for Company Premises’. This 
allows us to both maintain and improve our 
property and facility risk management. This 
has translated into notable improvements  
in our property risk rating as independently 
audited by our principal insurer, seeing a 34% 
improvement between the FY04 average and 
FY12 average.

The results of our initiatives in health and 
safety have seen a reduction in the Group 
accident rate* from 1.41 to 1.07 from FY07  
to FY12 (as shown).

Greencore continues to support the HSE Food 
Manufacturing Forum in the UK by providing 
a representative through our membership  
of the Chilled Foods Association. We have 
provided technical content for the proposed 
revision of the HSE’s ‘A Recipe for Safety’  
(HSG 252), the health and safety priorities  
for the food and drinks sector in the UK 
which is due for publication in early 2013.  
We continue to support the development of 
health and safety professionals through our 
in-house graduate entry programme, and by 
supporting the Institution of Occupational 
Safety & Health (IOSH) Graduate Shadowing 
Scheme in the UK. Our Group Safety Health 
and Environmental manager is in his third 
year as an IOSH Council member and a 
committee member of the IOSH Food and 
Drinks Health and Safety Group. 

Learning & Development
The Greencore Way is to support the 
continued learning and development  
of our employees by offering a wide  
range of training and skills enhancement 
opportunities at all levels of the organisation.

Personal development plans are identified 
through Greencore’s well-established  
PRIDE performance review programme.  
In FY12 more than 1,200 colleagues in the 
UK, Ireland and the US participated in the 
PRIDE programme, where more than 3,000 
learning activities were identified.

Greencore has a dedicated Learning & 
Development Manager, who works with  
all of our sites across both the UK and the  
US to ensure that the right development 
opportunities are in place for our colleagues.

In FY12, we opened three dedicated Regional 
Training Centres in the UK where we have 
held a number of externally provided courses 
across a large variety of topics, which include 
food safety, health and safety, HACCP and 
personal development. 

The Greencore Leadership Academy 
continues to be a central platform for us  
to build effective leadership skills and food 
manufacturing capabilities in our people  
with more than 1,900 Greencore colleagues 
having participated since 2006. In FY13,  
we will continue to develop the leadership 
academy in conjunction with the Institute of 
Leadership & Management (ILM) in the UK.

Colleague Health & Wellbeing
The Greencore Way is to have strong 
procedures in place to protect our workforce 
against occupational health risks. Our aim  
is to actively promote and educate our 
workforce in maintaining a healthy lifestyle to 
enhance their personal health and wellbeing.

All Greencore sites in the UK provide 
occupational health monitoring ensuring 
consistent standards and best practice is 
maintained. 

Food First is the name that we use for the 
programme which drives the unique good 
food and health culture at Greencore. As part 
of this programme, a number of Greencore 
sites hold various health awareness activities 
to encourage health and healthier lifestyles 
amongst our colleagues. As an example of 
one of these activities, our facility in Chicago 
in the US has recently partnered with the 
local fire department to provide training in 
CPR and AED procedures for its staff.

David Brady, SHE Manager at Prepared Meals, Bristol. 

Group Accident Rate 

2011/12

2010/11

2009/10

2008/09

2007/08

2006/07

1.07

1.18

1.11

1.23

1.37

1.41

Note: * Average accident rate per 100 employees.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  25

In FY12, Greencore signed up to a  
series of voluntary pledges under the UK 
government’s Responsibility Deal on Public 
Health which are designed to tackle health 
issues within the food and drink industry. 
These pledges include healthier staff 
restaurants, physical activity guidelines, 
active travel for our colleagues and health  
and wellbeing.

Employee Satisfaction and Engagement
The Greencore Way is to ensure that we are  
a preferred employer of choice. We aim to 
ensure that our colleagues enjoy their time 
at work and receive recognition for both a  
job well done and for ‘going the extra mile’.

Our colleagues have the opportunity to 
discuss and share their successes through 
their PRIDE performance management 
review and, as part of Greencore’s PRIDE 
process, all managers receive 360 degree 
feedback from their colleagues.

Success stories are shared proactively 
through Greencore’s internal communications 
channels, which include Group-wide and site 
newsletters, Greencore’s intranet ‘On the 
Menu online’ and at management 
conferences. 

As part of Greencore’s Food First 
programme, we hold an annual Food First 
Chairman’s Awards, which recognises  
and celebrates activities that embrace 
Greencore’s ‘Good Food Culture’.

Colleagues also have the opportunity to 
participate in Greencore’s success through 
our staff ShareSave scheme. 

Colleagues from Kiveton undergoing training at the new learning facility.

On the
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Greencore publishes its in-house magazine, On the Menu, twice a year, which is distributed to all colleagues.

 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

26
Business Review
Corporate Social Responsibility Report
(continued)

Environment
‘A Passion to Deliver a 
Sustainable Environment’
Energy & Carbon 
The Greencore Way is to continue to reduce 
the amount of energy we use during the 
manufacturing, storage and distribution  
of our products and, in doing so, reduce our 
carbon emissions and overall carbon footprint.

In FY12, we again responded to the Carbon 
Disclosure Project in the UK and continue  
to work on improving our carbon reporting. 
During the last five years we have delivered 
an 11% reduction in total energy consumed 
per tonne of product across our UK 
manufacturing sites*.

A number of energy and carbon reduction 
projects were completed across our business 
in the year. Examples of these include several 
lighting upgrades incorporating a range  
of energy efficient long-life lamps such as 
induction, T5 fluorescent and LEDs. Our facility 
at Northampton in the UK has installed a new 
energy management system which provides 
live performance data on display screens in 
each production unit which is helping to drive 
energy efficiency and engage employees.

Details of our Group carbon footprint are 
shown below. This is produced following  
the guidelines and principles of the WBCSD/
WRI Greenhouse Gas Protocol, and covers 
our scope 1 & 2 emissions (incorporating 
fossil fuels, transport fuel, refrigerants and 
electricity related data; using conversion 
factors published by DEFRA). The footprint 
includes all Greencore operating companies 
for FY12 (including all recently acquired sites 
in the US).

Waste & Recycling
The Greencore Way is to continually reduce 
the amount of waste we produce per tonne 
of product. Our objective is to send no waste 
to landfill and to maximise the re-use of 
waste by ‘moving up the waste hierarchy’.

We continue to roll out our waste and 
recycling programmes across all our sites, 
both in the UK and the US. The manufacturing 
facilities acquired in the UK over the last two 
years. This has seen a significant uplift in 
recycling and further diversion from landfill, 
particularly at the newly acquired sites. All 
Greencore manufacturing sites in the UK will 
be sending zero waste directly to landfill by 
the end of November 2012.

We have continued to work closely with  
our customers and WRAP in the UK under  
the banner of the Courtauld Commitment, 

in order to assess and reduce the 
environmental impact of our products  
and packaging.

Water & Effluent
The Greencore Way is to reduce the amount 
of water we use per tonne of product and to 
minimise our impact on water and effluent 
discharges. We will also aim to extend water 
stewardship activities down our supply chain.

We have maintained our focus on reducing 
water consumption and minimising effluent 
at source, whilst also improving the quality 
of our discharge through investment. 

During the last five years, we have delivered  
a 25% reduction in water consumed  
per tonne of product across our UK 
manufacturing sites*.

There are plenty of examples of investment 
in this area, notably the recent upgrade  
to the effluent plant at our Kiveton facility  
in the UK. Another is the installation of an 
in-line TOC meter at our facility in Selby, 
which feeds back information directly to  
the production operatives helping to further 
reduce product losses to drain and improve 
the efficiency of both production and the 
effluent treatment plant.

Sustainable Materials
The Greencore Way is to source in a 
responsible way materials that are 
vulnerable to sustainability challenges. We 
will continue to evaluate the opportunities 
for food security and sustainability in our 
domestic and global markets.

Greencore was an early adopter of Green 
Palm certification for palm oil and is 
progressively sourcing and implementing 
fully sustainable solutions in our key product 
and ingredient areas (by segregation or mass 
balance). Greencore’s facility at Kiveton in the 
UK has been independently certified by the 
Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) 
for production of fully sustainable quiche.

Greencore works with its customer the 
Marine Stewardship Council to source 
sustainable fish where possible, and aims  
to continue to increase the share of 
sustainable fish that it sources in the future. 

Greencore uses sustainable pole and line 
caught tuna in over 95% of its products.

Over 65% of our coldwater prawns and all of 
the wild salmon that we use in our products 
is sourced from independently verified 
sustainable sources.

Greencore Group Total Energy 2007/8  
to 2011/12 UK Manufacturing Sites
Total energy consumption (kWh)  
per tonne of products

2011/12*

2010/11

2009/10

2008/09

2007/08

1,084.3

1,137.3

1,154.1

1,252.3

1,233.1

Greencore Group Carbon Footprint
187,601 Tonnes CO2e (Scope 1 & 2 emissions)

Fossil Fuels

Electricity

Transport

Refrigerants

Greencore Group Waste Disposal 2007/8  
to 2011/12 UK Manufacturing Sites
Waste disposal to landfill (% of total waste)

2011/12*

7.1%

2010/11

9.5%

2009/10

34.7%

2008/09

2007/08

44.8%

63.7%

* Note – Based on a like-for-like comparison of UK 
manufacturing sites over the five year period (doesn’t  
include the former Uniq sites acquired in September 2011).

Greencore Group Water Consumption 
2007/8 to 2011/12 UK Manufacturing Sites
Water consumption (m2) per tonne of 
product

2011/12*

2010/11

2009/10

2008/09

2007/08

6.46

7.05

7.41

8.15

8.61

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  27

As a leading food manufacturer Greencore 
plays a fully active role in participating in 
industry working groups and committees, 
with the aim of supporting the development 
of the industry.

Greencore works closely with the IGD in the 
UK on a number of committees, including 
the Policies Initiative Council, the Industry 
Sustainability Group, the Industry 
Nutritional Strategy Group, Technical 
Leadership Forum and the Communities 
Working Group.

Greencore also works with the Chilled  
Foods Association in the UK on its main 
Board and holds the vice chair role. Our 
Group Environment Manager also chairs  
its Technical Committee and Sustainable 
Development Working Group.

Furthermore Greencore is a member of the 
East Midlands Platform on Food, Physical 
Activity & Health in the UK.

We also support the Biosciences  
Knowledge Transfer Network in the  
UK aimed at developing links between 
academia and industry.

Marketplace
‘Building Trust with Our 
Colleagues, Customers  
and Consumers’
Food Safety, Food First
The Greencore Way is to be uncompromising 
in the standards of food safety that our 
manufacturing sites employ.

In addition to central resources, Greencore 
has a team of dedicated technical experts  
at all of its facilities in the UK and the US  
to ensure food safety and regulatory 
compliance. 

Greencore spends a huge amount of time 
auditing its facilities for both internal and 
external purposes. In FY12 the following 
number of internal and external audits  
took place at Greencore’s facilities:

Internal Audits 
External Audits
Customer Taste Panels 
Internal Taste Panels  
Supplier Approvals

11,428
155
1,502
268,057
1,051

Greencore is working towards full Global 
Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) status across 
all of its facilities largely through adopting 
British Retail Consortium (BRC) or Safe 
Quality Foods (SQF) standards. 

All of our facilities in the UK and our 
Newburyport facility in the US have achieved 
and retained their BRC Grade ‘A’ accreditation. 
Our recently acquired facilities in Jacksonville, 
Salt Lake City and Chicago in the US are all 
SQF accredited. We are also working towards 
SQF accreditation at our remaining facilities 
in the US, in Fredericksburg and Brockton, 
over the coming months.

A critical element of the Group’s Food First 
programme is around food safety and its 
objective to give Greencore a competitive 
advantage in this area amongst its peers 
and for it to become the supplier of choice 
amongst our customers. 

Health & Nutrition
The Greencore Way is to use our knowledge 
and expertise to offer healthy alternatives in 
each of the categories in which we operate. 
We aim to support, work towards and, where 
possible, beat government targets for health 
and nutrition. We also aim to be transparent 
in how we report these targets.

Greencore plays a leading and responsible 
role in supporting the health and well- 
being of the end consumer and our product 

development teams work closely with our  
customers to ensure that appropriate health 
and nutritional targets and objectives are set.

Greencore has a dedicated company 
nutritionist who, in addition to working with 
our product development teams, works in 
conjunction with relevant government and 
industry bodies, such as the Food Standards 
Agency (FSA), the Department of Health, 
the Chilled Foods Association and the  
IGD (Institute for Grocers & Distributors)  
in the UK.

Earlier in 2012, Greencore signed up to the 
UK’s Responsibility Deal on Public Health, 
committing to the following pledges:

 – Salt Reduction – 84.3% of Greencore’s  
UK products meet the FSA’s 2012 salt 
reduction target.

 – Artificial Trans Fat Removal – No 

hydrogenated vegetable oils, industrially 
added trans fats or genetically modified 
organisms are used in Greencore’s UK 
retail products.

Greencore’s Food First program also has  
a ‘health’ pillar, which supports and drives 
the role of healthy food. This is becoming 
increasingly important in both the US and 
the UK.

Ethical Supply Chain
The Greencore Way is to operate to 
recognised ethical standards throughout 
our business and to extend to ensure 
compliance in the supply chain.

Greencore is a long-standing member of 
SEDEX in the UK, an organisation which 
monitors the ethical performance of 
Greencore and its suppliers.

Greencore also conducts its own ethical  
self audit across its sites, as well as being 
subject to its customer’s ethical audits.  
In addition this year, we have extended  
our assessments of ethical practices by 
rolling out SMETA (SEDEX Members Ethical 
Trade Audits) across our business.

We also work with our customers to meet 
the highest standards of animal welfare,  
for example all of the eggs at Greencore’s 
facilities in the UK meet the EU Egg 
Regulations that were introduced in 
January 2012.

Supporting the Broader Industry
The Greencore Way is to use our skills, 
knowledge and expertise to support  
the advancement of the food 
manufacturing industry.

 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

28
Business Review
Corporate Social Responsibility Report
(continued)

These include Young Enterprise, an 
international organisation, also known as 
Junior Achievement in the US. Through this 
organisation, Greencore provides volunteers 
and funding to support learning in under-
privileged schools. Greencore also supports 
the CFA’s ‘Chilled Education Programme’  
in the UK by providing a number of STEM 
Ambassadors, who visit schools and explain 
the role that science plays within the food 
industry. One of Greencore’s facilities in  
the UK has also opened its doors up to 
school career advisors to demonstrate  
the opportunities that our industry has  
to offer for young people. 

Furthermore, a number of Greencore 
colleagues across both the UK and the US 
visit and hold talks for local schools and 
colleges. Some of our sites also invite local 
children to visit the site. An example of this  
is our desserts facility in Taunton in the UK 
which held a cake ‘Bake-Off’ competition  
for a local school.

Diversity and Work Opportunities
The Greencore Way is to be inclusive with 
regards to all members of the community  
by offering work experience or other support 
to get them in to the workplace.

In September Greencore played a leading 
role in Feeding Britain’s Future – Skills for 
Work Week, an industry-wide initiative 
coordinated by the IGD focused at providing 
employability skills training for some of the 
one million 16-24 year olds in the UK who are 
not in employment, education or training 
(see panel for more information).

Through Feeding Britain’s Future, Greencore 
has established good links with local job 
centre offices, politicians and development 
agencies across the UK which it hopes to 
build on in the future with the aim of helping 
disadvantaged groups into employment.

Community Relationships
The Greencore Way is to be a good neighbour 
by active engagement in the community 
serving the facility and its employees.

Greencore is aware of the role that it plays  
in the communities in which its sites are 
located and it is committed to establishing 
and maintaining good relationships with its 
neighbours both as a local employer but also 
in terms of the overall impact that its sites 
have on the local communities. In some 
cases, our leaders sit on local committees  
or attend local committee meetings. 
Examples include the general manager of 
our Fredericksburg facility in the US sitting  
on the Stafford County’s Business Advisory 

Committee or our site director at our 
Evercreech facility in the UK regularly 
participating in and updating local parish 
council meetings.

Many of Greencore’s facilities work together 
with local institutions, such as schools, 
hospices and emergency services to provide 
donations and support for local fund-raising 
activities. 

Greencore also engages with local 
community groups to ensure that it responds 
rapidly to resolve any nuisance complaints 
which may arise from its facilities.

Charitable Support
The Greencore Way is to support charitable 
causes which may be sponsored by either 
the business or its colleagues.

Greencore engages proactively with a 
number of large charity organisations. These 
include Young Enterprise (discussed above) 
and GroceryAid, the industry charity in the 
UK formerly known as Caravan

Greencore also supports FareShare in the UK 
and Feeding America in the US. Both of these 
organisations distribute food products to the 
needy through lots of different channels. In 
addition, all of facilities in the US have direct 
arrangements with local food banks for 
donating food for the needy. When Hurricane 
Sandy hit the east coast of the United States 
in October, the team at our Brockton facility in 
Massachusetts sent food to help the victims 
in the difficult time after the event.

In September, the ‘Seriously Good’ cooking 
sauce initiative in which Greencore 
participated in conjunction with Comic Relief 
concluded after raising more than £430,000. 
Greencore is immensely proud to have played 
a part in raising these much needed funds  
for charities in both the UK and beyond.

At a local level, Greencore’s sites support  
a wide number of both local and national 
charities through product donations and a 
whole host of fundraising activities. This is 
something that Greencore actively supports 
and encourages. In October, our colleagues 
on both sides of the Atlantic held a Wear  
It Pink day in aid of breast cancer support 
raising awareness, and valuable funds,  
for breast cancer charities.

Examples of the many other local charities 
that our sites and colleagues support include 
Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, 
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society in Salt 
Lake City and The Jack & Jill Children’s 
Foundation in Dublin, which provides 
homecare for sick children.

Members of Greencore’s team in Bristol raising funds for Comic 
Relief.

Pupils from Heathfield School in Taunton participating in the 
‘Bake-Off’ competition.

Communities
‘Making a Positive Impact  
in Our Communities’
Engaging Future Employees
The Greencore Way is to engage young 
people and inspire the next generation of 
employees, managers and future business 
leaders to join the food industry.

The food and grocery industry is the UK’s 
largest industry employing one in seven 
people. As part of Greencore’s leadership role 
in the industry, it is crucial that it continues to 
inspire and develop young people to motivate 
them to develop an interest in our industry. 
This will also ensure that we have enough 
high calibre candidates for the wide range  
of roles that a career in Greencore has to  
offer. To achieve this, Greencore works with  
a number of organisations and charities  
with the aim of supporting and developing 
young people. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  29

Feeding Britain’s  
Future

In September Greencore joined forces with nearly 
100 other food manufacturers and retailers by 
opening up the doors of its facilities as part of 
‘Feeding Britain’s Future – Skills for Work Week’. 

Matthew Forde and Martin Willsher of Greencore Food to Go with Owen Paterson MP, British 
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The objective of this activity was for the  
food and grocery industry to reach out  
to the one million 16-24 year olds in the  
UK who are not currently in employment, 
education or training in order to provide  
skills training to enhance their prospects  
of gaining employment.

Feeding Britain’s future was coordinated  
by the UK industry body IGD and was 
supported by JobCentre Plus. The food  
and grocery industry is the biggest private 
sector employer in the UK, accounting for 
one in seven of all jobs.

To make sure that the training was relevant, 
50 young people participated in a Youth 
Voice Forum in Birmingham earlier in the 
year. These people told us that they needed 

help with their CVs and in how to prepare for 
job interviews. It was also clear that these 
young people were not aware of the variety 
of roles that the food industry has to offer. 

Greencore came early to the table and 
offered 600 places across its UK sites, where 
young people would have the opportunity  
to visit our facilities, meet our people and 
receive valuable skills training.

The feedback that the initiative received 
from the participants speaks volumes: 98% 
of the young people who attended now  
feel more confident about applying for a  
job and 93% of the young people would  
now consider a career in the food and 
grocery industry.

In September, Greencore had the 
opportunity to visit Downing Street along 
with 19 other businesses to meet the British 
Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet 
to demonstrate the wide range of skills and 
rich careers that the industry has to offer.

You can follow  
Greencore on Twitter  

for further  
information and news

For more information on  
Feeding Britain’s Future go to
www.feedingbritainsfuture.com

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

30
Corporate Governance
Board of Directors

EF Sullivan,  
B Comm, MBS 
Chairman (Aged 64) 
Ned joined the Board on 11 March 2002 and 
became Chairman in February 2003. He was 
previously Group Managing Director of Glanbia plc 
and, prior to that, held a number of senior positions 
with Grand Metropolitan plc in London and Dublin. 
He was the first Chairman of An Bord Bia (The Irish 
Food Board) and is Chairman of eircom Limited. 

PF Coveney, B Comm,  
M Phil, D Phil
Chief Executive Officer (Aged 42) 
Patrick joined the Board of Greencore on  
5 September 2005 and was appointed Chief 
Executive with effect from March 2008. Previously 
he held the position of Chief Financial Officer for 
the Group. Patrick was a partner with McKinsey  
& Company, serving as managing partner of 
McKinsey, Ireland before joining Greencore.  
Patrick was elected President of The Dublin 
Chamber of Commerce in February 2012,  
having been a Council member since 2003. 

AR Williams, BA Hons, 
ACMA, CGMA, AMCT
Chief Financial Officer (Aged 43) 
Alan was appointed to the Board as Chief Financial 
Officer on 7 March 2011, having previously held  
a number of senior positions within the Cadbury 
Group over an 18 year period, which included the 
role of Global Corporate Finance Director. He had 
previously served as head of finance for the US 
confectionery operations of Cadbury and also  
of its French beverages business.

DS Walker, BSc Hons 
Chief Operating Officer (Aged 40) 
Di joined the Board on 22 April 2009 and serves as 
the group’s Chief Operating Officer, having joined 
Greencore in June 2004 as Managing Director of 
Greencore’s Chilled Sauces and Soups category. In 
October 2006, she was appointed Managing Director 
of Food To Go, the largest convenience food category 
within the Group. Prior to joining Greencore, she held 
a number of senior positions within the chilled foods 
industry including Divisional Managing Director of 
Hibernia Foods plc and Convenience Food Sales and 
Marketing Director of Hazlewood Foods plc, prior to  
it being acquired by Greencore.

JT Herlihy, B Comm, FCA
Non-Executive Director (Aged 45)
John joined the Board on 13 March 2009. He is  
Vice President of Advertiser Operations at Google 
and head of Google Ireland. Previously, he held 
senior management positions at global technology 
companies including First Data (US and EMEA), 
Epiphany (US and Asia-Pacific) and Oracle 
Corporation (US and EMEA).

PA McCann 
Non-Executive Director (Aged 61) 
Pat joined the Board on 24 November 2003.  
He is Chief Executive of Dalata Hotel Group and  
was formerly Chief Executive of Jurys Doyle Hotel 
Group plc, a position he held from 2000 until  
2006. He was also a Non-Executive Director of EBS 
Building Society and the Irish Heart Foundation.  
He also serves as Chairman and Non-Executive 
Director of a number of private companies.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  31

Audit Committee
PG Kennedy* (appointed to Committee 18 December 2008)
EL Nicoli* (appointed to Committee 20 May 2010)
DM Simons* ** (appointed to Committee 22 July 2004)
JT Herlihy* (appointed to Committee 11 March 2010)

*  Denotes Non-Executive Director
**   Denotes Chairman of Committee

Nomination Committee
PF Coveney (appointed to Committee 1 April 2008)
PA McCann* ** (appointed to Committee 18 November 2004)
DM Simons* (appointed to Committee 1 July 2004)
EF Sullivan* (appointed to Committee 22 July 2003)
PG Kennedy* (appointed to Committee 26 July 2012)

Option and Remuneration Committee
PG Kennedy* ** (appointed to Committee 11 March 2010) 
JT Herlihy* (appointed to Committee 22 April 2009)
EF Sullivan* (appointed to Committee 30 January 2003)

EL Nicoli, CBE, BSc 
Non-Executive Director (Aged 62) 
Eric was appointed to the Board on 14 May 2010. 
From 1991 to 1999, he served as Group Chief 
Executive of United Biscuits (Holdings) plc and  
was Chairman and Chief Executive of EMI Group plc 
until 2007. He is currently a Director of a number of 
privately-owned companies in the entertainment, 
software, property and financial services sectors.

DM Simons, CBE,  
BSc Econ, FCMA
Non-Executive Director (Aged 65) 
David was appointed to the Board on 1 July 2004 
having previously held the position of Chairman  
of Littlewoods Shop Direct Group Limited for five 
years and Chief Executive of Somerfield plc for 
seven years. He has held many senior executive 
and non-executive positions in major UK and 
International retail companies.

C O’Leary, ACIS
Group Company Secretary (Aged 43) 
Conor was appointed Group Company Secretary  
on 4 June 2010 having served as Deputy Group 
Secretary since 2005. He held senior company 
secretarial roles in Glanbia and Cable & Wireless 
prior to joining Greencore in 2001. 

PG Kennedy, BA, FCA 
Non-Executive Director (Aged 54) 
Gary joined the Board on 18 November 2008.  
He is a Director of Elan plc as well as being 
Chairman of its Audit Committee. He is a Director  
of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited, 
having been appointed on 22 May 2010, where he 
also serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee. 
He is a Director of Friends First Holdings Ltd as well  
as Chairman of a number of private companies.  
He was Group Director of Finance and Enterprise 
Technology at Allied Irish Banks plc and a member 
of its main board together with subsidiary boards 
in the US and Poland. Prior to that, he was Group 
Vice-President of Nortel Networks Europe. He 
served on the Board of the Industrial Development 
Authority of Ireland for ten years until he retired  
in December 2005.

We are uncompromising in the 
standards of food safety that our 
manufacturing sites employ.

To read more about these high standards please go to page 24.

Focused on Quality, Innovation, Efficiency and Food Safety

Directors’ Report

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  33

Introduction
The Directors submit their Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 28 September 2012. 

Principal Activities and Review of Business
Greencore is a leading producer of convenience foods with strong market leadership positions in the UK convenience food market across 
sandwiches, chilled prepared meals, chilled soups and sauces, cooking sauces and pickles, cakes and desserts and Yorkshire puddings  
and has an extending presence outside the UK with a fast-growing convenience food business in the US. Detailed commentaries on  
the Group’s performance for the year are contained in the Chairman’s Statement, the Chief Executive’s Review and the Operating and 
Financial Reviews. The principal subsidiary and associate undertakings are listed in Note 32 to the Group Financial Statements.

Results for the Year
The results of the Group for the year are set out in the Group Income Statement. The profit for the year after taxation and exceptional 
charges was £35.6 million (2011: £19.9 million).

Dividends
An interim ordinary dividend of 1.75 pence (2011: 3.0 cent) per share was paid on 3 October 2012. The Directors recommend the payment 
of a final ordinary dividend of 2.5 pence (2011: 2.4 cent) per share. Subject to shareholders’ approval, this dividend is to be paid on 3 April  
2013 to shareholders who are on the register of members at 5.00pm on 7 December 2012. The shareholders passed a resolution at the  
Annual General Meeting of the Company in February 2012 to redenominate the share capital of the Company from euro to sterling. The 
interim dividend for the year ended 28 September 2012 was paid to shareholders in sterling and it is the intention of the Company to continue 
to pay any and all dividends in sterling going forward. 

Share Capital
During the year 6,336,318 (2011: 2,441,392) ordinary shares were issued under the Company’s Scrip Dividend Scheme and 708,061  
(2011: 20,879) ordinary shares were issued under the Company’s Share Option and ShareSave schemes.

The Directors are currently authorised to allot shares up to a maximum nominal amount equal to £1,282,719 under an authority that was 
conferred on them at the Annual General Meeting held on 9 February 2012. This authority will expire at the conclusion of Greencore’s next 
Annual General Meeting or on 9 August 2013, whichever is earlier. 

Additionally, at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, shareholders are being asked to approve, until the day following the Annual 
General Meeting to be held in 2014, the Directors’ power to disapply the strict statutory pre-emption provisions relating to the issue of  
new equity for cash. The disapplication will be limited to the allotment of equity securities in connection with any rights issue or any  
open offer to shareholders and the allotment of shares in lieu of dividends, and the allotment of shares up to an aggregate nominal  
value equal to 5 per cent of the nominal value of the Company’s issued share capital.

At the Annual General Meeting held in February 2012, shareholders passed a resolution to give the Company, or any of its subsidiaries,  
the authority to make market purchases of up to 10 per cent of its own shares. The minimum price which may be paid for shares purchased 
by the Company shall not be less than the nominal value of the shares and the maximum price will be 105 per cent of the average market 
price of such shares over the preceding five days. At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, shareholders will be asked to renew this 
authority until the date of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2014 or 18 months after this forthcoming Annual General Meeting, 
whichever is the earlier. The Directors do not have any current intention to exercise the power to purchase the Company’s own shares  
and will do so only if they consider it to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Under the Articles of Association of the Company, no person is entitled to acquire shares representing 30 per cent or more of the Company’s 
issued share capital or (alone or with any associate or associates) to control the exercise of 30 per cent or more of the votes which are ordinarily 
exercisable in all circumstances at general meetings of the Company. This restriction cannot be amended without the consent of the holder  
of the special share in the capital of the Company. 

The special share is owned by the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on behalf of the Irish State. This gives  
the owner certain rights, inter alia, in relation to notice and attendance at meetings as well as a consent requirement in respect of certain 
limited amendments of the Company’s Articles of Association and the issue of shares which have voting rights but which are not ordinary 
shares. It also confers certain rights relating to the sugar quota and sugar producing assets formerly used by the Company. As the Group 
has renounced its sugar quota and no longer has any sugar producing assets, it is the Directors’ opinion that this is of limited impact.

Future Developments
The Group showed further growth and development during the year, in particular with the successful acquisition of MarketFare, Schau  
and ICL. Future prospects are outlined in the Chairman’s Statement, the Chief Executive’s Review and the Operating and Financial Reviews. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

34
Corporate Governance
Directors’ Report
(continued)

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
As with any large Group, Greencore faces a number of risks and uncertainties. Individual business unit management teams primarily drive 
the process by which individual risks and uncertainties are identified, these teams being best placed to identify significant and emerging 
risks and uncertainties in their businesses. The output from this process feeds into the regular management reporting structures. Risks and 
mitigating controls, common across all categories, are managed and reviewed at Group level. Risks identified and associated mitigating 
controls are subject to review as part of the Group’s health and safety, technical compliance and operational/financial audit programmes. 
Under Irish company law (Regulation 37 of the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992, as amended), the 
Group is required to give a description of the principal risks and uncertainties which it faces. These principal risks are set out on pages 14 
and 15.

Further detail in relation to the Group’s internal controls is included on pages 40 and 41 of this report. Details of the Group’s financial risk 
management policies are set out in Note 20 of the Group Financial Statements. Details of the Group’s key performance indicators are set  
out on page 11.

Directors
In accordance with provision B.7.1. of the 2010 UK Corporate Governance Code (‘the Code’) and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex 
(‘the Annex’), each of the Directors shall retire at all future Annual General Meetings of the Company and shall submit themselves for 
re-election where appropriate. No re-appointment will be automatic and a review of the Directors who are seeking reappointment will  
be undertaken assessing their suitability for re-election. The Board will not endorse a Director for re-election if he or she has not been 
considered effective in carrying out their duties. 

The Board recommends the appointment of the Directors seeking re-appointment as they continue to be effective and demonstrate 
commitment to the role.

Directors’ Interests in Share Capital at 28 September 2012
The interests of the Directors and Group Company Secretary in the shares of the Company are set out in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration. 
The Directors and Group Company Secretary have no beneficial interests in any of the Group’s subsidiary or associated undertakings.

Significant Shareholdings
At 28 September 2012, the Company has been advised of the following notifiable interests in its ordinary share capital:

Polaris Capital Management 
Letko Brosseau & Associates 
Sheffield Asset Management LLC
Henderson Global Investors
Legal and General Investment Management 

No. of 
interests in 
ordinary 
shares

57,422,609 
45,808,985 
30,586,418
14,448,405
11,815,738 

At 26 November 2012, the Company has been advised of the following notifiable interests in its ordinary share capital:

Polaris Capital Management 
Letko Brosseau & Associates   
Sheffield Asset Management LLC 
Henderson Group 
Legal & General Group 

No. of 
interests in 
ordinary 
shares

58,415,009
45,467,940
30,586,418
14,448,405
12,777,773

% of 
issued  
share  
capital

14.71 
11.73
7.83
3.70
3.03

% of 
issued  
share  
capital

14.86
11.56
7.78
3.67
3.25

Apart from these holdings, the Company has not been notified at 26 November 2012 of any interest of 3 per cent or more in its ordinary 
share capital.

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  35

Corporate Governance
Statements by the Directors in relation to the Group’s application of corporate governance principles, compliance with the provisions of  
the Code and the Annex, the Group’s system of internal controls and the adoption of the going concern basis in the preparation of the 
Financial Statements are set out on pages 36 to 41.

The Report on Directors’ Remuneration is set out on pages 42 to 51. 

Corporate Social Responsibility
The Group views corporate social responsibility as an integral part of the organisation’s culture and always strives to ensure it is acting  
in the best interests of all related parties and stakeholders. Group policies and implementation systems are set out on pages 22 to 29. 

Research and Development
The Group continued its research and development programme in relation to its principal activities during the year. Further information  
is contained in the reviews on pages 16 and 17 and in Note 2 of the Group Financial Statements.

Taxation Status
So far as the Directors are aware, the Company is not a close company within the meaning of the Tax Consolidation Act.

Accounting Records
The Directors believe that they have complied with the requirements of Section 202 of the Companies Act 1990 with regard to books of 
account by employing accounting personnel with appropriate expertise and by providing adequate resources to the finance function.  
The books of account of the Company are maintained at No.2 Northwood Avenue, Northwood Business Park, Santry, Dublin 9.

Auditor
The auditor, KPMG, Chartered Accountants, continues in office in accordance with Section 160 (2) of the Companies Act 1963. 

Notice of Annual General Meeting and Special Business
Notice of the Annual General Meeting, together with details of special business to be considered at the meeting, will be circulated  
to shareholders in December 2012. 

On behalf of the Board

EF Sullivan 
Director 

AR Williams
Director

Dublin
26 November 2012

 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

36
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report

This statement explains how the Group has applied the principles set out in the 2010 UK Corporate Governance Code (‘the Code’) as 
adopted by the Irish and London Stock Exchanges. Although Greencore is no longer listed on the Irish Stock Exchange it has chosen the 
voluntary adoption of the Irish Corporate Governance Annex (‘the Annex’). The Annex implements the nine recommendations arising from 
a report on corporate governance which was commissioned by the Irish Stock Exchange and the Irish Association of Investment Managers 
in early 2010. The Board understands the importance of good corporate governance, the Code and the Annex and believes that the Group 
has complied fully with the Code and the relevant provisions of the Annex throughout the financial year ended 28 September 2012 where 
the requirements are of a continuing nature. The full text of the UK Code and the Irish Annex can be found on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website, www.frc.org.uk and the Irish Stock Exchange’s website, www.ise.ie, respectively.

Ned Sullivan
Chairman
26 November 2012

Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for the leadership, control and the long term success of the Company. The Board currently comprises three 
Executive and six Non-Executive Directors. Biographical details for each of the Board members are set out on pages 30 and 31 and include 
their dates of appointment. The Board considers that, between them, the Directors have the range of skills, knowledge, expertise and 
experience necessary to lead the Company, whilst each of the Non-Executive Directors has vast international strategic experience,  
both within the food industry and in the broader commercial arena. 

All the Directors bring independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, performance, resources, key appointments and standards.  
The Board has determined that each of the Non-Executive Directors is independent, which is in line with the Code requirement which 
stipulates that at least half the Board, excluding the Chairman, must be independent Non-Executive Directors. The independence of each 
Director is determined prior to appointment and annually thereafter. Each has no material interest or other relationship with the Group. 

It is intended that Mr. EF Sullivan, Chairman, will retire from the Board immediately after the forthcoming AGM of the Company, as will  
Mr. PA McCann, Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Nomination Committee, having served ten and nine years on the Board 
respectively. The Nomination Committee has recommended to the Board that Mr. PG Kennedy should replace Mr. EF Sullivan as Chairman  
of the Board effective immediately after the AGM to be held on 29 January 2013. It is considered that Mr. PG Kennedy has the appropriate 
balance of skills, experience and expertise to serve as Board Chairman. 

The Directors believe that the Board, continues to be of the correct size and structure, whilst the balance between Non-Executive Directors 
and Executive Directors ensures that the Board continues to have the appropriate skills, expertise and experience necessary to allow the 
function to fulfil its role effectively without undue reliance on any individual Non-Executive Directors, while remaining responsive to the 
needs of the Company. The Company is currently engaged in a rigorous Non-Executive Director selection process, with emphasis on Board 
diversity to ensure that the current Board capabilities are maintained notwithstanding the imminent retirement of Mr. EF Sullivan and  
Mr. PA McCann. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  37

The Board agrees a schedule of regular meetings to be held in each calendar year and also meets on other occasions as necessary. Meetings 
are held at the head office in Dublin, as well as at the offices of the Group’s operating subsidiaries. If a Director is unable to attend a Board 
meeting, he or she will receive Board papers in advance of the meeting and can communicate his or her views to the Chairman on any items 
which will be raised at the meeting. A list of Director attendances at scheduled meetings throughout the year can be found on page 39.

There is an agreed list of matters which the Board has formally reserved to itself for consideration and decision and includes; Board 
membership, major acquisitions and disposals, major capital expenditure, risk management, treasury policies, approval of the financial 
statements and other formal announcements. The list of matters reserved for Board decision is reviewed regularly by the Board and where 
necessary is updated. The matters and agenda reserved for Board consideration are planned in order to best utilise the skills, expertise and 
experience of the Directors. In addition, the Board ensures that the value of the Group over the longer term is both enhanced and preserved 
through the approval of the Group’s commercial strategy, trading and capital budgets. The Directors acknowledge that they are responsible 
for the proper stewardship of the Group’s affairs, both individually and collectively. 

There is an agreed procedure for Directors to take independent legal advice, at the expense of the Company, in the furtherance of their duties 
as Directors of the Company. The Group has a policy in place which indemnifies the Directors in respect of legal action taken against them in 
respect of matters pertaining to their duties as Directors. All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, who 
is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are followed. The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is a matter for the 
Board as a whole.

All Directors receive regular Group management accounts and reports. Full Board papers are sent to each Director in advance of the Board 
meetings. Any further supporting papers and information are readily available to all Directors upon request. The Board papers include the 
minutes of all Board and committee meetings held since the previous Board meeting and the Chairman of each committee is available at 
the Board meetings to give a report on the Committee’s proceedings, if appropriate.

The Board has a formal process whereby each Director and the Group Company Secretary individually meet with the Chairman annually, 
with the purpose of reviewing individual Director performance along with reviewing the conduct of Board meetings, the performance  
of the Board and committees and the general corporate governance of the Group. The evaluation of each individual Director focuses on  
the contribution of the Director to the Board and how they each met their expectations during the year. In addition, the Chairman meets  
with the Non-Executive Directors without the Executive Directors being present at least once a year. The Chairman of the Board reports  
the findings of such a board effectiveness review to the Board and any issues which have been identified are discussed, whilst key areas  
for focus in the forthcoming year are addressed. In addition, the Senior Independent Director meets with each Director to review the 
Chairman’s performance on an annual basis. This forms part of the broader Board effectiveness review and ensures a robust, independent 
and effective Board. It is intended that the Board will introduce a process whereby the Board, both collectively and individually, are 
evaluated by an external evaluator at least every three years. As outlined on page 36, it is anticipated that the Board, and its committees,  
will undergo some major composition changes in the forthcoming months and the external evaluation process will be implemented 
immediately thereafter. 

The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive are separate and there is a clear division of responsibilities between each role, which is set  
out in writing and has been approved by the Board. The Board has delegated responsibility for the management of the Group, through  
the Chief Executive, to executive management and the Chief Executive is accountable to the Board for all authority so delegated.

It is expected that the Non-Executive Directors will constructively challenge the management proposals where appropriate and will 
contribute their expertise and knowledge towards the development of the Group. Prior to each Non-Executive Director’s election to the 
Board and relevant committee, he or she is made aware of the scheduled calendar of meetings and is required to confirm that they are 
able to meet the time commitment required as part of the role. 

The Board has acknowledged that there should be a recognised senior member of the Board, known as the ‘Senior Independent Director’,  
and that the position should be rotated among the Non-Executive Directors, all of whom are independent. Mr. DA Simons is the current  
Senior Independent Director and was appointed to this role on 22 March 2012. Prior to this, Mr. PA McCann held the role of Senior Independent 
Director from February 2010. Mr. Simons is available to shareholders who have concerns that cannot be addressed through the Chairman, 
Chief Executive or Chief Financial Officer. He also acts as a confidential sounding board and intermediary for the other Directors, if necessary. 
As part of the performance evaluation process, the Non-Executive Directors, led by the Senior Independent Director, meet annually without 
the Chairman present to appraise the Chairman’s performance and take the views of the Executive Directors and the Company Secretary  
into account.

In order to ensure that the Board is fully familiar with the business operations, the Board meets with key executives within the Group during 
the year and site visits are arranged at least once annually. The Board is provided with external investor analysis on the Group at its board 
meetings together with shareholder data. Legislative changes and any developments in accounting, governance and other standards are 
communicated to the Board where appropriate. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

38
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report
(continued)

Board Committees
The Board has established an effective committee structure in order to assist in the discharge of its responsibilities. Each committee  
and its members are listed on page 31 of this report. All committees of the Board have written terms of reference dealing with their 
authority and duties delegated by the Board. The terms of reference are updated as appropriate and are available on the Group’s website 
at www.greencore.com, and can be accessed through the Corporate Governance section. Membership of the Audit and the Option and 
Remuneration Committees are comprised exclusively of Non-Executive Directors. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to each of 
these committees.

The Audit Committee reviews the accounting principles, policies and practices adopted in the preparation of the Interim Management 
Statements, the Half Yearly Financial Report and the Annual Group and Company Financial Statements. The committee also meets with 
the Group’s external auditor to discuss and review the results, together with a review on the scope, of their audit. In addition, it reviews  
the capacity and performance of the Group’s internal risk management function and the cost effectiveness, independence and objectivity 
of the external auditor. The committee assists the Board in meeting its obligations under the Code in the areas of risk assessment and 
internal controls. 

In addition to having terms of reference, the Audit Committee also agrees a committee calendar of items which it considers to be of paramount 
importance in order to ensure that all items are discussed appropriately and on a timely basis. Such items include, but are not limited to, the 
draft results and interim statement for the half year, full year results, a summary of the completed reports of the Risk Management Group,  
the risk management plan for the forthcoming year, a review of the Risk Management Group’s competency and ability generally, a review  
of the external auditor and an annual assessment of internal control.

The Chief Financial Officer and the Head of the Risk Management Group, along with representatives from the external auditor attend Audit 
Committee meetings on a regular basis, on the invitation of the committee. In addition, from time to time, the Chief Executive, along with 
other executives from within the Group will attend committee meetings. The external auditor and the Head of the Risk Management Group 
have the opportunity to meet with the members of the committee alone at least once a year. 

The Group has a policy governing the conduct of non-audit work by the auditor. The engagement of the external auditor to provide any 
non-audit services must be pre-approved by the committee where the fee exceeds 20 per cent of the audit fee. During the financial year  
to 28 September 2012, fees paid in relation to non-audit related services totalled £96,000 (2011: £593,000) in respect of KPMG in Ireland, 
the external auditor, and £185,000 (2011: £1,311,000) in respect of KPMG in other countries. 

KPMG has been the Group’s auditor since their official appointment in February 2009. There are no contractual obligations which restrict  
the Audit Committee’s choice of external auditor and there are safeguards in place to ensure that the independence of the external auditor  
is not compromised. The decision to open the external auditor to tender is taken based on a recommendation from the Audit Committee. 

The committee has determined that Mr. JT Herlihy, Mr. PG Kennedy, Mr. EL Nicoli and Mr. DM Simons have recent and relevant financial 
experience which is outlined in the biographies on pages 30 and 31 and, therefore, satisfy the requirements of the Code in relation to the 
Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Simons is independent and has the relevant financial expertise to act as Chairman  
of the Audit Committee. 

The Nomination Committee is responsible for proposing any new appointments to the Board, whether Executive or Non-Executive Directors. 
To facilitate the search for suitable candidates, the committee uses the services of independent consultants. When the Nomination 
Committee selects a Director whom it deems to have the correct balance of skills, experience and expertise necessary, the committee will 
recommend the appointment to the Board. All appointments to the Board are approved by the Board as a whole. Before appointing a Director, 
the Board considers the balance of skill, knowledge and experience existing on the Board and ascertains what characteristics are necessary to 
allow it to best meet the strategic vision for the Group and to ensure that policy on Board structure is maintained. In order to ensure Director 
independence is preserved, it is envisaged that Directors will not normally extend their tenure for more than three terms of three years. 

In the past, all newly appointed Directors have been subject to election by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting following their 
appointment. In 2012, in compliance with the relevant provision of the Code, all Directors retired at the Annual General Meeting of the 
company and submitted themselves for re-election where appropriate. In compliance with the Code, this process will continue going forward. 

In addition, the Nomination Committee assists the Board with its succession planning, taking into consideration the balance of skills, 
expertise and experience necessary in order to ensure that the Board carries out its function effectively. The Nomination Committee keeps 
the tenure of the Board under review in order to ensure that the Board remains dynamic, fit for purpose and appropriate. The Nomination 
Committee consists of four Non-Executive Directors, Mr. PA McCann, who acts as Chairman to the Committee, Mr. PG Kennedy, who was 
appointed during the year under review, Mr. DM Simons and Mr. EF Sullivan, together with one Executive Director, Mr. PF Coveney. 

The terms and conditions of appointment of Non-Executive Directors are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office,  
during normal office hours, and at the Annual General Meeting of the Company. An induction programme to the Group is arranged  
for all new Executive and Non-Executive Directors, which includes visits to the trading operations of subsidiaries. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  39

The Option and Remuneration Committee is responsible for the Group’s Deferred Bonus Scheme, Share Option Schemes, ShareSave Schemes 
and Long-term Incentive Plans, further details on the work carried out by the Option and Remuneration Committee in the year under review 
can be found in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on page 42. The committee is responsible for determining the remuneration packages  
of the Executive Directors and senior management and for making recommendations in regard to the Chairman’s and Directors’ fees which 
are fixed by the Board, on the authority of the shareholders. Where necessary, the committee consults with remuneration consultants.  
The Group’s remuneration policy for Executive Directors and details of Directors’ remuneration are contained in the Report on Directors’ 
Remuneration on pages 42 to 51.

Mr. PG Kennedy is Chairman of the Option and Remuneration Committee and is joined by Mr. JT Herlihy and Mr. EF Sullivan, all of whom 
have extensive international and varied business experience, which provides them with the relevant skills necessary to ensure that  
all elements of executive remuneration are aligned with those of the shareholders. In addition, Mr. DA Sugden was a member of the 
committee until 9 February 2012 when he retired from the Board. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer also  
attend meetings and provide support to the committee as necessary. 

Attendance at scheduled Board and Board committee meetings during the year ended 28 September 2012 was as follows:

PF Coveney
JT Herlihy
PG Kennedy
PA McCann
EL Nicoli
DM Simons
DA Sugden* 
EF Sullivan
DS Walker
AR Williams

*  Retired 9 February 2012

Board

Audit

Nomination

Option and  
Remuneration

A

7
7
7
7
7
7
3
7
7
7

B

7
5
7
7
6
7
2
7
7
7

A

–
4
4
–
4
4
–
–
–
–

B

–
1
4
–
4
4
–
–
–
–

A

1
–
–
1
–
1
–
1
–
–

B

1
–
–
1
–
1
–
1
–
–

A

–
3
3
–
–
–
1
3
–
–

B

–
2
3
–
–
–
1
3
–
–

Column A indicates the number of scheduled meetings held during the period in which the Director was a member of the Board and/or committee.
Column B indicates the number of scheduled meetings attended during the period in which the Director was a member of the Board and/or committee.

In addition, eight unscheduled Board meetings were held during the year, largely in respect of corporate activity, including acquisitions  
in the UK and US. 

In addition, where appropriate the Board establishes sub-committees on an ad-hoc basis to deal with matters which arise throughout the 
year. The sub-committees comprise members of the Board who are deemed to have the skills and expertise necessary for the purpose for 
which the committee was established. 

Communication with Shareholders
The Board of Greencore represents the Group’s shareholders and is accountable to them for effective governance of the business. The 
Company has regular dialogue with institutional and major shareholders throughout the year, other than during close periods. In addition, 
shareholder presentations are made at the time of the issue of the Company’s half year and full year results. Details of any major changes 
in the Group, including mergers, acquisitions, divestments, etc are released through the London Stock Exchange.

The Group promotes communication with shareholders throughout the year and encourages shareholders to make use of their votes at  
all general meetings of the Company. 

The views of the shareholders and the market in general are communicated to the Board on a regular basis, along with expressed views  
on corporate governance and strategy, as well as the outcome of analyst and broker briefings. Analyst reports on the Company are also 
circulated to the Board members on a regular basis. The Group’s website, www.greencore.com, provides the full text of the Annual Reports, 
Interim Management Statements, Half Yearly Financial Reports and presentations to analysts and investors. Shareholders can receive  
the Annual Report in paper form, or may elect to receive an email notification stating that the documents are available on the website. 

In addition, shareholders can also elect to receive an email notification when new company information is available on the website.  
These can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the website. Stock Exchange announcements are also made available  
in the Investor Relations section of the website, after release to the London Stock Exchange.

 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

40
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report
(continued)

Communication with Shareholders (continued)
All Board members attend the Annual General Meeting and are available to shareholders to answer questions. Separate resolutions are 
proposed on substantially different issues, and the agenda of business to be conducted at the Annual General Meeting includes a resolution  
to receive and consider the Annual Report and Financial Statements. Each committee chairman is available at the Annual General Meeting. 
The notice of the Annual General Meeting, together with the Annual Report and Financial Statements, is sent to shareholders at least  
20 working days before the meeting, and details of the proxy votes for and against each resolution and the number of abstentions are 
announced after each vote on a show of hands. In the year under review, the Company held its Annual General Meeting in February 2012, 
wherein all shareholders were given the opportunity to verbalise any concerns. 

The Company also welcomes queries from shareholders throughout the year via post, telephone or email. 

Going Concern
The Directors, after making enquiries, have a reasonable expectation that the Company, and the Group as a whole, have adequate 
resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the going concern basis continues to be adopted in preparing 
the Financial Statements.

Internal Control
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of internal control, for reviewing its effectiveness and for confirming that there 
is a process in place for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks for the achievement of the Group’s strategic objectives. 

This process has been in place throughout the financial year up to the date of the approval of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, 
accords with the Turnbull guidance (Internal Control: Revised Guidance for Directors on the Combined Code) and is regularly reviewed by 
the Board. This system of internal control is designed to manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business objectives 
and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. 

The systems involve the Board considering the following:

 – the nature and extent of the risks facing the Group;
 – the extent and categories of risks it regards as acceptable for the Group to bear;
 – the likelihood of the risk concerned materialising;
 – the Group’s ability to reduce the incidence and impact on its business of risks that do materialise; and 
 – the costs of operating particular controls relative to the benefits thereby obtained in managing related risks. 

The risks faced by the Group are reviewed regularly with management and with the Board’s Audit Committee whose terms of reference 
require it to conduct an annual assessment and make a report to the Board on (a) the nature and extent of the significant risks facing the 
Group, (b) the design, operation and monitoring by management of internal control systems and the adequacy and frequency of reports 
from management to the Board, and (c) whether they give a balanced assessment of the significant risks and the effectiveness of the 
system of internal control in managing those risks.

The key elements of the system are as follows:

 – the Corporate Manual, which includes a statement of corporate values, which is distributed throughout the Group;
 – clearly defined organisation structures and lines of authority;
 – corporate policies for financial reporting, treasury and financial risk management, information technology and security, project 

appraisal and corporate governance;

 – annual budgets and three year business plans for all operating units, identifying key risks and opportunities;
 – monitoring of performance against budgets and reporting thereon to the Directors on a regular basis;
 – a Risk Management Group which reviews key business processes and controls; and 
 – an Audit Committee which approves plans and deals with significant control issues raised by internal or external audit.

The preparation and issue of financial reports are managed by the Group’s finance department. The Group financial reporting process  
is controlled using the Group accounting polices and reporting systems. The Group finance department supports all reporting entities  
with guidance in the preparation of financial information. In the year under review, the process was supported by the Finance Manager  
for Convenience Foods and the Finance Manager for Ingredients & Property. Each category entity has a Financial Director or Controller  
who has responsibility and accountability for providing information which is in keeping with agreed policies. 

The financial information for each entity is subject to a review at reporting entity and Group level by the Chief Executive, the Chief Financial 
Officer, the Chief Strategy Officer and the Chief Operating Officer, along with the category Managing Directors. The Annual Report is 
reviewed by the Audit Committee in advance of same being presented to the Board for their approval. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  41

In addition, to ensure compliance with the Code’s requirements on Risk Management, the Audit Committee has appointed a team which  
is comprised of the Head of the Risk Management Group, Head of Technical, the Company Secretary and the Head of Legal, who review  
the risk register on an annual basis. 

The objective of the risk register is to ensure that all significant risks within each business unit have been appropriately identified and  
also to ensure that all risk is mitigated or managed as appropriate. It is understood that regular and detailed assessment is important 
given the volatile and uncertain economic environment. 

In addition, during the year under review, the Managing Director or the Finance Director of each operating unit completed a Financial 
Internal Control Questionnaire which was used to identify control strengths and weaknesses across all financial areas which were 
subsequently addressed. 

In accordance with the process outlined above, the Board has satisfied itself on the effectiveness of the internal control systems in 
operation and it has approved the reporting lines to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the internal controls and reporting structures. 

Finally, the Directors, through the use of appropriate procedures, systems and the employment of competent persons, have ensured that 
measures are in place to secure compliance with the Company’s obligation to keep proper books of account. The books of account are kept 
at the registered office of the Company.

Compliance
The Board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and supports the principles advocated by the Code  
and the Annex and in the period under review the Company complied with the Code provisions, as well as complying with the Annex 
provisions on a voluntary basis. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

42
Corporate Governance
Report on Directors’ Remuneration

The Option and Remuneration Committee
The Option and Remuneration Committee of the Board consists of Non-Executive Directors of the Company. In the year under review,  
Mr. PG Kennedy (committee Chairman), Mr. JT Herlihy and Mr. EF Sullivan were members of the Committee. In addition, Mr. DA Sugden was a 
committee member until his retirement from the Board in February 2012. The biographical details for each of the committee members are  
set out on pages 30 and 31 and include their dates of appointment to the committee. The terms of reference of the Option and Remuneration 
Committee include the determination of the remuneration packages for Executive Directors, the Company Secretary and such other members 
of the executive management team as it is designated to consider. Such terms of reference are updated as appropriate and are available on 
the Group’s website at www.greencore.com, and can be accessed through the Corporate Governance section. In addition, the committee will 
make recommendations to the Board Chairman and the Executive Directors in relation to Non-Executive Directors’ fees. Further details  
are set out below. 

Remuneration Policy
The main aim of the Group’s remuneration policy is to align the interests of Executive Directors with the Company’s business strategy  
and the long term creation of shareholder value. The policy aims to pay the Executive Directors competitively, whilst considering the 
remuneration practices of other international companies of similar size and scope, the current economic climate and the need to  
ensure that Directors are remunerated appropriately, whilst ensuring that the Group pays no more than is necessary to achieve this. 

The Option and Remuneration Committee obtains external advice on remuneration in comparable companies as necessary.

The main elements of the current remuneration package for Executive Directors include basic salary and benefits, a performance related 
annual bonus, a deferred bonus plan and pension benefits. In considering the Executive Directors’ remuneration packages, the committee 
takes into account a number of relevant factors including the salary and total compensation levels compared to other companies of a 
similar size and complexity and other companies in the consumer goods sector.

In the year under review, Deloitte acted as independent advisors to the committee to undertake a review of executive remuneration 
arrangements to ensure that such arrangements are effectively structured to align executives with the business strategy and long term 
interests of shareholders while retaining key management. Deloitte’s executive compensation advisory practice advised the committee on 
developments in market practice, corporate governance and institutional investor views, as well as assisting the Option and Remuneration 
Committee with its evaluation and appraisal of the introduction of a new Long Term Incentive Plan, details of which are set out on page 46. 
Deloitte is one of the founding members of the Remuneration Consultants Code of Conduct and adheres to this Code in its dealings with 
the committee. Deloitte separately provide tax services to the Group. The Option and Remuneration Committee does not consider there  
to be any conflict of interest in this regard.

The Group Company Secretary acts as secretary to the committee. The Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer attend meetings  
at the invitation of the committee and provide support when requested, however, neither is present when their own remuneration  
is being discussed.

Remuneration Principles
The following principles have been adopted as a framework for evaluating changes to executive remuneration. The remuneration 
arrangements for Executive Directors are designed:

 – to support the business strategy;
 – to ensure that the interests of Executive Directors are aligned with the long term interests of the shareholders;
 – to deliver a competitive level of pay for the Executive Directors, and ensure that they are rewarded for their contributions to the success 

of the Company; and 

 – to motivate the Executive Directors to deliver enhanced sustainable performance. 

During the year, the committee, supported by Deloitte, undertook a review of the current remuneration arrangements to ensure that the 
arrangements continue to effectively meet the aims of the remuneration policy. The committee concluded that while the structure creates 
alignment between the long term interests of shareholders and executives by providing part of the package in shares, which are deferred for 
three years, the arrangements are not sufficiently aligned with the long term financial performance of the business. The committee is therefore 
proposing to introduce a new long term Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’), with the objective of creating further alignment between the interests 
of executives with those of shareholders by making a portion of executive reward contingent on delivery of long term performance. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  43

The committee plans to make the following changes, subject to shareholder approval, to the Executive Directors’ remuneration arrangements:

 – Reduce the bonus opportunity – The maximum bonus opportunity will be reduced from a cash bonus opportunity of up to 100% of base 
salary with a deferred share award of equal value to a maximum cash bonus opportunity or 75% of base salary with a deferred share 
award of equal value. The deferred share award vests over three years, subject to continued employment. Maximum bonus awards can 
only be earned for exceptional levels of performance; and 

 – Introduce a long term performance award – A maximum Performance Share Plan award of 100% of salary will be introduced. This award 
will vest over three years with the full award only vesting for the delivery of stretching adjusted Earnings Per Share (‘EPS’) and Return on 
Invested Capital (‘ROIC’) performance over the period. The vesting of awards will also be subject to meeting a performance underpin. 

The committee believes that the introduction of a new PSP is in line with Greencore’s remuneration policy and the proposed package  
is also more consistent with the remuneration practices of other comparable companies within the market.

Balance of Fixed and Variable Pay
The proposed changes to the remuneration arrangements provide a stronger emphasis on pay which is linked to long term performance 
and pay which is delivered in shares. The committee believes that the balances between fixed and variable pay and between cash and 
shares are appropriate. The chart below illustrates the anticipated mix between fixed and variable pay for Executive Directors under the 
proposed remuneration policy at target and maximum performance. The Executive Directors all have the same incentive opportunity  
as a percentage of basic salary. Pension opportunities differ and this is shown on an average basis for all Executive Directors. 

Target

Maximum

39%

15%

15%

20%

11%

26%

20%

20%

26%

8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Basic salary

Annual bonus

Deferred shares

Performance Share Plan

Pension & other benefits

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

44
Corporate Governance
Report on Directors’ Remuneration
(continued)

Summary of Key Elements of Current and Proposed Executive Directors’ Remuneration
The table below sets out the purpose, current and proposed policy for each component of Executive Directors’ packages. Further details 
about each element are set out in the following section.

Element of Remuneration

Purpose of this Element

Current Arrangements

Proposed Changes for 2012/2013

Basic Salary

To provide the basis of a market 
competitive overall remuneration 
policy. 

– CEO: €746,130 
– CFO: €436,000 * 
– COO: £400,000

Takes account of the role, skills  
and contribution of individuals.

Pension and Other Benefits

To provide post-retirement 
remuneration and market-typical 
benefits to ensure that the overall 
remuneration package is competitive. 

Basic salaries are determined  
taking into account practice at  
other companies of a similar  
size and complexity, individual 
performance and experience  
and the pay arrangements  
throughout the organisation.

Salaries are reviewed during 
November and any increases are 
effective 1 October of that year.

The Executive Directors participate 
in a Defined Contribution Pension 
Scheme. 

Contributions are as follows:  
CEO: 35% of pensionable salary. 
CFO and COO: 25% of pensionable 
salary.

The Defined Benefit Scheme was 
frozen in 2009.

Executive Directors also receive 
health insurance and a car allowance.

No changes proposed to basic 
salaries of Executive Directors.  
The base salaries for Executive 
Directors will be:

–  CEO: €746,130 
–  CFO: £374,960 * 
–  COO: £400,000

No changes proposed.

Annual Bonus Plan

To support the business strategy  
by incentivising the delivery of  
annual financial targets as well  
as the achievement of personal  
and strategic objectives.

A maximum cash bonus opportunity 
of 100% of base salary with a 
deferred share award of equal  
value which vests over three years, 
subject to continued employment.

A reduced maximum cash bonus 
opportunity of 75% of base salary 
with a deferred share award of equal  
value which vests over three years, 
subject to continued employment .**

To provide market competitive 
reward opportunities for the 
achievement of strong financial 
performance.

75% of the award is based on 
financial targets (50% based 
on EPS and 25% based on ROIC 
performance).

75% of the award is based on 
financial targets (50% based 
on EPS and 25% based on ROIC 
performance).

Long Term Incentives

To align the interests of executives 
and shareholders and provide a 
strong retention tool.

To create alignment between 
the interests of executives and 
shareholders through the delivery  
of rewards in Company shares.

To incentivise executives to deliver 
long term shareholder value creation 
and the achievement of financial 
targets.

25% of the award is based on 
personal and strategic goals.

25% of the award is based on 
personal and strategic goals.

The committee has the discretion  
to reduce the number of deferred 
shares if, prior to vesting, the 
participant is in fundamental  
breach of their employment contract.

The committee has the discretion  
to reduce the number of deferred 
shares if, prior to vesting, the 
participant is in fundamental  
breach of their employment contract.

There is currently no long term 
incentive policy in place at the 
Company. Shareholders approved  
the introduction of a long term 
incentive plan in 2004, however, 
no awards have ever been granted 
under this plan.

New PSP with a maximum  
opportunity of 100% of salary:**

–  50% of which is based on Earnings 

Per Share performance.

–  50% of which is based on Return  
on Invested Capital performance.

–  Vesting is also subject to a 

performance underpin.

Three year performance period.

PSP awards can be ‘clawed back’ 
in certain circumstances, at the 
discretion of the Committee,  
prior to vesting.

* 

** 

 Mr. Williams receives part of his salary in euro and part in sterling reflecting his responsibilities across Ireland and the UK. From 1 October 2012, remuneration for  
Mr. Williams will be redenominated in sterling at an exchange rate of €1/£0.86.
The above changes are subject to shareholder approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  45

Further Details
Basic Salary
Executive Directors’ basic salaries are reviewed annually by the committee with any changes normally effective from 1 October of  
that year. Basic salaries are determined taking the role, skills, experience and contribution of the individuals into consideration, together 
with market practice of other companies of a similar size and complexity. When setting salaries, the committee also takes account of  
the wider market environment and the remuneration arrangements and typical salary increases in the wider employee population. The 
committee considers that salaries are appropriately positioned, given the history of the company as well as the calibre and experience  
of the individuals.

Pension Benefits
Mr. Coveney and Ms. Walker are deferred members of certain Defined Benefit Pension Schemes of the Group which were frozen to future 
accrual from 31 December 2009. Since 1 January 2010, all the Executive Directors’ pension arrangements are in respect of defined 
contribution schemes.

Pension contributions are as follows:

CEO 
CFO 
COO 

35% of pensionable salary
25% of pensionable salary
25% of pensionable salary 

The CEO participated in the Company’s defined benefit arrangements until 2009 when the scheme closed. At the time of closure the 
scheme, scheme actuaries determined that a defined contribution of 35% of pensionable salary was broadly equivalent to his existing 
entitlements under the defined benefit arrangements.

Details of pension contributions made on behalf of the Executive Directors are outlined on page 47. 

No changes have been proposed to the pension benefits for 2013.

Annual Bonus
Proposed Policy for 2012/2013
For 2012/2013, it has been proposed that the maximum cash bonus opportunity for Executive Directors is reduced from 100% of basic 
salary to 75% of basic salary. A deferred share award with an equal value to the cash award will continue to be awarded. The deferred 
share award vests over three years, subject to continued employment.

Performance is measured based on Company financial targets (75% of the award) and on personal and strategic goals (25% of the award). 
The financial targets are adjusted EPS (50%) and ROIC (25%). Personal and strategic goals are set in relation to each Executive Director’s 
responsibilities and are aligned with the short and medium term strategic priorities. Measures are generally calibrated to be specific and 
measurable. 

The targets for the 2012/2013 annual bonus are based around the stretching budget and the committee considers these to be appropriate. 
If maximum performance targets are achieved, the committee considers that this would represent exceptional performance and value add. 

The balance of measures is illustrated in the chart below: 

EPS – 50%

ROIC – 25%

Personal and 
Strategic Goals 
– 25%

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

46
Corporate Governance
Report on Directors’ Remuneration
(continued)

Long Term Incentives
Previously, the Company had no long term incentive policy. At the AGM in 2004, shareholders approved the introduction of a new long term 
incentive scheme for senior executives, the ‘Performance Share Plan’. However, since the introduction of this plan, no awards have been 
made to any Executive Director. The Company has no intention of using this plan going forward. 

A Share Option Scheme which was also in place, expired in 2011. Details of grants made to Executive Directors under the Share Option 
Scheme in previous years are set out in the table on page 50. It was the Company’s policy that share options could not be granted in the 
same year as an Executive Director received deferred shares.

Proposed Performance Share Plan for 2012/2013 Awards
It is proposed that a Performance Share Plan will be introduced in 2013, under which Executive Directors will receive a maximum award of 
up to 100% of salary. The committee may determine that awards can be made above this level in exceptional circumstances. This award 
will vest over three years and will be subject to the delivery of stretching adjusted Earnings Per Share (50% of the award) and Return on 
Invested Capital (50% of the award) performance. 

The committee considers that the EPS and ROIC performance measures are appropriate as they focus on the delivery of long term 
shareholder value creation through the focus on long term earnings improvement, alongside improving returns for shareholders.  
It was also determined that the management team should be sufficiently able to influence outcomes through the effective financial 
management of the business and therefore these metrics will act as a strong incentive.

The targets that will apply to the awards in respect of the year ended 27 September 2013, if approved by the shareholders, are as follows:

Vesting

EPS element 
Assessed based on absolute adjusted EPS growth

ROIC element
Assessed based on FY15 performance

100%
Straight line between 25% and 100%
25%
Nil vesting

15% p.a.
Between 5% – 15% p.a.
5% p.a.
Below 5% p.a.

14.5%
12% – 14.5%
12%
Below 12% 

Prior to determining the level of vesting, the committee will also take into account the underlying financial performance of the business,  
as well as the value added to shareholders, and may adjust the level of vesting where it considers that there is a material difference (the 
‘performance underpin’). When assessing the underpin, the Committee will review a range of factors including absolute Total Shareholder 
Return (‘TSR’) performance, relative TSR against a range of comparators and cash flow performance. 

The committee has set targets taking into account internal and external forecasts, as well as market practice for similar sized companies. 
The committee believes that the proposed targets are appropriately stretching and, if achieved, will represent value creation for shareholders.

In the event of material misstatement of Financial Statements, material failure of risk management, a material breach of health and safety 
regulations, or serious reputational damage to the Company as a result of participant misconduct, the committee may scale back awards 
prior to vesting.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  47

2011/2012 Bonus Out-turns
The Group delivered excellent financial and operating performance against the backdrop of some of the most challenging market 
conditions in many years. Group revenue increased by 44.5% to £1,161.9 million following the acquisitions of Uniq, MarketFare, Schau  
and ICL with continuing revenue 1 growth excluding the effect of acquisitions of 7.4%, reflecting strong underlying revenue momentum  
in the base business. There has been a 37.3% increase in operating profit 1, a 70.9% increase in adjusted earnings 1 and the share price has 
almost doubled since the Company’s listing moved to the UK in January 2012. The Group has also delivered strong cash flow generation 
during the year with the net cash inflow from operating activities increasing by £60.4 million from £11.6 million in FY11 to £72.1 million  
in FY12.

During the year adjusted EPS 1 grew by 21.9% to 12.8 pence which resulted in 50% of that portion of the bonus being awarded. ROIC 
performance was 11.9%, demonstrating strong and increasing returns to shareholders. The committee considered this level of performance 
against budget and in the context of actual vs budgeted investment and determined that 20% out of 25% of this level should vest. 

The committee assessed performance objectives for the CEO, CFO and COO. During the year, the Group delivered the successful integration 
of the Uniq business, the expansion of the business in the US and the successful transition of the listing from the Irish to the London Stock 
Exchange. In the context of these achievements, as well as their performance against personal objectives and contribution to the wider 
success of the business, the committee determined that 22%, 22% and 20% of this element of the bonus should be awarded for each 
individual respectively. This resulted in total bonus payment of 92% of base salary for the CEO, 92% for the CFO and 90% for the COO. 
A deferred share award with an equal value to the cash award will also be granted. This will vest over three years, subject to  
continued employment.

The resultant payout is summarised below:

EPS
ROIC
Personal/strategic

Total bonus (% of maximum)

CEO

50%
20%
22%

92%

CFO

50%
20%
22%

92%

COO

50%
20%
20%

90%

Directors’ Remuneration for the Year Ended 28 September 2012
In the year under review, there were no changes to Executive and Non-Executive remuneration and details of the Executives’ remuneration, 
together with Non-Executives’ fees are set out below: 

Fees 
ordinary
£’000

Fees 
special
£’000

Basic
salary
£’000

Pension
contributions
£’000

Other
benefits*
£’000

Performance 
bonus
£’000

2012****
Total
£’000

Executive Directors 
PF Coveney
DS Walker
AR Williams**

Non-Executive Directors 
EF Sullivan
JT Herlihy
PG Kennedy
PA McCann
EL Nicoli
DM Simons
DA Sugden***

Total remuneration

–
–
–

–

46
44
44
44
44
44
18 

284

284

–
–
–

–

138
–
10
10
–
10
–

168

168

618 
400
360

1,378

231 
105
91

427

42
55
30

569 
360
332

127

1,261

1,460
920
813 

3,193

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–
– 

–

184
44 
54 
54 
44 
54 
18 

452

1,378

427

127

1,261

3,645

3,257

2011
Total
£’000

1,432
859
463

2,754

191
49
56
56
49
56
46

503

  Other benefits comprise health insurance, benefit in kind and/or car allowances.
  Mr. Williams was appointed on 7 March 2011 and receives part of his salary in euro and part in sterling reflecting his responsibilities across Ireland and the UK.

* 
** 
***    Mr. Sugden retired from the Board on 9 February 2012. 
****   Performance bonus includes the cash element only. The deferred share element is shown on page 49.
*****  The exchange rate used for the conversion of fees from euro to sterling in 2012 was €1/£0.8286. The exchange rate used in 2011 was €1/£0.8679.
1 

  As defined in summary of Key Performance Indicators of the Group on page 11.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

48
Corporate Governance
Report on Directors’ Remuneration
(continued)

Executive Shareholdings
The Company currently does not have formal shareholding guidelines in place. Executive Directors already have significant holdings in the 
Company, therefore the committee believes that their interests are strongly aligned with those of shareholders. However, in light of market 
practice and shareholder feedback in this area, the committee will keep this under review.

Directors’ Service Contracts
Executive Directors’ service contracts have a 12 month notice period. Each Executive Director is entitled to terminate his/her employment 
with 30 prior days notice at any time within six months after a change in control of the Company if the executive has reasonable grounds 
to contend that such change in control has resulted, or will result, in the diminution of his/her powers, duties or functions in relation to  
the Company. If the executive’s contract is terminated in the event of a change of control, the Executive can seek a payment from the 
Company in settlement of all and any claims arising in those circumstances. The amount of the payment (subject to deduction of income 
tax) will be equal to the sum total of the basic salary and the bonus paid to the Executive in the calendar year immediately preceding such 
termination. These provisions reflect Irish employment law. In other circumstances, termination payments will be limited to base salary 
and benefits. The Non-Executive Directors do not have service contracts but have letters of appointment.

Executive Directors’ External Appointment
Mr. Coveney currently serves as the President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. He does not receive a fee for this role. The CFO and COO 
do not currently hold any external non-executive director roles at other companies. 

Funding of Equity Awards
Executive incentive arrangements are funded by a mix of newly issued shares and shares purchased in the market. Where shares are newly 
issued, the Company complies with the Association of British Insurers (‘ABI’) guidelines in relation to issuing a maximum of five per cent of 
share capital in respect of discretionary schemes and a maximum of 10 per cent in respect of all share schemes in a rolling ten year period. 

Change of Control
Long term incentive awards may vest or become exercisable before their normal vesting date in the event of a change of control of 
Greencore Group plc, subject to the rules of the applicable plans.

Non-Executive Directors
The remuneration policy for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors is to pay fees necessary to attract Non-Executive Directors of the 
calibre required, taking into consideration the size and complexity of the business, without paying more than is necessary.

The fees for the Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Board following recommendations from the Remuneration Committee.  
The fees for the Chairman are determined by the Remuneration Committee. Neither the Chairman or any of the Non-Executive Directors 
are eligible to participate in any of the Group’s incentive arrangements. 

Basic fee
Chairman
Non-Executive Directors
Additional fees
Chairman Additional Fee
Senior Independent Director 
Committee Chairman 

2011/2012 
€

55,000
53,000

166,000
12,000*
12,000

* 

If a Non-Executive is a Chairman of more than one committee or if they act as the Senior Independent Director, the special fee is capped at €12,000 for all roles. 

2012/2013 Non-Executive Directors’ Remuneration Policy
Fees were last increased in October 2010 and no basic increase is proposed for 2012/2013. However the additional fee payable for the 
positions of Audit Committee Chairman and Senior Independent Director have been increased from €12,000 to €15,000 per annum,  
effective 1 October 2012.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  49

Deferred Bonus Plan Awards

Executive Directors

PF Coveney

DS Walker

AR Williams 

No. of shares*

Market price on 
award date € 

618,755
866,078
909,375

214,666
344,500
320,342 

309,375

1.38***
1.30 
0.64

1.38
1.30
0.64 

0.64 

Holding period

01/12/2009 – 01/12/2012**
03/12/2010 – 03/12/2013
09/12/2011 – 09/12/2014

01/12/2009 – 01/12/2012
03/12/2010 – 03/12/2013
09/12/2011 – 09/12/2014

09/12/2011 – 09/12/2014

* 

Following the Rights Issue in August 2011 (as outlined in last year’s Annual Report), the Option and Remuneration Committee approved the re-calculation of  
the awards, using a market standard methodology, to reflect the effect of the Rights Issue on the awards as the inherent value of the awards was also reduced.  
To take account of the impact of the Rights Issue on the awards, the Company increased the number of awards in respect of awards granted in 2009 and 2010. 

**  Deferred Bonus Plan Awards were granted on the first day of the relevant holding period.
***  Prior to January 2012, the Group’s share price was denominated in euro.

In respect of the year ended 28 September 2012, the value of the Deferred Bonus Award that will be allocated as Deferred Share Awards  
to the Executive Directors is: 

PF Coveney 
AR Williams 
DS Walker 

£568,784 
£332,368 
£310,000

The allocation of the number of shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan has not yet been determined as the Group is in a closed period.  
The normal vesting period of three years will commence on the date the shares are allocated.

Directors’ Share Options
Details of movements on outstanding options over the Company’s ordinary share capital and those granted during the year are as follows: 

Executive Share Option Scheme

No. of options

PF Coveney
Basic
Basic
DS Walker
Basic 
AR Williams 
Basic 

Date of  
grant

Balance at 
start of year

Exercised 
during year

Lapsed 
during year

Granted 
during year

Balance at 
end of year

Expiry date

Exercise 
price

01/12/2005
22/06/2006

125,885
402,833

02/07/2007

188,828

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

125,885 01/12/2008 – 01/12/2015
402,833 22/06/2009 – 22/06/2016

€2.66
€2.86

188,828

02/07/2010 – 02/07/2017

€3.88

–

–

–

*  Awards have been granted under the Share Option scheme, which expired in 2011. Under this scheme, options were granted to Executive Directors and a number of 
other key employees of the Company and can only be exercised subject to the Company’s EPS having grown in excess of the Consumer Price Index + 5% per annum, 
compounded over three years. No options were granted to Executive Directors during the year. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

50
Corporate Governance
Report on Directors’ Remuneration
(continued)

Directors’ Share Options (continued) 
ShareSave Scheme

No. of options

PF Coveney
ShareSave
ShareSave

DS Walker
ShareSave
ShareSave

AR Williams 
ShareSave

Date of
grant

Balance at
start of year 

Exercised 
during year

Lapsed
during year

Exercise 
price 
per share

Granted 
during year

Exercise dates

Balance at
year end 

07/07/2009
02/07/2012

26,178
–

26,284
–

07/07/2009
02/07/2012

13,078
–

13,131
–

02/07/2012

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

€0.699
€0.69

–

06/09/2012
26,217 01/09/2012 – 31/03/2016

–
26,217

£0.69
£0.60

–

06/09/2012
15,000 01/09/2012 – 31/03/2016

–
15,000

£0.60

15,000 01/09/2012 – 31/03/2016

15,000

There were no changes in the interests of the Directors between 28 September 2012 and 26 November 2012. In the financial year under 
review, the share price ranged from a low of £0.466 to a high of £0.84. The closing price on 28 September 2012 was £0.80. 

Directors’ and Company Secretary’s Share Interests
The beneficial interests of the Directors and Group Company Secretary (including those of their spouses and minor children), who held 
office at 28 September 2012, in the share capital of the Company were as follows: 

Directors
PF Coveney
JT Herlihy
PG Kennedy
PA McCann
EL Nicoli
DM Simons
EF Sullivan
DS Walker
AR Williams
Group Company Secretary
C O’Leary

Ordinary Shares

At 30/09/2011

At 28/09/12

At 26/11/12

942,043
–
33,213
77,000
17,000
87,856
41,002
105,750
–

1,529,738 
–
34,737
77,000
17,000
87,856
42,251
296,884
154,571

1,558,182
–
35,127
77,000
17,000
87,856
42,251
303,594
157,495

–

18,399 

18,399

The Directors and Group Company Secretary have no beneficial interests in any of the Group’s subsidiary or associated undertakings.

The movement in shares from the end of September 2011 and September 2012 was as a result of Directors taking scrip dividends. In addition, 
Mr. Coveney and Ms. Walker received shares in December 2011 as a result of the vesting of Deferred Share Awards. The changes which occurred 
in the interests of the Directors from 28 September 2012 to 26 November 2012 reflect the interim scrip dividend for FY12 for shareholders who 
were on the register at 5.00pm on 8 June 2012, shares for which were allotted on 3 October 2012. 

Pension Benefits 
Mr. Coveney and Ms. Walker are deferred members of the Group’s Defined Benefit Pension Schemes which were frozen to future accrual 
from 31 December 2009. 

The value of the frozen scheme benefits as at 28 September 2012 were as follows:

Mr. Coveney
Ms. Walker

Each Executive Director is provided with a defined contribution payment in respect of future service. 

£’000

45
11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  51

Share Option Schemes
The Group operates executive share option and ShareSave schemes that are based on approvals by shareholders in 1991, 1994 and 2001.  
It is Group policy to grant options under the Executive Share Option Scheme to key executives across the Group to encourage identification 
with shareholders’ interests. Options have been granted to approximately 270 executives to date. Non-Executive Directors do not 
participate in the scheme. 

Under the 1991 and 1994 schemes, the executive share options cannot be exercised before the expiration of three years from the date  
of grant and then only if the Company’s Earnings Per Share has grown, over three years, at least to the same extent as the growth in the 
Irish Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the same period. Under the 2001 scheme, the options can only be exercised where there has been an 
increase in the earnings per share of at least the increase in the Irish CPI over a three year period plus 5 per cent compounded per annum. 

The Group encourages eligible employees to save in order to buy shares in the Company. The ShareSave schemes provide a means of 
saving and gives employees the opportunity to become shareholders. To date, approximately 3,200 employees have been granted options 
under the ShareSave schemes. 

Options outstanding under the Company’s share option and ShareSave schemes at 28 September 2012 amounted to 9,675,366 ordinary 
shares (2011: 9,222,548 – taking into account the Rights Issue adjustment) made up as follows:

Share option scheme
ShareSave schemes

No. of
ordinary
shares

Price
range

Normal 
dates 
exercisable

Basic tier
Ireland
UK

5,031,312
281,934
4,362,120

€0.64 – €3.88
€0.66 – €0.75
£0.60 – £2.39

2012 – 2021
2013 – 2016
2012 – 2018

Share-Based Payments
In addition to the above, the Executive Directors receive share options and Deferred Bonus Share awards. Full details of Directors’ share 
options are outlined on pages 49 and 50 of this Report. The related charge recognised in the Income Statement in the year, calculated in 
accordance with IFRS 2 Share-Based Payment in respect of options issued to Executive Directors under the Group Share Option Schemes 
and ShareSave Schemes, totalled £1.0 million (2011: credit of £0.129 million) Full details of Deferred Bonus Plan Awards are outlined on 
page 49 of this Report. The related expense recognised in the Income Statement in the year totalled £1.062 million (2011: £1.182 million).

Average Number of Directors

Average number of Executive Directors
Average number of Non-Executive Directors

2012

2011

3
6

9

3
7

10

 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

52
Corporate Governance
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Irish company law requires the Directors to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of 
affairs of the Company and of the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. The Directors have prepared the Group Financial 
Statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. The Directors have elected to 
prepare the Company Financial Statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland (Irish GAAP), comprising the 
financial reporting standards issued by the Accounting Standards Board and published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland 
together with the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2012. 

In preparing these Group Financial Statements the Directors are required to: 

 – select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
 – make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
 – comply with applicable International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, subject to any material 

departures disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements; and 

 – prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business. 

The Directors are also required by the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 and the Interim Transparency Rules of the 
Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority to include a management report containing a fair review of the business and a description  
of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group. 

The Directors confirm that they have complied with the above requirements in preparing the Annual Report.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper books of account which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position 
of the Company, and which enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with applicable 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and comply with the provisions of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 
2012, and Article 4 of the European Communities (International Financial Reporting Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 
2005 (the ‘IAS Regulation’). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group, and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the website (www.greencore.com). Legislation in Ireland concerning the 
preparation and dissemination of Financial Statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Regulation 21 of SI 255/2006 ‘EC (Takeover Directive) Regulations 2006’
For the purpose of Regulation 21 of SI 255/2006 ‘EC (Takeover Directive) Regulations 2006’, the information given under the following 
headings on pages 33 (Share Capital), 34 (Directors), 34 (Significant Shareholdings), 42 (Performance Related Annual Bonus and Deferred 
Bonus Plan), 46 (Performance Share Plan), 51 (Share Option Schemes), 50 (Directors’ and Company Secretary’s Share Interests), 49 (Share 
Options), 48 (Directors’ Service Contracts) and 51 (Share-Based Payments) are deemed to be incorporated in this part of the Directors’ 
Report. In addition, the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, which set out the rules that apply in relation to the 
appointment and replacement of Directors and the amendment of the Articles of Association which are available on the Greencore 
website, are deemed to be incorporated in this part of the Directors’ Report. 

The Groups’ financing facilities contain provisions that may require repayment in the event that a change in control of the Company occurs. 
In addition, the Company’s ShareSave Schemes and the Executive Share Option Scheme allow for the early exercise of outstanding options 
upon a change in control of the Company, subject to the approval of the Option and Remuneration Committee.

SI 277/2007 Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 
As required by Statutory Instrument 277/2007 Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 the following sections of the 
Company’s Annual Report shall be treated as forming part of this report:

1.  The Chairman’s Statement on pages 4 and 5
2.  Operating Review on pages 16 and 17 which includes a review of the external environment, key strategic aims and performance 

measures.

3.  Financial Review on pages 18 to 21   
4.  Principal risks and uncertainties on pages 13 and 14 
5.  Directors’ Corporate Governance Report on pages 36 to 44 
6.  Corporate Social Responsibility Report on pages 22 to 29 
7.  Directors’ Report on research and development on page 35 
8.  Details of Earnings per Ordinary Share on page 66 and pages 84 and 85 
9.  Details of shares re-purchased by the Company on page 104 
10. Details of Derivative Financial Instruments on pages 92 and 97 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  53

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge, the Annual Report and the Group Financial Statements, prepared in accordance 
with applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU, give, as at 28 September 2012: 

 – give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and the profit and loss of the Company and the undertakings included 

in the consolidation;

 – include, taken as a whole, a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company, and the 

undertakings included in the consolidation; and 

 – give a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

On behalf of the Board

EF Sullivan 
Director 

AR Williams
Director

Dublin
26 November 2012

 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

54
Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Greencore Group plc

We have audited the Group and Company financial statements (the ‘Financial Statements’) of Greencore Group plc for the year ended  
28 September 2012 which comprise the Group Income Statement, the Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense, the Group and 
Company Balance Sheets, the Group Cash Flow Statement, the Group Statement of Changes in Equity, the Group and Company Statements 
of Accounting Policies and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared under the accounting policies set out therein. 

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Section 193 of the Companies Act 1990. 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. 

Respective Responsibilities of Directors and Auditor
The Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the Group Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law  
and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU, and for preparing the Company Financial Statements  
in accordance with applicable Irish law and the accounting standards issued by the Accounting Standards Board and promulgated  
by Chartered Accountants Ireland (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland) are set out in the Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities on pages 52 and 53.

Our responsibility is to audit the Financial Statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). 

We report to you our opinion as to whether the Group financial statements give a true and fair view in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by  
the EU, and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2012 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and whether, 
in addition, the Company Financial Statements give a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland 
and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2012. We also report to you our opinion as to whether proper 
books of account have been kept by the Company; whether at the balance sheet date, there exists a financial situation requiring the convening 
of an extraordinary general meeting of the Company; and whether the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with the financial 
statements. In addition, we state whether we have obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit and 
whether the Company Balance Sheet is in agreement with the books of account. 

We also report to you if, in our opinion, any information specified by law or the Listing Rules of the London Stock Exchange regarding 
Directors’ remuneration and Directors’ transactions is not disclosed and, where practicable, include such information in our report.

We review whether the Corporate Governance Report and the Report on Directors’ Remuneration reflect the Company’s compliance with 
the nine provisions of the 2010 UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules of the London Stock Exchange, 
and we report if it does not. We are not required to consider whether the Board’s statements on internal control cover all risks and controls, 
or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures. 

We read the other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. 
The other information comprises only the Directors’ Report, the Chairman’s Statement, the Chief Executive’s Review, the Operating Review, 
the Financial Review, the Risks and Risk Management, the Corporate Social Responsibility Report, the Corporate Governance Report and the 
Report on Directors’ Remuneration. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or 
material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information. 

Basis of Audit Opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. 
An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also 
includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the Directors in the preparation of the financial statements, 
and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and Company’s circumstances, consistently applied and adequately 
disclosed. 

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide 
us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused 
by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the 
financial statements. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  55

Opinion 
In our opinion:

 – the Group Financial Statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, of the state of the Group’s 

affairs as at 28 September 2012 and of its profit for the year then ended;

 – the Company Financial Statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland,  

of the state of the Company’s affairs as at 28 September 2012;

 – the Group Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2012 and Article 4  

of the IAS Regulation; and

 – the Company Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2012. 

Other Matters
We have obtained all the information and explanations which we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit. In our opinion proper 
books of account have been kept by the Company. The Company Balance Sheet is in agreement with the books of account.

In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with the financial statements.

The net assets of the Company, as stated in the Company Balance Sheet, are more than half of the amount of its called-up share capital  
and, in our opinion, on that basis there did not exist at 28 September 2012 a financial situation which under Section 40 (1) of the Companies 
(Amendment) Act, 1983 would require the convening of an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.

David Meagher
For and on behalf of

Chartered Accountants, Statutory Audit Firm
26 November 2012
Dublin, Ireland

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

56
Financial Statements
Group Statement of Accounting Policies
year ended 28 September 2012

Statement of Compliance
The Group Financial Statements of Greencore Group plc have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) and their interpretations approved by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted by the  
European Union (EU) and those parts of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2012, applicable to companies reporting under IFRS and  
Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the Group Financial Statements for the year ended 28 September 2012 are set out below. 

The IFRS adopted by the EU and applied by the Group in the preparation of these Financial Statements are those that were effective for the 
accounting period ending 28 September 2012.

Basis of Preparation
The Group Financial Statements, which are presented in sterling and rounded to the nearest thousand (unless otherwise stated), have been 
prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the measurement at fair value of certain financial assets and financial liabilities, 
including share options at grant date and derivative financial instruments. The carrying values of recognised assets and liabilities that are 
hedged are adjusted to record the changes in the fair values attributable to the risks being hedged. Share options and share awards granted 
to employees are recognised at fair value at the date of grant. 

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently by all of the Group’s subsidiaries and associates and have been 
consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated. 

The preparation of the Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of 
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management’s best estimate of the amount, 
event or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates.

The Financial Statements of the Group are prepared for the 52 week period ended 28 September 2012. Comparatives are for the 53 week 
period ended 30 September 2011. The Balance Sheets for 2012 and 2011 have been drawn up as at 28 September 2012 and 30 September 
2011 respectively.

The profit attributable to equity shareholders dealt with in the Financial Statements of the Company was £3.9 million (2011: £6.6 million).  
In accordance with section 148(8) of the Companies Act 1963 and section 7(1A) of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1986, the Company  
is availing of the exemption from presenting its individual profit and loss account, which forms part of the approved Financial Statements, 
to the Annual General Meeting and from filing it with the Registrar of Companies.

New Standards and Interpretations
The following standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the International Financial 
Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) are effective for the first time in the current financial year and have been adopted with no 
significant impact on the Group’s result for the period or financial position:

New/Revised International Financial Reporting Standards

Effective date – periods beginning on or after

IFRS 7

IAS 1

IAS 24

IAS 34

Financial Instruments: Disclosures 
– Amendments resulting from 2010 Annual Improvements to IFRSs
– Amendments enhancing disclosures about transfers of financial assets
Presentation of Financial Statements 
– Amendments resulting from 2010 Annual Improvements to IFRSs
Related Party Disclosures
Interim Financial Reporting
– Revised definition of related parties
– Amendments resulting from 2010 Annual Improvements to IFRSs

New/Revised International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC)

IFRIC 13

IFRIC 14

Customer Loyalty Programmes
– Amendments resulting from 2010 Annual Improvements to IFRSs
Amendments to IAS 19 
– The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements 

and their Interaction

1 January 2011
1 July 2011

1 January 2011

1 January 2011

1 January 2011

1 January 2011

1 January 2011

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  57

The IASB and the IFRIC have issued the following standards and interpretations with an effective date after the date of the Group Financial 
Statements, which the Group has not early adopted:

New/Revised International Financial Reporting Standards

Effective date – periods beginning on or after

IFRS 7

IFRS 9

IFRS 10

IFRS 11

IFRS 12

IFRS 13

IAS 1

IAS 12

IAS 16

IAS 19

IAS 27

IAS 28
IAS 32

IAS 34

Financial Instruments: Disclosures
– offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial Instruments (2010)
–  Introduces new requirements for classifying and measuring financial assets, for the  
classification and measurement of financial liabilities, and carrying over the existing  
derecognition requirements from IAS 39 Financial Instruments:  
Recognition and Measurement
Consolidated Financial Statements
–  Requires a parent to present consolidated financial statements as those of a single 

economic entity, replacing the requirements previously contained in IAS 27 Consolidated 
and Separate Financial Statements

Joint Arrangements
–  Replaces IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures. Requires a party to a joint arrangement to  

determine the type of joint arrangement in which it is involved by assessing its rights and 
obligations and then account for those rights and obligations in accordance with that 
type of joint arrangement

Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
– Requires the extensive disclosure of information that enables users of financial 

statements to evaluate the nature of, and risks associated with, interests in other entities 
and the effects of those interests on its financial position, financial performance and 
cash flows

Fair Value Measurement
–  Replaces the guidance on fair value measurement in existing IFRS accounting literature 

with a single standard

Presentation of Financial Statements 
– Revision to the presentation of other comprehensive income
– Clarification of the requirements for comparative information
Income Taxes
–  Amendment to provide a presumption that recovery of the carrying amount of an asset  

measured using the fair value model in IAS 40 Investment Property will, normally,  
be through sale

Property, Plant and Equipment
– Classification of servicing equipment
Employee Benefits (2011)
–  Revised requirements for pensions and other post retirement benefits, termination 

benefits and other changes

Separate Financial Statements (2011)
– Only deals with the requirements for separate financial statements 
Requirements for consolidated financial statements are now contained in 
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements
 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (2011) – accounting for investments in 
associates and sets out the requirements for the application of the equity method when 
accounting for investments in associates and joint venture
Financial Instruments: Presentation
–  Clarification that tax effect of a distribution to holders of equity instruments should be  

accounted for in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes

– Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities
Interim Financial Reporting
–  Clarify interim reporting of segment information for total assets in order to enhance  

1 January 2013

1 January 2015

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2013

1 July 2012
1 January 2013

1 January 2012

1 January 2013

1 January 2013

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2013
1 January 2014

consistency with the requirements in IFRS 8 Operating Segments

1 January 2013

New/Revised International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC)

IFRIC 20

Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine
– Clarifies the requirements for accounting for stripping costs associated with surface mining

1 January 2013

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of the above standards and interpretations issued by the IASB and the IFRIC will not have  
a material impact on the Group Financial Statements, with the exception of IAS 19 which will result in an increased charge to the  
income statement in respect of the Group’s defined benefit pension arrangements.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

58
Financial Statements
Group Statement of Accounting Policies
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

Basis of Consolidation
The Group Financial Statements comprise the Financial Statements of the parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings, together 
with the Group’s share of the results of associated undertakings.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiary undertakings are included in the Group Financial Statements from the date on which control over the operating and financial 
policies is obtained, and cease to be consolidated from the date on which control is transferred out of the Group. Control exists when the 
Group has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain economic benefits from 
its activities. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered in determining the 
existence or otherwise of control. All inter-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group undertakings are 
eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated except where they provide evidence of impairment.

Associates
An associate is an enterprise over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant influence through participation in the financial  
and operating policy decisions of the investee, but which is not a subsidiary or a jointly controlled entity.

The Group’s share of the results, assets and liabilities of an associate are included in the Financial Statements using the equity method  
of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment in the associate is carried in the Balance Sheet at cost plus post-
acquisition changes in the Group’s share of net assets of the associate, less distributions received, less any impairments in the value of  
the investment. The Group Income Statement reflects the Group’s share of the results after tax of the associate. The Group Statement  
of Recognised Income and Expense reflects the Group’s share of any income and expense recognised by the associate outside of profit  
or loss. 

Revenue Recognition
Revenue represents the fair value of the sale of goods and rendering of services to external customers, net of trade discounts and value 
added tax in the ordinary course of the Group’s activities. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when significant risks and rewards 
of ownership of the goods are transferred to the buyer, it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the amount  
of revenue can be measured reliably, which generally arises on delivery or in accordance with specific terms and conditions agreed  
with customers. Revenue from the rendering of services is recognised in the period in which the services are rendered on the basis  
of services provided.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is shown at cost less depreciation and any impairments. The cost of property, plant and equipment 
comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable costs. 

Depreciation is provided so as to write off the cost less residual value of each item of property, plant and equipment during its expected 
useful life using the straight line method over the following periods:

Freehold and long leasehold buildings   
Plant and machinery 
Fixtures and fittings 
Freehold land is not depreciated 

40 – 50 years
3 – 25 years
3 – 10 years

Useful lives and residual values are reassessed annually.

Subsequent costs incurred relating to specific assets are included in an asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as 
appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the  
item can be measured reliably. All other costs are charged to the Income Statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

The carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When the carrying amount exceeds the estimated recoverable amount, the assets  
are written down to their recoverable amount. 

The recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment is the greater of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing  
value in use, estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Impairment losses are recognised in the Income Statement. 

An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognised impairment losses may no 
longer exist or may have decreased. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount is estimated. A previously recognised impairment loss  
is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss 
was recognised. If that is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. That increased amount cannot 
exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  59

in prior years. Such reversal is recognised in the Income Statement. Following the recognition or reversal of an impairment loss, the 
depreciation charge applicable to the asset is adjusted prospectively in order to systematically allocate the revised carrying amount,  
net of any residual value, over the remaining useful life. 

Gains or losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment represent the difference between the net proceeds and the carrying  
value at the date of sale. 

Assets Held Under Leases
Finance Leases
Leases of property, plant and equipment, where the Group obtains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as 
finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the leased item and the present 
value of the minimum lease payments. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance charges so as to achieve a constant 
interest charge on the finance balance outstanding. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance charges, are included in interest-
bearing loans and borrowings, allocated between current and non-current as appropriate. The interest element of the finance cost is charged 
to the Income Statement over the lease period. Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of their expected useful 
lives or the lease term, taking into account the time period over which benefits from the leased assets are expected to accrue to the Group.

Operating Leases
Leases where a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. 
Payments made under operating leases, net of incentives received from the lessor, are charged to the Income Statement on a straight  
line basis over the period of the lease. Income earned from operating leases is credited to the Income Statement when earned.

Business Combinations
The purchase method of accounting is used in accounting for the acquisition of businesses. In accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations, 
the fair value of the consideration for a business combination is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of 
assets given and liabilities incurred or assumed in exchange for control. The assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired entity 
are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. When the initial accounting for a business combination is determined provisionally, 
any adjustments to the provisional values allocated are made within twelve months of the acquisition date and are effected from the date  
of acquisition.

To the extent that deferred purchase consideration and earn-out obligations are payable after one year from the date of acquisition, they are 
discounted at an appropriate interest rate and, accordingly, are carried at net present value in the Group Balance Sheet. An appropriate interest 
charge, at a constant interest rate on the carrying amount, adjusted to reflect material conditions, is reflected in the Income Statement over 
the earn-out period, increasing the value of the provision so that the obligation will reflect its settlement value at the time of maturity. 

Acquisitions on or After 26 September 2009
Where a business combination agreement provides for an adjustment to the cost of a business acquired contingent on future events, the 
Group accrues the fair value of the additional consideration payable as a liability at the acquisition date where this can be measured reliably. 
This amount is reassessed at each subsequent balance sheet date with any adjustments to the liability recognised in the Income Statement. 

Acquisitions on or Before 25 September 2009
Where a business combination occurred on or before 25 September 2009 and the business combination agreement provided for an 
adjustment to the cost of a business acquired contingent on future events, the Group accrued the probable amount of any additional 
consideration payable in the cost of the acquisition as a liability at the acquisition date where this could be measured reliably. This amount 
is reassessed at each subsequent balance sheet date with any adjustments to the liability accounted for as adjustments to the cost of the 
acquisition and reflected in goodwill.

Goodwill
Acquisitions on or After 26 September 2009
Goodwill represents the difference between the fair value of the consideration given over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable 
net assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired over the fair value of the 
consideration given (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited to the Income Statement in the period of acquisition.

Acquisitions on or Before 25 September 2009
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets of the 
acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired over the cost of the acquisition (i.e. 
discount on acquisition) was credited to the Income Statement in the period of acquisition. Transaction costs, other than those associated 
with the issue of debt or equity securities, that the Group incurred in connection with business combinations were capitalised as part of  
the cost of acquisition. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

60
Financial Statements
Group Statement of Accounting Policies
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

Goodwill (continued)
Subsequent Measurement 
Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. On acquisition, goodwill is allocated to 
operating segments expected to benefit from the combination’s synergies. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently  
if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. Any impairment is recognised immediately in the 
Income Statement.

Acquisition Related Intangible Assets
An intangible asset, which is an identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance, is capitalised separately from goodwill as part 
of a business combination to the extent that it is probable that the expected future economic benefits attributable to the asset will accrue 
to the Group and that its fair value can be measured reliably. The asset is deemed to be identifiable when it is separable (i.e. capable of 
being divided from the entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, either individually or together with a related contract, 
asset or liability) or when it arises from contractual or other legal rights, regardless of whether those rights are transferable or separable 
from the Group or from other rights and obligations.

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated 
impairment losses. The carrying amounts of definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment at each reporting 
date and are subject to impairment testing when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be 
recoverable. Any impairment charge is taken to the Income Statement.

The amortisation of intangible assets is calculated to write off the book value of definite-lived intangible assets over their useful lives  
on a straight line basis on the assumption of zero residual value. Customer related intangible assets are amortised over periods ranging 
from one to ten years. Non-customer related intangible assets, such as brands, are amortised over periods between three and ten years.

Computer Software
Costs incurred on the acquisition of computer software and software licences are capitalised. Other costs directly associated with 
developing and maintaining computer software programmes are capitalised once the recognition criteria set out in IAS 38 Intangible 
Assets are met. Computer software is amortised over five years using the straight line method.

Investment Property
Investment property is shown at cost less depreciation and any impairment. The cost of investment property comprises its purchase price 
and any costs directly attributable to bringing it into working condition for its intended use. Investment property is depreciated so as to 
write off the cost, less residual value, on a straight-line basis over the expected life of each property. Freehold buildings held as investment 
property are depreciated over their expected useful life, normally assumed to be 40-50 years. Freehold land is not depreciated. 

Rental income arising on investment property is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term of the ongoing leases and is 
recognised within other operating income.

In relation to the recognition of income on the disposal of property, income is recognised when there is an unconditional exchange of 
contracts, or when all necessary terms and conditions have been fulfilled.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated based on first-in, first-out (FIFO). Cost includes raw 
materials, direct labour expenses and related production and other overheads. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price, in the 
ordinary course of business, less costs to completion and appropriate selling and distribution expenses.

Trade and Other Receivables
Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried net of provision for impairment. A provision  
is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will be unable to recover balances in full. Balances are written off when the 
probability of recovery is assessed as being remote.

Any trade and other receivables included in non-current assets are carried at amortised cost (i.e. adjusted for the time value of money).

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost. Cash and cash equivalents include 
cash in hand, deposits held on call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts 
of cash, are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value and have an original maturity of three months or less. 

Trade and Other Payables
Trade and other payables are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently at the higher of cost or payment or settlement amounts. 
Where the time value of money is material, payables are carried at amortised cost.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  61

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that  
an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of  
the amount of the obligation.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering 
the class of obligation as a whole. A provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the 
same class of obligation may be small.

Where the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, the reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset, but only when the 
reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any provision is presented in the Income Statement net of any reimbursement.

A contingent liability is disclosed where the existence of an obligation will only be confirmed by future events, or where the amount of  
the obligation cannot be measured with reasonable reliability. Contingent assets are not recognised, but are disclosed where an inflow  
of economic benefits is probable.

Borrowings
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at cost, being the fair value of the proceeds net of issue costs associated with the borrowing. 
After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any issue costs and any discount or premium on settlement. Gains and losses 
arising on the settlement or cancellation of liabilities are recognised in finance income and finance costs as appropriate.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least  
12 months after the balance sheet date.

Finance Income and Expense
Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested, the expected return on defined benefit pension scheme assets and the 
unwind of discount on assets. Interest income is recognised as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest method. 

Finance expense comprises interest expense on borrowings, unwind of discount on liabilities, interest on defined benefit pension scheme 
liabilities, changes in fair value of hedging instruments and other derivatives that are recognised in profit or loss. All borrowing costs are 
recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method. 

Derecognition of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Financial Assets
A financial asset is derecognised when the Group no longer controls the contractual rights that comprise the financial asset, which is 
normally the case when the asset is sold or the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired, or the Group has not retained 
substantially all risks and rewards of ownership and has transferred control of the asset. 

Financial Liabilities
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged, is cancelled or it expires. When 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 with the 
result that the difference in the respective carrying amounts, together with any costs or fees incurred, is recognised in the Income Statement.

Derivative Financial Instruments 
The activities of the Group expose it to the financial risks of changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Group uses derivative 
financial instruments such as forward foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements to hedge these exposures.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised at fair value on the date 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. Derivative instruments which are 
held for trading and are not designated as effective hedging instruments are classified as a current asset or liability (as appropriate) regardless 
of maturity if the Group expects that they may be settled within 12 months of the balance sheet date. All other derivative instruments that are 
not designated as effective hedging instruments are classified by reference to their maturity date. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is 
classified as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than twelve months and as a current asset or 
liability if the maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

62
Financial Statements
Group Statement of Accounting Policies
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)
The fair value of derivative instruments is determined by using valuation techniques. The Group uses its judgement to select the most 
appropriate valuation methods and makes assumptions that are mainly based on observable market conditions existing at the balance 
sheet date.

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 hedge 
effectiveness will be measured throughout its duration. Such hedges are expected at inception to be highly effective in offsetting changes  
in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

For the purposes of hedge accounting, derivatives are classified as:

 – fair value hedges, when hedging the exposure of changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability; or
 – cash flow hedges, when hedging the exposure to variability in cash flows that are either attributable to a particular risk associated  

with a recognised asset or liability, or a highly probable forecast transaction; or

 – net investment hedges, when hedging the exposure to variability in foreign currency when translating investments in subsidiaries  

held in currencies other than the presentation currency of the Group. 

Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of all other derivatives which are classified as held for trading are taken to  
the Income Statement and charged to finance income or expense. These may arise from derivatives for which hedge accounting is not 
applied because they are not designated as hedging instruments. The Group does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

The treatment of gains and losses arising from remeasuring derivatives designated as hedging instruments depends on the nature of the 
hedging relationship, as follows:

Fair Value Hedge
In the case of fair value hedges which are designated and qualify for hedge accounting, any gain or loss arising from the remeasurement of 
the hedging instrument to fair value is reported in the Income Statement as finance costs. In addition, any fair value gain or loss attributable 
to the hedged risk is adjusted against the carrying amount of the hedged item and reflected in the Income Statement as finance costs. If the 
hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item is amortised on an 
effective interest basis to the Income Statement with the objective of achieving full amortisation by maturity of the hedged item.

Cash Flow Hedge
Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognised asset or liability, or a highly 
probable forecast transaction, the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument is recognised within equity in the 
hedging reserve, with the ineffective portion being reported in the Income Statement as finance costs. When a highly probable forecast 
transaction results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or liability, the cumulative gain or loss is removed from the hedging reserve  
in equity and included in the initial measurement of the non-financial asset or liability. Otherwise, the associated gains and losses that had 
previously been recognised within equity in the hedging reserve are transferred to the Income Statement as the cash flows of the hedged 
item impact the Income Statement. 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge 
accounting. At that point in time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised within equity in the hedging reserve is 
kept in the hedging reserve until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer anticipated to occur, the net cumulative 
gain or loss recognised within equity in the hedging reserve is transferred immediately to the Income Statement as finance costs.

Net Investment Hedge
Foreign currency differences arising on the retranslation of a financial liability designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation 
are recognised directly in equity in the foreign currency translation reserve, to the extent that the hedge is effective. To the extent that the 
hedge is ineffective, such differences are recognised in the Income Statement either as a profit or a loss. When the hedged part of a net 
investment is disposed of, the associated cumulative amount in equity is transferred to the Income Statement as an adjustment to the  
profit or loss on disposal.

Taxation
Current tax represents the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates and tax laws enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date, along with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

The Group provides in full for deferred tax assets and liabilities (using the liability method), arising from temporary differences between  
the tax base of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the Group Financial Statements except where they arise from the initial 
recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition of an asset or liability that at the date of initial recognition does not affect accounting 
or taxable profit or loss on a transaction that is not a business combination. Such differences result in an obligation to pay more tax or a 
right to pay less tax in future periods. A deferred tax asset is only recognised where it is probable that future taxable profits will be available 
against which the temporary differences giving rise to the asset can be utilised. 

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  63

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not subject to discounting and are measured at the tax rates that are enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the timing  
of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.

Employee Benefits
Wages, salaries, bonuses, social security contributions, paid annual leave and sick leave are accrued in the period in which the associated 
services are rendered by the employees of the Group. Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Group 
before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Group 
recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to either terminating the employment of current employees according 
to a detailed formal plan without the possibility of withdrawal, or providing termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage 
voluntary redundancy.

Retirement Benefit Obligations
Defined Contribution Pension Plans
A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate defined contribution scheme. 
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the Income Statement as employee 
service is received. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments  
is available.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The cost of providing benefits under the Group’s defined benefit plans is determined separately for each plan, using the projected unit credit 
method by professionally qualified actuaries and arrived at using actuarial assumptions based on market expectations at the balance sheet 
date. These valuations attribute entitlement 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 obligations). 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 interest element of the defined benefit cost represents the change in present value of scheme obligations resulting from the passage 
of time, and is determined by applying the discount rate to the opening present value of the benefit obligation taking into account material 
changes in the obligation during the year. The expected return on plan assets is based on an assessment made at the beginning of the  
year of long term market returns on scheme assets, adjusted for the effect on the fair value of plan assets of contributions received and 
benefits paid during the year. The expected return on plan assets and the interest cost is recognised in the Income Statement as finance 
income and cost respectively.

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised, in full, in the Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense in the period in which they occur.

The defined benefit pension asset or liability in the Balance Sheet comprises the total, for each plan, 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, 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 the present value of any economic benefit the 
Group reasonably expects to recover by way of refund of surplus from the plan at the end of the plan’s life or reduction in future 
contributions to the plan.

Employee Share-Based Payments
The Group grants equity settled share-based payments to employees (through the Executive Share Option Scheme, Employee ShareSave 
Schemes and the Deferred Bonus Plan). The fair value of these payments is determined at the date of grant and is expensed to the Income 
Statement on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value is determined using a trinomial valuation model, as measured at 
the date of grant, excluding the impact of any non-market conditions. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about 
the number of options that are expected to vest. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimates of the number of options  
or awards that are expected to vest, recognising any adjustment in the Income Statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

To the extent that the Group receives a tax deduction relating to services paid for by means of share awards or options, deferred tax is 
provided on the basis of the difference between the market price of the underlying equity as at the date of the Financial Statements and 
the exercise price of the option. As a result, the deferred tax impact of share options will not directly correlate with the expense reported  
in the Income Statement. 

Proceeds received from the exercise of options, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to the share capital and 
share premium accounts.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

64
Financial Statements
Group Statement of Accounting Policies
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

Foreign Currency
Functional and Presentation Currency
The individual Financial Statements of each Group entity are measured in the currency of the primary economic environment in which the 
entity operates (the functional currency). The Group Financial Statements are presented in sterling, which is the Company’s functional and 
presentation currency.

Transactions and Balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions. 
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions, and from the translation at year-end exchange rates  
of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are recognised in the Income Statement, except when deferred in equity 
as qualifying net investment hedges and qualifying cash flow hedges.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity 
and are translated at the closing rate.

Group Companies
The Income Statement and Balance Sheet of Group companies that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency 
are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

 – assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date are translated at the closing rate at the date of the balance sheet;
 – income and expenses in the Income Statement are translated at the rates at the date of the transaction, normally estimated using 

average exchange rates; and 

 – all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations and on borrowings and 
other currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are taken to equity. When a foreign operation is sold, exchange 
differences that were recorded in equity are recognised in the Income Statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.

Government Grants
Government grants for the acquisition of assets are recognised at their fair value when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be 
received and any conditions attached to them have been fulfilled. The grant is held on the Balance Sheet as a deferred credit and released 
to the Income Statement over the periods necessary to match the related depreciation charges, or other expenses of the asset, as they  
are incurred.

Research and Development
Expenditure on research and development is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred. An asset is recognised only 
when all the conditions set out in IAS 38 Intangible Assets are met.

Segmental Reporting
The Group reports segmental information by class of business and by geographical area. The Group’s reporting segments, for which more 
detailed disclosures are made, are organised by class of business. The Group has identified two reportable segments: (i) Convenience Foods 
and (ii) Ingredients & Property. Refer to Note 1 for further information. 

Exceptional Items
Exceptional items are those that are separately disclosed by virtue of their nature or amount in order to highlight such items within the 
Group Income Statement and results for the year. Examples of such items may include significant restructuring programmes, profits or 
losses on termination of operations, litigation costs and settlements, significant impairments of assets, transaction and integration costs 
related to acquisition activity and transaction costs related to disposal activity. Group management exercises judgement in assessing each 
particular item which, by virtue of its scale or nature, should be highlighted and disclosed in the Group Income Statement and notes to the 
Group Financial Statements as exceptional items. Exceptional items are included within the Income Statement caption to which they relate 
and are separately disclosed in the notes to the Group Financial Statements. 

Non-Controlling Interests
Non-controlling interests are stated at their proportion of the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities recognised. Subsequently, 
any losses applicable to non-controlling interests continue to be recognised and attributed to non-controlling interests even if this results 
in non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  65

Share Capital
Ordinary Shares
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are taken as  
a deduction within equity, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Treasury Shares
Where the Company purchases its own equity share capital, the consideration paid is deducted from total shareholders’ equity and 
classified as treasury shares until such shares are cancelled or reissued. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any 
consideration received is included in total shareholders’ equity.

Dividends
Interim dividends payable are recognised as a liability of the Company when the Board of Directors resolves to pay the dividend and the 
shareholders have been notified in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association. Final dividends of the Company are recognised 
as a liability when they have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions
Group management makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future in the preparation of the Group Financial Statements, which 
can significantly impact the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. The significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation 
of the Group’s Financial Statements are outlined in the relevant notes.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

66
Financial Statements
Group Income Statement
year ended 28 September 2012

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating costs, net

2012

2011

Pre-
exceptional 
£’000

Exceptional 
(Note 6) 
£’000

Notes

Total  
£’000

Pre-
exceptional 
£’000

Exceptional 
(Note 6) 
£’000

Total  
£’000

1 1,161,930
(812,195)

– 1,161,930
(812,195)
–

804,210
(559,069)

349,735

–

349,735

245,141

–
–

–

804,210
(559,069)

245,141

2

(279,039)

(13,950)

(292,989)

(193,647)

(24,305)

(217,952)

Group operating profit/(loss)  

before acquisition related amortisation

70,696

(13,950)

56,746

51,494

(24,305)

27,189

Amortisation of acquisition related intangibles

12

(10,210)

–

(10,210)

(2,638)

–

(2,638)

Group operating profit/(loss)

60,486

(13,950)

46,536

48,856

(24,305)

24,551

Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of associates after tax

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Taxation

Profit/(loss) for the financial year

Attributable to:
Equity shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per share (pence)

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

EF Sullivan 
Director 

AR Williams
Director

7
7
8

9

3

25

10

10

17,905
(36,043)
464

–
–
–

17,905
(36,043)
464

19,710
(33,583)
492

–
–
–

19,710
(33,583)
492

42,812

(13,950)

28,862

35,475

(24,305)

11,170

(1,584)

8,345

6,761

(3,951)

12,632

8,681

41,228

(5,605)

35,623

31,524

(11,673)

19,851

40,280
948

(5,605)
–

34,675
948

30,822
702

(11,673)
–

19,149
702

41,228

(5,605)

35,623

31,524

(11,673)

19,851

9.0

8.9

7.0

6.9

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  67

Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense
year ended 28 September 2012

Items of income and expense taken directly within equity
Currency translation adjustment
Current tax on currency translation adjustment
Hedge of net investment in foreign currency subsidiaries
Actuarial loss on Group defined benefit pension schemes
Deferred tax on Group defined benefit pension schemes
Cash flow hedges:

Loss taken to equity
Transferred to finance costs in the Income Statement for the period

Deferred tax on cash flow hedges

Net expense recognised directly within equity
Group result for the financial period

Total recognised income and expense for the financial year

Attributable to:
Equity shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Total recognised income and expense for the financial year

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

9

23
9

9

151
88
1,898
(23,771)
2,569

(2,924)
322
599

(300)
265
593
(36,942)
1,193

–
–
–

(21,068)
35,623

(35,191)
19,851

14,555

(15,340)

13,847
708

(16,077)
737

14,555

(15,340)

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

68
Financial Statements
Group Balance Sheet
at 28 September 2012

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Investments in associates
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

EQUITY
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company
Share capital
Share premium
Reserves

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Retirement benefit obligations
Other payables
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Government grants

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Consideration payable on acquisitions
Provisions for liabilities
Current taxes payable

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

EF Sullivan 
Director 

AR Williams
Director

Notes 

2012
£’000

2011 
As re- 
presented* 
£’000

12
13
14
8
16
20
9

15
16
20
18

502,399
227,008
31,961
548
2,817
11,888
61,164

484,064
210,424
34,087
582
2,818
16,364
56,474

837,785

804,813

54,324
107,018
170
18,763

49,811
99,685
–
81,564

180,275

231,060

1,018,060 1,035,873

24

120,920
171,469
(95,116)

117,004
171,010
(96,376)

197,273
3,246

191,638
2,962

25

200,519

194,600

19
20
23
17
22
9

19
20
17

22

288,647
9,017
141,841
3,089
12,112
28,833
70

222,216
–
130,367
3,538
15,880
33,673
83

483,609

405,757

–
–
283,124
3,701
8,597
38,510

15,500
9,442
252,236
113,344
13,074
31,920

333,932

435,516

817,541

841,273

1,018,060 1,035,873

* 

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  69

Group Cash Flow Statement
year ended 28 September 2012

Profit before taxation
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of associates (after tax)
Exceptional items

Operating profit (pre-exceptional)
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Employee share-based payments expense
Amortisation of government grants
Difference between pension charge and cash contributions
Working capital movement
Other movements

Net cash inflow from operating activities before exceptional items
Cash outflow related to exceptional items
Interest paid
Tax received/(paid)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Cash flow from investing activities
Dividends received from associates
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of investment property
Purchase of intangible assets
Acquisition of undertakings
Disposal of undertakings
Interest received

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares
Ordinary shares purchased – own shares
Drawdown of new bank facilities
Repayment of bank borrowings
Repayment of Private Placement Notes
Cash outflow arising on settlement of derivative financial instruments
Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Reconciliation of opening to closing cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Translation adjustment
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

28,862
(17,905)
36,043
(464)
13,950

60,486
21,470
11,576
1,914
(13)
(14,830)
23,409
1,143

105,155
(19,421)
(15,688)
2,013

11,170
(19,710)
33,583
(492)
24,305

48,856
17,096
3,899
1,744
(13)
(11,633)
(1,552)
(109)

58,288
(24,385)
(19,876)
(2,407)

72,059

11,620

498
(28,762)
(272)
(1,334)
(152,173)
181
45

485
(20,036)
(2,354)
(618)
(3,246)
904
44

(181,817)

(24,821)

457
–
76,368
(20,500)
–
–
(9,169)
(424)

68,449
(1,470)
287,565
(220,598)
(33,013)
(4,255)
(10,847)
(219)

46,732

85,612

(63,026)

72,411

81,564
225
(63,026)

9,931
(778)
72,411

18,763

81,564

26

6

8

21
21
21

25

18
21
21

18

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

70
Financial Statements
Group Statement of Changes in Equity
year ended 28 September 2012

At 30 September 2011
Items of income and expense taken directly within equity
Currency translation adjustment
Current tax on currency translation adjustment
Net investment hedge
Actuarial loss on Group defined benefit pension schemes
Deferred tax asset on Group defined benefit pension schemes
Cash flow hedge taken to equity
Cash flow hedge transferred to Income Statement
Deferred tax asset on cash flow hedge
Profit for the financial year

Total recognised income and expense for the  

financial year

Employee share-based payments expense
Exercise, lapse or forfeit of share options/awards
Shares acquired by Deferred Share Awards Trust (a)
Shares transferred to beneficiaries of the Deferred Bonus 

Award Trust (b)

Issue of shares – redenomination
Costs associated with the issue of shares
Dividends

Share 
capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Other 
reserves

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

Total
£’000

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total
equity
£’000

117,004

171,010

(14,792)

(81,584)

191,638

2,962

194,600

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
7
–

–
3,848
–
61

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

391
–
1,898
–
–
(2,924)
322
599
–

–
88
–
(23,771)
2,569
–
–
–
34,675

391
88
1,898
(23,771)
2,569
(2,924)
322
599
34,675

(240)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
948

151
88
1,898
(23,771)
2,569
(2,924)
322
599
35,623

286

13,561

13,847

708

14,555

–
455
–

–
(3,848)
(5)
3,857

1,914
(683)
(58)

1,575
–
–
–

–
683
58

1,914
462
–

–
–
–

1,914
462
–

(1,575)
–
–
(14,501)

–
–
(5)
(10,583)

–
–
–
(424)

–
–
(5)
(11,007)

At 28 September 2012

120,920

171,469

(11,758)

(83,358)

197,273

3,246

200,519

At 24 September 2010
Items of income and expense taken directly within equity
Currency translation adjustment
Current tax on currency translation adjustment
Net investment hedge
Actuarial loss on Group defined benefit pension scheme
Deferred tax asset on Group defined benefit pension scheme
Profit for the financial year

Total recognised income and expense for the  

financial year

Currency translation adjustments
Employee share-based payments expense
Exercise, lapse or forfeit of share options/awards
Shares acquired by Deferred Share Awards Trust (a)
Shares transferred to beneficiaries of the Deferred Bonus 

Award Trust (b)

Issue of shares – Rights Issue
Costs associated with the issue of shares
Dividends

Share 
capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Other 
reserves

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

Total
£’000

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total
equity
£’000

112,536

102,782

(14,109)

(51,906)

149,303

2,444

151,747

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

1,591
–
11
–

–
1,500
–
1,366

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

(335)
–
593
–
–
–

–
265
–
(36,942)
1,193
19,149

(335)
265
593
(36,942)
1,193
19,149

35
–
–
–
–
702

(300)
265
593
(36,942)
1,193
19,851

258

(16,335)

(16,077)

737

(15,340)

(269)
–
4
–

–
69,255
(2,321)
1,559

(1,322)
1,744
(1,144)
(1,638)

1,419
–
–
–

–
–
1,144
168

(1,419)
–
–
(13,236)

–
1,744
15
(1,470)

–
70,755
(2,321)
(10,311)

–
–
–
–

–
1,744
15
(1,470)

–
–
–
(219)

–
70,755
(2,321)
(10,530)

At 30 September 2011

117,004

171,010

(14,792)

(81,584)

191,638

2,962

194,600

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  71

Share- 
based 
payments 
£’000

Capital 
conversion 
reserve 
fund 
£’000

Own
shares
£’000

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 
£’000

Hedging 
reserve 
£’000

Total
£’000

3,230

(20,387)

804

–

1,561

(14,792)

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
(2,924)
322
599

(2,003)

–
–
–
–
–

391
1,898
–
–
–

2,289

243
–
–
–
–

391
1,898
(2,924)
322
599

286

–
1,914
(683)
(58)
1,575

Other Reserves

At 30 September 2011
Items of income and expense taken directly within equity
Currency translation adjustments
Net investment hedge
Cash flow hedge taken to equity
Cash flow hedge transferred to Income Statement
Deferred tax asset on cash flow hedge

Total recognised income and expense for the financial year

Currency translation adjustments
Employee share option expense
Exercise, lapse or forfeit of share options/awards
Shares acquired by Deferred Share Awards Trust (a)
Shares transferred to beneficiaries of the Deferred Share Award Trust (b)

(243)
1,914
(683)
–
–

–
–
–
(58)
1,575

At 28 September 2012

4,218

(18,870)

804

(2,003)

4,093

(11,758)

Share- 
based 
payments 
£’000

Capital 
conversion 
reserve 
fund 
£’000

Own
shares
£’000

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 
£’000

Hedging 
reserve 
£’000

Total
£’000

At 24 September 2010
Items of income and expense taken directly within equity
Currency translation adjustments
Net investment hedge

Total recognised income and expense for the financial year

Currency translation adjustments
Employee share option expense
Exercise, lapse or forfeit of share options/awards
Shares acquired by Deferred Share Awards Trust (a)
Shares transferred to beneficiaries of the Deferred Share Award Trust (b)

2,598

(19,887)

792

–
–

–

32
1,744
(1,144)
–
–

–
–

–

(281)
–
–
(1,638)
1,419

–
–

–

12
–
–
–
–

At 30 September 2011

3,230

(20,387)

804

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

2,388

(14,109)

(335)
593

258

(1,085)
–
–
–
–

(335)
593

258

(1,322)
1,744
(1,144)
(1,638)
1,419

1,561

(14,792)

(a)  The Trustees of the Deferred Bonus Plan acquired 111,742 (2011: 143,420) shares in the Group with a combined value of £0.06 million (2011: £0.168 million) and  

a nominal value at the date of purchase of £0.001 million (2011: £0.107 million) through the scrip dividend scheme and utilisation of dividend income.

Pursuant to the terms of the Deferred Bonus Plan, 2,250,752 shares were purchased during the prior year at a cost of £1.47 million. The nominal value of these  
shares on which dividends have not been waived by the Trustees of the Plan, was £0.02 million at the date of purchase.

(b)  During the year, 1,292,223 (2011: 989,582) shares with a nominal value at the date of transfer of £0.01 million (2011: £0.547 million at the date of transfer) were 

transferred to beneficiaries of the Deferred Bonus Plan.

 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

72
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012

1. Segment Information
The Group is organised around different product portfolios. The Group’s reportable segments under IFRS 8 Operating Segments are as follows:

Convenience Foods – this reportable segment is the aggregation of two operating segments, Convenience Foods UK and Convenience 
Foods US. This segment derives its revenue from the production and sale of convenience food.

Ingredients & Property – this segment represents the aggregation of ‘all other segments’ as allowed under IFRS 8 (IFRS 8 specifies that, where 
the external revenue of reportable segments exceeds 75% of the total Group revenue, it is permissible to aggregate all other segments into 
one reportable segment). The Ingredients & Property reportable segment derives its revenue from the distribution of edible oils and molasses 
and the management of the Group’s surplus property assets.

The Chief Operating Decision Maker monitors the operating results of segments separately in order to allocate resources between segments 
and to assess performance. Segment performance is predominantly evaluated based on operating profit before exceptional items and 
acquisition related amortisation. Exceptional items, net finance costs and income tax are managed on a centralised basis, therefore, these 
items are not allocated between operating segments for the purposes of the information presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker  
and are accordingly omitted from the segmental information below.

Revenue

Group operating profit before exceptional items and acquisition 

related amortisation

Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
Exceptional items

Group operating profit
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of associates after tax

Profit before taxation

Segment assets
Assets
Investments in associates

Total assets

Reconciliation to Total Assets as Reported in the Group Balance Sheet
Deferred tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments

Total assets as reported in the Group Balance Sheet

Convenience Foods

Ingredients & Property

Total

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1,091,148

732,176

70,782

72,034 1,161,930

804,210

69,097
(10,210)

49,272
(2,638)

1,599
–

2,222
–

58,887

46,634

1,599

2,222

–

–

464

492

70,696
(10,210)
(13,950)

46,536
17,905
(36,043)
464

51,494
(2,638)
(24,305)

24,551
19,710
(33,583)
492

28,862

11,170

Convenience Foods

Ingredients & Property

Total

2011
As re-
presented* 
£’000

2012
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011 
As re- 
presented* 
£’000

878,553
–

829,947
–

46,974
548

50,942
582

925,527
548

880,889
582

878,553

829,947

47,522

51,524

926,075

881,471

61,164
18,763
12,058

56,474
81,564
16,364

1,018,060 1,035,873

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

* 
†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  73

Segment liabilities
Liabilities

Reconciliation to Total Liabilities as reported in the Group Balance Sheet
Borrowings (current and non-current)
Derivative financial instruments (current and non-current)
Government grants
Declared interim dividend
Interest payable
Retirement benefit obligations
Income tax liabilities (current and deferred)

Total liabilities as reported in the Group Balance Sheet

Convenience Foods

Ingredients & Property

Total

2011
As re-
presented 
£’000

2012
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
As re-
presented 
£’000

281,098

369,771

18,025

18,491

299,123

388,262

288,647
9,017
70
6,821
4,679
141,841
67,343

237,716
9,442
83
5,407
4,403
130,367
65,593

817,541

841,273

Other Segment Information

Capital expenditure

Convenience Foods

Ingredients & Property

Total

2012
£’000

2011 
£’000

30,775

17,130

2012
£’000

368

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011 
£’000

3,538

31,142

20,668

Depreciation included in segment result

21,239

16,868

231

228

21,470

17,096

Amortisation of intangible assets

11,576

3,899

–

–

11,576

3,899

Geographical Analysis

Ireland

UK

Rest of World

Total Group

2011
As re-
presented† 
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
As re-
presented†* 
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
As re-
presented† 
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
As re-
presented†* 
£’000

2012
£’000

Revenue

71,347

75,082 1,011,172

676,951

79,411

52,177 1,161,930

804,210

Capital expenditure

358

2,849

29,321

15,883

1,463

1,936

31,142

20,668

Non-current assets (excluding derivative 

financial instruments and deferred tax assets)

16,032

18,916

670,024

663,480

78,677

49,579

764,733

731,975

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

* 
†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

74
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

2. Operating Costs, Net

Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Research and development
Other operating costs
Other operating income

Operating costs, net
Exceptional charge (Note 6)

Total operating costs, net

3. Result for the Financial Year
The result for the financial year has been arrived at after charging/(crediting) the following amounts:

Depreciation – owned assets

Amortisation of intangible assets

Operating lease rentals:

Premises, plant and equipment

Auditor’s remuneration
Fees paid to the lead audit firm:

Audit of the Group Financial Statements
Other assurance services
Tax advisory services
Other non-audit services

Fees paid to other firms in the lead audit firms network:

Audit of the Group Financial Statements
Other assurance services
Tax advisory services
Other non-audit services

Government grants amortised

Rental income from investment properties

Directors’ remuneration is shown in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration and in Note 31.

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

52,322
216,665
10,996
1,028
(1,972)

279,039
13,950

34,483
153,574
3,841
2,669
(920)

193,647
24,305

292,989

217,952

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

21,470

17,096

11,576

3,899

11,813

12,741

550
64
32
–

646

–
–
185
–

185

831

503
483
110
–

1,096

180
339
679
293

1,491

2,587

(13)

(13)

(112)

(243)

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  75

4. Employment
The average number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:

Production
Distribution
Administration

The staff costs for the year for the above employees were:

Wages and salaries
Social welfare costs
Employee share-based payments expense (Note 5)
Pension costs – defined contribution plans (Note 23)
Pension costs – defined benefit plans (Note 23)

Defined benefit interest cost (Note 23)
Defined benefit expected return on plan assets (Note 23)

Actuarial loss on Group defined benefit schemes recognised in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense:

Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets (Note 23)
Effect of Paragraph 58(b) limit (Note 23)
Actuarial losses arising on scheme liabilities (Note 23)

Total included in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

2012 
Number

2011 
Number

7,799
683
1,244

9,726

5,462
612
629

6,703

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

200,197
20,764
1,914
3,251
–

132,252
11,321
1,744
2,546
352

226,126
22,226
(17,568)

148,215
21,090
(19,310)

230,784

149,995

2011
As re-
presented† 
£’000

(21,884)
299
(15,357)

2012 
£’000

37,115
(474)
(60,412)

(23,771)

(36,942)

5. Share-Based Payments
Executive Share Option Scheme
The Group’s employee share options are equity-settled share-based payments as defined in IFRS 2 Share-based Payments. IFRS 2 requires 
that a recognised valuation methodology be employed to determine the fair value of share options granted. The charge recognised in the 
Income Statement was £nil (2011: credit of £0.253 million). Grant date fair value was arrived at through applying a trinomial model, which 
is a lattice option-pricing model. To the extent that any options vest, they will ordinarily remain exercisable at any time up to ten years 
from the date of grant and are settled in equity through the issue of shares once exercised.

The general terms and conditions applicable to the share options granted by the Group are addressed in the Report on Directors’ 
Remuneration. All conditions are non-market based.

Options were granted over 575,000 ordinary shares on 6 December 2011. These awards will be exercisable, subject to the performance 
measurement targets being attained between 6 December 2014 and 6 December 2021, at an exercise price of €0.64. The weighted average 
fair value of share options granted during the year ended 28 September 2012 was €0.12.

Options were granted over 80,000 ordinary shares on 26 November 2010. These awards will be exercisable, subject to the performance 
measurement targets being attained between 26 November 2013 and 26 November 2020, at an exercise price of €1.33 (€1.06 following 
adjustment for the Rights Issue). The weighted average fair value of share options granted during the year ended 30 September 2011  
was €0.28.

†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

76
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

5. Share-Based Payments (continued)
The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices of, and movements in, share options during the year under 
the plan:

At beginning of year
Granted
Expired
Forfeit
Adjustment in respect of Rights Issue ‡

At end of year

Exercisable at end of year

2012

2011

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price 
€

1.65
0.64
2.28
1.32
–

1.53

Number 
outstanding

6,070,000
80,000
(540,000)
(1,265,000)
1,124,726

5,469,726

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price 
€

2.25
1.33
2.45
2.71
1.65

1.65

Number 
outstanding

5,469,726
575,000
(377,656)
(635,758)
–

5,031,312

–

––

–

‡  The number of options outstanding and their exercise prices were adjusted to take account of the effect of the Rights Issue in the prior year so that holders of options 

remain in the same position as they would have been before the Rights Issue.

Range of Exercise Prices for the Share Option Plan (expressed in euro)

At 28 September 2012
€0.01–€1.00
€1.01–€2.00
€2.01–€3.00
€3.01–€4.00

At 30 September 2011
€0.01–€1.00
€1.01–€2.00
€2.01–€3.00
€3.01–€4.00

Weighted 
average 
contract life 
years

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price 
€

Number 
exercisable

4.97
8.29
4.45
4.84

6.27

7.19
8.32
3.04
5.84

6.52

0.61
1.07
2.67
3.88

1.53

0.65
1.07
2.54
3.88

1.65

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

Number 
outstanding

1,859,021
1,724,616
786,780
660,895

5,031,312

1,479,156
2,058,228
1,208,500
723,842

5,469,726

ShareSave Schemes
The Group operates savings-related share option schemes in both Ireland and the UK. Options are granted at a discount of between 15 per 
cent and 25 per cent of the market price at the date of invitation over three, five and seven year savings contracts and options are exercisable 
during the six month period following completion of the savings contract. The charge recognised in the Income Statement was £0.089 million. 
(2011: £0.319 million). Grant date fair value was arrived at through applying a trinomial model, which is a lattice option-pricing model.

During the year ended 28 September 2012, ShareSave scheme options were granted over 178,275 shares and 2,046,060 shares, which will 
ordinarily be exercisable at an exercise price of €0.69 and £0.60 respectively per share, during the period 1 July 2015 to 1 January 2016.  
The weighted average fair value of share options granted during the year ended 28 September 2012 was £0.23.

During the year ended 30 September 2011, ShareSave scheme options were granted over 45,224 shares and 896,145 shares, which will 
ordinarily be exercisable at an exercise price of €0.84 and £0.79 (€0.67 and £0.63 following adjustment for the Rights Issue) respectively  
per share, during the period 1 July 2014 to 1 January 2015. The weighted average fair value of share options granted during the year  
ended 30 September 2011 was €0.28.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  77

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (expressed in euro) of, and movements in, share options 
during the year under the Irish ShareSave Scheme.

At beginning of year
Granted
Exercised
Forfeit
Adjustment in respect of Rights Issue ‡

At end of year

Exercisable at end of year

2012

2011

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
€

0.69
0.69
0.70
0.75
–

0.69

Number 
outstanding

256,055
45,224
–
(61,806)
61,988

301,461

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
€

0.90
0.84
–
0.96
0.69

0.69

Number 
outstanding

301,461
178,275
(192,295)
(5,507)
–

281,934

–

––

–

‡  The number of options outstanding and their exercise prices were adjusted to take account of the effect of the Rights Issue in the prior year so that holders of options 

remain in the same position as they would have been before the Rights Issue.

Range of Exercise Prices for the Irish ShareSave Scheme (expressed in euro)

At 28 September 2012
€0.01–€1.00

At 30 September 2011
€0.01–€1.00

Number 
outstanding

Weighted 
average 
contract life 
years

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
€

Number 
exercisable

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
€

281,934

281,934

301,461

301,461

2.88

2.88

1.96

1.96

0.69

0.69

0.69

0.69

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (expressed in sterling) of, and movements in, share options 
during the year under the UK ShareSave Scheme.

2012

2011

At beginning of year
Granted
Exercised
Forfeit
Adjustment in respect of Rights Issue ‡

At end of year

Exercisable at end of year

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
£

Number 
outstanding

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
£

Number 
outstanding

3,451,360
2,046,060
(515,136)
(620,164)
–

0.72 2,509,847
0.60
896,145
0.69
(20,879)
0.76
(657,103)
–
723,350

4,362,120

0.66 3,451,360

326,219

0.78

43,189

1.02
0.79
0.87
1.21
0.73

0.72

1.76

‡  The number of options outstanding and their exercise prices were adjusted to take account of the effect of the Rights Issue in the prior year so that holders of options 

remain in the same position as they would have been before the Rights Issue.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

78
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

5. Share-Based Payments (continued)
Range of Exercise Prices for the UK ShareSave Scheme (expressed in sterling)

At 28 September 2012
£0.01–£1.00
£1.01–£2.00
£2.01–£3.00

At 30 September 2011
£0.01–£1.00
£1.01–£2.00
£2.01–£3.00

Number 
outstanding

Weighted 
average 
contract life 
years

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
£

Number 
exercisable

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
£

4,297,592
46,919
17,609

4,362,120

3,336,307
96,352
18,701

3,451,360

2.15
1.73
0.88

2.14

2.72
1.62
1.85

2.68

0.64
1.74
2.39

308,903
4,995
12,321

0.66

326,219

0.68
1.74
2.39

0.72

–
–
43,189

43,189

0.69
1.57
2.39

0.78

–
–
1.76

1.76

Deferred Bonus Plan
Senior Executives participate in the Deferred Bonus Plan as outlined in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration. In accordance with this plan, 
a portion of the annual bonus earned by participating senior executives is deferred into Company shares, the number of which is calculated  
at market value on the date of allocation, to be held by a trustee for the benefit of individual participants without any additional performance 
requirements or matching. The shares vest after three years but are forfeit should an executive voluntarily leave the Group within the three 
year time period, subject to normal ‘good leaver’ provisions. The charge recognised in the Income Statement was £1.8 million (2011: £1.678 
million). Grant date fair value was arrived at through applying a trinomial model, which is a lattice option-pricing model.

On 1 December 2011, 3,477,745 awards were granted to senior executives of the Group under the Deferred Bonus Plan and a cumulative 
charge of £0.391 million was recognised in the Income Statement in FY12. A charge amounting to £0.262 million was included in the Group 
Financial Statements in FY11 in respect of the estimated 2011 charge related to these awards.

On 1 December 2010, 2,033,121 awards were granted to senior executives of the Group under the Deferred Bonus Plan and a cumulative 
charge of £0.704 million was recognised in the Income Statement in FY11. A charge amounting to £0.269 million was included in the Group 
Financial Statements in FY10 in respect of the estimated 2010 charge related to these awards.

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices of, and movements in, share awards during the year under 
the plan:

At beginning of year
Granted
Exercised
Forfeit
Adjustment in respect of Rights Issue‡

At end of year

Exercisable at end of year

2012

2011

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
€

Number 
outstanding

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
€

– 3,208,456
– 2,033,121
–
(917,949)
–
(666,257)
– 1,069,127

– 4,726,498

–
–
–
–
–

–

Number 
outstanding

4,726,498
3,477,745
(1,223,592)
–
–

6,980,651

–

––

–

‡  The number of options outstanding and their exercise prices were adjusted to take account of the effect of the Rights Issue in the prior year so that holders of options 

remain in the same position as they would have been before the Rights Issue.

Awards will be granted to senior executives of the Group under the Deferred Bonus Plan in respect of the year ended 28 September 2012. 
A charge amounting to £0.294 million relating to Executive Directors and £0.298 million relating to other awards has been included in the 
Group Financial Statements in respect of the estimated 2012 charge related to these awards. The total fair value of the awards will be 
taken as a charge to the Income Statement over the vesting period of the awards.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  79

The following two tables show the weighted average assumptions used to fair value the equity settled options granted in the Executive 
Share Option Scheme, the ShareSave Scheme and the Deferred Bonus Plan.

Dividend yield (%)
Expected volatility (%)
Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected life of option (years)
Share price at grant (€)
Exercise price (€)

Dividend yield (%)
Expected volatility (%)
Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected life of option (years)
Share price at grant (€)
Exercise price (€)

Executive 
Share 
Option 
Scheme

6.30%
38%
2.19%
10.00
0.65
0.64

Executive 
Share 
Option 
Scheme

5.60%
37%
2.73%
10.00
1.34
1.33

2012

ShareSave 
3 year

Deferred 
Bonus Plan

6.30%
52%
1.15%
4.25
0.54
–

4.91%
43%
0.18%
3.50
0.76
0.56

2011

ShareSave 
3 year

Deferred 
Bonus Plan

7.55%
54%
1.76%
3.50
0.99
0.88

5.28%
53%
1.45%
3.00
1.42
–

The average share price during the year was £0.68 (2011: €0.87).

The expected volatility is estimated based on the historic volatility of the Company’s share price over a period equivalent to the life of the 
relevant option. The risk free rate of return is the yield on a government bond of a term consistent with the life of the option.

The range of the Company’s share price during the year was £0.47–£0.84 (2011: €0.55–€1.47).

6. Exceptional Items
Exceptional items are those that, in management’s judgment, should be disclosed by virtue of their nature or amount. Such items are included 
within the Income Statement caption to which they relate and are separately disclosed in the notes to the Group Financial Statements.

The Group reports the following exceptional items:

Integration cost of UK acquisitions
Integration cost of US acquisitions
Transaction costs
One off costs relating to former activities
Restructuring

Tax on exceptional charges
Exceptional tax credit

Total exceptional expense

Notes

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

(f)
(f)

2012 
£’000

(7,566)
(3,074)
(2,210)
(1,100)
–

(13,950)
2,083
6,262

2011 
£’000

–
–
(19,366)
(3,593)
(1,346)

(24,305)
944
11,688

(5,605)

(11,673)

(a) Integration Cost of UK Acquisitions
During the year, the Group incurred an exceptional charge of £7.5 million in connection with the integration of the Uniq business. A further 
charge of £0.1 million was incurred relating to the integration of ICL which was acquired in August 2012.

(b) Integration Cost of US Acquisitions
During the year, the Group completed the acquisition of MarketFare and Schau in the United States and a charge of £3.1 million was incurred  
related to the integration of these businesses and the subsequent reorganisation of the product portfolio in the US.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

80
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

6. Exceptional Items (continued)
(c) Transaction Costs
During the year, a charge of £2.2 million was incurred for transaction costs in respect of the acquisitions of MarketFare, Schau and ICL.

In 2011, the £19.4 million exceptional charge included £12.3 million of costs incurred on the aborted Essenta combination and the 
assessment of an acquisition of Northern Foods plc, transaction costs of £6.6 million relating to the acquisition of Uniq plc which took  
effect from 23 September 2011 and transaction costs of £0.4 million relating to the acquisition in December 2010 of On a Roll Sales,  
a convenience foods business based in Brockton, Massachusetts.

(d) One Off Costs Relating to Former Activities
During the year, the Group recognised a provision for costs amounting to £1.1 million relating to an onerous lease obligation in connection 
with a business which was sold a number of years ago.

In 2011, the Group settled an outstanding legal claim relating to its former activities and recognised an exceptional charge of £3.6 million 
in respect of both the settlement and related legal costs.

(e) Restructuring
During 2011, the Group incurred certain one off costs as part of a restructuring programme to improve long term operating performance. 
The costs incurred to implement this restructuring amounted to £1.3 million.

(f) Tax
During the year, a tax credit of £6.3 million arose due to the resolution of an overseas tax case. A tax credit of £2.1 million was recognised in 
respect of exceptional charges in the period.

During the prior year, the Group resolved a number of outstanding tax positions which led to a one off credit to the Income Statement 
amounting to £11.7 million. In addition, a tax credit of £0.9 million was recognised in respect of exceptional charges in the period.

Cashflow on Exceptional Items
The total cash outflow during the year in respect of exceptional charges was £19.4 million (2011: £24.4 million), of this amount £16.5 million 
(2011: £6.3 million) was in respect of prior years exceptional charges.

7. Finance Costs and Finance Income

Finance Costs
Bank overdrafts and loans
Other borrowings
Interest on defined benefit pension scheme liabilities
Unwind of discount on liabilities
Fair value movement on hedged financial liabilities (Note 20)
Fair value movement on fair value hedges (Note 20)
Fair value movement on interest rate swaps not designated as hedges
Fair value movement on forward foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedges
Foreign exchange on inter-company and external balances where hedge accounting is not applied

Finance Income
Interest income on bank deposits
Expected return on defined benefit pension scheme assets (Note 23)
Unwind of discount on assets

Net finance expense recognised in the income statement

Recognised Directly in Equity
Currency translation effects on foreign currency net investment
Currency translation effect on foreign currency borrowings designated as net investment hedges
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

12,179
4,248
22,226
149
(3,590)
4,497
(3,001)
(599)
(66)

12,313
4,646
21,090
118
1,127
(58)
(2,132)
(2,105)
(1,416)

36,043

33,583

(45)
(17,568)
(292)

(44)
(19,310)
(356)

(17,905)

(19,710)

18,138

13,873

151
1,898
(2,924)

(875)

(300)
593
–

293

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  81

8. Associates
Share of Profit of Associates After Tax
The Group’s share of profit of associates after tax is equity accounted and is presented as a single line item in the Group Income Statement.

Group share of:
Revenue

Profit before finance costs
Finance income/costs (net)

Profit before taxation
Taxation

Profit after taxation 

Investments in Associates

Share of associates’ balance sheet
Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Carrying amount of associates
At beginning of year
Share of profit after tax of associates
Dividends received
Currency translation adjustment

At end of year

Details of the Group’s principal associates, all of which are unlisted, are shown in Note 32.

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

3,961

3,171

627
(3)

624
(160)

464

681
(3)

678
(186)

492

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

1,373
116
(747)
(194)

548

582
464
(498)
–

548

1,488
137
(851)
(192)

582

579
492
(485)
(4)

582

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

82
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

9. Taxation

Current tax
Corporation tax (credit)/charge
Overseas tax charge

Total current tax charge (pre-exceptional)

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Defined benefit pension obligations
Effect of tax rate change
Employee share options

Total deferred tax (credit)/charge

Income tax charge (pre-exceptional)

Tax on exceptional items
Current tax credit
Deferred tax credit

Exceptional tax credit

Total tax credit

Current tax relating to items credited to equity
Income tax credit relating to foreign exchange

Deferred tax relating to items (credited)/charged to equity
Actuarial loss on pension liability
Cash flow hedges transferred to Income Statement
Cash flow hedges fair value adjustments

Reconciliation of Total Tax Credit
The tax credit for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the Income Statement as follows:

Profit for the year
Total tax credit for the year
Less: Share of profit of associates after tax

Tax expense at Irish corporation tax rate of 12.5%
Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Differences in effective tax rates on overseas earnings
Utilisation of tax losses
Net deferred tax assets recognised/(utilised)/not recognised
Tax exempted earnings and earnings at reduced Irish rates
Effect of rate change on deferred tax balance
Exceptional items (Note 6)
Other

Total tax credit for the year

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

(3)
8,115

8,112

124
3,181

3,305

(7,367)
1,115
(211)
(65)

(6,528)

1,584

1,195
877
(1,339)
(87)

646

3,951

(7,883)
(462)

(3,044)
(9,588)

(8,345)

(12,632)

(6,761)

(8,681)

(88)

(265)

(2,569)
74
(673)

(1,193)
–
–

(3,168)

(1,193)

2012 
£’000

35,623
(6,761)
(464)

2011 
£’000

19,851
(8,681)
(492)

28,398

10,678

3,550

1,335

3,954
960
(20)
(7,845)
(94)
(211)
(6,262)
(793)

5,946
869
(136)
–
(987)
(1,339)
(11,688)
(2,681)

(6,761)

(8,681)

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  83

Factors That May Impact Future Tax Charges and Other Disclosures
The tax charge in future periods will be impacted by any changes to the corporation tax rate in force in the countries in which the Group 
operates. In the UK, the Finance Bill 2012 included a reduction in the rate of corporate income tax from 26% to 24% effective 1 April 2012 
that was substantively enacted in March 2012, and a further reduction to 23% effective April 2013 that was substantively enacted in July 
2012. Deferred tax balances must be recognised at the future tax rate applicable when the balance is expected to unwind. As such, the rate 
reduction to 23% is reflected in the closing deferred tax balance. A further annual reduction in the UK corporate tax rate to 22% on 1 April 
2014 has also been announced but has not been substantively enacted and therefore cannot be taken into account for the closing deferred 
tax balances.

The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgement is required in determining the Group’s provision for 
income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary 
course of business. The Group recognises liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be 
due. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact 
the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.

Deferred Taxation
The Group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are analysed as follows:

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Acquisition 
related 
intangibles 
£’000

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations 
£’000

Derivative 
financial 
instruments 
£’000

Tax losses 
£’000

Employee 
share 
options 
£’000

Other 
£’000

2012 
Total 
£’000

At beginning of year, as previously reported
Adjustments to provisional fair values  
previously recognised on business 
combinations (Note 30)

At beginning of year, as re-presented
Income Statement charge/(credit) 
Tax charged to equity
Arising on acquisitions (Note 30)
Currency translation adjustment and other

At end of year

1,476

(11,790)

24,498

–

425

–

1,476
6,876
–
(744)
29

(11,365)
2,025
–
–
87

24,498
(1,085)
2,569
–
–

7,637

(9,253)

25,982

Deferred tax assets (deductible temporary 

differences)

27,001

216

25,982

Deferred tax liabilities (taxable temporary 

differences)

(19,364)

(9,469)

–

Net deferred tax asset/(liability)

7,637

(9,253)

25,982

–

–

–
–
599
–
–

599

599

–

599

7,500

203

489

22,376

–

7,500
(2,001)
–
–
–

5,499

–

203
65
–
–
–

268

–

425

489
1,110
–
–
–

22,801
6,990
3,168
(744)
116

1,599

32,331

5,499

268

1,599

61,164

–

5,499

–

268

–

(28,833)

1,599

32,331

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Acquisition 
related 
intangibles 
£’000

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations 
£’000

Tax losses 
£’000

Employee 
share 
options 
£’000

At beginning of year, as previously reported
Income Statement charge
Tax charged to equity
Discontinued tax credit
Arising on acquisitions (Note 30)
Currency translation adjustment and other

(16,652)
5,886
–
–
12,244
(2)

(2,864)
647
–
–
(9,574)
1

23,450
(145)
1,193
–
–
–

At end of year, as previously reported

1,476

(11,790)

24,498

Deferred tax assets (deductible temporary differences)
Deferred tax liabilities (taxable temporary differences)

23,631
(22,155)

148
(11,938)

24,498
–

Net deferred tax asset/(liability), as previously reported

1,476

(11,790)

24,498

–
–
–
–
7,500
–

7,500

7,500
–

7,500

116
87
–
–
–
–

203

203
–

203

Other  
£’000

(1,978)
2,467
–
–
–
–

2011  
Total  
£’000

2,072
8,942
1,193
–
10,170
(1)

489

22,376

494
(5)

489

56,474
(34,098)

22,376

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

84
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

9. Taxation (continued)
The Group has not provided deferred tax in relation to temporary timing differences applicable to investments in subsidiaries on the basis  
that the Group can control the timing and the realisation of these temporary differences, and it is probable that the temporary difference  
will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Given that participation exemptions and tax credits would be available in the context of the Group’s 
investments in subsidiaries and associates in the majority of the jurisdictions in which the group operates, the aggregate amount of temporary 
differences in respect of which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised would be immaterial (with materiality defined in the context  
of the 2012 financial statements). No provision has been recognised in respect of deferred tax relating to unremitted earnings of subsidiaries  
as there is no commitment to remit earnings.

No deferred tax asset is recognised in respect of certain tax losses incurred by the Group on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence 
that the assets will be recoverable. In the event that sufficient profits are generated in the relevant jurisdictions in the future, these assets 
may be recovered. The unrecognised deferred tax asset at 28 September 2012 was £101.0 million (2011: £113.0 million).

The Group utilised £8.9 million of tax losses during the year. The Group has reassessed the carrying amount of its deferred tax asset in 
respect of tax losses and an additional £12.3 million has been recognised in respect of tax losses previously unrecognised. This is a key 
judgement in the preparation of the financial statements.

No deferred tax asset is recognised in respect of certain capital losses incurred by the Group on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence 
that the assets will be recoverable. The unrecognised deferred tax asset at 28 September 2012 was £11.6 million (2011: £12.7 million).

10. Earnings per Ordinary Share
Basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding ordinary shares purchased by the Company and held as treasury shares and 
shares held in trust in respect of the Deferred Bonus Awards Scheme and after adjusting the weighted average number of shares in the 
prior year for the effect of the Rights Issue and related bonus issue on the average number of shares in issue. The adjusted figures for basic 
and diluted earnings per ordinary share are after the elimination of exceptional items, the effect of foreign exchange (FX) on inter-company 
and external balances where hedge accounting is not applied, the movement in the fair value of all derivative financial instruments and 
related debt adjustments, the amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets and the effect of pension financing.

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company
Exceptional items (net of tax)
Fair value of derivative financial instruments and related debt adjustments
FX on inter-company and external balances where hedge accounting is not applied
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets (net of tax)
Pension financing (net of tax)

Numerator for adjusted earnings per share calculation

Denominator for Earnings per Share Calculation

Shares in issue at the beginning of the year
Treasury shares
Shares held by Trust
Effect of bonus issue related to Rights Issue
Effect of shares issued in year

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year

Basic earnings per ordinary share

Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share

2012 
£’000

34,675
5,605
(2,693)
(66)
7,942
3,749

2011 
£’000

19,149
11,673
(3,168)
(1,416)
1,859
700

49,212

28,797

2012 
’000

2011 
’000

387,312
(3,905)
(2,270)
–
3,873

210,574
(3,905)
(1,765)
49,003
20,030

385,010

273,937

2012  
pence

9.0

2011  
pence

7.0

12.8

10.5

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  85

Diluted Earnings per Ordinary Share
Diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume 
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. Employee share options, which are performance based, are treated as contingently 
issuable shares, because their issue is contingent upon satisfaction of specified performance conditions in addition to the passage of time. 
These contingently issuable ordinary shares are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per ordinary share where the conditions 
governing exercisability have not been satisfied as at the end of the reporting period. Options over 10,295,973 (2011: 8,047,462) shares were 
excluded from the diluted EPS calculation as they were either antidilutive or contingently issuable ordinary shares which had not satisfied the 
performance conditions attaching at the end of the reporting period.

A reconciliation of the weighted average number of ordinary shares used for the purpose of calculating the diluted earnings per share 
amounts is as follows:

Denominator for Diluted Earnings per Share Calculation

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year
Dilutive effect of share options

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share

11. Dividends Paid and Proposed

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
Equity dividends on ordinary shares:

Final dividend of 2.40 cent for the year ended 30 September 2011 (2010: 4.50 cent)
Interim dividend of 1.75 pence for the year ended 28 September 2012 (2011: 3.00 cent)

2012 
’000

2011 
’000

385,010
5,141

273,937
2,392

390,151

276,329

2012  
pence

8.9

2011  
pence

6.9

12.6

10.4

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

7,680
6,821

7,814
5,422

14,501

13,236

Proposed for approval at AGM:
Equity dividends on ordinary shares:

Final dividend of 2.50 pence for the year ended 28 September 2012 (2011: 2.40 cent)

9,830

7,948

This proposed dividend is subject to approval by the shareholders at the annual general meeting and has not been included as a liability  
in the Balance Sheet of the Group as at 28 September 2012, in accordance with IAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date.

The proposed final dividend for the year ended 28 September 2012 will be payable on 3 April 2013 to shareholders on the Register of 
Members at 7 December 2012.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

86
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Year ended 28 September 2012
Opening net book amount, as previously reported
Adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business 

combinations (Note 30)

Opening net book amount, as re-presented
Acquisitions through business combinations (Note 30)
Additions
Currency translation adjustment
Amortisation charge

Closing net book amount

At 28 September 2012
Cost
Accumulated amortisation

Net book amount

Year ended 30 September 2011, as previously reported
Opening net book amount
Acquisitions through business combinations (Note 30)
Additions
Adjustments
Currency translation adjustment
Amortisation charge

Computer 
software 
and other 
intangibles 
£’000

Goodwill 
£’000

Acquisition 
related 
intangible 
assets – 
Customer 
related 
£’000

  Acquisition 
related 
intangible 
assets 
– Non- 
customer 
related‡ 
£’000

Total 
£’000

415,806

2,920

49,355

4,091

472,172

13,455

137

(1,700)

–

11,892

429,261
16,698
–
(1,507)
–

3,057
–
1,334
–
(1,366)

47,655
13,939
–
(554)
(7,258)

4,091
17
–
(16)
(2,952)

484,064
30,654
1,334
(2,077)
(11,576)

444,452

3,025

53,782

1,140

502,399

444,452
–

10,052
(7,027)

64,198
(10,416)

7,703
(6,563)

526,405
(24,006)

444,452

3,025

53,782

1,140

502,399

328,671
83,114
–
(217)
4,238
–

3,564
–
618
–
(1)
(1,261)

7,483
43,251
–
–
(66)
(1,313)

3,466
1,953
–
–
(3)
(1,325)

343,184
128,318
618
(217)
4,168
(3,899)

Closing net book amount, as previously reported

415,806

2,920

49,355

4,091

472,172

At 30 September 2011, as previously reported
Cost
Accumulated amortisation

Net book amount

415,806
–

8,579
(5,659)

52,683
(3,328)

7,708
(3,617)

484,776
(12,604)

415,806

2,920

49,355

4,091

472,172

‡  Non-customer related acquisition related intangibles represents all other acquisition related intangible assets, primarily brands and contract related intangibles.

Goodwill acquired in business combinations is allocated, at acquisition, to the operating segments that are expected to benefit from that 
business combination. A summary of the allocation of the carrying value of goodwill by operating segment is as follows:

Convenience Foods UK
Convenience Foods US
Ingredients

2011  
As re- 
presented†* 
£’000

2012 
£’000

401,678
40,896
1,878

400,169
27,060
2,032

444,452

429,261

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

* 
†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  87

Impairment Testing and Goodwill
Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to operating segments for the purposes of impairment testing  
based on the business unit into which the business will be assimilated.

The recoverable amount of each operating segment is based on a value in use computation. The cash flow forecasts employed for this 
computation are extracted from the 2013 budget and three year plan formally approved by the Board of Directors, and specifically exclude 
incremental profits and other cash flows stemming from any potential future acquisitions. The 2015 forecast cash flows are projected forward 
for a further two years using the same assumptions. A terminal value reflecting inflation of 2% (but no other growth) is applied to the Year 
Five cash flows. A present value of the future cash flows is calculated using discount rates of 9% (2011: 8%). Applying these techniques,  
no impairment arose in either 2012 or 2011.

The key assumptions include management’s estimates of future profitability based on modest sales growth and inflation expectations, capital 
expenditure requirements including continuing investment, most particularly in Prepared Meals, Food to Go, Northampton, Grocery and the US, 
and working capital movements. The prior year assumptions were prepared on the same basis. The values applied to the key assumptions are 
derived from a combination of external and internal factors based on historical experience and take into account management’s expectation  
of future trends affecting the industry and other developments and initiatives in the business. Estimation of the carrying value of goodwill is  
a key judgmental estimate in the preparation of the Group Financial Statements.

The goodwill arising on the acquisitions of MarketFare and Schau during the year was allocated to the Convenience Foods US operating 
segment and the goodwill arising on the acquisition of ICL was allocated to the Convenience Foods UK operating segment. The goodwill 
arising on the acquisition of Uniq and On A Roll during the prior year was allocated to the Convenience Foods UK and the Convenience 
Foods US operating segments respectively. The goodwill arising on the acquisition of Uniq was adjusted during the current year to reflect 
new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Further information in respect of the 
acquisitions, the intangibles acquired and subsequent adjustments is set out in Note 30.

Adjustments to goodwill relating to the acquisition of Sushi San in 2007 and Ministry of Cake in 2008 were recorded in 2011 and were 
allocated to the Convenience Foods UK operating segment. These adjustments arose due to the revision of the estimate of deferred 
contingent consideration payable to the former owners of these businesses.

An adjustment to the goodwill relating to the acquisition of the non-controlling interest in Trilby Trading in 2009 was recorded in 2011  
and allocated to the Ingredients operating segment. The adjustment arose due to the revision of the estimate of deferred contingent 
consideration payable to the former owners of this business.

Sensitivity Analysis
If the estimated pre-tax discount rate applied to the discounted cash flows had been 10% higher than management’s estimates, there 
would have been no requirement for the Group to recognise an impairment against goodwill.

If the estimated cash flow forecasts used in the value in use computations had been 10% lower than management’s estimates, again 
there would have been no requirement for the Group to recognise any impairment against goodwill.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

88
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

13. Property, Plant and Equipment

Year ended 28 September 2012
Opening net book amount, as previously reported
Adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business 

combinations (Note 30)

Opening net book amount, as re-presented
Additions
Acquisitions through business combinations (Note 30)
Disposals
Reclassifications
Currency translation adjustment
Impairment
Depreciation charge

Closing net book amount

At 28 September 2012
Cost
Accumulated depreciation

Net book amount

Year ended 30 September 2011, as previously reported
Opening net book amount
Additions
Acquisitions through business combinations (Note 30)
Disposals
Reclassifications
Currency translation adjustment
Depreciation charge

Land and 
buildings 
£’000

Plant and 
machinery 
£’000

Fixtures 
and fittings 
£’000

Capital 
work in 
progress 
£’000

Total  
£’000

101,864

102,577

4,473

5,933

214,847

(3,776)

98,088
1,357
6,158
(33)
1,705
(485)
(216)
(3,627)

234

–

(881)

(4,423)

102,811
11,503
3,933
(28)
4,687
(238)
(804)
(16,567)

4,473
2,418
184
–
172
(5)
–
(1,276)

5,052
14,258
–
–
(6,564)
52
–
–

210,424
29,536
10,275
(61)
–
(676)
(1,020)
(21,470)

102,947

105,297

5,966

12,798

227,008

132,419
(29,472)

250,345
(145,048)

15,243
(9,277)

12,798
–

410,805
(183,797)

102,947

105,297

5,966

12,798

227,008

88,075
712
13,780
(182)
2,308
84
(2,913)

89,199
10,314
12,773
(199)
3,488
28
(13,026)

3,930
1,561
25
(4)
99
19
(1,157)

3,328
5,109
3,409
–
(5,895)
(18)
–

184,532
17,696
29,987
(385)
–
113
(17,096)

Closing net book amount, as previously reported

101,864

102,577

4,473

5,933

214,847

At 30 September 2011, as previously reported
Cost
Accumulated depreciation

Net book amount

127,972
(26,108)

231,085
(128,508)

12,354
(7,881)

5,933
–

377,344
(162,497)

101,864

102,577

4,473

5,933

214,847

The impairment charge in the current year of £1.02 million arose in the Convenience Foods US operating segment. A charge of £0.52 million 
arose on the closure of a test facility during the year and is included in operating costs in the Income Statement. A charge of £0.5 million 
arose on the reorganisation of the product portfolio in the US as part of the integration of MarketFare and Schau and is included as an 
exceptional item in operating costs in the Income Statement.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  89

2012 
£’000

34,087
272
(1,601)
(797)

2011 
£’000

32,164
2,354
(561)
130

31,961

34,087

31,961
–

34,087
–

31,961

34,087

14. Investment Property

Opening net book amount
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation adjustment

Closing net book amount

Analysed as:
Cost
Accumulated depreciation

Net book amount

The fair value of the Group’s investment properties at 28 September 2012 was £39.2 million (2011: £37.5 million). The valuation was carried 
out by the Group Property Director and was arrived at by reference to location, market conditions and status of planning applications.

Profit on disposal of property in the Ingredients & Property segment amounted to £nil (2011: £0.3 million).

Investment property at 28 September 2012 represents the Group’s land subject to remediation, upon which no depreciation is provided.

15. Inventories

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods and goods for resale

None of the above carrying amounts have been pledged as security for liabilities entered into by the Group.

Inventory recognised within cost of sales

16. Trade and Other Receivables

Current
Trade receivables
Prepayments
VAT
Other receivables

Subtotal – current

Non-current
Other receivables

Total

2011  
As re-
presented* 
£’000

26,252
812
22,747

2012 
£’000

24,903
796
28,625

54,324

49,811

630,472

415,838

2011 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

2012 
£’000

77,560
8,402
7,423
13,633

72,477
5,832
7,351
14,025

107,018

99,685

2,817

2,818

109,835

102,503

The fair value of current receivables approximates book value due to their size and short-term nature.

Non-current receivables bear interest at market rates or are discounted to present value and accordingly approximate fair value.

The Group’s exposure to credit and currency risk and impairment losses related to trade and other receivables is disclosed in Note 20.

* 

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

90
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

17. Trade and Other Payables

Current
Trade payables
Employment related taxes
Other payables and accrued expenses
VAT
Declared interim dividend

Subtotal – current

Non-current
Other payables

Total

The Group’s exposure to liquidity and currency risk is disclosed in Note 20.

18. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

2011 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

2012 
£’000

178,490
4,020
93,747
46
6,821

153,645
6,595
86,545
44
5,407

283,124

252,236

3,089

3,538

286,213

255,774

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

18,763

81,564

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on short-term deposit rates. Deposits are made for varying periods of between one day 
and one month depending on the cash requirements of the Group. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents equals the carrying amount. 
Note 21 includes details of the Group’s net debt at 28 September 2012.

In the prior year, £68.9 million received in respect of the proceeds of the Rights Issue was included in cash at bank and in hand. This cash 
was held in order to part fund the payment of the Uniq consideration.

19. Borrowings

Non-current
Bank borrowings
Private Placement Notes

Subtotal – non-current

Current
Bank borrowings

Total borrowings

The maturity of non-current borrowings is as follows:

Between 1 and 2 years
Between 2 and 5 years

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

172,130
116,517

102,109
120,107

288,647

222,216

–

15,500

288,647

237,716

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

49,912
238,735

–
222,216

288,647

222,216

* 

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  91

The exposure of the Group’s borrowings to interest rate changes and the contractual repricing dates at the balance sheet date are as follows:

6 months or less
1–5 years

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

172,130
116,517

117,609
120,107

288,647

237,716

Bank Borrowings
The Group’s bank borrowings are denominated in sterling and US dollar and bear floating rate interest. Interest is set at commercial rates 
based on a spread over sterling LIBOR and US dollar LIBOR for periods of up to six months. At 28 September 2012, the Group’s borrowings 
comprised of £95.0 million, and $127 million (2011: €65.0 million, $75.0 million and £15.5 million), the latest maturity being October 2016.

At 28 September 2012, the Group had available £161.4 million (2011: £247.4 million) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities in respect  
of which all conditions precedent had been met. Uncommitted facilities undrawn at 28 September 2012 amounted to £30.9 million  
(2011: £16.8 million).

Private Placement Notes
The Group’s Private Placement Notes were issued in October 2003 and comprise fixed rate debt of $130 million (the US$ Notes) and  
£25 million (the Stg£ Note) respectively.

The US$ Notes comprise $30 million maturing in October 2013 and $100 million maturing in October 2015. The fixed rates on these notes 
range from 5.65% to 5.90%. These notes have been swapped (using cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges 
under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement) from fixed US dollar to floating sterling rates, repricing semi-annually 
based on a spread over sterling LIBOR.

The Stg£ Note is a £25 million fixed rate note that has a rate of 6.19% and matures in October 2013.

The average spread the Group paid on its bank borrowings and Private Placement Notes in the year ended 28 September 2012 was 1.78%.

Guarantees
The Group’s bank borrowings and Private Placement Notes are secured by guarantees from Greencore Group plc and cross guarantees from 
various companies within the Group. The Group treats these guarantees as insurance contracts and accounts for them as such.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

92
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

20. Financial Risk Management and Financial Instruments
Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and 
price risk. These financial risks are actively managed by the Group’s treasury department under strict policies and guidelines approved by 
the Board of Directors. The Group’s treasury department actively monitors market conditions with a view to minimising the exposure of  
the Group to changing market factors while at the same time minimising the volatility of the funding costs of the Group. The Group uses 
derivative financial instruments and in particular foreign currency contracts, cross-currency swaps and interest rate swaps to manage the 
financial risks associated with the underlying business activities of the Group and the financing of same.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Bank borrowings
Private Placement Notes
Trade and other payables
Consideration payable
Provisions for liabilities

Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Bank borrowings
Private Placement Notes
Trade and other payables
Consideration payable
Provisions for liabilities

Loans and 
receivables 
£’000

FV through 
Income 
Statement 
£’000

Cash flow 
hedges 
£’000

2012

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost  

£’000

Financial 
liabilities in 
fair value 
hedges 
£’000

99,390
18,763
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
5,643
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
(2,602)
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
(172,130)
(25,000)
(283,107)
(3,701)
(6,715)

–
–
–
–
(91,517)
–
–
–

Carrying 
value  
£’000

99,390
18,763
3,041
(172,130)
(116,517)
(283,107)
(3,701)
(6,715)

Fair value 
£’000

99,390
18,763
3,064
(175,580)
(117,079)
(283,107)
(3,701)
(6,715)

Loans and 
receivables 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

FV through 
Income 
Statement 
£’000

Cash flow 
hedges 
£’000

94,643
81,564
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
6,922
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2011

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

–
–
–
(117,609)
(25,000)
(251,203)
(113,344)
(6,914)

Financial 
liabilities in 
fair value 
hedges 
£’000

–
–
–
–
(95,107)
–
–
–

Carrying 
value 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

94,643
81,564
6,922
(117,609)
(120,107)
(251,203)
(113,344)
(6,914)

Fair value 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

94,643
81,564
6,922
(116,720)
(120,773)
(251,203)
(113,344)
(6,914)

The fair value of the financial liabilities held at amortised cost and the financial liabilities in fair value hedges have been calculated by 
discounting the expected future cash flows at prevailing interest rates and by applying period end exchange rates.

Fair Value Hierarchy
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been defined as follows:

Level 1: 

 Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

Level 2: 

 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) 
or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices)

Level 3: 

 Inputs for the asset or liability that are not observable market data (unobservable inputs)

* 

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  93

2012 
Level 2 
£’000

2011  
Level 2 
£’000

11,867
191

16,364
–

12,058

16,364

(2,602)
(6,415)
–

–
(9,416)
(26)

(9,017)

(9,442)

Assets carried at fair value
Cross currency swaps – fair value hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts – not designated as hedges

Liabilities carried at fair value
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps – not designated as hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts – not designated as hedges

During the current and prior periods, there were no transfers between the different levels identified above.

Interest Rate Risk
The Group’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates arises from its floating rate borrowings, cash and cash equivalents and 
derivatives. The Group’s policy is to minimise interest costs and reduce volatility in reported earnings. This is managed by reviewing the 
debt profile of the Group regularly on a currency by currency basis and by selectively using interest rate swaps to limit the level of floating 
interest rate exposure.

Sensitivity Analysis for Floating Rate Debt
The full year impact of both an upward and downward movement in each applicable interest rate and interest rate curve by 100 basis 
points (assuming all the other variables remain constant) is as follows:

Effect of a downward movement of 100 basis points (cost)

On profit after tax

On equity

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

(1,032)

(1,349)

(7,924)

(1,349)

Effect of an upward movement of 100 basis points (gain)

874

1,201

6,045

1,201

Foreign Currency Risk
The Group is exposed to currency risk as follows:

 – Sales and purchases in certain businesses
 – Financing

Sales and Purchases in Certain Businesses
The Group is exposed to currency risk on sales and purchases in certain businesses that are denominated in currencies other than the 
functional currency of the entity concerned. The Group employs foreign currency contracts to economically hedge foreign exchange 
exposures arising from these forecast transactions. In addition, a significant level of the Group’s head office costs in Dublin are denominated 
in euro. The Group’s policy is to economically hedge these costs in order to reduce volatility in reported earnings through the use of foreign 
currency derivatives as appropriate.

The Group’s trading entity exposures to foreign currency risk for amounts not denominated in the functional currency of the relevant entity 
at the balance sheet date were as follows (excluding derivative financial instruments):

Denominated in:

Trade receivables and other receivables
Trade payables and other payables
Cash and cash equivalents

Gross balance sheet exposure

2012

2011

Euro 
£’000

US dollars 
£’000

Sterling 
£’000

Euro 
£’000

US dollars 
£’000

Sterling 
£’000

223
(1,695)
583

(889)

–
(96)
476

380

1,251
(986)
332

597

217
(6,094)
(94)

(5,971)

634
(2,001)
1,108

(259)

847
(928)
610

529

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

94
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

20. Financial Risk Management and Financial Instruments (continued)
Financing
Although the Group is an Irish domiciled business and governed by Irish law, the majority of its activity is in the UK and therefore it has 
adopted sterling as its functional and reporting currency. The Group finances its operations by obtaining funding at Group level through 
external borrowings and where appropriate, these borrowings are designated as net investment hedges. This enables gains and losses 
arising on retranslation of foreign currency borrowings to be recognised in equity thereby providing a partial offset in equity against  
the gains and losses arising on translation of the net assets of the associated operations. A foreign exchange gain of £1.898 million  
(2011: £0.593 million) was recognised in equity during the period in respect of US dollar borrowings designated as net investment hedges.

The Group has financed its investment in the UK by borrowing sterling. Although a portion of this funding is obtained by directly borrowing 
sterling, a significant element of the funding is achieved through US dollar borrowings converted to sterling using cross-currency swaps.

Sensitivity Analysis for Primary Foreign Currency Risk
A 10% strengthening of the sterling exchange rate against euro or US dollar exchange rates in respect of the translation of amounts  
not denominated in the functional currency of relevant entities would increase profit after tax and equity by the amount shown below.  
This assumes that all other variables remain constant. A 10% weakening of the sterling exchange rate against euro or US dollar exchange 
rates would have an equal and opposite effect.

Impact of 10% strengthening of sterling vs euro gain

On profit after tax

On equity

2012 
£’000

858

2011 
£’000

5,525

2012 
£’000

858

2011 
£’000

6,066

Impact of 10% strengthening of sterling vs dollar gain/(loss)

(178)

26

6,964

4,708

The effect on equity of a movement between sterling and US dollar would be offset by the translation of the net assets of the subsidiaries 
against which the US dollar borrowings are hedged. The above calculations do not include the variability in Group profitability which arises 
on the translation of the financial statements of foreign currency denominated subsidiaries into the Group presentation currency.

Liquidity Risk
The Group’s policy on funding capacity is to ensure that it always has sufficient long-term funding and committed bank facilities in place  
to meet foreseeable peak borrowing requirements with an appropriate level of additional headroom. A prudent approach to liquidity risk 
management is taken by the Group by spreading the maturities of its debt using long-term financing. The Group’s treasury department 
actively monitors the current and future funding requirements of the business on a daily basis. Excess funds are placed on short-term 
deposit for up to one month whilst ensuring that sufficient cash is available on demand to meet expected operational requirements.

The following are the carrying amounts and contractual liabilities of financial liabilities (including interest payments):

28 September 2012

Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
Bank borrowings
Private Placement Notes
Trade and other payables
Consideration payable
Provisions for liabilities
Derivative Financial Instruments
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Inflow/(outflow)

Interest rate swaps – not designated as hedges

Inflow/(outflow)

Cross currency swaps – fair value hedges

Inflow
Outflow

Foreign currency forward contracts

Inflow
Outflow

Carrying 
amount 
£’000

Contractual 
amount 
£’000

Period  
1–6 months 
£’000

Period  
6–12 
months 
£’000

Period  
1–5 years 
£’000

Period  
>5 years 
£’000

(172,130)
(116,517)
(283,107)
(3,701)
(6,715)

(188,348)
(119,440)
(283,107)
(3,701)
(6,937)

(2,124)
(3,123)
(282,620)
(2,095)
(662)

(2,060)
(3,123)
–
(1,071)
(2,687)

(184,164)
(113,194)
(487)
(535)
(3,588)

–
–
–
–
–

(2,602)

(6,415)

11,867

191

(3,180)

(312)

(346)

(2,285)

(237)

(6,527)

(2,126)

(2,154)

(2,247)

92,773
(64,205)

2,349
(799)

2,349
(711)

88,075
(62,695)

14,392
(14,243)

12,267
(12,168)

1,312
(1,279)

813
(796)

–

–
–

–
–

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  95

30 September 2011 (as re-presented*)

Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
Bank borrowings
Private Placement Notes
Trade and other payables
Consideration payable
Provisions for liabilities
Derivative Financial Instruments
Interest rate swaps – not designated as hedges

Outflow

Cross currency swaps – fair value hedges

Inflow
Outflow

Foreign currency forward contracts

Inflow
Outflow

Carrying 
amount 
£’000

Contractual 
amount 
£’000

Period  
1–6 months 
£’000

Period  
6–12 
months 
£’000

Period  
1–5 years 
£’000

Period  
>5 years 
£’000

(117,609)
(120,107)
(251,203)
(113,344)
(6,919)

(139,664)
(132,025)
(251,203)
(113,344)
(7,447)

(17,430)
(3,210)
(250,813)
(113,344)
(878)

(1,870)
(3,210)
–
–
(1,241)

(120,364)
(125,605)
(390)
–
(4,324)

–
–
–
–
(1,004)

(9,416)

16,364

(26)

(11,986)

(2,005)

(1,887)

(8,094)

103,156
(86,691)

2,436
(958)

2,436
(1,073)

98,284
(84,660)

6,668
(6,566)

6,395
(6,298)

273
(268)

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

Credit Risk
Credit risk refers to the risk of financial loss to the Group if a counterparty defaults on its contractual obligations on financial assets held  
in the balance sheet. Risk is monitored both centrally and locally by Group management. The Group derives a significant proportion of its 
revenue from sales to a limited number of major customers. Sales to individual customers can be of significant value and the failure of any 
such customer to honour its debts could materially impact the Group’s results. The Group derives significant benefit from trading with its 
large customers and manages the risk by regularly reviewing the credit history and ratings of all significant customers.

The Group assessed the carrying value of other receivables based on management’s review and knowledge of the counterparty. The amount 
was neither past due nor impaired at 28 September 2012.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset in the balance sheet:

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments

Carrying amount

2011 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

72,477
14,815
81,564
16,364

2012 
£’000

77,560
14,406
18,763
12,058

Trade Receivables
76% of revenue in the Convenience Foods segment are to the top six UK retailers with a similar concentration in trade receivables. Revenue 
earned from four of these customers, £189.0 million, £167.2 million, £159.1 million and £133.6 million respectively, represent individually 
more than 10% of the Group’s revenue.

The Group also manages credit risk through the use of a receivables purchase arrangement. Under the terms of this agreement, the  
Group transfers the credit risk, late payment risk and control of the receivables sold. There were no financial assets in which the Group  
had continuing involvement derecognised at year-end (2011: £10.1 million) and no transferred financial assets that were not derecognised 
(2011: £nil).

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was:

Ireland
United Kingdom
Other Europe
Rest of World

* 

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

Carrying amount

2012 
£’000

6,503
65,105
64
5,888

2011
£’000

7,850
60,803
301
3,523

77,560

72,477

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

96
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

20. Financial Risk Management and Financial Instruments (continued)
Ageing of Trade Receivables
The aged analysis of trade receivables split between amounts that were neither past due nor impaired, amounts past due but not impaired 
and amounts that are impaired at 28 September 2012 and 30 September 2011 were as follows:

Neither past due nor impaired:
Receivable within 3 months of the balance sheet date
Past due but not impaired:
Receivable between 1 and 6 months of the balance sheet date
Impaired
Not receivable

Total

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

68,274

58,120

9,286

14,357

–

–

77,560

72,477

Trade receivables are in general receivable within 90 days of the balance sheet date, are unsecured and are not interest bearing. The amounts 
disclosed above are stated net of provisions for impairment. The movements in the provision for impairment of receivables are as follows:

At beginning of year
Provided during year
Arising on acquisition (Note 30)
Written-off during year
Recovered during year
Translation adjustment

At end of year

2012 
£’000

2,486
1,260
121
(2,565)
(4)
(22)

2011 
£’000

799
2,193
21
(358)
(171)
2

1,276

2,486

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Exposure to credit risk on cash and cash equivalents is actively monitored by the Group’s treasury department. The maximum exposure to 
credit risk for cash and cash equivalents by geographic location of financial institution was as follows:

UK
Ireland and other
Europe

Carrying amount

2012 
£’000

12,319
6,387
57

2011 
£’000

76,688
4,778
98

18,763

81,564

Price Risk
The Group purchases a variety of commodities which are subject to significant price volatility. The price risk on these commodities is actively 
managed through the Group’s purchasing function. It is Group policy to minimise its exposure to volatility by adopting an appropriate forward 
purchase strategy.

Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments recognised as assets and liabilities in the Balance Sheet are analysed as follows:

2012

Assets 
£’000

Liabilities 
£’000

Net 
£’000

Current
Forward foreign exchange contracts – not designated as hedges

Non-current
Cross currency interest rate swaps – fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps – not designated as hedges
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts – not designated as hedges

Total

–

–

170

170

170

170

11,867
–
–
21

–
(6,415)
(2,602)
–

11,867
(6,415)
(2,602)
21

2,871

3,041

11,888

(9,017)

12,058

(9,017)

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  97

Current
Interest rate swaps – not designated as hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts – not designated as hedges

Non-current
Cross currency interest rate swaps – fair value hedges

Total

Assets 
£’000

2011

Liabilities 
£’000

Net 
£’000

–

–

(9,416)
(26)

(9,416)
(26)

(9,442)

(9,442)

16,364

16,364

–

16,364

(9,442)

6,922

Derivative instruments which are held for trading and not designated as effective hedging instruments are classified as a current asset or 
liability (as appropriate) regardless of maturity if the Group expects that they may be settled within 12 months of the balance sheet date. 
Derivative instruments that are designated as effective hedging instruments are classified as a current or non-current asset or liability by 
reference to the maturity of the hedged item. All other derivative instruments are classified by reference to their maturity date.

Cross-currency Interest Rate Swaps
The Group utilises cross-currency interest rate swaps to swap fixed rate US dollar denominated debt of $130 million into floating rate 
sterling debt of £78 million. The floating rates are based on sterling LIBOR. These swaps are designated as fair value hedges under IAS 39 
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.

Interest Rate Swaps
The Group utilises interest rate swaps to convert floating rate sterling and US dollar debt into fixed rate debt liabilities. The principal amount  
of the Group’s borrowings which are swapped at 28 September 2012 total £125 million and $70 million (2011: £75 million and $30 million).  
In addition, the Group has entered into forward starting interest rate swaps of £50 million and $30 million commencing in October 2013 that 
replace similar sized maturing instruments at a lower fixed cost. The total value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges under 
IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement at 28 September 2012 was £100 million and $70 million (inclusive of the forward 
starting interest rate swaps). At 28 September 2012, the fixed interest rates vary from 0.93% to 5.70% (2011: 4.30% to 5.70%) with maturities 
ranging from October 2013 to October 2018 (2011: October 2013 to October 2015).

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
The notional principal amounts of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts at 28 September 2012 total £14.4 million  
(2011: £6.7 million). No outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts are designated as cash flow hedges at 28 September 2012.

21. Analysis of Net Debt
Reconciliation of Opening to Closing Net Debt
Net debt is a non-IFRS measure which comprises current and non-current borrowings and the cross-currency interest rate swaps in fair value 
hedges related to the Private Placement Notes less cash and cash equivalents. It does not include other derivative financial instruments, but 
does include the proportion of the fair value of the hedging adjustment on the Private Placement Notes which is included in their carrying 
value on the balance sheet.

The reconciliation of opening to closing net debt for the year ended is as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents
Bank borrowings
Private Placement Notes
Cross-currency interest rate swaps – fair value hedges

Total

2012

At 30 
September 
2011  
£’000

81,564
(117,609)
(120,107)
16,364

Acquisitions 
£’000

Cash flow 
£’000

Hedge 
adjustment 
£’000

Translation 
and non-cash 
adjustments 
£’000

At 28 
September 
2012 
£’000

2,686
–
–
–

(65,712)
(55,868)‡

–
–

–
–
3,590
(4,497)

225
1,347
–
–

18,763
(172,130)
(116,517)
11,867

(139,788)

2,686 (121,580)

(907)

1,572 (258,017)

‡  During the year £76.4 million was drawn by the Group on the revolving credit facility and bank borrowings of £20.5 million were repaid.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

98
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

21. Analysis of Net Debt (continued)

Cash and cash equivalents
Bank borrowings
Private Placement Notes
Cross-currency interest rate swaps – fair value hedges

Total

2011

At 24 
September 
2010
£’000

9,931
(38,308)
(154,100)
18,413

Acquisitions 
£’000

Cash flow 
£’000

Translation 
and 
non-cash 
adjustments 
£’000

Hedge 
adjustment 
£’000

8,364
(15,500)
–
–

64,047
(66,967)‡
35,120
(2,107)

–
–
(1,127)
58

(778)
3,166
–
–

At 30 
September 
2011 
£’000

81,564
(117,609)
(120,107)
16,364

(164,064)

(7,136)

30,093

(1,069)

2,388

(139,788)

‡  The Group refinanced its revolving credit facility during the prior year which resulted in the repayment of existing facilities totalling £220.6 million on 21 May 2011 and 

the draw down of £220.6 million of new facilities on the same date.

Currency Profile
The currency profile of net debt and derivative financial instruments was as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Interest Rate Profile
The interest rate profile of net debt was as follows:

Euro
Sterling
US dollar

Euro
Sterling
US dollar

†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

2012

US dollar 
£’000

3,870
(78,228)
(1,073)

Euro 
£’000

Sterling 
£’000

Total 
£’000

2,766
–
–

12,127
(210,419)
4,114

18,763
(288,647)
3,041

(75,431)

2,766

(194,178)

(266,843)

2011

US dollar 
£’000

2,777
(48,284)
(1,515)

Euro 
£’000

Sterling 
£’000

Total 
£’000

4,969
(55,939)
–

73,818
(133,493)
8,437

81,564
(237,716)
6,922

(47,022)

(50,970)

(51,238)

(149,230)

Floating 
rate  
net debt 
£’000

2012

Fixed rate 
net debt 
£’000

Total 
£’000

2,766
(37,524)
(31,060)

–
(148,901)
(43,298)

2,766
(186,425)
(74,358)

(65,818)

(192,199)

(258,017)

2011 
As re-presented†

Floating rate 
net debt 
£’000

Fixed rate 
net debt 
£’000

(53,018)
58,599
(26,055)

–
(100,000)
(19,314)

Total 
£’000

(53,018)
(41,401)
(45,369)

(20,474)

(119,314)

(139,788)

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  99

22. Provisions for Liabilities

At beginning of year, as previously reported
Adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business 

combinations (Note 30)

At beginning of year, as re-presented
Provided in year
Arising on acquisitions (Note 30)
Utilised in year
Unwind of discount to present value in the year
Currency translation adjustment

At end of year

Analysed as:

Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities

Deferred 
contingent 
consideration 
£’000

–

–

–
–
1,277
–
–
(40)

Leases 
£’000

Remediation 
and closure 
£’000

Other 
£’000

Total 
£’000

10,177

14,911

2,001

27,089

426

(2,411)

3,850

1,865

10,603
1,100
223
(1,678)
149
(6)

12,500
–
–
(8,414)
–
(160)

5,851
–
–
(632)
–
(64)

28,954
1,100
1,500
(10,724)
149
(270)

1,237

10,391

3,926

5,155

20,709

2011
As re- 
presented* 
£’000

15,880
13,074

2012 
£’000

12,112
8,597

20,709

28,954

The estimation of provisions is a key judgement in the preparation of the financial statements.

Deferred Contingent Consideration
Deferred contingent consideration relates to the acquisition of Schau. Further information is set out in Note 30.

Leases
Lease provisions consist of (a) provisions for leasehold dilapidations in respect of certain leases, relating to the estimated cost of reinstating 
leasehold premises to their original condition at the time of the inception of the lease as provided for in the lease agreement; and (b) provisions 
for onerous contractual obligations for properties held under operating lease. It is anticipated that these will be payable within six years.

Remediation and Closure
Remediation and closure obligations were established to cover either a statutory, contractual or constructive obligation of the Group.

In the Ingredients & Property segment, remediation and closure obligations primarily relate to the closure of Irish Sugar and the exit from 
sugar processing. A portion of the balance provided is not contracted and accordingly the timing of payments is subject to a degree of 
uncertainty. A significant amount of the costs will be incurred by September 2013.

In the Convenience Foods segment, the remediation and closure obligations relate to the exit from yoghurt production and the exit from 
the loss making everyday desserts business. This restructuring project is expected to be completed by December 2012.

Other
Other provisions primarily consist of provisions for litigation, warranty and other claims arising from previously disposed businesses. It is 
anticipated that these will be payable within five years.

23. Retirement Benefit Obligations
The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes in all of its main operating locations. The Group also has defined benefit 
schemes as set out below. Scheme assets are held in separate trustee administered funds.

Defined Contribution Schemes
The total cost charged to income of £3.251 million (2011: £2.546 million) represents employer contributions payable to these schemes at 
rates specified in the rules of the schemes. At year-end, £0.370 million (2011: £0.256 million) was included in other accruals in respect of 
defined contribution pension accruals.

* 

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

100
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

23. Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)
Defined Benefit Schemes
The Group operates four defined benefit schemes in the Republic of Ireland (the Irish schemes) and four defined benefit schemes and two 
benefit commitments in the UK (the UK schemes). The Group acquired one of the defined benefit schemes and the two benefit commitments 
in the UK as part of the Uniq acquisition in the prior year. The Projected Unit Credit actuarial cost method has been employed in determining 
the present value of the defined benefit obligation arising, the related current service cost and, where applicable, past service cost.

The company’s cash contributions to its pension schemes are generally determined by reference to actuarial valuations undertaken by  
the schemes’ actuaries at intervals not exceeding three years and not by the provisions of IAS 19. These funding valuations can differ 
materially from the requirements of IAS 19. In particular the discount rate used to determine the value of the liabilities under IAS 19 is 
determined by reference to the yield on high grade corporate bonds of comparable duration to the liabilities. In contrast the discount rate 
used in the ongoing valuation is generally determined by reference to the expected yield on the scheme’s current and projected future 
investment portfolio. Where a funding valuation reveals a deficit in a scheme, the company will generally agree a schedule of contributions 
with the Trustees designed to address the deficit over an agreed future time horizon. Based on current discussions with the trustees of the 
scheme we expect cash contributions to be £15.0 million in FY13. 

Certain comparatives have been restated to disclose scheme information by geographical location so as to provide users of the financial 
statements with more information to evaluate the nature of the schemes and their financial effects. The presentation of the Paragraph 51 
(b) limit has also been amended.

All of the defined benefit schemes are closed to future accrual and there is an assumption applied in the valuation of the schemes that 
there will be no discretionary increases in pensions in payment.

Actuarial gains and losses and the associated movement in the deferred tax asset are recognised in retained income via the Statement  
of Recognised Income and Expense.

Full actuarial valuations were carried out between 1 April 2008 and 1 April 2012. In general, actuarial valuations are not available for public 
inspection, however, the results of valuations are advised to the members of the various schemes.

The size of the obligation is sensitive to judgmental actuarial assumptions. These include demographic assumptions covering mortality, 
economic assumptions covering price inflation and benefit increases, together with the discount rate. The expected return on plan assets  
is also a key judgement.

The principal actuarial assumptions were as follows:

Rate of increase in pension payment
Discount rate
Inflation rate

Irish Schemes

UK Schemes

2011 
As re- 
presented†

0%‡
5.20%
1.90%

2011 
As re- 
presented†

3.10%
5.25%
3.10%

2012

2.60%
4.60%
2.70%

2012

0%‡
4.00%
1.90%

‡  The pension increase rate shown applies to the majority of the liability base. There are however certain categories within the Group that have an entitlement to 

pension indexation and this is allowed for in the calculation.

During the period, the group refined its estimate of the discount rate used for the purposes of the computation of the defined benefit liabilities 
in ROI. The refinement included a significant extension of the bond data included in the population from which the discount rate is derived as 
well as a refinement of the approach used to extrapolate the available bond data out to the duration of the pension scheme obligations. 

†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  101

The expected long-term rates of return on the assets of the schemes were as follows:

Irish Schemes

UK Schemes

2011 
As re- 
presented†

2012

2011 
As re- 
presented†

2012

Equities
Bonds
Property
Cash/Other

7.00%

8.00%

7.30%
2.10%–4.00% 3.50%–4.00% 3.70%–4.60% 3.28%–5.25%
–
0.50%

6.00%
2.00%

6.60%
0.50%

7.00%
2.00%

6.60%

The expected long-term rate of return on scheme assets was calculated taking account of the current level of expected returns on least risk 
investments (primarily government bonds), the historical level of the risk premium associated with other asset classes in which the portfolio is 
invested and the expectations of future returns for each asset class. 

Total return on plan assets for the year

2012 
£’000

2011 
As re- 
presented†

54,683

(2,574)

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are set based on information from published statistics and experience in all geographic 
regions and are selected to reflect the characteristics and experience of the membership of the relevant plans. In relation to the UK, this 
has been done by adjusting standard mortality tables to reflect recent research into mortality experience in the UK (S1N (YoB) MC tables 
combined with an underpin for improvements factors). The average life expectancy, in years, of a pensioner retiring at 65 is as follows:

Male
Female

Sensitivity of Pension Liability to Judgmental Assumptions

Irish Schemes

UK Schemes

2011 
As re- 
presented†  
years

22
24–25

2012  
years

22
24

2011 
As re- 
presented†  
years

22–26
25–28

2012  
years

24
27

Assumption

Discount rate
Rate of inflation
Rate of mortality

Market Value of the Assets of the Schemes

Change in assumption

Irish Schemes

Increase/decrease by 0.5%
Increase/decrease by 0.5%
Members assumed to live 1 year longer

/  by 5.9%
/  by 2.3%
 by 2.6%

UK Schemes

/  by 9.2%
/  by 7.0%
 by 2.1%

Impact on Scheme Liabilities

Equities
Bonds
Property
Cash/Other

Total market value at end of year
Effect of Paragraph 58(b) limit
Present value of scheme liabilities

Deficit in schemes
Deferred tax asset (Note 9)

Net liability at end of year

2012

2011 
As re-presented†*

Irish 
Schemes 
£’000

85,708
83,347
13,150
27,181

UK Schemes 
£’000

Total 
£’000

67,641
31,957
11,771
24,953

153,349
115,304
24,921
52,134

Irish 
Schemes 
£’000

77,390
72,414
14,058
29,168

UK  
Schemes 
£’000

60,491
25,725
4,239
31,207

Total 
£’000

137,881
98,139
18,297
60,375

209,386
–
(235,767)

136,322
(631)
(251,151)

345,708
(631)
(486,918)

193,030
–
(223,095)

121,662
(157)
(221,807)

314,692
(157)
(444,902)

(26,381)
–

(115,460)
25,982

(141,841)
25,982

(30,065)
–

(100,302)
24,498

(130,367)
24,498

(26,381)

(89,478)

(115,859)

(30,065)

(75,804)

(105,869)

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

* 
†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

102
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

23. Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)
Defined Benefit Pension Assets and Liabilities are Analysed in the Group Balance Sheet

Non-current liabilities

Expense Charged in the Group Income Statement in Respect of Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Past service costs

Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets

Total included in finance costs

Actuarial Losses Recognised in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets
Effect of Paragraph 58(b) limit
Actuarial losses arising on the scheme liabilities

Total loss included in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

Cumulative Actuarial Loss Recognised in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

At beginning of year
Actuarial loss for the year

At end of year

Movement in the Fair Value of Plan Assets

At beginning of year
Expected return on plan assets
Actuarial gain/(loss)
Arising on acquisition (Note 30)
Contributions by employers
Contributions by members
Benefits and expenses paid
Currency translation adjustment

At end of year

2011 
As re-
presented* 
£’000

2012 
£’000

(141,841)

(130,367)

2012 
£’000

–

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

352

2011 
£’000

22,226
(17,568)

21,090
(19,310)

4,658

1,780

2011
As re- 
presented† 
£’000

(21,884)
299
(15,357)

2012 
£’000

37,115
(474)
(60,412)

(23,771)

(36,942)

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

(169,047)
(23,771)

(132,105)
(36,942)

(192,818)

(169,047)

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

314,692
17,568
37,115
–
14,830
–
(22,515)
(15,982)

323,521
19,310
(21,884)
967
11,985
3
(22,126)
2,916

345,708

314,692

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

* 
†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  103

Movement in the Present Value of Defined Benefit Obligations

At beginning of year, as previously reported
Adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations (Note 30)

At beginning of year, as re-presented
Past service cost
Interest cost
Arising on acquisition (Note 30)
Actuarial loss
Contributions by members
Benefits and expenses paid
Currency translation adjustment

At end of year

History of Experience Adjustments

Present value of defined benefit obligations
Fair value of scheme assets
Effect of Paragraph 58(b) limit

Deficit in the schemes

Difference between the expected and actual return on scheme assets (£’000)
As a percentage of scheme assets

2012 
£’000

444,702
200

444,902
–
22,226
–
60,412
–
(22,515)
(18,107)

2011 
As re- 
presented† 
£’000

423,539
–

423,539
352
21,090
3,413
15,357
3
(22,126)
3,074

486,918

444,702

2011 
As re-
presented†* 
£’000

2010 
As re-
presented† 
£’000

2012 
£’000

2009 
£’000

2008 
£’000

(486,918)
345,708
(631)

(444,902)
314,692
(157)

(423,539)
323,521
(456)

(408,249)
317,048
–

(360,169)
306,925
–

(141,841)

(130,367)

(100,474)

(91,201)

(53,244)

2011 
As re-
presented†

2010 
As re-
presented†

2009

2008

(21,884)
7.0%

18,405
5.7%

(33,129)
10.4%

(115,228)
37.5%

2012

37,115
10.7%

Actuarial (losses)/gains on scheme liabilities (£’000)
As a percentage of the present value of scheme liabilities

(60,412)
12.4%

(15,357)
3.5%

(42,835)
10.1%

(10,417)
2.6%

65,779
18.3%

Total recognised in Statement of Recognised Income and Expenses (£’000)

(23,771)

(36,942)

(24,886)

(43,546)

(49,448)

As a percentage of the present value of the scheme liabilities

4.9%

8.3%

5.9%

10.7%

13.7%

Greencore Group Pension Scheme Contingent Asset
The Greencore Group Pension Scheme (‘the Scheme’) has a mortgage and charge relating to certain property assets of the Group with  
a carrying value of £8.7 million (2011: £10.9 million) for use as a contingent asset of the Scheme. Under the terms of the mortgage and 
charge, should a disposal of these property assets occur that meets the terms of the mortgage and charge, the Scheme is entitled to  
a portion of the sale proceeds. The maximum amount recoverable by the Trustees of the Scheme under the mortgage and charge is  
the amount required for the Scheme to meet the minimum funding standard under the Pension Acts 1990-2009. During the year,  
£0.4 million (2011: £nil) was paid to the Scheme on foot of this arrangement.

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

* 
†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

104
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

24. Equity Share Capital

Authorised

500,000,000 (2011: 500,000,000) ordinary shares of £0.01 (2011: €0.01) each   
500,000,000 (2011: nil) deferred shares of €0.01 each 
300,000,000 (2011: 300,000,000) deferred shares of €0.62 each 
1 special rights preference share of €1.26 (a) 

Issued and fully paid

390,451,541 (2011: 383,407,228) ordinary shares of £0.01 (2011: €0.01) each   
384,815,847 (2011: nil) deferred shares of €0.01 each 
209,131,215 (2011: 209,131,215) deferred shares of €0.62 each 
66 ordinary shares of £0.01 each held as treasury shares (e) 
3,904,716 ordinary shares of €0.63 each held as treasury shares (e) 
1 special rights preference share of €1.26 (a) 

Reconciliation of movements on Equity Share Capital 

Share capital, at beginning of year 
Exercise of share options (b) 
Shares issued during the year – redenomination (d) 
Scrip dividends (c) 
Currency translation adjustment 

Share capital, at end of year  

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

5,000
4,303
160,072
–

4,303
–
160,072
–

169,375

164,375

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

3,904
3,312
111,587
–
2,117
–

3,300
–
111,587
–
2,117
–

120,920

117,004

2011 
As re- 
presented† 
£’000

112,536
11
1,500
1,366
1,591

2012 
£’000

117,004
7
3,848
61
–

120,920

117,004

(a)  The special share is owned by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on behalf of the Irish State. This gives the owner certain rights, inter alia, in relation  

to the shares, sugar quota and sugar producing assets of Irish Sugar Limited. See the Directors’ Report on page 33 for further information.

(b)  Details of share options granted under the Company’s Executive Share Option Scheme, savings-related share option schemes and the Deferred Bonus Plan and the 

terms attaching thereto are provided in Note 5 to the Group Financial Statements and in the Report on Directors Remuneration. 

(c)  During the year 6,336,618 (2011: 2,441,392) shares were issued in respect of the scrip dividend scheme. 
(d)  The Company issued 174,276,013 ordinary shares of €0.01 each by way of a 5 for 6 rights issue on 24 August 2011 for cash at €0.46 each. As part of the Rights Issue, 
the Company’s ordinary shares were renominalised, resulting in the nominal value of each ordinary share being reduced from €0.63 per share to €0.01 per share. 

(e)  The company re-purchased 3,904,782 ordinary shares of €0.63 each in 1998 and 66 ordinary shares of £0.01 each during the current year. During the current year  

and the prior year none of these shares were re-issued. These shares are held as treasury shares and do not carry dividend or voting rights.

Redenomination of Ordinary Share Capital 
Following the Company’s entry into the FTSE UK Index Series and the cancellation of the trading of its shares on the Irish Stock Exchange, 
the Company’s shares were only quoted in sterling. Pursuant to the resolutions passed at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on  
9 February 2012, the nominal value of the Company’s share capital was redenominated to sterling. 

Change in Authorised Capital 
At the Annual General Meeting held on 9 February 2012, the authorised share capital of the Company was increased so that it now consists 
of 500,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.01 each, 500,000,000 deferred shares of €0.01 each, 300,000,000 deferred shares of €0.62 each and 
one special rights preference share of €1.26. 

Issue of New Shares 
The Company issued 384,815,847 new ordinary shares of £0.01 each as fully paid bonus shares to the equity holders of the Company on 
the basis of one share for every ordinary share of €0.01 held. The ordinary shares of €0.01 each were then converted into deferred shares  
of €0.01 in the capital of the Company. 

†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  105

Deferred Shares 
The rights attaching to the ordinary shares of £0.01 each (including voting and dividend rights and rights on a return of capital) are 
identical to those of the previous ordinary shares of €0.01 each. The deferred shares of €0.01 created on the redenomination and the 
deferred shares of €0.62 each have no voting or dividend rights and, on a return of capital on a winding up of the Company, will have the 
right to receive the amount paid up thereon only after ordinary shareholders have received, in aggregate, any amounts paid up thereon 
plus £100 million per ordinary share of £0.01, the purpose of which is to ensure that the deferred shares have no economic value. 

Both the deferred shares of €0.01 each and the deferred shares of €0.62 each are not transferable at any time, other than with the  
prior written consent of the Directors. At the appropriate time, the Company may redeem or repurchase the deferred shares, make an 
application to the High Court of Ireland for the deferred shares to be cancelled, or acquire or cancel or seek the surrender of the deferred 
shares (in each case for no consideration) using such other lawful means as the Directors may determine. The Directors are in the process 
of cancelling the deferred shares. 

Capital Risk Management 
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising return to 
stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. Invested Capital is defined as the sum of all current and non-current 
assets (including intangibles), less current and non-current liabilities with the exception of debt items, derivatives and retirement benefit 
obligations. The Group’s return on invested capital is calculated by dividing net operating profit after tax (‘NOPAT’) by average invested 
capital. NOPAT is calculated as operating profit (pre-exceptional charges and amortisation of acquisition related intangibles) including 
share of associates less tax at the effective rate in the income statement. The average invested capital is calculated by adding together  
the invested capital from the opening and closing balance sheet and dividing by two. The Group monitors the return on invested capital  
of the Group as a key performance indicator. The FY11 calculation was further adjusted to exclude balance sheet items related to Uniq  
as there was no trading contribution from Uniq in the FY11 financial statements. An adjustment was also made in FY12 to the opening 
invested capital to exclude the consideration payable to Uniq shareholders.

Total assets 
Total liabilities 
Net debt (Note 21) 
Derivatives not designated as fair value hedges (Note 20)
Retirement benefit obligation (net of deferred tax asset) (Note 23)
Consideration payable on acquisition of Uniq (Note 30)

Capital for 2012 ROIC calculation

Adjusted for:

Fair value of acquired net assets of Uniq excluding borrowing and retirement benefit  

obligations (Note 30)

Capital for 2011 ROIC calculation

25. Non-Controlling Interests

At beginning of year
Profit after tax
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Currency translation adjustment

At end of year

26. Working Capital Movement

Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables

2011 
As re-
presented†* 
£’000

2012 
£’000

1,018,060 1,035,873
(841,273)
139,788
9,442
105,869
112,702

(817,541)
258,017
8,826
115,859
–

2010 
As re-
presented† 
£’000

721,715
(569,968)
164,064
16,028
77,024
–

583,221

562,401

408,863

(122,725)

–

439,676

408,863

2012 
£’000

2,962
948
(424)
(240)

3,246

2011 
£’000

2,444
702
(219)
35

2,962

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

332
4,245
18,832

23,409

(7,145)
(13,892)
19,485

(1,552)

As re-presented to reflect adjustments to provisional fair values previously recognised on business combinations as set out in Note 30.

* 
†  As re-presented to show comparative on the same basis as the current year.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

106
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

27. Commitments Under Operating Leases
Operating Leases
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases at year end are as follows:

Within one year
After one year but not more than five years
More than five years

Operating lease commitments relate to property, plant and machinery and fixtures and fittings.

28. Capital Expenditure Commitments

Capital expenditure that has been contracted but not been provided for
Capital expenditure that has been authorised by the Directors but not yet been contracted

2012 
£’000

10,132
28,774
27,120

2011 
£’000

9,394
25,796
31,893

66,026

67,083

2012 
£’000

3,054
7,061

10,115

2011 
£’000

1,511
1,832

3,343

29. Contingencies
The Company and certain subsidiaries have given guarantees in respect of borrowings and other obligations arising in the ordinary course 
of the business of the Company and other Group undertakings. The Company and other Group undertakings consider these guarantees to 
be insurance contracts and account for them as such. The Company treats these guarantee contracts as contingent liabilities until such 
time as it becomes probable that a payment will be required under such guarantees.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 17, Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, the Company has guaranteed the liabilities of certain 
subsidiary undertakings in the Republic of Ireland for the financial year ended 28 September 2012 and as a result, such subsidiary 
undertakings have been exempted from the filing provisions of Section 7, Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986.

Various subsidiaries of the Group are subject to legal proceedings. Provisions for anticipated settlement costs and associated expenses 
arising from legal and other disputes are made where a reliable estimate can be made of the probable outcome of the proceedings.

As part of the agreement to dispose of Greencore Malt, the Group provided a bank guarantee to Axéréal Union de Coopératives Agricoles 
for an amount of £8.6 million to guarantee the performance by the Group of its payment obligations in respect of any breach of warranty, 
indemnity or covenant under the disposal agreement. The security was released during the year.

During the year, The Group provided a bank guarantee to Daiichi Sankyo Development Limited for an amount of £0.9 million to guarantee 
the performance of the Group of its payment obligations in respect of a lease assignment agreement.

30. Acquisition and Disposal of Undertakings
Acquisitions in the Current Period
On 17 April 2012, the Group acquired 100% of MarketFare which is a leading manufacturer of food to go products for convenience  
and small stores in the US with facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah and Fredericksburg, Virginia. The acquisition builds additional scale with  
a key customer, 7-Eleven, and provides new competencies to Greencore USA.

On 21 June 2012, the Group acquired 100% of Schau, a fresh food manufacturer with facilities in Chicago, Illinois and Jacksonville, Florida. 
The acquisition will form a critical part of the supply network for a significant new multi-regional contract gain with a national food service 
chain in Greencore USA’s Food to Go category.

On 23 August 2012, the Group announced the acquisition of 100% of ICL, a private label chilled ready meal business with a facility in 
Consett, Co. Durham. The acquisition will provide additional capacity for the Group in the ready meals category in the UK and complements 
our existing business.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  107

The provisional fair value of the assets acquired, determined in accordance with IFRS, were as follows:

Assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax assets
Inventory
Trade and other receivables

Total assets

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions for liabilities
Current taxes payable
Retirement benefit obligations
Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets acquired
Goodwill

Total enterprise value

Satisfied by:
Cash payments
Cash acquired

Net cash outflow
Consideration payable

Total consideration

2012 
Acquisitions 
£’000

13,956
10,275
–
5,304
12,488

42,023

(13,814)
(223)
–
–
(744)

(14,781)

27,242
16,698

43,940

41,538
(2,686)

38,852
5,088

43,940

The fair values of the acquired net assets have been determined provisionally as at 28 September 2012 and are subject to change, as the Group 
has yet to finalise the fair value of all the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired due to the timing of the completion of the acquisitions.

MarketFare
The principal factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill on the MarketFare acquisition is the expected realisation of cost savings 
and operational synergies through the combination of the activities of MarketFare with the existing operations of the Group. The total 
amount of goodwill recognised of £3.7 million is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The principal intangible assets acquired were customer related intangibles amounting to £12.9 million.

Consideration of £0.2 million relating to the acquisition was payable at 28 September 2012.

As part of the acquisition the Group acquired trade receivables with a fair value of £3.5 million. Management estimate that acquired trade 
receivables will be collected in full.

Transaction costs of £1.0 million associated with the acquisition of MarketFare are presented as an exceptional charge in the operating 
costs as set out in Note 6.

The post acquisition impact of MarketFare on the Group was to increase revenue by £23.0 million and to increase Group profit by £1.4 million.

If the acquisition of MarketFare was at the beginning of the year Group revenue would have been £1,187.5 million. In addition the profit for 
the year would have been £36.4 million.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

108
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

30. Acquisition and Disposal of Undertakings (continued)
Schau
The principal factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill on the acquisition of Schau is the expected realisation of cost savings and 
operational synergies through the combination of the activities of Schau with the existing operations of the Group. The total amount of 
goodwill recognised of £11.5 million is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The principal intangible assets acquired were customer related intangibles amounting to £0.9 million.

Deferred consideration of £4.7 million is due in respect of this acquisition. A total of £2.7 million is fixed and is payable in five equal instalments 
with the final payment due on 1 October 2013. A further £0.8 million is payable within one year of the acquisition. An amount of £1.2 million  
is contingent on the revenue performance of Schau. The maximum amount payable under the acquisition agreement has been provided for 
based on the performance of Schau since the date of acquisition.

As part of the acquisition the Group acquired trade receivables with a fair value of £1.3 million. Management estimate that acquired trade 
receivables will be collected in full.

Transaction costs of £0.8 million associated with the acquisition of Schau are presented as an exceptional charge as set out in Note 6.

The post acquisition impact of Schau on the Group was to increase revenue by £7.1 million. The post acquisition impact of the business 
combination on Group profit was not material.

If the acquisition of Schau was at the beginning of the year, Group revenue would have been £1,179.2 million. In addition, the profit for  
the year would have been £35.8 million.

ICL
The principal factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill on the acquisition of ICL are the expected realisation of cost savings and 
operational synergies through the combination of the activities of ICL with the existing operations of the Group. The total amount of 
goodwill recognised is £1.5 million.

No intangible assets were acquired on the purchase of ICL.

Consideration of £0.2 million relating to the acquisition was payable at the 28 September 2012.

As part of the acquisition the Group acquired trade receivables with a fair value of £5.3 million. The gross contractual amount receivable 
was £5.5 million and management’s estimate of the contractual cashflows not expected to be collected was £0.2 million.

Transaction costs of £0.5 million associated with the acquisition of ICL are presented as an exceptional charge in the operating costs as  
set out in Note 6.

The post acquisition impact of ICL on the Group was to increase revenue by £5.1 million. The post acquisition impact of the business 
combination on Group profit was not material.

If the acquisition of ICL was at the beginning of the year, Group revenue would have been £1,202 million. Group profit for the financial year 
would not have been materially different.

Minsterley Disposal
On 15 June 2012 the Group reached agreement to dispose of its Chilled Desserts facility in Minsterley to Müller Dairy UK group. Under the 
terms of the agreement, ownership of the facility will transfer to Müller and the co-packaging arrangement for Cadbury chilled desserts will 
terminate. Cash consideration will be £4.3 million, plus an amount for stock. The disposal is expected to complete at the start of January 
2013 once the Group has completed the transfer of certain production lines to its Evercreech facility.

Acquisitions in Prior Periods
On 23 September 2011, the Group’s acquisition of Uniq plc (‘Uniq’) was declared unconditional in all respects. The acquisition provided 
further critical mass in the Food to Go market and exposure to the premium chilled desserts market, in both cases with a major retail 
customer with which the Group previously had little trade.

On 6 December 2010, the Group acquired a 100% interest in On A Roll Sales (‘On A Roll’), a manufacturer of fresh sandwiches based in 
Brockton, south of Boston, Massachusetts. The Group obtained control of On A Roll by way of asset purchase. The acquisition provided an 
additional revenue stream to Greencore USA’s Food to Go category.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  109

The provisional fair value of the assets acquired, determined in accordance with IFRS, as previously reported at 30 September 2011  
and subsequently adjusted to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date  
were as follows:

Assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax assets
Inventory
Trade and other receivables

Total assets

Liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Provisions for liabilities
Current taxes payable
Retirement benefit obligations
Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets acquired
Goodwill

Total enterprise value

Satisfied by:
Cash payments
Cash acquired

Net cash outflow
Consideration payable

Total consideration

Uniq

On A Roll

As 
previously 
reported 
£’000

Adjustments 
to provisional 
fair values 
£’000

As re- 
  presented 
£’000

As 
previously 
reported 
£’000

Total 
As re- 
  presented 
£’000

38,297
29,583
19,744
10,780
28,418

(1,563)
(4,423)
–
(2,099)
352

36,734
25,160
19,744
8,681
28,770

6,907
404
–
342
746

43,641
25,564
19,744
9,023
29,516

126,822

(7,733)

119,089

8,399

127,488

(15,500)
(48,072)
(19,610)
(5,833)
(2,446)
(9,574)

–
809
(1,865)
(4,891)
(200)
425

(15,500)
(47,263)
(21,475)
(10,724)
(2,646)
(9,149)

–
(1,198)
–
–
–
–

(15,500)
(48,461)
(21,475)
(10,724)
(2,646)
(9,149)

(101,035)

(5,722)

(106,757)

(1,198)

(107,955)

25,787
78,792

104,579

(13,455)
13,455

12,332
92,247

7,201
4,322

19,533
96,569

–

104,579

11,523

116,102

–
(8,123)

(8,123)
112,702

11,116
(241)

11,116
(8,364)

10,875

2,752
648 113,350

104,579

11,523 116,102

The principal factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill on the acquisition of Uniq is the expected realisation of cost savings and 
operational synergies through the combination of the activities of Uniq with existing operations in the Group, together with the assembled 
workforce and knowledge and experience of the Uniq employees. The total amount of goodwill recognised of £92.2 million is not expected 
to be deductible for tax purposes.

The principal intangible assets acquired were customer related intangible assets amounting to £36.7 million.

As part of the acquisition, the Group acquired trade receivables with a fair value of £24.13 million. The gross contractual amount receivable 
was £24.15 million and management’s estimate of the contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was £0.02 million.

Transaction costs of £6.6 million associated with the acquisition of Uniq were presented as an exceptional charge within operating costs  
as set out in Note 6.

The fair values of the acquired net assets of Uniq were determined provisionally as at 30 September 2011 as a result of the timing of the 
completion of the acquisition. As a result of the complexity of the acquisition, being the acquisition of a plc, significant judgement was 
required in estimating the fair value of the liabilities reported above. The ultimate resolution of certain of these liabilities may result in an 
increase or decrease in the level of the provisions that will be reported in future periods. The determination of the fair value of the acquired 
net assets of Uniq is a key judgement in the preparation of the financial statements. 

The fair value of the acquired net assets of Uniq as at the acquisition date have been adjusted retrospectively. The fair values of the acquired net 
assets of On A Roll are final and there were no adjustments required to the fair values of the acquired net assets as reported at 30 September 
2011. The Group Balance Sheet as at 28 September 2011 and associated notes are re-presented to reflect the effect of these adjustments.

The consideration payable on both the acquisition of Uniq and On A Roll was paid in full during the period, resulting in a cash out flow of 
£113.3 million.

 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

110
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

31. Related Party Disclosures
The principal related party relationships requiring disclosure in the Group Financial Statements under IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures 
pertain to the existence of subsidiaries and associates and transactions with these entities entered into by the Group and the identification 
and compensation of key management personnel as addressed in greater detail below.

Subsidiaries and Associates
The Group Financial Statements include the Financial Statements of the Company (Greencore Group plc, the ultimate parent) and its 
subsidiaries and associates. A listing of the principal subsidiaries and associates is provided in Note 32 of the Group Financial Statements.

Sales to and purchases from, together with outstanding payables and receivables to and from, subsidiaries, are eliminated in the 
preparation of the Group Financial Statements in accordance with IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. Amounts 
receivable from and payable to associates as at the balance sheet date are included as separate line items in the notes to the Group 
Financial Statements.

Terms and Conditions of Transactions with Associates
In general, sales to and purchases from associates are on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s length transactions. The outstanding 
balances included in receivables and payables at the balance sheet date in respect of transactions with associates are unsecured, interest  
free and settlement arises in cash. No guarantees have been either requested or provided in relation to the associates company receivables 
and payables.

Key Management Personnel
For the purposes of the disclosure requirements of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, the term ‘key management personnel’ (i.e. those persons 
having the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company), comprise the Board of Directors 
which manages the business and affairs of the Company. As identified in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration, the Directors, other than the 
Non-Executive Directors, serve as executive officers of the Company.

Key management personnel compensation was as follows:

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Transactions with the Group defined benefit pension schemes are disclosed in Note 23.

2012 
£’000

3,218
427
1,063

4,708

2011 
£’000

3,026
782
1,054

4,862

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  111

32. Principal Subsidiaries and Associated Undertakings

Name of undertaking

Nature of business

Percentage share

Registered office

Breadwinner Foods Limited*

Food Processors

100

Greencore Advances Limited

Finance Company

100

Greencore Beechwood Limited

Holding Company

100

Greencore Developments Limited

Property Company

100

Greencore Finance Limited

Finance Company

100

Greencore Foods Limited*

Holding Company

100

Greencore Funding Limited**

Finance Company

Greencore USA, Inc***

Food Processors

100

100

Greencore UK Holdings plc*

Holding Company

100

Hazlewood (Blackditch) Limited*

Property Company

100

Hazlewood Convenience  
Food Group Limited*

Food Processors

100

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

No.2 Northwood Avenue 
Northwood Business Park, Santry 
Dublin 9

No.2 Northwood Avenue 
Northwood Business Park, Santry 
Dublin 9

No.2 Northwood Avenue 
Northwood Business Park, Santry 
Dublin 9

No.2 Northwood Avenue 
Northwood Business Park, Santry 
Dublin 9

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

P.O. Box 87, 22 Grenville Street 
St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX

The Corporation Service Company 
1209 Orange Street 
City of Willmington 
County of Newcastle 
Delaware 
US

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

112
Financial Statements
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

32. Principal Subsidiaries and Associated Undertakings (continued)

Name of undertaking

Nature of business

Percentage share

Registered office

Hazlewood Convenience  

Food Processors

100

Group 1 Limited*

Hazlewood Foods Limited*

Holding Company

100

Hazlewood Grocery Limited*

Food Processors

100

H.C. Schau & Son Inc***

Food Processors

100

International Cuisine Limited*

Food Processors

100

Irish Sugar Limited

General Trading Company 100

MarketFare Foods LLC***

Food Processors

100

Ministry of Cake Limited*

Food Processors

100

Oldfields Limited*

Food Processors

100

Premier Molasses Company Limited

Molasses Trading

50

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

10350 Argonne Drive
Suite 400
City of Woodridge
County of Dupage
60517

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

No.2 Northwood Avenue 
Northwood Business Park, Santry 
Dublin 9

160 Greentree Drive 
Suite 101 
City of Dover 
County of Kent 
Delaware 
US

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Harbour Road 
Foynes, Co. Limerick

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  113

Nature of business

Percentage share

Registered office

Name of undertaking

Sushi San Limited*

Food Processors

100

Trilby Trading Limited

Food Industry Suppliers

100

Uniq Prepared Foods Limited*

Food Processors

100

United Molasses (Ireland) Limited*

Molasses Trading

50

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

No.2 Northwood Avenue 
Northwood Business Park, Santry 
Dublin 9

Greencore Group 
UK Centre 
Midland Way 
Barlborough Links Business Park 
Barlborough 
Chesterfield S43 4XA

Duncrue Street 
Belfast BT3 9AQ

All the above companies are incorporated in the Republic of Ireland except those marked with * which are incorporated within the United 
Kingdom, that marked with ** which is incorporated in Jersey, and that marked with *** which is incorporated in the US. The principal 
country of operation of each company is the country in which it is incorporated. United Molasses (Ireland) Limited is accounted for  
as an associate.

33. Subsequent Events
There were no significant subsequent events after the balance sheet date.

34. Board Approval 
The Group Financial Statements, together with the Company Financial Statements, for the year ended 28 September 2012 were approved 
by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 26 November 2012.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

114
Financial Statements
Company Statement of Accounting Policies
year ended 28 September 2012

Basis of Preparation
The Company Financial Statements have been prepared in sterling, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles under the 
historic cost convention and Irish statute, comprising the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2012, and with the financial reporting standards of the 
Accounting Standards Board, as promulgated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Profit and Loss
The profit attributable to equity shareholders dealt with in the Financial Statements of the Parent Company was £3.9 million (2010: £6.6 
million). In accordance with section 148(8) of the Companies Act 1963 and section 7(1A) of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1986, the 
Company is availing of the exemption from presenting its individual Profit and Loss Account to the Annual General Meeting and from filing 
it with the Registrar of Companies.

Foreign Currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transactions. The resulting monetary assets and 
liabilities are translated at the balance sheet rate. The resulting profits or losses are dealt with in the profit and loss account.

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries and associated undertakings are held at cost. The Company assesses investments for impairment whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an investment may not be recoverable. If any such indication of 
impairment exists, the Company makes an estimate of its recoverable amount. When the carrying amount of an investment exceeds  
its recoverable amount, the investment is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount.

Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value, of each fixed asset during its expected 
useful life using the straight line or reducing balance methods over the following periods:

Plant, machinery, fixtures and fittings   

3–25 years

No depreciation is provided on freehold land.

Employee Share Options
The Company grants equity settled share-based payments and share awards to employees (through Executive Share Option and Share 
Award Schemes and employee ShareSave Schemes). In the case of these options, the fair value is determined using a trinomial valuation 
model, as measured at the date of grant. The fair value is expensed to the Profit and Loss Account on a straight-line basis over the vesting 
period, based on an estimate of the number of shares that will eventually vest.

The proceeds received when options are exercised, net of any directly attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital and  
share premium.

Taxation
Current tax represents the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates and tax laws enacted or substantively 
enacted, at the balance sheet date along with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences which have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where 
transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future, or a right to pay less tax in the future have occurred at  
the balance sheet date.

Timing differences are temporary differences between profit as computed for taxation purposes and profit as stated in the Financial 
Statements which arise because certain items of income and expenditure in the Financial Statements are dealt with in different periods  
for taxation purposes.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent which they are regarded as recoverable. Recoverability is assessed on the basis that more 
likely than not there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted.

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  115

Retirement Benefits
Defined Contribution Pension Plans
A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate defined contribution scheme. 
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the Profit and Loss Account as due. Any 
difference between the amounts charged to the Profit and Loss Account and contributions paid to the pension scheme are included in debtors 
or creditors in the Balance Sheet.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Pension benefits are funded over the employees’ years of service by way of contributions to a defined benefit scheme operated by the 
Company. Pursuant to paragraph 9 (b) of FRS 17, as the Directors of the Company are unable to determine the portion of the pension 
scheme assets and liabilities which relate to the employees of the Company, the Company has accounted for the contributions as if the 
scheme were a defined contribution scheme. Contributions to the plan are charged to the Profit and Loss Account as due. Any difference 
between the amounts charged to the Profit and Loss Account and contributions paid to the pension scheme are included in debtors or 
creditors in the Balance Sheet.

Share Capital
Ordinary Shares
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are taken as a 
deduction, within equity net of tax, from the proceeds.

Treasury Shares
Where the Company purchases the Company’s equity share capital, the consideration paid is deducted from the total shareholders’ equity 
and classified as treasury shares until they are cancelled. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received 
is included in total shareholders’ equity.

Dividends
Interim dividends payable are recognised as a liability of the Company when the Board of Directors’ resolves to pay the dividend and the 
shareholders have been notified in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association. Final dividends of the Company are recognised 
as a liability when they have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.

Cash Flow
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available to it under FRS 1 Cash flow Statements not to prepare a statement of cash flows.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

116
Financial Statements
Company Balance Sheet
at 28 September 2012

Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Financial assets

Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors (amounts due within one year)
Creditors

Net current assets

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Capital conversion reserve fund
Share premium account
Other reserves
Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

EF Sullivan 
Director 

AR Williams
Director

Notes

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

1
2

3

1,018
88,453

1,092
84,074

89,471

85,166

841,974
25

839,391
69,314

841,999

908,705

4

469,515

527,565

469,515

527,565

372,484

381,140

461,955

466,306

5
6
6
6
6

120,920
804
171,469
(14,652)
183,414

117,004
804
171,010
(17,157)
194,645

461,955

466,306

 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  117

Notes to the Company Balance Sheet
year ended 28 September 2012

1. Tangible Assets

Cost
At 30 September 2011
Additions

At 28 September 2012

Depreciation
At 30 September 2011
Charge for the year

At 28 September 2012

Net book value

At 28 September 2012

At 30 September 2011

2. Financial Assets

Interest in subsidiary undertakings

At beginning of year
Movement in year
Currency translation adjustment

At end of year

Computer 
software 
£’000

Fixtures 
and fittings 
£’000

6
–

6

2
–

2

4

4

Total 
£’000

1,276
6

1,282

184
80

264

1,270
6

1,276

182
80

262

1,014

1,018

1,088

1,092

2012 
£’000

84,074
4,379
–

2011 
£’000

82,710
166
1,198

88,453

84,074

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

841,427
270
277

838,718
198
475

841,974

839,391

The principal trading subsidiary and associated undertakings are set out in Note 32 to the Group Financial Statements.

3. Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings ‡
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income

‡  Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are classified as current, as all inter-company receivables and payables are repayable on demand.

4. Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings ‡
Declared interim dividend
Trade and other creditors
Accruals

2012 
£’000

2011 
£’000

455,837
6,821
2,571
4,286

516,071
5,407
4,602
1,485

469,515

527,565

‡  Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings are classified as current, as all inter-company receivables and payables are repayable on demand.

5. Share Capital
Details in respect of called-up share capital are presented in Note 24 of the Group Financial Statements.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

118
Financial Statements
Notes to the Company Balance Sheet
year ended 28 September 2012
(continued)

6. Equity Reserves

At beginning of year
Currency translation adjustment
Profit for the financial year attributable to equity holders of  

the Company

Employee share options expense
Exercise, forfeit or lapse of share options
Shares acquired by Deferred Share Awards Trust (a)
Shares transferred to beneficiaries of the Deferred Share Awards Trust (b)
Issue of shares – redenomination
Costs associated with the issue of shares
Dividends

2012

Share 
capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Share 
option 
reserve 
£’000

Own shares 
reserve 
£’000

Capital 
conversion 
reserve 
fund 
£’000

Profit 
and loss 
account 
£’000

117,004
–

171,010
–

3,230
(243)

(20,387)
–

804
–

194,645
243

–
–
7
–
–
3,848
–
61

–
–
455
–
–
(3,848)
(5)
3,857

–
1,914
(683)
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
(58)
1,575
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

3,861
–
683
58
(1,575)
–
–
(14,501)

At end of year

120,920

171,469

4,218

(18,870)

804

183,414

(a)  The Trustees of the Deferred Bonus Plan acquired 111,742 (2011: 143,420) shares in the Group with a combined value of £0.06 million (2011: £0.168 million) and  

a nominal value at the date of purchase of £0.001 million (2011: £0.107 million) through the scrip dividend scheme and utilisation of dividend income.

Pursuant to the terms of the Deferred Bonus Plan, 2,250,752 shares were purchased during the prior year at a cost of £1.47 million. The nominal value of these  
shares on which dividends have not been waived by the Trustees of the Plan, was £0.02 million at the date of purchase.

(b)  During the year, 1,292,223 (2011: 989,582) shares with a nominal value at the date of transfer of £0.01 million (2011: £0.547 million at the date of transfer) were 

transferred to beneficiaries of the Deferred Bonus Plan.

7. Retirement Benefits
The Company operates a defined benefit pension scheme and a defined contribution scheme, with assets held in separate trustee 
administered funds.

Some employees of the Company are members of a multi-employer defined benefit pension scheme, which is operated in conjunction with 
other Group companies. The defined benefit scheme is accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme on the grounds that the 
Company is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities in the scheme on a consistent and reasonable basis. The defined 
benefit scheme of which some employees are members is not included on the Balance Sheet of the Company as it is not possible to determine 
the proportion of the assets and liabilities of the scheme that relates to the Company on a reasonable and consistent basis. A substantial 
number of deferred beneficiaries of the scheme were employees of entities that either no longer trade or are no longer owned by the Group.

Total pension costs for the year amounted to £3.04 million (2011: £3.012 million) in respect of defined benefit schemes and £0.483 million 
(2011: £0.605 million) in respect of defined contribution schemes. At year end, £0.099 million (2011: £0.028 million) was included in other 
accruals in respect of pension cost accruals.

Disclosures in relation to this and all other Group defined benefit pension schemes are given in Note 23 to the Group Financial Statements.

8. Share-Based Payments
The Company grants share options under various share option plans as detailed in the Report of the Directors. A charge of £1.228 million 
(2011: £0.82 million) was recognised in the Profit and Loss Account of the Company in respect of the employees of the Company.  
All disclosures relating to the plans are given in Note 5 to the Group Financial Statements.

9. Financial Guarantee Contracts
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 17, Companies (Amendment) Act 1986, the Company has guaranteed the liabilities of certain 
subsidiary undertakings in the Republic of Ireland for the financial year ended 28 September 2012. Where the Company has entered into 
financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of such subsidiaries, the Company considers these to be insurance contracts 
and accounts for them as such.

The Company is party to cross guarantees on Group borrowings. These are treated as insurance contracts and accounted for as such.

 
 
Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

  119

10. Statutory Information
During the period the average number of persons employed by the Company (excluding Non-Executive Directors) was 32 (2011: 30).

Directors’ remuneration is disclosed in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration and in Note 31 to the Group Financial Statements.

Auditor’s remuneration for the year was as follows:

Audit of the Company Financial Statements
Other assurance services
Tax advisory services

2012 
£’000

26
–
–

26

2011 
£’000

26
242
90

358

The Company has annual commitments under operating leases expiring after five years of £0.739 million.

Greencore Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

120
Financial Statements
Notes

Shareholder and Other Information

Greencore Group plc is an Irish registered company. Its ordinary shares are quoted on the Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. 
Greencore has a Level 1 American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme for which BNY Mellon acts as depositary (Symbol: GNCGY). Each ADR 
share represents four Greencore ordinary shares.

Shareholding Statistics as at 22 November 2012

Range of units

0 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 25,000
25,001 - 100,000
100,001 - 250,000
250,001 - 500,000
Over 500,001

Total

Total holders

Units

5,078
3,963
822
527
223
47
33
80

1,839,187
9,289,014
5,732,769
7,932,032
10,307,703
6,711,977
11,692,537
339,690,112

10,773

393,195,331

% of  
Issued  
Capital

0.47
2.36
1.46
2.02
2.62
1.71
2.97
86.39

100

7 December 2012
29 January 2013

Financial Calendar
Record date for 2012 final dividend 
Annual General Meeting 
Payment date for 2012 final dividend  3 April 2013
Half yearly financial report 
Financial year end   
Interim Management Statement 
Interim dividend payment 
Announcement of results 

May 2013
27 September 2013
August 2013
October 2013
November 2013

Advisors and Registered Office

Company Secretary
Conor O’Leary ACIS

Registered Office
No.2 Northwood Avenue
Northwood Business Park
Santry 
Dublin 9

Auditor
KPMG
1 Stokes Place
St Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2

Registrar and Transfer Office
Computershare Investor
Services (Ireland) Limited
Heron House, Corrig Road
Sandyford Industrial Estate
Dublin 18

Stockbrokers
Goodbody Stockbrokers
Ballsbridge Business Park
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4

Investec Securities
2 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7QP
UK

Solicitors
Arthur Cox
Earlsfort Centre
Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2

Eversheds
Bridgewater Place
Water Lane
Leeds LS11 5DR
UK

Slaughter and May
One Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YY
UK

American Depositary Receipts
BNY Mellon
101 Barclay Street
22nd Floor – West
New York NY 10286
USA

Website
www.greencore.com

Follow Greencore on Twitter
@GreencoreGroup

You can also view this report online at  
http://ar2012.greencore.com/

 
 
 
 
 
Greencore Group plc
No. 2 Northwood Avenue
Northwood Business Park
Santry
Dublin 9

Tel:  +353 1 605 1000
Fax:  +353 1 605 1099

(2,191kg of material have been carbon neutralised).