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Halma Holdings Inc

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FY2021 Annual Report · Halma Holdings Inc
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Halma plc
Annual Report 
and Accounts 2021

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Growing a

safer  
cleaner  
healthier

future for everyone, 
every day

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

Strategic Report 
  02  Our purpose 
  04  Highlights
  06   At a glance
  08   Chair’s statement
  10   Group Chief Executive’s review 
  16   Our sustainable growth model
  24   Financial review
  32  
  36   Process Safety
  42  
Infrastructure Safety
  46   Environmental & Analysis 
  52   Medical
  58   Our stakeholders
  60   Our people and culture
  64   Sustainability
  78  

 Key performance indicators

 Risk management and  
internal controls
 Principal risks and uncertainties
  80  
 Viability statement
  84  
  85  
 Our policies and procedures 
  87  Non-financial information    

statement

Introduction to governance

Governance 
  88 
  90  Board of Directors
  92  Executive Board
  94 

 The Board’s application of the 
UK Corporate Governance 
Code Principles

Financial Statements
 144  
 152  

Independent Auditors’ Report
 Consolidated Income 
Statement
 Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income  
and Expenditure

 153  

 104  Nomination Committee Report
 109  Audit Committee Report
 115 

 Remuneration Committee 
Report

 120  Remuneration at a glance 
 122  Directors’ Remuneration Policy
 129  Annual Remuneration Report
 140   Directors’ Report 
 143   Directors’ responsibilities

 154   Consolidated Balance Sheet
 Consolidated Statement of 
 155  
Changes in Equity
 Consolidated Cash  
Flow Statement

 157  

 158   Accounting Policies
 168  Notes to the Accounts
  211  Company Balance Sheet
 212  

 Company Statement  
of Changes in Equity
 Notes to the Company 
Accounts

 213  

 226   Summary 2012 to 2021 

Other Information
 228   Shareholder Information

Halma is a global group  
of life-saving technology 
companies. Our companies 
provide innovative solutions 
to many of the key problems 
facing the world today.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

01

 
 
Our purpose

Our purpose is to grow a  
safer, cleaner, healthier
future for everyone, every day.

It’s in our DNA...

…it drives 
everything we do 

…delivering 
sustainable value 

We have a unique set of organisational 
and cultural genes which power our 
continued growth. We call this Halma’s 
DNA. Our DNA runs through our business 
at all levels. It provides competitive 
advantage and stability, and allows us to 
continuously adapt to new market needs. 
Our DNA embodies the core elements of 
our organisation and culture that are 
inextricably linked to our past and which 
enable our future success.

We continuously evaluate our portfolio, 
and decide on new product development 
and target acquisitions based on their 
alignment to achieving our purpose. We 
allocate capital and talent to maximise 
our positive impact, in line with our 
purpose. We pursue enhanced digital 
technologies and international expansion 
strategies to ensure we reach “everyone, 
every day”.

We create long-term sustainable value for 
all stakeholders by continuously delivering 
a simple formula: strong growth + 
sustainable returns + positive impact = 
long-term sustainable value creation.

Read more

p19

Read more

p20

Read more

p21

02

 
 
Our purpose is to grow a  
safer, cleaner, healthier
future for everyone, every day.

…and a positive 
impact 

Our technologies solve some of the world’s 
most pressing issues, from air quality to 
road safety to preventable blindness. 

Halma companies, by growing, make the 
world a safer, cleaner and healthier place, 
and contribute towards multiple United 
Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

…for all our 
stakeholders

• Our people.
• Our companies.
• Customers and suppliers.
• Acquisition prospects and 

business partners.

• Society and community.
• Investors and debt holders.

…and measured 
along the way.

We track our progress in fulfilling our 
purpose through a range of financial and 
non-financial indicators covering key 
aspects of performance that matter to 
our stakeholders.

Read more

p64

Read more

p58

Read more

p32

03

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021Highlights

Growth and returns 

Revenue

£1,318m

(2)%

Adjusted1 profit before taxation

Dividend per share paid and proposed

£278.3m

+4%

17.65p

+7%

£m

962

1,076

1,211

1,338

1,318

1,500

1,200

900

600

300

0

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

£m

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

194.0

213.7

245.7

267.0

278.3

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

p

18

16

14

12

13.71

14.68

15.71

16.50

17.65

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Return on sales4

21.1%

Statutory profit before taxation

Return on total invested capital5

£252.9m

+13%

14.4%

%

25

20

15

10

5

0

20.2

19.9

20.3

19.9

21.1

£m

157.7

171.9

206.7

224.1

252.9

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

%

20

15

10

5

0

15.3

15.2

16.1

15.3

14.4

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Continuing operations

Revenue

£1,318.2m £1,338.4m

(2)%

2021

2020

Change

Adjusted1 profit before taxation

£278.3m 

£267.0m

Adjusted2 earnings per share

58.67p

57.39p

Statutory profit before taxation

£252.9m

£224.1m

Statutory earnings per share

Total dividend per share3

Return on sales4

Return on total invested capital5

53.61p

17.65p

21.1%

14.4%

48.66p

16.50p

19.9%

15.3%

Net debt

£256.2m

£375.3m

+4%

+2%

+13%

+10%

+7%

Pro-forma information
1  Adjusted to remove the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, 

acquisition items, restructuring costs, profit or loss on disposal of operations and the effect 
of equalisation of benefits for men and women in the defined benefit pension plans 
(2019 only), in 2021 totalling £25.4m (2020: £42.9m). See note 1 to the Accounts.

2  Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition items, 

restructuring costs, profit or loss on disposal of operations and the effect of equalisation 
of benefits for men and women in the defined benefit pension plans (2019 only), 
the associated taxation thereon and, in 2018, the effect of US tax reform measures. 
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  Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC) is defined as post-tax Adjusted1 Profit as 

a percentage of average Total Invested Capital.

6  Adjusted1 Profit before Taxation, Adjusted2 Earnings per Share, organic growth rates, 

Return on Sales and ROTIC are alternative performance measures used by management. 
See notes 1, 2 and 3 to the Accounts.

7  Adjusted1 operating profit before central administration costs after share of associate.

04

Examples of our positive impact

Improving health

Conserving water 

Supporting more than

 7 million

surgeries per annum. 

110,000km

Monitoring more than 110,000km  
of water pipelines.

Building an inclusive business

Making water safer

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54%

78%

of our Halma senior leaders  
are women*

Employee engagement  
up 3pts from prior year

*Halma plc Board, Executive Board and Divisional Chief Executives at 31 March 2021

Reducing our emissions 

Committed to achieving net zero 
Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 

2040

Enabling more than 

200  
million

water tests annually.

Making buildings safer
Protecting more than 

5,000km2 

of buildings from fire hazards.

Making roads safer 

Protecting lives

Deploying our radar  
technology on more than

3,000km 

of highways.

Protecting the safety of more than 

250,000 

people with our gas sensor products 
every day.

For full information about these metrics please refer to the Our people and culture section on pages 60-63 and the Sustainability section on pages 64-77.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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05

 
 
 
At a glance

Our companies have customers in 
over 100 countries, and serve millions 
of people every day.

£27.6m

UK

Revenue

£55.8m

16%

£111.0m

£214m

Revenue

By destination and % of revenue

Process Safety

Infrastructure Safety

Environmental & Analysis

Medical

£19.2m

£62.5m

£96.8m

39%

£148.9m

USA

Revenue

£509m

£200.6m

£40.6m

£35.7m

21%

£61.0m

Mainland Europe

Revenue

£276m

06

£20.2m

£17.3m

4%

£138.7m

£5.8m

£10.8m

Africa, Near and 
Middle East

Revenue

£54m

£7.4m

£5.6m

£16.2m

Our sectors

4%

£20.4m

Other

Revenue

£49m

Process Safety

Infrastructure Safety

Process Safety’s technologies protect 
people and assets at work across  
a range of critical industrial and  
logistics operations.

Infrastructure Safety’s technologies save 
lives, protect infrastructure and enable 
safe movement.

Read more

p36

Revenue

£189m

14% of Group revenue

Read more

p42

Revenue

£450m

34% of Group revenue

Adjusted1 operating profit7

Adjusted1 operating profit7

£37m

12% of Adjusted1 operating profit7

£111m

35% of Adjusted1 operating profit7

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Environmental 
& Analysis 
Environmental & Analysis provides 
technologies that monitor and protect the 
environment and ensure the quality and 
availability of life-critical resources.

Medical  

Medical’s technologies enhance the 
quality of life for patients and improve 
the quality of care delivered by 
healthcare providers.

Read more

p46

Revenue

£309m

24% of Group revenue

Read more

p52

Revenue

£371m

28% of Group revenue

Adjusted1 operating profit7

Adjusted1 operating profit7

£77m

25% of Adjusted1 operating profit7

£87m

28% of Adjusted1 operating profit7

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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07

£30.5m

£69.9m

£56.4m

16%

£59.3m

Asia Pacific

Revenue

£216m

 
 
 
Chair’s statement

“ Sustainability 
has been at 
the heart of 
what we do 
for decades, 
working 
together to 
have a positive 
impact on  
the world.”

Paul Walker, Chair

Key developments over the last five years have 
laid a strong foundation for Halma’s future. 

 — Articulated our purpose to “grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, 

every day” which sets our ambition and serves as the goal for our growth strategy. 

 — Expanded our growth strategy to explore digital solutions and business models 

across our Core technologies and markets, Convergence as well as Edge 
opportunities.

 — Articulated our DNA to serve as a guide on those things we won’t change while 

constantly evolving to achieve our purpose.

 — Launched a new Halma brand and website which reflects our purpose, growth 

strategy and DNA.

 — Strengthened our leadership teams and delivered initiatives to enable diversity, 

equity and inclusion at all levels.

 — Created our suite of growth enablers – a unique set of skills and expertise to 

support our companies and leaders to grow their business.

 — Enhanced our approach to sustainability, identifying four UN SDGs to be the focus 
of our positive impact and creating a Sustainability Framework and three Key 
Sustainability Objectives to further amplify our positive impact.

 — Brought our purpose, sustainability focus and the impact of our technologies to 
life through two global campaigns supporting developing world communities.

 — Reshaped our organisational structure into three sectors, to align to our end 

markets and position the Group for scale.

 — Strengthened our governance, control and reporting framework, enabling 

accurate and timely management information to drive good decision-making.

 — Managed smooth succession for the Chief Financial Officer, three Sector Chief 

Executives, the Chair and three non-executive Directors.

 — Continued to enhance our employees’ experience through the introduction  
of a parental leave policy, enhanced pension contributions in the UK and a 
commitment to pay a Real Living Wage.

 — Completed 25 acquisitions and two disposals aligned with our purpose.

As I will be stepping down 
from the Board at the 
2021 AGM, I would like  
to take this opportunity, 
in my final statement  
as Chair, to reflect not 
only on the past year,  
but also on Halma’s 
substantial progress  
over the last decade.

Resilient growth by design
The pandemic has truly tested our 
purpose, people, DNA and business model, 
and I am really proud of the way that, 
together, they have enabled us to deliver 
another record profit in challenging 
circumstances. These robust financial 
results were achieved without seeking 
government or shareholder financial 
support and in an environment where our 
primary focus was on the safety and 
wellbeing of our colleagues. I would like to 
thank the management teams across the 
Group for leading the business with agility 
and integrity, and for successfully 
balancing the interests of multiple 
stakeholders in their decision-making.

08

I extend my thanks to everyone at Halma 
for their dedication during the year. 
Despite the personal and professional 
challenges that many have faced, they 
have ensured the continued supply of 
life-critical products to our customers and 
truly brought our purpose to life.

Leading our talent, culture  
and diversity
Our ability to attract and retain 
exceptional talent is more important than 
ever before and we continue to seek ways 
to develop our people and provide 
opportunities for promotion within the 
Group. Our succession planning at Board 
level saw the appointment earlier this year 
of Dame Louise Makin as non-executive 
Director & Chair Designate and Dharmash 
Mistry as non-executive Director, well 
ahead of me and Daniela Barone Soares 
stepping down from the Board at the 
AGM in July 2021.

Halma has a strong culture – articulated 
in our DNA – which enables all our 
colleagues to share common values while 
respecting individual diversity. This drives a 
high level of engagement and 
commitment in our workforce, and it is 
great to see this reflected in our annual 
employee engagement survey, which had 
a very high response rate of 87% and 
which showed a further improvement in 
our engagement score to 78%. 

We have continued to benefit from our 
diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives 
across all levels of the organisation. Our 
drive to improve gender balance at Board, 
Executive Board and one level below the 
Executive Board has really come to fruition 
in the last year, with women representing 
46%, 63% and 36% respectively across 
those groups as at 31 March 2021. Our 
focus on improving ethnic diversity is also 
delivering improvements. At Board level, 
we will continue to meet the Parker Review 
target this year.

Embedding sustainability
Since the 1970s, Halma has had a focus on 
protecting people and assets and 
improving quality of life. This means that 
sustainability has been at the heart of 
what we do for decades, working together 
to have a positive impact on the world. As 
we have seen growing calls for action for 
companies to secure a sustainable planet 
for future generations and to accelerate 
their efforts in reducing energy, water and 
waste footprints, the Board has increased 
its oversight of this area and made new 
commitments to support this agenda. In 
addition to more fully articulating the 
continued positive impact from our 
technologies, products and services, we 
have introduced a new Sustainability 
Framework and set a target, in line with 
guidance from the Science-based Targets 
Initiative, to reduce our greenhouse gas 

emissions by 42% from 2019/20 levels by 
2029/30. We are also targeting net zero 
scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 
by 2040. One foundation of our growth is 
our continued investment in research and 
new product development. With R&D 
spend remaining above 5% of revenue in 
the year, we are well-positioned to benefit 
from the new opportunities that are likely 
to arise from a ‘green recovery’ and from 
the broad market and societal changes 
brought about by the pandemic.

Following the success of the Gift of Sight 
campaign last year, in October 2020 we 
announced the launch of our Water for 
Life community campaign. We are 
working together with WaterAid to use our 
knowledge and products to transform lives 
in eastern India, by bringing clean water to 
8,000 people in a remote region who do 
not have access to safe drinking water.

It is really pleasing to note that despite the 
challenges of the past year, we have 
improved on our health & safety 
performance, recording our lowest 
Accident Frequency Rate (AFR). As all 
accidents are preventable, the Board 
continues to drive a culture of health & 
safety across the Group to prevent any 
accidents occurring. 

Looking back over a decade of 
sustainable growth
As I look back, I am very proud of Halma’s 
achievements over the past decade. When 
I joined Halma in 2013, it was a FTSE 250 
company with a share price of £5 and 
market value of under £2bn. Today, Halma 
is around the 50th largest company in the 
FTSE 100 index by market capitalisation. 
Its share price has increased by more than 
five times and we have continued to grow 
dividends by 5% or more each year. I 
believe this exceptional performance is 
attributable to our continued discipline 
and focus on our purpose and 
maintenance of a decentralised operating 
model, which enables agility and local 
decision-making, and promotes a strong 
and open culture. These factors remain 
highly relevant today and position Halma 
well for the future. 

I am immensely proud to have been part 
of Halma’s journey and to have led such a 
strong Board over the past eight years. I 
leave the business in the knowledge that it 
is even stronger and better placed to 
deliver on its purpose, for the benefit of 
all, in the years ahead. I would like to 
thank our loyal investor base for their 
support, many of whom I have had the 
pleasure of meeting over the years, and I 
wish all of our stakeholders a happy and 
healthy future.

Paul Walker
Chair

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Q&A

with  
Dame Louise Makin

Dame Louise Makin will replace Paul 
Walker as Chair, when he retires at the 
AGM on 22 July 2021. 

What attracted you to Halma?
As a purpose-driven company, Halma 
is naturally very attractive. Its positive 
impact on the world is supported by its 
decentralised operating structure, 
which ensures that its businesses 
benefit from being close to their 
customers and end markets and are 
responsive to their needs. It has a 
great culture, exceptional talent and 
its strong growth and returns story 
speaks for itself! I would like to thank 
Paul for the excellent job that he has 
done as Chair and I am really looking 
forward to continuing his work in 
leading the Board to further  
Halma’s growth.

What will you bring to the role?
I am passionate about people and 
purpose. I want Halma to continue its 
long track record of strong 
performance and growth while 
maintaining its positive culture and 
ambition, to deliver even greater 
positive impact and become a more 
environmentally sustainable business 
that considers wider stakeholder 
interests in all our decision-making. 

Do you believe that Halma’s operating 
model needs to change?
Absolutely not! Halma’s autonomous, 
decentralised structure enables our 
entrepreneurial culture to thrive and 
our companies to maintain 
competitive advantage through their 
agility. Their performance through the 
pandemic is testimony to its success.  
I see Halma’s operating model and 
organisational design as the core 
foundation from which the Group  
can invest to grow organically and 
through acquisition. 

What tone will you set from the top?
I want Halma to be a great place to 
work – where individuals are respected 
and feel included. Halma has a 
long-standing culture of openness, 
integrity and collaboration and I want 
to preserve this and demonstrate 
through my leadership that the Board 
supports this approach.

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09

 
 
 
Group Chief Executive’s review

Andrew Williams, Group Chief Executive

Britain’s Most Admired 
Company 2020 

In January 2021, Halma was recognised as Britain’s 
Most Admired Company 2020 by a peer group of FTSE 
100 executives, analysts and commentators. This 
award is the longest-running peer-reviewed survey of 
corporate reputation in the UK and winning it in such 
a challenging year is testament to our clear purpose 
and the dedication and commitment of our people. 
This combination has underpinned Halma’s sustained 
success over many decades, and will continue to do 
so in the future.

10

“ I have never 

been prouder 
or more 
impressed 
with Halma’s 
financial 
performance 
while also 
satisfying  
the broader 
needs of all 
stakeholders.” 

A true test of 
Sustainability  
and Purpose

I am pleased to report Halma’s 18th 
consecutive year of profit growth in the 
most challenging of circumstances, 
demonstrating both the value of our 
Sustainable Growth Model and the 
authenticity of our purpose. Our robust 
performance in the past year also 
reflected the fundamental strength of 
Halma’s DNA, including our focus on 
market niches with long-term growth 
drivers, and our ability to adapt rapidly to 
changes in our markets when they arise.

Adjusted1 profit before taxation rose by 4% 
to £278.3m, on revenue which was broadly 
similar to last year at £1,318.2m. Statutory 
profit before taxation, which benefited 
from the profit realised on the disposal of 
Fiberguide Industries, increased by 13% to 
£252.9m. Returns remained at a high level, 
with Return on Sales1 increasing from 
19.9% to 21.1% and a Return on Total 
Invested Capital of 14.4%, remaining well 
above our Weighted Average Cost of 
Capital of 6.7%. Cash generation was 
impressive, with cash conversion of 104%, 
and our balance sheet position remained 
strong, with net debt reducing by £119m to 
£256m, representing gearing (net debt to 
EBITDA) of 0.76 times.

It is worth reminding ourselves that this 
time last year, although faced with major 
uncertainties, we had a clear short-term 
operational, financial, and organisational 
strategy to guide us through the coming 
year in the interests of all stakeholders. 
Our expectation was that profit would be 
5-10% below the prior year, and therefore 
ultimately delivering 4% profit growth is a 
terrific achievement. While the Group has 
reported higher levels of growth in 
previous years, I have never been prouder 
or more impressed with Halma’s ability to 
deliver a robust financial performance 
while also satisfying the broader needs of 
all stakeholders. I was also pleased that 
this was recognised externally with Halma 
being awarded Britain’s Most Admired 
Company 2020, as voted for by our peers.

Our companies continued to meet their 
customers’ needs by providing lifesaving 
and life-sustaining solutions, while 
establishing new ways of working to 
maintain the safety of their people, 
suppliers, and customers throughout the 
pandemic. Many Halma companies also 
directly provided support to their local and 
national healthcare providers either 
through their core products, or by 
repurposing their manufacturing 
capabilities to supply urgently needed 
personal protective equipment. 
Meanwhile, as a Group, we provided 
assistance to those colleagues and 
businesses in difficulty through a variety of 
support programmes, without seeking 
Government financial assistance, while 
continuing to create value for 
shareholders.

I would like to pay tribute to everyone in all 
our businesses for what they have 
achieved throughout the year and to 
thank them personally for their continued 
support, unwavering commitment, and 
operational excellence.

Given our performance in the year and the 
opportunities we see for future growth, 
the Board is recommending an 8% 
increase in the final dividend to 10.78p per 
share. Together with the 6.87p per share 
interim dividend, this would result in a 
total dividend for the year of 17.65p, up 
7%, making this the 42nd consecutive  
year of dividend per share growth of 5%  
or more.

Adjusted profit before taxation1

£278.3m

+4%

Cash generation

104%

Acquisition of Static 
Systems Group

In December 2020, Halma acquired 
Static Systems Group. The company, 
based in Wolverhampton, UK, is highly 
aligned to our purpose of growing a 
safer, cleaner, healthier future for 
everyone, every day. It is a designer, 
manufacturer and installer of critical 
communication systems, which are 
central to UK healthcare trusts’ 
patient care infrastructure. Its 
technology enables hospital patients 
to alert healthcare specialists in an 
emergency, protecting lives and 
improving the response time of  
care provided.

The positive interdependency of our 
financial model, organisational structure 
and growth strategy is critical to our 
sustainability. The diversity of our portfolio 
and focus on valuable market niches 
provides us with broad growth 
opportunities and strong returns over the 
long term, but also enables us to be 
resilient, rapidly adapting to changes in 
markets and economic conditions. Our 
decentralised organisational model 
protects and grows the valuable 
intellectual property in our companies to 
maintain their strong market positions 
and financial returns, as well as providing 
agility for portfolio management if 
long-term market trends change. 

Improving performance as the 
year progressed
Our Sustainable Growth Model enabled us 
to adapt our products and operations 
quickly to the changes in our markets 
during the year, including those brought 
about by the COVID-19 pandemic.  
As a result, our trading performance 
strengthened as the year progressed.

Halma’s Sustainable Growth Model
Our Sustainable Growth Model is designed 
to be resilient and to deliver strong growth 
and returns over the long term. At its core 
is our purpose, which is to grow a safer, 
cleaner, healthier future for everyone, 
every day. This creates a motivating and 
stretching ambition for everyone at 
Halma to play their part in growing our 
positive impact on the world, while 
ensuring that we consider the needs of all 
our stakeholders. Our positive impact is 
articulated and amplified by Halma’s 
Sustainability Framework, which is 
discussed later in this review.

Our purpose has never been more relevant 
than it is today, as our customers look to 
Halma to help them address significant, 
long-term challenges, which have global 
impacts. Many of these are well aligned 
with the increasing Environmental, Social 
and Governance (ESG) demands being 
placed on individual citizens, corporations 
and countries: from the pressure on 
natural resources that comes from climate 
change and growing populations; to 
increasing safety, environmental and 
health regulation; and the impact of 
demographic and societal shifts, such as 
urbanisation, ageing populations and 
changing lifestyles. The demand from our 
customers for products and services which 
help them address these ESG issues will 
sustain our growth over the long term. 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Group Chief Executive’s review continued

In the early part of the year, we saw 
significant changes in demand in certain 
end markets and geographies, and our 
companies faced a broad spectrum of 
challenges in manufacturing, sales, and 
distribution as a result of the pandemic. 
These included the overriding need to 
ensure safe working conditions and the 
limitations on gaining physical access to 
customer sites.

Our agility and collaborative culture 
allowed us to respond rapidly to these 
changes. To ensure that we maintained 
our financial strength, we reduced our 
quarterly overhead cost run-rate by more 
than £20m in the first quarter, with each 
company determining what savings were 
appropriate for their situation. To preserve 
liquidity, we decided not to complete any 
acquisitions in the first half, and limited 
capital investment to research and 
development (R&D) and essential projects 
only, until the impact of the pandemic on 
our trading and balance sheet became 
clearer. We also focused on effective 
management of working capital,  
while ensuring that we maintained 
productive relationships with our 
customers and suppliers.

At the same time as our companies were 
rapidly addressing new challenges from 
disruptions to supply chains and their 
distribution networks, they were also 
responding to new opportunities arising 
from changes in their markets. These 
factors, combined with demand 
normalising in some market segments 
during the course of the year, meant that 
our trading momentum progressively 
strengthened, allowing us to gradually 
ease some of the financial constraints we 
had put in place in the early part of the 
year. These included a rebounding in M&A 
activity in the second half of the financial 
year and it is pleasing to see that this has 
continued into the new financial year.

“ Our purpose 
has never  
been more 
relevant than 
it is today.”

The sector reviews later in this document 
contain further details of their individual 
performances, although there were 
several common themes. These included 
accelerating the digitalisation of products 
and introducing more online training and 
remote installation support in response to 
restriction in physical access; flexing 
manufacturing footprints and distribution 
capabilities to respond to changes in 
product demand and product mix; 
responding to new regulatory 
requirements; and rapidly adapting 
existing technology to meet new market 
needs. The agility of this response 
supported our delivery of a robust 
financial performance in the year,  
and will be a key element in sustaining  
our growth in the future.

Market trends accelerated by the 
pandemic
Our strategy is to acquire and grow 
companies providing valuable solutions  
for selected market niches with global 
reach, in our chosen areas of safety,  
the environment and health. These  
niche markets offer opportunities for 
sustainable, superior growth with high 
returns, which are supported by long- 
term demographic, climate, and 
regulatory trends. 

The effects of the pandemic have 
accelerated some of the existing long-
term trends in our markets and have led 
to the emergence of new growth 
opportunities and areas of investment:

 — We expect our Medical sector to benefit 
from an increased focus on ensuring 
the resilience of healthcare systems, not 
just in acute care products and services, 
but also in helping to improve patient 
outcomes, efficiency, and the safety of 
patients and staff.

 — The increased focus on hygiene has 

increased demand for automated and 
touchless access systems in our People 
and Vehicle Flow and Elevator 
businesses. We also expect it to drive 
the adoption of technologies in our 
Medical sector such as our real-time 
location systems for healthcare 
facilities, which control access  
and ensure compliance with hand 
hygiene standards.

 — The acceleration in the use of digital 

technology is driving the increasing use 
of telemedicine in our Medical sector, 
and the greater use of remote 
monitoring and control technologies in 
a broad range of applications, from fire 
systems and elevator monitoring, to 
water and waste water leak and spill 
detection, in our Safety and 
Environmental & Analysis sectors.

 — The pandemic has further heightened 
awareness of the need to conserve 
increasingly scarce natural resources, 
given that climate change and the 
degradation of the environment have 
the potential to increase our 
susceptibility to disease in the future. 
We expect this to increase demand for 
our technologies supporting the 
transition to cleaner energy, water 
analysis and treatment, environmental 
monitoring and improving industrial 
efficiency and energy usage.

Increased investment despite the 
short-term challenges
Given our market opportunities, strong 
cash generation and robust liquidity 
position, we increased investment for 
growth and even accelerated our efforts 
in key areas. 

Our companies continued to invest in new 
product development, with R&D 
expenditure staying at the same level as 
the previous year. They invested £70m, 
representing 5.3% of revenue, reflecting 
their confidence in their long-term  
growth prospects.

We have accelerated our planned 
technology investments, given that the 
pandemic has amplified the importance 
of digital technologies, both in terms of 
how we operate, and the way our 
customers want to access our services  
and solutions. 

In addition to the investments made by 
individual Halma operating companies, 
we expect to invest at the Group level 
around £10m of incremental expenditure 
over the next three years, as well as 
adding around £2m per annum to our 
operating costs. These will bring 
significant benefits in support of our 
companies’ growth in the medium term 
and modernise ways of working across 
Halma. These include: 

 — Enhancing security, including  

for remote working, across the  
whole Group.

 — Improving our data and analytics 

capabilities, and enhancing controls,  
in central functions such as finance and 
treasury, talent and human resources, 
sustainability, and legal.

 — Supporting our companies in upgrading 
their operating technology in areas 
such as sales and customer 
management, procurement, 
e-commerce, and operations, finance, 
and human resource management. 

 — Enabling our companies to create new 
digital business models in line with our 
Halma 4.0 growth strategy, by building 
a common core of technology to 
support their digital and Internet of 
Things (IoT) solutions. 

12

Investment in our innovation and digital 
growth programmes has been focused on 
supporting our companies in bringing their 
digital products to market and in 
enhancing the impact of our R&D spend 
by supporting agile decision-making to 
increase the speed and reduce the cost of 
new product development. 

We currently have over 20 digital and agile 
new product development projects 
underway within these programmes. 
These are being supported by our 
Innovation and Digital team and our 
Digital Champions network which enables 
the sharing of expertise between 
companies. The interest these initiatives 
has generated was reflected in our recent 
Digital Execution Accelerator Summit 
event, which saw 130 attendees from 
across Halma explore new ways of 
providing value to customers through 
digital products. To help our companies 
assess their current digital development 
and potential, we have further refined our 
definitions of digital offerings. We now 
measure digital revenue based on 
connected devices, IoT (Internet of Things) 
solutions, and software and services 
revenues, while non-digital products 
include mechanical and non-connected 
intelligent devices. Approximately 40% of 
our revenue currently comes from digital 
products and solutions. These new 
definitions are more consistent with 
external benchmarks and will allow us  
to better assess our ability to capture, 
support and monetise digital 
opportunities.

We have continued to develop our external 
partnerships, including making minority 
investments through our Halma Ventures 
programme, that offers Halma access to 
new technology and capabilities. In 
January 2021, we announced that we had 
agreed a minority investment and 
strategic partnership with Oxbotica, a 
global leader in autonomous vehicle 
software. This strengthens the existing 
relationship between Oxbotica and our 
Halma company Navtech, which 
specialises in radar technology for 
transport applications. 

Shortly before the year end, we also 
completed the spin-out of our food 
technology start-up, OneThird, from our 
company Ocean Insight. This new digital 
business was created following our first 
Halma Digital Edge programme in 2019 
and uses spectroscopy data, a software 
platform and artificial intelligence to 
predict the shelf life of fresh produce to 
avoid food wastage. The spin-out will 
provide OneThird with access to new 
external partners to further accelerate its 
growth, with Halma retaining a minority 
shareholding in the company.

We are continuing to invest in the 
expansion and modernisation of our 
operating facilities to support recent and 
future growth expectations. After a year 
of reduced activity and spend during the 
pandemic of £26m, capital investment in 
the coming year is expected be higher at 
around £30m, including the start of 
construction of a new manufacturing 
facility for one of our largest companies, 
BEA, in Belgium.

Total Shareholder Return
Graph as rebased to 100

Organisational and leadership 
changes to drive our growth strategy
During the year we announced several 
organisational, leadership and reporting 
changes. These demonstrate our 
commitment to developing our people  
to ensure we have a strong and 
sustainable leadership succession for  
the future, as well as our ability to  
recruit the very best talent.

In September 2020, we welcomed Funmi 
Adegoke as Group General Counsel. 
Funmi’s international legal and 
commercial background has enabled her 
to have an immediate positive impact 
with our operating companies, sectors, 
and Executive Board. 

We announced at our half year results in 
November that, from 1 April 2021, we 
would operate and report as three sectors 
to better align with our purpose and focus 
on safety, environmental and health 
markets, while still providing an easily 
scalable organisational model as we grow. 
Each of the three sectors is led by a Sector 
CEO and small sector support team, 
following the same model we have 
successfully deployed since 2014.

Two of our Divisional CEOs, Wendy 
McMillan and Constance Baroudel have 
been promoted to Sector Chief Executive 
for the Safety and Environmental & 
Analysis sectors respectively, while Laura 
Stoltenberg will continue to lead the 
Medical Sector. This change to three 
sectors will result in increased and 
dedicated M&A support for our 
Environmental & Analysis and Medical 
growth opportunities, and maintain the 
existing level of support for the combined 
Safety sector. 

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

% increase

690%

433%

143%

66%

31 March
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31 March
2012

31 March
2013

31 March
2014

31 March
2015

31 March
2016

31 March
2017

31 March
2018

31 March
2019

31 March
2020

31 March
2021

  Halma

FTSE 100

FTSE 250

NASDAQ composite

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Group Chief Executive’s review continued

Following the resignation of Paul Simmons 
at the start of the pandemic in March 
2020, Adam Meyers remained on our 
Executive Board as interim Chief Executive 
of our Safety sector. After completion of 
the Sector leadership succession process 
outlined above, Adam will retire from the 
Executive Board and Halma Board after 
our forthcoming Annual General Meeting 
in July 2021. I would like to thank Adam for 
his exceptional contribution since he 
joined the Group in 1996. In his time as a 
member of the Executive Board (since 
2003) and the Halma Board (since 2008), 
Adam has completed over 20 acquisitions 
and had Divisional or Sector responsibility 
for almost every company in the Group. 
He has been a tremendous supporter of 
emerging talent and over the years has 
done a fantastic job helping new 
Divisional CEOs and Sector CEOs transition 
into their new roles. On behalf of everyone 
at Halma, I wish him all the best for a long 
and happy retirement.

Accelerating our growth through M&A
Our M&A strategy is focused on acquiring 
businesses with valuable intellectual 
property, which operate in market niches 
aligned with our purpose of growing a 
safer, cleaner, healthier future for 
everyone, every day.

Our organisational model is easily scalable 
and gives us the ability to continue 
acquiring small-to-medium sized 
businesses which increase our market 
opportunities and achieve our strategic 
growth objectives. We are also able to sell 
and merge businesses relatively easily 
should market dynamics change, enabling 
us to maintain a growth-oriented portfolio 
without it becoming significantly more 
complex to manage. The benefit of this 
active portfolio management is reflected 
in the number of companies within Halma 
remaining relatively stable, whilst we have 
grown and maximised value for our 
shareholders. For example, in 2011, Halma 
had revenue of £518m from 38 operating 
companies, and today we have only 42 
operating companies delivering revenue  
of over £1.3bn.

After our decision to postpone M&A 
transactions in the first half of the year, 
activity rapidly picked-up in the second 
half and this has continued into the new 
financial year.

In December 2020, we acquired Static 
Systems Group, a UK-based manufacturer 
of critical healthcare communication 
systems, for £37.6m. In the same month, 
we divested Fiberguide Industries, Inc.,  
a US-based manufacturer of fibre optic 
technology, for US$38m (£27.6m).

Following the year-end, in April 2021, we 
acquired PeriGen, a US company whose 
advanced technology protects mothers 
and their unborn babies by alerting 
doctors, midwives and nurses to potential 
problems during childbirth, for US$58m 
(equivalent to approximately £42m at the 
time of announcement). 

We have also continued to strengthen our 
companies’ capabilities across our three 
sectors through bolt-on acquisitions:

 — In the Safety sector, our wireless fire 

safety company, Argus, purchased its 
Italian distributor for €0.5m and our 
industrial access control company, 
Fortress, bought the assets and IP 
associated with monitored safety valves 
from FluidSentry Pty Ltd in Australia  
for A$0.6m.

 — In the Environmental & Analysis sector, 
the UV Group acquired Orca GmbH,  
a German manufacturer of ultraviolet 
disinfection systems, primarily for the 
food and beverage sector, for an initial 
consideration of €6.2m (£5.3m); 
Crowcon purchased its UK flue gas 
analyser distribution partner, Anton 
Industrial Services Limited, for £1.9m. 

 — In the Medical sector, Riester acquired 

the trade and assets of RNK,  
a US-based digital stethoscope  
company, for an initial consideration  
of US$2.7m (£1.9m). 

A Sustainability Framework introduced 
to amplify our positive impact
Our new Sustainability Framework, which 
we have developed this year, aims to 
demonstrate our positive impact through 
continued and more focused efforts to 
minimise our environmental footprint, 
maximise our social impact, and be a 
responsible business. It is designed to 
assist us in understanding the areas of 
sustainability which are most important 
both for Halma and our stakeholders, and 
to help our companies prioritise the 
actions that are going to deliver the 
greatest return for the time and  
resources invested. 

Many of our technologies enable others to 
achieve their own sustainability 
commitments including through the 
protection of natural resources or 
reduction of carbon emissions. We have 
recognised this by explicitly including 
climate change as a new key long-term 
growth driver for our products and 
services, and when assessing opportunities 
for future organic and inorganic growth. 
The beneficial effects of our products and 
services, which help solve many critical 
safety, environmental and health issues, 
also contribute to the achievement of  
our chosen United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs).

Our Sustainability Framework prioritises 
specific Key Sustainability Objectives 
(KSOs), which we believe are both highly 
aligned to our purpose, and key issues for 
Halma and our stakeholders. While these 
may be refined over time, the initial focus 
of our KSOs will be on addressing climate 
change, transitioning our business towards 
a circular economy, and continuing to 
build inclusion, diversity and equity in 
delivering our purpose-aligned growth. 

In the coming financial year, we will set 
challenging objectives and KSO targets, 
and in future consider aligning 
management incentives with them where 
appropriate. We will also continue to 
develop policies and metrics relating to a 
wider scope of responsible business issues 
in support of these KSOs.

The delivery of our Sustainability 
Framework is supported by our new Head 
of Sustainability, who joined in September 
2020, and two new leadership groups 
created this year: our Group-wide 
Sustainability Network, which includes 
representatives from almost every Halma 
company, and a Sustainability 
Management Committee, which is 
responsible for oversight of our 
sustainability initiatives and KSOs, and 
includes senior Halma group executives.

In addition to these structural changes, we 
have made substantial progress on our 
specific sustainability initiatives. For 
climate change, we have set a 1.5 
degree-aligned 2030 target for our Scope 1 
and 2 emissions, in line with guidance 
from the Science-Based Target Initiative, 
and a target to achieve net zero Scope 1 
and 2 emissions by 2040. Alongside these 
commitments, we recognise the need for 
us to work towards net zero across our 
entire value chain. Over the year, we will 
be carrying out a full assessment of our 
supply chain and other Scope 3 emissions 
to determine the targets and 
commitments that will be most 
appropriate for Halma.

These objectives are supported by our 
ongoing work to further increase the 
percentage of the energy we consume 
from renewable sources. We have also 
commenced work towards implementing 
the recommendations of the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD), including initial identification of 
opportunities and risks for Halma. Our 
target is to report fully under the TCFD 
framework from next year.

We have also made progress in assessing 
the importance to Halma of other key 
sustainability-related issues. We have 
commenced an analysis of the 
sustainability-related impact and risk 
across our supply chains, and an initial 
analysis of our operating presence in 
water-stressed areas while improving our 

14

environmental reporting on water and 
waste. These will enable us to establish 
more robust baselines for reporting our 
future progress.

Building greater inclusion, equity, and 
diversity to drive our performance
A critical component of Halma’s 
continued success is our culture, which in 
turn is dependent on the quality and 
diversity of our leaders and teams. We 
seek to ensure that Halma is an 
organisation that is inclusive and treats all 
people equitably. In doing this, we 
maximise the pool of talent available to 
us, recruit and retain the best people for 
every role, and build committed, diverse 
and resilient teams. These qualities and 
benefits were critical in our ability to 
deliver a robust performance in the year.

Our continued efforts to embed the 
principles of diversity, equity and inclusion 
(DEI) within Halma were supported by 
several new initiatives this year. These 
included the global implementation of an 
equal parental leave policy for all our 
employees and the launch of Accelerate 
Inclusion, our programme to build deeper 
awareness and provide practical tools to 
enable our teams around the world to 
create inclusive cultures. These principles 
were reinforced by the new public 
commitments we made in the year, 
including paying a Real Living Wage 
across our UK operations from 1 June 
2022, signing up to the Change the Race 
Ratio campaign, and disclosing for the 
first time the gender pay gap in our UK 
and US operations.

We are confident that our efforts will 
deliver results, as we have already seen 
from the significant progress we have 
made in recent years. For example, with 
new appointments to the Board and 
Executive Board, our gender balance is 
now 42% and 70% women respectively as 
at 10 June 2021. You can find more detail 
on our progress on diversity, equity and 
inclusion in Our People and Culture section 
on pages 60 to 63.

Halma Board changes
Earlier in 2021, we welcomed Dame Louise 
Makin and Dharmash Mistry to our Board 
as non-executive Directors. Both will bring 
significant additional expertise to our 
Board and I am looking forward to 
working more closely with Louise when she 
steps up to become our new Chair after 
our AGM in July. 

With these changes, and in addition to the 
retirement of Adam Meyers referred to 
above, Daniela Barone Soares and Paul 
Walker will be retiring as non-executive 
Director and Chair respectively, at the 
AGM. Both have made significant 
contributions to Halma’s development and 
growth and we give them our thanks and 
best wishes for their new challenges ahead. 

On a personal level, I would particularly 
like to thank Paul for his support and 
guidance as Halma’s Chair. During his 
tenure, Halma has transitioned into a FTSE 
100 company with its market 
capitalisation growing from around £2bn 
in 2013 to over £9bn at the end of this 
financial year. I have really appreciated 
Paul’s commitment to ensuring that we 
have strengthened our culture and talent 
pool as we grow, the benefits of which are 
clearly to be seen in the recent leadership 
succession processes for our Executive and 
Sector Boards. He leaves a strong legacy 
and a foundation upon which I am 
confident that Halma will continue to 
deliver success in the future.

Summary and Outlook
Halma’s purpose is to grow a safer, 
cleaner, healthier future, for everyone, 
every day. It underpins our growth 
strategy, financial model, culture and 
organisational design. The combination 
and interaction of these elements has 
created increasing value for all 
stakeholders on a sustainable basis for 
almost 50 years. 

Together, they have enabled us to make 
further progress during the ongoing 
pandemic, giving us an agility which has 
been crucial in allowing us to address 
short-term challenges while 
simultaneously investing for a fast-
changing future. Our progress has also 
been supported by our teams’ relentless 
execution across all parts of our business, 
and our resilience which stems from the 
diversity of our market niches, their 
fundamental growth drivers, and the 
value of the solutions we provide.

For the year ahead, we expect our markets 
to continue to recover, albeit at varying 
rates, while acknowledging that there are 
potential headwinds including currency, 
inflation, and supply chain constraints. 
Organic constant currency revenue for the 
period from the beginning of January to 
the end of May is up 10% year-on-year. We 
have made a good start to the year, order 
intake is currently ahead of revenue and 
the same period last year, and we also 
have a good pipeline of potential 
acquisition opportunities. We currently 
expect to deliver full year low double-digit 
percentage organic constant currency 
profit growth (prior to any IAS 38 impact) 
and a more normal level of return on sales. 
We look forward to making further 
progress, in this year and the longer term.

Andrew Williams
Group Chief Executive

1  See Highlights.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Our water  
technologies show  
our purpose in action 

Without clean water, people are 
denied access to opportunities 
that should be open to everyone, 
everywhere. Whole communities 
are held back, simply because 
they don’t have access to  
clean water.

In late 2020, Halma launched a 
partnership to help tackle the global 
challenge of bringing clean water to 
some of the 2.2 billion people in the 
world without access to safe supplies. 
Working with WaterAid, our group of 
global technology companies 
committed to supplying our specialist 
water testing equipment and raising 
money to support and train villagers in 
India to overcome dangerous local 
environmental contaminants.

Through our Water for Life campaign, 
we are helping to build a safe and 
clean water supply and use our 
specialised testing kits from Palintest 
to provide 8,000 people in Bhagalpur 
and Buxar with access to a reliable 
source of clean and safe water. We will 
also train community volunteers from 
across ten villages to maintain the 
water quality and also provide 3,000 
people with the resources to safely 
harvest water.

This campaign also helps engage our 
employees, customers, shareholders, 
future talent and partners on a critical 
issue identified through the UN’s 
Sustainable Development Goals.  
In particular, SDG 6, Clean water  
and sanitation. 

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Our Sustainable Growth Model delivers superior and 
sustainable growth, consistently high returns and positive 
impact. We actively manage each of the elements of this 
model and together they create a self-reinforcing system 
that gives us the strength and flexibility to address new 
opportunities and challenges. It is the combination and 
interdependency of all of them that enables us to deliver 
value over the long term for all our stakeholders.

Our sustainable 
growth model

1    
Our purpose

2    
Halma’s DNA

3    
Our strategy 

Our purpose has driven our business for 
over 50 years. It powers every decision we 
make, from choosing our markets to 
finding the right talent. It attracts people 
who want to solve the same problems as 
we do, and keeps us focused on the things 
that matter to our business. 

The combination of our organisational 
model and culture is a fundamental part 
of what makes Halma a successful, 
sustainable business. We call this Halma’s 
DNA, and it runs through our business at 
all levels.

Our strategy is powered by our purpose. 
It is focused on acquiring and growing 
businesses in global niche markets, in our 
chosen areas of safety, health and the 
environment.

Read more

p18

Read more

p19

Read more

p20

16

Our sustainable 
growth model

4    
Our markets 

We choose our markets because they have 
resilient, long-term growth drivers. Their 
growth is driven by increasing demand for 
healthcare and life-critical resources, 
increasing regulation, and by growing 
global efforts to address climate change, 
waste and pollution. 

5   
Investment 
proposition 

We seek to deliver superior and 
sustainable value for our investors, while 
delivering a positive impact for all our 
stakeholders. We set ourselves challenging 
targets, and aspire to double our earnings 
every five years.

6    
Our business model 

Our business model is simple. It is driven 
by our strategy and supported by Halma’s 
DNA. It is focused on sustaining our 
companies’ growth and returns over the 
long term, while delivering strong 
performance in the shorter term.

Read more

p20

Read more

p21

Read more

p22

17

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021Our sustainable growth model continued

1    
Our purpose

Our purpose is to grow a safer, cleaner,  
healthier future for everyone, every day.

Our purpose drives every business decision 
we make. It ensures everyone who works 
with us is focused on doing those things 
that make it happen.

Our companies develop technologies 
which save lives and protect critical 
infrastructure and services. Our 
technologies solve some of the world’s 
most pressing issues, from air quality and 
clean water, to road safety and 
preventable blindness.

Our purpose defines the three broad 
market areas where we choose to operate:

Safety
Protecting life as populations grow and 
enhancing worker safety.

Environment 
Improving food and water quality,  
and monitoring air pollution.

Health
Meeting rising healthcare demand 
as growing populations age and 
lifestyles change.

We believe these issues are global and  
long-term in nature. We expect them  
to support Halma’s success sustainably  
for the foreseeable future.

By growing in line with our purpose, 
we deliver positive impact in the  
markets we serve and beyond.

Learn more about  
our positive impact

p66

18

2    
Halma’s DNA
Halma’s DNA runs through our business at all 
levels. It embodies the core elements of our 
organisation and culture that are inextricably 
linked to enable our success. Even though we 
have to continuously change, these core 
elements remain constant.

Halma Organisational Genes

These are the core elements of our business 
structure and have proved themselves to be 
fundamental drivers in delivering consistent, 
long-term growth. They describe what we 
will protect while we continuously 
transform ourselves.

We are global niche specialists
We are disciplined in targeting high-return, 
global niches in markets with long-term 
growth drivers. We innovate with cutting-
edge technology in these niches using our 
deep application knowledge.

Purpose drives us
Our purpose powers every business decision  
we make, from choosing our markets to  
finding the right talent.

Agility is everything
We are built to be responsive. Individual 
businesses make decisions close to our 
customers. We manage our portfolio 
to respond rapidly when market 
dynamics change.

We bet on talent
We insist on exceptional leaders who  
are empowered and accountable  
to set strategy and grow their own 
businesses. Diverse viewpoints on every team 
help to ensure we don’t miss a thing.

We invest for the future
Our diverse portfolio allows us to take  
a long-term view and means we can  
continue to innovate for the future regardless 
of individual short-term market conditions.

We are structured for growth
Individual businesses within the Group have 
access to our internal and external networks, 
enabling us to go faster by learning from the 
experiences of others. Central expertise and 
capital are available to accelerate organic 
growth, which in turn allow us to continue to 
acquire additional growth and capabilities.

Halma Cultural Genes

These are the unique cultural and behavioural 
principles that we require, protect and 
leverage to effectively optimise our 
organisational genes and deliver our purpose. 

Live the purpose
Be passionate about making the world safer, 
cleaner and healthier. See real problems and 
create innovative solutions. 

Embrace the adventure
Continually grow and change, as individuals 
and collectively. Challenge assumptions and 
see opportunities. Seek insight from all 
directions and leverage diverse points of view.

Be an entrepreneur
Be an owner, risk-taker, visionary.  
Transform bold ambitions into reality.  
Be agile and responsive in the face of  
constant change. Be successful through  
and with others.

Say yes, and…
Choose Yes, and... to seemingly conflicting 
priorities. Build for tomorrow and deliver 
today. Have stability and constantly evolve. 
Enjoy autonomy and eagerly collaborate to 
accomplish our goals.

Just be a good person
Play to win, but not at the expense  
of others. Operate with impeccable  
ethics, transparency and integrity  
in all that you do.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our sustainable growth model continued

3   
Our strategy

Our strategy is powered by our purpose.  
It is focused on acquiring and growing  
businesses in global niche markets,  
in our chosen areas of safety, health  
and the environment.

Our Growth Engines 
Our Core strategy is an evolution of what we 
have always done and focuses on growing 
through enhanced digital offerings, new product 
development, international expansion and 
acquisitions aligned to our purpose.

Our Convergence strategy recognises that we 
can go faster by partnering with others who 
want to solve the same problems as we do. Our 
Edge strategy explores disruptive new business 
models and solutions.

Edge
 Developing and investing in 
digital business models that have 
the potential to completely 
disrupt existing models, 
and which can scale 
exponentially.

4   
Our markets

We choose our markets because they  
have resilient, long-term growth drivers.

Growing a
safer, cleaner,
healthier future
for everyone,
every day.

Core 
 Developing new products and 
digital offerings, and growing 
organically and by acquisitions in 
niche markets with global reach  
which have resilient long-term 
growth drivers.

Convergence 
Developing new products, 
services and business models 
by combining existing 
Halma technologies and 
capabilities in new ways, and 
potentially by adding 
capabilities and 
partnerships.

20+ countries

We operate in more than 20 countries,  
with major operations in the UK, Mainland 
Europe, the USA and Asia.

Our companies are small- to medium-sized 
businesses, which provide technology solutions 
in the safety, health and environmental markets.

We have a variety of routes to market, 
from direct sales to third party distribution, and 
a wide range of customers, from individuals to 
large OEMs. 

Our customers operate in diverse sectors, 
including commercial and public buildings, 
utilities, healthcare, science, the environment, 
process industries, and energy and resources.

 — Global efforts to address climate  

change, waste and pollution

 — Increasing health, safety and  

environmental regulation

 — Increasing demand for healthcare

 — Increasing demands on life-  

critical resources

We expect to drive consistently superior growth 
and returns over the long term from our 
disciplined focus on acquiring and growing 
businesses in these niche markets.

We continuously reinvest in our companies to 
ensure that we maintain strong positions in our 
chosen markets. This includes investment in 
developing our people, our products and 
services, our intellectual property and our 
knowledge of the markets we serve.

20

5   
Investment proposition

We seek to create sustainable value for our 
stakeholders, by delivering consistently strong growth 
and returns and a positive impact. We set ourselves 
challenging targets, and aspire to double our earnings 
every five years, while maintaining a conservative 
capital structure and delivering high returns.

Value

Growth

Returns

Positive impact

High growth  
and returns
We deliver high growth and returns. Over the 
past five years, organic revenue growth has 
averaged 6.8% and growth in adjusted earnings 
per share has averaged 11.3%. Return on Sales 
has averaged 20.3% and Return on Total 
Invested Capital has averaged 15.2% over 
the same time period.

Strong cash 
generation and 
modest leverage
Our business is strongly cash generative. 
Cash generation (adjusted operating cash flow 
as a percentage of adjusted operating profit) 
has averaged 92% over the past five years. 
We maintain modest levels of leverage, to allow 
us flexibility for organic investment and to make 
acquisitions, with gearing (net debt to EBITDA) 
having averaged 0.85 times over the 
past five years.

A clear purpose and  
a positive impact
Our purpose is to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier 
future for everyone, every day, and this gives us a 
strong motivation to make a positive difference 
to people’s lives worldwide, and provides us with 
exciting opportunities for growth in a diverse 
range of markets. We seek to amplify this 
positive impact through our Sustainability 
Framework, which focuses us on the areas of 
sustainability which are both highly aligned to 
our purpose and most material for Halma and 
our stakeholders.

Agile portfolio 
management
We manage the mix of businesses in our 
Group to ensure we can sustain strong growth 
and returns over the long term, aligned with our 
purpose. We acquire businesses to accelerate 
penetration of 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.

A strong and consistent track record
We have delivered record levels of profit for 18 consecutive years, Return on Sales of 16% or more 
for 36 consecutive years, and have a 42-year track record of growing dividend per share by 5% or 
more every year.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our sustainable growth model continued

6   
Our business model

Our business model is simple. It is underpinned by 
our purpose, driven by our strategy and supported 
by Halma’s DNA. It is focused on sustaining our 
companies’ growth and returns over the longer 
term, while delivering strong performance in the 
shorter term.

We are structured  
for growth 

Our structure is simple and lean, with only  
three layers – companies, sectors and Group 
executive and teams – all three of which are 
focused and rewarded on driving growth. This 
allows for fast decision-making, and minimises 
bureaucracy. 

Our companies
Each company is a separate legal entity with a 
board of directors. This drives accountability for 
performance and supports good governance. 
It also allows companies to drive innovation in 
their chosen niche markets, and be agile and 
responsive to changes in their customers’ needs 
to drive sustainable growth.

Our sectors
Our sector teams are the vital connection 
between our companies and Growth Enablers . 
They promote internal networks and 
collaboration between companies, enabling 
companies to capitalise on broader sector 
trends, and support M&A through small 
sector teams.

Group executive and teams
Group executive and teams provide expertise in 
capital management and control frameworks. 
They support our companies through our Growth 
Enablers, manage our portfolio of companies 
and the allocation of capital, set our risk 
appetite, and ensure compliance and 
good governance.

We have a sustainable 
financial model 

Our purpose and strategy define the markets we 
operate in, and our focus on growing and 
acquiring businesses in global niches in the 
safety, health and environmental markets. 

Our choice of markets results in a highly 
sustainable financial model: strong organic 
growth and cash generation allow us to 
continuously reinvest in future growth 
and acquisitions.

Strong organic growth
The foundation of our financial model is strong 
and consistent organic revenue and profit 
growth. This is driven by our disciplined focus on 
markets which have resilient, long-term growth 
drivers, and market niches that offer consistently 
superior organic growth and high returns.

High returns and cash generation
We also choose markets that have relatively low 
capital intensity and high returns on sales. In 
turn, this drives strong returns on capital and 
high levels of cash generation.

Continuous reinvestment
We use this cash generation to continuously 
reinvest in R&D and product innovation to 
maintain our strong market and product 
positions, and to drive growth and maintain  
a high return on sales.

Value-enhancing acquisitions 
Strong cash generation also allows us to  
make value-enhancing acquisitions in core  
and adjacent markets to expand our growth 
opportunities and geographical reach.

Flexibility to invest and 
grow dividends 
We maintain modest levels of financial leverage, 
to allow us flexibility to invest and sustain a 
progressive dividend policy for our shareholders.

22

We support our companies  
through our Growth Enablers 

Our Growth Enablers support our companies in delivering our growth strategy. 
These seven Growth Enablers leverage a unique set of skills and expertise from 
across the Group, powered and coordinated by small central teams.

M&A
We acquire and grow businesses 
sustainably over the long term in line 
with our strategy, and sell or merge 
businesses which are no longer aligned.

International Expansion
We assist our companies in growing their 
business in key export markets, including 
through our hubs in the USA, UK, India 
and China.

Talent and Culture
We ensure Halma has world-class teams 
and high-performance, inclusive cultures 
across our operating model.

Finance, Legal and Risk
We give our leaders the insight to make 
good decisions, through accurate, 
timely, and actionable financial data, 
legal advice and risk analysis.

Digital Growth Engines
We provide accelerator programmes to 
challenge our companies to discover new 
opportunities, and support them with 
the digital capabilities and technology  
to grow.

Innovation Network
We connect our companies with each 
other and experts globally to help them 
learn faster, see new market trends and 
establish strategic partnerships.

Strategic Communications  
and Brand
We enable our companies to reach all 
stakeholders by helping them build their 
brand, understand their market needs 
and develop leading positions.

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We amplify our positive  
impact through our  
Sustainability Framework

Halma companies, by growing, make the world a safer, cleaner and healthier 
place. We aim to amplify this positive impact by working towards achieving our 
Key Sustainability Objectives, as part of our Sustainability Framework.

We measure our achievements  
and reward performance

We are developing new ways of measuring 
the delivery of our strategy, for example in the 
effect of Convergence and Edge strategies, 
and how we are achieving our purpose, by more 
effectively measuring our impact on the world.

Rewarding our people
Our people are rewarded on performance. 
We reward them for delivering superior and 
sustainable growth and returns and hold them 
accountable for delivering our strategy and 
complying with our control frameworks. 
Short-term incentives based on Economic 
Value Added (profit growth, adjusted for 
a charge for the use of any capital) are 
balanced by longer-term incentives in 
the form of Halma shares. 

We measure our achievements through financial 
and non-financial key performance indicators 
(KPIs), and through customer satisfaction 
and the delivery of shareholder value. 

Setting challenging targets
We aspire to double our earnings every five years 
while maintaining high returns, and set targets 
for our growth, returns, cash generation and 
investment KPIs. We work hard to ensure that 
we have the right culture, talent and diversity 
and set challenging targets for employee 
engagement, health and safety and training.

Closely monitoring performance
We closely monitor our companies’ 
performance, their strategic plans and 
forecasts. Each company certifies twice a 
year its compliance with minimum controls 
for finance, legal and IT; this is complemented 
by independent peer reviews of financial 
performance, and internal and external audits.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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23

 
 
 
Financial review

“ We delivered a robust 

financial performance, 
with record profits 
and strong cash 
flow, while increasing 
investment and further 
strengthening our 
balance sheet.” 

Marc Ronchetti, Chief Financial Officer 

Record profit
Halma delivered a robust financial 
performance in the period, despite the 
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We 
responded rapidly to the challenges and 
new opportunities which arose in the year 
to deliver a record profit for the 18th 
consecutive year, while increasing our 
investment in future growth opportunities 
and further strengthening our balance 
sheet. This financial performance reflects 
the value of our Sustainable Growth Model 
and the authenticity of our purpose. 

Revenue for the year to 31 March 2021 was 
£1,318.2m (2020: £1,338.4m), down 1.5%. 
This reflected a resilient organic 
performance, supported by the agility of 
our companies in responding to fast-
changing market conditions, and a 
benefit from recent acquisitions. Adjusted1 
profit before taxation grew 4.2% to 
£278.3m (2020: £267.0m), and benefited 
from discretionary variable cost 
reductions, good ongoing control of 
overheads and a reduction in financing 
costs. Statutory profit before taxation 
increased by 12.9% to £252.9m (2020: 
£224.1m), and included a £21.6m gain on 
disposal of Fiberguide Industries, Inc. in 
the second half of the year.

The decrease in revenue included 
a 5.6% decline in organic constant 
currency revenue. The contribution 
from acquisitions was a positive 5.4% 
(5.1% net of disposals), and there was a 
negative effect from currency translation 
of 1.0%. The 4.2% increase in Adjusted1 
profit comprised a 0.7% increase in 

organic constant currency profit, a 4.7% 
contribution from acquisitions (4.5% net 
of disposals), and a negative effect from 
currency of 1.0%.

Statutory profit before taxation of 
£252.9m is calculated after charging the 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
of £42.3m (2020: £38.3m), a £22.1m gain 
on disposals (2020: £2.9m), and other 
items of a net £5.2m (2020: £7.5m). 
Further detail on these items is given in 
note 1 to these Accounts.

Cash conversion was very strong at 104%, 
primarily driven by good underlying 
working capital control, in addition to 
specific actions taken in response to the 
pandemic. As a result, net debt (on an 
IFRS 16 basis which includes lease 
commitments) reduced substantially to 
£256.2m (31 March 2020: £375.3m).

Robust revenue and  
profit performance
Revenue fell by 5.4% in the first half and 
increased by 2.2% in the second half. 
Having declined in the first quarter, 
revenue increased sequentially in each 
subsequent quarter. Constant currency 
organic revenue declined by 5.6%, 
comprising an 11.0% reduction in the first 
half, reflecting the effects of the COVID-19 
pandemic, and a decline of only 0.3% in 
the second half. There was a small 
negative effect of 0.4% from currency 
translation in the first half which increased 
in the second half, giving a negative effect 
of 1.0% for the year as a whole.

Adjusted1 profit declined by 5.3% in the 
first half, but grew by 13.1% in the second 
half. As a result, the first half/second half 
split of adjusted profit was 44%/56%, 
compared to our typical 45%/55% pattern. 

Revenue and profit change

Percentage growth

Organic
growth2 

at
constant
currency
%

Organic
growth2
%

2021
£m

2020
£m

Change
£m

Total
%

Revenue

1,318.2 1,338.4

(20.2)

(1.5)

(6.6)

(5.6)

Adjusted1 profit before taxation

278.3

267.0

11.3

Statutory profit before taxation

252.9

224.1

28.8

4.2

12.9

(0.3)

–

0.7

–

1  In addition to those figures reported under IFRS Halma uses alternative performance measures as key performance 

indicators, as management believe these measures enable them to better assess the underlying trading performance of 
the business by removing non-trading items that are not closely related to the Group’s trading or operating cash flows. 
Adjusted profit excludes the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring 
costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. All of these are included in the statutory figures. Notes 1 and 3 to the 
Accounts give further details with the calculation and reconciliation of adjusted figures.

2  See Highlights.

24

Revenue bridge (£m)

£1,318.2m

(1.5)%

Adjusted1 profit bridge (£m)

Geographic revenue bridge (£m)

£278.3m

+4.2%

£1,318.2m

(1.5)%

1,338.4

(5.6)% 5.4% (0.3)% (1.0)%

1,318.2

267.0

0.7% 4.7%

(0.2)%

(1.0)%

278.3

1,338.4

(0.3)% (0.2)% (3.5)% 1.3% (11.5)%

1,318.2

1,400

1,300

1,200

1,100

1,000

0

2

0

2

a

O r g

n i c
c

A

q

s

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u isiti o

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D is

a ls

s

o

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u rr e

C

1

2

0

2

*  Comprises Africa, Near and Middle East & other countries.

Sector revenue change

Process Safety

Infrastructure Safety

Environmental & Analysis

Medical

Inter-segment sales

Sector profit change

Process Safety

Infrastructure Safety

Environmental & Analysis

Medical

Sector profit3

Central administration costs

Net finance expense

Adjusted4 profit before tax

280

260

240

220

200

£m

188.8

450.5

308.8

371.3

(1.2)

1,318.2

£m

36.6

110.6

77.4

86.6

311.2

(22.9)

(10.0)

278.3

1,400

1,300

1,200

1,100

1,000

2020

% of
total

15

35

24

26

0

2

0

2

a

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s

n

u isiti o

n i c

q

c

A

a ls

s

o

p

D is

y

c

n

u rr e

C

1

2

0

2

2021

% of
total

14

34

24

28

£m

200.0

466.5

325.0

347.2

(0.3)

100

1,338.4

100

2020

% of
total

14

35

23

28

100

2021

% of
total

12

35

25

28

100

£m

43.9

107.7

69.4

84.4

305.4

(26.3)

(12.1)

267.0

0

2

0

2

A

S

U

e

p

u r o

E

c

c i fi

a

e r *

h

t

O

1

2

0

2

K
si a   P

U

A

Change
£m

% 
growth

% organic
growth2 at
constant
currency

(11.9)

(4.7)

(2.7)

(5.4)

(5.6)

(3.4)

(5.0)

7.0

(1.5)

(5.6)

% organic
growth2 at
constant
currency

(21.5)

1.2

14.7

(10.5)

% 
growth

(16.7)

2.7

11.4

2.6

4.2

0.7

(11.2)

(16.0)

(16.2)

24.1

(0.9)

(20.2)

Change
£m

(7.3)

2.9

8.0

2.2

5.8

3.4

2.1

11.3

3  Sector profit before allocation of adjustments. See Note 1 to the Financial Statements.
4  Adjusted profit excludes the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring costs; and profit or loss on disposal of operations. All of these are 

included in the statutory figures. Note 3 to the Accounts gives further details with the calculation and reconciliation of adjusted figures.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Financial review continued

As with revenue, profit grew sequentially 
from the first quarter onwards, and there 
was a small negative effect from currency 
translation in the first half, which increased 
in the second half. Organic profit at 
constant currency declined by 11.1% in the 
first half, but increased by 11.8% in the 
second half, resulting in modest growth of 
0.7% for the year.

Profitability in the year benefited from the 
discretionary variable cost reductions 
delivered in the first quarter, good ongoing 
control of overheads including reduced 
travel and trade show costs and reduced 
absolute research and development spend 
in line with revenue. These savings were, in 
part, offset by increased distribution costs 
and one-off enhanced employee 
COVID-19 related payments. These overall 
savings included the impact of our 
decision during the second half to repay 
all employees below the Executive Board 
the temporary salary reductions 
implemented from 1 April 2020 for a 
three-month period (ensuring all 
employees were paid at least 100% for 
hours worked). The Board and Executive 
Board incurred a reduction in salaries of 
20% for the first quarter and did not feel it 
appropriate for this to be repaid.

Stronger second half performance
Our companies saw significant and 
varying changes in demand in the year as 
a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
this was reflected in the different sector 
performances. Having seen a substantial 
decline in the first quarter (compared to 
the final quarter of the prior year), overall 
performance improved as the year 
progressed. All sectors delivered a stronger 
absolute revenue and profit performance 
in the second half, compared to the first 
half of the year. For the full year as a 
whole, while revenue increased in only one 
sector, three of the four sectors grew 
profit on a reported basis, and two on an 
organic constant currency basis.

Process Safety revenue declined 5.6%, 
which included a benefit from the 
acquisition of Sensit Technologies in the 
prior year. Revenue on an organic 
constant currency basis fell 11.9%, which 
reflected the adverse effects of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, including the 
difficulty of gaining access to customer 
sites and the deferral of project-based 
business, in addition to a challenging oil 
and gas market and a strong comparative 
in Industrial Access Control (which 
included a large logistics contract). Profit 
decreased by 16.7% (21.5% on an organic 
constant currency basis), mainly because 
of the decline in higher margin US onshore 
oil and gas business, as well as one-off 
restructuring costs of £1.9m. As a result, 
Return on Sales was lower, at 19.4% (2020: 
21.9%). The second half saw a sequential 
improvement in revenue, albeit still 
marginally down on the same period last 
year, with revenue declining 1.0% on a 
reported basis and 6.5% on an organic 
constant currency basis. Our companies 
have continued to broaden and diversify 
their revenue streams and acted to more 
closely align overheads with revenue, to 
deliver an improved profit performance as 
the year progressed. Looking ahead we 
anticipate some recovery in the Process 
Safety end markets which, in addition to 
new product introductions, should return 
the sector to growth for the year ahead.

Infrastructure Safety delivered a resilient 
performance for the year, despite a 13.5% 
fall in revenue in the first half (a decline of 
16.2% on an organic constant currency 
basis) which included an adverse impact 
from the COVID-19 pandemic. As market 
conditions started to recover, revenue 
grew by 6.6% in the second half of the 
year (6.7% on an organic constant 
currency basis) compared to the same 
period in the prior year, resulting in 
revenue for the full year being down 3.4% 
(4.7% on an organic constant currency 
basis). Return on Sales was higher at 
24.5% (2020: 23.1%), reflecting an 
improvement in gross margin from 

favourable business mix and good 
underlying overhead control. As a result, 
reported profit grew by 2.7% in the full 
year and by 1.2% on an organic constant 
currency basis. Looking ahead we expect a 
continuation of the recovery we saw in the 
second half, albeit against the potential 
headwinds relating to ongoing supply 
chain challenges and the ongoing risk of 
further COVID-19 related disruption.

The Environmental & Analysis sector 
delivered a robust performance for the 
year. While reported revenue declined by 
5.0%, this was partly due to the disposal 
of Fiberguide Industries, Inc. in the third 
quarter of the year, and revenue on an 
organic constant currency basis fell by 
only 2.7%. This was a resilient performance 
given the very strong comparative in the 
second half of the previous year. Profit 
grew strongly, by 11.4% on a reported basis 
and by 14.7% on an organic constant 
currency basis, reflecting the benefit to 
gross margin from a favourable mix of 
business, and very strong control of 
overheads. As a result, Return on Sales 
increased to 25.1% (2020: 21.4%) and, 
given that this was driven by mix of 
business, discretionary variable cost 
reductions and the phasing of a long-term 
photonics project, we do not expect this 
high level of Return on Sales to be 
maintained in the coming year. Looking 
ahead we expect the sector to make 
continued progress albeit against a strong 
comparative with the continued 
contribution of some large photonics 
projects, in addition to the timing of the 
UK water infrastructure investment cycle 
and the continued recovery of the water 
testing markets.

The Medical sector delivered good revenue 
growth of 7.0% for the year. This included 
a significant contribution from prior year 
acquisitions, with revenue declining by 
5.4% on an organic constant currency 
basis. Sector companies experienced 
substantially different changes in demand 
as a result of the pandemic, with some 
having to meet significantly increased 

Geographic revenue 

United States of America

Mainland Europe

United Kingdom

Asia Pacific

Africa, Near and Middle East

Other countries

26

2021

% of
total

39

21

16

16

4

4

£m

510.3

276.4

221.2

213.3

63.2

54.0

2020

% of
total

38

21

16

16

5

4

£m

508.8

276.0

213.6

216.1

54.1

49.6

Change
£m

% 
change

% change
 organic at
constant
currency

(1.5)

(0.4)

(7.6)

2.8

(9.1)

(4.4)

(0.3)

(0.2)

(3.5)

1.3

(14.4)

(8.1)

(1.5)

(6.0)

(3.0)

(7.0)

(3.6)

(15.1)

(5.3)

(5.6)

1,318.2

100

1,338.4

100

(20.2)

demand for products and services related 
to the diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19, 
and others seeing substantial falls in 
revenue as a result of a slowdown in 
elective procedures and difficulties in 
gaining access to hospitals. This change in 
business mix had an adverse effect on 
gross margin which, alongside an 
increased R&D spend in the year, meant 
that Return on Sales decreased by  
1 percentage point to 23.3%. Our 
companies responded with agility to these 
changes, both in terms of addressing new 
revenue opportunities and adjusting 
overheads where required. This, together 
with some modest recovery in elective 
procedures as the year progressed and a 
further contribution from acquisitions, 
resulted in the sector returning to revenue 
and profit growth in the second half. 
Looking ahead, we expect to continue to 
see the recovery in elective procedures 
and for there to be a decline in demand 
for COVID-19 related products. These 
factors, alongside the continued 
contribution from recent acquisitions 
means that the sector is expected to 
deliver more normal levels of growth for 
the year ahead.

We continue to hold an additional £5.0m 
central provision for bad debt, reflecting 
the continuing increased risk of customer 
bad debt in all sectors due to the ongoing 
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Central administration costs, which 
include our Growth Enabler functions, 
decreased to £22.9m (2020: £26.3m). This 
principally reflected the discretionary cost 
reduction measures implemented in the 
first quarter of the year, in addition to 
ongoing overhead control for the balance 
of the year. These actions delivered 
savings across all functions driven by 
reduced travel, the use of virtual 
conferences, deferred spend on projects, 
reduced development programmes and a 
reduction in bonus payments as a result of 
financial performance. These savings were 
in part offset by the one-off enhanced 
employee COVID-19 related payments of 
£2m and the acceleration of planned IT 
investment spend. As we plan to increase 
and selectively accelerate investment in 
our Growth Enablers in the year ahead, we 
expect central costs to increase to 
approximately £32m in 2022 (excluding up 
to £5m of IT Software as a Service (SaaS) 
configuration and customisation costs). 

This will include both a return to more 
normalised levels of central investment, in 
addition to an acceleration in our 
investments in IT and Technology, 
strategic communications and 
governance and compliance (including 
ESG), and a return to more normal levels 
of annual bonus payments. This level of 
investment is expected to normalise 
(relative to revenue) during the financial 
year ending 2023. 

As previously announced, from 1 April 2021, 
we will align our organisational structure 
and financial reporting with our purpose 
and core market focus. We will report  
our performance in three sectors,  
namely Safety, Environmental &  
Analysis, and Medical. 

Resilient revenue performance in all 
major regions
The Group’s four major regions delivered a 
resilient revenue performance and 
individually reflected the mix of businesses 
and the extent of contributions from 
recent acquisitions in each region. Asia 
Pacific delivered a small amount of 
growth, the USA and Mainland Europe 
were flat, and the UK saw a small decline. 
The contribution from acquisitions  
was largest in the USA, with a modest 
benefit in the other three major regions. 
Revenue in other regions fell more sharply, 
with the effects of the pandemic more 
severe and sustained in a number of 
developing markets. 

Revenue in the USA declined by 0.3%, and 
remains our largest revenue destination, 
accounting for 39% of Group revenue, an 
increase of one percentage point 
compared to the prior year. Organic 
constant currency revenue declined by 
6.0%. There was a wide range of 
performances by each sector. On a 
reported basis, Medical delivered strong 
growth, which included a substantial 
benefit from recent acquisitions, and the 
other three sectors saw modest declines. 
Revenue in Process Safety benefited from 
the acquisition of Sensit, but on an 
organic constant currency basis saw a 
significant decline given a strong 
comparator (due to a large logistics 
contract in the prior year), in addition to 
weak demand for safety products in the 
US onshore oil and gas related businesses 
and site access issues. 

Environmental & Analysis delivered the 
most resilient performance on an organic 
constant currency basis, but total revenue 
was impacted by the disposal of 
Fiberguide Industries, Inc. in the  
third quarter. 

Mainland Europe revenue was 0.2% lower. 
There was a modest contribution from 
recent acquisitions, and revenue on an 
organic constant currency basis declined 
by 3.0%. The region’s largest sector, 
Infrastructure Safety, saw a small decline 
in revenue, despite a strong performance 
in the People and Vehicle Flow sub sector. 
The other three sectors grew on a reported 
basis, with Process Safety benefiting from 
the fulfilment of some significant projects, 
Environmental & Analysis seeing a good 
performance in Water Analysis and 
Treatment, and Medical’s performance 
including the benefit of recent 
acquisitions. 

UK revenue was 3.5% lower, or 7.0% on an 
organic constant currency basis. 
Infrastructure Safety grew slightly, 
supported by a strong recovery in the Fire 
and Security businesses in the second half 
of the year. Environmental & Analysis, 
however, saw a substantial decline against 
a very strong prior year comparator, 
particularly in our Water businesses. In the 
other, much smaller, sectors, Process 
Safety delivered a resilient performance, 
with a modest decline in revenue, while 
the Medical sector revenue grew strongly 
on a reported basis, with the benefit of 
the Static Systems acquisition offsetting a 
sharp decline on an organic constant 
currency basis.

Asia Pacific grew 1.3%, which included 
double-digit growth in China, as it 
recovered from the effects of the 
pandemic. There was good growth in 
South Korea, but significant declines in 
other markets, largely as a result of the 
pandemic. There was good growth in the 
Environmental & Analysis sector, 
supported by the recovery in China, and a 
solid performance in Medical which 
benefited from recent acquisitions. 
Revenue in the Safety sectors declined 
with a slowing of large project approvals 
in Process Safety. Infrastructure Safety’s 
performance benefited from the 
acquisition of Ampac in Australia in the 
prior year. On an organic constant 
currency basis, Asia Pacific revenue 
declined by 3.6%.

Currency effects

US$

Euro

Weighted average rates used  
in the Income Statement

Exchange rates used to  
translate the Balance Sheet

First half

1.267

1.116

2021
Full year

1.308

1.121

2020
Full year

1.271

1.144

2021
Year end

1.378

1.174

2020
Year end

1.25

1.133

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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27

 
 
 
Financial review continued

In other regions, revenue was 11.5% lower 
and 10.6% down on an organic constant 
currency basis. This performance reflected 
the significant and continuing impact of 
the pandemic on developing regions, with 
all sectors seeing a decline in revenue.  
Of the larger countries, only Canada 
delivered growth. As a result, and despite 
the modest improvement in Asia Pacific, 
revenue from territories outside the  
UK/Mainland Europe/the USA fell by  
3.2%, which was below our 10% KPI 
growth target.

Continued high returns
Halma’s Return on Sales2 has exceeded 
16% for 36 consecutive years. Our KPI 
target is to deliver Return on Sales in the 
range of 18–22% and this year Return on 
Sales increased to 21.1% (2020: 19.9%). This 
reflected discretionary cost reductions of 
over £20m realised in the first quarter of 
the year (compared to the previous 
quarter’s run rate), strong ongoing 
overhead control, and a modest reduction 
in research and development spend, in line 
with revenue. The previously reported £5m 
increase in customer bad debt provision 
included in 2020 due to the additional risk 
from COVID-19 has remained in place. 

We successfully achieved our objective of 
continuing to invest in our businesses while 
delivering growth and we maintained a 
high level of Return on Total Invested 
Capital (ROTIC)2, the post-tax return on 
the Group’s total assets including all 
historical goodwill. This year, ROTIC was 
14.4% (2020: 15.3%), with the change 
principally reflecting a lower level of 
constant currency earnings growth than in 
the prior year, as well as lower dividend 
growth in the year as a result of the 
COVID-19 pandemic. Our ROTIC remains 
well ahead of our KPI target of 12% and 
substantially in excess of Halma’s 
Weighted Average Cost of Capital 
(WACC), estimated to be 6.7%  
(2020: 7.7%).

Currency effects well managed
Halma reports its results in Sterling. Our 
other key trading currencies are the US 
Dollar, Euro and to a lesser extent the 
Swiss Franc, the Chinese Renminbi and the 
Australian Dollar. Over 45% of Group 
revenue is denominated in US Dollars and 
approximately 12% in Euros.

The Group has both translational and 
transactional currency exposure with 
translational exposures not hedged. For 
transactional exposures, after matching 
currency of revenue with currency of costs 
wherever practical, forward exchange 
contracts are used to hedge a proportion 
(up to 75%) of the remaining forecast net 
transaction flows where there is a 
reasonable certainty of an exposure. We 
hedge up to 12 months forward. 

Sterling strengthened on average in the 
year, principally in the second half. This 
gave rise to a negative currency 
translation impact of 1.0% on revenue and 
on profit for the full year.

Based on the current mix of currency 
denominated revenue and profit, a 1% 
movement in the US Dollar relative to 
Sterling changes revenue by £6.3m and 
profit by £1.3m. Similarly, a 1% movement 
in the Euro changes revenue by £1.6m and 
profit by £0.3m.

If currency rates for the financial year 2022 
were US Dollar 1.378/ Euro 1.174 relative to 
Sterling, and assuming a constant mix of 
currency results, we would expect 
approximately a £39m negative revenue 
and a £9m negative profit impact 
compared to financial year 2021, with the 
majority of the impact in the first half of 
the year.

Financing cost decreased
The net financing cost in the Income 
Statement of £10.0m was lower than the 
prior year (2020: £12.1m). This reflected the 
lower average net borrowings in the year 
given strong cash generation, a lower level 

of expenditure on acquisitions, and lower 
interest rates (see the “Average debt and 
interest rates’” table on page 30 for  
more information).

Interest cover (EBITDA as a multiple of net 
interest expense as defined by our 
Revolving Credit Facility) was 47 times 
(2020: 40 times) which was substantially 
in excess of the four times minimum 
required in our banking covenants.

The net pension financing impact under 
IAS 19 is included within the net financing 
cost. This year the Group recognised a 
gain of £0.1m (2020: charge of £0.8m), 
reflecting the lower net deficit at  
31 March 2020.

Group tax rate increased
The Group has major operating 
subsidiaries in 10 countries and the Group’s 
effective tax rate is a blend of these 
national tax rates applied to locally 
generated profits. 

The Group’s effective tax rate on adjusted 
profit was higher than in the prior year at 
20.1% (2020: 18.5%). This was mainly due 
to the reversal of one-off credits in the 
prior year and a change in the expected 
mix of profits arising from increased 
profits in higher tax jurisdictions. Based on 
the forecast mix of adjusted profits for the 
year to 31 March 2022 we currently 
anticipate the Group effective tax rate to 
increase to approximately 21.5% of 
adjusted profits. The forecast increase is a 
result of changes in tax laws reducing the 
benefits arising from intra-group financing 
arrangements.

On 2 April 2019, the European Commission 
published its final decision that the UK 
controlled Finance Company Partial 
Exemption (FCPE) constituted State Aid. In 
common with many other UK companies, 
Halma has benefited from the FCPE. The 
total benefit to Halma in the periods 
affected by the European Commission’s 
decision has been approximately £15.4m in 
respect of tax. Halma has appealed 

Operating cash flow summary

Operating profit

Net acquisition costs and contingent consideration fair value adjustments

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition-related acquired intangible assets

Adjusted operating profit

Depreciation and other amortisation

Working capital movements

Capital expenditure net of disposal proceeds

Additional payments to pension plans

Other adjustments

Adjusted operating cash flow

28

2021
£m

240.8

5.2

42.3

288.3

50.8

2.8

(25.9)

(13.0)

(2.7)

300.3

2020
£m

233.4

7.5

38.3

279.2

51.5

(9.3)

(32.2)

(12.5)

(4.5)

272.2

against the European Commission’s 
decision, as have the UK Government and 
several other UK companies. Following 
receipt of a charging notice from HM 
Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in January, 
we made payment of £13.9m to HMRC in 
respect of tax, and since the year end 
have received a further charging notice in 
respect of interest of approximately 
£0.8m. We expect these payments to be 
refundable in the event of a successful 
appeal and have recognised a corporation 
tax asset of £13.9m in the balance sheet.

Strong cash generation
Cash generation is an important 
component of the Halma model, 
underpinning further investment in 
organic growth, supporting value-
enhancing acquisitions and funding an 
increasing dividend. Our cash conversion 
in 2021 was strong.

Cash generated from operations was 
£331.4m (2020: £307.9m) and adjusted 
operating cash flow, which excludes 
operating cash adjusting items, and 
includes net cash capital expenditure, was 
£300.3m (2020: £272.2m) which 
represented 104% (2020: 97%) of adjusted 
operating profit. This was significantly 
ahead of our cash conversion KPI target of 
90%, reflecting a strong underlying 
performance primarily driven by good 
working capital control and the cash 
conservation measures in place during the 
year. Adjusted operating cash flow is 
defined in note 3 to the Accounts.

A summary of the year’s cash flow is 
shown in the tables below. The largest 
outflows in the year were in relation to 
acquisitions, dividends and taxation paid. 

There was a working capital inflow of 
£2.8m, comprising changes in inventory, 
receivables and creditors (2020: outflow of 
£9.3m), reflecting an increase in creditors, 
including from the acquisition of Static 
Systems Group, a reduction in debtors, 
given the Group’s success in collecting 
aged receivables, and the deferral of 
employer social security tax liabilities in 
the USA. 

The deferral of payment of tax liabilities 
related to the employers’ share of 
quarterly social security tax deposits in the 
USA, as permitted during the COVID-19 
pandemic, resulted in a deferral of a cash 
tax liability of approximately US$6m 
(£5m) relating to the period 27 March 2020 
to 31 December 2020. Half of this amount 
was due by 31 December 2021 and the 
remainder by 31 December 2022. Given the 
Group’s strong financial position, we paid 
substantially all of the amount due in May 
2021, with the remainder to be paid in 
June, ahead of these due dates.

Dividends totalling £63.7m (2020: £61.2m) 
were paid to shareholders in the year.

Taxation paid increased to £53.8m (2020: 
£52.4m), and included the £13.9m paid to 
HMRC following the receipt of the 
charging notice for the UK FCPE State Aid 
issue. Excluding the £13.9m payment, the 
taxation paid decreased compared to last 
year mainly due to changes in the timing 
of tax payments in the prior year.

Capital allocation and funding 
priorities
Halma aims to deliver high returns, 
measured by ROTIC², well in excess of our 
cost of capital. We invest to deliver the 
future earnings growth and strong cash 
returns which underpin this aim, and our 
capital allocation priorities remain as 
follows:

 — Investment for organic growth: Organic 
growth is our first priority and is driven 
by investment in our existing 
businesses, including through capital 
expenditure, innovation for digital 
growth and in new products, 
international expansion and the 
development of our people.

 — Value-enhancing acquisitions: We 
supplement organic growth with 
acquisitions in current and adjacent 
market niches. This brings new 
technology, intellectual property and 
talent into the Group and expands our 
market reach, keeping Halma well-
positioned in growing markets over the 
long term.

 — Regular and increasing returns to 

shareholders: We have maintained a 
progressive dividend policy for over 40 
years and this is our preferred route for 
delivering regular cash returns to 
shareholders.

Continued investment for  
organic growth
All sectors continue to innovate and invest 
in new products, with R&D spend 
determined by each individual Halma 
company. R&D expenditure as a 
percentage of revenue remained well 
above our KPI target of 4% or more at 
5.3% (2020: 5.4%). In absolute terms, this 
meant that R&D expenditure declined by 
2.1%, in line with revenue, reflecting the 
caution and agility of our companies in 
the earlier stages of the COVID-19 
pandemic. In the medium term we expect 
R&D expenditure to continue to increase 
broadly in line with revenue growth.

Under IFRS accounting rules we are 
required to capitalise certain development 
projects and amortise the cost over an 
appropriate period, which we determine 
as three years. In the 2021 financial year 
we capitalised £15.4m (2020: £15.6m), 
impaired £1.9m (2020: £5.2m) and 
amortised £7.9m (2020: £7.9m). 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

The closing intangible asset carried on the 
Consolidated Balance Sheet, after a 
£2.0m loss (2020: £0.5m gain) relating to 
foreign exchange was £38.9m (2020: 
£36.1m). All R&D projects, and particularly 
those requiring capitalisation, are subject 
to rigorous review and approval processes.

Capital expenditure on property, plant, 
equipment and vehicles, computer 
software and other intangible assets was 
£26.4m (2020: £34.1m). The expenditure on 
fixed assets was lower than in the prior 
year, reflecting our actions to limit capital 
investment to essential projects and R&D 
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We 
anticipate capital expenditure to increase 
to approximately £30m in the coming 
year, reflecting a level of catch up in 
deferred expenditure as a result of the 
actions taken this year and further 
investment across our sectors to support 
our future growth. This includes the start 
of construction of a new manufacturing 
facility for one of our largest companies, 
BEA, in Belgium, and other facility 
expansions. 

We are also investing in automation and 
technology upgrades including the 
Group-level investment in enhanced 
security, improved data and analytics 
capability and investments to support our 
companies in upgrading their operating 
technology and creating new digital 
models in line with our Halma 4.0 growth 
strategy. We expect this investment to 
total approximately £12m in the financial 
year ending 31 March 2022, which we 
expect to be mostly operating expense 
although this will depend on the specifics 
of each project.

Lease right-of-use asset additions were 
£24.3m (2020: £21.9m). This included 
additions of £0.6m as a result of 
acquisitions made in the year, and the 
commencement of new leases and 
extensions or renewals of existing leases.

Value-enhancing acquisitions and 
investments 
Acquisitions and disposals are a key 
component of our sustainable growth 
strategy, as they keep our portfolio of 
companies focused on markets which 
have strong growth opportunities over the 
medium and long term.

In the year we made one acquisition at a 
cost of £38.4m (net of cash acquired of 
£7.9m and including acquisition costs). In 
addition, we paid £10.4m in contingent 
consideration and other payments for 
acquisitions made in prior years, giving a 
total spend of £48.8m. We also divested 
Fiberguide Industries, Inc., for £26.1m, net 
of disposal costs.

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29

 
 
 
2021
£m

300.3

(53.8)

(48.8)

(3.4)

26.1

–

(7.0)

(23.7)

(63.7)

(16.2)

(7.8)

17.1

119.1

(375.3)

(256.2)

2021
£m

288.3

50.8

339.1

0.76

2021

445.5

2.32%

148.8

0.51%

296.7

3.22%

2020
£m

272.2

(52.4)

(238.0)

(4.8)

7.6

0.1

(8.5)

(26.3)

(61.2)

(16.7)

(6.0)

(9.3)

(143.3)

(181.7)

(375.3)

2020
£m

279.2

51.5

330.7

1.13

2020

388.4

2.86%

88.3

0.63%

300.1

3.52%

Financial review continued

Non-operating cash flow and reconciliation to net debt

Adjusted operating cash flow

Tax paid

Acquisition of businesses including cash/debt acquired and fees

Purchase of equity investments

Disposal of businesses

Net movement in loan notes

Net finance costs and arrangement fees (excluding lease interest)

Lease liabilities additions

Dividends paid

Own shares purchased

Adjustment for cash outflow on share awards not settled by own shares

Effects of foreign exchange

Movement in net debt

Opening net debt

Closing net debt

Net debt to EBITDA

Adjusted operating profit

Depreciation and amortisation (excluding acquired intangible assets)

EBITDA

Net debt to EBITDA

Average debt and interest rates

Average gross debt (£m)

Weighted average interest rate on gross debt

Average cash balances (£m)

Weighted average interest rate on cash

Average net debt (£m)

Weighted average interest rate on net debt

30

Details of the acquisitions and 
investments made in the year are given in 
the sector reviews on pages 36 to 57 of 
the Report and in notes 25 and 14 to these 
Accounts. Details of acquisitions made 
since the year end are contained in the 
Group Chief Executive’s review.

The acquisitions completed in the current 
and prior year contributed to revenue in 
2021 in line with expectations overall, 
albeit that individual company 
performances were affected by end 
market variations caused by the 
pandemic, and we expect a good 
performance from these acquisitions  
in the future.

Regular and increasing returns for 
shareholders
Adjusted earnings per share increased by 
2.2% to 58.67p (2020: 57.39p) and 
statutory earnings per share, which 
included a gain on disposal of Fiberguide 
Industries, Inc., increased by 10.2% to 
53.61p (2020: 48.66p).

The Board is recommending an 8.2% 
increase in the final dividend to 10.78p per 
share (2020: 9.96p per share), which 
together with the 6.87p per share interim 
dividend gives a total dividend per share of 
17.65p (2020: 16.50p), up 7.0% in total. 
Dividend cover (the ratio of adjusted profit 
after tax to dividends paid and proposed) 
is 3.33 times (2020: 3.48 times).

The final dividend for 2021 is subject to 
approval by shareholders at the AGM on 
22 July 2021 and, if approved, will be paid 
on 12 August 2021 to shareholders on the 
register at 9 July 2021.

We aim to increase dividends per share 
each year, while maintaining a prudent 
level of dividend cover, and declare 
approximately 35-40% of the anticipated 
total dividend as an interim dividend. The 
Board’s determination of the proposed 
final dividend increase this year took into 
account the Group’s financial 
performance, the effects of the COVID-19 
pandemic, the continued strong balance 
sheet and medium-term organic constant 
currency growth. 

Substantial funding capacity  
and liquidity
Halma’s operations have continually been 
cash generative and the Group has access 
to competitively priced committed debt 
finance, providing good liquidity for the 
Group. Group treasury policy remains 
conservative and no speculative 
transactions are undertaken.

We have a strong balance sheet, strong 
cash generation, and substantial available 
liquidity. At the year end, our committed 
facilities totalled approximately £670m, 
based on exchange rates at that time, 
with the earliest maturity being in 2023. 

The financial covenants on these facilities 
remain for leverage (net debt/adjusted 
EBITDA on a pre-IFRS 16 basis) to not be 
more than three times and for adjusted 
interest cover to be not less than four 
times. The Group continues to operate  
well within its banking covenants with 
significant headroom under each  
financial ratio.

At 31 March 2021, net debt was £256.2m, a 
combination of £325.3m of debt, £65.0m 
of IFRS 16 lease liabilities and £134.1m of 
cash held around the world to finance 
local operations. Net debt at 31 March 
2020 was £375.3m.

The gearing ratio at the year end (net 
debt to EBITDA) was 0.76 times (2020: 1.13 
times) on a post-IFRS 16 basis and 0.59 
times (2020: 1.00 times) on a pre-IFRS 16 
basis. Net debt (on a post-IFRS 16 basis) 
represented 3% (2020: 5%) of the Group’s 
year-end market capitalisation. 

Pensions update
The Group accounts for post-retirement 
benefits in accordance with IAS 19 
Employee Benefits. The Consolidated 
Balance Sheet reflects the net deficit on 
our pension plans at 31 March 2021 based 
on the market value of assets at that date 
and the valuation of liabilities using year 
end AA corporate bond yields.

We closed the two UK defined benefit 
(DB) plans to new members in 2002. In 
December 2014 we ceased future accrual 
within these plans with future pension 
benefits earned within the Group’s 
Defined Contribution (DC) pension 
arrangements.

On an IAS 19 basis the deficit on the 
Group’s DB plans at the 2021 year end 
increased to £22.5m (2020: £5.2m) 
before the related deferred tax asset. 
The value of plan assets increased to 
£333.1m (2020: £298.8m). Plan liabilities 
increased to £355.6m (2020: £304.0m) due 
to movements in the discount rate and 
inflation rate. The discount rate decreased 
from 2.55% to 1.95%, as bond markets 
stabilised following the disruption at 31 
March 2020 caused by the COVID-19 
pandemic. The inflation rate increased 
from 2.5% to 3.2% reflecting economic 
conditions at the balance sheet date.

The plans’ actuarial valuation reviews, 
rather than the accounting basis, 
determine any cash deficit payments by 
Halma. In 2021 these contributions 
amounted to £13.7m, consistent with our 
expectations, following a triennial 
actuarial valuation of the two UK pension 
plans in 2017/18, after which cash 
contributions increasing at 7% per annum 
aimed at eliminating the deficit were 
agreed with the trustees. In the unlikely 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

event that these payments result in a 
surplus on winding up, the Group has an 
unconditional right to a refund under the 
plan rules.

New accounting standards and 
interpretations
The Group adopted new accounting 
standards and interpretations with 
effect from 1 April 2020 with no 
material impact on the Group’s financial 
statements. After the year-end, the IFRS 
Interpretations Committee published a 
paper covering the finalisation of their 
agenda decision regarding configuration 
and customisation costs in Cloud 
Computing Arrangements (Software as 
a Service, ‘SaaS’) under IAS 38. This 
agenda decision offers clarification of the 
treatment of implementation costs which 
is relevant to the Group’s ongoing 
technology investments and Company 
operational technology upgrades which 
are predominantly SaaS arrangements 
with third party implementation partners. 

The Interpretations Committee paper 
clarifies that much of the implementation 
costs that previously may have been 
capitalised as intangible assets are now 
likely to be expensed against profit 
immediately for SaaS arrangements 
unless they meet the definition of 
separate intangible assets. Going forward 
this will result in an acceleration of costs 
recorded in the Income Statement in 
relation to these projects. There was no 
material financial impact in this or 
previous financial years, and we estimate 
an impact of up to £12m for the financial 
year ending 31 March 2022, with 
subsequent years’ costs being lower where 
amortisation will not occur. The timing 
and quantum of cash outflows for these 
projects will be unchanged.

Conclusion
We delivered a robust financial 
performance, despite the challenges 
of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering 
a record profit and strong cash flow, 
while increasing our investment in future 
growth opportunities and further 
strengthening our balance sheet. I am 
proud of the commitment shown by my 
colleagues in our finance and risk teams in 
helping our companies to respond to the 
opportunities and challenges in the year 
by ensuring that they had rapid access to 
actionable insights, and in maintaining 
high standards of control. I would like to 
thank all of them for their hard work in 
difficult circumstances.

Marc Ronchetti
Chief Financial Officer

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31

 
 
 
Key performance indicators

Organic profit growth (%)
(constant currency)

Acquisition profit growth (%)

EPS growth (%)
(adjusted earnings per share)

Organic revenue growth (%)

Return on Sales (%)

ROTIC (%)

(constant currency)

(Return on Total Invested Capital)

4

9

11

2

1

1

4

3

6

1

17

13

17

9

2

4

10

10

5

(6)

20.2 19.9 20.3 19.9

21.1

15.3 15.2 16.1

15.3

14.4

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1%

performance

≥5%

target

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

1%

performance

≥5%

target

20

16

12

8

4

0

2%

performance

≥10%

target

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

10

0

-6

(6)%

performance

≥5%

target

24

21

18

15

12

9

6

3

0

21.1%

performance

≥18%

target

20

16

12

8

4

0

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

14.4%

performance

≥12%

target

8

6

4

2

0

Through careful selection of our market 
niches and strategic investment in people 
development, international expansion 
and innovation we aim to achieve organic 
growth in excess of our blended market 
growth rate, broadly matching revenue 
and profit growth in the medium term.

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

The measure of how successful we are in 
growing our business organically and by 
acquisition coupled with strong financial 
disciplines, including those related to tax 
and capital allocation, is captured in the 
Group’s adjusted earnings per share.

Through careful selection of our market 

We choose to operate in market niches 

We choose to invest in high return on 

niches and targeted strategic investment, 

which are capable of delivering growth and 

capital businesses operating in markets 

we aim to achieve organic growth in excess 

high returns. The ability to sustain these 

which are capable of delivering growth and 

of our blended market growth rate, broadly 

returns is a result of maintaining strong 

high returns. The ability to sustain growth 

matching revenue and profit growth in the 

market and product positions sustained by 

and high returns is a result of maintaining 

medium term.

continuing product and process innovation.

strong market and product positions 

sustained by continuing product and 

process innovation.

Organic profit growth at constant 
currency was below our target. This 
principally reflected the impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a 
decline in organic profit of 11.1% in the 
first half of the year. Organic profit 
growth in the second half of the year was 
well above our target, at 11.8%. Organic 
growth over the last five years has 
averaged 5%, in line with our target.

Organic profit growth is calculated at 
constant currency and measures the change 
in adjusted 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 
year has been eliminated.

Acquisition profit growth measures the 
annualised profit (net of financing costs) 
from acquisitions made in the year, 
measured at the date of acquisition, 
expressed as a percentage of prior 
year profit.

The Board has established a long-term 
organic growth target of at least 5% pa, 
slightly above the blended long-term 
average growth rate of our markets.

Acquisitions must meet our demanding 
criteria and we continue to have a strong 
pipeline of opportunities to meet our 
minimum 5% growth target.

Acquisition profit growth was below our 
target of 5%. This reflected our decision 
not to complete any acquisitions in the 
first half of the financial year, given the 
potential impacts of the COVID-19 
pandemic. M&A activity recommenced in 
the second half of the year and has 
continued into the new financial year.

Growth in adjusted earnings per share 
was below our KPI. This principally 
reflected lower levels of organic and 
acquired growth as a result of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a higher 
tax rate, with these effects partly offset 
by lower finance costs. EPS growth over 
the past five years has averaged 11.5%.

Organic revenue growth at constant 

currency was below our target, which 

Return on Sales remained well above our 

ROTIC remained ahead of our target and 

minimum target, and within our longer-

substantially above our Weighted Average 

reflected the adverse effects of the COVID-19 

term target range of 18-22%. This reflected 

Cost of Capital, which is estimated to be 

pandemic on all sectors. Overall performance 

reductions in discretionary costs, strong 

6.7% (2020: 7.7%). The change compared to 

improved as the year progressed, with the 

ongoing overhead control, and a modest 

the prior year was a result of a lower level 

11.0% reduction in organic constant currency 

reduction in research and development 

of constant currency earnings growth and 

revenue in the first half moderating to a 

spend. Return on Sales remained well  

lower dividend growth on amounts paid in 

decline of only 0.3% in the second half.

above our minimum target in each of  

the year.

our four sectors.

Adjusted earnings are calculated as earnings 
from continuing operations excluding the 
amortisation and impairment of acquired 
intangible assets; acquisition items; 
restructuring costs; profit or loss on disposal 
of operations; in the 2019 financial year, the 
effect of equalisation of benefits for men 
and women in the defined benefit pension 
plans; the associated taxation thereon; and 
the effect of the US tax reform measures 
(2018 only).

We aim for the combination of organic 
and acquisition growth to exceed an 
average of 10% pa over the long term. 
The Directors consider that adjusted 
earnings represent a more consistent 
measure of underlying performance.

Organic revenue growth is calculated at constant 

Return on Sales is defined as adjusted profit 

ROTIC is defined as the post-tax return from 

currency and measures the change in revenue 

before taxation from continuing operations 

continuing operations before amortisation 

achieved in the current year compared with the 

expressed as a percentage of revenue from 

and impairment of acquired intangible assets; 

prior year from continuing Group operations.  

continuing operations.

The effect of acquisitions and disposals made 

during the current or prior financial year has 

been eliminated.

acquisition items; profit or loss on disposal 

of operations; the effect of equalisation of 

benefits from men and women in the defined 

benefit pension plans (2019 only); the 

associated taxation thereon and the effect 

of the US tax reform measures (2018 only), 

as a percentage of Total Invested Capital.

The Board has established a long-term 

We aim to achieve a Return on Sales within 

A range of 12% to 17% is considered 

minimum organic revenue growth target 

the 18% to 22% range while continuing 

representative of the Board’s expectations 

to invest to sustain growth.

over the long term to ensure a good balance 

between growth, investment, and returns.

of 5% pa, slightly above the blended 

long-term average growth rate of  

our markets.

Growth in organic profit is a key element 
of the Economic Value Added (EVA) 
performance which forms the basis of the 
annual bonus plan for Group, sector and 
company boards, requiring consistent annual 
and longer-term growth, with disciplined 
financial management.

Growth in acquired profit is the second key 
element of the EVA performance which 
forms the basis of the annual bonus plan 
for Group, sector and company boards, 
requiring consistent annual and longer-term 
growth, with disciplined financial 
management.

EPS provides a clear link to the aims of the 
business growth strategy. It is a key financial 
driver for our business and provides a clear 
line of sight for our executives. EPS growth is 
50% of the performance condition attaching 
to the Executive Share Plan.

Organic revenue drives earnings growth which 

Return on Sales is a measure of the value 

ROTIC performance, averaged over three 

contributes to the EVA performance. This forms 

our customers place on our solutions and 

financial years, is 50% of the performance 

the basis of the annual bonus plan for Group, 

of our operational efficiency. High profitability 

condition attaching to the Executive 

sector and company boards, requiring consistent 

supports the generation of high economic 

Share Plan.

annual and longer-term growth with disciplined 

value and cash generation. We choose a range 

financial management.

in order to maintain a balance between 

short-term performance and investment 

for longer-term growth.

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32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Link to Growth Enablers

   M&A 

   Talent & 
Culture

   International  

Expansion

   Finance, Legal  

& Risk

   Digital Growth 

   Strategic Communications 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

and Brand

Organic profit growth (%)

Acquisition profit growth (%)

EPS growth (%)

(constant currency)

(adjusted earnings per share)

Organic revenue growth (%)
(constant currency)

Return on Sales (%)

ROTIC (%)
(Return on Total Invested Capital)

4

9

11

2

1

1

4

3

6

1

17

13

17

9

2

4

10

10

5

(6)

20.2 19.9 20.3 19.9

21.1

15.3 15.2 16.1

15.3

14.4

r 12

10

8

6

4

2

0

1%

performance

≥5%

target

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

1%

performance

≥5%

target

20

16

12

8

4

0

2%

performance

≥10%

target

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

10

0

-6

(6)%

performance

≥5%

target

24

21

18

15

12

9

6

3

0

21.1%

performance

≥18%

target

20

16

12

8

4

0

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

14.4%

performance

≥12%

target

Through careful selection of our market 

We buy companies with business and 

The measure of how successful we are in 

niches and strategic investment in people 

market characteristics similar to those 

growing our business organically and by 

development, international expansion 

of existing Halma operations. Acquired 

acquisition coupled with strong financial 

and innovation we aim to achieve organic 

businesses have to be a good fit with 

disciplines, including those related to tax 

growth in excess of our blended market 

our operating culture and strategy 

and capital allocation, is captured in the 

growth rate, broadly matching revenue 

in addition to being value enhancing 

Group’s adjusted earnings per share.

and profit growth in the medium term.

financially.

Through careful selection of our market 
niches and targeted strategic investment, 
we aim to achieve organic growth in excess 
of our blended market growth rate, broadly 
matching revenue and profit growth in the 
medium term.

We choose to operate in market niches 
which are capable of delivering growth and 
high returns. The ability to sustain these 
returns is a result of maintaining strong 
market and product positions sustained by 
continuing product and process innovation.

We choose to invest in high return on 
capital businesses operating in markets 
which are capable of delivering growth and 
high returns. The ability to sustain growth 
and high returns is a result of maintaining 
strong market and product positions 
sustained by continuing product and 
process innovation.

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Organic profit growth at constant 

currency was below our target. This 

Acquisition profit growth was below our 

Growth in adjusted earnings per share 

target of 5%. This reflected our decision 

was below our KPI. This principally 

principally reflected the impact of the 

not to complete any acquisitions in the 

reflected lower levels of organic and 

COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a 

first half of the financial year, given the 

acquired growth as a result of the 

decline in organic profit of 11.1% in the 

potential impacts of the COVID-19 

COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a higher 

first half of the year. Organic profit 

pandemic. M&A activity recommenced in 

tax rate, with these effects partly offset 

growth in the second half of the year was 

the second half of the year and has 

by lower finance costs. EPS growth over 

well above our target, at 11.8%. Organic 

continued into the new financial year.

the past five years has averaged 11.5%.

growth over the last five years has 

averaged 5%, in line with our target.

Organic profit growth is calculated at 

Acquisition profit growth measures the 

Adjusted earnings are calculated as earnings 

constant currency and measures the change 

annualised profit (net of financing costs) 

from continuing operations excluding the 

in adjusted profit achieved in the current 

from acquisitions made in the year, 

amortisation and impairment of acquired 

year compared with the prior year from 

measured at the date of acquisition, 

intangible assets; acquisition items; 

continuing Group operations. The effect 

expressed as a percentage of prior 

of acquisitions and disposals made 

during the current or prior financial 

year has been eliminated.

year profit.

restructuring costs; profit or loss on disposal 

of operations; in the 2019 financial year, the 

effect of equalisation of benefits for men 

and women in the defined benefit pension 

plans; the associated taxation thereon; and 

the effect of the US tax reform measures 

(2018 only).

The Board has established a long-term 

Acquisitions must meet our demanding 

We aim for the combination of organic 

organic growth target of at least 5% pa, 

criteria and we continue to have a strong 

and acquisition growth to exceed an 

slightly above the blended long-term 

pipeline of opportunities to meet our 

average of 10% pa over the long term. 

average growth rate of our markets.

minimum 5% growth target.

The Directors consider that adjusted 

earnings represent a more consistent 

measure of underlying performance.

Growth in organic profit is a key element 

Growth in acquired profit is the second key 

EPS provides a clear link to the aims of the 

of the Economic Value Added (EVA) 

element of the EVA performance which 

business growth strategy. It is a key financial 

performance which forms the basis of the 

forms the basis of the annual bonus plan 

driver for our business and provides a clear 

annual bonus plan for Group, sector and 

for Group, sector and company boards, 

line of sight for our executives. EPS growth is 

company boards, requiring consistent annual 

requiring consistent annual and longer-term 

50% of the performance condition attaching 

and longer-term growth, with disciplined 

growth, with disciplined financial 

to the Executive Share Plan.

financial management.

management.

Organic revenue growth at constant 
currency was below our target, which 
reflected the adverse effects of the COVID-19 
pandemic on all sectors. Overall performance 
improved as the year progressed, with the 
11.0% reduction in organic constant currency 
revenue in the first half moderating to a 
decline of only 0.3% in the second half.

Return on Sales remained well above our 
minimum target, and within our longer-
term target range of 18-22%. This reflected 
reductions in discretionary costs, strong 
ongoing overhead control, and a modest 
reduction in research and development 
spend. Return on Sales remained well  
above our minimum target in each of  
our four sectors.

ROTIC remained ahead of our target and 
substantially above our Weighted Average 
Cost of Capital, which is estimated to be 
6.7% (2020: 7.7%). The change compared to 
the prior year was a result of a lower level 
of constant currency earnings growth and 
lower dividend growth on amounts paid in 
the year.

Organic revenue growth is calculated at constant 
currency and 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 year has 
been eliminated.

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

ROTIC is defined as the post-tax return from 
continuing operations before amortisation 
and impairment of acquired intangible assets; 
acquisition items; profit or loss on disposal 
of operations; the effect of equalisation of 
benefits from men and women in the defined 
benefit pension plans (2019 only); the 
associated taxation thereon and the effect 
of the US tax reform measures (2018 only), 
as a percentage of Total Invested Capital.

The Board has established a long-term 
minimum organic revenue growth target 
of 5% pa, slightly above the blended 
long-term average growth rate of  
our markets.

We aim to achieve a Return on Sales within 
the 18% to 22% range while continuing 
to invest to sustain growth.

A range of 12% to 17% is considered 
representative of the Board’s expectations 
over the long term to ensure a good balance 
between growth, investment, and returns.

Organic revenue drives earnings growth which 
contributes to the EVA performance. This forms 
the basis of the annual bonus plan for Group, 
sector and company boards, requiring consistent 
annual and longer-term growth with disciplined 
financial management.

Return on Sales is a measure of the value 
our customers place on our solutions and 
of our operational efficiency. High profitability 
supports the generation of high economic 
value and cash generation. We choose a range 
in order to maintain a balance between 
short-term performance and investment 
for longer-term growth.

ROTIC performance, averaged over three 
financial years, is 50% of the performance 
condition attaching to the Executive 
Share Plan.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Key performance indicators continued

Cash generation (%)

International revenue growth (%)

Research and development  
(% of revenue)

Employee Engagement (%)

Health & Safety

(accident frequency rate)

Development programmes (%)

(management development)

86

85

88

97

104

19

16

3

10

(3)

5.3

5.2

5.2

5.4

5.3

74

75

75

75

78

0.12 0.04 0.09 0.06

0.02

60

89

72

87

n/a

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

104%

performance

≥90%

target

20

16

12

8

4

0

-4

(3)%

performance

≥10%

target

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

5.3%

performance

≥4%

target

80

60

40

20

0

78%

performance

74%

target

0.16

0.14

0.12

0.10

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0

0.02

performance

< 0.04

target

100

80

60

40

20

0

n/a

performance

>50%

target

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

Strong cash generation provides the 
Group with freedom to pursue its 
strategic goals of investment in organic 
growth, acquisitions and progressive 
dividends without becoming highly 
leveraged. Our decentralised structure 
ensures that cash management is 
controlled at the individual company 
level and then transferred to the 
central treasury function.

The safety, health and environmental 
markets in developing regions are 
evolving quickly. We continue to invest 
in establishing local selling, technical 
and manufacturing resources to meet 
this current and future need.

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.

Halma conducts an annual survey of its 

employees to assess engagement across 

the Group. This provides visibility of 

engagement at the Group, sector and 

company levels.

Safety is critical and a major priority 

for the Group. Halma collects details 

of its worldwide reported health and 

safety incidents and encourages all 

Group companies to seek continuous 

improvement in their health and 

safety records and culture.

Our range of leadership development 

programmes are targeted towards 

developing our talent and equipping 

them with the right skills to manage, 

lead and deliver on our growth strategy.

Our cash conversion was strong and 
increased to 104%, well ahead of our target. 
We delivered a strong underlying cash 
performance, reflecting good control of 
working capital, including a focus on 
collection of aged receivables, and the cash 
conservation measures put in place during 
the year.

Revenue outside the UK, the USA and 
Mainland Europe decreased by 3%, reflecting 
the significant impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on developing regions. This was 
offset by a modest improvement in the Asia 
Pacific region which grew 1.3%, including 
double-digit growth in China as it recovered 
from the effects of the pandemic.

Total R&D spend remained well above our KPI 
target at 5.3% of revenue (2020: 5.4%). In 
absolute terms, R&D expenditure in the year 
decreased by 2.1% to £70.3m (2020: £71.8m), 
reflecting the caution and agility of our 
companies in the earlier stages of the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

Cash generation is calculated using adjusted 
operating cash flow as a percentage of 
adjusted operating profit. We have increased 
the target for this KPI from 85% to 90%, to 
account for the beneficial effect of the 
implementation of IFRS 16, which increases 
cash conversion by approximately 5 
percentage points. This change took effect in 
2020 and applies to all subsequent years. We 
have not restated historical comparatives 
prior to 2020, which should be compared to 
the previous 85% target. 

The goal of Group cash inflow exceeding 
90% of profit has relevance at all levels of 
the organisation and aligns management 
action with Group needs. We ensure that 
strong internal cash flow and availability 
of external funding underpin our 
strategic goals of organic growth, 
acquisitions and progressive dividends. 

Total sales to markets outside the UK, the 
USA and Mainland Europe compared with 
the prior year.

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

The emphasis on international revenue 
growth at twice the rate of overall 
organic growth reinforces the 
importance of emerging markets and 
our strategy of establishing operations 
close to our end markets.

New products contribute strongly to 
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.

Strong cash generation is closely correlated 
with high return on capital which is a key 
component of our EVA bonus plan and our 
ROTIC Executive Share Plan vesting measure.

International markets are an important 
component of organic growth which, in turn, 
drives the year-on-year improvement in EVA 
demanded by our Annual Bonus plan.

Successful research and development 
investment is a key component of sustaining 
strong growth and returns which, in turn, 
help to drive EVA, EPS and ROTIC – all key 
elements of our annual bonus and LTIP plans.

2017 was our inaugural engagement survey 

The Health & Safety AFR performance this  

During the year, we rapidly refocused our 

which established the baseline for our target. We 

year was 0.02 (2020: 0.06) representing an 

resources on digital learning, moving to online 

were pleased to see the overall employee 

improvement against last year. We continue  

development until face-to-face development 

engagement score rise 3 percentage points to 

to review all reported incidents and there  

78%. In addition, more than three-quarters 

are no specific underlying patterns which  

opportunities can start again. We also piloted 

new online learning platforms which provided 

(78%) of employees said they were proud of their 

cause concern.

company’s response to the pandemic – a credit 

to the hard work and ingenuity of our people. 

management with business and personal 

development opportunities. We delivered  

over 2,700 hours of training to 685 of our  

senior leaders.

The engagement of employees as measured 

The year-to-date Accident Frequency Rate 

The percentage of senior leaders who have 

through an externally facilitated survey over nine 

(AFR) is the total number of reportable* 

attended a development programme  

dimensions: engagement, empowerment, 

incidents in the period divided by the number 

compared with the estimated pool of  

accountability, collaboration and teamwork, 

of hours worked in that period by employees 

qualifying participants. 

communication, development, ethics and fair 

(including temporary staff and any overtime) 

treatment, innovation and leadership. 

As we were unable to conduct face-to-face 

management and leadership courses during the 

year, we have not reported on our performance 

this year. 

multiplied by 100,000 hours (representing 

the estimated number of working hours in 

an employee’s work lifetime). The AFR figure 

represents an indication of how many incidents 

employees will have in their working lives.

* Specified major injury incidents are reportable incidents 

which result in more than three working days lost

Our target remains to match or beat 

the baseline achieved in 2017 of 74% 

engagement.

The target is set at the lowest rate we have 

We are reviewing our non-financial key 

achieved as a Group.

performance indicators with a view to using 

a series of new measures. Details will be 

reported in the coming year.

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34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Link to Growth Enablers

   M&A 

   Talent & 
Culture

   International  

Expansion

   Finance, Legal  

& Risk

   Digital Growth 

   Strategic Communications 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

and Brand

Cash generation (%)

International revenue growth (%)

Research and development  

Employee Engagement (%)

(% of revenue)

Health & Safety
(accident frequency rate)

Development programmes (%)
(management development)

86

85

88

97

104

19

16

3

10

(3)

5.3

5.2

5.2

5.4

5.3

74

75

75

75

78

0.12 0.04 0.09 0.06

0.02

60

89

72

87

n/a

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

104%

performance

≥90%

target

20

16

12

8

4

0

-4

(3)%

performance

≥10%

target

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

5.3%

performance

≥4%

target

80

60

40

20

0

78%

performance

74%

target

0.16

0.14

0.12

0.10

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0

0.02

performance

< 0.04

target

100

80

60

40

20

0

n/a

performance

>50%

target

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

Strong cash generation provides the 

The safety, health and environmental 

We have maintained high levels of R&D 

Group with freedom to pursue its 

markets in developing regions are 

investment and spending on innovation. 

strategic goals of investment in organic 

evolving quickly. We continue to invest 

The successful introduction of new 

growth, acquisitions and progressive 

in establishing local selling, technical 

products is a key contributor to the 

dividends without becoming highly 

and manufacturing resources to meet 

Group’s ability to build competitive 

leveraged. Our decentralised structure 

this current and future need.

advantage and grow organically and 

internationally.

Halma conducts an annual survey of its 
employees to assess engagement across 
the Group. This provides visibility of 
engagement at the Group, sector and 
company levels.

Safety is critical and a major priority 
for the Group. Halma collects details 
of its worldwide reported health and 
safety incidents and encourages all 
Group companies to seek continuous 
improvement in their health and 
safety records and culture.

Our range of leadership development 
programmes are targeted towards 
developing our talent and equipping 
them with the right skills to manage, 
lead and deliver on our growth strategy.

ensures that cash management is 

controlled at the individual company 

level and then transferred to the 

central treasury function.

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Our cash conversion was strong and 

Revenue outside the UK, the USA and 

Total R&D spend remained well above our KPI 

increased to 104%, well ahead of our target. 

Mainland Europe decreased by 3%, reflecting 

target at 5.3% of revenue (2020: 5.4%). In 

We delivered a strong underlying cash 

the significant impact of the COVID-19 

absolute terms, R&D expenditure in the year 

performance, reflecting good control of 

pandemic on developing regions. This was 

decreased by 2.1% to £70.3m (2020: £71.8m), 

working capital, including a focus on 

offset by a modest improvement in the Asia 

reflecting the caution and agility of our 

collection of aged receivables, and the cash 

Pacific region which grew 1.3%, including 

companies in the earlier stages of the 

conservation measures put in place during 

double-digit growth in China as it recovered 

COVID-19 pandemic.

the year.

from the effects of the pandemic.

2017 was our inaugural engagement survey 
which established the baseline for our target. We 
were pleased to see the overall employee 
engagement score rise 3 percentage points to 
78%. In addition, more than three-quarters 
(78%) of employees said they were proud of their 
company’s response to the pandemic – a credit 
to the hard work and ingenuity of our people. 

The Health & Safety AFR performance this  
year was 0.02 (2020: 0.06) representing an 
improvement against last year. We continue  
to review all reported incidents and there  
are no specific underlying patterns which  
cause concern.

The engagement of employees as measured 
through an externally facilitated survey over nine 
dimensions: engagement, empowerment, 
accountability, collaboration and teamwork, 
communication, development, ethics and fair 
treatment, innovation and leadership. 

The year-to-date Accident Frequency Rate 
(AFR) is the total number of reportable* 
incidents in the period divided by the number 
of hours worked in that period by employees 
(including temporary staff and any overtime) 
multiplied by 100,000 hours (representing 
the estimated number of working hours in 
an employee’s work lifetime). The AFR figure 
represents an indication of how many incidents 
employees will have in their working lives.
* Specified major injury incidents are reportable incidents 

which result in more than three working days lost

During the year, we rapidly refocused our 
resources on digital learning, moving to online 
development until face-to-face development 
opportunities can start again. We also piloted 
new online learning platforms which provided 
management with business and personal 
development opportunities. We delivered  
over 2,700 hours of training to 685 of our  
senior leaders.

The percentage of senior leaders who have 
attended a development programme  
compared with the estimated pool of  
qualifying participants. 

As we were unable to conduct face-to-face 
management and leadership courses during the 
year, we have not reported on our performance 
this year. 

Our target remains to match or beat 
the baseline achieved in 2017 of 74% 
engagement.

The target is set at the lowest rate we have 
achieved as a Group.

We are reviewing our non-financial key 
performance indicators with a view to using 
a series of new measures. Details will be 
reported in the coming year.

Cash generation is calculated using adjusted 

Total sales to markets outside the UK, the 

Total research and development expenditure 

operating cash flow as a percentage of 

USA and Mainland Europe compared with 

in the financial year (both that expensed and 

adjusted operating profit. We have increased 

the prior year.

capitalised) as a percentage of revenue from 

continuing operations.

the target for this KPI from 85% to 90%, to 

account for the beneficial effect of the 

implementation of IFRS 16, which increases 

cash conversion by approximately 5 

percentage points. This change took effect in 

2020 and applies to all subsequent years. We 

have not restated historical comparatives 

prior to 2020, which should be compared to 

the previous 85% target. 

The goal of Group cash inflow exceeding 

The emphasis on international revenue 

New products contribute strongly to 

90% of profit has relevance at all levels of 

growth at twice the rate of overall 

organic growth, maintaining high returns 

the organisation and aligns management 

organic growth reinforces the 

and building strong market positions. 

action with Group needs. We ensure that 

importance of emerging markets and 

The 4% minimum investment target is 

strong internal cash flow and availability 

our strategy of establishing operations 

appropriate to the mix of product life 

close to our end markets.

cycles and technologies within Halma.

of external funding underpin our 

strategic goals of organic growth, 

acquisitions and progressive dividends. 

Strong cash generation is closely correlated 

International markets are an important 

Successful research and development 

with high return on capital which is a key 

component of organic growth which, in turn, 

investment is a key component of sustaining 

component of our EVA bonus plan and our 

drives the year-on-year improvement in EVA 

strong growth and returns which, in turn, 

ROTIC Executive Share Plan vesting measure.

demanded by our Annual Bonus plan.

help to drive EVA, EPS and ROTIC – all key 

elements of our annual bonus and LTIP plans.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our impact
Our impact

safer

A Safer Future for 
Global Logistics
The shift to digital business models 
has resulted in a rapid expansion of 
e-commerce and global logistics. 
Now, due to the impacts of COVID-19 
on consumer behaviour, this shift has 
accelerated at breakneck speed. 

36

Research is forecasting the global 
logistics market to be worth around 
US$12 trillion in 2023, almost triple its 
2018 value. This rate of growth has put 
additional pressure on the transportation 
and warehousing industry to move goods 
quickly, safely and efficiently. 

In terms of logistics, North America is 
the world’s second largest market. The 
USA alone moves approximately 64% of 
its freight by truck and has over 500,000 
loading bays. The most recent statistics 
reported 819 deaths and 270,000 injuries 
occurring in the USA in one year. Of 
these, more than 25% of accidents 
happened at loading docks, with 
accidental drive-aways accounting for 
around a quarter of these accidents. 
Each accident is estimated to cost 
US$189,000 and for every accident there 
are 600 near misses.

1. Truck arrives and reverses  
into loading bay.

2. The operator locks the Salvo 
technology, immobilising the trailer.

3. Operator checks real-time safety 
data and key operational insights. 

safer

for everyone, every day.

Many of these accidents are caused  
by human error, mainly through 
misunderstanding or miscommunication. 
Technological advancements have 
enabled Halma company SPS to focus on 
designing an innovative solution that 
removes the need to verbally 
communicate loading updates, 
preventing accidental drive-aways by 
locking the delivery vehicle to the loading 
bay door for safe loading or unloading.

Working closely with their customers 
allowed SPS to gain deeper insights into 
other issues that warehouse facilities are 
facing. With increased efficiency at the 
top of the list, Salvo InSite digitises the 
Salvo Loading Dock Safety System. This 
technology provides real-time data on 
key activities, performance analytics and 
traceability reports that help reduce 
operational inefficiencies while keeping 
everyone safe.

Initially developed in response to a 
customer request, the Salvo Loading 
Dock Safety System is now installed at 
tens of thousands of loading bays 
globally. Once implemented, customers 
report no accidental drive-offs, keeping 
workers and drivers safe and ensuring 
compliance with all Health & Safety 
regulations.

Their passion for helping their customers 
has given SPS its market-leading 
expertise in protecting workers in 
high-risk environments and is helping  
to create a safer future for everyone, 
every day.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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37

 
 
 
Business review

Process 
Safety

38

Our markets

Highlights

Gas Detection
Instruments and systems that 
detect hazardous gases and 
analyse air quality.

Industrial Access Control
Systems to manage the 
movement of people in high risk 
areas, preventing accidents and 
ensuring that critical processes 
operate safely.

 — Challenging market conditions, but performance  

improving as the year progressed.

 — Good contribution from last year’s Sensit  

Technologies acquisition.

 — Investment increased, supporting opportunities  

for future growth.

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit5

£188.8m

(5.6)%

£36.6m

(16.7)%

Pressure Management
Explosion protection devices and 
systems to protect pressurised 
vessels and pipework in critical 
industrial processes.

Safe Storage and Transfer
Real-time corrosion monitoring 
and valve interlocking systems 
that safeguard people and 
processes.

% of Group revenue

14%

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Process Safety’s 
technologies protect 
people and assets at 
work, across a range of 
critical industrial and 
logistics operations.

Sector overview and growth drivers
Process Safety has a key part to play in 
making critical industrial processes safer 
and cleaner. We provide innovative and 
increasingly digitally connected products to 
address our customers’ needs around the 
world. The longer-term growth prospects 
for our Process Safety businesses are 
supported by increasing health and safety 
regulation and associated legal risks, higher 
environmental standards to address the 
challenges of climate change, the 
continuing move toward renewable energy 
sources and conserving scarce natural 
resources, and growing industrialisation 
and automation.

Our ability to find new applications in 
adjacent industrial markets is broadening 
the sector’s growth opportunities, both 
organically and through acquisition. In Gas 
Detection, market growth over the longer 
term is being driven by ongoing 
industrialisation, increasing safety and 
environmental regulatory standards, 
greater demand for continuous monitoring 
of harmful substances to protect worker 
safety, and the accelerated use of wireless 
sensors and connected devices. 

Increasing automation, higher electrical 
safety standards and the increasing need 
for remote safety monitoring are growth 
drivers for our Industrial Access Control, 
Pressure Management and Safe Storage 
and Transfer businesses which serve a 
diverse range of industrial end markets. The 
COVID-19 pandemic has also further 
accelerated the growth of e-commerce 
and therefore of the logistics sector which 
supports it; this offers opportunities to 
help our customers ensure safe working 
environments in these highly 
automated facilities.

Several of our businesses, notably in Pressure 
Management, operate in markets driven  
by the increasing need for energy and other 
critical resources. Global energy demand is 
estimated to have reduced by 4% in 2020  
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but 
is forecast to increase by 4.6% in 2021, and  
to continue to grow over the long term,  
with forecasts putting demand in 2050 at 
between 25% and 50% higher than current 
levels. Renewable energy is expected to 
account for an ever greater proportion  
of consumption, and in absolute terms  
to be at least three times greater in 2050  
than currently. The drive towards net zero 
emissions offers our companies good 
opportunities for growth, both in helping  
our customers minimise their environmental 
impact, and as we repurpose our solutions to 
support more sustainable energy solutions.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Business review
Process Safety

Performance
It was a challenging year for Process 
Safety, with significant reductions in 
end-market demand resulting in declines 
in both revenue and profitability. There 
was a gradual improvement in trading as 
the year progressed but overall 
performance was affected by the lower oil 
price, which resulted in a fall in demand 
for higher margin safety products in the 
US onshore oil and gas-related businesses, 
by site access issues as a result of the 
pandemic, and a slowdown in new 
projects in Gas Detection. The sector’s 
performance year-on-year also reflected a 
strong prior year comparative in Industrial 
Access Control (which included a large 
logistics contract), although this was 
partly offset by good demand in this 
segment from logistics and paper and 
packaging and electrical safety 
customers. The sector’s companies 
continued to invest in new connected 
technologies and in diversification away 
from the oil market, which together with 
the development of products and services  
to help customers address increasing 
safety and environmental regulation,  
are expected to improve performance  
in the longer term.

Revenue was £188.8m (2020: £200.0m), 
5.6% lower. This included a benefit from the 
acquisition in the prior year of Sensit 
Technologies, and revenue was 11.9% lower 
on an organic constant currency basis. 
Performance improved as the year 
progressed, resulting in a small decline in 
reported revenue in the second half and a 
moderate reduction on an organic 
constant currency basis.

Revenue trends on a regional basis 
reflected the trends in the underlying 
markets. Mainland Europe grew, benefiting 
from the fulfilment of significant Safe 
Storage and Transfer projects, some of 
which had been in the order book prior to 
the start of the financial year. However, 
revenue in the USA declined substantially 
on an organic constant currency basis, due 
to weakness in the onshore oil and gas 
market and the strong comparative in 
Industrial Access Control, although on a 
reported basis this was partly offset by a 
good contribution from the Sensit 
acquisition. The UK delivered a resilient 
performance, but a slowing of large project 
approvals affected Asia Pacific, particularly 
in the first half, and our businesses in the 
Middle East. Performance improved in each 
of the USA, the UK and Asia Pacific in the 
second half. 

40

Crowcon

The combination of agility,  
quick decision-making and 
collaboration matter when 
circumstances change. Halma 
company Crowcon Detection 
Instruments has shown this  
in action. 

Over the last year, the team were 
able to draw on their core culture 
of flexibility and agility and their 
commitment to saving lives 
through gas detection. They were 
able to adapt quickly to meet 
changing customer demands – like 
prioritising the manufacturing of 
30 urgent portable oxygen 
detector devices for the UK 
National Health Service, which 
were delivered in record time.

“Our operational heroes – those 
front-line colleagues working  
in our facilities – were able to 
change their production focus  
to meet these requests and then 
team up with sales managers 
around the country to deliver 
right across the UK,” explains 
Graham Jardine, Managing 
Director, Crowcon. 

The team also looked at new 
ways to support channel 
partners and customers by 
addressing short and long-term 
needs. Crowcon introduced a 
new webinar series on their 
knowledge-sharing platform to 
upskill and educate audiences. 
This provided a consistent forum 
for exchanging ideas, 
understanding changing needs 
and listening to partners. The 
platform has never been busier, 
delivering live and on-demand 
information, and the insights 

Growth Enablers used by Crowcon:

gathered mean Crowcon is now 
better able to deliver the right 
technology solutions in the right 
way, at the right time, every day. 

The company has not only 
adapted to changes but has also 
been continually sharing best 
practice with Halma peers, 
highlighting the effectiveness of 
our structure and culture. Their 
guidance video on creating 
COVID-19 secure facilities is a 
notable example, which has 
helped other Halma companies 
implement their own measures.

“We rose to meet new 
challenges last year 
and thanks to our 
business model and 
culture this was 
something the team 
did instinctively.  
The core skills we 
have allow us to 
continually support 
our customers  
in person or  
virtually and that  
is something I am 
proud to say has 
been tested in 
extraordinary times.” 

Graham Jardine
Managing Director, Crowcon. 

   Mergers &  
Acquisitions

   International  

Expansion

   Talent &  
Culture

   Finance  
& Risk

   Digital Growth 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

   Strategic 

Communications 
and Brand

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Profit was £36.6m (2020: £43.9m), 
representing a decline of 16.7%, or 21.5% on 
an organic constant currency basis. Gross 
margin was broadly stable, with favourable 
product mix in Gas Detection offsetting 
the effect of a decline in higher margin 
Pressure Management business. Return on 
Sales, however, decreased to 19.4% (2020: 
21.9%), despite good overhead control, 
reflecting lower revenues from higher 
Return on Sales businesses in US onshore oil 
and gas and Industrial Access Control, 
one-off restructuring costs of £1.9m, and a 
£1.6m increase in R&D expenditure, to 4.8% 
of revenues (2020: 3.7%) as the sector 
continued to invest in opportunities for 
future growth such as connected safety 
monitoring solutions.

There were no acquisitions or disposals in 
the year, and the net impact of prior year 
acquisitions was a positive effect of 6.9% 
on revenue and 5.3% on profit. Currency 
exchange movements had a small negative 
effect, of 0.6% on revenue and 0.5% on 
profit. Since the year end one small bolt-on 
acquisition has been completed, with our 
industrial access control company, Fortress, 
buying the assets and IP associated with 
monitored safety valves from FluidSentry 
Pty Ltd in Australia for A$0.6m. This 
acquisition provides complementary 
products which ensure the safety of 
hydraulic and pneumatics systems whose 
usage is growing as automation increases.

Looking ahead we anticipate a recovery in 
the Process Safety end markets which, in 
addition to new product introductions, 
should return Process Safety to growth in 
the year ahead.

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Business review

Infrastructure 
Safety

4242

Infrastructure Safety’s 
technologies save lives, 
protect infrastructure 
and enable safe 
movement. 

Sector overview and growth drivers
The Infrastructure Safety sector makes the 
world a safer place by protecting 
commercial, industrial and public buildings 
and spaces and enabling safe movement. 
Our products and services address 
increasing life safety concerns, more 
stringent regulatory requirements and 
accelerating demand for connected 
infrastructure systems globally.

Growth in our Infrastructure Safety 
markets is supported by expanding and 
ageing populations, increasing 
urbanisation, and tighter safety 
regulation. We expect the agility of our 
companies in responding to the evolution 
of these trends to support our growth over 
the long term. 

While we see the growth of cities as likely 
to continue, given their economic, 
community and cultural attractions, new 
ways of living and working are emerging 
as a result of the pandemic. These are 
likely to lead to the acceleration and 
amplification of a number of existing 
trends in our markets, and changes in the 
way urban environments evolve, which we 
expect to provide opportunities for our 
companies. They include upgrades of 
office space to allow for better 
collaboration, health, and flexibility; 
changes in the use of buildings; ‘green’ 
initiatives to improve energy use;  
increased remote monitoring and 
efficiency through digital innovation  
and connected products; and the use  
of touchless technologies to support 
safety and hygiene.

We expect these trends to support 
continued growth across our Infrastructure 
Safety markets. For example, the greater 
need to manage health and safety 
concerns as a result of the COVID-19 
pandemic is already presenting new 
opportunities for our People and Vehicle 
Flow businesses to enhance safety through 
automated access solutions as people 
move around, and increasing population 

densities are driving demand for our 
solutions which address congestion  
and help to increase the capacity of 
existing infrastructure.

In global fire detection and suppression 
equipment, growth is expected to be 
sustained by more stringent regulation 
and increased adherence to that 
regulation, driven both by rising standards 
from national and supranational 
regulators and by international initiatives 
such as the International Fire Safety 
Standards (IFSS) coalition. In addition, 
infrastructure upgrades are expected to 
support greater demand for connected, 
intelligent building systems to drive 
greater efficiency and support remote 
monitoring and control.

The medium-term forecasts for the global 
elevator market also reflect the trends of 
rising urbanisation and increasing 
spending on maintenance and 
modernisation of existing equipment and 
increased accessibility requirements. 
Opportunities are also emerging to 
enhance efficiency through remote 
monitoring and preventative 
maintenance, and safety and hygiene 
through touchless operation. 

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Our markets

Highlights

Fire Detection
Networked fire detection 
systems, cloud-based fire 
compliance and software support 
services, wired and wireless fire 
detection components. 

Fire Suppression
Systems to automatically 
extinguish fires, protecting 
people, property and assets.

 — Profit growth of 2.7% (1.2% on an organic constant 

currency basis).

 — Return on Sales increased by 1.4 percentage points  

to 24.5%.

 — Organic constant currency revenue grew 6.7% in the 

second half.

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit5

£450.5m

(3.4)%

£110.6m

+2.7%

People and Vehicle Flow
Sensing solutions for automatic 
door systems and for access 
control, safety, and security,  
for use in public, commercial  
and industrial buildings and 
transportation.

Advanced radar systems that make 
roads safer and more efficient and 
protect critical infrastructure. 

Elevator Safety
Safety and communications 
components and systems  
that make elevators smarter,  
simpler and safer. Emergency 
communications systems that 
protect people in buildings in 
critical circumstances. 

% of Group revenue

34%

Security Sensors
Security sensors, control panels 
and apps to protect commercial, 
residential and public buildings.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Business review
Infrastructure Safety

Performance
Infrastructure Safety delivered a solid 
performance, with profit growing both on 
a reported and organic constant currency 
basis, despite a modest decline in revenue. 
Having been affected in the early part of 
the year by difficulties of gaining physical 
access to sites and the impact of furlough 
(or local equivalent schemes) on the 
availability of installers, the sector’s 
performance improved substantially as 
the year progressed. This was partly driven 
by the easing of lockdown restrictions and 
the furloughed employees returning to 
work. It also reflected the agility of our 
companies in responding to changes in 
demand and new customer requirements. 
For example, a number of companies 
accelerated online training and remote 
installation support in response to 
restrictions on physical access, while the 
People and Vehicle Flow subsector 
delivered a robust performance, driven by 
their agility in responding to increased 
demand from logistics customers for door 
automation technologies, and by 
refocusing their business to address a mix 
shift away from sliding door sensors, to 
sensors which can be retrofitted to swing 
doors and other touchless entry devices. 
Our companies also successfully 
positioned themselves to take advantage 
of new regulatory requirements in a 
number of geographies, notably in the Fire 
businesses in the UK and the Middle East, 
and for new opportunities emerging in 
highway safety, and in retrofitting 
buildings, for example in Area of Refuge 
(part of the Elevator Safety subsector).

Revenue of £450.5m (2020: £466.5m) was 
3.4% lower, and 4.7% lower on an organic 
constant currency basis. This included a 
substantially improved performance in  
the second half of the year, with organic 
constant currency revenue increasing  
by 6.7%.

The stronger second half performance 
included a substantial recovery in Fire 
Detection, particularly in the UK market, 
and in Security Sensors, as well as a strong 
performance in People and Vehicle Flow. 
As a result, revenue in the UK market grew 
modestly for the year as a whole, both on 
a reported and organic constant currency 
basis, despite the substantial impact of 
the pandemic in the early part of the year. 
Revenue in Mainland Europe saw a modest 
decline; however, the region returned to 
growth in the second half, with an 
improvement in revenue trends across all 
subsectors and a strong performance in 
People and Vehicle Flow, driven by its swift 
response to changes in customer demand. 
Asia Pacific revenue also saw a modest 
decline; its performance included a 
contribution from the acquisition of 
Ampac in Australia last year. In the USA, 
revenue declined, but momentum 
improved in the second half, and there 
were strong performances in People and 
Vehicle Flow and Area of Refuge. Revenue 
fell in other regions largely due to the 
prolonged impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic in these territories.

44

Profit grew by 2.7% to £110.6m (2020: 
£107.7m), or by 1.2% on an organic 
constant currency basis, and Return on 
Sales increased to 24.5% (2020: 23.1%). 
This growth reflected an increase in gross 
margin from a favourable mix of business, 
good overhead control and, following last 
year’s substantial increase, a modest 
reduction in R&D expenditure as a 
percentage of revenue, to 5.7%  
(2020: 6.1%).

There were no acquisitions or disposals in 
the year, and the impact of prior year 
acquisitions was a positive effect of 1.6% 
on revenue and 1.8% on profit. Currency 
exchange movements had a small 
negative effect, of 0.3%, on both revenue 
and profit.

In January 2021, we announced that we 
had agreed a minority investment and 
strategic partnership with Oxbotica, a 
global leader in autonomous vehicle 
software. This strengthens the existing 
relationship between Oxbotica and the 
Halma company Navtech, which 
specialises in radar technology for 
transport applications. 

Since the year end, one small bolt-on 
acquisition has been completed, with the 
Argus wireless fire safety company 
purchasing its Italian distributor for €0.5m.

Looking ahead we expect a continuation 
of the recovery we saw in the second half 
albeit against the potential headwinds 
relating to ongoing supply chain 
challenges and risk of further COVID-19 
related disruption. 

BEA

The past year has demanded 
that companies make swift 
decisions, and quickly recognise 
market changes and reinvent 
solutions. Halma company BEA 
– a leading manufacturer of 
sensing solutions for automatic 
doors systems – was able to meet 
these demands due to a close 
and collaborative relationship 
with its partners and a team 
that is flexible and focused. 

“We are trusted advisers to our 
customers and that comes from 
daily interactions. By 
understanding the changes in 
our customers’ needs and their 
pain-points, we were positioned 
to take specific actions and to 
adapt new solutions in time,” 
explains Laurent Sarlette, Chief 
Marketing Officer, BEA.

Adapting and reinventing is part 
of BEA’s culture and the redesign 
of the Magic Switch Chroma – a 
touchless switch that activates 
when you wave your hand in 
front of it – is one example. The 
need for solutions that avoid 
surface transmission of COVID-19 
was becoming increasingly clear 
and so BEA accelerated its 
redesign, allowing their 
customers to suggest different 
solutions to meet their needs. 
Another example of meeting new 
market need is BEA’s adaptation 
of their people-counting device 
that allows controlled entry and 
real-time information to help 
monitor the occupancy of  
a building. 

The BEA purchase & operations 
team were instrumental in the 
delivery of these products. As 
demand accelerated, they were 
able to draw on the support of 
the broader team. 
Remote-working colleagues  
were invited to help the 
operations teams ‘on-site’ one  
or two days a week to assist in 
boxing, labelling or shipping 
products – a testament to BEA’s 
teamwork and flexibility. 

“Our culture of agility 

and adaptability 
enabled us to move 
at speed and provide 
innovative new 
solutions to our 
customers. We 
couldn’t have done 
this without the 
passion and 
dedication of  
our people, and 
throughout this  
last year we have 
focused on their 
health, providing 
wellbeing and mental 
health support at 
every stage.” 

Elmar Koch, 
CEO, BEA

Growth Enablers used by BEA:

   Mergers &  
Acquisitions

   International  

Expansion

   Talent &  
Culture

   Finance  
& Risk

   Digital Growth 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

   Strategic 

Communications 
and Brand

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our impact
Our impact

cleaner

Protecting water 
through digital 
technologies
Water is the most important resource 
on our planet. Yet every day billions of 
litres of water are lost through 
leakage, and by 2030 it is estimated 
that global water shortages could 
displace around 700 million people.

The reduction of network leakage has 
been identified as a critical factor in 
achieving water sustainability. In the 
UK alone, there are over 345,000km of 
mains water pipes. Throughout this 
vast network, Water UK reports that 
2,954 million litres of water, which is 
around 20-30% of UK water 
production, is lost each day because 
of leakage. The UK regulator, Ofwat, 
is leading the way globally by setting 
water companies a target to reduce 
leakage by 16% by 2025, and UK water 
companies have committed to going 
further, aiming to deliver a 50% 
reduction in leakage by 2050. 

46

1. PermaNET+ leak noise  
sensors listen to acoustic  
changes in the water network.

2. When there is an 
anomaly, an alert is sent 
to a digital dashboard.

3. Operators are alerted  
to a possible leak with  
a pinpointed location. 

cleaner

for everyone, every day.

In order to meet these ambitious 
targets, large-scale network 
monitoring projects are needed which 
is a hugely complicated undertaking 
due to legacy water infrastructure. 
Approximately 90% of all leaks never 
show at ground level so leak detection 
still very much relies on manual 
listening tools and reactive measures; 
nothing much has changed for  
50 years.

Now digital technology is changing 
that. New digital solutions are 
enabling water companies to create 
more intelligent networks, fit for a 
modern water infrastructure. Halma 
company HWM is leading this 
transition with PermaNET+, their 
award-winning leak detection system 
that combines an acoustic leak sensor 

with cellular connectivity which can 
be placed strategically across the 
water network. 

Attached to the water pipe’s valve 
with a strong magnet, the sensors 
listen (predominantly at night) for 
any anomalies. Their findings are sent 
back to base and overlaid with digital 
maps to identify the exact location of 
any leak, enabling an engineer to 
quickly investigate the issue. 

More recently HWM launched 
SpillSens, a digital positioning sensor 
that acts as an early warning system 
for sewer blockages and sewer 
overflows, preventing flooding 
incidents and pollution. This has been 
so successful that Severn Trent Water 
has deployed 1,600 sensors in target 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

problem areas in the Midlands to 
provide early warning of issues so 
cleaning crews can remove blockages 
before pollution events occur. 

HWM was also named as one of the 
eight companies that will be 
collaborating with United Utilities in 
their Innovations Lab to develop the 
technology even further. 

HWM’s innovative technologies are 
supporting the sustainability goals of 
water companies globally while also 
ensuring that this life-critical resource 
is protected for everyone, every day. 

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Business review

Environmental  
& Analysis

48
48

Our markets

Highlights

Optical Analysis
World-class optical, 
optoelectronic and spectral 
imaging systems that use light to 
analyse materials in applications 
including life sciences, 
bioprocessing, food safety, 
research, and industrial  
process control.

Water Analysis  
and Treatment
Systems that assist  
communities around the  
world by sustainably improving 
water quality and availability.

 — Robust performance, with strong profit growth of 11.4% 

(14.7% on an organic constant currency basis).

 — Strong growth in Asia Pacific across all three subsectors, 

reflecting recovery in China.

 — Sector performance underpinned by agile response of 

sector companies to rapid market changes.

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit5

£308.8m

(5.0)%

£77.4m

+11.4%

Environmental Monitoring
Technologies used to analyse 
water, air and gases to monitor 
the quality of our environment 
and ensure that our resource 
infrastructure operates 
efficiently. 

Environmental & 
Analysis’ technologies 
are used to preserve, 
monitor and protect the 
environment, ensure the 
availability, quality and 
sustainability of natural 
resources, and to 
analyse materials  
in a wide range of 
applications.

% of Group revenue

24%

Population growth is driving increasing 
demand for life-critical natural resources, 
such as clean water and air, and these 
resources are under growing pressure as a 
result of factors including climate change, 
increasing urbanisation and 
industrialisation, and changing patterns of 
land use. For example, according to the 
United Nations, water use has been 
growing globally at more than twice the 
rate of population increase in the last 
century, and 2.3 billion people live in 
water-stressed countries, of which 721 
million people live in high and critically 
water-stressed countries. In terms of 
waste water, according to the United 
Nations, less than 50% of domestic waste 
water is safely treated (based on 24 out of 
75 reporting countries, most of which are 
high-income countries), and over 3 billion 
people are at risk because the health of 
their rivers, lakes and groundwater is 
unknown. This drives demand for our 
water testing and disinfection 
technologies, and for our water network 
monitoring solutions which help to ensure 
integrity of networks.

Sector overview and growth drivers
The Environmental & Analysis sector is 
focused on growing a safer, cleaner and 
healthier future by improving the quality 
and availability of life-critical natural 
resources such as air, water and food, by 
protecting the environment and wellbeing, 
and by delivering high-technology 
solutions in a wide variety of end markets 
based on our digital, optical and 
optoelectronic expertise. Our valuable 
solutions are technically differentiated 
through strong application knowledge, 
supported by high quality and customer 
responsiveness.

The sector’s long-term growth is sustained 
by rising demand for life-critical resources, 
increasing environmental regulations and 
worldwide population growth with rising 
standards of living. It is underpinned by 
our ability to design, develop and 
manufacture innovative, high-technology 
detection and analysis solutions with 
applications in a wide range of sectors. 
These include water and waste water 
management and treatment (including 
water utilities); gas analysis and detection; 
food, beverage, agriculture and 
aquaculture; medical and bio-medical; 
communications; research and science; 
and a variety of industrial markets.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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49

 
 
 
 
 
 
Business review
Environmental 
& Analysis

Similarly, air pollution is a growing health 
risk in both developing and developed 
countries. The World Health Organization 
(WHO) estimates that air pollution kills  
7 million people worldwide every year. 
Their data shows that nine out of ten 
people breathe air that exceeds WHO 
guideline limits containing high levels of 
pollutants, with low- and middle-income 
countries suffering from the highest 
exposures. This underpins the growth 
opportunities for our spectroscopy 
solutions which assist in the precise 
detection of contaminates, and for our 
environmental solutions which support 
emissions and air quality monitoring and 
calibrate pollution monitoring equipment.

Performance
Environmental & Analysis delivered a 
robust performance. While there was a 
modest decline in revenue, this compared 
to a very strong performance in the prior 
year, and profit grew strongly, both on a 
reported and organic constant currency 
basis. The agility of our companies in 
responding to market changes 
contributed to the sector’s performance in 
the year. Examples included our gas 
flowmeter business, Alicat, rapidly 
adapting its technology to make 
components to meet urgent new 
requirements from ventilator 
manufacturers in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, and Optical Analysis 
businesses addressing new opportunities 
which are emerging in end-to-end 
measurement and calibration solutions for 
use in a wide range of applications, 
including in laboratory instrumentation, 
consumer electronics, biopharmaceuticals 
and food and beverage.

5050

Revenue of £308.8m (2020: £325.0m) was 
5.0% lower, which partly reflected the loss 
of revenue from the disposal of Fiberguide 
Industries, Inc. in the third quarter of the 
year. On an organic constant currency 
basis, revenue declined by 2.7% against a 
very strong comparator, with the prior 
year having benefited both from delivery 
of some large photonics projects within 
the Optical Analysis subsector in the 
second half of the year, and increased 
spending by UK water companies ahead 
of the end of the previous five year  
Asset Management Plan (AMP) 
investment cycle.

There was strong revenue growth in Asia 
Pacific across all three subsectors, driven 
by recovery in China, and Mainland Europe 
grew, benefiting from a good 
performance in Water Analysis and 
Treatment. The USA, the sector’s largest 
region, delivered a resilient performance, 
given a strong prior year comparative and 
the phasing of some large photonics 
projects; underlying growth trends in 
photonics remain strong, given increasing 
demand from customers to help them 
build their digital and data capabilities. 
The UK saw a substantial decline in 
revenue, given a very strong performance 

last year, and delayed demand in UK 
water due to the start of the new AMP 
cycle and COVID-19 related access 
restrictions; we continue to see good 
opportunities for growth in this market, 
driven by higher regulatory standards for 
clean water networks and an increasing 
focus on waste water management. 
Other regions, which represent less than 
5% of sector revenue, also saw a decline, 
mainly due to the non-repeat of large 
water testing contract in Canada which 
had benefited the prior year.

Profit grew by 11.4% to £77.4m (2020: 
£69.4m), or by 14.7% on an organic 
constant currency basis, and Return on 
Sales increased substantially to 25.1% 
(2020: 21.4%). This reflected a benefit to 
gross margin from a favourable mix of 
business, including from some COVID-19 
related and one-off orders, and very 
strong control of overheads. R&D 
expenditure remained above the Group 
average as a percentage of sales, at 5.4% 
(2020: 6.0%), reflecting continued high 
investment in future growth across all 
three subsectors.

There were no acquisitions in the year, and 
the net impact of prior year acquisitions 
and the disposal of Fiberguide Industries, 
Inc. was a negative effect of 0.7% on 
revenue and 1.2% on profit. Currency 
exchange movements also had a negative 
effect, of 1.6% on revenue and 2.1%  
on profit.

Since the year end, two sector companies 
have completed small bolt-on 
acquisitions. The UV Group acquired Orca 
GmbH, a German manufacturer of 
ultraviolet disinfection systems, primarily 
for the food and beverage sector, for an 
initial consideration of €6.2m (£5.3m),  
and Crowcon, which became part of  
the sector after the year end, purchased 
its UK flue gas analyser distribution 
partner, Anton Industrial Services Limited, 
for £1.9m.

Looking ahead we expect the sector to 
make continued progress albeit against a 
strong comparative with the continued 
contribution of some large photonics 
projects, in addition to the timing of the 
UK water infrastructure investment cycle 
and the continued recovery of the water 
testing markets. We expect Return on 
Sales to return to more normalised levels 
driven by the mix of business and growth 
going forward.

Alicat

In March 2020 the world 
witnessed a massive surge in 
demand for ventilators to help 
patients suffering from COVID-19 
to breathe.

Robust testing is key to making 
sure that all the ventilators 
rolling off the production line are 
safe and reliable. But how do you 
measure a breath? That question 
is critical when considering how 
to build a ventilator testing 
system. The dozen circuit boards, 
miniature valves, and intricate 
pathways that go into a 
ventilator all work towards one 
purpose: to simulate and assist 
the very human, highly variable, 
deceptively intricate act of 
taking a breath. 

Alicat Scientific, a pioneer in the 
precise measurement of gases 
and liquids, produces the 
technology that helps to 
measure a breath. Their solutions 
ensure each ventilator delivers 
just the right volume and 
pressure flow rate of oxygen to 
vulnerable patients to enable 
them to breathe more easily. 

In response to the pandemic, 
Alicat went above and beyond in 
supporting multiple customers, 
working at breakneck speed to 
adapt their production line and 
ramp up manufacturing in a 
COVID-19 secure environment. 
This allowed them to deliver on 
increased orders while also 
protecting their employees. 

Their ability to stay close to their 
customers and adapt quickly has 
allowed them to continue to 
respond to new demand for their 
products. Their solutions are now 
being used in the manufacture 
of vaccines, supplying gases to 
the bioreactors where the 
vaccine is cultivated. 

“Alicat was proud to 

be a key player in the 
acceleration of 
ventilator 
manufacturing at 
the onset of the 
COVID-19 pandemic. 
Our people and 
technology were well 
suited to deliver 
solutions in days, not 
weeks or months, 
needed by the 
manufacturers to 
respond to an 
unprecedented and 
urgent global need.”

David Lashbrook
President of Alicat 

Growth Enablers used by Alicat:

   Mergers &  
Acquisitions

   International  

Expansion

   Talent &  
Culture

   Finance  
& Risk

   Digital Growth 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

   Strategic 

Communications 
and Brand

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our impact

healthier

The future  
of healthcare 
The global pandemic has placed  
a spotlight on how our healthcare 
facilities work. It has exposed a 
pressing need to develop smarter 
hospitals that can improve staff  
and patient safety, while reducing 
the burden on clinical staff. 

52

Research has shown that digital 
technologies, specifically the internet 
of things (IoT), could lower the costs 
of operational and clinical 
inefficiencies by US$100 billion per 
year. In addition, around two-thirds of 
physicians believe that digital 
technologies can help relieve the 
pressure on nurses and doctors, 
allowing them to spend more time on 
direct patient care. 

Real-time locations system (RTLS) 
technology creates a connected 
operating system for hospitals. It 
tracks, manages and monitors data 
allowing healthcare facilities to 
optimise workflow, look after assets, 
assure staff safety and improve 
patient care. 

1. All clinical staff carry  
a digital staff badge.

2. A real time location sensor in the 
badge detects when they enter a 
patient’s room or ward.

3. The technology gently reminds 
them to wash their hands to help 
prevent the spread of infections.

healthier

for everyone, every day.

One Halma company is showing the 
way forward for the future of 
healthcare with their advanced RTLS 
technology. CenTrak provides location 
and environmental condition data 
across the entire healthcare facility, 
giving care professionals the insight 
they need to make well-informed 
decisions for their patients and  
their colleagues. 

It works by adding RTLS technology to 
a digital staff badge that provides a 
gentle reminder to staff if hygiene 
protocols are not followed prior to the 
interaction with a patient. It also 
accurately documents current hand 
hygiene processes. This type of 
actionable insight enables healthcare 
facilities to provide additional training 
where it is needed most. 

As an example, hospital acquired 
infections (HAIs) are a significant 
safety risk for patients and hospital 
staff. They cost the industry billions  
of dollars a year and can also 
undermine trust in healthcare 
facilities. CenTrak’s automatic hand 
hygiene compliance monitoring 
system is a simple and effective 
infection prevention strategy. 

Hospital wards can also use digital 
staff badges to provide more efficient 
care to patients, as it will notify the 
nearest available clinical staff that 
can attend a patient call. This 
decreases call response times and 
also generates automatic patient 
care reports, based on staff presence, 
thus reducing manual paperwork. 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

The same location technology can 
also be used in tracking important 
mobile medical equipment, allowing 
clinical staff to locate the nearest 
available life-saving device. 
Additionally, this helps prevent 
cross-contamination of equipment by 
ensuring that everything is cleaned 
according to recommended protocols. 

By enabling healthcare facilities to 
connect their processes and patient 
care, CenTrak is helping to define the 
future of healthcare. 

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Business review

Medical

54

Medical’s technologies 
enhance the quality of 
life for patients and 
improve the quality of 
care delivered by 
healthcare providers.

Sector overview and growth drivers
The Medical sector is focused on growing a 
healthier future by enhancing the quality 
of life for patients and improving the 
quality of care delivered by providers.

We serve niche applications in global 
markets providing critical components, 
devices, systems and therapies which are 
embedded in the standard of care. We 
look for niches where there is a ‘non-
discretionary’ element, meaning our 
products and technologies are critical to 
the function or management of care, for 
example cataract surgery or cardiac 
monitoring, and where there is a 
connection between medical conditions 
and chronic illnesses, thereby driving 
potentially higher rates of demand on a 
sustainable basis.

The sector’s long-term growth is 
supported by increasing demand due to 
worldwide population growth and ageing, 
and the greater prevalence of chronic 
illnesses. There is little evidence that 
people today are in better health than 
previous generations. We see an increase 
in the prevalence of common health 
conditions associated with ageing, which 
include cataracts, back and neck pain and 
osteoarthritis, and diabetes, as well as 

cardiac and pulmonary disease, 
depression and dementia. In addition, 
COVID-19 has reduced average life 
expectancy and will likely present 
continued health complications. These 
factors are key growth drivers for our 
Therapeutic Solutions businesses, given 
their presence in the ophthalmic surgery 
device, respiratory therapy and bone 
replacement markets.

In Healthcare Assessment, we expect the 
rising prevalence of cardiac, circulatory, 
and respiratory illness, increased health 
awareness and availability of healthcare 
to drive growth over the longer term. In 
addition, healthcare facilities are seeking 
to improve outcomes, reduce costs and 
ensure the safety of patients and staff, 
which is driving the global market for our 
real-time location services business.

In Life Sciences, the market for our critical 
fluidic components is being driven by more 
directed and personalised diagnostic 
methods combined with increased testing 
efficiency. North America and Europe 
continue to be our largest markets,  
with Asia Pacific exhibiting the fastest 
growth rate.

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Our markets

Highlights

Life Sciences
Focusing on technologies and 
solutions to enable in-vitro 
diagnostic systems and life-
science discoveries and 
development. 

Healthcare Assessment
Providing components, devices 
and systems that provide 
valuable information to 
understand patient health and 
enable providers to make 
decisions across the continuum  
of care.

 — Revenue and profit growth despite significant variations in 

market demand.

 — Research and development investment increased to 

support future growth.

 — One acquisition completed in the year and a further two 

since the year end.

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit5

£371.3m

+7.0%

£86.6m

+2.6%

Therapeutic Solutions
Supplying technologies, materials 
and therapies that enable 
treatment across key  
clinical specialties.

% of Group revenue

28%

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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55

 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue grew by 7.0% to £371.3m (2020: 
£347.2m), which included a substantial 
contribution from current and prior year 
acquisitions. On an organic constant 
currency basis, revenue declined by 5.4%, 
reflecting the fall in demand for elective 
healthcare and diagnostic procedures 
which represents a majority of our  
Medical portfolio, partially offset by 
increases in patient monitoring and 
respiratory products.

Revenue grew in four out of five regions. 
The USA, which accounts for over half of 
sector revenues, grew strongly, benefiting 
from recent acquisitions, including Maxtec 
(part of Perma Pure), which saw a very 
substantial increase in demand for its 
oxygen analysis and delivery products. On 
an organic constant currency basis, the 
USA delivered a resilient performance 
given the agility of our companies in 
responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
with the modest decline in revenue also 
reflecting the mix of businesses in the 
region. Mainland Europe and Asia Pacific 
saw a similar pattern, with modest 
increases in reported revenue and declines 
on an organic constant currency basis. 
There was strong growth in China as the 
country recovered from the effects of the 
pandemic, driven by good commercial 
execution. The UK, which represents only 
5% of sector revenue, delivered very strong 
growth, benefiting from the acquisition in 
the third quarter of Static Systems Group, 
a UK-based manufacturer of critical 
healthcare communication systems, for 
£43.9m, including cash acquired; revenue 
on an organic constant currency basis, 
however, saw a substantial decline.  
Other regions saw revenues decline, 
principally as a result of the effects  
of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business review
Medical

Performance
Medical sector companies experienced 
significant variations in demand in the 
year. Demand for products and services 
related to elective healthcare procedures 
reduced sharply. This moderated as the 
year progressed, reflecting an easing of 
the initial acute effects of the pandemic 
on healthcare systems including some 
modest improvement during the year in 
patient demand for elective surgeries and 
discretionary ophthalmic diagnosis 
procedures. Demand in general health 
diagnostics, including vital signs 
monitoring, and in products supporting 
patient oxygenation remained at a high 
level relative to previous years. Life 
Sciences businesses continued to be 
adversely impacted by the ongoing focus 
on COVID-19 testing and point-of-care 
diagnostics. In Health Assessment, while 
our location services business was 
affected by hospital access restrictions, it 
has built a strong order book, driven by 
the need for its healthcare customers to 
improve efficiency and ensure hygiene and 
access control.

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“ The agility of the 
Halma model 
allowed us to move 
quickly to acquire 
Maxtec and expand 
our capabilities. By 
ramping up and 
tripling our supply 
when customers 
needed us most,  
we could help  
people everywhere 
breathe easier and  
be healthier.”

Sharon Bracken
President of Perma Pure 

Profit grew by 2.6% to £86.6m (2020: 
£84.4m) and declined by 10.5% on an 
organic constant currency basis. Return on 
Sales remained above the Group average 
at 23.3% (2020: 24.3%), with the decline 
reflecting the impact on gross margin of 
the substantial changes in business mix in 
the year, and a further 14% increase in 
research and development (R&D) 
investment to £18.8m; R&D expenditure in 
the year represented 5.1% of revenues 
(2020: 4.8%). These effects were partly 
offset by operational efficiencies and 
strong overhead control. 

The impact of current and prior year 
acquisitions (net of prior year disposals) 
was a positive effect of 14.3% on revenue 
and 14.1% on profit. Currency exchange 
movements had a negative effect, of 1.9% 
on revenue and 1.0% on profit.

After the year end, we acquired PeriGen, 
Inc., whose advanced technology protects 
mothers and their unborn babies during 
childbirth, for US$58m (approximately 
£42m), expanding our presence in patient 
assessment and monitoring into the US 
perinatal care market, and further 
extending our analytics capabilities. The 
sector also completed one bolt-on 
acquisition, with Riester acquiring the 
trade and assets of RNK, a US-based 
digital stethoscope company, for an initial 
consideration of US$2.7m (£1.9m).

Looking ahead, we expect to continue to 
see a recovery in elective procedures and 
for there to be a decline in demand for 
COVID-19 related products. These factors, 
alongside the continued contribution from 
recent acquisitions, means that the sector 
is expected to deliver more normal levels 
of growth for the year ahead.

Perma Pure

Halma acquired Maxtec in 
February 2020 to help accelerate 
Perma Pure’s growth in medical 
moisture management products. 
This acquisition could not have 
come at a more critical time. 
Within a couple weeks of closing 
the deal, COVID-19 expanded 
from a regional outbreak to a 
global pandemic. As Perma Pure 
and Maxtec technology is 
directly applicable to treating 
patients with respiratory issues, 
this resulted in a surge in 
demand for their products. 

Perma Pure’s solutions are used 
in a variety of patient monitoring 
technologies, as well as 
respiratory technology, and 
these were also in high demand 
as hospitals experienced a steep 
increase in new cases. 

Both companies, under the 
leadership of CEO Sharon 
Bracken, drew on their culture 
and in-built agility to respond 
quickly, while keeping their 
employees safe and managing 
the post-merger integration of 
the two businesses. 

The teams were creative in 
finding ways to protect their 
people and keep production lines 
running to meet the steep 
increase in demand. One key 
initiative was to introduce 
flexible working, including two 
four-hour shifts and staggered 
shift work, to accommodate the 
challenges working parents were 
having with balancing the needs 
of childcare and work.

Growth Enablers used by Perma Pure:

   Mergers &  
Acquisitions

   International  

Expansion

   Talent &  
Culture

   Finance  
& Risk

   Digital Growth 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

   Strategic 

Communications 
and Brand

Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our stakeholders

Maintaining strong stakeholder relationships is essential 
to Halma’s long-term sustainable success.

Our people

Our companies

Customers

Suppliers

Developing and attracting high- 
quality talent is a key driver of our 
success. We strive to build leadership 
teams which are diverse, effective 
and engaged.

Our decentralised model places 
our companies close to their end 
markets and under the management 
of their own board of directors, 
empowering entrepreneurial action. 
Our companies are key stakeholders 
which collectively deliver our organic 
growth and are vital to the success of 
our growth strategies.

Our customers play an essential role 
in ensuring the sustainability of the 
Group. By delivering our products and 
services to the end market where they 
serve to protect and improve the 
quality of life, they play a pivotal role 
in the fulfilment of our purpose.

Developing strong relationships with 
our suppliers is key to the operational 
success of our businesses and ensures 
that we have agility to develop new 
and market competitive solutions to 
meet our customers’ needs.

Key areas of interest
 — Development and progression.
 — Remuneration.
 — Diversity and inclusion.
 — Workplace policies.
 — Collaboration.

Key areas of interest
 — Operational and financial 

performance.
 — R&D investment.
 — Talent development.
 — Collaboration.
 — International expansion.

Key areas of interest
 — Innovative solutions.
 — Long-term relationships.
 — Value.
 — Service.
 — Research and development 

investment.

Key areas of interest
 — Social and ethical impact.
 — Payment practices.
 — Long-term partnerships.

How the Board engages
 — Our communications platform, 

How the Board engages
 — The Board is in regular 

How the Board engages
 — Our Executive Board and Divisional 
Chief Executives work closely with 
major customers to ensure that we 
offer and develop innovative 
solutions using our technology and 
deep application knowledge.

communication with our companies 
through site visits, presentations 
and the annual Leadership 
conference. This ensures alignment 
relating to the development and 
performance of the companies  
and of Halma’s strategic priorities 
and culture.

How the Board engages
 — Our Executive Board and the 

Divisional Chief Executives work 
closely with key suppliers to ensure 
that we continue to deliver the 
best products and services for 
our customers and have the 
infrastructure in place to respond 
to market developments. The 
Divisional Chief Executives report 
back to the Board periodically  
on significant supplier contracts  
and arrangements. 

 — Our principal suppliers are subject 
to regular engagement, including 
audits, and are encouraged to 
operate with the high ethical 
standards that are set out in 
our Code of Conduct.

How we supported
 — We commenced an analysis of the 
sustainability-related impact and 
risk across our supply chains.
 — We supported our suppliers by 
encouraging our companies  
to pay promptly.

How we supported
 — Supported the development of our 

companies’ products via our 
Functional Networks.

 — M&A activity has provided  
our companies with access  
to new markets.

 — Accelerated planned technology 
investments that will modernise 
ways of working for our companies 
and support growth in the  
medium term. 

How we supported
 — Investment in our innovation and 
digital growth programmes to 
explore new ways of providing  
value to customers through  
digital products. 

 — Our companies stepped up their 
efforts to meet customer needs  
by providing lifesaving and 
life-sustaining solutions  
throughout the pandemic.

HalmaHub, enables our employees 
to keep up to date with the latest 
news across the Group, collaborate 
with colleagues and share 
experiences and knowledge.

 — The Group-wide employee 

engagement survey is conducted 
annually and provides valuable 
insight to the Board on issues that 
matter to our workforce. 

 — The Board seeks to engage with the 
workforce throughout the year and 
further details are set out on pages 
96 and 97.

How we supported
 — In light of COVID-19 restrictions, we 
did not undertake any face-to-face 
training or development but we 
were able to refocus our resources 
on digital learning. 

 — Committed to increasing racial and 
ethnic participation in our senior 
leadership roles by joining Change 
the Race Ratio campaign and 
selected diversity, equity and 
inclusion as one of our Key 
Sustainability Objectives.

 — Launched a global parental leave 

policy for all Halma employees that 
offers equal paid leave regardless of 
gender or sexual orientation.

 — Committed to paying a Real Living 
Wage across our UK operations 
from 1 June 2022.

58

How our Board 
takes decisions

The Board recognises that it has a duty to act in the best interests of the 
Company for the benefit of its shareholders, as well as considering other 
stakeholder interests. Factors the Board consider include:

 — How the decision fits with our purpose.
 — Likely long-term consequences of the decision.
 — The value created for our shareholders.
 — Impact on our people, processes and performance.
 — Effect on communities and the environment. 
 — Importance of fostering business relationships with customers/suppliers.
 — The need to maintain high standards of business conduct.

Acquisition 
prospects and 
business partners

Society and 
community

Investors and 
debt holders

Our companies and sector M&A 
teams continue to build relationships 
with businesses that could become 
acquisition prospects or strategic 
business partners.

We have a duty to conduct business 
in a responsible and sustainable way 
that aligns with our purpose and 
values, and supports the 
communities in which we operate.

Key areas of interest
 — Financial performance.
 — R&D investment.
 — Collaboration.
 — Delivery of initiatives.
 — Mergers and acquisitions. 
 — International expansion.

Key areas of interest
 — Environmental and social impact.
 — Improving quality of life.
 — Protecting people.

How the Board engages
 — The executive Directors are in 

How the Board engages
 — The Directors engage with 

dialogue with our business partners 
and will meet or engage with 
management at potential 
acquisition targets as part of 
the due diligence process.

non-governmental organisations 
and other interest groups to improve 
their understanding of current and 
emerging ESG related matters. 
 — The Head of Sustainability engages 

regularly with stakeholders on 
sustainability issues and reports 
frequently to the Board on these 
matters.

 — The Board reviews the portfolio  
to consider how our businesses  
and their products align with  
our purpose.

Shareholders and lenders provide the 
financial liquidity we require to 
operate, and are key beneficiaries in 
the value that we create. As investors 
in our business, we are committed 
to transparent and open engagement 
with them.

Key areas of interest
 — Strategy and implementation.
 — Operational and  

financial performance.

 — Capital structure, liquidity, capital 
allocation and dividend policy.

 — Risk management.
 — M&A.
 — Talent and succession planning.
 — Environmental, Social and 

Governance matters.

How the Board engages
 — The Directors meet investors on a 
regular basis – principally through 
investor roadshows, investor events 
and the AGM.

 — The Chair invites the Company’s 

largest equity shareholders to meet 
to discuss the annual results 
announcement and any other 
significant matters.

 — Investor Relations and Treasury 

maintain an ongoing dialogue with 
shareholders, financial analysts and 
our lenders regarding financial, 
operational, risk and environmental, 
social and governance issues and 
provide regular reports to the Board 
on these interactions.

How we supported 
 — Continued to develop external 
partnerships, including making 
minority investments through our 
Halma Ventures programme. 
 — Sector organisation changes will 
result in increased and dedicated 
M&A support for our Environmental 
& Analysis and Medical growth 
opportunities.

How we supported
 — Supported our companies with the 
provision of support to their local 
and national healthcare providers 
during the global pandemic. 
 — Launched our second group-wide 

charitable campaign, Water for Life, 
in partnership with the international 
non-profit organisation WaterAid.
 — Developed our new Sustainability 

 — Completed the acquisition of Static 

Framework during the year.

Systems Group.

 — Completed the spin-out of our food 
technology start-up, OneThird, from 
our Ocean Insight company.

 — We provided assistance to those 
colleagues and businesses in 
difficulty through a variety of 
support programmes, without 
seeking Government financial 
assistance.

How we supported
 — Progressive dividend policy 

maintained, while ensuring the 
Group continues to have a 
conservative capital structure, 
robust balance sheet and 
substantial available liquidity.

 — Appointment of new Chair  
and non-executive Director,  
bringing additional expertise  
to the Board and demonstrating 
orderly succession.

 — Head of Sustainability recruited 

during the year to implement our 
new Sustainability Framework.

 — Consultation on new Remuneration 

Policy led by Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Section 172 
Compliance 
statement

The Companies (Miscellaneous 
Reporting) Regulations 2018 require 
that Directors explain how they 
have had regard to the matters set 
out in section 172(1)(a) to (f) 
(S.172(1)) of the Companies Act 
2006 when performing their duty to 
promote the success of the 
Company. Throughout the year, 
while discharging their S.172(1) 
duty, the Directors have acted in a 
way that they considered, in good 
faith, would be most likely to 
promote the success of the 
Company for the benefit of 
shareholders, and in doing so had 
regard, amongst other matters, to:

 — The likely consequences of any 

decision in the long term.

 — The interests of the Company’s 

employees.

 — The need to foster the 
Company’s business 
relationships with suppliers, 
customers and others.

 — The impact of the Company’s 
operations on the community 
and the environment.

 — The desirability of the Company 
maintaining a reputation for 
high standards of business 
conduct.

 — The need to act fairly  
as between members  
of the Company.

The Board also considered the 
interests of a wider set of 
stakeholders including its 
operating companies, 
acquisition prospects and 
business partners. The table 
opposite identifies Halma’s 
stakeholders, the key issues the 
Directors considered relevant, 
and the Board’s engagement 
methods and response during 
the year.

Examples of how the Directors 
discharged their S.172(1) duty 
when taking principal decisions 
during the year are set out on 
page 98.

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Our people and culture

“Halma’s culture is one 
of our unique strategic 
assets. It reflects the 
collective capabilities  
of our people and is a 
fundamental part of 
what makes Halma a 
successful, sustainable 
business.”

Jennifer Ward, Group Talent,  
Culture and Communications Director

Our people share a common purpose to 
grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for 
everyone, every day. Over the past year 
they have demonstrated this purpose in 
action and brought to life Halma’s DNA 
through their response to the most 
challenging health and economic crisis  
in a generation. 

Customers, suppliers and communities 
relied on us to continue producing the 
technologies needed to protect lives and 
maintain critical infrastructure. Even as 
market conditions substantially changed, 
our people supported each other to keep 
our businesses running and ensured that 
this technology got to the people who 
needed it most. 

Employee engagement

78% 

+3 percentage points

60

We supplied ventilator technology to 
hospital patients; we kept critical 
infrastructure running for our communities 
and our countries; and even now our 
technology is helping with the global 
vaccine roll out.

Our leaders also embodied Halma’s DNA 
as they faced an unprecedented test of 
leadership and resilience. Despite these 
challenges, they demonstrated responsive 
and empathetic leadership ensuring their 
employees’ health, safety and welfare 
needs were protected, and that their 
customers’ demands were met.

We believe it is our DNA that will continue 
to give us resilience and continued success 
in the long term as markets recover. We 
are proud of how, individually and 
collectively, our employees and leaders 
have lived our purpose and we are grateful 
for everything they have done and 
continue to do.

Engaging our people 
Our employee engagement scores reflect 
our agile and collaborative culture, and 
the inclusive work environment we are 
striving to create. Each year we survey our 
employees on a range of subjects to 
understand how engaged they are in their 
work. This year, 87% of all employees took 
the opportunity to share their perspective 
with us, representing a one percentage 
point increase from last year, despite the 
logistical challenges posed by COVID-19. 

We were pleased to see the overall 
employee engagement score rise 3 
percentage points to 78%. In fact, all 

categories of the survey were improved 
from prior years with the areas related to 
our pandemic response most significantly 
improved: Ethics and Fair treatment (+4), 
Empowerment (+3), Leadership (+4) and 
Communications (+3). Two of the 
individual items that were key drivers of 
the overall engagement score were: 
“Where I work we are treated with 
respect” and “I am proud of my 
company’s response to the pandemic”. As 
in the previous year, we saw no significant 
engagement differences across gender, 
ethnicity or nationality. 

We continued to prioritise our people’s 
health and wellbeing to ensure they are 
fulfilled, engaged and can perform at 
their best. This year we created a resource 
centre on HalmaHub, our internal digital 
platform, to provide dedicated help and 
advice to support our employees’ mental 
health. Some of our companies also 
provided training for mental health aiders, 
introduced their own mental health 
programmes and held virtual talks to 
allow people to come together to hear 
from experts and support each other. 

We remain committed to bringing our 
purpose to life for all our employees, 
demonstrating how our technologies are 
addressing the world’s biggest challenges 
in creating a safer, cleaner and healthier 
future. This year we launched Water for 
Life – our new purpose-driven campaign 
that leverages our technologies to help 
tackle the issue of access to clean water in 
some of the most vulnerable communities 
in India. Many of our companies have 

pledged their support and are engaging 
their workforce through awareness-raising 
and fundraising activities to help us deliver 
on our purpose. 

Embedding diversity and enabling a 
culture of inclusion 
Our purposeful and inclusive culture is a 
competitive advantage that helps attract 
the best talent and allows us to stay agile 
as the needs of our stakeholders change. 
Reflecting our commitment to build a 
diverse and inclusive culture throughout 
our group of 42 companies, we have 
selected Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as 
one of our Key Sustainability Objectives 
within our Sustainability Framework, as 
outlined further in the Sustainability 
Report on pages 64 to 77.

We have continued to make progress on 
gender diversity, and we are pleased to 
have achieved the Hampton-Alexander 
Review gender diversity targets for 
Executive management. Our gender 
diversity figures at 31 March 2021 are set 
out in the section below, and following our 
AGM in July 2021, Halma’s Board and 

Executive Board will be 44% and 78% 
women respectively. The three Sector 
Chief Executives who lead our portfolio of 
companies are women, and the gender 
ratio of our next generation of leaders is 
now more balanced with 49% women in 
our latest Halma Future Leaders cohort. 
We have also made progress towards our 
ambition for all our company boards to  
be within a gender balance range of 
40%-60%, with female representation 
increasing from 19% last year to 22%  
this year.

We recognise that gender diversity is only 
one element of a truly diverse 
organisation. We have made public 
commitments to increase racial and 
ethnic participation in our senior 
leadership roles by joining Change the 
Race Ratio, a campaign founded by the 
Confederation of British Industry to 
increase racial diversity on boards. In July 
2020, we also committed to reporting on 
long term actions specifically on black 
inclusion. This includes tracking ethnicity 
data, conducting listening sessions to 
understand the experiences of black 

colleagues, and celebrating black leaders 
and talent in our organisation.

We have already made progress against 
the campaign’s goals with two recent 
appointments – a new plc Board Director 
and an Executive Board member – who 
are from ethnically diverse backgrounds. 
We are also tracking ethnicity data to 
improve transparency and provide a 
benchmark which we can build on for  
the future. 

We appreciate that diversity is a broad 
subject and not just confined to gender, 
ethnicity and nationality. Therefore, this 
year we introduced a new question in our 
employee engagement survey to assess 
whether employees consider themselves 
to be diverse in another way; 15% of 
employees responded to say they do.

A focus of our diversity strategy is working 
with recruiters to ensure they run a diverse 
application process and expanding our 
campus recruitment strategy for university 
and college graduates. While we base our 
recruitment decisions on skills and 
competencies, we hold recruiters 

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Our Diversity
Figures as at 31 March 2021

Board of Directors1

Senior management2

Other employees

Ethnic diversity3

46%

27%

42%

15%

11

211

7,035

In relation to your  
working environment/
colleagues do you  
consider yourself  
to be in an ethnic 
minority?

54%

73%

58%

85%

Executive Board

Divisional Chief Executives

National diversity3

37%

63%

44%

20%

8

9

56%

 Female 
 Male

Is the country  
in which you work 
different from your 
Nationality?

80%

 Yes 
 No

1  Includes non-executive Directors.
2  Defined as Executive Board members who are not appointed to the Halma plc Board, Divisional Chief Executives and Directors of our companies. 
3  Response to questions posed in the 2021 Engagement Survey.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our people and culture continued

accountable for presenting diverse 
shortlists which include varied educational 
and work backgrounds. We are confident 
that our focus on diverse hiring practices 
will start to deliver results and increase 
diversity at all levels of our organisation. 
As an example, this year 49% of the 
recruits into our Future Leaders 
Programme are from an ethnically  
diverse background. 

We know that diversity, equity and 
inclusion require active leadership and 
commitment from all levels of the 
organisation. To facilitate this, we are 
giving our people the tools to practice 
inclusive behaviour and use it in their 
day-to-day work. We are doing this 
through Accelerate Inclusion, a peer 
learning programme translated into 10 
languages and which is available to all our 
businesses. More than 5,000 employees 
(around 70% of total employees) have 
joined the programme across all the 
countries we operate in since its launch.

As part of our ongoing commitment to 
building fairer and more inclusive 
businesses, in October 2020 we launched 
a global parental leave policy for all 
Halma employees. This offers equal paid 
leave regardless of gender or sexual 
orientation. We are also committing to 
paying a Real Living Wage across our UK 
operations from 1 June 2022. A number of 

our UK companies are already paying 
wages in line with the levels set by the 
Real Living Wage Foundation.

Halma is not obliged under the Gender 
Pay Gap Regulations to report our gender 
pay gap as we do not directly employ 
more than 250 employees. However, we 
support the intent of the effort and 
therefore this year we are voluntarily 
disclosing the gender pay gap for all 
employees of Halma in the USA and the 
UK as at 31 March 2021. The approximate 
overall mean pay gap was 26%.

The pay gap is due to more women in 
operations and assembly roles in the 
lowest quartile (54%) compared to more 
men in the top quartile (76%). This 
supports our existing focus to address the 
gender balance at our company 
leadership team levels, which will help to 
close the overall pay gap with more 
female representation at this level. Our 
goal is to achieve a 40-60% gender 
balance at this level, which is 22%  
female at 31 March 2021. 

The pay gap data provides us with a 
robust baseline to measure our progress 
against, and in the coming year we will be 
implementing a global HR solution that 
will provide us with further insights that 
we can act on. We believe that we pay 
men and women equally for similar level 

roles. We are also committed to 
addressing the gender pay imbalance 
through inclusive and diverse recruitment 
and better work-life arrangements, such 
as our global parental leave policy and  
our Future of Work philosophy.

Developing our people 
Equipping our leaders with the skills to 
manage, lead and deliver on our growth 
strategy is a key focus. We aim to 
empower all our people to continually 
grow and change to help us cultivate our 
open and inclusive culture. 

During the year we rapidly refocused our 
resources on digital learning, moving to 
online development until face-to-face 
development opportunities can start 
again. We also piloted new online  
learning platforms to help managers  
with business and individual development. 
We delivered approximately 2,800 hours  
of training to 685 senior leaders and  
other Group employees.

We are actively working with Halma 
company boards to ensure that people 
development is high on the agenda. We 
are helping build out local initiatives, 
which are critical in ensuring that we have 
strong succession pipelines, and for 
attracting and retaining key talent.  

62

Days lost to preventable 
work injuries*

42

236

85

226

111

42

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Total recorded injuries
to all employees

212

314

252

372

360

212

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

400

300

200

100

0

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

*  Specified major injury incidents are reportable incidents 

which result in more than three working days lost.

We continue to leverage our Functional 
Networks and HalmaHub, to  
continuously share best practice  
and stimulate knowledge-sharing, 
enabling us to go faster by learning  
from the experiences of others. This  
year there were more than 850,000 
learning interactions on HalmaHub.

Health and safety
Looking after the wellbeing of our people 
is critical to our business and a key priority 
for all our leaders. The Group’s health and 
safety performance was particularly 
strong in the current year with an 
Accident Frequency Rate of 0.02. There 
were no work-related fatalities in FY20/21 
or in prior years and you can find details of 
recorded injuries during the year and the 
prior four years in the graphs opposite.

Our Future of Work philosophy
The pandemic has redefined our people’s 
expectations around how they would 
prefer to work in the future. In response to 
this, we have developed an approach for 
enabling more flexible working for Halma’s 
employees at the Group level. We are also 
guiding our companies to create their own 
core principles about future working 
practices. Our companies led the way by 
finding innovative practices to provide 
flexibility to production employees, with 
many companies empowering the teams 
themselves to design working patterns 
that deliver the business needs and also 
accommodate the flexible needs of the 
team members.

We are confident that these efforts will 
build on our progress in making our work 
environments more flexible and inclusive 
for everyone. 

“ Looking after 
the wellbeing 
of our people is 
critical to our 
business.” 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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63

 
 
 
Sustainability

Our purpose of growing 
a safer, cleaner, 
healthier future for 
everyone, every day 
is the foundation 
for our approach 
to sustainability.

Halma’s positive impact through 
purpose-aligned growth
Our purpose drives every business decision 
we make. It ensures everyone who works 
with us is focused on doing those things 
that make it happen. Our technologies 
solve some of the world’s most pressing 
issues, from air quality to road safety and 
preventable blindness. Our purpose 
defines the three broad market areas 
where we choose to operate, within the 
safety, environmental, and health 
markets. We believe the issues we address 
are global and long-term in nature and 
expect them to support delivery of 
sustainable growth with positive impact.

This purpose-aligned growth is a key 
component of our Sustainable Growth 
Model, in which the value we create comes 
from the combination of our growth and 
returns, and our positive impact. Halma 
companies make the world a safer, 
cleaner and healthier place, as illustrated 
by our contribution towards multiple 
United Nations Sustainable Development 
Goals, as we set out on pages 66-67. 

Our Sustainability Framework
Halma companies also recognise that 
their operations have negative 
environmental and social impacts. These 
are relatively small within our own 
operations, given that we have low 
capital-intensity manufacturing processes 
and our operations are geographically 
close to our end markets. However, as we 
begin to measure and understand our 
wider value chain impacts, and as various 
environmental and social issues, including 
the climate crisis, are becoming more 
acute, we are ambitious to go further and 
faster in reducing our negative effects at 
the same time as increasing our positive 
impacts. We also want to ensure we are 
focused on opportunities to multiply our 
positive impact, for example in how we 
design our products and services, in the 
way we do business, and in how we 
interact with our employees, our suppliers, 
our communities and wider society. 

2021 Sustainability highlights: 
 — Launching our Sustainability 

 — Committing to paying the Real 

Framework.

 — Introducing our Water for Life 
partnership with WaterAid.

 — Setting a 1.5 degree aligned Scope 1 
& 2 2030 GHG emissions reduction 
target and commitment to net zero 
Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2040.

 — Increasing renewable energy from 
8% to 15% of electricity consumed.

 — Further assessments of 

environmental and supply  
chain impacts.

 — Improvements in sustainability data 

and disclosures.

Living Wage in UK operations from  
1 June 2022.

 — Global implementation of an equal 

parental leave policy.

 — Continued progress on gender 
diversity within our workforce.

 — Extremely strong Health and Safety 
performance, alongside mental 
health and employee wellbeing 
initiatives.

Read more  
in this report

p66

64

Read more  
in the Our people  
and culture section

p60

Given the structure of our Group, which  
is made up of more than 40 small to 
medium-sized companies, we recognise 
the need to prioritise our time and 
resources in those areas that will  
deliver the largest reduction in negative 
impact or the greatest amplification  
of positive impact.

As the Board member responsible for 
sustainability, part of my focus in the year 
has been on more explicitly incorporating 
sustainability issues into our Sustainable 
Growth Model (our overall corporate 
business model and strategy), and 
prioritising them to support our long-term 
growth aspirations.

We are introducing a Sustainability 
Framework, which we will further develop 
and roll out across our companies over the 
next 12 months. 

Under this framework, we will prioritise a 
small number of areas that are highly 
purpose-aligned, important to Halma and 
our stakeholders, and relevant to most of 
our companies – our Key Sustainability 
Objectives (KSOs). By setting ambitious 
objectives and stretching supporting 
targets for these KSOs, we believe we can 
significantly amplify our existing purpose-
driven positive impact. In turn, these KSOs 
will be supported by the policies and 
metrics that we consider essential to 
responsible business conduct. 

 
Our Key Sustainability Objectives
Our initial KSOs will be focused on Climate 
Change, the Circular Economy, and 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Our specific 
actions in these areas will evolve, but we 
expect to address climate change in terms 
of both the opportunities and risks it 
presents and by minimising our own 
greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). We 
expect to work towards designing out 
waste and pollution and incorporating 
reuse and recycled materials within our 
products where feasible, and we will 
prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion to 
support our purpose-aligned growth. 

Progress updates on our work in these 
three areas and related metrics can be 
found throughout this Annual Report as 
indicated in the diagram below.

We will seek to disclose more specific 
objective statements and additional 
supporting, medium and long-term 
targets for our KSOs as they are 
developed, and in future consider aligning 
management incentives with them where 
appropriate. This year, we have already 
committed to new GHG emission 
reduction targets to support our Climate 
Change KSO, which include a 1.5 degree 
aligned Scope 1 & 2 target for 2030 and a 
commitment to net zero emissions by 
2040 for Scope 1 & 2. 

Supporting these KSOs, the sustainability 
issues, policies and metrics that we 
include within the Responsible Business 
section of our Sustainability Framework 
are those which relate to other areas of 
corporate social responsibility, 
compliance, or risk reduction. In many 
cases we expect these areas to be of lower 
materiality, or be material but already 
well managed by our companies 
compared to our KSOs. As a result, while 
we will continue to develop and maintain 
compliance against appropriate policies, 
procedures and standards, and to report 
our progress on them, we do not expect to 
develop ambitious targets in these areas.

As part of the continued development of 
the Sustainability Framework, we will be 
reviewing our current non-financial KPIs 
against the Framework and any newly 
introduced targets and metrics over the 
next 12 months to determine the most 
appropriate non-financial KPIs for the 
Group going forward.

I believe our Sustainability Framework, 
combined with our continued focus on 
purpose-aligned growth, will energise our 
colleagues, inspire future talent, attract 
partners who will help us solve some of 
the world’s most pressing problems, and 
make Halma even more sustainable. 

Marc Ronchetti 
Board Member responsible for 
Sustainability

Amplifying our positive impact

Our positive impact

Read more

p66

Our Key Sustainability Objectives (KSOs)

Climate Change 

Circular Economy 

Read more

Read more

Diversity, Equity  
and Inclusion 

Read more

p70

p69

p60

Responsible Business

Read more

p73

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Cataract treatments 
delivering positive 
impact

Medicel, a Halma company based in 
Altenrhein, Switzerland, makes the 
world a healthier place by supplying 
instruments for cataract surgery that 
improve patients’ quality of life. Their 
intraocular lens injectors allow 
surgeons to minimise incisions during 
surgery. Over 5 million lenses are 
implanted every year with Medicel 
injection systems.

Translating these positive impacts 
into their value to society, we have 
assessed the economic benefits from 
Medicel’s intraocular lens injector 
systems for patients by the avoided 
years living with cataract disability; by 
the avoided infections from 
alternative forceps-based surgery 
methods; and by the avoided lost 
income from full employment; and for 
governments by the avoided medical 
costs associated with supporting 
cataract disabilities.

Using third party data, we broadly 
estimate the annual economic benefit 
of cataract surgery attributable to 
Medicel’s technology to be more than 
£600m per annum – many times the 
cost to patients and governments.

More than
£600m p.a.

Annual value to society from  
Medicel’s injector technology

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65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability continued

Positive impact 
through 
purpose-aligned 
growth

Our purpose primarily drives our positive 
impacts over the longer term, and these 
impacts are applicable across multiple 
sustainability themes. In particular, our 
positive impacts enable Halma to 
contribute towards the UN Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs), including four 

Example impact metrics

SDGs that are highly aligned to our 
purpose and our products and services – 
SDG 3 Good health & well-being, SDG 6 
Clean water & sanitation, SDG 9 Industry, 
innovation & infrastructure and SDG 11 
Sustainable cities & communities. Our 
website sets out the UN’s targets and 
indicators that sit beneath these four 
SDGs that are most relevant to Halma. 

In the year ended 31 March 2021, over 
two-thirds of our revenue continued to 
contribute towards the broad aims of 
these four SDGs, helping to illustrate how 
our positive impact contributes to key 
global challenges for the period to 20301. 

In addition, as we incorporate climate 
change as a long-term growth driver, we 
expect our products and services to 
contribute more towards SDGs 7, 9 and 13 
relating to climate change mitigation and 
the transition to a low-carbon economy.

These pages show some examples of the 
positive impact we deliver through our 
products and services, particularly where 
we contribute towards one of our four 
chosen SDGs or our key sustainability 
objective-related themes of climate 
change and circular economy.

Our impact2

Applicable SDGs

Providing diagnostics and 
monitoring 

We supply more than 1 million diagnostic products per year, for blood pressure 
monitoring, ophthalmology, and other vital signs monitoring.

Helping improve health outcomes Our products support more than 7 million surgeries per annum, including those to 

treat preventable blindness.

Making roads safer 

We make roads safer, with our road safety technology being used on more than 
3,000km of highways.

Conserving water

Our products are used to monitor more than 110,000km of water pipelines. With 
UK water pipeline leakage estimated at around 8,500 litres per kilometre per day3,  
our products help conserve billions of litres of water per year.

Making water safer

We enable over 200 million water tests and supply more than 5 million water 
quality tests to partners working in international relief and development annually. 

Ensuring urban environments and 
public spaces are safer

Our fire detection products protect buildings with an aggregate area of more  
than 5,000 square kilometres.

Protecting lives

Our gas sensor products protect the safety of more than 250,000 people  
every day. 

Keeping workers safe

Our interlock products protect workers’ safety in more than 40,000 
manufacturing and other facilities.

Supporting the energy transition We protect more than 10,000 wind turbines by supplying over 23,000 fire 

suppression systems.

TARGET 3.4

TARGET 3.4

TARGET 3.6

TARGET 6.4

GOAL 13

TARGET 6.1

TARGET 3.9

TARGET 11.5

GOAL 11

TARGET 8.8

GOAL 11

TARGET 8.8

TARGET 8.8

TARGET 7.2

1  We describe and calculate our impact and revenue alignment with the broad principles of the four SDGs as follows: 
–  SDG 3 – Halma’s technology helps to diagnose and treat disease earlier and more accurately; to improve road safety; and to reduce water and air pollution. Revenue is included from medical 

companies (excluding CenTrak and Static Systems which focus on hospital communications, logistics and efficiency) and our vehicle flow company.

–  SDG 6 – Halma’s products and services help to ensure access to clean drinking water; to ensure efficient and effective wastewater treatment; and to maintain robust water and wastewater 

networks, minimising leakage and maintaining pressure. Revenue is included from our water analysis and treatment companies.

–  SDG 9 – Halma is continuously developing innovative technologies to increase industrial efficiency and safety, and safety in public places. In addition, Halma’s growth strategy provides a 

major opportunity to help our customers with the challenges of automation and digitisation. We do not currently measure applicable revenues.

–  SDG 11 – Halma’s technology makes cities safer, through fire and security protection, elevator safety products, and products and services addressing safety in public spaces, including 

enhancing road safety. Halma’s environmental and analysis technology helps to promote cleaner cities, ensure clean drinking water, and monitors gaseous emissions and the treatment of 
wastewater. Revenue is included from our fire, elevator safety, people flow and gas detection companies.

2  These metrics are approximate estimates, based on best available data and a number of management assumptions about usage of our products. They are updated for significant changes 

which are not expected to occur on an annual basis. The key assumptions are set out on our website at www.halma.com.

3  Source: Water UK; England and Wales, April 2019 to March 2020.

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Example impact case studies 

“ We make the world a 

safer, cleaner, healthier 
place for everyone, 
every day, while 
contributing towards 
the UN’s Sustainable 
Development Goals.”

Delivering clean water 
where it’s most needed
Our partnership with 
WaterAid will utilise our 
Palintest water testing 
technologies to deliver 
long-lasting infrastructure 
and education to 8,000 
people in a remote region of 
India who suffer from poor 
water provision. Community 
volunteers from across 10 
villages will also be trained 
to maintain water quality.

Reducing GHG emissions
One of Crowcon’s products 
helps detect refrigerant and 
SF6 leaks, both significant 
contributors to climate 
change.

Oseco-Elfab’s rupture disc 
products are being specially 
designed for industrial 
customers who are 
transitioning away from SF6, 
a potent greenhouse gas, to 
alternative gases within gas 
insulated switchgear used 
for electricity transmission.

TARGET 3.9 TARGET 6.1

TARGET 9.4 GOAL 13

Supporting climate 
change monitoring
Labsphere’s remote sensing 
calibration systems calibrate 
imaging systems within 
Earth Orbiting Satellites that 
monitor climate change and 
alert authorities to global 
environmental events. They 
also calibrate image systems 
used to provide quick 
decisions for efficient crop 
management.

Supporting the  
energy transition
Fortress supplies safety and 
interlock solutions to 
numerous clean energy 
projects, keeping people 
safe and protecting 
equipment for years to 
come in some of the 
harshest environments. 
Recent UK projects include 
offshore wind farms and 
hydroelectric power and 
battery storage projects.

Making industry  
safer for people and  
the planet
Sofis prevents accidental 
releases of harmful 
chemicals by providing 
solutions that make 
chemical processes safer 
and more controlled.

Improved safety systems 
also enable more frequent 
maintenance and flushing 
out of waste products, 
increasing the energy 
efficiency of the process. 

Supporting innovation 
within the hydrogen 
economy
Alicat has almost doubled 
the number of testing and 
calibration products sold 
into R&D facilities that are 
working on innovation in 
hydrogen fuel cell 
applications.

GOAL 13

TARGET 7.2

TARGET 8.8

TARGET 9.4 TARGET 12.4

TARGET 7.2

TARGET 9.4 GOAL 13

Reducing recycling costs
Ocean Insight’s recycling 
solution detects types of 
aluminium enabling it to be 
sorted into different grades 
within milliseconds. This 
application increases speed 
and reduces recycling costs, 
supporting the transition to 
a more circular economy.

Reducing food  
loss and waste
OneThird uses infrared 
sensors, AI algorithms and 
machine learning to predict 
and extend the shelf-life of 
fresh produce. This non-
invasive solution is helping to 
reduce food loss and waste, 
from farm to fork. 

OneThird was spun-out from 
Halma’s digital growth 
programme in 2021 and 
Halma retains a minority 
investment.

Protecting  
cultural heritage
Advanced’s fire panels 
protect cultural heritage as 
varied as Durham 
Cathedral, the Hagia Sophia 
in Istanbul, and His 
Majesty’s Theatre in Perth, 
Australia.

Applying corrosion 
management to  
water delivery
Cosasco’s products, 
traditionally used within the 
Oil & Gas industries, are 
being applied in municipal 
facilities to monitor pipe wall 
thickness degradation and 
the effectiveness of chemical 
treatments, to reduce lead 
contamination, chemical 
waste and leakage.

TARGET 12.5

TARGET 12.3

TARGET 11.4

TARGET 6.3 
AND 6.4

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Sustainability continued

Sustainability 
governance  
and strategy

Sustainability governance
Our Chief Financial Officer, Marc 
Ronchetti, has principal responsibility for 
our sustainability activities and policy, 
including Environment and Health & 
Safety. 

Sustainability is an integral part of our 
Sustainable Growth Model, and a key 
focus for the Board, which engaged with 
multiple sustainability-related topics and 
received updates on sustainability at the 
majority of scheduled Board meetings 
during the year. Sustainability was one of 
three key topics discussed at the Board 
Strategy Meeting in September 2020, and 
in March 2021 the Board discussed the 
draft Sustainability Framework and the 
Key Sustainability Objectives (KSOs). 
Please see the Climate Change section on 
pages 70 to 73 for further information on 
the Board’s role in Climate-related 
governance.

We also appointed our first Head of 
Sustainability in September 2020, and we 
have created two new groups within our 
organisation to help deliver on our 
Sustainability Framework over the longer 
term. Firstly, we launched the 
Sustainability Network in mid-2020. 
Chaired by one of our Divisional Chief 
Executives (DCEs), it brings together 
sustainability representatives from our 
companies to share ideas and best 
practice. 

Secondly, we have recently created a 
Sustainability management committee, 
made up of Executive Board members, 
functional representatives and DCEs, to 
assist Marc Ronchetti and our Head of 
Sustainability with direction and oversight 
of our sustainability initiatives and 
implementation of our Sustainability 
Framework. 

Sustainability Framework and 
informal materiality assessments
During the year, we have taken initial 
steps to assess the materiality of various 
sustainability-related issues arising in our 
wider value chain, to help develop our 
Sustainability Framework and KSOs. This is 
work in progress, with steps taken so far 
focused on developing strategy, rather 
than reporting. We will continue to 
develop our more formal impact and 
stakeholder analysis throughout the next 
12 months.

This work has included engaging with a 
number of our companies, representing 
over half of our revenue, to understand 
their key sustainability-related priorities, 
activities and challenges. Their input has 
helped identify our KSOs and will influence 
the policies, procedures and processes 
that we will look to include in ‘toolkits’  
to support our companies with achieving 
the KSOs.

In addition, we have undertaken 
discussions on sustainability-related issues 
with a number of our largest ESG-focused 
shareholders, as well as informally 
reviewing wider industry, peer and 
customer sustainability priorities. We also 
carried out an initial desktop supply chain 
impact assessment and a water scarcity 
assessment (see more detail on these 
assessments within the Responsible 
Business section). The results of these 
exercises fed into our selection of  
our KSOs.

This year end, we have also collected more 
granular data from our companies on 
water withdrawals and discharge, 
hazardous waste, electronic waste and 
solid waste and waste disposal methods. 
These figures can be found in the 
Sustainability data section on page 76. 

While we are not able to show 
comparatives for these metrics this year, 
this change enables us to better assess 
the materiality of these impacts, improve 
our external and internal reporting, and 
create a baseline for improvement. While 
many companies already measure and 
proactively manage these impacts, 
aggregated Group-level data will help us 
determine which policies, metrics and 
targets we may require at a Group level  
to manage these impacts in the future. 

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UN Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs)
As set out on pages 66 to 67, our positive 
impacts through purpose-aligned growth 
contribute towards multiple SDGs. In 
addition, our Sustainability Framework and 
Sustainable Growth Model enable us to 
contribute towards those and many other 
SDGs, through the way we do business and 
create value, how we treat our employees, 
and how we interact with our communities.

In particular, our KSOs are broadly  
aligned with:

 — Circular Economy – SDG 8 Decent work 

and economic growth and SDG 12 
Responsible consumption and production.

 — Climate Change – SDG 7 Affordable and 
clean energy, SDG 9 Industry, innovation 
and infrastructure, SDG 13 Climate 
action.

 — Diversity, equity and inclusion – SDG 5 

Gender equality, SDG 8 Decent work and 
economic growth and SDG 10 Reduced 
inequalities.

Circular Economy

We are at the initial stages of 
understanding the most relevant focus 
areas and potential longer-term goals 
for our Circular Economy KSO. However, 
a number of our companies are already 
making progress in implementing more 
circular principles into their businesses.

For example:

Crowcon is significantly reducing the 
amount of copper required within its 
solutions and working towards 
removing lead, a hazardous material, 
from its oxygen sensors throughout its 
product range. Alongside this, their 
fixed detector products can be fully 
disassembled for recycling. 

Cosasco utilises waste components 
from its manufacturing and servicing 
processes to build and refurbish 
products.

Apollo began a small pilot project to 
assess Lifecycle Analysis techniques 
that could be used to analyse 
environmental impacts associated with 
some of its products. This work was put 
on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Multiple companies are transitioning to 
more sustainable packaging solutions, 
including reuse of incoming packing 
material, replacing physical manuals 
with online versions, and replacing 
plastic foam with recycled paper 
product protection.

e-waste
We expect our existing aim to reuse or 
recycle more than 99% of electronic 
waste (e-waste) to be formalised as a 
supporting target for our Circular 
Economy KSO. Based on available data, 
almost half of currently reported 
e-waste is already recycled, and we 
have appointed a global e-waste 
recycling supplier that our companies 
can utilise to increase their recycling 
rates and offer a recycling service to 
customers where feasible.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
 
 
Sustainability continued

Climate Change

Introduction
The climate crisis is one of the biggest 
issues facing our society and our 
environment, and it impacts Halma’s 
efforts to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier 
future for everyone, every day.

At the same time, we believe that 
addressing the climate crisis, through 
creating low-carbon economies, 
transitioning to responsible consumption 
and production methods, and addressing 
social inequities and health issues, creates 
multiple opportunities for Halma within 
niche markets with long-term growth 
drivers. 

Recognising this, we have identified the 
transition to a low-carbon economy as a 
key long-term growth driver that we will 
use internally to assess organic and 
inorganic growth opportunities. In 
addition, we have increased the priority of 
the climate crisis across our business by 
highlighting the issue as a Key 
Sustainability Objective (KSO) within our 
new Sustainability Framework. This KSO is 
supported by significantly increased 
ambitions to reduce our own operational 
carbon footprint, as evidenced by our new 
targets set out below. 

We have also taken initial steps during the 
year towards applying the principles of the 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD), in line with our 
commitment to fully report against TCFD 
in our Annual Report for the year ended 31 
March 2022. The information in the rest of 
this section reflects the broad format of 
the TCFD recommendations.

Our GHG emissions targets

42%

absolute reduction in Scope 1 & 21  
GHG emissions by 2030  
from 2020 baseline

Achieve net zero Scope 1 & 21 GHG emissions by

2040

1  Market-based Scope 2 methodology

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Governance
Marc Ronchetti is the Board member 
responsible for assessing and managing 
climate-related risks and opportunities, as 
part of his broader role in relation to 
sustainability. Prior to year end the Board 
reviewed and discussed the initial 
climate-related risks and opportunities 
identified on the facing page. They also 
reviewed and approved our new GHG 
reduction targets and will be regularly 
appraised of the Group’s progress towards 
achieving these. 

During the coming year, formal training 
will be provided to the Board to ensure all 
members are fully equipped to provide 
oversight of climate-related risks and 
opportunities as these are identified by 
the management team. In addition, a 
process for routine flagging of Board 
agenda items that have climate 
relevance, such as M&A, will be developed. 
This will supplement an annual standalone 
agenda item to review how climate-
related risks and opportunities are being 
managed, as part of the annual strategic 
planning process.

The Executive Board is fully engaged on 
climate issues, and, to ensure effective 
and efficient decision making, have 
delegated responsibility for overall 
identification and management of 
climate-related risks, as well as ensuring 
strategic opportunities are assessed and 
developed where appropriate for the 
Group as a whole, to the Sustainability 
management committee. In addition, 
each of the three Sector Chief Executives 
(from 1 April 2021) are responsible for 
assessing climate-related opportunities at 
the sector level.

Strategy and Risks and 
Opportunities
Overall, we believe that Halma’s agile, 
decentralised business model equips us 
well to mitigate both physical and 
transition climate risks. In addition, our 
companies operate close to their end 
markets and we have an active M&A 
strategy. We expect both of these to 
enable us to identify and take advantage 
of climate-related opportunities where 
these arise, particular in relation to the 
transition to a low-carbon economy. Some 
of our products and services already 
address this issue, either directly or 
indirectly, as outlined further in the 
Positive impact through purpose-aligned 
growth section on pages 66 to 67.

Reducing emissions  
from transportation

With products and materials needing 
to be transported around the world to 
meet customer demands, delivering 
on time while also reducing CO2 
emissions is top of mind for 
Halma company BEA, a leading 
manufacturer of sensing solutions 
for automatic doors systems.

The Belgian-based company has 
taken steps to increase the proportion 
of deliveries that are shipped rather 
than air-freighted between Angleur 
(its headquarters) and Pittsburgh (its 
US premises), and to utilise barge 
transportation instead of lorries 
between Angleur and the port of 
Antwerp to reduce both congestion 
and CO2 emissions. BEA is also 
increasing the proportion of train 
transportation between its China 
premises and Angleur, which is more 
reliable and faster than shipping but 
with significantly lower emissions 
compared to air freight. While Halma 
doesn’t currently include logistics 
emissions within its Scope 3 footprint, 
these actions exemplify BEA’s 
commitment to growing a safer, 
cleaner, healthier future.

“ BEA’s solution is a mix 
between sea, train  
and air… and we are  
working towards our  
goal of 70 – 75% of our 
shipments transported  
by sea or train.”

Camilo Zuluaga, Quality, Health, 
Safety and Environment Management 
Supervisor, BEA

 
Initial climate-related risks and opportunities identified

Potential risk or opportunity
Physical
Business and supply chain  
interruption or costs

Potential risk

Transition
M&A strategy 

Potential opportunity

Regulatory landscape

Potential opportunity
Potential risk

New products and markets

Potential opportunity

Skills and information

Potential risk

Additional detail and existing management processes

Most of our companies operate as final assemblers of components, and therefore have supply chains 
that may be at risk of interruption or additional costs as physical climate impacts increase. 

The agility within our model, where our companies manage their own supply chains and operate 
close to their suppliers and end markets, means that we can respond quickly to changes in our supply 
chains.

We believe an opportunity exists for Halma to access new markets and technologies that will be 
required for the low-carbon transition, given our current market focus in highly aligned areas of 
safety, environment and health. In particular, our proven experience in acquiring small to medium-
sized businesses in niche markets should enable us to capitalise on this opportunity through our M&A 
strategy.

Ever increasing regulation, as standards for safety, cleanliness and care become ever higher, is a key 
existing long-term growth driver for Halma. Our experience and expertise operating in regulated 
markets, and helping our customers meet their regulatory requirements, positions us well to benefit 
from increasing levels of regulation as governments and regulators look to accelerate climate 
mitigation and adaptation efforts. 

On the other hand, a reactive, inconsistent and geographically fragmented policy and regulatory 
response, as well as additional reporting and governance requirements, could present a significant 
challenge for our small to medium-sized companies’ operations and procedures or could limit access 
to some markets.

We believe there will be multiple opportunities for Halma to drive organic growth through current 
and new products and technologies, as well as potential greater demand for existing product lines 
(including sensors and analytics) as a result of the low-carbon transition.

The agility and autonomy of our companies, operating close to their end markets, as well as their 
collaborative approach, means that we are already responding to these opportunities.

While multiple opportunities have been identified, there is the risk that Halma may lack the 
appropriate knowledge and skills required in order to identify, evaluate, pursue and deliver on low 
carbon opportunities relative to competitors.

This is closely related to Halma’s principal risk around Talent and Diversity, and our current focus on 
growing and attracting talent through our Talent and Culture Growth Enabler positions us well to 
identify and rectify gaps in our strategic knowledge. We also have experience of utilising partnerships 
and investments to explore new and adjacent technology and markets, which may be relevant to 
managing this risk going forward. 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Sustainability continued

Our overall approach to risk management 
and a summary of our Principal Risks can 
be found on pages 78 to 83. In the prior 
year, we identified the broad topic of 
Climate Change as an emerging risk 
within our risk management framework. 
This year, based on our developing 
understanding of physical and transition 
risks, and assisted by the workshop 
outlined below, we have incorporated the 
broad concept of climate change risk into 
our Climate Change and Natural Hazards 
principal risk.

During the year, we conducted a high-
level workshop with our Executive Board, 
our Divisional Chief Executives, and our 
M&A leads to review two generic climate-
related scenarios and identify initial risks 
and opportunities that may arise for 
Halma within each scenario. This 
workshop took a top-down view of the 
Group and our sectors, with a particular 
focus on the medium and longer-term. 
The workshop was supported by two 
generic narrative scenarios – being an 
orderly 1.5 degree ‘Steady Path to 
Sustainability’ scenario (SSP 1 – RCP 2.6 
combination) and an orderly 4 degree 
‘Fossil-Fuelled Growth’ scenario (SSP 5 – 
RCP 8.5 combination). 

A selection of the initial risks and 
opportunities identified for further analysis 
are set out in the table on page 71. These 
risks and opportunities have not been 
evaluated to understand their materiality, 
relevant timescales or potential impact, 
but they provide a starting point for 
further work over the coming year. 

2021 Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions1,2

15,000

tonnes CO2e

2020 baseline Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions1

18,600

tonnes CO2e

In particular, we will be developing our 
scenario analysis to ‘deep-dive’ into one or 
more of these risks. This will help us 
understand potential qualitative impacts 
and the resilience of our business model, 
as well as identify and prioritise mitigation 
strategies and related targets and metrics 
where relevant. 

Other risks and opportunities identified 
during the workshop may rise in 
prominence as we continue our work in 
this area, and some of those set out on 
page 71 may be assessed to be immaterial 
at a Group level. In addition, we do not yet 
have enough information to assess the 
potential risk of carbon pricing or similar 
mechanisms within our supply chain. We 
will determine the scale of this risk as we 
expand our measurement of Scope 3 
emissions over the coming year.

During the year ended 31 March 2022, we 
will look to integrate climate scenarios, at 
a high-level, into our overall risk 
management process, to help our 
companies identify those climate-related 
risks and opportunities most relevant to 
their individual growth strategies.

Alongside this, our Sector Chief Executives 
will lead work to further investigate and 
refine key opportunities for each sector as 
part of our strategic planning process.

Targets and Metrics and GHG 
emission reductions
While our own operational carbon 
footprint is relatively small and we have 
not specifically identified it as a potential 
risk within the TCFD framework, we are 
committed to reducing this footprint. 

From 2010 to 2021, we set a target to 
reduce our total carbon emissions relative 
to revenues by 10% over consecutive 
three-year periods. This intensity target 
has always been achieved, including for 
the three years ending in March 20212.

As of 1 April 2021, we have adopted an 
absolute, 1.5 degree-aligned emissions 
reduction target, calculated using the 
guidance from the Science-based Target 
Initiative. We are targeting reducing our 
global Scope 1 & 21 GHG emissions (tonnes 
of CO2e) by 42% by the year ended 31 
March 2030, compared to our 2020 
base year. 

In addition, we have committed to 
achieving net zero for our global Scope 1 & 
21 GHG emissions by 2040. We intend 
to define net zero utilising applicable 
guidance for Scope 1 & 2 from the 
Science-based Targets Initiative. While this 
guidance is currently under development, 
we expect that we will abate our 
emissions as much as feasibly possible 
before neutralising residual emissions by 
permanently removing an equivalent 
volume of atmospheric CO2.

Approximately three-quarters of our 
operational footprint relates to purchased 
electricity (Scope 2), with Scope 1 
emissions broadly split between natural 
gas (largely for space heating) and vehicle 
emissions, alongside other small emission 
sources. We expect to achieve our targets 
through a combination of energy 
efficiency measures, self-generated 
renewables, purchased renewables, 
transitioning our vehicle fleet towards 
electric vehicles and low-carbon heating 
sources. We expect the largest challenges 
to our low-carbon transition to arise from 
the short leases which we hold on the 
majority of our buildings, as well as the 
decentralised nature of our operations 
where contracts are contracted and 
managed at the individual company level.

During the year, we have continued to 
work towards reducing our operational 
carbon footprint. Two sites in the UK and 
the USA installed new solar panels, 
bringing approximately 400 kW of 
additional on-site solar capacity into our 
operations. In the prior period, we set an 
ambition to move all our UK sites to 
REGO-certified renewable electricity and 
gas by the end of calendar year 2022. 
During the year, approximately 35% of our 
UK electricity and gas consumption was 
from REGO-certified renewable tariffs or 
on-site generation. Together with 
renewable usage in other territories, 
including Europe, the USA and Australia, 
these measures have increased the 
percentage of our electricity and gas 
consumption that is derived from 
renewable sources, whether purchased 
externally or self-generated, to 15% (2020: 
8%) of total electricity consumption and 
14% (2020: 7%) of total electricity and gas 
consumption.

1  Market-based Scope 2 methodology.
2  Our emissions in 2021 have been impacted by the COVID-19 

pandemic and do not reflect emissions for a more 
normalised year. Please see additional commentary in the 
Sustainability Data section on page 75.

72

We have also completed initial 
assessments of renewable generation and 
purchase options for our largest US-based 
electricity consumers, which contribute 
approximately 30% of our total Scope 2 
emissions. In addition, a number of our 
companies have implemented energy 
efficiency measures during the period, 
including moving into more energy 
efficient premises, installing energy 
efficient lighting, programmable 
thermostats, rapid roller shutter doors and 
shipping bay curtains, and replacing gas 
space heating with more efficient electric 
solutions.

For example, during the period Sofis, one 
of our Safe Storage and Transfer 
companies, replaced existing lighting 
within its factory and warehouse with LED 
lighting. This action is expected to reduce 
its electricity consumption by over 25%, 
while increasing lighting levels to improve 
the working environment.

Alongside our Scope 1 & 2 commitments, 
we recognise the need for us to work 
towards net zero across our entire value 
chain. We currently measure certain 
categories of Scope 3 emissions, including 
business travel (by air and employee-
owned and hire cars), Well to Tank 
emissions and emissions related to water 
withdrawals and waste and wastewater 
generated. 

During this financial year, all our GHG 
emissions were impacted by the COVID-19 
pandemic, but in particular our Scope 3 
emissions benefited from a significant 
reduction in air travel.

Going forward, our new Future of Work 
philosophy encourages our colleagues to 
assess when business travel is necessary 
and beneficial against the impacts on 
climate change and employee wellbeing. 
In addition, we are currently reviewing our 
company and employee car policy with a 
view to reducing our Scope 1 emissions 
and Scope 3 business travel emissions over 
time.

Over the next 12 months, we will be 
carrying out a full assessment of our 
supply chain and other Scope 3 emissions 
sources to determine the targets and 
commitments that will be most 
appropriate for Halma. Initial assessments 
undertaken during the year have indicated 
that our largest Scope 3 emissions are 
likely to arise within our supply chain. We 
expect to disclose further information on 
this in our next Annual Report and 
Accounts.

Responsible Business

Environment
We recognise that all of our activities have 
an environmental impact. Our key 
impacts have been identified as emissions 
to air and water, water and energy 
consumption, and waste production, and 
since 2005 we have reported annual data 
at a Group level on greenhouse gas 
emissions, total water consumption, and 
total solid and liquid waste production. 

Our environmental impact within our 
operations is relatively low compared to 
other manufacturers, due to our fairly low 
capital-intensity manufacturing processes 
and operations that are geographically 
close to our end markets. However, our 
environmental impacts within our wider 
value chain are likely to be significantly 
larger than our operational impacts. 

We encourage our companies and their 
suppliers to improve energy efficiency, 
reduce water consumption, waste and 
emissions and, in terms of materials, to 
reduce or make more efficient use of 
them. Focusing on our Key Sustainability 
Objectives (KSOs) will particularly help us 
limit our key environmental impacts 
including energy consumption, GHG 
emissions and hazardous and other waste 
production.

Environmental accreditations
All Group companies are encouraged to 
undertake ISO 14001 accreditation, where 
warranted. For the year to 31 March 2021, 
based on available data reported by our 
companies, approximately 20% of the 
Group’s revenue was derived from 
companies with an ISO 14001 
accreditation.

Water scarcity assessment
During the year, we conducted a high-
level analysis of our operations in water-
scarce areas. We reviewed whether we 
have manufacturing, testing or R&D sites, 
or Hubs and Group Head Offices 
employing more than 50 people, 
operating in areas of ‘high (40-80%)’ or 
‘extremely high (>80%)’ baseline water 
stress, according to the World Resources 
Institute’s Water Aqueduct water risk atlas 
tool.

These sites were required to report their 
water withdrawals (including water 
withdrawn by any office, warehouse or 
other facilities sharing the same site) 
separately for the first time this year.

We have identified that 17 of these types 
of sites are located in areas of ‘extremely 
high’ baseline water stress and 25 in areas 
of ‘high’ baseline water stress. Together, 
these sites withdrew approximately 37,000 
m3 of water in 2021 from municipal 
systems, around 45% of Halma’s total 
water withdrawal. 

While our total water withdrawal is low 
compared to peers, water conservation is 
a key issue for some of our stakeholders 
and a higher profile issue for Halma due to 
our water analysis and treatment 
companies. Therefore, as part of our 
two-year partnership with WaterAid (see 
page 15 for more information), we are 
engaging with these sites to work towards 
reducing withdrawals in these water-
scarce regions.

These initiatives will build on the current 
water-conservation procedures and 
activities underway at a number of our 
companies, including measures such as 
installing water efficient taps and low-flow 
toilets, monitoring water usage and 
setting usage targets.

Society
Our positive role in society is underpinned 
by our DNA, and by specific policies and 
initiatives, including our Code of Conduct, 
Modern Slavery Act Statement, Human 
Rights and Labour Conditions policy, 
Health and Safety policy, Whistleblowing 
procedures, Anti-Bribery and Corruption 
policy, Competition Law and Competition 
Compliance Manual, Data Protection and 
Privacy policy, and Conflict Minerals policy. 
It is also supported by our work towards 
building responsible, resilient and 
sustainable supply chains, as outlined 
further below.

Information on all of our policies and 
procedures can be found in the Our 
policies and procedures section on pages 
85 to 86.

Product quality
Our operating companies have a strong 
focus on product quality and safety. For 
the year to 31 March 2021, based on 
available data reported by our companies, 
we estimate that at least half of the 
Group’s revenue was derived from 
companies with an ISO 9001 accreditation. 

We are reviewing the applicability of 
additional disclosures in relation to 
product safety as part of our ongoing 
work towards applying the standards from 
the Sustainability Accounting Standards 
Board (SASB).

2021: 

15% 

renewable electricity  
(2020: 8%)

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Sustainability continued

Modern slavery
In the prior year, we undertook a 
comprehensive risk assessment exercise 
that mapped potential modern slavery 
risks in our business and supply chain, and 
covered over £500m of annual 
procurement expenditure from the year 
ended 31 March 2019 (representing over 
96% of expenditure excluding 
intercompany payments, employee 
expenses, tax and sales commissions) 
across over 3,500 suppliers. 

Each of our companies is responsible for 
managing modern slavery risk within their 
own supply chains and may take varying 
approaches, such as supplier due 
diligence, questionnaires and the use of 
terms and conditions, according to their 
specific circumstances. For example, BEA, 
one of our largest companies, visits and 
audits key suppliers, with whom they have 
ongoing business, between every four 
months and two years depending on total 
spend, to review working and labour 
conditions, the working environment and 
worker safety. 

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
during 2021 our companies have faced 
some challenges around carrying out 
on-site audits and rolling out further risk 
assessment and additional actions around 
modern slavery risk. 

As an example, one of our largest 
companies, Apollo, recognised that the 
restrictions around on-site audits during 
the COVID-19 pandemic was a potential 
additional modern slavery risk. Therefore, 
they developed a ‘tabletop’ approach for 
remote auditing, using video and 
documentation evidence as part of a ‘live’ 
session. 

Alongside their existing risk management 
actions, we will be working with our 
companies to support them in targeted 
risk assessments of key suppliers, and to 
determine what additional actions we can 
take to continue to reduce risks and 
encourage ongoing monitoring. 

Additional information on our Modern 
Slavery Act Statement can be found in the 
Our policies and procedures section on 
pages 85 to 86 and on www.halma.com.

Conflict minerals
The responsible sourcing of materials will 
be a focus area for Halma during our 
transition to more circular manufacturing 
and business practices. We recognise that 
conflict minerals are a key issue of concern 
for our stakeholders.

Our companies are responsible for 
managing their own supply chains, which 
includes complying with conflict mineral 
due diligence requests from their 
customers where applicable, supported by 
Group guidance within the Conflict 
Minerals policy. A number of our 
companies already certify that their 
supply chains are conflict mineral-free, 
including a number of our largest 
companies. Historically, we have not 
collated data on these policies or 
procedures centrally. As part of our 
ongoing programme of data 
improvements, we are reviewing options 
for more complete disclosures in future 
periods. We also expect to further develop 
policies, procedures and targets where 
appropriate to tackle conflict minerals 
throughout our remaining supply chains 
as part of our Circular Economy KSO. 

Additional information on our Conflict 
Minerals policy can be found in the Our 
policies and procedures section on pages 
85 to 86.

Suppliers
Supplier expectations
We encourage our companies to build 
responsible, resilient and sustainable 
supply chains, including by:

 — Procuring materials in line with our 

ethos, our Code of Conduct, and our 
Conflict Minerals policy. 

 — Identifying potential risks with direct 

and indirect suppliers.

 — Further assessing material 

environmental impacts within our 
supply chain, including climate change 
impacts.

 — Sharing best practice and knowhow 

across our companies.

Halma expects suppliers to endeavour to 
reduce environmental impacts where 
relevant, including reducing energy use, 
GHG emissions, pollutants to water and 
air, and water usage, and to consider 
reuse and recycling of resources consumed 
by their businesses. This expectation is 
included in our Environmental 
Commitment Statement that is available 
on our website at www.halma.com.

Our manufacturing model is decentralised 
and allows us to operate close to our 
suppliers, which helps to mitigate various 
risks within our supply chain. We 
encourage our suppliers to operate with 
the high ethical standards that are set out 
in our Code of Conduct, and set standards 
for our suppliers, which include requiring 
all suppliers who contract on our standard 
business terms to comply with anti-
corruption, anti-bribery and anti-slavery 
laws (including the Modern Slavery Act).

Supply chain impact assessment
During the year, we built on the supply 
chain mapping undertaken for the Modern 
Slavery Risk Assessment in 2020. Using 
data collated on our first-tier suppliers for 
the year ended 31 March 2019, an input-
output model was utilised to complete an 
initial desktop assessment of our extended 
supply chain. This analysis identified 
potential positive and negative impacts 
across financial, human, intellectual, 
social and natural capital, and provided 
an initial view of industries and 
geographies that may be considered 
higher risk in relation to environmental 
and social issues. 

Next steps
We remain committed to developing an 
overarching sustainable procurement 
policy for Halma in collaboration with 
current and new suppliers, supported as 
appropriate by minimum standards. This 
would supplement existing procurement 
policies within our companies, and further 
enable sustainable supply chain practices 
which embrace responsible business, 
human rights, equal opportunities, 
community benefits and positive social 
and environmental values. Our work in this 
area is being supported by the results of 
the supply chain impact assessment, and 
we expect to show further progress on this 
during the next 12 months.

We recognise that we can go further in 
working with our supply chain to reduce 
our environmental impacts, and to this 
end we will continue to work with our key 
suppliers in mitigating these impacts. Our 
companies carry out supplier due diligence 
and there are many examples where 
additional requirements are imposed by 
our companies for their key suppliers, such 
as ISO 14001 accreditation to ensure the 
supplier operates responsibly in regard to 
the environment.

As we continue our work around assessing 
Scope 3 emissions linked to our supply 
chain, we will look to survey our key 
suppliers and may work with them where 
appropriate to help reduce their emissions. 
We may also engage with these suppliers 
and request them to submit supplier 
questionnaires alongside our annual 
voluntary CDP response.

74

Sustainability data

GHG emissions and energy use data for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021

Tonnes of CO2e

Emissions from:

Scope 1: Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities3

Scope 2 (Location-based): Electricity, heat, steam and 
cooling purchased for own use

Scope 2 (Market-based): Electricity (net of market 
instruments), heat, steam and cooling purchased for  
own use3

Total gross Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions  
(Location-based)

Total gross Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions  
(Market-based)

Energy consumption in MWh used to calculate above 
emissions

Scope 3: Business air travel, WTT (Well to Tank), grey 
fleet (private cars used for business), waste and 
wastewater generation, water withdrawal

Total gross emissions (Location-based)

Total gross emissions (Market-based)

Intensity measure of tonnes of CO2e gross emissions  
per £m of revenue (Location-based)

Intensity measure of tonnes of CO2e gross emissions  
per £m of revenue (Market-based)

1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021

1 April 2019 to 31 March 20201,2

UK and 
offshore

1,562

2,434

Global 
(excluding UK
 and offshore)

2,643

8,301

TOTAL

4,205

10,735

UK and 
offshore

Global
 (excluding UK
 and offshore)

2,158

2,696

2,982

10,418

TOTAL

5,140

13,114

2,285

8,552

10,837

2,899

10,562

13,461

3,996

10,944

14,940

4,854

13,400

18,254

3,847

11,195

15,042

5,057

13,544

18,601

19,402

32,937

52,339

21,684

40,599

62,283

1,100

5,489

6,589

4,191

13,525

17,716

5,096

4,947

13.3

12.9

16,433

16,684

17.4

17.7

21,529

21,631

16.2

9,045

9,248

 21.8 

26,925

27,069

35,970

36,317

 27.1 

 25.6 

16.3

 22.3 

 27.3 

 25.8 

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As a quoted company incorporated in the UK, we comply with all mandatory energy and carbon reporting regulations. We have 
reported on all the emission sources required under the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and 
Carbon Report) Regulations 2018. We have employed the Operational Control definition to outline our carbon footprint boundary; 
included within that boundary are Scope 1 and 2 emissions from manufacturing sites and offices which we own and/or operate. 
Excluded from our footprint boundary are emissions from manufacturing sites and offices which we do not own and/or operate and 
emissions considered non-material by the business.

We have reported on emissions from Scope 1 and 2 emissions sources and selected Scope 3 emissions sources (business travel by air, 
in employee-owned cars and hire cars, Well to Tank emissions, and emissions from waste and wastewater generation and water 
withdrawals). We have used the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition) and the Environmental 
Reporting Guidelines (March 2019) including streamlined energy and carbon reporting guidance published by the UK’s Department 
for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). A narrative description of measures taken to improve our energy efficiency during the 
year is included on pages 72 to 73. Our emissions across all Scopes have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Scope 1 
and Scope 3 have been particularly impacted by a substantial reduction in business travel (via air and car).

Emission factors were sourced from the UK Government’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2020 and the 
International Energy Agency’s Emissions Factors (2020 edition). For our Scope 2 market-based calculations, we used residual emission 
factors where available from the Reliable Disclosure Organization (RE-DISS 2019 edition). Combined with our current relatively low 
renewables penetration, the use of these factors, which are generally higher than grid average factors used for location-based 
calculations, leads to our market-based Scope 2 emissions exceeding our location-based Scope 2 emissions in the current and prior 
year. Further information about our basis of preparation for all sustainability data can be found on our website at www.halma.com.

1  We have shown our Scope 2 emissions using a market-based methodology for the first time in this Annual Report, and included a market-based calculation comparative period. Our Scope 1 
& 2 (market-based) GHG emissions for the year ended 31 March 2020 form the baseline for our Science-based target to reduce our Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 42% by 2030. Therefore, given the 
acquisitive nature of Halma, we expect to regularly recalculate our base year for the structural change trigger of acquisitions and disposals, and have chosen to apply an ‘all-year’ approach. 
This means that we have recalculated our current year and 2020 baseline figures to include full year emissions for acquisitions made during 2021 and 2020, and to remove all emissions 
relating to Fiberguide, which was sold during 2021. Prior to setting our Science-based target, we did not adjust our current or baseline figures for acquisitions and disposals. This base year 
recalculation for structural change trigger increased our 2020 total Scope 1 & 2 emissions by approximately 4%.

2  Regular review of data is carried out to ensure accuracy and consistency. This review has led to changes to our comparative figures for Scope 1 & 2 emissions, including corrections to our 

previous calculation methodology for location-based Scope 2 emissions, geographical intensity measures and minor corrections for new or revised data. The net impact of these changes 
was to increase our 2020 baseline total Scope 1 & 2 emissions by approximately 2%. 

3  Included in this Scope are GHG emissions from direct fuel combustion at our sites and from fuel use in our company-owned or leased vehicle fleet.

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Sustainability continued

Water and waste data for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021

Total water withdrawals¹

Water withdrawals in water scarce areas2

Total water withdrawals per £1,000 revenue

Total water discharge

Total

m3

 83,436 

 37,474 

 0.063

 75,071 

1  Water is withdrawn from and discharged to municipal/third party sources, with the exception of one facility which utilises a ground water source (not located in a water-scarce area). The 

amount withdrawn from ground water is estimated to be approximately 1% of total water withdrawal.

2  Defined as manufacturing, testing or R&D sites, or Hubs and Group Head Offices employing more than 50 people, operating in areas of ‘high (40-80%)’ or ‘extremely high (>80%)’ baseline 

water stress, according to the World Resources Institute’s Water Aqueduct water risk atlas tool. 

Solid waste (non-hazardous)

Solid waste (hazardous)

Electronic waste

% total solid waste diverted from landfill

Total solid waste production per £1,000 revenue (kg)

Recycled

Non-recycled

Total

Metric tonnes

Metric tonnes

Metric tonnes

1,4851

 351 

8

3,050

 9 

8

4,535

44

16

33%

3.5

1  Approximately 233 metric tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste and 9 metric tonnes of hazardous solid waste included within the Recycled total was incinerated with energy recovery.

Total liquid waste (hazardous)

Total liquid waste (non-hazardous)

m3

181

440

We have significantly changed our methodology for collecting and reporting our water and waste data in 2021. As such, meaningful 
comparatives are not available. Total figures are based on available source data and estimated if appropriate where source data is 
not available. In particular, both actual and estimated data at the company-level is limited for all types of solid and liquid waste, and 
therefore the figures shown are likely to be under-estimated. We expect to improve these disclosures going forward. Prior year data 
compiled under the previous methodology, as well as further information on our basis of preparation for this data, can be found at 
www.halma.com.

Response to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
The US-based SASB sets out sustainability reporting standards for various sectors. The following table summarises our responses to 
those disclosures against which we are currently able to report under the sector-specific standard for Electrical & Electronic 
Equipment. We aim to improve our reporting against SASB over the next years. Disclosures which are either not relevant to our 
business, or against which we do not currently report, are not shown below.

Topic

Metric

SASB Code

Our response

Energy Management

(1) Total energy consumed (2) percentage grid electricity, (3) 
percentage renewable

RT-EE-130a.1

Hazardous Waste 
Management

Amount of hazardous waste generated, percentage recycled

RT-EE-150a.1

Business Ethics

Description of policies and practices for prevention of: (1) 
corruption and bribery and (2) anti-competitive behaviour

RT-EE-510a.1

(1) 46,000 MWh1
(2) 68%1
(3) 13%1

Please see waste disclosures  
in the table above. Approximately 
60% of solid hazardous waste 
disclosed was recycled2

Please see the Our policies and 
procedures section on pages 85 to 86 
of this report

Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal proceedings 
associated with bribery or corruption

RT-EE-510a.2

£nil or not material

Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal proceedings 
associated with anticompetitive behaviour regulations

RT-EE-510a.3

£nil or not material

Activity metrics

Number of employees

RT-EE-000.B

An average of 7,120 employees 
globally during the year ended 31 
March 2021³

1  Measured in MWh not GJ. (1) includes gas, electricity and fuel consumed for heating and other machinery. It excludes fuel for business travel. (2) & (3) are calculated as a percentage of (1).
2  Hazardous waste is defined in accordance with the legal or regulatory framework applicable within the country/jurisdiction where the waste is generated, or if this is not available, in 

accordance with the EU Waste Framework Directive. Percentage recycled excludes incineration with energy recovery.

3  Please see page 180 for full disclosures on employee numbers.

76

Where to find additional sustainability-related policies, information and data

The following table indicates where additional sustainability-related information and data can be found within this Annual Report, 
where information is not contained within the Sustainability section above.

Topic

Workforce

Annual Report Section

 — Diversity and inclusion

Our people and culture

Pages

60 to 63

 — Gender pay gap

 — Real living wages

 — Health and Safety, mental health and wellbeing

 — Employee engagement

 — Flexible working

 — Training and development

 — Health and Safety policy

 — Diversity and Inclusion policy

 — Equal opportunities policy

 — Code of Conduct

Social responsibility

Our policies and procedures

85 to 86

 — Water for Life global charitable campaign

Group Chief Executive’s review

 — Whistleblowing policy

Our policies and procedures

15

85 to 86

 — Modern Slavery Act statement

 — Human Rights and Labour Conditions policy

 — Data Protection and Privacy policy

 — Competition Law and Competition  

Compliance Manual

 — Conflict Minerals policy

 — Anti-Bribery and Corruption policy

Environment

 — Environmental policy

 — Environmental commitment statement

Governance

Taxation 

Our policies and procedures

Governance sections

Note 9 to the financial statements

85 to 86

88 to 143

181

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Risk management and internal controls

Managing risk and 
enabling growth

Our risk appetite and approach 
to risk management
Effective risk management is integral to 
achieving Halma’s strategic goals and 
provides a solid foundation from which 
our business can grow. The Group’s risk 
appetite is set and approved at Board 
level and underpins Halma’s attitude 
to risk. 

Whilst there are formal processes as 
outlined in our framework below, our 
decentralised business model empowers 
every employee at Halma to be a risk 
manager in some capacity; to identify 
and manage risks and take advantage 
of opportunities. 

Our risk awareness culture allows 
management to make better commercial 
decisions and maximise the benefits of 
our decentralised business model. 

Our risk governance framework
The Board has overall responsibility for risk 
management, including setting the risk 
appetite and determining the nature and 
extent of the principal risks it is willing to 
take to achieve its strategic objectives.

Each company or function within Halma 
identifies risks and opportunities as part of 
their strategic reviews, assesses how these 
are currently controlled and whether any 
further actions are required. A similar 
exercise is performed at sector and 

Risk governance framework

Board (Direction)

Group level to develop an overall “bottom 
up” picture of risk for the Group. The 
principal and emerging risks identified by 
the plc Board and Executive Board are 
compared with the bottom up risk picture 
to ensure appropriate alignment of risk 
and execution of risk appetite.

During the year, updates from 
management to the Board covered 
all of our principal and emerging risks. 
The Audit Committee, on behalf of the 
Board, obtained assurance that the risk 
management and internal control system 
was operating effectively throughout the 
organisation and that risks were being 
managed in line with the risk appetite 
set by the Board.

In addition to reports from management, 
the Board and Audit Committee received 
updates from Group Risk & Internal Audit 
about how the risk management process 
was operating across the organisation.

On behalf of the Board, the Nomination 
Committee ensured there was an 
optimum balance of skills, knowledge 
and experience within the executive 
management team to deliver the strategy 
and effectively manage risk, while the 
Remuneration Committee ensured that 
the right reward system existed to drive an 
appropriate culture of high performance 
with commensurate controls.

Our internal control framework
The Board has overall responsibility for 
internal control. Halma’s decentralised 
business model provides significant 
autonomy to companies, within the 
structure of a clear control framework.

This framework ensures there is sufficient 
oversight and clear identification of 
matters reserved for the Board. The key 
elements of this framework include:

 — Clear accountabilities and delegation of 
authority throughout the organisation.

 — Documented policies and procedures.

 — Monthly reporting by companies on 
performance, including risks, with 
regular oversight by sector and Group 
management.

 — Six monthly self-certifications by 

companies on the most critical controls 
for finance, legal and IT.

 — Independent six-monthly peer reviews 

of companies’ reported financial results 
by other company CFOs.

 — Independent validation of controls 
and certifications by Internal Audit 
during audits.

 — Existence of a whistleblowing hotline 
which is available for all employees 
and contractors.

Areas of focus and changes 
to our principal risks
The COVID-19 pandemic required 
significant focus during the year. 
Our companies were able to adapt 
quickly, making decisions locally and 
ensuring a safe working environment 
for our employees. We successfully 
shared information and learnings rapidly 
around the Group and this network 
remains in place to continue to support 
our companies as needed. Our agility 
and speed of adaptation means that 
we are well positioned to invest for 
growth going forward. 

Nomination Committee

Remuneration Committee

Audit Committee

Executive Board

Sectors (Oversight)

1st line
Companies
(Execution)

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3rd line
Internal Audit
(Independent Assurance)

2nd line
Group management
(Oversight)
— Finance
— IT
— Legal, company secretariat 

& whistleblowing
— Risk management
— Talent, culture & communications
— Digital & innovation

During the year, the Executive Board 
performed a detailed review of our 
principal risks to ensure that they 
continue to best capture Halma’s principal 
risks for monitoring and communication 
both internally and externally. They were 
then discussed and agreed by the plc 
Board. The following principal risks have 
been updated. 

 — Business Model and its communication. 
Our previous Communications risk has 
been refined to focus on our business 
model and how we communicate it 
both internally and externally. Our 
previous Competition principal risk 
is now also covered within this risk 
and also the Organic Growth and 
Acquisitions principal risks.

 — Liquidity. Our previous Treasury risk 
included both liquidity and foreign 
exchange. Whilst foreign exchange 
risk will continue to be managed as 
currently, we have decided that it is 
a well understood and expected area 
for financial reporting and no longer 
needs to be a principal risk.

 — Acquisitions and investments. This risk 
has been updated during the year to 
also include strategic partnerships and 
minority equity investments, in addition 
to 100% equity or asset purchases.

 — Climate Change and Natural Hazards. 
We have specifically identified climate 
change within this principal risk as it 
has the potential to impact our efforts 
to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future 
for everyone, every day. At the same 
time, transitioning to a low carbon 
economy creates multiple opportunities 
for us within niche markets with 
long-term growth drivers. Therefore we 
are also considering climate change as 
part of our other risks around growth 
such as organic growth, acquisitions 
and innovation. For more information, 
including the work we are performing to 
achieve alignment with the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD), please see the Climate Change 
section of the Sustainability Report on 
pages 64 to 77.

Emerging Risks
We consider emerging risks as part of 
our risk management review process. 
Whilst there are a number of risks that 
we identify and manage, currently, 
none of these are expected to become 
future principal risks. Climate change 
was an emerging risk we reported last 
year and this has now been captured as 
a principal risk.

Protecting wind turbines –  
how our technology is 
helping to mitigate fire 
risks in the renewable 
energy sector

Global electricity demand is expected to 
surpass pre-COVID levels by the end of 
2021. At the same time consumers are 
becoming more environmentally 
conscious, driving huge demand for 
renewable energy. Compared to 
conventional energy sources, wind power 
significantly reduces carbon emissions. 

Wind farms are often situated in remote 
locations, both offshore and onshore, with 
a wind turbine’s generator over 300 feet in 
the air. As a result, a significant number 
of fires go unnoticed until it is too late 
and this adds increased complexity for 
firefighters in tackling these fires. Not only 
are these fires costing operators millions of 
pounds in damage and downtime, but 
undetected fires can have devastating 
consequences to the surrounding area. 
In July 2019, melted debris falling from 
a turbine fire set the surrounding grass 
and brush on fire to cause the Juniper 
Fire wildfire in the USA, which put 39 
buildings in danger. It took almost 200 
fire crew members to contain the 250-acre 
fire over three days.

A Halma company, Firetrace, 
manufactures automatic fire detection 
and suppression systems, stopping 
small fires where they start, limiting the 
damage caused by fire and reducing the 
subsequent downtime. By adding this 
technology to wind turbines, operators 
can build an extra layer of protection to 
help extinguish fires at source before they 
can cause serious harm. 

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Principal risks and uncertainties

1. Organic Growth

Risk Owner: Andrew Williams

Gross risk level
High

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Open

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
Failing to deliver desired organic 
growth, resulting in missed 
expected strategic growth 
targets and erosion of 
shareholder value. 

How do we manage the risk?
 — Clear Group strategy to achieve 

organic growth targets, supported 
by detailed company strategies and 
seven Halma Growth Enablers with 
Executive Board owners. 

 — Sector management ensure that the 
Group strategy is fulfilled through 
ongoing review and chairing of 
companies.

 — Continued investment in R&D to 
drive innovation and growth with 
KPIs monitored at Board level.
 — Innovation rewarded through 

Innovation Awards at leadership 
conferences.

 — Agile business model and culture of 

innovation to take advantage of new 
growth opportunities as they arise.

 — Regional hubs, for example in China and 
India, support local strategic growth 
initiatives for all companies.

 — Annual strategic plan and budgeting 

 — Potential new acquisitions, partnerships 
and investments assessed for future 
organic growth prospects to align 
to strategy.

process with rolling 12 month 
forecasting. 

 — Remuneration of company executives 
and above is based on profit growth.

 — Focus on having the best talent 
on board to deliver strategy and 
therefore organic growth.

2. Acquisitions and Investments

Gross risk level
High

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Open

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
Failing to achieve our strategic 
growth target for acquisitions 
and investments due to 
insufficient opportunities being 
identified, poor due diligence or 
poor integration, resulting in 
erosion of shareholder value. 
Whilst this risk remains high, 
our available financial 
resources and performance 
during the last year means 
we are well positioned to 
continue our acquisition 
strategy going forward.

This risk has been updated 
during the year to also include 
strategic partnerships and 
minority equity investments 
as well as 100% equity or 
asset purchases.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Clarity of strategy and agile 

business model that allows us to 
take advantage of new growth 
opportunities as they arise. 
 — Acquisition of companies in our 
existing or adjacent markets.
 — Dedicated M&A Directors with 

Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial 
Officer and plc Board oversight, scrutiny 
and approval of all acquisitions. 
 — Regular reporting of the acquisition 

pipeline to the Executive and plc Boards.

 — Careful due diligence by experienced 
staff who bring in specialist expertise 
as required. 

 — Strategic transformation plans in place 
for new acquisitions to seek to ensure 
they achieve their growth potential.

 — Clear process in place to ensure 

successful integration from a control 
and compliance perspective.

 — Internal Audit visit within nine months 
of acquisition to review minimum 
expected controls.

Risk Owner: Andrew Williams

 — Post-acquisition reviews are performed 
for all acquisitions after 12 months to 
ensure strategic objectives are being 
met and to identify learnings for 
future acquisitions.

 — Investment framework and 

model in place to capture process, 
approvals and oversight for 
minority equity investments.

 — Regular review by the Investment 

Committee.

3. Business Model and its Communication

Risk Owner: Andrew Williams

Risk and impact
Failing to clearly articulate 
or adapt our business model 
as Halma grows through 
exploring and implementing 
additional or new business 
models, resulting in missed 
growth opportunities and 
erosion of shareholder value.

We have refined the 
communications risk reported 
last year to specifically cover 
our business model which is 
critical to our growth strategy, 
both organic and through 
acquisition.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Clear communication of Halma’s 
business model and any new 
developments disclosed in the Annual 
Report and Accounts and at investor 
events. Regular external and internal 
communications to reinforce business 
model understanding.

 — Comprehensive expert reviews of 

existing and potential new markets to 
identify strategies with significant 
growth potential.

 — Identification of companies with 

products or markets that would have a 
good strategic fit for Halma. This 
includes start-ups, service and software 
companies that could help accelerate 
the growth of existing companies.
 — Monitoring of market trends, including 

customer preferences, emerging 
technologies and competitors. 

 — Developing collaboration capabilities of 
every company to take advantage of 
identified opportunities.

 — Post-acquisition monitoring to ensure 
that the objective for acquiring each 
business has been achieved and 
learning opportunities identified.
 — Strategic reviews of business model 
at plc Board level to consider the 
strengths and weaknesses of 
the existing business model and 
alternative business models.
 — Sector and Executive Boards 
perform reviews to identify 
opportunities which may require 
a new organisational approach.

Gross risk level
High

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Open

Growth Enablers

80

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Link to Growth Enablers

   M&A 

   Talent & 
Culture

   International  

Expansion

   Finance, Legal  

& Risk

   Digital Growth 

   Strategic Communications 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

and Brand

4. Talent and Diversity

Gross risk level
High

Change
Increased 

Risk appetite
Open

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
Not having the right talent 
and diversity at all levels of the 
organisation to deliver our 
strategy, resulting in reduced 
financial performance. The 
increased risk reflects retention 
risks emerging due to our rapid 
escalation through the FTSE 100, 
increased profile and track 
record of success.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Annual Performance and Development 
Review process for Sector and Executive 
Board members. Nomination 
Committee annual review of succession 
candidates and development plans.

 — Periodic assessment of diversity (gender, 
ethnicity and nationality), used to drive 
action plans at each level.

 — Annual employee engagement survey to 
provide insight into employee sentiment 
including alignment between strategy 
and objectives and clarity to employees 
about their contribution towards 
achieving objectives.

 — Comprehensive recruitment processes 
to recruit the best and brightest talent.

5. Innovation

Gross risk level
High

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Seeking

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
Failing to innovate to create 
new high-quality products to 
meet customer needs, or failure 
to adequately protect 
intellectual property, resulting in 
a loss of market share and poor 
financial performance.

 Risk Owner: Jennifer Ward

 — Development of talent and diversity 
across our companies, including 
development programmes, to give 
us competitive advantage and ensure 
we have motivated leaders to deliver 
our strategy.

 — Annual strategic review of sector board 

and company leadership talent to 
identify and develop future leaders. 
Defined competency and potential 
model used.

 — Future Leaders programme to 

develop graduates.

 — Senior Management reward structure 
aligned with strategic priorities of 
companies, sectors and Group. Work is 
continuing in this area to ensure that 
our reward packages are competitive, 
reflect our high long term growth and 
are benchmarked to market.

Risk Owner: Inken Braunschmidt

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How do we manage the risk?
 — Product development is devolved 
to our companies who are closest 
to the customer. 

 — Chief Innovation and Digital Officer 

promotes and accelerates innovation 
by our companies, supporting 
sector management. 

 — Digital innovation strategy focuses 
on incubation and acceleration of 
innovation. Supported by a champions 
network and partnerships.
 — Education of our companies 

around customer centricity and 
voice of the customer to feed our 
innovation ideation.

 — Review of R&D budgets and projects by 
sectors to ensure they are being spent 
most effectively in the markets where 
we want to participate.

 — Halma senior management approval 
of all large R&D projects to ensure 
alignment with strategy.

 — Companies are encouraged to develop 

and protect intellectual property.

 — Focus on talent and retention to ensure 

there is sufficient expertise within 
the business.

 — M&A activity is targeted to help 

address innovation and R&D gaps, 
in line with sector specific initiatives.

 — Promotion of active collaboration 

 — Monitoring of key R&D and 

of ideas and best practices 
between companies.

 — Conferences and development 

programmes help spread ideas and 
best practice across the Group. 
Innovation awards reward and 
encourage innovation. 

innovation metrics.

 — Regular promotion, training and 

monitoring of agile or lean start-up 
ways of working in companies.

6. Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations

Risk Owner: Funmi Adegoke

Gross risk level
High

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Averse

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
We are not fully compliant with 
relevant laws and regulations, 
resulting in fines, reputational 
damage and possible criminal 
liability for Halma senior 
management.

How do we manage the risk?
 — The board of each company is 

accountable for identifying and 
tracking what laws are relevant to 
their business, including any emerging 
or changing legislation.

 — Group Legal identifies and tracks 
the most significant laws facing 
Halma companies.

 — Halma policies, procedures and 

guidance notes created by Group 
Legal, setting out the Group’s 
requirements from a compliance 
and regulatory perspective.

 — All employees are required to sign 
to confirm that they have read 
and understood the Halma Code 
of Conduct. 

 — Ongoing training and advisory 
programme for companies. 

 — Requirement for companies to 

self-report if something goes wrong 
in terms of legal or regulatory 
compliance, or if they need help. 

 — A third party whistleblowing procedure 
and hotline exists for all employees 
and contractors. 

 — Six monthly Internal Control 

Certifications submitted by companies 
include the most critical legal and 
regulatory compliance controls. 
 — Thorough legal due diligence and 

acquisition support process in place. 
Integration process for acquisitions 
includes legal requirements.

 — Appropriate levels of Group insurance 

cover are maintained. 

 — A crisis management plan exists to 
manage communications and the 
reputational risk for Halma and/or 
its companies.

 — Periodic assurance reviews by 

Internal Audit.

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Principal risks and uncertainties continued

7. Cyber

Gross risk level
High

Change
Increased 

Risk appetite
Averse

Growth Enablers

 Risk Owner: Catherine Michel

Risk and impact
Loss of digital intellectual 
property/data or ability to 
operate systems or connected 
devices due to internal failure 
or external attack. There is 
resulting loss of information or 
ability to continue operations, 
and therefore financial and 
reputational damage. The 
continued increase in this risk 
reflects the growing threat 
generally from cyber-crime 
around the world.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Clear ownership of cyber risk, 
with Board level expertise. The 
IT function reports into the 
Chief Technology Officer.

 — Digital control framework in place 

including digital growth, cyber, data 
protection and incident response.
 — Halma approved services available to 
all companies to help them manage 
their cyber risks.

 — Regular online IT awareness training 
provided for all employees who 
use computers.

 — Six monthly Internal Control 

Certifications submitted by companies 
include the most critical IT controls. 
 — All employees are required to read and 
sign up to the IT Acceptable Use policy.

 — Periodic assurance reviews by 

Internal Audit.

 — Monthly cyber threat reporting for all 

 — Crisis communications plan and 

parts of the Group. 

 — IT disaster recovery and back-up plans 
in place, required to be tested regularly.

access to cyber expertise should a 
cyber-attack occur.

8. Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainty

 Risk Owner: Andrew Williams

Gross risk level
High

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Cautious

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
Failure to anticipate or adapt 
to geopolitical changes or a 
recession, resulting in a decline 
in financial performance and an 
impact on the carrying value of 
goodwill and other assets. This 
risk remains elevated in certain 
geographies due to COVID-19 
and also USA/China trade 
relations. Any residual risks 
related to Brexit are now 
significantly reduced.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Diverse portfolio of companies across 
the sectors, in multiple countries and 
in relatively non-cyclical global niche 
markets help to minimise the impact 
of any single event operating in 
one market.

 — Regular monitoring and assessment of 

potential risks and opportunities relating 
to economic or geopolitical 
uncertainties.

 — Identification of any wider trends 

by the Halma Executive Board that 
require action.

 — Risk managed at local company level 

and they have the autonomy to rapidly 
adjust to changing circumstances.
 — Financial strength and availability of 
pooled resources in Group as well as 
robust credit management processes 
in place across the Group.

 — Knowledge of regulatory 

requirements that are gradually 
being extended globally.

 — Financial warning signs give earlier 

indications of problems.

 — Active reduction of key customer or 
market concentration through new 
product and market diversification 
for both core and acquired 
businesses.

 — Monitoring of any changes in 
corporate and government 
investment due to macroeconomic 
factors.

 — Periodic assessment of the carrying 
value of goodwill and other assets.

9. Financial Controls

Risk Owner: Marc Ronchetti

Gross risk level
Medium

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Averse

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
Failure in financial controls 
either on its own or via a fraud 
which takes advantage of a 
weakness, resulting in financial 
loss and/or misstated reported 
financial results.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Local directors have legal, as well as 

operational, responsibility as they are 
statutory directors of their companies. 
This fits with Halma’s decentralised 
model to ensure an effective financial 
control environment is in place.

 — Formal policies and procedures are in 
place for expected financial controls.
 — Companies certify every six months that 
the most critical of these controls are 
operating effectively. These include 
segregation of duties, delegation of 
authorities and financial accounts 
preparation checks.

 — Sector and Group Finance teams 

perform regular reviews of financial 
reporting and indicators.
 — Six-monthly peer reviews of 

reported results for each company 
are performed to provide 
independent challenge. 

 — Periodic assurance reviews by 

Internal Audit.

 — A third party whistleblowing 

procedure and hotline exists for 
all employees and contractors. 

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Link to Growth Enablers

   M&A 

   Talent & 
Culture

   International  

Expansion

   Finance, Legal  

& Risk

   Digital Growth 

   Strategic Communications 

Engines

   Innovation 
Network

and Brand

10. Climate Change and Natural Hazards

Risk Owner: Marc Ronchetti

Gross risk level
Medium

Change
Increased 

Risk appetite
Averse

Growth Enablers

 — There is a culture of support to 
affected businesses from other 
Halma companies if the need arises.

 — Group level oversight of IT 

communications infrastructure.
 — A crisis management plan exists to 
manage communications and the 
reputational risk for Halma and/or 
its companies.

 — Business interruption insurance is in 

place where possible and appropriate 
to limit any financial loss that 
may occur.

Risk and impact
Climate change has the 
potential to impact the long-
term success and reputation of 
our business in a variety of 
ways, from the changing 
macroeconomic landscape and 
market regulation to changes in 
technology and potential 
increased costs. We have 
therefore decided to include 
climate change for the first time 
this year.

More widely, there is a risk we 
are unable to respond to large 
scale natural hazards such as 
hurricanes, floods, fires or 
pandemics, resulting in the 
inability of one or more of our 
businesses to operate, causing 
financial loss and reputational 
damage. COVID-19 required 
significant focus during the 
year. Our companies were able 
to adapt quickly, make decisions 
locally and ensure a safe 
working environment for 
our employees.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Halma operates in end markets with 
strong long-term growth drivers and 
lower risks of shocks due to natural 
hazards.

 — Sustainability is a regular agenda item 

for the Executive and plc Boards.

 — Sustainability Network in place which 
raises the awareness of sustainability 
issues, including climate change, in 
our companies.

 — TCFD compliance work is helping to 
evaluate the potential impacts of 
climate-related risks and opportunities 
and determine the appropriate strategic 
actions.

 — All parts of the Group are required to 

have business continuity plans in place 
which are tailored to manage the 
specific risks they are most likely to 
face and these are required to be 
tested periodically.

 — The geographical diversity of Halma’s 
companies reduces the impact of any 
single event and Halma has 
manufacturing capability in multiple 
locations which provides flexibility. 

11. Product Failure

Gross risk level
Medium

Change
No change 

Risk appetite
Averse

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
A failure in one of our 
products results in serious 
injury, death or damage to 
property, including due to 
non-compliance with 
product regulations, 
resulting in financial loss 
and reputational damage.

12. Liquidity

Gross risk level
Medium

Change
Decreased 

Risk appetite
Averse

Growth Enablers

Risk and impact
There is a risk that the Group’s 
cash/funding resources are 
inadequate to support its 
activities or there is a breach 
of funding terms.

The risk was higher at this time 
last year as there was increased 
uncertainty around the impact 
of the COVID-19 pandemic and 
leverage was higher.

Our previous Treasury risk 
included both liquidity and 
foreign exchange. Whilst 
foreign exchange risk will 
continue to be managed as 
currently, we have decided that 
it is a well understood and 
expected area for financial 
reporting and no longer 
needs to be a principal risk.

How do we manage the risk?
 — Analysis of market requirements, 

including safety, are made during a 
product design phase to ensure 
compliance with all regulatory 
requirements and customer needs.

 — Companies have strict product 

development and testing procedures in 
place to ensure quality of products and 
compliance with appropriate 
regulations.

 — Rigorous testing of products during 
development and also during the 
manufacturing process.

 — Clear quality requirements imposed 
on suppliers to ensure safety and 
quality checks are performed on 
product received.

Risk Owner: Andrew Williams

 — Monitoring of defects and warranty 

returns to identify any potential safety 
defect which can then be rectified.
 — Traceability of product so that batches 
can be identified where appropriate.
 — Product compliance with regulations 
is checked as part of due diligence 
for any acquisition.

 — Terms and conditions of sale limit 

liability as much as practically possible 
and liability insurance is in place.
 — A crisis management plan exists to 
manage communications and the 
reputational risk for Halma and/or 
its companies.

Risk Owner: Marc Ronchetti

How do we manage the risk?
 — A clear financial model and 
conservative balance sheet 
strategy exists.

 — Monthly monitoring of current and 
forecast covenant compliance.

 — All drawdowns and all new or renewed 

 — The strong cash flow generated by 

the Group provides financial flexibility, 
together with a revolving credit facility.

sources of funding are subject to 
approval by the Chief Financial 
Officer and Head of Treasury.

 — Cash needs are monitored regularly 

 — The currency mix of debt is reviewed 

annually, and on acquiring or disposing 
of a business.

through review of the Group 
cash position and a 12-month 
rolling forecast.

 — Liquidity forecasts are prepared 

covering the next three years and 
are updated and reviewed at least 
every six months.

 — A Treasury policy provides 

comprehensive guidance to companies 
on banking and transactions. 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Viability statement

During the year, the Board carried out a robust assessment of 
the principal risks affecting the Group, including those that 
would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency 
or liquidity. The principal risks and uncertainties, including an 
analysis of the potential impact and mitigating actions are set 
out on pages 80 to 83 of the Strategic Report.

The Board has assessed the viability of the Group over a three-
year period, taking into account the Group’s current position and 
the potential impact of the principal risks and uncertainties. 
While the Board has no reason to believe that the Group will not 
be viable over a longer period, it has determined that three years 
is an appropriate period. In drawing its conclusion, the Board has 

aligned the period of viability assessment with the Group’s 
strategic planning process (a three-year period). The Board 
believes that this approach provides greater certainty over 
forecasting and, therefore, increases reliability in the modelling 
and stress testing of the Company’s viability. In addition, a 
three-year horizon is typically the period over which we review 
our external bank facilities and is also the performance-based 
period over which awards granted under Halma’s share-based 
inventive plan are measured.

In reviewing the Company’s viability, the Board has identified  
the following factors which they believe support their assessment:

1

2

3

4

5

The Group operates in 
diverse and relatively non-
cyclical markets.

There is considerable 
financial capacity under 
current facilities and the 
ability to raise further funds 
if required.

The decentralised nature 
of our Group ensures that 
risk is spread across our 
businesses and sectors, 
with limited exposure to any 
particular industry, market, 
geography, customer or 
supplier.

There is a strong culture 
of local responsibility and 
accountability within 
a robust governance 
and control framework.

An ethical approach to 
business is set from the top 
and flows throughout our 
business.

In making their assessment, the Board carried out a 
comprehensive exercise of financial modelling and stress-tested 
the model with a downside scenario based on the principal risks 
identified in the Group’s annual risk assessment process. The 
scenarios modelled used the same assumptions as for the going 
concern review, as set out on page 142, for the years ending 31 
March 2022 and 31 March 2023 with further assumptions applied 
for the year ending 31 March 2024. The downside scenario 
included a reduction in trading which could be caused by a 
significant downside event with the addition of impacts from the 
Group’s other principal risks such as litigation or product failure. 

In both scenarios, the effect on the Group’s KPls and borrowing 
covenants was considered, along with any mitigating factors. 
The Board also considered the renewal of the Revolving Credit 
Facility, which is due to expire in November 2023, and have 
assumed for the purposes of assessing the viability of the Group 
that this will be renewed with the same facility and covenant 
requirements. Based on this assessment, the Board confirms that 
they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able 
to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due 
over the three-year period to 31 March 2024.

84

Our policies and procedures

Our policies and  
guidance documents

Environmental Policy 
and Environmental 
Commitment 
Statement

Code of Conduct

Description and due diligence processes

Halma's Environmental Policy has been set by the Board and our Chief Financial Officer, Marc Ronchetti, has principal 
responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the Policy. This internal-facing policy includes our Carbon Policy, while our 
Environmental Commitment statement on our website at www.halma.com sets out our guiding principles and 
commitments for both internal and external audiences. Our commitments include to the continued development of 
equipment for measuring and monitoring environmental changes and controlling the impact of industrial activities over 
the long term, as well as our commitment to encouraging all Halma companies to reduce their negative environmental 
impact by continually improving the efficiency of their production methods and their supply chain.

Both the Policy and the Commitment Statement will be reviewed in light of our new Sustainability Framework and Key 
Sustainability Objectives over the next 12 months.

Our culture is purpose-led and one of honesty, openness, integrity and accountability, and is embedded within our Cultural 
Genes as set out on page 19. We require our employees to act fairly in their dealings with fellow employees, customers, 
suppliers and business partners. Our Code of Conduct applies to operations owned or controlled by Halma and their 
officers and employees, and each officer or employee who joins the Group is required to acknowledge that they have read 
the Code and understood its importance.

We also expect our external business partners and suppliers to be aware of the Code and apply similar ethical standards in 
their operations. Each of our companies is responsible for monitoring the standards of their business partners and suppliers. 
The Code of Conduct aims to ensure that Halma maintains consistently high ethical standards globally, while recognising 
that our businesses operate in markets and countries with cultural differences and practices. It has been translated into 
nine languages, and is issued to all Halma employees and published on our website.

Health and Safety 
Policy

Marc Ronchetti, Chief Financial Officer, is the Director responsible for Halma’s health and safety compliance. The Group 
has a strong health and safety record, driven by a deeply embedded culture of safety. 

Our Health and Safety Policy requires businesses to manage their activities in a way which avoids causing unnecessary or 
unacceptable risks to health and safety and provides clear guidelines for our businesses on managing health and safety 
risks to ensure a safe work environment. It has been reinforced with support and guidance given to our businesses to reflect 
the particular health and safety issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. We collect details of our worldwide reported 
health and safety incidents through our central financial consolidation system and the Board monitors health and safety 
performance at every meeting. We thoroughly review the root cause of any accidents to ensure that we take preventative 
measures, including further training and education of our employees. 

In line with Halma’s autonomous structure, operational responsibility for compliance with local health and safety 
regulations, including that of suppliers, resides with the board of each operating company. However, we routinely monitor 
health and safety performance across the Group and companies are encouraged to seek continuous improvement and to 
promote a strong health and safety culture. Our Policy requires businesses to carry out an independent health and safety 
review every three years to assess compliance and to ensure that there is a consistent and adequate level of reporting and 
investigation of health and safety incidents across the Group. In addition, our lead global insurer reviews employee and 
third-party safety and controls at four to five properties per year as part of their rotational assessments. 

Based on available data reported by our companies, approximately 16% of the Group’s revenue is derived from companies 
who have been accredited with ISO 45001 or BS OHSAS 18001, a minimum standard for occupational health and safety 
management best practice. We continue to encourage our companies to certify to the ISO 45001 standard. In addition, 
during the year ended 31 March 2021 approximately 700 employees completed our Group online health and safety training 
programmes.

Further information on our Health and Safety performance during the year is available in the Our people and culture 
section on pages 60 to 63.

Human Rights and 
Labour Conditions 
Policy

Halma’s Human Rights and Labour Conditions Policy reflects the core requirements of the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights and the group observes the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, including the 
conventions relating to forced labour, child labour, non-discrimination, freedom of association and right to collective 
bargaining.

Our Group Chief Executive, Andrew Williams, has overall responsibility for ensuring that human rights considerations are 
integral to the way in which existing operations and new opportunities are developed and managed. Compliance with, and 
respect for, these fundamental principles are integrated throughout our organisation. Managers and supervisors must 
provide leadership that promotes human rights as an equal priority to other business issues. All employees are responsible 
for ensuring that their own actions do not impair the human rights of others, and are encouraged to bring forward, in 
confidence, any concerns they may have about human rights.

Modern Slavery Act 
Statement

Halma is committed to conducting its business ethically and in line with all relevant legislation including human rights laws. 
Halma has published three Modern Slavery Act Statements since September 2016, which detail the progressive steps taken 
annually to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking. Since the introduction of the Act, we have worked to raise 
awareness of this important agenda.

A detailed guidance note has been provided to all businesses to raise awareness of the Act and the issue of modern slavery 
in business and supply chains. Each business has been required to consider the potential issue of modern slavery and 
human trafficking within their business and supply chain. In addition, online compliance training on the Modern Slavery Act 
has been rolled out to senior management, all subsidiary board members and other relevant employees across the Group. 
Approximately 300 employees have completed this training during the year ended 31 March 2021. This is an important tool 
to assist our business management in raising awareness of the issues and understanding their responsibilities in their 
operations.

Further information on steps taken during the year in relation to Modern Slavery can be found in our Modern Slavery Act 
Statement on our website at www.halma.com and in the Sustainability section on page 74.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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85

 
 
 
Our policies and procedures continued

Our policies and  
guidance documents

Conflict Minerals 
Policy

Description and due diligence processes

One particular area of concern for our customers and other stakeholders is whether certain metals that may originate in 
conflict zones are included in our products. US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules require US publicly traded 
companies to certify whether such conflict minerals are contained within their products. In order to assist our customers 
who are subject to this SEC rule, we have a Conflict Minerals Policy which gives guidance to all companies on how to 
determine whether any of the four minerals or their derivatives classified by the US government as ‘conflict minerals’ are 
contained in any product. 

Please also see page 74 of the Sustainability section for additional discussion of Conflict Minerals within our supply chain.

Whistleblowing 
Policy

Halma has a Group-wide Whistleblowing Policy which applies to all employees and Halma operations as well as joint 
venture partners, suppliers, customers and distributors relating to our businesses. While we encourage an open culture 
where any issues can be raised and handled locally at business level, we recognise that there will be times when it is not 
appropriate, or a person will not be comfortable raising a concern through line management.

NavexGlobal, an independent third-party, provides our confidential reporting service to enable any concerned parties, 
including employees and suppliers, to raise any concerns they may have in confidence, via telephone or web-reporting. 
Where permitted by law, employees may report anonymously if they wish. Halma is committed to ensuring that anyone 
raising a concern in good faith is not subject to any victimisation or detrimental treatment.

Details about the confidential reporting service are available in our Code of Conduct (which is available on our website), our 
internal HalmaHub and Sharepoint sites, and are prominently displayed on posters within all of our Group and operating 
company locations.

All reports are treated confidentially and seen by the Company Secretary. Where appropriate, the review and investigation 
is undertaken or led by the Director of Risk & Internal Audit or the Talent & Culture Executive for the relevant sector. All 
reports are appropriately investigated and concluded. The Audit Committee receives details of any reports relating to 
financial misconduct and the Board receives an overview of reports relating to people and culture.

Anti-Bribery and 
Corruption Policy

Halma has a zero-tolerance policy on bribery and corruption which extends to all business dealings and transactions in 
which the Group is 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. Every business records and reports on any 
gifts, hospitality or charitable donations which exceed the Group policy limits. 

Our policy and guidance in this area is well understood, routinely reviewed and compliance is checked as part of the half 
year and year-end control process. We also require customers and suppliers who contract on our standard business terms to 
comply with anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. Suspected breaches of compliance with this Policy can be reported 
through the whistleblowing reporting service.

Online Anti-bribery and corruption compliance trainings cover senior management, all subsidiary board directors and other 
relevant employees. Approximately 900 employees completed training during the year ended 31 March 2021.

Competition Law 
and Competition 
Compliance Manual

The Group has a policy on Competition Law which is communicated to all company directors and to relevant sales and 
procurement employees. Our companies must confirm that the relevant people in their business are familiar with the policy 
as part of the half year and year-end control process. Online anti-Competition compliance training covers senior 
management, all subsidiary board directors and other relevant employees. Approximately 350 employees completed 
training during the year ended 31 March 2021.

Data Protection 
Policy and guidance

Halma has a Group-wide Data Protection Policy and Guidance which requires our companies to comply with six key data 
protection principles, which are Lawfulness, Fairness and Transparency, Purpose Limitation, Data Minimisation, Accuracy, 
Storage Limitation and Integrity and Confidentiality. 

The Policy also requires our companies to only process personal data where it is necessary and consent has been obtained. 
The Policy requires all companies to have their own Privacy Policy in place which is tailored to their business and local law, 
relating to the categories of individuals whose personal data they process. 

Privacy Policies and security measures are required to be reviewed at least annually and tested where appropriate. Our 
companies are also required to ensure appropriate and robust clauses are included in any contracts with third parties where 
personal data will be disclosed.

During the year ended 31 March 2021, approximately 5,300 relevant employees from across the Group have been enrolled 
on data privacy and security training.

Diversity and 
Inclusion Policy

Our Diversity and Inclusion Policy sets out our commitment to building inclusive and diverse businesses, and is available at 
www.halma.com. More information about our commitment and progress on diversity, inclusion and equity can be found in 
the Our People section on pages 60 to 63.

Equal opportunities 
Policy

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. We aim to create a working 
environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in 
which all decisions are based on merit.

It is a Group policy to not discriminate against staff or candidates on the basis of age, disability, gender, gender 
reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, 
religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

86

Non-financial information statement

In compliance with the Non-Financial Reporting requirements contained in sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006, 
the table set out below, and the information it refers to, is intended to help stakeholders understand our position on key non-financial 
matters, while the Our policies and procedures on pages 85 and 86 highlights the key processes and outcomes associated with the 
relevant non-financial policies. The description of our business model can be found on pages 16 to 23 and stakeholder engagement 
information can be found on pages 58 and 59. 

Reporting requirement

Environmental matters

Relevant policies,  
standards and approaches

 — Environmental Policy1
 — Environmental commitment statement2

Employees

 — Code of Conduct2
 — Whistleblowing Policy3
 — Health and Safety Policy1
 — Diversity and Inclusion Policy2
 — Conflicts of interest3
 — Inside information1, 3

 — Modern Slavery Act statement2
 — Human Rights and Labour Conditions Policy3
 — Whistleblowing Policy1,3

 — Code of Conduct2
 — Data Protection Policy1
 — Competition Policy1
 — Conflict Minerals Policy1

Human rights

Social matters

Anti-bribery  
& corruption

Additional information about the impact of our activities,  
outcome of our policies, non-financial KPIs and principal risks 
relating to these matters

 — Sustainability Section including:

 — Introduction
 — Sustainability governance and strategy
 — Climate Change
 — Responsible Business
 — Sustainability Data, including carbon emissions,  

water and waste metrics

 — Risk: Climate Change and Natural Hazards

Pages

64-77

 — Our People section including:

60-63

 — Health and safety (including metrics)
 — Employee wellbeing
 — Employee engagement (including metrics)
 — Diversity and inclusion (including metrics)
 — Gender pay gap reporting (including metrics)
 — Training and development (including metrics) 

 — Our DNA
 — Risk: Talent and Diversity
 — Non-financial KPIs:

 — Accident Frequency Rate
 — Employee Engagement %
 — Development Programmes

 — Sustainability section, including:

 — Responsible Business

19
81
35

64-77

 — Risk: Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations

81

 — Sustainability section, including:

 — Our Positive Impact
 — Responsible Business

 — Our People section
 — Business review
 — Water for Life global campaign

64-77

60-63
36-57
15

 — Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy1, 3

 — Risk: Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations

81

 — Gifts and hospitality1, 3
 — Political payments and donations1, 3

1  Available to all employees of Halma and our subsidiary companies. Not published externally.
2  Available both on our website at www.halma.com and to employees of Halma and our subsidiary companies.
3  Included within our Code of Conduct

The Strategic Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 10 June 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Williams
Group Chief Executive

Marc Ronchetti
Chief Financial Officer

Cautionary note: this Strategic Report 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.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Introduction to governance

I am pleased to present the Corporate Governance Report for the 
year ended 31 March 2021. This Report outlines the governance 
framework within which the Company operates and provides an 
understanding of how the Principles, set out in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018, have been applied.

Progress in 2021
Last year, I outlined that the Board’s priorities for 2020/21 would 
be focused on navigating the operational and economic impact 
of the pandemic on our business, our people and our wider 
stakeholders; and building the pipeline of M&A targets so that we 
could continue to invest for growth when conditions allowed. I 
am pleased to report that, with the outstanding support from 
my colleagues across the Group, the Board has successfully 
delivered on these priorities by ensuring a safe working 
environment for our employees; providing financial and wellbeing 
support to our colleagues through difficult times; continuing to 
invest for growth in our companies; and by completing the 
acquisition of Static Systems Group in December 2020, 
concluding a strategic partnership with Oxbotica in January 2021, 
and, after the year end, making a number of smaller bolt-on 
acquisitions and acquiring PeriGen, Inc.

Our continued positive impact and focus on Environmental, 
Social and Governance (ESG) matters has been apparent in a 
number of areas, as outlined in the Sustainability section of this 
Annual Report, and our work to reduce the negative impact that 
our operations have on the world has led to important 
commitments to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to the strategic progress that we have made over the 
year, we continued to improve the diversity of our Board, 
Executive Board and senior leadership levels and rolled out 
further training on diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Board changes
The past year has seen our succession plans come to fruition with 
the appointment of Dame Louise Makin as non-executive 
Director & Chair Designate and Dharmash Mistry as non-
executive Director. I welcome them both to the Board and am 
confident that their contributions will help to shape Halma’s 
future over the coming years.

In line with best practice, Daniela Barone Soares and I will retire 
at the 2021 AGM and not seek re-election. Daniela is a very 
valued member of the Board and we have benefitted greatly 
from her knowledge and experience, particularly on ESG. I would 
like to thank Daniela, on behalf of the Board, for her contribution 
and constructive challenge over her tenure and we wish her well 
for the future.

At the 2021 AGM, Adam Meyers will also be retiring from the 
Board – having extended his tenure last year to lead Halma’s 
Safety sector on an interim basis. Adam joined the Halma Board 
in April 2008 and has always provided valuable insight on the 
business, derived from his extensive experience across all of 
Halma’s sectors. On behalf of my fellow Board members, we 
would like to thank Adam greatly for his long service to the 
Company and wish him well in retirement. 

Corporate Governance Statement
The Company reports against the Financial Reporting Council’s 
(FRC) UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the “Code”), which 
is available at www.frc.org.uk. The Board has complied with the 
Principles set out in the Code for the year ended 31 March 2021 
and reported against the Code Provisions. The new 
Remuneration Policy, being put to shareholders for approval at 
the 2021 AGM, will address most of the areas where the 
Company has not been in a position to fully comply with the 
Code Provisions and will also facilitate the engagement with 
employees on how executive remuneration aligns with wider pay 
policy. Further details on the proposed Policy are set out in the 
Remuneration Report. 

Paul Walker, Chair

“ Halma’s organisational 
structure, supported by 
its robust governance 
and control framework, 
provides a strong 
foundation from which 
the Group can continue 
to deliver sustainable 
growth, returns and 
positive impact for 
the benefit of all our 
stakeholders.”

88

 
Board priorities for 2021/22
While there is still uncertainty around the economic and 
health impact of the pandemic in the short and longer term, 
Halma is well-positioned to benefit from the opportunities 
that will arise and under Dame Louise’s leadership, I am 
confident that Halma will continue its growth by 
maintaining strategic discipline and thoughtful capital 
allocation. The Board’s priorities for 2021/22 will be: 

 — To appropriately engage and leverage the skills and 

experience of the new Board members, building their 
understanding of Halma and our businesses and 
continuing to evolve our strategy. 

 — Supporting M&A activity that is aligned to our purpose. 

 — Embedding sustainability and stakeholder views into 

Board decision-making. 

 — Developing digital growth metrics to capture data and 
monitor Halma’s progress on connected products and 
digital services.

The exceptions to full compliance with the Provisions of the 
Code for the year ended 31 March 2021, along with the 
expected date by which we intend to comply with each 
Provision, are set out below.

Information on diversity, internal control and risk 
management, share capital and the composition and 
operation of the Board and its Committees is included in the 
Reports within this Governance section. 

Annual General Meeting (AGM) 
While our preference would have been to welcome shareholders 
in person for our 2021 AGM, the restrictions on public gatherings 
and social distancing measures in place at the date of this 
Report, have led us to make alternative arrangements for our 
AGM. We will have minimal physical attendance at our registered 
office in Amersham and strongly encourage shareholders to join 
the meeting virtually this year. This hybrid format will ensure that 
a wider group of shareholders can participate in the meeting and 
will crucially prioritise health and safety without compromising 
shareholder engagement with the Board or real-time voting at 
the meeting. I am really looking forward to welcoming 
shareholders virtually for the first time in Halma’s AGM history. 

Conclusion
I hope that you will find the information set out in this Report 
helpful in understanding our approach to governance, how we 
have applied the Principles of the Code and how our framework 
is structured to enable Halma to operate effectively in a rapidly 
changing political, economic, socio-cultural and technological 
environment. 

Finally, on a personal note, I am very proud of Halma’s 
achievements and have been honoured to serve as Chair. Its 
strong culture and corporate purpose is led from the top and I 
am grateful to the senior leadership team who have supported 
me throughout my tenure. I truly believe that Halma’s 
organisational structure, supported by its robust governance and 
control framework, provides a strong foundation from which the 
Group can continue to deliver sustainable growth, returns and 
positive impact for the benefit of all our stakeholders. 

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Paul Walker 
Chair 

10 June 2021

Code Compliance

Code Provision

Explanation of non-compliance

Expected compliance by

22 July 2021

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The Remuneration Committee has not developed a formal policy for post-
employment shareholding requirements. This item has been incorporated into our 
new Remuneration Policy (see pages 122 to 128) which is subject to a shareholder 
vote at the 2021 AGM.

Remuneration schemes and policies do not enable the use of discretion to override 
formulaic outcomes. This item has been incorporated into our new Remuneration 
Policy (see pages 122 to 128) which is subject to a shareholder vote at the 2021 AGM.

22 July 2021

The pension contribution rates for executive Directors, or payments in lieu, are not 
aligned with those available to the workforce. The executive Directors have 
voluntarily committed to lower their cash-in-lieu of pension to 10.5% which will align 
to the maximum company contribution rate offered to the wider UK workforce.

The Annual Report does not include a description of what engagement with the 
workforce has taken place to explain how executive remuneration aligns with wider 
pay policy. The Remuneration Committee intends to recommend to the Board an 
appropriate approach for engagement with the workforce once the new Policy is 
approved by shareholders.

31 December 2022

31 March 2022

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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89

 
 
 
 
Board of Directors

Committee Membership
A  Audit Committee
N  Nomination Committee
R  Remuneration Committee

  Chair of Committee
  Member of Committee

Paul Walker
Chair 

Appointed: April 2013  
(July 2013 as Chair)

Career and experience: Paul gained extensive 
management, operational, financial and 
technology sector experience in his executive 
career as Chief Executive Officer of The Sage 
Group plc from 1994 to 2010, having previously 
been its Finance Director and Chief Financial 
Controller. Paul has held several board positions 
including as non-executive Director at Diageo 
plc, Mytravel Group plc, Sophos Group plc and 
Experian plc. He provides strong leadership to 
the Board and is committed to robust corporate 
governance and stakeholder engagement. Paul 
qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & 
Young. Paul will retire as Chair at the 2021 AGM 
and will not stand for re-election.

Current appointments:
RELX plc, non-executive Chair 
Ashtead Group plc, non-executive Chair

 N

 R

Dame Louise Makin
Independent non-executive Director, 
Chair Designate 

Appointed: February 2021

Career and experience: Louise is an experienced 
executive and board director, having led businesses 
across multiple sectors. She was the Chief 
Executive Officer of BTG plc, the international 
specialist healthcare company, from 2004 to 2019. 
Louise led the transformation of the company 
through a combination of organic growth and 
acquisitions, and significantly increased its market 
capitalisation before its sale in 2019. She previously 
served as a non-executive Director of Premier 
Foods plc and Woodford Patient Capital Trust plc, 
and as a director of several not-for-profit 
organisations. Louise will replace Paul Walker as 
Chair at the conclusion of the 2021 AGM and brings 
a wealth of leadership and international experience 
to the Board.

Current appointments:
Atotech Ltd, non-executive Director 
Intertek Group plc, non-executive Director  
(until 30 June 2021)

 N

 R

Andrew Williams
Group Chief Executive 

Appointed: July 2004  
(February 2005 as Group Chief Executive)

Career and experience: Andrew joined 
Halma in 1994 as Manufacturing Director of 
an operating company, becoming its 
Managing Director in 1997. He joined Halma’s 
Executive Board in 2002 and was appointed as 
Group Chief Executive in 2005. Andrew has 
proven his ability to grow and acquire 
companies globally while evolving the Group 
portfolio for sustainable growth and high 
returns. He brings clear strategic leadership to 
the Board and has a deep understanding of 
the operating companies and the Group’s 
stakeholders. He is a Chartered Engineer. 
Andrew served as a non-executive Director of 
Capita plc from January 2015 until May 2021.

Current appointments: 
Cardiff Blues Limited, non-executive Director

 N

Tony Rice
Senior Independent Director

Carole Cran
Independent non-executive Director

Jo Harlow 
Independent non-executive Director

Appointed: August 2014  
(July 2015 as Senior Independent Director)

Career and experience: Tony has held senior 
management positions at a number of UK listed 
companies, spanning a range of sectors, and has 
extensive board level experience in companies 
operating internationally and in regulated 
industries. He was Chief Executive Officer at 
Cable & Wireless Communications plc and 
Tunstall plc and held a number of senior roles at 
BAE Systems plc. Tony has served as a non- 
executive Director of Spirit Pub Company plc, 
where he was Senior Independent Director and 
Remuneration Committee Chair. Tony brings a 
wealth of UK listed company experience to his 
role as Senior Independent Director.

Current appointments: 
Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc, Chair  
Ultra Electronics Holdings plc, Chair 
Whittington Hospital Trust, non-executive Director

 A

 N

 R

90

Appointed: January 2016

Appointed: October 2016

Career and experience: Carole was Chief 
Financial Officer of Aggreko plc until 
December 2017, prior to which she held a 
number of senior finance roles within that 
group. Previously, she worked at BAE Systems 
plc in a range of senior financial positions, 
which included four years in Australia. Carole 
commenced her career in the audit division 
of KPMG where she qualified as a Chartered 
Accountant. Carole has extensive financial 
experience and has a strong focus on 
governance and risk.

Current appointments:
Forth Ports Limited, Chief Financial Officer

 A

 N

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Career and experience: Jo has significant 
international experience, gained most recently 
as Corporate Vice President of the Phones 
Business Unit at Microsoft. She previously worked 
at Nokia as Executive Vice President of Smart 
Devices. Before her move into consumer 
electronics, Jo worked in strategic marketing at 
Reebok and Procter & Gamble. Jo brings a 
wealth of expertise to the Board in digital, 
technology, sales and marketing. She is Chair of 
the Remuneration Committee at 
InterContinental Hotels Group plc, and Chair of 
the Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability 
Committee, and member of the Remuneration 
Committee, at J Sainsbury plc.

Current appointments: 
InterContinental Hotels Group plc,  
non-executive Director  
J Sainsbury plc, non-executive Director 
Ceconomy AG, Member of the Supervisory Board

 A

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Marc Ronchetti 
Chief Financial Officer 

Jennifer Ward
Group Talent, Culture and 
Communications Director

Adam Meyers
Executive Director 

Appointed: July 2018

Appointed: September 2016

Appointed: April 2008

Career and experience: Marc joined Halma 
in 2016 as Group Financial Controller. He was 
previously Finance Director of the UK 
operations of Wolseley plc (now Ferguson plc) 
and prior to that held various group and 
divisional roles at Inchcape plc. Marc has 
gained commercial and financial experience 
across a range of senior finance roles focused 
on driving operational performance through 
financial insights. Marc qualified as a 
Chartered Accountant with 
PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Career and experience: Jennifer joined the 
Halma Executive Board in March 2014 and has 
global responsibility for talent and culture as 
well as internal and external communications 
and brand across Halma. Prior to joining 
Halma as Group Talent Director, Jennifer spent 
over 15 years leading Human Resources, Talent 
and Organisational Development for divisions 
of PayPal, Bank of America and Honeywell. 
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience to the 
Board to ensure we secure and develop talent 
ahead of our growth needs and build a 
sustainable culture of high performance.

Career and experience: Adam became a 
member of the Halma Executive Board in 
2003, as a Divisional Chief Executive and 
served as, Sector Chief Executive – Medical 
and Environmental until September 2019, 
having joined Halma in 1996 as President of 
Bio-Chem Valve. Adam has considerable 
experience and deep knowledge of Halma 
and the regulated markets in which it 
operates. He has led the acquisition of 
several companies in the Medical and 
Environmental & Analysis sectors. Adam is a 
Systems Engineering graduate of the 
University of Pennsylvania. Adam stepped 
down as interim Sector Chief Executive, 
Safety, on 31 March 2021 following the 
appointment of his successor. He will retire 
from the Board at the conclusion of the 
2021 AGM. 

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Roy Twite
Independent non-executive Director

Daniela Barone Soares
Independent non-executive Director

Dharmash Mistry
Independent non-executive Director

Appointed: July 2014

Appointed: November 2011

Appointed: April 2021

Career and experience: Roy is Chief Executive 
of IMI plc, having been appointed to the IMI 
Board in February 2007. During his career with 
IMI, Roy has held several senior management 
roles including Managing Director of IMI 
Norgren UK (2001), President of IMI Hydronic 
Engineering (2004), President of Retail Dispense 
(2007) and President of IMI Precision 
Engineering (2009) and Divisional Managing 
Director of IMI Critical Engineering (2011). Roy 
brings wide-ranging knowledge of the 
engineering sector along with extensive 
management and operational experience.

Current appointments:
IMI plc, Chief Executive

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Career and experience: Dharmash is an 
experienced technology venture capitalist, 
entrepreneur and non-executive director. He 
was formerly a Partner at Balderton & 
Lakestar, an executive at Emap PLC and 
worked earlier in his career at The Boston 
Consulting Group and as a Brand Manager at 
Procter & Gamble. Dharmash is founder of 
blow LTD, which he now chairs, and has served 
as a non-executive director at Hargreaves 
Lansdown PLC and Dixons Retail PLC.

Current appointments: 
blow LTD, Chair 
British Business Bank, non-executive Director 
BBC Commercial Holdings, non-executive 
Director

 A

 N

 R

Career and experience: Daniela began her 
career in the private equity and investment 
banking sectors working at BancBoston 
Capital, Goldman Sachs and Citibank.

Daniela is the CEO of Snowball Impact 
Management, a diversified, multi-asset 
investment vehicle. Prior to that, Daniela was 
CEO of venture philanthropy organisation 
Impetus and held senior roles at Save the 
Children UK. Daniela has considerable global 
knowledge of capital markets and 
sustainability, and has successfully led 
ventures with government institutions. 
Daniela will retire from the Board at the 
conclusion of the 2021 AGM.

Current appointments: 
Intercontinental Hotels Group plc,  
non-executive Director 
Snowball Investment Management, CEO  
The Haddad Foundation, Trustee

 A

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Board

The Executive Board 
is a management 
committee chaired 
by the Group Chief 
Executive, which 
primarily develops 
strategy, reviews 
operational matters 
and monitors business 
performance.

92

Andrew Williams
Group Chief Executive

Jennifer Ward
Group Talent, Culture and  
Communications Director

Marc Ronchetti
Chief Financial Officer

Adam Meyers
Executive Director 

Laura Stoltenberg
Sector Chief Executive, Medical 

Career and experience: Laura was appointed to 
the Executive Board in October 2019. She joined 
Halma as Divisional Chief Executive, Medical & 
Environmental in January 2019 from Medtronic, 
where she was Vice President and General 
Manager for MDI Solutions at Medtronic Diabetes. 
Prior to Medtronic, Laura was Chief Commercial 
Officer at Exact Sciences Corporation, and held 
leadership roles at GE Healthcare in general 
management, business development and 
strategy. Laura brings strong experience and 
capability in delivering growth-oriented 
strategies, managing talent and capital 
allocation as well as a depth of M&A experience 
in the Medical sector. Laura holds degrees in 
Electrical Engineering & Management from 
Bucknell University and an MBA from 
Columbia University.

Constance Baroudel
Sector Chief Executive,  
Environmental & Analysis

Career and experience: Constance was 
appointed to the Executive Board in April 2021. She 
joined Halma as Divisional Chief Executive, 
Medical & Environmental in August 2018 from 
FirstGroup plc where she held the position of 
Director, Strategy & Operational Performance. 
Prior to that she was Managing Director of 
Solutions at De La Rue plc. She brings a wealth of 
industrial and innovation experience and strong 
capability in driving organic growth in her sector. 
Constance holds an MSc in International 
Accounting & Finance from London School of 
Economics.

Wendy McMillan
Sector Chief Executive, Safety

Career and experience: Wendy was appointed 
to the Executive Board in April 2021. She joined 
Halma as a Divisional Chief Executive in the 
Safety Sector in February 2018. Prior to Halma 
she held a range of leadership roles with a focus 
on growth and transformation at Dyson, Arqiva 
and BT. Her early career was spent as a strategy 
consultant at Bain & Company. Wendy holds a 
Masters in Engineering, Economics and 
Management from Oxford University and has an 
MBA from INSEAD.

Inken Braunschmidt
Chief Innovation and  
Digital Officer Director

Career and experience: Inken joined Halma 
and was appointed to the Executive Board in 
July 2017 and is responsible for driving 
Halma’s Digital and Innovation Strategy. 
Prior to joining Halma, Inken was the Chief 
Innovation Officer of innogy SE, a renewables 
energy company based in Germany and a 
subsidiary of RWE. Previously, Inken was MD 
of RWE’s Strategy and Management 
Consultancy practice. Inken studied Business 
Administration and Innovation & Technology 
Management at Kiel University and has a 
PhD in Technology Management.
Current appointments:
James Fisher and Sons plc,  
non-executive Director

Catherine Michel 
Chief Technology Officer

Funmi Adegoke 
Group General Counsel

Career and experience: Catherine is the first 
Chief Technology Officer for Halma. She has 
global responsibility for the Group’s data and IT 
strategy, with a focus on leveraging our data 
more fully, both operationally and in the 
solutions we provide to our customers and 
partners. Prior to joining Halma, Catherine was 
Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategy 
Officer at Sigma Systems. Catherine began her 
career at Accenture and was founder and CTO of 
Tribold (later acquired by Sigma Systems in 2013).
Current appointments:
UK5G Advisory Board 
Blancco Technology Group plc,  
non-executive Director

Career and experience: Funmi joined 
Halma’s Executive Board as Group General 
Counsel in September 2020. She has global 
responsibility for the Group’s legal and 
compliance affairs, as well as overseeing the 
Company Secretariat function. Prior to 
joining Halma, Funmi held senior legal and 
commercial roles in BP and Bombardier. She 
brings extensive experience in legal, 
regulatory and compliance matters to 
support the Group’s growth. Funmi is a 
Barrister and holds a law degree from the 
University of Cambridge.
Current appointments:
Melrose Industries plc, non-executive Director

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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93

 
 
 
The Board’s application of the UK Corporate  
Governance Code Principles

The Company reports against the Financial Reporting Council’s 
(FRC) UK Corporate Governance Code, published in July 2018, 
which is available on its website at www.frc.org.uk. This section 
of the Report explains how the Company has applied the 
Principles set out in the Code. 

A. The role of the Board 
The Board’s role is to provide entrepreneurial leadership, within a 
framework of prudent and effective controls, that promotes the 
interests of the Company over the long term for the benefit of 
stakeholders. The Board sets the Group’s strategic goals and has 
ultimate responsibility for its management, direction and 
performance. The Company’s Articles of Association set out the 
Board’s powers. The Board has adopted a formal schedule of 
matters reserved solely for its decision (a summary of which is 
set out on page 102) and certain decision-making and 
monitoring activities are delegated to Board Committees or 
management committees.

As a decentralised organisation, it is critical that Halma’s 
governance and control structure is robust, clearly 
communicated and operates effectively. The Board has 
established three principal Committees – Audit Committee, 
Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee – which 
review and monitor key areas on behalf of the Board and make 
recommendations for its approval. Each Board Committee 
operates under written terms of reference which are approved by 
the Board and made available at www.halma.com. The Chair of 
each Committee reports to the Board on their activities after 
each meeting and minutes are circulated to all Board members 
once they have been approved by the Committee. Further 
information on the activities and composition of each 
Committee is set out in the separate Committee reports.

In addition to the principal Board Committees, the Board has 
established three topic-specific Committees to which it has 
delegated certain powers to negotiate, review and administer 
matters – Share Plans Committee, Bank Guarantees and 
Facilities Committee, and Acquisitions & Disposals Committee. 

The Executive Board is a management committee, chaired by 
the Group Chief Executive, which primarily develops strategy, 
monitors progress against the Group’s strategic objectives and 
reviews operational and business performance. In addition, 
informal management groups have been established to review, 
monitor and take decisions in respect of minority investments 
and collaborative partnerships, and ESG matters. A summary of 
the responsibilities of each Board Committee and the Executive 
Committee are set out opposite.

Board meetings
The Board schedules six meetings per year but will usually meet 
on other occasions, as required, to discuss urgent matters or to 
approve event-driven items such as M&A, trading updates and, 
in the past year, to review and take decisions in response to the 
pandemic. All Directors are issued with an agenda and meeting 
papers in the week prior to the Board meeting. Papers are 
delivered via an electronic board portal for security and efficiency. 

Board meeting attendance
During the year, attendance by Directors at scheduled Board 
meetings was as follows:

Board attendance

Paul Walker

Dame Louise Makin

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

Daniela Barone Soares

Carole Cran

Jo Harlow

Tony Rice

Roy Twite

Eligible

Attended

6

1

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

1

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

B. Purpose, Values and Strategy 
The Board assesses and monitors the Group’s culture and ensures 
its alignment with our purpose, values and strategy. Our strategy 
is powered by our purpose of ‘growing a safer, cleaner, healthier 
future for everyone, every day.’ The Group’s culture is an essential 
component of our strategy, demonstrated by the Talent & 
Culture Growth Enabler and the organisational and culture genes 
within Halma’s DNA. Our culture promotes autonomous and 
agile decision-making, a collaborative approach which allows 
constructive challenge, innovative diversity of thought, and a 
sense of shared purpose and open collaboration. Halma’s values 
are the behavioural principles that we demand, protect and 
leverage to effectively optimise our cultural genes as set out on 
page 19. It is essential that the Board and Executive 
management act in a constructive and respectful manner, 
exhibiting the tone that we expect across our companies. We 
consider that this culture promotes good governance across the 
Group and empowers our people to make good and ethical 
decisions. At each meeting, the Board reviews any workforce 
concerns raised via the whistleblowing line or directly to the 
Executive or Company Secretary. All reports are investigated and 
appropriate action taken. Details of each report are provided to 
the Board in its role of monitoring corporate culture. The annual 
engagement survey results are also reviewed by the Board and 
any areas for improvement discussed.

At the annual Board strategy meeting – and regularly at the 
Nomination Committee meetings – the Group Talent, Culture 
and Communications Director provides detailed insight and 
feedback on Halma’s talent pool, development programmes and 
culture across the Group.

C. Resources and Control Framework
Our businesses benefit from an autonomous operational 
structure. In order to maintain oversight and control from a 
Group perspective, and to obtain assurance over the compliance 
and control environment, businesses must comply with Halma’s 
suite of financial and non-financial policies and procedures.

An authority matrix sets out the matters that are reserved for 
decision by the Board, those that can be approved by the Group 
Chief Executive and the financial authority that has been 
delegated to Executive Board members, the Divisional Chief 
Executives (DCEs) and to business managing directors. This 
approach ensures that businesses have a clear framework within 
which they can operate, balancing autonomy with the need for 
oversight and control, and provides clarity as to whether financial 
commitments can be approved at company, sector, Group or 
Board level. The connection between the operating companies 
and the Board governance structure is described below and, for 

94

Board Governance Structure

Board
Provides strategic leadership to the Group within a framework of robust corporate governance and internal control, monitoring 
the culture, values and standards that are embedded throughout our business to deliver long-term sustainable growth for the 
benefit of our shareholders and other stakeholders.

Board Committees

Nomination Committee
 — Reviews the size, balance and 
composition of the Board and 
Committees. 

 — Leads the Board’s succession 
planning and keeps the senior 
leadership needs of the Company 
under review.

 — Oversees the development of a 

diverse succession pipeline.

 — Oversees the Board and Committee 

evaluations. 

Audit Committee
 — Monitors the integrity of financial 
statements, including significant 
financial judgements or estimates 
and ensures that the Annual Report 
is fair, balanced and understandable. 

 — Oversees the system of internal 
control and risk management.
 — Monitors the effectiveness of the 

Internal Audit function. 
 — Reviews external Auditor 

independence and performance.
 — Leads the audit tender process. 

Remuneration Committee
 — Keeps under review the framework 

and Policy on executive Director and 
senior management remuneration 
(including pension arrangements).

 — Recommends to the Board the 

design, targets and framework for 
senior management performance-
related pay and share awards.
 — Approves service contracts for 

executive Directors.

 — Review workforce remuneration 

policies and alignment with culture. 

Read more  p104

Read more  p109

Read more  p115

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Share Plans Committee
Responsible for the administration 
arrangements relating to share-based 
incentives (following approval of the 
award by the Remuneration Committee 
or the Board).

Bank Guarantees  
and Facilities Committee
Agrees and approves arrangements for 
issuing guarantees, indemnities or other 
support for bank loans and other 
financing facilities.

Acquisitions and  
Disposals Committee
Reviews and approves the terms and 
structure of acquisitions or disposals 
which have been agreed in principle by 
the Board.

Management Committee

Executive Board
 — Develops strategy and monitors operational, financial and non-financial performance, including sustainability. 
 — Drives the strategic priorities across all sectors and functional areas, such as finance, talent, culture and communications, legal 

and compliance, digital, innovation and IT. 

 — Leads Group initiatives such as diversity, equity and inclusion.
 — Reinforces the operational and governance structures in place across the Group and acts as a forum for management decisions. 
 — Biographical information for each Executive Board member is set out on pages 92 and 93.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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95

 
 
 
 
 
The Board’s application of the UK Corporate  
Governance Code Principles continued

risk management, is illustrated in the risk governance framework 
on page 78. 

Each operating company in the Group has its own board of 
directors which meets regularly to fulfil its legal duties and to 
maintain operational and financial management of the 
company’s affairs. The DCE chairs each of their operating 
company boards and will meet with the Executive Board at least 
three times per year. In addition, the DCE provides a written 
report on the financial and business performance (including 
areas such as talent, culture, diversity, ESG and M&A) to the 
Executive Board and Halma’s Chair on a regular basis.

Each Sector Chief Executive holds regular sector board meetings, 
attended by DCEs, relevant managing directors and sector 
employees, which provides a valuable forum for businesses to 
share and collaborate. 

The Group’s policies and procedures set out our requirements in 
the areas of financial reporting and control, health & safety, 
ethics, human resources, IT, data privacy and legal compliance. 
These procedures are made available to all employees via a 
dedicated SharePoint site. The Audit Committee has been 
delegated responsibility for reviewing the adequacy and security 
of the Group’s arrangements for employees and contractors to 
raise concerns about possible improprieties in financial reporting 
and control or other matters but the Board reviews regular 
reports on workforce concerns that have been raised. Halma has 
appointed NavexGlobal to operate a confidential, multilingual, 
telephone and web reporting service. All reports are reviewed by 
the Company Secretary, investigated and action taken as 
appropriate.

D. Engagement with shareholders and other 
stakeholders
Shareholders
The Board oversees the Company’s dialogue with shareholders. 
The Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer have 
regular contact with investors and analysts. Reports prepared for 
the Board by the Head of Investor Relations outline the 
Company’s dialogue with investors and analysts. The Chair is 
available to meet with shareholders throughout the year and the 
Senior Independent Director provides an alternative channel for 
shareholders to raise concerns, independent of executive 
management and the Chair. The Board attends the AGM which 
gives individual shareholders the opportunity to engage directly 
with them and raise questions about the Company. In 2020 we 
were forced to hold a closed AGM but allowed shareholders to 
submit questions ahead of the meeting. For 2021, despite the 
current restrictions, we are able to improve our engagement by 
offering a hybrid AGM facility whereby shareholders can attend, 
speak and vote online. The Company normally hosts an annual 
investor engagement event, to showcase one of Halma’s sectors, 
but this was not possible during the year as a result of the 
pandemic. 

Employees
In accordance with the Code, the Board reviewed the methods 
that it uses to engage with its workforce and concluded that 
none of the three set out in the Code would be the most 
effective for engaging with Halma’s global workforce. Our 
decentralised operating model and geographic spread of our 
companies led us to choose alternative engagement 
mechanisms which we consider are more fitting with our 
operating model and culture, as described below.

Each operating company has its own legally constituted board of 
directors which meets on a regular basis. Around one-third of 
these are UK companies which are also subject to the duty to 
promote the success of the company under section 172 of the 
Companies Act and requires them to have regard to employee 
interests and the impact of board decisions on their other 
stakeholders.

The chair of each of our 42 companies meets with the Executive 
Board at least three times per year and normally with the Halma 
Board annually, which facilitates regular dialogue on workforce-
related matters. We consider that engagement by the local 
company board with their own workforce, as well as the 
engagement by the Halma Board with the Group’s global 
workforce, provides an effective platform for clear and open 
communication with employees. To support this, we have put in 
place reporting mechanisms such that concerns and feedback 
raised at the operating company level is fed back into the Halma 
Board via each company chair.

There are currently three Executive Board members with 
operational responsibility for all of our operating companies. They 
regularly interact with the Halma executive and the Board, which 
ensures that there are close channels of communication with our 
businesses. There are also frequent opportunities for the 
employee voice to be relayed to the Board via company 
management, operating company chair reports, Board 
presentations, site visits and through regular reporting of 
workforce concerns that have been raised via management or 
the independent whistleblowing service. 

The Board-level position of Group Talent, Culture and 
Communications Director demonstrates the importance that we 
place on developing and communicating with our people and 
improving engagement and the culture across the Group. The 
results of the annual employee engagement survey are outlined 
on page 35.

HalmaHub is a mobile-first, social and collaborative platform, 
which has helped accelerate the pace of innovation across the 
Group and enhanced our culture of collaboration.

Recognising the opportunity to amplify the ambition and impact 
of Halma’s diverse and geographically dispersed businesses, 
HalmaHub connects more than 5,000 employees across 21 
countries to share knowledge, skills and ideas every day. This has 
accelerated the pace of change across the Group and led to the 
creation of entirely new business models and product 
collaborations.

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The Board strongly believes that our mechanisms for engaging with our workforce are appropriate for our organisational structure 
and, most importantly, are an effective means of bilateral engagement. The graphic below gives a summary of the mechanisms in 
place to facilitate effective engagement with the various groups across our workforce.

Board engagement mechanisms

HalmaHub

Workforce  engagement survey

Company and other site visits

Senior Independent  Director available

Accelerate CEO and Accelerate Halma

MD and Functional networks

COVID-19 regional forums

Operating Company Chair reports

Halma plc Board, Committee and strategy meetings

Sector Board meetings

Executive Board  meetings and reports

Development, Digital Accelerator and Graduate programmes

Workforce groups included

Wider  
Workforce

Central 
Functions

Operating 
Company Boards

Sector  
Board

Executive  
Board

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
 
 
The Board’s application of the UK Corporate  
Governance Code Principles continued

Other stakeholders
The Board’s considers other stakeholder groups in its decision-making and our interaction with key stakeholders is set out in the table 
on pages 58 and 59 of the Strategic Report. 

The principal decisions taken by the Board during the year, along with how the Directors considered stakeholder interests when 
discharging their duties under section 172 of the Companies Act, is set out below.

Principal Decision and  
stakeholders considered

Dividend 
Shareholders, potential investors, 
lenders, employees, customers and 
suppliers. 

Capital allocation
Shareholders, potential investors, 
lenders, employees, customers, 
operating companies.

Acquisitions 
Shareholders, potential investors, 
lenders, operating companies, vendors 
of companies, future employees and 
partners, and professional advisers. 

COVID-19 response
Shareholders, potential investors, 
lenders, employees, operating 
companies, customers, suppliers, 
government, society.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets
Shareholders, lenders, employees, 
operating companies, customers, 
suppliers, government, society.

Board’s decision-making process

Long-term considerations

The financial resources required to execute our strategy,
including organic investment needs and acquisition
opportunities; the Group’s medium-term rate of organic
constant currency growth; maintaining a prudent level of
dividend cover and moderate indebtedness; equitable
treatment of our stakeholders given the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic.

The Group’s budget, approved by the Board, sets the
allocation of capital to deliver our growth strategy through
investment in R&D, capital expenditure, talent and
acquisitions. The weighting of each is determined by our
strategic priorities over the short to medium term.

The Board received detailed acquisition proposals from the
Group Chief Executive on the long-term implications of
acquisitions and their effect on Halma’s stakeholders. The
Board balances the financial commitment required against
the risks and anticipated return, while considering the
strategic fit with our purpose, the opportunities for
geographic or market growth (either organic or through
further M&A) and the talent and know-how which will be
acquired.

The Board were quick to meet to understand the implications 
of the health and economic crisis as its potential impact 
became apparent, with the health and wellbeing of our 
employees being the priority. Weekly updates were provided 
to the Board on the welfare of our employees, site closures 
and financial and operational performance of our 
businesses. Our businesses not only ensured the supply of 
life-sustaining products and services over the period but 
many re-purposed their operations to produce personal 
protective equipment for their local healthcare providers. 
The Board considered a wide range of operational and 
financial scenarios and the interests of multiple stakeholder 
groups to determine the appropriate level of overhead 
reductions. They took the decision to reinstate pay to normal 
levels and, given the strong performance in the second half 
of the year, decided to compensate employees for the 
temporary salary reductions that they had taken during the 
year to support the Group and ensure its strong financial 
position through those uncertain times.

The Board recognised the importance of a low carbon 
economy and the role that Halma has to play in achieving 
this and were mindful that this is a high priority for multiple 
stakeholder groups. Accordingly, the Board focused on areas 
where Halma can make most impact and took the decision 
to set a climate-related target – in line with the guidance 
from the Science Based Target Initiative – to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions by 42% (from 2019/20 levels) by 
2029/30, and are targeting net zero Scope 1 and 2 
greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Dividends consistent with the
Company’s financial performance
without detriment to the strength of
the balance sheet and future
sustainability.

Balancing investment for future growth 
with the requirement to reduce 
discretionary spend and overheads 
in light of the pandemic and the 
uncertainty around the effects of 
COVID-19.

Halma’s discipline in making
acquisitions which are aligned to our
purpose and which are in market
niches with long-term growth drivers
ensures that we can continue to grow
sustainably for the benefit of all our
stakeholders.

The Board’s approval of cost reduction
measures was considered essential for
Halma’s long-term success. It balanced
the need for short-term overhead
reduction and cash preservation
against the longer term expectations
of shareholders and employees. While 
Halma was eligible for UK government 
support, we self-funded furlough 
payments to ensure that funds were 
made available to the smaller 
businesses that needed it. The Board’s 
decision not to take government 
support has enabled us to maintain our 
progressive dividend payments to 
shareholders.

The Board recognises the effect that
climate change is having on the 
natural and business world. While it 
presents a strategic opportunity for 
Halma, as a responsible company the 
Board recognises that the Company 
must act now to minimise the negative 
impact from its operations, to ensure a 
sustainable future for all. Setting 
targets and monitoring the Group’s 
sustainability performance is an 
essential part of Halma’s philosophy 
and strategy, which investors and other 
stakeholders will expect us to report on 
annually.

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E. Workforce policies and practices
The Group’s policies and procedures set out our requirements in 
the areas of financial reporting and control, health & safety, 
ethics, human resources, IT, data privacy and legal compliance. 
Halma’s workforce-related polices and practices are set out in 
employee handbooks, tailored to meet local company law and 
needs.

Halma’s Code of Conduct stipulates the expected behaviours 
and ethical duties that we require all employees to demonstrate. 
The Code of Conduct is reviewed annually by the Board and is 
acknowledged by every employee when they join the company. It 
provides a plain language summary on anti-bribery and 
corruption, insider dealing, conflicts of interest, modern slavery 
and human trafficking and information on how employees can 
raise concerns with senior management or via the third party 
confidential reporting service operated by NavexGlobal. Halma’s 
Code of Conduct has been translated into nine languages, copies 
of which are available on our website at www.halma.com.

F. Chair independence and objective judgement
Paul Walker was independent on his appointment as Chair and 
has remained objective in his leadership of the Board. He ensures 
that no Director dominates Board meetings and that the voice of 
all Directors is heard and respected. Halma’s culture of openness 
and transparency is apparent in how the Board members 
interact individually and collectively. The Executives genuinely 
value the views and challenge that the non-executive Directors 
bring and the transparent reporting by the Executives ensures 
that all stakeholder interests can be debated and well-informed, 
collective decisions made. Dame Louise was independent on 
appointment as a non-executive Director and remains so at the 
date of this Report. As part of her induction, the Company 
Secretary has supported Dame Louise on Board process and 
understanding the Board dynamics in order to preserve the 
Board’s independent and objective thinking and appropriate level 
of challenge from the non-executives. 

G. Board Composition 
The Board is currently composed of 12 Directors, each bringing a 
variety of skills, knowledge and experience, in addition to diverse 
thinking. With four executive Directors and eight non-executive 
Directors (including the Chair), there is a strong independent 
element to Halma’s Board which ensures that the balance of 
power rests with the non-executive members of the Board. After 
the AGM in July 2021, the Board will comprise nine directors, with 
three executive and six non-executive, maintaining an 
appropriate balance of independence.  

The Board has reviewed the independence of each non-executive 
Director and, following an assessment of any relationships or 
circumstances which are likely to affect a Director’s judgement, 
consider each to be independent of management. The Board 
believes that any shares in the Company held by the Chair and 
non-executive Directors serve to align their interests with those of 
shareholders. Tony Rice was appointed Senior Independent 
Director in July 2015 and is available as an alternative channel of 
communication for shareholders, independent from executive 
management and the Chair.

The Chair, with the endorsement of the Nomination Committee, 
considers that the Board structure is appropriate for Halma – 
both in terms of size and the balance of skills and experience 
– which was recently echoed by the Directors in the externally-
facilitated Board evaluation.  

Biographies of each Director, including an overview of their skills 
and experience, are set out on pages 90 and 91.

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
 
 
The Board’s application of the UK Corporate  
Governance Code Principles continued

H. Board responsibilities and time commitment
The division of responsibilities between the Directors and the Company Secretary is set out below. 

Senior Independent Director

 — Acting as a sounding board for the 

Chair.

 — Serving as a trusted intermediary for the 

other Directors.

 — Providing an alternative channel for 
shareholders and employees to raise 
concerns, independent of executive 
management and the Chair.

Independent non-executive 
Directors

 — Contributing independent thinking and 

judgement and providing external 
experience and knowledge to the 
Board’s agenda.

 — Scrutinising the performance of 
management in delivering the 
Company’s strategy and objectives.
 — Providing constructive challenge to the 

executive Directors.

 — Monitoring the reporting of 

performance and ensuring that the 
Company is operating within the 
governance and risk framework 
approved by the Board.

Company Secretary

 — Acting as a sounding board for the 

Chair and other Directors.

 — Ensuring clear and timely information 
flow to the Board and its committees.

 — Providing advice and support to the 

Board and its committees on matters of 
corporate governance and regulatory 
compliance.

Chair’s  
responsibilities

Group Chief  
Executive

Governance
 — Promoting high standards of corporate 

 — Providing coherent leadership and 
management of the Company.

governance.

 — Leading, chairing and managing the 

Board.

 — Ensuring all Board committees are 

properly structured and operate with 
appropriate terms of reference.

 — Regularly considering the composition 
and succession planning of the Board 
and its committees.

 — Ensuring that Board and committee 

performance is evaluated on a regular 
basis.

 — Ensuring adequate time is available for 
all agenda items and that the Board 
receives accurate, clear and timely 
information.

 — Ensuring that there is effective 

communication with shareholders.

Strategy
 — Leading the Board in reviewing the 

strategy of the business and setting its 
objectives.

 — Promoting open and constructive 

debate in Board meetings.

 — Ensuring effective implementation of 

Board decisions with the support of the 
Group Chief Executive.

 — Ensuring that 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 Group Chief 
Executive.

 — Ensuring a strong working relationship 
between executive and non-executive 
Directors.

 — Setting clear expectations concerning 
the Company’s culture, values and 
behaviours.

 — Ensuring effective relationships are 
maintained with key stakeholders.

 — 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 
strategic priorities.

 — Maintaining an Executive Board of the 
right calibre and expertise, ensuring 
that succession plans are available and 
reviewed annually with the Chair 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 other stakeholders and 
effectively communicating Halma’s 
investment proposition and purpose.
 — Ensuring the Board hears the voice of 
the wider workforce on company 
matters and decisions.

Executive Directors

 — Implementing and delivering the 

strategy and operational decisions 
agreed by the Board.

 — Making operational and financial 

decisions required in the day-to-day 
management of the Company.

 — Providing executive leadership to senior 

management across the business.
 — Championing the Group’s culture and 

values, reinforcing the governance and 
control procedures.

 — Promoting talent management and 

diversity, equity and inclusion.

 — Ensuring the Board is aware of the view 
of employees on issues of relevance to 
Halma.

100

Time commitment 
Director availability and time commitment to the Company is 
essential and we have experienced no issues with this during a 
particularly busy year where more frequent meetings were held, 
often at short notice. In addition to the scheduled and ad hoc 
Board and Committee meetings, all Directors are expected to 
attend the Annual General Meeting, the annual strategy 
meeting, Accelerate Halma/CEO and undertake operating 
company visits. The Board approve all significant external 
appointments before a Director can accept the appointment. 

Our policy is that executive Directors are permitted to accept one 
external appointment, provided that it is beneficial to the 
Company and the development of the individual. It must not 
present a conflict of interest with the Group’s activities or require 
a significant time commitment which could interfere with the 
performance of their executive duties.

For non-executive Directors, the number of external directorships 
is an important consideration when recruiting and a preferred 
candidate must reassure the Nomination Committee that they 
can allocate sufficient time to the role (around 20 days per 
annum is anticipated) before they are recommended for 
appointment. Prior to the Board’s approval of any additional 
roles, an assessment is made of the time commitment required. 
All Directors are subject to an annual review, and time 
commitment and their personal contribution is a key factor that 
is assessed. 

Tony Rice is Chair of two FTSE 250 companies, in addition to the 
Senior Independent Director and non-executive Director role he 
fulfils at Halma. The Board have no concerns in respect of 
‘over-boarding’ and he shows true commitment to the Company. 
Tony has not only dedicated a considerable amount of time in 
supporting Halma and its businesses over the past year, 
including his attendance at all scheduled and the exceptional 
number of ad hoc Board and Committee meetings, but he has 
admirably led the successful search and appointment process for 
our new Chair. 

Following the Chair’s evaluation of each Director, the Board is 
satisfied that all Directors remain committed to the Company 
and have devoted the appropriate amount of time and effort to 
their role. 

Details of Board attendance during the year is set out on page 
94 and attendance for each Committee is in the relevant 
Committee reports on pages 104, 109 and 115.

How the Board supported strategy
Halma’s clear and focused strategy has led to strong financial 
performance in challenging times and enabled the Board to 
increase the dividend. The Board has supported the evolution of 
Halma’s growth strategy and the development of our growth 
enablers has helped to align the Board’s allocation of human and 
capital resources to its strategic priorities – enabling our 
companies to continue to invest and deliver sustainable growth.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
The Board has set a clear strategy which includes a significant 
growth element being delivered through M&A. Key resources, 
both in terms of people and finance, are made available to 
ensure that we can deliver on this strategic priority. The M&A 
pipeline is regularly reviewed and discussed by the Board and all 
material acquisitions are subject to its approval. Post-acquisition 
value creation strategies are under regular review, along with the 
financial performance of newly acquired businesses.

International Expansion
The Board has formally adopted matters reserved for its decision 
and a schedule of matters that it delegates to executive 
management. This governance structure ensures that major 
changes, financial commitments or new business developments 
are reviewed by the Board, while permitting local and sector 
autonomy to operate and adapt their businesses for 
international growth.

Talent and Culture
The Board recognises the importance of talent and culture in 
driving not only Halma’s growth, but also the behaviours that we 
expect from our people. In September 2016, the Board recognised 
the importance of talent to Halma’s growth strategy and 
appointed Jennifer Ward to the Board to help to shape the talent 
pipeline, lead our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and 
also develop our brand and communications strategy. Talent 
discussions are a key feature at each Nomination Committee 
meeting and monitoring the Group’s culture, diversity, equity and 
inclusion is an important role for the Board.

Finance, Legal and Risk
The Board has established a clear and robust framework to 
control financial investment, oversee financial performance and 
reporting, and to manage risks and opportunities. In 2020, the 
Board endorsed a new legal and compliance framework to 
enable operating companies to maintain their autonomy and 
agility while leveraging the scale of Halma to get quality advice 
and support, via a hand-picked panel of external lawyers, at 
competitive cost.

Digital Growth Engines
The Board take a close interest in Halma’s desire to expand 
its digital capability and, in addition to allocating resource to 
support the Digital & Innovation function and for R&D within 
the operating companies, it appointed Dharmash Mistry in 
April 2021 to bring digital expertise to the Boardroom.

Innovation Network
The Directors share their deep and diverse knowledge and 
experience with senior management and company personnel 
throughout the year – enabling Halma companies to leverage 
the breadth of their network and obtain support, guidance and 
contacts in areas which are new. 

Strategic Communications and Brand
A key focus in the Board’s budget approval process has been 
allocating capital to resource the central and sector teams to 
support our businesses in developing market-leading positions by 
connecting with customers through their brand, marketing, 
product positioning and the effective use of all media channels.

I. Board support
The Board and each Director has access to the advice and 
services of the Company Secretary, Mark Jenkins, and each can 
obtain independent professional advice at the Company’s 
expense.

J. Board appointments
The Board has an established approach for seeking and 
evaluating candidates for Board positions, which was utilised for 
the appointment of Dame Louise Makin and Dharmash Mistry. 

Prior to the Nomination Committee making a recommendation 
to the Board for an appointment, it identifies the skills, 
knowledge and experience required for the roles and agrees a job 
specification with the external search firm. A review of a long list 
of candidates, with commentary from the recruiter, is 
undertaken and any concerns over potential time commitment is 
a key consideration at this stage. Following the Committee’s 
input, a shortlist of candidates is drawn up and interviews are 
held with a number of the Directors – including the Group Chief 
Executive, the Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director 

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

101

 
 
 
The Board’s application of the UK Corporate  
Governance Code Principles continued

A summary of the Board’s activities throughout the year, including standing items and 
matters reserved for its decision, is set out below:

Strategy, Investor Relations 
& Communications

 — Organisational restructure into three 
sectors to align with our purpose.

Talent & Culture

 — Succession planning and talent 

development.

Matters reserved for 
decision by the Board

 — Setting the Group’s long-term objectives 

 —  Chair and non-executive Director 

and commercial strategy.

 — Approving annual operating and capital 

expenditure budgets.

 — Ceasing all or a material part of the 

Group’s business.

 — Significantly extending the Group’s 

activities into new business or 
geographic areas.

 — Changing the share capital or corporate 

structure of the Company.

 — Changing the Group’s management 

and control structure.

 — Approving half year and full year results 

and reports.

 — Approving dividend policy and the 

declaration of dividends.

 — Approving significant changes to 

accounting policies.
 — Approving key policies.
 — Approving risk management procedures 
and policies, including anti-bribery and 
corruption.

 — Approving major investments, disposals, 
capital projects or contracts (including 
bank borrowings and debt facilities).
 — Approving guarantees and material 

indemnities (not otherwise delegated to 
the Bank Guarantees and Facilities 
Committee).

 — Approving resolutions to be put to the 
AGM and documents or circulars to be 
sent to shareholders.

 — Approving changes to the Board 
structure, size or its composition 
(following the recommendation of the 
Nomination Committee).

 — Assessing and monitoring the Group’s 

culture and alignment with its purpose, 
values and strategy.

 — Environmental, Social & Governance and 

appointments.

 —  Engagement survey results.
 — Reviewing UK pension provision and 

paying a Real Living Wage.
 —  Parker Review submission.

Mergers & Acquisitions

 — Acquisition & Disposals.
 — M&A pipeline.
 — Acquisition financing structure.
 — Minority investments and business 

partnerships.
 — Digital growth.

Standing Board  
agenda items

In addition to the Board matters considered 
above over the past year, at each meeting 
there are standing items, which include:

 — Review and approval of the previous 
minutes and conflicts of interest.

 — Status update on any matters 

outstanding from previous meetings.
 — Updates from each Board Committee 
on the activities since the last Board 
meeting.

 — Report from the Group Chief Executive.
 — Report from the Chief Financial Officer.
 — Investor Relations report.
 — M&A update.
 — Health & Safety review.
 — Workforce concerns and monitoring 

culture.
 — Risk review.
 — Legal and governance report.

Science Based Target setting.

 — Brand update.
 — Results Roadshow.
 — Investor Relations updates.
 — Shareholder engagement on 

Remuneration Policy.

Financial & Operational

 — Safe working practices for employees in 

light of the pandemic, including 
monitoring employee cases by site.

 — Financial and operational performance 

in light of the pandemic.

 — Half Year results, Full Year results and 

Trading updates.

 — Final and interim dividend.
 — Budget for 2022.
 — Sector updates and DCE presentations.
 — Employee Benefit Trust share purchases.
 — Share Incentive Plan allocation.
 — Renewal of Global insurance 

programme.

 — APAC growth opportunities and 

structure. 

Governance,  
Compliance & Ethics

 — Externally facilitated Board and 

Committee evaluations.

 — AGM business and voting analysis.
 — 2021 Annual Report.
 — Cyber and IT security update.
 — Legal risk review.
 — Pensions update.
 — Modern Slavery Act Statement. 
 — Annual review of Code of Conduct and 

key policies.

 — 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code 

compliance.

 — Diversity, equity and inclusion, including 
support for the ‘Change the race ratio’.
 — Response to BEIS on their white paper 
on audit and corporate governance 
reforms. 

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O. Risk management and 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 is carried out with the 
assistance of the Audit Committee. While 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 78 
and 79. The Group’s principal risks and uncertainties are detailed 
on pages 80 to 83.

The Board confirms that there is an ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing the emerging and principal 
risks faced by the Group and for determining the nature and 
extent of the significant risks it is willing to take in achieving its 
strategic objectives. The Board, advised by the Audit Committee, 
regularly reviews this process, which has been in place for the 
year under review and up to the date of approval of the Annual 
Report and Accounts. This risk framework is in accordance with 
the Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related 
Financial and Business Reporting. The Board has continued to 
improve and embed controls throughout the Group and will 
continue to keep the systems under review to ensure that the 
internal control and risk management framework remains fit 
for purpose.

The Board’s regular review of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 
management and internal control systems (including financial, 
operational and compliance controls) is principally based on 
reports from management. These reports consider whether 
significant risks have been identified, evaluated, managed and 
controlled. The Group’s external Auditor, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, has audited the financial statements 
and has reviewed the financial control framework to the extent 
considered necessary to support the audit report.

P. Remuneration policies and practices
See Remuneration Committee Report on pages 115 to 139.

Q. Development of Remuneration Policy 
See Remuneration Committee Report on pages 115 to 139.

R. Remuneration outcomes 
See Remuneration Committee Report on pages 115 to 139.

and the Chair. Based on the feedback from these interviews, 
references are taken up for the preferred candidates to inform 
the final decision. The Remuneration Committee agree the terms 
of the proposed offer and the Nomination Committee 
recommends their preferred candidate to the Board for approval. 
Once the candidate indicates that they will accept the role, the 
Board formally approve it and make an announcement to the 
market. 

K. Board skills, experience and knowledge
The skills and experience of each Director is set out in their 
biography on pages 90 and 91. Consideration of the tenure for 
each non-executive Director is a key factor for the Nomination 
Committee in putting in place succession plans. The successful 
appointment of the Chair Designate and a new non-executive 
Director well ahead of the time when the current Chair and 
non-executive Director will step down demonstrates the 
effectiveness of the succession planning process. This has also 
enabled an appropriate overlap for handover and induction.

Newly appointed non-executive Directors follow a tailored 
induction programme, which includes dedicated time with Group 
executives and visits to companies within each of the sectors. 
The Chair reviews the training and development needs of the 
Board, and each individual Director, at least annually. Further 
details can be found in the Nomination Committee Report.

L. Annual Board Effectiveness Review
The Chair leads the annual evaluation of the Board’s 
effectiveness and the individual performance review of each 
Director. The formal evaluation includes an assessment of the 
appropriateness of the Board’s composition and diversity. The 
principal Committees of the Board undertake a separate annual 
evaluation of their effectiveness, in accordance with their terms 
of reference.

For 2021, the Board undertook its triennial externally-facilitated 
evaluation with the support of Independent Audit, which has no 
connection to Halma. The Board, on the recommendation of the 
Nomination Committee, decided that an interview-based 
assessment of the Directors with observation at meetings was 
not appropriate this year. Given the significant changes to the 
Board over the coming months (see below) and the fact that the 
pandemic had altered the normal meeting programme – with 
shorter, virtual meetings being focused largely on business 
critical decisions and the health and wellbeing of our employees 
– an external questionnaire-based evaluation was undertaken. 
The evaluation process and output is described in more detail in 
the Nomination Committee Report.

In line with our succession plans, Paul Walker, Daniela Barone 
Soares and Adam Meyers are standing down from the Board at 
the conclusion of the 2021 AGM and will not be standing for 
re-election. Following the annual evaluation of the Board and its 
Committees, and the individual performance reviews undertaken 
by the Chair, all Directors that are standing for re-election are 
considered to be effective in their role, hold recent and relevant 
experience for Halma’s business and sector and they each 
continue to demonstrate commitment (in terms of time and 
effort) to the role.

Biographical details of each Director are set out on pages 90 and 
91 and in the Notice of Meeting, along with the rationale for 
recommending their re-election.

M. Role of the Audit Committee in ensuring 
independence and effectiveness of internal and external 
audit functions and integrity of reporting
See Audit Committee Report on page 114.

N. Fair, balanced and understandable reporting
See Audit Committee Report on page 114 and Directors’ 
Responsibilities statement on page 143.

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Nomination Committee Report

Paul Walker,  
Nomination Committee Chair

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Committee composition and attendance

Eligible

Attended

Paul Walker (Chair) 

Dame Louise Makin

Carole Cran

Daniela Barone Soares

Jo Harlow

Tony Rice

Roy Twite

Andrew Williams

5

1

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

1

5

5

5

5

5

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From 1 April 2021, Dharmash Mistry became a member of the Committee

The Committee normally schedules three meetings a year. 
However, due to the level of activity during the year, the 
Committee met five times and held a special meeting to discuss 
the appointment of the Chair Designate. The attendance at 
each Committee meeting is set out in the table above.

Board Composition and Diversity
The Board recognises the benefits of a diverse leadership team. 
The table opposite illustrates the composition and diversity of the 
Board at the date of this Report, along with the shape of the 
Board after our 2021 AGM. Details of the gender diversity of all 
our employees, including senior management, are set out in the 
Our people and culture section on page 61.

Committee composition
The Committee comprises the Chair, the Group Chief Executive 
and the five independent non-executive Directors. It is chaired by 
Paul Walker but he did not chair the meeting held in February 
2021 which considered the recommendation to the Board for the 
appointment of Dame Louise Makin as a non-executive Director 
and Chair Designate.

Only Committee members are entitled to attend meetings 
although the Group Talent, Culture and Communications 
Director is a regular attendee and external search consultants 
may be invited for specific items.

Principal role and responsibilities
The Committee is appointed by the Board and operates under 
written terms of reference (available at www.halma.com) which 
are reviewed at least annually.

The primary duties of the Committee are:

 — Reviewing the size, balance and composition of the Board and 
its Committees, ensuring that they have the appropriate skills, 
knowledge and resources to fulfil their duties.

 — Making recommendations to the Board on any changes to the 
structure or composition of the Board and its Committees.

 — Leading the process for new Board appointments.

 — Leading succession planning discussions for Board and senior 

executive positions, including the identification and 
assessment of potential candidates and making 
recommendations to the Board for its approval.

 — Keeping under review the leadership needs of the Group, for 

both executive Directors and other senior executives, including 
any recommendations made by the Group Chief Executive.

 — Monitoring the development and diversity at senior 

management levels, to create a suitable pool of internal 
candidates for Board and Executive Board succession. 

 — Implementing the Board’s own diversity policy.

Activities during the year
The Committee’s main activities have been:

 — Reviewing Chair and Group Chief Executive succession.

 — Working with Lygon Group, who are not connected to the 
Company or any Halma Directors, to identify suitable 
candidates to become the successor to Paul Walker as Chair 
and to identify a non-executive Director with digital expertise.

 — In February 2021, following a search led by Tony Rice, Senior 
Independent Director, recommending to the Board the 
appointment of Dame Louise Makin as non-executive Director 
from 9 February 2021 and Chair from 22 July 2021.

 — In March 2021, recommending to the Board the appointment 
of Dharmash Mistry as non-executive Director from 1 April 
2021.

 — Reviewing the proposed sector reorganisation and proposed 
appointment of Wendy McMillan and Constance Baroudel as 
Sector Chief Executives from 1 April 2021, allowing an extended 
period for the handover of responsibilities from Adam Meyers 
(for the Safety sector) and Laura Stoltenberg (for the 
Environmental & Analysis sector).

 — Appointing Independent Audit, who are not connected to the 
Company or any Halma Directors, to undertake the externally 
facilitated Board and Committee evaluation.

 — Following the individual Director evaluations, recommending 
the re-appointment of all Directors who are standing for 
election or re-election at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

Board Composition and Diversity
The Board recognises the benefits of a diverse leadership team. The charts below illustrate the composition and diversity of the Board at 
the date of this Report and immediately after our 2021 AGM.

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At 10 June 2021

Executive

Composition
Composition
Composition
Executive
Non-executive
Composition
Executive
Non-executive
Composition
Executive
Gender
Non-executive
Composition
Executive
Gender
Non-executive
Female
Executive
Gender
Non-executive
Female
Male
Gender
Non-executive
Female
Male
Gender
Female
Age
Male
Gender
Female
Age
Male
40-49
Female
Age
Male
40-49
50-59
Age
Male
40-49
50-59
Age
40-49
60-69
50-59
Age
40-49
60-69
50-59
Ethnic group
40-49
60-69
50-59
Ethnic group
White
60-69
50-59
Ethnic group
60-69
White
Other
Ethnic group
60-69
White
Other
Ethnic group
White
Nationality
Other
Ethnic group
White
Nationality
Other
British
White
Nationality
Other
British
Other
Nationality
Other
British
Other
Nationality
British
Tenure
Other
Nationality
British
Tenure
Other
0-3 years
British
Tenure
Other
0-3 years
3-6 years
Tenure
Other
0-3 years
3-6 years
Tenure
0-3 years
6-9 years
3-6 years
Tenure
0-3 years
6-9 years
3-6 years
9+ years
0-3 years
6-9 years
3-6 years
9+ years
6-9 years
3-6 years
9+ years
6-9 years
9+ years
6-9 years
9+ years

9+ years

Post 2021 AGM

Executive

Composition
Composition
Composition
Executive
Non-executive
Composition
Executive
Non-executive
Composition
Executive
Gender
Non-executive
Composition
Executive
Gender
Non-executive
Female
Executive
Gender
Non-executive
Female
Male
Gender
Non-executive
Female
Male
Gender
Female
Age
Male
Gender
Female
Age
Male
40-49
Female
Age
Male
40-49
50-59
Age
Male
40-49
50-59
Age
40-49
60-69
50-59
Age
40-49
60-69
50-59
Ethnic group
40-49
60-69
50-59
Ethnic group
White
60-69
50-59
Ethnic group
60-69
White
Other
Ethnic group
60-69
White
Other
Ethnic group
White
Nationality
Other
Ethnic group
White
Nationality
Other
British
White
Nationality
Other
British
Other
Nationality
Other
British
Other
Nationality
British
Tenure
Other
Nationality
British
Tenure
Other
0-3 years
British
Tenure
Other
0-3 years
3-6 years
Tenure
Other
0-3 years
3-6 years
Tenure
0-3 years
6-9 years
3-6 years
Tenure
0-3 years
6-9 years
3-6 years
9+ years
0-3 years
6-9 years
3-6 years
9+ years
6-9 years
3-6 years
9+ years
6-9 years
9+ years
6-9 years
9+ years

9+ years

4

4
8
4
8
4
8
4
8
5
4
8
5
7
8
5
7
5
7
5
7
2
5
7
2
6
7
2
6
2
4
6
2
4
6
2
4
6
4
10
6
4
10
2
4
10
2
10
2
10
2
8
10
2
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4
2
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4
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6
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3
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3
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4
3
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4
5
6
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5
4
5
4
5
2
4
5
2
5
5
2
5
2
2
5
2
2
5
2
2
5
2
8
5
2
8
1
2
8
1
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1
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1
7
8
1
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2
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2
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2
2
7
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2
4
2
2
4
2
2
4
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2
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4)  Undertake a full interview-based external evaluation with a 

mid or top tier evaluation firm.

The sub-committee agreed that the upcoming changes in July 
2021 – namely, the Chair stepping down following eight years 
tenure, the retirement of one non-executive Director who has 
served for nine years, the retirement of one Executive Director 
and the corresponding new appointments to the Board – will 
inevitably change the shape and dynamics of the Board. In 
addition, it was recognised that the pandemic had changed the 
cycle, frequency, format and focus of Board and Committee 
meetings over the past year (which were mainly virtual) such 
that a backwards-looking evaluation would not be reflective of 
the structure, format and business at future meetings. With the 
Committee’s support, it was agreed that it would still be 
beneficial to undertake an external evaluation this year – not 
least to inform the incoming Chair of the current state – and the 
Committee and the Board concluded that a questionnaire-based 
format was most appropriate.

The final step in the process was to select two providers for a 
more detailed review. For each evaluation firm, the sub-
committee reviewed their stated approach, their points of 
difference, cited FTSE clients and the fee proposed. Ultimately, 
the Committee recommended to the Board that Independent 
Audit be appointed to undertake the Board and Committee 
evaluations.

Evaluation structure 
Independent Audit prepared questionnaires for the Board and 
three Committees using their Thinking Board online platform. 
The questions were reviewed by the Company Secretary, the 
Chair and the Committee Chairs and adapted to reflect topics 
that are most relevant to Halma at this time. The questionnaire 
was completed by the Board and Committee members and the 
Company Secretary. The executive Directors did not complete 
the questionnaire for Committees that they are not routinely 
attending. Independent Audit analysed the results and compiled 
a draft report, which was discussed with the Chair and Company 
Secretary. There were no significant revisions made to the report 
before it was issued to the Board. Independent Audit did not 
conduct interviews, observe meetings or review papers as part of 
the exercise but they did present their findings and suggested 
recommendations at the March 2021 Board meeting. 

The report set out the scoring for each question and any 
narrative comments made. Independent Audit analysed the 
statements that scored the lowest and also identified the areas 
where the Directors thought that the Board was doing well. 

Nomination Committee Report continued

Board appointment process
The Board has an established approach for identifying and 
evaluating suitable candidates for Board positions, which was 
utilised in the recruitment of Dame Louise Makin and Dharmash 
Mistry. Prior to the Committee making a recommendation to the 
Board for an appointment, it undertakes the following steps:

 — Agrees the skills, experience and knowledge required for, and 

complementary to, the role.

 — Approves the role specification.

 — Selects an independent global executive search firm, which 

understands Halma’s business model and culture, to prepare a 
long list of potential external candidates and, for executive 
roles, to benchmark against internal candidates identified 
through the Committee’s established succession planning 
process.

 — Reviews the long list of candidate profiles and, based on 
insight from the search firm, creates a shortlist of diverse 
candidates for interview.

 — Interviews are held with several members of the Committee 
(including the Chair and the Group Chief Executive) and the 
Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director. 

 — A preferred candidate or candidates are selected by the 

Committee and professional references taken up.

 — The Committee members meet to share their comments on 
each candidate and confirm their preferred candidate before 
a unanimous or consensus decision is taken to recommend 
one candidate to the Board for appointment.

Board and Committee evaluations
The Committee reviews the process and output from the annual 
Board and Committee evaluations. The formal evaluation 
process involves a review of the performance of each Director 
through individual meetings held with the Chair and for the 
Chair, the Senior Independent Director. The Board and each 
Committee undertakes an evaluation of its own effectiveness 
and reports the findings to the Board. For the year ended 31 
March 2021, the Board concluded that it, and its three 
Committees, had operated effectively.

Evaluation type and evaluator appointment process
In 2021, the evaluation was an externally-facilitated 
questionnaire-based evaluation undertaken by Independent 
Audit. In September 2020, the Committee formed a sub-
committee comprising the Chair, Group Chief Executive, Group 
Talent, Culture and Communications Director and the Company 
Secretary to review the options for the external board evaluation. 
An initial review of the board evaluation market was undertaken 
by the Company Secretary and input obtained from each 
Director on the evaluators they had interacted with in their listed 
companies. This insight helped to shape a long list of 10 providers 
from which a shortlist of five were asked to provide written 
proposals. The Company Secretary engaged directly with each 
firm to understand their approach and points of difference. The 
first decision for the sub-committee was on the format of the 
evaluation. The following options were considered: 

1)  Defer the external evaluation until 2022 or beyond and 

undertake an internal evaluation.

2)  Undertake an internal evaluation exercise with a review by an 

independent external evaluator.

3)  Undertake an externally facilitated questionnaire-based 
evaluation, prepared, administered and analysed by an 
external evaluator.

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External Evaluation Summary

Strengths of the Board
 —  Supports an effective executive team, while providing robust oversight

 — Inclusive and well-chaired collaborative discussions

 — Skills and experience leveraged to provide a good balance of support and challenge

 — High quality papers and strong support from the Company Secretariat

 — Good oversight of strategy and culture

 — Focused on compliance and controls, as well as the Company’s financial health

 — Effective response to the pandemic – determining potential scenarios and contingency actions,  

along with a primary focus on employee safety

Development areas identified

Action taken/to be taken

Understanding the big customer, 
market and technology trends.

At our strategy review, we will refresh our understanding of  
macro-trends and disruptions which could re-shape elements  
of our strategy in the future.

Continuing focus on environmental, social 
and corporate governance (ESG) issues.

Since the evaluation was undertaken, we have already focussed 
heavily on ESG matters – evidenced by our carbon reduction 
commitments and Key Sustainability Objectives.

Re-evaluation of the preparedness 
for significant risk events.

The Board plans to review, in September, the learnings and any 
changes to our operating model or approach that have arisen 
from the experience we have gained through the pandemic,  
to improve our preparedness for future risk events.

Continuing focus on cyber security.

Cyber updates are a regular agenda item at the 
Board and Audit Committee.

Continuing focus on stakeholders 
in Board decision-making.

Decision-making during the pandemic amplified the need to 
carefully consider stakeholder interests in order to strike an 
appropriate balance in Board decisions. The embedded practice  
of reviewing the impact of decisions on our stakeholders has 
become a standard approach for the Board.

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Nomination Committee Report continued

Specific suggestions were made, based on Independent Audit’s 
experience and best practice, in response to areas raised from 
the questionnaire responses. 

approach is favourable, as it enables steps to be taken to achieve 
a genuinely inclusive culture and diverse workforce across all 
levels.

Board Diversity Policy
The Committee recognises the benefits of a diverse Board and 
embraces diversity and inclusion in its widest sense. The Board 
has adopted a Diversity Policy, to complement the group-wide 
diversity and inclusion policy. This Policy confirms our 
commitment to ensuring that all candidates are fairly treated. 
We have achieved great progress on gender diversity at Board 
and Executive Board level and our Group Chief Executive’s 
membership of the 30% Club since 2017 demonstrates our 
long-term commitment to this agenda. We will continue to focus 
our efforts on driving gender and ethnic diversity at the senior 
level throughout our business, complementing management’s 
focus on diversity across the wider workforce. 

The Board supports the recommendations of the Hampton- 
Alexander Review on gender diversity (to have at least 33% 
representation of women on FTSE 350 boards, the executive 
committee and direct reports by the end of 2020) and the Parker 
Review on ethnic diversity (to have at least one director from an 
ethnic minority background on FTSE 100 boards by 2021). 

I am pleased to report that we exceeded the Hampton-
Alexander target - as at 31 December 2020, we had 40% women 
on the Halma Board, 62.5% on the Executive Board and 36% 
women directly reporting into an Executive Board member. 
Halma has also had an ethnically diverse Director on the Board 
since 2011, which is prior to the publication of the Parker Review 
Committee’s final report in October 2017 – so I am pleased to 
report that we met the Parker Review target at its inception and 
we will continue to meet the target this year. 

Maintaining a focus on gender and ethnic diversity remains an 
important factor for the Committee when it is reviewing the 
composition of the Board, its Committees and talent within the 
senior management group. 

Paul Walker
Committee Chair

For and on behalf of the Committee

10 June 2021

Evaluation findings and recommendations 
Independent Audit acknowledged that, overall, responses were 
very positive and that the scores were significantly better than 
most boards that they review. The vast majority of questions 
received a positive score from everyone, indicating that the 
Directors feel that the Board and its committees are functioning 
well across almost all aspects of board effectiveness. They also 
identified that it is indicative of a well-functioning Board that 
non-executive Directors and executives are very aligned in their 
thinking. The report highlighted areas for the Board to develop 
further, clustered around a relatively small number of themes. 

The development areas identified have been reviewed with the 
Chair and Chair Designate and will influence the Board and 
Committee meeting agendas for the coming year to ensure that 
each gets the Board’s focus. We will report on our progress in 
next year’s Committee Report.

The strengths, development areas and agreed actions for the 
Board are summarised in the table above. 

Details of the findings relating to each Committee are set out in 
the respective Committee reports.

The Committee’s evaluation found that it is strong at planning 
and executing succession plans for both non-executive Director 
and executive Director roles and has a good oversight of talent 
management. One area that was identified for further 
consideration was setting diversity and inclusion targets for 
the Group.

In accordance with best practice, Independent Audit have 
reviewed and approved the narrative in this section of the 
Committee’s Report.

Diversity
Halma has a group-wide diversity and inclusion policy which sets 
out our commitment that all candidates are considered fairly, 
regardless of their gender, race, age, sexual orientation, 
professional or academic background and it is our practice to 
ensure that there is a diverse selection of candidates before we 
commence the assessment process. While appointments are 
ultimately based on merit – taking account of an individual’s 
relevant skills and experience for the role – we recognise the 
strong benefits that a diverse workforce brings. Accordingly, we 
require recruiters to make diversity a priority in their selection of 
potential candidates, which ensures that we factor diversity and 
inclusion into our process at the outset.

The work that Halma is doing to improve diversity across the 
Group, along with our open and inclusive culture ensures that all 
candidates are fairly considered for each role. See the Our people 
and culture section on pages 60 to 63 of the Strategic Report for 
more information on the gender diversity across the Group and 
our efforts to further embrace diversity and inclusion. While 
specific targets may be set in the future relating to other 
elements of diversity, we are mindful that maintaining a flexible 

108

Audit Committee Report

Carole Cran, Audit Committee Chair

Committee composition and attendance

Carole Cran (Chair) 

Daniela Barone Soares

Jo Harlow

Tony Rice

Roy Twite

Eligible

Attended

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

From 1 April 2021, Dharmash Mistry became a member of the Committee

During the year, the Committee met formally on four occasions in 
July, September, November and January. The July and November 
meetings focusing on the Full Year and Half Year Reports and 
Results Announcements. The January meeting primarily focusing 
on the external and internal audit plans for the coming year and 
the September meeting, which in 2020/21 covered an IT and cyber 
security controls update and the risk and control environment 
within the Medical and the Environmental & Analysis sectors, 
which were presented by the Chief Technology Officer and Sector 
CEO respectively. 

In addition, during the year as Audit Chair I have regular 
conversations with the Chief Financial Officer, Director of Risk & 
Internal Audit, Group Financial Controller, Company Secretary and 
also the audit partner at PwC, our external Auditor.

Given the impact of COVID-19 on business performance and work 
patterns, the Committee was particularly cognisant of any impact 
this may have on the key accounting judgements and on the 
control environment more broadly, with nothing of note to report 
thanks to everyone’s hard work and the resilience of the business.

Committee composition and induction
The Committee comprised five independent non-executive 
Directors throughout the year, with Dharmash Mistry joining from 
1 April 2021. Carole Cran is Chair of the Committee and continues 
to have recent and relevant financial experience, and competence 
in accounting. Carole qualified as a Chartered Accountant with 
KPMG, has held senior financial positions at FTSE listed companies 
and is currently Chief Financial Officer at Forth Ports Limited and 
was a business representative on the review panel led by Sir Donald 
Brydon to look at the quality standards delivered by UK auditors. 

Only Committee members are entitled to attend meetings, 
although the Committee Chair invites the Chair, executive 
Directors, Group Financial Controller, Director of Risk & Internal 
Audit and representatives from the external Auditor to regularly 
attend meetings. Subject matter experts, such as the Chief 
Technology Officer, Head of Tax (who presented to the January 
2021 meeting), Head of Treasury, sector CEOs and sector CFOs are 
invited to present on a cyclical basis to keep the Committee 
updated.

Appointments to the Committee are made by the Board and the 
remuneration of the Committee Chair reflects the additional 
responsibilities and time commitment required in the role. As part 
of the induction process for new members of the Committee, they 
will meet separately with key individuals – including the 
Committee Chair, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Risk & 
Internal Audit and the external Auditor. While each non-executive 
Director will largely manage their own continuing development, 
the Committee receives relevant updates throughout the year, a 
specific update at the November meeting from the external 
Auditor and may request additional information, as required.

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Audit Committee Report continued

Principal role and responsibilities
The Committee is appointed by the Board and operates under 
written terms of reference (available at www.halma.com) which 
are reviewed annually at the January meeting.

The primary duties of the Committee are:

Financial reporting
 — Reviewing significant financial reporting judgements and 

estimates, and the application of accounting policies, including 
compliance with accounting standards.

 — Ensuring the integrity of the financial statements and 
compliance with UK company law and regulation.

 — Ensuring the Annual Report and Accounts are fair, balanced 

and understandable.

 — Monitoring the integrity of announcements containing financial 

information.

Governance
The Committee has four scheduled meetings per year, to coincide 
with the key events in the corporate reporting calendar and audit 
cycle. The Committee, and independently the Committee Chair, 
regularly meets with the Director of Risk & Internal Audit and 
separately with the external Auditor, without any executive 
Directors present. The Committee Chair maintains regular contact 
with management, particularly the Chief Financial Officer, Group 
Financial Controller and the Company Secretary.

All members of the Committee further their internal network and 
knowledge of the businesses through company visits, corporate 
events and Halma’s annual leadership conference (which was held 
virtually in 2020). 

The Committee receives updates from the external Auditor and 
other professional advisers, where appropriate, on matters 
relevant to financial reporting, internal control, tax, audit and risk.

Internal control
 — Monitoring the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal 

controls and processes.

The Committee as a whole has competence relevant to the 
Company’s sector, with each member bringing valuable 
experience, diversity of thought and independent judgement.

Risk management
 — Reviewing and providing oversight of the processes by which 

Biographies for each member of the Committee are set out on 
pages 90 and 91.

risks are managed. 

 — Reviewing the process undertaken, and the stress-testing 

performed, to support the Group’s Viability Statement and 
Going Concern Statement.

Compliance, fraud and whistleblowing
 — Monitoring compliance with the UK Corporate Governance 

Code.

 — Reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s 

compliance functions; monitoring the processes in place to 
prevent and detect fraud and receiving reports on fraud 
attempts or incidents; reviewing the adequacy of arrangements 
in place to enable employees to raise concerns in confidence.

Internal audit
 — Reviewing and approving the audit work plan and charter.

 — Reviewing reports from audits and monitoring the status of 
remedial actions; monitoring the structure, composition and 
resourcing of the function.

 — Reviewing the role and effectiveness of the function and 

periodically engaging an independent third-party review of 
internal audit’s effectiveness.

External audit
 — Managing the relationship with the external Auditor.

 — Monitoring and reviewing the independence and performance 

of the Auditor and leading the tender process or Senior 
Statutory Auditor change.

 — Formally evaluating Auditor effectiveness.

 — Reviewing the policy on non-audit services carried out by the 

Auditor.

 — Negotiating and approving the Auditor’s fee, the scope of the 

audit and the terms of their engagement.

 — Making recommendations to the Board for the appointment or 

reappointment of the Auditor.

The Committee Chair sets the forward agenda for the year but 
also allows for flexibility in the timing and the schedule to ensure 
that new or unforeseen areas can be appropriately reviewed. The 
agenda and meeting papers are circulated in a timely manner, in 
accordance with the terms of reference. 

The Committee Chair reports to the Board after each meeting on 
the key matters discussed. Committee minutes are circulated to 
all Board members and the external Auditor once they have been 
approved. Internal Audit reports that identify any significant 
control or compliance weakness, or other risk that requires 
immediate management attention, are circulated to the 
Committee via the Company Secretary when the report is issued. 
At the same time, commentary from the Chief Financial Officer 
on the background to the weakness, any mitigating controls and 
the actions being taken to address the findings is sent to the 
Committee members.

An evaluation of the Committee’s own effectiveness is undertaken 
each year and the findings are reported to the Board. In 2021, this 
evaluation took the form of an externally-facilitated Committee-
specific questionnaire prepared by Independent Audit and the 
report was provided to all Committee members. The evaluation 
demonstrated that the Committee was working effectively and 
noted that the members of the Committee considered it to be 
exercising good oversight of the reporting environment and 
effectively supporting and overseeing the work of the internal and 
external auditors. Some areas for improvement were identified 
which the Committee Chair discussed with the Chair, Group Chief 
Executive, Chief Financial Officer and the external Auditor to form 
a collective view on how best to address these points. A proposal 
was presented at the June 2021 Audit Committee and the actions 
to address each area were agreed.

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External Auditor
The external Auditor is appointed to give an opinion on the Group 
and Company financial statements. The audit includes the review 
and testing of the data contained in the financial statements to 
the extent, and materiality level, necessary for expressing an audit 
opinion as to whether they present a true and fair view of the state 
of the Group and parent company affairs as at 31 March 2021. 
Following a tender process, PwC were appointed Auditor to the 
Company at the Annual General Meeting in 2017. Owen Mackney 
has been the Senior Statutory Auditor since 2017 and, in 
accordance with our Auditor Independence Policy, he will 
undertake his last audit for Halma for 2021/22.

Audit tendering
The Committee has primary responsibility for recommending to 
the Board the appointment or re-appointment of the external 
Auditor before it is put to shareholders at the AGM. The 
Committee will, at the appropriate time, lead the audit tender 
process. This process will be carried out at least every 10 years and, 
unless it is undertaken earlier, it is the Committee’s policy to 
consider whether a tender is appropriate every five years – to 
coincide with the change in Senior Statutory Auditor. Accordingly, 
it is anticipated that the Committee will review the position this 
year, ahead of the financial year end in 2022. If a tender is not 
considered to be appropriate, then the rationale will be stated 
within the Committee’s Report next year.

Statement of compliance
The Company confirms that it complied throughout the year with 
the provisions of the Competition and Markets Authority’s 
Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation 
(Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit 
Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014. 

Auditor objectivity and independence  
(including non-audit fees)
The Group has adopted a Policy on ‘Auditor Independence and 
Services provided by the External Auditor’ which sets out the 
limited services that the external Auditor can provide to Group 
companies, which do not conflict with the Auditor’s independence. 
The Policy was updated last year to align to the FRC’s revised 
Ethical Standard which applied from March 2020 and a summary 
is set out on page 112.

During the year, three pieces of permitted audit-related services 
work (in addition to the Half Year Report review) were undertaken 
by PwC, with total fees of circa £36,000. This work was pre-
approved by the Committee Chair and reported to the Committee 
in accordance with our Policy.

In addition to Halma’s Policy, the Auditor runs its own 
independence and compliance checks, prior to accepting any 
engagement, to ensure that all non-audit work is compliant with 
the Ethical Standard in force and that there is no conflict of 
interest.

The audit fees payable to PwC for the year ended 31 March 2021 
were £1.7m (2020: £1.7m) and permitted audit-related service fees 
were £0.1m (2020: £0.1m).

Activities during the year
The Committee’s main activities have been:

 — Reviewing on behalf of the Board the Half Year Report and 

Annual Report and Accounts and considering the key 
accounting judgements and estimates that affect the 
application of the policies and reported values, particularly in 
light of COVID-19.

 — Reviewing the Half-Year and Year-End risk and assurance 

process.

 — Reviewing the FRC’s Audit Quality Review Report on PwC.

 — Reviewing the Group’s whistleblowing and compliance 

procedures and reports raised.

 — Receiving updates on IT and cyber risk controls presented by the 

Chief Technology Officer.

 — Re-approving the Tax Strategy and recommending its approval 

to the Board.

 — Agreeing the external Auditor fee.

 — Approving the Internal Audit Charter and work plan.

 — Appointing KPMG to undertake an external evaluation of the 

Internal Audit function and reviewing the output.

 — Reviewing the systems and controls for the prevention of 

bribery.

 — Reviewing the Group’s Principal and Emerging Risks.

 — Reviewing the externally-facilitated Committee evaluation and 

agreeing appropriate actions.

 — Receiving a presentation from the Group Head of Tax.

 — Receiving a presentation from the Sector CEO on the controls 
environment in the Medical and Environmental & Analysis 
sectors.

 — Receiving a technical accounting update from the Auditor.

 — Formulating a response to BEIS on the audit and governance 
reforms white paper, with a focus on sharing our view on the 
potential implications for the Group.

 — Reviewing the outcome of the IFRS Interpretations Committee 

final agenda decision on configuration or customisation costs in 
a cloud computing arrangement within IAS38 Intangible Assets 
– and considering its impact on the Group for the current year 
and potential impact on future years.

Whistleblowing
The Committee have responsibility for reviewing the adequacy and 
security of the Group’s arrangements for employees and 
contractors to raise concerns about possible improprieties in 
financial reporting, fraud, other financial or ethical misconduct. 
Halma has appointed an external third-party provider, 
NavexGlobal, to operate a confidential, multilingual, telephone 
and web reporting service, 24/7, through which concerns can be 
raised. Further details are set out in the Our polices and procedures 
section on 86. 

All reports are provided to the Company Secretary for review, to 
ensure that they are appropriately investigated – with the support 
of Internal Audit and external resource, if required. In line with 
many listed companies, most matters reported through the 
NavexGlobal service relate to personnel/HR matters and, while 
these are not areas for review by the Committee, such matters are 
duly investigated in the same manner and reported directly to the 
Board in its role of monitoring culture and workforce concerns. 
Following a review during the year, the Committee was satisfied 
with the adequacy and security of the arrangements in place for 
concerns to be raised.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Audit Committee Report continued

Policy on auditor independence and services
Permitted audit-related services
Audit-related services are non-audit services, as specified in 
the revised Ethical Standard, that are largely provided by the 
external auditor and where the work is closely related to the 
work performed in the audit and where threats to auditor 
independence are clearly insignificant and safeguards need 
not be applied. These audit-related services include:

 — Reporting required by law or regulation to be provided by 

the auditor.

 — Reviews of interim financial information.

 — Reporting on regulatory returns.

 — Reporting to a regulator on client assets.

 — Reporting on government grants.

 — Reporting on internal financial controls when required by 

law or regulation.

 — Extended audit work that is performed on financial 

information and/or financial controls where this work is 
integrated with the audit work and is carried out on the 
same principal terms and conditions.

The external auditor can be engaged by management to 
perform audit-related services, and without the requirement 
for a separate tender process, unless the anticipated fees 
exceed £150,000. If the anticipated fees are above £150,000, 
the Committee must approve the decision to engage the 
external auditor in advance, and always subject to the overall 
fee cap outlined below. The Committee is notified of audit-
related projects with the external auditor which have 
estimated fees between £75,000 and £150,000 and, at each 
meeting, the Committee will receive a summary of all fees, 
audit and non-audit related, that are payable to the external 
auditor.

Non-audit services (other than audit-related services)
The general policy is that the external Auditor must not carry 
out any non-audit services (other than audit-related services) 
for the Company or its global subsidiaries. In exceptional 
circumstances, the Committee (or the Committee Chair for 
amounts up to £15,000) may approve the engagement but 
only where:

 — The services are permitted (such that they fall within the 
specific categories of services listed at Section 5B of the 
Ethical Standard).

 — The auditor is considered to be the most suitable supplier of 

the services.

 — The external auditor’s independence would not be 

compromised.

Fee cap for audit-related and non-audit services
The total fees for audit-related and non-audit services paid to 
the external auditor in any year cannot exceed 70% of the 
average fees for audit services charged over a three-year 
period. 

Financial statements and significant accounting matters
During the year and prior to the publication of the Group’s results 
for the half year ended 30 September 2020 and the full year ended 
31 March 2021, the Committee considered the significant risks and 
material issues, judgements and estimates made in relation to the 
Group’s financial statements, comprising:

 — The value of goodwill, due to the significance of the amounts 

recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the 
judgements and estimates involved in assessing goodwill for 
impairment.

 — The valuation of contingent consideration arising on acquisitions 

in prior periods.

 — the risk that acquisitions are not accounted for correctly in line 
with IFRS 3 ‘Business combinations’ including the recording of 
fair value adjustments and the identification and valuation of 
acquired intangible assets.

 — The judgements and estimates involved in valuing defined 

benefit pension plans including the discount rate, the mortality 
assumption and the inflation rate.

 — Compliance risks with existing and evolving tax legislation.

 — The carrying value of Capitalised Development Costs (CDCs).

 — The carrying value of trade receivables in light of the COVID-19 

pandemic.

 — The going concern status of the Group and any impact to 

future viability.

These issues were discussed with management at various stages 
during the year and during the preparation and finalisation of the 
financial statements. After reviewing the presentations and 
reports from management, the Committee is satisfied that the 
financial statements appropriately address the critical judgements 
and key estimates, both in respect of the amounts reported and 
the disclosures made. The Committee is also satisfied that the 
significant assumptions used for determining the value of assets 
and liabilities have been appropriately scrutinised, challenged and 
are sufficiently robust. The Committee has discussed these issues 
with the Auditor during the audit planning process and at the 
finalisation of the year-end audit and is satisfied that its 
conclusions are in line with those drawn by the Auditor in relation 
to these issues.

The Committee’s process for challenging the assumptions of 
management and addressing the risks identified includes the 
following activities:

 — Assessing treatments of contingent consideration payment 

arrangements against the requirements of IFRS 3 and IFRS 13.

 — Focusing on, monitoring regularly and constructively 

challenging, the reasonableness of the assumptions used in 
impairment calculations by management.

 — Challenging the appropriateness of judgements and forecasts 

used including discount rates, growth rates, the level of 
aggregation of individual cash generating units and 
methodology applied, and any other associated disclosures in 
note 11 to the Accounts.

 — Assessing capitalisation and the carrying value of development 

costs in line with the accounting policy and standards.

 — Assessing the assumptions in determining the pension 

obligations, particularly given market volatility and determining 
whether the key assumptions were reasonable.

 — Considering the appropriateness and reasonableness of stated 
judgements and conclusions and that reporting was accurate.

 — Assessing the position taken with regards to tax judgements.

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Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function and the external Auditor
The Committee undertakes an annual review of the effectiveness of both the Internal Audit function and the External Auditor. During 
the year KPMG were engaged to perform an independent review of the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function. For the External 
Auditor, the review process was conducted primarily by way of a tailored on-line questionnaire which was completed by Committee 
members and other senior management who are engaged in the audit process. A summary of the process and key findings is set out 
below.

Internal audit evaluation process and outcome

External review 
covering 

Interviews held with

Results 

Outcome

 — Review of key documentation

 — Audit Committee Chair

 — Review of a sample of audit files 

 — Group Chief Executive

 — Interviews with key business 

 — Chief Financial Officer

stakeholders

 — Benchmarking against internal 
audit functions in comparable 
organisations

 — Company Secretary

 — Managing Director for Halma IT

 — Sample of Sector management

 — Sample of company Board 

members

 — Internal Audit

 — PwC Audit Partner

The report was shared with 
the Audit Committee and the 
findings presented by KPMG 
at a Committee meeting.

Following review of the 
outcome of the quality 
assessment and feedback 
from the Chief Financial 
Officer and the Chair, the 
Committee concluded that 
the Internal Audit function is 
effective and that its strategy 
is in line with best practice.

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External audit evaluation process

Bespoke 
questionnaire 
covering

Questionnaire 
completed by

 — External audit partner time 

 — Committee members

commitment

 — Quality of the team

 — Accounting, technical and 

governance insight

 — Policies for compliance with the 

revised Ethical Standards

 — Quality and timeliness of 

reporting 

 — Clarity and authority of 

communications

 — Group Chief Executive

 — Chief Financial Officer

 — Director of Risk & Internal 

Audit

 — Company Secretary

 — Company CFOs

 — Sector CFOs

 — Group Financial Controller

Results

Outcome

Results of the questionnaire 
are collated centrally by the 
Group Financial Controller and 
a summary of the findings and 
the FRC’s AQR Report on PwC 
as a firm, are provided to the 
Committee and the external 
Auditor.

Following a review by the 
Committee of the outcome 
from the 2021 questionnaire 
and the AQR Report findings, 
the Committee confirmed 
that PwC is effective as 
external Auditor and 
recommended to the Board 
their reappointment as 
Auditor be proposed to 
shareholders at the 2021 AGM. 

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Audit Committee Report continued

As part of the above process the Committee specifically 
considered the following:

 — The treatment and valuation of the contingent consideration 

payable in relation to NeoMedix and NovaBone, as well as those 
relating to smaller acquisitions.

 — The fair value of acquired intangible assets and carrying values 
arising on the acquisition in the year of Static Systems Group.

 — The appropriateness of the assumptions used in and outcomes 
of the Group’s goodwill impairment review during the year, as 
well as the associated disclosures.

 — The assumptions around discount rate and inflation rate that 
resulted in the significant increase in the net liability on the 
pension obligations.

 — The evidence supporting the going concern basis of accounts 

preparation, the Viability Statement and the risk management 
and internal control disclosure requirements.

 — The judgements around the carrying value of tax provisions and 
uncertainties, in particular, the potential impact on the Group 
of the European Commission’s decision against the UK 
Government relating to the UK Controlled Foreign Company 
partial exemption being illegal State Aid.

Risk management and internal controls
The Committee maintains oversight of the risk management and 
internal control framework and monitors its effectiveness. During 
2021, the risk management and internal control processes, that 
were enhanced in the prior year, were embedded across the 
business. Individual risk owners, the Divisional Chief Executives, 
Executive Board and Halma Board were fully engaged in the 
process to update the Group’s Principal Risks and the new 
minimum controls framework sets a clear expectation on the 
baseline of controls and compliance that Halma companies 
require. Regular reporting to the Committee by the Director of 
Internal Audit & Risk, and by circulation of internal audit findings 
to Committee members, ensures that there is a good 
understanding of any non-compliance that arises and the swift 
action being taken to close any gaps.

The Committee is satisfied that the risk management and internal 
control framework remains robust and effective, while still allowing 
autonomous and agile decision-making which is essential to 
Halma’s decentralised structure and an integral part of Halma’s 
growth strategy. No significant failings or weaknesses have been 
identified in the internal controls. Full details of the internal control 
framework and approach to risk management are set out on 
pages 78 and 79.

Internal Audit
The Internal Audit function comprises the Director of Risk & 
Internal Audit and four audit managers – two based in the UK, one 
in the USA and one in China. The structure of the function ensures 
coverage across the Group’s global operations. A risk-based audit 
work plan is agreed by the Committee annually and takes account 
of the rotational visits undertaken by the external Auditor under 
their audit programme. In addition, companies acquired during 
the year are audited within nine months from the date that they 
are acquired. Progress against the work plan is reviewed at each 
Committee meeting, in order that any changes in priorities or 
resourcing can be discussed and agreed.

The Committee has oversight of the internal audit budget and 
resources available and it has satisfied itself that the Internal Audit 
function has the appropriate level of resources and funds available 
to undertake its role. During the year, the Committee approved an 
increase in headcount, to add a US-based auditor to provide 
sufficient risk-based coverage for the USA as the group continues 
to grow. In addition, Grant Thornton have been appointed to 
provide IT co-source resource. All Internal Audit reports are issued 
to management and the external Auditor. Any reports which 
contain high priority findings which require immediate 
management action, are circulated to the Committee with 
commentary from the Chief Financial Officer on the underlying 
issues and remedial or mitigating actions being taken to address 
the findings. 

Fair, balanced and understandable 
To ensure that the report and accounts are fair, balanced and 
understandable, the Committee considers the output from a 
series of focused exercises that take place during the Annual 
Report and Accounts production process. These can be 
summarised as follows:

 — A qualitative review, performed by the Group’s Finance and 
Secretarial functions, of disclosures and a review of internal 
consistency throughout the Annual Report and Accounts. This 
review assesses the Annual Report and Accounts against 
objective criteria drawn up for each component of the 
requirement (individual criteria that indicate ‘fairness’, ‘balance’ 
and ‘understandability’ as well as criteria that overlap two or 
more components). 

 — A risk comparison review which assesses the consistency of the 

presentation of risks and significant judgements throughout the 
main areas of risk disclosure in the Annual Report and Accounts.

 — A formal review of all Board and Committee meeting minutes 
by the Company Secretary to ensure that all significant issues 
are appropriately reflected and given due prominence in 
narrative reporting.

 — Preparation and issue to the Committee of the key working 
papers and results for each of the significant issues and 
judgements considered by the Committee in the period.

The Directors’ statement on a fair, balanced and understandable 
Annual Report and Accounts is set out on page 143.

Carole Cran
Committee Chair

For and on behalf of the Committee 
10 June 2021

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Remuneration Committee Report

Jo Harlow, Remuneration Committee 
Chair

Committee composition and attendance

Eligible

Attended

Jo Harlow (Chair)

Dame Louise Makin

Tony Rice

Paul Walker

Daniela Barone Soares

Roy Twite

Carole Cran

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Dharmash Mistry became a member of the Committee with effect from 1 April 2021.

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present our Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the year ending 31 March 2021 and I am 
particularly pleased to be presenting this as Halma reports its 
18th consecutive year of profit growth in the most challenging of 
circumstances. Halma continues to be a purpose-driven business 
with a sustainable mix of organic and acquisition growth, 
delivering 42 consecutive years of dividend per share growth of 
5% or more.

This report includes both our proposed Remuneration Policy 
(which will be submitted for shareholder approval at the 2021 
AGM) and our Annual Report on Remuneration, which sets out 
how our current policy was implemented during the year under 
review, and how, subject to its approval, our revised policy will be 
applied for the year ahead.

Our Response to COVID-19
I would like to start this letter by addressing how we responded to 
the COVID-19 crisis, noting that Halma’s business model, agility 
and resilience were major assets throughout the pandemic, as 
evidenced by the results we have achieved in such an 
unprecedented time. 

The points below outline the early remuneration actions taken to 
preserve cash due to the high level of uncertainty of our business 
performance related to the pandemic, as well as actions taken to 
restore pay where appropriate: 

 — Annual merit increases were initially deferred for all employees 
with increases subsequently awarded to those below Executive 
Board as of 1 October 2020. Pay freezes were maintained for 
Executive Directors and as such no increases were awarded 
throughout the 2021 fiscal year.

 — Company, Sector and Group leaders also took a pay reduction, 
with the Halma plc and Executive Board members taking a 
20% pay reduction for the three-month period from 1 April to 
30 June 2020. Normal salaries were reinstated in July 2020. 
Bonuses were paid and share-related awards were granted to 
eligible employees in respect of the 2020 performance. As we 
delivered positive results through the pandemic year, we have 
restored employee sacrificed pay across the Group. This 
payment will be made as a top up to the formulaic outcome 
of the 2021 annual bonus to ensure that the bonus makes up 
the salary waived. However, this pay restoration will not be 
made to the members of the Executive and plc Boards.

 — A self-funded furlough scheme was put in place for the small 
percentage of our workforce who were furloughed by their 
companies. 

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Remuneration Committee Report continued

Halma did not request or receive support from the UK 
Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We also did 
not utilise the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Finance Facility. 
Halma did not need to raise additional capital, maintained 
payments to suppliers, paid back debt that came due in the 
period and was able to pay final 2020 and interim 2021 dividends. 

The Committee continuously monitored remuneration decisions 
being taken across the Group over the fiscal year and considered 
executive pay in the context of the wider workforce and the 
broader impact on society, the Company and its shareholders. 
Whilst in parts of the world businesses and life are returning to 
some form of normality, for Halma, as a global business, the 
speed of recovery and the return to a more usual operating 
environment will vary across the sectors and geographies in 
which we operate. Our priority therefore remains, as it has been 
throughout the pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our 
employees, our communities and customers. I know I and my 
colleagues on the Board are immensely grateful to all our 
employees for the dedication and commitment they have shown 
through this difficult year and to the management who have 
been exceptional in their leadership through this crisis. 

Performance outcomes for 2021
In spite of the pandemic, our business has demonstrated robust 
levels of performance through this last year, with strong returns. 
Return on Sales increased from 19.9% to 21.1% and Return in Total 
Invested Capital (ROTIC) of 14.4% remaining well above our 
Weighted Average Cost of Capital of 6.7%. We have also seen 
adjusted profit growth of 4% in an extremely difficult year. Our 
financial strength has enabled continued investment in organic 
growth, as well as the return to Halma’s strategy of acquisition 
growth, with the acquisition of Static Systems Group in 
December 2020 and PeriGen in April 2021. Our total shareholder 
return has continued to materially outperform the FTSE 100 
index, with an investment of £100 in Halma shares on 31 March 
2018 worth £177 as at 31 March 2021, compared to £109 for a 
similar investment in the FTSE 100 index. As mentioned above,  
we have also been able to continue with our progressive dividend 
policy, paying both a full year dividend for 2020 and the interim 
dividend of 6.87p per share for 2021 in February this year. The 
Board’s recommendation of a final dividend of 10.78p per share, 
results in a total dividend for the year of 17.65p, representing an 
increase of 7.0% on the prior year. 

Putting the 2021 outcomes into the context of Halma’s consistent 
delivery of growth, returns and value, Halma has delivered 
another outstanding year, in spite of the pandemic. Halma’s 
valuation reflects a rapid rise through the FTSE 100, based on 
strong fundamentals and future growth prospects:

 — Growth: Positive EPS growth every year, with an EPS 

compound annual growth rate of 11.1% over the last ten years, 
versus a KPI target of greater than or equal to 10%.

 — Returns: ROTIC well above target of greater than or equal to 
12% every year over the last ten years, with average ROTIC of 
15.9%, roughly double the cost of capitall.

 — Cash generation: Cash conversion has exceeded our KPI of 

greater than or equal to 85% every year for the last ten years, 
averaging 90%.1

Remuneration outcomes for 2021
At the start of the 2021 fiscal year and as the extent of the 
COVID-19 pandemic became apparent, the business made a 
prudent management decision to create a £5m central bad debt 
provision for potential impact on its receivables. As the extent or 
quantum of any bad debt was unknown at the time, the 
Committee considered it was equitable to exclude this item in 
rewarding management for the strong performance in 2020. The 
2021 figures do not include the release of the £5m central bad 
debt provision which remains on the Balance Sheet as we go into 
2022. The release of any or all of this provision will also be 
excluded from future remuneration award calculations.

Bonuses for 2021 were based on Economic Value Added (EVA) 
performance against a weighted average target of EVA for the 
past three years, and the targets were set to take COVID-19 into 
account. The Committee considered the targets to be both 
demanding and appropriate for the circumstances. 

The Group’s EVA performance metric generated total annual 
bonus payments for the executive directors of 48.2% of 
maximum potential outcome, with one third deferred into shares 
which will become available after two years. The Committee 
believes that this payout reflects the self-sufficient and robust 
performance of the business through this most difficult year. 

In line with the changes made to the annual bonus plan for 2021, 
the Executive Share Plan (ESP) targets were set to ensure 
alignment with the changes to business forecasts due to 
COVID-19 and the 2020 grant was made on this basis. No change 
was made to inflight awards granted in 2018 and 2019.

For the 2018 ESP award, the three-year performance for average 
ROTIC (15.3%) and adjusted EPS growth over the three-year 
period (9.04%) has been strong and is reflected in the 73.7% 
vesting percentage.

In line with the 2018 Corporate Governance Code (Code), the 
Committee reviewed the outcomes of the individual incentive 
plans as well as the overall levels of remuneration to ensure that 
they remained consistent with the underlying performance of the 
business. The Committee is satisfied that the total remuneration 
received by Executive Directors in respect of the year ended 31 
March 2021 is a fair reflection of performance over the period and 
no use of discretion is warranted.

Remuneration Policy Review
Our remuneration principles
Our current policy was approved by shareholders at the 2018 
AGM with a vote of over 97% in favour. The 2018 Policy reflected 
no material changes to the previous policy, acknowledging that 
we had just become a member of the FTSE 100. We have 
continued to operate our executive remuneration framework 
in a culture of strong governance and clear purpose and this 
approach has been supported by the principles which underline 
our current Policy:

Performance
A strong pay for performance culture, focusing on the long-term 
success of the organisation and the alignment to business 
strategy.

Talent
A dedication to attracting, retaining and motivating  
the right quality of talent, acknowledging the Halma DNA.

Growth and returns
A balance of focus on growth and returns ensuring the creation 
of shareholder value.

1  We have changed our cash conversion KPI to 90% to account for the beneficial effect of 

implementation of IFRS 16, which increases cash conversion by approximately 5 percentage 
points. This change took effect in 2020 and applies to all subsequent years. We have not 
restated historical comparatives prior to 2020, which should be compared to the previous 
85% target.

Our culture
A focus on being a good corporate citizen in line  
with our culture, the 2018 Corporate Governance code and 
market best practice.

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This change will be accompanied by an increase to employer 
pension contributions for the UK wider workforce, subject  
to a pensions consultation process. Specifically, there will be a 
change to the upper limit of the company contribution rate to 
10.5%, the introduction of a new employee contribution tier 
with employees on the lowest pay offered higher company 
contributions. For most of our lower paid employees there is an 
increase in company contributions offered of at least 1%, 
showing our commitment to the financial wellbeing of our 
employees. In addition, we will formalise a decision that was 
made last year for any new UK Executive Director appointee – 
whether internal or external – to receive a company pension 
contribution (or cash equivalent) of 10.5% of salary, aligned  
with the new maximum company contribution rate offered  
to the UK employees. 

Incentive maximums
 — A re-calibration of the incentive quantum to align with the 
FTSE 100, (excluding financial services companies), with 
increases to maximum opportunity under the annual bonus 
and ESP to be implemented immediately for the 2021 awards. 
Specific details are noted on page 124. 

Shareholding guidelines
 — An increase to shareholding guidelines aligned to the increase 

in incentive quantum.

Post-cessation shareholding guidelines
 — The introduction of a two-year post-cessation shareholding 

requirement at the lower of the share ownership guidelines or 
actual shareholding. 

Malus and Clawback
 — The introduction of enhanced malus and clawback provisions, 

applying to both the annual bonus and ESP awards.

Performance measures and sustainability
 — The current flexibility to amend the annual bonus will be 

extended to the long-term incentive plan in the New Policy, 
ensuring that sustainability can be incorporated in the future 
in the annual bonus and / or the long-term incentives. Around 
two-thirds of Halma’s revenue is broadly aligned with the four 
UN sustainability goals (SDG 3, 6, 9 and 11) that underpin 
Halma’s purpose of growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future 
for everyone, every day. In that regard, the current measures 
for the annual bonus and the LTIP are also measuring Halma’s 
success in focusing on sustainability. As a result of a strong, 
strategic leadership focus on diversity and inclusion over the 
last several years, over 60% of Halma’s leaders on our 
Executive Board today are women. To further amplify our 
positive impact, the intention is to measure and track 
potential additional key environmental and social indicators 
over 2022, with a view to selecting the most appropriate for 
implementation in remuneration from 1 April 2022. The 
Committee will consider whether the selected measures are 
both material and measurable enough to become additional 
metrics or modifiers to the existing financial measures. 
Therefore, through 2022, there will be a focus on core business 
financials in incentives, both annual and long-term.

We believe that these principles continue to serve us well and 
were used to consider changes for the 2021 policy update. The 
focus areas of our policy review were to implement changes in 
line with updates to the UK Corporate Governance Code, and to 
ensure that Halma’s executive pay structure is aligned with 
stakeholder experience and reflects the Company’s historical 
growth and future growth potential.

The talent that drove this success 
Our strong financial results have translated into significant 
returns for shareholders. In response, Halma’s valuation has 
grown over the last five years from the FTSE 250, into the FTSE 
100 in December 2017 and at the time of writing, the FTSE 50. 
Halma’s outstanding leadership team has been critical to 
achieving Halma’s success and the Committee is keen to ensure 
that Halma continues to be able to motivate, retain and 
recognise this talent. 

At the Board we review the succession plans and talent base for 
the Company regularly. Further, the recruitment, development 
and retention of talent at all levels has been identified as a 
principal risk with a high gross risk level (as noted on page 81). 

As Halma has grown and has actively diversified its portfolio of 
companies and business models, the scale, scope and complexity 
of group, sector and operating company leadership roles have 
also grown substantially. Accordingly, there has been significant 
investment in our high performers and the recruitment of new 
talent globally to ensure Halma has the appropriate capabilities 
to fulfil its growth ambitions. Consequently, we have made 
significant amendments to remuneration below the Board to 
attract and retain this high calibre talent. At the same time, we 
have been conservative with Executive Director remuneration, 
with Halma’s pay remaining aligned with the FTSE 250 
benchmark. 

The recruitment of talent in key roles at the corporate and 
individual company level has created compression with Executive 
Director pay. Retention risk has also become acute, as Halma 
has seen two members of the Executive Board leave the business; 
one to become a CEO at a FTSE 250 company and the other to 
join a private equity business. The Committee is also concerned 
that effective succession planning for the CEO and other 
Executive Director roles is not possible unless Halma offers an 
appropriate remuneration package for its size, complexity and 
growth trajectory. As such, the Committee has concluded that 
the new policy must address these issues in the current quantum 
of its Executive Directors. 

The proposed changes 
We engaged with shareholders representing circa 50% of our 
share capital, along with proxy agencies and we have really 
valued the time that has been taken to consider and fully 
understand our proposals. The constructive feedback we have 
received through our two rounds of shareholder consultation – 
via virtual meetings, emails and letters – has helped shape the 
Committee’s thinking and the development of our New Policy. 
The key changes are:

Pensions
 — We will align the pension contributions of the Executive 

Directors with those of the wider workforce. The incumbent 
Executive Directors have voluntarily committed to lowering 
their cash-in-lieu pension contributions, in a single step, to 
10.5% by 31 December 2022. For Andrew Williams, our Group 
CEO, this is a reduction from 26% (20% pension contribution 
and 6% Defined Benefit pension compensatory payment)  
and for the other executive directors, a reduction from 18.7%.  

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Remuneration Committee Report continued

Quantum
As part of our consultation process, we found broad agreement 
with our shareholders on the need to align Halma’s remuneration 
to its current size and complexity. We are cognisant of the 
current climate around executive pay and so I would like to set 
out further information regarding the salary and incentive 
quantum increases below: 

 — Our Executive Directors are high performing with an excellent 
track record in delivering both strong company performance 
and growth as evidenced by 18 consecutive years of record 
profit and a TSR of 690% over a ten-year period, making them 
highly attractive beyond the FTSE and the UK. 

 — No salary increases have been awarded to Executive Directors 
since 1 April 2019 because of a pay freeze implemented in 2021 
due to COVID-19 uncertainty. 

 — We have been conservative in Executive Director salary 

progression and quantum changes to our Policy, resulting in 
Executive Director remuneration packages that remain aligned 
to those of a FTSE 250 company. The Committee believes it is 
necessary to reset both salary and incentive maximums in 
alignment with the FTSE 100 in order to resolve its concerns 
regarding compression, retention and succession. Even though 
Halma has grown in value to the FTSE 50, we believe it is 
appropriate to review pay against the FTSE 100 (excluding 
financial services companies) in this policy review.

 — The increased levels of salary and incentive quantum will 

ensure that our Executive Directors will be rewarded for the 
continued delivery of growth, while continued stretching 
target ensure that maximum payout will be accompanied by 
increased shareholder value. It will also ensure appropriate 
differentiation between the CEO, other Executive Directors, 
the Executive Board and high performing talent.

 — The Remuneration Committee considered shareholder 

feedback carefully and decided to amend the proposal with an 
increase to base salaries being implemented over a two-year 
period, as opposed to our initial proposal of a one-year period. 
The second increase would be subject to successful business 
performance achieved in 2022 and the phased increases are 
set out below:

Executive Director2 

Group CEO
Group CFO
GTCC Director

Current 
Position

Proposed 
Change – 2022

£669,325
£425,000
£340,000

£776,500
£493,000 
£395,000

Proposed 
Change – 2023, 
subject to
 performance

£900,000
£574,000
£460,000

 — The intention is for this to be a one-off salary adjustment 

(implemented over two years) before returning to our normal 
approach of restraint, with future increases being aligned to 
the increases for the wider workforce (barring further 
significant changes to role and complexity). 

The Committee has thought very carefully about these changes 
and believes that they are fully aligned with shareholders’ 
interests. 

Chair’s remuneration
Last year, in line with the overall sentiment of the decision for 
salary reductions to be taken by the Executive and non-executive 
Directors, a planned increase to the Chair’s fee noted in our 2019 
report was deferred acknowledging the impact of COVID-19. We 
have now taken the opportunity to review the fees for our Chair 
and you will find details of this on page 134. 

2  No details set out here for the Sector Chief Executive – Safety, Adam Meyers. Please see the 

next page for director changes.

Remuneration arrangements for 2022
We continue to operate our executive remuneration framework in 
a culture of strong governance and in line with our clear purpose.

We will continue to use EVA as the performance metric for 
annual bonus, with stretching growth targets aligned with 
our standard growth KPIs. We plan to proceed as normal with 
regards to the granting of share awards under the ESP, using 
adjusted EPS growth and ROTIC as our performance metrics 
based on stretching performance conditions. In 2022, we will 
internally pilot potential sustainability measures for future 
remuneration cycles. We believe that these arrangements 
demonstrate our continued commitment to aligning to 
shareholder expectations and represent stretching targets. 

For the 2020 inflight ESP award subject to COVID-19 performance 
conditions, which you will find on page 132, we will continue to 
monitor performance through the vesting period and will engage 
with shareholders to ensure that outcomes reflect the underlying 
performance of the company and the experience of our 
stakeholders over the performance period.

Following the conclusion of our policy consultation, the 
Committee has reached several decisions with respect to 
applying the new policy to the 2022 cycle. These are laid out in 
detail on pages 133 and 134, and are summarised below:

Base 
Salary

We will implement the first part of the proposed 
increases to base salary with effect from 1 June 2021

Annual 
Bonus

 — The maximum opportunity will increase in line 

with policy proposals:

 — From 150% to 200% of salary for the CEO and 
 — From 150% to 180% of salary for all other 

Executive Directors 

 — The target payout will be reduced from 60% of 

maximum to 50% of maximum

 — For fiscal year 2022, performance measure 

remains unchanged as EVA  

 — The deferral of a third of any payout for two years 

remains unchanged

ESP

 — The maximum opportunity will increase in line 

with the policy proposals to:

 — From 200% to 300% of salary for the CEO
 — From 175% to 250% of salary for the CFO
 — From 150% to 200% of salary for the GTCC 

Director

 — For fiscal year 2022, performance measures 

remain unchanged as adjusted EPS growth and 
ROTIC with performance conditions as set out on 
page 134

 — Two-year post-vesting holding remains 

unchanged

In addition, the changes to the share ownership guidelines and 
tightening of malus and clawback provisions, as described on 
page 125, will also come into effect for 2022. The changes in 
pension to align with the wider workforce will be effective from 
31 December 2022, at the latest.

118

Pay in the broader context
We believe that our people should be rewarded appropriately, 
and we work hard to continually improve our reward offering. 
Our all-employee share plan has been in place in the UK since the 
1980s, offering employees the opportunity to benefit from 
Halma’s success. We introduced a global parental leave policy in 
October 2020, evidence of our continued focus on diversity, 
equity and inclusion. We also support our employees’ mental 
wellbeing through an Employee Assistance Programme, an 
offering of particular importance especially through the 
pandemic. 

Our pension change project which will affect UK employees  
is a benefit change that we are particularly proud to be 
implementing, ensuring that we look after the financial wellbeing 
of our employees, with a view to making similar benefit changes 
across our other regions. You will find further examples in Our 
people and culture report on pages 60-63 on how we support  
our employees. 

As part of the review of our proposals, we are implementing ESP 
maximum increases of 5% to 30% for participants below 
Executive Director level, which we believe will continue to support 
our goal of mitigating retention risk and aligning all leaders to 
our long term growth and shareholder interests.

You can read how the Board engages with the wider workforce 
on pages 96 and 97. Clearly some of that activity has been 
limited over the last year but we hope we can progress work in 
this area as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted around the world.

Director changes
Adam Meyers’ retirement from the Executive Board and the 
Board was deferred, due to Paul Simmons’ decision to leave 
Halma. As such, Adam served as Sector Chief Executive – Safety 
from 1 July 2020 to ensure an orderly handover to Paul’s ultimate 
successor, Wendy McMillan who took over on 1 April 2021. Adam 
will be standing down from the Board at the AGM. Accordingly, 
Adam’s remuneration package will be changed with effect from 
that date until his retirement on 1 July 2022 and you can find 
details of this on page 138. 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Chair, 
Dame Louise Makin. As announced on 9 February 2021, Louise 
was appointed as an independent non-executive Director, with 
the intention to appoint her as Chair of the Board at the AGM as 
Paul Walker steps down after eight years in his role. Details of the 
remuneration arrangements on Louise’s appointment as Chair 
can be found on page 134. Dharmash Mistry also joined as a 
non-executive Director on 1 April 2021 and I would like to take this 
opportunity to welcome him to the Halma plc Board. Daniela 
Barone Soares has now reached the end of her nine-year term 
and so will also be stepping down at the AGM. Both Paul and 
Daniela have provided invaluable support in my role as 
Remuneration Committee Chair and I wish them the very best 
for the future.

Shareholder voting at the 2021 AGM
I would once again like to thank our shareholders for the level and 
quality of your engagement over this last year. We will continue 
to maintain a close dialogue with you as we seek to deliver a 
competitive, motivating pay framework that is tightly aligned to 
your experience. We are very grateful to those investors for the 
time they took with us and for the feedback they provided, and 
we look forward to receiving your support for our New Policy as 
put forward at the 2021 AGM. 

Jo Harlow
Committee Chair

For and on behalf of the Committee 
10 June 2021

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

119

 
 
 
Remuneration at a glance

Aligning awards to performance

How did we perform in the year?

Executive Share Plan – outcome against targets: 73.7%

Annual bonus plan –  
Outcome of 48% of max

Adjusted earnings per share (p)

Return on total invested capital (%)

Group threshold

£201m

Group actual

£264m

+31%

58.67p

+0.35%

14.4%

(7%)

40.21

45.26

52.74

58.462

58.67

p

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

15.3

15.2

16.1

15.52

14.4

%

20

15

10

5

0

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2  Excludes £5m of bad debt provision. 

2  Excludes £5m of bad debt provision. 

Up to 50% of PSP awards vest based 
on adjusted EPS growth over a 
three-year period, with a target range 
of 5% to 12% (actual: 9.04% average 
growth = 34.1% vesting

Up to 50% of PSP awards vest based 
on three-year average ROTIC, with 
a target range of 11% to 17% (actual: 
15.3% average = 39.6% vesting)

Financial performance

Organic profit growth1 
at constant currency

0.7%

1  See note 3 to the Accounts.

Total Shareholder Return
Graph as rebased to 100

Dividends to shareholders 

Return on Sales  

£66.8m

21.1%

% increase

690%

66%

31 March
2012

31 March
2013

31 March
2014

31 March
2015

31 March
2016

31 March
2017

31 March
2018

31 March
2019

31 March
2020

31 March
2021

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

31 March
2011

  Halma

FTSE 100

120

 
New Remuneration Policy

Element

Current Position

Group CEO

Other Executive 
Directors

Proposed policy

Group CEO

Other Executive 
Directors

Annual Bonus

150% max for all positions

200% max

180% max 

Target

Deferral

60% of max for all positions 

50% of max for all positions

33.3% for two years

Long-Term Incentives

200% max

CFO: 175% max
GTCC Director: 150% max

300% max 

CFO: 250% max
GTCC Director: 200% max

Post-vesting holding period

Two years for awards granted since the July 2018 AGM

Share ownership 

200% max for all

300% max

CFO: 250% max
GTCC Director: 200% max

Post-cessation  
share ownership

No policy in place

Two years post-cessation at the lower of the share 
ownership guidelines or actual shareholding

Malus and Clawback

A recovery and withholding provision in place

Enhanced wording

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Ensuring shareholder alignment

Proportion of short-term  
incentive award  
received in shares: 

Increased shareholding  
guideline based on  
award size: 

33.3%

annual bonus incentives

300%

For Group CEO, 250% for Group 
CFO and 200% for Group Talent 
Culture Communications Director

Proportion of long-term  
incentive awards subject  
to mandatory two-year  
holding period:

100%

of vesting shares (net of tax 
and social security) arising 
from performance share 
awards granted since the  
2018 AGM

Introduction of post-
cessation requirement  
for a period of: 

2 years

at the lower of the share 
ownership guidelines or actual 
shareholding 

Pension alignment with the wider workforce3

Wider workforce: Improvement to 
maximum pension contribution rate 
offered to the majority of UK employees

26% to 10.5%

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4.8% to 10.5%

Executive Directors: Reduction in 
pension cash supplement from 26% 
(CEO) and 18.7% (Others)

3  Pension scheme changes are subject to member consultation

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

121

 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy

This section of the Report sets out our new Remuneration Policy (the “New Policy”) in detail. We consulted with shareholders 
extensively whilst we were formulating the New Policy to ensure that it aligned with the expectations of our shareholders. If the New 
Policy is approved at the AGM to be held on 22 July 2021, it will apply from that date. The current Remuneration Policy for Executive 
Directors applied from the date of the 2018 AGM (the “Policy”) and continues to apply until the New Policy is approved at the 2021 
AGM. The Remuneration Committee intends that the New Policy will operate for three years. 

In designing the New Policy, the Committee was supported by internal experts and external advisers and undertook extensive 
shareholder consultation to ensure that all the proposals reflect best practice. The Committee determined that the principles which 
underpin our current Policy would remain unchanged as they reflect our culture of strong governance and clear purpose. 

Principles underpinning our Policy
These principles are:

 — A strong pay for performance culture, focusing on the long-term success of the organisation and the alignment to business 

strategy.

 — A balance of focus on growth and returns ensuring the creation of shareholder value.

 — A dedication to attracting, retaining and motivating the right quality of talent, acknowledging the Halma DNA.

 — A focus on being a good corporate citizen in line with our culture, the 2018 Corporate Governance code and market best practice.

Policy Review Focus Areas
The areas which the Committee focused on in respect of the 2021 Policy review are:

Shareholder 
alignment

 — Increase to shareholding 
guidelines aligned to the 
increase in incentive 
quantum

 — Introduction of a two-year 

post-cessation 
shareholding requirement 
and enhanced Malus and 
Clawback terms

Pension 

Sustainability 

Quantum  
reset

 — Benefit improvement for 

UK employees

 — No immediate change in 
performance metrics

 — Ensuring robust succession 

planning

 — Alignment of Executive 
Director offering to the 
wider workforce

 — Flexibility incorporated into 
the Annual Bonus and ESP 
to introduce measures in 
the future 

 — Addressing compression 
and retention issues

How the revised Policy addresses the factors set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018
Whilst reviewing the Policy the Committee was cognisant of the remuneration factors set out in provision 40 of the 2018 UK 
Corporate Governance Code. The table below shows how the New Policy addresses each of these factors.

Clarity

Simplicity

Risk

We ensure pay for performance and our policy is designed to be logical and transparent. We believe this is clearly 
communicated to and understood by our stakeholders and participants.

Remuneration for Executive Directors is comprised of distinct elements: fixed pay, annual bonus award and the 
long-term incentive award.

A number of features within the Remuneration Policy exist to manage different kinds of risks; these include: 
 — Malus and clawback provisions operating across all incentive plans.

 — The introduction of a post-cessation shareholding requirement.

 — Deferral of remuneration and holding periods.

 — Remuneration Committee discretion to override formulaic outturns to ensure incentive pay-outs reflect underlying 

business performance and shareholder experience.

 — Limits on awards specified within the policy and plan rules.

Predictability

Proportionality

Target ranges and potential maximum payments under each element of remuneration are disclosed. 
The Committee regularly reviews the performance of the inflight awards, so it understands the likely outcomes.

The Committee believes that poor performance should not be rewarded. Therefore, a significant portion of 
remuneration is performance based and requires achievement against challenging performance targets.

Alignment to Culture Our business is performance orientated and our remuneration structure is appropriately aligned to our culture, with 
performance measures for variable awards being aligned to the Company’s wider strategy.

See Corporate Governance Statement for an explanation of remuneration-related non-compliance with the Code and the expected compliance date 
(page 89).

122

The Remuneration Policy table 
The table below summarises the key components of the New Policy:

Fixed Pay: Salary

Purpose and link  
to strategy

A fair, fixed remuneration reflecting the size and scope of the executive’s responsibilities which attracts and 
retains high calibre talent necessary for the delivery of the Group’s strategy.

Operation

Maximum  
Opportunity

Reviewed annually or following a material change in responsibilities. Salary is benchmarked to market median levels 
periodically against appropriate comparators of a similar size and operating in a similar sector and is linked to individual 
performance and contribution.
Salary is the only element of remuneration that is pensionable.

Base salary increases will be applied in line with the outcome of annual reviews (normally with effect from 1 June). 
Salaries for the financial year under review (and the following year) are disclosed in the Annual Report on Remuneration. 
Salary increases for Executive Directors will not normally exceed the average of the wider employee population other than 
in exceptional circumstances. Where increases are awarded in excess of the wider employee population, for example 
where there is a material change in the responsibility, size or complexity of the role, the Committee will provide the 
rationale in the relevant year’s Annual Report on Remuneration.

Performance metrics Not Applicable.

Fixed Pay: Benefits

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation

Maximum  
Opportunity

To provide benefits that are competitive within the relevant market.

Benefits are appropriate to the location of the Director and typically comprise (but are not limited to) a company car, life 
insurance, permanent disability insurance, private medical insurance, relocation and tax advice for international 
assignments. 

Benefits may vary by role, and the level is determined to be appropriate for the role and circumstances of each individual 
Director. The maximum value will equate to the reasonable market cost of such benefits. 
The Committee retains the discretion to approve a higher cost of benefits in exceptional circumstances (e.g. relocation 
expenses or an expatriation allowance on recruitment, etc.) or in circumstances where factors outside the Company’s 
control have changed materially (e.g. market increases in insurance costs). 
The rationale behind the exercise of such discretion will be provided in the relevant year’s Annual Report on Remuneration.

Performance metrics Not Applicable.

Fixed Pay: Pension

Purpose and link  
to strategy

To provide competitive post-retirement benefits, or the cash allowance equivalent, to provide the opportunity 
for executives to save for their retirement. 

Operation

Maximum  
Opportunity

Executive Directors participate in a Group Defined Contribution pension plan.
Cash supplements in lieu of Company pension contributions may be made to some individuals at a level dependent upon 
seniority and length of service. Cash supplements may be reduced to reflect the additional employer social costs thereon.
To the extent the pension contributions exceed the local tax allowance, the contributions may be paid to the executive, 
subject to taxes and social charges.
Some executives are deferred members of the Group Defined Benefit pension plan, which closed to future accrual in 
December 2014.

Defined Contribution: maximum contribution of 20% of pensionable salary, reducing to 10.5% of salary by the end of 31 
December 2022 in line with wider workforce.
Cash supplement: Halma contributes up to 26% of full salary if the Executive Director is a former active member of the 
Defined Benefit pension plan. This will be reduced to 10.5% of salary by the end of 31 December 2022 in line with the UK 
wider workforce. Defined Contribution/Money Purchase members whose contributions exceed the local tax allowance are 
paid the excess contributions, on pensionable salary, as a cash supplement, net of employer social costs.
Defined benefit: now closed to future accrual, but provides a maximum pension equivalent to two thirds of final 
pensionable salary, up to a CPI-indexed cap: £165,678 for 2020 and £166,506 for 2021.

Performance metrics Not Applicable.

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Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Annual Bonus

Purpose and link  
to strategy

To incentivise and focus management on the achievement of an objective annual target which is set to support 
the short to medium-term strategy of the Group.

Operation

The structure of the Annual Bonus is reviewed at the start of the year to ensure that the performance measures and their 
weightings remain appropriately aligned with the Group’s strategy and are sufficiently challenging.
Performance targets are calibrated and set at the start of the year, with reference to a range of relevant reference points 
including the annual budget agreed by the Board. At the end of the year, the Committee determines the extent to which 
these targets have been achieved.
Payment of one third of any bonus is in the form of an award of shares that is deferred for two years, with vesting 
normally subject to continued service.
Dividend equivalents accrue over the vesting period. Dividend equivalents are paid in cash or shares at the end of the 
vesting period.
Deferral into shares provides a link to the long-term strategy of the Group and enhances the retentiveness of the policy.
A recovery and withholding provision enables the Company to recoup overpayments either through withholding future 
remuneration or requiring the executive to repay the requisite amount in the event of misstatement, error or misconduct; 
serious reputational damage to the business by the individual; and/or a breach of the company code of conduct.

Maximum 
Opportunity

Maximum opportunity: 200% of salary for Group CEO, 180% for other Executive Directors.
Bonus payable at threshold: 0% of salary.
The Committee can exercise discretion to override the formulaic bonus outcome within the limits of the scheme where it 
believes the outcome is not truly reflective of performance and to ensure fairness to both shareholders and participants.

Performance metrics

The bonus is based on the achievement of financial performance targets, including EVA. Other financial measures may 
supplement EVA at the discretion of the Committee.
Such financial measures must comprise at least 80% of the overall bonus opportunity.
The balance of 20% may be utilised, at the Committee’s discretion, to support non-financial, but measurable, strategic 
growth priorities.

Long Term incentive: Executive Share Plan (ESP)

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation

Maximum 
Opportunity

To incentivise executives to achieve superior returns to shareholders over a three-year period rewarding them for 
sustained performance against challenging long-term targets; to retain key individuals and align interests with 
shareholders, reflecting the sustainability of the business model over the long term and the creation of 
shareholder value. 

Executive Directors are granted annual awards over Halma plc shares or a cash equivalent where required by regulations 
as determined by the Committee; awards vest after a period of at least three years based on Group performance.
Dividend equivalents accrue over the vesting period. Dividend equivalents are paid in cash or shares at the end of the 
vesting period, and only on those shares which vest.
A recovery and withholding provision enables the Company to recoup overpayments either through withholding future 
remuneration or requiring the executive to repay the requisite amount in the event of misstatement, error or misconduct; 
serious reputational damage to the business by the individual; and/or a breach of the company code of conduct.
A mandatory two-year holding period applies for awards granted after the 2018 AGM. 

Maximum opportunity: Up to 300% of salary for Group CEO, 250% of salary for Group CFO and 200% of salary for other 
Executive Directors.
The Committee can exercise discretion to override the formulaic ESP outcome within the limits of the scheme where it 
believes the outcome is not truly reflective of performance and to ensure fairness to both shareholders and participants 
and will ensure formulaic outturns do not result in windfall gains. 
Threshold performance will result in the vesting of 25% of the maximum award.

Performance metrics Vesting of performance share awards is subject to continued employment and the Company’s performance over a 

three-year performance period. 
Financial measures must comprise at least 80% of the overall ESP opportunity.
The balance of 20% may be utilised, at the Committee’s discretion, to support non-financial, but measurable, strategic 
growth priorities.

Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation

Maximum 
Opportunity

To encourage share ownership across all UK-based employees using HMRC-approved schemes 

The SIP is an HMRC-approved arrangement. It entitles all eligible UK-based employees to receive Halma shares in a 
potentially tax advantageous manner.

Participation limits are in line with those set by HMRC from time to time.

Performance metrics Not applicable.

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Share Ownership Guideline

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation

Align Executive Directors’ interests with those of long-term interests of shareholders.

Executive Directors are expected to build a holding in the Company’s shares to a minimum value broadly equivalent to 
their ESP award maximum opportunity: 300% for CEO, 250% for CFO and 200% for other Executive Directors. 
In addition, Executive Directors required to hold shares after cessation of employment. The requirement is to hold shares 
to the value of the share ownership guidelines or actual shareholding (if lower) for a period of two years post cessation of 
employment.
Progress towards the share ownership guideline is monitored on an annual basis.

Maximum 
Opportunity

No maximum holding but requirement to build to minimum value.

Performance metrics Not applicable.

Notes to the Policy Table 
Differences in remuneration for employees 
The remuneration policy for the Executive Directors is more heavily weighted towards variable and share-based pay than for other 
employees, to make a greater part of their pay conditional on the successful delivery of business strategy. This aims to create a clear 
link between the value created for shareholders and the remuneration received by the Executive Directors. However, the pension 
arrangements for the current Executive Directors are currently in the process of being aligned on the same terms as those offered to 
eligible UK employees. All UK-based employees have the opportunity to participate in the Share Incentive Plan.

Payments from Existing Awards
The Committee will honour any commitment entered into, and Executive Directors will be eligible to receive payment from any award 
made, prior to the approval and implementation of the New Policy. Details of these awards are disclosed in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

Selection of Performance Measures
The performance measures used in Halma’s executive incentives have been selected to ensure incentives are challenging and 
reinforce the Group’s strategy and align executive interests closely with those of our shareholders.

In the annual bonus, the use of EVA, in summary, profit less a charge for capital employed (definition is provided on page 131) 
reinforces the Group’s business objective to double every five years through a mix of acquisitions and organic growth. Profit is a 
function of the extent to which the Company has achieved both its organic growth target and its success in identifying appropriate 
acquisition targets in current and past years. Ensuring that the cost of funding acquisitions is reflected in the bonus model means 
that executives share the benefit of an acquisition that outperforms expectations, but equally bear the cost of overpaying for an 
acquisition. Good or poor management of working capital is also reflected in the calculation of EVA.

In the ESP, EPS provides a disciplined focus on increasing profitability and thereby provides close shareholder alignment through 
incentivising shareholder value creation, and ROTIC reinforces the focus on capital efficiency and delivery of strong returns, thereby 
further strengthening the alignment of remuneration with the Group strategy. Performance targets are set to be stretching yet 
achievable, considering the Company’s strategic priorities and the economic environment in which it operates. Targets are calibrated 
considering a range of reference points but are based primarily on the Group’s strategic plan.

Malus and Clawback 
The Committee believes that it is appropriate for all variable pay awards to be subject to provisions that allow it to recover any value 
delivered (or which would otherwise be delivered) in connection with any variable award including annual incentive and ESP awards in 
exceptional circumstances, and where it believes that the value of those variable pay awards is no longer appropriate. 

Malus provisions apply before payment and clawback provisions are in place following payment of the annual bonus (or vesting of 
any element of annual bonus deferred into an award over shares) or vesting of any ESP award.

The malus and clawback provisions can be used in certain scenarios. Such scenarios include but are not limited to:

 — material misstatement of the Company’s financial accounts;

 — a material failure of risk management by the Company or any Group company;

 — an error in calculation of any awards based on false or misleading information;

 — gross misconduct by the relevant participant; and

 — any action or omission on the part of a participant resulting in serious reputational damage to the Company, any member of the 

Group; a serious breach or non-observance of any code of conduct, policy or procedure operated by the Group. 

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Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Illustrations of the application of the proposed New Policy 
The following charts provide an estimate of the potential future rewards for Executive Directors, and the potential split between 
different elements of pay, under three different performance scenarios: “Fixed”, “On-target” and “Maximum”.

Potential reward opportunities are based on Halma’s proposed new remuneration policy, applied to salaries as at 1 June 2021. The 
projected values exclude the impact of any share price movements and dividend equivalents.

The “Fixed” scenario shows base salary, pension and benefits only.

The “On-target” scenario shows fixed remuneration as above, plus a target level of 50% of the maximum under the annual bonus 
and vesting of 50% of a single year’s award under the ESP.

The “Maximum” scenario reflects fixed remuneration, plus maximum level of annual bonus and ESP awards.

Percentages

Fixed

100%

On-target

35%

26%

39%

Maximum

20%

32%

48%

Andrew Williams, Group Chief Executive

Fixed

100%

On-target

Maximum

Fixed

On-target

Maximum

36%

27%

37%

22%

33%

45%

Marc Ronchetti, Chief Financial Officer

100%

39%

24%

29%

32%

36%

40%

Amounts 
£000

1,009

2,949

4,889

609

1,669

2,729

493

1,244

1,994

Salary, pension and benefits

Bonus

Jennifer Ward, Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director 

Long term incentive

Impact of share price
Long term incentive awards in the ESP are granted in shares and as such the value can vary significantly depending on share price 
movement over the vesting and holding period. The table below shows how the maximum values above would change as a result of a 
50% change in the share price over the vesting and holding period:

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Jennifer Ward

50% increase 
in share price

6,053

3,345

2,389

External appointments
In the case of appointing a new Executive Director, the Committee may make use of any of the existing elements of remuneration, as follows:

Component

Approach

Salary

The base salaries of new appointees will be determined by reference to relevant market data, experience and skills of the individual, 
internal relativities and the current salary of any incumbent in the same role.
Where a new appointee has an initial base salary set below market, the Committee may make phased increases over a period of 
several years to achieve the desired position, subject to the individual’s development and performance in the role.

Benefits

New appointees will be eligible to receive benefits in line with the current Policy, as well as expatriation allowances and any necessary 
expenses relating to an executive’s relocation on appointment.

Pension

New appointees will be eligible to participate in the Company’s defined contribution/money purchase arrangements, receive a cash 
supplement or local equivalent.

Annual 
bonus

The scheme as described in the Policy Table will apply to new appointees with the relevant maximum being pro-rated to reflect the 
proportion of the year employed.

New appointees will be granted performance awards under the ESP on the same terms as other executives, as described in the Policy 
Table.

New appointees in the UK will be eligible to participate on identical terms to other employees.

ESP

SIP

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In addition to the elements of remuneration set out in the Policy Table, in exceptional circumstances the Committee may consider it 
appropriate to grant an incentive award under a different structure in order to facilitate the recruitment of an individual or to replace 
incentive arrangements forfeited on leaving a previous employer. In making such awards, the Committee will look to replicate the 
arrangements being forfeited as closely as possible and in doing so consider relevant factors including any performance conditions 
attached to these awards, the payment mechanism, expected value and the remaining vesting period of these awards.

Internal Appointments
Remuneration for new Executive Directors appointed by way of internal promotion will similarly be determined in line with the policy 
for external appointees, as detailed above. Where an individual has contractual commitments made prior to their promotion to the 
Board, the Company will continue to honour those commitments. Incentive opportunities for employees below Board level are 
generally no higher than for Executive Directors, and incentive measures vary to ensure they are appropriate.

Executive Director service contracts and exit payment policies
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. Contracts will be available for inspection at 
the AGM and throughout the year at the Company’s registered office.

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Jennifer Ward

Date of service contract

April 2003

July 2018

January 2014

Notice period

One year

One year

One year

The Company’s policy is to limit payments on cessation to pre-established contractual arrangements. In the event that the 
employment of an Executive Director is terminated, any amount payable will be determined in accordance with the terms of the 
service contract between the Company and the employee, as well as the rules of any incentive plans. No predetermined amount is 
provided for in the Directors’ contracts. The UK Executive Director contracts enable the Company to pay up to one year’s salary in lieu 
of notice, with no contractual entitlement to any other benefits, and, under the rules, the Remuneration Committee may determine 
the individual’s leaving status for share plan vesting purposes.

If the financial year end has passed, any bonus earned is payable to the individual. 

When considering termination payments under incentive schemes, the Committee reviews all potential incentive outcomes to ensure 
they are fair to both shareholders and participants. The table below summarises how the awards under the annual bonus and share 
plans are treated in specific circumstances under the rules of the relevant plan and the extent to which the Committee has discretion:

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Annual bonus

Deferred bonus

Reason for leaving

Timing of payment/vesting

Calculation of payment/vesting

Death, injury or disability, 
redundancy, retirement, or any 
other reasons the Committee may 
determine

After the end of the financial year, 
although the Committee has 
discretion to accelerate (e.g. in 
relation to death)

Performance against targets will be 
assessed at the end of the year in 
the normal way and any resulting 
bonus normally will be pro-rated for 
time served during the year

All other reasons

No bonus is payable

–

Death, injury or disability, 
redundancy, retirement, or any 
other reasons the Committee may 
determine

All other reasons

Share Plans

Injury or disability, redundancy, or 
any other reason the Committee 
may, at its discretion, determine

Death

On the second anniversary of the 
Award

Awards vest in full

On the second anniversary of the 
award (unless the Remuneration 
Committee determines otherwise)

On the third anniversary of the 
award

Awards vest in full

Awards will normally be pro-rated 
for time to the date of cessation of 
employment and performance 
metrics assessed as at the third 
anniversary

Immediately (unless otherwise 
determined by the Committee at its 
discretion)

Any outstanding awards normally 
will be pro-rated for time and 
performance up to the point of 
death

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Awards lapse

–

External directorships
The Committee acknowledges that Executive Directors may be invited to become independent non-executive Directors of other 
listed companies which have no business relationship with the Company and that these roles can broaden their experience and 
knowledge to Halma’s benefit.

Executive Directors are permitted to accept one such appointment with the prior approval of the Chair. Approval will only be given 
where the appointment does not present a conflict of interest with the Group’s activities and the wider exposure gained will be 
beneficial to the development of the individual. Where fees are payable in respect of such appointments, these are retained by the 
Executive Director.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Chair and non-executive Directors’ remuneration policy

Chair and non-executive Director fees

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation

Maximum 
Opportunity

To attract and retain individuals with the requisite skills, experience and knowledge to contribute to the Board

Non-executive Director fees are determined by the Board and may comprise a base fee, committee chair fee and Senior 
Independent Director fee. The Chair’s fee is determined by the Committee.
Travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of non-executive duties for the Company may be reimbursed or paid 
for directly by the Company, as appropriate, including any tax due on the benefits.

Fees are normally reviewed annually. Increases are typically effective from 1 January. 
The fee paid to the Chair is determined by the Committee and fees to non-executive Directors are determined by the Board. 
The fees are calculated by reference to market levels and take account of the time commitment and the responsibilities of 
the non-executive Directors.
These fees are the sole element of non-executive remuneration and they are not eligible for participation in Group incentive 
awards, nor do they receive any retirement benefits.

Performance 
metrics

Not applicable.

Non-executive Directors’ letters of appointment
Unless otherwise indicated, all non-executive Directors have a specific three-year term of engagement, subject to annual re-election 
at the AGM, which may be renewed for up to two further three-year terms if both the Director and the Board agree. The 
remuneration of the Chair and the non-executive Directors is determined by the Committee and the Board respectively, in 
accordance with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders.

The contract in respect of the Chair’s services provides for termination, by either party, by giving not less than six months’ notice.

The non-executive Directors have contracts in respect of their services, which can be terminated without compensation, by either 
party, by giving not less than three months’ notice. Contracts are available for inspection at the AGM and throughout the year at the 
Company’s registered office. Summary details of terms and notice periods for non-executive Directors are included below.

Non-executive Director

Date of appointment

Paul Walker

April 2013

Daniela Barone Soares

November 2011

Roy Twite

Tony Rice

Carole Cran

Jo Harlow

Louise Makin

July 2014

August 2014

January 2016

October 2016

February 2021

End of next term

No fixed term

July 2021

July 2023

August 2023

January 2022

October 2022

February 2024

Notice period

6 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

Non-executive Director recruitment
In recruiting a new Chair or non-executive Director, the Committee will use the policy as set out above.

Consideration of conditions elsewhere in the Group
The Committee considers the remuneration and employment conditions elsewhere in the Group when determining remuneration for 
Executive Directors. Due to the nature of our business and the impact of COVID-19, we did not specifically consult with employees as 
part of the process of developing the New Policy. However, in addition to the employee engagement detailed on pages 96 and 97 we 
have established an approximate gender pay gap figure for our UK and US companies and the CEO pay ratio is available to 
employees. The Committee ensures that it is fully briefed on pay practices across the Company generally and it usually reviews 
external market data annually. 

Consideration of shareholder views
When determining remuneration, the Committee takes into account the views of our shareholders and ‘best practice’ guidelines set 
by shareholder representative bodies. The Committee has actively engaged with shareholders as part of formulating the New Policy. 
Outline proposals were sent to shareholders, who together own approximately 50 per cent of the Company and meetings were held 
with the shareholders that chose to engage with us on the proposals. A meeting was also held with ISS and we corresponded with 
Glass Lewis and the Investment Association via letters and emails on the proposals.

The Remuneration Committee also seeks ongoing advice from its external advisers on wider shareholder views, to ensure that it is 
kept up to date with any changes in market practice and shareholder sentiment. 

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Annual Remuneration Report

Remuneration Committee
In this section we give details of the composition of the Committee and the activities undertaken during 2021. All members of the 
Committee are considered independent within the definition set out in the Code. The Committee is appointed by the Board and 
operates under written terms of reference, which are available at www.halma.com. The membership comprises:

Chair: Jo Harlow

Committee members: All other non-executive Directors in office at the date of this Remuneration Report. 

No member of the Committee has any personal financial interest in Halma (other than as shareholders), conflicts of interests arising 
from cross directorships or day-to-day involvement in running the business.

Principal Role and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee are to:

 — Make recommendations to the Board on the framework for Executive Director and senior executive remuneration based on 

proposals formulated by the Group Chief Executive.

 — Determine and agree with the Board the policy and framework for the remuneration of the Chair, Group Chief Executive, other 

Executive Directors, the Company Secretary and members of the Executive Board.

 — Have oversight of the remuneration arrangements of the management tier below Executive Board level.

 — Approve the design of, and determine targets for, any performance-related pay plans operated by the Company and agree the 

total annual payments made under such plans.

 — Review the design of all share incentive plans for approval by the Board and shareholders, and determine, 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.

 — Determine the policy for, and scope of, pension arrangements for each Executive Director and other senior executives.

Meetings
Only members of the Committee have the right to attend Committee meetings. The Group Chief Executive, the Group Talent, 
Culture and Communications Director and Head of Total Rewards attend Committee meetings by invitation but are not present 
when their own remuneration is discussed. The Committee also takes independent professional advice as required.

During the year, the Committee met formally six times. Attendance by individual members of the Committee is disclosed on page 
115. In addition, informal conference calls can also take place. The principal agenda items at the formal meetings were as follows:

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Meeting

June 2020

Agenda items 

 — Appointment of new Remuneration Adviser

 — 2021 Remuneration elements – Annual Bonus and ESP 

 — 2020 Annual Bonus outturn

 — 2020 ESP vesting

targets

 — Shareholder update

 — Review of Remuneration Policy

July 2020

 — 2020 Directors’ Remuneration Report

 — 2021 Remuneration elements – Annual Bonus and ESP 

 — 2020 Remuneration elements – Approval of annual bonus 

targets

payout and vesting of ESP

 — Review of Remuneration Policy

October 2020

 — Review of Remuneration Policy

 — Update on global parental leave policy 

November 2020

 — Review of Remuneration Policy, including confirmation to 
commence the first round of shareholder consultation 

 — ESP vesting update

January 2021

 — Corporate governance code matters

 — Deep dive on Annual Bonus and ESP measures

 — Review of Remuneration Policy including update on first 

round of shareholder consultation

March 2021

 — Corporate governance code matters

 — 2021 Remuneration elements – update on formulaic 

 — Review of Remuneration Policy including update on second 

outcome estimates and ESP vesting

round of shareholder consultation

 — 2022 Annual Bonus targets

 — 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Report

External advisers
Mercer Kepler (Mercer) acted as independent remuneration adviser to the Committee until June 2020, having done so since 
November 2017. After a thorough and competitive process, Willis Towers Watson was appointed. 

Willis Towers Watson is a member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group and, as such, voluntarily operates under the 
Remuneration Consultants’ Group Code of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. This is based upon 
principles of transparency, integrity, objectivity, competence, due care and confidentiality by executive remuneration consultants. 
Willis Towers Watson has confirmed that it has adhered to that Code of Conduct throughout the year for all remuneration services 
provided to the Company. Therefore, the Committee is satisfied that it is independent and objective. The Remuneration Consultants’ 
Group Code of Conduct is available at remunerationconsultantsgroup.com. Willis Towers Watson’s fees for the year with respect to 
executive remuneration matters was £121,627, based on an agreed fee and Mercer’s was £21,710 (2020: £37,200). Willis Towers Watson 
also provided services to the Company globally which comprise remuneration benchmarking and other consultancy advice. 

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Annual Remuneration Report continued

Shareholder vote at 2018 and 2020 Annual General Meeting
The following table shows the results of the vote on the Annual Remuneration Report at the 2020 AGM and the binding vote on the 
current Remuneration Policy at the 2018 AGM. 

Remuneration Policy (2018)

Number of votes cast

% of votes cast

Directors’ Remuneration Report (2020)

Total number of votes

% of votes cast

For

Against

Total

Withheld

274,561,279

6,136,623

280,697,902

2,510,606

97.81%

2.19%

100%

289,576,827

13,355,617

302,932,444

1,725,497

95.59%

4.41%

100%

Compliance statement
This Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Large and Medium-Sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and subsequent amendments. 

The Report also meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and describes how the Board 
has applied the principles relating to directors’ remuneration in the UK Corporate Governance Code. Changes are proposed to the 
Remuneration Policy, which will be subject to a binding vote at the 2021 AGM and the Annual Report on Remuneration will be subject 
to an advisory vote by shareholders also at the 2021 AGM.

In line with the Regulations, the following parts of the Annual Report on Remuneration are audited: the single figure for total 
remuneration for each Director, including annual bonus and performance share plan outcomes for the financial year ending 31 March 
2021; plan interests awarded during the year; pension entitlements; payments to past Directors and payments for loss of office; and 
Directors’ shareholdings and share interests. All other parts of the Annual Report on Remuneration are unaudited.

Remuneration for 2021
Single figure of total remuneration for Directors 
The table below sets out the single figure of total remuneration received by Directors for the years to 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2020.

Salary

Benefits2

Pension3

Total Fixed Pay

Annual Bonus4

ESP5 

Total Variable Pay

SIP6

Total Pay

Andrew Williams
£000

Marc Ronchetti
£000

Adam Meyers1
£000

Jennifer Ward
£000

2021

636

31

165

832

484

1,708

2,192

3

3,027

2020

669

33

174

876

808

2,225

3,033

3

3,912

2021

404

24

76

504

307

948

1,255

3

1,762

2020

425

17

79

521

515

643

1,158

3

1,682

2021

412

30

62

504

295

778

1,073

–

2020

423

20

67

510

368

1,004

1,372

2021

323

24

60

407

246

625

871

3

1,577

1,882

1,281

2020

340

24

64

428

411

813

1,224

3

1,655

1  Remunerated in US dollars and translated at the average exchange rate for the year (2021: US$1.308, 2020: US$1.271 )
2  Benefits: mainly comprises company car and private medical insurance
3  Pension: value based on the Company’s pension contribution, or cash supplement in lieu of pension, during the year
4  Annual bonus: payment for performance during the year; two thirds is payable in cash and one third is deferred into shares which vest two years from award without any performance 

conditions. Table shows total bonus including amounts to be deferred.

5  ESP: Figures relate to awards vesting based on performance to the years ended 31 March 2021 and 2020. For the 2021 award as the share price on the date of vesting is currently unknown, the 
value shown is estimated using the average share price over the three-months to 31 March 2021 of 2436p. For the award vesting for the year ended 31 March 2020, these figures have been 
revised from last year’s report to reflect the actual share price on the vesting date of 2187p. 

6  SIP is based on the face value of shares at grant.

Exit payment and payments to past directors 
No exit payments were made in the year.

On his retirement from the Board in July 2018, Kevin Thompson retained the following interests under the ESP, which vested during 
the year:

 — 19,261 time pro-rated 2017 PSP shares vesting at 91.25% based on performance to 31 March 2020 vested on 15 July 2020.

 — 12,691 DSA shares granted in 2018 vested on 15 July 2020. 

130

Incentive outcomes for 2021
Annual bonus in respect of 2021
In 2021, the maximum bonus opportunity for Executive Directors was 150% of salary, solely linked to performance as measured by an 
Economic Value Added (EVA) calculation. 

As disclosed in last year’s report, since the bonuses for 2021 continued to be based on EVA performance against a weighted average 
target of EVA for the past three years, the Committee decided to adjust the targets to take account of COVID-19. In adjusting the 
targets the Committee felt that the resulting targets were as demanding and appropriate given the circumstances. 

Bonuses for the Executive Directors are calculated based on Group profit exceeding a target calculated from the profits for the three 
preceding financial years after charging a cost of capital, including on the cost of acquisitions. As the EVA for each year is utilised for 
a further three years in the comparator calculations, Executives must consider the medium-term interests of the Group otherwise 
there is the potential for an adverse impact on their capacity to earn a bonus. 

EVA calculation:

Profit 
for each 
year

Minus a 
charge on 
cost of 
acquisitions

Minus a 
charge on 
working
capital

Equals
the EVA
for each
year

Operating company directors and other sector and central senior management participate in bonus arrangements similar to those 
established for senior executives.

Further details of the bonuses payable (cash and deferred share awards) and performance against targets are provided in the tables 
below.

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

EVA
threshold
000

EVA
maximum
000

EVA
actual
000

Overall
bonus
outcome
(% of salary)

£201,497

£269,424

£264,193

£201,497

£269,424

£264,193

US$265,976 US$355,639 US$348,735

£201,497

£269,424

£264,193

72%

72%

72%

72%

Last year, the Committee applied judgment in determining the annual bonus outcome for 2020 with the exclusion of the additional 
bad debt provision from the calculation. As was agreed at the time, the benefit on any release of the provision would be excluded in 
future years. At present, the additional provision release has not been released and as such no adjustment is made in the annual 
bonus outcome for 2021. This will be excluded upon release in the future. 

The deferred bonus awards are derived as one third of the bonus earned for 2021. The number of shares over which awards will be 
made will be determined by the share price for the five trading days prior to the date of award. The value of each individual’s award, 
relative to their bonus has been fixed as follows:

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

Overall bonus
 outcome
(% of salary)

Bonus 
for 2021

Cash-settled

Value of 2021
 deferred bonus
 award

72%

72%

72%

72%

£484,225

£322,817

£161,408

£307,467

£204,978

£102,489

 $388,038 

 $259,479 

 $128,559 

£245,974

£163,983

£81,991

Deferred bonus awards will be granted under the ESP in June 2021. These awards will not be subject to any further performance 
conditions and will vest in full on the second anniversary of the date of grant. Full details will be provided in next year’s Annual 
Remuneration Report.

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Executive Share Plan (ESP): 2018 Awards (vesting at the end of the year to 31 March 2021)
In July 2018, the Executive Directors received awards of performance shares under the ESP. The performance targets for ESP awards 
granted are set out below. The vesting criteria are 50% EPS-related and 50% ROTIC-related.

Performance conditions for these awards are as follows:

Performance levels

< 5%

5%

12% or more

EPS1

% of award
vesting3

0.0%

12.5%

50%

Performance levels

< 11.0%

11.0%

17.0% or more

ROTIC2 (post-tax)

% of award
 vesting3

0.0%

12.5%

50%

1  Adjusted earnings per share growth over the three-year performance period.
2  Average ROTIC over the performance period.
3  There is straight line vesting in between threshold and maximum vesting.

Total

0.0%

25%

100%

The three-year period over which these two independent performance metrics are measured ended on 31 March 2021. Average ROTIC 
was 15.3% (the average ROTIC for financial years 2019, 2020 and 2021) and adjusted EPS growth was 9.04% per annum for the period 
from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021, resulting in vesting of 73.7% of the awards. The estimated vesting value included in the 2021 single 
figure of Total Remuneration for Directors is detailed in the table below:

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

Interest
held

95,121

52,786

43,342

34,797

Face value 
at grant

1,302

723

593

476

Vesting
%

73.7%

Interest 
vesting

70,104

38,903

31,943

25,645

Three-month
average price
 at year end

2436p

Estimated
vesting
value

1,708

948

778

625

…of which value
 attributable to
 share price
 growth

and value 
attributable to 
corporate 
performance

854

474

389

313

854

474

389

312

Vested awards are net settled, with the appropriate reduction in shares made to cover the employee tax and social security liability at 
vesting. Awards normally lapse if they do not vest on the third anniversary of their award. 

In line with regulations, the values disclosed above and in the single total figure of remuneration table on page 130 capture the 
number of interests vesting for performance to 31 March 2021. As the market price on the date of vesting is unknown at the time of 
reporting, the values are estimated using the average market value over the 3-month period to 31 March 2021 of 2436p. The actual 
values at vesting will be trued-up in the next Annual Remuneration Report.

Incentive Awards granted during 2021
Long-term incentive – Executive Share Plan: Performance Share Awards (granted during the year to 31 March 2021)
On 28 July 2020, the Executive Directors were granted performance share awards under the ESP.

The three-year performance period over which ROTIC and EPS performance will be measured is 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023.

The ROTIC element will be based on the average ROTIC for 2021, 2022 and 2023. The EPS element will be based on EPS growth from 
1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023. These two elements are equally weighted at 50% each. The performance targets applying to these 
awards are as set out below and are based on an adjustment that was made to align targets with the changes to the business 
forecasts due to COVID-19.

Performance levels

< 2%

2%

10% or more

EPS1

% of award
vesting3

0.0%

12.5%

50%

Performance levels

< 9.5%

9.5%

15.5% or more

ROTIC2 (post-tax)

% of award
 vesting3

0.0%

12.5%

50%

Total

0.0%

25%

100%

1  Adjusted earnings per share growth over the three-year performance period.
2  Average ROTIC over the performance period.
3  There is straight line vesting in between threshold and maximum vesting.

The award is eligible to vest in full on the third anniversary of the date of grant (28 July 2023), subject to ROTIC and EPS performance.

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Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

% of salary

Awards 
made during
the year

Five-day 
average market
 price at 
award date

Face value at
 award date
£000

200%

175%

150%

150%

59,083

32,756

28,099

22,411

2259.6p

1,335

740

635

506

UK executive Directors had part of their full award entitlement delivered through the Share Incentive Plan.

Long-term incentive – Executive Share Plan: Deferred Share Awards (granted during the year to 31 March 2021)
On 28 July 2020, the Executive Directors were granted deferred share awards under the ESP in respect of one third of the bonus earned 
for the financial year ended 31 March 2020. Awards are not subject to performance conditions as they are deferred awards relating to 
bonus earned for the year ended 31 March 2020. Awards vest in full on the second anniversary of the date of grant (28 July 2022).

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

Awards 
made during
the year

Five-day 
average market
 price at 
award date

Face value at
 award date
£000

Bonus to 
31 March 2020
£000

Amount
 awarded 
in shares

11,925

7,593

5,430

6,057

2259.6p

269

172

123

137

808

515

368

411

33.3%

33.3%

33.3%

33.3%

Implementation of remuneration policy for the year to 31 March 2022 
Salary
Part of the proposals for the New Policy includes increases to base salaries for the Executive Directors over the next two years. The 
Committee has thought very carefully about these changes, ultimately deciding that the adjustments are a fair reflection of the 
contribution the individuals bring to the business, address key remuneration issues and are fully aligned with shareholders’ interests. 

The Committee has also decided to move the effective date of any increases to 1 June going forward. 

The increases for the 2022 fiscal year are shown below but are subject to approval at the AGM. In the event the increases are 
approved at the AGM, they will be implemented in August 2021 and backdated to 1 June 2021. The proposed increases for 2023 are 
also shown but these will be subject to performance over the next financial year and will be reported on in next year’s Report. 

Base Salary, effective 1 June 2021

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Jennifer Ward

Planned base salaries, effective 1 June 2022, subject to performance

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Jennifer Ward

Salary from 
1 June 2021

Salary from 
1 April 2020

%
change

£776,500

£669,325

£493,000

£425,000

£395,000

£340,000

16%

16%

16%

Salary from 
1 June 2022

Salary from 
1 June 2021

%
change

£900,000

£776,500

£574,000

£493,000

£460,000

£395,000

16%

16%

16%

Pension and benefits
Pension contributions will remain unchanged for 2022 but will reduce to 10.5% by 31 December 2022 in line with the maximum rate 
offered to the UK wider workforce. 

Annual bonus
The maximum annual bonus opportunity for 2021 will increase in line with the policy proposals and will be 200% for the CEO and 
180% for the other Executive Directors. One third of the bonus earned will be deferred into a share award which vests in full after 
two years.

Bonuses for 2022 will continue to be based on EVA performance against a weighted average target of EVA for the past three years as 
described above. Bonus payments will be subject to recovery and withholding provisions during a period of three years from the date 
of payment. As targets are commercially sensitive, they are not disclosed at this time but will be in next year’s Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

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Annual Remuneration Report continued

Long term incentive – Executive Share Plan: Performance Share Awards (to be granted)
Under the ESP, performance share awards and deferred bonus awards will be made in June 2021, based on the current policy. If the 
New Policy is approved, a top-up grant would be made after the AGM in July 2021. The number of shares over which awards will be 
made is determined by the average share price for the five trading days prior to the date of award. The value of each performance 
share award, relative to salary and reflecting the policy proposals has been fixed as follows:

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Jennifer Ward

Salary for
 2022

Performance
 share award

Value of 
award

£776,500

£493,000

£395,000

300%

£2,329,500

250%

£1,232,500

200%

£790,000

The performance share awards will be subject to an adjusted EPS performance target for 50% of the award and a ROTIC target  
for 50% of the award measured over the three financial years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The full performance conditions are set out in 
detail below. 

Performance levels

< 5%

5%

12% or more

EPS1

% of award  
vesting3

0.0%

12.5%

50%

Performance levels

< 11.0%

11.0%

17% or more

ROTIC2 (post-tax)

% of award  
vesting3

0.0%

12.5%

50%

1  Adjusted earnings per share growth over the three-year performance period. 
2  Average ROTIC over the performance period.
3  There is straight line vesting in between threshold and maximum vesting.

Total

0.0%

25%

100%

The Committee will review the impacts of the accounting interpretation of IAS 38 with regards to configuration and customisation 
costs for cloud computing arrangements on the Group’s ongoing technology investments and the impact of tax law changes on the 
Group’s effective tax rate. This review will be done based on the principle that any adjustment ensures that the outturn is measured 
on a like for like basis as the targets.

Chair and non-executive Director fees
The Chair’s and the non-executive Directors’ fees were last increased by the Board in April 2019. Last year, in line with the overall 
sentiment of the decision for salary reductions to be taken by the Executive and non-executive Directors, a planned increase to the 
Chair’s fee noted in our 2019 report was deferred acknowledging the impact of COVID-19. We have now taken the opportunity to 
review the fees for our Chair. There are no changes to the fees for the non-executive Directors but a review will be carried out in 
January 2022.

Fees

Chair

Base fee

Senior Independent Director

Audit Committee Chair

Remuneration Committee Chair

Committee Member

Fees from 
1 June 2021

Fees from 
1 April 2020

£400,000

£280,000

£58,500

£58,500

£10,000

£15,000

£10,000

£nil

£10,000

£15,000

£10,000

£nil

The following table sets out the total remuneration for the Chair and the non-executive Directors for the year end 31 March 2021. 

Non-executive Director1

Paul Walker

Daniela Barone Soares

Roy Twite

Tony Rice

Carole Cran

Jo Harlow

Louise Makin2

1 Fees have been rounded to the nearest £1,000 
2 Louise Makin was appointed from 9 February 2021

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2021 
£000

266

56

56

65

70

65

8

2020 
£000

280

59

59

77

74

59

n/a

CEO Pay ratio
This is our second year of reporting the CEO pay ratio and the following table sets out our CEO pay ratio figures in respect of 2021 and 
2020. All figures are calculated using pay and benefits data for the year to 31 March 2021 and for part-time employees, the full-time 
equivalent salary and benefits is used. 

Year

2021

2020

Method

Option A

Option A

25th Percentile:
pay ratio, 
total pay and benefits,
(salary)

50th Percentile:
pay ratio, 
total pay and benefits,
(salary)

75th Percentile:
pay ratio, 
total pay and benefits,
(salary)

141:1

£21,496

(£19,830)

183:1

£20,700

(£19,200)

110:1

£27,568

(£25,450)

139:1

£27,300

(£25,300)

68:1

£44,220

(£40,097)

86:1

£43,900

(£40,000)

As was done last year, Option A was chosen as it is the most statistically accurate method, considered best practice by the 
Government, in line with shareholder expectations and is directly comparable to the CEO’s remuneration. This method requires 
calculation of pay and benefits for all UK employees using the same methodology that is used to calculate the CEO’s single figure per 
the table on page 130. 

Commentary
We are satisfied that the median pay ratio reported this year is consistent with our wider pay, reward and progression policies for 
employees. The CEO is remunerated predominantly on performance-related elements – bonus and share awards, which have 
delivered robust returns – even through the challenging COVID circumstances.

The composition of our business did not change significantly through the year, despite the Board’s decision to self-fund the small 
percentage of our workforce who were furloughed by their companies. In a normal year, we would expect the ratio to be higher. 
However, over the period from 1 April to 30 June 2020, the CEO took a 20% salary reduction. In addition, compared to last year, the 
CEO’s variable pay has reduced as a result of the COVID-19 impact on business performance as seen in the lower vesting percentage 
for the 2018 award. In contrast, employee pay at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile has remained broadly the same, resulting in a 
lower CEO pay ratio for the year.

Directors’ pensions
A review has been undertaken of pension arrangements across the UK companies, the result of which is that there will be an increase 
to employer pension contributions for the UK wider workforce to a maximum of 10.5% from 4.8% by 31 March 2022. Executive 
Directors’ pension arrangements were included in this review and they have voluntarily committed to lowering their cash-in-lieu 
pension contributions to 10.5% by 31 December 2022. For Andrew Williams, this is a reduction from 26% and for the other Executive 
Directors, a reduction from 18.7%. If any new directors are appointed, their pension arrangements will be in line with the wider UK 
workforce. 

Andrew Williams is the only UK Executive Director who is a deferred member of the defined benefit section of the Halma Group 
Pension Plan (Plan). This benefit is a funded final salary occupational pension plan registered with HMRC, providing 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 (£166,506 for 2021).

Bonuses and other fluctuating emoluments and benefits-in-kind are not pensionable nor subject to any pension supplement. The 
Plan also provides a pension in the event of early retirement through ill-health and a dependant’s pension of one-half of the 
member’s prospective pension. Where an executive has a form of pension protection, life cover is provided under a separate policy.

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.

The Company closed the Defined Benefit section to future accrual with effect from 1 December 2014 and, following a period of 
consultation, members were offered compensating benefits above those available to Defined Contribution members who had not 
been in the Defined Benefit section. In April 2014, Andrew Williams chose to cease future service accrual in the Plan in return for a 
pension supplement on his base salary. This supplement is equivalent to a 20% employer contribution plus an additional 6% 
compensatory payment, in line with the enhanced contribution rate offered to other members who were in the Defined Benefit 
section when future accrual was ceased. 

Marc Ronchetti and Jennifer Ward were not members of the Defined Benefit section but are entitled to join the Defined Contribution 
section of the plan. Due to annual allowance and lifetime allowance restrictions, both Jennifer and Marc have opted to receive a 
pension supplement of 18.7% of salary, in lieu of the 20% employer contribution that the Company would otherwise pay into their 
pension.

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Annual Remuneration Report continued

One Director accrued benefits under the Company’s defined benefit pension plan during the year as follows.

Executive Director

Andrew Williams

Years of
 pensionable
 service at 
31 March
2021

Increase 
in accrued
 benefits
£000

Increase
in accrued
 benefits net 
of inflation
£000

Accrued 
benefits at 
31 March
2021
£000

Age at 
31 March
2021

53

20

0.4

–

67

Percentage change in Directors’ remuneration versus employees
The table below shows the percentage change in the salary/fees, bonus outcomes and benefits of the Directors for 2020 and 2021, 
compared with the percentage change in the same components of pay for employees. The employee percentages shown represent 
the change in median employee pay, comparing the median UK employee on 31 March 2021 with the median UK employee on 31 
March 2020, ranked based on the total of salary, benefits and bonus.

Executive Directors

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

Non-executive Directors

Paul Walker

Daniela Barone Soares

Roy Twite

Tony Rice

Carole Cran

Jo Harlow

Louise Makin1

Employees

Salary/fee 
% change

Benefits 
% change

Annual Bonus 
% change

(5%)

(5%)

3%

(5%)

(5%)

(5%)

(5%)

(16%)

(5%)

10%

n/a

(5%)

(6%)

41%

(50%)

0%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

(40%)

(40%)

20%

(40%)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

(22%)

10%

1  Louise Makin was appointed on 9 February 2021.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below shows the percentage change in total employee pay expenditure and shareholder distributions (i.e. dividends and 
share buybacks) from the financial year ended 31 March 2020 to the financial year ended 31 March 2021.

Distribution to shareholders

Employee remuneration (gross)

Employee remuneration (pro-rated)

2021
£m

66.8

366

334

2020
£m

62.5

376

328

%
change

6.9

(2.7)

1.8

The Directors are proposing a final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 of 10.78p per share (2020: 9.96p).

Pro-rated employee remuneration represents a restatement of the prior year gross employee remuneration for the current year 
number of employees.

Pay-for-performance
The ten-year graph below shows the Company’s TSR performance over the ten years to 31 March 2021 as compared to the FTSE 100 
index. Over the period indicated, the Company’s TSR was 690% compared to 66% for the FTSE 100. The table below the graph details 
the CEO’s single figure remuneration and actual variable pay outcomes over the same period.

The FTSE 100 has been selected because the Company believes that the constituent companies of this index are the most appropriate 
for this comparison as they are affected by similar commercial and economic factors to Halma.

Halma was a constituent of the FTSE 250 until December 2017 when it became a constituent of the FTSE 100.

136

Total Shareholder Return
Graph as rebased to 100

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

31 March
2011

% increase

690%

66%

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31 March
2012

31 March
2013

31 March
2014

31 March
2015

31 March
2016

31 March
2017

31 March
2018

31 March
2019

31 March
2020

31 March
2021

  Halma

FTSE 100

Andrew Williams 
single figure 
remuneration (£000)

Annual bonus outcome 
(% of maximum)

PSP vesting outcome 
(% of maximum)

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

£1,715

£1,958

£1,543

£2,006

£2,423

£2,337

£3,429

£3,954

£3,912

£3,027

40%

48%

37%

53%

53%

34%

89%

100%

81%

48%

100%

98%

74%

78%

95%

92%

90%

90%

91%

74%

Directors’ interests in Halma shares
The interests of the Directors in office at 31 March 2021 (and their connected family members) in the ordinary shares of the Company 
at the following dates were as follows:

Paul Walker

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

Daniela Barone Soares

Roy Twite

Tony Rice

Carole Cran

Jo Harlow

Louise Makin

31 March 
2021

30,000

701,072

26,296

31 March 
2020

30,000

650,922

8,019

350,480

348,480

67,127

2,473

4,000

16,939

2,000

2,000

10,000

42,882

2,473

4,000

16,939

2,000

2,000

–

The Executive Directors, excluding Marc Ronchetti, each meet the guideline of holding Company shares to the value of at least two 
times salary. Until such time as this threshold is achieved, Marc is required to retain no less than 50% of the net of tax value of any 
vested conditional share or deferred share awards. There are no other non-beneficial interests of Directors. There were no changes in 
Directors’ interests from 1 April 2021 to 10 June 2021.

Details of Directors’ interests in shares and options under Halma’s long-term incentives are set out in the sections below.

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Annual Remuneration Report continued

Directors’ interests in Halma share plans
Details of Directors’ outstanding deferred share awards (DSA), conditional share awards (ESP) and free shares under the SIP are 
outlined in the tables below:

Executive Share Plans

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Adam Meyers

Jennifer Ward

Date of 
grant

03-Jul-17

02-Jul-18

02-Jul-18

01-Jul-19

01-Jul-19

28-Jul-20

28-Jul-20

03-Jul-17

23-Nov-17

02-Jul-18

02-Jul-18

01-Jul-19

01-Jul-19

28-Jul-20

28-Jul-20

03-Jul-17

02-Jul-18

02-Jul-18

01-Jul-19

01-Jul-19

28-Jul-20

28-Jul-20

03-Jul-17

02-Jul-18

02-Jul-18

01-Jul-19

01-Jul-19

28-Jul-20

28-Jul-20

ESP

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

ESP

ESP

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

ESP

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

ESP

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

ESP

DSA

As at 
1 April 
2020

111,484

95,121

20,339

65,264

15,961

11,511

20,720

52,786

4,796

36,182

8,642

50,300

43,342

3,997

30,046

9,773

40,733

34,797

8,295

24,755

7,821

Granted/
(vested) 
in the year

(101,729)

(20,339)

59,083

11,925

(10,503)

(18,907)

(4,796)

32,756

7,593

(45,899)

(3,997)

28,099

5,430

(37,169)

(8,295)

22,411

6,057

Five-day
average share
 price on grant
(p)

1118

1369.2

1369.2

2045.6

2045.6

2259.6

2259.6

1118

1293.4

1369.2

1369.2

2045.6

2045.6

2259.6

2259.6

1118

1369.2

1369.2

2045.6

2045.6

2259.6

2259.6

1118

1369.2

1369.2

2045.6

2045.6

2259.6

2259.6

As at 
31 March
2021

–

95,121

–

65,264

15,961

59,083

11,925

–

–

52,786

–

36,182

8,642

32,756

7,593

–

43,342

–

30,046

9,773

28,099

5,430

–

34,797

–

24,755

7,821

22,411

6,057

The balance of ESP awards that did not vest during the year have lapsed. The performance conditions attached to these awards are 
described earlier in this Report.

Future payments to Adam Meyers
Adam Meyers will stand down from the Board on 22 July 2021. He will remain as an employee of the Group and be available for 15 
days per quarter until he retires from the company on 1 July 2022. From 22 July 2021, he will receive a pro-rated annual salary of 
$134,500 and reimbursement for any business and travel expenses. Adam will not be entitled to a bonus for the period from 23 July 
2021 or a PSP award in June 2021 but will be entitled to a bonus for the period 1 April 2021 to 22 July 2021. His outstanding Deferred 
Bonus awards, including any deferred bonus award granted in 2022, will vest in full at the normal vesting date (two years from grant) 
and, as a good leaver, Adam’s outstanding PSP awards will vest, subject to performance, on a time pro-rata up to his retirement 
date. 

138

Share Incentive Plan

Andrew Williams

Marc Ronchetti

Jennifer Ward

Date of 
grant

>3 years

01-Oct-18

01-Oct-19

01-Oct-20

>3 years

01-Oct-18

01-Oct-19

01-Oct-20

>3 years

01-Oct-18

01-Oct-19

01-Oct-20

As at 
1 April 
2020

4,441

239

183

239

183

1,358

239

183

Granted, 
>3 years or
 (withdrawn) 
in the year

Share price 
on award
(p)

322

183

314

183

318

150

1504

1961

2397

1504

1961

2397

1504

1961

2397

As at 
31 March
2021

4,763

239

183

150

314

239

183

250

1,676

239

183

150

The SIP shares are held in trust and become the employee’s, subject to the rules of the plan, after three years. There are tax benefits 
for retaining the shares in the trust for at least five years from award date. Adam Meyers does not participate in the SIP as he is not 
UK-based.

There have been no variations to the terms and conditions for share awards during the financial year.

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

139

 
 
 
Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report on the affairs of the Company, 
together with the audited financial statements and Independent 
Auditors’ Report, for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Activities
The Company’s principal activity is to act as a holding company. 
The Company is incorporated and domiciled in England and 
Wales. A list of its subsidiary companies is set out on pages 217 
to 222. Subsidiaries of the Company have established branches 
in a number of different countries in which they operate. The 
information set out below, which forms part of this Directors’ 
Report and is incorporated by reference, can be located in the 
Strategic Report on pages 2 to 87:

 — Future developments in the Group’s business.

 — Activities of the Group in the field of research and 

development.

 — Environmental matters, including greenhouse gas emissions 
(included in the Sustainability Report on pages 64 to 77).

Dividends
The Directors recommend a final dividend of 10.78p per share 
and, if approved, the dividend will be paid on 12 August 2021 to 
ordinary shareholders on the register at the close of business on 
9 July 2021. Together with the interim dividend of 6.87p per share 
already paid, this will make a total dividend of 17.65p (2020: 
16.50p) per share for the financial year.

Political donations
The Group did not make any political donations or incur any 
political expenditure during the year.

Directors and Directors’ interests 
The directors of the Company as at the date of this Report, 
together with their biographical details, are shown on pages 90 
and 91. 

The Remuneration Report on pages 129 to 139 provides details of 
the interests of each Director in the shares of the Company.

Liability insurance and indemnities
The Company has agreed to indemnify, to the extent permitted 
by law, each of the Company’s Directors against any liability 
incurred in respect of acts or omissions arising in the course 
of their office. Each Director is covered by appropriate directors’ 
and officers’ liability insurance, at the Company’s expense.

Financial risk management objectives and policies
Disclosures relating to financial risk management objectives 
and policies are set out in note 27 to the financial statements 
and along with exposures relating to price risk, credit risk, 
liquidity risk and cash flow risk.

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 23 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 Company’s 
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 themselves being 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 they are 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.

The Company has established an Employee Benefit Trust and the 
trustee has waived its right to vote and its right to all dividends.

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.

Employees
An overview of the Board’s engagement with employees along 
with the mechanisms for sharing information are included on 
pages 96 and 97. Aligning the interests of employees in the 
Company’s performance is achieved through a variety of share 
and bonus schemes.

The Company gives full and fair consideration to applications of 
employment from disabled people. Training, career development 
and promotion opportunities are equally applied for all our 
employees, regardless of disability. In the event of an existing 
employee becoming disabled, every effort will be made to ensure 
that their employment with the Group continues and that 
appropriate support is provided.

140

Stakeholder engagement
A description of how the Directors have had regard to the need 
to foster the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, 
customers and others, and the effect of Director engagement 
with our stakeholders, is set out on pages 58 and 59. Examples 
of how the Directors had regard to stakeholder interests when 
making principal decisions during the year are set out on 
page 98.

Appointment and removal 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 Act 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 a Director will hold 
office until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) and shall 
then be eligible for election at that meeting. In accordance with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code each of the Directors, being 
eligible, will offer themselves for election or re-election at this 
year’s AGM. 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.

Powers of Directors
The powers of Directors are set out in the Articles of Association 
and a description of the matters reserved for decision by the 
Board is summarised in the Corporate Governance Report on 
page 102.

Contracts of significance 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, private placement debt and employee 
share plans.

There are two significant agreements, in terms of the likely 
impact on the business of the Group as a whole, containing 
such provisions:

 — The £550m 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 US$250m US Private Placement Note Purchase Agreement 
under which, in the event of a change of control, the Company 
is required to make an offer to the holders of the US Private 
Placement notes to prepay the principal amount of the notes 
together with interest accrued.

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

The Company’s share plans contain provisions as a result of 
which 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, 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 AGM an 
ordinary resolution will be proposed which, if passed, will 
authorise the Directors to allot and issue shares up to an 
aggregate nominal value of £9,400,000 (up to 94,000,000 
ordinary shares of 10p each), being just less than one quarter  
of the issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury 
shares) as at 10 June 2021 (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 earlier of the conclusion 
of the AGM of the Company in 2022 and 22 October 2022. 
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 10 June 2021, the Company had 
379,645,332 ordinary shares of 10p each in issue.

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 AGM 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 10% 
of the aggregate nominal value of the issued share capital of the 
Company as at 10 June 2021 of £3,780,000. 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, other 
than the release of treasury shares under share plans previously 
approved at general meeting.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 31 March 2021, the Company had been notified, in accordance with DTR 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, 
of the following interests in voting rights in its shares.

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.

BlackRock, Inc.

31 March 2021

Percentage of
 voting rights
 and issued
share capital

9.97

6.30

No. of 
ordinary 
shares

37,851,729

23,932,882

Nature of
 holdings

Indirect

Indirect

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During the period between 31 March 2021 and 10 June 2021 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication) no changes to 
substantial shareholdings were disclosed to the Company.  

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

141

 
 
 
Directors’ Report continued

Purchase of the Company’s own shares
The Company was authorised at the 2020 AGM to purchase  
up to 37,900,000 of its own 10p ordinary shares in the market. 
This authority expires on 31 August 2021. The Company did not 
purchase any of its own shares under this authority during the 
year. In accordance with the Directors’ stated intention to seek 
annual renewal a special resolution will be proposed at the AGM 
to renew this authority until the earlier of the end of the 
Company’s 2022 AGM and 22 October 2022, in respect of up to 
37,900,000 ordinary shares, which is approximately 10% of the 
Company’s issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) as  
at 10 June 2021.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s AGM will be held on 22 July 2021. Given the 
continuing uncertainty regarding the easing of UK Government 
public health guidance and legislation relating to the COVID-19 
pandemic, and mindful of the health and wellbeing of our 
shareholders and employees, we propose to hold this year’s AGM 
as a combined physical and electronic meeting via a live webcast 
(a hybrid format). Accordingly, we expect only a small number of 
Directors and the Company Secretary to attend the AGM in 
person. Although we expect attendance in person at the AGM to 
be possible, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the 
uncertainties regarding future developments, we strongly 
encourage shareholders not to attend the AGM in person. 
Shareholders can instead attend and participate in the AGM 
virtually via a live webcast, where they will be able to vote 
electronically and ask questions.

The Notice of Meeting, together with an explanation of the 
proposed resolutions, is enclosed with this Annual Report and 
Accounts and is also available on the Company’s website at 
www.halma.com.

Independent auditors
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of 
this Annual Report and Accounts confirms that:

 — So far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the Company’s Auditor is unaware.

 — 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 Auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in 
accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies 
Act 2006.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) has expressed its willingness 
to continue in office as Independent Auditor and a resolution 
to appoint PwC will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM.

Going concern statement
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 as at 31 
March 2021, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are set out in the Strategic Report. In addition, note 27 
to the financial statements contains further information 
concerning the security, currency, interest rates and maturity of 
the Group’s borrowings. 

facilities and the attached financial covenants for the 
foreseeable future and the Directors therefore believe, at the 
time of approving the financial statements, that the Company is 
well placed to manage its business risks successfully and remains 
a going concern. The key facts and assumptions in reaching this 
determination are summarised below. 

Our financial position remains robust with committed facilities 
totalling approximately £670m which includes a £550m Revolving 
Credit Facility maturing in November 2023 of which £333.4m 
remains undrawn at the date of this report. The earliest maturity 
in these facilities is for £70.0m in January 2023. The financial 
covenants on these facilities are for leverage (net debt/adjusted 
EBITDA1) of not more than three times and for adjusted interest 
cover of not less than four times. 

Our base case scenario has been prepared using forecasts from 
each of our operating companies as well as cash outflows on 
acquisitions and dividends in line with pre COVID-19 levels. In 
addition, a severe but plausible downside scenario has been 
modelled showing trading at similar levels to those in the year 
ended 31 March 2021. This reduction in trading to that currently 
forecasted could be caused by further significant, unexpected 
COVID-19 impacts or another significant downside event. In 
mitigating the impacts of the downside scenario there are 
actions that can be taken which are entirely discretionary to the 
business such as acquisitions spend and dividend growth rates. In 
addition, the Group has demonstrated strong resilience and 
flexibility in the first half of the year in managing overheads 
which could be used to further mitigate the impacts of the 
downside scenario.

Neither of these scenarios result in a breach of the Group’s 
available debt facilities or the attached covenants and 
accordingly the Directors believe there is no material uncertainty 
in the use of the going concern assumption.

Post-balance sheet events
Events subsequent to the year end are reported in note 32 to the 
Accounts on page 209.

Disclosure required under the Listing Rules and the 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
For the purposes of compliance with DTR 4.1.5 R(2), the required 
content of the management report can be found in this 
Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report, including the sections 
of the Annual Report and Accounts incorporated by reference.

Disclosures required by LR 9.8.4 R can be located as follows:

Details of long-term incentives

Contracts of significance

Shareholder waiver of dividends

Shareholder waiver of future dividends

Corporate Governance Statement
The Company’s statement on corporate governance can be 
found in the Corporate Governance Report on page 88. The 
Corporate Governance Report forms part of this Directors’ 
Report and is incorporated into it by cross-reference.

Page

193

141

140

140

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern 
basis. In adopting the going concern basis the Directors have 
considered all of the above factors, including potential scenarios 
and its principal risks set out on pages 80 to 83. Under the 
potential scenarios considered, which includes a severe but 
plausible downside scenario, the Group remains within its debt 

Mark Jenkins
Company Secretary

By order of the Board 
10 June 2021

1  Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are on a pre-IFRS 16 basis for covenant purposes

142

Directors’ responsibilities

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors 
have prepared the group financial statements in accordance 
with international accounting standards in conformity with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the company 
financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure 
Framework’, and applicable law). Additionally, the Financial 
Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules 
require the directors to prepare the group financial statements in 
accordance with international financial reporting standards 
adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies 
in the European Union. Under company law the Directors must 
not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied 
that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the 
Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and 
Company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, 
the Directors are required to:

 — Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently.

 — State whether applicable international accounting standards 
in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 
2006 and international financial reporting standards adopted 
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the 
European Union have been followed for the group financial 
statements and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
comprising FRS 101 have been followed for the Company 
financial statements, subject to any material departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial statements.

 — Make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent.

 — Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and 
Company will continue in business.

The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of 
the Group and Company and hence for taking reasonable steps 
for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy 
at any time the financial position of the Group and Company 
and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 
2006.

Directors’ confirmations
The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Accounts, 
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group and Company’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed on 
pages 90 and 91 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

 — The Company financial statements, which have been prepared 
in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
comprising FRS 101, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company.

 — The Group financial statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 
and international financial reporting standards adopted 
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the 
European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group.

 — The Directors’ Report includes a fair review of the development 

and performance of the business and the position of the 
Group and Company, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

In the case of each Director in office at the date the Directors’ 
Report is approved:

 — So far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Group and Company’s auditors are 
unaware.

 — They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as 
a Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that the Group and 
Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

 — The financial statements on pages 152 to 227 were approved 
by the Board of Directors on 10 June 2021 and signed on its 
behalf by Andrew Williams and Marc Ronchetti.

On behalf of the Board

Andrew Williams
Group Chief Executive

Marc Ronchetti
Chief Financial Officer 

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

10 June 2021

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Annual Report and Accounts 2021

143

 
 
 
 
Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Halma plc

Report on the audit of the  
financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion:

 — Halma plc’s group financial statements and company 

financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true 
and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the company’s 
affairs as at 31 March 2021 and of the group’s profit and the 
group’s cash flows for the year then ended;

 — the group financial statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006;

 — the company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure 
Framework”, and applicable law); and

 — the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 

with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements, included within 
the Annual Report and Accounts (the “Annual Report”), 
which comprise: the consolidated and company balance 
sheets as at 31 March 2021; the consolidated income statement 
and consolidated statement of comprehensive income and 
expenditure, the consolidated cash flow statement, and the 
consolidated and company statements of changes in equity 
for the year then ended; the accounting policies; and the 
notes to the financial statements.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the 
Audit Committee.

Separate opinion in relation to international financial 
reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) 
No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union

As explained in note Accounting Policies to the financial 
statements, the group, in addition to applying international 
accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006, has also applied international financial 
reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 
1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

In our opinion, the group financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with international financial reporting 
standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 
as it applies in the European Union.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described in the 
Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the group in accordance with 
the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical 
Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and we 
have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance 
with these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that 
non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were 
not provided.

Other than those disclosed in note 6 to the financial statements, 
we have provided no non-audit services to the company or its 
controlled undertakings in the period under audit.

144

Our audit approach
Overview

Audit scope
 — There were no significant components within the Group.

 — We performed audit procedures over 49 reporting components in the Group.

 — This provided coverage of 68% revenue, 66% profit before tax, and 88% net assets.

Key audit matters
 — Valuation of one specific contingent consideration balance (group)

 — Valuation of uncertain tax positions (group)

 — Assessment of impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (group)

 — The impact of COVID-19 (group).

Materiality
 — Overall group materiality: £13,900,000 (FY20: £13,300,000) based on 5% of profit before tax before adjustments.

 — Overall company materiality: £11,160,000 (FY20: £11,200,000) based on 1% of total assets.

 — Performance materiality: £10,425,000 (group) and £8,370,000 (company).

This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Acquisition accounting – valuation of acquired intangibles 
(group) and Impairment of investments (company), which 
were key audit matters last year, are no longer included because 
of the relative level of assessed audit risk associated with them. 
Otherwise, the key audit matters below are consistent with 
last year.

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and 
assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial 
statements. In particular, we looked at where the directors made 
subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and 
considering future events that are inherently uncertain.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ 
professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit 
of the financial statements of the current period and include 
the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) identified by the auditors, including 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing 
the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any 
comments we make on the results of our procedures thereon, 
were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, 
and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

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Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of one specific contingent consideration 
balance (group)
There are ten acquisitions which were completed in previous years where 
the final contingent consideration remains unsettled at 31 March 2021. 
The total provision held in respect of all contingent consideration 
estimated at 31 March 2021 is £29.4m . The performance periods relevant 
for the calculation of the contingent consideration typically range 
between 1 and 3 years. Given the uncertainty regarding future levels of 
performance of these acquired businesses and the significant range of 
potential outcomes (maximum possible exposure of £70.7m) there is a risk 
of material misstatement in the assessment of the fair value of 
contingent consideration. Judgement has been applied by management 
in establishing their best estimate of the liability in respect of each of the 
related acquisitions based on risk weighted assessments of the forecast 
performance of each business. Of the ten acquisitions with outstanding 
contingent consideration at 31 March 2021, we have concluded that 9 
have a low risk of material misstatement and our work has principally 
focussed on the one balance assessed as higher risk. 

Refer to Accounting Policies note and notes 20, 25 and 27 for 
management’s disclosures of the relevant judgements and estimates.

Valuation of uncertain tax positions (group) 
A contingent liability of up £13.9m is disclosed in the Annual Report in 
relation to the European Commission (‘EC’) decision that the United 
Kingdom controlled foreign company (‘CFC’) group financing partial 
exemption (‘FCPE’) constitutes State Aid. On 2 April 2019, the European 
Commission’s final decision concluded that the FCPE rules, as they 
applied up to 31 December 2018, did constitute State Aid. In January 2021, 
the Group received a Charging Notice from HM Revenue & Customs 
(“HMRC”) for £13.9m assessed for the period from 1 April 2016 to 
31 December 2018. The Group has appealed against the notice but 
as there is no right of postponement the amount charged was paid 
in full in February 2021. Although the Group has appealed against the 
notice, the final outcome remains uncertain. The £13.9m payment made 
has been recognised as a receivable on the basis that management 
believes it is more likely than not that the amount will be recovered. 
The resulting £13.9m contingent liability is disclosed in note 31.

 — Our audit primarily focused on the risk of an inaccurate estimate of 
contingent consideration for the one balance assessed as higher risk.

 — We have obtained the key contract terms used in the deferred 
contingent consideration calculation and agreed these to the 
signed sale and purchase agreements.

 — We have assessed the methodology used by management to 

determine the estimate of future contingent consideration and 
considered the underlying data used in this calculation, reconciling 
it to the relevant accounting records.

 — Management uses a methodology with weightings applied to 

different scenarios to estimate the potential consideration payable. 
Consequently, we performed sensitivity analysis to run additional 
scenarios to conclude whether the contingent consideration 
recorded by management is materially appropriate.

 — We have discussed the contingent consideration and the likely cash 
outflow directly with management’s advisors. We have also involved 
our own experts to be able to challenge management’s advisors 
and assess the reasonableness of management’s assumptions. 
 — We have reviewed the disclosures in the Annual Report, including 
note 25, and agree that these are consistent with our audit work 
performed and the disclosure requirements of IFRS 3. 

Based on the work done, as summarised above, we have concluded the 
contingent consideration is appropriately stated.

 — Whilst we have assessed all material uncertain tax positions, our 

audit focused mainly on the State Aid contingent liability as other 
material risk positions have been assessed as remote.

 — In relation to State Aid, we have used our tax experts to assess 
management’s view that the UK Government’s arguments are 
stronger than those of the EC, albeit the arguments are finely 
balanced. Given the payment of this amount in full in February 2021, 
this payment on account has resulted in a tax receivable asset 
recognised on the basis it is more likely than not it will be recovered. 
We have concluded that the recognition of the asset is supportable 
at 31 March 2021.

 — In relation to other tax exposures, we have reviewed management’s 
analysis, obtained advice prepared by management’s advisors and 
involved our own experts to assess the appropriateness of the 
provided advice and the overall position taken by management 
that all other material risk positions are remote.

 — We have reviewed disclosures included in note 31 of the Annual 
Report setting out the contingent liability and agree these are 
consistent with our audit work performed and the relevant 
IFRS requirements. 

Based on the work performed and summarised above, we have 
concluded that the Group’s treatment of the State Aid exposure and the 
associated disclosures of the resulting contingent liability are appropriate. 
Other tax exposures within the Group have either been appropriately 
provided for or the underlying risks have been assessed as remote and 
we concur with this assessment.

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Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Assessment of impairment of goodwill and other 
intangible assets (group)
The Group holds significant goodwill and other intangible assets balances 
of £808.5m (2020: £838.4m) and £290.0m (2020: £328.4m) respectively 
as at 31 March 2021. The valuation of these assets is judgemental and 
there is a risk they may be impaired. 

Under IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’, goodwill must be tested for 
impairment at least annually. Management have performed an annual 
impairment review for each of the 11 CGU groups, which is the lowest level 
at which goodwill is monitored by the Group. 

The impairment reviews performed by management contain a number of 
significant judgements and estimates including the allocation of new 
acquisitions to CGU groups, revenue growth rates and discount rates. A 
change in these assumptions could result in a material change in the 
valuation of the assets, and as a result there is a risk that goodwill and 
other intangible assets balances are no longer deemed to be recoverable 
and hence should be impaired.

As per management’s impairment model, there is a substantial 
headroom in all CGU Groups. The CGU Group with the lowest headroom 
is the Healthcare Assessment CGU group, where the assumptions used 
are more sensitive and where we have specifically assessed the risk of 
impairment as higher.

Management also assessed whether there are any indications that other 
intangible assets may be impaired. Where such indications are identified, 
management estimates the recoverable amount of these assets and 
compares them to the carrying amounts. No material impairment losses 
have been recognised as a result of this assessment and we have not 
identified any significant judgements or sensitive assumptions in 
management’s workings which would make the risk of misstatement 
anything other than a normal risk.

Refer to Accounting Policies note and note 11 for management’s 
disclosures of the relevant judgements and estimates involved in 
assessing these assets for impairment.

The impact of COVID-19 (group)
The outbreak of COVID-19 continued to impact the Group during the 
year ended 31 March 2021 although the trading impact was more 
significant in the first half of the year. Management has considered 
the impact of the pandemic on both the Group and Company 
financial statements. Primarily, these considerations related to the 
estimate of expected credit losses on accounts receivable balances and 
an additional provision of £5m which was created in FY20 is still in place 
at 31 March 2021. 

There is a risk that the financial impact arising from COVID-19 which has 
been recorded by management is inadequate. 

Refer to Accounting Policies note and note 16 as well as the Directors’ 
Report and Strategic Report for management’s disclosures of the 
relevant judgements, estimates and impacts.

 — We have assessed the methodology and approach applied by 

management in performing their impairment reviews, including the 
identification of CGU groups and the allocation of CGUs into the 
relevant groups, and ensured this is consistent with the requirements 
of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’. 

 — We have obtained management’s annual impairment assessment for 
all 11 CGU groups and ensured the calculations were mathematically 
accurate and the methodology used was in line with the 
requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’.

 — We have evaluated the year one cash flows and assessed the short 
and long-term growth rates applied to them to determine value in 
use. In doing this, we compared the cash flow forecasts to the latest 
Board approved budgets and compared prior year budget to actual 
data, in order to assess the quality of the forecasting process. We 
have tested the growth rate assumptions by comparing them to 
management’s strategic plans and previous sector growth rates.

 —  We have recalculated management’s own sensitivity analysis of key 

assumptions and applied our own independent sensitivities by 
replacing key assumptions with alternative scenarios to ascertain the 
extent of change in those assumptions that, either individually or 
collectively, would be required for the assets to be impaired. Our 
sensitivity testing also included the application of reasonable 
alternative scenarios in order to assess for any potential material 
impairment under such conditions. 

 — For the Healthcare Assessment CGU group, we have:

 — used our valuation experts to calculate an independent WACC 

rate and long-term growth rate; and

 — performed additional sensitivity analysis in addition to those 

done on other CGU Groups. 

 — We have reviewed the adequacy of disclosures made in the financial 

statements and assessed compliance with IAS 36.

Based on our work summarised above, we have concluded that goodwill 
and other intangible assets balances are not impaired at 31 March 2021 
and that appropriate disclosures have been made in the financial 
statements.

 — In advance of the year end and throughout the course of the audit 
we have continued to assess the risks arising from the COVID-19 
pandemic. These considerations have included areas where 
significant additional audit effort may have been needed as well 
as those which could have resulted in a material financial impact 
on the performance and position of the Group or Company for the 
year ended 31 March 2021. We have noted no significant impact on 
our audit, or material impact on the financial statements, arising 
from COVID-19.

 —  We have not identified any other matters, which had not 

already been identified by management, which present a risk of 
material misstatement to the financial statements as a result of 
the pandemic.

 —  Whilst the majority of our work has had to be performed remotely, 
we have not encountered any significant difficulties in performing 
our work or in obtaining the required evidence to support our 
audit conclusions.

 —  We have also reviewed the disclosures in the financial statements 
in respect of the impact of COVID-19 and concluded that these 
are appropriate.

Based on the work performed, as summarised above, we have concluded 
that the Group’s conclusions in respect of the impact of COVID-19 
are appropriate.

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Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Halma plc continued

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed 
enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial 
statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the 
group and the company, the accounting processes and controls, 
and the industry in which they operate.

The Group is split into four sectors being Process Safety, 
Infrastructure Safety, Environmental & Analysis and Medical. 
Each sector consists of a number of businesses spread globally 
across more than 20 countries. The businesses are further 
disaggregated into more than 240 reporting components within 
the consolidation.

We did not identify any individually significant components 
within the Group, with no single component providing more 
than 15% of the Group’s external revenue or profit before 
taxation before adjustments. We determined the most efficient 
approach to scoping was to perform full scope procedures over 
28 reporting components where statutory audits are already 
required in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Australia, 
Switzerland, Singapore and Italy. Full scope procedures were 
also performed in relation to the component holding all 
consolidation adjustments. In addition, specified audit 
procedures were performed over all material balances for a 
further 12 components in the United States. Additional audit 
procedures were performed on specific financial statement 
line items for a further 8 components in the United States, 
China, the UK and the Czech Republic. This approach ensured 
that appropriate audit coverage has been obtained over all 
financial statement line items.

Where work was performed by component auditors, we 
determined the appropriate level of involvement we needed 
to have in that audit work to ensure we could conclude that 
sufficient appropriate audit evidence had been obtained for 
the Group financial statements as a whole. We issued written 
instructions to all component auditors and had regular 
communications with them throughout the audit cycle. We have 
held remote meetings with each component team and reviewed 
all significant matters reported. Working paper reviews have 
also been performed for all components which are individually 
material to the Group; that is exceeding 5% of the Group’s profit 
before taxation or 3% of the Group’s revenue.

Based on the detailed audit work performed across the Group, 
we have gained coverage of 68% of total revenue, 66% of profit 
before tax, and 88% of net assets.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application 
of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for 
materiality. These, together with qualitative considerations, 
helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, 
timing and extent of our audit procedures on the individual 
financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating 
the effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate 
on the financial statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall materiality

How we determined it

Rationale for benchmark applied

Financial statements – group

Financial statements – company

£13,900,000 (FY20: £13,300,000).

£11,160,000 (FY20: £11,200,000).

Based on 5% of profit before tax before 
adjustments.

Based on 1% of total assets.

We believe that a total asset benchmark 
is appropriate given that the Company 
does not generate revenues of its own.

Based on the benchmarks used in 
the Annual Report, profit before tax 
before adjustments is the primary 
measure used by the stakeholders in 
assessing the underlying performance 
of the Group. This benchmark 
excludes the impact of adjustments 
in respect of amortisation and 
impairment of acquired intangible 
assets, acquisition items, significant 
restructuring costs and profit or loss 
on disposal of operations.

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For each component in the scope of our group audit, we 
allocated a materiality that is less than our overall group 
materiality. The range of materiality allocated across 
components was £0.1m to £11.2m. Certain components 
were audited to a local statutory audit materiality that 
was also less than our overall group materiality.

We use performance materiality to reduce to an appropriately 
low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected 
and undetected misstatements exceeds overall materiality. 
Specifically, we use performance materiality in determining 
the scope of our audit and the nature and extent of our testing 
of account balances, classes of transactions and disclosures, 
for example in determining sample sizes. Our performance 
materiality was 75% of overall materiality, amounting to 
£10,425,000 for the group financial statements and £8,370,000 
for the company financial statements.

In determining the performance materiality, we considered 
a number of factors – the history of misstatements, risk 
assessment and aggregation risk and the effectiveness of 
controls – and concluded that an amount at the upper end 
of our normal range was appropriate.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to 
them misstatements identified during our audit above £695,000 
(group audit) (FY20: £665,000) and £695,000 (company audit) 
(FY20: £665,000) as well as misstatements below those amounts 
that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Conclusions relating to going concern
Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the group’s and 
the company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting included:

 — Review of management’s base case and severe but plausible 
downside scenario, ensuring the directors have considered all 
appropriate factors, including the cash flows, the liquidity 
position of the Group, available borrowing facilities and the 
relevant financial and non-financial covenants. 

 — Review of the underlying going concern model prepared by 
management, along with performing sensitivity analysis to 
assess the impact of movements in significant assumptions 
on the overall liquidity headroom and the banking covenants. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified 
any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, 
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the 
group’s and the company’s ability to continue as a going concern 
for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial 
statements are authorised for issue.

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that 
the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be 
predicted, this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the group’s 
and the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In relation to the directors’ reporting on how they have 
applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing 
material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ 
statement in the financial statements about whether the 
directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with 
respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections 
of this report.

Reporting on other information
The other information comprises all of the information in the 
Annual Report other than the financial statements and our 
auditors’ report thereon. The directors are responsible for the 
other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does 
not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not 
express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise 
explicitly stated in this report, any form of assurance thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially 
misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or 
material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures 
to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the 
financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we 
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other 
information, we are required to report that fact. We have 
nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic report and Directors’ Report, 
we also considered whether the disclosures required by the 
UK Companies Act 2006 have been included.

Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the 
Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions 
and matters as described below.

Strategic report and Directors’ Report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 
audit, the information given in the Strategic report and Directors’ 
Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 is consistent with the 
financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements.

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and 
company and their environment obtained in the course of the 
audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the 
Strategic report and Directors’ Report.

Directors’ Remuneration
In our opinion, the part of the Annual Remuneration Report to 
be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

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Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Halma plc continued

Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statements in 
relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of 
the corporate governance statement relating to the company’s 
compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code specified for our review. Our additional responsibilities with 
respect to the corporate governance statement as other 
information are described in the Reporting on other information 
section of this report.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have 
concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate 
governance statement, included within the Governance section 
of the Annual report is materially consistent with the financial 
statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit, 
and we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in 
relation to:

 — The directors’ confirmation that they have carried out a 
robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks;

 — The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those 
principal risks, what procedures are in place to identify 
emerging risks and an explanation of how these are being 
managed or mitigated;

 — The directors’ statement in the financial statements about 
whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing them, and their 
identification of any material uncertainties to the group’s 
and company’s ability to continue to do so over a period 
of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements;

 — The directors’ explanation as to their assessment of the 

group’s and company’s prospects, the period this assessment 
covers and why the period is appropriate; and

 — The directors’ statement as to whether they have a reasonable 

expectation that the company will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period of its assessment, including any related disclosures 
drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or 
assumptions.

Our review of the directors’ statement regarding the longer-term 
viability of the group was substantially less in scope than an 
audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering 
the directors’ process supporting their statement; checking 
that the statement is in alignment with the relevant provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code; and considering whether 
the statement is consistent with the financial statements and 
our knowledge and understanding of the group and company 
and their environment obtained in the course of the audit.

In addition, based on the work undertaken as part of our 
audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements 
of the corporate governance statement is materially consistent 
with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained 
during the audit:

 — The directors’ statement that they consider the Annual 

Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable, and provides the information necessary for 
the members to assess the group’s and company’s position, 
performance, business model and strategy;

 — The section of the Annual Report that describes the review 
of effectiveness of risk management and internal control 
systems; and

 — The section of the Annual Report describing the work of the 

Audit Committee.

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to 
report when the directors’ statement relating to the company’s 
compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure 
from a relevant provision of the Code specified under the Listing 
Rules for review by the auditors.

Responsibilities for the financial statements  
and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial 
statements
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities, the 
directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements in accordance with the applicable framework 
and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. 
The directors are also responsible for such internal control 
as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are 
responsible for assessing the group’s and the company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters 
related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the 
group or the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so.

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Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to 
issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always 
detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements 
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, 
individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on 
the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our 
responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements 
in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which 
our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including 
fraud, is detailed below.

Based on our understanding of the group and industry, we 
identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws 
and regulations related to The Listing Rules, UK and US tax 
legislation, Pensions legislation, Employment regulation, Health 
and safety regulation and equivalent local laws and regulations 
applicable to reporting component teams, and we considered 
the extent to which non-compliance might have a material 
effect on the financial statements. We evaluated management’s 
incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the 
financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), 
and determined that the principal risks were related to posting 
inappropriate journal entries, either in the underlying books and 
records or as part of the consolidation process, and 
management bias in accounting estimates. The group 
engagement team shared this risk assessment with the 
component auditors so that they could include appropriate audit 
procedures in response to such risks in their work. Audit 
procedures performed by the group engagement team and/or 
component auditors included:

 — Discussions with management and the Group’s legal team, 
including consideration of known or suspected instances of 
non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;

 — Review of reporting component auditors’ work;

 — Challenging assumptions and judgements made by 

management in their significant accounting estimates that 
involved considering future events that are inherently 
uncertain. In particular, we focused our work on impairment of 
intangible fixed assets, the valuation of uncertain tax positions 
and the valuation of contingent consideration;

 — Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal 
entries posted with unusual account combinations or those 
posted by unexpected users; and

 — Testing all material consolidation adjustments to ensure these 

were appropriate in nature and magnitude.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described 
above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of 
non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely 
related to events and transactions reflected in the financial 
statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material 
misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not 
detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve 
deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional 
misrepresentations, or through collusion.

Our audit testing might include testing complete populations of 
certain transactions and balances, possibly using data auditing 
techniques. However, it typically involves selecting a limited 
number of items for testing, rather than testing complete 
populations. We will often seek to target particular items for 
testing based on their size or risk characteristics. In other cases, 
we will use audit sampling to enable us to draw a conclusion 
about the population from which the sample is selected.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of 
the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms 
part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and 
only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other 
purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume 
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to 
whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come 
save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Other required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to 
you if, in our opinion:

 — we have not obtained all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit; or

 — adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 

company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

 — certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by 

law are not made; or

 — the company financial statements and the part of the 
Annual Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Appointment
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we 
were appointed by the members on 20 July 2017 to audit the 
financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 and 
subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement is 4 years, covering the years ended 31 March 2018 
to 31 March 2021. 

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Owen Mackney (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Watford

10 June 2021

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

151

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Income Statement 

Year ended 31 March 2021 

Year ended 31 March 2020 

Before 
adjustments* 
£m 

Adjustments* 
(note 1) 
£m 

Notes 

Total 
£m 

Before 
adjustments* 
£m 

Adjustments* 
 (note 1) 
£m 

Continuing operations 
Revenue 
Operating profit 
Share of loss of associate 
Profit on disposal of operations 
Finance income 
Finance expense 
Profit before taxation 
Taxation 
Profit for the year  
Attributable to: 
Owners of the parent 
Non-controlling interests 
Earnings per share 
From continuing operations 
Basic and diluted 

Dividends in respect of the year 
Paid and proposed (£m) 
Paid and proposed per share 

1 

14 
30 
4 
5 
6 
9 
1 

2 

10 

1,318.2 
288.3 
– 
– 
1.0 
(11.0) 
278.3 
(55.8) 
222.5 

– 
(47.5) 
– 
22.1 
– 
– 
(25.4) 
6.2 
(19.2) 

1,318.2 
240.8 
– 
22.1 
1.0 
(11.0) 
252.9 
(49.6) 
203.3 

203.4 
(0.1) 

1,338.4 
279.2 
(0.1) 
– 
0.6 
(12.7) 
267.0 
(49.4) 
217.6 

– 
(45.8) 
– 
2.9 
– 
– 
(42.9) 
9.7 
(33.2) 

Total 
£m 

1,338.4 
233.4 
(0.1) 
2.9 
0.6 
(12.7) 
224.1 
(39.7) 
184.4 

184.4 
– 

58.67p 

53.61p 

57.39p 

48.66p 

66.8 
17.65p 

62.5 
16.50p 

*  Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; significant restructuring costs, and profit or loss on disposal of operations; and the associated 

taxation thereon. Note 3 provides more information on alternative performance measures. 

152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 

Profit for the year 
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the Consolidated Income 
Statement: 
Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension plans  
Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified 
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the Consolidated Income Statement: 
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges 
Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve 
Exchange (losses)/gains on translation of foreign operations and net investment hedge 
Exchange (gains)/losses on translation of foreign operations recycled to the income 
statement on disposal 
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year  
Attributable to 
Owners of the parent 
Non-controlling interests 

Notes 

29 
9 

27 
9 

Year ended  
31 March  
2021 
£m 
203.3 

Year ended  
31 March  
2020 
£m 
184.4 

(30.6) 
5.9 

1.0 
(0.2) 
(72.7) 

(2.8) 
(99.4) 

22.5 
(4.0) 

(0.5) 
0.1 
29.1 

0.1 
47.3 

103.9 

231.7 

104.0 
(0.1) 

231.7 
– 

The exchange losses of £72.7m (2020: gains of £29.1m) includes gains of £19.9m (2020: losses of £11.9m) which relate to net 
investment hedges as described in note 27. 

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153

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Non-current assets 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Interest in associates and other investments 
Retirement benefit asset 
Tax receivable 
Deferred tax asset 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Tax receivable 
Cash and bank balances 
Derivative financial instruments 

Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 
Tax liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 

Net current assets 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 
Deferred tax liabilities 

Total liabilities 
Net assets 
Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Own shares 
Capital redemption reserve 
Hedging reserve 
Translation reserve 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity 

31 March 
2021 
£m 

31 March 
2020 
£m 

Notes 

11 
12 
13 
14 
29 
31 
22 

15 
16 

27 

17 
19 
28 
20 

27 

19 
28 
29 
21 
20 
22 

23 

808.5 
290.0 
180.8 
9.3 
– 
13.9 
1.3 
1,303.8 

167.8 
268.0 
2.5 
134.1 
1.7 
574.1 
1,877.9 

186.7 
3.0 
13.3 
35.4 
8.9 
0.7 
248.0 
326.1 

322.3 
51.7 
22.5 
16.8 
8.4 
40.6 
462.3 
710.3 
1,167.6 

38.0 
23.6 
(20.9) 
0.2 
0.7 
73.2 
(13.6) 
1,065.8 
1,167.0 
0.6 
1,167.6 

838.4 
328.4 
184.3 
4.8 
5.4 
– 
1.3 
1,362.6 

170.6 
286.6 
10.7 
106.3 
1.0 
575.2 
1,937.8 

186.7 
75.1 
13.0 
28.0 
9.4 
1.0 
313.2 
262.0 

345.0 
48.5 
10.6 
13.3 
21.6 
48.7 
487.7 
800.9 
1,136.9 

38.0 
23.6 
(14.3) 
0.2 
(0.1) 
148.7 
(7.7) 
949.2 
1,137.6 
(0.7) 
1,136.9 

The financial statements of Halma plc, company number 00040932, were approved by the Board of Directors on 10 June 2021. 

Andrew Williams 
Director 

Marc Ronchetti  
Director 

154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

At 1 April 2020 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income 
and expense: 
Exchange loss on translation of 
foreign operations and net 
investment hedge 
Exchange gains on translation 
of foreign operations recycled to 
income statement on disposal 
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 
and expense 
Total other comprehensive 
income and expense 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payment charge 
Deferred tax on share-based 
payment transactions 
Excess tax deductions related 
to share-based payments on 
exercised awards 
Purchase of own shares 
Performance share plan 
awards vested 
Adjustments to non-controlling 
interest arising on acquisition 
At 31 March 2021 

Share  
capital 
£m 
38.0 
–– 

Share  
premium  
account 
£m 

Own  
shares 
£m 

23.6  (14.3) 
–– 

–– 

Capital  
redemption  
reserve 
£m 
0.2 
–– 

Hedging 
reserve 
£m 
(0.1) 
–– 

Translation 
 reserve 
£m 
148.7 
–– 

Other  
reserves 
£m 
(7.7) 
–– 

Retained  
earnings 
£m 
949.2 
203.4 

Non-
controlling 
interest 
£m 

Total 
£m 
(0.7)  1,136.9 
203.3 
(0.1) 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 
38.0 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 
––  (16.2) 

–– 

–– 

9.6 

–– 

23.6  (20.9) 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

1.0 

(0.2) 

0.8 
–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 

–– 

(72.7) 

(2.8) 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

– 

– 

(30.6) 

– 

5.9 

(75.5) 
–– 
–– 

–– 
–– 
11.9 

(24.7) 
(63.7) 
– 

–– 

(0.4) 

– 

–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 

1.6 
– 

(17.4) 

– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 
–– 

–– 

–– 
–– 

–– 

(72.7) 

(2.8) 

(30.6) 

1.0 

5.7 

(99.4) 
(63.7) 
11.9 

(0.4) 

1.6 
(16.2) 

(7.8) 

–– 
0.2 

–– 
0.7 

–– 
73.2 

–– 

– 
(13.6)  1,065.8 

1.4 
1.4 
0.6  1,167.6 

Own shares are ordinary shares in Halma plc purchased by the Company and held to fulfil the Company’s obligations under the 
Group’s share plans. At 31 March 2021 the number of shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust was 891,622 (2020: 760,894).  
The market value of own shares was £21.2m (2020: £14.6m).  

The Translation reserve is used to record the difference arising from the retranslation of the financial statements of foreign 
operations. The Hedging reserve is used to record the portion of the cumulative net change in fair value of cash flow hedging 
instruments that are deemed to be an effective hedge. 

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 Group’s equity-settled share plans. 

155

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity continued  

At 1 April 2019 
Impact of changes in  
Accounting policies: 
IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ 
Restated balance at 
1 April 2019 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income and 
expense: 
Exchange gain on translation of 
foreign operations and net 
investment hedge 
Exchange loss on translation 
of foreign operations recycled to 
income statement on disposal 
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 and 
expense 
Total other comprehensive 
income and expense 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payment charge 
Deferred tax on share-based 
payment transactions 
Excess tax deductions related to 
share-based payments on 
exercised awards 
Purchase of own shares 
Performance share plan 
awards vested 
Non-controlling interest arising 
on acquisition 
At 31 March 2020 

Share  
capital 
£m 
38.0 

Share  
premium  
account 
£m 
23.6 

Own  
shares 
£m 
(4.7) 

Capital  
redemption  
reserve 
£m 
0.2 

Hedging 
reserve 
£m 
0.3 

Translation 
 reserve 
£m 
119.5 

Other  
reserves 
£m 
(5.6) 

Retained  
earnings 
£m 
810.1 

Non-
controlling 
interest 
£m 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(4.0) 

38.0 
– 

23.6 
– 

(4.7) 
– 

0.2 
– 

0.3 
– 

119.5 
– 

(5.6) 
– 

806.1 
184.4 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

(16.7) 

7.1 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.5) 

0.1 

(0.4) 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

29.1 

0.1 

– 

– 

– 

29.2 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
10.5 

0.5 

– 
– 

(13.1) 

– 

– 

22.5 

– 

(4.0) 

18.5 
(61.2) 

– 

– 

1.4 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

Total 
£m 
981.4 

(4.0) 

977.4 
184.4 

29.1 

0.1 

22.5 

(0.5) 

(3.9) 

47.3 
(61.2) 
10.5 

0.5 

1.4 
(16.7) 

(6.0) 

– 
38.0 

– 
23.6 

– 

(14.3) 

– 
0.2 

– 
(0.1) 

– 
148.7 

– 
(7.7) 

– 
949.2 

(0.7) 
(0.7)  1,136.9 

(0.7) 

156

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment – owned assets 
Purchase of computer software 
Purchase of other intangibles 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and capitalised development costs 
Development costs capitalised 
Interest received 
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired 
Disposal of business 
Purchase of equity investments 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Dividends paid 
Purchase of own shares 
Interest paid 
Proceeds from bank borrowings 
Repayment of bank borrowings 
Repayment of loan notes 
Repayment of lease liabilities, net of interest 
Net cash generated (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 

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Net cash outflow/(inflow) from repayment/(drawdown) of bank borrowings 
Loan notes repaid  
Lease liabilities – additions including interest 
Lease liabilities – arising on acquisition 
Lease liabilities – extinguished on disposal 
Repayment of lease liabilities  
Exchange adjustments 
Decrease/(increase) in net debt 
Net debt brought forward 
Impact of changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ 
Restated net debt brought forward 
Net debt carried forward 

Year ended  
31 March  
2021 
£m 
277.6 

Year ended  
31 March 
 2020  
£m 
255.5 

Notes 
26 

13 
12 
12 

12 

25 
30 
14 

26 
26 
26 

26 

26 

(22.8) 
(2.8) 
(1.2) 
0.9 
(15.4) 
0.8 
(46.4) 
26.1 
(3.4) 
(64.2) 

(63.7) 
(16.2) 
(10.0) 
– 
(7.3) 
(72.2) 
(14.1) 
(183.5) 

29.9 
105.4 
(4.2) 
131.1 

(31.2) 
(2.6) 
(0.3) 
1.9 
(14.7) 
0.5 
(232.8) 
7.6 
(4.8) 
(276.4) 

(61.2) 
(16.7) 
(11.1) 
308.1 
(151.7) 
– 
(13.7) 
53.7 

32.8 
72.1 
0.5 
105.4 

Year ended  
31 March  
2021 
£m 

Year ended  
31 March 
 2020 
£m 

Notes 

26 
26 

28 

29.9 
7.3 
72.2 
(25.0) 
(0.5) 
1.8 
16.4 
17.0 
119.1 
(375.3) 
–– 
(375.3) 
(256.2) 

32.8 
(156.4) 
0.1 
(18.1) 
(8.2) 
– 
15.8 
(9.3) 
(143.3) 
(181.7) 
(50.3) 
(232.0) 
(375.3) 

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157

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting Policies  

Basis of presentation 
The consolidated financial statements of Halma are prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and have also applied International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union (EU). The financial statements have also 
been prepared in accordance with IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) interpretations issued and effective at the time of 
preparing these financial statements. 

The principal Group accounting policies are explained below and have been applied consistently throughout the years ended 
31 March 2021 and 31 March 2020, other than those noted below. 

The Group accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except as described below under the headings 
‘Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting’, ‘Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 
(FVOCI)’, ‘Pensions’ and ‘Business combinations and goodwill’. 

New Standards and Interpretations applied for the first time in the year ended 31 March 2021 
The following Standards with an effective date of 1 January 2020 have been adopted without any significant impact on the 
amounts reported in these financial statements: 

—  Amendments to IFRS 3: Definition of a Business 
—  Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: Definition of Material 
—  Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 
—  Conceptual Framework: Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards 

In April 2021 the IFRS IC published its final agenda decision on Configuration and Customisation (‘CC’) costs in a Cloud Computing 
Arrangement. The agenda decision considers how a customer accounts for configuration or customisation costs where an 
intangible asset is not recognised in a cloud computing arrangement. The agenda decision does not have a material impact on the 
Group in respect of the current year or prior years. The Group is evaluating the IFRIC publication in respect of costs expected to be 
incurred in the next year and will update its accounting policy accordingly in the short term to reflect the agenda decision 
published.  

New Standards and Interpretations not yet applied 
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations that are potentially relevant 
to the Group, and 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 or UK): 

—  Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 
—  Reference to the Conceptual Framework – Amendments to IFRS 3 
—  Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use – Amendments to IAS 16 
—  Onerous Contracts – Costs of Fulfilling a Contract – Amendments to IAS 37 
—  Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current – Amendments to IAS 1 
—  COVID-19 Related Rent Concessions – Amendment to IFRS 16 

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. 

Use of Alternative performance measures (APMs) 
In the reporting of the financial information, the Group uses certain measures that are not required under IFRS, the Generally 
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) under which the Group reports. The Directors believe that Return on Total Invested Capital 
(ROTIC), Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), Organic growth at constant currency, Adjusted profit and earnings per share 
measures and Adjusted operating cash flow provide additional and more consistent measures of underlying performance to 
shareholders by removing non-trading items that are not closely related to the Group’s trading or operating cash flows. These and 
other alternative performance measures are used by the Directors for internal performance analysis and incentive compensation 
arrangements for employees. The terms ROTIC, ROCE, organic growth at constant currency and ‘adjusted’ are not defined terms 
under IFRS and may therefore not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. They are not 
intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP measures.  

The principal items which are included in adjusting items are set out below in the Group’s accounting policy and in note 1. The term 
‘adjusted’ refers to the relevant measure being reported for continuing operations excluding adjusting items.  

Definitions of the Group’s material alternative performance measures along with reconciliation to their IFRS equivalent measure are 
included in note 3.  

158

 
 
Key accounting policies 
Below we set out our key accounting policies, with a list of all other accounting policies thereafter. 

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 as at 31 March 2021, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are set 
out in the Strategic Report. In addition, note 27 contains further information concerning the security, currency, interest rates and 
maturity of the Group’s borrowings. 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In adopting the going concern basis the Directors have 
considered all of the above factors, including potential scenarios and its principal risks set out on pages 80 to 83. Under the 
potential scenarios considered, which includes a severe but plausible downside scenario, the Group remains within its debt facilities 
and the attached financial covenants for the foreseeable future and the Directors therefore believe, at the time of approving the 
financial statements, that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully and remains a going concern. The 
key facts and assumptions in reaching this determination are summarised below.  

Our financial position remains robust with committed facilities totalling approximately £670m which includes a £550m Revolving 
Credit Facility maturing in November 2023 of which £333.4m remains undrawn at the date of this report. The earliest maturity in 
these facilities is for £70.0m in January 2023. The financial covenants on these facilities are for leverage (net debt/adjusted 
EBITDA*) of not more than three times and for adjusted interest cover of not less than four times.  

*  Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are on a pre-IFRS 16 basis for covenant purposes. 

Our base case scenario has been prepared using forecasts from each of our Operating Companies as well as cash outflows on 
acquisitions and dividends in line with pre COVID-19 levels. In addition, a severe but plausible downside scenario has been modelled 
showing trading at similar levels to those in the year ended 31 March 2021. This reduction in trading to that currently forecasted 
could be caused by further significant, unexpected COVID-19 impacts or another significant downside event. In mitigating the 
impacts of the downside scenario there are actions that can be taken which are entirely discretionary to the business such as 
acquisitions spend and dividend growth rates. In addition, the Group has demonstrated strong resilience and flexibility in the first 
half of the year in managing overheads which could be used to further mitigate the impacts of the downside scenario.  

Neither of these scenarios result in a breach of the Group’s available debt facilities or the attached covenants and accordingly the 
Directors believe there is no material uncertainty in the use of the going concern assumption. 

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. 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 measured at the proportionate share of the value of net 

 identifiable assets acquired; 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 consideration payable may be accounted for as either: 

a) Consideration transferred, which 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; or 

b) Remuneration, which is expensed in the Consolidated Income Statement over the associated period of service. An indicator of 

such treatment includes when payments to employees of the acquired company are contingent on a post-acquisition event, but 
may be automatically forfeited on termination of employment.  

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 has an indefinite expected useful life and 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. 

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. 

Payments for contingent consideration are classified as investing activities within the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, with 
movements in contingent consideration provisions after the measurement period included as a reconciling item between operating 
profit and cash inflow from operating activities.  

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159

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting Policies continued 

Key accounting policies continued 
Intangible assets  
(a) 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, technology and know-how and customer relationships, 
are amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives of between 
four and 20 years. The carrying value of intangible assets is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate 
the carrying value may not be recoverable. 

(b) Product development costs 
Research expenditure is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the financial year in which it is incurred. 

Development expenditure is expensed 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, meeting the 
recognition criteria of IAS 38 ‘Intangible Assets’, 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. 

Pensions 
The Group makes contributions to various pension plans. 

For defined benefit plans, the asset or liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is the difference between the fair value 
of the plan’s assets and the present value of the defined obligation at that date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated 
separately for each plan 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. The net interest expense on pension plans’ liabilities and the expected return on the plans’ assets is recognised within 
finance expense in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

Contributions to defined contribution plans are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the period the expense relates 
to. 

Impairment of trade and other receivables 
The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its trade and other receivables carried at 
amortised cost. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk.  

The Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial 
recognition of the receivables. In order to estimate the expected lifetime losses, the Group categorises its customers into groups 
with similar risk profiles and determines the historic rates of impairment for each of those categories of customer. The Group then 
adjusts the risk profile for each group of customers by using forward looking information, such as the government risk of default for 
the country in which those customers are located, and determines an overall probability of impairment for the total trade and 
other receivables at the balance sheet date. 

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Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 
The preparation of Group accounts in conformity with IFRS requires the Directors to make judgements, estimates and assumptions 
that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and 
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 judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not 
readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.  

The following areas of critical accounting judgement and key estimation uncertainty have been identified as having significant risk 
of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities: 

Critical accounting judgements 
Goodwill impairment CGU groups 
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires management’s judgement in assessing cash generating unit (CGU) groups to 
which goodwill should be allocated. Management allocates a new acquisition to a CGU group based on which one is expected to 
benefit most from that business combination. The allocation of goodwill to existing CGU groups is generally straightforward and 
factual, however over time as new businesses are acquired and management reporting structures change management reviews 
the CGU groups to ensure they are still appropriate. Further details are provided in note 11. There have been no changes to the CGU 
groups in the current year.  

Recoverability of non-current taxation assets 
In the current year, determining the recoverability of tax assets requires management’s judgement in assessing the amounts paid 
in relation to group financing partial exemption applicable to UK controlled foreign companies as a result of the decision by the 
European Commission that this constitutes state aid. Management’s assessment is that this represents a contingent liability and 
that the £13.9m paid to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the year, included within non-current assets on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet, will ultimately be recovered. Further details are provided in note 31.  

Key sources of estimation uncertainty 
Contingent consideration changes in estimates 
Determining the value of contingent consideration recognised as part of the acquisition of a business requires management to 
estimate the expected performance of the acquired business and the amount of contingent consideration that will therefore 
become payable. Initial estimates of expected performance are made by the management responsible for completing the 
acquisition and form a key component of the financial due diligence that takes place prior to completion. Subsequent 
measurement of contingent consideration is based on the Directors’ appraisal of the acquired business’s performance in the post-
acquisition period and the agreement of final payments. See notes 20 and 27 for details of the changes in estimates made in the 
year and the sensitivity of contingent consideration payables to further changes.  

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 and valuation of other separable intangible assets at 
acquisition. The assumptions involved in valuing these intangible assets require the use of management estimates.  
IAS 38 ‘Intangible Assets’ requires that development costs, arising from the application of research findings or other technical 
knowledge to a plan or design of a new or substantially improved product, are capitalised, subject to certain criteria being met. 
Determining the technical feasibility and estimating the future cash flows generated by the products in development requires the 
use of management estimates. 

The estimates made in relation to both acquired intangible assets and capitalised development costs include identification of 
relevant assets, future growth rates, expected inflation rates and the discount rate used. Management also make estimates of the 
useful economic lives of the intangible assets. Management engages third party specialists to assist with the valuation assumption 
in respect of acquired intangible assets. 

Goodwill impairment future cash flows 
The ‘value in use’ calculation used to test for impairment of goodwill involves an estimation of the present value of future cash 
flows of CGU groups. The future cash flows are based on annual budgets and forecasts of CGUs, as approved by the Board, to 
which management’s expectation of market-share and long-term growth rates are applied. The present value is then calculated 
based on management’s estimate of future discount and growth rates. The Board reviews these key assumptions (market-share, 
long-term growth rates, and discount rates) and the sensitivity analysis around these assumptions. Management believes that 
there is no reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions that would cause the carrying value of any CGU group to 
exceed its recoverable amount. Further details are provided in note 11.  

Defined benefit pension plan liabilities 
Determining the value of the future defined benefit obligation requires estimation in respect of the assumptions used to calculate 
present values. These include future mortality, discount rate and inflation. Management determines these assumptions in 
consultation with an independent actuary. Details of the estimates made in calculating the defined benefit obligation are disclosed 
in note 29. 

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Accounting Policies continued 

Other accounting policies 
Basis of consolidation 
The Group accounts include the accounts of Halma plc and all of its subsidiary companies made up to 31 March 2021, 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. 

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 without 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 Consolidated 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 
year 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 
provisioning is made for impairment. 

Where the Group disposes of its entire interest in an associate a gain or loss is recognised in the income statement on the 
difference between the amount received on the sale of the associate less the carrying value and costs of disposal.  

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) comprise equity securities which are not held for 
trading, and which the Group has irrevocably elected at initial recognition to recognise as FVOCI. The Group considers this 
classification relevant as these are strategic investments. 

Financial assets at FVOCI are adjusted to the fair value of the asset at the balance sheet date with any gain or loss being 
recognised in other comprehensive income and held as part of other reserves. On disposal any gain or loss is recognised in other 
comprehensive income and the cumulative gains or losses are transferred from other reserves to retained earnings.  

Other intangible assets 
(a) 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. 

(b) 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 fair value less costs to dispose 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 pre-tax 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. Such reversals are recognised in the 
Consolidated Income Statement. Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed. 

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Other accounting policies continued 
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 Group 
Chief Executive) 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 and Right-of-Use assets (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 (including Right-of-Use assets), corporate and deferred taxation balances, defined benefit plan 
liabilities, contingent purchase consideration, all components of net cash/borrowings, lease liabilities and derivative financial 
instruments. 

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. 

Revenue 
The Group’s revenue streams are the sale of goods and services in the specialist safety, environmental technologies and health 
markets. The revenue streams are disaggregated into four sectors, that serve like markets. Those sectors are Process Safety, 
Infrastructure Safety, Environmental & Analysis and Medical. 

Revenue is recognised to depict the transfer of control over promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the 
amount of consideration specified in a contract with a customer, to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those 
goods or services.  

It is the Group’s judgement that in the majority of sales there is no contract until such time as the Company satisfies its 
performance obligation, at which point the contract becomes the supplier’s purchase order governed by the Company’s terms and 
conditions. Where there are Master Supply Arrangements, these are typically framework agreements and do not contain clauses 
that would result in a contract forming under IFRS 15 until a Purchase Order is issued by the customer.  

Revenue represents sales, net of estimates for variable consideration, including rights to returns, and discounts, and excluding  
value added tax and other sales related taxes. The amount of variable consideration is not considered to be material to the  
Group as a whole. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis.  

Performance obligations are unbundled in each contractual arrangement if they are distinct from one another. There is judgement 
in identifying distinct performance obligations where the product could be determined to be a system, or where a combination of 
products and services are provided together. For the majority of the Group’s activities the performance obligation is judged to be 
the component product or service rather than the system or combined products and services. The contract price is allocated to the 
distinct performance obligations based on the relative standalone selling prices of the goods or services. 

The way in which the Group satisfies its performance obligations varies by business and may be on shipment, delivery, as services 
are rendered or on completion of services depending on the nature of product and service and terms of the contract which govern 
how control passes to the customer. Revenue is recognised at a point in time or over time as appropriate.  

Where the Group offers warranties that are of a service nature, revenue is recognised in relation to these performance obligations 
over time as the services are rendered. In our judgement we believe the associated performance obligations accrue evenly across 
the contractual term and therefore revenue is recognised on a pro-rated basis over the length of the service period. 

In a small number of instances across the Group, products have been determined to be bespoke in nature, with no alternative use. 
Where there is also an enforceable right to payment for work completed, the criteria for recognising revenue over time have been 
deemed to have been met. Revenue is recognised on an input basis as work progresses. Progress is measured with reference to the 
actual cost incurred as a proportion of the total costs expected to be incurred under the contract. This is not a material part of the 
Group’s business as for the most part, where goods are bespoke in nature, it is the Group’s judgement that the product can be 
broken down to standard component parts with little additional cost and therefore has an alternate use, or there is no enforceable 
right to payment for work performed. In these cases, the judgement is made that the requirements for recognising revenue over 
time are not met and revenue is recognised when control of the finished product passes to the customer. 

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Accounting Policies continued 

Other accounting policies continued 
Contract assets and liabilities 
A contract asset is recognised when the Group’s right to consideration is conditional on something other than the passage of time, 
for example the completion of future performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer.  

In some instances, the Group receives payments from customers based on a billing schedule, as established in the contract, 
which may not match with the pattern of performance under the contract. A contract liability is only recognised on non-
cancellable contracts that provide unconditional rights to payment from the customer for products and services that the Group 
has not yet completed providing or that it will provide in the near future. Where performance obligations are satisfied ahead of 
billing then a contract asset will be recognised.  

Contract assets are recognised within Trade and other receivables and are assessed for impairment on a forward-looking basis 
using the expected lifetime losses approach, as required by IFRS 9 (‘Financial Instruments’). 

Costs to obtain or fulfil a contract 
The incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer are capitalised as an asset if the Group expects to recover them. 
Costs such as sales commissions may be incurred when the Group enters into a new contract. Costs to obtain or fulfil a contract 
are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as assets until the performance obligation to which they relate has been met. 
These assets are amortised on consistent basis with how the related revenue is recognised. Costs to obtain or fulfil a contract are 
immaterial as at 31 March 2021 or 31 March 2020. 

The Group applies the practical expedient in IFRS 15 (paragraph 94) and recognises incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an 
expense when incurred if the amortisation period of the asset that the Group would otherwise have recognised is one year or less.  

Adjusting items 
When items of income or expense are material and they are relevant to an understanding of the entity’s financial performance, 
they are disclosed separately within the financial statements. Such adjusting items include costs or reversals arising from 
acquisitions or disposals of businesses, including acquisition costs, creation or reversals of provisions related to changes in estimates 
for contingent consideration on acquisition, amortisation of acquired intangible assets, and other significant one-off items that 
may arise. 

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 Total equity, in which case it too is recognised in Total equity. Current tax is the expected tax 
payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, 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 year when the liability is settled, or the asset is realised. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that recovery 
is probable. 

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. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are measured in terms of 
historical costs using the exchange rate at the date of the initial transaction. Any gain or loss arising on monetary assets and 
liabilities 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 Translation reserve within Total equity. 

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 Translation reserve attributable to that subsidiary. 
As permitted by IFRS 1, the Group has elected to deem the 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. 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings 
Interest bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value less directly 
attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Trade payables 
Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are stated at amortised cost.  

164

 
Other accounting policies continued 
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 27. The Group continues to apply the 
requirements of IAS 39 for hedge accounting.  

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 remeasured 
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 27 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 the 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.  

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 foreign currency 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 and the changes in value of the borrowings are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income and accumulated in the Translation reserve. The ineffective part of any change in value caused by changes 
in exchange rates is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

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Accounting Policies continued 

Other accounting policies continued  
Employee share plans 
Share-based incentives are provided to employees under the Group’s share incentive plan, the performance share plan and the 
executive 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 period of the awards. 

(b) Executive share plan 
Under the Executive share plan, awards of shares are made to executive Directors and certain senior employees participate. Grants 
under this plan are in the form of Performance Awards or Deferred Share Awards. 

Performance Awards are subject to non-market-based vesting criteria, and Deferred Share Awards are subject only to continuing 
service of the employee. Share awards are equity-settled. The fair value of the awards at the date of grant, which is estimated to 
be equal to the market 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. The corresponding credit 
is to Other reserves within Total equity. 

(c) Cash-settled 
For cash-settled awards, a liability equal to the portion of the services received is recognised at the current fair value determined 
at each balance sheet date. 

Provisions and contingent liabilities 
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. 

Contingent liabilities are disclosed where a possible obligation dependent on uncertain future events exists as at the end of the 
reporting period or a present obligation for which payment either cannot be measured or is not considered to be probable is noted. 
Contingent liabilities are not accrued for and no contingent liability is disclosed where the possibility of payment is considered to be 
remote. 

Deferred government grant income 
Government grant income that is linked to capital expenditure is deferred to the Consolidated Balance Sheet and credited to 
the Consolidated Income Statement over the life of the related asset. In addition, the Group claims research and development 
expenditure credits arising on qualifying expenditure in its UK-based subsidiaries and shows these ‘above the line’ in operating 
profit. Where the credits arise on expenditure that is capitalised as part of internally generated capitalised development costs, 
the income is deferred to the Consolidated Balance Sheet and credited to the Consolidated Income Statement over the life of the 
related asset in line with the policy stated above. 

Operating profit 
Operating profit is presented net of direct production costs, production overheads, selling costs, distribution costs and 
administrative expenditure (see note 6). Operating profit is stated after charging restructuring costs but before the share of results 
of associates, profit or loss on disposal of operations, finance income and finance costs.  

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. 

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Other accounting policies continued  
Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less provisions for accumulated impairment and accumulated 
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 improvements: 
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 33.3% 

Leases 
The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to 
control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Where the Group determines the contract 
is, or contains, a lease, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability is recognised at the lease commencement date.  

The lease term is determined from the commencement date of the lease and covers the non-cancellable term. If the Group has an 
extension option, which it considers reasonably certain to exercise, then the lease term will be considered to extend beyond that 
non-cancellable period. If the Group has a termination option, which it considers it reasonably certain to exercise, then the lease 
term will be considered to be until the point the termination option will take effect. The Group deem that it is not reasonably 
certain to exercise an extension option or a termination option with an exercise date past the planning horizon of five years. 

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, comprising the initial amount of the lease liability plus any initial direct costs 
incurred and an estimate of costs to restore the underlying asset, less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is 
subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term unless the 
right-of-use asset is deemed to have a useful life shorter than the lease term. The Group has taken the practical expedient to not 
separate lease and non-lease components and so account for both as a single lease component.  

The right-of-use assets are also subject to impairment testing under IAS 36. Refer to the previous section on Impairment of non-
current assets for further details. 

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, 
discounted using the incremental borrowing rate. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in-substance fixed 
payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected 
to be paid under residual value guarantees. Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to 
be paid under residual value guarantees are not material to the Group. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a 
purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease 
term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are 
recognised as expenses (unless they are incurred to produce inventories) in the period in which the event or condition that triggers 
the payment occurs. The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method by increasing the carrying 
amount to reflect interest on the lease liability and by reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made. The lease 
liability is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or a rate or a change in 
the Group’s assessment of whether it will exercise an extension or termination option. When the lease liability is remeasured, a 
corresponding adjustment is made to the right-of-use asset. 

Payments associated with short-term leases or low-value assets are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in the 
Consolidated Income Statement. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets mostly 
comprise of IT equipment and small items of office furniture. Lease payments for short-term leases, low-value assets and variable 
lease payments not included in the measurement of the lease liability are classified as cash flows from operating activities within 
the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement. The Group has classified the principal and interest portions of lease payments within 
financing activities. 

Finance income and expenses 
The Group recognises interest income or expense using the effective interest rate method. Finance income and finance costs 
include: 

—  Interest payable on loans and borrowings. 
—  Net interest charge on pension plan liabilities. 
—  Amortisation of finance costs. 
—  Interest receivable in respect of cash and cash equivalents. 
—  Unwinding of the discount on provisions. 
—  Fair value movements on derivative financial instruments. 

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Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Accounts 

1 Segmental analysis and revenue from contracts with customers 
Sector analysis and disaggregation of revenue 
The Group has four reportable segments (Process Safety, Infrastructure Safety, Environmental & Analysis and Medical) which 
are defined by markets rather than product type. Each segment includes businesses with similar operating and market 
characteristics. These segments are consistent with the internal reporting reviewed each month by the Group Chief Executive. 

Nature of goods and services 
The following is a description of the principal activities – separated by reportable segments, which are defined by markets rather 
than product type – from which the Group generates its revenue.  

Further disaggregation of sector revenue by geography and by the pattern of revenue recognition depicts how economic factors 
affect the timing and uncertainty of the Group’s revenues.  

Process Safety sector generates revenue from providing products that protect assets and people at work across a range of critical 
industrial and logistics operations. Products include: specialised interlocks that control critical processes safely; instruments that 
detect hazardous gases and analyse air quality; and explosion protection and corrosion monitoring systems. Products are generally 
sold separately, with contracts less than one year in length. Warranties are typically of an assurance nature. Revenue is typically 
recognised as control passes on delivery or despatch. 

Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice, except where a retention is held for documentation. 

Infrastructure Safety sector generates revenue from providing products that protect people, property and assets and enable safe 
movement in public spaces. Products include: fire detection systems; specialist fire suppression systems; elevator safety systems; 
security sensors; and people and vehicle flow technologies. Products are generally sold separately, with contracts typically less than 
one year in length. Warranties are typically of an assurance nature. Revenue is recognised as control passes on delivery or 
despatch.  

Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice. 

Environmental & Analysis generates revenue providing products and technologies that monitor and protect the environment, 
ensuring the quality and availability of life-critical resources, and use optical and imaging technologies in materials analysis. 
Products include: market-leading optical, optoelectronic and spectral imaging systems; water, air and gases monitoring 
technologies; and systems for water analysis and treatment. Products and services are generally sold separately. Warranties are 
typically of an assurance nature, but some companies within the Group offer extended warranties. Depending on the nature of the 
performance obligation, revenue may be recognised as control passes on delivery, despatch or as the service is delivered. Contracts 
are typically less than one year in length, but some companies have contracts where certain service-related performance 
obligations are delivered over a number of years; this can result in contract liabilities where those performance obligations are 
invoiced ahead of performance. 

Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice. 

Medical sector generates revenue from providing products and services that enhance the quality of life for patients and improve 
quality of care delivered by healthcare providers. Products include: critical fluidic components used by medical diagnostics and 
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), laboratory devices and systems that provide valuable information to understand 
patient health and enable providers to make decisions across the continuum of care; technologies and solutions to enable in-vitro 
diagnostic systems and life-science discoveries and development; and technologies that enable positive outcomes across clinical 
specialties. Products are generally sold separately, and warranties are typically of an assurance nature. Depending on the nature of 
the performance obligation, revenue is recognised as control passes on delivery or despatch or as the service is delivered. Contracts 
are typically less than one year in length, but a limited number of companies have contracts where certain service-related 
performance obligations are delivered over a number of years; this can result in contract liabilities where those performance 
obligations are invoiced ahead of performance.  

Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice. 

168

 
1 Segmental analysis and revenue from contracts with customers continued 
Segment revenue disaggregation (by location of external customer) 

Year ended 31 March 2021 
Revenue by sector and destination (all continuing operations) 

Process Safety 

Infrastructure Safety 

Environmental & Analysis 

Medical 

Inter-segmental sales 

Revenue for the year 

Process Safety 

Infrastructure Safety 

Environmental & Analysis 

Medical 

Inter-segmental sales 

Revenue for the year 

Asia Pacific  
£m 

Africa,  
Near and  
Middle East 
£m 

United States  
of America 
£m 

62.5 

97.4 

148.9 

200.6 

(0.6) 

Mainland  
Europe 
£m 

40.6 

138.7 

35.7 

61.0 

– 

United  
Kingdom  
£m 

27.6 

111.0 

56.4 

19.2 

(0.6) 

508.8 

276.0 

213.6 

216.1 

Other  
countries  
£m 

7.4 

16.2 

5.6 

20.4 

– 

Total 
£m 

188.8 

450.5 

308.8 

371.3 

(1.2) 

49.6 

1,318.2 

Other  
countries  
£m 

9.6 

14.7 

7.2 

22.5 

– 

Total 
£m 

200.0 

466.5 

325.0 

347.2 

(0.3) 

54.0 

1,338.4 

20.2 

17.3 

5.8 

10.8 

– 

54.1 

21.8 

22.6 

7.1 

11.7 

– 

63.2 

Year ended 31 March 2020 
Revenue by sector and destination (all continuing operations) 

Asia Pacific  
£m 

Africa,  
Near and 
 Middle East 
£m 

30.5 

69.9 

56.4 

59.3 

– 

33.2 

70.9 

51.9 

57.3 

– 

United States  
of America 
£m 

67.0 

105.5 

157.3 

180.7 

(0.2) 

510.3 

Mainland  
Europe 
£m 

39.7 

142.9 

34.3 

59.6 

(0.1) 

United  
Kingdom  
£m 

28.7 

109.9 

67.2 

15.4 

– 

276.4 

221.2 

213.3 

Inter-segmental sales are charged at prevailing market prices and have not been disclosed separately by segment as they are not 
considered material. Revenue derived from the rendering of services was £52.6m (2020: £53.1m). All revenue was otherwise derived 
from the sale of products. 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Inter-segmental sales 
Revenue for the year 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Inter-segmental sales 
Revenue for the year 

Revenue 
 recognised  
over time 
£m 
0.6 
3.4 
69.2 
20.6 
– 
93.8 

Revenue 
 recognised  
over time 
£m 
0.7 
1.6 
67.3 
13.0 
– 
82.6 

Year ended 31 March 2021 
Revenue 
 recognised  
at a point  
in time  
£m 
188.2 
447.1 
239.6 
350.7 
(1.2) 
1,224.4 

Total  
Revenue 
£m 
188.8 
450.5 
308.8 
371.3 
(1.2) 
1,318.2 

Year ended 31 March 2020 

Revenue 
 recognised  
at a point  
in time 
£m 
199.3 
464.9 
257.7 
334.2 
(0.3) 

1,255.8 

Total  
Revenue 
£m 
200.0 
466.5 
325.0 
347.2 
(0.3) 

1,338.4 

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169

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Accounts continued 

1 Segmental analysis and revenue from contracts with customers continued 
Segment revenue disaggregation continued 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Inter-segmental sales 
Revenue for the year 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Inter-segmental sales 
Revenue for the year 

Revenue from 
 performance 
 obligations  
entered  
into and  
satisfied 
 in the year 
£m 
188.1 
449.1 
302.8 
365.8 
(1.2) 
1,304.6 

Revenue from 
 performance 
 obligations  
entered  
into and  
satisfied 
 in the year 
£m 
199.3 
465.3 
320.8 
336.2 
(0.3) 

1,321.3 

Year ended 31 March 2021 

Revenue  
previously  
included as 
 contract  
liabilities 
£m 
0.7 
1.4 
6.0 
5.2 
– 
13.3 

Revenue from  
performance  
obligations  
satisfied in  
previous  
periods  
£m 
– 
– 
– 
0.3 
– 
0.3 

Total  
Revenue 
£m 
188.8 
450.5 
308.8 
371.3 
(1.2) 
1,318.2 

Year ended 31 March 2020 

Revenue  
previously  
included as 
 contract  
liabilities 
£m 
0.7 
1.2 
4.1 
11.0 
– 
17.0 

Revenue from  
performance  
obligations  
satisfied in  
previous  
periods  
£m 
– 
– 
0.1 
– 
– 
0.1 

Total  
Revenue 
£m 
200.0 
466.5 
325.0 
347.2 
(0.3) 

1,338.4 

The Group has unsatisfied (or partially satisfied) performance obligations at the balance sheet date with an aggregate amount of 
transaction price as follows. The time bands represented present the expected timing of when the remaining transaction price will 
be recognised as revenue. 

Aggregate transaction price allocated to  
unsatisfied performance obligations  

Recognised < 1 
year  
£m 
0.9 
12.7 
6.3 
6.3 
– 
26.2 

Recognised 1-2 
years 
£m 
0.1 
0.5 
2.9 
0.4 
– 
3.9 

Recognised > 2 
years 
£m 
– 
4.2 
6.0 
– 
– 
10.2 

Aggregate transaction price allocated to  
unsatisfied performance obligations  

Recognised < 1 
year  
£m 
1.8 
3.8 
6.1 
4.9 
– 
16.6 

Recognised 1-2 
years 
£m 
0.1 
0.2 
2.4 
0.7 
– 
3.4 

Recognised > 2 
years 
£m 
– 
– 
6.7 
0.2 
– 
6.9 

31 March  
2021  
Total 
£m 
1.0 
17.4 
15.2 
6.7 
– 
40.3 

31 March  
2020 
Total 
£m 
1.9 
4.0 
15.2 
5.8 
– 
26.9 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Inter-segmental sales 
Total 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Inter-segmental sales 
Total 

170

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Segmental analysis and revenue from contracts with customers continued 
Segment results 

Segment profit before allocation of adjustments* 
Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 

Segment profit after allocation of adjustments* 
Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Segment profit 
Central administration costs  
Net finance expense 
Group profit before taxation 
Taxation 
Profit for the year 

Profit (all continuing operations) 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

Year ended  
31 March  
2020 
£m 

36.6 
110.6 
77.4 
86.6 
311.2 

30.3 
96.5 
92.2 
66.8 
285.8 
(22.9) 
(10.0) 
252.9 
(49.6) 
203.3 

43.9 
107.7 
69.4 
84.4 
305.4 

38.6 
83.4 
62.6 
77.9 
262.5 
(26.3) 
(12.1) 
224.1 
(39.7) 
184.4 

*  Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; and significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. Note 3 provides 

more information on alternative performance measures. 

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171

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Accounts continued 

1 Segmental analysis and revenue from contracts with customers continued 
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group’s accounting policies. Acquisition transaction costs, 
adjustments to contingent consideration and release of fair value adjustments to inventory (collectively ‘acquisition items’) are 
recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. Segment profit, before these acquisition items and the other adjustments, is 
disclosed separately on the previous page as this is the measure reported to the Group Chief Executive for the purpose of allocation 
of resources and assessment of segment performance. These adjustments are analysed as follows:  

Year ended 31 March 2021 

Acquisition items 

Amortisation 
of acquired 
intangible 
assets 
£m 
(5.5) 
(11.7) 
(8.6) 
(16.5) 
(42.3) 

Transaction 
costs 
£m 
– 
– 
– 
(1.9) 
(1.9) 

Adjustments 
to contingent 
consideration 
£m 
– 
(2.4) 
1.3 
0.4 
(0.7) 

Release of 
fair value 
adjustments 
to inventory 
£m 
(0.8) 
– 
– 
(1.8) 
(2.6) 

Total 
amortisation 
charge and 
acquisition 
items 
£m 
(6.3) 
(14.1) 
(7.3) 
(19.8) 
(47.5) 

 Disposal of  
operations and 
restructuring 
 (note 30) 
£m 
– 
– 
22.1 
– 
22.1 

Total 
£m 
(6.3) 
(14.1) 
14.8 
(19.8) 
(25.4) 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Total Segment & Group 

The transaction costs arose on the acquisition of Static Systems (£0.5m) during the year and costs relating to Visiometrics (£1.4m), 
both in the Medical sector.  

The £0.7m adjustment to contingent consideration comprised: a charge of £2.4m in Infrastructure Safety arising from an increase 
in the estimate of the payables for Navtech (£1.5m) and FireMate (£0.9m); a credit of £1.3m in Environmental & Analysis arising 
from a decrease in estimate of the payables for Invenio (£0.8m) and Enoveo (£0.5m), and a credit of £0.4m in Medical arising from 
a decrease in the estimated payable for NeoMedix (£1.7m), offset by an increase in estimate of the payable for Infowave (£0.9m) 
and Spreo (£0.2m), and a charge of £0.2m arising from exchange differences on balances denominated in Euros.  

The £2.6m release of fair value adjustments to inventory relates to Sensit (£0.8m) in Process Safety and NovaBone (£1.3m), Maxtec 
(£0.2m) and Static Systems (£0.3m) in Medical. All amounts have now been released in relation to Sensit, NovaBone, Maxtec and 
Static Systems. 

Acquisition items 

Year ended 31 March 2020 

Amortisation 
of acquired 
intangible 
assets 
£m 
(4.2) 
(11.0) 
(9.2) 
(13.9) 
(38.3) 

Transaction 
costs 
£m 
(0.7) 
(2.3) 
(0.2) 
(2.7) 
(5.9) 

Adjustments 
to contingent 
consideration 
£m 
– 
(8.2) 
2.6 
8.1 
2.5 

Release of 
fair value 
adjustments 
to inventory 
£m 
(0.4) 
(2.8) 
– 
(0.9) 
(4.1) 

Total 
amortisation 
charge and 
acquisition 
items 
£m 
(5.3) 
(24.3) 
(6.8) 
(9.4) 
(45.8) 

 Disposal of  
operations and  
restructuring 
 (note 30) 
£m 
– 
– 
– 
2.9 
2.9 

Total 
£m 
(5.3) 
(24.3) 
(6.8) 
(6.5) 
(42.9) 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Total Segment & Group 

In the prior year, the transaction costs arose mainly on the acquisitions during that year. In Process Safety they related to the 
acquisition of Sensit (£0.7m). In Infrastructure Safety, they related to the acquisition of Ampac (£2.1m) and FireMate (£0.2m). In 
Environmental & Analysis, they related to the acquisition of Invenio (£0.1m) and Enoveo (£0.1m). In Medical, they mainly related to 
the acquisition of Infowave (£0.1m), NeoMedix (£0.1m), NovaBone (£1.7m), Spreo (£0.1m) and Maxtec (£0.3m). 

The £2.5m adjustment to contingent consideration comprised: a debit in Infrastructure Safety of £8.2m arising from an increase in 
the estimate of the payable for Navtech; a credit of £2.6m in Environmental & Analysis arising from decreases in estimates of the 
payables for Mini-Cam (£2.6m) and Invenio (£0.1m), offset by an increase in estimates of the payable for Enoveo (£0.1m); and a 
credit of £8.1m in Medical arising from a decrease in estimates of the payables for NovaBone (£8.0m) and Infowave (£1.1m) offset 
by an increase in the estimate of the payable for NeoMedix (£1.0m). 

The £4.1m release of fair value adjustments to inventory related to Sensit (£0.4m) in Process Safety, Navtech (£0.4m) and Ampac 
(£2.4m) in Infrastructure Safety; and NeoMedix (£0.3m), NovaBone (£0.5m), and Maxtec (£0.1m) in Medical. All amounts have 
now been released in relation to Navtech, Ampac and NeoMedix. 

172

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Segmental analysis and revenue from contracts with customers continued 
Segment assets and liabilities  

Before goodwill, interest in associates and other investments and acquired intangible assets are allocated to 
specific segment assets/liabilities 
Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Total segment assets/liabilities excluding goodwill, interest in associates and 
other investments and acquired intangible assets 
Goodwill 
Interest in associate and other investments 
Acquired intangible assets 
Total segment assets/liabilities including goodwill, interest in associates 
and other investments and acquired intangible assets 

After goodwill, interest in associates and other investments and acquired intangible assets are allocated to 
specific segment assets/liabilities 
Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Total segment assets/liabilities including goodwill, interest in associates and 
other investments and acquired intangible assets 
Cash and bank balances/borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other unallocated assets/liabilities 
Total Group 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
88.1 
213.5 
111.5 
155.7 

568.8 
808.5 
9.3 
241.7 

Assets 

31 March  
2020 
£m 
96.4 
189.0 
138.6 
161.1 

585.1 
838.4 
4.8 
283.3 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
24.7 
77.7 
50.0 
54.0 

206.4 
– 
– 
– 

Liabilities 

31 March  
2020 
£m 
27.3 
67.8 
54.5 
46.2 

195.8 
– 
– 
– 

1,628.3 

1,711.6 

206.4 

195.8 

31 March 
2021 
£m 
191.8 
528.6 
290.4 
617.5 

1,628.3 
134.1 
1.7 
113.8 
1,877.9 

Assets 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
216.4 
515.0 
339.3 
640.9 

1,711.6 
106.3 
1.0 
118.9 
1,937.8 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
24.7 
77.7 
50.0 
54.0 

206.4 
325.3 
0.7 
177.9 
710.3 

Liabilities 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
27.3 
67.8 
54.5 
46.2 

195.8 
420.1 
1.0 
184.0 
800.9 

Segment assets and liabilities, excluding the allocation of goodwill, interest in associate and other investments and acquired 
intangible assets, have been disclosed separately above as this is the measure reported to the Group Chief Executive for the 
purpose of monitoring segment performance and allocating resources between segments. Other unallocated assets include land 
and buildings, right-of-use assets, retirement benefit assets, deferred tax assets and other central administration assets. 
Unallocated liabilities include contingent purchase consideration, retirement benefit obligations, deferred tax liabilities, lease 
liabilities and other central administration liabilities. 

Other segment information 

Process Safety 
Infrastructure Safety 
Environmental & Analysis 
Medical 
Total segment additions/depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
Unallocated 
Total Group 

Additions to non-current assets 
Year ended  
Year ended  
31 March  
31 March  
2020 
2021 
£m 
£m 
41.7 
4.1 
100.7 
18.1 
14.2 
8.0 
126.3 
49.6 
282.9 
79.8 
31.6 
33.8 
314.5 
113.6 

Depreciation, amortisation  
and impairment 
Year ended  
31 March  
2020 
£m 
9.7 
22.5 
17.4 
22.8 
72.4 
17.5 
89.9 

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 
11.3 
21.7 
15.9 
24.1 
73.0 
20.1 
93.1 

Non-current asset additions comprise acquired and purchased goodwill, other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, 
interests in associates and other investments. 

During the year impairment losses of £2.8m were recognised on Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, of which 
£0.4m was recognised in Process Safety, £0.5m was recognised in Infrastructure Safety, £0.9m was recognised in Environmental & 
Analysis, £0.5m was recognised in Medical and £0.5m was unallocated (2020: £5.2m comprising £2.0m in Infrastructure Safety, 
£1.6m in Environmental & Analysis and £1.6m in Medical). Impairment losses mainly related to capitalised development costs and 
were recorded as a result of changes in the expected outcome of projects. 

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Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Accounts continued 

1 Segmental analysis and revenue from contracts with customers continued 
Geographic information 
The Group’s non-current assets by geographic location are detailed below: 

United States of America 
Mainland Europe 
United Kingdom 
Asia Pacific 
Other countries 

31 March 
2021 
£m 
659.7 
240.7 
263.1 
118.7 
6.4 
1,288.6 

Non-current assets 
31 March  
2020  
£m 
755.0 
254.0 
224.4 
114.5 
8.0 
1,355.9 

Non-current assets comprise goodwill, intangible assets, interest in associate and other investments, and property, plant and 
equipment.  

Information about major customers 
No single customer accounts for more than 5% (2020: 5%) of the Group’s revenue.  

2 Earnings per ordinary share 
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share are calculated using the weighted average of 379,157,495 shares in issue during the 
year (net of shares purchased by the Company and held as own shares) (2020: 379,086,833). There are no dilutive or potentially 
dilutive ordinary shares. 

Adjusted earnings are calculated as earnings from continuing operations excluding the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; 
acquisition items; restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. The Directors consider that adjusted earnings, 
which constitute an alternative performance measure, represent a more consistent measure of underlying performance as it 
excludes amounts not directly linked with trading. A reconciliation of earnings and the effect on basic and diluted earnings per share 
figures is as follows:  

Earnings from continuing operations attributable to owners of the parent 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (after tax) 
Acquisition transaction costs (after tax) 
Adjustments to contingent consideration (after tax) 
Release of fair value adjustments to inventory (after tax) 
Disposal of operations and restructuring (after tax) 
Adjusted earnings attributable to owners of the parent 

Per ordinary share 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
203.4 
32.0 
1.6 
0.7 
2.0 
(17.1) 
222.6 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020 
£m 
184.4 
30.3 
5.3 
(2.5) 
3.0 
(2.9) 
217.6 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
pence 
53.61 
8.44 
0.43 
0.20 
0.52 
(4.53) 
58.67 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
pence 
48.66 
7.98 
1.41 
(0.66) 
0.78 
(0.78) 
57.39 

174

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 Alternative performance measures  
The Board uses certain alternative performance measures to help it effectively monitor the performance of the Group. 
The Directors consider that these represent a more consistent measure of underlying performance by removing non-trading 
items that are not closely related to the Group’s trading or operating cash flows. These measures include Return on Total Invested 
Capital (ROTIC), Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), organic growth at constant currency, Adjusted operating profit and 
Adjusted operating cash flow.  

Note 1 provides further analysis of the adjusting items in reaching adjusted profit measures. 

Return on Total Invested Capital 

Profit after tax 
Adjustments1 
Adjusted profit after tax1  
Total equity 
Add back net retirement benefit obligations 
Less associated deferred tax assets 
Cumulative amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
Historical adjustments to goodwill2  
Total Invested Capital 
Average Total Invested Capital3  
Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC)4 

Return on Capital Employed 

Profit before tax 
Adjustments1 
Net finance costs 
Lease interest 
Adjusted operating profit1 after share of results of associates and lease interest  
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 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 
Net tax receivable 
Non-current trade and other payables 
Non-current provisions 
Non-current lease liabilities 
Add back contingent purchase consideration 
Capital Employed 
Average Capital Employed3 
Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)4 

31 March  
 2021  
£m 
203.3 
19.2 
222.5 
1,167.6 
22.5 
(4.0) 
297.2 
89.5 
1,572.8 
1,543.7 
14.4% 

31 March 
 2021  
£m 
252.9 
25.4 
10.0 
(2.3) 
286.0 
6.0 
38.9 
3.4 
180.8 
167.8 
268.0 
(186.7) 
(13.3) 
(35.4) 
7.5 
(16.8) 
(8.4) 
(51.7) 
29.4 
389.5 
403.2 
70.9% 

31 March  
 2020  
£m 
184.4 
33.2 
217.6 
1,136.9 
5.2 
(0.5) 
283.5 
89.5 
1,514.6 
1,426.5 
15.3% 

31 March  
 2020  
£m 
224.1 
42.9 
12.1 
(2.1) 
277.0 
5.9 
36.1 
3.1 
184.3 
170.6 
286.6 
(186.7) 
(13.0) 
(28.0) 
1.3 
(13.3) 
(21.6) 
(48.5) 
40.1 
416.9 
387.9 
71.4% 

1  Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; and significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. Where after-tax 

measures, these also include the associated taxation on adjusting items. Note 1 provides more information on these items. 
Includes goodwill amortised prior to 3 April 2004 and goodwill taken to reserves. 

2 
3  The ROTIC and ROCE measures are expressed as a percentage of the average of the current and prior year’s Total Invested Capital and Capital Employed respectively. Using an 

average as the denominator is considered to be more representative. The 1 April 2019 Total Invested Capital and Capital Employed balances were £1,338.3m and £358.9m respectively. 

4  The ROTIC and ROCE measures are calculated as Adjusted profit after tax divided by Average Total Invested Capital and Adjusted operating profit after share of results of associates 

and lease interest divided by Average Capital Employed respectively. 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

3 Alternative performance measures continued 
Organic growth at constant currency 
Organic growth measures the change in revenue and profit from continuing Group operations. This measure equalises the effect 
of acquisitions by: 

a. removing from the year of acquisition their entire revenue and profit before taxation; 

b. in the following year, removing the revenue and profit for the number of months equivalent to the pre-acquisition period in the 

prior year; and 

c. removing from the year prior to acquisition, any revenue generated by sales to the acquired company which would have been 

eliminated on consolidation had the acquired company been owned for that period. 

The results of disposals are removed from the prior period reported revenue and profit before taxation. 

Constant currency measures the change in revenue and profit excluding the effects of currency movements. The measure restates 
the current year’s revenue and profit at last year’s exchange rates.  

Organic growth at constant currency has been calculated for the Group as follows: 

Group 

Continuing operations 
Acquired and disposed revenue/profit 
Organic growth  
Constant currency adjustment 
Organic growth at constant currency 

Year ended  
31 March 
 2021 
£m 
1,318.2 
(72.4) 
1,245.8 
14.0 
1,259.8 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020  
£m 
1,338.4 
(4.5) 
1,333.9 
–  
1,333.9 

Revenue 

% growth 
(1.5)% 

(6.6)% 

(5.6)% 

Year ended  
31 March 
2021 
£m 
278.3 
(12.6) 
265.7 
2.6 
268.3 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
267.0 
(0.6) 
266.4 
–  
266.4 

Adjusted* 
profit before 
taxation 

% growth 
4.2% 

(0.3)% 

0.7% 

Sector Organic growth at constant currency 
Organic growth at constant currency is calculated for each segment using the same method as described above. 

Process Safety 

Continuing operations 
Acquisition and currency adjustments  
Organic growth at constant currency 

Infrastructure Safety 

Continuing operations 
Acquisition and currency adjustments  
Organic growth at constant currency 

Year ended  
31 March 
 2021 
£m 
188.8 
(12.5) 
176.3 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
200.0 
–  
200.0 

Year ended  
31 March 
 2021 
£m 
450.5 
(7.4) 
443.1 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020  
£m 
466.5 
(1.6) 
464.9 

Revenue 

% growth 
(5.6)% 

(11.9)% 

Revenue 

% growth 
(3.4)% 

(4.7)% 

Year ended  
31 March 
2021 
£m 
36.6 
(2.2) 
34.4 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
43.9 
–  
43.9 

Adjusted* 
segment profit 

% growth 
(16.7)% 

(21.5)% 

Adjusted* 
segment profit 

Year ended  
31 March 
2021 
£m 
110.6 
(1.7) 
108.9 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
107.7 
– 
107.7 

% growth 
2.7% 

1.2% 

176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 Alternative performance measures continued 
Sector Organic growth at constant currency continued 
Environmental & Analysis 

Continuing operations 
Acquisition and currency adjustments  
Organic growth at constant currency 

Medical 

Continuing operations 
Acquisition and disposal and currency adjustments  
Organic growth at constant currency 

Year ended  
31 March 
 2021 
£m 
308.8 
4.5 
313.3 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
325.0 
(2.9) 
322.1 

Year ended  
31 March 
 2021 
£m 
371.3 
(43.0) 
328.3 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
347.2 
– 
347.2 

Revenue 

% growth 

(5.0)% 

(2.7)% 

Revenue 

% growth 
7.0% 

(5.4)% 

Adjusted* 
segment profit 

Year ended  
31 March 
2021 
£m 
77.4 
1.4 
78.8 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
69.4 
(0.7) 
68.7 

% growth 
11.4% 

14.7% 

Adjusted* 
segment profit 

Year ended  
31 March 
2021 
£m 
86.6 
(11.0) 
75.6 

Year ended  
31 March 
2020 
£m 
84.4 
0.1 
84.5 

% growth 
2.6% 

(10.5)% 

*  Adjustments include in the current and prior year the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items and significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of 

operations. 

Adjusted operating profit 

Operating profit 
Add back: 
Acquisition items (note 1) 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
Adjusted operating profit 

Adjusted operating cash flow 

Net cash from operating activities (note 26) 
Add back: 
Net acquisition costs paid 
Taxes paid 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Share awards vested not settled by own shares (Note 24) 
Less: 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of computer software and other intangibles 
Development costs capitalised 
Adjusted operating cash flow 
Cash conversion % (adjusted operating cash flow/adjusted operating profit) 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
240.8 

5.2 
42.3 
288.3 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
233.4 

7.5 
38.3 
279.2 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
277.6 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
255.5 

2.4 
53.8 
0.9 
7.8 

(22.8) 
(4.0) 
(15.4) 
300.3 
104% 

5.2 
52.4 
1.9 
6.0 

(31.2) 
(2.9) 
(14.7) 
272.2 
97% 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

4 Finance income 

Interest receivable 
Net interest credit on pension plan liabilities 
Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments 

5 Finance expense 

Interest payable on borrowings 
Interest payable on lease obligations 
Amortisation of finance costs 
Net interest charge on pension plan liabilities 
Other interest payable 

Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments 

6 Profit before taxation  
Profit before taxation comprises: 

Revenue 
Direct materials/direct labour 
Production overhead 
Selling costs 
Distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 
Operating profit 
Share of loss of associate 
Profit on disposal of operations 
Net finance expense 
Profit before taxation 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
0.8 
0.1 
0.1 
1.0 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
7.7 
2.3 
0.7 
– 
0.1 
10.8 
0.2 
11.0 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
1,318.2 
(551.0) 
(113.9) 
(120.3) 
(24.3) 
(267.9) 
240.8 
– 
22.1 
(10.0) 
252.9 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
0.6 
– 
– 
0.6 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
8.7 
2.1 
0.7 
0.8 
0.2 
12.5 
0.2 
12.7 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
1,338.4 
(559.6) 
(113.3) 
(136.6) 
(25.4) 
(270.1) 
233.4 
(0.1) 
2.9 
(12.1) 
224.1 

Included within administrative expenses are the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, transaction costs, and adjustments to 
contingent consideration. Included within direct materials/direct labour is the release of fair value adjustments to inventory. 

178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6 Profit before taxation continued 

Profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting): 
Depreciation 
Amortisation 
Impairment of intangible assets 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Impairment loss on trade receivables (note 16) 
Research and development* 
Foreign exchange loss/(gain) 
Profit on disposal of operations (note 30) 
Loss/(profit) on sale of property, plant and equipment and computer software 
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense 
Staff costs (note 7) 
Auditors’ remuneration 

Audit services to the Company 
Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries 
Total audit fees 

*  A further £15.4m (2020: £14.7m) of development costs has been capitalised in the year. See note 12. 

Interim review 
Other services 
Total non-audit fees 
Total fees 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 

37.3 
53.0 
2.3 
0.5 
0.5 
54.9 
2.8 
(21.6) 
0.7 
664.9 
366.4 
0.5 
1.2 
1.7 

0.1 
– 
0.1 
1.8 

35.8 
48.9 
5.2 
– 
8.3 
57.3 
(0.4) 
(2.9) 
(0.1) 
672.9 
376.4 
0.5 
1.1 
1.6 

0.1 
– 
0.1 
1.7 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

7 Employee information 
The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) by entity location was: 

United States of America 
Mainland Europe 
United Kingdom 
Asia Pacific 
Other countries 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
Number 
2,427 
1,152 
2,201 
1,246 
94 
7,120 

The monthly average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) by employee location was: 

United States of America 
Mainland Europe 
United Kingdom 
Asia Pacific 
Other countries 

Group employee costs comprise: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs (note 29) 
Share-based payment charge (note 24) 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
Number 
2,395 
1,117 
2,224 
1,237 
147 
7,120 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
300.7 
40.8 
11.5 
13.4 
366.4 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020  
Number 
2,282 
1,126 
2,303 
1,187 
94 
6,992 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020  
Number 
2,302 
1,098 
2,229 
1,225 
138 
6,992 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
309.6 
42.9 
11.6 
12.3 
376.4 

8 Directors’ remuneration 
The remuneration of the Directors is set out on pages 129 to 139 within the Annual 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  

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
4.0 
0.1 
3.1 
7.2 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
4.9 
0.1 
2.9 
7.9 

180

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 Taxation 

Current tax 
UK corporation tax at 19% (2020: 19%) 
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 
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 19% (2020: 19%) 
Overseas tax rate differences 
Effect of intra-group financing 
Tax incentives, exemptions and credits (including patent box, R&D and High-Tech status) 
Permanent differences 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Total tax charge recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement 
Effective tax rate  

Adjusted* profit before tax  
Total tax charge on adjusted* profit 
Effective tax rate 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 

11.5 
40.7 
1.7 
53.9 

(4.4) 
0.1 
(4.3) 
49.6 

252.9 
48.1 
6.3 
(6.5) 
(4.4) 
4.3 
1.8 
49.6 
19.6% 

12.3 
30.5 
(2.9) 
39.9 

(0.4) 
0.2 
(0.2) 
39.7 

224.1 
42.6 
6.1 
(6.2) 
(3.8) 
3.7 
(2.7) 
39.7 
17.7% 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
278.3 
55.8 
20.1% 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
267.0 
49.4 
18.5% 

*  Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition items, significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. Note 3 provides more 

information on alternative performance measures. 

The Group’s future Effective Tax Rate (ETR) will mainly depend on the geographic mix of profits and whether there are any changes 
to tax legislation in the Group’s most significant countries of operations. The UK government announced in the Budget on 3 March 
2021 an intention to increase the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023. This change will impact 
the value of our UK deferred tax balances as well as the tax charged on UK profits from the effective date. 

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: 

Current tax  
Retirement benefit obligations 
Deferred tax (note 22)  
Retirement benefit obligations 
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 

(2.5) 

(3.4) 
0.2 
(5.7) 

– 

4.0 
(0.1) 
3.9 

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 awards 
Deferred tax (note 22) 
Change in estimated excess tax deductions related to share-based payments 
Impact of changes in accounting policies: IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 

(1.6) 

(1.4) 

0.4 
– 
(1.2) 

(0.5) 
(0.9) 
(2.8) 

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Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Accounts continued 

10 Dividends 

Amounts recognised as distributions to shareholders in the year 
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020 (31 March 2019) 
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 (31 March 2020)  

Dividends declared in respect of the year 
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 (31 March 2020) 
Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 (31 March 2020) 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
pence 

Per ordinary share 
Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
pence 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020  
£m 

9.96 
6.87 
16.83 

6.87 
10.78 
17.65 

9.60 
6.54 
16.14 

6.54 
9.96 
16.50 

37.7 
26.0 
63.7 

26.0 
40.8 
66.8 

36.4 
24.8 
61.2 

24.8 
37.7 
62.5 

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 22 July 2021 and has not been 
included as a liability in these financial statements. 

11 Goodwill  

Cost 
At beginning of year 
Additions (note 25) 
Adjustments to prior years (note 25) 
Disposals (note 30) 
Exchange adjustments 
At end of year 
Provision for impairment 
At beginning and end of year 
Carrying amounts 

31 March 
2021 
£m 

31 March 
2020  
£m 

838.4 
20.6 
3.6 
(3.8) 
(50.3) 
808.5 

– 
808.5 

694.0 
122.5 
0.4 
– 
21.5 
838.4 

– 
838.4 

The Group identifies cash generating units (CGUs) at the operating company level as this represents the lowest level at which cash 
inflows are largely independent of other cash inflows. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated, at acquisition, to 
the groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from that business combination.  

Where goodwill has been allocated to a cash-generating unit (CGU) group and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, 
the goodwill associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain 
or loss on disposal.  

Before recognition of any impairment losses, the carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated to CGU groups as follows: 

Process Safety 
Gas Detection 
Bursting Discs 
Safety Interlocks and Corrosion Monitoring 

Infrastructure Safety 
Fire 
Doors, Security and Elevators 

Environmental & Analysis 
Water 
Optical Analysis  
Environmental Monitoring 

Medical 
Life Sciences  
Healthcare Assessment 
Therapeutic Solutions 

Total Group 

182

31 March 
2021 
£m 

31 March 
2020  
£m 

14.4 
8.4 
55.9 
78.7 

114.2 
112.2 
226.4 

74.4 
64.1 
12.7 
151.2 

37.6 
184.4 
130.2 
352.2 
808.5 

15.9 
9.3 
61.4 
86.6 

112.4 
116.0 
228.4 

75.7 
74.9 
9.3 
159.9 

40.3 
176.8 
146.4 
363.5 
838.4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11 Goodwill continued 
Impairment testing 
Goodwill values have been tested for impairment by comparing them against the ‘value in use’ in perpetuity of the relevant CGU 
group. The ‘value in use’ calculations were based on projected cash flows, derived from the latest budgets prepared by 
management and strategic plans approved by the Board, discounted at CGU specific, risk adjusted, discount rates 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: 

—  CGU specific operating assumptions that are reflected in the budget period for the financial year to March 2022;  
—  Discount rates; and 
—  Growth rates used to extrapolate risk adjusted cash flows beyond the forecast period. 

CGU specific operating assumptions are applicable to the forecasted cash flows for the year to March 2022 and relate to revenue 
forecasts, expected project outcomes and forecast operating margins in each of the operating companies. The relative value 
ascribed to each assumption will vary between CGUs as the forecasts are built up from the underlying operating companies within 
each CGU group. A short-term growth rate is applied to the March 2022 forecast to derive the cash flows arising in the years to 
March 2023 and March 2024. A long-term rate is applied to these values for the year to March 2025 and onwards. The potential 
impacts of climate change are not currently considered a key assumption and no imminent risks or opportunities are assumed as 
the Group is at a relatively early stage of its climate change journey and no material risks and opportunities which should be 
included in the relevant future cash flows have currently been identified. However, we have taken initial steps during the current 
year towards assessing these potential risks and opportunities and further work will be performed in the coming year. All CGU 
groups have significant headroom and any future impacts of climate change are not expected to have a material impact on the 
carrying value of goodwill.  

Short-term growth rates for the years 2023 and 2024 for all CGU groups are based on sector strategic plans. Long-term growth 
rates are capped at the weighted average GDP growth rates of the markets into which that CGU group sells. 

Discount rates are based on estimations of the assumptions that market participants operating in similar sectors to Halma would 
make, using the Group’s economic profile as a starting point and adjusting appropriately. The Directors do not currently expect any 
significant change in the present base discount rate of 9.26% (2020: 9.36%). 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). Discount rates are adjusted for economic 
risks that are not already captured in the specific operating assumptions for each CGU group. This results in the impairment testing 
using discount rates ranging from 7.92% to 12.58% (2020: 8.39% to 13.19%) across the CGU groups. 

Significant CGU groups 
CGU groups to which 10% or more of the total goodwill balance is allocated are deemed to be significant. The assumptions used to 
determine ‘value in use’ for these CGU groups are: 

Fire 
Doors, Security and Elevators 
Healthcare Assessment 
Therapeutic Solutions 

Risk adjusted discount rate 
31 March  
31 March  
2020 
2021 
12.23% 
11.43% 
11.83% 
10.50% 
13.19% 
12.58% 
11.45% 
10.95% 

Short-term growth rates* 
31 March  
2020 
12.90% 
12.90% 
11.22% 
11.22% 

31 March  
2021 
10.14% 
10.14% 
8.32% 
8.32% 

Long-term growth rates 
31 March  
2020 
1.99% 
1.99% 
2.04% 
2.04% 

31 March  
2021 
2.04% 
2.04% 
1.87% 
1.87% 

* Applied to calculate year two and three cash flows in the current year, and year three cash flows only in the prior year. 

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions  
The Directors believe that no reasonably possible change in any of the above key assumptions would cause the carrying value of 
any unit to exceed its recoverable amount. 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

12 Other intangible assets 

Acquired intangible assets 

Customer and  
supplier  
relationship1 
£m 

Technical  
know- 
how2 
£m 

Trademarks,  
brands and 
 patents3 
£m 

Internally 
generated 
capitalised 
development 
 costs4 
£m 

Total 
£m 

Computer  
software 
£m 

Other  
intangibles5 
£m 

284.2 

41.5 
– 

– 
9.7 
335.4 

7.3 
(1.9) 
– 

– 
– 
(20.9) 
319.9 

161.5 
24.6 
– 

– 
7.2 
193.3 
25.2 
(1.9) 
– 

– 
– 
(14.5) 
202.1 

117.8 
142.1 

88.6 

56.7 
– 

– 
3.3 
148.6 

5.9 
(2.9) 
– 

– 
– 
(10.5) 
141.1 

34.6 
9.2 
– 

– 
1.3 
45.1 
12.0 
(2.9) 
– 

– 
– 
(3.9) 
50.3 

90.8 
103.5 

65.9 

438.7 

15.2 
– 

– 
1.7 
82.8 

2.2 
(2.1) 
– 

– 
– 
(4.9) 
78.0 

39.1 
4.5 
– 

– 
1.5 
45.1 
5.1 
(2.1) 
– 

– 
– 
(3.2) 
44.9 

33.1 
37.7 

113.4 
– 

– 
14.7 
566.8 

15.4 
(6.9) 
– 

– 
– 
(36.3) 
539.0 

235.2 
38.3 
– 

– 
10.0 
283.5 
42.3 
(6.9) 
– 

– 
– 
(21.6) 
297.3 

241.7 
283.3 

91.1 

0.9 
14.7 

(0.6) 
1.6 
107.7 

– 
(0.4) 
15.4 

(4.4) 
(0.4) 
(4.6) 
113.3 

58.0 
7.9 
5.2 

(0.6) 
1.1 
71.6 
7.9 
– 
1.9 

(4.4) 
– 
(2.6) 
74.4 

38.9 
36.1 

20.7 

– 
2.6 

(0.8) 
0.4 
22.9 

– 
(0.4) 
2.8 

(1.1) 
1.0 
(1.0) 
24.2 

15.2 
2.2 
– 

(0.8) 
0.4 
17.0 
2.4 
(0.3) 
0.4 

(1.0) 
0.5 
(0.8) 
18.2 

6.0 
5.9 

4.6 

– 
0.3 

(0.1) 
0.2 
5.0 

– 
(0.5) 
1.2 

– 
– 
(0.5) 
5.2 

1.5 
0.5 
– 

– 
(0.1) 
1.9 
0.4 
(0.3) 
– 

– 
– 
(0.2) 
1.8 

3.4 
3.1 

Cost 
At 1 April 2019 
Assets of businesses 
acquired 
Additions at cost 
Disposals and 
retirements 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2020 
Assets of businesses 
acquired (note 25) 
Assets of business sold 
Additions at cost 
Disposals and 
retirements 
Transfers 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 
Accumulated 
amortisation & 
impairment 
At 1 April 2019 
Charge for the year 
Impairment 
Disposals and 
retirements 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2020 
Charge for the year 
Assets of business sold 
Impairment 
Disposals and 
retirements 
Transfers 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 
Carrying amounts 
At 31 March 2021 
At 31 March 2020 

Total 
£m 

555.1 

114.3 
17.6 

(1.5) 
16.9 
702.4 

15.4 
(8.2) 
19.4 

(5.5) 
0.6 
(42.4) 
681.7 

309.9 
48.9 
5.2 

(1.4) 
11.4 
374.0 
53.0 
(7.5) 
2.3 

(5.4) 
0.5 
(25.2) 
391.7 

290.0 
328.4 

1  Customer and supplier relationship assets are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be between three and 20 years. Within this balance individually material 

balances relate to: 
– CenTrak: £13.5m (2020: £16.4m);  
– Mini-Cam: £11.0m (2020: £12.7m); and 
– Ampac: £13.4m (2020: £15.9m). 
The remaining amortisation periods for these assets are 10 years, seven years, and 12 years respectively. 

2  Technical know-how assets are amortised over their useful economic lives, estimated to be between three and 15 years. Within this balance individually material balances  

relate to: 

   – CenTrak £8.9m (2020: £11.8m);  

– NeoMedix £8.5m (2020: £10.1m); and 
– NovaBone £20.8m (2020: £24.7m). 
The remaining amortisation periods for these assets are five years, 13 years, and 14 years respectively. 

3  Trademarks, brands and patents (which include protected intellectual property) are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be between eight and 20 years. There are 

4 

no individually material items within this balance. 
Internally generated capitalised development costs are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be three years from the date of product launch. There are no 
individually material items within this balance, which comprises capitalised costs arising from the development phase of the R&D projects undertaken by the Group. 

5  Other intangibles comprise licence and product registration costs, and customer lists, amortised over their useful economic lives, estimated to be between three and five years. 

184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13 Property, plant and equipment 

Cost 
At 1 April 2019 
Impact of changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 
Transfer between category 
Assets of businesses acquired  
Additions at cost 
Disposals and retirements 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2020 
Transfer between category 
Assets of businesses acquired (note 25) 
Assets of business sold 
Additions at cost 
Disposals and retirements 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 April 2019 
Impact of changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 
Transfer between category 
Charge for the year 
Disposals and retirements 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2020 
Transfer between category 
Charge for the year 
Impairment 
Assets of business sold 
Disposals and retirements 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 
Carrying amounts 
At 31 March 2021 
At 31 March 2020 

Right-of-use 
assets 
(Note 28) 
£m 

Freehold  
land and  
buildings 
£m 

Leasehold 
buildings and 
improvements  
£m 

Owned assets 

Plant,  
equipment  
and  
vehicles  
£m 

– 
95.0 
– 
5.8 
16.1 
(9.8) 
2.2 
109.3 
– 
0.6 
(4.0) 
23.7 
(16.6) 
(6.1) 
106.9 

– 
49.6 
– 
13.2 
(9.8) 
0.9 
53.9 
– 
14.4 
0.2 
(2.4) 
(16.2) 
(2.6) 
47.3 

59.6 
55.4 

53.9 
– 
– 
1.4 
2.0 
– 
1.9 
59.2 
0.1 
2.4 
– 
4.6 
– 
(2.7) 
63.6 

14.3 
– 
– 
1.1 
– 
0.4 
15.8 
0.1 
1.2 
– 
– 
– 
(0.7) 
16.4 

47.2 
43.4 

22.0 
– 
0.1 
1.6 
3.0 
(1.4) 
0.3 
25.6 
(0.1) 
– 
(0.4) 
1.3 
(4.4) 
(0.9) 
21.1 

13.3 
– 
– 
2.3 
(1.1) 
0.3 
14.8 
(0.1) 
3.2 
– 
(0.3) 
(4.1) 
(0.5) 
13.0 

8.1 
10.8 

188.7 
– 
(0.5) 
3.6 
26.2 
(7.9) 
4.2 
214.3 
(0.7) 
0.6 
(6.6) 
16.9 
(9.9) 
(9.6) 
205.0 

124.6 
– 
(0.4) 
19.2 
(6.4) 
2.6 
139.6 
(0.6) 
18.5 
0.3 
(3.9) 
(8.7) 
(6.1) 
139.1 

65.9 
74.7 

Total 
£m 

264.6 
95.0 
(0.4) 
12.4 
47.3 
(19.1) 
8.6 
408.4 
(0.7) 
3.6 
(11.0) 
46.5 
(30.9) 
(19.3) 
396.6 

152.2 
49.6 
(0.4) 
35.8 
(17.3) 
4.2 
224.1 
(0.6) 
37.3 
0.5 
(6.6) 
(29.0) 
(9.9) 
215.8 

180.8 
184.3 

Note 28 Leases contains further details of the Group’s right-of-use assets. None of the property, plant and equipment has been 
pledged as security. 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

14 Interest in associate and other investments  

Interest in associate 
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 
– Equity instruments 

Interest in associate 

Interest in associate 
At beginning of the year 
Additions in the year (note 30) 
Group’s share of loss of associate  
Disposal (note 30) 
At end of year 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
1.4 

7.9 
9.3 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
– 

4.8 
4.8 

31 March 
2021  
£m 

31 March 
2020  
£m 

– 
1.4 
– 
– 
1.4 

3.9 
– 
(0.1) 
(3.8) 
– 

During the year, the Group incorporated a new entity, OneThird B.V., to spin out the food technology start-up business from Ocean 
Insight, investing £0.9m on set up. On 26 March 2021, OneThird B.V., issued new shares to external investors that reduced the 
Group’s ownership interest from 60% to 35.3%, valuing the Group’s share at €1.5m (£1.4m) and resulting in a gain on deemed 
disposal of £0.5m. Following the deemed disposal, OneThird B.V. now meets the tests to be accounted for as an associate.  

Aggregated amounts relating to associate  
Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Net assets 
Group’s share of net assets of associate 

Total revenue 
Loss 
Group’s share of loss of associate 

31 March 
2021  
£m 

31 March 
2020  
£m 

1.2 
– 
1.2 
0.4 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

10.3 
(0.5) 
(0.1) 

The results of associate in the prior year related to the Group’s previous associate, Optomed, prior to its disposal.  

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) 
Equity investments at FVOCI comprise the following individual investments: 

Unlisted securities 
Owlytics Healthcare Limited 
Valencell Inc. 
Oxbotica Limited 

31 March 
2021  
£m 

31 March 
2020  
£m 

1.7 
3.2 
3.0 
7.9 

1.7 
3.1 
– 
4.8 

During the year no gains or losses were recognised in other comprehensive income relating to these equity investments (2020: £nil). 

Further information on methods and assumptions used in determining fair value is provided in note 27. 

186

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15 Inventories 

Raw materials and consumables 
Work in progress 
Finished goods and goods for resale 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
92.0 
15.8 
60.0 
167.8 

The above is stated net of provision for slow-moving and obsolete stock, movements of which are shown below:  

At beginning of the year 
Write downs of inventories recognised as an expense  
Recognition of provisions for businesses acquired 
Derecognition of provisions for businesses disposed 
Amounts reversed against inventories previously impaired and utilisation 
Exchange adjustments 
At end of the year 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
27.1 
7.4 
1.2 
(0.4) 
(3.1) 
(1.7) 
30.5 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
90.1 
16.9 
63.6 
170.6 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
21.5 
3.9 
1.8 
– 
(0.8) 
0.7 
27.1 

In the year ended 31 March 2021, previous write-downs against inventory were reversed as a result of increased sales in certain 
markets or where previously written down inventories have been disposed. 

There is no material difference between the original cost of inventories and their cost of replacement. None of the inventory has 
been pledged as security. 

16 Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables 
Allowance for doubtful debts 

Other receivables 
Prepayments 
Contract assets (note 18) 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
238.8 
(11.2) 
227.6 
8.7 
17.4 
14.3 
268.0 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
249.8 
(12.7) 
237.1 
11.0 
18.3 
20.2 
286.6 

Other receivables comprise various financial assets across the Group, including sales tax receivables and other non-trade balances.  

Receivables due in more than one year comprise of £nil (2020: £0.3m) in trade receivables and £1.9m in other receivables  
(2020: £2.2m). 

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Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Accounts continued 

16 Trade and other receivables continued 
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/amounts utilised 
Recognition of provisions for businesses acquired 
Exchange adjustments 
At end of the year 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
12.7 
0.5 
(1.8) 
0.1 
(0.3) 
11.2 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
5.0 
8.3 
(0.9) 
0.2 
0.1 
12.7 

The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its trade and other receivables carried at 
amortised cost.  

The Group assessed that no provisions or impairments were required in relation to contract assets (2020: £nil). 

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 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 
Between one and two months overdue 
Between two and three months overdue 
Over three months overdue 

17 Trade and other payables: falling due within one year 

Trade payables 
Other taxation and social security 
Other payables 
Accruals 
Contract liabilities (note 18) 
Deferred government grant income 

Gross trade receivables 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
181.4 
34.6 
10.5 
5.0 
18.3 
249.8 

31 March 
2021 
£m 
181.2 
32.0 
7.7 
5.7 
12.2 
238.8 

Trade receivables  
net of doubtful debts 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
181.1 
34.3 
10.5 
4.5 
6.7 
237.1 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
181.0 
31.5 
7.5 
5.5 
2.1 
227.6 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
84.8 
11.4 
6.0 
67.1 
16.0 
1.4 
186.7 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
89.5 
8.7 
7.0 
64.0 
16.2 
1.3 
186.7 

Other payables comprise various balances across the Group including share-based payments related amounts of £2.0m  
(2020: £2.4m), deferred R&D expenditure tax credits and other non-trade payables. These comprise £5.3m of financial liabilities 
and £0.7m of non-financial liabilities.  

188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18 Contract balances 

Contract assets (note 16) 
Contract liabilities current (note 17) 
Contract liabilities non-current (note 21) 
Total contract liabilities 

Amounts included in contract balances at the beginning of the year 
Transfers to receivables during the year 
Performance obligations arising in the current reporting year 
Increases as a result of billing ahead of performance 
Decreases as a result of revenue recognised in the year 
Increases as a result of performance in advance of billing 
Amounts arising through business combinations 
Exchange movements 
Amounts included in contract balances at the end of the year 

31 March 
2021 
£m 
14.3 
16.0 
11.0 
27.0 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
20.2 
16.2 
10.0 
26.2 

Contract assets 

Contract liabilities 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
20.2 
(17.7) 

31 March 
2020 
£m 
9.1 
(9.5) 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
(26.2) 

31 March 
2020 
£m 
(18.6) 

13.7 
– 
(1.9) 
14.3 

20.2 
– 
0.4 
20.2 

(16.7) 
15.1 

– 
0.8 
(27.0) 

(29.5) 
23.5 

(1.0) 
(0.6) 
(26.2) 

In some cases, the Group receives payments from customers based on a billing schedule, as established in our contracts. The 
contract assets relate to revenue recognised for performance in advance of scheduled billing and has decreased as the Group has 
provided less services ahead of the agreed payment schedules for certain contracts. The contract liability relates to payments 
received in advance of performance under contract and varies based on performance under these contracts.  

19 Borrowings 

Loan notes falling due within one year 
Overdrafts 
Total borrowings falling due within one year 
Unsecured loan notes falling due after more than one year 
Unsecured bank loans falling due after more than one year 
Total borrowings falling due after more than one year 
Total borrowings 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
– 
3.0 
3.0 
105.3 
217.0 
322.3 
325.3 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
74.2 
0.9 
75.1 
108.6 
236.4 
345.0 
420.1 

The loan notes falling due within one year at 31 March 2020, related to the first repayment due under the United States Private 
Placement completed in November 2015 which were repaid in January 2021. 

In the current and prior year, the loan notes falling due after more than one year relate to the remainder of the United States 
Private Placement. 

Information concerning the security, currency, interest rates and maturity of the Group’s borrowings is given in note 27. 

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Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Accounts continued 

20 Provisions 
Provisions are presented as: 

Current 
Non-current 

At 1 April 2020 
Additional provision in the year 
Arising on acquisition (note 25) 
Liabilities of business sold 
Utilised during the year 
Released during the year 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
35.4 
8.4 
43.8 

Contingent  
purchase  
consideration 
£m 
40.1 
3.5 
– 
– 
(9.9) 
(3.0) 
(1.3) 
29.4 

Dilapidations  
£m  
2.3 
0.6 
– 
(0.1) 
– 
(0.3) 
– 
2.5 

Product  
warranty 
£m 
6.2 
4.1 
0.1 
– 
(1.5) 
(0.8) 
(0.2) 
7.9 

Legal,  
contractual  
and other  
£m 
1.0 
2.0 
3.2 
– 
(1.3) 
(0.5) 
(0.4) 
4.0 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
28.0 
21.6 
49.6 

Total 
£m 
49.6 
10.2 
3.3 
(0.1) 
(12.7) 
(4.6) 
(1.9) 
43.8 

Contingent purchase consideration 
The provision at the beginning of the year comprised £19.1m payable within one year relating to the previous acquisitions of 
Navtech, Visiometrics, LAN, Enoveo, NeoMedix, NovaBone and Spreo. The balance at the beginning of the year due after more 
than one year of £21.0m related to the estimate for the final earnout period for Navtech and earnouts for Invenio, Enoveo, 
Infowave, NeoMedix, FireMate, NovaBone and Spreo.  

The £3.5m additional provision in the year related to revisions to the estimates for Navtech (£1.5m increase), Infowave (£0.9m 
increase), FireMate (£0.9m increase) and Spreo (£0.2m increase).  

The £9.9m utilised during the year related to the second earnout period for Navtech (£5.6m), the earnout for FireMate (£3.5m), 
the first NovaBone holdback amount of (£0.5m), first earnout period for Invenio (£0.2m) and LAN (£0.1m). 

The £3.0m released during the year related to the revisions to the estimate of NeoMedix (£1.7m reduction), Invenio (£0.8m 
reduction) and Enoveo (£0.5m reduction).  

The closing total provision is £29.4m, of which £26.1m is payable within one year, includes amounts based on actual results for the 
final earnout period for Navtech, the first earnout periods for Infowave, Spreo and NeoMedix, and the second earnout period for 
Invenio. It also includes estimates for the final earnout period for Visiometrics, for the year ended 31 December 2018, which is 
subject to final agreement, estimates for the future earnouts for NeoMedix and LAN and the remaining holdback amount for 
NovaBone. 

The balance due after more than one year of £3.3m comprises the final earnout periods for Infowave, NovaBone, Invenio and 
Spreo.  

The total contingent purchase consideration payable in future for the existing acquisitions is a minimum of £12.2m with a 
maximum possible payable of £70.7m. 

The basis for the calculation of each contingent consideration arrangement is set out on page 201 in note 27, including sensitivity 
of the estimation of the liabilities to changes in the assumptions. 

Dilapidations 
The dilapidations provisions are for the continuing obligations under leases in respect of property dilapidation and reinstatement 
provisions. The provisions comprise the Directors’ best estimates of future payments to restore the fabric of buildings to their 
original condition where it is a condition of the leases, prior to return of the properties. 

These commitments cover the period from 2021 to 2029 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. The warranties represent assurance type warranties within 
the definition of IFRS 15. 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.  

190

 
 
 
 
 
 
20 Provisions continued 
Legal, contractual and other 
Legal, contractual and other provisions 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, assess that it is more likely than not that such proceedings 
may be successful.  

21 Trade and other payables: falling due after one year 

Other payables 
Other taxation and social security 
Accruals 
Contract liabilities (note 18) 
Deferred government grant income 

22 Deferred tax  

At 1 April 2020 
Credit/(charge) to Consolidated 
Income Statement 
Credit/(charge) to  
Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income 
Charge to equity 
Arising on acquisition (note 25) 
Deferred tax of business sold (note 
30) 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 

At 1 April 2019 
Impact of changes in accounting 
policies: IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ 
(Charge)/credit to Consolidated 
Income Statement 
(Charge)/credit to  
Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income 
Credit to equity 
Arising on acquisition 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2020 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
2.0 
2.5 
0.6 
11.0 
0.7 
16.8 

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations  
£m 
0.5 

Acquired 
intangible 
assets  
£m 
(69.4) 

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation  
£m 
(6.3) 

Short-term 
timing 
differences 
£m  
4.1 

Share-based 
payment  
£m 
5.6 

Goodwill 
timing 
differences  
£m 
18.1 

31 March 
2020  
£m 

2.5 
– 
0.1 
10.0 
0.7 
13.3 

Total 
£m 
(47.4) 

0.1 

10.3 

(1.2) 

(1.6) 

– 

(3.3) 

4.3 

3.4 
– 
– 

– 
– 
4.0 

– 
– 
(2.9) 

– 
3.3 
(58.7) 

– 
– 
(0.2) 

1.2 
0.5 
(6.0) 

(0.2) 
– 
0.7 

0.1 
(0.3) 
2.8 

– 
(0.4) 
– 

– 
– 
5.2 

– 
– 
(0.1) 

0.9 
(2.2) 
13.4 

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations  
£m 
7.0 

Acquired 
intangible  
assets  
£m 
(46.6) 

Accelerated  
tax  
depreciation  
£m 
(5.4) 

Short-term 
timing 
differences 
£m  
4.6 

Share-based 
payment  
£m 
4.3 

Goodwill timing 
differences  
£m 
4.3 

– 

(2.5) 

(4.0) 
– 
– 
– 
0.5 

– 

8.0 

– 
– 
(30.0) 
(0.8) 
(69.4) 

– 

0.9 

(0.6) 

(1.7) 

– 
– 
(0.1) 
(0.2) 
(6.3) 

0.1 
– 
(0.2) 
0.4 
4.1 

– 

0.8 

– 
0.5 
– 
– 
5.6 

– 

(3.8) 

– 
– 
16.9 
0.7 
18.1 

3.2 
(0.4) 
(2.5) 

2.2 
1.3 
(39.3) 

Total 
£m 
(31.8) 

0.9 

0.2 

(3.9) 
0.5 
(13.4) 
0.1 
(47.4) 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

22 Deferred tax continued 
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 

Deferred tax balances expected to unwind in less than one year are insignificant.  

Movement in net deferred tax liability: 

At beginning of year 
Impact of changes in accounting policies: IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ 
(Charge)/credit to Consolidated Income Statement: 
   UK 
   Overseas 
Charge to Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Charge to equity 
Arising on acquisition (note 25) 
Deferred tax of business sold (note 30) 
Exchange adjustments 
At end of year 

31 March 
2021 
£m  
(40.6) 
1.3 
(39.3) 

31 March 
2020 
£m 
(48.7) 
1.3 
(47.4) 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
(47.4) 
– 

(2.0) 
6.3 
3.2 
(0.4) 
(2.5) 
2.2 
1.3 
(39.3) 

31 March 
2020  
£m 
(31.8) 
0.9 

(2.1) 
2.3 
(3.9) 
0.5 
(13.4) 
– 
0.1 
(47.4) 

It is likely that the unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries would qualify for the UK dividend exemption such that no UK tax 
would be due upon remitting those earnings to the UK. However, £84.7m (2020: £75.1m) of those earnings may still result in a tax 
liability, principally as a result of the dividend withholding taxes levied by the overseas jurisdictions in which those subsidiaries 
operate. These tax liabilities are not expected to exceed £6.4m (2020: £5.7m) of which only £0.7m has been provided as the Group 
is able to control the timing of the dividends. It is not expected that further amounts will crystallise in the foreseeable future. 
Temporary timing differences in connection with the interest in associate are insignificant. 

At 31 March 2021 the Group had unused capital tax losses of £0.3m (2020: £0.3m) and other tax losses of £0.8m (2020: £nil) for 
which no deferred tax asset has been recognised. 

23 Share capital 

Ordinary shares of 10p each 

Issued and fully paid 
31 March 
2020  
£m 
38.0 

31 March 
2021  
£m 
38.0 

The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 March 2021 was 379,645,332 (2020: 379,645,332), including shares held by the 
Employee Benefit Trust of 891,622 (2020: 760,894). 

192

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24 Share-based payments 
The total cost recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of share-based payment plans (the ‘employee share 
plans’) was as follows: 

Share incentive plan 
Executive share plan 

Year ended 31 March 2021 

Year ended 31 March 2020 

Equity- 
settled 
£m  
1.1  
11.9  
13.0  

Cash- 
settled  
£m 

–  
0.4  
0.4  

Total  
£m 
1.1  
12.3  
13.4  

Equity- 
settled  
£m 
0.9 
10.5 
11.4 

Cash- 
settled  
£m 
– 
0.9 
0.9 

Total  
£m 
0.9 
11.4 
12.3 

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; vesting is conditional upon completion of three years’ service. Forfeited shares are 
reallocated in subsequent grants. The costs of providing this Plan are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement over the 
three-year vesting period. 

Executive share plan (ESP) 
Under the ESP, in which executive Directors and certain senior employees participate, deferred share awards are made as either 
performance awards or deferred awards. Performance awards vest after three years based on Earnings Per Share and Return on 
Total Invested Capital (ROTIC) targets, and after two or three years for deferred share awards based on continuing service of the 
employee only. Awards which do not vest lapse on the second or third anniversary of their grant. Shares awarded under this Plan 
are purchased in the market by the Plan’s trustees and are held as own shares until their transfer to qualifying employees. Under 
the terms of the trust deed, Halma is required to provide the trust with the necessary funds to purchase the shares ahead of 
vesting. Dividends accrue on unvested awards and are settled in cash on vesting.  

The following table shows the number of deferred shares granted and outstanding at the beginning and end of the reporting 
period: 

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 

2021 
Number of  
shares  
awarded 

2,175,864 
726,410 
(870,681) 
(225,263) 
1,806,330 
– 

2020 
Number of  
shares  
awarded 
2,289,919 
757,280 
(761,652) 
(109,683) 
2,175,864 
– 

The performance shares outstanding at 31 March 2021 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 13 months 
(2020: 12 months). 

The fair value of the awards was calculated using an appropriate simulation method, with the inputs below: 

Expected life (years) 
Share price on date of grant (p) 
Option price (p) 
Fair value per option (%) 
Fair value per option (p) 

2021 
2/3 
2,260.0 
Nil 
100% 
2,260.0 

2020 
2/3 
2,046.0 
Nil 
100% 
2,046.0 

2019 
3 
1,370.0 
Nil 
100% 
1,369.2 

Cash-settled 
Awards under the above plans are normally settled in shares but may be settled in cash at the Board’s discretion or where required 
by local regulations. Cash-settled awards follow the same vesting conditions as the plans under which they are awarded.  

Net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations 
The Group withholds an amount for an employee’s tax obligation associated with a share-based payment and transfers that 
amount in cash to the relevant tax authority on the employee’s behalf. The deferred shares granted under the ESP include a net 
settlement feature under which shares are withheld in order to settle the employee’s tax obligations.  

Where permitted by local regulations, the Group is settling the deferred share grant on a net basis by withholding the number of 
shares with a fair value equal to the monetary value of the employee’s tax obligation and only issuing the remaining shares on 
completion of the vesting period. An amount of £7.8m was withheld and paid to the taxation authority in relation to the deferred 
shares granted in July 2017 (2020: £6.0m). 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

25 Acquisitions  
In accounting for acquisitions, adjustments are made to the book values of the net assets of the companies acquired to reflect 
their fair values to the Group. Acquired inventories are valued at fair value adopting Group bases and any liabilities for warranties 
relating to past trading are recognised. Other previously unrecognised assets and liabilities at acquisition are included and 
accounting policies are aligned with those of the Group where appropriate. 

During the year ended 31 March 2021, the Group completed the acquisition of the Static Systems Group. 

Below are summaries of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the purchase consideration of: 

a) the total of acquisitions;  

b) Static Systems Group; and 

c) the aggregate adjustments arising on prior year acquisitions. 

Due to their contractual dates, the fair value of receivables acquired (shown below) approximate 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). 

The combined fair value adjustments made for the acquisitions above under IFRS 3, excluding acquired intangible assets recognised 
and deferred taxation thereon, decreased the goodwill recognised by £1.3m (2020: £2.7m increase). 

As at the date of approval of the financial statements, the acquisition accounting for all prior year acquisitions is complete. 
The accounting for the current year acquisitions is provisional; relating to finalisation of certain provisional balances.  

a) Total of acquisitions 

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 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 
Corporation tax 
Non-current liabilities 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 
Deferred tax 
Total liabilities 
Net assets of businesses acquired 
Non-controlling interest 

Initial cash consideration paid 
Additional amounts paid in respect of cash acquired and other adjustments 
Total consideration 

Goodwill arising on acquisitions (current year) 
Goodwill arising on acquisitions (prior year) 
Total goodwill 

Analysis of cash outflow in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

Total  
£m 

15.4 
3.5 

2.0 
2.5 
7.9 
31.3 

(3.7) 
(0.2) 
(0.1) 
(0.2) 

(0.3) 
(3.2) 
(2.5) 
(10.2) 
21.1 
(1.4) 

37.0 
6.9 
43.9 

20.6 
3.6 
24.2 

Initial cash consideration paid 
Cash acquired on acquisitions 
Initial cash consideration adjustment and other amounts paid to vendors on current year acquisitions  
Contingent consideration paid and loan notes repaid in cash in relation to prior year acquisitions* 
Net cash outflow relating to acquisitions (per Consolidated Cash Flow Statement) 

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 
37.0 
(7.9) 
6.9 
10.4 
46.4 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
226.2 
(8.0) 
4.1 
10.5 
232.8 

*  The £10.4m comprises £9.9m contingent consideration paid and £0.5m other amounts in respect of prior period acquisitions all of which had been provided in the prior period’s 

financial statements. 

194

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25 Acquisitions continued  
b) Static Systems Group 

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 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 
Corporation tax payable 
Non-current liabilities 
Lease liabilities 
Deferred tax 
Total liabilities 
Net assets of business acquired 

Initial cash consideration paid 
Additional amounts paid in respect of cash acquired and other adjustments 
Total consideration 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Total  
£m 

15.4 
3.6 

2.0 
2.4 
7.9 
31.3 

(3.9) 
(0.2) 
(0.1) 
(0.2) 

(0.3) 
(3.3) 
(8.0) 
23.3 

37.0 
6.9 
43.9 

20.6 

On 18 December 2020, the Group acquired the Static Systems Group (‘Static Systems’) for an initial cash consideration of £37.0m 
adjustable for cash acquired and other adjustments. The adjustment was determined to be £6.9m. The acquisition comprised of 
the entire share capital of Static Systems Holdings Limited and its subsidiary Static Systems Group Limited (formerly Static Systems 
Group Plc). 

Static Systems, based in Wolverhampton, UK, is a designer, manufacturer and installer of critical communication systems, which 
are central to UK healthcare trusts’ patient care infrastructure. Its technology enables hospital patients to alert healthcare 
specialists in an emergency, protecting lives and decreasing the response time of care provided. The company continues to run 
under its own management team and has become part of the Group’s Medical sector. 

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 £7.3m; trade name of £2.2m and technology related intangibles of £5.9m; with residual goodwill arising of £20.6m. 
The goodwill represents:  

a) the technical expertise of the acquired workforce; 

b) the opportunity to leverage this expertise across some of Halma’s businesses through future technologies; and  

c) the ability to provide a route to the UK healthcare market for certain existing products and services within the Group’s Medical 

sector. 

Static Systems contributed £6.6m of revenue and £1.0m of profit after tax for the year ended 31 March 2021.  

If this acquisition had been held since the start of the financial year, it is estimated that the Group’s reported revenue and profit 
after tax would have been £14.9m higher and £1.7m higher respectively. 

Acquisition costs totalling £0.5m were recorded in the Consolidated Income Statement.  

The goodwill arising on the Static Systems acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

25 Acquisitions continued 
c) Adjustments in respect of prior year acquisitions 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Non-current liabilities 
Provisions 
Deferred tax 
Total liabilities 
Net adjustments to assets of businesses acquired in prior years 
Non-controlling interest 

Adjustment to goodwill  

Total  
£m 

0.2 

(3.2) 
0.8 
(2.2) 
(2.2) 
(1.4) 

3.6 

In finalising the acquisition accounting for the prior year acquisition of NeoMedix, an adjustment of £3.2m was made to include a 
legal provision in relation to a case in existence at the acquisition date. There was an adjustment made to decrease the related 
deferred tax liability of £0.7m. Overall this resulted in an increase in goodwill of £2.5m. 

In finalising the acquisition accounting for the prior year acquisition of Ampac, an adjustment of £0.2m was made to decrease 
trade and other payables and £0.1m was made to reduce deferred tax. Overall this resulted in a corresponding decrease in goodwill 
of £0.3m. 

In finalising the acquisition accounting for the prior year acquisition of FireMate, a correction of the calculation of non-controlling 
interest was made resulting in an increase in goodwill of £1.4m. 

The adjustments were not material and as such the comparative balance sheet was not restated; instead the adjustments have 
been made through the current year. 

26 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 associate  
and profit on disposal of operations 
Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss  
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation and impairment of computer software 
Amortisation of capitalised development costs and other intangibles 
Impairment of capitalised development costs 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
Share-based payment expense in excess of amounts paid 
Payments to defined benefit pension plans net of charge  
Loss/(profit) on sale of property, plant and equipment and computer software 
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital 
Increase in inventories 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
Increase in payables and provisions 
Revision to estimate of, and exchange differences arising on, contingent consideration payable 
Cash generated from operations 
Taxation paid 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and bank balances 
Overdrafts (included in current borrowings) 
Cash and cash equivalents 

196

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 

240.8 
– 
37.8 
2.8 
8.3 
1.9 
42.3 
3.7 
(13.1) 
0.7 
325.2 
(6.7) 
4.3 
7.9 
0.7 
331.4 
(53.8) 
277.6 

233.4 
0.1 
35.8 
2.2 
8.4 
5.2 
38.3 
4.8 
(12.5) 
(0.1) 
315.6 
(5.1) 
(9.0) 
8.9 
(2.5) 
307.9 
(52.4) 
255.5 

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 

134.1 
(3.0) 
131.1 

106.3 
(0.9) 
105.4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26 Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement continued 

Analysis of net debt 
Cash and bank balances  
Overdrafts 
Cash and cash 
equivalents 
Loan notes falling due 
within one year 
Loan notes falling due 
after more than one 
year 
Bank loans falling due 
after more than one 
year 
Lease liabilities 
Total net debt 

1 April 
2020  
£m 

Cash flow  
£m 

Net cash/ 
(debt) 
acquired 
£m 

Net (cash)/ 
debt disposed 
£m 

Loan notes 
 repaid 
£m 

Additions 
£m 

Exchange 
 adjustments  
£m 

31 March 
2021  
£m 

106.3 
(0.9) 

24.5 
(2.1) 

105.4 

22.4 

(74.2) 

(108.6) 

– 

– 

7.9 
– 

7.9 

– 

– 

(0.4) 
– 

(0.4) 

– 

– 

(236.4) 
(61.5) 
(375.3) 

7.3 
16.4 
46.1 

– 
(0.5) 
7.4 

– 
1.8 
1.4 

– 
– 

– 

72.2 

– 

– 
– 
72.2 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

(4.2) 
– 

134.1 
(3.0) 

(4.2) 

131.1 

2.0 

– 

3.3 

(105.3) 

– 
(25.0) 
(25.0) 

12.1 
3.8 
17.0 

(217.0) 
(65.0) 
(256.2) 

The net increase in cash and cash equivalents of £29.9m comprised cash inflow of £22.4m, cash acquired of £7.9m and cash 
disposed of £0.4m. 

The net cash outflow from loan notes of £72.2m arose on the maturity of the first tranche of USPP loan notes in January 2021. 

The net cash outflow from bank loans of £7.3m comprised repayments of £7.3m. 

Reconciliation of movements of the Group’s liabilities from financing activities 
Liabilities from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or will be, classified as cash flows from financing activities 
in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement. 

At 1 April 2019 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Exchange adjustments 
Other changes* 
At 31 March 2020  
Cash flows from financing activities 
Acquisition/disposal of subsidiaries 
Exchange adjustments 
Other changes* 
At 31 March 2021  

Borrowings  
£m 
253.8 
156.3 
– 
9.1 
– 
419.2 
(79.5) 
– 
(17.4) 
– 
322.3 

Leases  
£m 
50.3 
(15.8) 
8.2 
0.7 
18.1 
61.5 
(16.4) 
(1.3) 
(3.8) 
25.0 
65.0 

Total liabilities 
from financing 
activities  
£m 
313.2 
140.5 
8.2 
9.8 
9.9 
481.6 
(95.9) 
(1.3) 
(21.2) 
27.1 
390.3 

Overdraft  
£m 
9.1 
– 
– 
– 
(8.2) 
0.9 
– 
– 
– 
2.1 
3.0 

Trade and 
other payables 
falling due 
within one 
year 
£m 
164.8 
(9.0) 
11.4 
0.5 
19.0 
186.7 
(7.8) 
2.7 
(5.2) 
10.3 
186.7 

*  Other changes include movements in overdraft which is treated as cash, interest accruals, reclassifications from non-current to current liabilities, lease additions and other movements 

in working capital balances. 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

27 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 
geographic 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 of 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 19 to the Financial statements, 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 significant investments in overseas operations in the USA and EU, with further investments in Australia, New 
Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Brazil, 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. Longer-term funding is provided by the Group’s bank loan 
facilities which are at floating rates, or by the Group’s fixed rate United States Private Placement completed in November 2015. 

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. 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 geographic 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, contract assets, derivative financial instruments and cash of £402.8m 
(2020: £386.3m) 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.  

198

 
 
27 Financial instruments continued 
Liquidity risk 
The Group has a syndicated multi-currency revolving credit facility of £550m. The facility, in Sterling, US Dollar, Euro, Australian 
Dollar and Swiss Franc, currently runs to November 2023. 

In addition, in November 2015 the Group completed a United States Private Placement and issued US$250m of loan notes in 
January 2016, repayable at five, seven and ten-year intervals, of which the first tranche was repaid during the year. These facilities 
are the main sources of long-term funding for the Group. 

The financial covenants on these facilities are for leverage (net debt/adjusted EBITDA) of not more than three times and for 
adjusted interest cover of not less than four times. Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are on a pre-IFRS 16 basis. All covenants have 
been complied with.  

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, some operating companies 
utilise local bank overdrafts. These practices allow a balance to be maintained between continuity of funding, security and 
flexibility.  

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 £1.4m (2020: £1.3m) impact on the Group’s reported profit before tax; and a one 
per cent change in the value of the Euro relative to Sterling would have had a £0.3m (2020: £0.3m) impact on the Group’s profit 
before tax for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

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 a result of movement in exchange rates. The exposures are predominantly US Dollar and Euro. 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 £3.9m at 31 March 2021 (2020: £1.6m). These comprised Sterling denominated bank deposits of £0.1m (2020: £0.1m), and 
Euro, US Dollar and Renminbi bank deposits of £3.8m (2020: £1.5m) which earn interest at local market rates. Cash balances 
of £130.1m (2020: £104.7m) earn interest at local market rates. 

The financial liabilities which are subject to interest rate fluctuations comprise bank loans and overdrafts which totalled £220.0m at 
31 March 2021 (2020: £237.3m). All bank loans bear interest at floating rates where the fixed period can be up to six 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 market rates.  

The loan notes related to the United States Private Placement attract interest at a weighted average fixed rate of 2.63%. 

The Group’s weighted average interest cost on net debt for the year was 3.22% (2020: 3.52%). Excluding IFRS16 lease liabilities, the 
weighted average interest cost on net debt for the year was 3.13% (2020: 3.48%). 

Analysis of interest-bearing financial liabilities 
Sterling denominated bank loans 
US Dollar denominated bank loans 
Euro denominated bank loans 
Australian Dollar denominated bank loans 
Swiss Franc denominated bank loans 
Brazilian Reais denominated bank loans  
Total bank loans 
Overdrafts (principally Sterling and US Dollar denominated) 
Sterling denominated loan notes 
US Dollar denominated loan notes 
Euro denominated loan notes 
Total interest-bearing financial liabilities  

31 March 
2021 
£m 

31 March 
2020 
£m 

44.0 
110.7 
23.9 
21.0 
17.0 
0.4 
217.0 
3.0 
59.0 
22.5 
23.8 
325.3 

50.0 
146.7 
– 
30.5 
9.2 
– 
236.4 
0.9 
82.0 
51.4 
49.4 
420.1 

For the year ended 31 March 2021 it is estimated that a general increase of one percentage point in interest rates would have 
reduced the Group’s profit before tax by £2.2m (2020: £1.8m).  

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

27 Financial instruments continued 
Maturity of financial liabilities 
The gross contractual maturities of the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities that are neither current nor on demand are as 
follows. 

At 31 March 2021 
Accruals 
Other payables 
Contingent purchase consideration 
Bank loans 
Loan notes 
Lease liabilities 

At 31 March 2020 
Accruals 
Other payables 
Contingent purchase consideration 
Bank loans 
Loan notes 
Lease liabilities 

One to  
two years 
£m 

Between  
two and  
five years 
£m 

After more 
than  
five years 
£m 

Gross  
maturities 
£m 

Effect of 
 discounting/ 
financing rates 
£m 

0.1 
0.8 
3.0 
0.4 
73.1 
16.1 
93.5 

0.4 
0.1 
0.3 
216.6 
38.2 
37.7 
293.3 

0.1 
1.1 
– 
– 
– 
17.3 
18.5 

0.6 
2.0 
3.3 
217.0 
111.3 
71.1 
405.3 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(6.0) 
(19.4) 
(25.4) 

One to  
two years 
£m 

Between  
two and  
five years 
£m 

After more  
than  
five years 
£m 

Gross  
maturities 
£m 

Effect of  
discounting/ 
financing rates 
£m 

0.1 
1.2 
14.4 
– 
2.0 
15.1 
32.8 

– 
0.3 
4.4 
236.4 
75.7 
35.1 
351.9 

– 
1.0 
– 
– 
35.0 
15.0 
51.0 

0.1 
2.5 
18.8 
236.4 
112.7 
65.2 
435.7 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(4.1) 
(16.7) 
(20.8) 

Total 
£m 

0.6 
2.0 
3.3 
217.0 
105.3 
51.7 
379.9 

Total 
£m 

0.1 
2.5 
18.8 
236.4 
108.6 
48.5 
414.9 

The Group’s bank loans are revolving credit facilities and the amount and timing of future payments and drawdowns is unknown. 
It is therefore not possible to calculate the interest arising on these loans and we have therefore not disclosed the maturity of the 
gross cash flows (including interest) in relation to these liabilities. 

Borrowing facilities 
The Group’s principal sources of long-term funding are its unsecured five-year £550m Revolving Credit Facility and its US$250m 
United States Private Placement. The Revolving Credit Facility was refinanced in November 2016 and initially ran to November 2021. 
Effective November 2017, the Group extended this facility for a further year to November 2022, and effective November 2018 for a 
further year to November 2023. 

The United States Private Placement of US$250m was completed in November 2015. The unsecured loan notes were drawn on 
6 January 2016 as £82m, €56m and US$64m at a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.53%. The loan notes mature at five, 
seven and ten-year intervals, with the first tranche of £72.2m maturing in January 2021. The remaining loan notes as at 31 March 
2021 were £59m, €28m and US$31m at a weighted average interest rate of 2.63%. Interest is payable half yearly. 

The Group’s undrawn committed facilities available at 31 March 2021 were £333.4m (2020: £313.6m) of which £nil (2020: £nil) 
matures within one year and £333.4m (2020: £313.6m) between two and five years. 

The Group has an additional short-term unsecured and committed US bank facility of £12m maturing in November 2023. The 
facility was undrawn at 31 March 2021. 

The Group has a Brazilian Reais bank loan of £0.4m (2020: £nil) maturing in February 2023. 

Other 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. 

UK companies have cross-guaranteed £26.5m (2020: £15.3m) of overdraft facilities. Total overdrafts for the Group as at 31 March 
2021 were £3.0m (2020: £0.9m). 

200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27 Financial instruments continued 
Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities 
With the exception of the Group’s fixed rate loan notes, 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. 

The fair value of floating borrowings approximates to the carrying value because interest rates are reset to market rates at intervals 
of less than one year.  

The fair value of the Group’s fixed rate loan notes arising from the United States Private Placement completed in January 2016 is 
estimated to be £107.5m (2020: £187.4m). The fair value 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. 

The fair value of 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. 

The fair value of equity investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income is based on the latest observable price 
where available. Where there are no recent observable prices, adjustments are made based on qualitative indicators, such as the 
financial performance of the entity, performance against operational milestones and future outlook. This represents a level 3 
measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7. 

The fair value of deferred contingent consideration arising on acquisitions is calculated by estimating the possible future cash flows 
for the acquired company identified as best, base and worst-case scenarios, using probability weightings of 25%, 50% and 25% 
respectively. These scenarios are based on management’s knowledge of the business and how the current economic environment is 
likely to impact it. The relevant future cash flows are dependent on the specific terms of the sale and purchase agreement. Those 
terms are as follows: 

—  Invenio – For the year ended 31 March 2022, where EBIT exceeds the prior year EBIT, the earn out is 60% of the prior year EBIT plus 
95% of the growth in EBIT over the prior year. Where EBIT is equal to or lower than prior year EBIT, the earn-out is 60% of EBIT. 
Subject to a maximum earn out of £1m. 

—  Enoveo – Based on 2 times multiple of EBIT above a target threshold of €0.9m (£0.8m) for the year ended 31 March 2022 subject 

to a maximum earn out of €0.4m (£0.3m). 

—  Infowave – Based on 6 times multiple of EBIT above the greater of the prior year EBIT and target threshold of US$1.4m (£1.1m) for 

the year ended 31 March 2022 subject to a maximum of US$2.0m (£1.6m). 

—  NeoMedix – Based on the two years following the acquisition date respectively; 4 times multiple of revenue exceeding US$3.0m 
(£2.4m), subject to a maximum earn out of US$7.0m (£5.6m), 4 times multiple of revenue exceeding the greater of US$3.0m 
(£2.4m) and the revenue in the first earn out period for second year, subject to a maximum earn out of US$7.0m (£5.6m) or a 
total earn out of US$12.0m (£9.6m) for the two earn out periods. Where revenue for the first two earn out periods exceeds 
$12.0m (£9.6m), a third earn out period will apply based on 2 times multiple of revenue exceeding the greater of the revenue in 
the first earn out period and the revenue in the second earn out period, subject to a maximum earn out of US$5.0m (£4.0m).  

—  NovaBone – Based on 5 times multiple of EBIT of the greater of 108% of the prior year annual EBIT or a target of the US$8.1m 

(£6.5m) up to the greater of 110% of actual prior year EBIT or US$8.2m (£6.6m) and 10 times multiple of EBIT above the greater 
of 110% of actual prior year EBIT or US$8.2m (£6.6m) for the year to 31 March 2022, subject to a maximum earn out of 
US$25.0m (£20.1m).  

—  Spreo – Based on 30% of qualifying healthcare revenue for the year ended 31 March 2022 and the 18-month period ended  

30 September 2023 up to a maximum earn out of US$2.0m (£1.6m) in each period. 

This calculation represents a level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7. The fair value is sensitive to the weighting 
assigned to the expected future cash flows. For those earnouts where the payable is based on expectations of future cash flows, a 
change in weighting of 10 percentage points towards the best-case scenario would result in an increase in the estimate of future 
cash flows as follows: 

Invenio 
Enoveo 
Infowave 
NeoMedix 
NovaBone 
Spreo 

Current  
expected 
future  
cash flow 
£m 
0.6 
– 
1.1 
4.9 
1.2 
0.5 

10 pp shift in  
weighting  
towards upside  
expectation 
£m 
– 
– 
0.1 
0.1 
0.5 
– 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

27 Financial instruments continued 
Classification of financial assets and liabilities 
All financial assets and liabilities, with the exception of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, 
derivatives and contingent purchase consideration, are classified as amortised cost for accounting purposes. 

Derivatives in a hedging relationship are classified as cash flow hedging instruments. Derivatives not in a hedging relationship are 
classified as fair value through profit or loss. 

Contingent purchase consideration is classified as fair value through profit or loss. 

Hedging 
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 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/£ 

31 March  
2021 

31 March  
2020 

31 March  
2021  
m 

Foreign currency 
31 March  
2020 
m 

31 March  
2021 
£m 

Contract value 
31 March  
2020 
£m 

31 March  
2021 
£m 

Fair value 
31 March  
2020 
£m 

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 
Other currencies 

Total forward 
contracts 
US Dollars 
Euros 
Other currencies 

1.37 
1.11 
– 

1.42 
1.12 
– 

1.39 
1.12 
– 

1.27 
– 
– 

1.28 
1.13 
– 

1.28 
1.13 
– 

11.8 
1.8 
– 

8.3 
22.8 
– 

20.1 
24.6 
– 

1.4 
– 
– 

5.4 
24.0 
– 

6.7 
24.0 
– 

8.6 
1.6 
8.1 
18.3 

5.9 
20.3 
7.1 
33.3 

14.5 
22.0 
15.2 
51.7 

1.1 
– 
1.4 
2.5 

4.2 
21.2 
10.3 
35.7 

5.3 
21.2 
11.7 
38.2 

Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement 
Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 

– 
(0.1) 
– 
(0.1) 

0.2 
0.8 
0.1 
1.1 

0.2 
0.7 
0.1 
1.0 
(0.1) 
1.1 
1.0 

– 
– 
(0.1) 
(0.1) 

(0.1) 
– 
0.2 
0.1 

(0.1) 
– 
0.1 
– 
(0.1) 
0.1 
– 

The fair values of the forward contracts are disclosed as a £1.7m (2020: £1.0m) asset and £0.7m (2020: £1.0m) liability in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheet.  

Any movements in the fair values of the contracts in a designated cash flow hedge are recognised in equity until the hedged 
transaction occurs, when gains/losses are recycled to finance income or finance expense.  

Analysis of movement in the Hedging reserve 
Amounts removed from Consolidated 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 the Hedging reserve in the year in relation to the effective portion of changes in fair 
value of cash flow hedges 

31 March  
2021 
£m 

31 March  
2020 
£m 

(0.1) 
1.1 

(0.4) 
(0.1) 

1.0 

(0.5) 

Hedge effectiveness is determined at the inception of the hedge relationship, and through periodic prospective effectiveness 
assessments to ensure that an economic relationship exists between the hedged item and hedging instrument.  

There was no ineffectiveness arising with regards to forward contracts in a designated cash flow hedge.  

The foreign currency forwards are denominated in the same currency as the highly probable future transactions. 

With the exception of currency exposures, the disclosures in this note exclude short-term receivables and payables. 

202

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27 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, US Dollar, Australian Dollar and Swiss Franc as their functional currencies. 

Bank loans and loan notes with a carrying value set out in the table on page 199 as well as non-GBP intercompany loans are used 
as net investment hedges for foreign currency net assets with carrying value of €56.0m (2020: €56.0m), US$183.5m (2020: 
US$246.5m), A$38.0m (2020: A$61.8m), CHF22.1m (2020: CHF11.1m) and NZ$10.9m (2020: NZ$10.6m). The hedging ratio was 1:1. 
The change in the carrying value of the borrowings that was recognised in other comprehensive income was a gain of £19.9m 
(2020: loss of £11.9m). 

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) and the currency of Mainland Europe (Euro).  

The carrying amount of the Group’s US Dollar and Euro denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting 
date are as follows: 

US Dollar 
Euro 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
895.1 
251.3 

Assets 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
1,007.6 
254.5 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
266.5 
97.3 

Liabilities 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
327.9 
97.4 

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 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
12.7 
57.1 

US Dollar 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
12.3 
61.8 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
3.2 
14.0 

Euro 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
3.0 
14.3 

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 is earned in this currency. 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

28 Leases  
The Group has lease contracts for land and buildings, as well as various items of plant, machinery, vehicles and other equipment 
used in its operations. The Group also has certain leases of machinery with lease terms of 12 months or less and leases of office 
equipment with low value. The Group applies the ‘short-term lease’ and ‘lease of low-value assets’ recognition exemptions for these 
leases. 

Right-of-use assets by asset category  
Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the period, split by asset 
category: 

Cost, net of accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment 
At 1 April 2020 
Assets of businesses acquired (note 25) 
Additions at cost 
Assets of business sold 
Impairment 
Disposals and retirements 
Depreciation charge for the year 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 
At 31 March 2021 
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment 
Net carrying amount 

Land and 
buildings 
£m 

Plant,  
equipment  
and vehicles  
£m 

53.9 
0.1 
23.0 
(1.6) 
(0.2) 
(0.4) 
(13.7) 
(3.5) 
57.6 

103.5 
(45.9) 
57.6 

1.5 
0.5 
0.7 
– 
– 
– 
(0.7) 
– 
2.0 

3.4 
(1.4) 
2.0 

Total 
£m 

55.4 
0.6 
23.7 
(1.6) 
(0.2) 
(0.4) 
(14.4) 
(3.5) 
59.6 

106.9 
(47.3) 
59.6 

Lease liabilities  
Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities included under current and non-current liabilities and the movements 
during the period:  

At 1 April 2020 
Arising on adoption of IFRS 16 
Additions 
Accretion of interest 
Payments 
Liabilities of business acquired 
Liabilities of business disposed 
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March 2021 
Current 
Non-current 
At 31 March 2021 

The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is disclosed in note 27.  

The following are the amounts recognised in Consolidated Income Statement: 

Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets 
Impairment expense of right-of-use assets 
Interest expense on lease liabilities 
Expense relating to short-term leases and leases of low-value assets 
TToottaall  aammoouunntt  rreeccooggnniisseedd  iinn  CCoonnssoolliiddaatteedd  IInnccoommee  SSttaatteemmeenntt  

Year ended  
31 March  
2021 
£m 
61.5 
– 
22.7 
2.3 
(16.4) 
0.5 
(1.8) 
(3.8) 
65.0 
13.3 
51.7 
65.0 

Year ended  
31 March  
2020 
£m 
– 
50.3 
16.0 
2.1 
(15.8) 
8.2 
– 
0.7 
61.5 
13.0 
48.5 
61.5 

Year ended  
31 March  
2021 
£m  
14.4 
0.2 
2.3 
0.3 
17.2 

Year ended  
31 March  
2020 
£m 
13.2 
– 
2.1 
0.3 
15.6 

The Group had total cash outflows for leases of £16.4m in the year (2020: £15.8m).  

The Group did not have any leases impacted by the COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions – amendment to IFRS 16 Leases.  

204

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28 Leases continued 
Extension options  
Some leases of buildings contain extension options exercisable by the Group before the end of the non-cancellable contract period. 
Where practical, the Group seeks to include extension options in new leases to provide operational flexibility. The extension options 
held are exercisable only by the Group and not the lessors. For extension options exercisable within 5 years of commencement the 
Group assesses at lease commencement whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the extension options. For options that are 
exercisable more than 5 years from commencement the Group assesses whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the option 
when this option becomes exercisable within 5 years. The Group will also reassess whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the 
option where there is a significant event or change in circumstances within its control.  

As at 31 March 2021, potential future cash outflows of £23.0m (undiscounted) (2020: £12.5m) have not been included in the lease 
liability because it is not reasonably certain that the leases will be extended. During the current year the financial effect of revising 
lease terms to reflect the exercising of extension and termination options was an increase in recognised lease liabilities and right-
of-use assets of £0.2m (2020: £0.1m). No other lease modifications occurred during the year.  

The future cash outflows relating to leases that have not yet commenced are £3.0m (2020: £nil). 

29 Retirement benefits 
Group companies operate both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. The Halma Group Pension Plan and the 
Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan (both UK) have defined benefit sections with assets held in separate trustee administered 
funds. Both of these sections had already closed to new entrants in 2002/03 and closed to future benefit accruals for 2014/15. From 
that date, the former defined benefit members joined the existing defined contribution section within the Halma Group Pension 
Plan.  

Overseas subsidiaries have adopted mainly defined contribution plans, with the exception of small defined benefit plans in the 
Swiss entities of Medicel AG and Robutec AG. 

Total pension costs of £11.5m (2020: £11.6m) recognised in employee costs (note 7), comprise £10.9m (2020: £10.8m) related to 
defined contribution plans and £0.6m (2020: £0.8m) related to defined benefit plans, including administration expenses of £nil 
(2020: £0.5m). 

Defined contribution plans 
The amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of defined contribution plans was £10.9m (2020: £10.8m) 
and represents contributions payable to these plans by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the plans. The assets of the plans 
are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of trustees. Where there are employees who leave the plans 
prior to vesting fully in the contributions, the ancillary contributions payable by the Group may be reduced by the amount of 
forfeited contributions. 

Defined benefit plans 
The Group’s significant defined benefit plans are for qualifying employees of its UK subsidiaries. Under the plans, 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 plans are funded plans. 

The most recent actuarial valuation of the Halma Group Pension Plan was carried out for the Trustees of the Plan as at 
30 November 2017 by Mr A Gibbons, Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, of Mercer Limited. The present value of the 
liabilities was measured using the Projected Unit method. This method is an accrued benefits valuation method in which the plan 
liabilities include an allowance for projected earnings. 

The most recent actuarial valuation of the Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan was carried out for the Trustees of the Plan as at 
1 April 2018 by Mr M Whitcombe, Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, also of Mercer Limited. The same Projected Unit 
method was used.  

The current triennial valuations for both schemes, are underway as at 1 December 2020 and 1 April 2021 respectively. 

An alternative to the projected unit credit method is a valuation on a solvency basis, which is an estimate of the cost of buying out 
benefits with a suitable insurance company. This amount represents the amount that would be required to settle the plan liabilities 
rather than the Group continuing to fund the ongoing liabilities of the Plans. The most recent estimate of the solvency liability was 
£375.4m as at 30 November 2017 for the Halma Group Pension Plan and £104.2m as at 1 April 2018 for the Apollo Pension and Life 
Assurance Plan. 

Key assumptions used (UK plans): 
Discount rate 
Expected return on plan assets 
Expected rate of salary increases (while still applicable) 
Pension increases LPI 2.5% 
Pension increases LPI 3.0% 
Inflation – RPI 
Inflation – CPI 

31 March  
2021 

31 March  
2020 

1 April  
2019 

1.95% 
1.95% 
n/a 
2.10% 
2.40% 
3.20% 
2.40% 

2.55% 
2.55% 
n/a 
1.85% 
2.05% 
2.50% 
1.70% 

2.40% 
2.40% 
n/a 
2.10% 
2.40% 
3.20% 
2.20% 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

29 Retirement benefits continued 

Mortality assumptions 
CMI tables have been used, consistent with those used in the last completed triennial valuations. The assumed life expectations on 
retirement at age 65 are: 

Retiring today: 
   Males 
   Females 
Retiring in 20 years: 
   Males 
   Females 

31 March  
2021 
Years 

31 March  
2020 
Years 

31 March  
2019 
Years 

22.4 
24.3 

24.2 
26.2 

22.1 
24.0 

23.5 
25.5 

22.1 
24.0 

23.5 
25.5 

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the UK plan liabilities are set out below: 

Assumption 
Discount rate 
Rate of inflation 
Rate of mortality 

Change in assumption 
Increase/decrease by 0.5% 
Increase/decrease by 0.5% 
Increase by one year 

Impact on plan liabilities 
Decrease by 8.8%/increase by 9.6% 
Increase by 5.8%/decrease by 5.6% 
Increase by 3.9% 

Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of the UK and Swiss defined benefit plans are as follows: 

Current service cost 
Net interest (credit)/charge on pension plan liabilities 

31 March 2021 

31 March 2020 

UK defined 
 benefit plans 
£m 
– 
(0.1) 
(0.1) 

Other defined  
benefit plans 
£m 
0.6 
– 
0.6 

Total 
£m 
0.6 
(0.1) 
0.5 

UK defined  
benefit plans 
£m 
– 
0.8 
0.8 

Other defined  
benefit plans 
£m 
0.3 
– 
0.3 

Total 
£m 
0.3 
0.8 
1.1 

Actuarial gains and losses have been reported in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure. 

The actual return on plan assets was a gain of £30.8m (2020: gain of £4.5m). 

The cumulative amount of actuarial losses recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 
since the date of transition to IFRS is £89.8m (2020: £59.2m). 

The amount included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet arising from the Group’s obligations in respect of its defined benefit 
retirement plans is as follows: 

Present value of defined benefit obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 
Net Retirement benefit obligation 
Plans with net retirement benefit assets 
Plans with net retirement benefit obligations 

31 March 2021 

31 March 2020 

UK defined  
benefit plans 
£m 

(347.6) 
327.0 
(20.6) 
– 
(20.6) 

Other defined  
benefit plans 
£m 
(8.0) 
6.1 
(1.9) 
– 
(1.9) 

Total 
£m 

(355.6) 
333.1 
(22.5) 
– 
(22.5) 

UK defined  
benefit plans 
£m 

(296.1) 
293.3 
(2.8) 
5.4 
(8.2) 

Other defined 
 benefit plans 
£m 
(7.9) 
5.5 
(2.4) 
– 
(2.4) 

Total 
£m 

(304.0) 
298.8 
(5.2) 
5.4 
(10.6) 

Under the current arrangements, cash contributions in the region of £14-15m per year will be made for the immediate future with 
the objective of eliminating the pension deficit.  

206

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29 Retirement benefits continued 
Movements in the present value of the UK and Swiss defined benefit obligations were as follows: 

At beginning of year  
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Remeasurement gains/(losses): 
  Actuarial losses and gains arising from changes in financial assumptions 
  Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments 
Contributions from plan members 
Benefits paid 
Exchange adjustments 
At end of year 

Movements in the fair value of the UK and Swiss plan assets were as follows: 

At beginning of year  
Interest income 
Actuarial gains/(losses) excluding interest income 
Contributions from the sponsoring companies 
Contributions from plan members 
Benefits paid 
Exchange adjustments 
At end of year 

The net movement on actuarial gains and losses of the UK and Swiss plans was as follows: 

Defined benefit obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 
Net actuarial (losses)/gains 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

(304.0) 
(0.6) 
(7.4) 

(53.7) 
(0.2) 
(0.9) 
10.6 
0.6 
(355.6) 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
298.8 
7.5 
23.3 
13.7 
0.9 
(10.6) 
(0.5) 
333.1 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020 
£m 
(331.4) 
(0.3) 
(7.8) 

25.1 
(0.1) 
(0.5) 
11.5 
(0.5) 
(304.0) 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020 
£m 
292.2 
7.0 
(2.5) 
12.8 
0.5 
(11.5) 
0.3 
298.8 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
(53.9) 
23.3 
(30.6) 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020 
£m 
25.0 
(2.5) 
22.5 

The analysis of the UK plan assets and the expected rate of return at the balance sheet date were as follows: 

Fair value of UK plan assets  

Equity instruments 
Debt instruments 
Property/infrastructure/cash 

All the UK plan assets are market quoted. 

Equity instruments 
Debt instruments 
Property/infrastructure/cash 

Assets in the non-UK plans are primarily insurance assets. 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 
94.8 
204.8 
27.4 
327.0 

Year ended 
31 March 
2020 
£m 
77.1 
194.4 
21.8 
293.3 

Expected rate of return 

31 March  
2021  
% 
1.95 
1.95 
1.95 
1.95 

31 March  
2020  
% 
2.55 
2.55 
2.55 
2.55 

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

29 Retirement benefits continued 
In conjunction with the trustees, the Group conducts asset-liability reviews for its defined benefit pension plan. The results of 
these reviews 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 plan. 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 plan’s investment strategy.  

As a consequence, the Group is progressively giving more emphasis to a closer return matching of plan assets and liabilities,  
both to ensure the long-term security of its defined benefit commitment and to reduce earnings and balance sheet volatility. 

Based on the most recent actuarial valuation, the estimated amount of contributions expected to be paid to the UK and Swiss 
plans during the year ended 31 March 2022 is £14.6m. 

The levels of contributions are based on the current service cost and the expected future cash flows of the defined benefit pension 
plans. The Group estimates the plan liabilities on average to fall due over 20 and 25 years, respectively, for the Halma and 
Apollo plans. 

The Group has considered the requirements of IFRIC 14 with respect to the UK plans and has determined that it has an 
unconditional right to a refund under the plans and therefore IFRIC 14 does not have any practical impact on the plans and so no 
allowance for it (and, in particular, no allowance for the asset ceiling) has been made in the calculated figures. 

The expected maturity analysis of the undiscounted pension obligation for the next 10 years is as follows: 

At 31 March 2021 
Halma 
Apollo 

Less than  
one year 
£m 

Between  
one and  
two years  
£m 

Between  
two and  
five years 
£m 

Between  
five and 
ten years 
£m 

9.5 
1.0 

9.8 
1.1 

31.2 
3.4 

58.7 
6.3 

Total  
£m 

109.2 
11.8 

30 Disposal of operations  
During the current year the Group recognised a profit on disposal of operations of £22.1m (2020: £2.9m), which comprised the 
following: 

On 17 December 2020, the Group disposed of its entire interest in Fiberguide Industries, Inc. to a third party for proceeds of 
US$37.6m (£27.6m). This transaction resulted in the recognition of a gain in the Consolidated Income Statement as follows: 

Proceeds of disposal 
Less: net assets on disposal (including deferred tax) 
Less: allocation of goodwill disposed 
Less: costs of disposal 
Add: foreign exchange gain recycled to the Consolidated Income Statement on disposal 
PPrrooffiitt  oonn  ddiissppoossaall  

£m 
27.6 
(3.9) 
(3.8) 
(1.1) 
2.8 
21.6 

On 26 March 2021, OneThird B.V., a company that was incorporated to spin-out the food technology start-up business from Ocean 
Insight, issued new shares for €0.8m (£0.7m) to external investors that reduced the Group’s ownership interest from 60% to 35.3% 
resulting in a gain on deemed disposal of £0.5m (net of disposal costs of £0.4m). Following the partial disposal OneThird B.V. meets 
the tests to be accounted for as an associate.  

Cash received on disposal of operations in the year of £26.1m comprised proceeds from the sale of Fiberguide Industries Inc., of 
£27.6m, less £1.1m of disposal costs, less disposal costs of £0.4m relating to the spin-out and partial disposal of OneThird B.V..  

In the prior year, in January 2020, the Group disposed of its entire interest in Optomed Oy to third parties for sale proceeds of 
£7.6m less disposal costs of £0.4m. £0.8m was also received from escrow relating to the previous sale of Accudynamics.  

208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 Contingent liabilities 
Group financing exemptions applicable to UK controlled foreign companies 
On 24 November 2017, the European Commission (EC) published an opening decision that the United Kingdom controlled foreign 
company (‘CFC’) group financing partial exemption (‘FCPE’) constitutes State Aid. On 2 April 2019, the EC’s final decision 
concluded that the FCPE rules, as they applied up to 31 December 2018, constitute State Aid. As previously reported, the Group has 
benefitted from the FCPE with the total benefit for the periods from 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2018 being approximately £15.4m 
in respect of tax.  

Appeals have been made by the UK government, the Group and other UK-based groups to annul the EC decision. Notwithstanding 
these appeals, under EU law, the UK government is required to commence collection proceedings. In January 2021, the Group 
received a Charging Notice from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for £13.9m assessed for the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 
December 2018. The Group has appealed against the notice but as there is no right of postponement the amount charged was paid 
in full in February 2021. In February 2021, the Group received confirmation from HMRC that it was not a beneficiary of State Aid for 
the period from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2016.  

The final impact on the Group remains uncertain. However, based on its current assessment, the Group considers that the appeal 
will be successful and therefore £13.9m is included within non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet to reflect the 
Group’s view that the amount paid will ultimately be recovered. 

In April 2021, a Charging Notice for £0.8m was received. The £0.8m comprised interest on the £13.9m assessment noted above and 
the interest was paid in May 2021. 

The Group’s maximum potential exposure at 31 March 2021 in respect of recoverability of non-current assets is £13.9m. 

Other contingent liabilities 
The Group has widespread global operations and is consequently a defendant in many legal, tax and customs proceedings 
incidental to those operations. In addition, there are contingent liabilities arising in the normal course of business in respect 
of indemnities, warranties and guarantees. These contingent liabilities are not considered to be unusual or material in the context 
of the normal operating activities of the Group. Provisions have been recognised in accordance with the Group accounting policies 
where required. None of these claims are expected to result in a material gain or loss to the Group.  

32 Events subsequent to end of reporting period 
From 1 April 2021, the Group aligned its organisational structure and financial reporting with our purpose and focus on safety, 
environmental and health markets. The three sectors are called Safety, Environmental & Analysis, and Medical. Each sector is led by 
a Sector CEO and small sector support team. Process Safety has been combined with Infrastructure Safety to form a single Safety 
sector, with the exception of the Group’s two Gas sensor companies (Crowcon and Sensit), which have moved from Process Safety 
to Environmental & Analysis. We will report on the basis of this revised structure in the Interim Statement for the six months ending 
30 September 2021. 

On 27 April 2021, the Group acquired PeriGen, Inc., (PeriGen), based in North Carolina, USA. PeriGen’s advanced technology 
protects mothers and their unborn babies by alerting doctors, midwives and nurses to potential problems during childbirth. The 
cash consideration for PeriGen was US$58m (approximately £42m), on a cash and debt free basis. A detailed purchase price 
allocation exercise is currently being performed to calculate the goodwill arising on acquisition. The company continues to run 
under its own management team and has become part of the Group’s Medical sector.  

The Group has also acquired the following bolt-on acquisitions. 

On 1 April 2021, Fortress Interlocks Pty Limited, an industrial access control company in the Group’s Safety sector, bought the assets 
and IP associated with monitored safety valves from FluidSentry Pty in Australia for consideration of A$0.6m (£0.3m).  

On 26 April 2021, Argus Security S.R.L., a fire safety company in the Group’s Safety sector, purchased its Italian distributor for 
consideration of €0.5m (£0.4m).  

On 30 April 2021, Crowcon Detection Instruments Limited, a company in the Group’s Environmental & Analysis sector purchased its 
UK flue gas analyser distribution partner, Anton Industrial Services Limited, for consideration of £1.9m.  

On 3 May 2021, the Group acquired Orca GmbH, a German manufacturer of ultraviolet disinfection systems, primarily for the food 
and beverage sector, for an initial consideration of €6.2m (£5.3m). The maximum contingent consideration payable is €2.5m 
(£2.2m) based on profit-based targets for the years ending 31 March 2022, 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024. The company has 
become part of the Group’s Environmental & Analysis sector. 

On 7 May 2021, Rudolf Riester GmbH, a company in the Group’s Medical sector acquired RNK, a US-based digital stethoscope 
company, for an initial consideration of US$2.7m (£1.9m). 

There were no other known material non-adjusting events which occurred between the end of the reporting period and prior to the 
authorisation of these financial statements on 10 June 2021.  

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Notes to the Accounts continued 

33 Related party transactions 
Trading transactions 

Associated companies 
Transactions with associated companies 
Purchases from associated companies  
Balances with associated companies 
Amounts due to associated companies 

Other related parties 
Balances with other related parties 
Amounts due to other related parties 

Year ended 
31 March 
2021 
£m 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 

–

– 

– 

1.0

– 

– 

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 executive Board members, 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 Annual Remuneration Report on pages 129 to 139. 

Wages and salaries 
Pension costs 
Share-based payment charge 

Year ended 
31 March 
 2021 
£m 
6.1 
0.1 
4.4 
10.6 

Year ended 
31 March 
 2020 
£m 
7.8 
0.2 
4.3 
12.3 

34 Commitments 
Capital commitments 
Capital expenditure relating to the purchase of equipment authorised and contracted at 31 March 2021 but not recognised in these 
accounts amounts to £3.1m (2020: £1.6m). 

210

Company Balance Sheet 

Fixed assets 
Intangible assets 
Tangible assets 
Investments 
Retirement benefit asset 
Deferred tax asset 

Current assets 
Debtors  
Short-term deposits 
Current tax 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 
Borrowings 
Creditors 

Net current assets 
Total assets less current liabilities 
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 
Borrowings 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Creditors 
Net assets 
Capital and reserves 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Own shares 
Capital redemption reserve 
Other reserves 
Profit and loss account 
Total equity 

Notes 

C3 
C4 
C5 
C13 
C10 

C6 

C7 
C8 

C7 
C13 
C9 

C11 

31 March  
2021 
£m  

31 March  
2020 
£m 

0.9 
7.8 
347.5 
– 
2.9 
359.1 

742.0 
0.1 
3.3 
11.7 
757.1 

22.6 
74.8 
97.4 
659.7 
1,018.8 

321.9 
8.3 
13.1 
675.5 

38.0 
23.6 
(20.9) 
0.2 
(40.6) 
675.2 
675.5 

0.7 
6.4 
300.0 
5.4 
0.7 
313.2 

806.9 
0.1 
0.6 
1.6 
809.2 

99.0 
80.5 
179.5 
629.7 
942.9 

345.0 
– 
21.2 
576.7 

38.0 
23.6 
(14.3) 
0.2 
(29.5) 
558.7 
576.7 

The Company reported a profit for the financial year ended 31 March 2021 of £198.2m (2020: £108.5m). 

The financial statements of Halma plc, company number 00040932, were approved by the Board of Directors on 10 June 2021. 

Andrew Williams 
Director 

Marc Ronchetti  
Director 

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Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

Share  
capital  
£m 
38.0 
– 

Share premium 
 account  
£m 
23.6 
– 

Own 
 shares  
£m 
(14.3) 
– 

Capital  
redemption  
reserve  
£m 
0.2 
– 

Other  
reserves  
£m 
(29.5) 
– 

Profit and loss 
 account 
£m  
558.7 
198.2 

Total 
£m 
576.7 
198.2 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
38.0 
38.0 
– 

– 
23.6 
23.6 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
38.0 

– 
23.6 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
(16.2) 

9.6 
(20.9) 
(4.7) 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
(16.7) 

7.1 
(14.3) 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
0.2 
0.2 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
6.6 

(23.2) 

(23.2) 

4.4 

4.4 

(18.8) 
(63.7) 
– 

(18.8) 
(63.7) 
6.6 

(0.3) 

– 

(0.3) 

– 
– 

(17.4) 
(40.6) 
(22.2) 
– 

0.8 
– 

– 
675.2 
494.8 
108.5 

0.8 
(16.2) 

(7.8) 
675.5 
529.7 
108.5 

– 

– 

– 
– 
5.7 

0.1 

– 
– 

19.5 

19.5 

(3.5) 

(3.5) 

16.0 
(61.2) 
– 

– 

0.6 
– 

16.0 
(61.2) 
5.7 

0.1 

0.6 
(16.7) 

(6.0) 
576.7 

– 
0.2 

(13.1) 
(29.5) 

– 
558.7 

At 1 April 2020 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income and 
expense: 
Actuarial losses on defined  
benefit pension plan 
Tax relating to components of other 
comprehensive income and expense 
Total other comprehensive expense 
for the year 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payment charge 
Deferred tax on share-based payment 
transactions 
Excess tax deductions related to 
exercised share awards 
Purchase of own shares 
Performance share plan awards 
vested 
At 31 March 2021 
At 1 April 2019 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income and 
expense: 
Actuarial gains on defined  
benefit pension plan 
Tax relating to components of other 
comprehensive income and expense 
Total other comprehensive income 
for the year 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payment charge 
Deferred tax on share-based payment 
transactions 
Excess tax deductions related to 
exercised share awards 
Purchase of own shares 
Performance share plan awards 
vested 
At 31 March 2020 

212

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Company Accounts  

C1 Accounting policies 
Corporate Information 
Halma plc (the Company) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England, United Kingdom (registration 
number 00040932). The registered address of the Company is Misbourne Court, Rectory Way, Amersham, Buckinghamshire,  
HP7 0DE, United Kingdom.  

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 and going concern basis, and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ 
except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments, pension assets and contingent purchase consideration at fair value as 
permitted by the Companies Act 2006. 

The principal accounting policies have been applied consistently in both the current and prior year.  

Financial reporting standard 101 – reduced disclosure exemptions  
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions under FRS 101: 

—  the requirements of paragraphs 45(b) and 46–52 of IFRS 2 Share-based payment; 
—  the requirements of IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures; 
—  paragraph 79(a)(iv) of IAS 1; 
—  paragraph 73(e) of IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment; 
—  paragraph 118(e) of IAS 38 Intangible Assets; 
—  the requirements of paragraphs 10(d), 10(f), 16, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D,111 and 134–136 of IAS 1 Presentation 

of Financial Statements; 

—  the requirements of paragraph 52, the second sentence of paragraph 89, and paragraphs 90, 91 and 93 of IFRS 16 Leases; 
—  the requirements of paragraph 58 of IFRS 16;  
—  the requirements of IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and related notes; 
—  the effects of new but not yet effective IFRS; 
—  the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors;  
—  the requirements in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more 
members of a group, provided that any subsidiary which is a party to the transaction is wholly owned by such a member; and 

—  paragraph 17 of IAS 24, ‘Related party disclosures’ (key management compensation). 

New Standards and Interpretations applied for the first time in the year ended 31 March 2021 
The following Standards and Interpretations applied for the first time, with effect from 1 April 2020, and have been adopted in the 
preparation of these Company Accounts. 

—   Amendments to IFRS 3: Definition of a Business 
—   Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: Definition of Material 
—  Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 
—  Conceptual Framework: Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards 
—  COVD-19-Related Rent Concessions – Amendment to IFRS 16 

None of the above mentioned new Standards and Interpretations have affected the Company’s results.  

Significant accounting judgements and estimates 
In preparing the financial statements, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application 
of the Company’s accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may 
differ from these estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience 
and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 

Significant accounting estimates are used is in determining the value of the future defined benefit obligation which requires 
estimation in respect of the assumptions used to calculate present values. These include future mortality, discount rate and 
inflation. Management determines these assumptions in consultation with an independent actuary. Details of the estimates made 
in calculating the defined benefit obligation are disclosed in note 29 to the Group accounts. 

In addition, significant estimates are required in determining whether there is impairment of the Company’s investments which 
requires estimation of the investments’ ‘value in use’. The ‘value in use’ calculation requires the Company to estimate the future 
cash flows expected to arise from the investments and apply suitable discount rates in order to calculate present values.  

There are no significant judgements used by management in preparing the Company’s financial statements. 

Summary of significant accounting policies 
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. 

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Notes to the Company Accounts continued 

Financial Instruments 
The Company recognises financial instruments when it becomes a party to the contractual arrangements of the instrument. 
Financial instruments are de-recognised when they are discharged or when the contractual terms expire. The Company’s 
accounting policies in respect of financial instruments transactions are explained below: 

Financial assets 
The Company recognises its financial assets into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the 
asset was acquired. 

Other than the financial assets in a qualifying hedging relationship, the Company’s accounting policy for each category is as 
follows: 

Fair value through profit or loss –These are carried in the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the 
Profit and Loss Account. 

Amortised costs – Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not 
quoted in an active market. They arise principally through the provision of goods and services to customers (other group 
companies), but also incorporate other types of contractual monetary asset. They are initially recognised at fair value plus 
transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using 
the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. 

The Company’s receivables relate entirely to balances due from other group companies. Where the intercompany receivable is 
payable on demand the Company determines whether any impairment provision is required by assessing the Company’s ability to 
repay the loan. Where it is considered that the Company does not have the capacity to repay the loan or the loan is not repayable 
on demand, an expected credit loss model is used to calculate the impairment provision required.  

Financial liabilities 
The Company classifies its financial liabilities into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the 
liability was acquired. 

Fair value through profit or loss – These comprise out-of-the-money derivatives and contingent purchase consideration. They are 
carried in the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the Profit and Loss Account. 

At amortised cost – Financial liabilities at amortised cost including bank borrowings are initially recognised at fair value. 
Such interest-bearing liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings 
Interest bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised in the balance sheet at fair value less directly attributable transaction 
costs and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Share-based payments 
The Company has adopted IFRS 2 and the accounting policies followed are in all material respects the same as the Group’s policy. 
This policy is shown on page 166. 

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 33.3% 

Pensions 
The Company makes contributions to defined contribution pension plans, which are charged against profits when they become 
payable. The Company also operates a UK defined benefit pension plan. For defined benefit plans, the asset or liability recorded 
in the Company Balance Sheet is the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and the present value of the defined 
obligation at that date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated separately for the plan on an annual basis by an independent 
actuary using the projected unit credit method. 

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the year in which they occur, and are taken to other comprehensive income. 

Current and past service costs, along with the impact of settlements or curtailments, are charged to profit and loss. The unwinding 
of the discounting on the net liability is recognised within finance income or expense as appropriate.  

214

 
 
 
Taxation 
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises both current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Profit and Loss Account 
except to the extent that it relates to items recognised either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. 

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

Deferred taxation is provided on taxable temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the 
financial statements and their corresponding tax bases. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in 
the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or 
substantively 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. 

The recognition of deferred tax assets is dependent on assessments of future taxable income. 

C2 Result for the year 
As the Company is included in the consolidated financial statements, made up to 31 March each year, it is not required to present a 
separate profit and loss account as permitted by Section 408(3) of the Companies Act 2006, as such the Profit and Loss Account 
of Halma plc is not presented as part of these accounts. The Company has reported a profit after taxation for the financial year of 
£198.2m (2020: £108.5m). 

Auditors’ remuneration for audit services to the Company was £0.5m (2020: £0.5m). 

Total employee costs (including Directors) were: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 

Included within wages and salaries are share-based payment charges under IFRS 2 of £4.9m (2020: £5.5m). 

Monthly average number of employees (all in the UK) 

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 
18.0 
2.3 
0.3 
20.6 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
20.3 
2.6 
1.1 
24.0 

Year ended  
31 March  
2021 
 Number 
80 

Year ended  
31 March  
2020 
 Number 
79 

Details of Directors’ remuneration are set out on pages 129 to 139 within the Annual Remuneration Report and form part of these 
financial statements. 

C3 Fixed assets – intangible assets 

Cost 
At 1 April 2020 
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
At 31 March 2021 
Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 April 2020 
Charge for the year 
Impairment 
Disposals 
At 31 March 2021 
Carrying amounts  
At 31 March 2021 
At 31 March 2020 

Computer  
Software 
£m 

Other 
intangibles 
£m 

1.8 
0.7 
(0.3) 
2.2 

1.1 
0.3 
0.3 
(0.3) 
1.4 

0.8 
0.7 

– 
0.1 
– 
0.1 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

0.1 
– 

Total 
£m 

1.8 
0.8 
(0.3) 
2.3 

1.1 
0.3 
0.3 
(0.3) 
1.4 

0.9 
0.7 

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Notes to the Company Accounts continued 

C4 Fixed assets – tangible assets 

Cost 
At 1 April 2020 
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
At 31 March 2021 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 April 2020 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
At 31 March 2021 
Carrying amounts  
At 31 March 2021 
At 31 March 2020 

C5 Investments 
Shares in Group companies 

At cost less amounts written off at beginning of year 
Increase in investments 
Decrease in investments 
At cost less amounts written off at end of year 

Freehold 
 properties  
£m 

Plant  
equipment  
and vehicles  
£m 

6.3 
1.7 
– 
8.0 

0.9 
0.1 
– 
1.0 

7.0 
5.4 

1.7 
0.1 
(0.1) 
1.7 

0.7 
0.3 
(0.1) 
0.9 

0.8 
1.0 

Total  
£m 

8.0 
1.8 
(0.1) 
9.7 

1.6 
0.4 
(0.1) 
1.9 

7.8 
6.4 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
300.0 
48.6 
(1.1) 
347.5 

31 March  
2020 
£m 
284.3 
20.5 
(4.8) 
300.0 

The increase of £48.6m in the year comprises additions from the acquisition of Static Systems Holdings Limited of £43.9m and 
additional investments into existing subsidiaries: £0.5m additional investment in Halma Euro Trading Limited and £4.2m in Halma 
Ventures Limited. The decrease in investment of £1.1m relates to the disposal of LAN Control Systems Limited (LAN). As part of an 
internal group restructuring LAN was sold to FireMate Software Pty Limited, a subsidiary company 70% owned by the Group.  

In the prior year the increase of £20.5m in the year comprised additions from acquisitions in the period: £4.9m for the acquisition of 
Invenio Systems Limited including estimated deferred contingent consideration of £1.5m and £5.4m for the acquisition of Ampac 
Europe Limited. There was also an additional investment of £0.6m in the year in an existing subsidiary, Halma Euro Trading Limited 
and an investment of £9.6m in a new subsidiary incorporated in the year, Halma Ventures Limited. The decrease in investment of 
£4.8m related to the return of capital from Halma Ventures Limited on the sale of its investment in Optomed Oy.  

216

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C5 Investments continued 
Subsidiaries 
Details of the Company’s subsidiaries at 31 March 2021 are below.  

Name 
A & G Security Electronics Limited 
Accutome, Inc. 

ADI Holdings LLC 

Adler Diamant BV 

Advanced Electronics Limited 

Advanced Fire Systems Inc. 
Alicat Scientific, Inc. 

Alicat BV 
Ampac Europe Limited 

Ampac NZ Limited 

Ampac Pty Limited 

Analytical Development Company 
Limited 
Apollo (Beijing) Fire Products Co. Ltd 

Apollo America, Inc. 

Apollo Fire Detectors Limited 

Apollo GmbH 
Aquionics, Inc. 

Argus Security S.R.L. 

ASL Holdings Limited 

United Kingdom 

Country 
United Kingdom 
United States 

Netherlands 

United States 

Registered Address 
(1) 
3222 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern  
PA 19355 
240 Kenneth Welch Drive, Lakeville, 
02347 MA 
Simon Homburgstraat 21, 5431 NN 
Cuijk 
The Bridges, Balliol Business Park, 
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, 
NE12 8EW 
100 South Street, Hopkinton MA 01748  United States 
7641 N Business Park Drive, Tucson  
United States 
AZ 85743 
Geograaf 24, 6921 EW Duiven 
Unit 2, Waterbrook Estate, Waterbrook 
Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2UD 
125 The Terrace, Wellington Central, 
Wellington, 6011 
7 Ledgar Road, Balcatta, Western 
Australia, 6021 
(1) 

New Zealand 

Australia 

Netherlands 
United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

Class 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

Group % 
100* 
100 

100 

100 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

Common Stock 
Common Stock 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

100 
100 

100 
100* 

100 

100 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

Block A5, Jinghai Industrial Park, No. 
156 Jinghai Fourth Road, BDA Beijing 
25 Corporate Drive, Auburn Hills  
MI 48326 
36 Brookside Road, Havant, Hampshire  
PO9 1JR 
Am Anger 31, D-33332 Gütersloh 
1455 Jamike Avenue, Suite 100, 
Erlanger Kentucky 41018 
Via Maurizio Gonzaga no. 7, Milan, 
20123 
Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, 
Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW 

China 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Common Stock 

United Kingdom 

Germany 
United States 

Ordinary & Deferred 
Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Italy 

Quotas 

100 

100 

100* 

100 
100 

100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

Avire Elevator Technology India Pte. Ltd  Plot A/147, Road No. 24, Wagle 

India 

Industrial Estate, Thane West, 400604 

Avire Elevator Technology Shanghai Ltd  4th Floor, Building 75, No.1066, 

China 

Ordinary & Preference 
Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Avire Global Pte. Ltd 

Avire Inc. 

Avire Limited 

Avire Trading Limited 

Avire s.r.o. 
Avo Photonics (Canada) Inc. 

Avo Photonics, Inc. 

B.E.A. Holdings, Inc. 

B.E.A. Inc. 

B.E.A. Investments, Inc. 

Baoding Longer Precision Pump Co., 
Ltd 

BEA Electronics (Beijing) Co Ltd 

BEA Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd 

ě

Č

Qinzhou Road, Shanghai, 200233 
80 Raffles Place, #32-01 UOB Plaza, 
048624 
415 Oser Avenue, Suite Q, Hauppauge 
NY 11788 
Unit 1 The Switchback Gardner Road, 
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7RJ 
Unit 1 The Switchback Gardner Road, 
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7RJ 
Okružní 2615, 
eské Bud
20 Mural Street, Unit 7, Richmond Hill, 
Ontario L4B 1K3 
700 Business Center Drive, Suite 125, 
Horsham PA 19044 
100 Enterprise Drive, RIDC West, 
Pittsburgh PA 15275 
100 Enterprise Drive, RIDC West, 
Pittsburgh PA 15275 
100 Enterprise Drive, RIDC West, 
Pittsburgh PA 15275 
Building A, Chuangye Center, Baoding 
National High-Tech Development 
Zone, Baoding, Hebei, 071051 
Room 5959, Shenchang Building, 
No.51, Zhichun Road, Haidian District, 
Beijing 
16 Raffles Quay, #38-03 Hong Leong 
Building, Singapore 048581 

Singapore 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

jovice, 370 01  Czech Republic 

Canada 

United States 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 
A & B Shares 

100 
100 

A & B Preferred  
Stock & Common Stock 
Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

China 

China 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

Singapore 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

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Notes to the Company Accounts continued 

C5 Investments continued 
Subsidiaries continued 
Name 
BEA Japan KK 

Beijing Ker’Kang Instrument Limited 
Company 

Berson Milieutechniek BV 
Bio-Chem Fluidics, Inc. 

Bureau d’Electronique appliquée S.A. 

Business Marketers Group, Inc (trading 
as Rath Communications) 
Cardios Sistemas Comercial e Industrial 
Ltda 

Cardio Dinâmica Ltda 

Castell Interlocks, Inc. 

Castell Locks Limited 
Castell Safety International Limited 

Castell Safety Technology Limited 
CEF Safety Systems BV 
CenTrak, Inc. 
Clinical Patents, LLC 
Cosasco Middle East (FZE) 
Cosasco Middle East (FZE) 
Cranford Controls Limited 

Crowcon Detection Instruments 
Limited 
Diba Industries Limited 

Diba Industries, Inc. 
Eco Rupture Disc Limited 
Eiffel APAC PTE. Ltd 
Eiffel Holdings Limited 
Eiffel Investments UK Limited 

Eiffel Management Services Ltd 

Elfab Hughes Limited 
Elfab Limited 

F.I.R.E. Panel, LLC 

Fabrication de Produits de Sécurité 
SARL 
FFE B.V. 

FFE Holdings Limited 

FFE Limited 

Fire Fighting Enterprises Limited 
FireMate Software Pty Limited 

Firetrace Aerospace, LLC 

Registered Address 
154-0012 Komazawa, Setagaya-ku  
3-28-11, Tokyo 
Unit 316, Area 1 Tower B, Chuangxin 
Building, 12 Hongda North Rd, Beijing, 
100176 
PO Box 90, 5670 AB Nuenen 
85 Fulton Street, Boonton New Jersey 
07005 
Allée des Noisetiers 5, Liège Science 
Park B-4031 LIEGE-Angleur 
24720 N Corporate Cir, Sussex  
WI 53089. 
Avenida Paulista, 509, 1º e 2º andares, 
conjuntos 201, 212, 213 e 214, Bela 
Vista, São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, 
CEP 01311-910 
Avenida Paulista nº 509, 16º andar, 
conjuntos 1601 e 1602, São Paulo, 
Estado de São Paulo, CEP 01311-910-0  
Suite 865, 150 N Michigan Avenue, 
Chicago Illinois 60601 
(1) 
The Castell Building, 217 Kingsbury 
Road, London NW9 9PQ 
(1) 
Delftweg 69, 2289 BA Rijswijk 
125 Pheasant Run, Newton PA 18940 
125 Pheasant Run, Newton PA 18940 
P.O Box 442042, Dubai 
PO Box 8186, SAIF Zone, Sharjah 
Unit 2, Waterbrook Estate, Waterbrook 
Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2UD 
172 Brook Drive, Milton Park, Milton, 
Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SD 
2 College Park, Coldhams Lane, 
Cambridge CB1 3HD 
4 Precision Road, Danbury CT 06810 
(1) 
4 Shenton Way, #15-01, SGX Centre II 
(1) 
2 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal 
Harbour, Dublin 2 
2 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal 
Harbour, Dublin 2 
(1) 
Alder Road, West Chirton Industrial 
Estate, North Shields, Tyne & Wear 
NE29 8SD 
8435 N. 90th St., Suite 2, Scottsdale  
AZ 85258 
21 Rue du Cuir, ZI Sidi Rezig, Mégrine, 
2033 
J. Keplerweg 10S, 2408AC Alphen aan 
den Rijn 
(1) 

9 Hunting Gate, Hitchin, Hertfordshire 
SG4 0TJ 
(1) 
Unit 1, 83 Alfred Street, Fortitude 
Valley, QLD, 4006 
8435 N. 90th St., Suite 7 Scottsdale,  
AZ 85258 

Country 
Japan 

China 

Class 
Ordinary Shares 

Group % 
100 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

Netherlands 
United States 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Belgium 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

Brazil 

Quotas 

Brazil 

Quotas 

100 
100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

United Kingdom 
Netherlands 
United States 
United States 
UAE 
UAE 
United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Common Stock 
Common Stock 
Common Stock 
Common Stock 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100* 

100* 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

United Kingdom 

A & Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United States 
United Kingdom 
Singapore 
United Kingdom 
Ireland 

Common Stock 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100 
100* 
100 
100 
100 

Ireland 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100* 

United States 

Common Stock 

Tunisia 

Ordinary Shares 

Netherlands 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

100 

100 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

Deferred, A & Ordinary 
Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 

100* 

United Kingdom 
Australia 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
70 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

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C5 Investments continued 
Subsidiaries continued 
Name 
Firetrace International Asia Pte. Ltd 

Firetrace USA, LLC 

Fluid Conservation Systems, Inc. 

FluxData Inc. 

Fortress Interlocks Limited 

Fortress Interlocks Pty Ltd 

Halma Australasia Holdings Limited 
Halma Australasia Pty Ltd 

Halma (China) Group 

Halma Do Brasil – Equipamentos De 
Segurança Ltda 

Halma Euro Trading Limited 
Halma Europe DS BV 

Halma Financing Limited 
Halma Holding GmbH 

Halma Holdings, Inc. 

Halma India Private Ltd 

Halma International BV 
Halma International Limited 
Halma Investment Holdings Limited 
Halma IT Services Limited 
Halma Overseas Funding Limited 
Halma PR Services Limited 
Halma Resistors Unlimited 
Halma Safety Limited 
Halma Saúde e Otica do Brasil – 
Importação, Exportação e Distribuição 
Ltda  

Halma Services Limited 
Halma UK DS Limited 
Halma Ventures Limited 
Hanovia Limited 

HFT Shanghai Co., Ltd 

HWM-Water Limited 

Hydreka Enoveo SAS 
Hydreka SAS 

Hyfire Wireless Fire Solutions Limited 
(previously Sterling Safety Systems 
Limited) 
Infowave Solutions Inc. 

Invenio Systems Limited 

InPipe GmbH 

Iso-Lok Limited 

Registered Address 
16 Collyer Quay, #11-01, Hitachi Tower, 
Singapore, 049318 
8435 N. 90th St., Suite 2 Scottsdale, 
AZ, 85258 
502 Technecenter Drive, Suite B, 
Milford OH 45150 
176 Anderson Ave, STE F304, Rochester, 
NY 14607 
2 Inverclyde Drive, Wolverhampton, 
West Midlands WV4 6FB 
Ross Wadeson Accountants, Unit 13, 
20–30 Malcolm Road, Braeside VIC 
3195 
(1) 
7 Ledgar Road, Balcatta, Western 
Australia, 6021 
Block 1, 3rd Floor, No. 123, Lane 1165, 
Jindu Road, Minghang District, 
Shanghai, 201108 
Av. Tancredo Neves 620, Salas 
1003/1004, Caminho das Árvores, 
Salvador, Bahia, 41.820-020 
(1) 
J. Keplerweg 14, 2408 AC Alphen aan 
den Rijn 
(1) 
PO Box 35, Bruckstrasse 31, D-72417 
Jungingen 
8060 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL, 
33777 
‘Prestige Shantiniketan’, Gate 2, Tower 
C, 7th Floor, Whitefield Main Road, 
Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Bangalore, 
Karnataka, 560048 
De Huufkes 23, 5674TL Nuenen 
(1) 
(1) 
(1) 
(1) 
(1) 
(1) 
(1) 
Avenida Marcos Penteado de Ulhoa 
Rodrigues, n. 1119, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, 
Tambore, Barueri/São Paulo, 06.460-
040 
(1) 
(1) 
(1) 
780/781 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, 
Berkshire SL1 4LA 
Floor 2, No. 1 Factory Building, No. 123, 
Lane 1165, Jindu Road, Minghang 
District, Shanghai, 201108 
Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, 
Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW 
51 Rosa Parks Avenue, Lyon, 69009 
1 Chemin des Vergers, Batiment 2A, 
69760, Limonest 
B12a Holly Farm Business Park, Honiley, 
Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1NP 

11495 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 
240, Carmel, IN, 46032 
Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, 
Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW 
Walserstraße 92a, 6991 Riezlern im 
Kleinwalsertal 
(1) 

Country 
Singapore 

Class 
Ordinary Shares 

Group % 
100 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

100 

100 

United Kingdom 

Australia 

Ordinary & Preferred 
Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 

100 

United Kingdom 
Australia 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

100 
100 

100 

China 

Brazil 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

United Kingdom 
Netherlands 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

United Kingdom 
Germany 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

India 

Ordinary Shares 

Netherlands 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
Brazil 

Ordinary Shares 
A & Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100 

100 
100 

100 

100 

100 
100* 
100 
100* 
100 
100* 
100 
100* 
100 

100* 
100* 
100* 
100* 

China 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

France 
France 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100 
100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United States 

Common Stock 

100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

Austria 

Ordinary Shares 

90 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

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Notes to the Company Accounts continued 

C5 Investments continued 
Subsidiaries continued 
Name 
Keeler Instruments, Inc. 

Keeler Limited 

Kerry Ultrasonics Sdn Bhd 

Kirk Key Interlock Company, LLC 

Klaxon Signals Limited 
Labsphere, Inc. 

LAN Control Systems Limited 

Langer Instruments Corporation 

Limotec bvba 
Maxtec LLC 

Meadowbridge Holdings Limited 
Medicel AG 

MicroSurgical Technology, Inc. 

Mini-Cam Limited 

Mini-Cam Enterprises Limited 

Mini-Cam Holdings Limited 

Mistura Systems Limited 
Morley Electronics Limited 

Navtech Radar Limited 

NovaBone Products, LLC 

NB Products, Inc 

Ocean Optics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd 

Ocean Optics Asia LLC 

Ocean Optics BV 
Ocean Optics, Inc. 

Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co, Inc. 

Palintest Limited 

Palmer Environmental Limited 
Palmer Environmental Services Limited 
Perma Pure India Pte Ltd 

Perma Pure, LLC 

Pixelteq, Inc. 

Power Equipment Limited 

Radcom (Technologies) Limited 

Radio-Tech Limited 

220

United Kingdom 

United States 

Country 
United States 

Malaysia 

Registered Address 
456 Parkway, Lawrence Park Ind. 
Estate, Broomall PA 19008 
Clewer Hill Road, Windsor, Berkshire 
SL4 4AA 
10th Floor, Wisma Havela Thakardas, 
No. 1, Jalan Tiong Nam, Off Jalan Raja 
Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah 
Persekutuan 
9048 Meridian Circle NW, North 
Canton OH 44720 
(1) 
231 Shaker Street, North Sutton  
NH 03260 
H1 Ash Tree Court, Mellors Way, 
Nottingham Business Park, 
Nottingham. NG8 6PY 
7641 N Business Park Drive, Tucson  
AZ 85743 
Bosstraat 21, 8570 Anzegem (Vichte)  
2305 South, 1070 West, Salt Lake City, 
UT, 84119 
(1) 
Dornierstrasse 11, CH – 9423 Altenrhein  Switzerland 

United States 

Belgium 
United States 

United Kingdom 
United States 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

Class 
Ordinary Shares 

Group % 
100 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100 

Ordinary Shares 

70 

Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 
Common Stock 

100 

100 
100 

Ordinary Shares 
A & B Preference & C 
Ordinary Shares 
Common Stock 

100* 
100 

100 

8415 154th Avenue NE, Redmond  
WA 98052 
Unit 4 Yew Tree Way, Golborne, 
Warrington, WA3 3FN 
Unit 4 Yew Tree Way, Golborne, 
Warrington WA3 3FN 
Unit 4 Yew Tree Way, Golborne, 
Warrington, WA3 3FN 
(1) 
The Bridges, Balliol Business Park, 
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, 
NE12 8EW 
Home Farm, Ardington, Wantage, 
Oxfordshire. OX12 8PD 
13510 NW US Highway, 441 Alachua, 
FL, 32207 
1551 Atlantic Blvd, Suite 105, 
Jacksonville, FL, 32207 
Block B, 3rd Floor, No. 123, Lane 1165, 
Jindu Road, Minghang District, 
Shanghai 
Suite 601, Kirin Tower, 666 Gubei Road, 
Shanghai, 200336 
Geograaf 24, 6921EW Duiven 
8060 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL, 
33777 
PO Box 1327, 1701 West Tacoma, 
Broken Arrow OK 74013 
Palintest House, Kingsway, Team Valley 
Trading Estate, Gateshead Tyne & 
Wear NE11 0NS 
(1) 
(1) 
Plot No. A/147, Road No. 24, Wagle 
Industrial Estate, Thane West, 
Maharashtra, THANE 400064 
1001 New Hampshire Ave., Lakewood 
NJ 08701 
8060A Bryan Dairy Road, Largo Florida 
33777 
(1) 

Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, 
Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW 
(1) 

United States 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United States 

Common Stock 

United States 

Common Stock 

China 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Common Stock 

Netherlands 
United States 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 
100 

100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary & Deferred 
Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
India 

Ordinary Shares 
A & Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100* 
100 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

100 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

Preference & Ordinary 
Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 

100* 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

C5 Investments continued 
Subsidiaries continued 
Name 
RCS Corrosion Services Sdn. Bhd 

RCS International Limited 
Research Engineers Limited 
Reten Acoustics Limited 
Riester USA, LLC 

Robutec AG 
Rohrback Cosasco International 
Limited 

Rohrback Cosasco System China 
Corporation 

Rohrback Cosasco Systems LLC 

Rohrback Cosasco Systems Pte Ltd 

Rohrback Cosasco Systems Pty Ltd 

Rohrback Cosasco Systems UK Limited 
Rohrback Cosasco Systems, Inc 

Rudolf Riester GmbH 
S.E.R.V. Trayvou Interverrouillage SA 

Sensit Technologies LLC 

Sensit Technologies EMEA S.r.l 
Sensorex s.r.o 
Sensorex Corporation 

Setco S.A. 

Shanghai Labsphere Optical 
Equipments Co., Ltd 
Smart Process Safety China Ltd 
(previously Castell China Ltd) 

Smith Flow Control Limited 
(previously Swift 943 Ltd) 
Smith Flow Control, Inc. 

Sofis BV 
(previously Netherlocks Safety Systems 
BV) 
Sofis GmbH 

Saudi Arabia 

China 

Country 
Malaysia 

Registered Address 
Level 21, Suite 21.01, The Garden South 
Tower, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed 
Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah 
Persekutuan 
(1) 
(1) 
(1) 
507 Airport Blvd Ste 113, Morrisville  
NC 27560-8200 
Dornierstrasse 11, CH – 9423 Altenrhein  Switzerland 
OIL (Offshore Inc Limited) PO Box 957, 
Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road 
Town, Tortola 
No. A, Apartment 15F, Building 1, 
Tianchen Plaza, Yi-12 Chaoyangmen 
North Street, Chaoyang District, 
Beijing, 100020 
Gulf Consulting House 
Al-Shablan Tower – 5th Floor 
King Fahd Rd, Al Hizam Al Thahabi 
P.O.Box 3140 AL Khobar, 31952  
Ardent Business Advisory, 146, 
Robinson Road, #12-01, Singapore, 
068909 
Unit 5, 17 Caloundra Road, Clarkson,  
WA 
(1) 
11841 Smith Ave, Santa Fe Springs  
CA 90670 
Bruckstrasse 31, D-72417 Jungingen 
1 Ter, Rue du Marais Bat B, 93106 
Montreuil, Cedex 
851 Trasnport Drive, Valparaiso, IN. 
46383 
Via Tortona, n.33 Milan, 20144 
Okružní 2615, 
11751 Markon Drive, Garden Grove  
CA 92841 
c/Miquel Romeu 56, L’Hospitalet de 
Llobregat, Barcelona, 08907 
Block 1, No. 123, Lane 1165, Jindu Road, 
Minhang District, Shanghai, 201108 
Section A, Floor 2, Block 23, No. 1 
Factory Building, No. 123, Lane 1165, 
Jindu Road, Minhang District, 
Shanghai, 201108 
(1) 

Germany 
France 

Singapore 

Australia 

eské Bud

China 

China 

Spain 

Italy 

Č

ě

United States 

jovice, 370 01  Czech Republic 

United States 

United Kingdom 
United States 

United Kingdom 

Class 
Ordinary Shares 

Group % 
100 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United States 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 
British Virgin Islands  Ordinary Shares 

100 
100* 
100* 
100 

100 
100 

Common Stock 

100 

Common Stock 

100 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

Ordinary Shares 
Common Stock 

100* 
100 

Ordinary Shares  
Ordinary Shares 

Common Stock 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 
Common Stock 

Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

Ordinary Shares 

100 
100 

100 

100 
100 
100 

100 

100 

100 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

1390 Donaldson Rd, Suite B, Erlanger 
Kentucky 41018 
J Keplerweg 14, 2408 AC Alphen  
aan den Rijn 

United States 

Ordinary Shares 

Netherlands 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

100 

Sofis Limited 
(previously Smith Flow Control Ltd) 
Sonar Research & Development Limited  (1) 
Static Systems Group Limited  

Static Systems Holdings Limited 

SunTech Group EB Trustee Limited 
SunTech Medical (USA), LLC 

SunTech Medical Devices (Shenzhen) 
Co. Ltd 

Hahnenkammstrasse 12, 63811 
Stockstadt 
Unit 7b West Station Business Park, 
Spital Road, Maldon, CM9 6FF 

Heath Mill Road, Wombourne, 
Wolverhampton, WV5 8AN 
Heath Mill Road, Wombourne, 
Wolverhampton, WV5 8AN 
(1) 
507 Airport Boulevard, Suite 117, 
Morrisville NC 27560-8200 
2-3/F, Block A, Jinxiongda Technology 
Park, Guanlan, Bao’an District, 
Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518110 

Germany 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 
United States 

Ordinary Shares 
Common Stock 

China 

Ordinary Shares 

100 
100 

100 

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Notes to the Company Accounts continued 

C5 Investments continued 
Subsidiaries continued 
Name 
SunTech Medical Group Limited 

SunTech Medical Limited 

SunTech Medical Ltd (Hong Kong) 

SunTech Medical, Inc. 

T.L. Jones Ltd 

Talentum Developments Limited 

Telegan Gas Monitoring Limited 
Texecom Limited 

Thinketron Precision Equipment 
Company Ltd 
Value Added Solutions LLC 
Visiometrics S.L. 

Visual Performance Diagnostics, Inc. 

Volk Optical Inc. 

Wilkinson & Simpson Limited 

Registered Address 
Oakfield Industrial Estate, Eynsham, 
Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 4TS 
Oakfield Industrial Estate, Eynsham, 
Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 4TS 
8th Floor, Gloucester Tower, The 
Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central 
507 Airport Boulevard, Suite 117, 
Morrisville NC 27560-8200 
50 Hazeldean Road, Addington, 
Christchurch, 8024 
9 Hunting Gate, Hitchin, Hertfordshire 
SG4 0TJ 
(1) 
Bradwood Court, St. Crispin Way, 
Haslingden, Rossendale, Lancashire  
BB4 4PW 
Room 813 8/F Tai Yau Building, 181 
Johnston Road, Wan Chai 
26 Duane Lane, Burlington CT 06013 
Argenters, 8. Edifici 3, Parc Tecnològic 
del Vallès, 08290 Cerdanyola 
26895 Aliso Creek Rd, Suite B223,  
Aliso Viejo CA 92656 
7893 Enterprise Drive, Mentor Ohio 
44060 
(1) 

Country 
United Kingdom 

Class 
Ordinary Shares 

Group % 
100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

Hong Kong 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Common Stock 

New Zealand 

Ordinary Shares 

100 

100 

100 

100 

United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 

100* 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary Shares 

100* 
100* 

Hong Kong 

Ordinary Shares 

United States 
Spain 

Common Stock 
Ordinary Shares 

United States 

Common Stock 

United States 

Common Stock 

100 

100 
100 

100 

100 

United Kingdom 

Deferred & Ordinary 
Shares 

100* 

*  Directly held by the Company. 
(1) Misbourne Court, Rectory Way, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP7 0DE.  

222

 
 
C6 Debtors 

Amounts falling due within more than one year: 
Amounts due from Group companies 
Amounts falling due within one year: 
Amounts due from Group companies 
Other debtors 
Prepayments  

C7 Borrowings 

Falling due within one year: 
Overdrafts 
Unsecured loan notes 

Falling due after more than one year: 
Unsecured loan notes 
Unsecured bank loans 

Total borrowings 

31 March  
2021 
£m 

31 March  
2020 
£m 

1.2 

– 

729.7 
– 
11.1 
742.0 

795.8 
0.3 
10.8 
806.9 

31 March  
2021 
£m 

31 March  
2020 
£m 

22.6 
– 
22.6 

105.3 
216.6 
321.9 
344.5 

24.8 
74.2 
99.0 

108.6 
236.4 
345.0 
444.0 

The Company has two sources of long-term funding, which comprise: 

—  an unsecured five-year £550m Revolving Credit Facility, which expires in November 2023 and is therefore classified as expiring 

within two to five years (2020: within two to five years). At 31 March 2021, £333.4m (2020: £313.6m) remained committed and 
undrawn, and 

—  unsecured loan notes agreed on 2 November 2015 in a mix of Sterling, US Dollars and Euro with borrowing periods of five, seven 
and ten years. At 31 March 2021, the outstanding loan notes totalled £105.3m (2020: £182.8m). The first tranche of loan notes, 
totalling £72.2m, was repaid in January 2021. The remaining loan notes are classified as falling due after more than one year.  

Further details are included in note 27 to the Group accounts. 

The bank overdrafts, which are unsecured, at 31 March 2021 and 1 April 2020 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 £26.5m (2020: £15.3m) are cross-
guaranteed. Total overdrafts for the Group as at 31 March 2021 was £3.0m (2020: £0.9m). 

C8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Trade creditors 
Amounts owing to Group companies 
Other taxation and social security 
Other creditors 
Provision for contingent consideration 
Accruals  

31 March  
2021 
£m 
2.0 
53.6 
1.2 
0.5 
9.6 
7.9 
74.8 

31 March  
2020 
£m 
2.4 
60.1 
1.3 
0.9 
5.7 
10.1 
80.5 

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Notes to the Company Accounts continued 

C9 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 

Amounts owing to Group companies 
Other creditors 
Provision for contingent consideration 

These liabilities fall due as follows: 
Within one to two years 
Within two to five years 
After more than five years 

C10 Deferred tax 

At 1 April 2020 
Charge to Profit and Loss account  
Credit to comprehensive income 
Charge to equity 
At 31 March 2021 
At 1 April 2019 
(Charge)/credit to Profit and Loss account  
Charge to comprehensive income 
Credit to equity 
At 31 March 2020 

C11 Share capital 

Ordinary shares of 10p each 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
12.3 
0.4 
0.4 
13.1 

0.8 
– 
12.3 

Retirement  
benefit  
obligations 
£m 
(1.0) 
– 
2.6 
– 
1.6 
4.1 
(1.6) 
(3.5) 
– 
(1.0) 

Short-term  
timing 
 differences 
£m 
1.7 
(0.1) 
– 
(0.3) 
1.3 
1.2 
0.4 
– 
0.1 
1.7 

31 March  
2020 
£m 
11.7 
0.3 
9.2 
21.2 

9.0 
0.5 
11.7 

Total 
£m 
0.7 
(0.1) 
2.6 
(0.3) 
2.9 
5.3 
(1.2) 
(3.5) 
0.1 
0.7 

Issued and fully paid 

31 March  
2021 
£m 
38.0 

31 March  
2020 
£m 
38.0 

The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 March 2021 was 379,645,332 (2020: 379,645,332), including shares held by the 
Employee Benefit Trust of 891,622 (2020: 760,894). 

C12 Reserves 
The Capital redemption reserve was created on the 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 awards made by the Company. Own shares 
are ordinary shares in Halma plc purchased by the Company and held to fulfil its obligations under the Group’s share plans. 

C13 Retirement benefits 
The Company participates in, and is the sponsoring employer of, the Halma Group Pension Plan. The plan closed to new entrants 
in 2002/03 and to future benefit accrual in 2014/15. From that date, the former defined benefit members joined the Company’s 
existing defined contribution plan. 

There is no contractual agreement or stated policy for charging the net defined benefit cost within the Group. In accordance with 
IAS 19 (Revised 2011), the Company contribution made to the defined benefit plan during the year ended 31 March 2021 was £3.7m 
(2020: £3.5m). 

Net interest credit on pension plan assets/liabilities of £0.3m (2020: net interest charge of £0.4m) were recognised in the Profit and 
Loss Account in respect of the Company defined benefit plan. 

224

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C13 Retirement benefits continued 
The net movement on actuarial gains and losses of the plan reported in the Company Statement of Comprehensive Income and 
Expenditure was as follows: 

Defined benefit obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 
Net actuarial (losses)/gains 

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 
(40.6) 
17.4 
(23.2) 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
19.8 
(0.3) 
19.5 

The actual return on plan assets was a gain of £23.5m (2020: gain of £5.3m). 

The amount included in the Company Balance Sheet arising from the Company’s obligations in respect of its defined benefit 
retirement plans is as follows: 

Present value of defined benefit obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 
(Liability)/asset recognised in the Company Balance Sheet 

31 March  
2021 
£m 

(268.7) 
260.4 
(8.3) 

31 March  
2020 
£m 
(231.5) 
236.9 
5.4 

31 March 
2019 
£m 
(255.2) 
232.9 
(22.3) 

Under the current arrangements, cash contributions in the region of £9m per year will be made for the immediate future with the 
objective of eliminating the pension deficit that arises on a technical provisions basis which is the basis on which the deficit 
reduction payments are determined. 

Movements in the present value of the defined benefit obligation were as follows: 

At beginning of year  
Interest cost 
Remeasurement (losses)/gains: 
  Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in financial assumptions 
Benefits paid 
At end of year 

Movements in the fair value of the plan assets were as follows: 

At beginning of year  
Interest income 
Actuarial gains/(losses), excluding interest income 
Contributions from the sponsoring companies 
Benefits paid 
At end of year 

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 

(231.5) 
(5.8) 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
(255.2) 
(6.0) 

(40.6) 
9.2 
(268.7) 

19.8 
9.9 
(231.5) 

Year ended 
31 March  
2021 
£m 
236.9 
6.1 
17.4 
9.2 
(9.2) 
260.4 

Year ended 
31 March  
2020 
£m 
232.9 
5.6 
(0.3) 
8.6 
(9.9) 
236.9 

Further details of Halma Group Pension Plan, including all disclosures required under FRS 101, are contained in note 29 to the 
Group accounts. 

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Summary 2012 to 2021 

Revenue (note 1) 
Overseas sales (note 1) 
Profit before taxation, and adjustments (note 2) 
Net tangible assets/capital employed 
Borrowings (excluding overdrafts) 
Cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts) 
Number of employees (note 1) 
Earnings per ordinary share (note 1) 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (note 2)  
Year-on-year increase in adjusted earnings per ordinary share 
Return on Sales (notes 1 and 3) 
Return on Capital Employed (restated – note 4) 
Return on Total Invested Capital (restated – note 4) 
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 

All years are presented under IFRS. 

2011/12 
£m 
579.9 
454.3 
120.5 
163.3 
64.0 
45.3 
4,347 
23.01p 
24.46p 
19.4% 
20.8% 
78.6% 
17.6% 
7% 
381p 
1,440.8 

2012/13 
£m 
619.2 
503.6 
130.7 
188.7 
160.0 
49.7 
4,716 
25.22p 
26.22p 
7.2% 
21.1% 
76.4% 
16.9% 
7% 
518p 
1,962.6 

(Restated) 
(note 5) 
2012/13 
£m 
619.2 
503.6 
128.5 
188.7 
160.0 
49.7 
4,716 
24.79p 
25.79p 
5.4% 
20.8% 
75.8% 
16.6% 
7% 
518p 
1,962.6 

2013/14 
£m 
676.5 
548.6 
140.2 
189.7 
107.6 
33.1 
4,999 
28.14p 
28.47p 
10.4% 
20.7% 
76.6% 
16.7% 
7% 
579p 
2,192.6 

Notes: 
1  Continuing and discontinued operations. 
2  Adjusted to remove the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets and acquisition transaction costs, release of fair value adjustments to inventory, adjustments to 

contingent consideration (collectively ‘acquisition items’) and restructuring costs. IFRS figures include results of operations up to the date of their sales or closure but exclude material 
discontinued and continuing profits on sales or closures of operations. In 2013/14 only, the effects of closure to future benefit accrual of the defined benefit pension plans have also 
been removed. In 2018/19, the adjustments also include the effect of equalising pension benefits for men and women in the Group’s defined benefit pension plans. 

3  Return on Sales is defined as profit before taxation, the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring costs, profit or loss on disposal of 

operations; the effect of equalising pension benefits for men and women in the defined benefit pension plans (2018/19 only); and the effects of closure to future benefit accrual of the 
defined benefit pension plans net of associated costs (2013/14 only) expressed as a percentage of revenue. 

4  See note 3 to the Report and Accounts for the definitions of ROCE and ROTIC. The ROCE and ROTIC measures were restated in 2014/15 and for all prior years to use an average Capital 
Employed and Total Invested Capital respectively. This measure is considered to be more representative. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, the measures include the impact of adopting IFRS 16 
‘Leases’. There is no material impact on either measure from its inclusion. 
IAS 19 (as revised in June 2011) ‘Employee Benefits’ was adopted by the Group in 2013/14. To aid comparison, and as required by IAS 19 (revised), the Consolidated Financial Statements 
and affected notes for 2012/13 were restated as if IAS 19 (revised) had always applied during that year. Results prior to 2012/13 were not restated. 

5 

6  The 2015/16 figures were restated in 2016/17, as required by IFRS 3 (revised) ‘Business Combinations’, for material changes arising on the provisional accounting for acquisitions in 

2014/15.  

226

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014/15 
£m 
726.1 
587.8 
153.6 
219.1 
140.4 
39.5 
5,328 
27.49p 
31.17p 
9.5% 
21.2% 
77.6% 
16.3% 
7% 
701p 
2,661.3 

(Restated) 
(note 6) 
2015/16 
£m 
807.8 
663.0 
166.0 
258.6 
296.2 
49.5 
5,604 
28.76p 
34.26p 
9.9% 
20.6% 
72.4% 
15.6% 
7% 
912p 
3,462.4 

2016/17 
£m 
961.7 
806.7 
194.0 
302.2 
262.1 
65.6 
5,771 
34.25p 
40.21p 
17.4% 
20.2% 
72.5% 
15.3% 
7% 
1024p 
3,887.6 

2017/18 
£m 
1,076.2 
902.9 
213.7 
322.0 
290.0 
69.7 
6,113 
40.69p 
45.26p 
12.6% 
19.9% 
71.6% 
15.2% 
7% 
1179p 
4,476.0 

2018/19 
£m 
1,210.9 
1,010.0 
245.7 
358.9 
253.8 
72.1 
6,508 
44.78p 
52.74p 
16.5% 
20.3% 
75.1% 
16.1% 
7% 
1672p 
6,347.7 

2019/20 
£m 
1,338.4 
1,117.2 
267.0 
416.9 
419.2 
105.4 
6,992 
48.66p 
57.39p 
8.8% 
19.9% 
71.4% 
15.3% 
5% 
1921p 
7,293.0 

2020/21 
£m 
1,318.2 
1,104.6 
278.3 
389.5 
322.3 
131.1 
7,120 
53.61p 
58.67p 
2.2% 
21.1% 
70.9% 
14.4% 
7% 
2374p 
9,012.8 

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227

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationAnnual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Information

Financial calendar

Annual General Meeting
2020/21 Final dividend payable
2021/22 Half year end
2021/22 Half year results
2021/22 Interim dividend payable
2021/22 Year end
2021/22 Final results

Dividend history

Interim

Final
Total

*  Proposed.

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 email news alert service to 
automatically receive an email when significant announcements 
are made.

Shareholding information
Please contact our Registrar, Computershare, directly for all 
enquiries about your shareholding. Visit their Investor Centre website 
www.investorcentre.co.uk for online information about your 
shareholding (you will need your shareholder reference number 
which can be found on your share certificate or dividend 
confirmation), or telephone the Registrar direct using the dedicated 
telephone number for Halma shareholders: +44 (0)370 707 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 reduces 
the 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 your last dividend confirmation.

Registered office
Misbourne Court 
Rectory Way
Amersham  
Bucks HP7 0DE
Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111
halma@halma.com
Web: www.halma.com

Registrar
Computershare Investor 
Services PLC 
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZZ
Tel: +44 (0)370 707 1046
www.investorcentre.co.uk

Registered in England and 
Wales, No 040932

Investor relations
Charles King
Head of Investor Relations 
Halma plc
Misbourne Court 
Rectory Way 
Amersham  
Bucks HP7 0DE
Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111
investor.relations@halma.com

228

22 July 2021
12 August 2021
30 September 2021
November 2021
February 2022
31 March 2022
June 2022

2021

6.87p

10.78p*
17.65p

2020

6.54p

9.96p
 16.50p

2019

6.11p

9.60p
15.71p

2018

5.71p

8.97p
14.68p

2017

5.33p

8.38p
13.71p

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 22 July 2021.

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 email 
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. You may change the way you receive 
communications at any time by contacting Computershare.

Advisers
Auditor
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
40 Clarendon Road
Watford
Hertfordshire WD17 1JJ

Brokers
Credit Suisse International  
One Cabot Square  
London E14 4QJ

Investec Investment Banking 
30 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7QP

Financial PR
Andrew Jaques/Giles Robinson
MHP Communications
4th Floor
60 Great Portland Street
London W1W 7RT
Tel: +44 (0)20 3128 8100
halma@mhpc.com 

Financial advisers
Lazard & Co., Limited
50 Stratton Street
London W1J 8LL

Credit Suisse International
One Cabot Square
London E14 4QJ

The paper used in this report is produced using virgin 
wood fibre from well-managed forests with FSC® 
certification. All pulps used are elemental chlorine 
free and manufactured at a mill that has been 
awarded the ISO 14001 and EMAS certificates for 
environmental management. The use of the FSC® 
logo identifies products which contain wood from 
well-managed forests certified in accordance with 
the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council. Printed 
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accredited company, who is committed to all  
round excellence and improving environmental 
performance as an important part of this strategy.

Designed and produced by MerchantCantos  
www.merchantcantos.com

Halma plc 
Misbourne Court  
Rectory Way  
Amersham  
Bucks HP7 0DE

Tel:  +44 (0)1494 721111 
www.halma.com

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