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Greggs plc

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Industry Grocery Stores
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FY2014 Annual Report · Greggs plc
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Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014

Greggs is a much-loved and trusted brand 
with a strong bakery heritage. We believe 
we can continue to take advantage of our 
experience in fresh bakery to compete 
successfully in the food-on-the-go market. 
The Greggs’ offer is differentiated by  
the fact that we freshly prepare food and 
drinks in our shops each day delivering  
an ‘Always Fresh. Always Tasty.’ experience 
to our customers.

Strategic progress 

Financial highlights

2014 has been a year of significant progress for Greggs 
as we moved forward with our new strategy to focus  
on the food-on-the-go market. Improvements in our 
products, customer service and value for money offering 
together with shop refurbishments have delivered 
sustained like-for-like sales growth ahead of our 
expectations. Coupled with the structural reduction in 
our cost base implemented earlier in the year this has 
resulted in an accelerated recovery in profits. 

Whilst more favourable market conditions have played  
a part in this performance we are confident that the 
changes we have made are an important first step as  
we build a strong platform for continued progress in  
the years ahead.

Total sales1 up 5.5% 
to £804.0 million. 

Full year like-for-like sales2 
up 4.5%.

Pre-tax profit3 
before exceptional items up 41.1% to £58.3 million.

Diluted earnings per share3 
before exceptional items up 41.8% to 43.4 pence. 

Dividend per share 
up 12.8% to 22.0p.

1  Including impact of the 53rd week.
2  Like-for-like sales in own shops (excluding franchises) with a full year’s  

trading history.

3  Before exceptional pre-tax charge of £8.5m (2013: £8.1m).

More detail: Strategy P6-P15

More detail: Financial Review P20-P21

Making progress against our strategic plan

Great tasting fresh food

Great shopping experience

Simple and efficient operations

Improvement through change

Making progress against our strategic plan

01

IFC

02

04

06

08

16

20

22

24

27

36

38

43

48

64

65

68

68

69

70

72

73

96

97

IBC

IBC

Strategic Report  
IFC-35

Highlights 

Greggs at a glance 

Chairman’s Statement 

Our strategy 

Strategy in action 

Chief Executive’s Report 

Financial Review 

Key financial performance indicators 

Principal risks and uncertainties 

Social responsibility 

Directors’ Report  
36-64

Board of Directors 

Governance 

Audit Committee Report 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

Accounts  
65-96

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Consolidated income statement 

Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income 

Balance sheets 

Statements of changes in equity 

Statements of cashflows 

Notes to the consolidated accounts 

Ten-year history 

Additional Information 

Financial calendar 

Secretary and advisers 

Great tasting fresh food

We believe in ‘Always Fresh. Always 
Tasty.’ freshly prepared food at great 
value for money. 

Turn to page 8 to find out more.

Great shopping experience

We believe in taking Greggs to where 
our customers are, providing them  
with a great shopping environment  
and fulfilling more of their needs  
by focusing on food-on-the-go at  
all times of the day.

Turn to page 10 to find out more.

Simple and efficient operations

We believe in realising the significant 
efficiency and capacity benefits to  
be gained within our existing network 
in order to develop simple and  
efficient operations.

Turn to page 12 to find out more.

Improvement through change

We believe investing in our processes 
and systems platform will enable us  
to compete more effectively in the  
fast-moving food-on-the-go market.

Turn to page 14 to find out more.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
02

Greggs at a glance

With 1,650 shops, nine regional 
bakeries and 19,500 employees  
who serve millions of customers  
each week, Greggs is the  
UK’s leading bakery  
food-on-the-go retailer

Our vision
... is to be a winning brand  
in the food-on-the-go market. 

How will we achieve this?
Our people... are what make  
our business successful. We aim  
to provide them with a great place  
to work, where they feel valued.

Our food... is made with high quality, 
wholesome ingredients. Our daily- 
fresh sandwiches and freshly-baked 
savouries ensure that we deliver an 
‘Always Fresh. Always Tasty.’ experience 
to our customers.

Our shops... are being re-modelled  
and re-sited to meet the demands  
of busy food-on-the-go customers.

Our vertically integrated  
supply network... comprises nine 
regional bakeries, two distribution  
centres and two production centres  
of excellence. We own all our own 
bakeries and delivery network, making 
and delivering fresh products to our 
shops every day.

Our values... commit us to being 
enthusiastic and supportive in all that  
we do, open, honest and appreciative, 
treating everyone with fairness, 
consideration and respect.

Our commitment to making  
a difference... is deep-rooted, and  
was cemented by the establishment of  
the Greggs Foundation in 1987. Along 
with our values it forms the bedrock  
of our approach to social responsibility.

Bakeries
Distribution centres
Production centres of excellence
Shops

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201403

Our business model

Our vertically-integrated operations 
We own and operate a vertically-
integrated supply chain, from production 
through distribution to point-of-sale.  
This means we can make great tasting, 
high quality bakery food at great prices, 
offering value for our customers.

Our target market 
Food-on-the-go is a growing market. 
Greggs is a brand with broad appeal, 
attracting customers of all types and we 
have the opportunity to fulfil more of their 
needs by focusing on great tasting fresh 
food-on-the-go at all times of the day.

Our market locations 
Convenience is key in the food-on-the-go 
market and we continue to open and 
re-locate shops to ensure that our estate 
is well positioned. A high proportion  
of our openings are in areas away from 
traditional high streets as we diversify  
our portfolio in line with market trends. 
Working with franchise partners we  
have extended the Greggs offer to 
previously inaccessible travel and 
convenience locations.

Greggs shops

 1,650

Distribution centres

2

Regional bakeries

9

Production centres of excellence

2

Employees

 19,500

Our vertically-integrated operations

Central
Support

Manufacturing

Delivery 
logistics

Shops

Our target markets

Food-on-the-go

All consumer
demographics

United Kingdom

Our market locations

Shopping

Work

Travel

Leisure

Our offering to customers

High quality 
food and 
drinks

Great value

Convenient 
shops

Great service

Happy 
customers

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201404

Chairman’s Statement

2014 has been a year  
 of exceptional progress 
for Greggs  

We have started out very well on a 
journey designed to deliver long-term 
profitable growth. 

In 2014 Greggs made exceptional progress. The first steps  
in executing the strategy outlined in 2013 have surpassed 
expectations in favourable market conditions. Our focus on the 
food-on-the-go market has resulted in accelerated like-for-like 
sales growth which, combined with structural cost reductions, 
has improved the Group’s financial performance markedly.  
There is more to do but we have started out very well on  
a journey designed to deliver a sustainable business model  
for long-term profitable growth.

Overview
In 2014 the management team, led by Roger Whiteside, began 
to implement the strategy outlined in 2013 to focus the business 
more on the growing food-on-the-go market. This strategic 
clarity, with a focus on customers and product innovation,  
has delivered encouraging initial results. With some help from  
an improving economy and benign weather conditions we  
have delivered a progressive improvement in like-for-like sales 
whilst also putting in place a number of initiatives to make our 
operations measurably simpler and more efficient.

The Chief Executive’s review provides greater detail on the 
implementation of the strategic plan and the progress made 
against our key targets.

The Board
There have been a number of changes to the Board during the 
year with the new team settling in well. Helena Ganczakowski 
joined the Board as an independent Non-Executive Director  
on 2 January 2014, as did Peter McPhillips on 10 March 2014. 
Julie Baddeley and Iain Ferguson retired at the AGM on 1 May 
2014 following which Sandra Turner was appointed as an 
independent Non-Executive Director. Sandra has assumed the 
roles of Remuneration Committee Chair and Senior Independent 
Director. In 2014 the Board’s priority has been to ensure that  
the strategy outlined in 2013 progressed to plan. Further details 
of the Board’s work can be found in the Governance and 
Committee sections of the Annual Report.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
05

Prospects
There is good momentum in the business and the near-term 
outlook for low cost inflation together with rising consumer 
disposable incomes remains favourable. Greggs has made  
a strong start with its new strategy but there is a significant 
programme of change ahead as we continue to implement  
our investment in products, shops, operations and systems  
to create the platform for long-term, sustainable, profitable 
growth. The Company has an exceptional brand, strong financial 
position, an experienced management team and a loyal and 
committed workforce. Building on the strong start I am confident 
that we can make further progress in the year ahead. The Chief 
Executive’s review contains further details.

Ian Durant
Chairman
4 March 2015

Dividend and capital structure
The business continues to generate strong cash flow from  
which it funds capital investment and returns to shareholders. 
The Company is now in a position to return to a progressive 
dividend policy, with the Board targeting a dividend cover of 
around 2.0 times underlying earnings. The Board therefore 
intends to recommend at the AGM a final dividend of 16.0p per 
share (2013: 13.5p), giving a total dividend for the year of 22.0p, 
an increase of 12.8% (2013: 19.5p).

The Board is completing a review of the appropriate capital 
structure of the Group for the medium term and further plans will 
be provided at the time of the interim results. The Board intends 
to target a capital structure that: 

 – is both prudent and efficient;
 – takes into account the expected performance of the business, 
the investment opportunities and other cash requirements  
of the Group; and

 – allows the Group to run a net cash position throughout the 
year. Given the leasehold nature of the store portfolio, the 
Board does not currently believe that it is appropriate to take 
on debt in the near to medium term. 

The Board has already identified that it has the capacity to return 
up to £10 million to shareholders in the first half of 2015 and will 
do so through a resumption of its share buyback programme.

Our people and values
The organisational changes implemented in Greggs last year  
had a significant impact on our people. These changes were 
necessary for the long-term health of the business and the  
Board is satisfied that the management team carried out the 
implementation sensitively in line with our long-standing values  
of fairness, consideration and respect. My thanks to everyone 
who has worked for Greggs during the past year. Working in our 
shops, bakeries and support teams presents many challenges 
every day and I am grateful for the outstanding dedication and 
perseverance of all of our employees.

Greggs celebrated its 75-year anniversary last year and in  
that time has earned a widely-recognised reputation for its 
contribution to the communities in which it trades. We are 
particularly proud of our activities and continue to make good 
progress in the areas of social responsibility that are described  
in the Annual Report.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201406

Our Strategy

Continuing to focus on  
four key areas will deliver  
success in food-on-the-go

Great tasting  
fresh food

Great shopping 
experience

We believe in ‘Always Fresh. Always Tasty.’ 
freshly prepared food at great value  
for money. 

Progress made in 2014 
 – New and improved coffee blend launched.
 – Sandwich range completely overhauled  

and re-presented.

 – Launch of ‘Balanced Choice’ healthier eating range.
 – Core sweet lines upgraded.
 – Popular meal deals extended to include hot drinks, 
cakes, pastries and a wider range of sandwiches.

 – Successful programme of new product 

introductions. 

More detail: Strategy in Action 
P8-P9

We believe in taking Greggs to where our 
customers are, providing them with a 
great shopping environment and fulfilling 
more of their needs by focusing on 
food-on-the-go at all times of the day.

Progress made in 2014 
 – 213 shops refitted, most with seating.
 – 85% of new shop locations away from the  

high street.

 – New franchise partnerships developed.
 – Improved product availability.
 – Trading hours extended.
 – Greggs Rewards loyalty programme launched.

More detail: Strategy in Action 
P10-P11

Plans for 2015

Plans for 2015

 – We have further product developments and 

upgrades in the pipeline, with many opportunities 
to continue to improve our product offer and 
develop our position in the food-on-the-go market.

 – We plan to enhance the customer experience 
further by continuing to improve our service 
offering, shop environments and locations, 
rebalancing our estate towards new convenient 
catchment areas, with help from our franchise 
partners in travel and other convenience locations.

 – As we reshaped our estate, overall shop numbers 

fell slightly in 2014. However, we continue to believe 
in the long-term opportunity for significant growth 
in shop numbers and will aim to return to net shop 
growth as soon as our property pipeline allows.

More detail: Chief Executive’s Report 
P17

More detail: Chief Executive’s Report 
P17

Keeping our people, communities and

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201407

Our vision and strategy
Our strategic plan focuses on growing like-for-like sales by 
improving the quality of our existing estate and making our 
operations simpler and more efficient. The plan has four key 
pillars which are underpinned by our approach to keeping our 
people, communities and values at the heart of our business.

Measuring progress
Our strategic plan represents a major programme of change over 
a period of up to five years and we have mapped out a number 
of key targets and milestones that we will use to track progress:

 – Restoring like-for-like sales growth. 
 – Achieving target returns on our increased investment  

in shop refits.

 – Delivery of operational and supply chain efficiencies.
 – Achieving the planned benefits from our investment  

in processes and systems. 

Simple and efficient 
operations

Improvement  
through change

We believe in realising the significant 
efficiency and capacity benefits  
to be gained within our existing  
network in order to develop simple  
and efficient operations.

Progress made in 2014
 – In-store bakery migration programme completed.
 – Regional and central support teams restructured.
 – Combined financial benefits of £2.9 million in 2014.

We believe investing in our process and 
systems platform will enable us to 
compete more effectively in the fast-
moving food-on-the-go market.

Progress made in 2014
 – Workforce management application (QuDOS)  

rolled out.

 – Supplier relationship management software 

(PROACTIS) put into place.

 – SAP selected as our core ERP software supplier.
 – Benefits achieved in excess of our  

original expectation.

More detail: Strategy in Action 
P12-P13

More detail: Strategy in Action 
P14-15

Plans for 2015 

Plans for 2015

 – We will see the full year cost benefit from the 

structural changes made last year and will build  
on this with further initiatives to improve our 
efficiency by investing in our existing supply  
chain and bakery network.

In 2015 we will deliver the next three elements  
of this programme:
 – Central forecasting and replenishment systems  

to deliver improved product availability.

 – Product change management system to improve 
efficiency of category development processes. 

 – New customer contact system to improve 

customer relationship management.

More detail: Chief Executive’s Report 
P18

More detail: Chief Executive’s Report 
P18

values at the heart of our business

More detail: Social Responsibility 
P27

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
08

S o m e t h i n g   f o r    
e v e r y o n e   –   a   s e l e c t i o n   
f r o m   o u r   ‘ B a l a n c e d  
C h o i c e ’   r a n g e .

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201409

Strategy in action

Great tasting  
fresh food

Expert bakers for 75 years, Greggs prides itself  
on freshly preparing food in shops every day and delivering  
an ‘Always Fresh. Always Tasty.’ experience to its customers. 

Plans for 2015 
We plan to develop our position in the 
food-on-the-go market by building on the 
success of the changes we introduced last 
year with a healthy pipeline of activity in the 
year ahead. Highlights include extending our 
breakfast menu, developing our ‘Balanced 
Choice’ range, continuing to upgrade product 
recipes, introducing new products and widening 
our meal deal offers.

Because we own and run all of our 
bakeries we know and can control exactly 
what goes into our food. Our vertically-
integrated supply chain, unique recipes 
and bakery expertise all help to set 
Greggs apart and deliver simple, good 
quality, great tasting food at affordable 
and competitive prices. 

Progress made in 2014
Whilst we continued to see improved sales as 
a result of the product changes made last year, 
our 2014 initiatives have been equally 
successful in driving sales. Our new and 
improved coffee blend has been well-received 
and sales are continuing to grow strongly. Our 
reputation for value for money is growing as we 
extend our popular meal deals to include hot 
drinks, cakes, pastries and a wider range of 
sandwiches. In the summer we completely 
overhauled and re-presented our sandwich 
category, including the launch of our new 
‘Balanced Choice’ range of healthier-eating, 
great tasting sandwiches with fewer than 400 
calories. 

Case study

Outstanding value for money

We make all of our sandwiches fresh each day in our shops with no sell-by date so they always 
deliver that ‘Always Fresh. Always Tasty.’ experience. In 2014 we completely overhauled and 
re-presented our entire sandwich range including the introduction of our new ‘Balanced 
Choice’ range of healthier-eating options. Customers loved the new range and sandwiches 
have been our fastest-growing food category this year.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201410

Strategy in action continued

Great shopping 
experience

Our bakery food-on-the-go format comprises a contemporary  
interior that draws on Greggs’ bakery heritage but is designed  
to meet the demands of the modern retail environment and busy  
food-on-the-go shoppers.

Important features of this concept include 
the provision of seating for customers 
where appropriate, improved customer flow 
and more efficient queue management. The 
Greggs’ customer experience has been 
enhanced further by improved service 
levels and more convenient shop locations 
– with new franchise partnerships enabling 
us to reach previously inaccessible travel 
and other convenience locations.

Progress made in 2014
We have continued to benefit from the changes 
we have made to service levels in our shops, 
including improved availability and extended 
trading hours. Our new customer loyalty scheme, 
Greggs Rewards, launched successfully and is 
providing us with valuable information to enable 
us to enhance the customer experience further. 

Our investment programme to improve  
the quality of our estate is progressing  
well, and 213 shop refits were completed during 
2014. Our plan to reshape the estate, rebalancing 
it towards new convenient catchment areas, is 
also on track. We opened 50 new shops 
(including 20 franchise units) and closed 71 
shops, giving a total of 1,650 shops (of which 45 
are franchise units) trading at 3 January 2015. 
With help from our franchise partners, new and 
old, almost all of our new shop locations were 
away from high streets. 

Our franchise partners now include Moto, Euro 
Garages, Wightlink Limited, Blakemore Retail 
and SandpiperCI. The success of this model 
was recognised at the 2014 British Sandwich 
Awards, where we were named ‘En-Route 
Sandwich Retailer of the Year’, and the 
Forecourt Trader of the Year Awards where we 
were awarded the status of ‘Favourite 
Forecourt Brand’ (voted for by the consumers). 

Plans for 2015
We remain committed to improving the quality 
of our existing estate and our service offering. 
In 2015 we will continue our accelerated refit 
programme aiming to refurbish around 200 
shops in our bakery food-on-the-go format.

In addition we will continue to reshape our estate 
– this will involve closing some shops, relocating 
others and opening new ones away from the high 
street with help from our franchise partners in 
travel and convenience locations. Overall shop 
numbers fell slightly in 2014; however, we continue 
to believe in the long-term opportunity for 
significant growth in shop numbers and will aim to 
return to net shop growth as soon as our property 
pipeline allows.

We will continue to improve our service levels 
through a combination of improved availability  
at lunchtime, further roll out of our extended 
opening hours programme and the customer 
benefits offered by Greggs Rewards.

Case study

Greggs Rewards

Our new customer loyalty scheme, Greggs Rewards has been well-received by both our 
customers and the retail industry – winning numerous awards, including the ‘Loyalty Programme 
of the Year’ at the 2014 Retail Systems Awards, and the ‘Overall Winner’ accolade at the 2014 
Payment Awards for the most innovative use of payment technology. We are now planning to 
build on this as we develop our capability to engage with customers and better meet their needs.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014

11

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e x p e r i e n c e .

 
 
12

G r e g g s ’   2 18   s t r o n g    
t r u c k   f l e e t   e n s u r e s    
i v e r   `A l w a y s   F r e s h .  
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w e   d e l
t o   o u r   1, 6 5 0   s h o p s  
e v e r y d a y

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201413

Strategy in action continued

Simple and  
efficient operations

As a retailer with a vertically-integrated supply chain, from production 
through distribution to point-of-sale, we have an important advantage  
over many of our competitors who keep products on shelves for longer. 
This is particularly the case in an economic climate where consumers  
are increasingly concerned about the provenance and freshness  
of the food that they eat. 

To make sure we continue to deliver 
simple, good quality, great tasting fresh 
food at affordable and competitive prices 
it is imperative that we remain focused  
on realising the significant efficiency and 
capacity benefits to be gained within our 
supply chain and existing network of 
bakeries. Alongside this we will further 
improve our operational effectiveness in 
support areas in order to maximise our 
scope for investment in front-line 
customer service.

Progress made in 2014 
We have completed the restructure of our 
support areas and consolidated our in-store 
bakeries into our regional bakery network.  
The combined financial benefits from these 
changes have delivered savings of £2.9 million 
in 2014 and expected savings of £6.0 million 
per year from 2015 onwards.

We have continued on our journey to develop 
our production centres of excellence, ensuring 
great product quality and consistency. The 
quality of our facilities was recognised by the 
award of British Retail Consortium (BRC) 
accreditation to a number of our bakeries  
and production facilities during the year.

Plans for 2015
Investment in our supply chain will continue  
to be focused on improving the efficiency  
of our existing bakery network, building on  
the work to develop production centres  
of excellence seen in recent years. We intend  
to build on the success of our cost-saving 
initiatives with a further pipeline of 
improvements to be implemented this year.

Case study

Telematics

Since the introduction of vehicle telematics we have reduced fuel consumption  
by 11 per cent. This is worth £700,000 per annum. Insurance claims have come down 
significantly and this has been reflected in a premium saving of £350,000  
(35 per cent reduction) for 2015.

We are continuing with our driver training which is based upon data from the telematics  
system, road traffic incidents and driving licence endorsements.

We are currently trialling on-board vehicle cameras to complement the  
vehicle telematics. Footage from these will be used to complement existing  
driver training and to help investigate any incidents.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
1414

Strategy in action continued

Improvement 
through change

Greggs has made significant progress in the past five years towards 
centralising the operation of the business, moving from  
a regionally-structured business to a centralised model. 

Plans for 2015
The implementation of SAP technology is 
underway. Greggs will use SAP’s applications 
to develop operational efficiency across 
all areas of the business beginning with 
category management, retail forecasting 
and replenishment. A new customer contact 
system will also be introduced to improve our 
effectiveness in this key area. 

In August 2013 we announced a five-year 
change programme which involves 
investing in the process and systems 
platform that will enable us to compete 
more effectively in the fast-moving 
food-on-the-go market.

Progress made in 2014
We have delivered and are starting to see 
returns from the first two elements of this 
programme. QuDOS, a forecast-based 
manpower planning application has replaced 
manually-generated staff rotas in shops,  
and PROACTIS, a more transparent supplier 
management and procurement system  
has been put into place to enable greater 
purchasing opportunities. The benefits from 
these two elements are ahead of target and  
we expect to build on this as we become more 
familiar with the new ways of working in these 
areas. We also selected SAP as our core ERP 
software supplier which will allow us to move 
forward to the next phase of the programme.

Case study

QuDOS workforce management system 

QuDOS is a fully integrated workforce management system comprising the  
core elements of forecasting, scheduling, time and attendance. Its powerful forecasting  
engine predicts both sales and labour requirements. The scheduling part of the tool delivers 
our shop managers with a schedule which meets the forecasted hours. Our shop colleagues 
clock in and out against the schedule and are paid accordingly as the system integrates  
directly into our payroll system. This system has replaced a number of older systems  
which were no longer fit for purpose and ultimately provided us with much greater control  
and visibility of retail labour costs.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201415

Q u D O S    
i v e r  
i s   h e l p i n g   t o   d e l
b e n e f i t s   h i g h e r   t h a n  
l y   e s t i m a t e d
o r i g i n a l

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201416

Chief Executive’s Report

2014 was a year of 
significant change and an 
exceptional step up in 
performance for Greggs

We have improved both our food  
offer and the shop experience for  
our customers.

2014 was a year of significant change and an exceptional step  
up in performance for Greggs as we began to implement our  
new strategic plan centred on the growing food-on-the-go market.  
We made structural changes that are already delivering more 
effective and efficient operations and have improved both our food 
offer and the shop experience for customers. Market conditions 
have been more favourable with increased employment levels, 
growing disposable incomes, low input cost inflation and benign 
weather for most of the year. Like-for-like sales have grown 
throughout the year and were particularly strong in the second 
half. This, combined with structural cost reductions, has resulted 
in record underlying profits for the financial year. 

Financial performance
Total sales increased to £804.0 million, a rise of 5.5 per cent, and 
like-for-like sales grew by 4.5 per cent in the year. Excluding the 
impact of accounting for a 53rd week in 2014 our comparable 
total sales grew by 3.9 per cent, reflecting the impact of net shop 
closures in the year.

Operating profit before exceptional items grew by 40.0 per cent 
to £58.1 million and pre-tax profit before exceptional items grew 
by 41.1 per cent to £58.3 million. As previously announced,  
we had an exceptional charge of £8.5 million reflecting one-off 
costs resulting from structural changes in our supply chain and 
support areas. Our Finance Director, Richard Hutton, comments 
on financial performance in more detail in the Financial Review.

Market background:  
Growing food-on-the-go market
Market conditions improved during 2014 with continued recovery  
in the UK economy coupled with low inflation leading to rising real 
disposable consumer income. These general market conditions 
were helped by more benign weather conditions than the previous 
year when we suffered from snow in the winter and a heatwave  
in the summer. Our improved like-for-like sales performance has 
shown the Greggs brand can win in the highly competitive food- 
on-the-go market. We believe the overall market remains in growth 
with no sign of a slowdown in competitor new shop openings.

The Greggs brand occupies a strong position in the food-on- 
the-go market with a reputation for fresh and tasty products at 
good value and great customer service. Greggs ranks number 
one in the market for savoury and sweet bakery snacks, number 
two for sandwiches and first in the fast-growing breakfast 
segment. Greggs appeals to a broad customer base and with 
our improved offer, alongside growing consumer incomes, we 
are seeing increasing numbers of customer visits and growth  
in transaction values.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201417

In the summer we completely overhauled and relaunched our 
entire sandwich range with improved recipes and enhanced 
packaging. This included the launch of our new sub-brand of 
‘Balanced Choice’ products offering healthier choices with fewer 
than 400 calories. Sandwich sales surpassed our expectations 
following the relaunch. Sales of our ‘Balanced Choice’ lines 
reached circa £55 million for the year creating a strong platform 
for future development in this strategically important range.

Throughout the year we continued our programme of improving 
recipes in our most popular lines in the traditional sweet and 
savoury ranges with positive customer reaction helping to 
support increased repeat sales. New flavours in traditional 
products have also been successful, such as our new steak  
and cheese roll, launched in November, which has quickly 
become a bestseller.

Alongside this activity we successfully launched new products  
in food-on-the-go categories such as fresh soups and hot 
sandwiches which are aimed at creating new reasons to  
visit Greggs.

Value
Outstanding value for money remains a key attribute of the 
Greggs brand and we have continued to build our reputation  
for market-leading menu deals which drive growth and average 
transaction values. We maintained our £2 breakfast meal deal  
for the fifth year running, again driving double digit growth  
as this meal occasion continues to grow in importance to our 
food-on-the-go customers. We once again extended the range 
of sandwiches included in our £3 sandwich meal deal. We also 
introduced a new menu deal offering coffee and any sweet item 
for £2 and this is growing strongly in popularity.

Finally, although we are no longer focused on the take-home 
bakery market, we have successfully launched a range of 
outstanding value impulse packs selling to food-on-the-go 
customers for sharing at home or at work. Examples include  
our mini doughnut and mini yum-yum packs, both priced at £1.

2015 product initiatives
We have a strong pipeline of further product developments 
planned for 2015. As an example, we have just launched our  
new fresh soups including Chorizo and Fire Roast Pepper and 
introduced our new meal deal offering coffee and any savoury 
snack for just £2. In the coming weeks we will be extending our 
breakfast offer and launching new options under our ‘Balanced 
Choice’ label.

2. Great shopping experience

As well as improvements to our products we have continued  
to make changes in our shop operations to meet the needs  
of our food-on-the-go customers better. For example, we  
have invested in increased labour hours to improve availability 
particularly at lunch time and continued with our programme  
to increase trading hours where we see opportunity.

Strategic direction: Focus on food-on-the-go
Our strategic plan, announced in 2013, focuses on growing 
like-for-like sales by improving the customer proposition and the 
quality of our existing estate and making our operation simpler 
and more efficient. The plan has four key pillars: 

 – Great tasting fresh food.
 – A great shopping experience.
 – Simple and efficient operations.
 – Improvement through change.

These pillars are all supported by our approach to keeping our 
people, communities and values at the heart of our business.

The strategic plan represents a major programme of change over 
a period of up to five years and we are tracking progress against 
a number of key targets:

 – Driving like-for-like sales growth.
 – Achieving targeted returns on our increased investment  

in shop refits.

 – Delivery of operational and supply chain efficiencies.
 – Achieving the planned benefits from our investment  

in processes and systems.

In 2014 we exceeded targets in all of these areas:

 – Strongest like-for-like sales growth since 2007.
 – Exceeded refit investment criteria by a third.
 – Completed organisational and supply chain restructuring 

ahead of schedule.

 – Exceeded process and systems investment benefit target  

by £1 million.

Delivering our plans

1. Great tasting fresh food

Greggs is a strong and trusted brand and we leverage our 
heritage in fresh bakery to compete successfully in the food-on-
the-go market. The Greggs product offer is differentiated by the 
way that we freshly prepare food each day in our shops and so 
deliver an ‘Always Fresh. Always Tasty.’ experience that others 
find hard to match.

Changes to product range 
We continue to make changes to our product range which have 
been successful in driving sales growth.

In February 2014 we launched our improved coffee blend which, 
in extensive nationwide blind tasting, four out of five customers 
judged to be as good as or better than their favourite coffee 
brand. Coffee sales were our fastest growing product category 
last year and our reputation for freshly-ground bean-to-cup 
coffee at exceptional value continues to grow with sales in the 
period leading up to Christmas reaching a new high of £1 million  
per week.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201418

Chief Executive’s Report
continued

Estate changes and refurbishments
We opened 50 new shops (including 20 franchised units) in the 
year and closed 71, resulting in 1,650 shops trading at 3 January 
2015. 85 per cent of our new shop locations were away from 
high streets such as in retail and industrial parks, motorway 
service stations and travel hubs. At the end of 2014 we had  
45 franchised shops operating in travel and other convenience 
locations and continue to see this as a route to further growth.

Looking ahead we will continue to reduce the structural costs  
in our business by focusing on making our operations simpler 
and more efficient. The opportunities to do so will increasingly 
overlap and merge with the benefits arising from our programme 
of investment in new systems and processes. In our supply chain 
the direction of change will continue to be towards consolidation 
in manufacturing where we are not capacity-constrained whilst 
growing logistics capacity to support shop expansion plans.

We completed 213 shop refurbishments during the year. Returns 
were ahead of our expectations and we anticipate progressing 
with the estate improvement programme at a similar rate in the 
year ahead.

In 2015 we expect to open 80 - 100 shops including further 
development of our franchise partnerships, and close around  
60 - 80 shops in the year. Our shop opening and closure 
programme is progressively improving the quality and 
performance of our estate whilst rebalancing it towards more 
sustainable long-term locations by increasing our presence in 
travel, leisure and work-centred catchments. We continue to 
believe in the opportunity for increased shop numbers, with our 
longer-term target being more than 2,000 in the UK, and expect 
to return to growth in net shop numbers in the second half.

Greggs Rewards loyalty scheme
We successfully launched our digital customer loyalty scheme 
‘Greggs Rewards’ in February 2014 and were awarded ‘Loyalty 
Programme of the Year’ at the 2014 Retail System Awards. 
Participation continues to build as customers benefit from a 
more convenient method of paying and receive product rewards 
for shopping with us. We are beginning to learn more about 
customer behaviour from this database and expect to build  
on this in the years ahead to enable us to continue making 
improvements to the customer experience.

3. Simple and efficient operations 

Alongside our improvements to products and customer service 
we made significant progress last year in our drive to make our 
supply and support functions simpler and more efficient. In our 
supply chain we consolidated our 79 in-store bakeries into our 
existing regional bakery network completing the programme in 
October, well ahead of schedule. In support areas we reduced 
our regional structure from seven to four regions and reorganised 
several central support teams.

All of this involved substantial change across the organisation 
and I am proud of the professionalism and sensitivity our teams 
displayed in implementing these changes, upholding Greggs’ 
long-standing values of fairness, consideration and respect.

The changes outlined above resulted in one-off redundancy 
costs and asset impairment charges amounting to £8.2 million  
in 2014. These have been classified as part of the exceptional 
charge of £8.5m in our accounts. In 2014 the net benefit of  
the changes, excluding the one-off costs, was £2.9m. In 2015 
we expect this benefit to annualise at around £6.0 million.

4. Improvement through change

Investment in systems
In 2014 we successfully implemented the first two elements of 
our major investment programme in the process and systems 
platforms that will enable us to compete more effectively in the 
fast-moving food-on-the-go market. These first steps related to 
workforce management and supplier relationship management. 
Both have delivered benefits in excess of our initial expectations 
and show potential for further improvements as we harness their 
full capabilities.

During 2014 we selected SAP as our core ERP software supplier 
and are now planning the implementation of modules designed 
to improve processes around shop ordering and customer 
contact. In total this is a significant multi-year change programme 
for the business, which we are carefully planning and executing. 
We have made a good start and are encouraged by the early 
results. We continue to expect the programme to make an 
annual net contribution of around £6.0 million once the key 
functionality is in place around four years from now.

Keeping our people, communities and values  
at the heart of our business
The progress we have made this year is in no small part related 
to the significant amount of change that the business has 
undergone and I do not underestimate the impact that this has 
had in many areas. Change is a necessary part of any healthy 
business and we will continue to adapt to ensure that we remain 
competitive for the long term. I would like to thank all of our 
people for the role that they have played in returning the business 
to profitable growth.

As a business one of the ways in which we share the benefits  
of our success is through our profit sharing scheme, which 
distributes 10 per cent of our profit to employees. I am delighted 
that our people will be sharing a record £6.4 million as a result  
of our performance in 2014.

In 2014 our people once again made a difference to our local 
communities. Around £350,000 was raised in our shops and  
our bakeries for the Greggs Foundation and this, combined with 
donations from the Company, enabled the Greggs Foundation  
to distribute more than £1.5 million in support of a wide range  
of local community initiatives. These included the award-winning 
Greggs Breakfast Club programme, which provided over three 
million free wholesome breakfasts to children across 304 primary 
schools in 2014. Partnership work has been key to the growth of 
Breakfast Clubs and 115 clubs are now supported by partner 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201419

Outlook for 2015
2015 will be a year of further change for Greggs as we continue  
to move forward with our focus on the food-on-the-go market. 
Market conditions remain helpful and the outlook for the first  
half suggests that low inflation should continue to support 
disposable incomes.

This year has started strongly and like-for-like sales in the eight 
weeks to 28 February 2015 have grown by 6.3 per cent, partly 
reflecting the wet start to 2014. We expect that our initiatives will 
continue to deliver growth, although we are mindful that the sales 
comparatives become stronger through the year.

Costs were well controlled in 2014 and we go into 2015 with 
further benefits to come from our actions taken around making 
the business simpler and more efficient. Food input costs are 
likely to be deflationary for the first half of the year and we will 
continue to invest in improving the quality of our estate and in 
upgrading our processes and systems. 

Overall we are confident of delivering a further year of good 
growth and progress against our strategic plan in 2015.

Roger Whiteside
Chief Executive
4 March 2015

organisations who share our ambition to improve the learning 
opportunities for children in disadvantaged areas.

This would not have been possible without the continued 
generosity of our customers, who also helped Greggs to raise 
over £1 million for the North of England Children’s Cancer 
Research Fund, the BBC Children in Need appeal, Disasters 
Emergency Committee appeals and the Royal British Legion’s 
Poppy appeal collectively in 2014.

Additional ways in which we help to make a difference to local 
communities include the development of a number of work 
inclusion programmes through which we have helped to promote 
the employability skills of 370 people, resulting in 87 people 
being offered paid employment. We have also continued  
our support for the Business in the Community’s ‘Business 
Connectors’ scheme and are proud to have seconded eight 
Business Connectors so far.

We continued to make good progress in the remaining three  
key areas of our social responsibility agenda: ‘creating a great 
place for our people to work’, ‘food our customers can trust’  
and ‘reducing our impact on the world around us’.

2014 highlights include continuing to share 10 per cent of profits 
with our people, donating 512 volunteer days and providing 90 
per cent of our management team with career development 
training. We have successfully grown sales of our ‘Balanced 
Choice’ products to circa £55 million, rolled out the provision of 
transparent nutritional information and published a Farm Animal 
Welfare Strategy and Ethical Sourcing Statement. We are also 
pleased to report that our continued focus on reducing waste  
to landfill has seen us surpass our target to recycle 90 per cent 
of waste from production sites – we now divert 100 per cent  
of waste from these sites.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201420

Financial Review

Cash generation continues to be 
strong, supporting investment in 
our programme of improvement 
plus an increased dividend

The significantly improved financial 
performance in 2014 reflects healthy 
like-for-like sales growth combined 
with strong returns on capital 
investment and progress in cost 
reduction. Cash generation remains 
strong, supporting investment in our 
programme of improvement and an 
increased dividend.

Sales
Total Group sales for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 were 
£804.0 million (2013: £762.4 million), an increase of 5.5 per cent. 
Excluding the impact of the additional week in 2014 the growth  
in total Group sales compared with the same 52 weeks in 2013 
was 3.9 per cent. Like-for-like sales grew by 4.5 per cent across 
the year as a whole and the second half performance was 
stronger at 5.6 per cent, following 3.2 per cent growth in the  
first half.

Profit before exceptional items
Operating profit before exceptional items was £58.1 million  
(2013: £41.5 million), a 40.0 per cent increase. The result reflects 
good like-for-like sales growth, particularly in the second half of 
the year, strong returns on our investments in shop refurbishment 
and excellent cost control in our operations and as a result of 
structural changes.

After net finance income of £0.2 million (2013: £0.2 million 
charge) pre-tax profit before exceptional items was £58.3 million 
(2013: £41.3 million), an increase of 41.1 per cent. The impact  
of exceptional costs in the year is discussed below.

Operating margin
Operating margin before exceptional items was 7.2 per cent 
(2013: 5.4 per cent).

Gross margin before exceptional items increased to 61.5 per 
cent (2013: 59.9 per cent) reflecting lower than expected input 
cost inflation and the operational gearing impact of strong 
like-for-like growth. The structural cost reduction resulting from 
the consolidation of in-store bakeries into our regional bakery 
network and the initial benefits of our investment in procurement 
technology also benefited gross margin and we expect to see 
further improvements in the year ahead.

We made good progress against our efficiency targets in shops 
and support areas and achieved savings of £6.5 million in 2014. 
Increasingly we are now focusing our efforts on achieving further 
efficiencies through the investment programme in processes  
and systems. Whilst this will result in higher costs in respect  
of technology we will see the benefits in our operational costs.  
As an example, in 2014 we invested in a leading workforce 
management solution to plan and manage the deployment of 
labour in our shops. This is resulting in better deployment of  
staff to meet demand with benefits for customer service and  
in greater efficiency.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
21

In 2014 we recognised gains on the disposal of freehold 
properties totalling £1.5 million (2013: £1.3 million) largely as  
a result of the accelerated closure of under-performing shops. 
The net cost of accounting for a 53rd week in 2014 was £0.7m. 
On average this arises every five years and results in the higher 
operating costs and lower sales of New Year trading periods 
occurring twice in one financial year.

Financing charges
There was net income from financing of £0.2 million in the year 
(2013: £0.2 million charge) reflecting the net cash position of the 
Group and the funding position of the defined benefit pension 
scheme. In the year ahead we expect to incur a small financing 
charge relating to the net liability of the pension scheme at the 
end of the year as a result of the reduction in bond rates.

Exceptional items
We incurred exceptional costs in 2014 as a result of the 
restructuring of our in-store bakeries and support operations. 
The cost of making these changes was £8.2 million and related 
to one-off redundancy costs and asset impairment charges.  
The net benefit to operating profit in 2014 was £2.9 million; this  
is expected to annualise to a net benefit of £6.0 million in 2015. 
The total exceptional charge of £8.5 million included additional 
costs relating to the closure of ‘Greggs moment’ coffee shops  
in 2013.

Pre-tax profit in 2014 including exceptional items was £49.7 million 
(2013: £33.2 million).

Taxation
Excluding the impact of exceptional items the Group’s underlying 
tax charge was 24.0 per cent (2013: 25.0 per cent). The overall 
tax rate for the year including exceptional items was 24.5 per 
cent (2013: 27.0 per cent). The effective rate reflected the 
lowering of the headline rate of corporation tax from 23 per cent 
to 21 per cent in April 2014; deferred tax liabilities were revalued 
in 2013 following enactment of the reduction in that year.

We expect the effective rate for 2015 to be 23.0 per cent, falling 
to 22.75 per cent for 2016.

Earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share before exceptional items were 43.4 
pence (2013: 30.6 pence), an increase of 41.8 per cent. Basic 
earnings per share before exceptional items were 44.0 pence 
(2013: 30.8 pence). Earnings per share including exceptional 
items were 36.8 pence diluted (2013: 23.9 pence) and 37.4 
pence basic (2013: 24.1 pence).

Dividend
The Board recommends a final dividend of 16.0 pence per share 
(2013: 13.5 pence). Together with the interim dividend of 6.0 
pence (2013: 6.0 pence) paid in October 2014, this makes a total 
for the year of 22.0 pence (2013: 19.5 pence). This is covered  
2.0 times by diluted earnings per share before exceptional items 
in line with our progressive dividend policy.

Subject to the approval of shareholders at the Annual General 
Meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 8 May 2015 to 
shareholders on the register on 10 April 2015.

Capital expenditure
We invested a total of £48.9 million (2013: £47.6 million) of  
capital expenditure in the business during 2014. This included 

expenditure on 213 shop refurbishments and the opening of  
30 new shops (excluding franchises). We also invested £3.9m in 
our programme of process and systems improvement. This was 
some £2.0m less than we had anticipated as we deferred certain 
elements which will now be acquired in 2015. Investment in  
our supply chain continued to be focused on efficiency activity 
and the replacement of end-of-life assets. Depreciation and 
amortisation (excluding impairment charges) in the year was 
£38.0 million (2013: £33.4 million).

Following the success of our 2014 capital investment programme 
(see below) we plan capital expenditure of around £65.0 million  
in 2015. As in 2014, we will prioritise investment in our core estate 
and on the upgrading of our process and systems platform.  
We plan to refurbish 200 to 220 shops in 2015 and expect  
to invest in 60 - 70 new shops.

Return on capital
We manage return on capital against predetermined targets and 
monitor performance through our Investment Board, where all 
capital expenditure is subject to rigorous appraisal before and 
after it is made. For investments in new shops and refurbishments 
we target a cash return on invested capital of 25 per cent over  
an average investment cycle of seven years. Other investments  
are appraised using discounted cash flow analysis.

The investment returns on our refurbishment expenditure were 
good, meeting our return target after one year and with the 
expectation that we will see further improvement in the year 
ahead. The performance of new shops improved significantly in 
the year, partly due to progress in the performance of prior year 
openings and partly due to a better than normal start from our 
2014 acquisitions. In the year ahead we aim to increase the rate  
of openings but will continue to be selective and keep the focus  
on achieving strong investment returns.

Excluding exceptional costs we delivered an overall return on 
capital employed (ROCE) for 2014 of 22.4 per cent (2013: 16.4  
per cent excluding exceptional costs). The stronger ROCE reflects 
the improved operating performance in the year as well as good 
capital investment returns.

Cash flow and balance sheet
The net cash inflow from operating activities in the year was 
£97.1 million (2013: £69.3 million). At the end of the year the 
Group had net cash and cash equivalents of £43.6 million  
(2013: £21.6 million) and a short-term cash deposit of £10.0 
million (2013: £3.0 million). The cash and creditor positions  
reflect the £6.4 million profit share commitment that will be  
paid out in March 2015. In previous years this was paid in the 
financial year itself.

The Board continues to be mindful of the appropriate capital 
structure of the Group, bearing in mind the leverage inherent in 
the Group’s predominantly leasehold shop estate and of working 
capital requirements. In the first half of 2015 we intend to return 
up to £10 million to shareholders through share buybacks and, 
as the Chairman has said, we will give a further update on the 
Group’s capital structure with the interim results.

Richard Hutton
Finance Director
4 March 2015

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201422

Key financial performance indicators

We use eight key financial performance indicators to monitor the performance  
of the Group against our strategy. These KPIs and how we performed against 
them are detailed below: 

Sales growth:

3.9%

Like-for-like sales growth: 

4.5% 

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

3.9%

3.8%

2014

4.5%

-0.8% 2013

4.8%

-2.7%

2012

2.1%

5.8%

2011 1.4%

2010 0.2%

The percentage year-on-year change in total sales for the Group, 
adjusted for the impact of a 53 week year in 2014. In 2014 total 
sales grew by 3.9 per cent (2013: 3.8 per cent) to £804 million 
(2013: £762 million). This primarily reflected like-for-like sales 
growth and the impact of net shop number reduction. Including 
the 53rd week total sales growth in 2014 was 5.5 per cent.

Compares year-on-year cash sales in our ‘core’ shops, i.e.  
it is not distorted by shop openings and closures. Like-for-like 
sales growth includes selling price inflation and excludes VAT. 
Like-for-like sales grew by 4.5 per cent in 2014 (2013: decrease 
of 0.8 per cent). There was an improving trend throughout the 
year with particularly strong growth in the second half of the year.

Adjusted operating profit:

£58.1 million 

Operating margin:

7.2% 

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

£58.1m

£41.5m

£51.3m

£53.0m

£52.4m

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

5.4%

7.2%

7.0%

7.6%

7.9%

Reflects the performance of the Group before financing and 
taxation impacts and excludes exceptional items arising in the 
year. Adjusted operating profit for the year increased by 40.0  
per cent to £58.1 million (2013: £41.5 million). This reflects good 
like-for-like sales growth, strong returns on our investments  
in shop refurbishment and excellent cost control. 

Shows the adjusted operating profit of the Group as  
a percentage of turnover. Operating margin for the year  
has increased to 7.2 per cent (2013: 5.4 per cent).

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201423

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence):

Capital expenditure:

43.4p 

£48.9 million 

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

43.4p

30.6p

38.3p

38.8p

37.3p

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

£48.9m

£47.6m

£46.9m

£59.1m

£45.6m

Calculated by dividing profit attributable to shareholders before 
exceptional items by the average number of dilutive outstanding 
shares. Diluted earnings per share increased by 41.8 per cent  
to 43.4p (2013: 30.6p).

The total amount incurred in the year on investment in  
fixed assets. Capital expenditure in 2014 was £48.9 million  
(2013: £47.6 million). 

EBITDA:

Return on capital employed (ROCE):

£96.2 million

22.4% 

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

£96.2m

£77.0m

£84.3m

£83.9m

£81.5m

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

16.4%

22.4%

21.3%

24.4%

25.9%

Earnings (excluding exceptional items) before interest, tax, 
depreciation and amortisation. EBITDA in 2014 was £96.2 million 
(2013: £77.0 million)

Calculated by dividing profit before tax before exceptional items 
by total assets less current liabilities averaged for the year.
The year-on-year increase in ROCE reflects the higher overall 
operating profits in 2014 and good returns on invested capital.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201424

Principal risks and uncertainties

Corporate governance guidance requires the disclosure of principal risks and 
uncertainties. A principal risk is defined as ‘a risk or combination of risks which 
can seriously affect the performance, future prospects or reputation of the entity’. 
This would include risks which would threaten the business’ viability.

Greggs is exposed to a wider range of risks than those listed here. However, these are considered to be the 
most important to the future development, performance or position of the business. The risks listed are not 
set out in any particular order, although they are grouped into five themes. 

Business strategy & change
Area of principal risk or uncertainty

Change programme 
The business has embarked on a long-term project to 
improve operational efficiency, requiring significant capital 
investment. 

Progress may not be in line with expectations, or budgets 
may not be met.

Mitigating actions and controls

Risk rating

The project delivery is overseen by the Operating 
Board, under the guidance of a project sponsor, 
providing robust governance. Regular updates are 
provided to the Board, to monitor progress against 
clearly defined timelines and financial forecasts.

 No change

Information security
Greggs obtains significant quantities of customer data through 
its loyalty scheme, which needs to be handled in a secure 
manner. More general ‘cyber’ issues are also an area of risk.

A cross-functional working group determines priorities 
for improving the business approach to information 
security. Where appropriate, the Company is investing 
in training and technology to strengthen controls.

 No change

Brand & reputation
Area of principal risk or uncertainty

Mitigating actions and controls

Risk rating

Product quality and safety
As a food-on-the-go retailer and manufacturer, good food 
safety is clearly imperative to maintain consumer confidence 
in our products. We need to ensure that our ingredients are  
in line with specification, and are used correctly.

Procedures are in place in our bakeries, logistics 
operations and shops to ensure that food safety  
is maintained. These procedures are supported  
by robust audit processes, both internally and  
by regulatory bodies.

Food scare
Greggs may suffer from a loss of customer confidence due  
to a major food scare beyond its control.

The majority of products for sale in our shops have 
been manufactured by our staff in our bakeries. 
Checks are carried out to confirm the integrity  
of our ingredients as part of routine processes.

 No change

 No change

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201425

Supply chain
Area of principal risk or uncertainty

Loss of production
Some of our products are produced in one location and 
distributed nationwide. Any disruption to supply would have  
a significant impact on our customers. 

Mitigating actions and controls

Risk rating

Contingency plans are in place for our supply sites,  
and these are regularly tested. Annual site inspections 
by our property insurers help us to ensure that our 
facilities are protected against loss. Alternative sources 
of supply have been identified for key products, and 
regular testing ensures an ability to provide product to 
a suitable quality within the required timeframe.

 No change

External pressures
Area of principal risk or uncertainty

Economic outlook/market pressures
Continued economic uncertainty, combined with a decline in 
high street footfall, result in a challenging trading environment 
for the business in the short term.

Mitigating actions and controls

Our products are competitively priced, to offer the 
consumer value for money. We continue to focus on 
refitting existing stores, rather than opening new ones. 
New store locations are generally away from high 
streets, to reflect the changes in shopping habits.

Risk rating

 Improving

Market saturation
In the longer term, the food-on-the-go market may become 
saturated due to the entry of new players and the expansion 
of existing competitors.

Our value proposition combined with our quality 
products puts us in a strong position in the market 
place. Monitoring of marketing data and segmental 
analysis allows us to target our activity.

 New

Healthy eating
Area of principal risk or uncertainty

Consumer trends
Greggs may lose customer share due to changing customer 
trends and health concerns reducing the popularity of some 
of our products. 

Mitigating actions and controls

We have introduced a ‘Balanced Choice’ range within 
our sandwiches to provide our customers with 
increased choice. Lines such as our soup, porridge 
and salads provide other alternatives. Sales of products 
within this range have been growing well.

Risk rating

 Improving

Additional risks and uncertainties, not presently known to management, or deemed to be less material currently, may also have an 
adverse effect on the business.

Greggs’ exposure to risks evolves as we take mitigating actions, or as new risks emerge. The following risks have been removed from 
our list this year:

 – Structural changes: these have now been completed;
 – Labelling regulations: focused activity has ensured our readiness for the new requirements.
 – Single source suppliers: risk mitigated (other than limited exposure on non-key ingredients).
 – Commodity prices: activities in place to mitigate the risk to a reasonable level.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201426

Principal risks and uncertainties 
continued

Whistle-blowing
All staff have an opportunity to raise matters of concern with 
senior management through our whistle-blowing policy, which  
is advertised across the business. Any matters raised are treated 
in confidence, and an independent review will be undertaken 
where this is appropriate. The Chair of the Audit Committee is 
the designated first point of contact for any concerns which 
cannot be addressed through normal management processes.

Business Assurance
The Business Assurance function provides independent internal 
audit coverage for the entire business operation and also supports 
risk management activity across the organisation. Audit findings 
are reported to management, and to the Audit Committee, whose 
quarterly meetings are all attended by the Head of Business 
Assurance. The Business Assurance team has authority to access 
all areas of the business, all senior managers, and the Chair of the 
Audit Committee as required.

Our risk management approach
Greggs’ approach to risk management has a number of 
components, which combine to ensure that significant risks  
are identified, evaluated, recorded and managed.

Board of Directors
The Board has ultimate accountability for ensuring that risks  
are managed appropriately, although it delegates the detailed 
implementation of risk processes and mitigating actions to 
management. Significant risks (i.e. those which could prevent  
the business from achieving its objectives were they to occur) are 
considered at each meeting, with the associated controls being 
monitored and reviewed. The Board also debates whether any 
new or emerging risks require assessment by management.

Insurance cover provides a means of mitigation for a number of 
risks facing the business. On an annual basis, the Board reviews 
the cover in place and determines whether or not it considers 
this to be appropriate. Having changed insurance broker during 
the year, we have undertaken a robust review of our insurances, 
which has provided additional assurance that our cover is fit  
for purpose.

Through regular reporting, the Board is kept apprised of  
any issues or business changes which may impact on the 
Company’s risk profile. The Audit Committee reviews risk 
management procedures at least annually, and reports its 
findings through to the Board.

Operating Board
The Operating Board supports the Chief Executive in 
implementing the Board’s decisions, and comprises directors 
representing each of the organisation’s main functions: Finance, 
Business Development & Property, Retail, Trading, Supply Chain, 
People, Corporate Affairs and Business Planning & Change. 
Responsibility for the day-to-day management of risks sits with 
this group. All key strategic risks identified by the business are 
owned by an Operating Board member.

Risk Committee
The Risk Committee is a management committee which has  
met three times this year to discuss risks in greater detail than 
can be done during Operating Board meetings. It comprises  
the Chief Executive, the Operating Board and a number of 
functional heads. Its responsibilities include analysing, assessing, 
measuring and understanding the Company’s risk exposure,  
as well as developing an appropriate risk management strategy 
for the business. Significant areas of concern identified by this 
body will be reported through to the Board, generally via the 
Audit Committee. Although the Group’s remit extends to all risks 
faced by the Company, it will focus on key strategic risks and 
their associated controls.

The Risk Committee also considers new and emerging risks as  
a standing agenda item, including those identified by the Board 
of Directors. The Committee has also reviewed the ranking of  
the business’ key strategic risks during the year, to ensure that 
this remains an appropriate reflection of their relative standing.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014Social responsibility

27

At Greggs we are committed  
to keeping people, communities 
and values at the heart  
of our business

Our commitment to keeping people, communities and values  
at the heart of our business is deep-rooted and can be traced 
back to the establishment of the Greggs Foundation by  
Ian Gregg in 1987. Our social responsibility agenda focuses  
on four key areas:

1. Making a difference to our local communities
Over the last 75 years Greggs has grown through the continued 
support of its customers. As a successful business we believe 
we have a responsibility to help the local communities in which  
we operate.

1. Making a difference to our local communities.
2. A great place to work.
3. Food our customers can trust.
4. Reducing our impact on the world around us.

We take our social responsibilities very seriously, with the Chief 
Executive responsible for delivery, and the Board ultimately 
accountable for performance. Delivery is managed through a 
Steering Group, chaired by the Company Secretary, comprising 
the Chief Executive and four members of the Operating Board. 
An Operating Board Director champions each of the four key areas 
of focus, ensuring top level commitment across the business. 

‘Making a difference to our local communities’ 
is championed by Richard Hutton, Finance Director. 

‘A great place to work’ 
is championed by Roisin Currie, People Director. 

‘Food our customers can trust’ 
is championed by Malcolm Copland, Commercial Director. 

‘Reducing our impact on the world around us’ 
is championed by Raymond Reynolds, Retail Director.

In 2014 we carried out a stakeholder mapping exercise for each 
of our social responsibility pillars. This has helped us to identify 
and prioritise (or in some cases reinforce) who our stakeholders 
are. The next step is to develop comprehensive engagement 
plans which we aim to complete in 2015.

Greggs remains a constituent of the FTSE4Good sustainability 
index and we continue to take part in the Business in the 
Community ‘Corporate Responsibility Index’, achieving a SILVER 
rating in 2013 and a 2-star rating in 2014.

We focus our efforts in making a difference to our local 
communities in four key areas:

(i)   Our work with the Greggs Foundation
(ii)  Our work with other charities
(iii)  Our work inclusion programmes 
(iv)  Our work with Business in the Community

(i) Our work with the Greggs Foundation

The Greggs Foundation is a grant-making trust closely 
associated with, but wholly independent of, Greggs plc.  
Its aim is to make a difference to people in need at the heart  
of the local communities which Greggs serves. A significant 
proportion of the Greggs Foundation’s impact is achieved 
through the generosity of Greggs’ employees and customers –  
in 2014 around £450,000 was raised in our shops and our 
bakeries for the Foundation, including £88,000 during our 
first-ever Breakfast Club Appeal and £35,000 during our 
first-ever Christmas appeal in support of homeless and isolated 
older people. 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201428

Social responsibility
continued

Breakfast Clubs

Number of clubs

300

200

100

0

304

255

220

180

151

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Fundraising efforts such as this, combined with our annual 
donation (£520,000 in 2014), enabled the Greggs Foundation  
to distribute a total of £1.5 million in support of a wide range  
of local community initiatives. Now in its 28th year, the Greggs 
Foundation has given almost £20 million to support our  
local communities. 

A long-standing part of our community strategy has been  
our commitment to school Breakfast Clubs, to which many  
of our people lend their time and support. Under the Greggs 
Foundation’s Breakfast Club model over 3.6 million free 
wholesome breakfasts were supplied to children in 304 primary 
schools in 2014. Greggs provides free bread as well as a cash 
grant towards other running costs at 163 schools.

An additional 141 clubs are supported by Greggs’ partners and 
by fundraising. Partnership work has been key to the growth of 
Breakfast Clubs. At the end of 2014, 115 clubs were supported 
by generous partner organisations who share our aim of 
improving learning opportunities for children in disadvantaged 
areas. For a list of partner organisations please see the Greggs 
Foundation’s website: www.greggsfoundation.org.uk. 

Research shows that Breakfast Clubs can improve attendance, 
punctuality and behaviour amongst pupils, as well as increasing 
learning outcomes. They have also been shown to strengthen 
the school/parent relationship and increase opportunities for 
socialising. The clubs provide over 900 parents and carers  
with volunteering opportunities that can help them to re-enter  
the world of work. 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201429

through the delivery of training sessions. 45 participants went on 
to carry out work experience placements with us and 23 secured 
paid employment.

A Taste of Greggs: Developed in partnership with Job Centre 
Plus, this programme offers work experience placements and 
employment, where possible, to young people. In 2014 we 
provided 15 people with work experience placements and five 
with paid employment.

Work Programme: Shaped for Greggs by various work 
providers, this programme helps us to support the longer-term 
unemployed through the provision of work experience and, 
where possible, paid employment. In 2014 we have supported 
over 135 individuals through work placements and provided 
almost 60 with paid employment.

In 2014 we were recognised for our commitment to improving 
the lives of disadvantaged people by the Employment Related 
Services Association (ERSA), who awarded us the ‘Large 
Employer of the Year’ accolade and Business in the Community 
(BITC) who gave our Ready to Work programme a ‘Big Tick’!

(iv) Our work with Business in the Community
Greggs provided the first Business in the Community ‘Business 
Connector’ secondment in 2010/11 and we have continued  
our support for this important initiative. Undertaking long-term 
secondments from their company, Business Connectors 
become integrated into the community. They build relationships 
between local organisations, helping them to address some  
of the challenges facing the community.

Support can range from inspiring young people into the world  
of work and the creation of start-up businesses for young 
entrepreneurs, to forging partnerships between businesses  
and schools from disadvantaged areas. The programme  
has shown real positive impacts for the communities in  
which Business Connectors operate and over two-thirds  
of organisations receiving support have increased the quantity  
or quality of the services they provide. 

So far BITC estimate that the programme has leveraged  
£14.8 million to support communities and Greggs is proud  
to have seconded eight Business Connectors. 

(ii) Our work with other charities

We lend significant support to other charities which our people 
and customers feel passionate about. These include: the  
North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund, the  
BBC’s Children in Need appeal, the Royal British Legion’s Poppy 
appeal and DEC’s Ebola Crisis appeal. Collectively we raised 
over £1 million for these causes in 2014. 

 – North of England Children’s Cancer Run: Greggs has been  

the NECCR main sponsor since it was launched back in 1982. 
Now in its 32nd year, over £6 million has been raised enabling 
researchers to make huge advances in the care that young 
patients receive, making their treatments less toxic and 
damaging and vastly improving recovery rates. Now 80 per 
cent of children diagnosed survive the disease, compared  
to just 20 per cent 30 years ago.

 – BBC’s Children in Need appeal: In 2014 we raised an amazing 

£865,000, bringing the overall total raised by Greggs to  
almost £6 million in the last seven years.

 – Royal British Legion’s Poppy appeal: Once again our 

customers supported the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal, 
raising almost £170,000.

 – DEC’s Ebola Crisis appeal: Through the continued generosity 
of our customers we were able to raise over £72,000 for  
this appeal.

(iii) Our work inclusion programmes 
For a number of years now we have been directly involved  
in work inclusion initiatives that promote the employability of 
people from marginalised groups. In 2014 we helped more than 
370 people to develop employability skills through the delivery of 
the following programmes, resulting in 87 people being offered 
paid employment:

Ready to Work: Developed in conjunction with prisons  
and probation trusts, this programme provides ex-offenders  
with assessment and interview experience, helping to raise their 
career aspirations. Greggs now has strong working relationships 
with 26 prisons and nine probation trusts, helping us to reach 
over 240 individuals in 2014 (a significant year-on-year increase) 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201430

Social responsibility
continued

2. A great place to work 
Our people are what makes our business successful. We aim  
to provide our people with a great place to work, where they feel 
valued by listening, developing, rewarding and looking after them.

(i) Listening to our people
We hold an Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) to give our people 
the opportunity to provide feedback. In our 2014 EOS 89 per 
cent of our people responded and we achieved another high 
engagement score of 75 per cent (76 per cent in 2013) despite  
a year of significant change for our business. 

We continue to promote initiatives to drive engagement in our 
business including service recognition programmes. In 2014  
we implemented a feedback mechanism for our people to use 
on a daily basis – ‘Your Ideas Matter’. This can be accessed  
by all our people and ideas are welcomed from all levels within 
the business and are reviewed monthly by our Operating Board.  
Since launching this initiative we have had over 180 ideas from  
our people to support improvements within the business. 

We want all our people to be provided with a safe workplace and to 
be rewarded for their hard work, sharing in the Company’s success.

(ii) Developing our people
We have developed our volunteering policy to allow our people  
to support groups and charities in their local communities.  
In 2014 a total of 512 days were donated, helping organisations 
as diverse as primary school Breakfast Clubs, food banks, youth 
clubs and the Rivers Trust. We are pleased that our volunteering 
achievements were recognised in 2014 when we were awarded 
the North East Employee Volunteering Business Award by 
Business in the Community. 

We have continued to develop our people throughout 2014, 
providing role-specific development for our operational teams  
as well as generic management and leadership development. 
Our Career Pathways programme continues to thrive and 
provides four different routes to enable individuals to develop  
into management, middle management, senior management  
and potential directorship roles. In 2014 we launched our Brilliant 
Area Manager programme to all 143 of our Area Managers and 
the Brilliant ROM (Retail Operations Manager) programme and 
during 2014 all our ROM’s have attended the four workshops.  
Our ‘Brilliant’ programmes also extend to our bakeries with  
the delivery of the Brilliant Bakery Operations Manager, Brilliant 
Engineering Managers and Brilliant Team Leader/Supervisor 
programmes all being delivered in 2014. 90 per cent of our 
management population have received appropriate development 
during 2014. 

(iii) Rewarding our people
We want all our people to be rewarded for their hard work, 
sharing in the Company’s success and are proud to have 
continued our long-standing commitment to share 10 per cent  
of our profits with all employees. We are delighted that we will  
be sharing £6.4 million of our 2014 profit with our people in 2015, 
and at the same time offering them the opportunity to participate 
in our annual ‘Share Incentive Plan’, enabling them to re-invest 
their profit share into Greggs shares. In 2014 we again ran  
our latest ‘Share Save’ scheme available for all employees  
with 12 months service, with 2,344 people taking part.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201431

(iv) Looking after our people
Greggs is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all  
of our people and our customers. 

In 2014 we set ambitious health and safety targets across both 
our retail and supply chain operations, however we fell short of 
achieving these with only a 7.5 per cent improvement in retail 
operations and a 10 per cent increase in supply chain.

We have therefore completed a number of change-driving 
initiatives across our Supply Chain, including the launch of a 
safety leadership programme for all Supply Chain management 
and also a culture change programme for all site teams.  
We expect this to really help drive our safety performance  
in 2015. In addition, our ‘near miss’ reporting process has 
become a key element of our approach and, as a consequence, 
our minor incident numbers have reduced by 23 per cent in 
comparison to 2013. Our North Lakes bakery celebrated three 
years without a reportable incident which demonstrated the site 
culture in relation to health and safety. 

Within Retail Operations, we have completed a health and safety 
awareness week to drive awareness and performance and plan 
to repeat this in 2015. In addition, we are currently reviewing our 
health and safety training materials to ensure they support our 
shop teams in delivering great performance in 2015. 

On a more personal level we offer all our people access to the 
free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme, available 
24 hours a day, seven days a week. This provides our people 
with face-to-face or ‘freephone’ support, giving advice on 
anything from health and wellbeing to family and work issues. 
Our people are also eligible to join a Health Cash Plan through 
which employees can claim money back on the cost of check-
ups and treatments for themselves and their families. We also 
offer childcare vouchers through our salary sacrifice scheme and 
incentives such as Cycle to Work that promote the health and 
wellbeing of our people. We have also launched an employee 
benefits site that offers our people access to a wide range of 
benefits for themselves and their families. 

In 2014 we developed a human rights policy, a copy of which can 
be found on our corporate website, and we ensure that we treat 
our people in line with internationally proclaimed human rights 
principles. We have a range of policies in place, some of which 
are summarised below, demonstrating our effective management 
of human rights issues in the business:

Equality 
Greggs is an inclusive organisation where no one receives less 
favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, gender re-
assignment, nationality, national origin, marital status, colour, 
race, ethnic origin, creed or disability. We are committed to  
our Equal Opportunities Policy from recruitment and selection, 
through training and development, appraisal and promotion. 

Gender statistics 
The Board is proud of its reputation for bringing the Company’s 
best talent through the organisation and encouraging people to 
succeed regardless of gender, race or any other characteristic. 
As at 3 January 2015 one out of four of the most senior retail 
managers was a woman, as were four out of the twelve bakery 
managers. The Board continues to believe it is in the best 
interests of the Company to continue to bring women through  
to the very top of the organisation. The programme which we 
launched in 2012 to encourage more women to strive for the 
most senior positions in the business has continued to run.

3

5

14,036

14,044

5

The Board

21

5,362

Senior 
Management

Employees
generally

5,388

Total

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

Female

Male

Freedom of association
At Greggs we recognise the right of all employees to freedom  
of association and collective bargaining. Whilst we do not  
have a formal ‘Freedom of Association’ policy, the Company 
encourages all its employees in bakeries, shops and offices  
to become, and remain, members of a union. 

Bribery and corruption
Greggs has an Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy which applies 
to all employees and prohibits the offering, giving, seeking or 
acceptance of any bribe in any form to any person or company 
by anyone acting on its behalf, in order to gain an advantage  
in an unethical way. 

Business conduct
We have a specific policy that sets out the standards of ethical 
behaviour that are expected of all employees.

Whistle-blowing
Greggs aims to operate in line with our values and with the 
highest standards of honesty and integrity. Our Whistle-Blowing 
Policy creates an environment where employees are able to raise 
concerns without fears of disciplinary action being taken against 
them as a result of any disclosure.

Political donations
Greggs has a clear policy forbidding political donations or 
contributions. This includes financial and in-kind contributions 
made by the Company.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
32

Social responsibility
continued

3. Food our customers can trust
We are continually working to ensure our food is of great quality, 
so our customers can enjoy our products as part of a healthy, 
balanced diet. As customers have become more aware of health 
issues and food provenance we have undertaken work to 
address concerns around fat, calories, salt, the transparency of 
nutritional information and sustainability within our supply chain.

(i) Fat and calories
We are signatories to the Department of Health’s Public Health 
Responsibility Deal and have signed up to specific food pledges 
on the provision of calorie information to customers and the 
removal of artificial trans-fats from ingredients. 

We have also successfully grown sales of food-on-the-go 
‘Balanced Choice’ products, under 400 calories, to over  
£50 million. The range growth has ensured we reduced the  
fat in our sandwiches by 12 per cent per 100 grams and reduced  
salt levels by 16 per cent per 100 grams without compromising  
on the great flavour and quality our customers expect. 

(ii) Salt 
Whilst the 2014 savoury range salt reduction target has been 
deferred to 2015, we continued to focus on meeting the 
Department of Health’s recommended levels of salt in bread  
(1 gramme per 100 grammes of bread). The average salt content 
across our national bread lines has met this target since 2011. 
This year we have also successfully reduced the salt content  
in all our local bread lines and now all products in this category 
meet the DoH’s target. 

(iii) Provision of transparent nutritional information
Nutritional information is now available on the Greggs Rewards 
app, the website (in line with the Food Information to Consumers 
requirements) and at the point of purchase for our entire range. 
We have developed an Allergen Information Guide to be held  
in all shops which informs customers about the presence  
of all Major Serious Allergens, by recipe, upon request relating  
to all products. This allows customers to make informed 
decisions when they shop with Greggs. 

(iv) Sustainability and food provenance
Customers have continued to take a greater interest in 
sustainability and food provenance in 2014. As a vertically-
integrated business, we benefit from producing our own food  
for sale in our own shops, so we know exactly what ingredients 
go into our food and where these are sourced from. We have 
maintained our position that all ingredients in our own produced 
food remain free from artificial colours, artificial flavours, 
hydrogenated vegetable oils, added trans-fats and genetically 
modified ingredients.

Whilst we did publish, on our website, our Farm Animal Welfare 
strategy and Ethical Sourcing Statement in 2014, we did not, 
unfortunately, do so within the timelines set by the Business 
Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare, and did not therefore 
achieve Tier 4 as hoped. We are however proud that our 
commitment to continuously improve and maintain the trust our 
customers have in our great tasting food is now available in the 
public domain. We are also proud of the recognition afforded  
us by Compassion in World Farming with a ‘Good Egg Award’ 
for changing all our shelled/whole egg to Free Range supply. 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201433

4. Reducing our impact on the world around us
We have a formal Environmental Policy in place and as a 
responsible business we believe we have an obligation to 
minimise the impact our operations have on the local and wider 
environment. These impacts include energy and fuel usage, 
generation of waste, water usage, effluent discharges and 
refrigeration emissions. Our most significant impacts continue  
to be energy/fuel usage and waste and our successful work in 
landfill reduction and the benefit of photovoltaic and voltage 
optimisation systems in our production sites have allowed us to 
demonstrate great progress against our carbon reduction target.

Our aim is to reduce our carbon footprint (measured in tonnes  
of carbon per million £ of turnover) whilst continuing to grow 
sales to our customers.

(i) Carbon footprint
(a) Global GHG emissions data
In line with Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report) Regulations 2013, we are reporting on our greenhouse 
gas (GHG) emissions as part of our annual Strategic Report.  
Our GHG reporting year is the same as our financial year,  
29 December 2013 to 3 January 2015.

Emissions from:

Combustion of fuel & operation  
of facilities (Scope 1)

Fugitive emissions from refrigeration 
(Scope 1)

Tonnes of CO2e

Current 
reporting 
year 
2014

Comparison 
year

2013

31,313

29,709

5,691

5,173

Gross electricity purchased for own use 
(Scope 2)

97,919

89,119

Company’s chosen intensity 
measurement: −  
Tonnes of CO2e per £ million of turnover
GROSS emissions include the use  
of PV generated electricity. 
NET emissions are 
with an intensity measure of

167.8

162.7

97,323
167.1

89,046
162.6

The methodology used to calculate our emissions is based  
on the UK Government’s Environmental Reporting Guidelines 
(2013) and emissions factors from UK Government’s 2014 GHG 
Conversion Factors for Company Reporting. 

The uplift in carbon emissions is directly related to the Department 
of Environment and Rural Affairs (‘DEFRA’) electricity emissions 
factor which was increased by 10 per cent in 2014. If the DEFRA 
emissions factor had remained at the 2013 level then a 4.2 per 
cent improvement would have been achieved in 2014.

We have reported on all emission sources which we deem 
ourselves to be responsible for, as required under the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) 
Regulations 2013. These sources fall within our operation’s 
control and financial control boundaries. We do not have 
responsibility for any emission sources that are outside  
of our operational control. 

(b) Carbon Trust Standard
We measure our direct carbon footprint and hold the Carbon 
Trust Standard in recognition of our work on carbon efficiencies. 
We complete the Carbon Disclosure Project on an annual basis.

(ii) Waste management
We are pleased that our continued focus on reducing waste  
to landfill has seen us surpass our target to recycle 90 per cent 
of waste from production sites. We now divert 100 per cent of 
waste from these sites. In addition to this, we continue to work 
closely with our waste management partners to ensure all of  
our waste streams are processed through the most  
sustainable routes. 

(iii) Key initiatives
As part of our carbon reduction work we installed photovoltaic 
arrays on the roofs of ten of our bakeries in 2013. As a 
consequence of this activity, we have been able to generate  
1,204,833 kWh of electricity in 2014, saving almost 596 tonnes  
of carbon.

Within our retail operations, we have continued to use our  
ECO shop to help develop and trial new initiatives to support  
our shop design. As a consequence we have further extended  
the inclusion of doors on self-service fridges, doors on shop 
fronts as well as individual technologies to reduce operational 
energy use on self-service fridges. We continue to investigate 
new technologies from across the industry and include trial 
activities within all of our environmental forums.

The 2013 emissions have been verified by the Carbon Trust; 
2014 emissions are currently being verified by the Carbon Trust  
as part of the review of our carbon footprint. 

Work has continued to increase the proportion of sustainable 
palm oil used, with 100 per cent of our fats now using certified 
sustainable palm oil.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201434

Social responsibility
continued

The following pages summarise our social responsibility performance in 2014 and present our targets for 2015.

Social responsibility targets: 2014

Making a 
difference to our 
communities

Continue to utilise the skills of our people to promote the employability of young people  
and those from marginalised groups, helping over 250 individuals in 2014. 

Extend the Greggs Breakfast Club partnership scheme to fund a total of 300 clubs  
by the end of 2014. 

Raise over £350,000 for the Greggs Foundation to support good causes in our  
local communities.

Double the amount of our unsold food that we donate to good causes.

A great place  
to work

In our 2014 Employee Opinion Survey we will maintain our engagement score at 76 per cent.

We will continue to expand our volunteering programme, donating at least 500 days and 
introducing a process to match the skills of our graded managers with the needs of local 
community and charity groups.

We will reduce RIDDOR accidents by:
– 20 per cent within our supply operations.
– 10 per cent within our retail operations.

65 per cent of management vacancies will be filled by internal candidates in 2014.

Food our 
customers  
can trust

Deliver a 5 per cent salt reduction in our savoury range without compromising the great taste  
and quality of our food.

Deliver a 5 per cent fat reduction in our sandwich range without compromising the great taste 
and quality of our food.

Increase sales of our ‘400 calorie or less’ range by 10 per cent. 

Achieve ‘Tier 4’ ranking in the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare. 

Reducing our 
impact on the 
world around us

Increase the proportion of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil we use in fats in our own  
manufactured products to 100 per cent.

Deliver a 2.5 per cent improvement in our distribution fuel efficiency (measured in  
‘miles per gallon’). 

Address carbon emissions from energy usage (tonnes per £m turnover) in our operations by: 
– Reducing carbon in our production operations by 3 per cent. 
– Restricting carbon increase in our retail operations to 2.5 per cent.

Deliver zero waste to landfill from productions sites by the end of 2014.





























Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201435

  

 indicates the target is on schedule and that any interim objectives have been met.

    

indicates that the target/commitment is progressing on schedule but not completed.

indicates we are not on schedule to meet the requirement for the given period of time 
but we may achieve the target on future reviews.

Social responsibility targets: 2015

Continue to utilise the skills of our people to improve the employability of people from marginalised groups, raising the profile  
of all programmes under the umbrella sub-brand ‘Fresh Start’.

Extend the Greggs Breakfast Club scheme to fund a total of 330 clubs, developing the model’s sustainability through 
partnerships and dedicated fundraising.

Increase employee awareness of the work of the Greggs Foundation.

Double the amount of unsold food that we donate to good causes to 200 tonnes.

Trial an education partnership to promote greater understanding of food and nutrition.

Make Greggs an even greater place to work and measure this through a 2 per cent improvement in response to the question  
“I would recommend Greggs as a great place to work”.

Ensure that 30 per cent of our volunteer days are matched to people’s skills and abilities providing both development to 
individuals and adding real value to our local communities and the charities that we work with.

Improve employee safety/reduce RIDDOR accidents by:
– Supply: 10 per cent reduction of reportable incidents per hours worked. 
– Retail: 5 per cent reduction of reportable incidents per hours worked. 

Drive our diversity agenda by opening up 80 apprentice vacancies to school leavers in 2015.

Drive our service culture across the business by ensuring all teams participate in Superstar Service and Your Ideas Matter across 
the year.

Continue to increase the number of healthier options for customers by: 
– Developing our ‘Balanced Choice’ range (increasing sales by more than 15 per cent).
– All pastry savouries will meet DoH Responsibility Deal salt targets.
– All own-label cold drinks will be developed to ensure they contain ‘no added sugar’.

Implement our animal welfare strategy and achieve tier 3 ranking in the Business Benchmark on Farm  
Animal Welfare.

Develop customer communication re: allergens, undertake a benchmarking survey and formulate an activity plan.

Develop and trial a balanced scorecard for suppliers.

Complete our five-year target to reduce carbon per £m turnover by 25 per cent (compared to 2010 baseline) by:
– Delivering 1.5 per cent improvement in logistics distribution fuel efficiency (measured in 'miles per gallon'). 
– Reducing electricity usage across our retail operations by 3 per cent. 
– Reducing energy usage (electricity and gas)  in our supply chain operations by 3 per cent.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014   
36

Board of Directors & Secretary

Name and title

Ian Durant 
Chairman

Roger Whiteside 
Chief Executive

Richard Hutton, FCA 
Finance Director

Raymond Reynolds 
Retail Director

Biography

Ian has a background in 
international financial and 
commercial management,  
with experience in the retail, 
property, hotels and transport 
sectors. His career includes 
leadership roles with the retail 
division of Hanson and Jardine 
Matheson, HongKong Land, 
Dairy Farm International, Thistle 
Hotels and Sea Containers  
and as Finance Director  
of Liberty International.

Appointed since

5 October 2011

Roger began his career at 
Marks and Spencer where  
he spent 20 years, ultimately 
becoming head of its food 
business. He was then one  
of the founding team of Ocado, 
serving as Joint MD from 2000 
to 2004. From 2004 to 2007 
Roger led a successful 
turnaround as Chief Executive 
of the Thresher Group 
off-licence chain before joining 
Punch Taverns, ultimately 
becoming Chief Executive. 
Roger was appointed as  
Chief Executive of Greggs  
on 4 February 2013.

17 March 2008 
(Non-Executive Director  
until 3 February 2013)

Richard qualified as a 
Chartered Accountant with 
KPMG and gained career 
experience with Procter  
and Gamble before joining 
Greggs in 1998.

Raymond joined Greggs in 
retail management in 1986.  
As General Manager during  
the 1990s, he built a significant 
new business for the Company 
in the Edinburgh region, and 
was appointed Managing 
Director for Scotland in 2002.

13 March 2006

18 December 2006

Independent

Yes

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

External appointments

Chairman of Capital and 
Counties PLC; Non-Executive 
Director of Greene King plc, 
and Home Retail Group PLC.

No external appointments.

Trustee of the Greggs 
Foundation, and Chairman  
of Business in the  
Community’s North East 
Regional Advisory Board.

Director of the Sunderland 
Business Improvement District, 
and North East Chamber of 
Commerce Board member.

Committee membership

Chairman of Nominations 
Committee

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201437

Allison Kirkby
Non-Executive Director 

Helena Ganczakowski
Non-Executive Director

Peter McPhillips 
Non-Executive Director

Sandra Turner
Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director

Jonathan Jowett
Company Secretary  
& General Counsel

Allison is currently the Executive 
VP and Group CFO of Tele 2,  
a major European telecoms 
company. Prior to Tele 2,  
she spent two decades in the 
FMCG sector at Proctor and 
Gamble in a variety of senior 
financial and operational roles 
before moving to the TMT 
sector, first at Virgin Media  
and then as Group CFO at 
Shine, a division of 21st 
Century Fox. Allison is a Fellow 
of the Chartered Institute of 
Management Accountants.

Helena worked for Unilever  
for 23 years and held senior 
positions in brand management 
and marketing including UK 
Marketing Director and, 
ultimately, Head of Global 
Agencies. Helena has a PhD in 
Engineering from the University 
of Cambridge.

Peter spent most of his 
executive career in food 
manufacturing having held a 
number of executive positions 
including Divisional Managing 
Director of Hillsdown Holdings, 
Director of Terranova
(the chilled foods business 
demerged from Hillsdown 
Holdings), and ultimately as  
UK Managing Director of Uniq 
plc. More recently, Peter was 
European Chairman of Hain 
Celestial Group.

Sandra has been involved in 
the retail sector throughout  
her career and was employed 
by Tesco PLC, latterly as 
Commercial Director for  
Tesco Ireland, from 1987  
to 2009. Prior to this, she  
had worked in sales and 
marketing roles for Unilever  
and Wilkinson Sword. 

Jonathan is a lawyer by 
profession, and has held the 
position of Company Secretary 
in a number of FTSE 250 and 
FTSE Smallcap companies.  
His previous employers include 
Avon Cosmetics Limited, SSL 
International plc, Wagon plc 
and Bakkavor Group. 

30 January 2013

2 January 2014

10 March 2014

1 May 2014

12 May 2010

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Not applicable

No additional activities.

Helena is currently a 
Non-Executive Director of 
Croda International Plc, and 
also runs her own consulting 
business working with 
companies ranging from 
start-up businesses to FTSE 
100 constituents, helping  
them to develop and  
implement strategies.

Peter is currently a Non-
Executive Director of Browns 
Food Group, a privately-owned 
chilled and frozen food producer.

Sandra is currently a 
Non-Executive Director of 
Carpetright plc, McBride plc 
and Huhtämaki OYJ.

Member of the British Retail 
Consortium Policy Board; 
Trustee of The Percy  
Hedley Foundation.

Chair of Audit Committee; 
Remuneration and Nominations 
Committee member

Audit, Remuneration  
and Nominations  
Committee member

Audit, Remuneration and 
Nominations Committee 
member

Chair of Remuneration 
Committee; Audit  
and Nominations  
Committee member

Secretary to Board and  
all its Committees

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201438

Governance

We have a Board of Directors with 
diverse experience and backgrounds, 
and an appropriate balance of 
independent Non-Executive and 
Executive Directors

The Board gave particular time and attention this year to 
managing a smooth succession for the new Non-Executive 
Directors, ensuring that the strategy that was introduced in  
the summer of 2013 was pursued with vigour and that progress 
against the plan was properly monitored and debated.

At our AGM in May, we asked shareholders to vote by poll,  
the first time that we have adopted what is now regarded as  
best practice. I would like to thank shareholders for adopting  
this procedural change and, of course, for their support across 
all of the resolutions that were tabled. 

Our two main committees, Audit and Remuneration, have had  
a quieter year in terms of their need to adopt new legal and 
governance requirements, and that has allowed them to focus  
on the ongoing challenges we face in the competitive food-on-
the-go sector in which we operate. The Audit Committee is  
now considering what changes, if any, should be made to our 
practices in order to ensure that we comply with the new version 
of the Governance Code, which will apply to our financial year 
beginning 4 January 2015.

In December 2013 it was announced that we had left the FTSE 
250 Index as a consequence of the review of relative market 
sizes of companies. However, as of December 2014, we  
have been readmitted to that index. As a result of this, certain 
provisions of the Corporate Governance Code will again  
be applicable. 

I look forward to welcoming shareholders to the AGM which  
will be held on 30 April 2015 and to receiving and answering  
your questions.

Ian Durant 
Chairman

Chairman’s introduction
I am pleased to introduce to shareholders our Governance 
Report for 2014.

There have been a number of changes to the Board this year,  
as Iain Ferguson and Julie Baddeley both left us following the 
AGM in May. After considering our strategy, and the needs of  
the business both now and over the next few years and the skills  
set which most closely matches those needs, the Nominations 
Committee evaluated possible candidates. 

As announced in December 2013, Helena Ganczakowski  
joined the Board on 2 January 2014. Having taken further 
external advice on the market, we then appointed Peter 
McPhillips to the Board in March and in May Sandra Turner 
joined us. Peter brings extensive food manufacturing experience 
and Sandra a supermarket and food-retailing background. 
Sandra has also assumed the role of Senior Independent 
Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. 

I believe that we have a Board of Directors with diverse 
experience and backgrounds and an appropriate balance of 
independent Non-Executive and Executive Directors, which  
is the basis of our governance structure. All appointments to  
the Board are made against a culture within the Company of 
openness, challenge and debate, and the size of the Board 
facilitates this. Each of the Non-Executive Directors serves on 
each of the three main Board committees and is able to take 
account of the relationship between the work of the committees. 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
39

The Company is subject to the UK Corporate Governance Code 
issued by the Financial Reporting Council. The edition of the Code 
issued in September 2012 applied throughout the 2014 financial 
year. This Governance Report, together with information 
contained elsewhere within the Directors’ Report, describes  
how the relevant principles and provisions of the Governance 
Code were applied to the Company in 2014 and will be relevant 
to the Company for the 2015 financial year.

In the Annual Report 2013, the Board reported that, as it had 
fallen outwith the top 350 companies by market capitalisation, 
certain provisions of the Governance Code no longer applied, 
but that the Board would consider a voluntary adoption of  
such provisions provided that it would not be unduly onerous  
or expensive. The Board took the view that given the short  
length of service of a number of the Non-Executive Directors,  
it was unlikely that undertaking an externally-facilitated Board  
evaluation would be a sensible use of shareholders’ funds. 
Consequently the evaluation was undertaken on a questionnaire/
interview basis effected by the Company Secretary and then 
reported to and debated by the Board. 

The Company was re-elected to the FTSE350 index on 22 
December 2014 and intends to hold an externally-facilitated 
evaluation later in 2015.

In all other respects the Board confirms that it was compliant 
with the Governance Code throughout the year.

All of the policies and terms of reference referred to in this report are 
available on the corporate website at: http://corporate.greggs.co.uk. 

The Board
Effectiveness
Under the leadership of the Chairman, the Nominations 
Committee considers the blend of skills and experience that  
the Directors bring to the Board. This includes independent  
and objective experience of food retailing and manufacturing, 
finance, marketing, property, human resource management  
and corporate finance to complement the existing skills and 
experience of the Executive Directors.

The Board meets regularly to discharge its duties. At these 
meetings, it reviews strategy, financial performance against  
key indicators, resources, risk management and other matters 
reserved for the Board. Whilst executive responsibility for  
running the Company’s business rests ultimately with the Chief 

Executive, the Non-Executive Directors ensure that the strategies 
proposed by the Executive Directors are fully discussed and 
critically examined prior to adoption. 

The Board schedules six meetings per year and meets on an  
ad hoc basis as required. In 2014 three additional short meetings 
were held to consider the restructuring announced at the 
beginning of the year, and the stronger trading position and  
the requirement to issue updated guidance to the market.

Attendance at scheduled meetings held during the year is 
recorded in the table below, where the number of meetings 
actually attended are shown with the number of meetings that 
the individual could have attended.

Main Board

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration  
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Number of 
meetings held
Ian Durant
Roger Whiteside
Richard Hutton
Raymond Reynolds
Helena 
Ganczakowski1†
Allison Kirkby
Peter McPhillips2
Sandra Turner3
Julie Baddeley4
Iain Ferguson4

6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6

5/6
6/6
4/4
3/3
2/3
3/3

5
–
–
–
–

4/5
5/5
3/3
2/2
1/3
3/3

3
–
–
–
–

2/3
3/3
1/1
1/1
1/2
2/2

2
2/2
–
–
–

2/2
2/2
0/0
0/0
1/2
2/2

1 Appointed 2 January 2014. 
2 Appointed 10 March 2014.
3 Appointed 1 May 2014. 
4 Resigned on 1 May 2014.
†  Helena was unable to attend one series of meetings for personal reasons, but had 

reviewed all papers beforehand and provided a number of observations and questions  
that were raised by other Directors.

Where a Director is unable to attend a meeting, the Chairman solicits 
his or her views on key items of business ahead of the meeting, 
in order that all individual views are presented at the meeting. 

All Directors are invited to attend the Audit Committee,  
and the Chief Executive attends the Remuneration and 
Nominations Committees. 

In addition, the Non-Executive Directors meet formally twice 
each year and from time to time, as required.

The Board

Audit Committee

Chief Executive

Remuneration 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Operating Board

Social Responsibility 
Steering Group

Risk Committee

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201440

Governance 
continued

Board modus operandi
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 in accordance with a specific 
Schedule of Matters Reserved policy (which is reviewed and 
approved annually), 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 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 sets itself a rolling agenda, which facilitates agenda 
planning for scheduled meetings across the year. In this way  
the Board monitors its activities and ensures that it is operating 
effectively. Standing items include progress with strategic 
objectives, financial and operational performance, health  
& safety, food safety and governance developments. 

The output from the review of 2013 led to the following matters 
being included as objectives for 2014:

 – A review of the way in which social responsibility was 

positioned, to include a consideration of the Company’s  
vision and values.

 – The Chairman to be accompanied by a Non-Executive 

Director to gain feedback from investors with a significant 
shareholding.

The Directors also considered the Board process and provided 
comments on what they thought had gone well and areas  
for improvement.

Members of the Operating Board who are not Executive 
Directors were again invited to provide feedback on their 
interaction with the Board during the year, to include their 
relationships with the Non-Executive Directors and levels  
of support received.

The resulting Board paper, and Board debate gave rise to  
a series of actions which were incorporated into the Board’s 
objectives for 2015. 

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 annually without the Chairman present to appraise  
the Chairman’s performance. There is also generally at least  
one meeting held each year between the Non-Executive 
Directors and the Chief Executive.

Diversity
The Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company  
to continue to bring women through to the top levels of the 
organisation and, as a result of this belief, a programme which 
was launched in 2012 to encourage more women to strive for  
the most senior positions in the business. Our gender reporting 
is now contained on page 31 of the Strategic Report.

Election and re-election of Directors
All of the Non-Executive Directors who will offer themselves  
for election or re-election at the Annual General Meeting are 
considered by the Board to be independent in character and 
judgement and to be free from any business or other relationship 
or circumstance which is likely to affect or to interfere with the 
exercise of their independent judgement.

Succession, development and evaluation
Whilst 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, nevertheless it intends  
to increase the focus on executive development and succession 
planning in 2015 and beyond. The Chief Executive meets with 
the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors in order that 
succession and development plans can be drawn up for 
Executive Directors and members of the Operating Board.

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 on all governance matters.

Evaluation
The performance of the Board, its Committees and of all Directors 
is evaluated annually by a formal and rigorous process. For the 
review relating to 2014, each Director responded to a questionnaire 
agreed between the Chairman and the Company Secretary, and 
independently rated the Board’s and its Committees’ performance 
against the objectives set at the beginning of the year. 

The Company’s articles of association require that all Directors 
must retire and seek election at the first AGM following 
appointment. Accordingly, Sandra Turner will resign as a Director 
and offer herself for election at the AGM to be held on 30 April 
2015. Furthermore, the Board has resolved that, in line with 
Governance Code provision B.7.1, all other Directors will be 
subject to annual re-election by shareholders.

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 and is in attendance at each  
of these committees, and each of the committees is provided 
with sufficient resources to undertake its duties.

The Audit Committee currently consists of four  
independent Non-Executive Directors: Allison Kirkby (Chair), 
Helena Ganczakowski, Peter McPhillips and Sandra Turner.  
The Committee met five times in the year, and a fuller report  
on its activities is set out on pages 43 to 47.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201441

The Remuneration Committee currently consists of four 
independent Non-Executive Directors: Sandra Turner (Chair), 
Helena Ganczakowski, Allison Kirkby and Peter McPhillips. The 
Committee’s main duties (which it discharged during the year)  
are set out within the Directors’ Remuneration Report which is set 
out on pages 48 to 63 of this Annual Report. This includes for 
information purposes the Board’s Policy on Remuneration, which 
was approved by shareholders at the AGM held on 1 May 2014.  
A separate Executive Director Committee, after discussion with 
the Chairman, sets the fees for the Non-Executive Directors  
so as to ensure that no Director is involved in setting his or her 
own remuneration. 

The Nominations Committee currently comprises Ian  
Durant (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 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 shortlist and conducts interviews. The final candidate  
is then subject to formal recommendation by the Committee  
and approval by the Board.

During the year the Committee recommended to the Board  
the appointment of Peter McPhillips and Sandra Turner as 
independent Non-Executive Directors. 

Throughout its activities, the Committee was supported by the 
Zygos Partnership.

Following appointment, new Directors are subject to an in- 
depth tailored induction process. In the case of Non-Executive 
Directors, this includes meeting with members of the Operating 
Board, visiting bakeries, shops and offices, and being provided 
with an extensive Board Handbook which contains key 
information and policies that are relevant to the position.  
For new Executive Directors, and Non-Executive Directors  
for whom the appointment is their first to a UK listed company, 
the induction includes details of the legal duties and obligations 
of being a director of such a company.

New Non-Executive Directors are also encouraged to provide 
formal feedback of their first months on the Greggs Board during 
a Board meeting.

Risk management
Details of the Company’s principal risks and the management  
of them are set out within the Strategic Report and given  
in pages 24 and 25.

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.

Relations with shareholders
The Board 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 and market analysts following these presentations.

The Chief Executive and the Finance Director carry out extensive 
engagement with institutional shareholders and market analysts, 
either meeting them as part of Company presentations and 
briefings, individual meetings, or on telephone calls. 

Following his appointment as Chairman on 15 May 2013,  
Ian Durant undertook to meet with a small number of significant 
institutional shareholders from time to time, and be accompanied 
by one of the other Non-Executive Directors. One conference  
call meeting was held in the year, when Ian was accompanied  
by Sandra Turner, following her appointment as Senior 
Independent Director on 1 May 2014, and Allison Kirkby,  
as Chair of the Audit Committee. 

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 Annual General Meeting (AGM) is well-attended and a short 
presentation of business performance is given to attendees by 
the Chief Executive (although no non-public sensitive information 
is shared). The Chairman and the Chairs of the Board 
Committees are available to answer any issues raised and any 
newly-appointed Directors being available to meet shareholders. 
During informal sessions both before and after the meeting, the 
Chairman and all Directors are available to meet with any of the 
60 or so individual private shareholders who are in attendance 
and who wish to ask questions. This is in addition to the 
opportunity given to shareholders to ask questions of the Board 
during the formal meeting, which session is always welcomed  
by those in attendance.

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. 
For the first time, at the AGM held on 1 May 2014, all resolutions 
were determined by poll, in accordance with best practice, and 
the Board has decided that this practice will continue.

The Senior Independent Director is available to shareholders  
if they have concerns which they have not been able to resolve 
through the normal channels of the Chairman, Chief Executive or 
Finance Director, or for circumstances where such contact would 
not be appropriate.

The Company provides on its website at www.greggs.co.uk  
a significant amount of information both about its customer 
offerings in the bakery food-on-the-go market, as well as 
detailed information on the governance arrangements.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201442

Governance 
continued

Disclosure of information to the auditor
Each of the Directors who held office at the date of approval  
of this Directors’ Report confirms that, so far as they are 
individually aware, there is no relevant audit information of which 
the Company’s auditor is unaware; and that they have taken all 
the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director to make 
themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to 
establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

By order of the Board

Jonathan D Jowett
Company Secretary

Greggs plc (CRN 502851) 
Fernwood House
Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1TL
4 March 2015 

Substantial shareholdings
At 3 March 2015 the only notified holdings of substantial voting 
rights in respect of the issued share capital of the Company (which 
may have altered since the date of such notification, without any 
requirement for the Company to have been informed) were:

FMR
Templeton Investment Counsel
Norges Bank

Number of 
shares held

5,200,200
5,059,689
4,041,681

Percentage 
of issued 
share capital

5.14
5.00
3.99

Accountability, audit and going concern
The Board acknowledges its responsibility to present a fair, 
balanced and understandable assessment of the Company’s 
position and prospects. In order to assist the Board to comply 
with the requirements within the Governance Code, the Audit 
Committee was requested to undertake an assessment of the 
Annual Report and to make a recommendation to the Board. 
This request has been enshrined within the Audit Committee’s 
terms of reference, which are available at: www.greggs.co.uk.

The actions undertaken by the Audit Committee in confirming  
its advice to the Board included the consideration of a detailed 
review that had been undertaken by Head of Business 
Assurance, and reviewing the Annual Report as a whole to 
confirm that it presents a fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment. In considering the advice of the Audit Committee 
and having reviewed the Annual Report including the contents  
of the Strategic Report on pages 02 to 35 together with the 
statutory accounts themselves, the Board duly considers the 
Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced 
and understandable, and provides the necessary information for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business 
model and strategy.

A statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the 
preparation of accounts is given on page 64. A statement  
of auditor’s responsibilities is given in the report of the auditor  
on page 67.

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 73. 

Additional Information
Details of the proposed dividend are set out on page 05,  
and additional information as required by law is set out  
on pages 97-98, and is incorporated by reference into the  
Directors’ Report.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
Audit Committee

43

I am satisfied that the activities  
of the Committee enable it to gain 
a good understanding of the key 
matters impacting the Company

Introduction
I am pleased to introduce the report of the Audit Committee  
for 2014.

The Committee plays an important part in the governance of  
the Company with its principal activities focused on the integrity  
of financial reporting, quality and effectiveness of internal and 
external audit, risk management and the system of internal control.

There have been a number of changes to the membership of  
the Audit Committee during 2014 as detailed below and we  
have worked hard to ensure that all new Committee members 
received appropriate induction and training.

I have set out below the main matters considered by the 
Committee during the year and the conclusions drawn.  
We meet formally at key times within our reporting calendar  
and the agendas for our meetings are designed to cover all 
significant areas of risk over the course of the year and to  
provide oversight and challenge to the key financial judgements, 
controls and processes that operate within the Company.

The Committee will continue to keep its activities under review in 
the light of regulatory developments and the emergence of best 
practice. In particular, the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code 
will take effect for the first time in our 2015 financial year and we 
expect there to be clarification of the UK implementation of the 
EU Directive and Regulation on statutory audit.

Overall I am satisfied that the activities of the Committee  
during the year enable it to gain a good understanding of the  
key matters impacting the Company along with oversight of  
the governance and operation of its key controls and ultimately  
to draw the conclusions set out in the report below.

Allison Kirkby
Chair of the Audit Committee

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201444

Audit Committee
continued

Meetings during the year
The Audit Committee met five times during the year. Details  
of Committee members’ attendance is given on page 39.

The Committee normally invites the Company Chairman,  
the Executive Directors, the Head of Business Assurance and 
the external auditor to attend its meetings. Time is set aside 
bi-annually for discussion with the external auditor and with the 
Head of Business Assurance, in each case in the absence of  
all Executive Directors. The Committee also has access to the 
Company’s management team and to its auditor and can seek 
further professional advice, at the Company’s cost, if required. 
The Chair has regular contact with the Finance Director  
and internal and external auditors, in addition to scheduled 
Committee meetings to ensure that emerging issues are 
addressed. She also has access to and, in 2014, met with  
a partner independent of the partner responsible for  
the audit.

Financial reporting
In 2014 the Audit Committee reviewed the 2013 Annual Report, 
interim results, preliminary results announcement and reports from 
the external auditor on the outcome of their reviews and audits.

During the year, and up to the date of this report, the Committee 
considered key accounting issues and judgements and related 
disclosures in the Group’s accounts. The significant areas  
of judgement considered by the Committee in relation to the 
accounts for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 are as follows:

Composition
The Audit Committee is comprised of the following:

Allison Kirkby (Chair)
Helena Ganczakowski (appointed 2 January 2014)
Peter McPhillips (appointed 10 March 2014)
Sandra Turner (appointed 1 May 2014)

It is the practice of the Company for all independent Non-
Executive Directors to serve as members of the Audit Committee. 
Helena Ganczakowski, Peter McPhillips and Sandra Turner were 
each appointed to the Committee when they joined the Board 
during the year on the dates shown above. Julie Baddeley and Iain 
Ferguson resigned from the Audit Committee when they stepped 
down from the Board on 1 May 2014.

Training is provided for new members of the Audit Committee  
by way of a thorough induction process which includes access 
to the external auditor, the Head of Business Assurance and 
relevant members of management.

The Directors’ biographies on pages 36 and 37 detail the 
Committee members’ previous experience. The Board considers 
that Allison Kirkby has recent and relevant financial experience 
and is confident that the collective experience of the members 
enables them to act effectively as an Audit Committee.

Role and responsibilities
The Terms of Reference of the Committee can be accessed at: 
corporate.greggs.co.uk/Investor centre/Corporate governance/
Company documents.

The key responsibilities of the Audit Committee are:

 – ensuring that the accounting and financial policies of the 

Company are proper and effective;

 – assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities  
by monitoring the integrity of the accounts and information 
published by the Company and reviewing significant financial 
judgements contained in them;

 – advising the Board on whether it believes the Annual Report 

and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary  
for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, 
business model and strategy;

 – reviewing the internal financial controls and the Group’s 

approach to risk management;

 – oversight of whistle-blowing arrangements;
 – monitoring compliance with the Listing Rules and the 

recommendations of the Governance Code;

 – oversight of the Company’s external and internal auditors  
and reviewing the effectiveness and objectivity of the audit 
process; and

 – reporting to the Board on how it has discharged  

its responsibilities.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201445

Area of focus

Asset impairment

Action taken

The accounts include asset impairment provisions made by assessing expected 
future cash flows. The results of the impairment reviews were presented by 
management to the Committee based on the following methodologies. For shop 
assets historic cash flows including attributable overheads are used as a base, 
with a 0 per cent growth rate and a discount rate of 10 per cent applied over an 
appropriate period based on the remaining lease term. For supply chain assets  
the potential net realisable value of the sites was considered. The total cumulative 
impairment held against assets on the balance sheet at the end of the year was 
£4,186,000 (2013: £5,796,000).

Accounting for onerous leases 

Onerous lease provisions have been made for shops which have been vacated, 
have been identified for closure or re-site or are under-performing. The key  
area of judgement in making this provision is the determination of the length  
of time it will take to find a suitable exit opportunity for each lease. The onerous  
lease provision held on the balance sheet at 3 January 2015 was £3,155,000 
(2013: £3,672,000).

Dilapidations 

Dilapidation provisions have been made on a lease by lease basis and are based 
on the Group’s best estimate of the likely committed cash flow. The balance  
held in respect of dilapidation provisions at the end of the year was £3,456,000 
(2013: £1,689,000).

Going concern

The accounts continue to be prepared on a going concern basis.

The Audit Committee considered the sensitivities of the assumptions used and 
assessed whether any reversal of impairment was indicated by improved trading in 
the impaired shops. It concluded that the impairment provisions were appropriate 
and that they reflected suitably the future plans of the business.

The Committee reviewed management’s assessment in respect of these leases 
and concluded that the assumptions made were appropriate.

The Committee reviewed management’s assessment of the need for dilapidation 
provisions and concluded that the principles applied were adequate.

Information provided by the Finance Director regarding future financial plans, risks 
and liquidity is presented to the Committee to enable them to determine whether 
the going concern basis of accounting remains appropriate. The Committee 
reviewed and challenged the assumptions used and concluded that the Board  
is able to make the Going Concern statement on page 42 of the Directors’ Report.

Accounting implications of planned investments in processes and systems

The Company is making a major investment in the next few years in new  
process and systems platforms which will result in the recognition of a  
significant intangible asset.

Understanding and treatment of exceptional items

The accounts include exceptional items in both the current and prior years.

The Company has reviewed its accounting policy in this area and ensured that  
a clear framework is in place to classify items that are capital in nature correctly. 
The Committee has reviewed this framework and has established that the 
principles are sound and the correct approach is being adopted by management. 
The Committee also reviewed the amortisation rates that will be applied to the 
investment and the point at which amortisation will commence.

The Committee considered the accounting requirements of IAS1 relating to the 
separate disclosure of material items of income or expense together with the FRC’s 
guidance on the subject with reference to the costs arising as a result of the strategic 
review announced in 2013 and the restructuring of in-store bakeries and support 
operations announced at the start of 2014. The Committee sought to ensure that  
the treatment followed consistent principles and that reporting is suitably clear.
The Committee gave careful consideration to the judgements made in the separate 
disclosure of non-underlying items, both in respect of events occurring in 2014 and 
also changes in circumstance in respect of provisions relating to events from prior 
years. It concluded that separate disclosure should be made of items of expenditure 
incurred in 2014 relating to the restructuring activity and additional costs incurred  
in relation to the closure of Greggs moment stores in 2013.

Accounting for defined benefit pension schemes

The determination of the defined benefit obligation depends on the selection of 
certain assumptions including the discount rate, inflation rate and mortality rates. 
The net liability held in relation to the defined benefit pension scheme at the end  
of 2014 was £8,518,000 (2013: net asset of £55,000).

Pension scheme liabilities are assessed on behalf of the Company by independent 
actuaries. The Committee assesses the underlying assumptions to ensure that 
they are appropriate and also discusses the appropriateness of the assumptions 
with the external auditor.

Accounting for supplier incentives 

Supplier incentives and volume rebates are received routinely in the normal  
course of the business. Given the well-publicised accounting issues at other  
retail businesses, the Committee carried out a review of the Company’s practice  
in this area. The Company receives around £6 million per annum in rebates and 
supplier funding.

The Committee considered a report detailing the Company’s accounting treatment 
of supplier incentives provided by the Finance Director together with a report from 
the Head of Business Assurance who made this a key area of focus during the year. 
The Committee is satisfied that the Company’s accounting treatment in respect  
of supplier incentives is appropriate and prudent.

Fair, balanced and understandable

The Committee is responsible for advising the Board on whether  
it believes the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair,  
balanced and understandable.

The Committee received a report from the Head of Business Assurance who  
is not involved in the preparation of the annual report and accounts and who 
conducted an independent review of it. The following factors were considered 
during the course of this review:
 – Ensuring that all the statements are consistent with one another;
 –  Verifying that figures in the narrative sections are consistent with the relevant 

financial detail;

 – Identifying any duplication of information;
 – Confirming that ‘bad news’ is included, as well as ‘good news’; and
 – Highlighting any inappropriate use of technical language or jargon.
The Audit Committee considered the feedback from this report when making  
its recommendation to the Board regarding fair, balanced and understandable.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201446

Audit Committee
continued

Financial reporting continued
The Committee also considered other key accounting issues  
and related disclosures in the Group’s accounts as follows: 

 – whether any changes in accounting policy were required 

following changes in the business or in legislation;

 – whether the Company’s tax policy remains appropriate;
 – the impact of changes in accounting standards and their 

relevance, if any, to the Company; and

 – reports from the Company Secretary and Finance Director 

which assess the Company’s compliance with Listing Rules.

External audit
Retendering the external audit
During the year the Committee carried out a comprehensive 
tender exercise for the provision of external audit services. 
Careful consideration was given to the firms to be invited to 
tender, following which the Committee decided that the only 
firms with the local capability to undertake the audit were the 
‘Big Four’. PricewaterhouseCoopers had been engaged by  
the Company in a consultancy role which created a conflict of 
interest and so were unable to participate in the tender process. 
Consequently Ernst & Young, Deloitte and the incumbent auditor, 
KPMG, were invited to join the tender process. 

All three firms met the Chief Executive, the Chair of the Audit 
Committee, the Executive Directors and key senior managers 
within the business and were also given access to relevant 
Company information. The three firms submitted formal 
proposals which were evaluated along with the feedback from 
the individual meetings and two of the firms were invited to make 
presentations to a selection panel comprising the Chair of the 
Audit Committee and another Committee member, the Finance 
Director, the Head of Business Assurance and several senior 
finance managers. The presentations were scored against 
pre-determined parameters. The panel concluded that KPMG 
had the stronger proposal and that it would recommend to the 
Board that KPMG be retained as auditor. 

The Committee continues to monitor legislative and best  
practice changes in this area, in particular the UK Government 
and the Financial Reporting Council’s responses to the recent 
EU Directive and Regulation on statutory audit.

KPMG has been the Company’s auditor for more than 20 years 
and the transitional rules in the EU Directive require an initial 
change of audit firms no later than 2020. Having reappointed 
KPMG in 2014 the Committee expects to change audit firms  
in accordance with the requirements of the EU Directive. The 
Committee will continue to consider annually whether to conduct 
an audit tender for audit quality or independence reasons.

Assessing external audit effectiveness
The Audit Committee discussed and agreed the scope of the 
audit with the external auditor and agreed their fees in respect  
of the audit. 

The Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the external audit. 
It considered the results of external quality inspections of KPMG 
by the Audit Quality Review Team. It sought feedback from 
senior management, by way of a detailed questionnaire, in 
respect of the effectiveness of the audit process with particular 
reference to audit planning and design and audit execution.

The Committee also considered the effectiveness of the audit 
through the reporting from and communications with the auditor 
and an assessment of the auditor’s approach to key areas of 
judgement and any errors identified during the course of the audit.

The Committee concluded that the audit was effective and that 
the relationship and effectiveness of the external auditor be kept 
under review. 

Appointing the auditor and safeguards on non-audit services 
It is the responsibility of the Committee to monitor the 
independence and objectivity of the external auditor (including 
the impact of any non-audit work undertaken by it) and its 
suitability for re-appointment. 

The Company has a formal policy to ensure that the provision  
of non-audit services by the external auditor for non-audit work 
does not compromise the auditor’s independence or objectivity. 
Consequently all use of the external auditor 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 per cent  
of the audit fee. In circumstances where such non-audit fees  
are significant relative to the audit fee an explanation would be 
provided in the subsequent Audit Committee Report. In addition, 
the Audit Committee ensures that the external auditor has its 
own policies and is subject to professional standards designed 
to safeguard its independence as auditor.

The Audit Committee has reviewed whether, and is satisfied that, 
the Company’s auditor, KPMG, continues to be objective and 
independent of the Company. KPMG does perform non-audit 
services for the Group but the Audit Committee is satisfied  
that its objectivity is not impaired by such work. The Committee 
has decided to await the outcome of the UK Government’s 
consultation and resulting legislation governing such work before 
deciding whether it is appropriate for KPMG to be considered  
to carry out any non-audit work once such legislation is in place.

In 2014, non-audit fees paid to KPMG and related KPMG 
operations amounted to £58,000 (which is 41 per cent of  
the audit fee for the year) and principally related to taxation  
services and pension scheme audits. 

Appointment of auditor 
At the 2014 AGM KPMG Audit Plc was appointed as auditor of 
the Company. KPMG Audit Plc has advised the Company that, 
due to an internal reorganisation, it has decided to wind down its 
audit business and transfer it to KPMG LLP. KPMG Audit Plc has 
notified the Company that it is not seeking reappointment at the 
AGM and accordingly a resolution for the appointment of KPMG 
LLP will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM.

Risk management and internal control
Internal Control
The Committee reviewed the Company’s internal control environment 
to satisfy itself that procedures are in place to ensure that assets 
are well-protected, authority levels for expenditure are clear, 
segregation of duties exists and performance is regularly 
monitored. Processes are in place to ensure that key controls  
are being operated and compliance with these processes is the 
subject of inspection by the Internal Audit team and review by the 
Audit Committee. 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201447

Action taken

The Committee considered the proposed disclosure of principal risks and 
uncertainties within the Annual Report which had resulted from the Risk 
Committee’s review of the risks facing the Company. The Committee 
recommended that some of the risks previously disclosed be removed  
from the disclosure as they were no longer considered sufficiently serious  
to merit disclosure.

A detailed report was produced, based on discussions with a range of  
managers from across the business. A summary was presented to the 
Committee, to confirm that all relevant issues had been identified and  
actions taken were appropriate.

The Committee reviewed the output from the Retail Audit team to gain  
assurance that controls were in place to manage the Company’s exposure  
to food safety risks. 

The Committee considered the Group’s contingency arrangements, including 
documentation and testing of plans. Third party assurance was obtained from  
the Company’s insurers through site inspections.

Whistle-blowing
There were 11 events in the year, relating to complaints about 
individual treatment by line management, product theft and 
non-compliance with procedures. The events were reported 
either directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee by telephone 
or email, or came in via another external route. In each case the 
issues were investigated, a judgement was made and action 
taken by senior management, supported by Business Assurance 
and with an appropriate level of discretion. The outcome of all 
matters was reported to the Audit Committee during the year.

Risk Management Process
The Audit Committee undertakes a review of the risk management 
process in the Group at least annually. This process is detailed  
on page 26, and was reviewed by the Committee to determine  
the appropriateness of the process in light of the risks identified. 
The key areas that the Committee has considered are as follows:

Area of focus

Review of Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Structural change and impact on employee relations

Food safety

Loss of major production site

Internal audit
The work of the Internal Audit function is set out in more detail 
within the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section on pages  
24 and 25 of this Annual Report. The team is led by the Head  
of Business Assurance, supported by the Risk Manager and  
16 auditors, the majority of whom work across the retail estate  
to provide assurance over the Company’s retail operations.  
The Audit Committee approves the annual plan for the team  
and monitors progress against that plan. The effectiveness  
of the Internal Audit team and its level of resource are reviewed 
by the Committee at least annually.

Committee effectiveness
Each year the Committee reviews critically its own performance 
and considers where improvements can be made. 

Allison Kirkby
Chair of the Audit Committee
4 March 2015

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201448

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

As Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee I am pleased to present 
our Directors’ Remuneration Report 
for the 53 weeks ended  
3 January 2015

Performance in 2014 and incentive payments
The Company performed very well against its financial targets  
as described in the Financial Review on pages 20 and 21.  
Against the targets set at the beginning of the year, profit and 
sales performance resulted in 100 per cent of the maximum 
potential being payable under these elements of the bonus 
scheme. There was an equally strong performance with regards  
to the strategic objectives that were set. Our step change 
programme continues in line with expectation with savings being 
realised; the implementation of our new IT systems platform has 
made good progress with key projects delivering significant 
returns in 2014 and our return on investment in our refit shops 
delivered significantly above target. Accordingly there is also  
a 100 per cent bonus payment against the strategic element. 
Overall, annual bonuses representing 125 per cent and 90 per 
cent of salary will be payable to the Chief Executive and other 
Executive Directors respectively. The Committee is satisfied that 
this level of bonus reflects the exceptional financial and strategic 
performance during the year. 

Any element of the bonus earned above 50 per cent of the 
maximum will be paid in shares for the Chief Executive and 
Executive Directors subject to a two-year holding period. 

Under the Performance Share Plan, awards made in March 2012 
are due to vest in March 2015. These awards are based on EPS 
growth over the three years to the end of 2014 and relative total 
shareholder return (TSR) against a comparator group. The EPS 
performance condition measured to the 2014 financial year end 
has not been achieved. At the time of writing it is not clear 
whether the TSR condition will be achieved or not, as the 
calculation is made immediately prior to vesting in April 2015.  
For the purpose of calculating remuneration payable we have 
assumed a threshold vesting under the TSR element, which is 
reflective of the current level of performance.

Annual statement 
As Chair of the Remuneration Committee and on behalf of your 
Board, I am pleased to present our Directors’ Remuneration 
Report for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015, my first report 
following my appointment as Chair in May 2014. 

The Annual Report on Remuneration will be subject to an advisory 
shareholder resolution at the Company’s Annual General Meeting 
on 30 April 2015. Our Directors’ remuneration policy was approved 
by shareholders at our AGM on 1 May 2014 and became effective 
for three years from that date. We have set out our policy again  
to allow cross-reference against its operation during the year.

Business strategy and link to remuneration policy
Following a strategic review of the business in 2013 our 
remuneration policy was adjusted so that from 2014 the 
performance conditions for Directors’ incentives complemented  
the new strategy.

Our annual bonus provides a strong link to the operational 
delivery of the business strategy. The Performance Share Plan 
focuses the Executive Directors on the longer-term outputs of 
that strategy, by rewarding sustained improvements in earnings 
per share and long-term return on capital employed.

As outlined in the Chairman’s Statement and Chief Executive’s 
Report, we have had a year of outstanding performance, leading  
to record-breaking profits. Despite only being in year one of our 
change programme these results are very encouraging. Although 
2015 will be a year of further change, we have started the year  
well and I believe this remuneration policy will support the business 
in delivering continued progress and good financial results. 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201449

Regulatory framework
The policy report has been prepared in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) and The Large 
and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (the Regulations). It also 
meets the requirements of the UK Listing Authority’s Listing Rules.

The policy has been developed taking into account the principles 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2012 and the views  
of our major shareholders. The policy was subject to a binding 
shareholder vote at the 2014 AGM, and took formal effect from 
that date.

The annual statement by the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee and the Annual Report on Remuneration will be 
subject to an advisory vote at the 2015 AGM.

The Regulations also require our auditor to report to shareholders 
on the audited information within this Remuneration Report and 
to state whether, in their opinion, the relevant sections have been 
prepared in accordance with the Act and the Regulations. The 
auditor’s opinion is set out on pages 65 to 67 and we have indicated 
appropriately the audited sections of this Remuneration Report.

Remuneration policy report (as approved by shareholders 
on 1 May 2014)
Our Directors’ remuneration policy was approved by shareholders 
at our AGM on 1 May 2014 and became effective for three years 
from that date. We have set out our policy again in this year’s report 
to enable cross-reference against its operation during the year.

The Company’s remuneration policy is to continue to provide 
competitive remuneration packages that will incentivise 
Executive Directors to achieve sustainable long-term growth  
and value that will best serve the interests of the Company,  
its shareholders, its employees and customers. 

Decisions taken by the Committee in 2014
In 2013 the Committee conducted a full review of the annual 
bonus and Performance Share Plan in order to support the new 
business strategy and prepared the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report for the new disclosure regulations. During 2014 the 
business conducted by the Committee related primarily to the 
more usual standing items, including the determination of base 
salary levels and performance conditions for the annual bonus 
and the 2014 Performance Share Plan awards.

Approach for 2015 
The Committee has reviewed the operation of our remuneration 
policy for 2015 and has concluded that the policy should be 
implemented on an unchanged basis.

The Chairman’s fee has been reviewed as planned following his 
appointment, and has been increased to a broadly mid-market 
level for a company of our size and type. The salary increase for 
Executive Directors was 2.4 per cent. This was in line with the 
average increase for the workforce generally. Increase in salaries 
and fees took effect from 1 January 2015.

Targets for the 2015 annual bonus have been set in line with the 
financial plan for the business for the year and the rolling five-year 
strategic plan. Due to the commercial sensitivity of these they are 
not disclosed within this report, but will be disclosed 
retrospectively in next year’s report.

Under the Performance Share Plan the Committee has 
considered the performance conditions and has determined that 
the EPS and ROCE performance conditions should continue to 
apply with an equal weighting given to each. Following a review 
of our business performance against the strategic plan, both the 
EPS and ROCE target ranges have been increased for the 2015 
awards, so as to ensure they remain appropriately stretching.

The Committee remains mindful of ongoing developments  
in executive remuneration best practice and the views  
of our shareholders and actively welcomes feedback on  
our remuneration policy and its implementation. 

We believe that our policy continues to deliver a robust link 
between reward and performance and is aligned with our strategic 
goal of delivering long-term sustainable shareholder value. We look 
forward to receiving your continued support at this year’s AGM.

Sandra Turner
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
50

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Key aspects of the remuneration policy for Executive Directors
The policy for the remuneration of the Executive Directors is set out in the table below:

Element 

Purpose and strategy  Operation

Base salary 

To attract and retain high 
calibre individuals in order 
to promote the long-term 
success of the business.

Reviewed and set annually in January.

Benchmarked periodically by the Committee against the remuneration levels  
for executives in similar roles in companies of a comparable size. Individual 
performance and contribution is recognised in setting salary levels.

Benefits 

To support a competitive 
remuneration package in 
the marketplace.

Benefits include provision of a Company car (or cash in lieu), private medical 
health care, life assurance and permanent health insurance.

Salaries are paid monthly in cash.

Pension 

To support a competitive 
remuneration package  
in the marketplace.

Annual bonus 
(including profit 
share) 

To incentivise achievement 
of annual targets and 
objectives consistent with 
the short to medium-term 
strategic needs of the 
business, so as to 
encourage sustainable 
growth in the Company’s 
operating profits. 

Performance 
Share Plan

To incentivise long-term 
value creation, retention  
of our talent and ensure 
alignment of Executive 
Directors’ and 
shareholders’ interests.

Executive Directors can elect to either:

–  participate in the Company defined contribution pension scheme (up to a cap). 

Above the cap Executive Directors receive a salary supplement; or

–  take cash in lieu of this contribution paid as a supplement to their salary  

on a monthly basis.

The Executive Directors are able to make this choice on an annual basis.  
The remuneration adjustment is disclosed later in this report.

The bonus will be based on a mix of business KPIs, with operating profit being 
the largest component of the mix of metrics and this will not be less than 50 per 
cent of the overall mix. 

Targets for each metric are set in advance and in line with business planning 
objectives set by the Committee.

Each Executive Director is entitled to participate in the Company’s profit sharing 
scheme available to all employees. The value of this is then deducted from their 
annual bonus and is subject to the individual cap.

The Committee will use appropriate underpins for any non-profit based element 
of the annual bonus such that payment under these elements may be scaled 
back (potentially to zero), at the discretion of the Committee, in the event that  
the operating profit performance for the year is judged to be running significantly 
below that required for the achievement of the long-term strategy.

Any bonus paid in excess of 50 per cent of the maximum will be payable  
in shares, deferred for two years with vesting subject to continued service.

The dividends payable on deferred bonus shares are paid to the individual as they 
fall due.

Recovery and withholding provisions allow the Company to recoup annual bonus 
payments within three years in the event of misstatement of performance, error or 
misconduct, where this has led to an overpayment in the view of the Committee. 
There is a flexible mechanism which allows the Company to withhold outstanding 
deferred or future remuneration, or recover the overpayment direct from the 
individual concerned.

Awards are granted under the PSP annually at the discretion of the Committee.

Performance conditions will be based on an equal split of two different financial 
measures, EPS and ROCE (for discrete parts of an award). Targets will be set  
for each metric which reflect the strategic plan and business outlook over the 
respective performance period. The mix may alter for future awards and/or 
different metrics, such as TSR, may be used. Performance will be measured  
over a three-year period with an additional mandatory holding period of two  
years for the vested shares (net of tax).

Recovery and withholding provisions allow the Company to recoup vested 
Performance Share awards within three years in the event of misstatement  
of performance, error or misconduct, where this has led to an overpayment  
in the view of the Committee. There is a flexible mechanism which allows  
the Company to withhold outstanding deferred or future remuneration,  
or recover the overpayment direct from the individual concerned. 

Maximum opportunity

Key reference points for salary 
increases are market and 
economic conditions and,  
in line with our values, the 
approach to employee pay 
throughout the organisation.

No maximum limit is prescribed 
particularly as the cost of 
providing insured benefits 
fluctuates over time. However, 
the Committee monitors on 
an annual basis the overall 
cost of the benefit provision.

Up to 22.5 per cent of base 
salary contribution for the 
Chief Executive and up to  
15 per cent of base salary  
for other Executive Directors.

Capped at 125 per cent of 
base salary for the Chief 
Executive and 90 per cent  
of base salary for other 
Executive Directors.

On target performance 
delivers a bonus of 60 per 
cent of the maximum.

No more than 25 per cent  
of the bonus opportunity is 
payable under each element 
for threshold performance.

90 per cent of base salary  
for Chief Executive and 70 per 
cent of base salary for other 
Executive Directors. 

120 per cent of base salary  
in exceptional circumstances.

Threshold vesting at 25 per 
cent of the maximum.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201451

Maximum opportunity

Executives may enter into  
a contract to save up to the 
maximum allowed under 
HMRC guidelines.

Element 

Purpose and strategy  Operation

Saving Related 
Share Option 
Scheme
(SAYE)

To encourage employees  
at all levels within the 
Company to understand 
better and so participate  
in the growth in value of  
the Company.

Share retention 
guidelines

To further align the interests 
of Executive Directors to 
those of shareholders.

No performance conditions have been attached to options granted pursuant  
to the Company’s SAYE Scheme, which is available for all employees.

The rules of that scheme require that all options granted must be on the  
same terms.

The Chief Executive is required to build up a shareholding of 150 per cent  
of base salary within five years of appointment. 

n/a

Other Executive Directors are required to build up a shareholding of 100 per cent  
of their respective base salaries within a five-year period.

This is achieved through vested awards granted via the PSP and deferred  
bonus shares.

Executive Share Option Scheme
The Committee is responsible for overseeing the operation of all the share-based incentives deployed in the Company. The 2014 
Company Share Option Plan and the 2014 Executive Share Option Scheme were approved by shareholders at the 2014 AGM. 

Choice of performance measures and approach to target setting 
The annual bonus is based on performance against a range of financial and strategic performance measures. This range of metrics 
measures achievement of the Company’s key operational objectives. The Committee reviews the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) each 
year and varies them as appropriate to reflect the priorities for the business in the year ahead. A sliding scale of targets is set for each 
KPI to encourage continuous improvement, or sustained high levels of performance. 

The PSP is based on an equal split of EPS and ROCE performance. EPS, which is a direct measure of profit performance, is our 
primary long-term KPI. ROCE is considered to be particularly relevant at the current time as this will focus Executives on re-deploying 
capital efficiently through the planned investment programme, whilst continuing to create returns well above the WACC. The relative mix 
of the performance measures may be altered for future awards.

A sliding scale of challenging performance targets is set for each measure. The Committee will review the choice of performance 
measures and the appropriateness of the performance targets prior to each PSP award. The Committee has discretion to set different 
targets for future awards. The targets for awards granted under this remuneration policy are set out for shareholder approval in the 
Annual Report on Remuneration.

Policy discretion
The Committee will operate incentive plans in accordance with their respective rules, the Listing Rules and HMRC rules where relevant. 
The Committee, consistent with market practice, retains discretion over a number of areas relating to the operation and administration 
of certain plan rules. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

 – who participates; 
 – the timing of the grant of award and/or payment;
 – the size of an award (up to plan/policy limits) and/or a payment;
 – the result indicated by the relative TSR performance condition may be scaled back (potentially to zero) in the event that the 

Committee considers that financial performance has been unsatisfactory and/or the outcome has been distorted due to the TSR  
for the Company or any comparator company being considered abnormal;

 – discretion relating to the measurement of performance in the event of a change of control or reconstruction;
 – determination of a good leaver (in addition to any specified categories) for incentive plan purposes and the treatment of leavers;
 – adjustments required in certain circumstances (e.g. rights issues, corporate restructuring and special dividends); and
 – the ability to adjust existing performance conditions for exceptional events so that they can still fulfil their original purpose.

Legacy arrangements
For the avoidance of doubt, in approving this policy report, authority is given to the Company to honour any commitments entered into 
with current or former Directors (such as the payment of a pension or the unwinding of legacy share schemes) that have been disclosed 
to shareholders in previous Remuneration Reports. Details of any of these payments to former Directors will be set out in the annual 
report on remuneration as they arise.

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 are set, 
after consultation with the Chairman, by a committee of the Board consisting only of the Executive Directors. The fees payable to the 
Chairman are set by the Remuneration Committee.

These fees are reviewed and set annually in December and implemented from 1 January. 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
52

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Element 

Purpose and strategy  Operation

Non-Executive 
Chairman and 
Directors’ fees

To attract and retain high 
quality and experienced 
Non-Executive Chairman 
and Directors.

The Chairman is paid an all-encompassing fee.

Non-Executives Directors are paid a basic fee and the Chairman of the Main 
Board Committees and the Senior Independent Director (SID) are paid an 
additional fee to reflect their additional responsibilities. Where the SID role  
is combined with that of chairing a Committee then only one fee is paid.

Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for pension scheme membership,  
bonus or incentive arrangements.

Maximum opportunity

There is no prescribed 
maximum.

Non-Executive Directors are appointed subject to the Company’s articles of association, retiring and seeking election at the first AGM 
after appointment. Thereafter, every Director will be subject to annual re-election by shareholders. The Nominations Committee advises 
the Board as to whether Directors 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 offer themselves for election or re-election, 
or if not re-appointed at such time.

The following table shows the effective date of appointment for each Non-Executive Director:

Non-Executive Director

Ian Durant
Allison Kirkby
Helena Ganczakowski
Peter McPhillips
Sandra Turner

Original date of appointment

5 October 2011
30 January 2013
2 January 2014
10 March 2014
1 May 2014

Non-Executive Directors are appointed on an understanding that the appointment will last for six years, but without any commitment  
by either party.

Difference in remuneration policy across the Group 
The remuneration policy for the Executive Directors is designed having regard to the policy for employees across the Group as a whole.

There are differences in salary levels and in the levels of potential reward depending upon seniority and responsibility, although a key 
reference point for executive salary increases is the average increase across the general workforce. A higher proportion of the Executive 
Directors’ remuneration package is delivered through performance-related pay and in share-based form, which provide a good link  
to long-term Company performance.

All employees, with one year’s service or more, may participate in the SAYE schemes and in the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) that are run 
annually. Under the SAYE scheme, at the end of a three-year saving period, employees can buy Greggs shares at a discounted rate. 

With the SIP, all employees may purchase Company shares from pre-tax salary subject to HMRC limits. 

After six months’ service all employees are eligible to participate in the profit sharing scheme in which all employees share 10 per cent 
of our profits. 

The Committee does not currently consult with employees on Directors’ pay policy, although the Committee will keep this under review. 

Policy on recruitment remuneration
The Committee will aim to set a new Executive Director’s remuneration package in line with the Company’s approved policy at the time 
of appointment. The Committee will take into account, in arriving at a total package and in considering the quantum for each element  
of the package, the skills and experience of the candidate, the market rate for a candidate of that experience as well as the importance 
of securing the best available candidate. 

Annual bonus and PSP awards will not exceed the policy maxima (not including any arrangements to replace forfeited deferred pay). 
Participation in the annual bonus plan and PSP will normally be pro-rated for the year of joining. The Committee may make one-off 
additional cash and/or share-based awards as it deems appropriate, and if the circumstances so demand to take account of deferred 
pay forfeited by an Executive on leaving a previous employer. Awards to replace deferred pay forfeited would, where possible, reflect the 
nature of awards forfeited in terms of delivery mechanism (cash or shares), time horizons, attributed expected value and performance 
conditions. Other payments may be made in relation to relocation expenses and other incidental expenses as appropriate.

In the case of an internal appointment, any variable pay element awarded in respect of the prior role would be allowed to pay out 
according to its terms and any other ongoing remuneration obligations existing prior to appointment would continue.

For the appointment of a new Chairman or Non-Executive Director, the fee arrangement would be set in accordance with the approved 
remuneration policy at that time. 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201453

Service contracts and policy on cessation
Executive Directors’ service contracts contain the following remuneration-related aspects:

Provision 

Remuneration 

Detailed terms 

–  salary, pension and benefits;
–  company car or cash allowance;
–  private medical health care for the Director;
–  permanent health insurance;
–   participation in annual bonus and profit share (subject to scheme rules);
–   participation in long-term incentive schemes or similar arrangements (subject to scheme rules); and
–  life assurance.

Notice period

–   Chief Executive’s contract is terminable on 12 months’ notice served by either the Company or the Director;
–   other Executive Directors’ service contracts are terminable on 12 months’ notice served by the Company or by six 

Termination payment

months’ notice served by the Director; and

–   any future Executive Directors’ service contracts will be terminable on 12 months’ notice served by either party.

–   payment in lieu of notice equal to any unexpired notice of termination given by either party; and 
–  payment in lieu shall not include:
  –  any bonus payment;
  –   any payment in respect of benefits which the Director would have been entitled to receive; and
  –   any payment in respect of any holiday entitlement that would have accrued during the period for which the 

payment in lieu is made.

Details of the circumstances in which the Committee has the ability to exercise discretion with regards to termination 
payments are set out below.

The Company’s policy is that current Executive Directors’ service contracts do not have a specific duration but may be terminated  
with 12 months’ notice from the Company and six months notice from the Executive Director. Any future Executive Directors’ service 
contracts will be terminable on 12 months’ notice served by either party. Under their service contracts the Executive Directors are 
entitled to salary, pension contributions and benefits for their notice period save where a payment in lieu is to be made. The Company 
would seek to ensure that any payment is mitigated by use of phased payments and offset against earnings elsewhere in the event  
that an Executive Director finds alternative employment during his notice period. There are no contractual provisions in force other  
than those set out above that impact any termination payment. 

Areas where the Committee can exercise discretion with regards to termination payments:

 – annual bonus may be payable pro-rated for that part of the year worked;
 – any unvested awards held under the deferred annual bonus will normally lapse at cessation unless the individual is leaving for certain 
reasons (defined under the plan as death, injury, ill-health, disability, redundancy, retirement, his office or employment being with 
either a company which ceases to be a Group member or relating to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a person 
who is not a Group member, a change of control or any other reason the Committee so decides). In these circumstances unvested 
awards will normally vest at the cessation (unless the Committee decides they should vest at the normal vesting date);

 – any unvested awards held under the PSP will lapse at cessation, unless the individual is leaving in the circumstances set out above 
for the deferred annual bonus. In these circumstances, unvested awards will normally vest at the normal vesting date (unless the 
Committee decides they should vest at cessation) subject to performance conditions being met and scaling back in respect of actual 
service as a proportion of the total vesting period (unless the Committee decides that scaling back is inappropriate); and

 – the Committee may agree to payment of disbursements such as legal costs and outplacement services if appropriate and depending 

on the circumstances of cessation.

The table below sets out the details of the Executive Directors’ service contracts:

Director

Roger Whiteside
Raymond Reynolds
Richard Hutton

Date of contract

4 February 2013
18 December 2006
7 April 2006

The service contracts are available for inspection during normal business hours at the Company’s registered office, and are available  
for inspection at the AGM.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201454

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Expected value of the proposed annual remuneration package for Executive Directors 
The following charts indicate the level of remuneration payable to Executive Directors in 2015 based on policy at ‘minimum’ 
remuneration, remuneration in line with ‘on target’ Company performance and the maximum remuneration available (‘Stretch’). 

Chief Executive – Roger Whiteside

£1,242,428

18%

31%

51%

£633,804

100%

£1,724,256

26%

37%

37%

Minimum

On target

Stretch

£1,800,000
£1,600,000
£1,400,000
£1,200,000
£1,000,000
£800,000
£600,000
£400,000
£200,000
£0

PSP

Bonus

Fixed Remuneration

Finance Director – Richard Hutton

£596,765

17%

26%

57%

£338,901

100%

£811,169

26%

32%

42%

Minimum

On target

Stretch

£900,000
£800,000
£700,000
£600,000
£500,000
£400,000
£300,000
£200,000
£100,000
£0

PSP

Bonus

Fixed Remuneration

Retail Director – Raymond Reynolds

£537,927

17%

26%

57%

£307,567

100%

£729,462

26%

32%

42%

Minimum

On target

Stretch

£800,000

£700,000

£600,000

£500,000

£400,000

£300,000

£200,000

£100,000

£0

PSP

Bonus

Fixed Remuneration

Assumptions used in the charts 
Minimum remuneration assumes no award is earned under the annual bonus plan and no vesting is achieved under the PSP.
On target remuneration assumes 60 per cent of the maximum is earned under the annual bonus plan and 50 per cent vesting is achieved under the PSP. 
Maximum remuneration assumes full vesting under the annual bonus plan and PSP.
Base salary levels as at 1 January 2015.
The value of taxable benefits is based on the cost of supplying those benefits (as disclosed) for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015.
Share price movement and dividend accrual have been excluded.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201455

Shareholder engagement
The Committee considers shareholder feedback received in relation to the AGM each year and otherwise from time to time.  
This feedback is then considered as part of the Company’s annual review of remuneration policy.

The Committee engages pro-actively with shareholders, and takes their views seriously. When any material changes are made to  
the remuneration policy, the Committee Chair will inform major shareholders of these in advance, and will offer to attend a meeting  
with those shareholders to discuss any concerns they may have.

Details of votes cast for and against the resolution to approve last year’s Remuneration Report during the year are provided in the 
Annual Report on Remuneration.

External appointments 
Executive Directors may take up one Non-Executive Directorship outside of the Company subject to the Board’s approval and provided 
that such an appointment is not likely to lead to a conflict of interest. It is recognised that this can support a Director’s development  
and enhance experience as well as benefit the Company. Executive Directors will be entitled to retain the fees of such an appointment. 

Annual Report on Remuneration
Implementation of our policy in 2015
The section below summarises the implementation of our Remuneration Policy for 2015.

Base salaries
The annual base salaries for the Executive Directors are: 

Director

Roger Whiteside
Richard Hutton
Raymond Reynolds

Pension contribution 
The pension contribution rates are:

Roger Whiteside
Raymond Reynolds
Richard Hutton

Salary as at 
1 January 
2014

Salary as at 
1 January 

2015 % Increase

£495,300 £507,187 
£282,944 £289,734
£252,472 £258,531

2.4%
2.4%
2.4%

22.5% (cash in lieu)
14% (cash in lieu)
13%

Annual bonus
For 2015 the performance conditions will provide a strong link between bonus payments and our business strategy. 

Profit

50 per cent of total

Bonus metrics

Sales

20 per cent of total

This will be based on meeting and exceeding 
budget for the year

Based on own shop like-for-like sales  
excluding any additional shops opened during  
the bonus year

Strategic Objectives

30 per cent of total

Detailed below

The strategic objectives for each bonus cycle will be based on measures which will provide a strong link to future value creation. For the 
2015 bonus the two strategic objectives, relating to 30 per cent of the bonus opportunity, will be: 

(i) 10 per cent based on the successful execution of the 2015 shop refit programme – measured by refit cash return on investment; and 
(ii) 20 per cent based on cost savings achieved through combined operational efficiencies and the process and systems change project. 

Sliding scales will be set where possible.

There will be an underpin to the sales and strategic objectives elements of the bonus whereby any payment under these elements may 
be scaled back (potentially to zero) at the discretion of the Committee, in the event that the profit performance for the year is judged to 
be running significantly below that required for the achievement of the long-term strategy.

The Committee has chosen not to disclose, in advance, the performance targets for the forthcoming year as these include items which 
the Committee considers to be commercially sensitive. Retrospective disclosure of the targets and performance against them will be 
made in next year’s Annual Report on Remuneration. 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201456

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

2015 PSP Award
Performance conditions will be based on an equal split of two different financial measures, EPS and ROCE (for discrete parts of  
an award). Targets have been set for each metric which reflect the strategic plan and business outlook over the performance period. 
Both the EPS and ROCE ranges have been increased for 2015 to ensure that they remain appropriately stretching, without encouraging 
undue risk taking.*

For 2015 awards the Committee has considered the Company’s business plan and the target ranges will be as follows:

The EPS performance condition will require average annual growth of RPI +1 per cent to +7 per cent over three years from the 2014 
financial year end.

The ROCE condition will require average annual ROCE over the three-year performance period (2015, 2016 and 2017) to be in the range 
19.0 per cent to 21.5 per cent.

In both cases 25 per cent of an award will vest on achieving threshold performance and thereafter straight-line sliding scales will apply 
until stretch performance is achieved.

In order to improve alignment of interest between Executives and shareholders further, a holding period will be attached to vested PSP 
awards granted in the policy period, requiring the vested shares to be held (net of tax) for a further two years.

* EPS and ROCE are measured excluding exceptional items.

Non-Executive Directors’ fees
The Remuneration Committee has reviewed the fee level for the Chairman, as planned following his appointment. Following this review 
the Chairman’s fee for 2015 has been increased from £131,405 to £155,000. This is considered to be broadly a mid-market level of fee 
and recognises the strong performance of the business and the Chairman’s strong contribution since joining.

The Non-Executive Directors are paid an annual base fee which is currently £41,231 and additional responsibility fees of £6,130 for the 
role of Senior Independent Director (SID) or for chairing a Board Committee. Where the SID role is combined with the role of chairing  
a Committee then only one fee of £47,361 will be paid.

Details of the fees being paid to Non-Executive Directors in 2015 are set out below: 

Ian Durant

Allison Kirkby

Helena Ganczakowski

Peter McPhillips

Sandra Turner

£155,000

£47,361

£41,231

£41,231

£47,361

Chairman

Chair of the Audit Committee

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

SID & Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Remuneration payable for 2014 for each Executive Director (Audited)
The following table presents the remuneration payable for 2014 (showing the equivalent figures for 2013) for the Executive Directors. 

Roger Whiteside1
2014
2013
Richard Hutton
2014
2013
Raymond Reynolds
2014
2013

Salary  

£

Pension 
contribution 
£

Taxable  
benefits 
£

Annual incentives  
(inc profit share)
£

Long-term 
incentives
£

Total  
remuneration 
£

495,300
460,1092

111,4423
100,0903

282,944 
278,488 

252,472 
248,496 

52,5083
52,913 

31,0603
30,5713

12,381 
11,297 

11,491 
11,002 

12,433 
12,716 

619,125 
395,8194

254,650 
50,128 

227,225 
44,729 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

1,238,248 
967,315 

601,593 
392,531 

523,190 
336,512 

1 Appointed as Chief Executive on 4 February 2013.
2 Includes £18,081 home to work travel allowance.
3 Includes salary paid in lieu of pension contributions.
4  Following further review of the legislation regarding preparation of this report it was identified that the value of the shares awarded to Roger Whiteside on appointment should  

be recognised at the time of grant rather than on exercise as the only condition relates to service. As a result the 2013 figure has been increased by £284,100. Should the service  
condition not be met the charge would be reversed in this table in a future year.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014Fees payable for each Non-Executive Director (Audited)

Ian Durant1
2014
2013
Julie Baddeley2
2014
2013
Iain Ferguson2
2014
2013
Allison Kirkby3
2014
2013
Helena Ganczakowski4
2014
2013
Peter McPhillips5
2014
2013
Sandra Turner6
2014
2013

57

Fees 
£

131,405 
98,175 

15,595 
45,523 

16,071 
45,523 

46,251 
40,866 

39,631 
– 

32,667 
– 

30,834 
– 

1 Chairman from 15 May 2013.
2 Resigned as Non-Executive Director on 1 May 2014.
3 Appointed 30 January 2013 and appointed Chair of Audit Committee 15 May 2013.
4 Appointed 2 January 2014.
5 Appointed 10 March 2014.
6 Appointed 1 May 2014 and appointed SID and Chair of Remuneration Committee.

No detailed disclosure has been provided for Non-Executive Directors other than that relating to their fee, as this is the only form  
of remuneration they receive. 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201458

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Annual bonus payments to Executive Directors
The table below outlines the bonus payments to Executive Directors in respect of 2014. 

Measure

Strategic objective

Weighting

Entry

Target

Stretch

Actual

% of 
maximum

All Executive Directors

Profit (£)

Sales(%)

Strategic (%)

Strategic (£)

Strategic (£)

Profit before 
tax (excluding 
exceptional items)

Like-for-like sales

Refit return on 
investment

To deliver profit 
target

To deliver target 
increase

To deliver target 
percentage

Efficient operations 
cost savings

To deliver target 
savings

Improvement 
through change

To deliver target 
savings

50% £38.0m 

£42.0m 

£45.0m

£58.3m 

50% 

20%

1.0% 

1.5% 

2.0%

4.5% 

20% 

10%

22.5%

25.0% 

10%

£6.3m

£7.9m 

10%

£1.2m

£1.6m

– 

– 

– 

31.1%

10%

£9.0m

10%

£2.7m

10%

Total weighting based on balance scorecard

100%

Bonus achieved for 2014

Roger Whiteside

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

As % of 
maximum

 100% 

 100% 

 100% 

Any element of the bonus earned above 50 per cent of the maximum will be paid in shares for the Chief Executive and Executive 
Directors subject to a two-year holding period. The number of shares will be calculated by dividing 50 per cent of the net bonus  
by the closing market share value on the date of payment. Full details will be provided in the 2015 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Vested PSP awards
The PSP award granted in 2012 measured EPS performance by reference to the three financial years to 3 January 2015 and TSR 
performance by reference to the three years from date of grant. The performance targets that were set, together with the performance 
delivered, are set out in the table below. 

Metric

Condition

Threshold Target

Stretch Target

Actual

RPI +3% 
(12.5% vesting)

RPI +8% 
(100% vesting)

RPI +1.3%

% Vesting

0%

50th percentile  
(12.5% vesting)

75th percentile 
(100% vesting)

50th percentile*

12.5%

Earnings per share 
(50%)

Total shareholder  
return (50%)

Normalised EPS growth  
of RPI + 3% p.a. to  
RPI + 8% p.a. over three 
financial years.

TSR against a peer group 
of 24 companies TSR 
measured over three years 
with a one month average 
at the start and end of the 
performance period.

*  The percentage vesting under the TSR condition is based on an estimate using the average share price during the three-month period from 1 October 2014 to 3 January 2015 of  

£6.304. This performance element will be formally measured on the third anniversary of grant and the shares may then vest, subject to continued employment. The results of this final 
measurement will be disclosed in the 2015 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Total vesting

12.5%

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
 
 
59

Legacy defined benefit pension scheme (Audited)
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

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

Date of birth

3/6/68

4/11/59

Date service 
commenced

1/1/98

1/12/86

Accrued 
annual pension 
entitlement as at 
28 December 2013 
£

Accrued 
annual pension 
entitlement as at  
3 January 2015 
£

Increase in 
accrued pension 
entitlement for 
the year 
£

Increase in 
accrued pension 
entitlement for the 
year net of inflation 
of 1.2% 
£

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

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 1.2 per cent 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.

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

Cash 
equivalent 
transfer value 
as at 28 
December 
2013 
£

Cash 
equivalent 
transfer 
value as at 
3 January 
2015 
£

Increase 
in the cash 
equivalent 
transfer value 
since 28 
December 
2013 
£

223,821  307,293

1,130,193  1,442,044

–

–

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.

The main features of the defined benefit scheme are:

 – pension at normal retirement age of 1/60th of member’s final pensionable salary for each complete year and a proportionate amount 
for each additional complete month of service from the date of joining the scheme until 5 April 2008 when the scheme was closed  
to future accrual; 

 – choice of giving up part of the pension in exchange for a tax-free cash sum subject to a limit of 25 per cent of the total value of the 

member’s benefits under the scheme;
 – pension payable in the event of ill health;
 – spouse’s pension on death; and
 – normal retirement at age 65.

Performance Share Plan awards made during 2014

Executive

Type of award

Basis of award granted

Share price 
at date of 
grant (17 
March 2014)

Number of 
shares over 
which award 
was granted

Face value of 
award 

Roger Whiteside

nil cost option

90% of salary

£4.9425

90,191 £445,769

Richard Hutton

nil cost option

70% of salary

£4.9425

40,072 £198,056

Raymond Reynolds

nil cost option

70% of salary

£4.9425

35,757 £196,729

% of face 
value that 
would vest 
at threshold 
performance

25%

25%

25%

Vesting determined by 
performance over

Three financial  
years to  
30 December 2017 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201460

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Executive Director share awards and share options (Audited)
The following table sets out details of the PSP, executive and savings related share options (all of which were granted at a £nil cost  
to the Executive Director concerned) held by, or granted to, each Executive Director during the year:

At 28 
December 
2013 
Number

Granted 
number

Exercised 
number

Lapsed 
number

At 3  
January 
2015 
Number

Exercise 

price Date of grant

Market price 
of each share 
at date of 
grant

Date from 
which 
exercisable

Expiry date

Scheme

Roger
Whiteside 113,252
–
–

–
90,191
449

113,252

90,640

Richard
Hutton

Raymond
Reynolds

26,750
62,640
35,838
36,334
41,170
–
374
423
400
–

–
–
–
–
–
40,072
–
–
–
449

203,929

40,521

26,750
62,640
31,979
32,421
36,736
–
374
423
400
–

–
–
–
–
–
35,757
–
–
–
449

191,723

36,206

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
374^
–
–
–

374

–
–
–
–
–
–
374^
–
–
–

374

–
–
–

–

113,252 
90,191
449

203,892

–
–
35,838
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

26,750*
62,640*
– 
36,334 
41,170
40,072
– 
423 
400
449

35,838

208,238

–
–
31,979
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

26,750*
62,640*
–
32,421 
36,736 
35,757
– 
423 
400 
449 

31,979

195,576 

£nil
£nil
£4.65

Mar 13
Mar 14
Apr 14

£4.735
£4.9425

Mar 16
Mar 17
Jun 17

Mar 23
Mar 24
Nov 17

£4.07
£3.56
£nil
£nil
£nil
£nil
£4.53
£4.68
£4.14
£4.65

£4.07
£3.56
£nil
£nil
£nil
£nil
£4.53
£4.68
£4.14
£4.65

Aug 06
Apr 09
Mar 11
Apr 12
Mar 13
Mar 14
Apr 11
Apr 12
Apr 13
Apr 14

Aug 06
Apr 09
Mar 11
Apr 12
Mar 13
Mar 14
Apr 11
Apr 12
Apr 13
Apr 14

£5.190
£5.260
£4.735
£4.9425

£5.190
£5.260
£4.735
£4.9425

Aug 09
Apr 12
Mar 14
Apr 15
Mar 16
Mar 17
Jun 14
Jun 15
Jun 16
Jun 17

Aug 09
Apr 12
Mar 14
Apr 15
Mar 16
Mar 17
Jun 14
Jun 15
Jun16
Jun 17

Aug 16
Apr 19
Mar 21
Apr 22
Mar 23
Mar 24
Nov 14
Nov 15
Nov 16
Nov 17

Aug 16
Apr 19
Mar 21
Apr 22
Mar 23
Mar 24
Nov 14
Nov 15
Nov 16
Nov 17

PSP
PSP
SAYE

Exec
Exec
PSP
PSP
PSP
PSP
SAYE
SAYE
SAYE
SAYE

Exec
Exec
PSP
PSP
PSP
PSP
SAYE
SAYE
SAYE
SAYE

* Performance conditions have been achieved and the shares remain exercisable.
^ The market value on the date of exercise was £5.31 and the resultant gain on exercise was £291.72.

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

The mid-market price of ordinary shares in the Company as at 3 January 2015 was £7.255. The highest and lowest mid-market prices 
of ordinary shares during the financial year were £7.375 and £4.305 respectively.

Directors’ shareholding and share interests (Audited)
The Company’s share retention guidelines require the Chief Executive to build up a shareholding of 150 per cent and other Executive 
Directors to build up a shareholding of 100 per cent of their respective base salary in a five-year period. This can be achieved by holding 
vested shares via the PSP and/or deferred annual bonus. 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201461

Details of the shareholdings of each Executive and Non-Executive Director as of 3 January 2015 and their interests in shares are 
detailed below with the percentage holding calculated using the share price at that date:

Director

Roger Whiteside*

Richard Hutton

Raymond Reynolds

Ian Durant

Allison Kirkby

Helena Ganczakowski

Peter McPhillips

Sandra Turner

Beneficially owned 
at 3 January 
2015

Beneficially owned 
at 28 December 
2013

Outstanding PSP 
awards

Outstanding 
deferred bonus 
awards

Outstanding 
option awards

% shareholding 
guideline achieved 
at 3 January 
2015

72,253

55,787

53,224

11,700

1,600

1,000

– 

– 

72,253

55,413

52,850

11,700

600

–

–

–

203,443

117,576

104,914

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

89,390

89,390

–

–

–

–

–

106%

143%

153%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

*  As disclosed in a previous Directors’ Remuneration Report, 60,000 of these shares were granted to Roger Whiteside as a transitional bonus in compensation for his loss of bonus from  
his previous employer. The award of half of the shares is deferred for two years and the other half for three years but is not subject to performance conditions other than continuity of 
employment and not having resigned or been given notice of termination when the respective part of the award is due to vest. This award will be subject to tax and NI in respect of the 
award of the shares. 

Exit payments or payments to past Directors (Audited)
There were no payments to past Directors in the 53 weeks ending 3 January 2015. No payments for compensation or loss of office 
were paid to, or receivable by, any Director. 

External directorships for Executive Directors
There are none currently in place.

Performance graph 
The graph below shows a comparison of the total shareholder return for the Company’s shares for each of the last six 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).

320

280

240

200

160

120

80

J

a

n
-
0

J

ul-

0

9

J

a

J

ul-

1

0

J

a

J

a

J

ul-

1

1

n
-
1

2

J

ul-

1

2

n
-
1

1

n
-
1

0

9

J

a

J

ul-

1

3

n
-
1

3

FTSE 350 
(excluding investment trusts)

FTSE 250 
(excluding investment trusts)

J

a

J

n
-
1

4

ul-

1

4

Greggs

These indices were chosen for this comparison because they include companies of broadly similar size to the Company and Greggs plc 
is a constituent of both indices. 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201462

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Remuneration outcomes for Chief Executive over last six years 
The table below shows the total remuneration figure for the Chief Executive over the same six-year period. The total remuneration figure 
includes the annual bonus, pension and PSP/option awards which vested based on performance in those years. 

Total remuneration (£’s)

Bonus (% of max potential)

PSP/Options (% max potential)

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

646,313

767,397

707,245

635,030

1,011,381

1,238,248

30%

n/a

56.6%

n/a

38.6%

0%

18%

78.3%

20%*

n/a 

100%

n/a 

*  This figure includes only the performance related bonus that was achieved in 2013. The impact of the bonus share award as disclosed on page 56 is excluded.

Percentage change in remuneration of Director undertaking role of Chief Executive
The table below sets out the percentage change in remuneration for the Chief Executive compared to the wider workforce. For this 
purpose the wider workforce is defined as all full time head office management employees as they too are entitled to receive benefits 
and annual bonus awards. 

Chief Executive (£)

– salary

– benefits

– performance pay

Average per employee (£)

– salary

– benefits2

– performance pay

% change from 
2013 to 2014

2.4%

10%

454%1

1.19%

(2.1%)

314%

1 This figure includes only the performance related bonus that was achieved in 2013. The impact of the bonus share award is excluded.
2 The average employee benefits figure is based on tax year 2012/13 for 2013 and tax year 2013/14 for 2014. 

Relative importance of spend on pay 
The table below shows the expenditure and percentage change in the overall spend on staff costs compared to other key financial indicators.

Staff costs

Dividends

Retained profit (excluding exceptional items)

Tax (excluding exceptional items)

Composition of the Committee
The following Non-Executive Directors were members of the Committee during 2014:

Member 

Sandra Turner
(Chair since appointment)

Allison Kirkby

Helena Ganczakowski

Peter McPhillips

2014 
£m

311.3

19.6

44.3

14.0

2013 
£m

300.8

19.6

30.9

10.3

% increase/
(decrease)

3.5%

0%

43.4%

35.9%

Date of appointment

1 May 2014

30 January 2013

2 January 2014

10 March 2014

Julie Baddeley and Iain Ferguson resigned from the Committee when they stepped down from the Board on 1 May 2014.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
63

Remuneration advice
The Chairman and Chief Executive along with Jonathan Jowett (Company Secretary and General Counsel) and Roisin Currie  
(People Director) are normally invited to attend the Committee meetings in order to provide advice and support to the Committee. 
During the year New Bridge Street (NBS) supported the Committee. Aon, the parent company of NBS, provided pension valuation 
services to the Company during the year. NBS was appointed as Independent Advisor to the committee following a tender process  
in 2013.

NBS is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants’ Code of Conduct and adheres to the Voluntary Code of Conduct in relation to 
executive remuneration consulting in the UK. The Committee has reviewed the operating processes in place at NBS and is satisfied  
that the advice it receives is objective and independent.

Fees paid to NBS during the year were £39,000.

Approval by shareholders
At last year’s AGM, the Directors’ Remuneration Report received the following votes from shareholders:

Approve the  
Remuneration Report

Approve the Directors’  
Remuneration Policy

Total number  

% of  

Total number  

of votes

votes cast

of votes

% of  

votes cast

63,296,965

99.88% 62,250,083

97.97%

74,674

0.12%

1,292,495

2.03%

100%

For

Against

Total votes cast (excluding votes withheld)

63,371,639

100% 63,542,578

Votes withheld

Total votes cast (including votes withheld)

378,033

63,749,672

207,094

63,749,672

Votes withheld are not included in the final proxy figures as they are not recognised as a vote in law.

At the AGM of the Company to be held on 30 April 2015, one resolution approving the annual statement and Annual Report  
on Remuneration will be proposed as an ordinary resolution.

This report was approved by the Board on 4 March 2015.

Signed on behalf of the Board

Sandra Turner
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
4 March 2015

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201464

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in  
respect of the Annual Report and the 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 judgements 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 Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance statement that complies 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.

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the annual financial report
We confirm that to the best of our 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 or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; 
and

 – the Directors’ Report and Strategic Report, which incorporates the Chairman’s Statement, the Chief Executive’s Report, the Financial 
Review and the Social Responsibility statement includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the 
position of the issuer and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that they face.

We consider the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

Roger Whiteside   
Chief Executive 

Richard Hutton
Finance Director

4 March 2015

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Greggs plc

65

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit
1  Our opinion on the accounts is unmodified 
We have audited the accounts of Greggs plc for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 set out on pages 68 to 95.  
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 3 January 2015 and  

of the Group’s profit for the 53 weeks then ended;

 – the Group accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted  

by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU); and

 – 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. 

2   Our assessment of risks of material misstatement 
In arriving at our audit opinion above on the accounts the risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit  
were as follows:

Impairment of property, plant and equipment (net charge in year £0.4m, closing net book value £263m)
Refer to page 45 (Audit Committee Report), pages 73 and 75 (accounting policy) and pages 84 to 85 (financial disclosures). 

The risk – 
 – The significant levels of property, plant and equipment held by the Group including assets in over 1,600 shops means that there  
are many separate cash generating units (i.e. ‘shops’) that independently expose the Group to a risk that the value of property,  
plant and equipment balances may not be recoverable in full through either future trade or recoverable value on disposal. 
 – In addition, following the £4m impairment charge in 2013 and the decision announced in the current year to close the in-store 

bakeries, countered by a significant improvement in the performance of the Group in 2014, there is also an increased risk of further 
impairments in some shops whilst previous impairments possibly should be reversed in other shops. This includes the risk that  
for obsolete assets, e.g. land and buildings which are surplus to requirements, the assumptions over the recoverable amount may 
have changed over time as intentions change and more information is available. 

 – Determining the level of impairment and any reversal of impairment involves forecasting and discounting future cash flows and 

estimation of recoverable amounts which are inherently uncertain. 

Our response – 
Our audit procedures included, amongst others, considering the impairment risk associated with the following different types of asset:

 – In respect of the shops which continue to trade we critically assessed and challenged the Group’s impairment model. This included 
consideration of the discounted cash flow forecasts on a shop by shop basis and whether these support the carrying value of the 
relevant assets as well as if this indicates a reversal of a past impairment is needed. We assessed the cash flow forecasts against  
the historical performance of those shops and against the Group’s budgets. We assessed the appropriateness of the discount rate 
including benchmarking it against other national retailers. We performed a sensitivity analysis of both discount rates and forecast 
cash flows and considered the resulting impact on the impairment charge. 

 – In respect of specific impairments of plant and equipment, we critically assessed the Group’s identification of assets that were 

obsolete and critically assessed whether such assets have any recoverable value or possible further use by the business using  
our knowledge of the Group and historical experience. 

 – In respect of owned land and buildings which have been identified as surplus to requirements and which are not being traded  

from, we considered whether the carrying value of the land and buildings was appropriate with reference to market indicators such 
as external third party valuations and purchase offers received. This included consideration as to whether assets were impaired  
or whether previously booked impairments should be reversed. 

 – We have also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures about the degree of estimation involved in determining the amount 

of impairment and the sensitivity to key assumptions involved. 

Provisions (net charge in year £3.87m, provision in balance sheet £6.6m) 
Refer to page 45 (Audit Committee Report), pages 74 and 76 (accounting policy) and page 93 (financial disclosures). 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201466

Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Greggs plc  
continued

The risk –
 – The decision, in the prior year, to close shops and accelerate certain shop closures has resulted in an increased risk of onerous 
leases. Determining the level of onerous lease provisions involves forecasting and discounting future cash flows and estimation  
of the length of time and cost at which lease arrangements can be exited, both of which are inherently uncertain. 

 – The work completed during the year to remove the in-store bakeries within relevant stores resulted in an increased requirement for 

dilapidation provisions. The level of dilapidation provision involves estimation as to the costs anticipated to make good any alterations 
to properties as required by lease agreements. 

Our response –
Our audit procedures in respect of property provisions included, among others:

 – In respect of the onerous lease provisions we critically assessed whether provisions identified by the Group met the criteria for 
recognition as detailed below. We also considered the completeness of provisions for all leases where the unavoidable costs of 
meeting the lease obligation exceed the economic benefit expected to be received under the lease. This included consideration  
of shops closed during the year.

 – For closed shops we critically assessed the Group’s estimate of total costs to exit the lease by challenging key assumptions including 
the time it would take to exit, the level of incentives to sublease or penalties to landlords to be paid and other costs to exit or sublet  
a shop such as legal fees or dilapidation costs. We considered the most recent expectation of the relevant local in-house Group 
property surveyor responsible for each shop, supported by third party evidence including offers made, communications with third 
party agents, or contracts agreed to surrender or sublease properties post year end. We considered the historical experience of the 
Group at exiting similar properties and the costs involved in doing so. We also considered the location of each closed shop and the 
impact this may have on the time and costs expected to exit these leases as well as the possible income from subletting these shops 
if possible. 

 – We challenged the Group’s assumptions relating to onerous lease provisions for shops still trading. This included consideration of the 
discounted cash flow forecasts on a shop by shop basis and assessing the cash flow forecasts against the historical performance of 
those shops and against the Group’s budgets. We assessed the appropriateness of the discount rate used in the forecasts, including 
benchmarking it against other national retailers. 

 – In respect of the dilapidation provisions we critically assessed whether provisions identified by the Group met the criteria for 

recognition. We also considered the completeness of provisions including the consideration of shops where there is indication  
of likely dilapidation costs taking into account historical experience of the Group. We considered the historical experience of the 
Group in respect of dilapidation costs. We considered specific issues on certain Group properties and critically assessed the impact 
of these on the provisions made. 

 – We have also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures about the degree of estimation involved in arriving at the 

provisions and the sensitivity to key assumptions involved. 

3  Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit 
The materiality for the accounts as a whole was set at £2.9 million, determined with reference to a benchmark of Group profit before tax, 
normalised to exclude this year’s exceptional charge as disclosed in note 4, of £58.3m, of which it represents 5 per cent.

We report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected misstatements identified exceeding £145,000, in addition to other 
identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

The Group audit team performed the audit of the Group as if it was a single aggregated set of financial information. The audit was 
performed using the materiality levels set out above and covered 100 per cent of total Group revenue, Group profit before tax and total  
Group assets. 

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

 – the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 

2006; and 

 – the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the accounts are prepared  

is consistent with the accounts.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201467

5  We have nothing to report in respect of the matters on which we are required to report by exception 
Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have 
identified other information in the annual report that contains a material inconsistency with either that knowledge or the accounts,  
a material misstatement of fact, or that is otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report to you if: 

 – we have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge we acquired during our audit and the Directors’ statement  
that they consider that the annual report and accounts taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy; or

 – the Audit Committee Report does not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

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 42, in relation to going concern; and
 – the part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 39 relating to the Company’s compliance with the ten provisions of the UK 

Corporate Governance Code specified for our review.

We have nothing to report in respect of the above responsibilities.

Scope and responsibilities
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 64, the Directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. A description of the scope of an audit of accounts is provided 
on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This report is made solely to the Company’s 
members as a body and is subject to important explanations and disclaimers regarding our responsibilities, published on our website  
at www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014a, which are incorporated into this report as if set out in full and should be read to provide 
an understanding of the purpose of this report, the work we have undertaken and the basis of our opinions.

Mick Thompson 
(Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, Statutory Auditor

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

4 March 2015

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
68

Consolidated income statement
for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 
(2013: 52 weeks ended 28 December 2013)

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Distribution and selling costs
Administrative expenses

Operating profit 
Finance income/(expense)

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

Note

1

6

3-6

8

9

9

2014
Excluding 
exceptional 
items
£’000 

2014
Exceptional 
items
(see Note 4)
£’000 

2013 
Excluding 
exceptional 
items
£’000 

2013 
Exceptional 
items
(see Note 4)
£’000 

2014
Total
£’000 

2013
 Total
£’000 

803,961 
(309,865)

494,096 
(395,709)
(40,303)

58,084 
175 

58,259 
(13,997)

–  803,961  762,379 
(305,914)

(315,797)

(5,932)

(5,932) 488,164  456,465 
(378,047)
(36,923)

(395,991)
(42,605)

(282)
(2,302)

(8,516)
– 

(8,516)
1,810 

49,568 
175 

49,743 
(12,187)

41,495 
(206)

41,289 
(10,346)

–  762,379 
(307,598)

(1,684)

(1,684)
(6,453)
– 

(8,137)
– 

(8,137)
1,383 

454,781 
(384,500)
(36,923)

33,358 
(206)

33,152 
(8,963)

44,262 

(6,706)

37,556 

30,943 

(6,754)

24,189 

44.0p
43.4p

(6.6p)
(6.6p)

37.4p
36.8p

30.8p
30.6p

(6.7p)
(6.7p)

24.1p
23.9p

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 
(2013: 52 weeks ended 28 December 2013)

Profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be recycled to profit and loss:
Re-measurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension plans
Tax on re-measurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension plans

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

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Note

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

37,556 

24,189 

21

8

(8,575)
1,715 

(6,860)

4,293 
(859)

3,434 

30,696 

27,623 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201469

Balance sheet
at 3 January 2015 
(2013: 28 December 2013)

Group

Parent Company

Note

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Defined benefit pension asset

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Assets held for sale
Cash and cash equivalents
Other investments

Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Provisions

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

Total liabilities

Net assets

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

10

11

12

21

13

14

15

16

12

17

18

22

19

21

20

22

23

23

1,012 

4,721 

1,012 
262,719  267,797  263,312  268,390 
4,987 
55 

4,987 
– 

– 
55 

4,721 

– 
– 

267,440  268,864  273,020  274,444 

15,290 
26,091 
6,500 
43,615 
10,000 

15,405 
25,012 
– 
21,572 
3,000 

15,290 
26,091 
6,500 
43,615 
10,000 

15,405 
25,012 
– 
21,572 
3,000 

101,496 

64,989  101,496 

64,989 

368,936  333,853  374,516  339,433 

(89,954)
(8,056)
(4,109)

(72,203)
(5,564)
(2,949)

(97,761)
(8,056)
(4,109)

(80,010)
(5,564)
(2,949)

(102,119)

(80,716)

(109,926)

(88,523)

(6,555)
(8,518)
(2,539)
(2,502)

(7,040)
– 
(7,508)
(2,412)

(6,555)
(8,518)
(2,012)
(2,502)

(7,040)
– 
(6,981)
(2,412)

(20,114)

(16,960)

(19,587)

(16,433)

(122,233)

(97,676)

(129,513)

(104,956)

246,703  236,177  245,003  234,477 

2,023 
13,533 
416 

2,023 
13,533 
416 
230,731  220,205  229,031  218,505 

2,023 
13,533 
416 

2,023 
13,533 
416 

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent

246,703  236,177  245,003  234,477 

The accounts on pages 68 to 95 were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 March 2015 and were signed on its behalf by:

Roger Whiteside
Richard Hutton

Company Registered Number 502851

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201470

Group
52 weeks ended 28 December 2013

Statements of changes in equity
for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 
(2013: 52 weeks ended 28 December 2013)

Balance at 30 December 2012
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 28 December 2013

53 weeks ended 3 January 2015

Balance at 29 December 2013
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
Purchase of own shares
Share-based payment transactions
Dividends to equity holders
Tax items taken directly to reserves

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 3 January 2015

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Issued  
capital 
£’000 

Share  
premium 
£’000 

Note

Capital  
redemption  
reserve 
£’000 

Retained  
earnings 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

2,023 

13,533 

416  210,818  226,790 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

24,189 
3,434 

24,189 
3,434 

27,623 

27,623 

860 
592 
(19,582)
(106)

860 
592 
(19,582)
(106)

(18,236)

(18,236)

2,023 

13,533 

416  220,205  236,177 

21

23

8

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Issued  
capital 
£’000 

Share  
premium 
£’000 

Note

Capital  
redemption  
reserve 
£’000 

Retained  
earnings 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

2,023 

13,533 

416  220,205  236,177 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

37,556 
(6,860)

37,556 
(6,860)

30,696 

30,696 

5,257 
(7,873)
529 
(19,570)
1,487 

5,257 
(7,873)
529 
(19,570)
1,487 

(20,170)

(20,170)

2,023 

13,533 

416  230,731  246,703 

21

23

8

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014Statements of changes in equity
for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 
(2013: 52 weeks ended 28 December 2013) continued

Parent Company
52 weeks ended 28 December 2013

71

Balance at 30 December 2012
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 28 December 2013

53 weeks ended 3 January 2015

Balance at 29 December 2013
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
Purchase of own shares
Share-based payment transactions
Dividends to equity holders
Tax items taken directly to reserves

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 3 January 2015

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Issued  
capital 
£’000 

Share  
premium 
£’000 

Note

Capital  
redemption  
reserve 
£’000 

Retained  
earnings 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

2,023 

13,533 

416  209,224

225,196

7

21

23

8

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

24,083 
3,434 

24,083 
3,434 

27,517 

27,517 

860 
592 
(19,582)
(106)

860 
592 
(19,582)
(106)

(18,236)

(18,236)

2,023 

13,533 

416  218,505  234,477 

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Issued  
capital 
£’000 

Share  
premium 
£’000 

Note

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£’000 

Retained  
earnings 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

2,023 

13,533 

416  218,505  234,477 

7

21

23

8

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

37,556 
(6,860)

37,556 
(6,860)

30,696 

30,696 

5,257 
(7,873)
529 
(19,570)
1,487 

5,257 
(7,873)
529 
(19,570)
1,487 

(20,170)

(20,170)

2,023 

13,533 

416  229,031  245,003 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201472

Statements of cashflows
for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 
(2013: 52 weeks ended 28 December 2013)

Operating activities
Cash generated from operations (see below)
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/(paid)
Acquisition of other investments

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities
Sale of own shares
Purchase of own shares
Dividends paid

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net increase 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

Cash flow statement – cash generated from operations

Profit for the financial year
Amortisation
Depreciation 
Impairment
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
Release of government grants
Share-based payment expenses
Finance (income)/expense
Income tax expense
Decrease in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in receivables
Increase in payables
Increase in provisions

Cash from operating activities

Group

Parent Company

Note

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

108,552 
(11,462)

82,493  108,552 
(13,157)
(11,462)

82,493 
(13,157)

97,090 

69,336 

97,090 

69,336 

(44,456)
(3,809)
2,231 
173 
(7,000)

(47,808)
(785)
3,194 
(24)
(3,000)

(44,456)
(3,809)
2,231 
173 
(7,000)

(47,808)
(785)
3,194 
(24)
(3,000)

(52,861)

(48,423)

(52,861)

(48,423)

5,257 
(7,873)
(19,570)

860 
–
(19,582)

5,257 
(7,873)
(19,570)

860 
–
(19,582)

(22,186)

(18,722)

(22,186)

(18,722)

22,043 
21,572 

2,191 
19,381 

22,043 
21,572 

2,191 
19,381 

43,615 

21,572 

43,615 

21,572 

2014 
 £’000 

37,556 
100 
37,463 
414 
3,576 
(473)
529 
(175)
12,187 
115 
(1,079)
17,089 
1,250 

2013 
 £’000 

24,189 
161 
33,225 
5,252 
1,390 
(470)
592 
206 
8,963 
2,253 
1,905 
1,220 
3,607 

2014 
£’000 

37,556 
100 
37,463 
414 
3,576 
(473)
529 
(175)
12,187 
115 
(1,079)
17,089 
1,250 

2013 
£’000 

24,083 
161 
33,225 
5,252 
1,390 
(470)
592 
206 
9,069 
2,253 
1,905 
1,220 
3,607 

108,552 

82,493  108,552 

82,493 

6

12

23

16

16

Note

10

11

11

21

6

8

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014Notes to the consolidated accounts

73

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 4 March 2015.

(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 except 
the defined benefit pension asset/liability, which is recognised as plan assets less the present value of the defined benefit obligation.

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 Strategic Report on pages 2 to 63. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are 
described in the Financial Review on pages 20 and 21. 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 Directors have reviewed the Company’s operational and investment plans for the foreseeable future along with the principal risks 
and uncertainties that could affect these plans or threaten its liquidity. The key factors likely to affect future performance and the 
Company’s exposure to risks are set out on pages 24 to 26 of the Strategic Report. In addition the Financial Review on pages 20 and 21 
sets out the Company’s net cash position and continued strong cash generation.

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 IFRS transition date (1 January 2004), as no significant acquisitions 
had taken place during the previous ten 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 with the exception of the adoption of the following relevant standards, 
amendments and interpretations:

 – IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements
 – IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements
 – IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
 – Transition guidance: Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12
 – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Amendments to IAS 32
 – Recoverable amount disclosures for non-financial assets – Amendments to IAS 36

The adoption of the above has not had a significant impact on the Group’s profit for the year or equity. The other standards and 
interpretations that are applicable for the first time in the Group’s accounts for the year have no effect on these accounts.

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:

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 estimated based on value in use calculations which 
include management’s estimates of future cash flows generated by the assets and an appropriate discount rate. Consideration is also 
given to whether the impairment assessments made in prior years remain appropriate based on the latest expectations in respect of 
value in use and recoverable value. Where it is concluded that the impairment has reduced a reversal of the impairment is recorded.  
The sensitivities for growth rate, discount rate and lease term have been considered and are deemed not significant. For instance,  
a 2 per cent change in the growth rate would result in a £50,000 change in the impairment charge.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201474

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

Significant accounting policies (continued)
Provisions
Provisions have been estimated for onerous leases and dilapidations. These provisions represent the best estimate of the liability at the 
balance sheet date, the actual liability being dependent on future events such as trading conditions at a particular shop or the ability of 
the Group to exit from the lease commitment. Expectations will be revised each period until the actual liability arises, with any difference 
accounted for in the period in which the revision is made.

Post retirement benefits
The determination of the defined benefit obligation of the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme depends on the selection of certain 
assumptions including the discount rate, inflation rate and mortality rates. Differences arising from actual experience or future changes 
in assumptions will be reflected in future years. The key assumptions made for 2014 are given in Note 21.

(c)  Basis of consolidation
The consolidated accounts include the results of Greggs plc and its subsidiary undertakings for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015. 
The comparative period is the 52 weeks ended 28 December 2013.

(i) Subsidiaries

  Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The accounts  
of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated accounts from the date on which control commences until the date on which 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.

(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.

Intangible assets

(f) 
The Group’s only intangible assets relate to software and the costs of its implementation 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. 

Assets in the course of development are re-categorised and amortisation commences when the assets are available for use.

(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 cost of replacing a component of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognised in the carrying amount of the item if it  
is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the component will flow to the Group, and its costs can be measured 
reliably. The carrying value of the replaced component is derecognised. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant and 
equipment are recognised in the income statement as incurred.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
75

(iii) Depreciation

  Depreciation is provided so as to write off the cost (less residual value) of each item of property, plant and equipment during its expected 

useful life using the straight-line method over the following periods:

Freehold and long leasehold buildings

40 years

Short leasehold properties

10 years or length of lease if shorter

Plant, machinery, equipment, vehicles, fixtures and fittings

3 to 10 years

  Freehold land is not depreciated.

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

(iv) Assets in the course of construction

  These assets are re-categorised and depreciation commences when the assets are available for use.

(h)  Investments
Non-current investments comprise investments in subsidiaries which are carried at cost less impairment.

Current investments comprise fixed-term fixed-rate bank deposits where the term is greater than three months.

Inventories

(i) 
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.

(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. 
Once classified as held for sale assets are no longer depreciated or amortised.

(m)  Share capital

(i) Re-purchase of share capital

  When share capital recognised as equity is re-purchased, the amount of the consideration paid, including directly attributable costs,  
is recognised as a deduction from equity. Re-purchased 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.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
 
 
76

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

Significant accounting policies (continued)
(o)  Employee benefits

(i) Short-term employee benefits

  Short-term employee benefits are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid 
if the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the 
obligation can be measured reliably.

(ii) Defined contribution plans

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

are due.

(iii) Defined benefit plans

  The Company’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit pension plans is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that 

employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value, 
and the fair value of any plan assets (at bid price) are deducted. The Company determines the net interest on the net defined benefit 
asset/liability for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual 
period to the net defined benefit asset/liability.

  The discount rate is the yield at the reporting date on bonds that have a credit rating of at least AA, that have maturity dates approximating  

to the terms of the Company’s obligations and that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid.

  Re-measurements arising from defined benefit plans comprise actuarial gains and losses and the return on plan assets (excluding 

interest). The Company recognises them immediately in other comprehensive income and all other expenses related to defined benefit 
plans in employee benefit expenses in the income statement.

  When the benefits of a plan are changed, or when a plan is curtailed, the portion of the changed benefit related to past service by 

employees, or the gain or loss on curtailment, is recognised immediately in profit or loss when the plan amendment or curtailment occurs.

  The calculation of the defined benefit obligations is performed by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. When the 

calculation results in a benefit to the Company, the recognised asset is limited to the present value of benefits available in the form of any future 
refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions and takes into account the adverse effect of any minimum funding requirements.

(iv) 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.

(v) Termination benefits

  Termination benefits are expensed at the earlier of the date at which the Group can no longer withdraw the offer of these benefits and  
the date at which the Group recognises costs for a restructuring. If benefits are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months  
of the reporting date they are discounted.

(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) Onerous leases

  Provisions for onerous leases are recognised when the Group believes that the unavoidable costs of meeting the lease obligations exceed 
the economic benefits expected to be received under the lease. Before a provision is established the Group recognises any impairment 
loss on the associated assets.

(iii) Dilapidations

  Provisions for dilapidations are recognised on a lease-by-lease basis and are based on the Group’s best estimate of the likely committed 

cash outflow.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
77

(q)  Revenue

(i) Retail sales

  Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised as income on receipt of cash or card payment. Revenue is measured net of discounts, 

promotions and value added taxation.

(ii) Franchise sales

  Franchise sales are recognised when goods are dispatched to franchisees. Any additional franchise fee income relating to franchise sales 

is recognised on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement. 

(iii) Wholesale sales

  Wholesale sales are recognised when goods are dispatched to customers.

(iv) Loyalty programme/gift cards

  Amounts received for gift cards or as part of the loyalty programme are deferred. They are recognised as revenue when the Group has 
fulfilled its obligation to supply products under the terms of the programme or when it is no longer probable that these amounts will be 
redeemed. No adjustment is made to revenue to reflect the fair value of the free items provided under the loyalty scheme as these would 
be immaterial to the accounts. The costs of these free items are expensed as the products are provided to the customer.

(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.

(s)  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
Interest income or expense is recognised using the effective interest method.

(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.

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 and does not always 
have distinguishable research and development phases.

(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:

 – Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions – Amendments to IAS 19 for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 July 2014 

(endorsed for 1 February 2015)

 – Annual Improvements to IFRSs – 2010-2012 Cycle for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 July 2014 (endorsed for  

1 February 2015)

 – Annual Improvements to IFRSs – 2011-2013 Cycle for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 July 2014 (endorsed for  

1 January 2015)

These standards and amendments will be adopted as they become effective and none of them is expected to have a significant impact 
on the accounts.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
 
 
 
78

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

1. Segmental analysis
The Board is considered to be the ‘chief operating decision maker’ of the Group in the context of the IFRS 8 definition. The information 
which is reviewed by the Board for the purposes of assessing financial performance and allocating resources comprises the income 
statement for the Company as a whole.

The Group has identified one operating segment – food-on-the-go retailing which includes the sale of products through our own shops 
and franchised operations. The Group conducts a small amount of wholesale business but this is not significant in the context of IFRS 8 
and it is not anticipated that this will become a ‘Reportable Segment’. 

Products and services – the Group sells a consistent range of fresh bakery goods, sandwiches and drinks in its shops. The Group also 
provides frozen bakery products to its wholesale customers.

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, including wholesale customers, but these are immaterial in a Group context.

Geographical areas – all 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 accounts, no additional 
numerical disclosures are necessary.

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.

Retail sales represent a large proportion of the Group’s sales and present no credit risk as they are made for cash or card payments. 
The Group does offer credit terms on sales to its wholesale and franchise customers. In such cases the Group operates effective credit 
control procedures in order to minimise exposure to overdue debts.

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 and 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 capital expenditure. The Group had significant cash resources at the year end. 

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

Market risk is not significant and therefore sensitivity analysis would not be meaningful.

Currency risk
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 and the defined pension 
scheme liability. Net financial income in the year was £175,000 (2013: expense of £206,000).

Equity prices
The Group has no equity investments other than its subsidiaries. As disclosed in Note 21 the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme 
has investments in equity-related funds.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201479

Capital management 
The Board defines capital as the equity of the Group. The Group has remained 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 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 Employee Benefit Trust also purchase shares for future satisfaction of employee share options.

Financial instruments
Group and Parent Company
All of the Group’s surplus cash is invested as cash placed on deposit or fixed-term deposits.

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 assets comprise cash and cash equivalents and fixed-term deposits. 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 3 January 2015 (2013: £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.

3. Profit before tax
Profit before tax is stated after charging/(crediting):

Amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation on owned property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 
Release of government grants
Payments under operating leases – property rents
Research and development expenditure
Auditor’s remuneration: 
  Audit of these accounts
  Other services pursuant to such legislation
  Audit of pension schemes’ accounts
  Other services – tax compliance
  Other services – tax advisory
  All other services

2014 
£’000 

100 
37,463 
3,576 
(473)
48,451 
465 

140 
– 
7 
21 
25 
5 

2013 
£’000 

161 
33,225 
1,390 
(470)
49,683 
425 

149 
3 
6 
35 
9 
6 

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.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
80

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

4. Exceptional items

Cost of sales
Supply sites – asset impairment

– loss on disposal of assets

Closure of in-store bakeries – redundancy and disruption costs

– loss on disposal of assets
– dilapidations

Distribution and selling
  Shop asset impairment (reversal)/charge
  Loss on disposal of assets
  Onerous leases

Administration expenses
  Restructuring of support functions

Total exceptional items

2014
£’000

2013 
£’000 

– 
– 
3,190 
664 
2,078 

5,932 

(149)
– 
431 

282 

2,302 

8,516 

1,221 
463 
– 
– 
– 

1,684 

1,790 
1,529 
3,134 

6,453 

– 

8,137 

Supply sites
The impairment arose following the decision that additional capacity in the supply chain was not required in the medium term.

Closure of in-store bakeries
The charge arises from the decision to consolidate the Group’s in-store bakeries into its regional bakery network and comprises of 
redundancy costs, disruption costs arising on the transfer of production from stores to regional bakeries, asset write-offs and the costs 
of making good the shops (dilapidations) as bakery equipment is removed.

Shop impairment and onerous leases
The charges arose from the decision to focus on reshaping the Group’s existing estate through closure and resite of shops and 
withdrawal from the Greggs moment brand.

Restructuring of support functions
The charge relates to the redundancy costs incurred in respect of restructuring within the support functions.

5. Personnel expenses
The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) during the year was as follows:

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

2014 
Number 

698 
386 
3,143 
15,136 

2013 
Number 

720 
424 
3,243 
15,817 

19,363 

20,204 

Note

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

281,336  270,888 
20,095 
9,030 
182 
592 

19,578 
9,901 
– 
529 

311,344  300,787 

21

21

21

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014   
   
   
81

In addition to wages and salaries, the total amount accrued 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

2014 
£’000 

1,657 
3,952 
765 

6,374 

2013 
£’000 

1,372 
3,271 
633 

5,276 

For the purposes of IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’, key management personnel comprises the Directors and their remuneration 
comprised:

Salaries and fees
Taxable benefits
Annual bonus
Post employment benefits
Share-based payments

6. Finance income

Interest income on cash balances
Foreign exchange loss 
Net interest related to defined benefit obligation

2014 
£’000 

1,343 
36 
1,101 
195 
304 

2,979 

2014 
£’000 

183 
(10)
2 

175 

2013 
£’000 

1,360 
39 
207 
201 
241 

2,048 

2013 
£’000 

69 
(93)
(182)

(206)

7. Profit attributable to Greggs plc
Of the Group profit for the year, £37,556,000 (2013: £24,083,000) 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 (credit)/expense
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Reduction in tax rate
Adjustment for prior years

2014 
Excluding 
exceptional 
items 
£’000 

2014 
Exceptional 
items 
£’000 

2013 
Excluding 
exceptional 
items 
£’000 

2013 
Exceptional 
items 
£’000 

2014  
Total 
£’000 

15,776 
(229)

(1,534)
– 

14,242 
(229)

12,463 
(170)

15,547 

(1,534)

14,013 

12,293 

(1,471)
–
(79)

(1,550)

(276)
–
–

(276)

(1,747)
–
(79)

(886)
(1,200)
139 

(1,826)

(1,947)

(670)
– 

(670)

(713)
– 
– 

(713)

2013  
Total  
£’000 

11,793 
(170)

11,623 

(1,599)
(1,200)
139 

(2,660)

Total income tax expense in income statement

13,997 

(1,810)

12,187 

10,346 

(1,383)

8,963 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201482

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

8. Income tax expense (continued)
Reconciliation of effective tax rate

Profit before tax

Income tax using the domestic corporation tax rate
Non-deductible expenses
Non-qualifying depreciation
Loss/(profit) on disposal of non-qualifying assets
Impairment of non-qualifying assets
Impact of reduction in deferred tax rate
Adjustment for prior years

Total income tax expense in income statement

Reconciliation of effective tax rate (underlying excluding exceptional items)

Profit before tax

Income tax using the domestic corporation tax rate
Non-deductible expenses
Non-qualifying depreciation
Loss/(profit) on disposal of non-qualifying assets
Impairment of non-qualifying assets
Impact of reduction in deferred tax rate
Adjustment for prior years

Total income tax expense in income statement

2014 

2014 
£’000 

49,743 

21.5% 10,695 
521 
1,245 
34 
–
– 
(308)

1.0%
2.5%
0.1%
– 
– 
(0.6%)

2013 

23.25% 
2.0% 
3.5% 
(0.1%)
1.3% 
(2.8%)
(0.1%)

24.5% 12,187 

27.0% 

2014 

2014 
£’000 

58,259 

21.5% 12,526 
500 
1,245 
34 
–
– 
(308)

0.8%
2.1%
0.1%
– 
– 
(0.5%)

2013 

23.25% 
1.6% 
2.8% 
(0.1%)
0.1% 
(2.6%)
(0.1%)

2013 
£’000 

33,152 

7,708 
673 
1,169 
(42)
426 
(940)
(31)

8,963 

2013 
£’000 

41,289 

9,600 
673 
1,169 
(42)
41 
(1,064)
(31)

24.0% 13,997 

25.0% 

10,346 

On 5 July 2013 a reduction in the rate of corporation tax from 21 per cent to 20 per cent with effect from 1 April 2015 was substantively 
enacted. Any timing differences which reverse before 1 April 2015 will be charged/credited at 21 per cent and any timing differences 
which exist at 1 April 2015 will reverse at 20 per cent.

Tax recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity

Debit/(credit):
Relating to equity-settled transactions
Relating to defined benefit plans – re-measurement gains

2014 
Current tax 
£’000 

2014 
Deferred tax 
£’000

2014 
Total 
£’000 

(59) 
– 

(59) 

(1,428)
(1,715)

(1,487)
(1,715)

(3,143)

(3,202)

2013 
Total 
£’000 

106 
859 

965 

9. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Basic earnings per share for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 is calculated by dividing profit attributable to ordinary shareholders  
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 as calculated below.

Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share for the 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 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 53 weeks ended 3 January 2015 as calculated below.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201483

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity holders  

of the Parent

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

2014 
Excluding  
exceptional  
items 
£’000 

2014 
Exceptional  
items 
£’000 

2013 
Excluding  
exceptional  
items 
£’000 

2013 
Exceptional  
items 
£’000 

2014 
Total
£’000 

2013 
Total 
£’000 

44,262 

(6,706)

37,556 

30,943 

(6,754)

24,189 

44.0p 
43.4p 

(6.6p)
(6.6p)

37.4p 
36.8p 

30.8p 
30.6p 

(6.7p)
(6.7p)

24.1p 
23.9p 

Issued ordinary shares at start of year
Effect of own shares held

Weighted average number of ordinary shares during the year
Effect of share options on issue 

2014 
Number 

101,155,901
(638,815)

100,517,086
1,517,722

2013 
Number 

101,155,901
(762,222)

100,393,679
912,387

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

102,034,808

101,306,066

10. Intangible assets
Group and Parent Company

Cost
Balance at 30 December 2012
Additions

Balance at 28 December 2013

Balance at 29 December 2013
Additions

Balance at 3 January 2015

Amortisation
Balance at 30 December 2012
Amortisation charge for the year

Balance at 28 December 2013

Balance at 29 December 2013
Amortisation charge for the year

Balance at 3 January 2015

Carrying amounts
At 30 December 2012

At 28 December 2013

At 29 December 2013

At 3 January 2015

Software
£’000 

Assets under 
development
£’000 

686 
1,029 

1,715 

1,715 
817 

2,532 

– 
– 

– 

– 
2,992 

2,992 

Software
£’000 

Assets under 
development
£’000 

542 
161 

703 

703 
100 

803 

144 

1,012 

1,012 

1,729 

– 
– 

– 

–
–

–

–

–

–

2,992 

Total
£’000 

686 
1,029 

1,715 

1,715 
3,809 

5,524 

Total
£’000 

542 
161 

703 

703 
100 

803 

144 

1,012 

1,012 

4,721 

Assets under development relate to software projects arising from our investment in new systems platforms.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 
84

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

11. Property, plant and equipment
Group

Cost
Balance at 30 December 2012
Additions
Disposals

Balance at 28 December 2013

Balance at 29 December 2013
Additions
Disposals
Transfer to assets held for sale

Balance at 3 January 2015

Depreciation
Balance at 30 December 2012
Depreciation charge for the year
Ordinary impairment charge for the year
Exceptional impairment charge for the year (see Note 4)
Disposals

Land and 
buildings 
£’000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000 

Fixtures 
and  fittings 
£’000 

Assets under
construction
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

134,977  115,071  238,838 
34,469 
11,386 
(24,113)
(6,305)

746 
(692)

135,031  120,152  249,194 

135,031  120,152  249,194 
34,278 
10,121 
(32,748)
(6,654)
–
–

429 
(612)
(6,885)

–
–
–

–

–
278 
–
–

488,886 
46,601 
(31,110)

504,377 

504,377 
45,106 
(40,014)
(6,885)

127,963  123,619  250,724

278  502,584 

28,304 
2,797 
–
1,221 
(386)

71,442  124,883 
21,488 
2,241 
1,790 
(20,459)

8,940 
–
–
(5,681)

–
–
–
–
–

224,629 
33,225 
2,241 
3,011 
(26,526)

Balance at 28 December 2013

31,936 

74,701  129,943 

–  236,580 

Balance at 29 December 2013
Depreciation charge for the year
Ordinary impairment charge for the year
Ordinary impairment release for the year
Exceptional impairment release for the year (see Note 4)
Disposals
Transfer to assets held for sale

31,936 
2,838 
–
–
–
(297)
(385)

74,701  129,943 
24,096 
10,529 
974 
–
(411)
–
(149)
–
(28,442)
(5,468)
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

236,580 
37,463 
974 
(411)
(149)
(34,207)
(385)

Balance at 3 January 2015

34,092 

79,762  126,011 

–  239,865 

Carrying amounts
At 30 December 2012

At 28 December 2013

At 29 December 2013

At 3 January 2015

106,673 

43,629  113,955 

103,095 

45,451  119,251 

103,095 

45,451  119,251 

–

–

–

264,257

267,797 

267,797 

93,871 

43,857  124,713 

278  262,719 

Assets are reviewed for impairment on a regular basis and provision made where necessary. For shop assets a discounted cashflow  
is calculated for each shop using historic cashflows including attributable overheads, a zero per cent growth rate, the Group’s cost  
of capital of 10 per cent and an appropriate assumption regarding the remaining lease term. The net book value of the relevant assets 
attributable to the shop is impaired to the extent that the net present value of the cashflows is lower than the net book value. Supply 
chain assets are impaired to their estimated net realisable value.

Included within disposals for the year were fixtures and fittings with a net book value of £849,000 which related to the closure of the 
in-store bakeries. The loss on disposal of these assets was £664,000 and formed part of the exceptional charge detailed in Note 4.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014Parent Company

Cost
Balance at 30 December 2012
Additions
Disposals

Balance at 28 December 2013

Balance at 29 December 2013
Additions
Disposals
Transfer to assets held for sale

Balance at 3 January 2015

Depreciation
Balance at 30 December 2012
Depreciation charge for the year
Ordinary impairment charge for the year
Exceptional impairment charge for the year (see Note 4)
Disposals

Balance at 28 December 2013

Balance at 29 December 2013
Depreciation charge for the year
Ordinary impairment charge for the year
Ordinary impairment release for the year
Exceptional impairment release for the year (see Note 4)
Disposals
Transfer to assets held for sale

85

Land and 
buildings 
£’000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000 

Fixtures 
and fittings 
£’000 

Assets under
construction
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

135,487  115,604  239,326 
34,469 
11,386 
(24,113)
(6,305)

746 
(692)

135,541  120,685  249,682 

135,541  120,685  249,682 
34,278 
10,121 
(32,748)
(6,654)
–
–

429 
(612)
(6,885)

–
–
–

–

–
278 
–
–

490,417 
46,601 
(31,110)

505,908 

505,908 
45,106 
(40,014)
(6,885)

128,473  124,152  251,212 

278  504,115 

28,581 
2,797 
–
1,221 
(386)

71,712  125,274 
21,488 
2,241 
1,790 
(20,459)

8,940 
–
–
(5,681)

32,213 

74,971  130,334 

32,213 
2,838 
–
–
–
(297)
(385)

74,971  130,334 
24,096 
10,529 
974 
–
(411)
–
(149)
–
(28,442)
(5,468)
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

225,567 
33,225 
2,241 
3,011 
(26,526)

237,518 

237,518 
37,463 
974 
(411)
(149)
(34,207)
(385)

Balance at 3 January 2015

34,369 

80,032  126,402 

–  240,803 

Carrying amounts
At 30 December 2012

At 28 December 2013

At 29 December 2013

At 3 January 2015

Land and buildings
The carrying amount of land and building comprises:

Freehold property
Long leasehold property
Short leasehold property

106,906 

43,892  114,052 

103,328 

45,714  119,348 

103,328 

45,714  119,348 

–

–

–

264,850 

268,390 

268,390 

94,104 

44,120

124,810 

278  263,312

Group

Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

93,808  103,013 
2 
80 

1 
62 

94,041  103,246 
2 
80 

1 
62 

93,871

103,095 

94,104

103,328 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201486

12. Investments
Non-current investments
Parent Company

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

Cost
Balance at 30 December 2012, 29 December 2013 and 3 January 2015

Impairment
Balance at 30 December 2012, 29 December 2013 and 3 January 2015

Carrying amount
As at 30 December 2012, 28 December 2013, 29 December 2013 and 3 January 2015

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

Shares in
subsidiary
undertakings 
£’000 

5,828 

841 

4,987 

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

Principal activity

Country of incorporation

Non-trading
Dormant
Non-trading
Property holding
Dormant
Non-trading
Dormant
Non-trading
Trustees

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

The Company’s subsidiary undertakings listed above were all entitled to exemption, under subsections (1) and (2) of section 480 of the 
Companies Act 2006 relating to dormant companies, from the requirement to have their accounts audited.

Current investments

Fixed-term deposit

Group and Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

10,000 

3,000 

This represents cash placed on deposit that had a maturity of between three and six months at the date of inception. The fair value  
of the deposit is the same as its book value.

13. Inventories

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress

14. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments

Group and Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

11,833 
3,457 

11,604 
3,801 

15,290 

15,405 

Group and Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

7,311 
6,512 
12,268 

2013 
£’000 

5,331 
4,720 
14,961 

26,091 

25,012 

At 3 January 2015 trade receivables are shown net of an allowance for bad debts of £41,000 (2013: £37,000) arising in the ordinary 
course of business.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014The ageing of trade receivables that were not impaired at the balance sheet date was:

Not past due date
Past due 1-30 days
Past due 31-90 days

87

Group and Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

5,398 
1,765 
148 

7,311 

2013 
£’000 

4,282 
1,003 
46 

5,331 

The Group believes that the unimpaired amounts that are past due by more than 30 days are still collectable in full based on historic 
payment behaviour and extensive analysis of customer credit risk. Based on the Group’s monitoring of customer credit risk, the Group 
believes that no impairment allowance is necessary in respect of trade receivables not past due.

15. Assets held for sale
The asset held for sale at 3 January 2015 is land at Southall which has been identified as no longer required for supply chain expansion. 
An offer for the site was made prior to the end of the year and negotiations to finalise the sale are ongoing.

16. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

17. Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other taxes and social security
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred government grants

Group and Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

43,615

21,572 

Group

Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

40,865 
–
5,767 
24,753 
18,101 
468 

2013 
£’000 

36,152 
–
6,687 
17,463 
11,433 
468 

2014 
£’000 

40,865 
7,807 
5,767 
24,753 
18,101 
468 

2013 
£’000 

36,152 
7,807 
6,687 
17,463 
11,433 
468 

89,954 

72,203 

97,761 

80,010 

18. Current tax liability
The current tax liability of £8,056,000 in the Group and the Parent Company (2013: Group and Parent Company £5,564,000) represents 
the estimated amount of income taxes payable in respect of current and prior years.

19. Non-current liabilities – other payables

Deferred government grants
Deferred dividends

Group and Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

6,555 
–

6,555 

2013 
£’000 

7,028 
12 

7,040 

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.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201488

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

20. Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Group
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Tax (assets)/liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Net

2014
£’000 

–
(4,034)
(481)

2013 
£’000 

–
(809)
(291)

(4,515)

(1,100)

2014 
£’000 

7,054 
–
–

7,054 

2013 
£’000 

8,608 
–
–

8,608 

2014 
£’000 

7,054 
(4,034)
(481)

2,539 

2013 
£’000 

8,608 
(809)
(291)

7,508

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 28 December 2013 were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Balance at 
30 December 
2012 
£’000 

Recognised 
in income 
£’000 

Recognised 
in equity 
£’000 

Balance at 
28 December 
2013 
£’000 

11,773 
(2,418)
(156)

(3,165)
640 
(135)

9,199 

(2,660)

–
969 
–

969 

8,608 
(809)
(291)

7,508 

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 3 January 2015 were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Parent Company
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

Balance at 
29 December
 2013
£’000  

8,608 
(809)
(291)

7,508 

Recognised
in income 
£’000 

Recognised
in equity 
£’000 

(1,554)
(82)
(190)

–
(3,143)
–

Balance at 
3 January 
2015 
£’000 

7,054 
(4,034)
(481)

(1,826)

(3,143)

2,539 

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Tax (assets)/liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Net

2014
£’000 

–
(4,034)
(481)

2013 
£’000 

–
(809)
(291)

(4,515)

(1,100)

2014 
£’000 

6,527 
–
–

6,527 

2013 
£’000 

8,081 
–
–

8,081 

2014
£’000 

6,527 
(4,034)
(481)

2,012 

2013
£’000 

8,081 
(809)
(291)

6,981

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 28 December 2013 were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Balance at
30 December
2012 
£’000 

Recognised 
in income
£’000 

Recognised 
in equity
£’000 

Balance at
28 December
2013
£’000 

11,140 
(2,418)
(156)

(3,059)
640 
(135)

8,566 

(2,554)

–
969 
–

969 

8,081 
(809)
(291)

6,981

The movements in temporary differences during the year ended 3 January 2015 were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Balance at 
29 December 
2013 
£’000 

8,081 
(809)
(291)

6,981

Recognised 
in income 
£’000 

Recognised 
in equity
£’000 

(1,554)
(82)
(190)

– 
(3,143)
– 

Balance at 
3 January 
2015 
£’000  

6,527 
(4,034)
(481)

(1,826)

(3,143)

2,012

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201489

21. Employee benefits
Defined benefit plan
Scheme background
The Company sponsors a funded defined benefit pension plan (the ‘scheme’) for qualifying employees. The scheme was closed to 
future accrual in 2008 and all remaining employees who are still members of the scheme are now members of the Company’s defined 
contribution scheme.

The scheme is administered by a separate Board of Trustees which is legally separate from the Company. The Trustees are composed 
of representatives of both the employer and employees. The Trustees are required by law to act in the interest of all relevant beneficiaries 
and are responsible for the investment policy with regard to the assets plus the day-to-day administration of the benefits.

UK legislation requires that pension schemes are funded prudently. The last funding valuation of the scheme was carried out by a 
qualified actuary as at 6 April 2011 and showed a surplus. The Company is currently not required to pay contributions into the scheme. 
The funding valuation to 6 April 2014 is currently being finalised and is expected to continue to show a surplus position.

Profile of the scheme
The defined benefit obligation includes benefits for former employees and current pensioners. Broadly, 60 per cent of the liabilities  
are attributable to former employees and 40 per cent to current pensioners.

The scheme duration is an indicator of the weighted average time until benefit payments are made. For the scheme as a whole,  
the duration is approximately 20 years.

Investment strategy
The Company and Trustees have agreed a long-term strategy for reducing investment risk as and when appropriate. This includes a 
policy to hold sufficient cash and bond assets to cover the anticipated benefit payments for at least the next five years so as to improve 
the cashflow matching of the scheme’s assets and liabilities.

Defined benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Net defined benefit (liability)/asset

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

Opening defined benefit obligation
Interest cost
Re-measurement losses 
Benefits paid

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

Opening fair value of plan assets
Net interest on plan assets
Re-measurement gains
Benefits paid

Closing fair value of plan assets

The costs (credited)/charged in the income statement are as follows:

Interest income/(expense) on net defined benefit liability

Group and Parent Company

2014
£’000 

2013
£’000 

(106,201)
97,683 

(95,597)
95,652 

(8,518)

55 

Group and Parent Company

2014 
£’000 

95,597 
4,142 
9,728 
(3,266)

2013 
£’000 

90,333 
4,000 
4,169 
(2,905)

106,201 

95,597 

Group and Parent Company

2014
£’000 

95,652 
4,144 
1,153 
(3,266)

2013
£’000 

86,277 
3,818 
8,462 
(2,905)

97,683 

95,652 

Group

2014
£’000 

2 

2013
£’000 

(182)

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201490

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

21. Employee benefits (continued)
The amounts recognised in other comprehensive income are as follows:

Re-measurements on defined benefit pension plans

Group

2014
£’000 

2013
£’000 

(8,575)

4,293 

Cumulative re-measurement 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 £26,134,000 (2013: net losses of £17,559,000).

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

xx. 

Equities – UK

   – overseas
Bonds  – corporate

   – government

Property
Cash and cash equivalents/other

The plan assets include ordinary shares issued by the Company with a fair value of £nil (2013: £329,000).

Principal actuarial assumptions (expressed as weighted averages):

Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increases

Group and Parent Company

2014
£’000 

39,432 
30,878 
16,765 
3,512 
2,592 
4,504 

2013
£’000 

32,809 
34,244 
14,252 
9,470 
2,200 
2,677 

97,683 

95,652 

Group and Parent Company

2014 

3.6%

n/a  

2013 

4.4%

n/a  

1.6% – 2.4% 1.8% – 2.4%

Mortality assumption
Mortality in retirement is assumed to be in line with the S1PXA tables using CMI_2011 projections and a long-term rate of 1 per cent p.a. 
Under these assumptions, pensioners aged 65 now are expected to live for a further 22.1 years if they are male and 24.4 years if they 
are female. Members currently aged 45 are expected to live for a further 23.4 years from age 65 if they are male and for a further 25.9 
years from age 65 if they are female.

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out below:

Discount rate
Inflation
Mortality rates

Change in assumption

Impact on scheme liabilities

0.1% increase
0.1% decrease
1 year increase

Reduction of £1.2m
Reduction of £1.2m
Increase of £3.6m

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

The Group expects to contribute £nil to its defined benefit plan in 2015.

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 £9,901,000 
(2013: £9,030,000) 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, April 2008, September 2009, April 2011, April 2012, April 2013 and April 2014 and an Executive Share Option 
Scheme, which granted options in September 2003, March 2004, August 2004, September 2004, August 2006, April 2008, April 2009, 
August 2011, March 2013 and April 2014.

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201491

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 Performance Share Plan in 2009 and grants of options have been made under this scheme in April 2010, 
March 2011, March 2012, March 2013 and March 2014.

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

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 11 

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 12

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 13

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 14

Date of grant

Employees entitled

August 2004

Senior employees

Exercise
price

340p

Number of
shares granted

930,000

August 2006

Senior employees

407p

1,028,000

April 2008

Senior employees

457p

618,500

April 2009

Senior employees

356p

2,012,000

Performance Share Plan 2

March 2011

Senior executives

Nil

223,418

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 12
Executive Share Option 
Scheme 15

April 2011

All employees

453p

697,609

August 2011

Senior employees

482p

707,000

Performance Share Plan 3

March 2012

Senior executives

Nil

248,922

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 13
Executive Share Option 
Scheme 16

Transitional bonus  
share award
Performance Share Plan 4

April 2012

All employees

468p

703,332

March 2013

Senior employees

480p

693,000

March 2013

Chief Executive

March 2013

Senior executives

Nil

Nil

60,000

305,592

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 14
Recruitment share award
Performance Share Plan 5

April 2013

All employees

414p

699,989

February 2014 Senior executive
Senior executives
March 2014

Nil
Nil

5,517
324,599

Executive Share Option 
Scheme 17

Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme 15

April 2014

Senior employees

500p

598,225

April 2014

All employees

465p

696,344

Vesting conditions

Three years’ service and EPS 
growth of 3-5% over RPI on 
average over those three years
Three years’ service and EPS 
growth of 3-5% over RPI on 
average over those three years
Three years’ service and EPS 
growth of 3-5% over RPI on 
average over those three years
Three years’ service and EPS 
growth of 3-7% over RPI on 
average over those three years
Three years’ service, EPS 
annual compound growth 
of 3-8% over RPI over those 
three years and TSR position 
relative to an appropriate 
comparator group
Three years’ service

Three years’ service and EPS 
growth of 3-7% over RPI on 
average over those three years
Three years’ service, EPS 
annual compound growth 
of 3-8% over RPI over those 
three years and TSR position 
relative to an appropriate 
comparator group
Three years’ service

Three years’ service and EPS 
growth of 3-7% over RPI on 
average over those three years
Continuous service of 2 and 
3 years
Three years’ service, EPS 
annual compound growth 
of 3-8% over RPI over those 
three years and TSR position 
relative to an appropriate 
comparator group
Three years’ service

Continuous service of 2 years
Three years’ service, EPS 
annual compound growth 
of 1-4% over RPI over those 
three years and average annual 
ROCE of 15.5-17% over those 
three years
Three years’ service and EPS 
growth of 1-4% over RPI on 
average over those three years
Three years’ service

Contractual life

10 years

10 years

10 years

10 years

10 years

3.5 years

10 years

10 years

3.5 years

10 years

3 years

10 years

3.5 years

2 years
10 years

10 years

3.5 years

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201492

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

21. Employee benefits (continued)
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 end of year

Exercisable at end of year

2014

2013

Weighted average  
exercise price

Number of  
options

Weighted average  

exercise price

Number of  
options

382p
406p
404p
391p

369p

384p

5,155,631 
(1,151,544)
(1,264,132)
1,593,571 

4,333,526 

640,812 

374p
244p
360p
354p

382p

380p

4,172,263 
(583,411)
(191,802)
1,758,581 

5,155,631 

1,430,650 

The options outstanding at 3 January 2015 have an exercise price in the range of £nil to £5.00 and have a weighted average contractual 
life of five years. The options exercised during the year had a weighted average market value of £5.33 (2013: £4.51).

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is 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 for Savings Related Share Option 
Schemes and Executive Share Option Schemes and for Performance Share Plan options granted in 2014. The Monte Carlo option 
pricing model was used for all other Performance Share Plans. The fair value per option granted and the assumptions used in these 
calculations are as follows:

2014

2013

Performance 
Share Plan 5
March 2014

Recruitment 
share award
Feb 2014

Executive 
Share Option 
Scheme 17
April 2014

Savings 
Related 
Share 
Options 
Scheme 15
April 2014

Performance 
Share Plan 4
March 2013

Transitional 
share bonus 
award
March 2013

Executive 
Share Option 
Scheme 16
March 2013

443p

499p

48p

68p

327p

474p

498p
nil 
20.6%
3 years
3.92%
1.07%

499p
nil
–
2 years
–
–

500p
500p
20.6%
3 years
3.92%
1.07%

517p
465p
20.7%
3 years
3.92%
1.07%

474p
474p
nil 
nil 
17.8%
–
3 years 2 - 3 years
–
4.06%
–
0.31%

34p

480p
480p
17.8%
3 years
4.06%
0.34%

Savings 
Related 
Share 
Options 
Scheme 14
April 2013

49p

460p
414p
18.9%
3 years
4.24%
0.34%

Fair value at grant date

Share price
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Option life
Expected dividend yield
Risk-free rate

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.

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

Share options granted in 2009
Share options granted in 2010
Share options granted in 2011
Share options granted in 2012
Share options granted in 2013
Share options granted in 2014

Total expense recognised as employee costs

2014
£’000 

–
–
(453)
(38)
524 
496 

529 

2013
£’000 

(22)
(239)
284 
244 
325 
–

592 

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201422. Provisions

Balance at start of year
Transfer from trade and other payables
Additional provision in the year
Utilised in year
Provisions reversed during the year

Balance at end of year

Included in current liabilities
Included in non-current liabilities

93

Group and Parent Company

2014
Dilapidations
£’000

1,689
–
3,330
(1,249)
(314)

3,456

2,474
982

3,456

2014 
Onerous 
leases
£’000

3,672
–
1,232
(1,369)
(380)

3,155

1,635
1,520

3,155

2014
Total 
£’000

5,361
–
4,562
(2,618)
(694)

6,611

4,109
2,502

6,611

2013
Total
£’000

1,754
433
5,380
(1,874)
(332)

5,361

2,949
2,412

5,361

Provisions relate to onerous leases, dilapidations and other commitments associated with properties. Included within the provision  
is £733,000 in respect of possible recourse on leases which have been conditionally assigned.

The provision for onerous leases is held in respect of leasehold properties for which the Group is liable to fulfil rent and other property 
commitments for shops from which either the Group no longer trades or for which future trading cash flows are projected to be 
insufficient to cover these costs. Amounts have been provided for the shortfall between projected cashflows and property costs up  
to the lease expiry date or other appropriate estimated date. The majority of this provision is expected to be utilised within four years 
such that the impact of discounting would not be material.

The Group provides for property dilapidations, where appropriate, based on estimated costs of the dilapidation repairs. £2,078,000 of 
the additional provision made in the year in respect of dilapidations was exceptional and relates to the dilapidation costs arising from  
the removal of in-store bakeries from shops as described in Note 4. £982,000 of this is expected to be utilised after more than one year. 
The remainder of the dilapidations provision is expected to be utilised within one year.

23. Capital and reserves
Share capital 

Ordinary shares

2014
Number

2013
Number

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

101,155,901 101,155,901

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. 

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 £6,750,000 (2013: £4,134,000) 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 805,034 shares (2013: 657,210 
shares) with a market value at 3 January 2015 of £5,841,000 (2013: £2,885,000) which have not vested unconditionally in employees. 
During the year the Trust purchased 1,446,525 shares for an aggregate consideration of £7,873,000.

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 Performance Share Plan or  
by the Trustees of the Greggs Employee Share Scheme. The Trustees have elected to waive the dividends payable on these shares.

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201494

Notes to the consolidated accounts
(continued)

23. Capital and reserves (continued)
Dividends
The following tables analyse dividends when paid and the year to which they relate:

2012 final dividend
2013 interim dividend
2013 final dividend
2014 interim dividend

2014
Per share
pence

2013
Per share
pence

–
–
13.5p
6.0p

19.5p

13.5p
6.0p
–
–

19.5p

The proposed final dividend in respect of 2014 amounts to 16.0 pence per share (£16,056,000). This proposed dividend is subject  
to approval at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these accounts.

2012 final dividend
2013 interim dividend
2013 final dividend
2014 interim dividend

24. Operating leases
Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows:

Less than one year
Between one and five years
More than five years

2014
£’000

–
–
13,530
6,040

2013
£’000

13,555
6,027
–
–

19,570

19,582

2014

Property  

£’000

2014
Equipment
£’000

36,887
73,630
12,210

2,031
3,048
247

2014
Total
£’000

38,918
76,678
12,457

2013
Property
£’000 

2013
Equipment
£’000

38,144
75,178
14,046

2,097
3,666
493

2013
Total
£’000

40,241
78,844
14,539

122,727

5,326

128,053

127,368

6,256

133,624

The Group leases the majority of its shops under operating leases. The leases typically run for a period of ten 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 and these amounts are immaterial.

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, title does not pass for the land or building. 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 land or building it is judged that substantially all the risks and rewards of the land and building are with the landlord. Based on these 
qualitative factors it is concluded that the leases are operating leases.

25. Capital commitments
During the year ended 3 January 2015, the Group entered into contracts to purchase property, plant and equipment and intangible 
assets for £6,454,000 (2013: £3,023,000). These commitments are expected to be settled in the following financial year.

26. 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
There have been no transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries during the year (2013: £nil).

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201495

Trading transactions with subsidiaries – Parent Company

Dormant subsidiaries

Amounts owed to  
related parties

Amounts owed by  
related parties

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

7,807

7,807

2014
£’000

–

2013
£’000

–

The Greggs Foundation is also a related party and during the year the Company made a donation to the Greggs Foundation of £520,000.

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 
(Beneficial interest)

Ordinary shares of 2p 
(Trustee holding with no  
beneficial interest)

2014
(or date of 
cessation if
earlier)

2013 
(or date of 
appointment 
if later)

2014
(or date of 
cessation if 
earlier)

2013 
(or date of 
appointment 
if later)

Roger Whiteside 
Richard Hutton
Raymond Reynolds 
Ian Durant (Non-Executive)
Julie Baddeley (Non-Executive)
Iain Ferguson (Non-Executive)
Allison Kirkby (Non-Executive)
Helena Ganczakowski (Non-Executive)
Peter McPhillips (Non-Executive)
Sandra Turner (Non-Executive)

72,253
55,787
53,224
11,700
6,000
15,000
1,600
1,000
–
–

72,253
55,413
52,850
11,700
6,000
15,000
600
–
–
–

–

–
600,000 1,000,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Details of Directors’ share options, emoluments, pension benefits and other non-cash benefits can be found in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 48 to 63. Summary information on remuneration of key management personnel is included in Note 5.

There have been no changes since 3 January 2015 in the Directors’ interests noted above, other than that on 4 March 2015 Peter 
McPhillips purchased a beneficial holding of 500 ordinary shares of 2p. 

Strategic ReportDirectors’ ReportAccountsGreggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 201496

Ten-year history

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009ˆ

2010

2011

2012 
(as restated)$

2013

2014ˆ

Turnover (£’m)

533.4

550.8

586.3

628.2

658.2

662.3

701.1

734.5

762.4

804.0

Total sales growth (%)

Like-for-like sales growth (%)

5.8%ˆ

4.0%

3.3%

0.5%

6.4%

5.3%

7.1%

4.4%

4.8%ˆ

0.8%

0.6%ˆ

0.2%

5.8%

1.4%

4.8% 

3.8% 

(2.7%)

(0.8%)

5.5%ˆ

4.5% 

Earnings before interest 

and tax (EBIT) excluding 
exceptional items (£’m)

EBIT margin excluding 
exceptional items (%)

Exceptional (charge)/credit 

(£’m)

Profit on ordinary activities 

including exceptional items 
and before tax (£’m)

Diluted earnings per share 

excluding exceptional items 
(pence)‡

Dividend per share (pence)‡

Total shareholder return (%)

Capital expenditure (£’m)

Return on capital  
employed (%)

Number of shops in 

operation at year end

47.1

42.2

47.7

44.3

48.4

52.4

53.0

51.3

41.5

58.1

8.8%

7.7%

8.1%

7.1%

7.4%

7.9%

7.6%

7.0%

5.4%

7.2%

–

(3.5)

2.2 

4.3 

–

–

7.4 

1.4 

(8.1)

(8.5)

50.2 

40.2 

51.1 

49.5 

48.8 

52.5 

60.5 

52.4 

33.2 

49.7 

27.9

10.6

31%

41.7 

26.2

11.6

(5%)

30.0 

32.0

14.0

12%

42.3 

30.6

14.9

(22%)

40.8 

34.0

16.6

29%

37.3

18.2

11%

38.8

19.3

13%

30.3 

45.6 

59.1 

38.3

19.5

(6%)

46.9 

30.6

19.5

1%

43.4

22.0

70%

47.6 

48.9 

24.6% 

23.1% 

29.6% 

26.2% 

25.9% 

25.9% 

24.4% 

21.3% 

16.4% 

22.4% 

1,319 

1,336 

1,368 

1,409 

1,419 

1,487 

1,571 

1,671 

1,671 

1,650 

ˆ     2004, 2009 and 2014 were 53 week years, impacting on total sales growth for that year and the year immediately following
‡    all years prior to 2009 adjusted to take account of the ten for one share split which took place during 2009
$   

restated following the adoption of IAS 19 (Revised)

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014

97

Additional Information

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 29 
December 2013 and 3 January 2015 (or at date of appointment if later) are set out in Note 26 to the accounts. Details of Directors’  
share options are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 48 to 63.

In accordance with provision B.7.1 of the Governance Code, all Directors will retire from the Board at the AGM and offer themselves  
for election (in the case of Sandra Turner) or re-election by shareholders.

The Nominations Committee has considered the appropriateness and suitability of each Director standing for election and has 
recommended to the Board that each individual should be put forward for election or 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 they have 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.

Additional Information
 – The information set out within the Governance Report on pages 38 to 42 forms part of the Directors’ Report. 
 – Greenhouse gas emissions: All disclosures concerning the Group’s greenhouse gas emissions (as required to be disclosed under the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013) are contained in the Social Responsibility section of 
the Strategic Review on page 33.

Authority to purchase shares
At the AGM on 1 May 2014, 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.

i

S
t
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a
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c
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e
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t

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c
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s
’

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e
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o
r
t

A
c
c
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t
s

That authority had not been used as at 3 January 2015.

The authority remains in force until the conclusion of the AGM in 2015 or 1 August 2015, whichever is the earlier. It is the Board’s 
intention to seek approval at the 2015 AGM for the renewal of this authority.

Takeover directive 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 4 March 2015, there were 101,155,901 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;

 – 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);

 
 
98

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014

Additional Information
(continued)

 – 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 42;
 – 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. At each Annual General Meeting, any Director appointed by the Board since the last 
Annual General Meeting must retire from office but is eligible for election by the shareholders. Furthermore, the Board has resolved 
that, in line with Governance Code provision B.7.1, all of the Directors will be subject to annual re-election by 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 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 buyback 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; and

 – 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 48 to 63. 
However, provisions in the employee share plans operated by the Company may allow options to be exercised on a takeover.

Employees 
Applications for employment of disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. 
In the event of members of staff becoming disabled every effort is made to ensure that their employment within the Company continues 
and that appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the Company that the training, career development and promotion of 
disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.

The Directors recognise the importance of good communications and good relations with employees. A weekly bulletin is sent to all 
shop staff and quarterly bulletin to all bakery employees.

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.

Notes

Notes

Greggs plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014

Financial calendar

Announcement of results and dividends
Half year 
Full year 

Early August
Early March

Dividends
Interim 
Final 

Mid-October
8 May 2015

Annual report posted to shareholders 
Annual General Meeting 

Late March
30 April 2015

Secretary and advisers

Secretary
Jonathan D Jowett, LL.M. Solicitor

Registered office
Fernwood House
Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1TL

Registered number
502851

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

Auditor
KPMG
Quayside House
110 Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3DX

Stockbrokers
UBS
1 Finsbury Avenue
London
EC2M 2PA

Nplus1 Singer LLP
Time Central
32 Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4SR

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

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

Our choice of paper
Choosing a paper that sits well with our environmental vision is important to us. That’s  
why this report is printed on FSC-approved paper produced from well-managed forests. 
The entire publication has been printed using mineral oil free inks by a FSC-recognised 
printer that holds an ISO 14001 certification. The carbon impact of this paper has also 
been measured and balanced through the World Land Trust, an ecological charity. 

Greggs plc
Fernwood House
Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1TL
Company Registered Number 502851

greggs.co.uk