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Greggs plc

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Industry Grocery Stores
Employees 33146
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FY2009 Annual Report · Greggs plc
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Directors’ report and business review

Chairman’s statement 
Chief Executive’s report 
Corporate Social Responsibility 
Key performance indicators 
Corporate governance 
Fixed assets 
Directors and their interests 
Substantial shareholdings 
Authority to purchase shares 
Auditors 

8
13 
20
25
26
32
32
33
33
35

Contents 

Statement of directors’ responsibilities 
Report of the independent auditors 
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
Balance sheets 
Statements of changes in equity 
Statements of cashflows 
Notes to the consolidated accounts 
Directors’ remuneration report 

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37
39
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43
45
77

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The home of fresh baking

Greggs is the leading bakery retailer in the UK. Expert bakers for 

the last 70 years, we serve delicious, freshly baked, quality food at 
great value prices to a million customers each day, in over 1,400 shops 
around the UK. 

We take enormous pride in our food, hand making all our 
sandwiches and baking all our savouries each day in our shops 
to give our customers unrivalled freshness. 

We have ten regional bakeries delivering daily to our shops with 
our fleet of 375 vehicles. We also have 90 instore bakeries each with 
their own dedicated skilled craft baker.

Greggs can be found on the UK’s high streets, local shopping 

parades and, increasingly, retail, industrial and business parks, 
airports, bus/rail interchanges, universities and other locations where 
people live, work, travel and spend their leisure time. 

We employ nearly 19,000 people and have ambitious plans for the 
future. We plan to add 600 new shops in the coming years, creating up 
to 6,000 new jobs.

 Baking 
    since 1939 

Financial highlights

2009 

£m 
658.2 

0.8% 

48.4 
48.8 
Pence 
34.1 
16.6 

2008 
Before  
exceptional 
items
£m 
628.2 

2008 
After  
exceptional 
items
£m
628.2

4.4% 
44.3 
45.2 
Pence 
30.7 
14.9 

4.4%
48.6 
49.5 
Pence 
33.6 
14.9

Turnover 
Like–for–like sales growth 
Operating profit 
Pre–tax profit 

Earnings per share 
Dividend per ordinary share 

4

 
 
 
 
5

6

Our vision is to be the number one for sandwiches 
and savouries from a united team who are 
passionate about being the best in bakery.

For our customers 

We offer a wide range of fresh, delicious, quality bakery food. 
Every single sandwich we sell is handmade in our shops each day 
by our highly trained staff, on our own bread from our bakery.  All our 
savouries are freshly baked in the ovens in our shops throughout the 
day. In our bakeries we hand finish millions of products each week. 
We believe we are different because we make and bake most of 
our food from scratch. Our people are passionate about baking and 
each product is carefully prepared to give our customers quality and 
freshness at great value prices.

We never forget that it’s our people who make us a successful 
company. That’s why we want all our people to feel individually valued 
and looked after, and for each person to share in the Company’s 
success. Ten per cent of our profits are shared with our people 
through our profit share scheme, ensuring that  the interests of our 
shareholders and our people are aligned.

For our people

 Our 
vision 

For our communities

We promise to continue to make a difference to people’s lives. 

Through our award winning Greggs Breakfast Club scheme, 
Children’s Cancer Runs, the Greggs Foundation and other fundraising 
activities, we strive to make a positive impact on local communities in 
the areas where we operate.

For our shareholders

We have a proven track record of success and return on 

investment. Importantly, in today’s economic climate, more than ever, 
we offer the assurance and commitment that our business is run with 
integrity and that we are a responsible company. We are proud that 
Greggs is a trusted, valued and respected business.

Our values

Greggs began as a family business and we have retained good, 

honest family values as the business has grown.

Our values are our commitment to the way we treat each other. 
We aspire to be a company that everyone is proud to shop with. Our 
values apply to all our customers, our people, our shareholders and 
our suppliers.

We will be enthusiastic and supportive in all that we do, 
open, honest and appreciative, treating everyone with fairness, 
consideration and respect.

7

Directors’ Report and Business Review for 
the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010

The directors have pleasure in presenting their annual report 
and the audited accounts for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010. 
The comparative period is the 52 weeks ended 27 December 2008.
The directors’ report and business review is set out on pages 

8 to 35.

Chairman’s Statement

I am pleased to report a year of significant progress, in which 

we have achieved our key objectives despite the pressures of a 
harsh recession. We have delivered a record underlying operating 
profit while completing a major programme of reorganisation to 
create the right structure for future growth. Greggs enters the 
expansion phase of our strategy with strong finances and a clear 
vision for the future.

Recipe 
   for success 

Results

Total Group sales for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010 
increased by 4.8 per cent to £658 million (2008: £628 million), 
including a 1.5 per cent contribution from the 53rd week. Like–for–like 
sales increased by 0.8 per cent.

Operating profit grew by 9.3 per cent to £48.4 million (2008: £44.3 

million excluding exceptional items). Operating margin on this basis 
was 7.4 per cent (2008: 7.1 per cent). Net finance income was £0.3 
million (2008: £0.9 million), reflecting low market interest rates.

Pre–tax profit was £48.8 million, an increase of 8.0 per cent on the 
2008 profit of £45.2 million (excluding a net exceptional credit of £4.3 
million relating to one–off property gains, restructuring costs and an 
exceptional pension credit). Including the net exceptional credit last 
year, pre–tax profit in 2008 was £49.5 million. 

The Group tax charge for the year was 29.5 per cent (2008: 31.1 

per cent), reflecting a reduction in the corporation tax rate and the 
favourable settlement of prior year claims. Diluted earnings per share 
were 34.0 pence (2008: 30.6 pence excluding the net exceptional 
credit), an increase of 11.1 per cent. Including the net exceptional 
credit last year, diluted earnings per share in 2008 were 33.5 pence. 

8

In 2009, we were named No.1 British Bakery Retailer in the British Baker’s top 50 companies

Dividend

The Board recommends an increased final 

dividend of 11.4 pence per share (2008: 10.0 
pence). Together with the interim dividend of 5.2 
pence (2008: 4.9 pence) paid in October 2009, this 
makes a total for the year of 16.6 pence (2008: 14.9 
pence), an increase of 11.4 per cent. This is covered 
2.0 times by diluted earnings per share. 

Subject to the approval of the Annual General 
Meeting the final dividend will be paid on 21 May 
2010 to shareholders on the register on 23 April 
2010. 

This is the 25th consecutive year of dividend 
growth since Greggs floated on the stock market 
in 1984; a record that few companies can match. 
The Board remains committed to pursuing a 
progressive dividend policy that pays due regard to 
the growth of earnings per share over the medium 
term, the cash generative nature of our growing 
business and our continuing determination to deliver 
value to our shareholders.

Business highlights

Key achievements during a year of major change 
included the completion of our programme to make 
the business more centrally driven, reorganising 
from 11 bakery divisions to seven retail regions and 
strengthening our central capabilities in a number of 
key areas, including the creation of a new Trading 
function.

We harmonised our product ranges across the 

country; removed all artificial colours and HVOs 
(hydrogenated vegetable oils) and trans fats from 
our own products, and provided consumers with 
nutritional information on our core ranges. 

We rebranded almost two thirds of our Bakers 

Oven shops to create a single Greggs brand 
throughout the UK and withdrew from our small, 
loss–making business in Belgium. 

This would have constituted a very full year 

of activity under any conditions; it has been a 
remarkable accomplishment whilst also dealing 
with the effects of the recession and keeping the 
performance of the business on track. Our Chief 
Executive, Kennedy McMeikan, comments on the 
business performance and our strategy in more 
detail in his report.

The Board

Iain Ferguson CBE (54) joined the Board as 
an additional non–executive director on 31 March 
2009. Iain was Chief Executive of Tate & Lyle PLC 
from 2003 – 2009. He is a non–executive director 
of Balfour Beatty and The Davis Service Group, 
a member of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK) 
Advisory Board, currently Honorary Vice–President 
of the British Nutrition Foundation and a member 
of Defra’s Council of Food Policy Advisers. His 
extensive knowledge and experience of the food 
industry, particularly in manufacturing, have made 
him a most valuable addition to our Board.

In 2009 Sir Michael Darrington retired from 
the Board at the Annual General Meeting after 26 
years of distinguished service. Mike was also a 
tremendous support to Kennedy McMeikan when 
he joined as Chief Executive, ensuring a smooth and 
effective handover, and I would like to wish him a 
long and very happy retirement.

10

Kennedy McMeikan, Sir Michael Darrington and Ian Gregg receiving the Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne from the 
Lord Mayor Cllr Mike Cookson.

Greggs in the community

In February 2010, Greggs plc was awarded 
the Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle 
upon Tyne in recognition of our contribution to the 
North East economy and our charitable work in 
local communities over the last 20 years. We are 
most grateful to the City Council for bestowing 
this rare honour, which particularly reflects the 
consistent determination of Ian Gregg and Sir 
Michael Darrington to build a business with sound 
values and a real commitment to supporting the 
communities in which we operate. I am delighted 
that our Chief Executive, Kennedy McMeikan, and 
indeed the whole Board, show a genuine passion 
to continue this tradition.

People

Our people, and the pride and pleasure they 
clearly take in their work, are a key point of difference 
for Greggs. My colleagues and I have huge 
admiration for the way in which they have continued 
to provide cheerful and effective service to our 
customers while coping with the pressures of the 
general economic downturn and the implementation 
of significant changes across our business. 

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank 
every one of them for their contribution to another 
successful year.

Prospects

The forthcoming election, and concerns about 
job security and possible tax rises, only makes for 
an uncertain outlook for consumer spending in the 
current year. Greggs’ reputation for outstanding 
value and great quality will remain an important asset 

under these conditions. In this context we 
have considered it sensible to plan for like–for–like 
sales growth to be marginally positive this year 
and to manage our costs so that they remain 
consistent with this challenging trading environment. 
The current outlook for ingredient costs is 
reasonably benign and we expect further cost 
benefits from the simplification of the business 
completed during 2009. Total sales in the ten weeks 
to 13 March 2010 have increased by 2.8 per cent 
and like–for–like sales by 0.8 per cent.

Last year’s major changes have given us the 
right platform to accelerate the rate of both new shop 
openings and refurbishments in the current year, 
supported by our recently announced investment 
plans to increase the efficiency and capacity of 
our bakeries. We have also begun a major new 
marketing campaign designed to increase consumer 
awareness of Greggs’ bakery heritage and of our 
core proposition as “The home of fresh baking”. 
Throughout the business, we remain focused on 
raising our standards ever higher, whether in quality, 
efficiency or customer service.

We look forward to bringing the unique Greggs 

combination of freshness, quality, taste and value 
to many more consumers as our expansion 
programme gains pace, and believe that we are well 
placed to achieve a year of further progress in 2010. 

Derek Netherton
Chairman
18 March 2010

11

Chief Executive’s Report

I am delighted that the significant changes we introduced 
throughout 2009 have put us in excellent shape to make Greggs 
accessible to even more consumers through a faster programme 
of shop openings. In the coming year we will be doubling the 
number of shops we refurbish and also undertaking the previously 
announced investment in our supply chain to maximise the many 
opportunities we have identified for expansion across the UK.

  The right
Ingredients

Trading performance

We stated in the last annual report that, in the light of the general 
economic climate, we had budgeted for marginally positive like–for–
like sales during 2009, and the final outturn was very much as we had 
anticipated. In the first 26 weeks, like–for–like sales increased by 1.5 
per cent and were flat during the second half, giving an increase of 0.8 
per cent over the year as a whole. An important factor in the slowing 
like–for–like sales trend, seen across the food retailing industry, was a 
reduction in selling price inflation year–on–year as input costs began to 
stabilise following the major increases in ingredient and energy prices 
during 2008. 

Our operating margin improved to 7.4 per cent (2008: 7.1 per cent) 

reflecting the initial benefits of centralisation, a reduction in waste and 
sensible control of labour costs in a difficult trading environment.

13

All of this will free up our Retail teams to 
concentrate on delivering excellent service and 
raising standards still further in our shops. They will 
also be working with our expanded Property team 
to open more new shops and double the number of 
refits we undertake.

We harmonised 80 per cent of our product 

range throughout the country, while fulfilling our 
commitments to remove all artificial colours, HVOs 
(hydrogenated vegetable oils) and trans fats from the 
products we make ourselves. By harmonising our 
range, we have been able to provide customers with 
nutritional information in store on our core range of 
sandwiches, savouries and drinks.

We also created a single brand throughout 
the UK by converting 60 per cent of our 164 Bakers 
Oven shops to the Greggs fascia, with the remainder 
scheduled for completion during 2010.

Preparing for accelerated growth

During the year we implemented considerable 
changes which have made the business simpler and 
more efficient to run. We are already seeing benefits 
from the changes we have made to our operating 
structure and the harmonisation of our product 
range. Of fundamental importance was the creation 
of a centrally run business and the significance 
of these changes should not be underestimated. 
We achieved this by:

•	  reorganising our previous 11 bakery divisions 

into seven new retail regions; 

•	 	organising	our	10	bakeries,	2	distribution	

centres, transport teams and central savoury 
production facility into a single Supply Chain 
Function to concentrate on supporting 
the planned growth in the business whilst 
delivering significant efficiency improvements;
•	 	strengthening	our	Central Support teams to 

handle more of our accounting, administration 
and IT support; and

•	 	creating	a	Trading function under a 

newly appointed Group Trading Director to 
focus on range, new product development, 
promotions, pricing, sourcing and margin.

14

Our customers

Our products

80 per cent of our product range is now 

harmonised across our 1,400–plus shops. Critically 
though, the remaining 20 per cent of the range 
comprises regional and local specialities, which our 
customers love and expect us to continue making 
for them.

We increased the amount of new product 
development, launching a total of 22 new products 
during the year, compared with nine in 2008. 

Following a successful trial in the North West, 
our breakfast offer is now available across the whole 
of the UK, comprising bacon or sausage in a fresh, 
Greggs–baked roll. We believe that this presents 
a good opportunity for sales growth in our quieter, 
early morning period.

Greggs serves a million customers every day. 
In a recessionary climate, with particular uncertainty 
caused by fears of job losses and tax rises, our 
customers naturally look to make their money go as 
far as possible. We have maintained our focus on 
delivering the outstanding value for which Greggs 
has long been renowned whilst not compromising 
on the quality of our products. This has undoubtedly 
contributed to our ability to sustain like–for–like sales 
growth throughout the recession.

We have also listened and responded to our 
customers by increasing the pace of our product 
innovation and offering even greater choice of range. 
In addition we have also launched a much wider 
range of sandwiches without mayonnaise, with a 
third of our range now ‘mayo free’.

Our new marketing campaign, launched in 
February 2010, promotes Greggs as “The home 
of fresh baking”. This is very much a return to our 
roots and reiterates what has always made Greggs 
special: our people and our products, who together 
fill the starring roles in our new generation of TV 
commercials. By re–emphasising the freshness and 
quality of our bread, rolls, savouries, sandwiches 
and cakes, we aim to extend awareness of our key 
proposition as the nation’s favourite retail baker.

Being a baker as well as a retailer gives Greggs 

a real competitive advantage and our aim is to 
communicate these key messages to an even wider 
audience who may not know what makes Greggs 
so special.

15

Our shops

Last year we opened 49 new shops and closed 

39, making a net addition of 10 new shops and 
giving us a total of 1,419 at the year–end. The rate 
of shop closures was higher than usual as a result 
of the sale of our 10 shops in Belgium and the 
closure of 10 Bakers Oven shops as part of our 
restructuring to a single brand. We also maintained 
a firm approach to lease renewals, which we believe 
makes sound business sense in the current retail 
and property climate.

We are planning to open a net 50 – 60 new 
shops during the current year, with around two 
thirds of these openings due to take place during 
the second half. The shop opening programme is 
proceeding at a sensible pace, balanced by our 
desire to only open in optimum locations. There are 
positive signs of increasing realism about the value 
of leases, though landlords continue to prefer to offer 
incentives to new tenants rather than to improve their 
headline terms.

Given the increasing proportion of empty retail 
space on the high street, we continue to argue that 
the existence of upward–only rent reviews imposes 
an inappropriate pressure on retailers. In rent reviews 
over the next 12 – 18 months, we expect to see 
many rents frozen when they would have fallen in an 
open market. We continue to urge the Government 
to consider the enlightened example of the Irish 
government in abolishing upward–only rent reviews.
We have identified opportunities to open new 

shops right across the UK, from the south west 
of England to the north east of Scotland, making 
Greggs accessible to the more than 50 per cent 
of the UK population who currently do not have a 

Greggs shop near to them. In total, we see scope for 
more than 600 new shops, and currently expect to 
increase the pace of net new openings from 50 – 60 
in the current year to 70–plus from 2011.

As part of this expansion we will continue to 

diversify our estate by opening more shops in 
places where customers work and travel, as well 
as in traditional high street and suburban locations. 
Almost 30 per cent of our 49 new shops in 2009 
were in non–traditional locations, such as industrial 
estates, business parks, hospitals, universities, 
garage forecourts, airports and bus stations. We 
expect this proportion to increase to around 50 
per cent of new shops as our opening programme 
gathers pace in future years.

During the year we trialled three new concept 

shops in the south of England. Key features of 
these shops are that they provide more comfortable 
browsing of our products, more of which are 
available for self–selection rather than behind 
counters in a traditional Greggs. Wherever possible 
they also make more space available to our 
customers and provide some seating. The results 
have been encouraging, with sales increasing 
as customers get to see more of our range. It is 
also very pleasing that customers rate us even 
higher for value in these concept shops. This is 
extremely important to us as exceptional value has 
always been a great strength of the Greggs offer. 
The learning from these trials will be progressively 
applied to a further 24 shops in London during 
the year. 

16

During 2010 we plan to double the overall 
number of shop refurbishments with 120 refits 
throughout the country. This acceleration has been 
made possible by much hard work to identify and 
refine a cost–effective refit formula that will allow us 
to make our shops better for our customers and 
simpler for our staff, but at a lower refit cost per shop 
than in the past.

capacity for growth will begin in the second half of 
this year when we start the building of new bakeries 
in Newcastle and Penrith. We are also planning for 
a new bakery in the south of England and expect  
to have secured a site by the end of the year. 
Further investment to extend our existing bakeries in 
Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham, and to replace our 
bakery in Twickenham, is planned for 2011 – 2013.

Our supply chain

Capital expenditure

During 2009 we undertook a fundamental review 

of our supply chain to establish how we could 
achieve the optimal production and distribution 
network for our planned growth to more than 2,000 
shops in the UK. We re–evaluated the costs and 
performance of our integrated bakery and logistics 
model on a number of different bases, including 
comparison with outsourced alternatives, and 
concluded that continuing to make and bake our 
own products contributes strongly to our profits 
and gives us a distinct competitive advantage. 
The review also highlighted the potential for us to 
supply substantially more shops through our existing 
bakeries, thus achieving significant efficiency 
improvements.

As previously announced, our expansion 
plans for the next five years require an increase in 
investment in our supply chain to enable us to make 
Greggs more accessible to consumers across the 
UK. This capital expenditure will be funded from our 
strong cash flow and will begin delivering benefits 
from 2011, ultimately delivering efficiency benefits 
to the bottom line of at least £10 million per annum 
by 2014. Our programme of renewing our older 
bakeries to improve quality, efficiency and their 

Our total capital expenditure in 2009 was £30.3 
million (2008: £33.3 million net of capital grant), £3 
million below our original budget as we deferred 
some investment, mainly in our bakeries, until we 
had completed our supply chain review. In the 
current year we are budgeting capital expenditure of 
£45 – 50 million as we double our rate of new shop 
openings and refits, and begin the first phase of 
investment in our bakeries to support our plans for 
shop growth.

Cash flow and balance sheet

The Group remains strongly cash generative 

and we ended the year with net cash and cash 
equivalents of £34.6 million (2008: £2.1 million) 
on the balance sheet. This puts us in an excellent 
position to fund increasing investment as we enter 
the expansion phase of our strategy, and to take 
advantage of other opportunities which may arise to 
add value for our shareholders.

As the Chairman has stated, we are committed 
to a progressive dividend policy. In addition, when 
our plans indicate that we are holding surplus 
cash, we look to return this to shareholders. Having 
examined our current circumstances we believe that 

17

Pudsey Bear joins the Greggs team as part of the fundraising efforts for BBC Children in Need 2009.

a cash return up to £15 million is appropriate and we 
will progress this at a sensible pace using our share 
buyback authority as we have done in the past.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Our Food. We have eliminated all artificial 

colours and all HVOs (hydrogenated vegetable 
oils) and trans fats from our own products. We have 
already been removing artificial flavours from our 
products during 2009 and expect to complete this by 
the middle of 2010.

I am pleased that, as we previously committed, 

we now have nutritional information about our 
products available in all of our shops in order to 
make it easy for customers to make informed dietary 
choices. This is now available for our national range 
of sandwiches, savouries and drinks, and will be 
extended to our sweet products and bread and rolls 
during 2010. 

The Community. Even in a severe recession, 

Greggs’ customers have again proved that they 
have hearts of gold and helped us to raise £739,000 
for the BBC Children in Need appeal during 2009. 
This was more than double our contribution for 
2008 and means that we have raised a total of £1.4 
million during the four years of our involvement – a 
fantastic achievement. Our customers again amazed 
us with their generosity when they asked us to 
provide collection points in our shops for the Haiti 
earthquake appeal; their donations, combined with 
a £25,000 donation from Greggs, generated a total 
contribution of £186,000.

I am delighted with the continued good work of 
the Greggs Foundation and the difference it makes 
to lives across the UK. We have continued to make 

substantial contributions to the Foundation which 
supports a wide range of excellent causes through 
grants to charitable and community organisations in 
the areas where we operate.

We are very proud to continue supporting 
the Greggs Breakfast Clubs in primary schools in 
disadvantaged areas, where we know that they 
make a huge contribution to children’s attention 
and learning. I am also very pleased to report that 
we have been successful in building partnerships 
with other organisations to help us to open more 
breakfast clubs. We have also supported the 
ExpoChef roadshow to explain the importance of 
healthy cooking and eating to children and their 
parents in schools.

The Environment. Last year we achieved an 
18 per cent reduction in the amount of food waste 
being sent to landfill, and in 2010 we are setting 
ourselves a range of stretching environmental 
targets, including a 25 per cent reduction per shop in 
our carbon emissions by 2015. We have introduced 
reusable bags for sale in our shops and the profits 
from these bags will be dedicated to providing 
grants for environmental projects through the 
Greggs Foundation.

In all areas of Corporate Social Responsibility I 
am hugely impressed by our people’s determination 
to apply Greggs’ values and to make a real 
difference. I am grateful to all of them for the 
phenomenal enthusiasm they have shown in helping 
us to achieve so much during 2009.

These and other issues are covered in greater 
depth in our Corporate Social Responsibility report 
on pages 20 to 24.

18

We aim to meet consumer demand for our great 

taste, freshness, quality and value by increasing 
access to Greggs, at a faster rate, in new areas 
throughout the UK. We will also make our products 
even more accessible as we further improve the 
shopping experience in our existing shops through 
our accelerated and cost–effective refurbishment 
programme.

The changes of the last year have put us in 
a strong position to deliver the significant growth 
opportunities that we have identified, and to fulfil our 
vision of being the best in bakery. In doing so we 
will realise further benefits for our staff, customers, 
shareholders and local communities.

Kennedy McMeikan
Chief Executive
18 March 2010

Our people

In the face of the worst recession for many 

years, our people have displayed quite extraordinary 
determination and commitment, not only to deliver 
continued sales growth, but also to implement the 
many changes in the structure of the business and 
in our ways of working which have established the 
platform for our next phase of growth. It is a great 
illustration of the dedication of our staff that only 15 
of our 1,400–plus shops were closed for any length 
of time during the severe blizzards which swept the 
country in January.

Our people have done a truly fantastic job in 

putting us in great shape for the coming year and 
I am hugely grateful to them all. I am also delighted 
that they will share in our success through Greggs’ 
profit sharing scheme. We look forward to creating 
job opportunities for a further 6,000 people through 
our future plans to grow our shop numbers to more 
than 2,000 in the UK.

The future

Greggs is a business with a proud history, 
strong values and a clear vision for the future: “to 
be the number one for sandwiches and savouries, 
from a united team who are passionate about being 
the best in bakery”. We have a great reputation 
that commands huge loyalty among our existing 
customers, and the spirit of our people is absolutely 
second to none. All this gives me a high level of 
confidence in our ability to deliver our vision, as we 
increase awareness of what we have to offer as 
“The home of fresh baking”.

19

Corporate Social Responsibility

Greggs is a company that our customers and shareholders can 

rely on to do the right thing. At Greggs we care about giving our 
customers quality, fresh bakery food they can trust at affordable prices 
while minimising our impact on the environment around us. We care 
that our people are looked after and treated well, and that we provide 
a great place for them to work. We also want to continue to use our 
success to help make a difference to those in our communities who 
face difficulties and challenges, by supporting them wherever we can.

Greggs 
                cares 

We are pleased to report significant 
achievements in 2009:

•	 	We	removed	all	artificial	colours	from	the	products	we 

make ourselves.

•	 	We	removed	all	added	trans	fats	and	hydrogenated	vegetable	

oils (HVOs) from the products we make ourselves.

•	 	We	provided	nutritional	information	for	our	national	sandwich,	
savoury and drinks ranges, to help customers make informed 
choices about the food they eat. 

•	 	In	2009,	we	opened	an	additional	eight	Greggs	Breakfast	Clubs.	

We now give over 6,000 primary school children a nutritious 
breakfast each day.

•	 	We	raised	an	incredible	£739,000	for	BBC	Children	in	Need,	

double the amount raised in 2008, thanks to the enthusiasm of 
our people and the generosity of our customers.

•	 	We	helped	raise	and	distribute	£1.3	million	in	2009	through	the	

Greggs Foundation.

•	 	We	diverted	18%	of	our	total	food	waste	away	from	landfill.
•	 	Our	people	participated	in	11	Big	Tidy	Up	Events	in	partnership	
with Keep Britain Tidy across England and Scotland, clearing 
litter from local communities.

•	 	We	reduced	the	number	of	carrier	bags	issued	by	18%,	building	

on the 20% reduction achieved in 2008.

20

In 2009, we reduced the salt content of our bread by more than 10 %

Quality, fresh bakery food our customers can trust

Our 2009 targets and commitments:

✔   By the end of June 2009, we will have removed all added trans fats, hydrogenated fats and oils from 

all the products that we make ourselves.

✔   We will roll out our national product range so that, by the end of 2009, nutritional information will be 

available to all our customers in our shops for our savoury, sandwich and drinks ranges.
✔   By the end of 2009 we will have removed all artificial colours from the products we make.
✔   We will make significant progress towards removal of all artificial flavours from the products we make 

and achieve this completely by the middle of 2010.

✔   We will continue to assess the recipes for all our products, working towards the Food Standards 

Agency’s recommended salt and fat targets for each type of food.

Our targets and commitments for 2010:

•	 	We	will	remove	all	artificial	flavours	from	the	products	we	make	by	the	middle	of	2010.
•	 	By	the	end	of	2010,	nutritional	information	will	be	available	for	our	national	bread	and	rolls	and	

confectionery ranges, thus completing the provision of nutritional information for our entire national 
product range.

•	 	We	will	reduce	the	salt,	fat	and	saturated	fat	content	for	our	products,	working	towards	the	Food	

Standards Agency’s 2012 targets.

A great place to work

Our 2009 targets and commitments:

✔   By the end of 2009, 100% of employees will have access to private medical treatment for any 

accidents that may occur in the workplace.

✔   We are committed to continuing our Employee Assistance Programme for everyone who works 

at Greggs.

✔   We are committed to maintaining at least 75% of all new shop and area management appointments 

from internal promotion.

✔   We are committed to maintaining 25 bakery apprenticeships through 2009.

Our targets and commitments for 2010:

•	 	In	the	2010	Employee	Opinion	Survey	our	target	is	that	75%	of	our	employees	participate	in	the	survey	

and we improve on our 2008 engagement score of 72%.

•	 	Through	opening	50–60	net	new	shops	in	2010	we	will	create	circa	500–600	new	jobs.
•	 	We	will	move	to	a	national	profit	share	scheme	to	ensure	every	person	working	at	Greggs	has	an	

equal opportunity to share in the Company’s success.

•	 	We	will	enhance	our	management	skills	and	development	by	delivering	a	‘coaching	skills’	programme	

and a ‘high performing teams’ programme in 2010.

•	 	We	will	review	and	improve	our	apprentice	scheme	and	aim	to	have	30	bakery	apprenticeships	in	

place by the end of 2010.

22

Making a difference to our communities

Our 2009 targets and commitments:

✔   In 2009, we will continue to invest £225,000 in our 124 Breakfast Clubs and will work to develop 

partnerships with other organisations to expand the scheme.

✔   In 2009, we will maintain our commitment to community grant making through the Greggs 

Foundation, providing support from our people and donating £300,000.

✔   In 2009, we will aim to exceed the £360,000 we raised in 2008 and develop the relationship with 

BBC Children in Need to continue to engage our staff and customers.

✔   In 2009, we will continue to sponsor the North East Children’s Cancer Run and hold runs in five 

other divisions for local children’s cancer charities.

✔   We will develop our work with Fareshare (and other organisations) to donate more of our unsold 

food to local charities.

✔   2009 is the third year of our sponsorship of The Sage Gateshead’s Children’s Room, established as 
a tribute to the contribution to the business over many years of Ian Gregg and Malcolm Simpson.
✔   2009 is the third year of our investment in a five year North East Enterprise Bond, encouraging new 

business start ups across the North East.

Our targets and commitments for 2010:

Greggs Breakfast Clubs
•	 	We	will	grow	the	number	of	Breakfast	Clubs	to	at	least	150,	providing	a	free,	nutritious	breakfast 

to more than 7,000 pupils each school day.

•	 	We	will	develop	partnerships	with	other	organisations	to	enable	further	growth	of	the	Breakfast 

Club scheme.

•	 	We	will	sponsor	Expochef	Healthy	Food	events	in	60	Breakfast	Club	schools	in	order	to	promote	

better understanding of healthy diets amongst pupils and their families.

Support the work of Greggs Foundation in our communities
•	 	We	will	donate	at	least	1%	of	profits	to	the	grant–making	and	Breakfast	Club	programmes 

of Greggs Foundation.

•	 	We	will	run	our	first	ever	national	fundraising	initiative	for	Greggs	Foundation.
BBC Children in Need appeal
•	 	For	the	fifth	year	we	will	engage	our	staff	and	customers	in	a	major	national	fundraising	campaign 

to support the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Employability
•	 	We	will	pilot	initiatives	to	use	our	skills	as	a	major	employer	to	help	break	the	cycle	of	unemployment	

for marginalised groups in our communities.

Reducing our impact on the world around us

Our 2009 targets and commitments:

✔   We will aim to divert more of our waste away from landfill.
✘	   We will aim to reduce our total energy consumption.
✔   We will aim to increase the amount of our packaging that is made from sustainable sources.
✘	    We will seek to make reductions in our overall carbon footprint against our 2008 baseline.
✔   We will help to tackle litter by further encouraging our customers to dispose of their packaging 

responsibly, including installing additional signage in our shops and talking to staff and customers 
to get their ideas on what more we could do.

✔   We will continue to work towards increasing the proportion of cardboard, paper and plastic that we 

recycle from our shops, bakeries and offices.

In 2009 we achieved four of our environmental targets. We trialled a number of ways to reduce energy 
consumption across our shops to determine the most impactful way of doing this. The trials were completed 
in quarter 3 hence we were not able to achieve reductions in our total energy consumption for the year. 
This also meant we were unable to achieve reductions in our overall carbon footprint in 2009. In 2010 
we plan to roll out an extensive shop energy reduction programme and have set a stretch target of a 
5% reduction per shop for the year. This forms part of a wider carbon management plan through which 
we will aim to achieve a 25% reduction per shop in our carbon footprint by 2015. 

Our targets and commitments for 2010:

•	 	We	will	aim	to	achieve	a	25%	reduction	of	our	carbon	footprint	by	2015	(measured	in	tonnes 

of CO2 per shop).

•	 	We	will	aim	to	achieve	a	5%	reduction	in	energy	usage	per	shop	against	our	2009	consumption.
•	 	We	will	aim	to	achieve	a	2.5%	reduction	in	carbon	generated	by	our	distribution	activity.
•	 	We	will	aim	to	reduce	our	bakery	waste	by	10%.
•	 	We	will	aim	to	divert	an	additional	10%	of	waste	from	landfill,	building	on	the	18%	diversion	achieved	

in 2009 and the 20% diversion achieved in 2008.

•	 	We	will	continue	to	work	with	Keep	Britain	Tidy	to	encourage	responsible	disposal	of	litter.

In line with Our Values, Greggs is committed to operating our business responsibly and being a brand 

our customers and shareholders can trust. We will continue to report our progress against our social 
responsibility targets annually to our shareholders.

24

Key performance indicators

KPI 

Definition 

2005 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009

Total sales growth 
Like–for–like sales growth 
Growth in net shop numbers 
Capital expenditure 
Operating profit 
Operating margin 
Earnings per share (basic) 
(adjusted for ten for one share 
split which took place in 2009) 

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 

5.8 %^ 
4.0 % 
4.4 % 
£41.7 m 
£47.1 m 
8.8 % 
28.2 p 

3.3 % 
0.5 %  
1.3 % 
£30.0 m 
£42.2 m* 
7.7 %* 
26.3 p* 

6.4 % 
5.3 % 
2.4 % 
£42.3 m 
£47.7 m~ 
8.1 %~ 
32.2 p~ 

7.1 % 
4.4 % 
3.0 % 
£40.8 m 
£44.3 m§ 
7.1 %§ 
30.7 p§ 

4.8 %^
 0.8 %
0.7 %
£30.3 m
£48.4 m
7.4 %
34.1 p 

Performance 
 is key 

Definitions

(a) 
(b) 

(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 

^ 

* 

~ 

§ 

 Total sales growth is the percentage year–on–year change in total sales for the Group.
 Like–for–like sales growth compares year–on–year cash sales in our ‘core’ shops, i.e. it is not distorted by shop openings or closures. 
Refitted shops are included in the like–for–like comparison unless there has been a significant change in the trading space. Like–for–like 
sales growth includes selling price inflation.
 Growth in net shop numbers represents the percentage increase in number of shops in operation at the end of the year.
 Capital expenditure is the total cash spent in the year on investment in tangible fixed assets.
 Operating profit reflects the performance of the Group before financing and taxation impacts.
 Operating margin shows the operating profitability of the Group as a percentage of its sales.
 Earnings per share is calculated by dividing profit attributable to shareholders (i.e. profit after taxation) by the weighted average number 
of ordinary shares outstanding during the year after adjusting for the effect of own shares held.

 2004 and 2009 were both 53 week years, impacting on total sales growth for those years and the years immediately following. 
Like–for–like sales growth is unaffected by a 53 week year. 
 Before cost of Bakers Oven restructuring (£3.5m), 2006 EBIT after restructuring £38.7m. Earnings per share after restructuring 
costs is 24.1p.
 Excludes one–off property gains of £2.2m included in the statutory operating profit in the income statement. Earnings per share including 
these gains is 34.3p.
 Excludes exceptional credit of £4.3m included in the statutory operating profit in the income statement – £1.1m profit on disposal of 
properties, £6.9m curtailment gain relating to the defined benefit pension scheme and a restructuring charge of £3.7m. Earnings per share 
after exceptional items is 33.7p.

25

 
Roger Whiteside

Raymond Reynolds

Iain Ferguson

Julie Baddeley

Corporate Governance

Derek Netherton (Chairman), 65

The Board recognises the importance of, 
and is committed to, high standards of corporate 
governance and to integrity and high ethical 
standards in all of its business dealings.

The Board considers that it has complied, 

throughout the year under review, with the principles 
of governance set out in Section 1 of the Combined 
Code on corporate governance published by the 
Financial Reporting Council (the “Combined Code”) 
effective during the financial year. The only exception 
is that Sir Michael Darrington, formerly Managing 
Director of the Company, remained on the Board as 
a non–executive director until May 2009 to assist with 
the transition to a new Chief Executive, appointed 
from outside the Company. This resulted in there 
being less than half of the Board (excluding the 
Chairman) comprising independent non–executive 
directors, contrary to Code provision A.3.2 until 
March 2009, when Iain Ferguson was appointed as 
an additional non–executive director.

The following statements, together with the 
Directors’ Remuneration report on pages 77 to 
88, describe how the relevant principles and 
provisions of the Combined Code were applied to 
the Company in 2009 and will be relevant to the 
Company for the 2010 financial year. 

During 2009, Sir Michael Darrington retired from 

the Board, after 26 years of distinguished service, 
and Iain Ferguson joined the Board.

The Board

The Board currently comprises the Chairman, 
three executive and four non–executive directors 
as follows:

26

Spent his career in investment banking and 
retired in 1996 from his position as joint head of 
corporate finance at J Henry Schroder & Co Limited. 
He is a non–executive director of St James’s Place 
plc. He was appointed to the Board on 1 March 2002 
and was appointed Chairman in August of the same 
year. There have been no significant changes to the 
Chairman’s other commitments during 2009. He is 
Chairman of the Nominations Committee.

Kennedy McMeikan (Chief Executive), 44

Joined the Board on 1 June 2008 and became 
Chief Executive of the Company on 1 August 2008. 
Kennedy was Retail Director of J Sainsbury Plc from 
2005-2008. Prior to this, he had spent 14 years at 
Tesco. Appointed Chief Executive of Tesco in Japan 
in 2004, he had previously been Chief Executive of 
Europa Foods convenience store business following 
its acquisition by Tesco in 2002. He began his career 
at Sears UK in 1986, after five years service in the 
Royal Navy from 1981 to 1986.

Richard Hutton, FCA 
(Finance Director), 41

Was appointed to the Board on 13 March 2006. 

He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with 
KPMG and gained career experience with Procter 
& Gamble before joining Greggs in 1998. 
He was appointed Finance Director on 10 May 2006. 

Bob Bennett

Derek Netherton

Kennedy McMeikan

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds (Retail Director), 50

Roger Whiteside, 51

Was appointed to the Board as Retail Director 
on 18 December 2006. He joined Greggs in retail 
management in 1986. During the late 1990s, as 
general manager he built a significant new business 
for Greggs in the Edinburgh region, and in 2002 
he was appointed Managing Director of Greggs 
of Scotland.

Bob Bennett 
(Senior Independent Director), 62

Was appointed to the Board in December 2003. 
He trained as a Chartered Accountant with Spicer & 
Pegler and was Group Finance Director of Northern 
Rock plc from 1993 until his retirement at the end of 
January 2007. He is a member of the Nominations 
and Remuneration Committees; he has been 
Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2004 and 
became the Senior Independent Director in 2008.

Julie Baddeley, 58

Was appointed to the Board in March 2005. 
She has held senior executive roles in the Woolwich 
plc (where she was responsible for Information 
Technology and Human Resources), Accenture and 
Sema Consulting. Julie is a non–executive director 
of Camelot Group plc, the Department of Health, 
Chrysalis VCT plc, Spice Plc and is an Associate 
Fellow of the Said Business School, Oxford. Julie is 
a member of the Nominations and Audit Committees 
and has been Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
since 2005.

Joined the Board on 17 March 2008. Roger is 
Managing Director of the Leased division of Punch 
Taverns plc. He was Chief Executive of the Thresher 
Group off–licence chain from 2004 to 2007. Prior to 
this, he was one of the founding team of Ocado, the 
innovative online grocer operating in partnership with 
Waitrose, and served as Joint Managing Director 
from 2000 to 2004. He began his career at Marks 
& Spencer, where he spent 20 years, ultimately 
becoming head of its Food Business. Roger is a 
member of the Nominations, Remuneration and 
Audit Committees of the Board. 

Iain Ferguson, 54

Joined the Board on 31 March 2009. Iain was 

Chief Executive of Tate & Lyle PLC until October 
2009. Previously, he worked for Unilever where 
he held a number of senior positions including 
Executive Chairman of Birds Eye Walls and 
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. 
He is a non–executive director of Balfour Beatty 
and The Davis Service Group, a member of the 
PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK) Advisory Board, 
a former Commissioner on the UK Government’s 
Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and 
Food and also a former President of the Institute of 
Grocery Distribution. He was, until 31 December 
2008, President of the UK Food and Drink Federation 
and is Honorary Vice President of the British Nutrition 
Foundation and a member of Defra’s Council 
of Food Policy Advisors. Iain is a member of the 
Nominations, Remuneration and Audit Committees 
of the Board.

27

Effectiveness

The Board, under the chairmanship of Derek 
Netherton, meets regularly to discharge its duties. 
At these meetings, it reviews Group strategy, 
performance, resources, risk management and 
other matters reserved for the Board. Whilst the 
executive responsibility for running the Company’s 
business rests ultimately with the Chief Executive, 
Kennedy McMeikan, the non–executive directors 
ensure that the strategies proposed by the executive 
directors are fully discussed and critically examined 
prior to adoption. During 2009, the scheduled 
Board and Committee meetings and the number 
of meetings attended by each current director 
were as follows:

of the management team, members of the senior 
management team are invited to attend Board 
meetings and/or to present papers to the Board. 
This process also affords senior managers the 
opportunity to bring matters to the attention of 
the Board. 

The Board is satisfied that a process is in place 
for orderly succession to the Board and to positions 
of senior management, so as to maintain an 
appropriate balance of skills and experience within 
the Company and on the Board. 

After carefully reviewing the guidance in the 
Combined Code, all of the non–executive directors 
are considered by the Board to be independent in 
character and judgement and to be free from any 

Main Board

Audit Committee Remuneration 

Committee

Nominations 
Committee

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

4

–

–

–

–

4

4

4

5

–

–

–

–

5

5

5

1

1

–

–

–

1

1

1

5 (5)

1 (2)

2 (3)

– (–)

Number of meetings held

Derek Netherton

Kennedy McMeikan

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

Julie Baddeley

Bob Bennett

Roger Whiteside

 Iain Ferguson (appointed 
31 March 2009 therefore 
could have attended)

In addition, the non–executive directors meet 
for two formal meetings each year and from time to 
time, as required.

The Board has a policy on the separation of 
the roles of the Chairman and the Chief Executive. 
The Chairman sets the agenda for Board meetings 
and ensures that the Board is supplied, in a timely 
manner, with information in a form and of a quality 
appropriate to enable it to discharge its duties. 
The Board considers that it effectively leads and 
controls the Company. All directors take decisions 
objectively and in the interests of the Company. 
The non–executive directors scrutinise the 
performance of management in meeting agreed 
goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of 
performance. All directors receive induction training 
on joining the Board and regularly update and 
refresh their knowledge through reading, attendance 
on relevant courses and/or activities outside the 
Company. 

As part of the process of maintaining an awareness 
of the Company’s activities and assessing the ability 

business or other relationship or circumstance which 
is likely to affect or to interfere with the exercise of 
their independent judgement. 

 The Company’s articles of association require 
that all directors must retire and seek re–election at 
the first AGM following appointment. Thereafter, any 
non–executive director who has served on the Board 
for more than nine years must seek re–election 
annually. One half of the remaining directors, being 
those who have been in office longest since last 
re–election, and any other director who has not been 
elected or re–elected at either of the two preceding 
AGMs, must seek re–election at each AGM. 

All directors are able to receive training and to 
take independent professional advice at the expense 
of the Company. They also have direct access to the 
Company Secretary, who is responsible for advising 
the Board, through the Chairman, on all governance 
matters. 

The Chairman meets with the non–executive 

directors at least annually without the executive 
directors present. The Senior Independent 
Director meets the non–executive directors without 

28

 
the Chairman present annually to appraise the 
Chairman’s performance. The performance of 
the Board, its Committees and of all directors 
is evaluated annually by a formal and rigorous 
process. In 2009, each director completed a written 
questionnaire and participated in a “one to one” 
telephone interview with the Company Secretary. 
In addition to covering the effectiveness of the Board, 
its committees and each individual director, the 
process also included a review of the performance 
of the Board against the objectives it set for itself 
at the start of the year and whether the Board had 
operated in accordance with the Company’s values 
at all times. The results are fed back to the Chairman 
and the Senior Independent Director and then to the 
Board for discussion. These discussions are used to 
identify actions to improve effectiveness, to identify 
individual and collective training needs and to set 
objectives for the Board for the next year.

Board Committees 

The Board delegates some of its activities to 
the following committees, each of which has written 
terms of reference, which are available on the 
Company’s website. The Company Secretary acts 
as secretary to each of these committees.

The Audit Committee currently consists of 
four independent non–executive directors (Bob 
Bennett – Chairman, Julie Baddeley, Roger 
Whiteside and Iain Ferguson). The Committee’s 
main functions (which it discharged during the year)
are to endeavour (i) to ensure that the accounting 
and financial policies of the Company are proper 
and effective; (ii) to assist the Board in fulfilling its 
oversight responsibilities by monitoring the integrity 
of the accounts and information published by the 
Company; (iii) to review the internal financial controls 
and the Group’s approach to risk management; 
(iv) to monitor compliance with the Listing Rules 
and the recommendations of the Combined Code; 
and (v) to maintain an appropriate relationship with 
the Company’s external auditors and review the 
effectiveness and objectivity of the audit process.

During the year, the Committee, in performing 

these functions, reviewed the annual and interim 
accounts issued to shareholders; compliance with 
financial reporting standards and the size and 
remit of the internal audit function. The Committee 
also considered and made recommendations to 
the Board in relation to the independence and 
objectivity of the external auditors (including the 
impact of any non–audit work undertaken by them) 
and their suitability for re–appointment. The Audit 
Committee reviewed the scope of the external audit 
in discussion with the external auditors and agreed 
their fees in respect of the audit. 

The Committee normally meets with the Finance 

Director and the external auditors in attendance, 

although time is set aside annually for discussion 
between the Committee and the external auditors 
and with the internal auditors, in each case in the 
absence of all executive directors. The Committee 
has the power to engage outside advisers if it sees 
fit. The Committee also monitors and reviews the 
effectiveness of the internal audit activities and risk 
management process.

The Combined Code requires the Board to 
be satisfied that at least one member of the Audit 
Committee has recent and relevant financial 
experience – the Board is satisfied in this respect 
and is confident that the collective experience of the 
members enables them to act effectively as an Audit 
Committee. The Committee also has access to the 
Group financial team and to its auditors and can 
seek further professional advice, at the Company’s 
cost, if required.

The Remuneration Committee currently 
consists entirely of independent non–executive 
directors (Julie Baddeley – Chair, Bob Bennett, 
Roger Whiteside and Iain Ferguson). 
The Committee’s main duties (which it discharged 
during the year) are to determine the basic 
salary, benefits in kind, terms and conditions of 
employment, performance–related bonuses, share 
options and pension benefits of the executive 
directors and the Chairman on behalf of the Board. 
The Committee is also responsible for the operation 
of the Company’s share option schemes and for 
monitoring the framework for, broad policy in respect 
of, and levels of remuneration of the Company’s 
senior management. A separate executive director 
committee sets, after discussion with the Chairman, 
the fees for the non–executive directors so as to 
ensure that no director is involved in setting his 
or her own remuneration. The Directors’ 
Remuneration report is set out on pages 77 to 88 
of this annual report. 

The Nominations Committee currently 

comprises Derek Netherton – Chairman, and all of 
the non–executive directors. The Committee’s main 
functions (which it discharged during the year) are 
to review the balance and constitution of the Board; 
to advise the Board as to whether directors retiring 
by rotation should be nominated for re–election 
by the members; and to approve and manage the 
process for setting the specification for all Board 
appointments, identifying candidates who meet 
that specification and making recommendations 
to the Board on the basis of merit and compliance 
with objective criteria in respect of all new Board 
appointments. 

In recruiting additional directors the Nominations 

Committee defines the role and uses external 
consultants to assist in identifying suitable 
candidates from which the Committee selects 
a short list and conducts interviews. The final 

29

candidate is then subject to formal recommendation 
by the Committee and approval by the Board. 
This process was adopted for the selection of Iain 
Ferguson as a new non–executive director.

system, which have been in place during the whole 
of the year under review and up to the date of 
approval of this annual report and accounts, are: 

Each of the Committees is provided with 

Board of Directors

sufficient resources to undertake its duties.

Relations with shareholders

The Chairman ensures that there is effective 
communication with individual and institutional 
shareholders through the announcement of regular 
trading updates, as well as general presentations 
after announcement of the interim and preliminary 
results and the posting of results on the Company’s 
website. The Board receives reports on any 
comments received from shareholders following 
these presentations.

The Board considers that the AGM is the main 

forum for communication with investors, with 
the chairmen of the Board and its Committees 
available to answer any issues raised and any 
newly–appointed directors being available to meet 
shareholders. In addition, the Company Secretary 
and the Company’s Brokers draw the attention of the 
Board to all relevant shareholder communications. 
The Board also reviews briefings and comments 
by analysts in order to maintain an understanding 
of market perceptions of the Company. The Senior 
Independent Director is available to shareholders 
if they have concerns which contact through the 
normal channels of the Chairman, Chief Executive 
or Finance Director has failed to resolve, or for which 
such contact is not appropriate.

At the AGM, the balance of proxy votes cast 
for and against each resolution and the number 
of abstentions is displayed. All substantial issues, 
including the receipt of the annual report and 
accounts, are proposed at the AGM as separate 
resolutions.

Risk Management 

The Board is ultimately responsible for the 
Group’s system of internal control, which covers 
all aspects of the business, and for reviewing its 
effectiveness. However, any such system can only 
be designed to manage, rather than eliminate, the 
risk of failure to achieve the Company’s objectives 
and, therefore, is only able to provide reasonable, 
and not absolute, assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The directors regularly review 
the risks to which the Company is exposed, as well 
as the operation and effectiveness of the system 
of internal controls. This is an ongoing process 
which involves the identification, evaluation and 
management of the significant risks faced by the 
Company. Key elements of the internal control 

The Board takes a proactive approach to 
the management of all forms of risk, and views 
risk management as a vital constituent of its role. 
At each Board meeting, the effectiveness of the 
controls relating to the most significant risks (i.e. 
those which may restrict the Company’s ability to 
meet its objectives) are monitored and reviewed 
and consideration is given as to whether any new 
material risks have emerged. The Audit Committee, 
on behalf of the Board, conducts a formal review 
of risks and risk management procedures and 
reports its findings to the Board. Remedial action is 
determined where appropriate. For some key risks, 
where it is felt necessary, specialist advice is sought 
from external agencies and professional advisers. 
The Board also reviews, at least annually, the major 
risks facing the business and the level and scope 
of insurance cover maintained within the business. 
The Board receives reports from management on 
significant changes in the business and external 
environment which might affect the risk profile. 
It has also set in place a system of regular 
hierarchical reporting which provides for relevant 
details and assurances on the assessment and 
control of risks to be given to it.

Operating Board

The Operating Board, answerable directly to 
the Chief Executive, is responsible for implementing 
decisions of the Main Board and providing 
protection against the major risks by various 
techniques, including strategic planning, monitoring, 
supervision and training.

Risk Committee

The Risk Committee, chaired by the Chief 
Executive and consisting of the heads of each 
management function within the business, has 
responsibility for analysing, assessing, measuring 
and understanding the Company’s risk environment, 
as well as devising a sound risk management 
strategy for review and approval by the Board. 
The Risk Committee reports its findings and 
important changes to the Board on a regular basis 
through personal presentation, narrative reports and 
key performance indicators (internal and external to 
the organisation) and through the Audit Committee. 
The Risk Committee also feeds the results of its 
assessments back into the Operating Board’s 
business planning process at least annually. 
The risks are assessed on a regular basis across 
all functional areas but, in particular, the areas 

30

 
Financial Reporting

The Company operates a comprehensive 

financial control system. Divisional Financial 
Controllers have responsibility for implementation 
of the Company’s financial management policies 
within each operating division. Each Divisional 
Financial Controller works closely with their divisional 
General Managers to monitor performance against 
plan. This is then consolidated and reviewed further 
at Company level. In addition, assets and liabilities 
are scrutinised at several levels on a regular basis 
and remedial action is taken where required. 
A comprehensive annual planning process is 
carried out, which determines expected levels of 
performance for all aspects of the business. Each 
Divisional Financial Controller can also report 
directly to the Group Finance Director on matters of 
financial control. In 2009 a new accounting system 
was introduced with some responsibility for financial 
management being passed to a shared service 
centre. Financial control will be centralised further 
in 2010.

Whistle Blowing

The Company has “whistle blowing” procedures 

in place, which enable employees to bring matters 
to the attention of the senior management, and for 
the confidential, proportionate and independent 
consideration and follow–up of any matter so raised. 
The “whistle blowing” procedures are reviewed 
regularly by the Audit Committee.

of food safety, health and safety, competitive 
environment, information flow, asset protection 
and regulatory requirements.

The Board considers the key risks to the 

Group to be as follows:

Organisational

The success of the Company is dependent 

upon the efforts and abilities of its employees. 
The Company has established remuneration 
packages that will attract, retain and motivate 
individuals with appropriate skills and experience. 
Organisational structure is regularly reviewed and 
there are group–wide processes for the training 
and development of all employees. 

External factors

Changes in the retail trading environment 
or in customer preferences could clearly have a 
significant effect on the business. The Company 
continually monitors market trends, the performance 
of its competitors and the performance of its own 
products and retail formats. Consumer research is 
carried out regularly and key market reports 
are monitored.

Operational

The safety of our products, employees and 
customers is paramount. Detailed systems are in 
place to ensure that we are operating safely and 
these systems are subject to regular audit to ensure 
compliance. High priority is given to implementing 
any resulting recommendations.

Detailed plans are in place for all our major 
production facilities to maintain business continuity 
in the event of any potentially disruptive occurrence.

Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures, covering control 
issues across appropriate aspects of the business, 
are defined and communicated to the respective 
managers and staff at all levels. Adherence is 
monitored and reported upon.

Health and Safety

The Company is committed to improving 
continuously the working environment, with the 
objective that accidents and work related ill health 
should progressively be reduced. Health and Safety 
Officers and Occupational Nurses are appointed 
across the business and operational policies and 
procedures are subject to both internal and external 
audit. Targets are set and programmes are devised 
to implement them. This approach involves a 
rigorous health assessment, during which hazards 
are identified, risks assessed, control measures 
applied and improvement actions agreed to manage 
residual risks.

31

Internal Audit

The internal audit function visits every division 

on an annual basis and reviews performance of 
the Division across a range of financial and non–
financial requirements, reporting findings to senior 
management and direct to the Audit Committee.
The Board confirms that it has reviewed the 

effectiveness of the system of internal control 
(covering all material controls, including financial, 
operational, compliance and risk management 
systems) during the year under review and up to the 
date of approval of the annual report and accounts.

Accountability, Audit and Going Concern

The Board acknowledges its responsibility 

to present a balanced and understandable 
assessment of the Company’s position and 
prospects. This is fulfilled by the statements 
contained in the Chairman’s statement and Chief 
Executive’s report, which supplement the statutory 
accounts themselves. A statement of directors’ 
responsibilities in respect of the preparation of 
accounts is given on page 36. A statement of 
auditors’ responsibilities is given in the report of the 
auditors on page 37.

After making enquiries, the directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for 
the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the 
accounts (see basis of preparation on page 45).

Fixed assets

In the opinion of the directors, the market value 

of all of the Group’s properties is not significantly 
different from their historical net book amount.

Directors and their interests

The names of the directors in office during the 
year, together with their relevant interests in the share 
capital of the Company at 27 December 2008 and 
2 January 2010 (or at date of appointment if later) 
are set out in note 25 to the accounts. Details of 
directors’ share options are set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration report on pages 77 to 88.

In accordance with the Company’s articles of 
association, Julie Baddeley, Richard Hutton, Roger 
Whiteside and Bob Bennett will retire from the Board 
at the AGM. All, being eligible, offer themselves for 
re–election. 

Directors’ Indemnities and conflicts

As at the date of this report, indemnities are 
in force under which the Company has agreed 
to indemnify the directors, to the extent permitted 
by law, in respect of losses arising out of or in 
connection with the execution of their duties, powers 
or responsibilities as directors of the Company. 
The indemnities do not apply in situations where 
the relevant director has been guilty of fraud or 
wilful misconduct.

Under the authority granted to them in the 
Company’s Articles of Association, the Board 
has considered carefully any situation declared 
by any director pursuant to which he/she has 
or might have a conflict of interest and, where it 
considers it appropriate to do so, has authorised 
the continuation of that situation. In exercising its 
authority, the directors have had regard to their 
statutory and other duties to the Company.

32

Substantial shareholdings

At 18 March 2010, the only notified holdings of substantial voting rights in respect of the issued 
share capital of the Company (which may have altered since the update of such notification, without any 
requirement for the Company to have been informed) were:

Number of 
shares held

Percentage of 
issued share capital

Aberforth Partners LLP

A.J. Davison (as trustee of various settlements)*

Schroders plc

Legal and General Investment Management Limited

F&C Asset Management plc

Norges Bank

10,383,890

6,768,018

5,021,221

4,107,434

3,862,618

3,133,000

9.98

6.51

4.83

3.94

3.71

3.01

*Various other trustees jointly hold shares with A.J. Davison above, some of whom, by reason of such 
joint holdings and other holdings in their own name, have declarable interests as follows: N.A. Bailey (3.26% 
jointly held with A.J. Davison and others).

Authority to purchase shares

At the AGM on 13 May 2009, the shareholders 

passed a resolution authorising the purchase 
by the Company of its own shares to a maximum 
of 10,350,000 ordinary shares of 2p each.  
That authority has not been used as at 2 January 
2010. The balance remains in force until the 
conclusion of the AGM in 2010 or 12 August 2010, 
whichever is the earlier. It is the Board’s intention 
to seek approval at the AGM for the renewal of 
this authority.

Additional information

Following the implementation of the European 
Directive on Takeover Bids by certain provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006, the Company is required 
to disclose certain additional information in the 
directors’ report. This information is set out below.

•	 	The	Company	has	one	class	of	share	in	issue	

being ordinary shares of 2p each. As at  
18 March 2010, there were 103,990,470 such 
ordinary shares in issue. There are no shares 
in the Company that grant the holder special 
rights with regard to control of the Company.

•	 	At	general	meetings	of	the	Company,	on	a	

show of hands, every shareholder present in 
person or by proxy has one vote only and, in 

the case of a poll, every shareholder present 
in person or by proxy has one vote for every 
share in the capital of the Company held 
by him. 

•	 	The	Company’s	articles	of	association	set	

out the circumstances in which shares may 
become disenfranchised. No shareholder 
is entitled, unless the directors otherwise 
determine, in respect of any share held by 
him to be present or vote at a general meeting 
either personally or by proxy (or to exercise 
any other right in relation to meetings of 
the Company) in respect of that share in 
certain circumstances if any call or other 
sum is payable and remains unpaid, if the 
shareholder is in default in complying with 
a duly served notice under section 793(1) 
of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) or if 
the shareholder has failed to reply to a duly 
served notice requiring him to provide a 
written statement stating he is the beneficial 
owner of shares.

•	 	A	notice	convening	a	general	meeting	can	
contain a statement that a shareholder is 
not entitled to attend and vote at a general 
meeting unless his name is entered on the 
register of members of the Company at a 
specific time (not more than 48 hours before 
the meeting) and if a shareholder’s name is 
not so entered he is not entitled to attend 
and vote.

33

At each Annual General Meeting, any director 
appointed by the Board since the last Annual 
General Meeting plus a proportion of the other 
directors must retire from office but each is 
eligible for re–election by the shareholders. 
Under the CA 2006 and the Company’s 
articles of association, a director can be 
removed from office by the shareholders in a 
general meeting. 

•	 	The	Company’s	articles	of	association	set	

out the powers of the directors. The business 
of the Company is to be managed by the 
directors who may exercise all the powers 
of the Company and do on behalf of the 
Company all such acts as may be exercised 
and done by the Company and are not by any 
relevant statutes or by the Company’s articles 
of association required to be exercised or 
done by the Company in a general meeting, 
subject to the provisions of any relevant 
statutes and the Company’s articles of 
association and to such regulations as 
may be prescribed by the Company by 
special resolution.

•	 	Under	the	CA	2006	and	the	Company’s	
articles of association, the directors’ 
powers include the power to allot and 
buy back shares in the Company. At each 
Annual General Meeting, resolutions are 
proposed granting and setting out the limits 
on these powers. 

•	 	The	Company	is	not	party	to	any	significant	

agreements which take effect, alter or 
terminate upon a change of control of the 
Company, following a takeover bid. 

•	 	There	are	no	agreements	between	the	

Company and its directors or employees 
providing for compensation for loss of office 
or employment (whether through resignation, 
purported redundancy or otherwise) that 
occurs because of a takeover bid. Details of 
the directors’ service agreements and terms 
of appointment are set out in the Directors 
Remuneration report on pages 77 to 88. 
However, provisions in the employee share 
plans operated by the Company may allow 
options to be exercised on a takeover.

•	 	Under	the	Company’s	articles	of	association	
the directors may, in their absolute discretion, 
refuse to register the transfer of a share 
in certified form in certain circumstances 
where the Company has a lien on the share 
(provided that the directors do not exercise 
their discretion so as to prevent dealings in 
partly–paid shares from taking place on an 
open and proper basis), where a shareholder 
has failed to reply to a duly–served notice 
under section 793(1) CA 2006 or if a transfer 
of a share is in favour of more than four 
persons jointly. In addition, the directors 
may decline to recognise any instrument 
of transfer unless it is in respect of only one 
class of share and is deposited at the address 
at which the register of members of the 
Company is held (or at such other place as 
the directors may determine) accompanied by 
the relevant share certificate(s) and such other 
evidence as the directors may reasonably 
require to show the right of the transferor to 
make the transfer. In respect of shares held 
in uncertificated form the directors may only 
refuse to register transfers in accordance with 
the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 
(as amended from time to time).

•	 	Under	the	Company’s	Code	on	dealings	
in securities in the Company, persons 
discharging managerial responsibilities and 
some other senior executives may in certain 
circumstances be restricted as to when they 
can transfer shares in the Company.

•	 	There	are	no	agreements	between	

shareholders known to the Company which 
may result in restrictions on the transfer of 
shares or on voting rights.

•	 	Details	of	the	significant	holders	of	the	

Company’s shares are set out on page 33. 

•	 	Where,	under	an	employee	share	plan	
operated by the Company, participants 
are the beneficial owners of shares but not 
the registered owner, the voting rights are 
normally exercised by the registered owner at 
the direction of the participant.

•	 	The	Company’s	articles	of	association	may	
only be amended by special resolution at a 
general meeting of the shareholders.

•	 	The	Company’s	articles	of	association	set	out	
how directors are appointed and replaced. 
Directors can be appointed by the Board or 
by the shareholders in a general meeting. 

34

Payments to suppliers

Good relationships with our suppliers are 
an important factor in the success of the Group. 
Payments to suppliers are made in accordance 
with the Group’s normal terms and conditions of 
business except where varied terms and conditions 
are agreed with individual suppliers, in which case 
these prevail. Where disputes arise, we attempt 
to resolve them promptly and amicably to ensure 
delays in payment are kept to a minimum.

The average creditor payment period for the 
Company and the Group at 2 January 2010 was 
41 days (2008: 33 days).

Significant relationships

The Group does not have any contractual or 
other relationships with any single party which are 
essential to the business of the Group and, therefore, 
no such relationships have been disclosed.

amounted to £112,000 and principally related 
to taxation compliance services and pension 
scheme audits.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the directors who held office at the date 

of approval of this directors’ report confirms that, 
so far as he/she is individually aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the Company’s 
auditors are unaware; and that he/she has taken 
all the steps that he/she ought to have taken as 
a director to make himself/herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Reappointment of auditors

In accordance with Section 489 of the 
Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the 
re–appointment of KPMG Audit Plc as auditors of 
the Company will be proposed at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board

 Andrew Davison 
Secretary 
Greggs plc (CRN 502851) 

 Fernwood House 
Clayton Road 
Jesmond 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE2 1TL

18 March 2010

Auditors

Auditor independence and policy on the use of 
the auditors for non–audit work.

The Audit Committee keeps under review all 
non–audit services provided by the external auditors 
in order to seek to ensure that their independence 
and objectivity cannot be compromised. 
The Committee recognises that there are situations 
where it is in the Company’s best interests to use 
the services of its external auditors for non–audit 
work but manages such appointments and will 
not allow any non–audit work that might, in the 
Committee’s opinion, impair the auditors’ objectivity 
or independence. In addition, the Audit Committee 
ensures that the external auditors have their own 
policies and are subject to professional standards 
designed to safeguard their independence as 
auditors. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy 
under which all use of the external auditors for 
non–audit work must be reported to and approved 
by the Committee and the aggregate of such fees 
will normally be less than 100% of the audit fee. 
In circumstances where the Committee believes 
that it is right to authorise non–audit fees in excess 
of this limit the Committee will approve such 
expenditure in advance of it being committed and 
provide an explanation to shareholders in the next 
directors’ report.

The Audit Committee has reviewed whether, 

and is satisfied that, the Company’s auditors, 
KPMG Audit Plc, continue to be objective and 
independent of the Company. KPMG Audit Plc does 
perform non–audit services for the Group but the 
Audit Committee is satisfied that its objectivity is not 
impaired by such work. In 2009, non audit fees paid 
to KPMG Audit Plc and related KPMG operations 

35

The directors confirm that to the best of 

their knowledge:

•	 	the	accounts,	prepared	in	accordance	with	
the applicable set of accounting standards, 
give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit of the 
Company and the undertakings included in 
the consolidation taken as a whole and;
•	 	the	directors’	report,	which	incorporates	
the Chairman’s statement, the Chief 
Executive’s report and the Corporate Social 
Responsibility statement include a fair review 
of the development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face.

Statement of directors’ 
responsibilities in respect of the 
Annual Report and Accounts

The directors are responsible for preparing 

the Annual Report and the Group and Parent 
Company accounts in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare 

Group and Parent Company accounts for each 
financial year. Under that law they are required to 
prepare the Group accounts in accordance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law 
and have elected to prepare the Parent Company 
accounts on the same basis.

Under company law the directors must not 
approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that 
they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of 
the Group and Parent Company and of their profit or 
loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group 
and Parent Company accounts, the directors are 
required to:

•	 	select	suitable	accounting	policies	and	then	

apply them consistently;

•	 	make	judgments	and	estimates	that	are	

reasonable and prudent;

•	 	state	whether	they	have	been	prepared	in	

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 
and

•	 	prepare	the	accounts	on	the	going	concern	
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume 
that the Group and the Parent Company will 
continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are sufficient 
to show and explain the Parent Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy 
at any time the financial position of the Parent 
Company and enable them to ensure that its 
accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They have general responsibility for taking such 
steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard 
the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect 
fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the 
directors are also responsible for preparing a 
Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration Report 
and Corporate Governance Statement that comply 
with that law and those regulations.

The directors are responsible for the 

maintenance and integrity of the corporate and 
financial information included on the Company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK governing the 
preparation and dissemination of accounts may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

36

Independent auditors’ report to 
the members of Greggs plc

We have audited the accounts of Greggs plc 
for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010 set out on 
pages 39 to 76. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in their preparation is 
applicable law and International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and, as 
regards the Parent Company accounts, as applied 
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006.

This report is made solely to the Company’s 

members, as a body, in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we 
might state to the Company’s members those 
matters we are required to state to them in an 
auditors’ 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 auditors

As explained more fully in the Directors’ 

Responsibilities Statement set out on page 36, the 
directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
accounts and for being satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit the 
accounts in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). 
Those standards require us to comply with the 
Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards 
for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the accounts

A description of the scope of an audit of 
accounts is provided on the APB’s website at 
www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/UKP. 

Opinion on accounts

In our opinion:
•	 	the	accounts	give	a	true	and	fair	view	of	
the state of the Group’s and of the Parent 
Company’s affairs as at 2 January 2010 and of 
the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

•	 	the	Group	accounts	have	been	properly	
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 
adopted by the EU; 

•	 	the	Parent	Company	accounts	have	been	
properly prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the EU and as applied 
in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006; and

•	 	the	accounts	have	been	prepared	in	

accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006 and, as regards 
the Group accounts, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by 
the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion:
•	 	the	part	of	the	Directors’	Remuneration	Report	
to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006; 
•	 	the	information	given	in	the	directors’	report	
for the financial year for which the accounts 
are prepared is consistent with the accounts. 

Matters on which we are required to 
report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the 

following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required 

to report to you if, in our opinion:

•	 	adequate	accounting	records	have	not	been	

kept by the Parent Company, or returns 
adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or

•	 	the	Parent	Company	accounts	and	the	part	
of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to 
be audited are not in agreement with the 
accounting records and returns; or

•	 	certain	disclosures	of	directors’	remuneration	

specified by law are not made; or

•	 	we	have	not	received	all	the	information	and	

explanations we require for our audit. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to 

review:

•	 	the	directors’	statement,	set	out	on	page	36, 

in relation to a going concern; and
•	 	the	part	of	the	Corporate	Governance	
Statement on page 26 relating to the 
Company’s compliance with the nine 
provisions of the June 2008 Combined 
Code specified for our review.

Nick Plumb (Senior Statutory Auditor)
 for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, 
Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants
Quayside House
110 Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3DX

18 March 2010

37

Consolidated income statement

for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010 (2008: 52 weeks ended 27 December 2008)

Note

1

5

5

5

6

3–6

8

9

9

9

9

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Distribution and selling costs

Administrative expenses

Other income

Operating profit

Finance income

Profit before tax

Income tax

Profit for the financial year attributable 
to equity holders of the parent

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Non GAAP measures

Adjusted basic earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

2009

£’000

Total

2008

2008
Restated
£’000

£’000
Excluding Exceptional
items
(Note 4)

exceptional
items

658,186

628,198

(252,284)

(241,939)

405,902

386,259

–

–

–

2008
Restated
£’000

Total

628,198

(241,939)

386,259

(321,686)

(306,450)

(3,285)

(309,735)

(35,783)

(35,514)

(430)

(35,944)

–

48,433

346

48,779

–

44,295

857

45,152

(14,405)

(14,033)

8,033

4,318

–

4,318

(1,342)

8,033

48,613

857

49,470

(15,375)

34,374

31,119

2,976

34,095

34.1p

34.0p

34.1p

34.0p

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

33.6p

33.5p

30.7p

30.6p

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010 (2008: 52 weeks ended 27 December 2008)

Profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive income

Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension plans

Tax on items taken directly to equity

Other comprehensive income for the financial 
year, net of income tax

Total comprehensive income for the 
financial year

Note

20

8

                        Group

2009
£’000
34,374

(6,920)

1,938

(4,982)

2008
£’000
34,095

(12,614)

3,532

(9,082)

29,392

25,013

39

Balance sheets

at 2 January 2010 (2008: 27 December 2008)

ASSETS
Non–current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Provisions

Non–current liabilities
Defined benefit pension liability
Other payables
Deferred tax liability
Long term provisions

Total liabilities
Net assets

EQUITY
Capital and reserves
Issued capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to equity 
holders of the parent

Note

      Group
2009 
£’000 

      Parent Company

2008 
£’000 

2009 
£’000 

2008 
£’000 

10 
11 
12 

14 
15 
16 

17 
18 
21 

20 
19 
13 
21 

22 

22 

579 
211,155 
– 

211,734 

11,886 
21,206 
34,619 
67,711 
279,445 

(71,738)
(8,857)
(857)

(81,452)

(12,332)
(8,830)
(9,298)
(3,296)
(33,756)
(115,208)
164,237 

686 
210,455 
– 

211,141 

12,152 
22,698 
4,433 
39,283 
250,424 

(62,761)
(8,337)
(2,843)

(73,941)

(5,733)
(8,221)
(12,154)
(2,428)
(28,536)
(102,477)
147,947 

579 
211,748 
4,987 

217,314 

11,886 
21,206 
34,619 
67,711 
285,025 

(79,545)
(8,857)
(857)

(89,259)

(12,332)
(8,830)
(8,559)
(3,296)
(33,017)
(122,276)
162,749 

686 
211,048 
5,190 

216,924 

12,152 
22,698 
4,433 
39,283 
256,207 

(70,568)
(8,337)
(2,843)

(81,748)

(5,733)
(8,221)
(11,415)
(2,428)
(27,797)
(109,545)
146,662

2,080 
13,533 
359 
148,265 

2,080 
13,533 
359 
131,975 

2,080 
13,533 
359 
146,777 

2,080 
13,533 
359 
130,690 

164,237 

147,947

162,749

146,662

The accounts on pages 39 to 76 were approved by the Board of directors on 18 March 2010 and were 
signed on its behalf by:

K. McMeikan 

R.J. Hutton

Company Registered Number 502851 

40

 
 
 
Statements of changes in equity

for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010 (2008: 52 weeks ended 27 December 2008)

Group
52 weeks ended 27 December 2008

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Note

Issued 
capital 

Share 
premium 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve

Retained 
earnings 

Total 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

2,127 

13,533 

312  129,622 

145,594 

– 

– 

– 

 (47)

– 

– 

– 

– 

(47)

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

34,095 

34,095 

(9,082)

(9,082)

25,013 

25,013

47 

 (9,738)

 (9,738)

– 

– 

– 

– 

698 

698 

1,047 

1,047 

(14,535)

(14,535)

(132)

(132)

47 

(22,660)

(22,660)

2,080 

13,533 

359  131,975 

147,947 

2,080 

13,533 

359  131,975  147,947 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

34,374 

34,374 

(4,982)

(4,982)

29,392 

29,392

1,182 

1,182 

982 

982 

(15,339)

(15,339)

73 

73 

(13,102)

(13,102)

2,080 

13,533 

359  148,265  164,237 

22

20

22

8

20

22

8

Balance at 30 December 2007

Total comprehensive income 
for the year

Profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners, recorded 
directly in equity

Shares purchased and cancelled

Sale of own shares

Share–based payment transactions

Dividends to equity holders

Tax items taken directly to reserves

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 27 December 2008

53 weeks ended 2 January 2010

Balance at 28 December 2008

Total comprehensive income for 
the year

Profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners, recorded 
directly in equity

Sale of own shares

Share–based payment transactions

Dividends to equity holders

Tax items taken directly to reserves

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 2 January 2010

41

Statements of changes in equity

(continued)

Parent Company
52 weeks ended 27 December 2008

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Note

Issued 
capital 

Share 
premium 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve

Retained 
earnings 

Total 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

Balance at 30 December 2007

2,127 

13,533 

312 

128,221 

144,193 

Total comprehensive income for 
the year

Profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners, recorded 
directly in equity

Shares purchased and cancelled

Sale of own shares

Share–based payment transactions

Dividends to equity holders

Tax items taken directly to reserves

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 27 December 2008

53 weeks ended 2 January 2010

Balance at 28 December 2008

Total comprehensive income for 
the year

Profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners, recorded 
directly in equity

Sale of own shares

Share–based payment transactions

Dividends to equity holders

Tax items taken directly to reserves

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 2 January 2010

42

7

22

20

22

8

7

20

22

8

– 

– 

– 

 (47)

– 

– 

– 

– 

(47)

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

34,211 

34,211 

(9,082)

(9,082)

25,129 

25,129

47 

 (9,738)

(9,738)

– 

– 

– 

– 

698 

698 

1,047 

1,047 

(14,535)

(14,535)

(132)

(132)

47 

(22,660)

(22,660)

2,080 

13,533 

359 

130,690 

146,662 

2,080 

13,533 

359  130,690  146,662 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

34,171 

34,171 

(4,982)

(4,982)

29,189 

29,189

1,182 

1,182 

982 

982 

(15,339)

(15,339)

73 

73 

(13,102)

(13,102)

2,080 

13,533 

359  146,777  162,749 

Statements of cashflows

for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010 (2008: 52 weeks ended 27 December 2008)

Note

       Group

       Parent Company

2009

£’000

2008

£’000

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

Operating activities

Cash generated from operations 
(see page 44)

Income tax paid

Net cash inflow from operating 
activities

Investing activities

Acquisition of property, plant and 
equipment

Acquisition of intangible assets

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and 
equipment

Interest received

Net cash outflow from investing 
activities

Financing activities

Sale of own shares

Shares purchased and cancelled

Dividends paid

Government grants received

Net cash outflow from financing 
activities

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and 
cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of 
the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end 
of the year

Included in cash and cash equivalents per 
the balance sheet

Included in current liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents at the end 
of the year

11

10

6

22

22

22

16

16

16

17

87,944 

59,163 

87,944 

59,494 

(14,731)

(14,807)

(14,731)

(14,771)

73,213 

44,356 

73,213 

44,723 

(30,296)

(40,758)

(30,296)

(40,758)

– 

(686)

– 

(686)

2,368 

2,200 

2,368 

2,200 

346 

857 

346

857 

(27,582)

(38,387)

(27,582)

(38,387)

1,182 

– 

698 

(9,738)

1,182 

– 

698 

(9,738)

(15,339)

(14,535)

(15,339)

(14,535)

1,087 

8,083 

1,087 

8,083 

(13,070)

(15,492)

(13,070)

(15,492)

32,561 

(9,523)

32,561 

(9,156)

2,058 

11,581 

2,058 

11,214 

34,619 

2,058 

34,619 

2,058 

34,619 

4,433 

34,619 

4,433 

– 

(2,375)

– 

(2,375)

34,619 

2,058 

34,619 

2,058 

43

Statements of cashflows

for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2010 (2008: 52 weeks ended 27 December 2008)

(continued)

Note

             Group

       Parent Company

2009 

 £’000 

2008 

£’000 

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

Cash flow statement – cash generated 
from operations

Profit for the financial year

34,374 

34,095 

34,171 

34,211 

107 

– 

107 

– 

27,218 

26,010 

27,218 

26,010 

– 

10 

(228)

–

(771)

(84)

203 

10 

(228)

–

(771)

(84)

– 

(6,969)

– 

(6,969)

982 

(346)

– 

1,047 

(857)

(353)

15,375 

(2,244)

(2,764)

(8,001)

(592)

5,271 

59,163 

982 

(346)

– 

14,405 

266 

1,492 

11,103 

(321)

(1,118)

87,944

1,047 

(857)

(353)

15,259 

(2,244)

(2,764)

(7,670)

(592)

5,271 

59,494 

Amortisation

Depreciation

Impairment

Loss / (profit) on sale of property, plant 
and equipment

Release of government grants

Gain on curtailment of defined benefit 
pension scheme

Share based payment expenses

Finance income

Unrealised exchange gain relating to 
property, plant and equipment

10

11

12

20

6

Income tax expense

8

14,405 

Decrease / (increase) in inventories

Decrease / (increase) in receivables

Increase / (decrease) in payables

Decrease in pension liability

(Decrease) / increase in provisions

Cash from operating activities

266 

1,492 

11,103 

(321)

(1,118)

87,944

44

Notes to the consolidated accounts

Significant accounting policies

Greggs plc (“the Company”) is a company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The Group accounts 
consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”). The Parent 
Company accounts present information about the Company as a separate entity and not about its Group.

The accounts were authorised for issue by the directors on 18 March 2010.

(a)  Statement of compliance

Both the Parent Company accounts and the Group accounts have been prepared and approved by the 
directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“adopted 
IFRSs”), IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. 
On publishing the Parent Company accounts here together with the Group accounts, the Company is 
taking advantage of the exemption in s408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present its individual income 
statement and related notes that form a part of these approved accounts.

(b)  Basis of preparation

The accounts are presented in pounds sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand, and are prepared on the 
historical cost basis. A minor presentational change has been made to the income statement reallocating 
some salary and associated costs from administrative expenses to cost of sales and distribution and selling 
costs. There is no impact on net profit (see further detail below).

The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance 
and position are set out in the Directors’ report and business review on pages 8 to 35. The financial position 
of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the Chief Executive’s 
report on pages 13 to 19. In addition note 2 to the accounts includes the Group’s objectives, policies 
and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial 
instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group has considerable financial resources and the business continues to be strongly cash generative. 
As a consequence, the directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risk 
successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.

After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group 
have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

The Group chose not to restate business combinations prior to the transition date on an IFRS basis, as no 
significant acquisitions had taken place during the previous 10 years. The Group’s policy up to and including 
1997 was to eliminate goodwill arising upon acquisitions against reserves. Under IFRS 1 and IFRS 3, such 
goodwill remains eliminated against reserves.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently throughout the Group and to all years 
presented in these consolidated accounts and are unchanged from previous years. A minor presentational 
change has been made to the income statement reallocating some salary and associated costs from 
administrative expenses to cost of sales and distribution and selling costs. As a result the comparative 
figures for 2008 have been restated as follows – administrative expenses have reduced from £40.8m to 
£35.9m, cost of sales has increased from £240.2m to £241.9m and distribution and selling costs have 
increased from £306.6m to £309.7m. There is no impact on net profit. From 1 January 2009 the following 
standards, amendments and interpretations became effective and were adopted by the Group:

45

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

Significant accounting policies (continued)

•		Amendments	to	IAS	1	Presentation of Financial Statements – these amendments revise requirements 
for the presentation of the financial statements and do not affect the Group’s overall reported results.

•		Improvements	to	IFRSs	(2008)	–	the	amendments	to	IAS	1	clarify	the	classification	of	derivative	

financial instruments as current or non–current.

•		Amendments	to	IFRS	2	Share–based payments: Vesting Conditions and Cancellations – these 

amendments concern certain aspects of the valuation of share–based payments and the impact of 
a cancellation by a grantee. These amendments have not had a significant impact on the charge for 
share–based payments.

•		IFRS	8	Operating Segments – this standard amends the requirements for disclosure of segmental 

performance and does not have any effect on the Group’s overall reported results.

•		Amendment	to	IAS	23	Borrowing Costs – the amendment generally eliminates the option to expense 

borrowing costs attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as 
incurred, and instead requires the capitalisation of such borrowing costs as part of the cost of the 
specific asset. 

•		Amendments	to	IFRS	7	Improving Disclosures about Financial Instruments – these amendments are 
to enhance disclosures over fair value measurements relating to financial instruments and improving 
disclosures over liquidity risk.

•		IFRIC	14	IAS	19	The Limit of a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their 
Interaction – this interpretation applies where regulatory funding requirements will result in an 
unrecognisable surplus arising in the future. 

The adoption of the above has not had a significant impact on the Group’s profit for the year or equity.

The preparation of financial information in conformity with adopted IFRSs requires management to make 
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of 
assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an 
ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the year in which the estimate is revised 
if the revision affects only that year, or in the year of revision and future years if the revision affects both 
current and future years.

The key estimates and judgements that have the most significant impact on the accounts are as follows:

Lease classification

Judgement has to be applied as to whether the Group’s shop leases are operating leases or finance leases 
– see note 23 for how this is determined.

Post retirement benefits

The determination of the pension cost and defined benefit obligation of the Group’s defined benefit pension 
scheme depends on the selection of certain assumptions including the discount rate, inflation rate, mortality 
rates and expected return on scheme assets. Differences arising from actual experience or future changes in 
assumptions will be reflected in future years. The key assumptions made for 2009 are given in note 20.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For example, bakery equipment may be impaired if it is no 
longer in use and/or shop fittings may be impaired if sales in that shop fall. When a review for impairment 
is conducted, the recoverable amount is determined based on value in use calculations which include 
management’s estimates of future cash flows generated by the assets and an appropriate discount rate.

46

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Depreciation is provided so as to write down the assets to the residual values over their estimated useful 
lives, both of which require management’s judgement (see accounting policy (g)).

Provisions

Provision is required in respect of closed shops for which the Group has on going lease commitments. 
Management exercises judgement as to whether the shop will be sublet to a third party taking into account 
current market conditions and, if so, for how long and at what rent, in order to estimate the future net holding 
cost to the Group until the lease can be exited. This estimate is then discounted (where the impact would be 
material) at a rate that reflects the current time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. In respect 
of our exit from the Belgian operation, a provision remains for the potential recourse of leases taken over by 
the new owner.

(c)  Basis of consolidation

The consolidated accounts include the results of Greggs plc and its subsidiary undertakings for the 53 
weeks ended 2 January 2010. The comparative period is the 52 weeks ended 27 December 2008.

(i) 

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists where the Company has the power, 
directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from 
its activities. The accounts of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated accounts from the date control 
commences until the date that control ceases.

(ii) 

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intragroup balances, and any unrealised gains and losses or income and expenses arising from intragroup 
transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated accounts.

(d)  Exceptional items

Exceptional items are defined as items of income and expenditure which are material and unusual in nature 
and which are considered to be of such significance that they require separate disclosure on the face of the 
income statement in accordance with IAS 1.

(e)  Foreign currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the 
transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date 
are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Non–monetary assets and liabilities that are 
measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the 
date of the transaction. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the income 
statement.

(f) 

Intangible assets

The Group’s only intangible asset is accounting software which is measured at cost less accumulated 
amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the 
specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure is recognised in the income statement as incurred.

Amortisation is recognised in the income statement on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of 
intangible assets from the date that they are available for use. The estimated useful lives for the current and 
comparative periods are five years.

47

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

Significant accounting policies (continued)

(g)  Property, plant and equipment

(i) 

Owned assets

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or deemed cost less accumulated depreciation 
(see below) and impairment losses (see accounting policy (k)). The cost of self–constructed assets includes 
the cost of materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of production overheads.

(ii) 

Subsequent costs

The Group and Company recognises in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment 
the cost of replacing part of such an item when the cost is incurred if it is probable that the future economic 
benefits embodied within the item will flow to the Group and its cost can be measured reliably. All other costs 
are recognised in the income statement as incurred.

(iii)  Depreciation

Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight–line basis over the estimated useful economic 
lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. Freehold and long leasehold properties are 
depreciated by equal instalments over a period of 40 years. Land is not depreciated. The depreciation rates 
are as follows: 

Short leasehold properties 

10%

Plant:
General 
Computers 
Motor vehicles 
Delivery trays 

10%
20% – 33¹⁄³%
20% – 25%
33¹⁄³%

Shop fixtures and fittings:
General 
Electronic equipment 

10%
20%

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values (if not insignificant) are reassessed annually.

(iv)  Assets in the course of construction

Depreciation on these assets commences when the assets are available for use.

(h) 

Investments

Investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less impairment.

(i) 

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated 
selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. 
The cost of inventories includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and direct production 
labour costs.

(j)  Cash and cash equivalents

‘Cash and cash equivalents’ comprises cash balances and call deposits with an original maturity of three 
months or less. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash 
management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the statement of 
cash flows.

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(k) 

Impairment

The carrying amounts of the Group and Company’s assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets, 
are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any 
such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Impairment reviews are carried out on an 
individual shop basis unless there are a number of shops in the same location, in which case the impairment 
review is based on the location.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable 
amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement. Impairment losses recognised in prior 
years are assessed at each reporting date and reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to 
determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying 
amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, if no 
impairment loss had been recognised.

(l)  Non–current assets held for sale

Non–current assets that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing 
use are classified as held for sale. Immediately before classification as held for sale, the assets are 
remeasured in accordance with the Group and Company’s accounting policies. Thereafter generally the 
assets are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell.

(m)  Share capital

(i) 

Repurchase of share capital

When share capital recognised as equity is repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, including 
directly attributable costs, is recognised as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares that are held in the 
Employee Share Ownership Plan are classified as treasury shares and are presented as a deduction from 
total equity.

(ii)  Dividends

Dividends are recognised as a liability in the year in which they are approved by the shareholders.

(n)  Employee share ownership plan

The Group and Parent Company accounts include the assets and related liabilities of the Greggs Employee 
Benefit Trust (“EBT”). In both the Group and Parent Company accounts the shares held by the EBT are 
stated at cost and deducted from total equity.

(o)  Employee benefits

(i) 

Defined contribution plans

Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the 
income statement when they are due.

(ii)  Defined benefit plans

The Group and Company’s obligation in respect of defined benefit post–employment plans, including 
pension plans, is calculated by estimating the amount of the future benefit that employees have earned in 
return for their service in the current and prior years. That benefit is discounted to determine its present value 
and any unrecognised past service costs, and the fair value of any plan assets is deducted. The discount 
rate is the yield at the balance sheet date on AA credit rated bonds that have maturity dates approximating to 
the terms of the Group’s obligations. The calculation is performed by a qualified actuary using the projected 
unit credit method.

When the benefits of a plan are improved, the portion of the increased benefit relating to past service by 
employees is recognised as an expense in the income statement on a straight–line basis over the average 
period until the benefits become vested. To the extent that the benefits vest immediately, the expense is 
recognised immediately in the income statement.

49

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

Significant accounting policies (continued)

The Group and Company recognise actuarial gains and losses in full in the year in which they occur in the 
statement of changes in equity.

(iii)  Share–based payment transactions

The share option programme allows Group employees to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value 
of share options granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. 
The fair value is measured at grant date, using an appropriate model, taking into account the terms and 
conditions upon which the share options were granted, and is spread over the period during which the 
employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The amount recognised as an expense is 
adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest except where forfeiture is only due to share 
prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.

For options granted before 7 November 2002 the recognition and measurement principles of IFRS 2 have 
not been applied in accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 1. In addition deferred taxation has 
not been recognised on these options but is accounted for as current tax when it arises.

(p)  Provisions

A provision is recognised if, as a result of a past event, the Group has a present legal or constructive 
obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be 
required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at 
a pre–tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to 
the liability.

(i) 

Restructuring

A provision for restructuring is recognised when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring 
plan, and the restructuring either has commenced or has been announced publicly. Future operating costs 
are not provided for.

(ii)  Closed shops

Provision is made for vacant and partly sublet properties for the shorter of the remaining period of the lease 
and the period until, in the directors’ opinion, they will be able to exit the lease commitment. Significant 
assumptions are applied in making these calculations and such provisions are assessed by reference to the 
best available information at the balance sheet date.

(q)  Revenue

(i) 

Goods sold

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised as income on receipt of cash and is stated after deduction of 
discounts, promotions and value added taxation.

(r)  Government grants

Government grants are recognised in the balance sheet initially as deferred income when there is a 
reasonable assurance that they will be received and that the Group will comply with the conditions attaching 
to them. Grants that compensate the Group for expenses incurred are recognised in the income statement 
on a systematic basis in the same periods in which the expenses are incurred. Grants that compensate the 
Group for the cost of an asset are recognised in the income statement over the useful life of the asset.

50

(s)  Expenses

(i) 

Operating lease payments

Payments under operating leases are recognised in the income statement on a straight–line basis over the 
term of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised in the income statement as an integral part of the 
total lease expense over the term of the lease.

(t) 

Finance income and expense

(i) 

Finance income

Finance income comprises interest receivable on cash balances and foreign exchange movements relating 
to overseas bank accounts. Interest income is recognised in the income statement as it accrues using the 
effective interest method.

(ii) 

Finance expenses

Finance expenses comprise interest payable on borrowings and related foreign exchange movements on 
any Euro bank borrowings. 

(u) 

Income tax

Income tax comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income statement except to 
the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

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

Deferred tax is recognised using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences 
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used 
for taxation purposes. The amount of deferred tax recognised is based on the expected manner of realisation 
or settlement of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, using tax rates that are expected to apply when 
the temporary differences reverse, based on rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet 
date.

Temporary differences relating to the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor 
taxable profit are not provided for, other than in a business combination.

Deferred tax is not recognised for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or 
liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable 
profit, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that it is probable that they will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be 
available against which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and 
are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related deferred tax benefit will be realised.

(v)  Research and development

The Company continuously strives to improve its products and processes through technical and other 
innovation. Such expenditure is typically expensed to the income statement as the related intellectual 
property is not capable of being formalised.

51

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

Significant accounting policies (continued)

(w) 

IFRSs available for early adoption not yet applied

The following standards and amendments to standards which will be relevant to the Group, were available 
for early adoption but have not been applied in these accounts:

•		Amendment	to	IAS	32	Financial Instruments: Presentation: Classification of Rights Issues applicable 

for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 February 2010.

•		Amendment	to	IFRIC	9	and	IAS	39	Embedded Derivatives applicable for accounting periods 

beginning on or after 30 June 2009.

•		Amendments	to	IAS	39	Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement: Eligible Hedged Items 

applicable for accounting periods beginning on or after 30 June 2009.

•		Revised	IFRS	3	Business Combinations applicable for accounting periods beginning on or after 

1 July 2009.

•		Amendments	to	IAS	27	Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements applicable for accounting 

periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009.

These standards amendments are not currently expected to have a significant impact on the accounts when 
they are adopted.

1. 

Segmental analysis

The introduction of IFRS 8 has necessitated a reassessment of the reportable segments within the Group 
and the nature of related disclosures.  The Board is considered to be the “chief operating decision maker” of 
the Group in the context of the IFRS 8 definition.

Throughout 2008 and 2009 the Group has progressively been reorganised into a centrally managed 
business with an integrated supply chain. During 2009 the Group’s 11 operating divisions were reorganised 
into seven retail regions, each reporting to the Group Retail Director.  These retail regions, and their 
predecessor divisions, have similar economic characteristics, products, customers and production and 
distribution methods and have therefore been aggregated into a single reportable segment.  The segment 
results, as reported to the chief operating decision maker, are calculated under the principles of IFRS.

Products and services – the Group sells a consistent range of fresh bakery goods, sandwiches and drinks in 
its shops.

Major customers – the majority of sales are made to the general public on a cash basis.  A small proportion 
of sales are made on credit to certain organisations but these are immaterial in a group context.

Geographical areas – in early 2009 we exited our Belgian stores, which were insignificant in a group context.  
All other results arise in the UK.

The Board has carefully considered the requirements of IFRS 8 and concluded that, as there is only one 
reportable segment whose revenue, profits, assets and liabilities are measured and reported on a consistent 
basis with the group financial statements no additional numerical disclosures are necessary.

52

 
	
	
	
	
	
2. 

Financial Risk Management

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails 
to meet its contractual obligations.

Trade and other receivables

The Group’s exposure to credit risk is considered not to be significant as sale of goods is for cash. Other 
receivables are primarily prepaid rent and rates as well as amounts owed from HM Revenue & Customs 
in respect of VAT. The credit risk on remaining other receivables and trade receivables is therefore not 
considered significant.

Counterparty risk is also considered low. All of the Group’s surplus cash is held with highly rated banks, 
in line with Group policy.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. 

The Group operates with net current liabilities because all sales are for cash and limited stocks are held 
given their perishable nature. It is therefore reliant on the continued strong performance of the retail portfolio 
to meet its short term liabilities. This is a well established and proven business model. Any increase in short 
term liquidity risk can be mitigated by reducing the capital expenditure budget. The Group has substantial 
cash resources at the year end, and if necessary, would be able to obtain substantial debt funding.

The Group has overdraft facilities of £5,000,000 and €3,000,000 of which £5,000,000 and €3,000,000 was 
undrawn at 2 January 2010 (2008: £3,563,000 and €2,019,000).

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity 
prices which will affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. 

Given that, as explained below, market risk is not significant, sensitivity analysis would not be meaningful.

Currency Risk

Following the exit from the Belgian operation the Group has no regular transactions in foreign currency 
although there are occasional purchases, mainly of capital items, denominated in foreign currency. Whilst 
certain costs such as electricity and wheat can be influenced by movements in the US dollar, actual 
contracts are priced in sterling. In respect of those key costs which are volatile, such as electricity and flour, 
the price may be fixed for a period of time in line with Group policy. All such contracts are for the Group’s 
own expected usage.

Interest rate

The Group has low exposure to interest rate risk. Interest only arises on its bank deposits and overdrafts. 
Net financial income in the year was £346,000.

Equity prices

The Group has no equity investments other than its subsidiaries.

53

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

2. Financial Risk Management (continued)

Capital Management 

The Board defines capital as the equity of the Group. The Group remains net cash positive with funding 
requirements met by cash generated from retail operations. The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong 
capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to enable successful future 
development of the business. The Board’s policy on dividend levels is to pursue a progressive dividend 
policy that pays due regard to the growth of earnings per share over the medium term, the cash generative 
nature of our growing business and our continuing determination to deliver value to our shareholders.

The Board will continue to consider purchasing its own shares in the market dependent on market prices 
and surplus cash levels. The trustees of the Greggs Employment Benefit Trust also purchase shares for 
future satisfaction of employee share options. During the year the shareholders approved a ten for one 
share split in order to make the Company’s shares more accessible and appealing, particularly to small 
shareholders and our own employees. 

Financial instruments

Group and Parent Company

All the Group’s surplus cash is invested as cash placed on deposit.

The Group’s treasury policy has as its principal objective the achievement of the maximum rate of return 
on cash balances whilst maintaining an acceptable level of risk. Other than mentioned below there are no 
financial instruments, derivatives or commodity contracts used.

Financial assets and liabilities

The Group’s main financial asset comprises cash and cash equivalents. Other financial assets include trade 
receivables arising from the Group’s activities.

Other than trade and other payables, the Group had no financial liabilities within the scope of IAS 39 as at 
2 January 2010 (2008: £nil).

Fair values

The fair value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities is not materially different from their carrying values. 
Financial assets and liabilities comprise principally of trade receivables and trade payables and the only 
interest bearing balances are the bank deposits and borrowings which attract interest at variable rate.

Interest rate, credit and foreign currency risk

The Group has not entered into any hedging transactions during the year and considers interest rate, credit 
and foreign currency risks not to be significant.

54

3. 

Profit before tax

Profit before tax is stated after charging / (crediting)

Depreciation on owned property, plant and equipment

Loss/(profit) on disposal of fixed assets 
(including disposal of properties – note 4)

Release of government grants

Payments under operating leases – property rents

Auditors’ remuneration 

Audit of these accounts

Audit of subsidiaries’ accounts pursuant to legislation

Other services pursuant to such legislation

Audit of pension schemes’ accounts

Other services relating to taxation

All other services

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

27,218 

26,010 

10 

(228)

42,041 

(771)

(84)

40,739 

179 

178 

– 

3 

9 

94 

6 

– 

3 

9 

58 

4 

Amounts paid to the Company’s auditor in respect of services to the Company, other than the audit of the 
Company’s accounts, have not been disclosed as the information is required instead to be presented on a 
consolidated basis.

4. 

Exceptional items

The following items, all relating to 2008, have been presented separately on the face of the consolidated 
income statement for the comparative period in order to show separately the underlying trading performance 
of the Group. There are no such items for 2009.

Profit on disposal of properties

During 2008 the Company had a profit on disposal of properties of £1,064,000, principally relating to the 
disposal of a freehold development site in Scotland.

Curtailment of defined benefit pension scheme

An exceptional credit of £6,969,000 arose on the curtailment of the defined benefit scheme following a 
change in the calculation assumptions. The scheme is now closed as regards the accrual of future benefits 
and the assumptions regarding future payments increases were therefore changed from being salary based 
to inflation based.

Restructuring costs 

A one–off restructuring charge of £3,715,000 was taken in 2008 which reflected the expected exit costs from 
our Belgian operation, the costs of closing two Bakers Oven shops in January 2009 which were not suitable 
for conversion to Greggs, and an increase in previously disclosed provisions for the restructuring of Bakers 
Oven in the North and Scotland to reflect the worsening property market. An additional charge of £1,263,000 
arose in 2009 but this is not considered material in itself to merit disclosure as an exceptional item.

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

5. 

Personnel expenses

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including directors) during the year was as follows:
Group and Parent Company

Management

Administration

Production

Shop

The aggregate personnel costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Compulsory social security contributions

Pension costs – defined contribution plans

Pension costs – defined benefit plans

Equity settled transactions

2009 

2008 

Number 

Number 

647 

415 

2,718 

15,264 

19,044 

640 

370 

2,788 

15,616 

19,414 

Note

20

20

20

Group and Parent Company

2009

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

236,811

232,601 

18,462

3,351

379

982

17,207 

2,889 

(300)

1,047 

259,985 

253,444 

Included within wages and salaries, the total amount paid out under the Group’s employee profit sharing 
scheme is contained within the main cost categories as follows:

Cost of sales

Distribution and selling costs

Administrative expenses

6. Finance income

Interest income on cash balances

Foreign exchange gain

56

2009 

£’000 

1,389 

3,313 

641 

5,343 

2008 

£’000 

1,194 

2,841 

559 

4,594 

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

209

137

346 

428 

429 

857

7. 

Profit attributable to Greggs plc

Of the Group profit for the year, £34,171,000 (2008: £34,211,000) is dealt with in the accounts of the Parent 
Company. The Company has taken advantage of the exemption permitted by section 408 of the Companies 
Act 2006 from presenting its own income statement.

8. Income tax expense

Recognised in the income statement

Current tax expense

Current year

Adjustment for prior years

Deferred tax expense

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustment for prior years

Total income tax expense in income statement

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

Profit before tax

Income tax using the domestic corporation tax rate

Non–deductible expenses

Non–qualifying depreciation

Disposal of non–qualifying assets

Impact of phasing out of Industrial Buildings 
Allowance

Adjustment re prior years

Total income tax expense in income statement

2009 

28.0%

0.9%

2.3%

(0.2%)

2009 

£’000 

48,779 

13,658 

437 

1,120 

(104)

–

–

(1.5%)

29.5%

(706)

14,405 

2009

£’000

2008 

£’000 

16,410 

(1,157)

15,253 

14,735 

(298)

14,437 

(1,299)

451 

(848)

866 

72 

938

14,405 

15,375 

2008 

28.5%

2.7%

2.2%

(0.7%)

(1.2%)

(0.4%)

31.1%

2008 

£’000 

49,470 

14,099 

1,322 

1,092 

(334)

(578)

(226)

15,375 

57

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

8. Income tax expense (continued)

Tax recognised directly in equity

2009 

2009 

Current tax  Deferred tax 

£’000 

£’000

2009 

Total 

£’000 

2008 

Total 

£’000 

Relating to equity–settled transactions

Relating to defined benefit plans – actuarial gains 
(SOCI)

(3)

– 

(3)

(70)

(73)

132 

(1,938)

(1,938)

(3,532)

(2,008)

(2,011)

(3,400) 

9. 

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share for the year ended 2 January 2010 is calculated by dividing profit attributable to 
ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year 
ended 2 January 2010 as calculated below.

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share for the year ended 2 January 2010 is calculated by dividing profit attributable to 
ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, adjusted for the effects of all 
dilutive potential ordinary shares (which comprise share options granted to employees) outstanding during 
the year ended 2 January 2010 as calculated below.

Adjusted earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated for the years ended 2 January 2010 and 
27 December 2008 which exclude the exceptional items. These have been calculated by dividing profit 
attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding the exceptional items by the relevant weighted average 
number of ordinary shares as calculated below.

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

2009 
Adjusted 
and 
unadjusted

2008 

2008 

2008 

Adjusted

Unadjusted

Total

Excluding 
exceptional 
items

Exceptional 
items 
(Note 4)

Total

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

34,374

31,119

2,976

34,095

34.1p

34.0p

30.7p

30.6p

2.9p

2.9p

33.6p

33.5p

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity 
holders of the parent

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

58

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Issued ordinary shares at start of year

Effect of own shares held

Effect of shares purchased and cancelled

2009 

2008* 

Number 

Number 

103,990,470  106,350,910 

(3,170,821)

(3,363,050)

– 

(1,734,830)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares during the year

100,819,649 101,253,030 

Effect of share options on issue

427,864

411,560 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted) during the year

101,247,513 101,664,590

* The figures for 2008 have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one share split which took place during 2009.

10. 

Intangible assets

Group and Parent Company

Cost

Balance at 30 December 2007

Additions

Balance at 27 December 2008

Balance at 28 December 2008

Additions

Balance at 2 January 2010

Amortisation

Balance at 30 December 2007 and 27 December 2008

Balance at 28 December 2008

Amortisation charge for the year

Balance at 2 January 2010

Carrying amounts

At 30 December 2007 

At 27 December 2008

At 28 December 2008

At 2 January 2010

The accounting software was available for use on 28 December 2008.

Software

£’000 

– 

686 

686 

686 

– 

686 

– 

– 

107 

107 

– 

686 

686 

579 

59

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

11.  Property, plant and equipment

Group

Cost

Land and 
buildings 

Plant and 
equipment 

Fixtures 
and fittings 

Under 
construction 

Total

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

Balance at 30 December 2007

99,777 

87,647 

145,576 

– 

333,000 

Additions

Disposals

Reclassification

Effect of movements in 
exchange rate

1,197 

(986)

6 

– 

7,569 

(5,816)

(331)

19 

18,101 

(4,998)

325 

519 

13,891 

– 

– 

– 

40,758 

(11,800)

– 

538 

Balance at 27 December 2008

99,994 

89,088 

159,523 

13,891 

362,496 

Balance at 28 December 2008

Additions

Disposals

Reclassification

99,994 

1,244 

(298)

14,844

89,088 

10,265 

(3,987)

– 

159,523 

13,891 

362,496 

17,834 

(6,659)

953 

30,296 

– 

(10,944)

– 

(14,844)

– 

Balance at 2 January 2010

115,784 

95,366 

170,698

– 

381,848 

Depreciation

Balance at 30 December 2007

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Effect of movements in 
exchange rate

15,558 

2,038 

(520)

51,700 

8,877 

(5,449)

68,959 

15,095 

(4,402)

– 

18 

167 

Balance at 27 December 2008

17,076

55,146 

79,819

Balance at 28 December 2008

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Balance at 2 January 2010

Carrying amounts

At 30 December 2007

At 27 December 2008

At 28 December 2008

At 2 January 2010

17,076 

2,318 

(80)

19,314 

84,219 

82,918 

82,918 

96,470 

55,146 

9,043 

(3,887)

60,302 

35,947 

33,942 

33,942 

35,064 

79,819 

15,857 

(4,599)

91,077 

76,617 

79,704 

79,704 

79,621 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

136,217 

26,010 

(10,371)

185 

152,041

152,041 

27,218 

(8,566)

170,693 

– 

196,783 

13,891 

210,455 

13,891 

210,455 

– 

211,155 

60

Parent Company

Cost

Land and 
Buildings 

Plant and 
equipment

Fixtures  
and fittings

Under  
construction

Total

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

Balance at 30 December 2007 

100,287 

88,180 

146,064 

– 

334,531 

Additions

Disposals

Reclassification

Effect of movements in 
exchange rate

1,197 

(986)

6 

– 

7,569 

(5,816)

(331)

19 

18,101 

(4,998)

325 

519 

13,891 

– 

– 

– 

40,758 

(11,800)

– 

538 

Balance at 27 December 2008

100,504 

89,621 

160,011 

13,891 

364,027 

Balance at 28 December 2008

100,504 

1,244 

(298)

14,844

116,294

89,621 

10,265 

(3,987)

– 

160,011 

13,891 

364,027 

17,834 

(6,659)

953 

30,296 

– 

(10,944)

– 

(14,844)

– 

95,899 

171,186 

– 

383,379 

Additions

Disposals

Reclassification

Balance at 2 January 2010

Depreciation

Balance at 30 December 2007

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Effect of movements in 
exchange rate

15,835 

2,038 

(520)

51,970 

8,877 

(5,449)

69,350 

15,095 

(4,402)

– 

18 

167 

Balance at 27 December 2008

17,353 

55,416 

80,210 

Balance at 28 December 2008

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Balance at 2 January 2010

Carrying amounts

At 30 December 2007

At 27 December 2008

At 28 December 2008

At 2 January 2010

17,353 

2,318 

(80)

19,591 

84,452 

83,151 

83,151 

96,703

55,416 

9,043 

(3,887)

60,572 

36,210 

34,205 

34,205 

35,327

80,210 

15,857 

(4,599)

91,468 

76,714 

79,801 

79,801 

79,718

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

137,155 

26,010

(10,371)

185 

152,979

152,979 

27,218 

(8,566)

171,631

– 

197,376 

13,891 

211,048 

13,891 

211,048 

– 

211,748

61

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

11. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Land and buildings

The carrying amount of land and building comprises:

Freehold property

Long leasehold property

Short leasehold property

        Group

       Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

95,490 

883 

97 

2008 

£’000 

81,827 

1,007 

84 

2009 

£’000 

95,723 

883 

97 

2008 

£’000 

82,060 

1,007 

84 

96,470 

82,918 

96,703 

83,151 

Property, plant and equipment under construction

Assets under construction at 27 December 2008 comprised a new bakery. 

12. 

Investments

Parent Company

Cost

As at 30 December 2007, 27 December 2008 and 2 January 2010

Impairment

As at 30 December 2007 and 27 December 2008 

Impairment charge for the year

As at 2 January 2010

Carrying amount

As at 30 December 2007 and  27 December 2008

As at 2 January 2010

Shares in subsidiary undertakings 

£’000 

5,828 

638 

203 

841 

5,190 

4,987 

The Company’s subsidiary undertakings, which are all wholly owned, are as follows:

Principal activity

Country of incorporation

Charles Bragg (Bakers) Limited
Greggs (Leasing) Limited
Thurston Parfitt Limited
Greggs Properties Limited
Olivers (U.K.) Limited
Olivers (U.K.) Development Limited*
Birketts Holdings Limited
J.R. Birkett and Sons Limited*
Greggs Trustees Limited
* held indirectly

Non–trading
Dormant
Non–trading
Property holding
Dormant
Non–trading
Dormant
Non–trading
Trustees

62

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
Scotland
Scotland
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

13.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities

Group

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

      Assets

      Liabilities

     Net

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

 2009

£’000 

2008

£’000 

Property, plant and equipment

– 

– 

14,385 

14,828 

14,385 

14,828 

Employee benefits

Short term temporary differences

(4,004)

(1,800)

(1,083)

(874)

– 

– 

– 

– 

(4,004)

(1,800)

(1,083)

(874)

Tax (assets) / liabilities

(5,087)

(2,674)

14,385 

14,828 

9,298 

12,154 

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 27 December 2008 were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Employee benefits

Short term temporary differences

Balance at 
30 December 
2007
£’000 

15,804 

(965)

(524)

14,315 

Recognised 
 in income

£’000 

(976)

2,264 

(350)

938 

Recognised 
in equity

Balance at 
27 December 
2008
£’000 

£’000 

– 

(3,099)

– 

14,828 

(1,800)

(874)

(3,099)

12,154 

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 2 January 2010 were as follows:

Balance at 
28 December 
2008 
£’000 

Recognised 
in income

Recognised 
in equity

£’000 

£’000 

Balance at 
2 January 
2010
£’000 

14,828 

(1,800)

(874)

12,154 

(443)

(196)

(209)

(848)

– 

(2,008)

– 

(2,008)

14,385 

(4,004)

(1,083)

9,298 

Property, plant and equipment

Employee benefits

Short term temporary differences

Parent Company

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

      Assets

      Liabilities

     Net

2009 

£’000

2008 

£’000

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

Property, plant and equipment

– 

– 

13,646 

14,089 

13,646

14,089 

Employee benefits

Short term temporary differences

(4,004)

(1,800)

(1,083)

(874)

– 

– 

– 

– 

(4,004)

(1,800)

(1,083)

(874)

Tax (assets) / liabilities

(5,087)

(2,674)

13,646

14,089 

8,559 

11,415 

63

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

13.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities (continued)

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 27 December 2008 were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Employee benefits

Short term temporary differences

Balance at 
30 December 
2007 
£’000 

Recognised 
in income

Recognised 
in equity

£’000 

£’000 

Balance at 
27 December 
2008
£’000 

15,065 

(965)

(524)

13,576 

(976)

2,264 

(350)

938 

– 

(3,099)

– 

(3,099)

14,089 

(1,800)

(874)

11,415 

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 2 January 2010 were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Employee benefits

Short term temporary differences

14. 

Inventories

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

15.  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments

Balance at 
28 December 
2008 
£’000 

Recognised 
in income

Recognised 
in equity

£’000 

£’000 

Balance at 
2 January 
2010
£’000 

14,089 

(1,800)

(874)

11,415 

(443)

(196)

(209)

(848)

– 

(2,008)

– 

(2,008)

13,646 

(4,004)

(1,083)

8,559 

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

8,999 

8,801 

2,887 

11,886 

3,351 

12,152 

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

709 

5,944 

14,553 

21,206 

2008 

£’000 

387 

8,438 

13,873 

22,698 

No amounts are overdue and there is no provision for impairment in the current or prior year.

64

16.  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet

Bank overdraft

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows 

17.  Trade and other payables

Bank overdraft

Trade payables

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings

Other taxes and social security

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Deferred government grants

18.  Current tax liability

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

34,619 

– 

34,619 

2008 

£’000 

4,433 

(2,375)

2,058 

              Group

              Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

– 

35,167 

– 

7,122 

13,236 

15,748 

465 

2008 

£’000 

2,375 

26,807 

– 

6,136 

15,423 

11,805 

215 

2009 

£’000 

– 

35,167 

7,807 

7,122 

13,236 

15,748 

465 

2008 

£’000 

2,375 

26,807 

7,807 

6,136 

15,423 

11,805 

215 

71,738 

62,761 

79,545 

70,568 

The current tax liability of £8,857,000 in the Group and the Parent Company (2008: Group and Parent 
Company £8,337,000) represents the estimated amount of income taxes payable in respect of current and 
prior years.

19.  Other payables

Deferred government grants

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

8,830

2008 

£’000 

8,221 

The Group has been awarded five government grants relating to the extension of existing facilities and 
construction of new facilities. The grants, which have all been recognised as deferred income, are being 
amortised over the weighted average of the useful lives of the assets they have been used to acquire. 

65

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

20.  Employee benefits

Defined benefit plan

The Group makes contributions to a defined benefit (final salary) plan that provides pension benefits for 
employees upon retirement.

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

(87,211)

74,879 

(12,332)

2008 

£’000 

(69,563)

63,830 

(5,733)

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

69,563 

78,461 

– 

4,387 

15,538 

(2,277)

– 

– 

87,211 

600 

4,488 

(5,133)

(2,076)

192 

(6,969)

69,563 

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

63,830 

4,008 

8,618 

700 

– 

(2,277)

74,879 

2008 

£’000 

77,781 

5,388 

(17,747)

292 

192 

(2,076)

63,830 

Present value of funded obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Recognised liability for defined benefit obligations

This scheme was closed to future accrual in 2008.

Liability for defined benefit obligations

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

Opening defined benefit obligation

Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial losses / (gains) 

Benefits paid

Contributions by employees

Gain on curtailment of scheme

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

Opening fair value of plan assets

Expected return

Actuarial gains / (losses)

Contributions by employer

Contributions by employee

Benefits paid

Closing fair value of plan assets

66

The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

Current service cost

Interest on obligation

Expected return on plan assets

Gain on curtailment of scheme

Total included in employee benefit expense

The charge (credit) is recognised in the following line items of the income statement.

Cost of sales

Distribution and selling costs

Administrative expenses

Other income

          Group

2009 

£’000 

– 

4,387 

(4,008)

– 

379 

          Group

2009 

£’000 

– 

– 

379 

– 

379 

2008 

£’000 

600 

4,488 

(5,388)

(6,969)

(7,269)

2008 

£’000 

(63)

(91)

(146)

(6,969)

(7,269)

Cumulative actuarial gains and losses reported in the statement of recognised income and expenses since 
28 December 2003, the transition date to adopted IFRSs, for the Group and the Parent Company are net 
losses of £18,631,000 (2008: net losses of £11,711,000).

The fair value of the plan assets and the return on those assets were as follows:

Equities

Bonds

Property

Cash/other

Actual return on plan assets

Group and Parent Company

2009 

£’000 

60,340 

10,079 

1,201 

3,259 

74,879 

12,626 

2008 

£’000 

43,519 

6,127 

605 

13,579 

63,830

(12,359)

The plan assets include ordinary shares issued by the Company with a fair value of £2,283,000 (2008: 
£1,840,000).

The expected rates of return on plan assets are determined by reference to relevant indices. The overall 
expected rate of return is calculated by weighting the individual rates in accordance with the anticipated 
balance in the plan’s investment portfolio.

67

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

20. Employee benefits (continued)

Principal actuarial assumptions (expressed as weighted averages):

Discount rate

Expected rate of return on plan assets

Future salary increases

Future pension increases

Group and Parent Company

2009 

5.8%

6.9%

n/a

3.0%

2008 

6.4% 

6.4% 

n/a  

2.9% 

Mortality rate assumptions have been taken from the A92 pre–retirement and AP92c2025 post–retirement 
tables. The mortality assumptions take account of experience to date and assumptions for further 
improvements in life expectancy of scheme members.

Examples of the resulting life expectancies are as follows:

Life expectancy from age 65 (years)

2009

2008

Male

Female

Male 

Female 

Member aged 65 in 2009

Member aged 65 in 2029

21.4

23.4

23.9

25.7

21.4

23.4

23.9

25.7

The other demographic assumptions have been set having regard to latest trends in the scheme.

History of plan

The history of the plan for current and prior years is as follows:

Present value of defined benefit 
obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Deficit

               Group and Parent Company

2008 

£’000 

2007 

£’000 

2006 

£’000 

2005 

£’000 

(69,563)

(78,461)

(74,823)

(69,538)

63,830 

(5,733)

77,781 

(680)

72,940 

(1,883)

59,808 

(9,730)

2009 

£’000 

(87,211)

 74,879

(12,332)

68

Experience adjustments:

Group and Parent Company

2009
£’000 

2008
£’000 

2007
£’000 

2006
£’000 

2005
£’000 

Experience adjustments
on plan liabilities

Experience adjustments 
on plan assets

Net actuarial experience 
adjustments

(15,538) 17.8% 5,133  7.4% 2,207  2.8%

180  0.2% (6,414) 9.2%

8,618 11.5% (17,747) 27.8% (797) 1.0% 2,561  3.5% 4,069  6.8%

(6,920)

(12,614)

1,410 

2,741 

(2,345)

The Group expects to contribute £600,000 to its defined benefit plan in 2010.

Defined contribution plan

The Company also operates defined contribution schemes for other eligible employees. The assets of the 
schemes are held separately from those of the Group. The pension cost represents contributions payable by 
the Group and amounted to £3,351,000 (2008: £2,889,000) in the year.

Share–based payments – Group and Parent Company

The Group has established a Savings Related Share Option Scheme, which granted options in April 2003, 
September 2004, September 2005, September 2006, June 2008 and September 2009 and an Executive 
Share Option Scheme, which granted options in September 2003, March 2004, August 2004, September 
2004, August 2006, April 2008 and April 2009.

Both of these schemes also made grants of options prior to 7 November 2002. The recognition and 
measurement principles of IFRS 2 have not been applied to these grants in accordance with the transitional 
provisions in IFRS 1 and IFRS 2.

The Company established a Long–Term Incentive Plan in 2006 and grants of options have been made under 
this scheme in March 2007, March 2008 and August 2008.

69

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

20. Employee benefits (continued)

The terms and conditions of the grants are as follows, whereby all options are settled by physical delivery 
of shares:

Date of 
grant

Employees 
entitled

Exercise 
price

Number 
of shares 
granted

Vesting 
conditions

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 6

March 
1999

Senior 
employees

268p

1,002,500

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
2–4% over RPI on average over those 
three years

Contractual 
life

7 to 10 years

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 7

March 
2000

Senior 
employees

170p

1,502,000

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 8

April 
2002

Senior 
employees

352p

88,000

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 9

September 
2003

Senior 
employees

310p

82,500

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 11 

August 
2004

Senior 
employees

340p

930,000

September 
2004

Senior 
employees

348p

24,000

Three years’ service and EPS growth 
of 2% over RPI on average over those 
three years

7 to 10 years

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
2–4% over RPI on average over those 
three years

7 to 10 years

Three years’ service and EPS growth 
of 2% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–5% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–5% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 8

September 
2005

All 
employees

411p

641,480

Three years’ service

3.5 years

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 12

August 2006 Senior 

407p

1,028,000

employees

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–5% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 9

September 
2006

All employees 371p

662,770

Three years’ service

3.5 years

Long Term Incentive 
Plan 1

March 2007 Senior 

executives

Long Term Incentive 
Plan 2

March 2008 Senior 

executives

nil

nil

30,780

126,600

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 13

April 2008

Senior 
employees

457p

618,500

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–7.5% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–10% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–5% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

June 2008

All employees 393p

761,020

Three years’ service

3.5 years

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 10

Long Term Incentive 
Plan 3

August 2008 Senior 

nil

180,210

executives

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 14

April 2009

Senior 
employees

356p

2,012,000

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–10% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Three years’ service and EPS growth of 
3–7% over RPI on average over those 
three years

10 years

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 11

September 
2009

All employees 354p

717,837

Three years’ service

3.5 years

70

The number and weighted average exercise price of share options is as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Lapsed during the year

Exercised during the year

Granted during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

      2009

      2008*

Number of 
options

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

Number of 
options

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

366p

4,063,500 

408p

(1,008,453)

364p

355p

353p

(510,964)

2,729,837 

5,273,920 

378p

371p

291p

345p

366p

2,673,580 

(221,080)

(75,330)

1,686,330 

4,063,500 

Exercisable at the end of the year

379p

994,061 

374p

889,840 

* figures for 2008 have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one share split which took place during 2009

The options outstanding at 2 January 2010 have an exercise price in the range of £nil to £4.57 and have 
a weighted average contractual life of 5.1 years. The options exercised during the year had a weighted 
average market value of £4.24 (2008: £4.34).

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted are measured by reference to the fair 
value of share options granted. The estimate of the fair value of the services received is measured based on 
the Black–Scholes model. The contractual life of the option is used as an input into this model.

       2009

    2008

Savings 
Related 
Share 
Option 
Scheme 11
September 
2009

Long Term 
Incentive 
Plan 2

Executive 
Share 
Option 
Scheme 13

Savings 
Related 
Share 
Option 
Scheme 10

Long Term 
Incentive 
Plan 3

March 
2008*

April 
2008*

June 
2008*

August 
2008*

Fair value at grant date

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Option life

Expected dividends

Risk free rate

64p

393p

354p

25.0%

25.1%

3 years

3 years

4.18%

2.20%

4.26%

1.95%

412p

448p

nil

21.8%

3 years

2.77%

5.25%

76p

458p

458p

21.9%

3 years

2.71%

5.00%

92p

438p

394p

21.9%

3 years

2.83%

5.00%

340p

376p

nil

22.8%

3 years

3.38%

5.00%

* figures for early 2009 and 2008 have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one share split which took place 
during 2009.

71

Executive 
Share 
Option 
Scheme 14

April 
2009*

47p

356p

356p

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

20. Employee benefits (continued)

The expected volatility is based on historical volatility, adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility 
due to publicly available information. The historical volatility is calculated using a weekly rolling share price 
for the three year period immediately prior to the option grant date.

Share options are granted under a service condition and, for grants to senior employees, a non–market 
performance condition. Such conditions are not taken into account in the grant date fair value measurement 
of the services received. There are no market conditions associated with the share option grants.

The costs charged to the income statement relating to share based payments were as follows:

Share options granted in 2005

Share options granted in 2006

Share options granted in 2007

Share options granted in 2008

Share options granted in 2009

Total expense recognised as employee costs

21. Provisions

Balance at start of year

Additional provision in the year

Transfer from trade and other payables

Utilised in year

Balance at end of year

Included in current liabilities

Included in non–current liabilities

2009

£’000 

– 

161 

(24)

575 

270 

982 

2008 

£’000 

129 

236 

100 

582 

– 

1,047 

Group and Parent Company

Closed Shop Provision

2009 

£’000 

5,271 

1,263 

– 

(2,381)

4,153 

857 

3,296 

4,153 

2008

£’000 

– 

3,715 

1,556 

– 

5,271

2,843 

2,428 

5,271

The closed shop provision relates to costs in respect of the closure of shops and in particular the onerous 
lease and other commitments associated with the closure of a shop. Included within the provision is 
£199,000 in respect of possible recourse on leases transferred to the purchaser on the sale of the 
Belgian operation.

The key area of uncertainty relates to the net future rental costs to be incurred on closed shops and, in 
particular, whether the shops can be sublet until lease exit. The provision assumes that subletting is unlikely 
in the current climate. The provision is expected to be substantially utilised within three years such that the 
impact of discounting would not be material.

72

22. Capital and reserves

Share capital

Ordinary shares

2009

2008 

Number

Number

In issue and fully paid at start of year – ordinary shares of 20p

10,399,047  10,635,091 

Purchased and cancelled

– 

(236,044)

Additional shares resulting from ten for one share split – ordinary shares of 2p

93,591,423 

– 

In issue and fully paid at the end of the year – ordinary shares of 2p

103,990,470

10,399,047 

At 2 January 2010 the authorised share capital comprised 250,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of 2p 
each (2008: 25,000,000 with a par value of 20p each).

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled 
to one vote per share at meetings of the Company. During 2008 236,044 shares with a nominal value of 
£47,000 were purchased for cancellation for a consideration of £9,738,000.

Capital redemption reserve

The capital redemption reserve relates to the nominal value of issued share capital bought back by the 
Company and cancelled.

Own shares held

Deducted from retained earnings is £12,060,000 (2008: £13,242,000) in respect of own shares held by the 
Greggs Employee Benefit Trust. The Trust, which was established during 1988 to act as a repository of 
issued Company shares, holds 2,895,636 shares (2008: 3,257,740 shares) with a market value at 2 January 
2010 of £12,596,000 (2008: £11,415,000) which have not vested unconditionally in employees.

The shares held by the Greggs Employee Benefit Trust can be purchased either by employees on the 
exercise of an option under the Greggs Executive Share Option Schemes, Greggs Savings Related Share 
Option Schemes and Greggs Long Term Incentive Plan 2006 or by the trustees of the Greggs Employee 
Share Scheme. The trustees have elected to waive the dividends payable on these shares.

Dividends

The following tables analyse dividends when paid and the year to which they relate:

2007 final dividend*

2008 interim dividend*

2008 final dividend*

2009 interim dividend

2009

2008

Per share 

Per share 

pence 

pence 

– 

– 

10.0p

5.2p

15.2p

9.4p

4.9p

– 

– 

14.3p

*These amounts have been restated to reflect the ten for one share split which took place during the year.

73

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

22.  Capital and reserves (continued)

The proposed final dividend in respect of 2009 amounts to 11.4 pence per share (£11,855,000). This 
proposed dividend is subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a 
liability in these accounts.

2007 final dividend

2008 interim dividend

2008 final dividend

2009 interim dividend

23.  Operating leases

Non–cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows:

Less than one year

Between one and five years

More than five years

2009 

£’000 

– 

– 

10,097 

5,242 

15,339 

2008 

£’000 

9,565 

4,970 

– 

– 

14,535 

2009 

£’000 

2008 

£’000 

34,791 

34,780 

101,677 

102,268 

56,080 

46,090 

192,548 

183,138 

The Group leases the majority of its shops under operating leases. The leases typically run for a period of 
10 years, with an option to renew the lease after that date. Lease payments are generally increased every 
five years to reflect market rentals. For a small number of the leases the rental is contingent on the level of 
turnover achieved in the relevant unit.

The inception of the shop leases has taken place over a long period of time and many date back a 
significant number of years. They are combined leases of land and buildings. It is not possible to obtain a 
reliable estimate of the split of the fair values of the lease interest between land and buildings at inception. 
Therefore, in determining lease classification the Group evaluated whether both parts are clearly an 
operating lease or a finance lease. Firstly, land title does not pass. Secondly, because the rent paid to the 
landlord for the buildings is increased to market rent at regular intervals, and the Group does not participate 
in the residual value of the building it is judged that substantially all the risks and rewards of the building are 
with the landlord. Based on these qualitative factors it is concluded that the leases are operating leases.

74

24.  Capital commitments

During the year ended 2 January 2010, the Group entered into contracts to purchase property, plant and 
equipment for £804,000 (2008: £1,308,000). These commitments are expected to be settled in the following 
financial year.

25.  Related parties

Identity of related parties

The Group has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries (see note 12) and its directors and executive 
officers.

Trading transactions with subsidiaries – Group

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on 
consolidation and are therefore not disclosed.

Trading transactions with subsidiaries – Parent Company

Greggs Properties Limited

Dormant subsidiaries

              Amounts owed to 
              related parties

              Amounts owed by 
              related parties

2009

£’000

1,375 

6,432 

2008

£’000

1,375 

6,432 

2009

£’000

– 

– 

2008

£’000

–

– 

The Greggs Foundation is also a related party and during the year the Company made a donation to the 
Greggs Foundation of £300,000 (see Corporate Social Responsibility on pages 20 to 24).

75

Notes to the consolidated accounts

(continued)

25.  Related parties (continued)

Transactions with key management personnel

The directors are the key management personnel of the Group. The Company has been notified of the 
following interests of the directors who served during the year (including those of their connected persons 
but excluding interests in shares pursuant to unexercised share options) in the share capital of the Company 
as follows:

          Ordinary shares of 2p       Ordinary shares of 2p

        (Beneficial interest)

      (Trustee holding with no    
     beneficial interest)

2009

(or date of 
cessation if 
earlier)

2008#
(or date of 
appointment 
if later)

2009

(or date of 
cessation if 
earlier)

2008#
(or date of 
appointment 
if later)

338,000

57,860

27,117

43,730

10,000

–

–

12,253

10,000

363,000

53,160

– 

– 

– 

– 

23,330

1,650,000*  2,150,000* 

43,280

10,000

–

–

–

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Mike Darrington (non–executive)

Kennedy McMeikan 

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds 

Derek Netherton (non–executive)

Bob Bennett (non–executive)

Julie Baddeley (non–executive)

Roger Whiteside

Iain Ferguson (appointed 31 March 2009)

# the figures for 2008 have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one share split which took place during 2009.

* Included within the holding of A. J. Davison referred to on page 33.

Details of directors’ share options, emoluments, pension benefits and other non–cash benefits can be 
found in the Directors’ Remuneration report on pages 77 to 88. Total remuneration is included in personnel 
expenses (see note 5).

There have been no changes since 2 January 2010 in the directors’ interests noted above.

76

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Introduction

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations 2002 (the 
“Regulations”). This report also meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services 
Authority and the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and describes how the Board has applied 
the Principles of Good Governance relating to directors’ remuneration.

The Regulations require the auditors to report to the Company’s members on the “auditable part” of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and to state whether, in their opinion, that part of the report has been 
properly prepared. This report has, therefore, been divided into separate sections for audited and unaudited 
information.

Unaudited information

The Remuneration Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) sets the remuneration and terms of 
appointment of the executive directors and the Chairman on behalf of the Board. 

The committee met 5 times during 2009 with each member attending as follows:

Name

Julie Baddeley

Bob Bennett

Roger Whiteside

Iain Ferguson*

Number of meetings held whilst 
a Committee member

Number of meetings attended 
by a Committee member

5

5

5

5

5

5

                      3 

                        2

* Joined the Committee in March 2009

At these meetings, amongst other items, the Committee considered:

•		The	terms	of	service	and	remuneration	levels	for	Executive	Directors
•		The	competitiveness	of	the	Company’s	total	reward	package,	including	the	level	of	annual	and 

long–term incentive opportunity

•		The	effectiveness	of	the	annual	bonus	and	long–term	incentive	plans

In addition, each year the Committee considers Greggs total remuneration policy in the context of market 
and best practice.

Andrew Davison (the Company Secretary and legal advisor) and Nicola Bailey (the Company’s Group 
People Director) have supported the Committee in their deliberations. The Committee appointed Monks 
Partnership to assist in generally determining the remuneration of its senior management team and devising 
share based incentive plans.

77

	
	
	
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report

(continued)

General Policy on Directors’ Remuneration

The Committee’s policy is to provide competitive remuneration packages that will attract, retain and motivate 
individuals with appropriate skills and experience with the incentive to add sustainable long–term growth 
and value that will best serve the interests of the Company, its shareholders, employees and customers. 
Basic salaries and total packages are set to reflect the market. They are regularly benchmarked by external 
consultants against the median level payments made to executives in similar roles in companies of 
comparative size, sector and complexity (which exercise was last conducted by Monks Partnership in 2009).

The Committee seeks to structure bonus arrangements that will align the interests of executive directors with 
those of shareholders. The Committee considers corporate performance on risk, governance, environmental 
and social issues when setting the remuneration of executive directors.

Overview of Remuneration Policy

Objective

Performance period

Basis of delivery

Base Salary

•		Reflects	market	levels	

•	Reviewed	annually

based on role and individual 
skill and experience

•		Individual	performance	and	
contribution recognised 
to ensure market 
competitiveness

Annual Bonus 
(inc Profit Share) 
Maximum earning opportunity 
of 90% of salary for all 
Executive Directors from 2010

•		Incentivises	achievement	
of annual targets and 
objectives consistent with 
the short to medium term 
strategic needs of the 
business

LTIP (Performance 
Share Plan) 
Maximum awards of 90% 
of salary for CEO and 70% 
of salary for other Executive 
Directors

•		Incentivises	long–term	value	

creation

•		Alignment	with	

shareholders interests

•	Retention	incentive

Pension

•		Provides	a	market	
competitive level of 
provision with good 
flexibility while minimising 
risk to the Company

•	Reviewed	annually

•		Balanced	approach	based	

•	Annual	award
•		Three	year	performance	

period

on stretching financial 
(profit and sales) targets 
and personal objectives 
(related to functional KPI’s)

•		Award	subject	to	a	

combination of demanding 
TSR and EPS targets

•		Maximum	reward	will	only	
occur for upper quartile 
performance

•	Minimum	vesting	25%

•		Cost	increases	in	line	with	

•		Defined	contribution	

salary growth

benefits

Base Salary
The increase in base salaries for 2010 for executive directors was 2%, in line with the award given to all 
employees across the business. However, following the benchmarking exercise the salary level for Richard 
Hutton was further reviewed as it was seen to have fallen to below the lower quartile in the appropriate 
comparator group. As a result of this review a further 5.5% was awarded in addition to the all employee base 
review of 2%, taking him further towards the market median for a fully established Finance Director.

78

Annual Bonus 
The Committee seeks to structure annual bonus arrangements so as to encourage sustainable growth in the 
Company’s profits; and is satisfied that the structure will not raise environmental, social or governance risks 
by inadvertently encouraging irresponsible behaviour. Each executive director has a personal objective to 
ensure they monitor and take appropriate action to minimise key business risks. The Committee’s policy is 
that all bonus payments to executive directors should be non–pensionable.  For 2009 the maximum target 
bonus levels were established on the following basis:

Maximum 2009 
bonus achievable

Financial Target 
(Profit)

Financial Target 
(Sales)

Personal Objectives 
(related to functional 
KPI’s)

Percentage of basic 
salary

Kennedy McMeikan 60%

Richard Hutton

60%

Raymond Reynolds 60%

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

90%

70%

70%

Whilst each element could be measured separately, failure to exceed the profit level achieved in 2008 would 
have resulted in no bonus being earned for either the profit or sales elements in 2009.

Against the 2009 Annual Bonus targets a payment of 27% of annual salary has been earned by 
Kennedy McMeikan, 21% by Richard Hutton and 20% by Raymond Reynolds.

Following the benchmarking exercise against median level payments made to executives in comparator 
companies it was noted that we had fallen significantly behind the market in the maximum earning 
opportunity for executive directors. We have therefore reviewed the maximum earning opportunity for 2010 
for Richard Hutton and Raymond Reynolds and increased the level to 90% of base salary. The maximum 
earning opportunity for Kennedy McMeikan remains unchanged at 90%.

For 2010 the maximum target bonus levels will be established on the following basis, which the 
Remuneration Committee consider to be suitably challenging:

Maximum 2010 
bonus achievable

Financial Target 
(Profit)

Financial Target 
(Sales)

Personal Objectives 
(related to functional 
KPI’s)

% of base salary

Kennedy McMeikan 60%

Richard Hutton

60%

Raymond Reynolds 60%

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

90%

90%

90%

Whilst each element can be measured separately, failure to exceed the profit level achieved in 2009 will result 
in no bonus being earned for either the profit or sales elements in 2010.

79

Directors’ Remuneration Report

(continued)

Long–Term Incentive Plans (“LTIP”) 

Performance Share Plan

Shareholder approval was obtained in 2009 for the introduction of a Performance Share Plan (PSP) from 
2010. The plan replaces the previous Deferred Bonus LTIP for executive directors, which was dependent on 
the level of annual bonus award and therefore balanced more towards short term performance.

The introduction of a Performance Share Plan under which an award of shares will be made that is in line 
with the level awarded under the previous LTIP, restricted for three years and vesting in full or part subject to 
the achievement of a combination of earnings per share (EPS) growth and total shareholder return (TSR) 
targets, is designed to provide a greater focus on achieving key long–term business goals and increased 
shareholder value. The first awards under the PSP to be made in 2010 will have the following targets set:

EPS

Annual compound 
growth

Proportion of  
award vesting 
(% opportunity)

TSR

Position relative 
to appropriate 
group of FTSE 250 
Food Producers, 
Retailers & Leisure 
Companies

Proportion of  
award vesting 
(% opportunity)

Less than RPI + 3% Nil

Below median

Nil

Threshold

RPI + 3%

Maximum

RPI + 8%

12.5%

50%

At median

12.5%

Upper quartile

50%

Following the introduction of this plan the Remuneration Committee will now be considering a policy on 
share ownership guidelines for executive directors.

The comparator group was established following a comprehensive review, including advice taken from 
Monks, and consists of 28 companies who are General Retailers, Food Producers/Manufacturers or Leisure 
Companies and who were the most appropriate from the FTSE 250. They are:

•	Brown	(N)	Group
•	Carpetright
•	Cranswick
•	Dairy	Crest
•	Debenhams
•	Dignity
•	Domino's	Pizza
•	DSG	International
•	Dunelm	Group
•	Game	Group
•	Greene	King
•	Halfords	Group
•	HMV	Group
•	Inchcape

80

•	Kesa	Electricals
•	Marston's
•	Millennium	&	Copthorne	Hotels
•	Mitchells	&	Butlers
•	Mothercare
•	Northern	Foods
•	Premier	Foods
•	Rank	Group
•	Restaurant	Group
•	Robert	Wiseman	Dairies
•	Sports	Direct	Intl.
•	Tate	&	Lyle
•	Wetherspoon	(JD)
•	WH	Smith

Other share based incentive schemes

Deferred Bonus Scheme

Under this scheme, the Committee had discretion to invite the participants (including executive directors) 
to utilise a proportion (not more than 50%) of their post tax annual bonus (including profit share) to acquire 
shares in the Company and then grant nil cost options to match the pre–tax value of the sum invested. These 
nil cost options were exercisable normally after three years, and only if certain performance criteria have 
been met. 

For the initial award, made in 2007, performance targets were set at average growth in earnings per share of 
3% above RPI for a 1:1 match and 7.5% above RPI for a 2:1 match, with a straight line graph indicating the 
relevant match for performance in between. Following the three year performance period the conditions have 
been fully met for this initial award resulting in a 2:1 match being awarded to Richard Hutton, who has an 
option over 8,120 shares, and Raymond Reynolds, who has an option over 6,100 shares.

For the award in 2008 the performance targets were set at average growth in earnings per share of 3% 
above the RPI for a 1:1 match and 10% above the RPI for a 2:1 match, providing a further stretch in order to 
achieve the maximum award. 

Given the very low level of bonus payments awarded following the year 2008, the Committee did not offer 
participation in this LTIP in 2009. As previously outlined a Performance Share Plan has replaced this LTIP 
from 2010, and therefore the Committee will offer no further participation in this previous scheme.

Executive Share Option Scheme

There have also been occasional grants to the executive directors of options over shares in the Company, 
pursuant to one or more of the share option schemes operated through the Committee. These include both 
Inland Revenue approved and unapproved long–term share incentive schemes, designed to encourage the 
executive directors and other employees to hold shares in the Company and to enhance share values.

As no participation into the Deferred Bonus LTIP was offered in 2009 an award of share options was made 
to each executive director in line with such existing schemes. The level of award granted to each executive 
director was:

Kennedy McMeikan                  

Richard Hutton                  

Raymond Reynolds              

Award Granted (shares)

80,000

80,000

80,000

The performance conditions set under this grant were growth in earnings per share of 3% above RPI for the 
minimum vesting and growth of 7% above RPI for maximum vesting.

In accordance with institutional investor guidelines, the total number of new shares and shares held in 
treasury over which the Company may grant options is limited and the Company has chosen to allocate a 
significant proportion of the shares available to the Company’s Savings Related Share Option Scheme open 
to all employees, including executive directors. Any future grants of executive share options to executive 
directors will be based upon the need to secure individuals of appropriate calibre, having regard to prevailing 
market conditions at the date of appointment or to help to align the interests of executive directors with 
those of shareholders, especially if the LTIP is not available to a particular individual, or where the Committee 
considers it appropriate.

81

Directors’ Remuneration Report

(continued)

The above policies enable the executive directors to receive potentially significant benefits in addition to their 
basic salaries, but only if value has been created for shareholders. The Committee considers that, although 
the non–performance related elements of the executive directors’ remuneration packages are substantial, 
the performance related elements are significant in terms of providing motivation to the executive directors to 
improve shareholder value.

Policy on Performance Conditions

The performance conditions attaching to share options granted to the executive directors under the Company’s 
Senior Executive Share Option Schemes have varied according to the date of grant. Such conditions are set 
by the Committee to establish challenging performance objectives linked to shareholder return. Executive 
directors are not eligible to have executive share options granted in the same year as participation in the LTIP. 
The Committee intends that if any executive share options are granted in the future, performance conditions will 
continue to be settled on this basis. Details of the performance conditions for options currently outstanding are 
set out in the section headed ‘Share Options’ below.

Whether performance conditions attached to share options have been met is tested by the Committee, which 
compares the actual performance of the Company with relevant published statistics and, if necessary, obtains 
advice from external consultants in order to reach its conclusion. 

No performance conditions have been attached to options granted pursuant to the Company’s Savings 
Related Share Option Scheme, which is available for all employees. The principal purpose of this scheme is to 
encourage employees at all levels within the Company to participate in, and to understand better, the growth in 
value of the Company and the rules of that scheme require that all options granted must be on the same terms.

Performance criteria in relation to the performance based annual cash bonuses payable to the executive 
directors are set by the Committee each year in accordance with the general remuneration policy set out 
above. 

Policy on Pensions

Until the scheme was closed to further accrual from 1 April 2008, executive directors earned pension benefits 
under the Greggs 1978 Retirement & Death Benefit Scheme, the Company’s defined benefit scheme. This 
scheme, which required a contribution of 6.6% of pensionable salaries from members, provided for up to 
two–thirds of final pensionable salary, dependent on length of pensionable service. Since 1 April 2008, the 
Company has paid contributions to the Company’s money purchase defined contribution pension schemes for 
all executive directors.

Policy on Service Contract Notice Periods and Payments on Early Termination

The Company’s policy on the duration of directors’ contracts is that:

•		the	Chief	Executive’s	service	contract	is	terminable	on	one	year’s	notice	served	by	either	the	Company	

or the director

•		other	existing	executive	directors’	service	contracts	are	terminable	on	one	year’s	notice	served	by	the	

Company or by six months’ notice served by the director; 

•		future	executive	directors	will	be	engaged	on	terms	necessary	to	secure	individuals	of	appropriate	

calibre, having regard to prevailing market conditions at that time;

•		It	is	the	Company’s	policy	to	seek	mitigation	of	entitlements	on	termination	and	the	Company	does	
not normally make payments beyond its contractual obligations, including any payment in respect of 
notice to which a director is entitled. 

82

	
	
	
	
•		non–executive	directors	are	appointed	subject	to	the	Company’s	Articles	of	Association,	which	require	
them to retire and to seek re–election at the first AGM after appointment. Any non–executive director 
who has served on the Board for over nine years must seek re–election annually. Thereafter, one half 
of the remaining directors, being those who have been longest in office since last re–election, and 
any other director who has not been elected or re–elected at either of the two preceding AGMs, must 
retire and seek re–election. The Nominations Committee advises the Board as to whether a particular 
director, whose turn it is to retire by rotation, should be nominated for re–election.

Non–executive directors are not entitled to compensation for early termination of their appointments prior to the 
date on which they would next be due to retire by rotation, or if not re–appointed at such time.

Directors’ service contracts

Details of the directors’ service contracts or letters of appointment are as follows:

Executive Directors

Kennedy McMeikan has a service contract with the Company dated 8th April 2008. His continuous period of 
service with the Company commenced on 1st June 2008. 

Richard Hutton has a service contract with the Company dated 7 April 2006. His continuous period of service 
with the Company commenced on 1 January 1998.

Raymond Reynolds has a service contract with the Company dated 18 December 2006. His continuous period 
of service with the Company commenced on 1 December 1986.

In addition to their basic salaries, each is entitled to participate in the Company’s profit sharing scheme 
available to all employees. They are also entitled to additional benefits including membership of the company 
pension scheme, the use of a motor car, private medical insurance, life assurance, permanent health insurance 
and a contribution towards telephone expenses. 

Non Executive Directors

In order to ensure that no director is involved in deciding his/her own remuneration, the fees payable to non–
executive directors (other than the Chairman) are set, after consultation with the Chairman, by a committee of 
the Board consisting only of executive directors (Kennedy McMeikan, Richard Hutton and Raymond Reynolds) 
who periodically seek advice from external consultants as to the appropriate market rates applicable. Such 
advice was obtained in 2009 from Monks Partnership, as a result of which increases were awarded in January 
2010 which reflect appropriate market rates.

The basic non–executive fees for 2010 are £37,000 per annum, including membership of committee(s), and an 
additional £5,500 for Chairmanship of the Audit or Remuneration Committees.

The non–executive directors do not have service contracts with the Company. However, each of them does 
have a letter of appointment. These are dated 25 February 2002 for Derek Netherton, 1 December 2003 for 
Bob Bennett, 1 March 2005 for Julie Baddeley, 21 February 2008 for Roger Whiteside and 31 March 2009 for 
Iain Ferguson respectively. The terms of appointment of each non–executive director require that they seek 
re–election on a regular basis in accordance with the articles of association of the Company (see above). 
The fees payable to the non–executive directors cover all normal duties. In exceptional circumstances, where 
significant additional time commitment is required, the Board (or a duly authorised committee) may award 
additional fees. No right of compensation exists where the office is terminated, for whatever reason.

83

	
Directors’ Remuneration Report

(continued)

Performance graph

The graph shows a comparison of the total 
shareholder return for the Company’s shares 
for each of the last five financial years against 
the total shareholder return for the companies 
comprised in the FTSE Mid 250 Index 
(excluding Investment Trusts) and the FTSE 
350 (excluding Investment Trusts).
These indices were chosen for this 
comparison because they include companies 
of broadly similar size to the Company. 

  FTSE 350 (excluding 
investment trusts)

  FTSE Mid 250 (excluding 
investment trusts)

 Greggs

Audited information

This information relates to both the Parent Company and the Group.

Directors’ emoluments and compensation

The following tables set out details of the emoluments and compensation received or receivable by each 
director (excluding pension contributions details of which are set out below).

Salary/fees 
set for 

Salary/fees 
paid in  

2010

£ 

2009

£ 

Estimated 
value of 
benefits
2009

£ 

447,000

260,000

232,000

438,000

242,000

227,000

24,353

20,500

12,617

Annual 
profit 
share
2009

£ 

4,022

10,192

9,560

Annual 
bonus 

2009

£ 

Total 

2009

£ 

114,238

40,628

36,521

580,613

313,320

285,698

Executive

Kennedy McMeikan 

Richard Hutton 

Raymond Reynolds 

Chairman

Derek Netherton

120,750

115,000

42,500

42,500

37,000

40,000

40,000

35,500

37,000

26,625

–

14,204

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

115,000

40,000

40,000

35,500

26,625

14,204

1,218,750

1,178,329

57,470

23,774

191,387

1,450,960

Non–executive

Bob Bennett

Julie Baddeley

Roger Whiteside

Iain Ferguson (from 13 
May 2009)
Mike Darrington 
(resigned 
13 May 2009)

Total

84

 
Salary/fees 
paid in  

2008

£ 

Estimated 
value of 
benefits
2008

Annual 
profit 
share
2008

Annual 
bonus 

Total 

2008

2008

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

285,833

247,917

235,000

220,000

115,000

13,798

40,000

40,000

5,917

28,127

14,792

25,626

13,409

19,595

11,370

8,424

1,144

11,633

10,890

14,204

17,450

2,350

1,944

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

334,087

279,920

268,578

244,204

115,000

13,798

40,000

40,000

5,917

28,127

14,792

1,246,384

70,000

32,091

35,948

1,384,423

Executive

Mike Darrington (until 31 July 2008)

Ken McMeikan (appointed 1 June 2008)

Richard Hutton 

Raymond Reynolds 

Chairman

Derek Netherton

Non–executive

Stephen Curran (resigned 13 May 2008)

Bob Bennett

Julie Baddeley

Ian Gibson (resigned 29 February 2008)

Roger Whiteside (appointed 17 March 
2008)

Mike Darrington (from 1 August 2008)

Total

Share options

The following table sets out details of the executive and savings related share options (all of which were 
granted at a nominal cost to the executive director concerned) held by, or granted to, each director during 
the year:

Number of options during the year

At 27 
December 
2008 
Number*

Granted 
Number

Exercised 
Number

Lapsed 
Number

At 2 
January 
2010 
Number

Exercise 
price 
£

Market 
price at 
date of 
exercise 
£

Gain on 
exercise 
£

Date of 
grant

Date from 
which exer-

cisable Expiry date

Scheme

Ken McMeikan

– 

– 

80,000 

276

Richard Hutton

40,000 

– 

– 

80,000 

Raymond 
Reynolds

410 

450 

430 

– 

1,700

40,000

– 

– 

– 

410

–

– 

– 

80,000 

410 

450 

430 

– 

– 

– 

– 

410

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(450)

– 

– 

(1,700)

– 

– 

– 

(450)

– 

– 

– 

– 

80,000 

276 

(13,250) 

26,750 

– 

80,000 

– 

– 

430 

410 

(410)

– 

– 

– 

–

(13,250) 

26,750 

– 

80,000 

(410)

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

430 

410 

4.07

3.56

4.11

3.71

3.938

3.54

* All figures have been adjusted to reflect the 10 for 1 share split which took place during the year

3.56

3.54

4.07

3.56

4.11

3.71

3.938

3.54

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Apr 09

Aug 12

Apr 19 Executive

Oct 09

Nov 12

Apr 13

SAYE

Aug 06

Aug 09

Aug 16 Executive

Apr 09

Aug 12

Apr 19 Executive

4.306 

268.20 

Sept 06

Nov 09

Sept 05

Nov 08

Apr 09

Apr 10

– 

– 

– 

– 

Apr 08

Jun 11

Dec 11

Oct 09

Nov 12

Apr 13

SAYE

SAYE

SAYE

SAYE

–

2.6875

3.588

153.09

Mar 99

Mar 02

Mar 09 Executive

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Aug 06

Aug 09

Aug 16 Executive

Apr 09

Aug 12

Apr 19 Executive

4.345 

285.75 

Sept 06

Nov 09

Sept 05

Nov 08

Apr 09

Apr 10

– 

– 

– 

– 

Apr 08

Jun 11

Dec 11

Oct 09

Nov 12

Apr 13

SAYE

SAYE

SAYE

SAYE

85

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report

(continued)

The aggregate gains on exercise of share options were £707 (2008: £nil), including £nil (2008: £nil) in 
respect of the highest paid director.

The executive directors also have a potential beneficial interest in the Greggs Employee Benefit Trust.

On each of the grants awarded under the Senior Executive Share Option Schemes, the exercise of the 
options granted was made conditional upon the growth in the Company’s basic earnings per share over a 
three year period. 

•		For	options	granted	in	1999,	earnings	per	share	growth	must	be	greater	than	2%	per	annum	above	

growth in the Retail Prices index.

•		On	the	grant	awarded	in	August	2006	the	exercise	of	the	options	granted	was	made	conditional	
upon the average annual growth in the Company’s basic earnings per share over the three years 
from grant being greater than the average annual growth in the Retail Price Index over the three 
years. If earnings per share growth exceeds RPI growth by 3% then half of the options will be 
exercisable, if earnings per share growth exceeds RPI growth by 5% then all of the options will 
be exercisable and if earnings per share growth exceeds RPI growth by between 3% and 5% the 
number of options exercisable is pro–rated on a straight line basis.

•		On	the	grant	awarded	in	April	2009	the	exercise	of	the	options	granted	was	made	conditional	upon	
the average annual growth in the Company’s basic earnings per share over the three years from 
grant being greater than the average annual growth in the Retail Price Index over the three years. If 
earnings per share growth exceeds RPI growth by 3% then half of the options will be exercisable, if 
earnings per share growth exceeds RPI growth by 7% then all of the options will be exercisable and 
if earnings per share growth exceeds RPI growth by between 3% and 7% the number of options 
exercisable is pro–rated on a straight line basis.

Options granted under the all employee SAYE scheme are not subject to performance conditions.

86

	
	
	
The following table sets out details of the Long–Term Incentive Plan share options (all of which were granted 
at nil cost to the executive director concerned and subject to the performance conditions referred to on page 
81) held by, or granted to, each director during the year:

Options 
held under 
the plan at 
27 Decem-
ber 2008

8,120 

28,460 

6,100

25,100 

Date of 
grant

Mar 07

Mar 08

Mar 07

Mar 08

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

Kennedy McMeikan

Aug 08

180,210 

Options 
granted 
during 2009

Options 
exercised 
during 2009

Options 
lapsed 
during 2009

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Options 
held under 
the plan at 
2 January 
2010

Market price 
of each 
share at 
date of grant
£

Date from 
which 

exercisable Expiry date

8,120 

28,460 

6,100

25,100 

4.746

4.475

4.746

4.475

Mar 10

Mar 11

Mar 10

Mar 11

Mar 17

Mar 18

Mar 17

Mar 18

180,210 

3.762

Aug 11

Aug 18

No non–executive director has any options to acquire shares in the Company.

The mid–market price of ordinary shares in the Company as at 2 January 2010 was £4.35. The highest and 
lowest mid–market prices of ordinary shares during the financial year were £3.32 and £4.65 respectively.

Pensions

Until the scheme was closed to further accrual from 1 April 2008 Richard Hutton and Raymond Reynolds 
earned pension benefits under the Greggs 1978 Retirement and Death Benefit Scheme, the Company’s 
defined benefit scheme. This scheme, which required a contribution of 6.6% of pensionable salaries from 
members, provided for up to two–thirds of final pensionable salary, dependent on length of pensionable 
service. From 1st April 2008 all executive directors received contributions into the Company’s money 
purchase defined contributions pension schemes. No pension benefits were earned or accrued in respect of 
any non–executive director except Mike Darrington who accrued benefits up to 29 February 2008 whilst still 
an executive director. 

Defined benefit scheme

The following table sets out the change in each director’s accrued pension in the Company’s defined benefit 
scheme during the year and his accrued benefits in the scheme at the year end:

Executive Director

Date of birth

Date service 
commenced

Accrued 
annual 
pension 
entitlement at 
age 65 as at 2 
January 2010
£

Accrued 
annual pension 
entitlement at 
age 65 as at 
27 December 
2008
£

Increase 
in accrued 
pension 
entitlement for 
the year
£

Increase 
in accrued 
pension 
entitlement for 
the year net 
of inflation of 
0.0%
£

Transfer value 
of increase 
in accrued 
pension 
entitlement for 
the year
£

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

3/6/68

4/11/59

1/1/98

1/12/86

18,522 

69,535 

18,522 

69,535 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Note 1: The pension entitlement shown is that which would be paid annually on retirement based on service 
to the end of the year, but excluding any statutory increases which would be due after the year end.

Note 2: The inflation rate of 0.0% shown in the table above is that published by the Secretary of State for 
Social Security in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Pensions Schemes Act 1993.

87

Directors’ Remuneration Report

(continued)

Cash equivalent 
transfer value as at 
27 December 2008

Cash equivalent 
transfer value as 
at 2 January 2010

£ 

£ 

160,867 

845,329 

172,649 

872,910 

Increase in the cash 
equivalent transfer 
value since 
27 December 2008

£ 

– 

– 

Executive Director

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

Note: cash equivalent transfer values have been calculated in accordance with Actuaries Guidance Note 
GN11 and the increase is stated net of contributions made by the director. The transfer values disclosed 
above do not represent a sum paid or payable to the individual director. Instead they represent a potential 
liability of the pension scheme.

Money purchase schemes

The Company has paid the contributions set out below to the Greggs Senior Executive Pension Scheme for 
the benefit of executive directors during this financial year. 

Executive Director

Kennedy McMeikan

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

Approval by Shareholders

Contribution in 
respect of 2009 
£ 

Contribution in 
respect of 2008 
£ 

65,700 

31,460 

29,699 

37,188 

27,309 

24,199 

At the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 12 May 2010, a resolution approving this 
report is to be proposed as an ordinary resolution.

This report was approved by the Board on 18 March 2010.

Signed on behalf of the Board

Julie Baddeley
Director
Chair of Remuneration Committee
18 March 2010

88

Financial Calendar

Announcement of results and dividends

Half year

Full year

Dividends

Interim

Final

Annual report posted to shareholders

Annual General Meeting

10 Year History

 Early August 

 Early March 

 Mid October 

 Late May 

 Early April 

 12 May 2010 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006 †

2007 ~ 2008 §

2009

(as restated)*

Turnover	(£'000)

339,008  377,556  422,600  456,978  504,186  533,435  550,849  586,303  628,198  658,186 

Earnings before 
interest and tax 
(£'000)

Profit on ordinary 
activities before 
taxation	(£'000)

Shareholders'	funds	
(£'000)

Earnings per share 
(pence) ˆ

Dividend per share 
(pence) ˆ

Capital expenditure 
(£'000)

Net book value of 
fixed	assets	(£'000)

Number of shops in 
operation at 
year end

26,044 

31,597 

35,334 

39,167 

45,763 

47,143 

38,747 

49,909 

48,613 

48,433 

26,356 

32,742 

36,666 

40,472 

47,751 

50,159 

40,239 

51,143 

49,470 

48,779 

88,169  103,554  119,965  134,150  157,156  181,475  144,891  145,594  147,947  164,237 

16.2

19.0

20.9

23.1

27.1

28.2

24.1

34.3

33.6

34.1

5.5

6.5

7.3

8.0

9.6

10.6

11.6

14.0

14.9

16.6

21,397 

27,385 

42,143 

32,361 

25,090 

41,687 

30,023 

42,343 

40,758 

30,296 

113,285  124,123  148,184  160,704  163,110  180,826  184,325  196,783  210,455  211,155 

1,105 

1,144 

1,202 

1,231 

1,263 

1,319 

1,336 

1,368 

1,409 

1,419 

* restated for the transition to IFRSs   † includes £3.5m Bakers Oven Restructuring costs   ~ includes one–off property gains 
of £2.2m   § includes £4.3m exceptional credit   ˆ All years prior to 2009 adjusted to take account of the ten for one share split 
which took place during 2009.

89

Secretary and Registered Office

Andrew John Davison LLB, Solicitor
Fernwood House
Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1TL

Advisers

Bankers
National Westminster Bank Plc
149 High Street
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 1HA

Solicitors
Muckle LLP
Time Central
32 Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4BF

Registrars
Capita Registrars
Bourne House
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 4TU

Auditors
KPMG Audit Plc
Quayside House
110 Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3DX

Stockbrokers
UBS
1 Finsbury Avenue
London
EC2M 2PA

Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd
Time Central
32 Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7SR

90

www.greggs.co.uk