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Halma Holdings Inc

hlma.l · LSE Industrials
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Industry Conglomerates
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2012 Annual Report · Halma Holdings Inc
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GrowtH tHrouGH
InnovatIon

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview
01   Investment Proposition
 02   Group at a Glance
04   Strategy and Business Model
06   Innovation in Healthcare and Analysis
08   Innovation in Infrastructure Sensors
10   Innovation in Industrial Safety

Business review
12  Chairman’s Statement
14  Performance against Strategy
20  Strategic Review
25  Strategy in Action
30  Sector Reviews

30  Health and Analysis
38  Infrastructure Sensors
46  Industrial Safety

54  Financial Review
59  Risk Management and Internal Control
61  Principal Risks and Uncertainties
64  Corporate Responsibility

Governance
68   Board of Directors and Executive Board
 Chairman’s Introduction to Governance
71 
 Corporate Governance
72 
 Audit Committee Report
76 
  Nomination Committee Report
78 
 Remuneration Committee Report
79 
80  Remuneration Report
87 
90   Directors’ Responsibilities

 Other Statutory Information

Financial statements
91 
92 
92 

 Independent Auditor’s Report – Group
 Consolidated Income Statement
  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive  
Income and Expenditure
93   Consolidated Balance Sheet
94   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
95   Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
96   Accounting Policies
102  Notes to the Accounts
135   Independent Auditor’s Report – Company
136  Company Balance Sheet
137   Notes to the Company Accounts
142  Summary 2003 to 2012
144 Halma Directory
148 Shareholder Information and Advisers

 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Investment
ProPosItIon

Halma has an impressive record of creating sustained shareholder value 
through the economic cycle. we have consistently delivered record 
profits, high returns, strong cash flows, low levels of balance sheet 
gearing and have a 30+ year track record of growing dividend payments 
by 5% or more every year. 
Our ability to achieve record profits through the recent periods of economic 
turbulence is derived from our strategy of having a group of businesses building 
strong competitive advantage in specialised safety, health and environmental 
technology markets with resilient growth drivers. These growth drivers, such  
as increasing Health and Safety regulation, mean that demand for our products  
is resilient, in both developed and developing regions, through periods of 
significant macro-economic change.
Organic growth generates the financial and business resources we need  
to fund acquisitions and keep increasing dividends. 
We generate organic growth momentum by increasing levels of investment  
in people development, new product development and establishing platforms 
for growth in developing markets. Here, the need for Safety, Health and 
Environmental regulation is increasingly recognised by governments and  
the wider population.
Over the long term, we actively manage the mix of businesses in our Group to 
ensure we can sustain strong growth and returns. Whilst acquisitions accelerate 
entry into more attractive market niches, we merge businesses when market 
characteristics change and we exit markets which offer less attractive long-term 
growth and returns through carefully planned disposals.
Halma’s resilient market qualities, organic growth momentum and active portfolio 
management position us strongly to create shareholder value and achieve high 
levels of performance in the future.

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financials statements

Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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GROWTH THROUGH
INNOVATION

Revenue

£579.9m
Profi t before taxation £120.5m
9.74p

Dividend paid

Group at a glance

Strategy and business model

Management development

Values alignment

CO2 emission

54%
6
9%

International expansion

Return on sales

ROTIC

24%
20.8%
16.8%

Performance against strategy
Non-fi nancial KPIs

Performance against strategy
Financial KPIs

Chief Executive
Strategic review

Strategy in action

Sector reviews

Financial review

To view our online report visit:
halmareports.com/annual-report-2012/

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

1

GrouP at a Glance

Group highlights

revenue

£579.9m

Growth
+12%

adjusted profit before taxation

£120.5m

Growth
+15%

return on sales

20.8%

Dividend paid and proposed

9.74p

Growth
+7%

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

£579.9m

£518.4m

£459.1m

£455.9m

£398.0m

£354.6m

£337.3m

£299.1m

£292.6m

£267.3m

£120.5m

£104.6m

£86.2m

£79.1m

£73.2m

£66.1m

£59.6m

£50.4m

£50.3m

£46.5m

20.8%

20.2%

18.8%

17.3%

18.4%

18.6%

17.7%

16.7%

17.2%

17.4%

£36.7m

£34.3m

£32.0m

£29.7m

£28.2m

£26.8m

£25.3m

£24.0m

£22.8m

£21.3m

continuing operations

2012

2011

Change

Revenue

£579.9m £518.4m

Adjusted Profit before Taxation1

£120.5m £104.6m

Statutory Profit before Taxation

£112.0m

£98.3m

Adjusted Earnings per Share2

Statutory Earnings per Share

Total Dividend per Share3

Return on Sales4

Return on Total Invested Capital5

Return on Capital Employed5

24.46p

23.01p

9.74p

20.8%

16.8%

74.7%

20.49p

19.23p

9.10p

20.2%

15.5%

71.9%

+12%

+15%

+14%

+19%

+20%

+7%

Pro-forma information:
1  Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible  

assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent 
consideration and profit on disposal of operations of £8.5m 
(2011: £6.3m). See note 1 to the Accounts. 

2  Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible  

assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent 
consideration, profit on disposal of operations and the associated 
tax. See note 2 to the Accounts.

3 Total dividend paid and proposed per share.

4  Return on Sales is defined as adjusted1 profit before taxation  
from continuing operations expressed as a percentage of  
revenue from continuing operations.

5  Organic growth rates, Return on Total Invested Capital  

and Return on Capital Employed are non-GAAP performance  
measures used by management in measuring the returns achieved 
from the Group’s asset base. See note 3 to the Accounts.

2

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

sector overview

Health and analysis

44% of revenue

Revenue £254m 
Profit1 £58m

Infrastructure sensors

35%of revenue

Revenue £204m 
Profit1 £39m

Industrial safety

21%of revenue

Revenue £122m 
Profit1 £29m

Global overview 
revenue by destination
USA

28%
Mainland Europe

27%
United Kingdom

21%

Asia Pacific and Australia

£87m

15%
Other countries

£51m

9%
1 See note 1 to the Accounts.

£162m

£154m

£126m

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

3

strateGy anD
BusIness moDel

acquisitions >p15

values alignment >p19

acquIre

emPower

cash generation >p18

Development programmes >p18

Business model 
what is Halma’s growth objective?
We aim to double Group revenue and profit 
every five years. 

Historically we have achieved this through 
a mix of acquisitions and organic growth. 
Return on Sales in excess of 18% and 
Return on Capital Employed over 45% 
ensure that cash generation is strong 
enough to sustain growth and increase 
dividends without the need for high levels  
of external funding.

strategy 
How do we grow?
We operate in relatively non-cyclical, 
specialised global niche markets. Our 
technology and application know-how 
provide the opportunity to generate 
growth, sustainable high returns and strong 
competitive advantage. Our chosen markets 
have significant barriers to entry. Demand 
for our products is underpinned by long-
term, resilient growth drivers.

We place our operational resources close 
to our customers through locally managed 
autonomous businesses. 

We reinvest cash into acquiring high 
performance businesses in, or close to,  
our existing markets.

strategic priorities 
where do we invest?
We are making the following key strategic 
investments across the Group to sustain 
growth above market rates:

– Acquisitions 
– Innovation (products and process) 
– People development 
– International expansion (especially Asia)

4

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

acquisitions >p15

values alignment >p19

cash generation >p18

Development programmes >p18

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

High rate of innovation >p15

return on sales >p16

organic revenue growth >p14

rotIc >p17

Innovate

Grow

co2 emissions >p19

organic profit growth >p14

International expansion >p16

roce >p17

Growth drivers 
what drives long-term growth  
in our chosen markets?
Demand in each of our markets is 
driven by one or more of the following  
long-term growth drivers:

– Increasing demand for healthcare 
– Increasing demand for energy and water 
– Increasing urbanisation of population 
– Increasing health and safety regulation

values 
How do we maintain a consistent 
culture across the Group?
Our values help to ensure a consistent  
set of standards and behaviours throughout 
the Group. This is particularly important 
given the Group’s decentralised structure. 
Our core values are Achievement, 
Innovation, Empowerment and Customer 
Satisfaction. Our employees are required 
to act fairly in their dealings with fellow 
employees, customers, suppliers and 
business partners; these principles are 
included within our Code of Conduct which 
has been signed by each Group employee.

Our performance culture is underpinned by 
the alignment of reward and incentive plans.

organisational structure 
How does our structure help deliver 
competitive advantage?
Halma’s 3 sectors are composed 
of 40 autonomous operating companies, 
each with their own board of directors. 
These are grouped into operating divisions, 
each chaired by a Halma Divisional Chief 
Executive (DCE), responsible for its own 
growth. DCEs understand the market needs 
of their companies and contribute broadly to 
their strategies. Through regular interaction 
between Executive Board members, 
common challenges and opportunities 
are identified. A small head office team 
focuses on setting the strategic framework 
and maintains a standard process of 
financial planning, reporting and control. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

5

INNOvATION IN
HealtH anD analysIs

We make products used to improve personal and public health. 
We develop technologies for analysis in safety, life sciences  
and environmental markets. 

Photonics
we have market leading technologies and products 
which use light and optics to measure substances 
as well as create, change and measure light.

We have manufacturing sites in the USA, Germany  
and China.

Health Optics
we make handheld devices used to assess eye 
health, diagnose disease and assist with eye  
surgery as well as diagnostic devices for general 
medical applications.

These products are made in the USA, the UK, Germany 
and Switzerland.

See page 32

See page 33

6

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Water
we make instruments for monitoring and finding 
leaks in underground water pipelines and uv 
technology for disinfecting and treating water.

We manufacture our water products in the UK,  
The Netherlands, France, the USA and China.

Fluid Technology
we make critical components such as pumps, 
probes, valves, connectors and tubing used by 
scientific, environmental and medical diagnostic 
instrument manufacturers for demanding fluid 
handling applications.

These products are made in the USA, the UK and China.

See page 34

See page 35

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

7

INNOvATION IN
Infrastructure sensors

We make products which detect hazards to protect assets  
and people in public, commercial and industrial buildings. 

Fire Detection
we make fire and smoke detectors and audible/
visual warning devices.

We make fire products in the UK, USA and China.

Automatic Door Sensors
we make sensors used on automatic doors  
in public, commercial and industrial buildings  
and transportation. 

These products are made in China, Belgium and the USA.

See page 40

See page 41

8

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Elevator Safety
we make elevator/lift door safety sensors, 
emergency communication devices, displays  
and control panels for elevators.

These products are made in the Czech Republic, the USA, 
China, Singapore and India.

Security Sensors
we make security sensors used in public  
and commercial property. 

These products are made in the UK.

See page 42

See page 43

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

9

INNOvATION IN
InDustrIal safety

We make products which protect assets  
and people in industry. 

Safety Interlocks
we make specialised mechanical, electrical and 
electromechanical locks which prevent accidents 
and ensure that critical processes operate safely. 

We manufacture interlocks in the UK, the USA, The 
Netherlands, France, Tunisia, Australia and China.

Gas Detection
we make portable instruments and fixed systems 
which detect flammable and hazardous gases.

We make our gas detectors in the UK.

See page 48

See page 49

10

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Bursting Disks
we make ‘one time use’ pressure relief devices  
to protect pressurised vessels and pipework in 
process industries. 

Asset Monitoring
we make products which monitor the condition of 
physical assets underwater using innovative sensor 
and communications technologies.

Our bursting disks are made in the UK and the USA.

Our asset monitoring products are made in the UK.

See page 50

See page 51

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

11

cHaIrman’s 
statement

“ We continue to invest 
in new programmes to 
develop our people further, 
exposing them to new ideas, 
techniques and markets.”
Geoff Unwin 
Chairman

12

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Halma: what we do and our strategy 
Our business is to make products which 
protect lives and improve the quality of life 
for people worldwide. We do this through 
continuous innovation in market-leading 
products which meet the increasing 
demands for improvements to health, 
safety and the environment. We build 
strong positions in niche markets where 
the demand is global. Our businesses are 
autonomous and highly entrepreneurial.

Strategically we aim to grow profit and 
revenue in excess of 5% p.a. organically,  
to have Return on Sales in the region  
of 18% to 22% and generate post-tax  
Return on Total Invested Capital of more 
than 12%. As a result, we are highly cash 
generative and reinvest in our businesses 
through people, product and market 
development, continue to acquire more 
companies with similar characteristics and 
strive to give annual dividend growth of  
5% or more to our shareholders.

Performance
Full year revenue increased by 12% to 
£579.9m (2011: £518.4m), organic revenue 
growth1 was 5%, and 6% at constant 
currency. Profit before tax, amortisation 
of acquired intangible assets, acquisition 
transaction costs, movement on contingent 
consideration and the profit on disposal of 
operations increased by 15% to £120.5m 
(2011: £104.6m), organic profit growth was 
5% and the same at constant currency. 
Statutory profit before tax increased by 
14% to £112.0m. Return on Total Invested 
Capital1 increased to 16.8% (2011: 15.5%), 
Return on Capital Employed at the 
operating level increased to 74.7% (2011: 
71.9%). Return on Sales1 edged up to 20.8% 
compared to 20.2% the previous year. Net 

24 July 2012 and will be paid on 22 August 
2012 to shareholders on the register at 20 
July 2012. This marks the 33rd consecutive 
year of dividend increases of 5% or more.

We also signed a new five-year banking 
facility of £260m (see the Financial Review).

acquisitions/divestiture
During the year we purchased Kirk Key 
Interlock Company for US$14.5m, including 
US$1.9m of debt, which strengthened our 
position in the US interlock market; and Avo 
Photonics for US$9.1m (plus a contingent 
payment of up to US$11m based on future 
profit growth).

At the year end we divested volumatic,  
a cash handling business, for £4.4m with  
an additional contingent consideration  
of up to £3.9m.

At the start of the 2012/13 financial year,  
we announced two further acquisitions in 
our Health and Analysis sector: Sensorex 
which manufactures electro-chemical 
sensors for water analysis applications for 
US$37.5m and Accutome which designs 
and manufactures surgical and diagnostic 
instruments for the ophthalmic market 
place for a cash consideration of US$20m, 
including US$2.3m of debt, plus a  
contingent performance payment of  
up to US$5m.

At the end of May 2012 we acquired 
SunTech Medical Group for an initial cash 
consideration of US$46m for the share 
capital and US$5m for cash retained in  
the business, plus a contingent 
performance payment of up to US$6m. 
SunTech, which also joins the Health and 
Analysis sector, is a pre-eminent supplier  
of clinical grade non-invasive blood pressure 
monitoring products.

Dividend paid and proposed

Dividend growth

9.74p

+7%

and investments we have made over the 
recent years, and this year sales in China 
grew 25%.

Innovation
Technical and application innovation is at 
the heart of what we do, listening to our 
customers and imaginatively responding  
to their needs. You will see many examples 
in this report. During the year we held 
a hugely successful internal Innovation 
and Technology Exposition, where all 
our companies showcased their latest 
innovative applications. This, in turn, 
spawned many new ideas for using new 
technologies in different applications.

People
We continue to invest in new programmes 
to develop our people further, exposing 
them to new ideas, techniques and 
markets. We are also giving strong 
encouragement to diversity in all its aspects. 
The buzz between people at the Halma 
Innovation and Technology Exposition  
was palpable.

To everyone in the Group, sincere thanks for 
all you have done in producing these record 
results and building for the future.

Governance
During the year we responded to the 
consultation document from the Financial 
Reporting Council on Gender Diversity on 
Boards. In summary, our response was 
that we supported diversity on the Board 
but not just gender; we also seek a variety 
of experiences which will help accelerate 
growth in our business sectors in all 
geographies. Our strong preference is to 
develop policies and actions which support 
our aims rather than simply establish targets 
and quotas in this area. We believe the 
former evolves into part of our corporate 
culture more readily than simply setting  
a target.

I am delighted that Daniela Barone Soares 
has joined the Board and is bringing her 
extensive experience to bear in and around 
the Board.

outlook
Many of the economic uncertainties that  
we saw at the beginning of the year are  
still with us. Our performance over the  
last year shows that we can make  
progress even in uncertain markets and 
we look forward to doing the same in the 
coming year. 

Geoff unwin 
chairman

debt at the year end was £18.7m having 
spent £14.5m (including £1.1m of debt) 
on two acquisitions during the year, and 
received the first element of the disposal 
proceeds for volumatic.

As a result the Board is recommending 
a final dividend of 5.95p per share giving 
a total dividend of 9.74p for the year, an 
increase of 7%. The final dividend is subject 
to approval by shareholders at the AGM on 

So one can see that we continue to manage 
the portfolio actively and continue to seek 
out growth opportunities.

Geographic market development
One of our strategic aims is to have 30% 
of our revenue coming from markets 
outside the UK, USA and Mainland 
Europe by 2015. In 2006 the figure was 
18%, last year we achieved 24% so we 
are well on our way. This reflects the focus 

1  See Group highlights.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

13

20122011201020092008£32.0m£29.7m£28.2m£34.3m£36.7mPerformance 
aGaInst strateGy

Key performance indicators: 
financial

strategic focus 
Through strategic investment in people development, international expansion and innovation we aim to achieve organic growth  
in excess of our blended market growth rate of 5%.

Organic revenue growth 
KPI definition
Organic revenue growth measures the change in revenue achieved 
in the current year compared with the prior year from continuing 
Group operations. The effect of acquisitions and disposals made 
during the current or prior financial period has been equalised.

Organic profit growth 
KPI definition
Organic profit growth measures the change in profit achieved in the 
current year compared with the prior year from continuing Group 
operations. The effect of acquisitions and disposals made during 
the current or prior financial period has been equalised.

Performance
2012 performance

target

5%
>5%

Organic revenue growth
2012

5%

2011

2010

1%

2009

2008

Performance
2012 performance

target

5%
>5%

Organic profit growth
2012

5%

11%

11%

2011

2010

2009

2008

9%

5%

7%

8%

19%

comment
Solid organic revenue growth in line with our minimum target. 
Over the last five years our average rate of annual organic 
revenue growth has been 7% p.a. which is 2% in excess  
of our minimum target.

comment
Solid organic profit growth with a strong performance in the 
Industrial Safety sector. Over the last five years our average  
rate of annual organic profit growth has been 9% p.a.

2013 target
The Board has established a long-term minimum organic growth target of 5% p.a. representing the blended long-term average growth 
rate of our markets. This target remains appropriate given the Group’s achievement of an overall revenue and profit objective of growing 
by 15% p.a. after acquisition revenue and profit are taken into account.

In order to meet the target of organic growth in excess of 5%, the Group will need to maintain its focus on investment in innovation, 
people development and geographic expansion in order to ensure the momentum developed over recent years is continued.

The primary factors affecting our ability to meet the target relate to competitive innovations overtaking the Group’s technology  
and macro-economic factors.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Financial Review p54
•	 Principal Risks and Uncertainties p61
•	 Note 3 to the Accounts p105

14

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

strategic focus 
We have maintained high levels of R&D investment and spending 
on innovation. The successful introduction of new products is a key 
contributor to the Group’s ability to build competitive advantage and 
grow organically and internationally.

strategic focus 
We buy companies with business and market characteristics like 
those of Halma. Acquired businesses have to be a good fit with our 
operating culture and strategy in addition to being value-enhancing 
financially.

High rate of innovation
KPI definition
Total research and development expenditure in the financial year 
(both that expensed and capitalised) as a percentage of revenue 
from continuing operations.

Acquisitions
Definition
The cash outflow (including repayment of acquired bank loans) 
disclosed in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement under 
Acquisition of businesses (plus any net debt acquired).

Performance
2012 performance

target

4.7%
>4%

R&D as a % of revenue
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Performance
2012 performance

£20m

4.7%

Acquisitions £m spent
2012

£20m

5.0%

2011

4.7%

2010

£2m

5.0%

4.7%

2009

2008

£12m

£47m

£82m

comment
Total spend in the year was £27.4m (2011: £25.7m) exceeding  
the 4% of revenue target. The highest rate of investment was  
in the Health and Analysis sector.

comment
We have substantial financial capacity and facilities in place  
to comfortably finance acquisitions. We succeeded in buying 
two excellent companies during the year.

2013 target
New products contribute strongly to achieving organic growth, 
maintaining high returns and building strong market positions. 
The 4% minimum investment target is appropriate to the mix of 
product life cycles and technologies within Halma.

2013 target
2012 ended with sufficient financial capacity to finance further 
acquisitions, and two further businesses have been acquired 
early in the new year. Acquisition targets must meet our 
demanding criteria.

The HCAT development programme for engineers in the  
Group helps drive our technical and process innovation to fuel 
organic growth.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Corporate Responsibility p64

We have a strong pipeline of opportunities and have added 
further resources to our search activities.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Financial Review p54
•	 Principal Risks and Uncertainties p61

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

15

Performance aGaInst strateGy
contInueD

Key performance indicators: 
financial

strategic focus 
The Health, Safety and Environmental markets in Asia and other 
developing regions are evolving quickly and offer us higher rates 
of growth in the future. We continue to invest in establishing local 
selling, technical and manufacturing resources to meet this current 
and future need.

strategic focus 
We choose to operate in markets which are capable of delivering 
high returns. The ability to sustain these returns is a product of 
maintaining strong market and product positions together with 
excellent management of our operations and assets.

International expansion
Definition
Total sales to markets outside the UK, USA and Mainland Europe  
as a percentage of total revenue from continuing operations.

Return on sales
KPI definition
Return on Sales is defined as adjusted profit before taxation from 
continuing operations expressed as a percentage of revenue from 
continuing operations.

Performance
2012 performance

target

24%
30% (by 2015)

Revenue outside the UK, USA and Mainland Europe
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

21%

22%

19%

Performance
2012 performance

target

20.8%
>18%

Return on sales
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

24%

24%

20.8%

20.2%

18.8%

17.3%

18.4%

comment
Revenue outside the UK, USA and Mainland Europe was 24% of 
the Group total with revenue from Asia Pacific and Australasia up  
by 15%. Revenue from China grew by 25% to £29.5m which  
is now 4.5 times the level in 2006 when we established our  
first Halma hubs. Approximately 10% of Halma employees are 
based in China, and our three new Chinese regional offices are 
well established.

2013 target
Our aim is for revenue outside the UK, USA and Mainland 
Europe to be 30% of the Group total by 2015. Halma corporate 
hubs were established in China and India to assist companies 
in setting up local operations. More operating companies have 
established a presence in South America during 2011/12 and this 
trend should continue in 2012/13.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Financial Review p54
•	 Note 1 to the Accounts p102

comment
High returns achieved representing a further improvement 
in performance against the previous year. The high rate of 
profitability of recent acquisitions was a significant contributor  
to the increase this year.

2013 target
We aim to achieve a Return on Sales within the 18% to 22% 
range whilst continuing to deliver profit growth.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Financial Review p54
•	 Note 3 to the Accounts p105

16

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

strategic focus 
We choose to operate in markets which are capable of delivering high returns. The ability to sustain these returns is a product of maintaining 
strong market and product positions together with excellent management of our operations and assets.

ROTIC (Return on Total Invested Capital)
KPI definition
ROTIC is defined as the post-tax return from continuing operations 
before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction 
costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal  
of operations, as a percentage of adjusted shareholders’ funds.

ROCE (Return on Capital Employed)
KPI definition
ROCE is defined as the operating profit from continuing operations 
before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition 
transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit 
on disposal of operations, as a percentage of capital employed.

Performance
2012 performance

target

16.8%
>12%

ROTIC
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Performance
2012 performance

target

75%
>45%

16.8%

15.5%

13.6%

13.1%

14.1%

ROCE
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

75%

72%

61%

48%

56%

comment
Record ROTIC achieved. These high returns are in excess  
of our long-term Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)  
of 8.0% (2011: 8.5%). 

comment
very high returns above the target level achieved. The significant 
increase in recent years is due to concerted efforts to improve 
profitability and sustain high levels of efficiency in our operations.

Earnings increased faster than our asset base due to good 
operational management and acquisitions at sensible values.

2013 target
The target of 12% was set in 2005 when the Group’s ROTIC 
was 12.1% and WACC was 7.9%. A range of 12% to 17% is 
considered representative of the Board’s expectations over  
the long term.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Financial Review p54
•	 Note 3 to the Accounts p105

2013 target
The target of >45% is set in order to ensure the efficient 
generation of cash at all levels to fund our target level of organic 
growth, acquisitions and dividend growth without Halma 
becoming a highly-leveraged group.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Financial Review p54
•	 Note 3 to the Accounts p105

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

17

Performance aGaInst strateGy
contInueD

Key performance indicators: 
financial

Key performance indicators: 
non-financial

strategic focus 
Generating sufficiently high levels of cash provides the Group with 
freedom to pursue its strategic goals of organic growth, acquisitions 
and progressive dividends without becoming  
highly-leveraged.

strategic focus 
The Halma Executive Development Programme (HEDP), the Halma 
Management Development Programme (HMDP) and the Halma 
Certificate in Applied Technology (HCAT) provide executives and 
middle managers with the necessary skills they need in their current 
and future roles.

Cash generation
KPI definition
Cash generated from operations expressed as a percentage  
of adjusted profit from continuing operations.

Development programmes
KPI definition
Number of current employees attending an in-house  
development programme compared with the estimated pool  
of qualifying participants.

Performance
2012 performance

target

104%
>100%

Operating cash to profit
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Performance
2012 performance

target

54%
>50%

Management development
2012

131%

2011

2010

2009

2008

104%

108%

109%

104%

54%

55%

50%

71%

67%

comment
Cash conversion of 104% was above the target, a strong 
performance across the Group, in particular in the second half  
of the year.

2013 target
The goal of cash inflow exceeding 100% is a metric that has 
relevance at all levels of the organisation and aligns management 
action with the strategic goals of organic growth, acquisitions 
and progressive dividends.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Financial Review p54

comment
Recognising the vital role that our people play in delivering 
organic growth, our training courses have been designed to 
enhance the skills of the next generation of directors, managers 
and innovators. With the introduction of HCAT’s participation into 
the metric, the rate of participation has slightly reduced this year, 
although our target has been achieved once again.

2013 target
The introduction of the Halma Graduate Development 
Programme, with its first intake later in 2012, is a useful 
expansion of the Group’s development programmes  
and is targeted to bring further new talent into the Group.

see also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Corporate Responsibility p64

1  See Group highlights
18

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Strategic focus 
Halma conducts an annual survey of its employees to assess how 
well the Group’s values are aligned with its employees’ current 
experiences and future aspirations.

Strategic focus 
Halma’s carbon policy was first approved by the Board in 2007. In 
2010 the policy target was reviewed and continues to call for a 10% 
reduction in the carbon footprint every three years. 

Values alignment
KPI definition
The survey of all Group employees looks for matching values in a 
comparison of the ten current culture values receiving the highest 
number of votes with the equivalent ten values employees desire  
for their working culture. 

CO2 emissions
KPI definition
The percentage change in the Group CO2 emissions from electricity, 
oil, gas, vehicle business mileage and air miles travel.

Performance
2012 performance

Target

6
≥5

Values alignment (out of 10)
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Performance
2012 performance

Target

9% reduction since 2010
>10% reduction over 3 years to 2013

5

5

6

6

CO2 emissions (tonnes/£m of revenue)
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

7

46

47

43

44

44

Comment
The survey invitation was extended to a greater number of Group 
employees this year, so an improvement in matching values is an 
excellent result.

2013 target
The minimum target of 5 matching values remains relevant;  
the goal for 2013 will be to improve the Group’s communication 
of its values and to maintain a high rate of employee participation  
in the survey.

See also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Corporate Responsibility p64

Comment
The Group’s efforts to minimise its carbon footprint have ensured 
that CO2 emissions related to our businesses are reviewed and 
controlled with businesses being held accountable for achieving 
their targets. We will need to make further efforts to achieve our 
10% relative reduction in emissions over the three years to 2013 
and believe that our Group Carbon Policy increases the focus  
on the CO2 emissions.

2013 target
The importance of managing our operations to target a 10% 
relative reduction in CO2 emissions over a three-year period  
is a metric endorsed by the Board.

See also
•	 Chief Executive’s Strategic Review p20
•	 Corporate Responsibility p64

963-1_Halma_AR12_Front_AW11.indd   19

14/06/2012   17:35

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

19

strateGIc 
revIew

“ Halma has made good progress this 
year, continuing to create value for 
shareholders through organic growth, 
successful acquisitions and increasing 
dividends.”

Andrew Williams 
Chief Executive

20

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Security Sensors all increased revenue 
whilst Elevator Safety revenue was flat.  
A significant management reorganisation 
within Elevator Safety started in November 
2011 and will be complete by mid-2012. This 
will reduce profitability in Elevator Safety by 
around £1m during the first half of 2012/13 
but is expected to have delivered significant 
benefits to more than cover this charge by 
the end of the full year.

Good cash generation and a strong 
balance sheet
Clearly, high returns are an indicator of a 
business’ ability to generate cash. We aim 
to grow organically and through acquisition 
without becoming a highly geared business. 
This year cash generated was 104% of 
adjusted1 profit (2011: 108%) and we ended 
the year in a strong position with net debt  
of £19m (2011: £37m).

Growth in all three sectors  
and all major regions
Revenue growth was achieved in all three 
sectors and in all major geographic regions 
and increased by 12% to £580m (2011: 
£518m). Adjusted1 profit grew to £120.5m, 
an increase of 15% (2011: £104.6m). 
Organic revenue growth and organic profit 
growth were both 5%, increasing to 6% for 
continuing operations excluding the figures 
for volumatic which we sold just before the  
year end.

Revenue grew in both developed and 
developing regions, demonstrating the 
resilience of the underlying growth drivers 
in our chosen markets of safety, health and 
environmental technology. UK was up by 
18% to £126m (2011: £106m), whilst US 
increased 8% to £162m (2011: £150m). 
Revenue from Mainland Europe contributed 
£154m (2011: £138m), an increase of 12%. 
Revenue from outside these territories 
was up by 11%, representing 24% of the 
Group total (2011: 24%). This included 15% 
growth from Far East and Australasia. China 
revenue improved by 25% and represents 
slightly over 5% of Group revenue. 

Health and Analysis performed well, 
increasing revenue by 16% to £254m  
(2011: £218m), contributing 44% of the 
Group (2011: 42%). Profit2 grew substantially 
by 25% to £57.8m (2011: £46.1m), 46% 
of Group operating profit2 (2011: 42%). 
Return on Sales grew strongly to 22.8% 
(2011: 21.1%). All four sub-sectors, Water, 
Photonics, Health Optics and Fluid 
Technology increased revenue with organic 
growth boosted significantly by acquisitions 
made in 2010/11. Following a tough first 
half year, Fluid Technology had a much 
steadier performance in the second half 
with revenue slightly ahead of the first six 

Industrial Safety performed strongly  
with revenue increasing by 19% to  
£122m (2011: £103m), which is 21% of the 
Group (2011: 20%). Profit2 increased by 
20% to £29.2m (2011: £24.4m), which is 
23% of Group operating profit2 (2011: 22%). 
The four sub-sectors of Gas Detection, 
Safety Interlocks, Bursting Disks and  
Asset Monitoring all increased revenue  
with demand underpinned by Health and 
Safety regulations and positive end-
markets including Oil and Gas. Return  
on Sales in Industrial Safety remained  
the highest in the Group at 23.9%  
(2011: 23.7%).

our three major measures of  
returns improved
Return on Sales improved to a new record 
of 20.8% (2011: 20.2%) with acquisitions 
improving margins in Health and Analysis 
and organic growth edging up Industrial 
Safety’s performance. Infrastructure Sensors 
was a little lower than the prior year, albeit 
well within our 18% to 22% target range.

A high Return on Capital Employed is a 
key metric for Halma companies and is a 
characteristic we look for when considering 
acquisition prospects. This year it improved 
to 74.7% from an already very high level of 
71.9% last year.

Profit

£120.5m

Profit growth

+15%

months. Water had a very good year gaining 
significant market share for water network 
monitoring instruments in the UK.

Infrastructure Sensors had a solid year 
increasing revenue by 4% to £204m  
(2011: £197m), 35% of the total (2011: 38%). 
Profit2 was marginally ahead of last year 
at £39.1m (2011: £39.0m), which is 31% of 
Group operating profit2 (2011: 36%). Return 
on Sales was 19.1% (2011: 19.8%). Fire 
Detection, Automatic Door Sensors and 

Return on Total Invested Capital is the 
post-tax return Halma has generated on all 
our assets including all historical goodwill. 
It is, therefore, an important long-term 
measure of how efficiently we deploy capital 
to grow our business both organically and 
through acquisition thereby creating value 
for shareholders. This year it increased 
to 16.8% (2011: 15.5%), well above our 
weighted average cost of capital, estimated 
to be around 8%. 

In October 2011, we decided to renew and 
increase our bank credit facilities which were 
due to terminate in February 2013. We have 
put in place a £260m five-year revolving 
credit facility which gives us greater certainty 
over our medium-term funding and a greater 
freedom to complete acquisitions when 
suitable opportunities arise.

strategic growth priorities
We have a clear strategy to generate 
sustained organic growth, actively manage 
our portfolio and deliver growing dividends. 
The medium-term rate of organic growth 
determines the rate at which we can acquire 
businesses and increase dividends. Our 
management reward structures are clearly 
aligned with our objectives of delivering 
sustained growth and high returns. We 
actively manage our business portfolio 
through acquiring in (or adjacent to) our 
existing markets, merging as market needs 
change and selling businesses where we 
do not see the medium-term prospects  
for sustaining high returns or growth. 

We drive organic growth through a focus  
on investing in the three areas of:  
Innovation, People Development and 
International Expansion.

Innovation
Our businesses build market leadership, 
gain market share or create new market 
opportunities through innovation in 
products and processes. Within Halma, 
companies have great opportunities to 
collaborate and share know-how with 
their sister companies. We are creating a 
culture and environment to encourage this 
behaviour in a variety of ways including 
ensuring a diverse mix of representation at 
Halma training programmes and holding a 
biennial Halma Innovation and Technology 
Exposition. Network groups and forums 
focused on specific functional areas such 
as manufacturing and IT have also been 
established to foster regular benchmarking 
and continuous improvement.

Innovation by individual employees is 
formally recognised in Halma through a 
monthly Eureka award (top prize £1,000) 
and the Halma Annual Innovation Awards 
(top prize £20,000).

In 2012, the Halma Innovation Award was 
won by a team from Oseco in Oklahoma, 
USA, who designed a new Bursting Disk 
product which improves safety in Oil and 
Gas exploration. The runners-up were a 
team from HWM-Water in Cwmbran, UK, 
who developed a software platform which 
gives customers a ‘data-gateway’ to easily 
integrate their control systems with HWM’s 
water monitoring technology. In third place 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

21

20122011201020092008£86.2m£79.1m£73.2m£104.6m£120.5mstrateGIc revIew
contInueD

was a team from Ocean Thin Films in 
Colorado, USA, who created a spectral 
imaging camera which enables scientists 
to analyse target objects in real-time video 
through a range of discrete specialist optical 
filters simultaneously (see page 28).

R&D expenditure increased by 7% to 
£27.4m (2011: £25.7m) representing 4.7%  
of Group revenue (2011: 5.0%), well above 
our 4% KPI target. Underlying growth 
in R&D spend was in line with revenue 
growth so the slight decline in spend as 
a percentage of revenue was due to the 
lower rate of R&D investment of companies 
recently acquired. One of the ways we aim 
to add value to newly acquired businesses 
is by increasing their rate of innovation 
through investment in new products. 

People development
Halma’s decentralised operating structure 
relies upon having capable local managers 
empowered to make timely decisions in 
the best interests of their business. R&D, 
manufacturing, sales and administrative 
resources are controlled by local subsidiary 
boards who have an intimate knowledge 
of market dynamics and customer needs. 
Strategic objectives, annual performance 
goals and management incentives are 
aligned with a strong commitment to attract 
and develop high quality talent at all levels.

Halma offers a range of training 
programmes for employees including 
the Halma Executive Development 
Programmes (HEDP and HEDP+), Halma 
Management Development Programmes 
(HMDP and HMDP+) and Halma Certificate 
in Applied Technology (HCAT) programmes. 
During 2011/12, 166 employees attended 
these Halma-run programmes and many 
more benefited from training provided by 

In 2012, we launched the Halma Graduate 
Development Programme (HGDP) with the 
first group of UK and US graduates due to 
start in early Autumn 2012. Through HGDP, 
we aim to increase the depth of talent 
coming through our management ranks 
and also expect it to increase management 
diversity in the longer term. Graduates 
will work at Group companies in different 
global regions and attend residential 
training modules. Halma is an attractive 
employer for new graduates offering the 
chance to work in diverse markets, gaining 
international experience and providing a 
genuine opportunity for significant early 
career progression. 

International expansion
We have made great strides in recent years 
growing our business in developing markets. 
In the process, we have learned a lot about 
these markets and have improved our 
understanding of the growth opportunities, 
both organic and through acquisitions. In the 
future, we expect to find a greater number 
of acquisition opportunities in developing 
markets and we are building the resources  
to support this objective. 

Our strategic objective is for at least 30%  
of revenue to come from outside the UK, 
USA and Mainland Europe by 2015 and  
we maintained that metric at 24% this  
year even with the acquisition of two US-
focused businesses in the year (2011: 24%). 
By 2015 China is targeted to be 10% of the 
Group total.

This year, good momentum was maintained 
in China with revenue increasing by 25% 
to £29.5m (2011: £23.6m) which is slightly 
over 5% of total revenue. This compares 
with £6.6m in 2006 when we set up our 
first hubs in Shanghai and Beijing. In 

“ In the future, we expect to find 
a greater number of acquisition 
opportunities in developing markets 
and we are building the resources to 
support this objective.”

their subsidiary company. The value of this 
investment is shown both in our excellent 
financial performance and succession 
planning. In April 2012, Philippe Felten the 
CEO of BEA, our Automatic Door Safety 
business, was promoted to the Halma 
Executive Board and took on the additional 
responsibility of our Security Sensors  
sub-sector.

2012, the number of employees based in 
China represents 10% of the total Halma 
workforce.

A number of Halma businesses are 
investing in building stronger channels to 
market in South America either directly or  
by developing trading relationships with local 
businesses. Revenue from South America 
increased by 23% to £11.2m (2011: £9.1m).

22

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

In India, there was slower progress, 
with revenue increasing by 8% to £7.0m 
(2011: £6.4m). We are adding both sales 
and technical resource in Mumbai and 
during the year moved to larger premises. 
However, it is clear that India is not currently 
offering us the same rate of revenue  
growth as China, South-East Asia and 
South America.

acquisitions and disposals
During the year, we completed two 
acquisitions and one disposal. Following 
the year end, we acquired a further three 
businesses. For these five acquisitions we 
paid £80m, including £3m of debt acquired, 
(plus potential for £14m of earn-outs) and 
received an initial payment of £4.4m for the 
disposal. All transactions, except the Kirk 
Key acquisition, were within our Health  
and Analysis sector.

In May 2011, we acquired Kirk Key 
Interlocks, based in Ohio, USA for 
US$14.5m (£8.8m), including US$1.9m of 
debt. Kirk Key was our most significant 
competitor for Safety Interlocks in the US 
market and is a strong addition to our group 
of market leading interlock businesses 
within the Industrial Safety sector.

In July 2011, we bought Avo Photonics, 
based in Pennsylvania, USA for US$9.1m 
(£5.7m) plus a one-year earn-out of up to 
US$11.0m dependent on profit growth. 
Avo adds significant new technology and 
manufacturing know-how to our Photonics 
businesses. Their expertise in miniature 
electro-optic design and manufacturing has 
potential applications across many other 
Halma sub-sectors.

In March 2012, we sold volumatic, based 
in Coventry, UK to a private equity fund, for 
£4.4m plus performance based earn-outs 

In April 2012, we paid US$37.5m (£23.4m)  
to acquire Sensorex, a manufacturer 
of water quality test sensors based 
in California, USA. Sensorex is very 
complementary to our existing water test 
business, Palintest, and joins the Water 
sub-sector.

In April 2012, we acquired Accutome for 
US$20m (£12.6m), including US$2.3m of 
debt, plus an earn-out of up to US$5m 
based on future profit growth. Accutome 
adds new products and greater sales 
and distribution strength in the USA for 
our Health Optics businesses. Based in 
Pennsylvania, USA, it already trades with 
our ophthalmic instrument businesses 
Keeler and volk.

In May 2012, we acquired SunTech for 
US$46m (£29.6m) plus US$5m for cash 
retained in the business with a potential 
earn-out of US$6m. Their blood pressure 
monitoring technology is a perfect 
complement to Riester’s own clinical grade 
blood pressure monitoring devices.

Our current acquisition prospect pipeline 
is strong. We are looking for successful 
businesses in, or closely related to, our 
existing sub-sectors. Although most of our 
transactions in recent years have been in 
the Health and Analysis sector, we continue 
to look for opportunities in our safety-related 
sectors too. This combination gives Halma  
a great balance between sustainable 
growth and strong returns.

macro-economic, regulatory and 
competitive environment
With our focus on the supply of safety, 
health and environmental related products, 
Halma businesses are positioned in 
relatively non-cyclical markets that have 
clear, long-term growth prospects. Most of 

With demand for our products increasingly 
stimulated by regulation, we can invest for the 
longer term with confidence. Our competitive 
environment is heavily influenced by global, 
regional and national product approvals 
or technical validations. Compliance with 
product regulations is a steadily increasing 
overhead and a technical challenge but 
our focus on this area enables us to build 
competitive advantage. We are exposed 
to a very diverse range of niche markets, 
each with its own unique competitive 
environment. Our strategy is to empower 
local management to respond to changing 
market conditions by controlling their own 
competitive strategy. More details are given  
in the sector reviews on pages 30 to 53.

In the current macro-economic environment 
each of our businesses is experiencing 
very different challenges and opportunities 
according to their particular market and 
geographic exposure. In 2012/13, we 
expect the macro-economic and political 
circumstances in Europe and the Middle 
East to remain challenging with the USA 
maintaining a relatively low rate of growth. 
We believe that the broader socio-economic 
development of developing regions like Asia 
and South America will continue to increase 
demand for a safer environment and for 
greater access to healthcare and energy/
water resources. This should benefit  
Halma businesses.

our primary market growth drivers
Halma’s strategy is to develop market 
positions with a horizon of ten years or 
more. Growth strategies within our individual 
operating businesses tend to have three to 
five-year horizons.

“ Our focus on Safety, Health and 
Environmental Technology is  
continuing to provide opportunities 
for growth in both developed and 
developing regions.”

of up to £3.9m. The end-markets for their 
cash counting products are retail and 
banking which do not have the long-term 
growth drivers we seek. This disposal is 
a further example of our ability to divest 
businesses for sensible prices where the 
longer-term returns and growth prospects 
do not meet our objectives. volumatic was 
the only Halma business whose products 
and activities were not related to any of our 
12 sub-sectors. 

our markets are underpinned by regulatory 
drivers where customer spending is 
often non-discretionary. Our businesses 
benefit from strong market positions 
providing upgrade and replacement sales 
opportunities. These factors combine 
to create genuine resilience in tough 
economic conditions and enable us to 
achieve organic growth above prevailing 
market growth rates.

The markets we select must have robust 
growth drivers with potential for organic 
growth well above the underlying market or 
GDP growth.

All of our businesses are positioned in 
markets that are underpinned by at least 
one of the following growth drivers: 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

23

strateGIc revIew
contInueD

Increasing demand for healthcare
Three key demographic trends support 
increasing worldwide demand for 
healthcare: global population ageing, global 
population growth and rising incomes in the 
developing world. Demand for healthcare 
services and health-related products drives 
growth in our Health and Analysis markets.

Spending on healthcare continues to grow 
rapidly throughout the developed world, 
particularly in the USA where it is projected 
to rise by over a third between 2011 and 
2016. Population growth and rising incomes 
in the developing world are other strong 
drivers of healthcare demand. China’s 
healthcare expenditure, for example, grew 
at a compound annual growth rate of over 
18% during 2006-2010, and is forecast to 
continue at this rate during the 12th Five 
Year Plan (2011-2015).

Population ageing creates rising healthcare 
needs and, as incomes rise, health 
services become available to an increasing 
number of people in the developing world. 
Continuous advances in medical technology 
create new medical procedures, which also 
stimulate demand for new instruments and 
equipment. The number of people aged 
60 and over is increasing dramatically. In 
2010 there were 759 million people in the 
world aged 60 and over; this is projected 
to rise to two billion by 2050. Although the 
older population is growing in all parts of 
the world, the increase is most marked in 
the developing world. The proportion of 
the world’s older population living in less 
developed regions is forecast to rise from 
65% in 2010 to about 80% by 2050. 

Increasing demand for energy  
and water
Rising energy consumption and water 
usage, the inevitable consequences of 
social and economic development, are 
driven by three key trends: population 
growth; rising living standards; and 
changing patterns of food consumption 
and agriculture. Energy and water supply 
are interdependent in many economies. 
Consumption of water for energy production 
in the USA is forecast to rise by 50% from 
2005 to 2030, accounting for 85% of the 
total US increase in water demand. 

Global energy consumption is projected to 
increase by over 50% from 2008 to 2035 
with the highest growth in non-OECD 
economies. While water demand rises 
relentlessly, the quality and availability of 
clean water continues to decline. Eighty per 
cent of the world’s population lives in areas 
with high levels of threat to water security. 

Several of our Health and Analysis 
businesses are positioned to benefit from 
the global trend of rising demand for water. 
In both developed and developing regions 
we see increasing competition for water 

resources between economic groups 
and between national governments. The 
increasing value placed on water resources 
drives demand for our water conservation, 
treatment, monitoring and testing products. 

Continued investment in Oil and Gas 
exploration and extraction drives demand 
for our Industrial Safety products.

Increasing urbanisation
The world’s population is currently growing 
faster than at any time in history. Despite a 
decline in the annual population growth rate 
to 1.2% per year, world population grows  
by about 83 million annually. 

Future population increase will be a largely 
urban phenomenon. Falling birth rates in 
most developed economies mean that 
population growth will occur in the less 
developed regions, mainly among the 
poorest urban populations. The world’s 
urban population is expected to rise by over 
70% between 2011 and 2050. In China, for 
example, over two-thirds of the population 
is forecast to live in cities by 2030, a 300 
million increase over 2012.

Urbanisation drives investment in non-
residential buildings like shops, offices, 
and schools and in transportation, key 
markets for our Infrastructure Sensors 
businesses, while it also requires investment 
in healthcare facilities and utilities such as 
water, which are target markets in Health 
and Analysis.

Increasing Health & safety regulation
The International Labour Organisation 
estimates that about 2.3 million men and 
women die from work-related accidents and 
diseases every year. This includes close to 
360,000 fatal accidents and an estimated 
1.95 million fatal work-related diseases. 
Every day nearly 1 million workers will 
suffer a workplace accident, and around 
6,300 workers will die due to an accident 
or disease from their work. However, 
significant advances are being made in 
occupational safety and health (OSH) and 
the number of fatal accidents has fallen  
over the last ten years.

In economic terms it is estimated that 
roughly 4% of the annual global GDP 
(US$1.25 trillion), is lost by the direct and 
indirect costs of occupational accidents 
and diseases such as lost working time, 
compensation, production downtime  
and medical expenses.

Throughout the world, governments 
are requiring employers to comply with 
increasingly strict laws and regulations to 
protect workers from workplace hazards. 
In parallel with government regulations, 
many multinational employers based in the 
developed world are extending health and 
safety protocols to developing regions.  

24

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

This combination of increasing safety 
regulation and globalisation drives demand 
for our Industrial Safety and Infrastructure 
Sensors products.

Delivering corporate responsibility 
and sustainability
Our primary market growth drivers mean 
that Halma companies operate in markets 
in which their products contribute positively 
to the wider community. These market 
characteristics and our commitment to 
health and safety, the environment and 
people development are reflected in 
the values held by our employees and 
our operating culture. We review our 
responsibility and sustainability reporting 
in accordance with best practice. Recent 
legislative changes, particularly concerning 
the environment and bribery and corruption, 
have provided an opportunity to review 
and ensure that our procedures in these 
important areas are accessible, compliant 
and firmly embedded within our business.

A detailed report on Corporate 
Responsibility is on pages 64 to 67. 

outlook
Our focus on safety, health and 
environmental technology is continuing  
to provide opportunities for growth in both 
developed and developing regions. The 
combination of strong local operational 
management and active portfolio 
management ensures that we are able to 
deliver short-term financial performance 
and invest for growth in the longer term. 
These qualities are reflected in this year’s 
performance and in Halma’s track record of 
growth and high returns over a long period. 
We expect to continue to make progress in 
the year ahead.

andrew williams
chief executive

1 See Group highlights.
2 See note 1 to the Accounts.

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

strateGy 
In actIon

acquIre >
emPower >
Innovate >
Grow >

acquIre

10%Profit growth through acquisitions 

Acquisitions accounted for profit growth 
of 10% in 2011/12. 

acquisitions are a key strategic investment which  
strengthen our product portfolios, add new technologies, 
deepen our management talent pool and extend our 
geographical reach. they help us to grow faster than 
underlying market growth rates, while delivering high  
returns and creating shareholder value. 
Our Divisional Chief Executives are responsible for all acquisitions, 
mergers and disposals within the sub-sectors for which they are 
responsible. They are supported by two acquisition search specialists 
who were previously successful Presidents of Halma companies.
Our strategy is to buy companies with business and market 
characteristics that fit well with our operating culture and growth 
strategy, in addition to having strong financial metrics. As a highly 
cash-generative business with a strong balance sheet, our organic 
growth is supported by modest levels of bank funding enabling  
us to invest in acquisitions without accumulating excessive debt. 

an active pipeline of opportunities
We sustain our track record of making 
successful acquisitions by having a 
continuously replenished pipeline of 
opportunities. In a typical year we look at 
about 500 businesses, actively review about 
200 and make direct contact with about 100.

During 2011/12 this continuous process 
of researching markets and qualifying 
acquisition prospects enabled us to add 
Kirk Key Interlock Company to our Industrial 
Safety sector and Avo Photonics joined our 
photonics businesses within Health and 
Analysis. Three further companies, Sensorex, 
Accutome and SunTech Medical Group, 
were added to our Health and Analysis 
sector at the beginning of the 2012/13 
financial year.

David Leighty (left) and George Gaydos (right) 
are Halma’s acquisitions team responsible 
for finding new businesses that will enhance 
earnings through new intellectual assets, new 
management talent and a wider technological 
and geographic footprint. 

26

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

emPower

we invest in employee training to develop talent for  
our businesses. During 2011/12 over 160 employees 
completed Halma-run management development and 
technical training programmes. 
Our first group-wide training initiative, the Halma Executive 
Development Programme (HEDP), was launched in 2005.  
This was followed by the Halma Management Development 
Programme (HMDP) and the Halma Certificate in Applied  
Technology (HCAT). These programmes bring together senior 
and middle managers, and engineers, from all of the subsidiaries 
and across all management disciplines. Our aim is to develop 
management skills and encourage the exchange of ideas.  
The value of our training investment is evident in the rising quality  
of management, our ability to fill senior vacancies internally and  
our excellent financial performance.

fresh ideas
In 2011 we launched a new Halma 
Graduate Development Programme 
to find and develop graduates with the 
potential to become future leaders of our 
companies, or our next generation of 
technology innovators. The programme, 
which lasts 24 months, is based on work 
placements in operating companies 
and residential training to develop 
communication and teamwork skills.

The first group of 9 high calibre graduates 
originating from the USA, UK, China  
and New Zealand will begin work in  
Autumn 2012. 

Michael Hamilton, Head of People Development, 
manages our centrally-funded skills development 
programmes that benefited 166 employees  
this year.

27%more training 

The number of employees completing 
centrally-funded training in 2011/12 rose 
by 27%. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

27

Innovate

7%Increase in r&D investment

We have once again increased our 
spending on innovation, investing £27.4m 
in R&D, up 7% from last year. 

Innovation in products and processes is a key driver of 
growth. It enables us to build competitive advantage, gain 
market share, open up new markets and achieve high returns. 
In addition to increasing our spending on innovation and R&D in 
2011/12, we held a second Innovation and Technology Exposition  
to encourage collaboration through the sharing of ideas, new 
products and processes between all Halma companies.
Our training programme for technical engineers, the Halma  
Certificate in Applied Technology, provides delegates with new  
skills in project management, finance and customer-led innovation. 
We regularly celebrate the most successful creative ideas in design, 
selling and manufacturing across Halma with our monthly and  
annual innovation awards. 

spectrocam
SpectroCam is a multispectral imaging (MSI) 
camera system which makes MSI available 
to a much larger and diverse user base 
by taking MSI out of the research lab and 
into the field. It has significant performance 
improvements over other more expensive 
systems on the market and has immediately 
attracted significant customer interest. 

SpectroCam uses thin film optical filters 
to split the imaged object or scene into 
multiple spectral images. These can then be 
isolated, combined or enhanced with image 
analysis software to obtain the physical and 
chemical attributes of the imaged object 
quickly and easily. 

Dave Fish from Ocean Thin Films, one of our 
photonics companies, was one of this year’s 
winners at our Annual Innovation Awards. The 
company’s SpectroCam reflects Halma’s move 
towards higher technology over the past decade. 

28

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Grow

International expansion is a key component of our growth 
strategy and an important element of how we add value to 
new acquisitions; we aim for at least 30% of revenue to come 
from outside the uK, usa and mainland europe by 2015. By 
that time china should contribute 10% of the total revenue.
In the past five years we have averaged over 30% annual sales 
growth in China. Chinese employee numbers have risen from 200  
to approximately 450 people and we now generate over 5% of  
global revenue from China (up from less than 2% five years ago). 
Starting in 2006 we have invested in five regional ‘hub’ offices, 
manufacturing facilities and regional sales teams. These hubs provide 
a low risk, quick-start platform for our businesses to enter the Chinese 
market. Twenty-eight of our businesses now have Chinese sales 
operations and nine also manufacture in China. 

emerging market focus
Investment in international expansion has 
resulted in significant revenue increase 
outside the UK/Europe and the USA. Since 
2007 it has increased from 19% to the 
current 24% of total sales.

Many of our companies are turning their 
international expansion focus to South 
America. Our Health Optics businesses 
have recently set up a shared service 
centre in São Paulo, Brazil and many of our 
Industrial Safety businesses are establishing 
a direct presence in the region to address 
the Oil and Gas market.

Since Martin Zhang was appointed Director of 
Halma China in 2006 sales growth in China has 
averaged 30% per year. 

30%International expansion

Our target is for non-UK/US/Europe 
revenue to be 30% of the group total  
by 2015. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

29

sector revIew
HealtH anD analysIs

we make products used to 
improve personal and public 
health. we develop technologies 
for analysis in safety, life sciences 
and environmental markets.

Performance

KPIs
Revenue growth1
Profit growth1 
Return on Sales2 
ROCE3 
R&D % of Revenue4

contribution to Group

sector 
performance
16.2% 
25.5% 
22.8% 
89.1% 
5.1%

Group  
target
>5%
>5%
>18%
>45%
>4%

target  
met






£m
Revenue 
Profit 

2012 
254
58

2011 
218 
46

2010 
178
35

2009 
167
29

2008
137
28

1 Sector revenue and adjusted5 sector profit before finance expense are compared to the equivalent prior year figure.
2 Return on Sales is defined as adjusted5 profit before finance expense and taxation expressed as a percentage of sector revenue.
3 Adjusted5 sector profit before finance expense expressed as a percentage of sector operating net assets.
4 Sector research and development expenditure expressed as a percentage of sector revenue.
5  Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs and movement  

on contingent consideration.

Sub-sector revenue split

Photonics
31%
Health Optics
28%
Water
23%
Fluid Technology
18%

30

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Growth rate

8%

33%

14%

12%

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

31

Photonics 
market leading opto-electronic 
technology for scientific, medical  
and environmental applications.

market trends and growth drivers
Worldwide demand varied in our Photonics 
niches during 2011/12 but long-term growth 
prospects continue to be good. Asia is the 
key geographic growth area, with medical, 
biotechnology and industrial applications 
being the brightest prospects though 
overcapacity among LED manufacturers 
slowed growth in the first half of the year, 
but a change in focus towards the applied 
LED market delivered improvement in the 
second half. Our Photonics end-markets  
are very broad, providing a broad 
application base and global reach that 
creates overall resilience despite temporary 
local market changes.

strategy
Our primary Photonics strategy is to 
continue to strengthen technological 
leadership in our niche markets and expand 
geographical sales outside our traditional 
strongholds in the USA and Europe. Our 
emerging market emphasis remains on Asia 
but with increasing focus on Latin America. 
We will continue to expand sales, technical 
support, manufacturing and logistics 
to serve the Asian market. High R&D 
investment is required to maintain market 
leadership in advanced technologies. 
While development risks can be relatively 
high, we often achieve rapid payback from 
technological innovation. Our strategy has 
expanded towards building systems and 
solutions from easily configured  
base capabilities. 

Performance
The benefits of a continued high level 
of investment in R&D and international 
expansion helped to deliver record 
revenue and profit in Photonics. Avo 
Photonics, acquired in July 2011, is already 
collaborating with our other Photonics 
businesses in developing novel products. 

outlook
We anticipate growth for Photonics for 
the coming year driven by market growth 
(particularly from OEM customers) and new 
market-leading products. Modest growth 
is expected in North America, but demand 
in Asia should rise. We also expect to grow 
business in South America. We expect to 
benefit significantly from the global transition 
to LED solid state lighting. The acquisition 
of Avo Photonics has increased our micro 
electro-optic capability.

31%

% of sector revenue

coated optical filter
Ocean Thin Films

32

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Health optics 
Devices used to assess eye health, 
diagnose disease, assist with eye surgery 
and for general medical applications.

market trends and growth drivers
New diagnostic and therapeutic 
technologies, ageing populations, increasing 
life expectancy and greater access to 
healthcare (in developing economies) 
drive growth in our Health Optics markets. 
The market for medical devices is heavily 
regulated. Compliance with product 
certifications continues to become more 
administratively complex and costly. The 
stringent regulatory environment creates a 
strong barrier for new market entrants and 
enhances the value of our well-established 
sales channels.

strategy
Geographic expansion, particularly in Asia 
and Latin America, remains the focus of 
our Health Optics growth strategy. We 
will continue to strengthen our sales and 
support teams in emerging markets and 
aim to begin manufacture of ophthalmic 
products in China and Brazil for their local 
markets during the next year. We will also 
increase collaborative product development. 
During 2011/12 two subsidiaries, Riester 
and Keeler, launched a jointly-developed line 
of ophthalmic diagnostic products which will 
be taken to market through their separate 
sales channels to general medical and 
ophthalmology, respectively.

Recently acquired Accutome and SunTech 
extend our capabilities in both surgical/
diagnostic ophthalmic products and 
blood pressure monitoring, adding new 
technologies which complement those  
of other Halma businesses.

Performance
In Health Optics we again achieved record 
revenue and profits. Medicel, acquired in 
2011, exceeded expectations as the market 
continued to convert to its single-use 
cataract surgery devices. 

outlook
We expect our Health Optics businesses 
to continue to outperform global market 
growth rates through faster growth in 
developing markets, enhanced distribution 
and the contribution from new products 
introduced in 2012/13. We will receive official 
registration in 2013 for our São Paulo, Brazil 
office which will reduce import duties and 
assist in product registration  
and distribution.

28%

% of sector revenue

Portable slit lamp for eye examinations
Keeler

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

33

water 
Products to monitor and find leaks  
in water networks; uv technology  
for disinfecting water; and water quality 
testing products.

market trends and growth drivers
Global demand for water treatment 
products is forecast to rise at over 6% per 
year until 2015, with growth of 8% in Asia. 
China is the second largest water treatment 
market in the world and is expected to 
remain the fastest growing major market.  
In emerging countries, growth drivers will be 
industrialisation, sanitation improvements 
and compliance with international 
wastewater discharge standards. Growth 
in developed markets will be driven by 
increased water reuse, drinking water 
quality improvements and environmental 
protection. Strong, legislation-driven growth 
in industrial applications is anticipated  
but demand from municipal customers  
is expected to remain slow.

strategy
Our market positions in Water will be 
strengthened by continued technological 
innovation, market leading customer service 
and by further development of geographic 
sales channels. 

We aim to maintain world leadership in 
water leakage control instrumentation 
and increase market share in both 
drinking water and waste water network 
management systems. In water treatment, 
we plan to grow market share in water and 
environmental analysis products and in Uv 
water disinfection systems for municipal, 
industrial and aquatic applications. Recently 
acquired photochemical sensor specialist 
Sensorex strengthens our presence in the 
US market significantly and adds new 

sensor technologies which complement 
those of other Group businesses. 

Performance
Continued investment in R&D, people 
development and export sales resources 
led to substantial profit growth. Our Water 
businesses increased sales in China  
by 63%. 

outlook
New market-leading products are expected 
to boost sales growth in 2012/13. Water 
sector sales growth in Asia should 
accelerate, supported by investment in 
regional sales resources and the continuous 
stimulus of regulation.

23%

% of sector revenue

water leak locator
HWM-Water

34

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

fluid technology 
critical components such as pumps, 
probes, valves, connectors and gas 
conditioning products used by scientific, 
environmental and medical diagnostic 
oems for demanding applications.

Performance
Our Fluid Technology businesses achieved 
revenue growth but profit was slightly 
lower than last year. Major customer 
consolidation adversely affected results in 
many companies, including Accudynamics 
acquired in 2010.

outlook
Extra investment in R&D will deliver 
significant new products in 2012/13.  
Our own international expansion and the 
growing global medical diagnostic market 
should underpin a continuing shift away 
from the predominance of the US market. 
We anticipate a return to profit growth  
in 2012/13. 

market trends and growth drivers
Growth drivers for fluid technology markets 
remain strong, with rising demand for 
healthcare and improving standards of living 
around the world. We see good long-term 
growth prospects across all fluid technology 
markets, particularly in medical diagnostics 
and environmental monitoring. 

Consolidation among instrument 
makers, relocation of OEM customers’ 
manufacturing to low cost regions and 
continued price pressure are the key 
challenges facing our companies.

strategy
Customer diversification, both 
geographically and by markets served, is 
our primary strategy to stimulate growth 
and resilience. Our focus is on emerging 
niches, such as molecular diagnostics and 
genomics, where we will develop higher 
value-added products for customers. We 
will reflect our customers’ manufacturing 
strategy by increasing non-US production 
and expanding manufacturing in China. 

18%

% of sector revenue

mass flow meter
Alicat Scientific

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

35

“ DataGate is a breakthrough data management system. It leapfrogged the competition and set new 
standards in every key performance area. Customers liked the benefits and we have won a series 
of big contracts with the new technology. The R&D investment has paid off, exposing us to new 
markets such as commercial water, gas and electricity meter data-logging.” 
HWM-Water

Innovation in action
DataGate is a web-based data handling system that lets utilities, 
such as water companies, collect, analyse and view enormous 
quantities of data generated by monitoring devices that control 
the safety and efficiency of their systems. Data is collected using 
standard text and cell phone technology and customers can keep 
track of their system’s status using any web-enabled device.

36

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

sector revenue

sector profit 

£254m+16%
£58m+25%

Global operations

Canada

USA

Finland

UK

Germany

The
Netherlands

France

Spain

Switzerland

Brazil

China

Japan

India

Malaysia

Australia

Directions 

 – Sustain high organic growth
 – Expansion in Asia and South America
 – Acquisitions that broaden our technology  

and geographic scope

 – Local manufacture in emerging markets
 – Disruptive new technology
 – Maintain R&D investment at least 5% of revenue

sector growth drivers
 – Increasing health and safety regulation
 – Increasing demand for healthcare
 – Increasing demand for energy and water

strategic summary
Achievements 

 – Record revenue and profit
 – 29% revenue growth in China
 – Acquisition of Avo Photonics; disposal  

of volumatic (non-core business)

 – Integration of Radio-Tech with HWM-Water
 – New Health Optics company established  

in Brazil

 – New Uv product launched for China
 – Minority investment in new ophthalmic imaging 

technology company, Optomed

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

37

sector revIew
Infrastructure
sensors

we make products which detect 
hazards to protect assets and 
people in public, commercial  
and industrial buildings.

Performance

KPIs
Revenue growth1
Profit growth1 
Return on Sales2 
ROCE3 
R&D % of Revenue4

contribution to Group

sector 
performance
3.6% 
0.2% 
19.1% 
79.6% 
4.9%

Group  
target
>5%
>5%
>18%
>45%
>4%

target  
met






£m
Revenue 
Profit 

2012 
204
39

2011 
197 
39

2010 
183
36

2009 
186
33

2008
167
29

1 Sector revenue and adjusted5 sector profit before finance expense are compared to the equivalent prior year figure.
2 Return on Sales is defined as adjusted5 profit before finance expense and taxation expressed as a percentage of sector revenue.
3 Adjusted5 sector profit before finance expense expressed as a percentage of sector operating net assets.
4 Sector research and development expenditure expressed as a percentage of sector revenue.
5  Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs and movement  

on contingent consideration.

Sub-sector revenue split

Fire Detection
39%
Automatic Door Sensors
27%
Elevator Safety
21%
Security Sensors
13%

38

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Growth rate

6%

5%

0%

0%

fire Detection  
fire and smoke detectors and audible/
visual warning devices used in public, 
commercial and industrial property.

Further investment in extending sales 
coverage in emerging markets will aid 
organic growth.

Performance 
Fire Detection revenue and profits grew. 
The Apollo brand was re-organised into a 
global business with significant operations 
in Europe, the United States and China. This 
gives us the ability to implement a global 
growth strategy with resources allocated 
according to the opportunity within each 
region.

outlook
Despite slowing demand from the new 
construction sector we anticipate continued 
growth as regulation drives demand in 
existing buildings. We expect our Fire 
Detection businesses to continue to gain 
market share due to robust IP protection, 
technology leadership and further 
penetration of regional markets.

market trends and growth drivers
Worldwide fire market growth continues 
to be driven by legislation. Fire codes 
and standards governing installation, 
maintenance and servicing of fire products 
are extensive, often with differences at 
national, regional and even city level. In the 
emerging economies, codes and standards 
are still being created and slowly adopted. 
Although fire codes exist in Eastern Europe, 
South America and Asia there is often  
poor enforcement.

In the mature US and European markets, 
modest growth is forecast in 2012 for 
new installations and maintenance work. 
Stronger growth is expected in Asia  
Pacific and Latin American markets due  
to continuing construction investment, and 
increased regulation, particularly in China 
and Brazil.

strategy
Our primary strategy is world leadership 
in safety-critical sensor products used 
in commercial, public and industrial 
buildings. We are one of the world’s largest 
manufacturers of point smoke detectors. 
Investment in worldwide product approvals 
and innovation in new products and 
technology will drive market share growth, 
maintain competitive advantage and ensure 
good margins. 

39%

% of sector revenue

fire detector
Apollo Fire Detectors 

40

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

automatic Door sensors 
sensors used on automatic doors 
in public, commercial and industrial 
buildings and transportation.

Performance
Revenue and profit improved despite 
economic uncertainty in a number of 
regions. A global board reorganisation  
was successfully completed without  
impact on performance. Despite short-term 
delays in the Chinese high-speed train 
projects, the overall diversification targets 
were achieved while maintaining growth in 
the core pedestrian door business.

outlook
Diversification into new applications such  
as transport, will enable revenue and  
profit growth above the rate of our traditional 
pedestrian door market. Spreading R&D 
resources globally will allow development  
of new products aligned with local customer 
needs and the ever-increasing regulations 
governing all of our door control markets.

market trends and growth drivers
Demand in the niches that we target is 
driven by increasing legislation which 
improves the safety and security of people 
and processes. Asia is expected to be the 
fastest growth area, with a return to growth 
in the Americas. Supported by high levels 
of R&D spending, we continue to diversify 
outside our primary pedestrian door market. 
We believe that rail transport presents 
considerable growth opportunities.

strategy
Our core growth strategy is to maintain 
global market leadership in the pedestrian 
door sensors niche while growing sales  
by diversifying into industrial, security  
and transport door control applications. 

Our response to the challenge of increased 
competitive pressure due to further 
consolidation among automatic door 
manufacturers is to enhance the value 
of our product offerings. Our unique 
award-winning laser scanner detectors 
demonstrate our commitment to global 
technology leadership. New, technologically 
advanced sensors, industry-leading 
manufacturing techniques and enhanced 
logistics will meet customers’ needs and 
ensure competitive advantage.

27%

% of sector revenue

automatic door sensor
BEA

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

41

elevator safety  
elevator/lift door safety sensors, 
emergency communication devices, 
displays and control panels.

market trends and growth drivers
Urbanisation, population ageing and 
increasing safety awareness are global 
drivers in the elevator market. We see wide 
regional variations in patterns of demand, 
with very positive growth in the emerging 
economies of Asia and Brazil, where growth 
comes from new-build installations. In 
our US and European markets, which are 
dependent on legislation-driven upgrades 
and building modernisation, demand is 
more steady. The worldwide market for 
elevator safety products is expected to grow 
by around 7% during 2012. The Chinese 
government’s social housing programme, 
with a target of 36 million affordable homes 
over the next five years, demonstrates 
the impact of urbanisation. Chinese 
infrastructure investment now accounts for 
over half of global new elevator installations, 
and is forecast to grow by up to 20%  
per year.

strategy
Our strategy is to strengthen our offering by 
moving from a regional to a global presence. 
During 2011/12 we began the integration 
of our European and Asian Elevator Safety 
businesses, whose core technologies are 
door detectors, displays and emergency 
telephones, under a single management 
team. Sales, R&D and manufacturing 
resources are being rationalised with 
facilities in Europe, India, Singapore  
and China. 

Performance
Elevator Safety revenue was flat with profit 
lower partly due to reorganisation costs. 
We achieved strong revenue growth in 
Asia, while sales in Europe and the USA 
reflected the tougher trading conditions. 
Several global contracts were won for door 
safety devices which will provide significant 
revenue streams for the next three years  
at least. 

outlook
The global elevator market is showing 
signs of lower growth in 2012/13. China 
will continue to be the focus of new-build 
elevator demand with the social housing 
programme scheduled to run until at least 
2015. Longer term, a substantial Chinese 
service and modernisation market should 
emerge. Outside Asia, we expect to grow 
from market share gains, geographical 
expansion and new products.

21%

% of sector revenue

elevator display
E-Motive Display

42

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

 
security sensors 
security sensors and signals used 
in public, commercial and industrial 
property. 

Performance
Revenue grew slightly with profit lower than  
the prior year. This was partly accounted  
for by high investment in a fully renewed 
product line to meet new regulatory 
standards and reduce production costs.

outlook
We anticipate growth from Security  
Sensors during 2012/13. This should 
be supported by the impact of our new 
European-certified product portfolio, 
increasing adoption of wireless technology, 
and new revenue streams from our hazard 
signalling products.

market trends and growth drivers
We anticipate positive changes in this 
market driven by new European standards 
for intruder alarm systems that take  
effect during 2012. We have invested  
in a completely new product line to 
ensure that our customers meet the new 
compliance and certification standards.  
Our security business has formed 
technology partnerships with leading 
providers in other security sectors to 
offer integrated systems and advanced 
building management and communication 
platforms. Our new wireless intruder 
detection technology, Ricochet, is gaining 
share as the first system of its type robust 
enough for commercial environments.

strategy 
Our Security Sensors growth strategy 
remains focused on increasing revenue in 
Europe, the Middle East and Africa together 
with investment in sales resources in 
emerging economies like China and India. 
We have successfully integrated hazard 
signalling products into our security product 
portfolio to broaden our product offering. 
Innovation in new technologies, like Ricochet, 
will enable us to gain market share.

13%

% of sector revenue

wireless intruder alarm sensor
Texecom

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

43

“ Packed with market-leading features, our new FIRERAY 5000 fire detector keeps us ahead of the 
competition with significant customer benefits. This detector is much faster and easier to install and 
maintain, and provides class-leading fire protection.” 
Fire Fighting Enterprises

Innovation in action
Designed so that it can be configured to comply with regulations 
worldwide, FIRERAY 5000 is a next generation fire detection system 
for high ceiling height environments. Featuring advanced technology, 
such as self-aligning sensors, automatic calibration and laser 
alignment, a single controller can monitor multiple infrared  
beam detectors.

44

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

sector revenue

sector profit 

£204m+4%
£39m+0%

Global operations

USA

UK

Germany

Belgium

Czech
Republic

France

Switzerland
Italy

Spain

Brazil

China

Japan

UAE

India

Malaysia

Singapore

Australia

New
Zealand

sector growth drivers
 – Increasing urbanisation
 – Increasing health and safety regulation

strategic summary
Achievements 

 – Record revenue and profit
 – Automatic Door Sensors restructured into  

global business

 – Elevator Safety’s European and Asian 

businesses being restructured into global 
business with single Board of Directors

 – Apollo Fire Detectors merged with Air Products 

and Controls (USA), Apollo Germany and Beijing 
Luhe (China) into a global business

Directions 

 – Sustain organic growth
 – Increase resources and revenue in Asia
 – Complete Elevator Safety restructuring  

in first half-year

 – Continue automatic door safety diversification
 – Bolt-on acquisitions
 – Improve New Product Development roadmaps

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

45

sector revIew
InDustrIal safety

we make products which protect 
assets and people in industry.

Performance

KPIs
Revenue growth1
Profit growth1 
Return on Sales2 
ROCE3 
R&D % of Revenue4

contribution to Group

sector 
performance
18.6% 
19.6% 
23.9% 
97.7% 
3.7%

Group  
target
>5%
>5%
>18%
>45%
>4%

target  
met






£m
Revenue 
Profit 

2012 
122
29

2011 
103
25

2010 
98
20

2009 
103
22

2008
91
20

1 Sector revenue and adjusted5 sector profit before finance expense are compared to the equivalent prior year figure.
2 Return on Sales is defined as adjusted5 profit before finance expense and taxation expressed as a percentage of sector revenue.
3 Adjusted5 sector profit before finance expense expressed as a percentage of sector operating net assets.
4 Sector research and development expenditure expressed as a percentage of sector revenue.
5  Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs and movement  

on contingent consideration.

Sub-sector revenue split

Growth rate

Safety Interlocks
44%
Gas Detection
27%
Bursting Disks
19%
Asset Monitoring
10%

46

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

24%

10%

14%

30%

safety Interlocks 
specialised mechanical, electrical and 
electromechanical locks which ensure 
that critical processes operate safely.

Performance
Our Safety Interlocks businesses achieved 
record profit and revenue. We achieved 
strong growth in the UK and USA. Growth 
in China was steady while the government 
put investment in nuclear power on hold in 
response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster 
in Japan. 

outlook
We expect continued growth in most 
geographic areas. Demand in Europe 
will be slower, particularly if the sovereign 
debt crisis intensifies. Oil and Gas 
project completions are likely to increase 
substantially as contractor bottlenecks are 
eased. Nuclear power investment in China, 
a significant growth market for our safety 
systems, may resume during 2012/13.

market trends and growth drivers
Legislation-driven improvements in 
workplace safety standards is a resilient, 
long-term growth driver in safety interlocks 
markets. Continuously rising global energy 
consumption also creates demand. 

Worldwide demand for industrial safety 
products reflects changing social and 
ethical attitudes towards worker safety 
and a recognition of the economic and 
reputation costs of accidents. We are seeing 
that local workplace safety regulations in 
most less-developed markets are becoming 
more widespread and better enforced 
each year. China’s growing consumption of 
energy and raw materials is creating strong 
demand for interlocks from coal and metals 
producers within the wider Asian region.

strategy
We will grow revenue by investment in 
sales and manufacturing resources and in 
developing new applications, particularly in 
emerging markets. New products custom-
engineered to match the needs of individual 
markets will be a key focus. We will increase 
manufacture of safety interlocks in China  
for rapid delivery to customers in Asia.

safety interlock
Fortress Interlocks

48

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

44%

% of sector revenue

Gas Detection 
Portable instruments and fixed  
systems which detect flammable  
and hazardous gases.

market trends and growth drivers
Our core gas detection markets are the  
Oil and Gas industry, power generation,  
the utility industries and chemical 
processing. Global expansion of these 
markets will continue to support rising 
sales of toxic and flammable gas detection 
equipment. The underlying driver of 
demand is a growing focus on workplace 
safety coupled with the need to comply 
with stringent environmental and safety 
legislation. The global market is forecast 
to grow by around 4% p.a. New product 
introductions enable us to grow at rates in 
excess of the underlying market growth.

strategy
Geographic expansion, particularly into 
the Americas and Asia, supports our goal 
of growing revenue ahead of underlying 
market growth. Investment in the upgrading 
and extension of our product range allows 
us to continue to gain market share. We 
will continue to strengthen our senior 
management in China and our global 
marketing team. 

Performance
Our Gas Detection business again achieved 
record revenue and profits. This was based 
on market share gains in all regions except 
North America, Africa and Near and Middle 
East. We completed a comprehensive 
upgrade of our portable detector products 
in 2011/12. Our active new product 
development programme has resulted in 
over 50% of gas detector products sold 
during 2011/12 having been developed  
in the previous three years.

outlook
We anticipate continued growth in Gas 
Detection revenues underpinned by resilient 
regulatory drivers in our core industrial safety 
markets. Further growth opportunities will 
come from our new product development 
pipeline and entry into new gas detection 
applications and markets.

27%

% of sector revenue

Personal gas detector
Crowcon Gas Detection

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

49

Bursting Disks 
‘one time use’ pressure relief devices 
to protect pressurised vessels and 
pipework in process industries.

Performance
During 2011/12 our Bursting Disks 
businesses achieved record revenue and 
profit with growth in all geographic regions 
except Far East, Africa and Near and  
Middle East.

outlook
Despite healthy market share in our 
traditional markets, we foresee additional 
growth potential through continued 
investment in innovative technology, 
expansion of global sales channels and 
diversification into new applications. 

market trends and growth drivers
Increasing global capital investment in both 
onshore and offshore Oil and Gas fields, 
combined with rising safety standards, 
continues to drive demand for our Bursting 
Disk safety devices. This rising investment 
trend is expected to be sustained during 
2012 by high oil prices, with forecast growth 
of 13%. Technological advances have 
unlocked hydrocarbon resources from shale 
formations and we anticipate strong sales 
growth from this new gas production niche.

strategy
Our primary Bursting Disks strategy is 
to build on growth in our core oil, gas, 
process and manufacturing industry 
sectors while diversifying our customer 
base both geographically and in terms of 
applications. New offices were recently 
opened in China, Poland and Brazil. 
Potential new applications include medical 
instrumentation, aviation, storage safety and 
battery protection.

Bursting disk
Elfab

50

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

19%

% of sector revenue

asset monitoring 
Products for monitoring physical 
assets under water using sensors and 
communications technologies.

Performance
High R&D investment in our Asset 
Monitoring sonar products continued to 
drive growth and we achieved significant 
increases in revenue and profit. 

outlook
We expect continued growth as high oil 
prices and political uncertainty over oil 
supply combine to drive investment in 
existing and new offshore assets. The 
relentless rise in global energy demand, 
forecast to rise by 30% between 2010 and 
2040, also underpins growth in our subsea 
monitoring markets.

market trends and growth drivers
Our sonar products are used primarily on 
underwater, remotely-operated vehicles 
to monitor Oil and Gas industry offshore 
assets. The relatively high prices of oil and 
gas have prompted increasing investment 
in offshore production. Brazil, in particular, 
is experiencing huge capital investment 
growth as offshore production becomes 
increasingly viable. Other underwater 
applications, such as maintenance of 
harbours, sea-walls and dams, are 
increasing as post-war infrastructure 
projects (particularly in the USA) begin to 
decay. Construction of offshore renewable 
energy projects, such as wave, tidal and 
offshore wind power, may produce future 
growth opportunities.

strategy
Our strategy has been to grow market 
share through market-leading technology, 
investment in sales channels and entry into 
new niches like offshore renewable energy 
and subsea mining. During 2011/12 we 
expanded our presence in the USA and 
Brazil to get support resources closer  
to our customers. 

10%

% of sector revenue

sonar imaging system
Tritech International

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

51

“ Today’s gas detection market demands personal monitors that are informative and easy to  
use. Customer research prompted two key technical innovations in our new Gas-Pro confined  
space entry monitor which give the user increased confidence that their environment is a  
safe place to work.” 
Crowcon Detection Instruments

Innovation in action
The new Gas-Pro personal gas detector is routinely used to check 
that a confined space is safe to enter and work in. An innovative  
pre-entry check function guides users through the process and logs 
data that shows safe pre-entry compliance or unsafe gas levels. 
Another new feature, a’ traffic light’ status indicator, tells the user  
at a glance whether their monitor is providing complete protection  
or needs calibration. 

52

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

sector revenue

sector profit 

£122m+19%
£29m+20%

Global operations

Denmark
marmnm rkk

UK

The
Netherlands
France
ee

Poland

Germany

USA

Italy

Tunisia

i ii

Bahrain

India

China

Singapore

Brazil

Australia

sector growth drivers
 – Increasing health and safety regulation
 – Increasing demand for energy and water

strategic summary
Achievements 

 – Record revenue and profit
 – Revenue growth in China and Asia Pacific
 – New offices opened in Brazil, Poland and China
 – Over 20 new products launched 
 – Acquisition of Kirk Key

Directions 

 – Organic revenue and profit growth
 – Increase rate of new product introductions
 – Bolt-on acquisitions
 – Grow sales outside of European and North 
American markets; expansion into China,  
India and South America.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

53

fInancIal 
revIew

“  Another year of record revenue,  
profit and dividend payments.”
Kevin Thompson, Finance Director

Delivering on our strategy
This was another strong year for Halma, 
continuing to deliver financial results in 
keeping with our strategic objectives. We 
continued to deliver organic growth while 
maintaining high returns and good cash 
flow. Once again we acquired high quality 
businesses and we disposed of one 
business. Our geographic reach expanded 
further, building on established success 
in many countries. These record results 
were delivered with a growing dividend for 

shareholders while maintaining a strong 
financial position. 

revenue and profit growth
Revenue grew by 11.9% to £579.9m 
(2011: £518.4m). Acquisitions made in 
2011/12 and the prior year, at the run rate 
when acquired, added an incremental 
£34m to this year’s revenue and so organic 
revenue growth was 5.4%. Currency 
translation had a minimal impact and 
therefore organic revenue growth at 
constant currency was 5.5%. 

1  In addition to those figures reported under IFRS Halma 
uses adjusted figures as key performance indicators as 
the Directors believe the adjusted figures give a more 
representative view of underlying performance. Adjusted 
profit figures exclude the amortisation of acquired intangible 
assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on 
contingent consideration and profit on disposal of operations, 
all of which are included in statutory figures. More details are 
given in note 1 to the Accounts.

2 See Group highlights.

54

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

revenue and profit growth

Percentage change

Revenue

Adjusted1 profit 

2012
£m

579.9

120.5

2011
£m

518.4

104.6

Increase
£m

61.5

15.9

Total

11.9%

15.2%

Organic 
growth*

5.4%

5.1%

*  Organic growth2 is calculated excluding the results of acquisitions.

Organic 
growth* 
at 
constant 
currency

5.5%

4.9%

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

more, of Group revenue compared with 
2006/07. 

We are targeting to have 30% of our 
revenue outside the USA/Mainland Europe/
UK by 2015. In 2011/12 the figure is 24%, 
the same as the prior year. In part this was 
due to the strong growth we have seen in 
developed markets but also because recent 
acquisitions have the majority of their sales 
in the USA and Europe although they have 
good opportunities for growth in developing 
regions of the world. 

High return on sales
Our target is for the Group to operate in the 
18% to 22% Return on Sales2 range. It has 
been above 16% for every one of the past 
27 years and is an important performance 
measure for the Group. 

In 2011/12 we achieved 20.8% (2011: 20.2%) 
Return on Sales2 with this year’s increase 
coming from the high rate of profitability of 
recent acquisitions. 

from acquisitions. Mainland Europe is the 
next largest destination and grew by 12%, 
with Health and Analysis growing fastest. 
The UK saw significant growth of 18% in the 
year with a very strong performance by our 
Water business within Health and Analysis. 
Asia Pacific and Australasia grew by 15%, 
slower than the 29% reported last year but 
including 25% growth in China, now 5% 
of Group revenue. Economic and political 
uncertainty, particularly in the Middle East, 
also meant that the other countries grew  
by only 7%.

Geographic revenue growth

2012

2011

United States of 
America

Mainland Europe

United Kingdom

Asia Pacific and 
Australasia

Other Countries

£m

162.0

154.4

125.6

87.3

50.6

% of 
total

28%

27%

21%

15%

9%

579.9

100%

£m

150.3

138.3

106.1

76.2

47.5

518.4

% of  
total

Change 
£m

%  

growth

29%

27%

20%

15%

9%

100%

11.7

16.1

19.5

11.1

3.1

61.5

8%

12%

18%

15%

7%

12%

Adjusted1 profit before tax increased by 
15.2% to the record level of £120.5m (2011: 
£104.6m) with organic profit growth of 5.1% 
and 4.9% at constant currency. This is the 
ninth consecutive year of record results, part 
of Halma’s long history of achieving growth. 

We believe that the adjusted profit figure 
we use gives a helpful view of underlying 
performance trends. Statutory profit before 
tax increased by 13.9% to £112.0m (2011: 
£98.3m). Statutory profit before tax is after 
charging the following items: amortisation of 
acquired intangibles of £10.4m (2011: £4.8m) 
much higher this year due to the addition of 
intangible assets relating to acquisitions in 
2010/11 and 2011/12; acquisition transaction 
costs £0.7m (2011: £1.3m); and movement 
on contingent consideration relating to 
acquisitions including foreign exchange 
movements of £0.9m (2011: £0.2m). It is also 
after crediting the £3.5m profit on disposal 
of volumatic. 

Health and Analysis continues to be the 
largest of our three sectors and now 
represents 44% (2011: 42%) of Group 
revenue and 46% (2011: 42%) of Group 
profit. Industrial Safety delivered the highest 
organic growth this year extending its record 
of recent strong growth. 

Adjusted1 profit before tax 
£m

Half yearly adjusted1 profit 
£m

Return on sales2  
%

£120.5m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

£120.5m

£104.6m

£86.2m

£79.1m

£73.2m

£63.0m

H2: 2011/12
H2 11/12

20.8%

H1 11/12

H2 10/11

H1 10/11

H2 09/10

H1 09/10

£63.0m

£57.5m

£55.3m

£49.3m

£48.1m

£38.1m

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

20.8%

20.2%

18.8%

17.3%

18.4%

The first half/second half revenue and profit 
split was typical for Halma at 48%/52% 
building on a record first half performance. 
This continued the trend of half year over 
previous half year improvements we have 
seen in the past three years. 

Geographic revenue growth 
The USA continues to be our largest sales 
destination and its 8% growth benefited 

The geographic revenue pattern in the 
second half of the year was similar to the 
first but with Mainland Europe growing less 
quickly and the USA increasing its rate  
of growth. 

In the past five years there has been 
substantial change in our geographic profile 
with the UK now representing 6 percentage 
points less, and territories outside USA/
Mainland Europe/UK 5 percentage points 

High Return on Sales2 is based on the good 
management of many factors including the 
mix of which products we sell, the cost of 
those products and close management 
of expenses. Gross margins (revenue less 
direct material and direct labour costs) 
exceeded 60% and remain a stable element 
of our profitability in the face of inevitable 
cost and price pressures. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

55

fInancIal revIew
contInueD

currency movement 
The Group has both translational 
and transactional currency exposure. 
Translational exposures arise on the 
consolidation of overseas company results 
into Sterling. Transactional exposures arise 
where the currency of sale or purchase 
transactions differs from the functional 
currency in which each company prepares 
its local accounts. Whilst we do not attempt 
to forecast future movement in currencies, 
we understand their impact on our business 
and try to mitigate the risk of volatility with  
a transactional hedging strategy. 

Halma reports its results in Sterling. The 
most important other trading currencies 
are the US Dollar, Euro, and to a lesser 
extent the Swiss Franc. Approximately 30% 
of Group revenue is denominated in US 
Dollars and 20% in Euros. 

In 2011/12 there was a limited net currency 
translational impact on the results as, on 
average, the US Dollar weakened by 3% but 
the Euro strengthened by 2% and the Swiss 
Franc strengthened relative to 2010/11 – 
although the Swiss Franc movement had 
limited year on year impact as our Swiss 
business only joined the Group in late 
2010/11. The net currency translation impact 
was therefore only 0.1% adverse on revenue 
and 0.2% favourable on profit. 

Based on the current mix of currency 
denominated revenue and profit, a 1% 
movement in the US Dollar relative to 
Sterling changes revenue by £1.9m and 

Weighted average rates used in  

Income Statement

Year end exchange rates used to 
translate Balance Sheet

2012

1.60

1.16

2011

1.56

1.18

2012

1.60

1.20

2011

1.60

1.13

US Dollar

Euro

any year. Our transactional hedging strategy 
is to fix currency rates up to 12 months,  
and in certain specific circumstances  
24 months, forward. We hedge between 
30-75% of each operating company’s  
net exposure giving approximately  
50% hedging of our trading transactions. 
This gives our businesses greater certainty 
in their overseas trading. 

Increased finance cost
The net finance cost in the Income 
Statement increased to £1.4m (2011: £1.1m). 
The main elements are bank interest and 
funding costs and the pension financing 
charge. The net bank interest and funding 
costs increased because of higher average 
levels of debt, increased interest rates 
payable and the higher costs of funding our 
new bank facility. 

The net pension financing charge reduced 
from £0.4m to £0.2m and this is dependent 
on the level of pension scheme assets and 
liabilities at the start of each year as well as 
the rates of return/discount rate applied to 
those assets/liabilities. This year the return 
on increased assets exceeded the cost 
of higher liabilities. In 2013/14 the pension 
accounting rules under IAS 19 will change 

For 2012/13 we expect the net pension  
cost to be higher than 2011/12. In addition 
we expect a rise in bank interest and 
funding costs arising from a full year of the 
cost of the new bank facility. 

lower tax rates
Our approach to taxation is to minimise 
the tax burden in a responsible manner, 
managing good relationships with tax 
authorities based on legal compliance, 
transparency and cooperation. 

The Group has its primary operating 
subsidiaries in 13 countries so the Group’s 
effective tax rate is a blend of these different 
national rates applied to locally generated 
profits. As expected the effective tax rate 
on adjusted1 profit reduced to 23.5% (2011: 
26.2%) primarily due to the reduction in UK 
Corporation tax rates by 2%, the benefit 
of the low tax rates in Switzerland enjoyed 
by Medicel and the mix of profit earned in 
various jurisdictions. 

We anticipate that the effective tax rate in 
2012/13 will be similar to that in 2011/12.

“  We aim to deliver value to shareholders 
through consistent growth in earnings 
per share and increasing dividends.”

profit by £0.35m. Similarly, a 1% movement 
in the Euro changes revenue by £0.9m  
and profit by £0.2m. 

Within the Group there is a good degree 
of natural hedging (similar amounts of 
purchase and sale transactions) in US 
Dollars. We typically buy less products 
in Euros than we sell and so have a net 
exposure of approximately Euro 30m in  

and this will affect the Group Income 
Statement. The expected return on pension 
assets will be calculated using the same 
discount rate, effectively, as applied to the 
pension liabilities. This will cause a one-off 
increase in the net pension finance charge, 
which, based on current estimates, will 
reduce Group profit by approximately £1m 
for 2013/14 onwards. Comparative figures 
will be restated for this change at that time. 

earnings per share and  
dividend increases
We aim to deliver value to shareholders 
through consistent growth in earnings per 
share and increasing dividends. Adjusted2 
earnings per share increased by 19.4% to 
24.46p (2011: 20.49p). The increase was 
higher than the growth in adjusted2 profit 
due to the reduction in the effective tax rate. 
Statutory earnings per share also increased 
by 19.7% with acquisition related expense 

56

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

being higher than last year but this increase 
being offset by the gain on disposal. Halma 
has a long record of growing its dividend. An 
increase of 7% is recommended in the final 
dividend to 5.95p (2011: 5.56p) and together 
with the 7.1% increase in the interim dividend 
gives a total dividend of 9.74p (2011: 9.10p). 
At the year end share price this represents 
a dividend yield of 2.6%. With this dividend 
increase Halma will have continued with its 
progressive dividend policy and increased 
the annual dividend by 5% or more for every 
one of the last 33 years, paying out £270m 
to shareholders in the past decade. 

Dividend cover (the ratio of profit after 
taxation to dividends paid and proposed) 
calculated using adjusted2 profit is 2.51 
times (2011: 2.25 times). 

further increased returns
Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC), 
the post-tax return on the Group’s assets 
including all historical goodwill, increased  
to a record of 16.8% (2011: 15.5%). Once 
again we were able to increase profits at a 
greater rate than growth in the asset base. 
Halma’s ROTIC exceeds our long-term 
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) 
calculated as being approximately 8%  
(2011: 8.5%), indicating the creation of value 
for shareholders by the Group. 

Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), 
measures this operating efficiency of our 
businesses and was also a record at 74.7% 
(2011: 71.9%). Both the ROTIC and ROCE 
figures (see note 3 to the Accounts for the 
detailed calculations) exceeded our  
KPI targets. 

Good cash generation
Cash generated from operations, excluding 
taxation paid, was £125.5m (2011: £113.2m) 
and represented 104% (2011: 108%) of 
adjusted1 profit. A summary of the year’s 
cash flow is shown in the table above.

The working capital increase in the year 
reflected the growth in our business, with 
the second half of the year seeing targeted 
working capital improvements. 

Expenditure on property, plant and 
computer software this year was £16m 
(2011: £15m). This year’s figure represents 
122% of depreciation once again falling 
within the 100% to 125% range we would 
expect. Our businesses generate significant 
return from investment as evidenced by 
our ROCE and we therefore continue to 
encourage them to actively invest.

Taxation paid was £28m (2011: £18m) much 
higher than last year due to the tax paid on 
higher profits and a tax credit in the prior 
year. We expect a slightly lower ratio of 
tax paid to profit in the coming year as UK 
Corporation tax rates in particular fall. 

cash flow

Operating cash flow before movement in working capital

Increase in working capital

Cash generated from operations

Acquisition of businesses and cash/debt acquired

Investment in associates

Disposal of businesses

Development costs capitalised

Net capital expenditure

Dividends paid

Taxation paid

Issue of shares/treasury shares purchased

Net interest paid/loan arrangement fees

Exchange adjustments

Net (debt)/cash brought forward

Net debt carried forward

2012 
£m

133.1

(7.6)

125.5

(19.8)

–

3.6

(4.7)

(15.3)

(35.2)

(27.8)

(3.5)

(3.2)

(1.2)

18.4

(37.1)

(18.7)

2011 
£m

116.8

(3.6)

113.2

(82.1)

(1.7)

–

(4.7)

(14.8)

(32.9)

(18.1)

(4.5)

(0.5)

(0.1)

(46.2)

9.1

(37.1)

strong financial position  
and refinancing
Halma is highly cash generative and has 
substantial bank facilities. We have access 
to competitively priced finance at short 
notice and spread our risks to provide 
good liquidity for the Group. Group treasury 
policy is conservative and no speculative 
transactions are allowed. 

In October 2011 we refinanced our 
revolving credit facility. We now have in 
place a £260m facility (previously £165m) 
for five years to 2016 with five high quality 
international banks. Covenants remain 
unchanged and limits were improved in the 
new facility which is on attractive terms. We 
have continued security over a major source 
of funding, providing significant firepower 
for value adding acquisitions. The Group 
continues to operate well within its banking 
covenants. We use debt to accelerate 
the Group’s development and review our 
funding needs regularly to ensure we have 
ample headroom. 

Year end net debt was £18.7m  
(2011: £37.1m). The net debt figure is a 
combination of £64.0m of debt and £45.3m 
of cash (boosted by the receipt of cash from 
the disposal late in the year) held around 
the world to finance local operations. We 
have an active repatriation programme and 
are building on our existing cash pooling 
arrangements to ensure that our cash/debt 
position is managed efficiently. 

further acquisitions and a disposal
Acquisitions and disposals are an important 
part of our growth model. Halma buys 
successful businesses in safety, health 
and environmental markets and helps 
them grow further through investment 
in increasing innovation, management 
development and international expansion. 
In the past ten years we have spent nearly 
£350m acquiring more than 25 businesses 
with deal sizes ranging from £70m down  
to below £1m.

In 2011/12 we spent £15m on two 
acquisitions plus £5m in payment of 
deferred consideration on acquisitions 
made in previous years. Details are given  
in the Chief Executive’s Strategic Review.

Goodwill of £11m and intangible assets 
of £10m were recognised on the two 
acquisitions made in the year. As expected 
the amortisation of acquired intangible 
assets increased substantially to  
£10.4m (2011: £4.8m). 

In March 2012 we disposed of volumatic 
for a cash consideration of £4.4m with a 
further £1.5m retained in escrow for release 
to Halma on achievement of an agreed 
performance target. Up to a further £2.4m 
is receivable if future sales targets are met. 
Over the past five years volumatic’s average 
annual profit has been £0.6m and average 
revenue £4.6m.

At the beginning of 2012/13 we spent  
a further £65m on three more acquisitions. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

57

fInancIal revIew
contInueD

The two businesses acquired in 2011/12, 
together with the disposal in 2011/12 and 
the three acquisitions in 2012/13, are 
expected to add a net amount of £29.5m  
to revenue and £5.7m (after financing costs) 
to profit in 2012/13 based on their run rates 
at acquisition/disposal. 

In April 2012 Halma made a further 
investment of Euro 3.9m in Optomed 
Oy, the Finnish ophthalmic equipment 
manufacturer. This is included as an 
Associate in the Group accounts. 

Pension commitments
The Group primarily provides either defined 
benefit (DB) or defined contribution pension 
arrangements for its employees. The DB 
sections of the Group’s pension plans were 
closed to new entrants in January 2003. 
There are now fewer than 450 employees 
(11% of all employees) retaining access to 
future accrual under the DB plans so our 
key focus is in mitigating the impact of the 
past service deficit. 

On an IAS 19 basis the deficit on the DB 
plans at March 2012 was £33m (2011: 
£36m) before the related deferred tax 
asset. Plan assets increased to £153.0m 
(2011: £140.8m) with some further recovery 
in equity values and additional cash 
contributions. In total, 59% of plan assets 
are invested in return seeking assets: 39% in 
equities and 20% in diversified growth funds 
providing a higher expected level  
of return over the longer term. No derivative 
financial instruments are currently used 

Triennial funding valuations of the DB 
plans are currently being performed.  
We continue to make extra contributions 
to the plans at a rate agreed with the 
actuary and expect this to be at the rate 
of £7m per year with the objective of 
eliminating the deficit over the next seven 
years. We will continue to develop and 
implement our plans for reducing the risk 
in the future cost of our DB plans over  
the coming year. 

r&D investment
Expenditure on R&D increased to £27.4m 
(2011: £25.7m) an increase of 6.8% 
and representing 4.7% (2011: 5.0%) of 
revenue. All three sectors increased their 
absolute spend on R&D although the 
overall percentage of revenue fell due to 
a lower rate of R&D expenditure in some 
recent acquisitions. 

We are required under IFRS to capitalise 
certain development expenditure and 
amortise it over an appropriate period, for 
us three years. R&D by its nature carries 
risk and all R&D projects, particularly 
those requiring capitalisation, are 
subject to close scrutiny and a rigorous 
approval and review process. In 2012 
we capitalised £4.7m (2011: £4.7m) 
and amortised £3.7m (2011: £4.2m). 
This results in an asset carried on the 
Consolidated Balance Sheet, after £0.2m 
foreign exchange movements, of £10.5m 
(2011: £9.7m).

We spread risk across the Group via well-
resourced independent operating units. 
There is extensive and regular review of 
operations at a local and divisional level.  
This review is supplemented by Internal 
Audit. In the year we continued to build on 
the strength of our local finance functions 
with a number of strong recruitments, 
particularly in the USA, giving us very good 
oversight at a local level across the Group. 

We are in the process of refining our risk 
appetite analysis to enable an even greater 
focus on areas for future growth. We have 
nearly completed the rollout of a centralised 
IT disaster recovery solution to complement 
existing local processes within subsidiaries. 
During the year we substantially revised our 
policies and processes on the mitigation 
of Bribery and Corruption in line with best 
practice and have issued a new Code of 
Conduct to all staff. This supported our 
long-standing ethical approach to business. 

The Board considers all of the above 
factors in its review of ‘Going Concern’ as 
described on page 75 and has been able 
to conclude its review satisfactorily. It takes 
discipline and hard work to manage risks 
well and maintain high returns consistently 
over time. Our commitment to this will 
ensure that our long-term delivery of value  
to shareholders continues. 

Kevin thompson
finance Director

“ In October 2011 we refinanced our 
revolving credit facility. This new five-year 
£260m facility gives security over funding 
and provides significant firepower for 
value adding acquisitions.”

in investment. Plan liabilities increased to 
£186.0m (2011: £177.1m) mainly due to the 
reduction in the discount rate used to value 
these liabilities. 

managing risks and going concern 
considerations
The main risks facing the Group and how 
we address them are reviewed on pages 59 
to 63. The key operating risks are covered  
in the Chief Executive’s Strategic Review 
and Sector Reviews. 

58

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

rIsK manaGement anD
Internal control

Internal control 
The Board meets regularly throughout the 
year and has adopted a schedule of matters 
which are required to be brought to it for 
decision. This procedure is intended to 
ensure that the Directors maintain full and 
effective control over all significant strategic, 
financial and organisational issues.

During the year, actions to strengthen 
the control environment continue to be 
taken centrally by Group management, 
particularly in the area of health and 
safety and bribery and corruption. The 
duties and responsibilities of subsidiary 
management are continually refreshed as 
well as documented in a manual circulated 
to all subsidiary managing directors. A 
comprehensive induction programme for 
subsidiary finance directors was launched 
in the year. We also strengthened the 
resources dedicated to identifying and 
investigating potential acquisitions and the 
policies to ensure a rapid and successful 
integration following acquisition. The scope 
of the Group’s policies and the programme 
of compliance audits are regularly reviewed 
to ensure they are sufficient to address 
current risks. The Group placed additional 
emphasis on updating our business 
continuity plans over the past year.  

The internal audit function has operated 
independently since 2004, reporting 
to the Audit Committee. In 2008/09, a 
dedicated Internal Audit manager was 
added to support the function and during 
2010/11 an internal auditor based in China 
was recruited. Each year we implement 
further improvements to our Internal Audit 
procedures to enhance effectiveness. 

The processes which the Board has  
applied in reviewing the effectiveness of 
the Group’s system of internal control are 
summarised below:

•		operating	companies	carry	out	a	detailed	
risk assessment each year and identify 
mitigating actions in place or proposed 
for each significant risk. A risk register is 
compiled from this information, against 
which action is monitored through to 
resolution. Group management also 
compiles a summary of significant Group 
risks, documenting existing or planned 
actions to mitigate, manage or avoid risks;

•		each	month	the	board	of	every	operating	
company meets, discusses and reports 
on its operating performance, its 
opportunities, the risks facing it and the 
resultant actions. The relevant Divisional 
Chief Executive chairs this meeting. 

During the year, actions to further 
strengthen the control environment 
continued, particularly in the area of 
health & safety and bribery & corruption.

The Group’s treasury and hedging policy 
was also updated to ensure that appropriate 
accounting and banking arrangements 
were in line with the Group’s growth and 
to ensure continued compliance with 
accounting requirements. 

Divisional Chief Executives meet regularly 
with the Chief Executive and Finance 
Director and report on divisional progress 
to the Executive Board; 

•		financial	and	trading	‘warning	signs’	
are reported to Group and divisional 
management. Weekly data on cash 
management and sales orders are also 
reported direct to the Chief Executive,  
the Finance Director and the Group 
finance team. This framework is designed 
to provide an early warning of potential 
risks and to direct appropriate action 
where necessary;

•		the	Chief	Executive	submits	a	report	to	
each Halma plc Board meeting which 
includes financial information, the main 
features of Group operations and an 
analysis of the significant risks and 
opportunities facing the Group. The report 
also covers progress against strategic 
objectives and shareholder related issues;

•		regular	Director	visits	to	Group	 

companies are scheduled and open 
access to the subsidiary company  
boards is encouraged;

•		cyclical	and	risk-based	internal	control	
visits are carried out by internal audit or 
senior finance staff resulting in actions 
being fed back to each company and 
followed up by Divisional Finance Directors 
and Divisional Chief Executives. Reviews 
are coded in terms of risk and a summary 
of all such reviews is given to the Audit 
Committee, with any significant control 
failings being reported directly to the 
Audit Committee; senior finance staff 
also conduct financial reviews at each 
operating company before publication of 
half-year and year-end figures. We have 
a Groupwide IT policy supported by a 
programme of IT audits; and

•		the	Chief	Executive,	Finance	Director	
and Internal Audit report to the Audit 
Committee on all aspects of internal 
control. The Board receives regular 
reports from the Audit Committee 
chairman and the papers and minutes  
of the Audit Committee meetings are  
used as a basis for its annual review  
of internal control.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

59

rIsK manaGement anD Internal control
contInueD

Group risk management 

Board

operational

compliance

chief executive

audit committee

executive Board

company secretary

Divisional finance Directors

Internal audit

whistle blowing

Group risk is mitigated by means of an 
operating structure which spreads the 
Group’s activities across a number of 
autonomous subsidiary companies.  
Each of these companies is led by a  
high-quality board of directors including  
a finance executive.

Group companies operate under a  
system of controls which includes but  
is not limited to: 

•	 a defined organisational structure with 

an appropriate delegation of authority to 
operational management which ensures 
appropriate segregation of key duties;

•	 the identification and appraisal of 

risks both formally, through the annual 
process of preparing business plans and 
budgets, through an annual detailed risk 
assessment carried out at local level  
and informally through close monitoring  
of operations;

•	 a comprehensive financial reporting 

system, recently enhanced, within which 
actual and forecast results are compared 
with approved budgets and the previous 
year’s figures on a monthly basis. Weekly 
cash/sales/orders reporting including 
details of financial institutions are also 
maintained within the financial reporting 
system, all of which is reviewed at both 
local and Group level;

•	 an investment evaluation procedure to 
ensure an appropriate level of approval 
for all capital expenditure and other 
capitalised costs; 

•	 self-certification by operating company 

management of compliance and  
control issues; 

•	 a robust structure for electronic 
communication and conducting 
e-commerce to ensure that the Group 
is not negatively impacted by threats to 
its information technology infrastructure 
and to minimise potential for business 
disruptions. The Group has a wide range 
of measures, policies and framework 
in place which includes a virtual 
private network covering over 80 sites 
worldwide, secure firewalls, information 
management audits, disaster recovery 
and a mobile devices management 
system; and

•	 an acquisitions and disposals framework 
which governs the due diligence and 
negotiation and approval processes 
to ensure that value enhancing, quality 
investments are made in order to meet 
our strategic objectives.

60

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

PrIncIPal rIsKs
anD uncertaIntIes

risk description

Potential impact

mitigation

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Inability	to	deliver	
growth strategy

•		Unexpected	variation	 

in Group results

•		Loss	of	market	share

•		Disruption	of	service	to	

customers

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Loss	of	market	share

•		Failure	to	obtain	

adequate return on 
investment

•		Loss	of	market	share

operational risk
We seek to continuously grow 
our profits, generating and 
sustaining a high return for 
shareholders within a clear 
strategic framework. We view 
risk within the context of this 
objective as well as in absolute 
terms. In any business the 
inherent risks that are an integral 
component of business activities 
must be identified, managed 
and mitigated. We perceive 
our primary operational risks to 
emanate from remoteness of 
operations and the actions and 
quality of our employees. 

organic Growth, customer 
and supplier risk and 
competition 
The Group faces competition 
in the form of pricing, service, 
reliability and substitution. 
Individual operating companies 
are at some risk of over-reliance 
on larger customers. We rely 
on high quality service from our 
supply partners. These constitute 
an ongoing potential threat to  
our growth.

research and Development
New products are critical to our 
organic growth and underpin our 
ability to earn high margins and 
high returns over the long term.

Intangible resources
Our businesses build competitive 
advantage and strengthen 
barriers to entry in many ways 
including patents, product 
approvals, technical innovation, 
product quality, customer  
service levels and branding.  
We look for these qualities in the 
businesses we seek to acquire. 
Protection of our intellectual 
property is important to our 
continued success.

Our key means of risk control is the choice of the markets in 
which we operate and the people and methods we use to 
exploit those market opportunities. Our choice is to operate 
in the safety and health-related technology markets which 
we consider to be robust over the long term. Our products 
are predominantly critical components or instruments which 
are warranted as fit for the purpose rather than systems 
or intangible products where satisfactory performance is 
contingent upon third parties. Our quality systems and 
close management mitigate the risk of product failure/recall 
and the risk of an accident or fatality. We invest heavily in 
identifying, recruiting and training talented people who are 
able to manage the risks we face while delivering the excellent 
results we require. We always seek to spread our risks. We 
have processes in place to ensure any major transactions are 
reviewed at the appropriate level.

Our focus on investing in management development, 
innovation and international growth is a direct result of 
assessing these risks. We do not place undue reliance on 
any one Group company nor does the Group rely heavily on 
one customer, supplier or transaction. We address customer 
concentration at Company level through active diversification 
of the customer base. No customer represents more than 
2% of Group revenue. We aim to manage the risk of timing 
and quality of component supply by dual sourcing and long-
standing working relationships. By empowering and resourcing 
local operations to respond to changing market needs, the 
potential adverse impact of downward price pressure and 
competition can be mitigated and growth maintained. We 
recognise the competitive threat coming from emerging 
economies and by operating within these economies,  
typically using local staff, we are better placed to make fast 
progress ourselves.

By devolving control of product development into the 
autonomous operating businesses, we spread the risk and 
ensure that the resource is as close to the customer as 
possible. New product development ‘best practice’ is shared 
between Group companies and return on investment of past 
and future innovation projects is tracked monthly. Large R&D 
projects, especially those which are capitalised, require Head 
Office approval.

The main intangible resources which deliver competitive 
advantage and which support our strategic objectives are: 
the patents and trademarks which protect our products; 
our employees, whose understanding of our technology, 
customers’ needs and the dynamics of the markets we 
operate in, enable us to maintain leadership in many markets; 
and the enviable reputation enjoyed by our brands for superior 
product quality and market leading customer support. Whilst 
no single product or process is critical to the Group as a whole, 
all appropriate actions are taken to protect our intellectual 
property rights. With our development activity increasing in 
emerging economies we will often segregate the elements of a 
project to protect the know how.

change*









* The arrows indicate the direction of change in particular risks during the year.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

61

PrIncIPal rIsKs anD uncertaIntIes
contInueD

risk description

Potential impact

mitigation

laws and regulations
Group operations are subject 
to wide-ranging laws and 
regulations including business 
conduct, employment, 
environmental and health and 
safety legislation. There is also 
exposure to product litigation and 
contractual risk. The laws and 
regulations we are exposed to as 
our businesses expand around 
the world increase each year.

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Reputational	damage

•		Diversion	of	

management resources

•		Financial	penalties

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Unforeseen	liabilities

•		Failure	to	deliver	
expected returns

•		Delay	or	impact	 

on decision making

•		Reduced	service	 

to customers

•		Loss	of	Intellectual	

Property

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Reputational	damage

•		Missed	opportunity

•		Inability	to	deliver	 
on growth strategy

acquisitions
The identification and purchase 
of businesses which meet our 
demanding financial and growth 
criteria is an important part of 
our strategy for developing the 
Group, as is ensuring the new 
businesses are rapidly integrated 
into the Group.

Information technology/
Business Interruption
Group and operational 
management depend on timely 
and reliable information from our 
software systems. We seek to 
ensure continuous availability, 
security and operation of those 
systems.

financial Irregularities and 
International expansion
Our objective is to grow our 
business across the world and 
to increase revenue and profit 
outside of developed markets 
and particularly in Asia. This 
presents both operating and 
cultural risks across the world. 
We recognise that the size and 
remoteness of some operations 
may not permit full segregation  
of duties and that Internal  
and External Audit procedures 
may not always identify a  
financial irregularity.

All Group companies have an employee handbook detailing 
employment practices, including the need to report any major 
legal or contractual risks. The Group’s emphasis on excellent 
financial control, the deployment of high quality management 
resource and the strong focus on quality control over products 
and processes in each operating business helps to protect 
us from product failure, litigation and contractual issues. 
Each operating company has a health and safety manager 
responsible for compliance and our performance in this area 
is good. Updated Health and Safety policies and guidance 
were issued recently, with enhanced monthly reporting. We 
carry comprehensive insurance against all standard categories 
of insurable risk. Contract review and approval processes 
mitigate exposure to contractual liability. Our well established 
policies on bribery and corruption have been updated during 
the year to ensure continued compliance with best practice 
with a Group Code of Conduct issued and by appropriate 
clauses included in third party agreements.

We acquire businesses whose technology and markets we 
know well. Divisional Chief Executives are responsible for 
finding and completing acquisitions in their business sectors 
subject to Board approval supported by central resources 
to search for opportunities. We use detailed post-acquisition 
integration plans. Incentives are aligned to encourage 
acquisitions which are value-enhancing from day one and  
to adversely impact executives for buying businesses which  
fail to deliver a return above a cost of capital.

There is substantial redundancy and back up built into Group-
wide systems. The spread of business offers good protection 
from individual events. We have a small central resource, 
Halma IT Services, to assist Group companies with any major 
IT needs and to ensure adequate IT security policies are used 
across the Group. We carry out regular IT audits. We utilise 
external penetration testing and have nearly completed the roll-
out of a centralised IT disaster recovery solution to supplement 
local processes. Business Continuity plans are well advanced 
in each business unit. 

The Group ensures that there is adequate local management 
and financial resource in each operational location ensuring 
they are adequately trained in financial matters whilst 
maintaining a culture of openness to promote disclosure. 
Responsibility for remote operations rests with operational 
management in the sponsoring company who supervises 
closely and visits frequently. We continue to seek, attract 
and develop senior talent in developing markets. Group 
companies operate a common set of reporting procedures 
and accounting policies, disseminated via the Group intranet. 
Internal Audit regularly reviews operations and we appointed  
a new Internal Auditor in China last year.

change*









* The arrows indicate the direction of change in particular risks during the year.

62

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

risk description

Potential impact

mitigation

cash
A key risk is that the Group 
will run out of cash or have 
inadequate access to cash.  
In addition, cash deposits  
need to be held in a secure  
form or location.

treasury risks
Foreign currency risk is the 
most significant treasury related 
risk for the Group. In times of 
increased volatility this can 
have a significant impact on 
performance. The Sterling 
value of overseas profit earned 
during the year is sensitive to the 
strength of Sterling, particularly 
against the US Dollar and the 
Euro. The Group is exposed to 
a lesser extent to other treasury 
risks such as interest rate risk  
and liquidity risk.

economic conditions
In times of uncertain economic 
conditions businesses face 
additional or elevated levels of 
risk. These include market and 
customer risk, customer default, 
fraud, supply chain risk and 
liquidity risk. Uncertainty in the 
Eurozone in particular adds  
to current uncertainty.

•		Constraints	on,	or	 
inability to, trade

•		Inability	to	deliver	 

on growth strategies

•		Permanent	loss	of	
shareholder funds

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Reputational	damage

•		Financial	penalties

•		Reduced	financial	

performance

•		Loss	of	market	share

•		Unforeseen	liabilities

•		Disruption	of	service	 

to customers

Pension Deficit
Monitoring the funding needs 
of the Group’s pension plans is 
essential to funding our pension 
obligations effectively. Our UK 
defined benefit pension plans  
are closed to new members.

•		Excessive	consumption	

of cash limiting 
investment

•		Unexpected	variability	
in company results

* The arrows indicate the direction of change in particular risks during the year.

The strong cash flow generated by the Group provides financial 
flexibility. Cash needs are monitored regularly. In addition to 
short-term overdraft facilities the Group renewed and increased 
to £260m its five-year revolving credit facility during the year 
providing security of funding and sufficient headroom for its 
needs. Cash deposits are monitored centrally and spread 
amongst a number of highly rated banks. Subsidiaries report 
their cash status to Head Office every week.

The Group does not use complex derivative financial 
instruments and no speculative treasury transactions are 
undertaken. Currency profits are not hedged. Currency 
hedging must fit with the commercial needs of the business 
and we have in place a hedging strategy to manage Group 
exposures. This requires the hedging of a substantial 
proportion of expected future transactions up to 12 months 
(and in exceptional cases 24 months) ahead. Longer term 
currency trends can only be covered through a wide 
geographic spread of operations. We closely monitor 
performance against the financial covenants on our revolving 
credit facility and are operating well within these covenants.

The risk has increased because more of the Group’s profits  
are derived from non-Sterling currencies.

We manage such risks primarily at local company level where 
they are best understood and where we are closest to the 
markets and our customers. Operating companies consider 
contingency plans as part of the annual budget process. The 
financial strength, availability of finance and diversity of the 
Group provides mitigation to much of this risk as does the 
demand for many of our products which is driven by legislation. 
We operate robust credit management at each operating 
company. The Halma Executive Board identifies any wider 
trends which require action.

The Group has reviewed its potential exposure to the current 
macro-economic uncertainty relating to the Eurozone 
economies. The Group operates in a broad spread of markets, 
which substantially limits the risk associated with instability in 
any given territory. Whilst the Group has sales into Mainland 
Europe of £154m in 2011/12 (27% of total Group sales), sales 
into Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain represented 
just £26m (4% of total Group sales). The Group does not have 
any significant operations within these countries. The Group 
holds no significant cash deposits in, and none of the Group’s 
funding is provided by an institution primarily located in, any of 
these countries.

There is regular dialogue with pension fund trustees and 
pension strategy is a regular Halma Board agenda item. The 
Group’s strong cash flows and access to adequate borrowing 
facilities mean that the pensions risk can be adequately 
managed. The Group has increased pension contributions 
with the overall objective of paying off the deficit in line with 
the Actuary’s recommendations. We monitor and consider 
alternative means of reducing our pension risk in light of the 
best long-term interest for shareholders.

change*









Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

63

corPorate
resPonsIBIlIty

Governance and commitment to 
corporate responsibility
Halma companies are involved in the 
manufacture of a wide range of products 
that protect and improve the quality  
of life for people worldwide. Therefore,  
safety is critical to the Group and is a major 
priority for management. Reduction of 
the Group’s carbon footprint has received 
increased attention since 2007 with the 
initial objective of a 10% reduction in relative 
carbon usage in the three years to March 
2010 renewed for the subsequent three 
years to March 2013.

Our core values are Achievement, 
Innovation, Empowerment and Customer 
Satisfaction. These core values have been 
selected following extensive surveying 
of employees across the Group. Our 
culture is one of openness, integrity 
and accountability. We encourage our 
employees to act fairly in their dealings with 
fellow employees, customers, suppliers 
and business partners. We recognise that 
our employees determine our success and 
therefore have invested in and encouraged 
their development more this year than 
ever before, not only with a suite of Halma 
development programmes, but also through 
clear leadership and decisive action. By 

ensuring that our team has the approach 
and skills required to succeed we are better 
placed to meet the challenges of the future.

We recognise the necessity of safeguarding 
the health and safety of our own employees 
while at work and operate so as to provide a 
safe and comfortable working environment 
for employees, visitors and the public. 
Our policy is to manage our activities 
to avoid causing any unnecessary or 
unacceptable risks to health and safety and 
the environment. We have an excellent long-
term record for addressing environmental 
issues that affect our businesses and 
for developing products that protect the 
environment and improve safety at work 
and in public places.

We support the concept of sustainability 
and recognise that, in common with 
all businesses, our activities have an 
environmental impact. Our strategy is not 
to have capital-intensive manufacturing 
processes and to operate close to our 
end markets in terms of geography, so the 
environmental impact of our operations  
is relatively low compared to manufacturers 
in other sectors. We also recognise that 
we can improve our own environmental 
performance and so resources are 

places on corporate responsibility and 
enable the Board to monitor the Group’s 
progress in meeting its objectives and 
responsibilities in these areas. Details are 
given on pages 18 and 19.

Halma has an excellent health and safety 
record and a culture of safety is deeply 
embedded within the Group. We will 
continue to actively promote our safety 
culture over the coming year following a 
major update and relaunch of our internal 
Health and Safety policy, guidance  
and reporting.

Halma and the environment 
We have an excellent long-term record 
and a clear strategy for addressing 
environmental issues that affect our 
businesses and for developing products 
that protect the environment and improve 
safety at work and in public places. 

our products
Many of our innovative products play a very 
positive role in monitoring and improving 
the environment. Halma brands lead the 
world in a number of technologies which 
help to minimise environmental damage. 
Our principal environmental technologies 
are water leakage detection, gas emissions 
monitoring, water and effluent analysis, Uv 

customer satisfaction
continuous improvement
achievement
Innovation
teamwork
quality
Six matching values in top ten 
2012

deployed to actively reduce our own  
carbon footprint. 

Halma has been a member of the 
FTSE4Good UK index since its 
establishment in July 2001.

A summary of our progress and 
performance for all areas of corporate 
responsibility follows. Halma has developed 
meaningful key performance indicators 
(KPIs) that reflect the importance the Group 

water treatment and optical sensing. We 
promote the use of Uv water sterilisation 
which eliminates the need to use dangerous 
chemicals, as well as products that 
minimise the waste of clean water.

Our commitment to the development of 
equipment for measuring environmental 
changes and controlling the damaging 
impact of industrial activities is long term. 
We make safety equipment for use at 

64

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

work, in public places and in transportation 
systems that contribute to increased 
personal safety by ensuring safe practice 
at work, protecting people from fire and 
making elevators and automatic doors 
safe and effective. We are the major world 
supplier in several of these areas.

carbon policy
The Group’s policy on carbon is published 
on our website and has been distributed 
and explained to all Halma business units. 
A senior executive in each of our higher 
impact business units is responsible 
for implementing the carbon policy at 
local level. Our Finance Director, Kevin 
Thompson, has principal responsibility  
for coordinating and monitoring the policy. 

environmental management system
We are committed to developing 
and implementing an environmental 
management system (EMS) throughout 
the Group to measure, control and, where 
practical, reduce our environmental 
impacts. We have developed performance 
indicators that assist local management 
in implementing the policy and ultimately 
developing an EMS. The requirement for 
an EMS and the related reporting has 
been rolled out to all UK business units, 
which represent approximately 41% of 
Group production facilities in terms of 
external turnover. All Group companies are 
encouraged to undertake ISO 14001, the 
international environmental accreditation, 
where warranted. The requirement to 
implement an EMS will be extended to the 
rest of the Group in the medium term. In 
terms of revenue, currently 22% (2011: 19%)
of the Group has ISO 14001 approval.

levels we provide to our customers. It also 
makes our operations more flexible and 
responsive to their markets and customers. 
With operations spread around the globe, 
our supplier base is understandably 
fragmented. Therefore, responsibility for 
vetting and managing suppliers is devolved 
to local management while meeting the 
Group’s ethical standards.

FTSE4Good has assessed Halma as 
having a low impact on the environment. 
Nevertheless, Group companies are 
encouraged to improve energy efficiency, 
reduce waste and emissions and reduce 
the use of materials in order to minimise 
their environmental impact. The Group 
established baseline data in 2004/05 
on emissions to air and water, water 
and energy consumption, and waste 
production, the results of which are updated 
on the Halma website each year. The 
data collected for the past five years has 
enabled the Group to set comprehensive 
and quantifiable objectives for reducing its 
environmental impacts in those areas and to 
set and monitor targets for reduction in key 
areas. The collected data confirms that the 
main area of impact on the environment is 
energy consumption.

The Group does not operate a fleet of 
distribution vehicles although we do own a 
number of company cars. From May 2007, 
we implemented a cap on permissible CO2 
emissions of all UK company vehicles and 
will extend this requirement to the rest of the 
world in due course. This limit is reduced 
each year so as to consistently reduce our 
vehicles’ environmental impact. We have 
also set a fuel consumption standard for 
company vehicles in the USA which is 
reviewed annually.

Completed training

54% of eligible employees

We renewed our target in 2010 and are 
pleased to report that in the first two years 
we achieved a 9% reduction. We have 
initiated a number of carbon reduction 
actions, particularly in the UK, which are 
designed to help us meet our targets.

From April 2010, we have worked with 
a provider of energy efficiency and 
carbon reduction solutions to ensure 
compliance with the new Carbon Reduction 
Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme 
(CRC) which is the UK’s mandatory 
climate change and energy saving scheme 
administered by the Environment Agency. 
We are in full compliance with the CRC 
requirements. Already we have rolled out 
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology 
to the majority of UK sites. All major UK 
sites have received an energy survey and 
set an action plan for improved energy 
usage. This initiative is backed up by 
specialist carbon management software 
and comprehensive training on its use. The 
Group’s environmental performance will 
continue to be reported both in the Annual 
Report and on our website.

The Group is committed to examining 
the establishment of ‘green’ procurement 
policies and increasing our use of  
recycled materials.

Halma and its people
The Group has a policy of equal 
opportunities and preventing harassment, 
which applies in relation to recruitment of 
all new employees and to the management 
of existing personnel. This gives us access 
to the widest labour market and enables 
us to secure the best employees for our 
needs. We offer all of our staff training 
relevant to their roles and we believe that 
this contributes to an increase in employee 
motivation and job satisfaction. The culture 
alignment survey results mentioned below 
support this trend.

Periodically we complete a survey of 
employees to determine whether our core 
values are authentic in our organisation. 
The survey establishes the values individual 
employees wish to see in our operating 
culture and to what extent they exist in  
our current culture.

In 2006, our survey of senior managers 
showed that five (50%) of the values they 
wanted to see in our business were actually 
present. In 2012, our survey of senior 
managers showed that six (60%) desired 
values were present in our business. This 
indicates that there is a healthy level of 
alignment between the culture we aspire  
to have and the culture we actually have.

our impact
The environmental effect of our operations 
is relatively low compared to manufacturers 
in other sectors. Our manufacturing 
model is decentralised permitting our 
operations to be located close to their 
customers. Manufacturing operations are 
established across the world for this very 
reason rather than to save labour costs. 
The ethos of being close to our customers 
reflects the importance we place on the 
quality of our products and the service 

We are committed to reducing our carbon 
footprint. We set a target in 2007 to reduce 
the Group’s total carbon emissions relative 
to revenues by 10% over three years. 
Following a total reduction of 7% in the first 
two years, 2009/10 showed an increase 
following the acquisition of a high energy 
usage facility in the USA. We are working 
hard to reduce the energy impact of that 
facility and excluding that operation we 
would have achieved our target reduction. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

65

corPorate resPonsIBIlIty
contInueD

No survey is capable of capturing all the 
appropriate sentiments, but our executives, 
who regularly visit all Group companies, 
agree that observable and valuable 
improvements in the Group culture have 
occurred over recent years. The Group 
will continue to monitor the survey results 
to enable us to better support our people 
in bringing these values and strengths 
to work so that they and we may derive 
further benefit from them.

Diversity
The Board of Directors responded to 
the consultation document that the UK’s 
Financial Reporting Council issued in 
respect of ‘Gender Diversity on Boards’. 

Our experience is that throughout Halma, 
women are under-represented at manager 
and executive levels and we aim to increase 
the proportion of women in senior roles 
and on the Board of Directors by refreshing 
our policies and behaviours from both a 
‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ approach. 
To that end, we issued a Diversity Policy 
during the year which is available on our 
website. We appreciate the task ahead of 
us in a sector where graduates are more 
than 80% male, so part of our strategy will 
involve ensuring that Halma has a culture 
and working practices that make it more 
attractive to women.

Our efforts will not only be directed 
towards gender diversity, but also towards 
increasing the proportion of individuals  
with experience in the business and 
geographic markets in which we see  
our operations trending.

Our strong preference is to develop policies 
and actions which support our aims rather 
than establishing measurable targets. We 
believe the former evolves into part of the 
corporate culture more readily than simply 
setting a target.

DIvERSITY POLICY

Halma believes that the diversity of  
our staff is a significant contributor to 
our success:
•		Diversity	in	our	organisation	attracts	

talented people to join the group and  
to develop to their full potential.

•		Diversity	within	our	leadership	improves	

decision making processes and 
effective teamwork.

•		Diversity	encourages	fresh	thinking	 
and challenges the status quo and 
boosts innovation.

Our policy’s objectives are:
1.  To build a culture that encourages 
talented people of all backgrounds, 
beliefs or any form of personal identity 
to want to work for Halma.
2.  To use recruitment, training, 

development, promotion and 
compensation to increase diversity  
in our organisation.

3.  To ensure that our procedures, 
systems and behaviours are not 
discriminatory.

Each year our Board of Directors reviews 
these policies and our implementation to 
ensure that they create and maintain a 
diverse and inclusive organisation.

Disabled employees
Applications for employment by disabled 
people 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 
with the Group continues and that 
appropriate training is arranged. It is the 
policy of the Group that the training, career 
development and promotion of disabled 
people should, as far as possible, be 
identical to that of other employees.

employee consultation
The Group places considerable value 
on the involvement of its employees and 
has continued to keep them informed 
on matters affecting them as employees 
and on the various factors affecting the 
performance of the Group. This is achieved 
through formal and informal meetings, the 
Group intranet and the annual financial 
statements. Employee representatives 
are consulted routinely on a wide range of 
matters affecting their current and future 
interests. An employee share plan has  
been running successfully since 1980. It is 
open to all UK employees and aligns the 
interests of all UK employees to those  
of shareholders.

Health and safety
The Group manages its activities to avoid 
causing any unnecessary or unacceptable 
risks to health and safety to our employees 
in the work place or to the public as a result 
of our activities. The policy is understood by 
all Group companies and was reinforced in 
2010/11 through improved guidance and 
reporting following a comprehensive review 
led by an external expert. As a result, 
reporting of Health and Safety incidents 
and corrective action where needed has 
been given an even higher profile. Given 
the autonomous structure of the Group, 
operational responsibility for compliance 
with relevant local health and safety 
regulations is delegated to the directors 
of each Group company. We believe 
health and safety training is important 
and it is carried out within companies as 
appropriate. Adequate internal reporting 
exists in order that the Group’s Finance 
Director can monitor each company’s 
compliance with this policy.

Major injuries 
recorded 
Days lost due to 
work-related injuries 
Total recorded injuries 
to all employees 

2012 

2011

2010

301 

455 

133 

362 

505 

233

The Group collects details of its worldwide 
reported health and safety incidents,  
and these are available on our website at 
www.halma.com. We are also pleased to 
report that there were no fatalities between 
2009 and 2012.

66

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

People development
We run a number of people development 
programmes. The Halma Executive 
Development Programme (HEDP), which is 
based on our recognition of the fundamental 
part our people play in the success of the 
Group, continued to strengthen in 2011/12. 
HEDP is an integrated development plan 
for our senior people – including the next 
generation of Managing Directors and 
Divisional Chief Executives. Our objective 
is to provide these individuals with the 
tools and training they need to achieve 
more in their existing role and potentially to 
advance through the organisation if their 
achievements merit it.

Training 
Cumulative number of 
candidates that have 
completed HEDP 
Cumulative number of 
candidates that have 
completed HMDP 
Cumulative number of 
candidates that have 
completed HCAT

2012 

2011 

2010 

194

166

152 

392

319

277

36

19

–

HEDP is aimed at employees already 
serving on subsidiary boards but we 
also encourage applications from senior 
functional managers who can demonstrate 
they already have equivalent responsibilities 
and will benefit from the programme.

There are approximately 240 such eligible 
employees in total.

The programme has been developed from 
a proven course structure and is specifically 
and continuously tailored to suit Halma’s 
needs, aligning the content to the Group’s 
four core values of Achievement, Innovation, 
Empowerment and Customer Satisfaction.  
It focuses strongly on strategic and 
leadership capabilities and developing 
personal attributes – commitment, 
determination and resilience. There is an 
emphasis on performance management 
and team development. It includes 
skillbased elements such as sales 
and marketing management, project 
leadership, corporate governance, finance 
and innovation, but all are presented in a 
strategic context.

Fourteen programmes have been 
successfully completed.

Now that a significant proportion of 
executives have completed HEDP, a 
follow up programme, HEDP+, has been 
introduced to provide updated training and 
to reinforce the original course contents, and 
four such courses were held in the year.

Complementing the HEDP is a programme 
for subsidiary managers and supervisors 
– the Halma Management Development 
Programme (HMDP). During the year, three 
HMDP and two HMDP+ programmes were 
completed giving a cumulative total of 392 
employees who have completed HMDP. 
Programmes were held in the USA, Europe 
and Asia.

In 2011, we introduced a new programme, 
Halma Certificate of Applied Technology, 
targeted at our technical engineers to 
equip them with a broader understanding 
of Halma’s technology, improve their 
productivity and provide specific 
skills training in areas such as project 
management. Two such programmes  
with 36 participants have been completed 
with great success.

The Halma Graduate Development 
Programme (HGDP) was introduced  
during 2011/12 and the first participants 
start working with us in Summer 2012. 
HGDP is targeted at engineering, science 
and technical graduates with the potential  
to become future leaders of our companies, 
or next generation specialists driving  
our technology.

The programme lasts 18 to 24 months 
and is based on placements in our various 
operating companies. Through project  
work participants quickly assume 
responsibility and learn in detail how 
businesses operate. We support 
participants through residential training 
modules to help develop communication 
and teamwork skills alongside a mentoring 
programme for personal development. 

community
In line with our decentralised structure, 
social and community activities are 
sponsored and undertaken at the direction 
of subsidiary management. Each subsidiary 
has the freedom to implement its own 
initiatives. This approach recognises that 
priorities will vary from business to business.

responsible investment
Investing in Halma shares meets the criteria 
of many professional and private investors 
who base their decisions on environmental, 
ethical and social considerations. The 
Group is a world leader in several key 
environmental technologies and has a 
reputation for honesty and integrity in its 
relationships with employees, customers, 
business partners and shareholders.

Social conditions can be improved for 
all through the creation of wealth. Halma 
creates wealth responsibly allowing our 
employees, customers, business partners 
and shareholders to determine where this 
wealth is best distributed.

Halma’s policies reflect the core 
requirements of the Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration 
on Fundamental Principles and Rights at 
Work. We do not tolerate practices which 
contravene these international standards. 
Regulatory demands upon us vary 
considerably around the world, so Halma 
establishes the core structure to ensure 
that Group companies fully comply with 
legislative and regulatory requirements  
while permitting them to tailor their 
approach to their particular needs.

ethics
The Group culture is one of openness, 
integrity and accountability. Halma requires 
its employees to act fairly in their dealings 
with fellow employees, customers, suppliers 
and business partners. Halma introduced a 
new Code of Conduct during the year which 
applies to all Group employees and our 
external business relationships. We require 
suppliers to be of high quality and to operate 
to accepted international standards. Halma 
operates a confidential whistleblowing policy 
with an external call centre, which enables 
all Group employees to raise any concerns 
they may have.

Halma has a zero-tolerance policy on 
bribery and corruption which extends to all 
business dealings and transactions in which 
we are involved. This includes a prohibition 
on making political donations, offering or 
receiving inappropriate gifts or making 
undue payments to influence the outcome 
of business dealings. A new, robust policy 
and guidance in this area was updated 
during the year in line with best practice.

Cautionary note: This Business Review has 
been prepared solely to assist shareholders 
to assess the Board’s strategies and their 
potential to succeed. It should not be relied 
on by any other party, for other purposes. 
Forward-looking statements have been 
made by the Directors in good faith using 
information available up until the date that 
they approved the Report. Forward-looking 
statements should be regarded with caution 
because of the inherent uncertainties in 
economic trends and business risks. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

67

BoArd of
direcTors

Geoff Unwin

Andrew Williams

Kevin Thompson

Non-executive chairman of Halma
Age 69
Location UK
Geoff was appointed non-executive Chairman 
of Halma in 2003, having been appointed to the 
Board in 2002. He is Chairman of Xchanging plc 
and OpenCloud Ltd. Geoff is also Chairman of 
Taptu Limited, a member of the Advisory Board 
of Palamon Capital Partners and also chairs 
one of their investments, RD Card Holdings Ltd. 
Previously he was a Non-voting Board Director 
of Capgemini Group, Chairman of Liberata plc 
from 2003 to 2011, Alliance Medical Group until 
December 2010, United Business Media plc from 
2002 to 2007 and Chief Executive of Cap Gemini 
Ernst & Young until 2002.

chief executive
Age 45
Location UK
Andrew was appointed Chief Executive of Halma 
plc in February 2005. He was promoted to 
Director of the Halma plc Board in 2004. Andrew 
became a member of the Halma Executive Board 
in 2002 as Divisional Chief Executive after joining 
Halma in 1994 as Manufacturing Director of  
Reten Acoustics (now HWM-Water), where he 
became Managing Director in 1997. Andrew  
is a Chartered Engineer and a production 
engineering graduate of Birmingham University. 
He attended the Advanced Management Program 
at Wharton Business School, University of 
Pennsylvania in 2004.

finance director
Age 52
Location UK
Kevin was appointed to the Halma plc Board 
in 1998. He became Group Finance Director in 
1997 after joining the Halma Executive Board as 
Finance Director in 1995. Kevin joined Halma as 
Group Financial Controller in 1987. Kevin qualified 
as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse 
and is an economics and accounting graduate 
of Bristol University. He attended the Advanced 
Management Program at Harvard Business 
School in 2007.

committee membership

Neil Quinn 

Adam Meyers

Audit Nom1 Rem2

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Geoff Unwin

Andrew Williams

Kevin Thompson

Stephen Pettit

Neil Quinn

Jane Aikman

Adam Meyers

Norman Blackwell

Steve Marshall

Daniela Barone 
Soares

•

•

•

•

•

• Chairman  • Member 

1 Nomination Committee.  
2 Remuneration Committee.

chief executive, industrial safety division
Age 62
Location UK
Neil was appointed to the Halma plc Board in 
1998 and is Chief Executive of the Industrial Safety 
Division. He joined the Halma Executive Board in 
1995 as Divisional Chief Executive. He became 
Managing Director of Apollo Fire Detectors in 
1992, after joining as Sales Director in 1987.  
Neil has a material sciences degree from  
Sheffield University.

chief executive, Health optics division
Age 50
Location USA
Adam joined the Halma plc Board in April 2008 
and is Chief Executive of the Health Optics 
Division. He became a member of the Halma 
Executive Board in 2003 as Divisional Chief 
Executive, having joined Halma in 1996 as 
President of Bio-Chem Valve. Adam gained his 
MBA from Harvard Business School and is a 
systems engineering graduate of the University  
of Pennsylvania.

68

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

963-1_Halma_AR12_GOV_AW9.indd   68

14/06/2012   17:36

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

chairman

executive directors

Non-executive directors

company secretary

Jane Aikman

Norman Blackwell

steve Marshall

Non-executive director of Halma
Age 46
Location UK
Jane was appointed a non-executive Director 
of Halma in August 2007. Previously Jane was 
finance director of Infinis Limited, Wilson Bowden 
Plc and Pressac plc. She spent three years as an 
internal audit manager with GEC Alsthom and five 
years in East Asia with Asia Pulp and Paper Co 
Limited. Jane qualified as a Chartered Accountant 
with Ernst & Young and has a degree in civil 
engineering from Birmingham University.

Non-executive director of Halma
Age 59
Location UK
Norman was appointed a non-executive Director 
of Halma in July 2010. He is a non-executive 
director of Lloyds Banking Group Plc, non-
executive Chairman of Interserve Plc and a non-
executive director of Ofcom, the communications 
regulator. His past business roles have included 
Senior Independent Director at both Standard 
Life Plc and SEGRO plc, Director of Group 
Development at NatWest Group and Partner at 
McKinsey & Company. He was Chairman of the 
independent Centre for Policy Studies from 2000 
to 2009 where he remains a board member. 
Norman was created a Life Peer in 1997 and 
served as Head of the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit 
from 1995 to 1997.

Non-executive director of Halma
Age 54
Location UK
Steve was appointed a non-executive Director of 
Halma in July 2010. He is non-executive Chairman 
of Balfour Beatty plc and Wincanton plc. He is 
a former chairman of Delta plc, Queens’ Moat 
Houses plc and Torex Retail plc as well as a 
former non-executive director at Southern Water 
Services Limited. He was Group Chief Executive 
of Railtrack Group plc and prior to that Thorn 
plc, having also served as Finance Director at 
each company. His earlier career included a wide 
range of corporate and operational roles at Grand 
Metropolitan plc, Burton Group, Black & Decker 
and BOC Group. He is a fellow of the Chartered 
Institute of Management Accountants.

stephen Pettit

daniela Barone soares

carol chesney

senior independent director of Halma
Age 61
Location UK
Stephen is the Senior Independent Director. He 
was appointed a non-executive Director of Halma 
in September 2003. He is also a non-executive 
director of National Grid plc and BT Group plc – 
Equality of Access Board. Previously Stephen was 
non-executive Chairman of ROK plc, an executive 
director with Cable & Wireless PLC and a divisional 
chief executive with BP PLC. Stephen has an MSc 
from London School of Economics and an MBA 
from INSEAD and is an Economics and Politics 
graduate of Cardiff University.

Non-executive director of Halma
Age 41
Location UK
Daniela was appointed a non-executive Director  
of Halma in November 2011. She is Chief 
Executive of Impetus Trust. She is on the advisory 
board and a trustee of a number of non-listed, 
social sector organisations in the UK and Brazil. 
Daniela’s past business roles have included  
Head of Institutional Support at Save the Children, 
Assistant Vice President of Private Equity and 
Venture Capital at BancBoston Capital, Inc. and 
roles at Goldman, Sachs & Co. (New York) and 
Citibank, N.A. (Brazil). Daniela has an MBA from 
Harvard Business School and a BSc in Economics 
from Universidade Estadual de Campinas 
(UNICAMP), Brazil.

company secretary
Age 49
Location UK
Carol was appointed Company Secretary of 
Halma plc in 1998. She joined Halma in 1995 as 
Group Finance Manager having spent three years 
with English China Clays plc. She qualified as a 
Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen and 
is a mathematics graduate of Randolph-Macon 
Woman’s College, Virginia. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

69

execUTive
BoArd

charles dubois

Philippe felten 

Mark Lavelle

chief executive, fluid 
Technology division
Age 46
Location USA
Charles was appointed to the 
Executive Board in April 2008 
and is Chief Executive of the Fluid 
Technology Division. He joined the 
Group in 1999 as Vice President of 
Perma Pure LLC and was previously 
President of Diba Industries. He 
earned his MBA from the F.W. Olin 
School of Business at Babson 
College and holds a Bachelor’s 
degree in physics from the College  
of the Holy Cross. 

chief executive, security and 
door sensors division 
Age 47
Location Belgium
Philippe was appointed to the 
Executive Board in April 2012 and is 
Chief Executive of the Security and 
Door Sensors Division. He is Chief 
Executive of BEA Group where he 
joined in 1998 as Sales Director 
for Europe. Philippe completed 
the Programme for Executive 
Development at IMD Lausanne,  
holds a Bachelor degree in Marketing 
and Management (ICHEC – Brussels) 
and is an Electro-Mechanical Engineer 
(ECAM – Brussels).

chief executive – Asset 
Monitoring division
Age 52
Location UK
Mark joined the Executive Board 
as a Divisional Chief Executive in 
2007 after having joined Halma 
as Managing Director of Keeler 
Instruments in November 2001. 
Mark has an MBA from INSEAD  
and a chemistry degree from 
Cambridge University. 

executive Board

Andrew Williams

Kevin Thompson

Charles Dubois

Phillipe Felten

Mark Lavelle

Adam Meyers

Neil Quinn

Rob Randelman

Allan Stamper

Nigel Trodd

Martin Zhang

rob randelman

Allan stamper

Nigel Trodd

Martin Zhang

chief executive,  
Photonics division
Age 52
Location USA
Rob became a member of the 
Executive Board in April 2011 and 
is Chief Executive of the Photonics 
Division. He joined the Group in  
2006 as Vice President of Sales at 
Ocean Optics, where he became 
President in 2007. Rob gained 
his PhD and MSE in Chemical 
Engineering from Lehigh University 
and is a Chemistry and Physics 
graduate of Ursinus College.

chief executive,  
Water division
Age 57
Location UK
Allan was appointed to the Executive 
Board in October 2007 and is 
Divisional Chief Executive of the 
Water Division. He joined Halma 
in 2002 as Managing Director of 
Crowcon Detection Instruments. 
Allan has an MBA from Cranfield  
and is an engineering graduate of 
both Loughborough University (BSc) 
and Imperial College (MSc).

chief executive,  
elevator safety and fire division
Age 54
Location Singapore
Nigel joined the Executive Board in 
July 2003 and is Chief Executive 
of the Elevators and Fire Division. 
He had joined Halma in July 2003 
as Chief Executive of the Process 
Safety Division. Nigel is a member of 
the Chartered Institute of Marketing 
and a business studies graduate 
of Thames Valley University. He 
relocated to Singapore in April 2012.

director – Halma china
Age 45
Location China
Martin was appointed as Adviser 
to the Halma Executive Board in 
February 2008. He joined the Group 
in June 2006 as Director of Halma 
China and successfully established 
Halma China offices in Beijing and 
Shanghai. Martin holds an Executive 
MBA from the University of Texas at 
Arlington (Tongji University Shanghai) 
and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical 
Engineering from Chengdu University 
of Science and Technology.

70

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

cHAirMAN’s iNTrodUcTioN

To GoverNANce

“ The Board is committed to maintaining very high 
standards of corporate governance and ensuring values 
and behaviours are consistent across the business.”

dear shareholders,
I am pleased to present Halma’s Corporate 
Governance report on behalf of our Board. 
The report deals with how the Board and its 
committees discharged their governance 
duties which I hope provides you with a clear 
and meaningful explanation of how we  
apply the principles of good governance 
enshrined in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the Code). 

The Board is committed to maintaining very 
high standards of corporate governance 
and ensuring values and behaviours 
are consistent across the business. We 
have sought to manage the affairs of 
the Company not by merely following 
regimented rules, but by promoting open 
and transparent discussion, constructive 
challenge and support in the Board and 
across the Group. I continue to be pleased 
with the progress Halma has made. We 
continually seek to ensure best practice is 
maintained and that governance is integral to 
our strategy and decision-making processes 
for the benefit of our shareholders.

As I indicated in last year’s Annual Report, 
after ten years of exemplary service, Richard 
Stone stepped down from the Board in 
July 2011. We strengthened and refreshed 
the composition of our Board with the 
appointment of Daniela Barone Soares in 
November 2011, who together with our 
existing Board members form a committed 
and diverse team. 

I have always maintained that a key part 
of my role involves ensuring that there is a 
sufficient cadre of individuals being nurtured 
throughout the Group to enable effective 
succession planning. The promotions of 
Rob Randelman and Philippe Felten to 
the Executive Board, in April 2011 and 
April 2012 respectively, demonstrate the 
importance the Group places on developing 
in-house talent. Reviews of management 
capabilities and potential are performed 
on a routine basis and I am satisfied that 
sufficient resources exist within the Group, 
and that talent continues to be developed 
through programmes such as the Halma 
Executive Development Programme which 
itself evolves to meet the changing needs of 
the Group. Whenever we identify a need for 
improvement to management resources we 
take action to ensure full strength is attained 
as soon as practicable.

Lastly, I would like to encourage all 
shareholders to find the time to attend our 
AGM on 24 July 2012. It is an excellent 
opportunity to meet the Board, the Executive 
Board and a selection of the managing 
directors from our operating companies.

Geoff Unwin 
chairman
14 June 2012

Contents

compliance with the code 

The Board 

Board diversity 

Board activity  

Board performance and evaluation 

investor relations 

Board committees 

internal control 

Going concern 

Audit committee 

Nomination committee 

remuneration committee 

remuneration report 

other statutory information 

directors’ responsibility statement 

 72

 72

 73

 74 

 74

 74

 75

 75

 75

 76

 78

 79

 80

 87

 90

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

71

corPorATe GoverNANce

chairman’s responsibilities

chief executive’s responsibilities

Governance
•	promoting high standards of  

corporate governance;

•	providing coherent leadership and 

management of the Company with  
the Chairman;

•	leading, chairing and managing  

•	developing objectives, strategy and 

performance standards to be agreed 
by the Board;

•	providing input to the Board’s agenda;

•	providing effective leadership of the 

Executive Board to achieve the agreed 
strategies and objectives;

•	securing an Executive Board of the 

right calibre, with specific responsibility 
for its composition, and that its 
succession plan is reviewed annually 
with the Chairman and the non-
executive Directors;

•	monitoring, reviewing and managing 

key risks and strategies with the Board;

•	ensuring that the assets of the  

Group are adequately safeguarded  
and maintained;

•	building and maintaining the 

Company’s communications  
and standing with shareholders,  
financial institutions and the public  
and effectively communicating the 
Halma plc investment proposition  
to all stakeholders;

•	ensuring the Board is aware of the  
view of employees on issues of 
relevance to Halma plc;

•	living and fostering the Group values 
which promote ethical practices, 
integrity and a positive work climate, 
enabling the Group to attract, retain 
and motivate a diverse group of high 
quality employees; and

•	leading by example in establishing  

a performance orientated, customer 
focused and publicly responsible 
Group culture.

the Board;

•	ensuring all Board committees are 

property structured and operate with 
appropriate terms of reference;

•	to regularly consider the composition 
and succession planning of the Board 
and its committees;

•	ensuring that the Board and its 
committees’ performances are 
evaluated on a regular basis;

•	ensuring adequate time is available  

for all agenda items.

strategy
•	leading the Board in developing 
the strategy of the business and 
achievement of its objectives;

•	promoting open and constructive 

debate in Board meetings;

•	ensuring effective implementation  

of Board decisions with the support  
of the Chief Executive;

•	ensuring the Board manages risk 

effectively;

•	consulting where appropriate with  
the Senior Independent Director  
on Board matters.

People
•	chairing the Nomination Committee;

•	identifying and meeting the induction 
and development needs of the Board  
and its committees;

•	developing a strong working 

relationship with the Chief Executive;

•	ensuring a strong working  

relationship between executive and 
non-executive directors;

•	setting clear expectations  

concerning the Company’s culture, 
value and behaviours; and

•	ensuring effective relationships are 

maintained with all major stakeholders 
in the business.

compliance with the code  
of best practice
As required by the Listing Rules of the 
Financial Services Authority this Report 
explains how the Company applies the 
principles and complies with the provisions 
of the Financial Reporting Council UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the Code) 
published in June 2010 which applied to 
the Company throughout the year ended 
31 March 2012.

Throughout the year, the Company has fully 
complied with the provisions as set out in 
section 1 of the Code. 

The Board has determined its ideal 
composition as a Chairman, five 
independent non-executive Directors 
and four executive Directors. The Board 
adjudged this composition as an appropriate 
structure for the Company providing valuable 
direct knowledge of operations and effective 
challenge surrounding the issues facing  
the Group. 

In accordance with the Code all the 
Directors, being eligible, will offer themselves 
for re-election at the Annual General Meeting

The Board
The Board considers the Chairman and 
each of the non-executive Directors to be 
independent. In assessing independence, 
the Board considers that the Chairman and 
non-executive Directors are independent of 
management and free from business and 
other relationships which could interfere 
with the exercise of independent judgment 
now and in the future. The Board believes 
that any shareholdings of the Chairman and 
non-executive Directors serve to align their 
interests with those of shareholders. 

Upon appointment and at regular intervals, 
all Directors are offered appropriate training. 
Under the Company’s Articles, each Director 
is subject to re-election at least once every 
three years however, commencing last year, 
the Board has agreed that each Director 
shall stand for annual re-election. The 
Board confirms that all Directors standing 
for re-election continue to be effective and 
demonstrate commitment to their roles. 
Details of Directors’ biographies appear  
on pages 68 and 69 and in the Notice  
of Meeting.

The Directors retain responsibility for the 
formulation of corporate strategy, investment 
decisions and treasury and risk management 
policies. There is a formal schedule of 
matters reserved for the Board’s decision 
and the Board meets at least six times 
each year with further ad hoc meetings as 
required. Directors are issued an agenda and 
comprehensive board papers in the week 
preceding each Board meeting. All Directors 
have access to the advice and services of 
the Company Secretary as well as there 
being an agreed procedure for obtaining 
independent professional advice.

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Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Board meeting attendance
During the year attendance by Directors at Board and Committee meetings was as follows:

Board attendance

Committees

Total meetings

Geoff Unwin

Andrew Williams

Kevin Thompson

Stephen Pettit

Neil Quinn

Richard Stone2

Jane Aikman

Adam Meyers

Lord Blackwell

Steve Marshall

Daniela Barone Soares1

Board

Audit

Remuneration

Nomination

6

6

6

6

6

6

4 

6

6

6

6

2 

3

–

–

–

3

–

1 

3

–

3

3

2 

3

3

–

–

3

–

2 

–

–

3

3

–

2

2

2

–

2

–

–

–

–

–

2

–

 Overall 
attendance
%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

1 Daniela Barone Soares attended both meetings of the Board and Audit Committee after her appointment on 10 November 2011.
2  Richard Stone attended all four Board meetings, one Audit Committee meeting and two Remuneration Committee meetings before his retirement from the Board on 28 July 2011.

Board constitution 
Following Richard Stone’s resignation  
from the Board in July 2011, Stephen Pettit 
was appointed Senior Independent Director 
and Steve Marshall assumed responsibility 
for the Chairmanship of the Remuneration 
Committee. We have also made further 
progress in refreshing the composition  
and diversity of our Board with the 
appointment of Daniela Barone Soares  
in November 2011.

Board induction
Newly appointed non-executive Directors 
follow an induction programme which 
include scheduled trips to companies 
in each of the twelve sub-sectors to be 
achieved over a three-year period. As 
Daniela Barone Soares had no previous 
experience in the industry nor as a director 

of a listed company, an induction 
programme was designed for her, to ensure 
she obtained an in-depth understanding of 
the industry, the organisation and directors’ 
responsibilities to enable her to contribute  
to the Board effectively.

Board diversity
The Board reviewed the report of Lord 
Davies published in February 2011 on 
Boardroom Diversity and contributed to the 
FRC review of Gender Diversity on Boards 
noting its support for the benefits of greater 
diversity, which is not just gender specific, 
but relates also to other factors such as 
market and international experience and 
diversity of thought. It was agreed by the 
Board that a manufacturing and technology 
company such as Halma would have to 
adopt policies to attract a greater number  

of females into management roles. The 
Board hopes to support these aims through 
the adoption and implementation of Halma’s 
Diversity Policy rather than set quotas.

Following Daniela Barone Soares’ 
appointment, the Board has a total of ten 
Directors. The skill set of the non-executive 
Directors includes financial, economics, 
banking, engineering, technology, IT, 
communications and consumer expertise. 
They include eight British, one American  
and one Brazilian nationals. 20% of the 
Board are women. 

Halma has the ambition to increase  
the number of executives based outside  
Europe and the USA to better reflect the 
proportion of our revenue generated  
outside those markets.

Board composition

Board composition by nationality

Board composition by gender

Executive Directors 

Chairman 

Independent non-executive Directors 

4

1

5

UK 

USA 

Brazil 

8

1

1

Male 

Female 

8

2

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Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
corPorATe GoverNANce
coNTiNUed

74

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Board activity throughout the  
year 2011/12
During the year the Board received  
training and briefing updates on  
changes in corporate governance, risk 
management and compliance, audits, 
bribery and corruption, health and safety, 
environmental matters, city and shareholders 
matters and other relevant legislative and 
accounting changes. 

The Directors have a programmed schedule 
of meetings and visits with the Executive 
Board, Group companies and Halma’s 
development programmes to ensure that 
they are able to engage with management 
and employees at all levels. 

Board performance and evaluation 
The Board considers the evaluation of 
its performance and that of the Audit, 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees 
annually, with each Committee also 
evaluating its own performance. This year, 
the Board engaged an external facilitator  
for full Board and Committee evaluations. 

Dr Tracy Long of Boardroom Review carried 
out the evaluation. Dr Long has no other 
connection with the Company. The board 
effectiveness review covered three key areas 
namely the Board’s:

•		definition	of	its	role	and	approach	to	 

its work; 

•	ability	to	work	together	effectively;	and	

•		ability	to	optimise	its	use	of	time	and	

contribution to the Company. 

The evaluation process included a one-
to-one interview with each Director and 
the Company Secretary and Dr Long 
observed the workings of the Board and 
its Committees during the February 2012 
Board and Committees meetings. The 
key conclusions of the 2011/12 evaluation 
were first discussed with the Chairman and 
subsequently presented to the full Board. 
The evaluation results were discussed by  
the Board at the April 2012 Board meeting.

The review concluded that the Board was 
effective, methodical and thorough in the 
way it approaches its work. There was 
open and transparent debate and an even 
contribution from all members of the Board. 
There was an active and collaborative 
approach to performance management 
reflected in the constructive debates in the 
Remuneration Committee. The Board spent 
a significant amount of time considering risks 
and controls and was assisted by strong 
financial information, effective internal and 
external audit processes and a strong Audit 
Committee. Overall, the process confirmed 
the right blend of behaviours and skills 
around the Halma Board table. The Board 
freely and openly expresses any concerns 
which results in more considered outcomes 
emphasising collective responsibility, 
transparency, clarity and integrity. 

The Board agreed the following 
recommendations from the review which 
would enable the Board to add further value 
to the business:

i)  greater level of non-executive’s knowledge 

regarding competitive and customer 
landscapes;

ii)  greater individual contributions encouraged 
with enhancements from changes in Board 
composition; and 

iii)  provide more opportunities in the Board 
schedule to improve communication 
between executives and non-executives.

As in prior years, the Board also met in 
February 2012 before the scheduled Board 
meeting. There was a meeting of the 
Chairman and non-executive Directors with 
the Chief Executive. This was followed by a 
meeting of the Chairman and non-executive 
Directors only. The Senior Independent 
Director also led a meeting with the non-
executive Directors without the Chairman 
present. The Executives were also given 
the opportunity to meet with the Chairman 
and/or the Senior Independent Director 
separately. The outcome of these meetings 
was then fed back to individuals by the 
Chairman, Senior Independent Director  
or Chief Executive, as appropriate. 

investor relations
The Board recognises the importance 
of effective communication with our 
shareholders. In regular meetings 
with shareholders and analysts the 
Chief Executive and Finance Director 
communicate the Group’s strategy and 
results, disclosing such information as 
is permitted within the guidelines of the 
Listing Rules. Such meetings ensure that 
institutional shareholders representing over 
50% of the Company’s issued share capital 
meet or hold discussions with the Company 
on a regular basis. Major shareholders 
are also offered the opportunity to meet 
the Chairman and/or Senior Independent 
Director. Notes from all investor meetings 
are circulated to the Chairman with investor 
feedback results from roadshows circulated 
to the whole Board.

All shareholders are encouraged to attend 
the annual general meeting where they can 
gain a better understanding of the Company. 
Shareholders are able to pose questions 
to the Board on the matters put to the 
meeting, including the Annual Report and 
the management of the Company. Major 
shareholders are also invited to briefings 
following the half-year and annual results. 
The content of presentations to shareholders 
and analysts at results announcements and 
all announcements are available on  
the Group website: www.halma.com.

The Group website also contains electronic 
versions of the latest Annual Report and 
Accounts, Half-Year Reports, biographical 

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

information on Directors and the Executive 
Board, share price information, and full 
subsidiary company contact details as well 
as links to their own websites. The website 
also features the facility to request e-mail  
alerts relating to announcements made  
by the Group.

The Financial calendar is set out on  
page 148.

committees of the Board
Our Committees are a valuable part of the 
Company’s corporate governance structure. 
The workload of the Committees includes  
the table of scheduled meetings as well as  
ad hoc meetings and communications 
frequently requiring considerable amounts of 
time. Our appointment of an additional non-
executive Director at the end of 2011 enabled 
us to review the Committee allocations during 
the year to ensure their resources matched 
the workload.

Halma has six committees and sub-
committees of the Board: the Audit 
Committee, the Nomination Committee, 
the Remuneration Committee, the Share 
Plans Committee, the Bank Guarantees and 
Facilities Committee and the Acquisitions 
and Disposals Committee. Each of these 
committees has terms of reference approved 
by the Board, copies of which are available 
on the website or on request from the 
Company Secretary.

Minutes of Committee meetings are made 
available to all Directors and the Chairmen 
of each of the three key Board Committees, 
the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees, provide regular updates to  
the Board.

Board governance structure

A chart setting out the Company’s Board 
and Committees’ structure is given 
below with the Board and Committee 
memberships and Directors’ biographical 
details shown separately on pages 68 and 
69. The responsibilities of the key Board 
Committees and the key issues and activities 
during 2011/12 are set out in the following 
Committee reports on pages 76 to 86.

internal control
The Board has overall responsibility to the 
shareholders for the Group’s system of 
internal control and risk management, and 
the review of the system’s effectiveness has 
been delegated to the Audit Committee. 
Whilst not providing absolute assurance 
against material misstatements or loss, this 
system is designed to identify and manage 
those risks that could adversely impact the 
achievement of the Group’s objectives.  
The Group’s risk management structure  
and process is detailed on pages 59 and 60. 
The Group’s principal risks and uncertainties 
are detailed on pages 61 to 63.

The Board confirms that there is an ongoing 
process for identifying, evaluating and 
managing the significant risks faced by the 
Group, which has been in place for the year 
under review and up to the date of approval 
of the Annual Report and Accounts. This 
process has been reviewed by the Board 
and the Board is satisfied that the Group 
accords with the Turnbull guidance. The 
Board will continue to review the system 
routinely to ensure that the system of  
internal control and risk management 
remains fit for purpose.

The Group’s external auditors, Deloitte 
LLP, have audited the financial statements 
and have reviewed the internal financial 
control systems to the extent they consider 
necessary to support their audit report. 

Going concern 
The Group’s business activities, together 
with the main trends and factors likely to 
affect its future development, performance 
and position, and the financial position of 
the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position 
and borrowing facilities, are set out in the 
Business Review. In addition, note 26 to  
the financial statements 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 currency  
and liquidity risks.

The Group has considerable financial 
resources (including a £260m five-year 
revolving credit facility) together with 
contracts with a diverse range of customers 
and suppliers across different geographic 
areas and industries. No one customer 
accounts for more than 2% of Group 
turnover. As a consequence, the Directors 
believe that the Group is well placed to 
manage its business risks successfully.

After conducting a formal review of the 
Group’s financial resources, the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the 
Company and the Group have 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  
Annual Report and Accounts.

Board

Key committees

Audit  
committee

Nomination 
committee

remuneration 
committee

other committees

share Plans 
committee

Bank Guarantees 
and facilities 
committee

Acquisitions 
and disposals 
committee

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

75

AUdiT coMMiTTee rePorT

•	 have oversight of risk management, including the review  
of the Group’s financial, operational and compliance 
internal controls, as well as whistleblowing and fraud 
prevention procedures;

•	 monitor and review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 

audit function;

•	 make recommendations to the Board, for a resolution to 

be put to the shareholders for their approval at the general 
meeting, on the appointment of the external auditors and 
the approval of the remuneration and terms  
of engagement of the external auditors; 

•	 review and monitor the external auditors’ independence 

and objectivity and the effectiveness of the audit process, 
taking into consideration the periodic rotation of audit 
personnel and relevant UK professional and regulatory 
requirements; and 

•	 develop and implement a policy on the engagement of  
the external auditors to supply non-audit services, taking 
into account relevant guidance regarding the provision of 
non-audit services by the external audit firm.

Key issues and activities
The Committee not only reviews the financial reporting of 
the Company, but spends a significant amount of its time 
reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control 
process. Combined with the Committee’s review of the 
internal and external audit functions, it is able to obtain 
sufficient information to discharge its responsibilities. 

More specifically, during the year the Committee reviewed  
its own effectiveness and looked at its activities as detailed  
in the table below.

Members
•	 Jane Aikman (Chairman)
•	 Stephen Pettit
•	 Norman Blackwell
•	 Steve Marshall
•	 Daniela Barone Soares (from 10 November 2011)
•	 Richard Stone (until 28 July 2011)

responsibilities
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board from the 
non-executive Directors of the Group. The Audit Committee’s 
terms of reference include all matters indicated by Disclosure 
and Transparency Rule 7.1 and the Code. The terms of 
reference are considered annually by the Audit Committee 
and are then referred to the Board for approval. The full terms 
of reference were last revised in February 2011 and can be 
found on the Company’s website or can be obtained from 
the Company Secretary.

The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to: 

•	 monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the 
Group and any formal announcements relating to the 
Group’s financial performance and review significant 
financial reporting judgments;

risk management

internal audit 

external auditors and  
non-audit work

•	considered the output from 
the Group-wide risk review 
process to identify, evaluate 
and mitigate risks, the Group’s 
changing risk profile and future 
risk reports; and

•	agreed to extend the time 
devoted to risk at future 
meetings to adequately 
address risk management  
in the Group.

•	evaluated the effectiveness 

•	reviewed and agreed the 

and the scope of work to be 
undertaken by the Internal 
Audit function;

scope of the audit work to be 
undertaken by the external 
auditors;

•	reviewed management 

responses to audit reports 
issued during the year; and

•	evaluated the independence 
and objectivity of the external 
auditors; and

•	reviewed the Group’s 

•	agreed the terms of 

whistleblowing policy which 
allows Internal Audit to receive, 
in confidence, complaints on 
accounting, risk issues, internal 
controls, auditing issues and 
related matters. 

engagement and fees to be 
paid to the external auditors 
for their audit of the 31 March 
2012 financial statements.

Audit committee activities

financial statements  
and reports

•	reviewed the 31 March 2012 
Annual Report and Accounts, 
the 1 October 2011 Half Year 
report and the IMSs issued in 
July 2011 and February 2012. 
As part of these reviews the 
Committee received a report 
from the external auditors on 
their audit of the Annual Report 
and Accounts; 

•	reviewed the effectiveness of 
the Group’s internal controls 
and disclosures made in the 
annual report and financial 
statements;

•	considered acquisition 
valuation methodology;
•	review of pension fund 

accounts; and

•	review of taxation provisions.

76

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Governance
The Audit Committee was in place throughout the financial 
year with Jane Aikman as the Chair. All five members are 
independent non-executive Directors in accordance with 
provision C.3.1 of the Code. The Chief Executive, Finance 
Director and representatives from the external Auditors 
attend Committee meetings by invitation in order to provide 
appropriate advice. The Committee meets at least three 
times per year and routinely meets the Auditors without 
the involvement of the executive Directors. The Board 
has designated Jane Aikman as the member of the Audit 
Committee with recent and relevant financial experience.  
She is a chartered accountant, was recently a finance 
director and has listed company experience.

Training
The Audit Committee has extended all of its meetings by 
an hour to incorporate additional training on relevant topics, 
for example bribery and corruption, cyber security, financial 
reporting, internal control and governance.

Auditor independence
Deloitte LLP has been the external auditor of the Group since 
2003. A review of the independence of Deloitte LLP was 
undertaken during the year, and the Committee concluded 
that the relevant independence continued to be met. It is of 
prime importance that adequate procedures are in place to 
safeguard the auditors’ objectivity and independence. At the 
year-end the auditors formally confirmed their independence 
and that objectivity has been maintained. In addition, they are 
required to rotate the audit partner responsible for the Group 
audit every five years. Following a rigorous evaluation of the 
audit service and a change in audit partner in 2010/11, the 
Audit Committee agreed that a full tender was not required 
for the 2011/12 audit. There are no contractual obligations 
restricting the Committee’s choice of external auditors. 

The Group’s ‘Policy on Auditor Independence and  
Services provided by the External Auditor’ sets out 
restrictions on the categories of non-audit services which  
the external auditors are allowed to provide to the Group.  
A summary of which is provided in the table below. This 
policy is regularly reviewed and states that the Group will  
only use the appointed external auditor for non-audit services 
in cases where these services do not conflict with the 
auditor’s independence. 

The Committee confirms that Deloitte LLP remains best 
placed to advise the Group on matters related to tax 
compliance and the structure of the Group. The Committee 
accepts that certain work of a non-audit nature is best 
undertaken by the external auditors, and appointments are 
made taking into account factors including expertise and 
cost. The Committee regularly reviews the amount and 
nature of the non-audit work the external auditors perform. 
The Audit Committee is notified of all non-audit services  
with external auditors’ fees between £50,000 and £100,000. 
The policy also sets a fee level per project of £100,000 above 
which non-audit services are subject to a tendering process. 
The above fee levels for non-audit services are also subject 
to an annual cap equal to the audit fee. At each meeting, the 
Audit Committee also receives a summary of all fees, audit 
and non-audit, payable to the external auditor.

The audit fees payable to Deloitte LLP during 2011/12 were 
£660,000 (2011: £653,000) and non-audit service fees were 
£210,000 (2011: £251,000). The principal non-audit service 
is tax related. A summary of fees paid to the external auditors 
is set out in note 6 to the Accounts on page 107. 

In accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK  
& Ireland) 260 and Ethical Standard 1 issued by the 
Accounting Practices Board, and as a matter of best 
practice, the external Auditors have confirmed their 
independence as auditors of the Company, in a letter 
addressed to the Directors. 

Accordingly, the Committee unanimously recommended to 
the Board that a resolution for the reappointment of Deloitte 
LLP as the Company’s independent auditors be proposed to 
shareholders at the AGM in July 2012 and the Board  
has accepted and endorsed this recommendation.

On behalf of the Audit Committee

Jane Aikman 
chairman
14 June 2012

Policy of auditor independence and services

Prohibited non-audit services

Audit-related services not subject  
to separate tender if fees < £100,000

Permitted non-audit services,  
subject to approval 

•	appraisal or valuation services; 
•	financial Information systems design  

and Implementation; 
•	bookkeeping services;
•	management functions; 
•	executive recruiting and resource services;
•	broker-dealer services; and
•	legal services.

•	audits of businesses acquired or to be 

•	due diligence services relating to 

sold and due diligence services; 

•	opinions/audit reports on information 

provided by the company upon request  
from a third party; 

•	advice on accounting policies; 
•	electronic data processing audits; and 
•	tax services including local tax compliance.

acquisitions of new businesses or 
significant investments, joint ventures  
or strategic alliances with fees in excess  
of £100,000;

•	public reporting on investment circulars; 

and

•	liquidation services in respect of redundant 

subsidiaries or associate companies.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

77

NoMiNATioN coMMiTTee rePorT

Key issues and activities
The Committee met on two occasions during the year  
and considered:

•	 the reappointment of all Directors at the July 2011 AGM;

•	 succession planning;

•	 external board evaluation;

•	 Richard Stone’s retirement;

•	 Stephen Pettit’s appointment as Senior  

Independent Director;

•	 Steve Marshall’s appointment as Chairman of the 

Remuneration Committee; and 

•	 the nomination and appointment of Daniela Barone Soares 

as a non-executive Director.

When the need to appoint a Director is identified, a candidate 
profile is developed indicating the skills, knowledge and 
experience required taking into account the Board’s existing 
composition. External search consultancies are retained 
when recruiting non-executive Directors and are used to 
evaluate internal and external candidates for succession 
planning. One of the reasons the Committee identified 
Daniela Barone Soares as the right candidate was her less 
‘conventional’ career path compared to existing members 
of the Board. Her appointment brings greater diversity of 
thought to the Board discussions. As noted on page 73,  
the process of appointments to the Board is paramount  
in ensuring the Company’s performance is maintained  
and continually improved upon. 

On behalf of the Nomination Committee

Geoff Unwin
chairman
14 June 2012

Members
•	 Geoff Unwin (Chairman)
•	 Andrew Williams
•	 Stephen Pettit
•	 Steve Marshall

responsibilities
The Nomination Committee is appointed by the Board 
from the non-executive Directors of the Group and the 
Chief Executive. The Nomination Committee’s terms of 
reference include all matters indicated by the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. The terms of reference are considered 
annually by the Nomination Committee and are then referred 
to the Board for approval. The full terms of reference remain 
unchanged and can be found on the Company’s website  
or can be obtained from the Company Secretary.

The primary responsibilities of the Nomination Committee  
are to:

•	 regularly review the structure, size and composition 

(including the skills, knowledge, experience and diversity) 
of the Board compared to its current position and making 
recommendations to the Board with regard to any 
changes;

•	 give full consideration to succession planning for directors 

and other senior executives in the course of its work, 
taking into account the challenges and opportunities facing 
the Company and the skills and expertise needed on the 
Board in the future; and

•	 identify and nominate, for the approval of the Board, 

candidates to fill Board vacancies as and when they arise.

Governance
The Nomination Committee was in place throughout the 
financial year. It is chaired by the Chairman of the Company 
who was deemed to be independent on appointment to 
the Board. Three of the four members of the Committee are 
independent non-executive Directors in accordance with 
provision B.2.1 of the UK Code.

78

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

reMUNerATioN coMMiTTee rePorT

The Committee makes recommendations to the Board. No 
Director plays a part in any discussion about his or her own 
remuneration. In determining the Directors’ remuneration 
for the year, the Committee consults Andrew Williams’ 
(Chief Executive) proposals and relates the proposals to 
remuneration packages at comparable listed companies. 
The Committee consults Kepler Associates, who was 
appointed during the year, regarding the structuring of 
executive remuneration packages and reviews other external 
published material. Independent pension advice is provided 
to the Company by Lane, Clark & Peacock LLP. Neither 
Kepler Associates nor Lane, Clark & Peacock LLP are 
connected parties.

Activities
During 2011/12, the Committee continued to review the 
Company’s remuneration strategy such that executives 
remain appropriately incentivised to meet the Group’s 
objectives. Our prudent remuneration arrangements seek to 
support the demands of our business model and take into 
account principles of sound risk management and the social 
climate in which we operate. The company’s strategy is that 
a substantial proportion of the remuneration of executive 
Directors should be performance related. The strategy relies 
upon three key components which produce an appropriate 
balance between fixed and variable pay over the short and 
long term:

•	 setting salaries just below median market rate levels; 

•	 a performance related bonus scheme, rewarding growth  

in economic value added; and

•	 a performance-granted long-term equity-based incentive 

rewarding relative TSR performance and ROTIC.

Accordingly the Committee agreed that: 

•	 executive Director base salaries for 2012/13 should be 
increased by an average of 3.6% (2011/12: 4.6%);

•	 the annual targets for the granting of performance shares 

were set appropriately; and

•	 the award of bonuses in respect of 2011/12 should only 
be based on objective measures and be related to the 
Company’s performance.

The Committee has reviewed the Remuneration Report for 
2011/12 and the Company’s remuneration strategy, policy 
and details of executive remuneration follow.

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee

steve Marshall
chairman
14 June 2012

Members
•	 Steve Marshall (Chairman)
•	 Geoff Unwin
•	 Stephen Pettit
•	 Norman Blackwell 

responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of the Committee are:

•	 The Committee makes recommendations to the Board 
on the framework for executive Directors’ and senior 
executives’ remuneration based on proposals formulated 
by the Chief Executive;

•	 determining and agreeing with the Board the policy and 
framework for the remuneration of the Chairman, Chief 
Executive, the executive Directors, the Company Secretary 
and members of the Executive Board;

•	 approving the design of, and determining targets for, any 

performance-related pay plans operated by the Company 
and agreeing the total annual payments made under  
such plans;

•	 reviewing the design of all share incentive plans for 

approval by the Board and shareholders, and determining, 
each year, whether awards will be made, and if so, the 
overall amount of such awards, the individual awards to 
executive Directors and other senior executives and the 
performance targets to be set; and

•	 determining the policy for, and scope of, pension 

arrangements for each executive Director and other  
senior executives. 

The Committee also monitors and considers, with the Chief 
Executive, the framework of remuneration for subsidiary chief 
executives and directors and ensures a consistent approach 
is applied.

The full terms of reference, which were reviewed during  
the year, but last updated in February 2011, can be found 
on the Company’s website or can be obtained from the 
Company Secretary.

Governance
The Remuneration Committee, which meets at least twice 
per year, was in place throughout the financial year. All 
members are independent in accordance with provision 
C.3.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

None of the Committee has any personal financial interest 
(other than as shareholders), conflicts of interests arising from 
cross directorships or day-to-day involvement in running  
the business.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

79

reMUNerATioN rePorT

report on remuneration strategy and Policy
introduction
This report has been prepared in accordance with Schedule 8 to the Accounting Regulations under the Companies Act 2006. The report 
also meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and describes how the Board has applied the 
principles relating to directors’ remuneration in the UK Corporate Governance Code. As required by the Act, a resolution to approve  
the report will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting of the Company at which the financial statements will be approved. 

The Act requires the auditors to report to the Company’s members on certain parts of the Directors’ Remuneration Report and to state 
whether in their opinion those parts of the report have been properly prepared in accordance with the Accounting Regulations. The report  
has therefore been divided into separate sections for audited and unaudited information.

UNAUdiTed iNforMATioN
remuneration policy
Executive remuneration packages are designed to attract, retain and motivate the high calibre executives needed to manage the Group 
successfully and align their interests with those of the shareholders by rewarding them for enhancing value to shareholders. 

The packages also seek to reward achievement of stretching performance targets without driving unacceptable behaviours or encouraging 
excessive risk taking.

The performance measurement of the executive Directors and key members of senior management and the determination of their annual 
remuneration package are undertaken by the Remuneration Committee.

There are four main elements of the remuneration package for executive Directors and senior management:

element of 
remuneration
Salary

Annual incentive

Equity incentive

How this supports  
the strategy
Provides fixed remuneration 
that will attract and retain key 
employees and reflect their 
experience and personal 
contribution to Group strategy.

opportunity  
2011/12 
CEO – £435,000 
CFO – £280,000 
UK DCE – £223,000 
US DCE – $380,000

Performance  
measures/structure
Reviewed annually from 1 April.
Benchmarked against appropriate 
market comparators. 
Linked to individual performance and 
contribution.

changes for  
2012/13
CEO – £450,000 
CFO – £290,000 
UK DCE – £231,000 
US DCE – $394,000

100% of salary paid in cash

Incentivises the achievement 
of an objective annual target 
which supports the short –  
to medium-term strategy of 
the Group.

Bonus is based 100% on growth in 
the Economic Value Added (EVA) 
compared with a target based on 
a weighted average of the previous 
three financial years. There are no 
individual objectives.

Incentivises executives to 
achieve superior returns to 
shareholders over a three-year 
period. 
Retains key individuals 
and aligns interests with 
shareholders reflecting the 
sustainability of the business 
model over the long term.

All executive Directors –  
up to 140% of salary delivered 
in Halma plc shares

50% based on TSR relative to a 
comparator group of the FTSE 
250 excluding financial companies; 
full vesting requires upper quartile 
performance. 50% based on ROTIC 
exceeding 9.5%; full vesting requires 
ROTIC to be 14% or greater.

The EVA bonus is capped at 
90% of salary with a further 
bonus of up to 25% of salary, 
subject to the overall cap of 
100% of salary, being earned 
if revenue growth outside the 
UK, USA and Europe exceeds 
certain pre-set percentages 
(with this bonus fully payable  
at 25% growth).

The ROTIC target for full 
vesting of awards is increased 
to 17% with partial vesting 
occurring when ROTIC is 
between 9.5% and 17%.

Pension

Provides competitive post-
retirement benefits.

CEO – pensionable salary* 
of £139,185 plus cash 
supplement paid 
CFO – deferred member 
of pension plan; cash 
supplement paid 
UK DCE – retired member  
of pension plan 
US DCE – 401k participant

Executives participate in either a 
Group defined benefit pension 
plan, Group defined contribution 
pension plan or the US 401k money 
purchase arrangement. Cash 
supplements in lieu of company 
pension contributions are made to 
some individuals.

CEO – pensionable salary* 
of £146,423 plus cash 
supplement.

*  The maximum pensionable salary on which future pensions are based is capped. The cap is increased each April by CPI. Final pensions  

are a proportion of the final pensionable salary based on the number of years of service.

80

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

As described above and below, executive Directors may earn annual bonus payments of up to 100% of their basic salary together  
with the benefits of participation in share plans which are subject to a maximum value, in the year of grant, of 140% of basic salary.

Each executive Director currently holds shares in the Company in excess of the guideline of one year’s salary (see page 85).

executive director pay mix (2011/12)

Split of package (expected)

Split of package (actual)

The split of the actual package in the year 
under review reflects modest outcomes 
(of between threshold and target) under 
the annual bonus plan and the full vesting 
of the 2008 PSP awards in relation to the 
achievement of top quartile TSR and ROTIC  
of more than 14% p.a. over the past three 
years. The Committee is satisfied that this 
outcome is closely aligned with, and reflective 
of, Halma’s strong underlying performance 
over this period.

Salary (base) 

Pension (employer contributions) 

Annual incentive (expected) 

40%

6%

24%

Salary (base) 

Pension (employer contributions) 

Annual incentive (paid) 

Equity incentive (expected value at grant) 31%

Equity incentive (vested) 

25%

4%

17%

54%

Basic salary
Prior to the beginning of each year, each executive Director’s basic salary is reviewed by the Committee against the market, Company 
performance and future strategy and when an individual changes position or responsibility. The Chief Executive is responsible for assessing 
the performance of each senior executive taking account of the complexity of the operations under their control, their opportunities for 
advancement with the Group, their remuneration relative to other executives in the Group and their bonus earning potential. He then 
formulates a remuneration proposal for the Committee’s consideration. In deciding appropriate remuneration levels, the Committee also 
considers the Group as a whole and relies on objective external research which gives information on a comparator group of companies. 

Basic salaries are reviewed in February of each year with increases, if appropriate, taking effect from 1 April. Executive Directors’ contracts  
of service which include details of remuneration will be available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting.

Annual bonus payments
During the year the Committee carefully assessed existing incentive arrangements and determined that incentive levels are appropriately 
set. The Committee established the economic value added (EVA) objectives that must be met for each financial year if a cash bonus is to be 
paid. In setting appropriate bonus parameters the Committee determined that bonuses of approximately 60% of salary are payable on the 
achievement of targeted levels of growth. The maximum performance-related bonus that can be paid is 100% of basic annual salary.

For the Chief Executive and Finance Director, bonuses are calculated as above but based on Group profit exceeding a target calculated from 
the profits for the three preceding financial years after charging cost of capital, including the cost of acquisitions.

In the case of a Divisional Chief Executive a bonus is earned if the profit of the Division for which they are responsible exceeds a target 
calculated from the profits of the three preceding financial years. The profits calculated for this purpose regard each Division as a standalone 
group of companies charging it with the cost of capital it utilises including the cost of acquisitions.

Executive Director bonus payments for 2012 totalled £725,000 versus £1,127,000 in the prior year reflecting the Group’s performance in 
terms of reported profit, EVA and the relative contributions of organic and acquisition growth.

This performance-related bonus plan, which applies to executive Directors and Divisional Chief Executives, is reviewed annually by the 
Committee and approved by the Board.

evA calculation 

Profit for each year

Minus 
a charge on  
working capital

Minus 
a charge on cost  
of acquisitions

Plus/minus 
unrealised profit  
in inventory

Minus 
the resultant bonus itself 
(to make it self-financing)

equals 
the Economic  
Value Added (EVA)  
for each year

Transitional provisions exist for divisional restructuring to ensure Divisional Chief Executives remain appropriately incentivised. Subsidiary 
directors participate in bonus arrangements similar to those established for senior executives.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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Performance share plan (PsP)
The Directors have long believed that share plans are an excellent way to provide motivation and align the longer-term interests of senior 
management with those of shareholders. The Committee, recognising the need to assess and evaluate such incentives, adopted a 
performance share plan following shareholder approval at the 2005 annual general meeting. This PSP replaced the existing share option  
plans in respect of future share awards. The Committee has responsibility for supervising the PSP and the grants under its terms. 

How the PsP works
Performance criteria determine the amount to be granted and, after three years, the amount to vest as illustrated below:

stages
Process

Award criteria
Performance criteria determine the 
number of shares to be granted 
out of a Maximum Award level. 
Primary emphasis is placed upon 
the attainment of personal strategic 
objectives coupled with financial 
and operational success.

Award assessment
The assessment of the 
individual’s achievement of 
their objectives establishes the 
proportion of the Maximum 
Award that an individual is 
granted (the Actual Award  
in the table below).

vesting criteria
50% of the amount granted is subject 
to TSR growth relative to the FTSE 250, 
excluding financial companies, over the 
three-year vesting period. 
50% of the amount granted is subject  
to ROTIC performance over each of  
the three years.

final shares vested
Awards vest on a sliding scale, 
as set out in the PSP vesting 
table below. 

Timeline

Criteria set one year prior to grant. Assessment occurs 

immediately prior to grant.

Vesting conditions apply throughout  
the three-year vesting period.

Three years from grant or  
pro- rata for good leavers.

PSP value

Opportunity to receive  
maximum Award. 

x

% attainment of  
individual objectives.

x

% attainment of Group  
performance conditions.

=

Final shares vested.

The Committee believes that any incentive compensation awarded should be tied to the interests of the Company’s shareholders. It therefore 
decided that the principal measures of those interests should be Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and Return on Total Invested Capital 
(ROTIC).

PsP vesting table %

future awards
Percentage of award which 
vests
ROTIC (post-tax) 

subsisting awards
Percentage of award which 
vests
ROTIC (post-tax) 

≤9.5%
12.0%
14.5% 
17.0% 

≤9.5%
11.0%
12.5% 
14.0% 

<50%
0.0
16.7
33.3
50.0

<50%
0.0
16.7
33.3
50.0

Tsr (percentile)

50%
16.7
33.3
50.0
66.7

75%
50.0
66.7
83.3
100.0

Tsr (percentile)

50%
16.7
33.3
50.0
66.7

75%
50.0
66.7
83.3
100.0

100%
50.0
66.7
83.3
100.0

100%
50.0
66.7
83.3
100.0

The Committee recognises that the Group’s 
improving performance in respect of its 
absolute ROTIC percentage metric merits 
a recalibration of the performance target at 
which full vesting of the ROTIC element is 
achieved. To that end, the Committee has 
determined that full vesting will now occur 
at a ROTIC performance of 17% for awards 
made in 2012.

ROTIC (Return on total invested capital) %

 2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

16.8

15.5

13.6

13.1

14.1

Vested awards are satisfied in shares with sufficient shares being sold to meet tax and social costs owing, at the recipient’s direction,  
and the net balance of shares transferred to the individual.

Awards lapse if they do not vest on the third anniversary of their award.

Current vesting expectations for awards made in 2009, 2010 and 2011 range from 50% to 99%.

Performance against objectives
Chief Executive
Finance Director
Executive Directors
Divisional Chief Executives

Managing Directors and Divisional  
Finance Directors

* Expressed as a percentage of 2011/12 base salary.

Maximum award 
permitted*
140%
140%
140%
100%

At individual  
% assessment  
level

Actual award 
2011/12*
138%
135%
134%
96%

estimate of vesting in
 2014/15*
95%
93%
92%
66%

At 68.6% 
vesting 
expectation

40%

31%

21%

Awards vest after three years on a sliding scale, as set out above, subject to the Company’s relative TSR performance against the FTSE 250, 
excluding financial companies, combined with a measure based upon an absolute ROTIC. 

The Plan contains provisions permitting share option grants, restricted share awards and performance share awards. To date, the Committee 
has used the PSP only to award both approved and unapproved performance shares.

82

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Total shareholder return (five years)

250

200

150

100

50

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Halma

FTSE 250

FTSE 350 Electronic & Electrical Equipment

The five-year graph to the left shows the Company’s TSR performance 
over the five years to 31 March 2012 as compared to the FTSE 250 
and the FTSE 350 Electronic & Electrical Equipment sector indices, 
the latter of which the Company has been a constituent since it was 
reclassified in June 2006. Over the period indicated, the Company’s 
TSR was 203% compared to 114% for the FTSE 250 and 180% for 
the FTSE 350 Electronic & Electrical Equipment sector. 

At the commencement of the five-year period depicted in the graph, 
the Halma plc ordinary share price was 220.25p and the total of 
dividends paid in the year ended 31 March 2007 was 6.97p per share. 
The Halma plc ordinary share price at 31 March 2012 was 380.6p and 
the total of dividends paid in the year then ended was 9.35p per share. 

share option plans
The 1999 share option plan provided for the grant of two categories of option both of which are subject to performance criteria. The exercise 
criteria for this plan are noted in note 23 to the accounts.

No further grants may be made from this plan which has been replaced by the PSP approved by shareholders at the 2005 annual general 
meeting. The granting of options was spread over the life of the plan.

dilution 
The total dilution effect under these various discretionary share plans is less than 5%.

The Company does not operate any long-term incentive plans other than the share plans described above. No significant amendments  
are proposed to be made to the terms and conditions of any entitlement of a Director to share options or performance share awards. 

Pension arrangements
Except as noted below, the executive Directors participate in the appropriate section of the Halma Group Pension Plan (the Plan). This section 
is a funded final salary occupational pension plan registered with HM Revenue & Customs, which provides a maximum pension of two-thirds 
of final pensionable salary after 25 or more years’ service at normal pension age (60). Up to 5 April 2006, final pensionable salary was the 
greatest salary of the last three complete tax years immediately before retirement or leaving service. From 6 April 2011, final pensionable salary 
was capped at £139,185 and is increased annually thereafter by CPI.

Bonuses and other fluctuating emoluments and benefits-in-kind are not pensionable nor subject to any pension accrued supplement.  
The Plan also provides for life cover of three times salary, pensions in the event of early retirement through ill-health and dependants’ pensions 
of one-half of the member’s prospective pension.

Early retirement pensions, currently possible from age 55 with the consent of the Company and the Trustees of the Plan, are subject to 
actuarial reduction. Pensions in payment increase by 3% per annum for service up to 5 April 1997, by price inflation (subject to a maximum  
of 5%) through to 31 March 2007 and 3% thereafter.

Whilst pension benefits are accruing, executive Directors receive pension supplements to compensate them for the fact that their pension 
accrual entitlement under the Halma Group Pension Plan defined benefit arrangements is limited by a pensionable salary cap introduced 
from 6 April 2006. The Company introduced a pensionable salary cap in order to address changes affecting the Plan made in the Pension 
Act 2006. Without the introduction of such a cap, there would, effectively, have been no benefit limits. This could have resulted in benefits 
in excess of prescribed levels with some individuals suffering penal rates of tax and potentially causing a limitation on the tax deductibility of 
employer contributions. The Company obtained external advice regarding the changes to the Plan and executive pension arrangements and 
required each affected executive to obtain independent advice prior to implementing the changes. These changes reduce the Plan’s future 
liabilities and their associated funding risk.

Prior to receiving pension payments, to the extent that an executive’s current salary exceeds the Plan salary cap, the Company compensates 
him at an annual rate of 26% of the excess. In April 2006, Kevin Thompson chose to cease entirely future service accrual in the Halma Group 
Pension Plan in return for the pension supplement on his full salary. 

Benefits-in-kind
The executive Directors receive certain benefits-in-kind, principally use of a car and private medical insurance. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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directors’ contracts 
It is the Company’s policy that executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term providing for a maximum of one year’s notice. 
The details of the Directors’ contracts are summarised in the table below:

Andrew Williams
Kevin Thompson
Neil Quinn
Adam Meyers

date of contract

Notice period

April 2003
April 2003
April 2003
July 2008

one year
one year
one year
one year

In the event of early termination, no predetermined compensation is provided for in the Directors’ contracts.

Non-executive directors
Unless otherwise indicated, all non-executive Directors have a specific three-year term of engagement which may be renewed for further 
three-year terms if both the Director and the Board agree. Stephen Pettit, who is proposed for re-election had his terms of engagement 
extended for a third three-year term in 2009 and has agreed to remain on the Board for an additional period of at least one year to provide 
stability and continuity following the appointment of three non-executive Directors in the past two years. The Board will evaluate this  
mandate annually.

The remuneration of the Chairman and the non-executive Directors is determined by the Committee and the Board based on independent 
surveys of fees paid to the Chairman and the non-executive Directors of similar companies. The Chairman receives a basic fee and the  
non-executive Directors receive a basic fee supplemented by additional fees for membership and/or chairmanship of the Audit, Remuneration 
and Nomination Committees. 

The contract in respect of Geoff Unwin’s services provides for termination, by either party, by giving not less than six months’ notice. Stephen 
Pettit, Jane Aikman, Norman Blackwell, Steve Marshall and Daniela Barone Soares have contracts in respect of their non-executive Director 
services which can be terminated, by either party, by giving not less than three months’ notice. 

The Chairman’s and the non-executive Directors’ fees were reviewed by the Board in April 2012 with increases taking effect from April 2012.

AUdiTed iNforMATioN
Aggregate directors’ remuneration
The total amounts for Directors’ remuneration were as follows:

Emoluments 
Pension supplements 
Gains on vesting of performance shares 
Gains on exercise of share options 

directors’ remuneration

Geoff Unwin 
Andrew Williams 
Kevin Thompson 
Stephen Pettit 
Neil Quinn 
Richard Stone**
Jane Aikman 
Adam Meyers*
Norman Blackwell 
Steve Marshall
Daniela Barone Soares**

salaries and fees 
£000
145
435 
280 
46
223 
17
42
238 
40
46
16 
1,528 

Bonus  
£000 
 – 
173 
111 
 –
203 
 –
 – 
238
 –
–
– 
725

Benefits  
£000
– 
26 
10
 – 
15 
 – 
–
 3 
 – 
–
– 
54 

Pension 
supplement  
£000 
– 
77 
73 
– 
– 
– 
 – 
– 
– 
–
– 
150 

*  Remunerated in US Dollars and translated at the prevailing average exchange rate for the year. 
** To/from date of retirement/appointment.

2012  
£000 
2,307
150
2,587
126
5,170

2012  
Total  
£000
145 
711 
474
46 
441
17 
42 
479 
40 
46
16 
2,457 

2011  
£000 
2,649 
142 
1,377 
228 
4,396 

2011  
Total  
£000
145
926
617
42
444
52
43
467
27
28
–
2,791

84

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

directors’ interests
The Directors who held office at 31 March 2012 had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the Company:

Geoff Unwin 
Andrew Williams 
Kevin Thompson 
Stephen Pettit 
Neil Quinn 
Jane Aikman 
Adam Meyers 
Norman Blackwell 
Steve Marshall 
Daniela Barone Soares

shares  
31 March 2012
68,250 
420,806 
315,154 
2,000 
261,041 
2,000 
203,064 
2,000 
2,000 
–

Shares  
2 April 2011
68,250
364,885
279,553
2,000
219,571
2,000
182,929
2,000
2,000
–

There are no non-beneficial interests of Directors. There were no changes in Directors’ interests from 31 March 2012 to 14 June 2012.

Performance share plan
The movements in performance share awards during the financial year were as follows:

Andrew Williams

Kevin Thompson

Neil Quinn

Adam Meyers

date of grant
Aug-08
Aug-09
Aug-10
Aug-11
Aug-08
Aug-09
Aug-10
Aug-11
Aug-08
Aug-09
Aug-10
Aug-11
Aug-08
Aug-09
Aug-10
Aug-11

Granted/(vested)  
in the year
(274,297)

As at  
2 April 2011
274,297
226,610
200,215

173,154
157,473
124,126

143,964
125,620
97,531

110,507
80,909
110,005

164,912
(173,154)

103,571
(143,964)

80,810
(110,507)

88,552

five-day average 
share price on 
grant (pence)
201.30
194.36
281.08
362.34
201.30
194.36
281.08
362.34
201.30
194.36
281.08
362.34
201.30
194.36
281.08
362.34

As at  
31 March 2012
 – 
 226,610 
 200,215 
 164,912 
 – 
 157,473 
 124,126 
 103,571 
 – 
 125,620 
 97,531 
 80,810 
 – 
 80,909 
 110,005 
 88,552

Performance conditions for the awards made in the financial year are set out above. The 2008 grants vested in August 2011 at a value of 
368.597 per share with 100% of the original number of shares granted being transferred to participants net of any tax and social charges.  
The current vesting expectation for grants made in 2009 is 98.5%; for grants made in 2010, 99% and for grants made in 2011, 50%.

share incentive plan
As part of their participation in the performance share plan, UK executive Directors were awarded a proportion of their 2011 awards in 
Free Shares under the provisions of the UK share incentive plan (SIP) on 1 October 2011, as follows: Andrew Williams, 921 shares; Kevin 
Thompson, 949 shares; and Neil Quinn, 949 shares. The Free Shares are held in trust for the participants and may transfer to them from  
the third anniversary of the award, on request and subject to continued employment. The share price on the award date was 315.6p.  
SIP shareholdings are included in Directors’ interests above. 

directors’ share options
The movements in share options during the financial year were as follows: 

Andrew Williams
Kevin Thompson
Neil Quinn
Adam Meyers

As at  
2 April  
2011
 103,837 
 177,286 
 170,256 
 352,781 

Lapsed
(12,000)
(33,100)
(33,100)
(23,300)

exercised
 – 
 – 
 – 
60,000 

share price 
on exercise 
(p)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 355.20 

As at  
31 March 
2012
 91,837 
 144,186 
 137,156 
 269,481 

2012  
Gains on 
exercise (£)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 125,718 

2011  
Gains on 
Exercise (£)
 – 
 – 
 75,246 
 153,169

There were no share option grants during the financial year. The gains are calculated by deducting the exercise price from the closing middle 
market price at the date of exercise or the actual gross sales proceeds if appropriate.

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85

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Details of Directors’ options outstanding at 31 March 2012 are set out in the table below. The status of the options can be summarised  
as follows:

1.  Exercisable at that date at a price less than 380.6p.

2.  Not yet exercisable, will only be exercisable when the performance criteria, set out in note 22 to the accounts, have been met and have  

an exercise price per share of less than 380.6p.

Andrew Williams
Kevin Thompson
Neil Quinn
Adam Meyers

status  
of options
 2 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 2 

Year  
of grant
2002-2004
2002-2004
2002-2004
2003-2005
2002-2004

Weighted 
average exercise 
price (pence)  
per share
 140.03 
 140.10 
 139.99 
 137.99 
 140.07

Number  
of shares
 91,837 
 144,186 
 137,156 
 158,783 
 110,698 

All options lapse if not exercised within ten years from the date of grant.

The Company’s Register of Directors’ Interests, which is open to inspection at the Registered Office, contains full details of Directors’ 
shareholdings and share options.

There have been no variations to the terms and conditions or performance criteria for share options during the financial year. 

The closing middle market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on Friday, 30 March 2012, the last trading day preceding the financial  
year end, was 380.6p per share and the range during the year was 306.3p to 429.6p.

directors’ pension entitlements
Two Directors are accruing benefits under the Company’s defined benefit pension plan as follows:

Andrew Williams
Kevin Thompson

Age at  
31 March 2012
 44 
 52 

Years of 
pensionable 
service at  
31 March 2012
 17 
 18 

Accrued  
pension 
2011  
£000
44
100

increase in  
the year  
£000
6
3

Accrued  
pension
 2012  
£000
50
103

The accrued pension shown is that which would be paid annually on retirement at age 60 based on service to the end of the year.  
Kevin Thompson’s increase in accrued pension relates entirely to inflation as he ceased future service accrual in 2006.

Andrew Williams
Kevin Thompson

 Transfer value  
2 April 2011
 497 
 1,573 

 directors’ 
contributions 
£000 
15
-

increase in 
value net of 
contributions 
£000
179
365

Transfer value  
31 March 2012
691
1,938

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 plan. The transfer values are Gilt related and depend upon the relative standings of the Gilt market at the respective valuation 
dates. The increase in transfer values is predominantly due to the significant reduction in the yields available on UK Gilts over the year. The fall 
in yields has been widely attributed to the Bank of England’s continued policy on Quantitative Easing and the Euro crisis. Other factors that 
have increased the transfer values are the impact of any additional service, revaluation in line with inflation and any real salary increases as well 
as the anticipated ageing of the members.

These values have been calculated on the basis of actuarial advice in accordance with Actuarial Guidance Note GN11.

Adam Meyers is a member of the US 401k money purchase scheme. Company contributions paid in the year were $12,489 (£7,806)  
(2011: $24,015 (£15,394)).

The report was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

steve Marshall
remuneration committee (chairman)
14 June 2012

86

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Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

oTHer sTATUTorY iNforMATioN

Activities
Halma plc is a holding company. A list of its principal subsidiary companies and their activities is set out on pages 144 to 147.

ordinary dividends
The Directors recommend a final dividend of 5.95p per share and, if approved, this dividend will be paid on 22 August 2012 to ordinary 
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 July 2012. Together with the interim dividend of 3.79p per share already paid,  
this will make a total of 9.74p (2011: 9.10p) per share for the financial year.

share capital and capital structure
Details of the share capital, together with details of the movements in the share capital during the year, are shown in note 22 to the accounts. 
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. Each share carries the right to one vote at general 
meetings of the Company.

There are no other classes of share capital. There are no specific restrictions on the size of a holding nor on the transfer of shares, with both 
governed by the general provisions of the Articles of Association and prevailing legislation. No person has any special rights of control over  
the Company’s share capital and all issued shares are fully paid. 

rights and obligations of ordinary shares
Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to attend and speak at general meetings of the Company and to appoint one or more proxies or, if the 
holder of shares is a corporation, one or more corporate representatives. On a show of hands, each holder of ordinary shares who (being an 
individual) is present in person or (being a corporation) is present by a duly appointed corporate representative, not being himself a member, 
shall have one vote, as shall proxies (unless they are appointed by more than one holder, in which case they may vote both for and against 
the resolution in accordance with the holders’ instructions). On a poll every holder of ordinary shares present in person or by proxy shall have 
one vote for every share of which he is the holder. Electronic and paper proxy appointments and voting instructions must be received not later 
than 48 hours before the meeting. A holder of ordinary shares can lose the entitlement to vote at general meetings where that holder has been 
served with a disclosure notice and has failed to provide the Company with information concerning interests held in those shares. Except as 
set out above and as permitted under applicable statutes, there are no limitations on voting rights of holders of a given percentage, number  
of votes or deadlines for exercising voting rights.

restrictions on transfer of shares
The Directors may refuse to register a transfer of a certificated share that is not fully paid, provided that the refusal does not prevent dealings 
in shares in the Company from taking place on an open and proper basis or where the Company has a lien over that share. The Directors 
may also refuse to register a transfer of a certificated share unless the instrument of transfer is: (i) lodged, duly stamped (if necessary), at the 
registered office of the Company or any other place as the Board may decide accompanied by the certificate for the share(s) to be transferred 
and/or such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; (ii) in respect of 
only one class of shares; (iii) in favour of a person who is not a minor, infant, bankrupt or a person of unsound mind; or (iv) in favour of not more 
than four persons jointly. 

Transfers of uncertificated shares must be carried out using CREST and the Directors can refuse to register a transfer of an uncertificated 
share in accordance with the regulations governing the operation of CREST.

There are no other restrictions on the transfer of ordinary shares in the Company except certain restrictions which may from time to time be 
imposed by laws and regulations (for example insider trading laws); or where a shareholder with at least a 0.25% interest in the Company’s 
certificated shares has been served with a disclosure notice and has failed to provide the Company with information concerning interests in 
those shares. The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders of the Company’s shares that may result in restrictions on the 
transfer of securities or on voting rights.

Treasury shares
Shares held in treasury do not have voting rights and are not eligible for dividends.

employee share plans
Details of employee share plans are set out in note 23 to the accounts.

Appointment and replacement of directors
With regard to the appointment and replacement of directors, the Company is governed by its Articles of Association, the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Companies Acts and related legislation. Directors can be appointed by the Company by ordinary resolution at a 
general meeting or by the Board. If a director is appointed by the Board, such director will hold office until the next annual general meeting 
and shall then be eligible for re-election at that meeting. In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code all the Directors will retire 
and, being eligible, will offer themselves for re-election at this year’s Annual General Meeting. The Company can remove a director from office, 
including by passing a special resolution or by notice being given by all the other directors. The Articles themselves may be amended by 
special resolution of the shareholders.

Power of directors
The powers of Directors are described in the Matters Reserved for the Board, copies of which are available on request from the Company 
Secretary, and the Corporate Governance Statement on page 72.

essential contracts and change of control
There are a number of agreements that take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control of the Company, principally bank loan 
agreements and employee share plans.

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

87

oTHer sTATUTorY iNforMATioN
coNTiNUed

The only significant agreement, in terms of its likely impact on the business of the Group as a whole, containing such provisions is that 
governing the £260m syndicated revolving credit facility which, if within 10 days of a change of control notice to the Loan agent, can result  
in 30 days’ notice being given to the Company by any Lender, for all amounts outstanding to that Lender, to be immediately due and payable, 
at which time the commitment of that Lender will be cancelled. If all of the Lenders give this notice the whole facility would be cancelled.

The Group has contractual arrangements with a wide range of suppliers. The Group is not unduly dependent upon contractual arrangements 
with any particular customer. Whilst the loss or disruption to certain of these arrangements could temporarily affect the Group’s business, 
none is considered to be essential. 

The Company’s share plans contain provisions as a result of which options and awards may vest and become exercisable on a change  
of control of the Company in accordance with the rules of the plans.

The Directors are not aware of any agreements between the Company and its directors or employees that provide for compensation for  
loss of office or employment that occurs because of a takeover bid.

Allotment authority
Under the Companies Act 2006 the Directors may only allot shares if authorised by shareholders to do so. At the Annual General Meeting  
an ordinary resolution will be proposed which, if passed, will authorise the Directors to allot and issue new shares up to an aggregate nominal 
value of £12,500,000 (up to 125,000,000 new ordinary shares of 10p each), being just less than one-third of the issued share capital of the 
Company (excluding treasury shares) as at 13 June 2012 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of Meeting).

In accordance with the Directors’ stated intention to seek annual renewal, the authority will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General 
Meeting of the Company in 2013. Passing this resolution will give the Directors flexibility to act in the best interests of shareholders, when 
opportunities arise, by issuing new shares. 

As at 13 June 2012 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of Meeting), the Company had 378,555,028 ordinary 
shares of 10p each in issue of which 1,396,240 were held as treasury shares, which is equal to approximately 0.4% of the issued share 
capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at that date.

The Companies Act 2006 also requires that, if the Company issues new shares for cash or sells any treasury shares, it must first offer 
them to existing shareholders in proportion to their current holdings. At the Annual General Meeting a special resolution will be proposed 
which, if passed, will authorise the Directors to issue a limited number of shares for cash and/or sell treasury shares without offering them to 
shareholders first. The authority is for an aggregate nominal amount of up to 5% of the aggregate nominal value of the issued share capital of 
the Company as at 13 June 2012 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of Meeting). The resolution will also modify 
statutory pre-emption rights to deal with legal, regulatory or practical problems that may arise on a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer or 
issue. The authority will expire at the same time as the resolution conferring authority on the Directors to allot shares. The Directors consider 
this authority necessary in order to give them flexibility to deal with opportunities as they arise, subject to the restrictions contained in the 
resolution. There are no present plans to issue shares, except under share plans previously approved in general meeting.

directors
The names of the Directors of the Company who served throughout the year including brief biographies, are set out on pages 68 and 69. 

directors’ indemnities
The Company has entered into deeds of indemnity with each of the current Directors, which remain in force at the date of this report.  
These are qualifying third-party indemnity provisions for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006.

Purchase of the company’s own shares
The Company was authorised at the 2011 Annual General Meeting to purchase up to 37,600,000 of its own 10p ordinary shares in the 
market. This authority expires at the end of the 2012 Annual General Meeting. In accordance with the Directors’ stated intention to seek 
annual renewal, a special resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to renew this authority, until the end of next year’s 
Annual General Meeting, in respect of up to 37,800,000 ordinary shares, which is approximately 10% of the Company’s issued share capital 
(excluding treasury shares) as at 13 June 2012 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of Meeting). The Directors 
consider it desirable that the possibility of making such purchases, under appropriate circumstances, is available. Their present intention is 
that the shares purchased under the authority will be held in treasury for future cancellation, sale for cash or transfer for the purposes of, or 
pursuant to, an employee share plan, although in the light of circumstances at the time it may be decided to cancel them immediately on 
repurchase. The effect of any cancellation would be to reduce the number of shares in issue. For most purposes, while held in treasury, shares 
are treated as if they have been cancelled (for example, they carry no voting rights and do not rank for dividends).

Following approval of the Performance Share Plan (PSP) at the 2005 Annual General Meeting, the Directors made, and intend to continue to 
make, routine purchases of Halma shares in the market for holding in treasury until required for vesting under the PSP. In the year to 31 March 
2012, 1,070,579 shares, with a nominal value of £107,057.90, which is 0.3% of the Company’s issued share capital as at 13 June 2012  
(the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of Meeting), were purchased in the market for treasury. Otherwise, the 
Directors have no present intention of using this authority. In reaching a decision to purchase shares, the Directors will take into account the 
Company’s cash resources, capital requirements and the effect of any purchase on the Company’s earnings per share. It is anticipated that 
renewal of the authority will be requested at subsequent annual general meetings. 

As at 13 June 2012, which is the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of Meeting, options were outstanding to 
subscribe for a total number of 2,160,900 ordinary shares, or 0.6% of the Company’s issued share capital. If the proposed authority were  
to be used in full and all of the repurchased shares were cancelled (but the Company’s issued share capital otherwise remained unaltered), 
the total number of options to subscribe for ordinary shares at that date would represent approximately 0.6% of the Company’s issued share 
capital (excluding treasury shares).

88

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

supplier payment policy
The Company does not follow any particular supplier payment code of practice. The Company has due regard to the payment terms of 
suppliers and generally settles all undisputed accounts within 30 days of the due date for payment. At 31 March 2012 the Company’s trade 
creditors, amounting to £1.3m (2011: £0.9m), represented 25 days (2011: 25 days) of its annual purchases. 

donations
Group companies made charitable donations amounting to £46,015, principally to universities, (2011: £2,451) during the financial year.  
There were no political donations (2011: £nil).

substantial shareholdings
On 13 June 2012, the Company had been notified, in accordance with chapter 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, of the following 
voting rights as a shareholder of the Company.

Sprucegrove Investment Management Ltd

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

Capital Research and Management Company

Schroder Investment Management

Norges Bank Investment Management

Sanderson Asset Management Ltd

Barclays Bank PLC

Legal and General Group Plc

31 March 2012

Percentage of 
voting rights and 
issued  
share capital

5.94

5.03

5.00

4.97

3.01

3.96

3.90

3.96

No. of  
ordinary  
shares

22,317,670

18,904,896

18,804,168

18,667,466

11,293,494

14,891,762

14,646,007

14,874,651

13 June 2012

Percentage of 
voting rights and 
issued  
share capital

5.92

5.01

4.99

4.95

4.06

3.95

3.88

2.98

No. of  
ordinary  
shares

22,317,670

18,904,896

18,804,168

18,667,466

15,294,184

14,891,762

14,646,007

11,248,247

Nature of  
holdings

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Direct

Indirect

Direct

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting will be held on 24 July 2012. The Notice of Meeting, together with an explanation of the proposed 
resolutions, is enclosed with this Annual Report and is also available on the Company’s website at www.halma.com.

special Business
The Board will propose three special resolutions under Special Business at the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the EU 
Shareholder Rights Directive implemented in August 2009, to permit the Company to retain the ability to call general meetings (other than 
annual general meetings) at 14 days’ notice rather than 21 days’ notice.

Auditors
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this Annual Report confirms that:

•		so	far	as	the	Director	is	aware,	there	is	no	relevant	audit	information	of	which	the	Company’s	auditors	are	unaware;	and

•		the	Director	has	taken	all	the	steps	that	he/she	ought	to	have	taken	as	a	director	in	order	to	make	himself/herself	aware	of	any	relevant	 

audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Deloitte LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office as auditors and a resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board

carol chesney
company secretary
14 June 2012

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

89

direcTors’ resPoNsiBiLiTies

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors are required to 
prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). 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 Company  
and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period. 

In preparing the parent company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

•	 select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•	 make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•	 state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in  

the financial statements; and

•	 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue  

in business.

In preparing the Group financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

•	 properly select and apply accounting policies; 
•	 present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;
•	 provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand the 

impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

•	 make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence  
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

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

directors’ responsibility statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: 

•	 the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework, 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 management report, which is incorporated into the Directors’ Report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description 
of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

By order of the Board

Andrew Williams 
chief executive  
14 June 2012

Kevin Thompson
finance director

90

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF HALMA PLC

We have audited the Group financial statements of Halma plc for the 52 week period ended 31 March 2012 which comprise the 
Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure, the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and the related notes 1 
to 31. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

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

Respective responsibilities of Directors and Auditor 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the Group 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion  
on the Group financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). 
Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors.  

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s circumstances and have been consistently  
applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; and the overall 
presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the annual report to 
identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements 
or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion the Group financial statements: 
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31 March 2012 and of its profit for the 52 week period  

then ended; 

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and 
•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared  
is consistent with the Group financial statements. 

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

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: 
•  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 contained within Corporate Governance in relation to going concern; 
•  the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 

Corporate Governance Code specified for our review; and 

•  certain elements of the report to the shareholders by the Board on Directors’ remuneration. 

Other matters 
We have reported separately on the parent company financial statements of Halma plc for the 52 week period ended  
31 March 2012 and on the information in the Directors’ Remuneration Report that is described as having been audited.  

Alexander Butterworth ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
Reading, UK 

14 June 2012 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

91 

 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

Continuing operations 
Revenue 

Operating profit 
Share of results of associates 
Profit on disposal of continuing 
operations 
Finance income 
Finance expense 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation 

Profit for the year 
attributable to equity 
shareholders 

Earnings per share 
From continuing operations 
Basic 
Diluted 
Dividends in respect  
of the year 
Paid and proposed (£000) 
Paid and proposed per share 

Notes 

1 

29 
4 
5 

6 
9 

1 

2 

10 

52 weeks to 31 March 2012

52 weeks to 2 April 2011

Before

Adjustments* 

£000

Adjustments*
(note 1) 
£000

Total 
£000

Before 
Adjustments* 
£000 

Adjustments* 
(note 1) 
£000 

Total 
£000

579,883

121,944
(37)

– 
10,070
(11,512)

120,465
(28,256)

–

(12,034)
–

3,543 
–
–

(8,491)
2,996

579,883

109,910
(37)

3,543 
10,070
(11,512)

111,974
(25,260)

518,428 

105,708 
(59) 

– 
9,420 
(10,518) 

104,551 
(27,367) 

– 

518,428

(6,259) 
– 

– 
– 
– 

(6,259) 
1,509 

99,449
(59)

– 
9,420
(10,518)

98,292
(25,858)

92,209 

(5,495) 

86,714 

77,184 

(4,750) 

72,434 

24.46p

20.49p 

23.01p
22.97p

36,738
9.74p

19.23p
19.19p

34,275
9.10p

*  Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition transaction costs; movement on contingent consideration; profit on disposal of 

continuing operations; and the associated taxation thereon. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

Profit for the year 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations and net investment hedge
Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension plans 
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive expense for the year 

Notes 

28 
26 
9 

52 weeks to  
31 March 
2012 
 £000 
86,714 

52 weeks to 
2 April  
2011 
£000
72,434

(5,707) 
(3,024) 
545 
(11) 

(8,197) 

(4,268)
857
(311)
(887)

(4,609)

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders

78,517 

67,825

The exchange differences of £5,707,000 (2011: £4,268,000) comprise £776,000 (2011: £211,000) which relate to net investment 
hedges as described on page 100.

92 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

Non-current assets 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Interests in associates 
Deferred tax asset 

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

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 
Tax liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 

Net current assets 

Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 
Deferred tax liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Treasury shares 
Capital redemption reserve 
Hedging and translation reserve 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

Shareholders’ funds 

Notes 

31 March 
2012  
£000 

2 April 
2011 
£000

11 
12 
13 
14 
21 

15 
16 

26 

18 
19 

26 

17 
28 
20 
19 
21 

22 

267,471 
74,483 
72,118 
1,968 
11,039  

427,079 

57,368 
114,674 
288  
45,305 
469 

218,104 

645,183 

93,499 
2,618 
11,870 
126 

108,113 

109,991 

64,014 
32,997 
13,388 
2,301 
26,258 

138,958 

247,071 

398,112 

37,856 
22,177 
(4,569) 
185 
29,212 
1,346 
311,905 

398,112 

259,954
73,490
69,891
1,989
10,779

416,103

54,540
110,456
237
42,610
327

208,170

624,273

85,511
2,887
14,997
858

104,253

103,917

79,688
36,237
22,848
1,593
24,269

164,635

268,888

355,385

37,824
21,744
(5,016)
185
34,511
3,634
262,503

355,385

The financial statements of Halma plc, company number 40932, were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 June 2012. 

A J Williams 
Director   

K J Thompson  
Director 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

At 2 April 2011 
Profit for the period 

Other comprehensive income and 
expense: 
Exchange differences on translation of 
foreign operations 
Actuarial losses on defined benefit 
pension plans 
Effective portion of changes in fair value 
of cash flow hedges 
Tax relating to components of other 
comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive income  
and expense 
Share options exercised 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payments 
Deferred tax on share-based payment 
transactions 
Excess tax deductions related to share-
based payments on exercised options 
Net movement in treasury shares 

At 31 March 2012 

At 2 April 2010  
Profit for the period 
Other comprehensive income and 
expense: 
Exchange differences on translation of 
foreign operations 
Actuarial gains on defined benefit 
pension plans 
Effective portion of changes in fair value 
of cash flow hedges 
Tax relating to components of other 
comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive income  
and expense 
Share options exercised 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payments 
Deferred tax on share-based payment 
transactions 
Excess tax deductions related to share-
based payments on exercised options 
Net movement in treasury shares 

Share  
capital  
£000 
37,824 
–  

Share 
premium 
account  
£000
21,744
–

Treasury 
shares  
£000
(5,016)
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
£000
185
–

Hedging 
and 
translation 
reserve  
£000
34,511
–

Other  
reserves  
£000 
3,634 
–  

Retained 
earnings  
£000
262,503
86,714

Total  
£000
355,385
86,714

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
32 
–  
–  

–  

–  
–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

433
–
–

–  

–  
–

37,856 

37,765 
– 

22,177

20,959
–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
59 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
785
–
–

– 

– 
–

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
–
–
–

–  

–  

447

(4,569)

(2,581)
–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
–
–
–

– 

– 
(2,435)

(5,016)

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
–
–
–

–  

–  
–

(5,707) 

–  

545 

(137) 

(5,299) 

–
–
–

–  

–  
–

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

(5,707) 

(3,024) 

(3,024) 

–  

545 

126 

(11) 

–  
–  
–  
(2,082) 

(2,898) 

–
(35,232)
–

(8,197) 
465
(35,232)
(2,082)

(206)  

–  

(206) 

–  
–  

818 
–

818 
447

185

185
–

29,212

39,013
–

1,346 

4,178 
– 

311,905

398,112

222,974
72,434

322,493
72,434

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
–
–
–

– 

– 
–

(4,268) 

– 

(311) 

77 

(4,502) 

–
–
–

– 

– 
–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
(764) 

220 

– 
– 

– 

(4,268) 

857 

857 

– 

(311) 

(964) 

(887) 

(107) 
–
(32,891)
–

(4,609) 
844
(32,891)
(764)

– 

93 
–

220 

93 
(2,435)

185

34,511

3,634 

262,503

355,385

At 2 April 2011 

37,824 

21,744

Treasury shares are ordinary shares in Halma plc purchased by the Company and held to fulfil the Company’s obligations under the 
performance share plan. At 31 March 2012 the number of treasury shares held was 1,404,269 (2011: 1,847,368) and their market value 
was £5,344,648 (2011: £6,558,156). The net movement of treasury shares of £447,000 (2011: (£2,435,000)) comprises the purchase of 
treasury shares of £3,985,000 (2011: £5,358,000) offset by the transfer to Other reserves of £4,432,000 (2011: £2,923,000). 

The Hedging and translation reserve is used to record differences arising from the retranslation of the financial statements of foreign 
operations and the portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments that are deemed to be  
an effective hedge. Other than a net income of £127,000 (2011: charge of £281,000), all amounts at year end relate to translation 
movements. 

The Capital redemption reserve was created on repurchase and cancellation of the Company’s own shares. The Other reserves 
represent the provision for the value of the equity-settled share option plans and performance share plan.

94 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of computer software 
Purchase of other intangibles 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Development costs capitalised 
Interest received 
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired 
Acquisition of investments in associates
Disposal of business, net of cash disposed 

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities 
Dividends paid 
Proceeds from issue of share capital 
Purchase of treasury shares 
Interest paid 
Loan arrangement fee 
Proceeds from borrowings 
Repayment of borrowings 

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 
Exchange adjustments 
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward 

52 weeks to  
31 March 
2012 
 £000 
97,687 

52 weeks to 
2 April  
2011 
£000
95,064

Notes 
25 

(15,196) 
(1,293) 
(46) 
1,244 
(4,718) 
212 
(18,667) 
– 
3,554 

(34,910) 

(35,232) 
465 
(3,985) 
(1,490) 
(1,903) 
76,456 
(94,050) 

(59,739) 

3,038 
42,610 
(343) 

45,305 

(14,399)
(1,019)
(6)
677
(4,735)
317
(82,093)
(1,708)
–

(102,966)

(32,891)
844
(5,358)
(825)
–
76,156
(18,152)

19,774

11,872
31,006
(268)

42,610

24 

25 
25 

25 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Basis of accounting 
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted for use 
in the European Union (EU) and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS legislation and with those parts of the Companies Act 
2006 that are applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with 
IFRS and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations issued and effective at the time of 
preparing these accounts. 

The principal Group accounting policies are explained below and have been applied consistently throughout the years ended  
2 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 other than those noted below. 

The Group accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except as described below under the heading 
‘Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting’. 

‘Customer loyalty programmes’ 

New standards and interpretations 
The following new standards and interpretations have been adopted in the current year but have not had a material impact on the 
reported results or the financial position: 
•  IFRIC 13 
•  IFRIC 19 
•  Amendment to IFRS 3  
•  Amendment to IFRS 1  
•  Amendment to IFRS 7  
•  Amendment to IAS 24  
•  Amendment to IFRIC 14  ‘Prepayment on a Minimum Funding Requirement’ 

‘Limited Exemption from Comparative IFRS 7 disclosures for first time adopters’ 

‘Clarification of level of disclosure required around credit risk and collateral held’ 

‘Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments’ 

‘Measurement of non-controlling interests’ 

‘Clearer definition of a related party’ 

Joint Arrangements 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities 

Government loans at below market rates of interest 

Financial Instruments – Classification and Measurement 

Severe Hyperinflation and removal of fixed dates for first-time adopters 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied 
in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by the EU): 
•  IFRS 1 (amended) 
•  IFRS 1 (amended)  
•  IFRS 7 (amended)  
•  IFRS 9  
•  IFRS 10  
•  IFRS 11  
•  IFRS 12  
•  IFRS 13  
•  IAS 1 (amended)  
•  IAS 12 (amended)  
•  IAS 19 (amended)  
•  IAS 27 (amended)  
•  IAS 28 (amended)  
•  IAS 32 (amended) 
•  IFRIC 20  

Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine 

Presentation of items of Other Comprehensive Income 

Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities 

Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures 

Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets 

Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities 

Separate Financial Statements 

Fair Value Measurement 

Employee Benefits 

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have no material impact  
on the financial statements of the Group, except for the following: 

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’, which will introduce a number of changes in the presentation of financial instruments;  

IFRS 13 ‘Fair Value Measurement’ which will impact the measurement of fair value of certain assets and liabilities;  

IAS 1 ‘Amendments to presentation of Other Comprehensive Income’ which will impact the presentation of Financial Statements. 
This will impact the presentation of various items within the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income by requiring the separation 
of items that will later be reclassified through the Income Statement from those that will never pass through the Income Statement; 
and  

IAS 19 (revised) ‘Employee Benefits’, which requires the replacement of the expected return on assets and interest charge on 
pension scheme liabilities with a net financing cost based on the discount rate. Whilst the Group’s total defined benefit pension 
obligation will be unaffected, the Group’s net finance cost in the income statement is expected to increase with a corresponding 
increase in the actuarial gain recognised in Other comprehensive income. 

96 

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Business review

Governance

Financial statements

The Group has not completed its assessment of the full impact of these pronouncements on the consolidated results, financial 
position or cash flows of the Group. 

Going concern 
The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group 
have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Further detail is contained on page 75. 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty and critical accounting judgments 
The preparation of Group accounts in conformity with IFRS requires the Directors to make judgments, estimates and assumptions 
that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and 
associated assumptions are based on historical experiences and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not 
readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.  

The following three areas of key estimation uncertainty and critical accounting judgment have been identified as having significant 
risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the next financial year: 

Goodwill impairment 
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of cash generating units (CGUs) to which 
goodwill has been allocated. In turn, the value in use calculation involves an estimation of the present value of future cash flows of 
CGUs. The future cash flows are based on annual budgets, as approved by the Board, to which the management’s expectation of 
market-share and long-term growth rates are applied. The present value is then calculated based on management’s judgment of 
future discount rates. The Board reviews these key assumptions (market-share, long-term growth rates, and discount rates) and  
the sensitivity analysis around these assumptions. Further details are provided in note 11.  

Defined benefit pension scheme liabilities 
Determining the value of the future defined benefit obligation requires judgment in respect of the assumptions used to calculate 
present values. These include future mortality, discount rate, inflation and salary increases. Management makes these judgments in 
consultation with an independent actuary. Details of the judgments made in calculating these transactions are disclosed in note 28.  

Intangible assets 
IFRS 3 (revised) ‘Business Combinations’ requires that goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries is capitalised and included 
in intangible assets. IFRS 3 (revised) also requires the identification of other intangible assets at acquisition. The assumptions 
involved in valuing these intangible assets require the use of estimates and judgements which may differ from the actual outcome. 
These estimates and judgements cover future growth rates, expected inflation rates and the discount rate used. 

Basis of consolidation 
The Group accounts include the accounts of Halma plc and its subsidiary companies made up to 31 March 2012, adjusted to 
eliminate intra-Group transactions, balances, income and expenses. The results of subsidiary companies acquired or discontinued 
are included from the month of their acquisition or to the month of their discontinuation. 

Business combinations and goodwill 
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which is the date on which 
control is transferred to the Group. For acquisitions after 3 April 2010, the Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as: 
•  the fair value of the consideration transferred; plus 
•  the recognised amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree; plus 
•  the fair value of the existing equity interest in the acquiree; less 
•  the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 

Costs related to the acquisition, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, are expensed as incurred. 
Any contingent purchase consideration payable is recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent purchase 
consideration is classified as equity, it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent 
changes to the fair value of the contingent purchase consideration are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

For acquisitions between 4 April 2004 (the date from which the financial statements were reported under IFRS) and 2 April 2010, 
goodwill represents the difference between the cost of the acquisition, including acquisition costs and the fair value of the net 
identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortised, but is tested annually for impairment. 

Goodwill is recognised as an intangible asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Goodwill therefore includes non-identified 
intangible assets including business processes, buyer-specific synergies, know-how and workforce-related industry-specific 
knowledge and technical skills. Negative goodwill arising on acquisitions would be recognised directly in the Consolidated Income 
Statement. On closure or disposal of an acquired business, goodwill would be taken into account in determining the profit or loss  
on closure or disposal. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

97 

 
 
 
 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

CONTINUED 

As permitted by IFRS 1, the Group elected not to apply IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ to acquisitions prior to 4 April 2004 in its 
consolidated accounts. As a result, the net book value of goodwill recognised as an intangible asset under UK GAAP at 3 April 
2004 was brought forward unadjusted as the cost of goodwill recognised under IFRS at 4 April 2004 subject to impairment testing 
on that date; and goodwill that was written off to reserves prior to 28 March 1998 under UK GAAP will not be taken into account  
in determining the profit or loss on disposal or closure of previously acquired businesses from 4 April 2004 onwards. 

Investments in associates 
An associate is an entity over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant influence, but not control or joint control, 
through participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee. Significant influence is the power to participate  
in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not in control or joint control over those policies. 

The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these financial statements using the equity method of 
accounting. Investments in associates are carried in the balance sheet at cost as adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the 
Group’s share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual investments. Losses of an associate 
in excess of the Group’s interest in that associate (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the 
Group’s net investment in the associate) are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive 
obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. 

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s share of the fair values of the identifiable net assets of the associate at the 
date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill. The goodwill is included within the carrying amount of the investment and is assessed 
for impairment as part of that investment. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below the Group’s share of the fair values of the 
identifiable net assets of the associate at the date of acquisition (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited in profit or loss in the period 
of acquisition.  

Where a Group company transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s 
interest in the relevant associate. Losses may provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred in which case appropriate 
provision is made for impairment.  

Other intangible assets 
(a) Product development costs 
Research expenditure is written off in the financial year in which it is incurred. 

Development expenditure is written off in the financial year in which it is incurred, unless it relates to the development of a new or 
substantially improved product, is incurred after the technical feasibility and economic viability of the product has been proven and 
the decision to complete the development has been taken, and can be measured reliably. Such expenditure is capitalised as an 
intangible asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at cost and is amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a 
straight-line basis over its estimated economic life of three years. 

(b) Acquired intangible assets 
An intangible resource acquired with a subsidiary undertaking is recognised as an intangible asset if it is separable from the 
acquired business or arises from contractual or legal rights, is expected to generate future economic benefits and its fair value  
can be measured reliably. Acquired intangible assets, comprising trademarks and customer relationships, are amortised through  
the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives of between three and 10 years. 

(c) Computer software 
Computer software that is not integral to an item of property, plant or equipment is recognised separately as an intangible asset, 
and is amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over its estimated economic life of between 
three and five years. 

(d) Other intangibles 
Other intangibles are amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic 
lives of between three and five years. 

Impairment of non-current assets 
All non-current assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may be 
impaired. Additionally, goodwill and capitalised development expenditure relating to a product that is not yet in full production are 
subject to an annual impairment test. 

An impairment loss is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement to the extent that an asset’s carrying value exceeds its 
recoverable amount, which represents the higher of the asset’s net realisable value and its value in use. An asset’s value in use 
represents the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset or from the cash generating unit to 
which it relates. The present value is calculated using a discount rate that reflects the current market assessment of the time value  
of money and the risks specific to the asset concerned. 

Impairment losses recognised in previous periods for an asset other than goodwill are reversed if there has been a change in the 
estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset does not 
exceed its carrying amount had no impairment loss been recognised in previous periods. Impairment losses in respect of goodwill 
are not reversed. 

98 

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Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Segmental reporting 
An operating segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that is engaged in business activities from which it may earn 
revenues and incur expenses, and whose operating results are reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the Chief 
Executive Officer) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which 
discrete financial information is available. 

Reportable segments are operating segments that either meet the thresholds and conditions set out in IFRS 8 or are considered  
by the Board to be appropriately designated as reportable segments. Segment result represents operating profits and includes  
an allocation of head office expenses. Segment result excludes tax and financing items. Segment assets comprise goodwill, other 
intangible assets, property, plant and equipment (excluding land and buildings), inventories, trade and other receivables. Segment 
liabilities comprise trade and other payables, provisions and other payables. Unallocated items represent land and buildings, 
corporate and deferred taxation balances, defined benefit scheme liabilities, contingent purchase consideration, all components  
of net cash/borrowings and derivative financial instruments. 

Foreign currencies 
The Group presents its accounts in Sterling. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of 
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates 
prevailing at that date. Any gain or loss arising from subsequent exchange rate movements is included as an exchange gain or loss 
in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

Net assets of overseas subsidiary companies are expressed in Sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the end of the financial 
year, and trading results and cash flows at the average rates of exchange for the financial year. Goodwill arising on the acquisition  
of a foreign business is treated as an asset of the foreign entity and is translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the end of the 
financial year. Exchange gains or losses arising on these translations are taken to the Hedging and translation reserve within 
Shareholders’ funds. 

In the event that an overseas subsidiary is disposed of or closed, the profit or loss on disposal or closure will be determined  
after taking into account the cumulative translation difference held within the Hedging and translation reserve attributable to  
that subsidiary. As permitted by IFRS 1, the Group has elected to deem the Hedging and translation to be £nil at 4 April 2004. 
Accordingly, the profit or loss on disposal or closure of foreign subsidiaries will not include any currency translation differences  
which arose before 4 April 2004. 

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting 
The Group enters into derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rate risk using forward exchange 
contracts. Further details of derivative financial instruments are disclosed in note 26. 

Derivative financial instruments are classified as fair value through profit and loss (held for trading) unless they are in a designated 
hedge relationship. 

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured  
to their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement, unless 
the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in the Consolidated 
Income Statement depends on the nature of the hedge relationship. The Group designates certain derivatives as hedges of highly 
probable forecast transactions or hedges of foreign currency risk of firm commitments (cash flow hedges), or hedges of net 
investments in foreign operations.  

A derivative with a positive fair value is recognised as a financial asset whereas a derivative with a negative fair value is recognised 
as a financial liability. A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the 
instrument is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realised or settled within 12 months. Other derivatives are presented 
as current assets or current liabilities. 

Cash flow hedge accounting 
The Group designates certain hedging instruments as cash flow hedges.  

At the inception of the hedge relationship, the entity documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged 
item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the 
inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument has been or is expected  
to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.  

Note 26 sets out details of the fair values of the derivative instruments used for hedging purposes and the movements in the 
hedging reserve in equity. 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised  
in Other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion as a result of being over hedged is recognised 
immediately in Consolidated Income Statement.  

Amounts previously recognised in Other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are reclassified to the Consolidated 
Income Statement in the periods when the hedged item is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. However, when the 
forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses 
previously accumulated in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the non-financial 
asset or non-financial liability.  

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

99 

 
 
 
 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

CONTINUED 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Group revokes the hedging relationship, the hedging instrument expires or is sold, 
terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. Any gain or loss recognised in Other comprehensive income  
at that time is accumulated in equity and is recognised, when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised, in the Consolidated 
Income Statement. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is 
recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement.  

Net investment hedge accounting 
The Group uses Swiss Franc denominated borrowings as a hedge against the translation exposure on the Group’s net investment 
in overseas companies. Where the hedge is fully effective at hedging the variability in the net assets of such companies caused by 
changes in exchange rates, the changes in value of the borrowings are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and 
accumulated in the Hedging and translation reserve. The ineffective part of any change in value caused by changes in exchange 
rates is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

Revenue 
Revenue represents sales, less returns, by subsidiary companies to external customers excluding value added tax and other sales 
related taxes. Transactions are recorded as revenue when the delivery of products or performance of services takes place in 
accordance with the contracted terms of sale.  

Revenue on long term contracts is recognised while the contracts are in progress. Revenue is recognised proportionally to the stage 
of completion of the contract, based on the fair value of goods and services provided to date, taking into account the sign-off of 
milestone delivery by customers. When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss 
is recognised as an expense immediately. 

Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less provisions for impairment and depreciation which, with the exception 
of freehold land which is not depreciated, is provided on a straight-line basis over each asset’s estimated economic life. The 
principal annual rates used for this purpose are: 

Freehold property 
Leasehold properties: 
Long leases (more than 50 years unexpired) 
Short leases (less than 50 years unexpired) 
Plant, equipment and vehicles 

2%

2%
Period of lease
8% to 331/3%

Leases 
Leases that confer rights and obligations similar to those that attach to owned assets are classified as finance leases, of which the 
Group has none. All other leases are classified as operating leases. 

Operating lease rentals, and any incentives receivable, are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term. 

Pensions 
The Group makes contributions to various pension schemes, covering the majority of its employees. 

For defined benefit schemes, the asset or liability recorded in the balance sheet is the difference between the fair value of the 
scheme’s assets and the present value of the defined obligation at that date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated separately 
for each scheme on an annual basis by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. 

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the period in which they occur, and are taken to Other comprehensive income. 

Current and past service costs, along with the impact of any settlements or curtailments, are charged to the Consolidated Income 
Statement. Interest on pension plans’ liabilities are recognised within finance expense and the expected return on the schemes’ 
assets are recognised within finance income in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

Contributions to defined contribution schemes are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement when they fall due. 

Employee share schemes 
Share-based incentives are provided to employees under the Group’s share incentive plan, the share option plans and the 
performance share plan. 

(a) Share incentive plan 
Awards of shares under the share incentive plan are made to qualifying employees depending on salary and service criteria. The 
shares awarded under this plan are purchased in the market by the plan’s trustees at the time of the award, and are then held in 
trust for a minimum of three years. The costs of this plan are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement over the three-year 
vesting periods of the awards. 

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Business review

Governance

Financial statements

(b) Share option plans 
All grants of options under the 1990 and 1996 share option plans and the 1999 company share option plan (together, the ‘share 
option plans’) are equity settled, and so, as permitted by IFRS 1, the provisions of IFRS 2 ‘Share-Based Payment’ have been 
applied only to options awarded on or after 7 November 2002 which had not vested at 3 April 2005. 

The fair value of awards under these plans has been measured at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model and will not  
be subsequently remeasured. The fair value is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the 
expected vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will ultimately vest and adjusted for the effect of non market-
based vesting conditions. The corresponding credit is to Shareholders’ funds. 

No further awards will be made under the share option plans. 

(c) Performance share plan 
On 3 August 2005 the share option plans were replaced by the performance share plan. 

Awards under this plan are partly equity-settled and partly cash-settled, and are subject to both market based and non-market 
based vesting criteria.  

The fair value of the equity-settled portion at the date of grant is established by using an appropriate simulation method to reflect  
the likelihood of market-based performance conditions being met. The fair value is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement 
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with appropriate adjustments being made during this period to reflect expected and 
actual forfeitures arising from the non-market based performance conditions only. The corresponding credit is to Shareholders’ 
funds. 

For the cash-settled portion, a liability equal to the portion of the services received is recognised at the current fair value determined 
at each balance sheet date. 

Inventories 
Inventories and work in progress are included at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated either on a ‘first in,  
first out’ or an average cost basis and includes direct materials and the appropriate proportion of production and other overheads 
considered by the Directors to be attributable to bringing the inventories to their location and condition at the year end. Net 
realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs to complete and costs to be incurred in marketing, 
selling and distribution. 

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

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the 
balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using 
the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of the cash flows.  

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a 
receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable  
can be measured reliably. 

Operating profit 
Operating profit is stated after charging restructuring costs but before the share of results of associates, investment income and 
finance costs. 

Taxation 
Taxation comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement except to the extent that it 
relates to items recognised directly in Shareholders’ funds, in which case it too is recognised in Shareholders’ funds. Current tax is 
the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or subsequently enacted at the balance sheet 
date, along with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the 
Consolidated Income Statement because it excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. 

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method, apart from the 
following differences which are not provided for: goodwill not deductible for tax purposes; the initial recognition of assets or liabilities 
that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit; and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent they will 
probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation 
or settlement of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, using tax rates and laws, which are expected to apply in the period 
when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that recovery is probable. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances, deposits with an initial maturity of less than three months, and bank overdrafts 
that are repayable on demand.  

Dividends 
Dividends payable to the Company’s shareholders are recognised as a liability in the period in which the distribution is approved  
by the Company’s shareholders. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

101 

 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 Segmental analysis 
Sector analysis 
The Group has three main reportable segments (Health and Analysis, Infrastructure Sensors, and Industrial Safety), which  
are defined by markets rather than product type. Each segment includes businesses with similar operating and marketing 
characteristics. These segments are consistent with the internal reporting as reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer.  

Segment revenue and results 

Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 
Inter-segmental sales 

Revenue for the year 

Revenue (all continuing 
operations)
52 weeks to 
2 April  
2011  
£000
218,330
197,209
103,058
(169)

52 weeks to  
31 March 
2012 
 £000 
253,647 
204,280 
122,240  
(284) 

579,883 

518,428

Inter-segmental sales are charged at prevailing market prices and have not been disclosed separately by segment as they are  
not considered material. The Group does not analyse revenue by product group and has no material revenue derived from the 
rendering of services. 

Segment profit before allocation of amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition costs and 
profit on disposal of continuing operations  
Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 

Segment profit after allocation of amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition costs and 
profit on disposal of continuing operations 
Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 

Segment profit 
Central administration costs 
Net finance expense 

Group profit before taxation 
Taxation 

Profit for the year 

Profit (all continuing operations)
52 weeks to  
52 weeks 
31 March 
to 2 April  
2012  
2011  
£000 
£000

57,848 
39,099 
29,226 

46,108
39,023
24,435

126,173 

109,566

49,779 
39,276 
28,627 

117,682 
(4,266) 
(1,442) 

111,974 
(25,260) 

86,714 

40,170
38,981
24,156

103,307
(3,917)
(1,098)

98,292
(25,858)

72,434

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group’s accounting policies. For acquisitions after 3 April 
2010, acquisition transaction costs and movement on contingent consideration are recognised in the Consolidated Income 
Statement. Segment profit, before these acquisition costs, the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and the profit on disposal 
of continuing operations is disclosed separately above as this is the measure reported to the Chief Executive Officer for the purpose 
of allocation of resources and assessment of segment performance. 

102 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

1 Segmental analysis continued 
The amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration (including any 
arising from foreign exchange revaluation) and profit on disposal of continuing operations are analysed as follows: 

Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 

Total Group 

Acquisition costs 

Amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
(9,804)
–
(548)

Transaction 
costs
(667)
–
(51)

Adjustments 
to contingent 
consideration 
(1,141) 
177 
– 

Disposal of 
continuing 
operations 
(note 29) 
3,543 
– 
– 

(10,352)

(718)

(964) 

3,543 

2012

Total
(8,069)
177
(599)

(8,491)

The transaction costs mainly arose on the acquisitions in note 24 of SunTech Medical Group Limited (£225,000), Kirk Key Interlock 
Company LLC. (£51,000), Avo Photonics, Inc. (£55,000), Accutome, Inc. (£100,000) and Sensorex Inc. (£141,000). 

Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 

Total Group 

Segment assets and liabilities 

Amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
(4,481)
–
(279)

(4,760)

Acquisition costs 
Adjustments 
to contingent 
consideration 
(231) 
– 
– 

(231) 

Transaction 
costs
(1,226)
(42)
–

(1,268)

Disposal of 
continuing 
operations 
– 
– 
– 

– 

2011

Total
(5,938)
(42)
(279)

(6,259)

Liabilities
2011 
£000
33,733
28,702
17,967

80,402 
–
–
–

2012 
£000
94,933
77,261
49,376

221,570 
267,471
1,968
61,082

Assets 
2011  
£000 
90,854 
77,051 
45,300 

213,205 
259,954 
1,989 
60,851 

2012  
£000 
31,018 
29,304 
20,513 

80,835 
– 
– 
– 

552,091 

535,999 

80,835 

80,402 

2012 
£000
317,280
157,577
77,234

552,091 
45,305
469
47,318

645,183

Assets 
2011  
£000 
310,219 
159,622 
66,158 

535,999 
42,610 
327 
45,337 

624,273 

2012  
£000 
31,018 
29,304 
20,513 

80,835 
64,014 
126 
102,096 

247,071 

Liabilities
2011 
£000
33,733
28,702
17,967

80,402 
79,688
858
107,940

268,888

Before goodwill, interests in associates and acquired intangible assets 
are allocated to specific segment assets/liabilities 
Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 

Total segment assets/liabilities excluding goodwill, interests in 
associates and acquired intangible assets 
Goodwill 
Interests in associates 
Acquired intangible assets 

Total segment assets/liabilities including goodwill, interests in 
associates and acquired intangible assets 

After goodwill, interests in associates and acquired intangible assets 
are allocated to specific segment assets/liabilities 
Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 

Total segment assets/liabilities including goodwill  
and acquired intangible assets 
Cash and cash equivalents/borrowings
Derivative financial instruments 
Other unallocated assets/liabilities 

Total Group 

Segment assets and liabilities, excluding the allocation of goodwill, interests in associates and acquired intangible assets, have been 
disclosed separately above as this is the measure reported to the Chief Executive Officer for the purpose of monitoring segment 
performance and allocating resources between segments. Other unallocated assets include land and buildings and tax assets, and 
unallocated liabilities include contingent purchase consideration, retirement benefit provisions and tax liabilities. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

1 Segmental analysis continued 
Other segment information 

Health and Analysis 
Infrastructure Sensors 
Industrial Safety 

Total segment additions/depreciation and amortisation 
Unallocated 
Total Group 

Additions to non-current assets  
2011  
£000 
120,593 
6,733 
3,576 

2012 
£000
21,934
7,146
12,813

41,893
979

42,872

130,902 
2,324 

133,226 

Depreciation and amortisation
2011 
£000
11,221
5,852
4,034

2012  
£000 
16,987 
5,494 
4,522 

27,003 
666 

27,669 

21,107
623

21,730

Non-current asset additions comprise acquired and purchased goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.  

There were no impairment losses incurred during the year (2011: £nil). 

Geographical information 
The Group’s revenue from external customers (by location of customer) and its non-current assets by geographical location are 
detailed below: 

United States of America 
Mainland Europe 
United Kingdom 
Asia Pacific and Australasia 
Africa, Near and Middle East 
Other countries 

Revenue by destination 
2012 
2011  
£000
£000 
161,951
150,280 
154,428
138,313 
125,613
106,131 
87,277
76,207 
27,750
28,756 
22,864
18,741 

Non-current assets
2011 
£000
38,977
26,296
336,673
3,378
–
–

2012  
£000 
40,021 
26,682 
345,480 
3,792 
– 
65 

579,883

518,428 

416,040 

405,324

Non-current assets comprise goodwill, other intangible assets, investments in associates and property, plant and equipment.  

Information about major customers 
The Group had no revenue from a single customer, which accounts for more than 2% of the Group’s revenue.  

2 Earnings per ordinary share 
Basic earnings per ordinary share are calculated using the weighted average of 376,926,013 shares in issue during the year (net  
of shares purchased by the Company and held as treasury shares) (2011: 376,608,974). Diluted earnings per ordinary share are 
calculated using the weighted average of 377,473,142 shares (2011: 377,365,635), which includes dilutive potential ordinary  
shares of 547,129 (2011: 756,661). Dilutive potential ordinary shares are calculated from those exercisable share options where  
the exercise price is less than the average price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the year. 

Adjusted earnings are calculated as earnings from continuing operations excluding the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, 
acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of continuing operations after tax.  
The Directors consider that adjusted earnings represent a more consistent measure of underlying performance. A reconciliation  
of earnings and the effect on basic earnings per share figures is as follows: 

Earnings from continuing operations 
Add back amortisation of acquired intangible assets (after tax)
Acquisition transaction costs (after tax)
Adjustments to contingent consideration (after tax) 
Profit on disposal of continuing operations (after tax) 

Adjusted earnings 

2012
£000
86,714
7,561
691
786
(3,543)

92,209

2011  
£000 
72,434 
3,315 
1,268 
167 
– 

77,184 

Per ordinary share
2011 
pence
19.23
0.88
0.34
0.04
–

2012  
pence 
23.01 
2.00 
0.18 
0.21 
(0.94) 

24.46 

20.49

104 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

3 Non-GAAP measures 
The Board uses certain non-GAAP measures to help it effectively monitor the performance of the Group. These measures include 
Return on Capital Employed, Return on Total Invested Capital and organic growth. 

Return on Capital Employed 

Operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs
and movement on contingent consideration, but after share of results of associates 

Computer software costs within intangible assets 
Capitalised development costs within intangible assets 
Other intangibles within intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 
Net tax liabilities 
Non-current trade and other payables
Non-current provisions 
Add back contingent purchase consideration 

Capital employed 

Return on Capital Employed 

Return on Total Invested Capital 

Post-tax profit before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, 
movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of continuing operations 

Total shareholders’ funds 
Add back retirement benefit obligations
Less associated deferred tax assets 
Cumulative amortisation of acquired intangibles 
Goodwill on disposals 
Goodwill amortised prior to 3 April 2004
Goodwill taken to reserves prior to 28 March 1998 

Total invested capital 

Return on Total Invested Capital 

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

121,907 

2,678 
10,508 
215 
72,118 
57,368 
114,674 
(93,499) 
(2,618) 
(11,582) 
(13,388) 
(2,301) 
29,110 

163,283 

74.7% 

105,649 

2,734
9,653
252
69,891
54,540
110,456
(85,511)
(2,887)
(14,760)
(22,848)
(1,593)
27,037

146,964

71.9%

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

92,209 

398,112 
32,997 
(7,920) 
36,306 
5,441 
13,177 
70,931 

549,044 

16.8% 

77,184 

355,385
36,237
(9,422)
26,642
5,441
13,177
70,931

498,391

15.5%

Organic growth 
Organic growth measures the change in revenue and profit from continuing Group operations. The effect of acquisitions and 
disposals made during the prior financial year, and acquisitions made in the current financial year has been equalised by adjusting 
the current year results for a pro-rated contribution based on their revenue and profit before taxation at the date of acquisition or 
disposal. The results of disposals made in the prior financial year have been removed from the prior year reported revenue and  
profit before taxation. Organic growth has been calculated as follows: 

Continuing operations 
Acquired revenue/profit 

2012 
£000
579,883
(33,715)

546,168

2011 
£000
518,428
–

518,428

Revenue
%
growth

5.4%

2012  
£000 
120,465 
(10,538) 

109,927 

Profit* before taxation
% 
growth

2011  
£000 
104,551 
– 

104,551 

5.1%

*  Before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal  

of continuing operations. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

4 Finance income 

Interest receivable 
Expected return on pension scheme assets 

Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments 

5 Finance expense 

Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts 
Amortisation of finance costs 
Interest charge on pension scheme liabilities 
Other interest payable 

Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments 
Unwinding of discount on provisions 

2012  
£000 
212 
9,529 

9,741 
329 

10,070 

2012  
£000 
1,383 
282 
9,684 
107 

11,456 
–  
56 

11,512 

2011 
£000
317
9,103

9,420
–

9,420

2011 
£000
690
–
9,525
135

10,350
121
47

10,518

106 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

6 Profit before taxation  
Profit before taxation comprises: 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 
Profit on disposal of continuing operations 
Share of results of associates 
Net finance expense 

Profit before taxation 

2012  
£000 
579,883 
(384,397) 

195,486 
(11,812) 
(73,764) 
3,543 
(37) 
(1,442) 

111,974 

2011 
£000
518,428
(345,841)

172,587
(11,072)
(62,066)
–
(59)
(1,098)

98,292

Included within administrative expenses are the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and acquisition costs. 

Profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation 
Amortisation 
Research and development* 
Foreign exchange loss/(gain) 
Profit on disposal of operations 
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment and computer software
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense 
Staff costs (note 7) 
Auditors’ remuneration 

Operating lease rents: 

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

12,178 
15,491 
22,706 
1,065 
(3,543) 
(495) 
289,675 
154,432 
126 
534 

660 

27 
19 
120 
31 

197 

13 

870 

11,523
10,207
20,953
(346)
–
(55)
259,322
138,097
123
530

653

12
57
159
10

238

13

904

6,661 
818 

5,871
837

Audit services to the Company
Audit of the company’s subsidiaries 

Total audit fees

Interim agreed upon procedures
Tax compliance services
Tax advisory services
Other services

Total non-audit fees

Audit of Group pension plan

Total fees

Property
Other

*  A further £4,718,000 (2011: £4,735,000) of development costs has been capitalised in the year. See note 12. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

7 Employee information 
The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) was: 

United States of America 
Mainland Europe 
United Kingdom 
Asia Pacific and Australasia 
Other countries 

Group employee costs comprise: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs (note 28) 
Share-based payment charge (note 23)

2012  
Number 
1,285 
722 
1,745 
591 
4 

4,347 

2012  
£000 
127,255 
18,847 
4,975 
3,355 

154,432 

2011 
Number
1,080
680
1,705
410
–

3,875

2011 
£000
113,705
16,971
4,638
2,783

138,097

8 Directors’ remuneration 
The remuneration of the Directors is set out on pages 84 to 86 within the Remuneration report described as being audited and 
forms part of these financial statements. 

Directors’ remuneration comprises: 

Wages, salaries and fees 
Pension costs  
Share-based payment charge 

9 Taxation 

Current tax 
UK corporation tax at 26% (2011: 28%)
Overseas taxation 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total current tax charge 

Deferred tax 
Origination and reversal of timing differences 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total deferred tax (credit)/charge 

Total tax charge recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement

Reconciliation of the effective tax rate:
Profit before tax  

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 26% (2011: 28%) 
Overseas tax rate differences 
Permanent differences 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Effective tax rate (after amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs,
movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of continuing operations) 

108 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

2012  
£000 
2,457 
45 
1,035 

3,537 

2011 
£000
2,791
54
1,004

3,849

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

9,021 
15,635 
753 

25,409 

362 
(511) 

(149) 

10,009
14,154
947

25,110

1,361
(613)

748

25,260 

25,858

111,974 

98,292

29,113 
3,574 
(7,669) 
242 

25,260 

27,522
2,996
(4,994)
334

25,858

22.6% 

26.3% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

9 Taxation continued 

Profit before tax*  
Total tax charge*  

Effective tax rate* 

2012  
£000 
120,465 
28,256 

23.5% 

2011 
£000
104,551
27,367

26.2%

*  Before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of continuing operations. 

In addition to the amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement, the following amounts relating to tax have been 
recognised directly in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure: 

Deferred tax (note 21) 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Short-term timing differences 

2012  
£000 

(126) 
137 

11 

2011 
£000

964
(77)

887

In addition to the amounts charged to the Consolidated Income Statement and the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income and Expenditure, the following amounts relating to tax have been recognised directly in equity: 

Current tax 
Excess tax deductions related to share-based payments on exercised options
Deferred tax (note 21) 
Change in estimated excess tax deductions related to share-based payments

10 Dividends 

Amounts recognised as distributions to shareholders in the year
Final dividend for the year to 2 April 2011 (3 April 2010) 
Interim dividend for the year to 31 March 2012 (2 April 2011)

Dividends declared in respect of the year 
Interim dividend for the year to 31 March 2012 (2 April 2011)
Proposed final dividend for the year to 31 March 2012 (2 April 2011)

2012  
£000 

818 

(206) 

612 

2011 
£000

93

220

313

Per ordinary share 
2011  
pence 

2012 
pence

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

5.56
3.79

9.35

3.79
5.95

9.74

5.19 
3.54 

8.73 

3.54 
5.56 

9.10 

20,934 
14,298 

35,232 

14,298 
22,440 

36,738 

19,550
13,341

32,891

13,341
20,934

34,275

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 24 July 2012 and has not 
been included as a liability in these financial statements. 

11 Goodwill  

Cost 
At beginning of year 
Additions (note 24) 
Exchange adjustments 

At end of year 
Provision for impairment 
At beginning and end of year 

Carrying amounts 

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

259,954 
10,708 
(3,191) 

267,471 

195,334
66,798
(2,178)

259,954

–  

–

267,471 

259,954

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

11 Goodwill continued 
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated, at acquisition, to the cash generating units (CGUs) that are expected to 
benefit from that business combination. Before recognition of impairment losses, the carrying amount of goodwill has been 
allocated as follows: 

Health and Analysis 
Water 
Photonics 
Health Optics 
Fluid Technology 

Infrastructure Sensors 
Fire Detection 
Security Sensors 
Automatic Door Sensors 
Elevator Safety 

Industrial Safety 
Bursting Disks 
Safety Interlocks 
Asset Monitoring 

Total Group 

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

11,592 
55,090 
67,810 
29,949 

11,756
43,927
70,852
29,990

164,441 

156,525

11,350 
15,795 
42,783 
10,388 

80,316 

7,239 
7,466 
8,009 

22,714 

267,471 

11,275
15,795
45,433
10,068

82,571

7,239
5,610
8,009

20,858

259,954

Goodwill values have been tested for impairment by comparing them against the value in use in perpetuity of the relevant CGUs. 
The value in use calculations were based on projected cash flows, derived from the latest budget approved by the Board, 
discounted at the Group’s pre-tax estimated short-term discount rate to calculate their net present value.  

Key assumptions used in ‘value in use’ calculations 
The calculation of ‘value in use’ is most sensitive to the following assumptions, which are the same for all CGUs: 
•  Discount rates; 
•  Market share during the budget period for the financial year to March 2013; and  
•  Growth rate used to extrapolate risk adjusted cash flows beyond the budget period. 

Discount rates are based on the Group’s borrowing and equity profile. The Directors do not currently expect any significant change 
in the present base discount rate of 10.23% (2011: 9.05%). The base discount rate, which is pre-tax and is based on short-term 
variables, may differ from the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) used in long-term return measures such as ROTIC. 
Discount rates are calculated for each CGU, reflecting the size of each business and specific geographic and industry factors, 
resulting in the impairment testing using discount rates ranging from 10.75% to 12.98%.  

Market share assumptions are important because, as well as the growth rates (as noted below), management assess how each 
unit’s relative position to its competitors might change over the budget period. Management expects each unit’s position to be 
stable over the projected period. 

Growth rate estimates of respectively 3.25% and 2.50% for the first and second year onwards into perpetuity following the budget 
year are based on management estimates keeping in view past performance growth. 

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions 
Management believes that no reasonable potential change in any of the above key assumptions would cause the carrying value  
of any unit to exceed its recoverable amount. 

110 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

12 Other intangible assets 

Acquired intangibles

Cost 
At 3 April 2010 
Assets of businesses acquired  
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Reclassification of category4 
Exchange adjustments 

At 2 April 2011 
Assets of businesses acquired (note 
24) 
Assets of business sold 
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Exchange adjustments 

Customer 
relationships1 
 £000  

Trademarks2 
£000 

22,251  
36,881  
–  
–  
–  
–  
171  

59,303  

8,995  
–  
–  
–  
–  
361  

20,898 
7,509 
–
–
–
–
(217) 

28,190 

984  
–
–
–
–
(445) 

Total  
£000

43,149
44,390
–
–
–
–
(46)

87,493

9,979  

–
–
–
–
(84) 

Internally 
generated 
capitalised 
development 
costs  
£000

20,347
–
4,735
(23)
(29)
–
(163)

24,867

–  
(774)
4,718
–
(1)
(224)

At 31 March 2012 

68,659  

28,729 

97,388 

28,586

Accumulated amortisation 
At 3 April 2010 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Reclassification of category4 
Exchange adjustments 

At 2 April 2011 
Charge for the year 
Assets of business sold 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2012 

Carrying amounts 

At 31 March 2012 

At 2 April 2011 

13,873  
2,398  
–  
–  
–  
5  

16,276 
7,192  
–  
–  
–  
(366) 

23,102  

8,046 
2,362 
–
–
–
(42) 

10,366
3,160 
–
–
–
(322) 

13,204 

21,919
4,760
–
–
–
(37)

26,642
10,352 
–
–
–
(688) 

36,306 

45,557  

43,027 

15,525 

17,824

61,082

60,851

11,145
4,168
–
–
–
(99)

15,214
3,734
(774)
–
(1)
(95)

18,078

10,508

9,653

Computer 
software  
£000 

Other 
intangibles3 
 £000 

Total  
£000

8,521 
1 
1,019 
(77) 
(241) 
(64) 
(127) 

9,032 

9 
(137) 
1,293 
(86) 
(135) 
(70) 

9,906 

5,471 
1,217 
(66) 
(208) 
(40) 
(76) 

6,298 
1,319 
(131) 
(85) 
(134) 
(39) 

7,228 

2,678 

2,734 

287 
127 
6 
(16) 
(21) 
–
(15) 

368 

–  
–
46
–
–
4

72,304
44,518
5,760
(116)
(291)
(64)
(351)

121,760

9,988 
(911)
6,057
(86)
(136)
(374)

418

136,298

64 
62 
–
(6) 
–
(4) 

116
86
–
–
–
1

203

215

252

38,599
10,207
(66)
(214)
(40)
(216)

48,270
15,491
(905)
(85)
(135)
(821)

61,815

74,483

73,490

1  Customer relationship assets are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be between three and ten years. 

2  Trademarks (including protected technical knowledge) are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be between three and ten years. 

3  Other intangibles comprise licences and product registration costs amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be between three and five years. 

4  The net transfer from property, plant and equipment to computer software relates to identifiable software assets. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freehold 
properties  

£000

Land and buildings 
Short  
leases  
£000 

Long 
leases  
£000

Plant, 
equipment 
and vehicles  
£000 

34,344
–
1,881
–
–
–
(385)

35,840
–
(269)
167
–
–
–
(428)

35,310

7,473
792
–
–
–
(116)
8,149
(142)
758
–
–
–
(113)

8,652

26,658

27,691

2,206
1
120
(4)
–
–
(30)

2,293
–
(19)
128
(35) 
–
90
(17)

2,440

760
165
(1)
–
–
(12)
912
–
177
(26)
–
90
(6)

1,147

1,293

1,381

5,625 
6 
584 
(11) 
(231) 
15 
(54) 

5,934 
35 
–  
673 
(127) 
(266) 
10 
4 

6,263 

3,472 
639 
(10) 
(215) 
7 
(41) 
3,852 
–  
656 
(117) 
(253) 
4 
(4) 

4,138 

2,125 

2,082 

103,733 
1,744 
11,814 
(3,051) 
(2,862) 
49 
(1,447) 

109,980 
888 
(1,581) 
14,228 
(3,633) 
(4,630) 
(100) 
(964) 

114,188 

67,417 
9,927 
(2,582) 
(2,773) 
33 
(779) 
71,243 
(1,309) 
10,587 
(3,064) 
(4,484) 
(94) 
(733) 

72,146 

42,042 

38,737 

Total  
£000

145,908
1,751
14,399
(3,066)
(3,093)
64
(1,916)

154,047
923
(1,869)
15,196
(3,795)
(4,896)
–
(1,405)

158,201

79,122
11,523
(2,593)
(2,988)
40
(948)
84,156
(1,451)
12,178
(3,207)
(4,737)
–
(856)

86,083

72,118

69,891

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

13 Property, plant and equipment 

Cost 
At 3 April 2010 
Assets of businesses acquired 
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Reclassification of category (note 12) 
Exchange adjustments 

At 2 April 2011 
Assets of businesses acquired (note 24)
Assets of business sold 
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Reclassification of category (note 12) 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 March 2012 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 3 April 2010 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Reclassification of category (note 12) 
Exchange adjustments 

At 2 April 2011 
Assets of business sold 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Retirements 
Reclassification of category (note 12) 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 March 2012 

Carrying amounts 

At 31 March 2012 

At 2 April 2011 

112 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

14 Associates 

Interests in associates 
At beginning of the year 
Acquisition cost of investments 
Exchange adjustments 
Group’s share of loss of associates 

At end of the year 

Aggregated amounts relating to associates 
Total assets 
Total liabilities 

Net (liabilities)/assets 

Group’s share of net assets of associates 

Total revenue 

Loss 

Group’s share of loss of associates 

2012  
£000 

1,989 
–  
16 
(37) 

1,968 

2012  
£000 

4,869 
(5,071) 

(202) 

4 

1,597 

(340) 

(37) 

2011 
£000

–
2,046
2
(59)

1,989

2011 
£000

5,442
(5,094)

348

72

100

(406)

(59)

Although the Group holds only 15% of the voting rights, Optomed Oy is treated as an associate because the Group is one of three 
investors of which two must approve certain major decisions made by the business. The Group also holds 50% of the equity of 
PSRM Immobilien AG (PSRM), which it acquired as part of the Medicel AG business acquisition. PSRM is treated as an associate, 
and not a subsidiary, because the party holding the remaining 50% is considered to exert more control.  

Both associates have a 31 December year end, although results coterminous with the Group’s year end have been consolidated. 

Details of the Group’s associates held at 31 March 2012 are as follows:  

Country of incorporation
Finland
Switzerland

Proportion of ownership interest

Principal activity
15%  Design, manufacture and selling
Property management
50% 

Name of associate 
Optomed Oy 
PSRM Immobilien AG 

15 Inventories 

Raw materials and consumables 
Work in progress 
Finished goods and goods for resale 

2012  
£000 
33,313 
6,306 
17,749 

57,368 

2011 
£000
30,832
7,050
16,658

54,540

2011 
£000
8,602
(917)
1,117
–
44

8,846

The above is stated net of provision for slow-moving and obsolete stock, movements of which are shown below:  

At beginning of the year 
Amounts reversed against inventories previously impaired 
Write downs of inventories recognised as an expense and utilisation
Business sold 
Exchange adjustments 

At end of the year 

2012  
£000 
8,846 
(1,358) 
930 
(44) 
(51) 

8,323 

There is no material difference between the balance sheet value of inventories and their cost of replacement. None of the inventory 
has been pledged as security. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

16 Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables 
Allowance for doubtful debts 

Other receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 

2012  
£000 
101,980 
(2,163) 

99,817 
5,703 
9,154 

2011 
£000
100,184
(2,150)

98,034
3,987
8,435

114,674 

110,456

The movement in the allowance for doubtful debts in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows: 

At beginning of the year 
Net impairment loss recognised  
Amounts recovered against trade receivables previously written down
Business sold 
Exchange adjustments 

At end of the year 

2012  
£000 
2,150 
708 
(656) 
(5) 
(34) 

2,163 

2011 
£000
1,566
1,163
(574)
–
(5)

2,150

An impairment has been recorded against the trade receivables which the Group believes may not be recoverable. In the case of 
trade receivables that are past due, management makes an assessment of the risk of non-collection, taking into account factors 
such as previous default experience, any disputes or other factors delaying payment and the risk of bankruptcy or other failure of 
the customer to meet their obligations. For trade receivables that are not past due, taking into account good historical collection 
experience, management records an impairment charge only where there is a specific risk of non-collection. 

The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates to book value due to the short-term maturities associated with these 
items. There is no impairment risk identified with regards to prepayments and accrued income or other receivables where no 
amounts are past due. 

The ageing of trade receivables was as follows: 

Not yet due 
Up to one month overdue 
Up to two months overdue 
Up to three months overdue 
Over three months overdue 

17 Borrowings 

Gross trade receivables 
2012 
2011  
£000
£000 
79,167
74,906 
14,996
17,194 
2,760
4,030 
1,521
1,554 
3,536
2,500 

Trade receivables net 
of doubtful debts
2011 
£000
74,628
17,151
3,897
1,462
896

2012  
£000 
78,950 
14,986 
2,733 
1,457 
1,691 

101,980

100,184 

99,817 

98,034

Unsecured bank loans (all falling due after more than one year)

2012  
£000 
64,014 

2011 
£000
79,688

Information concerning the security, currency, interest rates and maturity of the Group’s borrowings is given in note 26 to the 
accounts. 

114 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

18 Trade and other payables: falling due within one year 

Trade payables 
Other taxation and social security 
Provision for contingent purchase consideration 
Other payables 
Accruals and deferred income 

2012  
£000 
44,847 
5,349 
18,480 
1,825 
22,998 

93,499 

2011 
£000
45,118
4,604
5,882
2,673
27,234

85,511

The £5,882,000 provision for contingent consideration from 2011 was mainly paid in the current period (Accudynamics, LLC.: 
£4,375,000 and SphereOptics LLC: £1,249,000). The current year provision mainly comprises a transfer from provisions due after 
one year (Medicel AG: £10,410,000 and SphereOptics LLC: £937,000) and the contingent consideration arising on a current year 
acquisition, Avo Photonics, Inc. (£6,875,000). 

19 Provisions 
Provisions are presented as: 

Current 
Non-current 

At beginning of the year 
Additional provision in the year 
Acquired on acquisition 
Business sold 
Utilised during the year 
Released during the year 
Exchange adjustments 

At end of the year 

2012  
£000 
2,618 
2,301 

4,919 

Legal, 
contractual 
and other 
£000 
600 
54 
–  
–  
(8) 
(294) 
(3) 

349 

2011 
£000
2,887
1,593

4,480

Total  
£000
4,480
1,444
245
(43)
(126)
(1,075)
(6)

4,919

Dilapidations 
and empty 
property  
£000
1,774
207
90
–
(93)
(280)
–

1,698

Product 
warranty  
£000 
2,106 
1,183 
155 
(43) 
(25) 
(501) 
(3) 

2,872 

Dilapidations and empty property provisions 
Dilapidations and empty property provisions exist where the Group has lease contracts under which the unavoidable costs of 
meeting its obligations under the contracts exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under them. The provisions 
comprise the Directors’ best estimates of future payments: 

a) to restore the fabric of buildings to their original condition where it is a condition of the leases prior to return of the properties; and 

b) on vacant properties, the rental costs of which are not expected to be recoverable from subleasing the properties.  

These commitments cover the period from 2012 to 2028, though they predominantly fall due within five years. 

Product warranty 
Product warranty provisions reflect commitments made to customers on the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business and 
included within the Group companies’ standard terms and conditions. Warranty commitments cover a period of between one and 
five years and typically apply for a 12-month period. The provision represents the Directors’ best estimate of the Group’s liability 
based on past experience.  

Legal, contractual and other 
Legal, contractual and other comprise mainly amounts reserved against open legal and contractual disputes. The Company has  
on occasion been required to take legal or other actions to defend itself against proceedings brought by other parties. Provisions 
are made for the expected costs associated with such matters, based on past experience of similar items and other known  
factors, taking into account professional advice received, and represent Directors’ best estimate of the likely outcome. The timing  
of utilisation of these provisions is frequently uncertain reflecting the complexity of issues and the outcome of various court 
proceedings and negotiations. Contractual and other provisions represent the Directors’ best estimate of the cost of settling  
future obligations. Unless specific evidence exists to the contrary, these reserves are shown as current. 

However, no provision is made for proceedings which have been or might be brought by other parties against Group companies 
unless the Directors, taking into account professional advice received, assesses that it is more likely than not that such proceedings 
may be successful.  

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

20 Trade and other payables: falling due after one year 

Provision for contingent purchase consideration 
Other payables 

2012  
£000 
10,630 
2,758 

13,388 

2011 
£000
21,155
1,693

22,848

The provision for contingent consideration mainly comprises £10,384,000 (2011: £19,823,000), payable in June 2013, £220,000 
(2011: £371,000) and £nil (2011: £931,000) due on the Medicel AG, Guromed USA, LLC and SphereOptics LLC acquisitions 
respectively. The 2011 non-current provisions (£11,347,000) transferred to current provision (note 18) in the current year comprised 
Medicel AG (£10,410,000) and SphereOptics LLC (£937,000). 

The increase in the contingent consideration on Medicel AG to £20,794,000 (2011: £19,823,000) mainly arises from updated 
exchange rates and unwinding of discount interest. 

21 Deferred tax 

At 2 April 2011 
(Charge)/credit to Consolidated Income 
Statement 
(Charge)/credit to Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Charge to equity 
Acquired (note 24) 
Business sold 
Exchange adjustments 

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations  
£000 
9,422 

Acquired 
intangible 
assets  
£000
(14,430)

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation  

Short–term 
timing 
differences  

£000
(7,883)

£000
1,991

Share–
based 
payment 
£000 
1,707 

Goodwill 
timing 
differences  

£000
(4,297)

Total  
£000
(13,490)

(1,628) 

2,766 

126 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
–
(3,922)
–
(36)

520 

– 
–
14
(34)
(2)

(725) 

(137) 
–
221
(3)
129

35 

(819) 

149 

– 
(206) 
– 
– 
– 

– 
–
1,925
–
47

(11) 
(206)
(1,762)
(37)
138

At 31 March 2012 

7,920 

(15,622)

(7,385)

1,476

1,536 

(3,144)

(15,219)

At 3 April 2010 
(Charge)/credit to Consolidated Income 
Statement 
(Charge)/credit to Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income 
Credit to equity 
Acquired  
Exchange adjustments 

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations  
£000 
12,060 

Acquired 
intangible 
assets  
£000
(6,493)

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation  

£000
(8,579)

Short–term 
timing 
differences  

£000
2,972

Share–
based 
payment  
£000 
1,801 

Goodwill 
timing 
differences  

£000
(4,342)

Total  
£000
(2,581)

(1,674) 

1,445 

907 

(1,102) 

(314) 

(10) 

(748) 

(964) 
– 
– 
– 

– 
–
(9,472)
90

– 
–
(211)
–

77 
–
(52)
96

– 
220 
– 
– 

– 
–
55
–

(887) 
220
(9,680)
186

At 2 April 2011 

9,422 

(14,430)

(7,883)

1,991

1,707 

(4,297)

(13,490)

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for 
financial reporting purposes: 

Deferred tax liability 
Deferred tax asset 

Net deferred tax liability 

2012  
£000 
(26,258) 
11,039 

(15,219) 

2011 
£000
(24,269)
10,779

(13,490)

116 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

21 Deferred tax continued 
Movement in deferred tax liability: 

At beginning of year 
Credit/(charge) to Consolidated Income Statement: 

UK 
Overseas 

Charge to Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
(Charge)/credit to equity 
Acquired (note 24) 
Business sold 
Exchange adjustments 

At end of year 

2012  
£000 
(13,490) 

760 
(611) 
(11) 
(206) 
(1,762) 
(37) 
138 

2011 
£000
(2,581)

(849)
101
(887)
220
(9,680)
–
186

(15,219) 

(13,490)

The UK government’s budget statements in March 2011 and March 2012 announced a phased reduction in the main UK 
corporation tax rate from 28% to 22%, with the first 2% reduction taking effect from 1 April 2011 being substantively enacted on 
29 March 2011. The second 2% reduction taking effect from 1 April 2012, bringing the overall main UK corporation tax rate to 24%, 
was substantively enacted on 26 March 2012.This rate reduction has no material impact on the financial statements as at 31 March 
2012. No account will be taken of the expected further 2% reduction in UK tax rates until substantive enactment of these changes. 
Until this change and other potential changes are enacted it is not possible to identify the impact these changes might have. 
However, for indicative purposes only, had the UK main corporate tax rate been reduced to 22% the net impact on recognised 
deferred tax assets and liabilities at 31 March 2012 would not have been material. 

No deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of £13,561,000 (2011: £16,079,000) relating to the unremitted 
earnings of overseas subsidiaries as the Group is able to control the timings of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is 
probable that they will not reverse in the forseeable future. Temporary timing differences in connection with interests in associates 
are insignificant. 

At 31 March 2012 the Group had unused capital tax losses of £574,000 (2011: £808,000) for which no deferred tax asset has  
been recognised. 

22 Share capital 

Ordinary shares of 10p each 

Issued and fully paid
2011 
£000
37,824

2012  
£000 
37,856 

The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 March 2012 was 378,555,028 (2011: 378,235,685), including treasury shares of 
1,404,269 (2011: 1,847,368). 

Changes during the year in the issued ordinary share capital were as follows: 

At 2 April 2011 
Share options exercised 

At 31 March 2012 

Issued and fully paid 
£000
37,824
32

37,856

The total consideration received in cash in respect of share options exercised amounted to £465,000. 

At 31 March 2012 options in respect of 2,160,900 (2011: 2,975,991) ordinary shares remained outstanding. Further details of these 
are given in note 23 to the accounts. 

At the date of these accounts, the number of ordinary shares in issue was 378,555,028 including treasury shares of 1,396,240. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

23 Share-based payments 
The total cost recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of share-based payment schemes (the ‘employee share 
plans’) was as follows: 

Share incentive plan 
Share option plans 
Performance share plan 

Equity-
settled  
£000
572
(26)
2,373

2,919

Cash-
settled  
£000
–
–
436

436

2012

Total  
£000
572
(26)
2,809

3,355

Equity- 
settled  
£000 
415 
(9) 
2,169 

2,575 

Cash- 
settled  
£000 
– 
– 
208 

208 

2011

Total  
£000
415
(9)
2,377

2,783

The Group has recorded liabilities of £432,000 (2011: £364,000) in respect of the cash settled portion of the awards granted under 
the performance share plan. 

Share incentive plan 
Shares awarded under this Plan are purchased in the market by the Plan’s trustees at the time of the award and are held in trust 
until their transfer to qualifying employees, which is conditional upon completion of three years’ service. The costs of providing this 
Plan are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement over the three-year vesting period. 

Share option plans 
The Group has outstanding issued options to acquire ordinary shares in the Company under a share option plan, approved by 
shareholders in 1999. This share option plan provided for the grant of two categories of option, both of which are subject to 
performance criteria. 

Section A options are exercisable after three years if the Group’s earnings per share growth exceeds the growth in the Retail Price 
Index plus 3% per annum. Section B options are exercisable after five years if the Company’s earnings per share growth exceeds 
the earnings per share of all but the top quarter of companies which were within a peer group at the date of grant of any option. 

All options lapse if not exercised within 10 years from the date of grant.  

No further awards have been made under the Company share option plan since 3 August 2005. 

Options in respect of 2,160,900 ordinary shares remained outstanding at 31 March 2012 under the 1999 Plan. Subject to the 
performance restrictions on the exercise of options granted under this Plan, options are exercisable for the periods and at the  
prices set out below: 

Number of shares 
56,214 
165,615 
329,378 
44,528 
468,939 
514,551 
581,675 

Option price 
144.33p 
134.00p 
142.25p 
145.67p 
144.33p 
134.00p 
142.25p 

Five years  
from 

2007 
2008 
2009 

Seven years 
from
2005
2006
2007
2008

A summary of the movements in options issued under the share option plans is as follows: 

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Exercised during the year 
Lapsed during the year 

Outstanding at end of year 

Exercisable at end of year 

Number of 
share 
options
2,975,991
(319,343)
(495,748)

2,160,900

595,735

2012 
Weighted 
average  
option price 
143.54p 
144.95p 
157.08p 

140.23p 

140.41p 

Number of 
share  
options 
4,133,788 
(581,648) 
(576,149) 

2,975,991 

915,078 

2011
Weighted 
average  

option price
139.90p
145.08p
115.88p

143.54p

141.99p

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was 393.31p (2011: 303.17p). 

The options outstanding at 31 March 2012 had exercise prices from 134.0p to 145.67p (2011: 134.0p to 163.5p) and a weighted 
average remaining contractual life of 1.5 years (2011: 2.2 years). 

118 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

23 Share-based payments continued 
Under the transitional provisions of IFRS 1 only the options awarded in 2004, 2005 and 2006 under the 1999 Plan have been 
recognised under IFRS 2. The fair value of these options was calculated using the Black-Scholes model using the following 
assumptions: 

Option section 
Dividend yield  
Expected volatility  
Expected life (years) 
Risk free rate (%) 
Option price (p) 
Fair value per option (p) 

2006
A
4%
25%
4
4.1%

145.67
24.70

A
4%
25%
4

4.3–4.9%

142.25–157.92
25.71-27.22

2005 
B 
4% 
25% 
6 
4.9% 

A 
4%
25%
4 
3.8%

2004
B
4%
25%
6
4.0%

142.25 
29.25 

134.00 
22.18 

134.00
25.35

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous six years. 

Performance share plan 
The performance share plan was approved by shareholders on 3 August 2005 and replaced the previous share option plans from 
which no further grants can be made. 

Awards made under this Plan vest after three years on a sliding scale subject to the Group’s relative Total Shareholder Return 
against the FTSE250 excluding financial companies, combined with an absolute Return on Total Invested Capital measure. Awards 
which do not vest on the third anniversary of their award lapse. 

A summary of the movements in share awards granted under the performance share plan is as follows: 

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted during the year 
Vested during the year (pro-rated for ‘good leavers’) 
Lapsed during the year 

Outstanding at end of year 

Exercisable at end of year 

2012  
Number of 
shares 
awarded 
4,385,681 
1,415,044 
(1,513,266) 
(154,117) 

2011 
Number of 
shares  

awarded
4,263,672
1,338,629
(1,076,240)
(140,380)

4,133,342 

4,385,681

– 

–

The weighted average share price at the date of awards vesting during the year was 369.4p (2011: 271.4p). 

The performance shares outstanding at 31 March 2012 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.3 years  
(2011: 1.4 years). 

The fair value of these awards was calculated using an appropriate simulation method to reflect the likelihood of the market-based 
performance conditions, which attach to half of the award, being met, using the following assumptions: 

Expected volatility (%) 
Expected life (years) 
Share price on date of grant (p) 
Option price (p) 
Fair value per option (%) 
Fair value per option (p) 

2012 

27%
3 
362.34 
nil 
68.6%

248.57 

2011 

27%
3 
281.08 
nil 
66.9%

188.04 

2010
27.5%
3
196.90
nil
61.8%

121.68

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous three years.  

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

119 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

24 Acquisitions  
The Group made two acquisitions during the period. Below are summaries of the assets and liabilities acquired and the purchase 
consideration of: 

a)  the total of both acquisitions and adjustments to prior year acquisitions; 

b)  the two acquisitions, namely Kirk Key Interlock Company, LLC. and Avo Photonics, Inc. 

(A) Total of both acquisitions and adjustments to prior year acquisitions 

Book value 
£000 

Provisional 
fair value 
adjustments 
 £000 

Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Deferred tax 

Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank loans 
Provisions 
Corporation tax 
Non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax 

Total liabilities 

Net assets of businesses acquired

Cash consideration 
Contingent purchase consideration (current year acquisitions)

Total consideration 

Goodwill arising on current year acquisitions 
Goodwill arising on prior year acquisitions 

9 
518 

739 
1,565 
49 
– 

2,880 

(763) 
(1,144) 
– 
(41) 

– 

(1,948) 

932 

Total  
£000

9,988
923

756
1,524
49
1,917

9,979 
405 

17 
(41) 
– 
1,917 

12,277 

15,157

(220) 
– 
(245) 
(4) 

(3,679) 

(4,148) 

8,129 

(983)
(1,144)
(245)
(45)

(3,679)

(6,096)

9,061

13,305
6,464

19,769

10,781
(73)

10,708

Due to their contractual dates, the fair value of receivables acquired (shown above) approximates to the gross contractual amounts 
receivable. The amount of gross contractual receivables not expected to be recovered is immaterial.  

There are no material contingent liabilities recognised in accordance with paragraph 23 of IFRS 3 (Revised). 

£2,033,000 of the goodwill arising on acquisitions in the year is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 

Together, both acquisitions contributed £10,198,000 of revenue and £1,992,000 of profit after tax for the year ended 31 March 
2012. If these acquisitions had been held since the start of the financial year, it is estimated the Group’s reported revenue and profit 
after tax would have been £1,803,000 and £229,000 higher respectively. 

Adjustments were made to the book values of the net assets of the companies acquired to reflect their provisional fair values to the 
Group. Acquired inventories were valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value adopting Group bases and any liabilities for 
warranties relating to past trading were recognised. Other previously unrecognised assets and liabilities at acquisition were included 
and accounting policies were aligned with those of the Group where appropriate. 

Adjustments to prior year acquisitions resulted in decreases to net assets and consideration payable of £5,000 and £78,000 
respectively leading to a reduction in goodwill of £73,000. 

120 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

24 Acquisitions continued 
Analysis of cash outflow in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

Cash consideration in respect of acquisitions 
Cash acquired on acquisitions 
Contingent consideration paid in relation to prior year acquisitions*

Net cash outflow relating to acquisitions (per cash flow statement)
Bank loans acquired 

Net cash outflow, including repayment of acquired bank loans

2012  
£000 
13,305 
(49) 
5,411 

18,667 
1,144 

19,811 

2011 
£000
82,063
(2,672)
2,702

82,093
–

82,093

*  Of the £5,411,000 (2011: £2,702,000) contingent purchase consideration payment £5,411,000 (2011: £1,122,000) had been provided in the prior year’s financial 

statements. 

(Bi) Kirk Key Interlock Company, LLC.  

Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Deferred tax 

Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank loans 
Provisions 
Non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax 

Total liabilities 

Net assets of businesses acquired

Cash consideration 
Contingent purchase consideration  

Total consideration 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Book value  
£000 

Provisional 
fair value 
adjustments  
£000 

9 
290 

598 
738 
47 
– 

1,682 

(443) 
(1,144) 
– 

– 

(1,587) 

95 

5,555 
410 

(77) 
1 
– 
1,918 

7,807 

(103) 
– 
(42) 

(2,111) 

(2,256) 

5,551 

Total  
£000

5,564
700

521
739
47
1,918

9,489

(546)
(1,144)
(42)

(2,111)

(3,843)

5,646

7,679
–

7,679

2,033

On 9 May 2011, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Kirk Key Interlock Company, LLC. (Kirk Key). Kirk Key is 
based in Ohio, USA and manufactures interlocking systems to protect personnel and equipment in industrial applications. Kirk Key 
forms part of the Industrial Safety sector and was acquired to give Halma greater market strength in the USA. The excess of the  
fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of the assets acquired is represented by customer related intangibles of 
£4,571,000 and brand intangibles of £984,000 with residual goodwill arising of £2,033,000. The goodwill represents the value  
of the acquired workforce, cross-selling opportunities and the ability to exploit the Group’s existing distribution arrangements, 
particularly in the Americas. 

The initial consideration was US$12,583,000 (US$14,458,000 including repayment of US$1,875,000 bank loans). There are no 
contingent consideration payment arrangements. 

The Kirk Key acquisition contributed £5,873,000 of revenue and £1,170,000 of profit after tax for the year ended 31 March 2012. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

121 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

24 Acquisitions continued 
(Bii) Avo Photonics, Inc. 

Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 
Corporation tax 
Non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax 

Total liabilities 

Net assets of businesses acquired

Cash consideration 
Contingent purchase consideration  

Total consideration 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Book value  
£000 

Provisional 
fair value 
adjustments  
£000 

– 
228 

140 
826 
2 

4,424 
(5) 

50 
(68) 
– 

Total 
£000

4,424
223

190
758
2

1,196 

4,401 

5,597

(320) 
– 
(41) 

– 

(361) 

835 

(22) 
(203) 
(23) 

(1,568) 

(1,816) 

2,585 

(342)
(203)
(64)

(1,568)

(2,177)

3,420

5,704
6,464

12,168

8,748

On 8 July 2011, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Avo Photonics, Inc. (Avo). Avo, based in Pennsylvania, 
USA, designs and manufactures advanced, miniaturised photonic components and subsystems for OEM customers serving a wide 
range of end-markets. Avo forms part of the Health and Analysis sector and was acquired to give Halma’s Photonics businesses 
access to additional technologies and manufacturing processes. The excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the  
fair value of the assets acquired is represented by customer related intangibles of £4,424,000 with residual goodwill arising of 
£8,748,000. The goodwill represents the engineering expertise of the acquired workforce, the opportunity to leverage this expertise 
across all Halma’s Photonics businesses and the ability to exploit the Group’s existing customer base. 

The initial consideration was US$9,126,000 followed by contingent consideration payable on or around June 2012 of between 
US$nil and US$11,000,000 dependent on the profits of the acquired business for the year up to March 2012. The Directors revised 
the initial estimate of US$10,341,000 of contingent consideration to US$11,000,000 at year end, and the increase of US$659,000 
was recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

The Avo acquisition contributed £4,325,000 of revenue and £822,000 of profit after tax for the year ended 31 March 2012. 

122 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

24 Acquisitions continued 
Since the balance sheet, the Group has made three further acquisitions.  

(C) Accutome, Inc., Sensorex Inc. and SunTech Medical Group Limited 
Due to the proximity of the acquisition dates to the date of approval of the Annual Report, it is only practicable to provide provisional 
summaries of the assets and liabilities acquired and the purchase consideration for two of the acquisitions, namely Accutome, Inc. 
and Sensorex Inc. 

(Ci) Accutome, Inc. 

Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank loans and overdrafts 
Provisions 
Non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax 

Total liabilities 

Net assets of businesses acquired

Cash consideration 
Contingent purchase consideration  

Total consideration 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Book value  
£000 

Provisional 
fair value 
adjustments  
£000 

20 
683 

2,768 
1,800 

5,271 

(1,475) 
(1,553) 
– 

– 

(3,028) 

2,243 

6,924 
(42) 

40 
(527) 

6,395 

(433) 
– 
(25) 

(2,256) 

(2,714) 

3,681 

Total  
£000

6,944
641

2,808
1,273

11,666

(1,908)
(1,553)
(25)

(2,256)

(5,742)

5,924

11,044
3,120

14,164

8,240

On 2 April 2012, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Accutome, Inc. (Accutome). Accutome, based in 
Pennsylvania, USA, with a wholly owned subsidiary located in the Netherlands, designs, manufactures and sells surgical and 
diagnostic instruments and a variety of pharmaceuticals for the ophthalmic marketplace. Accutome is best known for its leading 
ultrasound diagnostic equipment (used prior to cataract surgery and to diagnose certain eye conditions), and for its surgical 
instrumentation, featuring its leading diamond bladed surgical knives. Accutome forms part of the Health and Analysis sector and 
was acquired to further expand Halma’s footprint in ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical instrumentation. The excess of the fair value 
of the consideration paid over the fair value of the assets acquired is represented by supplier arrangement, customer-related, and 
trademark intangibles of £6,924,000 with residual goodwill arising of £8,240,000. The goodwill represents: 

a) the value of the acquired workforce; 

b) the ability to exploit Accutome’s distribution arrangements; 

c) potential synergies with other Halma companies within the ophthalmic market; and 

d) the ability to exploit the Group’s existing distribution arrangements, particularly outside North America. 

The initial cash consideration of US$17,697,000 (US$20,000,000 including repayment of US$2,303,000 bank loans) is adjustable 
based on the level of net working capital at closing. Contingent consideration of between US$nil and US$5,000,000 is payable 
dependent on the profits of the acquired business for the period up to September 2013. The Directors estimate that contingent 
consideration of US$5,000,000 will be paid. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

24 Acquisitions continued 
(Cii) Sensorex Inc. 

Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 

Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 
Non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax 

Total liabilities 

Net assets of businesses acquired

Cash consideration (including £318,000 closing net asset adjustment)
Contingent purchase consideration  

Total consideration 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Book value  
£000 

Provisional 
fair value 
adjustments  
£000 

– 
286 

564 
1,176 

2,026 

(268) 
– 

– 

(268) 

1,758 

12,689 
– 

(121) 
(63) 

12,505 

(207) 
(19) 

– 

(226) 

Total  
£000

12,689
286

443
1,113

14,531

(475)
(19)

–

(494)

12,279 

14,037

23,716
–

23,716

9,679

On 2 April 2012, the Group acquired the trade and assets of Sensorex Inc. (Sensorex). Sensorex, based in California, USA, 
manufactures electrochemical sensors for water analysis applications. Sensorex forms part of the Health and Analysis sector and 
was acquired for its range of sensors and associated accessories, which are incorporated by OEMs manufacturing single and  
multi-parameter probes and instruments for monitoring water quality, a market that is forecast to see continued growth. The  
excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of the assets acquired is represented by customer related  
and technological know-how intangibles of £12,689,000 with residual goodwill arising of £9,679,000. The goodwill represents: 

a) the value of the acquired workforce; 

b) potential synergies with other Halma companies within the Water market, especially the hubs in China and India; and 

c) the ability to exploit the Group’s existing distribution arrangements, particularly outside US North America. 

The initial cash consideration of US$37,500,000 is adjustable based on the final level of agreed net tangible assets at closing.  
There are no contingent consideration payment arrangements. 

(Ciii) SunTech Medical Group Limited 
On 31 May 2012 the Group acquired SunTech Medical Group Limited (SunTech). The initial cash consideration of US$46,000,000 
for the share capital and US$5,000,000 for cash retained in the business is adjustable based on the final level of agreed working 
capital and cash at closing. Contingent consideration of up to US$6,000,000 is payable if earnings for the year to December 2012 
exceed a pre-determined target. SunTech forms part of the Health and Analysis sector and is a pre-eminent supplier of clinical 
grade non-invasive blood pressure monitoring products and technologies. Due to the proximity of the acquisition date to the date  
of approval of the Annual Report, it is impracticable to provide further information. 

124 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

25 Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

Reconciliation of profit from operations to net cash inflow from operating activities:
Profit on continuing operations before finance income and expense, share of results of associates and
profit on disposal of continuing operations 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of computer software 
Amortisation of capitalised development costs and other intangibles
Retirement/disposals of capitalised development costs and other intangibles
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
Share-based payment expense in excess of amounts paid
Additional payments to pension plans
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment and computer software

Operating cash flows before movement in working capital 
Increase in inventories 
Increase in receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in payables and provisions 

Cash generated from operations 
Taxation paid 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash outflow/(inflow) from repayment/(drawdowns) of borrowings
Net debt acquired 
Exchange adjustments 

Net (debt)/cash brought forward 

Net debt carried forward 

Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and bank balances 

Analysis of net debt 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Bank loans 

Analysis of net debt 

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

109,910 
12,178 
1,319 
3,820 
– 
10,352 
2,432 
(6,419) 
(495) 

133,097 
(3,777) 
(1,190) 
(2,671) 

125,459 
(27,772) 

97,687 

99,449
11,523
1,217
4,230
83
4,760
2,015
(6,399)
(55)

116,823
(5,369)
(7,944)
9,670

113,180
(18,116)

95,064

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

3,038 
17,594 
(1,144) 
(1,119) 

18,369 
(37,078) 

(18,709) 

11,872
(58,004)
–
(28)

(46,160)
9,082

(37,078)

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

45,305 

42,610

At 2 April 
2011  
£000

42,610
(79,688)

(37,078)

Cash flow  

£000

Net debt 
acquired  
£000 

Exchange 
adjustments 
£000 

At 31 March 
2012 
£000

3,038
17,594

20,632

– 
(1,144) 

(1,144) 

(343) 
(776) 

(1,119) 

45,305
(64,014)

(18,709)

The net cash outflow from bank loans in 2012 comprised drawdowns of £76,456,000 offset by repayments of £94,050,000  
(2011: net cash inflow comprising drawdowns of £76,156,000 offset by repayments of £18,152,000).  

Included within cash and cash equivalents is an amount of £nil (2011: £1,983,000) which is restricted. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

125 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

26 Financial instruments 
Policy 
The Group’s treasury policies seek to minimise financial risks and to ensure sufficient liquidity for the Group’s operations and 
strategic plans. No complex derivative financial instruments are used, and no trading or speculative transactions in financial 
instruments are undertaken. Where the Group does use financial instruments these are mainly to manage the currency risks arising 
from normal operations and its financing. Operations are financed mainly through retained profits and, in certain geographical 
locations, bank borrowings. Foreign currency risk is the most significant aspect for the Group in the area of financial instruments.  
It is exposed to a lesser extent to other risks such as interest rate risk and liquidity risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies for 
managing each of these risks and these policies are summarised below. The Group’s policies have remained unchanged since the 
beginning of the financial year. 

Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted (including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement 
and the bases of recognition income and expenses) for each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are 
disclosed in the Accounting policies note.  

Capital risk management 
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the 
return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, 
which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 17 to the Accounts, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity 
holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of 
Changes in Equity. 

The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements. 

Foreign currency risk 
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk as a consequence of both trading with foreign companies and owning subsidiaries 
located in foreign countries. 

The Group earns a significant proportion of its profit in currencies other than Sterling. This gives rise to translational currency risk, 
where the Sterling value of profits earned by the Group’s foreign subsidiaries fluctuates with the strength of Sterling relative to their 
operating (or ‘functional’) currencies. The Group does not hedge this risk, so its reported profit is sensitive to the strength of 
Sterling, particularly against the US Dollar and Euro. The Group also has transactional currency exposures. These arise on sales or 
purchases by operating companies in currencies other than the companies’ operating (or ‘functional’) currency. Significant sales 
and purchases are matched where possible and a proportion of the net exposure is hedged by means of forward foreign currency 
contracts. 

The Group has a significant investment in overseas operations in the USA and EU, with further investments in Australia, New 
Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, China and India. As a result, the Group’s balance sheet can be affected by movements in these 
countries’ exchange rates. Where significant and appropriate, currency denominated net assets are hedged by currency 
borrowings. These currency exposures are reviewed regularly.  

Interest rate risk 
The Group is exposed to interest rate fluctuations on its borrowings and cash deposits. Where bank borrowings are used to finance 
operations they tend to be short term with floating interest rates. Borrowings used to provide longer term funding are drawn on the 
Group’s loan facilities and have fixed interest rates with maturities of not more than one year. 

Surplus funds are placed on short-term fixed rate deposit or in floating rate deposit accounts. 

Credit risk 
Credit risk is defined as the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. 
The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss 
from defaults. Credit ratings are supplied by independent agencies where available, and if not available, the Group uses other 
publicly available financial information and its own trading records to rate its major customers. The Group’s exposure and the credit 
ratings of its counterparties are continuously monitored and the aggregate value of transactions concluded is spread amongst 
approved counterparties. Credit exposure is controlled by counterparty limits that are reviewed regularly. 

Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers, spread across diverse industries and geographical areas. Ongoing credit 
evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit guarantee insurance cover 
is purchased.  

The carrying amount of trade, tax and other receivables, derivative financial instruments and cash of £160,736,000 (2011: 
£153,630,000) represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk as no collateral or other credit enhancements are held. 

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-
ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies.  

126 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

26 Financial instruments continued 
Liquidity risk 
On 20 October 2011, the Group signed a new unsecured five-year revolving credit facility for £260m. This replaced the previous 
£165m facility which was due to expire in February 2013. This facility is the main source of long-term funding for the Group to 
October 2016, and is with a syndicate of five bankers. 

The Group has a strong cash flow and the funds generated by operating companies are managed regionally based on geographic 
location.  

Funds are placed on deposit with secure, highly-rated banks. For short-term working capital purposes, most operating companies 
utilise local bank overdrafts. These practices allow a balance to be maintained between continuity of funding, security and flexibility. 
Because of the nature of their use, the facilities are typically ‘on demand’ and as such uncommitted. Overdraft facilities are typically 
renewed annually. 

Currency exposures 
Translational exposures 
It is estimated, by reference to the Group’s US Dollar and Euro denominated profits, that a one per cent change in the value of the 
US Dollar relative to Sterling would have had a £353,000 (2011: £337,000) impact on the Group’s reported profit before tax; and a 
one per cent change in the value of the Euro relative to the Sterling would have had a £227,000 (2011: £204,000) impact on the 
Group’s profit before tax for the year ended 31 March 2012. 

Transactional exposures  
The Group has net foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities that are assets and liabilities not denominated in the functional 
currency of the underlying company. These comprise cash and overdrafts as well as certain trade receivable and payable balances. 
These foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities give rise to the net currency gains and losses recognised in the Consolidated 
Income Statement as result of movement in exchange rates. The exposures are predominantly Euro and US Dollar. Group policy is 
for a significant portion of foreign currency exposures, including sales and purchases, to be hedged by forward foreign exchange 
contracts in the company in which the transaction is recorded.  

Interest rate risk profile 
The Group’s financial assets which are subject to interest rate fluctuations comprise interest bearing cash equivalents which totalled 
£4,006,000 at 31 March 2012 (2011: £3,190,000). These comprised Sterling denominated deposits of £4,002,000 (2011: 
£2,700,000), and Euro, USDollar and other currency deposits of £4,000 (2011: £490,000) which are placed on local money markets 
and earn interest at market rates. Cash balances of £41,299,000 (2011: £39,420,000) earn interest at local market rates. 

The financial liabilities which are subject to interest rate fluctuations comprise bank loans, bank overdrafts and certain unsecured 
loans, which totalled £64,014,000 at 31 March 2012 (2011: £79,688,000). All bank loans bear interest at floating rates or fixed rates 
where the fixed period is typically no more than three months. Interest rates are based on the LIBOR of the currency in which the 
liabilities arise plus a small margin. Bank overdrafts bear interest at local base rates. 

Analysis of interest bearing financial liabilities 
Sterling denominated bank loans 
Euro denominated bank loans 
Swiss Franc denominated bank loans
Total bank loans 

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

47,000 
–  
17,014 

64,014 

53,000
3,198
23,490

79,688

At 31 March 2012 it is estimated that a general increase of one percentage point in interest rates would reduce the Group’s profit 
before tax by £892,000 (2011: £478,000).  

Maturity of financial liabilities 
With the exception of the contingent purchase consideration, other payables, provisions and borrowings due after one year, all  
of the Group’s financial liabilities mature in one year or less or on demand. The total of the contractual contingent purchase 
consideration due after one year includes £10,452,000 (2011: £8,164,000) due between one and two years, and the balance of 
£178,000 (2011: £13,290,000) due between two and five years. Other creditors due after more than one year include £1,017,000 
(2011: £725,000) due between one and two years, £1,088,000 (2011:£284,000) due between two and five years, with the balance 
of £653,000 (2010: £684,000) due after more than five years. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

26 Financial instruments continued 
Borrowing facilities 
The Group’s principal source of long-term funding is its unsecured five-year £260m revolving credit facility, which expires in 
October 2016. 

Short-term operational funding is provided by cash generated from operations and by local bank overdrafts. These overdraft 
facilities are uncommitted and are generally renewed on an annual or ongoing basis and hence the facilities expire within one year  
or less. 

The Group’s undrawn committed facilities available at 31 March 2012 were £205,361,000 (2011: £100,312,000) of which 
£9,375,000 (2011: £15,000,000) mature within one year and £195,986,000 (2011: £85,312,000) between two and five years. 

UK companies have cross-guaranteed £17,370,000 (2011: £17,670,000) of overdraft facilities of which £nil (2011: £nil) was drawn. 

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities 
As at 31 March 2012 and 2 April 2011 there were no significant differences between the book value and fair value (as determined 
by market value) of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities. 

Fair value and carrying amount of financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade, other payables and provisions (falling due within one year)
Trade, other payables and provisions (falling due after one year)
Cash and cash equivalents 
Fixed rate borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments (in a designated cash flow hedge)
Derivative financial instruments (not in a designated cash flow hedge)

Carrying 
amount  
£000
105,520
(90,768)
(15,689)
45,305
(64,014)
306
37

(19,303)

2012 

Fair value  
£000 
105,520 
(90,768) 
(15,689) 
45,305 
(64,014) 
306 
37 

(19,303) 

Carrying 
amount  
£000 
102,021 
(83,794) 
(24,441) 
42,610 
(79,688) 
(475) 
(56) 

(43,823) 

2011

Fair value 
£000
102,021
(83,794)
(24,441)
42,610
(79,688)
(475)
(56)

(43,823)

The fair value of the floating and fixed rate borrowings approximate to the carrying value because interest rates are reset to market 
rates at intervals of less than one year.  

The fair value of the derivative financial instruments is estimated by discounting the future contracted cash flow, using readily 
available market data and represents a level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7. 

128 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

26 Financial instruments continued 
Hedging 
As explained previously, the Group’s policy is to hedge significant sales and purchases denominated in foreign currency using 
forward currency contracts. These instruments are initially recognised at fair value, which is typically £nil, and subsequent changes 
in fair value are taken to the Consolidated Income Statement, unless hedge accounted. 

The following table details the forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as at the year end, which mostly mature within one 
year and therefore the cash flows and resulting effect on profit and loss are expected to occur within the next 12 months: 

Average exchange rate/£

2012 

2011

Foreign currency
2011
000

2012 
000

Contract value 
2011  
£000 

2012 
£000

2012 
£000

Fair value
2011 
£000

Forward contracts not in a 
designated cash flow hedge 
US Dollars 
Euros 
Other currencies 

Forward contracts in a 
designated cash flow hedge 
US Dollars 
Euros 
Czech Koruna 
Other currencies 

Total forward contracts 
US Dollars 
Euros 
Czech Koruna 
Other currencies 

1.58 
1.19 
–  

1.57 
1.16 
28.74 
–  

1.57 
1.16 
28.74 
–  

1.61
1.17
–

1.55
1.19
29.04
–

0.76
1.18
29.04
–

2,123
3,049
–

(5,106)
2,331
–

6,878
10,949
(90,000)
–

9,001
13,998
(90,000)
–

5,290
14,462
(48,300)
–

184
16,793
(48,300)
–

1,347
2,552
524

4,423

4,391
9,476
(3,132)
(524)

10,211

5,738
12,028
(3,132)
–

14,634

(3,176) 
1,995 
732 

(449) 

3,418 
12,186 
(1,663) 
(1,424) 

12,517 

242 
14,181 
(1,663) 
(692) 

12,068 

Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement
Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure

20
11
6

37

87
335
(114)
(2)

306

107
346
(114)
4 

343

156
187

343

17
(68)
(5)

(56)

113
(570)
78
(96)

(475)

130
(638)
78
(101)

(531)

(173)
(358)

(531)

The fair values of the forward contracts are disclosed as a £469,000 (2011: £327,000) asset and £126,000 (2011: £858,000) liability 
in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

Any movements in the fair values of the contracts are recognised in equity until the hedge transaction occurs, when gains/losses are 
recycled to finance income or finance expense.  

Analysis of movement in hedging reserves 
Amounts removed from statement of changes in equity and included in Consolidated Income Statement 
during the year 
Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure

Net movement in hedging reserves in the year in relation to the effective portion of changes in fair value
of cash flow hedges 
At beginning of year 

At end of year 

2012  
£000 

358 
187 

545 
(358) 

187 

2011 
£000

47 
(358)

(311) 
(47)

(358)

There was no ineffectiveness arising with regards to forward contracts in a designated cash flow hedge.  

With the exception of currency exposures, the disclosures in this note exclude short-term receivables and payables. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

26 Financial instruments continued 
Market risk 
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Group enters into 
derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to foreign currency risk, including: 
•  forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the exchange rate risk arising on the export of goods to and from the USA, 

mainland Europe and the UK; and 

•  foreign exchange loans to hedge the exchange rate risk arising on translation of the Group’s investment in foreign operations 

which have the Euro and Swiss Franc as their functional currencies. 

Market risk exposures are measured using sensitivity analysis as described below.  

There has been no change to the Group’s exposure to market risks or in the manner in which these risks are managed and 
measured.  

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis 
The Group is mainly exposed to the currency of the USA (US Dollar currency) and the currency of Mainland Europe (Euro currency).  

The carrying amount of the Group’s Euro and US Dollar denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting date 
are as follows: 

Euro 
US Dollar 

2012 
£000
64,384
98,487

Assets 
2011  
£000 
66,472 
95,572 

2012  
£000 
15,062 
27,634 

Liabilities
2011 
£000
16,308
23,308

If Sterling increased by 10% against the US Dollar and the Euro, profits before taxation and other equity would decrease as follows: 

Profit 
Other equity 

2012 
£000
3,246
6,075

US Dollar 
2011  
£000 
3,097 
6,144 

2012  
£000 
2,081 
4,503 

Euro
2011 
£000
1,871
4,655

The profit sensitivity arises mainly from the translation of overseas profits earned during the year. 10% is the sensitivity rate which 
management assesses to be a reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The Group’s profit sensitivity has increased 
against the US Dollar because more of the Group’s profits are earned in this currency.  

27 Commitments 
Capital commitments 
Capital expenditure authorised and contracted at 31 March 2012 but not provided in these accounts amounts to £877,000 (2011: 
£920,000). 

Commitments under operating leases 
The Group has entered into commercial leases on properties and other equipment. The former expire between April 2012 and 
November 2028 and the latter between April 2012 and January 2016. Only certain property agreements contain an option for 
renewal at rental prices based on market prices at the time of exercise. 

Total payments under non-cancellable operating leases will be made as follows: 

Within one year 
Within two to five years 
After five years 

Land and buildings 
2011  
£000 
6,027 
14,526 
4,038 

2012 
£000
6,093
15,274
4,558

2012  
£000 
441 
695 
–  

Other
2011 
£000
377
648
–

25,925

24,591 

1,136 

1,025

130 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

28 Retirement benefits 
Group companies operate both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes. The Halma Group Pension Plan and the 
Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan have defined benefit sections with assets held in separate trustee administered funds. Both 
of these sections were closed to new entrants during 2002/03 and a defined contribution section was established within the Halma 
Group Pension Plan. Defined contribution schemes are mainly adopted in overseas subsidiaries. 

Defined contribution schemes 
The amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of defined contribution schemes was £2,877,000 (2011: 
£2,495,000) and represents contributions payable to these schemes by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the plans. The 
assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of trustees. Where there are 
employees who leave the schemes prior to vesting fully in the contributions, the ancillary contributions payable by the Group are 
reduced by the amount of forfeited contributions. 

Defined benefit schemes 
The Group operates defined benefit schemes for qualifying employees of its UK subsidiaries. Under the schemes, the employees 
are entitled to retirement benefits of up to two-thirds of final pensionable salary on attainment of a retirement age of 60, for 
members of the Executive Board, and 65, for all other qualifying employees. No other post-retirement benefits are provided. The 
schemes are funded schemes. 

The most recent actuarial valuation of the Halma Group Pension Plan assets and the present value of the defined benefit obligation 
was carried out at 1 December 2008 by Mr Adrian Gibbons, Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. The present value of the defined 
benefit obligation, the related current service cost and past service cost were measured using the projected unit credit method. The 
2011 actuarial valuation has not yet been finalised and is awaiting Principal Employer’s agreement. Mr Gibbons also carried out the 
1 April 2009 actuarial valuation of the Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan on the same basis. 

The projected unit credit method is an accrued benefits valuation method in which the scheme liabilities make allowance for 
projected earnings. The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) is an actuarial measure of the present value for service already 
rendered but differs from the projected unit credit method in that it includes no assumptions for future salary increases. At the 
balance sheet date the gross accumulated benefit obligation was £186m.  

An alternative method of valuation is a solvency basis, often estimated using the cost of buying out benefits at the balance sheet 
date with a suitable insurance company. This amount represents the amount that would be required to settle the scheme liabilities  
at the balance sheet date rather than the Group continuing to fund the ongoing liabilities of the scheme. The Group estimates that 
this would amount to £315m (2011: £268m). 

2012 

2011 

2010

Key assumptions used: 
Discount rate 
Expected return on scheme assets 
Expected rate of salary increases 
Pension increases LPI 2.5% 
Pension increases LPI 3.0% 
Inflation – RPI 
Inflation – CPI 

5.00%
5.68%
3.20%
2.25%
2.75%
3.20%
2.45%

5.50%
6.69%
4.40%
2.30%
2.75%
3.4%
2.9%

Mortality assumptions: 
Investigations have been carried out within the past three years into the mortality experience of the Group’s defined benefit 
schemes. These investigations concluded that the current mortality assumptions include sufficient allowance for future 
improvements in mortality rates. The assumed life expectations on retirement at age 65 are: 

Retiring today: 

Males 
Females 

Retiring in 20 years: 

Males 
Females 

2012  
Years 

22.1 
24.9 

24.0 
26.8 

2011  
Years 

22.0 
24.8 

23.9 
26.7 

5.60%
7.00%
4.50%
2.40%
2.75%
3.50%
N/A

2010 
Years

21.9
24.7

23.8
26.6

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

131 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

28 Retirement benefits continued 
The Halma Group Pension Plan baseline mortality assumption in 2012, 2011 and 2010 is derived from the SN03 tables less  
one year. 

The Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan baseline mortality assumption in 2012 and 2011 is derived from the SN03 tables  
(2010: PA92 medium cohort tables plus one year). 

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out below: 

Assumption 
Discount rate 
Rate of inflation 
Rate of salary growth 
Rate of mortality 

Change in assumption
Increase/decrease by 0.5%
Increase/decrease by 0.5%
Increase/decrease by 0.5%
Increase by one year

Impact on scheme liabilities 
Decrease/increase by 9.4% 
Increase/decrease by 6.6% 
Increase/decrease by 2.1% 
Increase by 2.4% 

Amounts recognised in income in respect of these defined benefit schemes are as follows: 

Current service cost 
Curtailment gain  
Interest cost 
Expected return on scheme assets 

2012  
£000 
2,098 
(101) 
9,684 
(9,529) 

2,152 

2011 
£000
2,143
–
9,525
(9,103)

2,565

Actuarial gains and losses have been reported in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure. 

The actual return on scheme assets was £7.7m (2011: £8.2m). 

The cumulative amount of actuarial losses recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 
since the date of transition to IFRSs is £25m (2011: £22m). 

The amount included in the balance sheet arising from the Group’s obligations in respect of its defined benefit retirement benefit 
schemes is as follows: 

Present value of defined benefit obligations 
Fair value of scheme assets 

Deficit in scheme 
Past service cost not yet recognised in balance sheet 

Liability recognised in the balance sheet

Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations were as follows: 

At beginning of year  
Service cost 
Curtailment gain 
Interest cost 
Actuarial gains and losses 
Contributions from scheme members
Benefits paid 
Premiums paid 

At end of year 

2012  
£000 
(185,956) 
152,959 

(32,997) 
– 

(32,997) 

2011  
£000 
(177,055) 
140,818 

(36,237) 
– 

(36,237) 

2012  
£000 
(177,055) 
(2,098) 
101 
(9,684) 
(1,220) 
(994) 
4,877 
117 

(185,956) 

2010 
£000
(170,901)
127,830

(43,071)
–

(43,071)

2011 
£000
(170,901)
(2,143)
–
(9,525)
1,799
(1,025)
4,625
115

(177,055)

132 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

28 Retirement benefits continued 
Movements in the fair value of scheme assets were as follows: 

At beginning of year  
Expected return on scheme assets 
Actuarial losses 
Contributions from the sponsoring companies 
Contributions from scheme members
Benefits paid 
Premiums paid 

At end of year 

The net movement on actuarial gains and losses was as follows: 

Defined benefit obligations 
Fair value of scheme assets 

Net actuarial (losses)/gains 

2012  
£000 
140,818 
9,529 
(1,804) 
8,416 
994 
(4,877) 
(117) 

152,959 

2012  
£000 
(1,220) 
(1,804) 

(3,024) 

2011 
£000
127,830
9,103
(942)
8,542
1,025
(4,625)
(115)

140,818

2011 
£000
1,799
(942)

857

The analysis of the scheme assets and the expected rate of return at the balance sheet date were as follows: 

Equity instruments 
Debt instruments 
Property 

2012 
%
6.50
4.20
5.00

5.68

Expected return
2010 
%
7.80
5.20
6.30

2012  
£000 
90,460 
50,320 
12,179 

Fair value of assets
2010 
£000
83,641
33,604
10,585

2011  
£000 
86,934 
42,419 
11,465 

7.00

152,959 

140,818 

127,830

2011 
%
7.50
5.20
6.00

6.69

The overall expected rate of return is a weighted average. 

In July 2010, the UK government announced that CPI should be used as the basis for statutory minimum pension increases. The 
impact of the change to CPI (from RPI) for the UK plan, where the pension rules mandate inflation according to the deemed 
statutory index, was a credit to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure of £1.0m (2011: £2.5m). 

In conjunction with the trustees, the Group has recently conducted an asset-liability review for its defined benefit pension scheme. 
The results of this review are used to assist the trustees and the Group to determine the optimal long-term asset allocation with 
regard to the structure of the liabilities of the scheme. They are also used to assist the trustees in managing the volatility in the 
underlying investment performance and risk of a significant increase in the defined benefit deficit by providing information used  
to determine the scheme’s investment strategy.  

As a consequence, the Group will be giving more emphasis to a closer return matching of scheme assets and liabilities, both  
to ensure the long-term security of our defined benefit commitment and to reduce earnings and balance sheet volatility. 

The five-year history of experience adjustments was as follows. 

Present value of defined benefit obligations 
Fair value of scheme assets 

Deficit in the scheme 

Experience adjustments on scheme liabilities 
Amount 
Percentage of scheme liabilities  

Experience adjustments on scheme assets 
Amount  
Percentage of scheme assets 

2012 
£000
(185,956)
152,959

(32,997)

(224)
–

(1,804)
(1)%

2011 
£000
(177,055)
140,818

(36,237)

157
–

(944)
(1)%

2010  
£000 
(170,901) 
127,830 

(43,071) 

(136) 
– 

2009  
£000 
(132,379) 
89,811 

(42,568) 

2008 
£000
(145,992)
110,035

(35,957)

– 
– 

273
–

27,648 

22% 

(33,696) 
(37)% 

12,327
11%

The estimated amounts of contributions expected to be paid to the schemes during the year ending 31 March 2013 is £8.8m plus 
£1.4m relating to the apportionment agreement on the disposal of Volumatic Limited. 

The levels of contributions are based on the current service cost and the expected future cash flows of the defined benefit scheme. 
The Group estimates the scheme liabilities on average to fall due over 19 and 27 years, respectively, for the Halma and Apollo 
plans. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

133 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

CONTINUED 

29 Disposal of business 
On 30 March 2012, the Group disposed of Volumatic Limited for an initial cash consideration of £4.4 million. A further £1.5 million is 
retained in escrow and will be released to Halma on attainment of an agreed performance target. Additional contingent 
consideration of up to £2.4 million is payable upon the attainment of pre-determined sales levels over the two years to March 2014, 
giving a total maximum cash consideration of £8.3 million if all performance targets are achieved. The directors estimate that the 
£1.5 million held in escrow and £0.3 million of the contingent consideration will be received. The profit on disposal is estimated to be 
£3.5 million, being the £4.4 million initial consideration, £1.5 million held in escrow and £0.3 million contingent consideration, less 
£0.4 million of transaction costs and £2.3 million of net assets. Due to the nature and size of the disposed operation, it has not been 
separately disclosed as a discontinued operations as defined by IFRS 5. 

The cash inflow in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement of £3,554,000 comprises £4,355,000 initial consideration less £420,000 
transaction costs and £381,000 cash held by the disposed business. 

30 Events after the balance sheet date 
On 2 April 2012, the Group acquired Accutome, Inc. (Accutome) for an initial cash consideration of US$20.0 million, adjustable 
based on the level of net working capital at closing. Further contingent consideration of between US$nil and US$5.0 million is 
payable dependent on the profits of the business for the period up to September 2013. Accutome designs, manufactures and sells 
surgical and diagnostic instruments and a variety of pharmaceuticals for the ophthalmic marketplace. Further information is provided 
in note 24. 

On 2 April 2012, the Group acquired the trade and assets of Sensorex Inc. (Sensorex), for a cash consideration of US$37.5 million, 
adjustable based on the level of net tangible assets at closing. Sensorex manufactures electrochemical sensors for water analysis 
applications. Further information is provided in note 24. 

On 31 May 2012, the Group acquired SunTech Medical Group Limited (SunTech). The initial cash consideration of US$46,000,000 
for the share capital and US$5,000,000 for cash retained in the business is adjustable based on the final level of agreed working 
capital and cash at closing. Contingent consideration of up to US$6,000,000 is payable if earnings for the year to December 2012 
exceed a pre-determined target. SunTech forms part of the Health and Analysis Sector and is a pre-eminent supplier of clinical 
grade non-invasive blood pressure monitoring products and technologies. Due to the proximity of the acquisition date to the date  
of approval of the Annual Report, it is impracticable to provide further information. 

On 25 April 2012, the Group increased its investment in Optomed Oy from 15% to 40% for a cash consideration of Euro 3,894,000. 
Further information about the Group’s investments in associates can be found in note 14.  

31 Related party transactions 
Trading transactions 

Associated companies 
Purchases from associated companies 
Amounts due to associated companies
Amounts due from associated companies 

Other related parties 
Rent charged by other related parties 
Amounts due to other related parties 

2012  
£000 

860 
98 
302 

365 
20 

2011 
£000

57
401
–

109
–

Other related parties comprise two companies with Halma employees on the Boards and from which two Halma subsidiaries rent 
property. All the transactions above are on an arm’s length basis and on standard business terms. 

Remuneration of key management personnel 
The remuneration of the Directors and Divisional Chief Executives, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set  
out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Further information about the 
remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the audited part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 84 to 86. 

Wages and salaries 
Pension costs 
Shared-based payment charge 

134 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

2012  
£000 
4,342 
173 
1,532 

6,047 

2011 
£000
4,351
185
959

5,495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF HALMA PLC

We have audited the parent company financial statements of Halma plc for the 52 week period ended 31 March 2012 which 
comprise the parent company Balance Sheet and the related notes C1 to C12. The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice). 

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

Respective responsibilities of Directors and Auditor 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the parent 
company financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an 
opinion on the parent company financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK 
and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the Financial Statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the parent company’s circumstances and have been consistently 
applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; and the overall 
presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the annual report to 
identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements 
or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report. 

Opinion on Financial Statements 
In our opinion the parent company financial statements: 
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2012; 
•  have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 
•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion: 
•  the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 

2006; and 

•  the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent 

with the parent company financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in  
our opinion: 
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 

received from branches not visited by us; or 

•  the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or 

•  certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Other matter 
We have reported separately on the Group financial statements of Halma plc for the 52 week period ended 31 March 2012. 

Alexander Butterworth ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
Reading, UK 
14 June 2012 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

135 

 
 
 
 
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

Fixed assets 
Tangible assets 
Investments 

Current assets 
Debtors (amounts falling due within one year) 
Debtors (amounts falling due after more than one year) 
Short-term deposits 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 
Borrowings 
Creditors 
Current tax payable 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Borrowings 
Creditors 

Net assets 

Capital and reserves 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Treasury shares 
Capital redemption reserve 
Other reserves 
Profit and loss account 

Shareholders’ funds 

Notes 

31 March 
2012  
£000 

2 April 
2011  
£000

C3 
C4 

C5 
C5 

C6 
C7 

C6 
C8 

C10 
C11 
C11 
C11 
C11 
C11 

C12 

3,862 
135,971 

139,833 

27,243 
194,522 
4,002 
2,024 

227,791 

3,686 
20,945 
3,252 

27,883 

199,908 

339,741 

64,014 
20,467 

255,260 

37,856 
22,177 
(4,569) 
185 
(2,202) 
201,813 

255,260 

3,925
136,501

140,426

27,244
170,417
2,701
232

200,594

2,808
21,213
5,588

29,609

170,985

311,411

79,688
20,844

210,879

37,824
21,744
(5,016)
185
94
156,048

210,879

The financial statements of Halma plc, company number 40932, were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 June 2012. 

A J Williams 
Director   

K J Thompson 
Director 

136 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS

C1 Accounting Policies 
Basis of preparation 
The separate Company financial statements are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006 and have been prepared on  
the historical cost basis and comply with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards and law. The principal Company 
accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the current and preceding years and are described below. 

Related parties 
The Company is exempt under the terms of FRS 8 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ from disclosing transactions with other members of 
the Halma Group. 

Foreign currencies 
Transactions in foreign currency are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates prevailing at that date. Any gain or loss arising 
from subsequent exchange rate movements is included as an exchange gain or loss in the profit and loss account. 

Share-based payments 
The Company has adopted FRS 20 and the accounting policies followed are in all material respects the same as the Group’s policy 
under IFRS 2. This policy is shown on pages 100 and 101. 

Investments 
Investments are stated at cost less provision for impairment. 

Fixed assets and depreciation 
Fixed assets are stated at cost less provisions for impairment and depreciation which, with the exception of freehold land which is 
not depreciated, is provided on all fixed assets on the straight-line method, each item being written off over its estimated life. The 
principal annual rates used for this purpose are: 

Freehold property 
Plant, equipment and vehicles 

2%
8% to 20%

Leases 
The costs of operating leases of property and other assets are charged as incurred. 

Pensions 
The Company makes contributions to defined contribution pension plans, which are charged against profits when they become 
payable. The Company also participates in a Group-wide defined benefit pension plan. This plan is operated on a basis that does 
not enable individual companies to identify their share of the underlying assets and liabilities, and in accordance with FRS 17 the 
Company accounts for its contributions to the plan as if it was a defined contribution plan. 

Taxation 
Taxation comprises current and deferred tax. 

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

The Company provides for tax deferred because of timing differences between profits as computed for taxation purposes and 
profits as stated in the accounts, on an undiscounted basis. Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to 
apply in the periods in which the timing differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or 
substantially enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets are only recognised if recovery is considered more likely than 
not on the basis of all available evidence. 

Bank borrowings 
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Finance charges, 
including direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis in profit or loss and are added to the carrying amount of the 
instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise. 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

137 

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

CONTINUED 

C2 Result for the year 
As permitted by Section 408(3) of the Companies Act 2006, the Profit and Loss Account of Halma plc is not presented as part  
of these accounts. The Company has reported a profit after taxation of £81,439,000 (2011: £68,194,000). 

Auditor’s remuneration for audit services to the Company was £126,000 (2011: £123,000). 

Total employee costs (including Directors) were: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 

Number of employees (all in the UK) 

2012  
£000 
4,546 
473 
389 

5,408 

2012 
Number 
45 

2011 
£000
4,285
439
398

5,122

2011 
Number
41

Details of Directors’ remuneration are set out on pages 80 to 86 within the Remuneration Report and form part of these financial 
statements. 

C3 Fixed assets – tangible assets 

Cost 
At 2 April 2011 
Additions at cost 
Disposals 

At 31 March 2012 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 2 April 2011 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
At 31 March 2012 

Carrying amounts 

At 31 March 2012 

At 2 April 2011 

C4 Investments 
Shares in Group companies 

At cost less amounts written off at beginning of year 
(Reduction)/increase 

At cost less amounts written off at end of year 

Freehold 
properties  
£000 

Plant 
equipment 
and vehicles  
£000 

3,312 
– 
(269) 

3,043 

412 
47 
(121) 

338 

2,705 

2,900 

2,100 
615 
(419) 

2,296 

1,075 
319 
(255) 

1,139 

1,157 

1,025 

Total  
£000

5,412
615
(688)

5,339

1,487
366
(376)

1,477

3,862

3,925

2012  
£000 
136,501 
(530) 

135,971 

2011 
£000
90,191
46,310

136,501

The reduction of £530,000 in the current year relates to the Company’s disposal of Volumatic Limited. The increase in the prior year 
of £46,310,000 related to the Company’s increased investment in one of its subsidiaries.  

Details of principal subsidiary companies are set out on pages 144 to 147. Halma plc owns 100% of the ordinary share capital of all 
its subsidiaries, which are incorporated in Great Britain, other than those listed below, where they principally operate. All of the 
companies’ interests below are held by subsidiary companies. 

138 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

C4 Investments continued 
Name of company 
Fortress Interlocks Pty Limited 
Beijing Ker’Kang Instrument Limited Company 
Hydreka S.A.S. 
SERV Trayvou Interverrouillage S.A.S.
Apollo Gesellschaft für Meldetechnologie mbH 
Ocean Optics Germany 
Rudolf Riester GmbH  
Diba Japan KK 
Berson Milieutechniek B.V. 
Netherlocks Safety Systems B.V. 
Bureau D’Electronique Appliquée S.A.
TL Jones Limited 
E-Motive Display Pte Limited 
Medicel AG 
Fabrication de Produits de Sécurité SaRL 
Halma Holdings Inc. 
Accudynamics LLC 
Air Products and Controls Inc. 
Alicat Scientific, Inc. 
Aquionics Inc. 
Avo Photonics, Inc. 
B.E.A. Inc. 
Bio-Chem Fluidics Inc. 
Diba Industries, Inc. 
Fiberguide Industries Inc. 
Janus Elevator Products Inc. 
Kirk Key Interlock Company, LLC. 
Labsphere, Inc. 
Ocean Optics, Inc. 
Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co. Inc. 
Perma Pure LLC 
Riester USA LLC 
SphereOptics Inc. 
Volk Optical Inc. 

C5 Debtors 

Amounts falling due within one year: 
Amounts due from Group companies
Other debtors 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Deferred tax asset (note C9) 

Amounts falling due after more than one year: 
Amounts due from Group companies

Country of incorporation
Australia
China
France
France
Germany
Germany
Germany
Japan
The Netherlands
The Netherlands
Belgium
New Zealand
Singapore
Switzerland
Tunisia
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

20,759 
1,845 
4,464 
175 

27,243 

24,131
8
2,293
812

27,244

194,522 

170,417

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

139 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

CONTINUED 

C6 Borrowings 

Falling due within one year: 
Overdrafts 
Falling due after more than one year: 
Unsecured bank loans 

Total borrowings 

2012  
£000 

2011 
£000

3,686 

2,808

64,014 

67,700 

79,688

82,496

On 26 October 2011, the Company signed a new unsecured five-year revolving credit facility for £260 million. This replaced the 
previous £165 million facility which was due to expire in February 2013. Therefore, the facility under which the bank loans are drawn 
expires within two to five years (2011: within two to five years) and at 31 March 2012 £195,986,000 (2011: £85,312,000) remained 
committed and undrawn. 

The bank overdrafts, which are unsecured, at 31 March 2012 and 2 April 2011 were drawn on uncommitted facilities which all 
expire within one year, and were held pursuant to a Group pooling arrangement which offsets them against credit balances in 
subsidiary undertakings. 

The Company is part of an arrangement between UK subsidiaries whereby overdraft facilities of £17,370,000 (2011: £17,670,000) 
are cross-guaranteed. Of these facilities £379,000 (2011: £598,000) was drawn. 

C7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Trade creditors 
Amounts owing to Group companies 
Other taxation and social security 
Other creditors 
Accruals and deferred income 

C8 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 

Amounts owing to Group companies 
Other creditors 

These liabilities fall due as follows: 
Within one to two years 
Within two to five years 
After more than five years 

C9 Deferred tax 

Movement in deferred tax asset: 
At beginning of year 
Charge to profit and loss account 
(Charge)/credit to reserves 

At end of year (note C5) 

Deferred tax comprises short-term timing differences. 

140 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

2012  
£000 
1,278 
15,185 
1,281 
816 
2,385 

20,945 

2012  
£000 
20,122 
345 

20,467 

345 
– 
20,122 

2012  
£000 

812 
(195) 
(442) 

175 

2011 
£000
911
13,975
1,401
919
4,007

21,213

2011 
£000
20,451
393

20,844

393
–
20,451

2011 
£000

805
(141)
148

812

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

C10 Share capital 

Ordinary shares of 10p each 

Issued and fully paid
2011 
£000
37,824

2012  
£000 
37,856 

The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 March 2012 was 378,555,028 (2011: 378,235,685), including treasury shares of 
1,404,269 (2011: 1,847,368). Changes during the year in the issued ordinary share capital were as follows: 

At 2 April 2011 
Share options exercised 
At 31 March 2012 

Issued and fully paid 
£000
37,824
32

37,856

The total consideration received in cash in respect of share options exercised amounted to £465,000 (2011: £844,000). At the  
date of these accounts, the number of ordinary shares in issue was 378,555,028 (2011: 378,247,685), including treasury shares  
of 1,396,240 (2011: 1,847,368). Details of share options in issue on the Company’s share capital and share-based payments are 
included in note 23 to the Group accounts. 

C11 Reserves 

At 2 April 2011 
Profit transferred to reserves 
Dividends paid 
Issue of shares 
Movement in other reserves 
Net movement in treasury shares 
Deferred tax to equity 

At 31 March 2012 

Non-distributable 

Share 
premium 
account  
£000
21,744
–
–
433
–
–
–

22,177

Treasury 
shares  
£000
(5,016)
–
–
–
–
447
–

(4,569)

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
£000 
185 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

185 

Other  
reserves  
£000 
94 
– 
– 
– 
(2,296) 
– 
– 

(2,202) 

Distributable
Total profit 
and loss 
account  
£000
156,048
81,439
(35,232)
–
–
–
(442)

201,813

The capital redemption reserve was created on repurchase and cancellation of the Company’s own shares. The other reserves 
represent the provision being established in respect of the value of equity-settled share option plans and performance share plan 
awards made by the Company. Treasury shares are the Company’s own shares purchased and are held to fulfil its obligations 
under the performance share plan. 

C12 Reconciliation of movement in shareholders’ funds 

At beginning of year 
Profit after taxation 
Dividends paid 
Issue of shares 
Net movement in treasury shares 
Movement in other reserves 
Deferred tax to equity 

At end of year 

2012  
£000 
210,879 
81,439 
(35,232) 
465 
447 
(2,296) 
(442) 

255,260 

2011 
£000
177,986
68,194
(32,891)
844
(2,435)
(967)
148

210,879

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

141 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY 2003 TO 2012 

Revenue (note 2) 
Overseas sales (note 2) 
Profit before taxation, acquired intangibles amortisation and goodwill written off (note 3)

Net tangible assets/capital employed 
Borrowings 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Employees (note 2) 

Earnings per ordinary share (note 2) 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (note 3)  
Year on year increase/(decrease) in adjusted earnings per ordinary share
Return on Sales (notes 2 and 4) 
Return on Capital Employed (note 5) 
Year on year increase in dividends per ordinary share (paid and proposed)
Ordinary share price at financial year end  
Market capitalisation at financial year end 

Notes: 

UK GAAP 
2002/03  
£000 
267,293 
188,161 
46,508 

86,854 
27,667 
27,574 
2,793 

7.76p 
8.55p 
(6.0%) 
17.4% 
41.7% 
10% 
114p 
£416.7m 

UK GAAP
2003/04 
£000
292,640
206,102
50,284

95,935
26,934
48,482
2,925

6.09p
9.44p
10.4%
17.2%
50.5%
7%
149p
£546.5m

1.  The amounts disclosed for periods up to and including 2003/04 are stated on the basis of UK GAAP, as it is not practicable to restate amounts prior to the date  

of transition to IFRS. 

2.  Continuing and discontinued operations. 

3.  Adjusted to remove amortisation of acquired intangible assets and, from 2010/11, acquisition transaction costs and movement on contingent consideration. IFRS 

figures include results of discontinued operations up to the date of their sales or closure but exclude material discontinued and continuing profits on sales or closures 
of operations. 

4.  Return on Sales is defined as profit before taxation, goodwill/acquired intangible asset amortisation, acquisition costs (from 2010/11) and exceptional items expressed 

as a percentage of revenue. 

5.  Return on Capital Employed is defined in note 3 to the accounts. 

142 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

UK GAAP 
2004/05  
£000 
299,119 
218,745 
50,389 

80,750 
33,344 
45,348 
3,002 

7.97p 
9.42p 
(0.2%) 
16.8% 
52.1% 
5% 
161p 
£593.8m 

IFRS  
2004/05  
£000 
299,119 
218,745 
49,912 

104,417 
33,344 
45,348 
3,002 

9.38p 
9.45p 
N/A 
16.7% 
48.8% 
5% 
161p 
£593.8m 

IFRS  
2005/06  
£000 
337,348 
249,055 
59,641 

105,396 
32,308 
35,826 
3,187 

11.08p 
11.27p 
19.3% 
17.7% 
56.9% 
5% 
188p 
£693.4m 

IFRS 
2006/07  
£000
354,606
258,050
66,091

113,048
29,762
22,051
3,326

11.86p
12.42p
10.9%
18.6%
60.1%
5%
220p
£821.8m

IFRS 
2007/08  
£000
397,955
288,701
73,215

134,320
72,393
28,118
3,683

13.49p
13.86p
11.5%
18.4%
55.8%
5%
192p
£717.7m

IFRS 
2008/09  
£000
455,928
351,522
79,087

173,128
86,173
34,987
4,018

14.07p
15.30p
10.4%
17.3%
47.7%
5%
156p
£583.7m

IFRS  
2009/10  
£000 
459,118 
360,779 
86,214 

145,519 
21,924 
31,006 
3,689 

16.10p 
16.89p 
10.4% 
18.8% 
61.3% 
7% 
259p 
£978.1m 

IFRS  
2010/11  
£000 
518,428 
412,297 
104,551 

146,964 
79,688 
42,610 
3,875 

19.23p 
20.49p 
21.3% 
20.2% 
71.9% 
7% 
355p 
£1,342.7m 

IFRS 
2011/12  
£000
579,883
454,270
120,465

163,283
64,014
45,305
4,347

23.01p
24.46p
19.4%
20.8%
74.7%
7%
381p
£1,440.8m

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

143 

 
 
 
HALMA DIRECTORY 

Principal operating companies by sector and sub-sector 
Health and Analysis 

Photonics 

Avo Photonics, Inc. 

Main products

Advanced, miniaturised photonic components and subsystems for OEM customers
serving a wide range of end-markets 

Fiberguide Industries Inc. 

Design and manufacture of optical fibre cables and assemblies 

Labsphere, Inc. 

Ocean Optics, Inc. 

Light testing and measurement products and specialised optical coatings

Miniature fibre optic spectrometers for consumer electronics, process control, 
environmental monitoring, life sciences and medical diagnostics 

Ocean Thin Films, Inc. 

Dichroic optical filters and precision optics for scientific, defence, metrology and 
entertainment applications 

Health Optics 

Accutome, Inc. 

Keeler Limited 

Medicel AG

Rudolf Riester GmbH 

SunTech Medical Group 
Limited 

Volk Optical Inc. 

Aquionics Inc. 

Water 

Surgical and diagnostic instruments and a variety of pharmaceuticals for the ophthalmic 
marketplace 

Ophthalmic instruments for diagnostic assessment of eye conditions 

Instruments for ophthalmic surgery

Diagnostic medical devices for ophthalmology, blood pressure measurement and ear, 
nose and throat diagnostics 

Clinical grade non-invasive blood pressure monitoring products and technologies

Ophthalmic equipment and lenses as aids to diagnosis and surgery 

Ultraviolet treatment of drinking water, waste water, water for re-use and water used in 
industrial processes 

Berson Milieutechniek B.V. 

Ultraviolet light equipment for treating drinking water, waste water and water re-use 
applications 

Hanovia Limited 

HWM-Water Limited 

Hydreka S.A.S. 

Palintest Limited 

Sensorex Inc. 

Ultraviolet light equipment for treating water used in the manufacture of food, drinks, 
pharmaceuticals and electronic components 

Instrumentation for recording data, and quantifying, detecting and controlling leakage in 
underground water pipelines 

Equipment and software for flow analysis of water and sewerage systems and leak 
detection systems 

Instruments for analysing water and measuring environmental pollution 

Electrochemical sensors for water analysis applications in the process industry and 
laboratory markets 

Fluid Technology 

Accudynamics, LLC. 

Components primarily used in medical, life science and scientific instruments

Alicat Scientific, Inc. 

Mass flow meters and controllers for high-precision fluid flow measurement

Bio-Chem Fluidics Inc. 

Diba Industries, Inc. 

Miniature valves, micro pumps and fluid components for medical, life science and 
scientific instruments 

Specialised components and complete fluid transfer subassemblies for medical, life 
science and scientific instruments 

Perma Pure LLC 

Gas dryers and humidifiers for fuel cell, medical, scientific and industrial use

Infrastructure Sensors   

Fire Detection 

Apollo Fire Detectors Limited  Smoke and heat detectors, sounders, beacons and interfaces 

Automatic Door 
Sensors  

Elevator Safety  

Fire Fighting Enterprises 
Limited 

Bureau D’Electronique 
Appliquée S.A. (BEA) 

Beam smoke detectors and specialist fire extinguishing systems 

Sensors for automatic doors

Janus Elevator Products Inc.  Elevator safety components including, displays, door systems and emergency 

communications 

Memco Limited 

Infrared safety systems for elevator doors and elevator emergency communications

Monitor Elevator Products 
LLC. 

Custom manufacturing of control panels for the elevator industry 

TL Jones Asia Pacific Limited  Elevator infrared safety systems, emergency communications and electronic information 

displays for passengers 

Security Sensors 

Texecom Limited 

Security sensor and signalling products

144 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Head office location 

Telephone 

E-mail

Website 

Horsham, Pennsylvania 

+1 (1)215 441 0107 

sales@avophotonics.com

www.avophotonics.com

Stirling, New Jersey 

+1 (1) 908 647 6601 

info@fiberguide.com

www.fiberguide.com

North Sutton, New Hampshire 

+1 (1)603 927 4266 

labsphere@labsphere. com

www.labsphere.com

Dunedin, Florida 

+1 (1)727 733 2447 

info@oceanoptics.com

www.oceanoptics.com

Largo, Florida 

+1 (1)727 545 0741 

info@oceanthinfilms.com

www.oceanthinfilms com

Malvern, Pennsylvania 

+1 (1)610 889 0200 

info@accutome.com

www.accutome.com

Windsor, Berkshire 

+44 (0)1753 857177 

Wolfhalden, Switzerland 

+41 71 727 1050 

Jungingen, Germany 

+49 (0)74 77 92 700 

info@keeler.co.uk

info@medicel.com

info@riester.de

www.keeler.co.uk 

www.medicelag.com

www.riester.de 

Morrisville, North Carolina 

+1 (1)919 654 2300 

sales@suntechmed.com

www.suntechmed.com

Mentor, Ohio 

Erlanger, Kentucky 

+1 (1)440 942 6161 

+1 (1)859 341 0710 

volk@volk.com

sales@aquionics.com

www.volk.com 

www.aquionics.com

Eindhoven, The Netherlands 

+31 (0)40 290 7777 

info@bersonuv.com

www.bersonuv.com

Slough, Berkshire 

+44 (0)1753 515300 

sales@hanovia.com

www.hanovia.com

Cwmbran, South Wales 

+44 (0)1633 489 479

sales@hwm-water.com

www.hwm-water.com

Lyon, France 

+33 (0)4 72 53 11 53

hydreka@hydreka.fr

www.hydreka.com

Gateshead, Tyne & Wear 

+44 (0)191 491 0808

Orange County, California 

+1 (1)714 895 4344 

sales@palintest.com

email@sensorex.com

www.palintest.com

www.sensorex.com

Lakeville, Massachusetts 

Tucson, Arizona 

Boonton, New Jersey 

+1 (1)508 946 4545 

+1 (1)520 290 6060 

+1 (1)973 263 3001 

info@accudynamics.com

www.accudynamics.com

info@alicatscientific.com

www.alicatscientific.com

sales.us@biochemfluidics.com

www.biochemfluidics. com

Danbury, Connecticut 

+1 (1)203 744 0773 

salesdept@dibaind.com

www.dibaind.com

Toms River, New Jersey 

+1 (1)732 244 0010 

info@permapure.com

www.permapure.com

Havant, Hampshire 

Hitchin, Hertfordshire 

+44 (0)2392 492412 

+44 (0)1462 444740 

enquiries@apollo-fire.co.uk

www.apollo-fire.co.uk

sales@ffeuk.com

www.ffeuk.com 

Liège, Belgium 

+32 (0)4361 6565 

info@bea.be

www.bea.be 

Hauppauge, New York 

+1 (1)631 864 3699 

sales@januselevator.com

www.januselevator.com

Maidenhead, Berkshire 

Hauppauge, New York 

+44 (0)1628 540100 

+1 (1)631 543 4334 

sales@memco.co.uk

fixtures@mcontrols.com

www.memco.co.uk

www.mcontrols.com

Singapore 

+65 6776 4111 

info@tljones.com

www.tljones.com 

Haslingden, Lancashire 

+44 (0)1706 220460 

sales@texe.com

www.texe.com 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HALMA DIRECTORY 

CONTINUED 

Principal operating companies by sector and sub-sector 
Industrial Safety 

Main products

Safety Interlocks  

Castell Safety International Limited 

Safety systems for controlling hazardous industrial processes

Fortress Interlocks Limited 

Safety systems for controlling access to dangerous machines

Kirk Key Interlock Company, LLC.

Key interlocks and interlocking systems for the protection of personnel 
and equipment 

Netherlocks Safety Systems B.V.

Process safety systems for petrochemical and industrial applications

SERV Trayvou Interverrouillage S.A.S.

Safety systems for controlling access to dangerous machines

Smith Flow Control Limited 

Process safety systems for petrochemical and industrial applications

Crowcon Detection Instruments Limited

Gas detection instruments for personnel and plant safety 

Elfab Limited

Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co. Inc.
(Oseco) 

Pressure sensitive relief devices to protect process plant 

Pressure sensitive relief devices to protect process plant 

Gas Detection  

Bursting Disks 

Asset Monitoring  

Tritech International Limited 

Equipment for underwater surveying, condition monitoring, ROV piloting, 
infrastructure maintenance, construction and security 

Group 

Halma Holdings Inc. 

Halma International Limited Representative Offices 

Halma North American Head Office

Halma China hubs in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and 
Shenyang 

Halma Trading and Services India Pvt Ltd 

Halma India hub

146 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Head office location 

Telephone 

E-mail

Website 

Kingsbury, London 

+44 (0)20 8200 1200

uksales@castell.com

www.castell.com 

Wolverhampton, West Midlands 

+44 (0)1902 349000

sales@fortressinterlocks.com

www.fortressinterlocks.com

Massillon, Ohio 

+1 (1)800 438 2442

sales@kirkkey.com

www.kirkkey.com 

Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands

+31 (0)172 471339

sales@netherlocks.com

Paris, France 

Witham, Essex 

Abingdon, Oxfordshire  

North Shields, Tyne & Wear 

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 

+33 (0)1 48 18 15 15

sales@servtrayvou.com

+44 (0)1376 517901

+44 (0)1235 557700

+44 (0)191 293 1234

+1 (1)918 258 5626

sales@smithflowcontrol.com

www.smithflowcontrol.com

sales@crowcon.com

sales@elfab.com

info@oseco.com

www.crowcon.com

www.elfab.com 

www.oseco.com 

www.netherlocks.com

www.servtrayvou.com

Aberdeen, Scotland  

+44 (0)1224 744111

info@tritech.co.uk

www.tritech.co.uk

Cincinnati, Ohio 

China 

+1 (1)513 772 5501

+86 21 5206 8686

halmaholdings@halmaholdings.com  www.halma.com 

halmachina@halma.com

www.halma.cn 

Mumbai, India 

+91 (22)6708 0400

halmaindia@halma.com

www.halma.com 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION AND ADVISERS

22 November 2011
8 February 2012
16 February 2012
14 June 2012
25 June 2012
24 July 2012
22 August 2012
20 November 2012
February 2013
February 2013
June 2013

%

76.6
14.9
4.4
2.9
1.2

100.0

Shares Number 

7,074,027 
9,682,006 
13,447,798 
50,975,169 
297,376,028 

378,555,028 

2012
430
306

2012
3.79
5.95*
9.74

2011 
367 
240 

2011 
3.54 
5.56
9.10 

2010  
264  
156  

2010  
3.31  
5.19 
8.50  

2009 
222 
143 

2009 
3.15 
4.78 
7.93 

%

1.9
2.5
3.5
13.5
78.6

100.0

2008
246
182

2008
3.00
4.55
7.55

Financial calendar 
2011/12 Interim results 
2011/12 Interim dividend paid 
Interim management statement 
2011/12 Preliminary results 
2011/12 Report and Accounts issued
Annual General Meeting and interim management statement
2011/12 Final dividend payable 
2012/13 Interim results 
2012/13 Interim dividend payable  
Interim management statement 
2012/13 Preliminary results 

Analysis of shareholders  
at 17 May 2012 
Number of shares held 
1 – 5,000 
5,001 – 25,000 
25,001 – 100,000 
100,001 – 750,000 
750,001 and over 

Shareholders Number 

4,756 
924 
273 
178 
76 

6,207 

Share price  
London Stock Exchange, pence per 10p share 
Highest 
Lowest 

Dividends  
Pence per 10p share 
Interim 
Final 
Total 

* Proposed. 

Registered office 
Misbourne Court 
Rectory Way 
Amersham 
Bucks HP7 0DE 
Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111 
E-mail: halma@halma.com 
Website: www.halma.com 

Registered in England and Wales, No 40932 

Registrars 
Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS99 6ZZ 
Tel: +44 (0)870 707 1046 
Fax: +44 (0)870 703 6101  
Website: www.investorcentre.co.uk 

148 

Halma plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

Business review

Governance

Financial statements

Investor information 
Visit our website, www.halma.com, for investor information and Company news. In addition to accessing financial data, you can 
view and download Annual and Half Year Reports, analyst presentations, find contact details for Halma senior executives and 
subsidiary companies and access links to Halma subsidiary websites. You can also subscribe to an e-mail news alert service  
to automatically receive an e-mail when significant announcements are made. 

Shareholding information 
Please contact our registrars, Computershare, directly for all enquiries about your shareholding. Visit their Investor Centre website 
for online information about your shareholding (you will need your shareholder reference number which can be found on your share 
certificate or dividend tax voucher), or telephone the registrars direct using the dedicated telephone number for Halma shareholders 
(+44 (0) 870 707 1046). 

Dividend mandate 
Shareholders can arrange to have their dividends paid directly into their bank or building society account by completing a bank 
mandate form. The advantages to using this service are: the payment is more secure than sending a cheque through the post;  
it avoids the inconvenience of paying in a cheque and there is no risk of lost, stolen or out of date cheques. A mandate form can  
be obtained from Computershare or you will find one on the reverse of the tax voucher of your last dividend payment. 

Dividend reinvestment plan 
The Company operates a dividend reinvestment plan (‘DRIP’) which offers shareholders the option to elect to have their cash 
dividends reinvested in Halma ordinary shares purchased in the market. You can register for the DRIP online by visiting 
Computershare’s Investor Centre website (as above) or by requesting an application form direct from Computershare. Shareholders 
who wish to elect for the DRIP for the forthcoming final dividend, but have not already done so, should return a DRIP application 
form to Computershare no later than 1 August 2012. 

American Depositary Receipts 
The Halma plc American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are traded on the Over The Counter market (OTC) under the symbol HLMLY. 
One ADR represents three Halma plc ordinary shares. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is the depositary. If you should have any 
queries, please contact: 

JPMorgan Chase & Co, PO Box 64504, St Paul, MN 55164-0504, USA. E-mail: jpmorgan.adr@wellsfargo.com. Telephone number 
for general queries: (800) 990 1135. Telephone number from outside the USA: +1 651 453 2128. 

Electronic communications 
All shareholder communications, including the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts, are made available to shareholders on the 
Halma website and you may opt to receive e-mail notification that documents and information are available to view and download 
rather than to receive paper copies through the post. Using electronic communications helps us to limit the amount of paper we  
use and assists us in reducing our costs. If you would like to sign up for this service, visit Computershare’s Investor Centre website, 
selecting ‘Electronic Shareholder Communications’ and follow the registration process. You may change the way you receive 
communications at any time by contacting Computershare. 

Share dealing facilities 
A low cost telephone dealing service has been arranged with Stocktrade which provides a simple way for buying or selling Halma 
shares. Basic commission is 0.5% up to £10,000, reducing to 0.2% thereafter (subject to a minimum commission of £15). For 
further information please call 0845 601 0995 and quote reference Low Co0198. 

Annual General Meeting 
The 118th Annual General Meeting of Halma plc will be held in the Ballroom at The Berkeley Hotel, Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL 
on Tuesday 24 July 2012 at 11 am.  

Investor Relations 
contacts 
Rachel Hirst/Andrew Jaques 
MHP Communications  
60 Great Portland Street 
London W1W 7RT 
Tel: +44 (0)20 3128 8100 
Fax: +44 (0)20 3128 8171 
E-mail: halma@mhpc.com   

Andrew Williams 
Halma plc 
Misbourne Court 
Rectory Way 
Amersham 
Bucks HP7 0DE  
Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111 
Fax: +44 (0)1494 728032 
E-mail: 
investor.relations@halma.com 

Auditors  
Deloitte LLP 
PO Box 3043 
Abbots House 
Abbey Street 
Reading RG1 3BD 

Bankers 
The Royal Bank  
of Scotland plc 
280 Bishopsgate 
London EC2M 4RB 

Financial advisers 
Lazard & Co., Limited 
50 Stratton Street 
London W1J 8LL 

Brokers 
Credit Suisse Securities 
(Europe) Limited 
One Cabot Square 
London E14 4QJ 

Investec Investment Banking  
2 Gresham Street 
London EC2V 7QP 

Solicitors  
CMS Cameron McKenna LLP  
Mitre House  
160 Aldersgate Street 
London EC1A 4DD 

Designed by luminous.co.uk 

Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012 

149 

 
 
 
 
 
Halma plc 
Misbourne Court 
Rectory Way 
Amersham 
Bucks HP7 0DE

Tel  +44(0)1494 721111 
Fax  +44(0)1494 728032 
Web  www.halma.com

Overview

Business review

Governance

Financials statements

Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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GROWTH THROUGH
INNOVATION

Revenue

£579.9m
Profi t before taxation £120.5m
9.74p

Dividend paid

Group at a glance

Strategy and business model

Management development

Values alignment

CO2 emission

54%
6
9%

International expansion

Return on sales

ROTIC

24%
20.8%
16.8%

Performance against strategy
Non-fi nancial KPIs

Performance against strategy
Financial KPIs

Chief Executive
Strategic review

Strategy in action

Sector reviews

Financial review

To view our online report visit: halmareports.com/annual-report-2012/

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